Abstract: This paper presents a unified theoretical framework based on three fundamental axioms: the Covariance Principle, the Invariance Principle, and the Shielding Principle. Spacetime is not a continuous manifold but a discrete graph G = (V, E) of Planck-scale units, each characterized by a complex field Φ_i = √ρ_i e^{iθ_i}.Rigorously derived results (no experimental input):This paper rigorously derives from first principles: genus g = 3, spin j = 1/2, the Barbero-Immirzi parameter γ = 1/(4√3π), the Planck-scale Weinberg angle sin²θ_W(M_P) = 1/4, the color number N_c = 3, charge quantization, the lightest neutrino mass m_{ν₁} = 0, topological prohibition of fourth-generation fermions, the universal scaling ρ₀a² = 1/(2π), the Wilson coefficient r = a/4, and the gravitational wave echo structure Δt.Cross-sector validation and new discoveries in galactic dynamics (tested with observational data):(i) Using the Milky Way rotation curve (Gaia+VERA 2024) to calibrate the geometric residual parameters: r_c = 6.6 kpc, ρ₀ = 35195 km²/s², reduced χ²_ν = 1.2, perfectly replacing dark matter halos.(ii) Independent prediction of the M31 (Andromeda) rotation curve using the same parameters, in perfect agreement with observations (Carignan et al. 2006), requiring no additional adjustments.(iii) Application of the model to four dwarf galaxies (LMC, SMC, Fornax, Draco), all with reduced χ²_ν < 2.0, leading to the discovery of a new scaling relation r_c ∝ R_half (power-law exponent b = 1.02 ± 0.08, R² = 0.99), unifying the description from dwarf galaxies (R_half ∼ 0.2 kpc) to giant spirals (R_half ∼ 4.5 kpc). Dark matter theory (ΛCDM) requires independent halo parameter fitting for each galaxy and cannot explain this universal scaling law.Unified origin of dark matter and dark energy:The uniform residual of spatial unit proliferation (geometric residual) drives cosmic acceleration (dark energy), while non-uniform cascade transfer produces density gradients and density fluctuation spectra, manifesting as gravity and dark matter effects. The vacuum catastrophe is naturally resolved — uniform zero-point energy has zero gradient and does not couple to gravity. Black hole singularities are eliminated by discrete geometry.Testable predictions:No fourth-generation leptons; gravitational wave echoes (10⁻² s for stellar-mass black holes, 10³ s for supermassive black holes); neutrinoless double-beta decay m_{ββ} ≈ 0.0037 eV; rotation curve oscillations (amplitude 2-3 km/s, period 5 kpc); δ_{CP} = e/2; α_s(m_Z) = 1/(πe); superconducting phase transition radiation ν = 2Δ/h.Core conclusions:The dimensionless constants of the Standard Model are not free parameters but topologically invariant geometric lockings. Dark matter and dark energy are not independent entities but macroscopic manifestations of geometric residual effects. The scaling relation r_c ∝ R_half is the geometric fingerprint of emergent gravity.

Abstract: Despite recent advances in artificial intelligence, static deep learning models still struggle in non-stationary real-world environments because of concept drift. This paper presents a framework for Self-Evolving Machine Learning Models (SE-MLM) that combines the rapid adaptability of meta-learning with the structural flexibility of Neural Architecture Search (NAS). Unlike train-once approaches that require manual retraining afterdrift our framework enables the model to update itself through a bi-level optimization process: an inner loop adapts weights using meta-gradients, and an outer loop refines the architecture through a continuous relaxation of the search space. Experiments on CIFAR-10, CIFAR-100, and Rotated-MNIST show that SE-MLM recovers up to 98% of baseline performance within minutes of a drift event and consistently outperforms static base- lines. We also discuss practical applications in healthcare monitoring and high-frequency trading, along with future directions in “Green AI” and explainability.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Microbiopsy enables minimally invasive molecular sampling of skin, but diagnostic use will likely depend on integrating molecular readouts with imaging-based phenotype context. This manuscript frames the supplied Beiersdorf–UniSA/Prow volunteer study as a proof-of-concept diagnostic workflow for skin ageing and removes the ancillary shipping experiment to focus on clinical feasibility and classifier performance. Methods: Thirty volunteers were recruited into younger (20–30 years, n=15) and older (60–70 years, n=15) cohorts. Clinical photographs, dermoscopic images, skin-mold impressions, and inner-arm microbiopsy samples were collected. A 46-gene TaqMan qPCR panel was analyzed, with candidate biomarkers assessed for detectability, between-group separation, intra- versus interindividual variation, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) performance. The manuscript was reconstructed from the supplied presentation and should therefore be regarded as a submission-ready draft derived from the available source material. Results: Pre- and post-procedure images showed only small punctate marks after sampling, supporting clinical feasibility of repeated, image-guided microbiopsy. Skin-surface roughness measures derived from mold imaging separated the younger and older cohorts on both displayed metrics (p&lt;0.0001). Of 46 assayed genes, 43 were detected in at least one volunteer sample. TGFBI, CIART, and FOXQ1 were highlighted as the strongest age-associated markers. Single-gene ROC analysis ranked TGFBI (AUC 0.76), CIART (AUC 0.75), and FOXQ1 (AUC 0.73) highest. A three-gene model combining TGFBI, CIART, and FOXQ1 reached AUC 0.81 with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value all reported as 0.80. An exploratory four-gene model reached AUC 0.84, specificity 0.93, sensitivity 0.80, negative predictive value 0.82, and positive predictive value 0.92; the identity of the fourth marker should be confirmed from

Abstract: Genetic diversity, which includes rare genetic traits that are found in both plant and animal domains, forms the basic structure of biological variation. These traits play a major role in helping organisms adapt to changing and challenging climatic conditions and various environmental stresses. However, human activities such as industrial agriculture, and climate change are further accelerating the loss of genetic diversity. This decline leads to reduced biodiversity, unstable ecosystems, and increases the risk of extinction for certain species. This paper aims to analyze the sources, functions, and conservation strategies for rare genetic traits in plants and animals in the context of their biological potential. The study first focuses on plant genetic traits and explores where these rare traits originate, including crop wild relatives, traditional landraces, and indigenous varieties. These traits play a crucial role in enhancing environmental stress tolerance in plants. It further examines rare genetic traits in animals, highlighting the genetic foundations of traits that support adaptation and survival in animals. Loss of these traits can result in extinction and even decline in biological potential since they can contribute significantly to advancements in medicine and technology. The study discusses strategies for conservation of rare genetic traits in plants and animals under climate change and emphasizes the urgent need to conserve genetic diversity for future sustainability and resilience.

Abstract: Sandy beaches in the Central Region of Veracruz (RCV) face constant anthropogenic pressure from port and urban activities. This study aimed to evaluate total hydrocar-bon (TH) concentrations in the intertidal interstitial water of five beaches in the RCV, analyzing their variability by depth (15 and 30 cm) and seasonality (northerly winds, dry, and rainy seasons). TH determination was performed using gas chromatography (GC-FID), following the NMX-AA-117-SCFI-2001 and NOM-138-SEMARNAT/SSA1-2012 standards. Results showed concentrations ranging from 0.86 to 6.53 µg L⁻¹. Significant spatial differences were identified (p < 0.05); An-tepuerto beach presented the highest levels due to its proximity to the port, while Far-allón showed the lowest concentrations, confirming its role as a reference site. No sig-nificant variations were detected by depth or season (p > 0.05), indicating temporal stability associated with continuous anthropogenic inputs. Although levels comply with Mexican regulations, the continuous presence of TH represents a potential risk to benthic biota and the integrity of the Veracruz Reef System (SAV). This study pro-vides a critical baseline for strengthening coastal ecosystem management strategies in the Gulf of Mexico.

Abstract: This study investigates the role of cultural development as a driver of sustainable ur-ban development in Kalamata, a medium-sized city in southern Greece (population ~70,000). Drawing on the UNESCO CDIS framework, SDG 11, the Faro Convention (2005), and the Historic Urban Landscape Recommendation (UNESCO 2011), the re-search employs an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design integrating a strati-fied resident survey (n = 517), 49 stakeholder interviews, and systematic cultural car-tography (Cultural Map v7, 2026). Quantitative findings reveal moderate cultural sat-isfaction (M = 3.21/5) with significant geographic disparities (Centre M = 3.1 vs. East-ern zones M = 2.2, p < 0.001). Regression analysis identifies cultural infrastructure sat-isfaction (β = 0.41), digital cultural information access (β = 0.306), voluntary participa-tion (β = 0.19), and residential zone (β = 0.168) as independent predictors (R² = 0.58). A strong culture–urban development satisfaction correlation (Spearman ρ = 0.62, p < 0.001) empirically validates the culture-sustainability nexus. The qualitative strand documents Institutional Resilience through Cultural Civil Society (IRCC): a co-evolutionary dynamic between austerity-era institutional contraction (2010–2018) and compensatory voluntary cultural expansion. CDIS triangulation reveals systemic weaknesses in cultural governance and spatial equity alongside strengths in education and civil-society participation. Archival data (GSA-Messenia, 2008) trace spatial ine-qualities to post-1922 refugee settlement geography. Seven evidence-based policy recommendations are proposed. The study advances replicable mixed-methods model for medium-sized Mediterranean cities.

Abstract: : Candidemia is a major healthcare-associated bloodstream infection with high mortality, requiring ongoing surveillance to guide management. This retrospective study analyzed 306 candidemia episodes diagnosed between 2015 and 2024 at a Spanish tertiary-care hospital, comparing two periods (2015–2019 vs. 2020–2024). The overall incidence was 0.79 episodes per 1,000 admissions, with peaks in 2021 and 2024. Candida albicans was the most common species (44.8%), followed by Candida parapsilosis (19.0%) and Nakaseomyces glabrata (15.7%). A significant epidemiological shift occurred in the later period, with increased C. albicans, decreased C. parapsilosis, and emergence of N. glabrata as the second most frequent species. ICU-related cases rose significantly during the COVID-19 period. Diagnostic turnaround times improved, including faster blood culture positivity and species identification by MALDI-TOF, supported by rapid PCR testing with high sensitivity (91.7%). Antifungal resistance to fluconazole was notable in N. glabrata (42.3%). Empirical echinocandin use increased, alongside greater targeted fluconazole therapy. Antimicrobial stewardship interventions, mainly de-escalation strategies, were widely implemented after 2019. Overall mortality was 40.8%, with a decline observed in 2023–2024. These findings suggest that integrated diagnostic and stewardship strategies may improve outcomes, though causal relationships require further study.

Abstract: Quantitative results demonstrate that the 4D stratified model significantly improved soil quality and vertical structural complexity; vegetation density increased from 5 to 35 plants/m², while species richness exhibited a fourfold increase. Beyond biophysical restoration, the intervention catalyzed a "narrative inversion," transitioning the site from a stigmatized wasteland to a socio-ecological hub that fosters collaborative health literacy and community resilience. By integrating agroecological practices with the EcoFoodFertility clinical framework, the project illustrates the potential of localized interventions to function as "preventive infrastructures" within a One Health paradigm. The findings suggest that SAFS represents a scalable laboratory for territorial re-signification, offering transferable insights for aligning ecological restoration with social innovation in degraded peri-urban landscapes, in accordance with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and European Green Deal objectives.

Abstract: Soil health is fundamental for food security, climate regulation, and ecosystem resili-ence, yet global research and development efforts remain uneven and fragmented. To date, no study has comprehensively integrated development investments, scientific output, and technological innovation into a unified assessment of global soil health dynamics. Addressing this gap, this study provides a multi-scalar analysis of soil health research from 1990 to 2025 by combining international project data and scien-tific publications activity across six key thematic domains. This time frame captures the transition from conventional soil research to modern molecular and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based approaches. Using a PRISMA-based methodology, we analyzed 1,402 World Bank projects, 190 mi-crobiome-related projects from CORDIS, and bibliometric data from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Results show sustained global growth in soil research, with nu-trient management and soil degradation remaining dominant, while soil microbiome research and carbon sequestration have expanded rapidly, particularly after 2015. Despite this growth, significant regional disparities persist, with research concentrated in Asia, Europe, and North America. To address the lack of a coherent microbiome-based soil health assessment system, we propose a structured microbial indicator framework based on twelve functional mi-crobial groups, evaluated through culturable abundance, functional gene abundance, and relative abundance. Additionally, we introduce a unified, database-driven micro-biome reference framework that interprets soils relative to known types and condi-tions. This approach enables more standardized, scalable, and context-aware diagnos-tics, supporting the identification of healthy, degraded, and transitional soil states.

Abstract: Communication regarding the mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Research Units Program (CRU) can take many forms, yet clear and concise messaging for various audiences is critical to highlight program accomplishments and increase visibility. Before the work described in this report, CRU did not have a communication strategy; therefore, CRU leadership supported a structured decision-making (SDM) workshop to develop a comprehensive strategy for multiple audiences. The workshop was conducted in November 2024, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The working group for this SDM process included CRU Program leadership, the CRU Communications Team lead, Unit scientists, a Unit administrative assistant, a representative of the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), a member of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area (EMA), Office of Communications and Publishing (OCAP) team, and the team lead for the CRU Program strategic planning process, as well as three facilitators who were also Unit scientists as well as experts in SDM. Over the course of a week, the SDM team followed the PrOACT framework which identified the problem, objectives, alternatives, consequences, and tradeoffs to guide us toward a strategy for implementation of a set of actions for CRU communications. Results of the SDM workshop included the development of a problem statement, an objectives hierarchy, a suite of alternatives that were evaluated using a consequences table and a clear process for assessing tradeoffs among alternative communication actions and strategies. Through the evaluation of consequences of each action or campaign, the team developed both the assessment tool (for the future) and an immediate plan for communication product development and distribution. The consequences table for this problem was meant to be flexible to accommodate changes in CRU thematic priorities and can be easily updated with new objectives, measures, and alternatives. In addition, the weight placed on objectives may change as the Team moves forward; the ranking and scoring system used in the workshop can be easily updated. Overall, the working group identified three different actions or campaigns—Fact Sheets, Who Are We Campaign, and Alumni Campaign—that scored high in the prototype decision framework. However, the tradeoffs analysis indicated that each action(s) performed better on some objectives than others. The working group identified a need to therefore develop an implementation plan that is composed of individual actions that each target different objectives to potentially create a holistic and feasible communications strategy that performs well for all objectives. In addition, the SDM prototype developed a scalable, objective-based framework for effective communication of the value and accomplishments of the CRU program.

Abstract: People with disabilities face disproportionate climate-related risks, yet disability is rarely incorporated into composite climate vulnerability indices. To date, no exiting index — at any geographic scale — incorporates disability as a primary dimension. This study develops the Disability-Inclusive Climate Vulnerability (DICLIV) Index for Chile’s 16 regions, integrating four dimensions: disability and dependency vulnerability (D1), climate hazards and exposure (D2), adaptive capacity (D3), and resilience and response capacity (D4). Seventeen indicators were selected from Chilean regional data sources. A sensitivity analysis assessed the contribution of the disability dimension by re-estimating the index, excluding D1. Findings reveal a distinct south-central vulnerability cluster — Ñuble (0.391), Biobío (0.350), and the Metropolitan Region (0.318) — driven by high disability prevalence, climate hazard exposure, and limited adaptive capacity. Atacama (0.115) ranked least vulnerable, despite its harsh desert environment, reflecting low population density and stronger adaptive capacity. When D1 was excluded, the gap between the first and third-ranked region narrowed, confirming that disability indicators sharpen, but do not create a different geography of climate vulnerability. The DICLIV is the first composite index to treat disability as a core dimension, supporting disability-inclusive climate adaptation aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sendai Framework.

Abstract: Background: Decentralised clinical trials (DCTs) have emerged as a transformative approach to improve accessibility, inclusivity, and efficiency in clinical research. However, evidence on their feasibility and implementation readiness in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. This study aimed to assess stakeholder awareness, perceptions, and system readiness for DCT implementation in Sri Lanka. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 87 stakeholders, including academics, healthcare professionals, researchers, and regulatory personnel. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing awareness, attitudes, perceived benefits and barriers, and readiness for DCT implementation. Descriptive statistics summarised responses, while bivariate analyses (chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests) and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with perceived preparedness. Results: Awareness of DCTs was moderate (62.1%), and most participants recognised their potential to improve trial participation (88.5%). However, only 31.0% reported feeling adequately prepared to engage in DCTs. Institutional readiness was limited, with low availability of infrastructure (31.0%) and policies (16.1%). Regulatory familiarity (13.8%) and confidence in ethical guidance (10.3%) were also low. Key barriers included technological limitations (64.4%), data privacy concerns (58.6%), and patient safety issues (56.3%). Preparedness was significantly associated with prior training (p = 0.019) and institutional infrastructure (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.21–9.09), but not with level of understanding. Conclusion: Stakeholders in Sri Lanka demonstrate strong conceptual support for DCTs but limited operational readiness. Implementation is constrained by system-level gaps rather than attitudinal barriers. Context-specific investment in infrastructure, training, and regulatory frameworks is essential to ensure equitable and sustainable adoption of decentralised clinical trials.

Abstract: Zucchelli and Smith described a biomathematical fatigue model for recreational passage-making — the Integrated Fatigue Model (IFM) — with output expressed as a blood-alcohol-concentration (BAC) equivalence anchored on Dawson and Reid (1997). The IFM reproduces the dose-response using simpler linear extrapolations for multi-day fatigue accumulation and a simpler pre-departure accounting; Zucchelli and Smith calibrated and validated the IFM primarily on passages of two days or less. This paper extends the scientific treatment to multi-day offshore passage-making: transits of 48 hours and longer, non-rested departures, and short-handed watch-rotation choices. The engine is rebuilt on the McCauley–Ramakrishnan unified model — a two-state framework with fast homeostatic S and slow allostatic L — and recalibrated against the Dawson–Reid 17 h / 24 h anchors so the BAC output is preserved. Maritime tuning combines sea-state and fragmentation effects multiplicatively on the sleep time constant, yielding effective τ_s from 4.9 h (calm + deep at sea) to 25.5 h (storm + fragmented); the 4.2 h shore-laboratory baseline is not reachable at sea in the current calibration. A combinatorial consequence — the circadian-burden-distribution property of crew-rotation cycles whose length is coprime with the crew size — formalises the effectiveness of the Swedish watch system.

Abstract: This paper presents a two-phase adaptive algorithm to solve the 2-Dimensional Maximum Sum Sub-array Problem. By reframing the search order to establish a single-column baseline first, the algorithm generates mathematical pruning bounds in O(NM) time. These bounds are utilized in a second phase to skip unpromising multi-column scans in O(1) time. This “Two-Phase” approach achieves a quadratic best-case floor of O(M² + NM), while significantly improving the expected performance across typical data distributions and maintaining the cubic worst-case. This adaptive strategy effectively bridges the gap between theoretical sub-cubic complexity and practical implementation.

Abstract: Language is social, as it is used by individuals to communicate and exchange ideas in society. Language is also cognitive, as the primary function of language, even before communicating and exchanging ideas, is to think. This article connects the social representations of what bilingualism is in the United States and how transnational youth are talked about in U.S. society with how both of these social representations create cognitive representations (e.g., thoughts, ideas, and beliefs) about transnational youth that result in negative educational policies and practices, and shameful psychological and behavioral experiences for these youth. We begin with an ethnosemantic analysis of the word “bilingual” in the U.S. and then use the cognitive linguistic phenomena of conceptual metaphor and conceptual metonymy to explain how bilingualism is cognitively viewed as a “shameful problem” in society for transnational youth. We link linguistic shame, brought on by the social cognitive representations of bilingualism as transnational youth metonymically being incomplete, broken, in disrepair, fractured, unsettled, displaced, lacking fully built linguistic structures, not fully in possession of any language, to the phenomenon of and conceptual metaphor of TRANSNATIONAL YOUTH’S BILINGUALISM IS LINGUISTIC HOMELESSNESS (Bakhtin, 1981; Baratta, 2014; Britton, 1996). We conclude by putting forth a new metaphor, TRANSNATIONAL YOUTH FUNDS OF KNOWLEDGE ARE MYCELIAL NETWORKS, that rejects the concept of linguistic homelessness by pointing to these youth’s expanding networks of fluid languaging practices, transnational academic skills, and ever adapting identities. Through this new discourse we advocate for new ways of socially talking about transnational youth and their languaging practices that may lead to different cognitive representations of these students; reorienting bilingualism from a problem to a resource and a right.

Abstract: The study is grounded on information as a property of the constituent elements of both material and non-material systems. Through these interactions, a function is performed, or a structure is formed, which in turn performs a function analogous to the behavior of an intelligent agent. Information and self-organization give rise to modules at the molecular, cellular, and individual levels. Species, likewise, can be understood as modules, real and objective units of life, that emerge as cognitive, linguistic, and biological modules. In the framework of the biological module concept, species can be viewed as a temporal chain of living organisms, where each link comprises three successive populations that behave among themselves as intelligent agents. The intelligent agent is zygotic information in sexually reproducing organisms and an affordance of the environment in asexually reproducing organisms. However, a new model has been developed in which the stability of the species is argued, analogous to the stability observed in other biological modules.

Abstract: Graph neural networks have been increasingly explored for network intrusion detection, yet the effect of graph construction strategy on detection performance remains underexamined, particularly for IoMT networks. In this study, we systematically investigate how data representation, graph construction, evaluation protocol, and task formulation shape the effectiveness of graph-based intrusion detection on the CICIoMT2024 benchmark data. We compare three representation strategies: flow-level tabular features, feature-similarity graphs, and PCAP-derived communication-topology graphs constructed from raw packet captures. We further examine the effect of domain-typed edge augmentation, PCAP-level validation protocols, and task decomposition into topology-heavy and protocol-heavy attack categories. Our results show that feature-similarity graphs provide no reliable advantage over Random Forest baselines, whereas PCAP-derived communication topology enables GNNs to become competitive on topology-heavy attacks. Third, domain-aware edge typing improves both performance and stability. Fourth, under proper PCAP-level validation with session-aware splits, previously reported gains diminish substantially, underscoring the importance of evaluation protocol. Fifth, in our experiments on this dataset, GNN effectiveness depends on attack category: topology-heavy attacks (DDoS, DoS, Recon) benefit from graph modeling, while protocol-heavy attacks (MQTT, Spoofing) do not. Across five random seeds, a domain-typed Adaptive Edge-Weighted GAT achieves a macro-F1 of 0.800 ± 0.026 on the topology-heavy subset, compared with 0.784 ± 0.020 for Random Forest. These results suggest that in IoMT intrusion detection, representation of choice and evaluation protocol matter more than architectural complexity.

Abstract: This review traces how our understanding of Low and Intermediate Mass Stars (hereafter LMS and IMS, respectively) evolved in time, in parallel with our knowledge of slow neutron-capture phenomena (the s-process). I shall focus in particular on the main component of this nucleosynthesis phenomenon, occurring in the above mentioned stars close to the end of their lifetimes. At that stage, they ascend the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB), where both hydrogen and helium shells exist, burning alternatively during the phases most relevant to our discussion (the so-called TP-AGB phases). I shall outline how neutron sources were discovered to be activated there and what observational constraints and nuclear measurements have taught us about the status of our theoretical models in this field of nuclear and stellar physics research.

Abstract: Precipitation variability in the VMD is a critical determinant of agricultural productivity, freshwater availability, and flood and drought dynamics in one of Southeast Asia's most climate-vulnerable regions. Teleconnections between PPTA and three dominant climate modes (Niño 3.4, DMI and PDO) were quantified at ten meteorological stations from 1981 to 2025 using Pearson lag-correlation and WTC. ENSO is identified as the primary interannual driver, exhibiting a peak negative correlation at a lag of two months (r = −0.304, p < 0.001; 9.2% variance explained). The IOD exerts a secondary, delayed influence, peaking at lags of 11 to 12 months (r = 0.186, p < 0.001; 3.5% variance). The PDO functions as a persistent decadal modulator: positive phases suppress annual precipitation by 4.6%, while negative phases enhance it by 14.5% relative to the long-term mean (6.4% variance). WTC analysis reveals non-stationary coherence at 2–5 year (ENSO) and 8–16 year (PDO) periodicities. Compound El Niño and positive PDO events result in the most severe precipitation deficits, with non-linear responses during strong ENSO phases. These results establish a multi-index teleconnection framework that supports seasonal drought early warning and climate-adaptive water resource management in the VMD.

Abstract: The Iulia Felix is a 2nd century AD Roman wreck discovered on the seabed off Grado in 1986. After being recovered, the hull was dismantled and its components were treated with PEG 4000 at high concentrations and temperatures. The treatment and drying pro-cess were completed in 2003. While awaiting exhibition, the wreck elements were stored in a stockroom, where they were preserved for over 20 years. However, this prolonged storage has introduced new variables. In particular, salt efflorescence has appeared on the surfac-es of some elements, raising concerns about potential further degradation. This made in-vestigating this efflorescence and studying how environmental conditions may affect the state of the treated wood particularly pertinent. The efflorescence was analysed using mi-croanalysis performed with a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dis-persive spectroscopy probe (EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. To verify the effect of climate on the treated material, some samples were exposed to severe but realistic humidity levels of 35% and 85% for an ex-tended period until equilibrium was reached. Analysis of the efflorescence revealed the presence of iron- and sulphur-based com-pounds, namely hydrated ferrous sulphates, calcium sulphate and hydrated iron oxides. This indicates that the ship’s elements had been affected by a corrosion process typically associated with the degradation of metal components. This process begins in a maritime environment and is completed in a humid, oxidative environment following artefact re-covery. Moreover, the presence of PEG in the efflorescence indicates that the artefact un-derwent unforeseen conditions after treatment that caused PEG to migrate to the surface over time. Environmental tests showed that using PEG 4000 for treatment significantly slowed down hygrometric exchange with the environment. However, exposure to a dry climate resulted in limited deformation due to minimal mass change (less than 1% for both mass and surface area), whereas prolonged exposure to a humid environment caused an 11% mass increase (due to water vapour absorption), resulting in a ca. 5% increase in sur-face area. This phenomenon was accompanied by the onset of minor cracks. In some cases, however, the samples fractured. Overall, this work contributes to the ongoing under-standing of the preservation challenges faced by underwater archaeological finds, partic-ularly with regard to treatment with high molecular weight PEG. It highlights the need for continuous monitoring to address degradation and its impact on the structural integrity of the wrecks, and provides a basis for future conservation strategies in museums.