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Recent Articles  

12 pages, 255 KiB  
Article
Iron Deficiency Anemia and Dyslipidemia Among Hospital Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study in Turkey
by Volkan Medeni, Rabia Aygür, İrem Medeni, Kübra Nur Türk, Asiye Uğraş Dikmen and Mustafa Necmi İlhan
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(23), 7042; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13237042 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
Introduction: Anemia and dyslipidemia are significant health concerns that affect individual health and societal development. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and dyslipidemia among nurses in a university hospital in Turkey and explore potential relationships between these [...] Read more.
Introduction: Anemia and dyslipidemia are significant health concerns that affect individual health and societal development. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and dyslipidemia among nurses in a university hospital in Turkey and explore potential relationships between these conditions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 712 nurses who underwent periodic health examinations. Data on demographic characteristics, hemoglobin, iron parameters, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and lipid profile were analyzed. People with all four hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation values lower than normal ranges at the same time were considered to have iron deficiency anemia. Results: Iron deficiency anemia prevalence was 10.7%, with no cases observed in male nurses or those aged 51 and older. Among the nurses, approximately 16.3% had low hemoglobin levels, 16.6% had low hematocrit levels, 30.6% had low ferritin levels, 36.0% had low transferrin saturation, 40.3% had low iron levels, and 24.9% high iron-binding capacity. Elevated total cholesterol was observed in 34.8%, high LDL in 29.6%, low HDL in 27.0%, and elevated triglycerides in 15.0%. Nurses with iron deficiency anemia had significantly lower triglyceride levels than those without. Weak positive correlations were found between triglycerides and hemoglobin, iron, ferritin, and transferrin levels. Additionally, higher total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels were associated with increased hemoglobin levels. Conclusions: This study highlights the high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and dyslipidemia among hospital nurses, with a notable association between these conditions and factors such as age, gender, and dietary habits. Our findings underscore the need for healthcare services to prioritize the prevention, diagnosis, and management of these health issues in healthcare workers. A comprehensive approach, including regular screenings, dietary improvements, and addressing workplace factors could improve health outcomes and enhance healthcare delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Epidemiology & Public Health)
19 pages, 1091 KiB  
Review
Ketogenic Diet and Neuroinflammation: Implications for Neuroimmunometabolism and Therapeutic Approaches to Refractory Epilepsy
by Daniela Guerreiro, Anabela Almeida and Renata Ramalho
Nutrients 2024, 16(23), 3994; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16233994 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
Refractory epilepsy, characterized by seizures that do not respond to standard antiseizure medications, remains a significant clinical challenge. The central role of the immune system on the occurrence of epileptic disorders has been long studied, but recent perspectives on immunometabolism and neuroinflammation are [...] Read more.
Refractory epilepsy, characterized by seizures that do not respond to standard antiseizure medications, remains a significant clinical challenge. The central role of the immune system on the occurrence of epileptic disorders has been long studied, but recent perspectives on immunometabolism and neuroinflammation are reshaping scientific knowledge. The ketogenic diet and its variants have been considered an important medical nutrition therapy for refractory epilepsy and may have a potential modulation effect on the immune system, specifically, on the metabolism of immune cells. In this comprehensive review, we gathered current evidence-based practice, ketogenic diet variants and interventional ongoing clinical trials addressing the role of the ketogenic diet in epilepsy. We also discussed in detail the ketogenic diet metabolism and its anticonvulsant mechanisms, and the potential role of this diet on neuroinflammation and neuroimmunometabolism, highlighting Th17/Treg homeostasis as one of the most interesting aspects of ketogenic diet immune modulation in refractory epilepsy, deserving consideration in future clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of Micronutrients on Immune System and Inflammatory Diseases)
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8 pages, 1106 KiB  
Article
Clinical Study of Vitamin D Levels in Hospitalized Children with Acute Respiratory Infections
by Gena Stoykova Petkova, Eleonora Nikolaeva Mineva and Venetsia Tsvetkova Botsova
Pediatr. Rep. 2024, 16(4), 1034-1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric16040088 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
The aim of our research was to evaluate and analyze serum 25(OH) vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency serves as a risk factor for an increased incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in children. Serum PTH [...] Read more.
The aim of our research was to evaluate and analyze serum 25(OH) vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency serves as a risk factor for an increased incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in children. Serum PTH levels were used as an indicator of vitamin D sufficiency, as normal PTH levels require an optimal concentration of 25(OH) vitamin D. The study included 129 children, divided into five subgroups: children with acute bronchopneumonia (n = 42), acute laryngotracheitis (n = 7), acute bronchiolitis (n = 32), acute bronchitis (n = 18), and a control group (n = 30). No statistically significant differences in 25(OH)D levels were observed between the overall population of children with ARI and the control group (p = 0.073). However, significant differences in 25(OH)D levels were identified between the control group and children with bronchopneumonia, acute bronchitis, and laryngotracheitis (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Regarding PTH levels, statistical significance was found between the control group and the acute bronchiolitis group, due to the high percentage of children with hypervitaminosis in this subgroup. These results highlight the crucial role of vitamin D in the onset and progression of acute respiratory tract infections in children, emphasizing its impact on their overall respiratory health. Full article
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19 pages, 10443 KiB  
Article
Optimized High-Voltage Analog Switch and Its Control Circuit Based on Silicon-on-Insulator Technology
by Zhuze Li, Xinquan Lai, Chentao Ding, Dinghai Jin, Jiabao Wang and Chen Liu
Electronics 2024, 13(23), 4601; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13234601 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
In recent years, high-voltage analog switches have been widely used in various fields. To handle complex use scenarios, high-voltage analog switches need to achieve the goals of low on-resistance, high isolation performance, high response speed, and high voltage withstand range. Traditional high-voltage analog [...] Read more.
In recent years, high-voltage analog switches have been widely used in various fields. To handle complex use scenarios, high-voltage analog switches need to achieve the goals of low on-resistance, high isolation performance, high response speed, and high voltage withstand range. Traditional high-voltage analog switches have issues such as low integration, large area, and slow response speed. This paper uses a super junction MOSFET (SJ-MOS) with a 0.18 μm SOI process and a solid-state relay (SSR) structure to implement a high-voltage analog switch. A gate drive circuit suitable for low gate-source breakdown voltage is proposed to maintain the gate-source voltage, achieving a low on-resistance of 24 Ω and high isolation. Compared with traditional high-voltage analog switches, it achieves higher performance with a smaller area. Full article
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17 pages, 3473 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Analysis of Early Alzheimer Disease Detection from 3D sMRI Images Using Deep Learning Frameworks
by Pouneh Abbasian and Tracy A. Hammond
Information 2024, 15(12), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15120746 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
Accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has largely focused on its later stages, often overlooking the critical need for early detection of Early Mild Cognitive Impairment (EMCI). Early detection is essential for potentially reducing mortality rates; however, distinguishing EMCI from Normal Cognitive (NC) [...] Read more.
Accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has largely focused on its later stages, often overlooking the critical need for early detection of Early Mild Cognitive Impairment (EMCI). Early detection is essential for potentially reducing mortality rates; however, distinguishing EMCI from Normal Cognitive (NC) individuals is challenging due to similarities in their brain patterns. To address this, we have developed a subject-level 3D-CNN architecture enhanced by preprocessing techniques to improve classification accuracy between these groups. Our experiments utilized structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (sMRI) data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset, specifically the ADNI3 collection. We included 446 subjects from the baseline and year 1 phases, comprising 164 individuals diagnosed with EMCI and 282 individuals with NC. When evaluated using 4-fold stratified cross-validation, our model achieved a validation AUC of 91.5%. On the test set, it attained an accuracy of 81.80% along with a recall of 82.50%, precision of 81.80%, and specificity of 80.50%, effectively distinguishing between the NC and EMCI groups. Additionally, a gradient class activation map was employed to highlight key regions influencing model predictions. In comparative evaluations against pretrained models and existing literature, our approach demonstrated decent performance in early AD detection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Predictive Analytics and Data Science)
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11 pages, 469 KiB  
Review
Corticosteroids and the Pharmacological Management of Autism—An Integrative Review
by Lillian Amanda Gabarrão de Jesus, Grasiela Piuvezam, Isac Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta and Eduardo Borges de Melo
Sci. Pharm. 2024, 92(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm92040061 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition typically detected during early childhood, for which no specific and efficient pharmacological management is currently available. No drugs have been developed specifically for the pharmacological management of autism. Thus, this approach often [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition typically detected during early childhood, for which no specific and efficient pharmacological management is currently available. No drugs have been developed specifically for the pharmacological management of autism. Thus, this approach often relies on various conventional psychotropic medications and, depending on the condition, other medications may also be used. Some studies available in the literature indicate that the adjunctive use of corticosteroids can help improve the quality of life of individuals with autism. Therefore, we conducted an integrative review using four databases, which were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on clinical trials and animal model studies involving corticosteroids related to autism. We analyzed the effects of treatment on core and associated autism symptoms, as well as adverse effects. Eight studies were selected and analyzed, seven involving humans and one using an animal model. These studies focused on the drugs pregnenolone (3), prednisolone (3), hydrocortisone (1), and betamethasone (1) in trials either alone or in combination with other medications (such as risperidone). We observed that corticosteroids safely and effectively reduced several symptoms, including stereotypical and social behaviors, hyperactivity, and irritability. Furthermore, no serious adverse effects were observed, although all selected studies were of short duration. Thus, corticosteroids are promising options to be included in the pharmacological management of autism, whether or not in combination with other medications, and further studies are needed to evaluate their long-term effectiveness. Full article
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18 pages, 3156 KiB  
Article
Aminomethylmorpholino Nucleosides as Novel Inhibitors of PARP1 and PARP2: Experimental and Molecular Modeling Analyses of Their Selectivity and Mechanism of Action
by Irina Chernyshova, Inna Vasil’eva, Nina Moor, Nikita Ivanisenko, Mikhail Kutuzov, Tatyana Abramova, Alexandra Zakharenko and Olga Lavrik
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12526; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312526 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases 1 and 2 (PARP1 and PARP2) play a key role in DNA repair. As major sensors of DNA damage, they are activated to produce poly(ADP-ribose). PARP1/PARP2 inhibitors have emerged as effective drugs for the treatment of cancers with BRCA deficiencies. Here, [...] Read more.
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases 1 and 2 (PARP1 and PARP2) play a key role in DNA repair. As major sensors of DNA damage, they are activated to produce poly(ADP-ribose). PARP1/PARP2 inhibitors have emerged as effective drugs for the treatment of cancers with BRCA deficiencies. Here, we explored aminomethylmorpholino and aminomethylmorpholino glycine nucleosides as inhibitors of PARP1 and PARP2, using different enzymatic assays. The compounds bearing thymine or 5-Br(I)-uracil bases displayed the highest inhibition potency, with all of them being more selective toward PARP1. Interaction of the inhibitors with the NAD+ binding cavity of PARP1 (PARP2) suggested by the mixed-type inhibition was demonstrated by molecular docking and the RoseTTAFold All-Atom AI-model. The best PARP1 inhibitors characterized by the inhibition constants in the range of 12–15 µM potentiate the cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide by displaying strong synergism. The inhibitors revealed no impact on PARP1/PARP2 affinity for DNA, while they reduced the dissociation rate of the enzyme–DNA complex upon the autopoly(ADP-ribosyl)ation reaction, thus providing evidence that their mechanism of action for PARP trapping is due primarily to catalytic inhibition. The most active compounds were shown to retain selectivity toward PARP1, despite the reduced inhibition potency in the presence of histone PARylation factor 1 (HPF1) capable of regulating PARP1/PARP2 catalytic activity and ADP-ribosylation reaction specificity. The inhibitors obtained seem to be promising for further research as potential drugs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Enzyme Inhibitors: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives)
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19 pages, 4363 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Soil and Topography Factors on Larix gmelinii var. Principis-rupprechtii Forest Mortality and Capability of Decision Tree Binning Method and Generalized Linear Models in Predicting Tree Mortality
by Zhaohui Yang, Wei Zou, Haodong Liu, Ram P. Sharma, Mengtao Zhang and Zhenhua Hu
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2060; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122060 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
Understanding the factors influencing individual tree mortality is essential for sustainable forest management, particularly for Prince Rupprech’s larch (Larix gmelinii var. Principis-rupprechtii) in North China’s natural forests. This study focused on 20 sample plots (20 × 20 m each) established in [...] Read more.
Understanding the factors influencing individual tree mortality is essential for sustainable forest management, particularly for Prince Rupprech’s larch (Larix gmelinii var. Principis-rupprechtii) in North China’s natural forests. This study focused on 20 sample plots (20 × 20 m each) established in Shanxi Province, North China. This study compared three individual tree mortality models—Generalized Linear Model (GLM), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Bayesian Generalized Linear Model (Bayesian GLM)—finding that both GLM and Bayesian GLM achieved approximately 0.87 validation accuracy on the test dataset. Due to its simplicity, GLM was selected as the final model. Building on the GLM model, six binning methods were applied to categorize diameter at breast height (DBH): equal frequency binning, equal width binning, cluster-based binning, quantile binning, Chi-square binning, and decision tree binning. Among these, the decision tree binning method achieved the highest performance, with an accuracy of 90.12% and an F1 score of 90.06%, indicating its effectiveness in capturing size-dependent mortality patterns. This approach provides valuable insights into factors affecting mortality and offers practical guidance for managing Larix gmelinii var. Principis-rupprechtii forests in temperate regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Forest Management, Utilization and Biodiversity Conservation)
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28 pages, 23112 KiB  
Article
Adaptive Optimization of Wind Environment in Coastal Village Spatial Forms of Western Guangdong
by Yue Pang, Zhanxun Liang, Peisheng Xie and Li Li
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3721; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123721 (registering DOI) - 22 Nov 2024
Abstract
Naozhou Island is located in a subtropical marine monsoon climate, with frequent windy days throughout the year, which has a significant impact on the residents’ lives. The spatial form of local traditional villages has adapted to the local wind environment through long-term practical [...] Read more.
Naozhou Island is located in a subtropical marine monsoon climate, with frequent windy days throughout the year, which has a significant impact on the residents’ lives. The spatial form of local traditional villages has adapted to the local wind environment through long-term practical exploration. This study aims to quantitatively analyze this layout to explore the patterns of its climate adaptability, thereby providing guidance for modern village construction. The research method primarily involves using CFD software (2019) to analyze the spatial form parameters of the village, namely village scale, planar form, building density, and orientation, along with their effects on average wind speed, wind speed amplification factor, and wind field coefficient under normal and extreme wind conditions. The results show that an appropriate planar form can enhance the wind adaptability of the village, while village scale and building density significantly affect the wind environment. However, the orientation of the village does not have a significant impact on wind field changes due to the discontinuity of the street system. These patterns of wind adaptability can assist in the planning and design of future coastal villages to enhance the wind environment regulation and disaster resilience of island villages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Climatic Suitability Design and Risk Management)
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17 pages, 593 KiB  
Article
Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Infertility Among US Reproductive-Aged Women
by Valerie Martinez, Irene H. Yen, Camila Alvarez, Andrew D. Williams and Sandie Ha
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(12), 1541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121541 (registering DOI) - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Environmental chemical exposure has been rising over the past few decades but its impact on fertility remains uncertain. We assessed exposures to 23 common chemicals across a range of sociodemographic characteristics and their relationship with self-reported infertility. The analytic sample was non-pregnant women [...] Read more.
Environmental chemical exposure has been rising over the past few decades but its impact on fertility remains uncertain. We assessed exposures to 23 common chemicals across a range of sociodemographic characteristics and their relationship with self-reported infertility. The analytic sample was non-pregnant women aged 18–49 years without a history of hysterectomy or oophorectomy (n = 2579) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2016). Environmental chemical exposure was assessed with biospecimens and dichotomized as high and low levels of exposure based on the median. Logistic regression models estimated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between high levels of exposure and infertility, adjusted for age, race, education level, family income, and smoking status. We observed associations between infertility and cadmium [aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.02–3.47] and arsenic [aOR: 1.88 (1.05–3.36)]. Two pesticides hexachlorobenzene [OR: 2.04 (1.05–3.98)] and oxychlordane [OR: 2.04 (1.12–3.69)] were also associated with infertility in unadjusted analyses. There were negative associations with two Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances with n-perfluorooctanoic acid [aOR: 0.51: (0.30–0.86)] and n-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid [aOR: 0.51: (0.26–0.97). Specific chemicals may contribute to infertility risk, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies to mitigate exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health)
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13 pages, 2815 KiB  
Article
Lignin Isolated by Microwave-Assisted Acid-Catalyzed Solvolysis Induced Cell Death in Mammalian Tumor Cells by Modulating Apoptotic Pathways
by Rio Kashimoto, Eriko Ohgitani, Yutaka Makimura, Tatsuya Miyazaki, Chihiro Kimura, Masaharu Shin-Ya, Hiroshi Nishimura, Giuseppe Pezzotti, Takashi Watanabe and Osam Mazda
Molecules 2024, 29(23), 5490; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235490 - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Lignin, the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer, has been shown to suppress the growth of mammalian tumor cells. Despite extensive studies on lignin structure and its engineering, there is little information on the biological activity of lignin in relation to its molecular structure [...] Read more.
Lignin, the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer, has been shown to suppress the growth of mammalian tumor cells. Despite extensive studies on lignin structure and its engineering, there is little information on the biological activity of lignin in relation to its molecular structure or the molecular mechanisms by which lignin suppresses tumor cells in mammalian species. Here, we prepared microwave-assisted acid-catalyzed solvolysis lignin (MASL) from Japanese cedar and Eucalyptus globulus and assessed its effects on human and mouse tumor cells. SEC indicated that MASL consists of oligomeric aromatics from the woody plants. Our data showed that MASL significantly reduced the viability of tumor cells by modulating apoptotic pathways. MASL treatment upregulated TNF-α, Fas, and FasL expression levels, while suppressing anti-apoptotic NF-κB and mTOR pathways in tumor cells. In vivo experiments were also performed using tumor-bearing mice to confirm the anti-tumor effects of MASL. Repetitive administrations of a MASL (YM CL1T) significantly inhibited tumor growth in mice in association with elevation of caspase 3 expression. These findings strongly suggest the potential usefulness of low-molecular-weight lignin as an effective therapeutic against malignancies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products in Anticancer Activity: 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 25671 KiB  
Article
Auditing Flood Vulnerability Geo-Intelligence Workflow for Biases
by Brian K. Masinde, Caroline M. Gevaert, Michael H. Nagenborg, Marc J. C. van den Homberg, Jacopo Margutti, Inez Gortzak and Jaap A. Zevenbergen
ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(12), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13120419 (registering DOI) - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Geodata, geographical information science (GISc), and GeoAI (geo-intelligence workflows) play an increasingly important role in predictive disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), aiding decision-makers in determining where and when to allocate resources. There have been discussions on the ethical pitfalls of these predictive [...] Read more.
Geodata, geographical information science (GISc), and GeoAI (geo-intelligence workflows) play an increasingly important role in predictive disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), aiding decision-makers in determining where and when to allocate resources. There have been discussions on the ethical pitfalls of these predictive systems in the context of DRRM because of the documented cases of biases in AI systems in other socio-technical systems. However, none of the discussions expound on how to audit geo-intelligence workflows for biases from data collection, processing, and model development. This paper considers a case study that uses AI to characterize housing stock vulnerability to flooding in Karonga district, Malawi. We use Friedman and Nissenbaum’s definition and categorization of biases that emphasize biases as a negative and undesirable outcome. We limit the scope of the audit to biases that affect the visibility of different housing typologies in the workflow. The results show how AI introduces and amplifies these biases against houses of certain materials. Hence, a group within the population in the area living in these houses would potentially miss out on DRRM interventions. Based on this example, we urge the community of researchers and practitioners to normalize the auditing of geo-intelligence workflows to prevent information disasters from biases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Monitoring and Management)
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11 pages, 5003 KiB  
Article
Application of Laser-Induced Graphene Flexible Sensor in Monitoring Large Deformation of Reinforced Concrete Structure
by Lina Liu, Chenning Cai, Zhenghua Qian, Peng Li and Feng Zhu
Sensors 2024, 24(23), 7444; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24237444 (registering DOI) - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
When cracks appear in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, the tensile load will be borne by steel bars with high ductility, resulting in a large deformation. Traditional strain sensors have difficulties in achieving good performance for large deformations in concrete structures. In this paper, [...] Read more.
When cracks appear in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, the tensile load will be borne by steel bars with high ductility, resulting in a large deformation. Traditional strain sensors have difficulties in achieving good performance for large deformations in concrete structures. In this paper, based on a laser-induced graphene (LIG) technique, a flexible sensor is proposed for monitoring large deformations of concrete structures. Polyimide film is used as the carbon precursor to prepare LIG through laser scanning and then LIG is transferred onto a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate to form the flexible sensor. The calibration and performance verification of the flexible sensor are completed through tensile tests. The applicability of the flexible sensor in monitoring large deformations of concrete is verified through beam bending experiments. The fatigue resistance of the flexible sensor is verified through fatigue tests on a full-scale beam. The experimental results showed that the flexible sensor has the advantages of low cost, simple preparation, and stable performance, making it suitable for applications in the field of large deformation monitoring of RC structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)
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23 pages, 617 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Heterogeneity of Consumer Psychological Mechanisms of Dual Decision-Making Agents in Forest Educational Tourism: The Moderating Effect of Family Decision-Making Empowerment
by Ying Li, Wenlong Wang, Yuxin Liu and Chunyu Wang
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122059 (registering DOI) - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
The consumption decision-making in educational tourism exhibits dual-agent characteristics, requiring alignment of consumption intentions between both agents to generate actual purchasing behavior. However, research on this characteristic is still relatively scarce. Understanding the psychological mechanisms and heterogeneity of consumption decision-making among students and [...] Read more.
The consumption decision-making in educational tourism exhibits dual-agent characteristics, requiring alignment of consumption intentions between both agents to generate actual purchasing behavior. However, research on this characteristic is still relatively scarce. Understanding the psychological mechanisms and heterogeneity of consumption decision-making among students and parents in forest educational tourism is crucial for implementing precise consumer incentive strategies in related tourist attractions. This study constructs a theoretical model of the consumer psychological mechanism of dual decision-making agents in forest educational tourism, incorporating perceived value and perceived risk based on the Theory of Planned Behavior. A structural equation model is employed to validate the explanatory power and heterogeneity of this theoretical model, as well as to explore the moderating effect of family decision-making empowerment. The results indicate that the formation of the consumer psychological mechanism of dual decision-making agents in forest educational tourism is heterogeneous: the negative impact of perceived risk on perceived behavioral control and the positive impact of perceived behavioral control on consumption intention are only valid in the student group, not in the parent group; perceived behavioral control serves as a mediator only in the relationship between perceived value, perceived risk, and consumption intention for the student group, without any mediating effect for the parent group; family decision-making empowerment moderates certain paths in the consumer psychological influence mechanism of forest educational tourism decision-making agents. This study expands the Theory of Planned Behavior, enriching the research perspective on factors influencing consumption psychology, exploring the heterogeneity of dual decision-making agents in educational tourism, and examining the impact of family decision-making empowerment on consumer psychology. The findings provide relevant tourism enterprises and forest attractions with a deeper understanding of the consumption psychology of dual decision-making agents in forest educational tourism, offering a scientific basis for tourism enterprises and forest attractions to optimize marketing strategies, while also enhancing the consumption experience on the demand side. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Sustainable Use of Forests in Tourism and Recreation)
27 pages, 1541 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Factors Influencing Willingness to Use Virtual Reality Systems for External Evaluation of Buildings
by Yuanzhao Liu, Sreenidhi Konduri and Changbae Park
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3714; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123714 (registering DOI) - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Integrating new visualization methods based on virtual reality (VR) in the design evaluation process remains a challenge despite its expanding use in architectural design in recent years. This article proposes a VR-based evaluation model to improve the efficiency and quality of the overall [...] Read more.
Integrating new visualization methods based on virtual reality (VR) in the design evaluation process remains a challenge despite its expanding use in architectural design in recent years. This article proposes a VR-based evaluation model to improve the efficiency and quality of the overall architectural design process. By adopting a structural equation model in conjunction with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study examines users’ intention and perceived ease of use of VR in the design evaluation process based on a questionnaire survey using the proposed VR model of architectural and non-architectural professionals and students. The findings of the study show that the output quality plays a significant role in increasing behavioral intention to use the system, and perceived ease of use has a positive effect on perceived immersion and perceived usefulness of VR in the evaluation process. The study illustrates the importance of understanding “user perspective” and “willingness to use” in the development of VR-based systems to increase their practical use in architecture and design fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Urban and Architectural Design)
26 pages, 3022 KiB  
Review
Unveiling the Colors of Mustelids: A Historical Review on the Emergence of Chromatic Disorders and Their Ecological Effects in Mustelids Worldwide with Report of the First Case of Erythrism in Eira barbara (Carnivora, Mustelidae)
by Leonardo Cotts, Giovanna Costa, Sofia Isabel Gabriel, Oscar Rocha Barbosa and Caryne Braga
Animals 2024, 14(23), 3354; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14233354 - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Mustelidae is the largest and most diverse family within the order Carnivora, encompasses 65 species and 22 genera, and is widely distributed around the world. Mustelids exhibit a multiplicity of coloration patterns, ranging from darker tones, such as black and brown, to lighter [...] Read more.
Mustelidae is the largest and most diverse family within the order Carnivora, encompasses 65 species and 22 genera, and is widely distributed around the world. Mustelids exhibit a multiplicity of coloration patterns, ranging from darker tones, such as black and brown, to lighter tones, such as pale yellow and white. Anomalous colorations in wild mustelids are occasionally reported, but these records are still poorly discussed in the scientific literature and are often subject to misidentification and/or incorrect terminology. Among mustelids, the Tayra, Eira barbara, is suggested to have the highest frequency of chromatic disorders reported in the formal scientific literature, although most cases involve hypopigmentation. Here, we report and describe the first case of a reddish-colored tayra, a rare chromatic disorder known as erythrism, and compare their coloration to that observed in the subspecies currently suggested for E. barbara. We also conducted a survey and a review of chromatic variants in mustelids based on the formal scientific literature, reporting 119 anomalously colored individuals from 1890 to 2024, and proposed accurate terminology for misidentified cases. Additionally, we discuss the occurrence of these chromatic disorders on a global scale and their potential ecological effect on wild mustelids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mammals)
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13 pages, 212 KiB  
Article
Professional Nurses’ Views and Experiences of Poor Health-Seeking Behavior Among Men in Limpopo Province, South Africa
by Lazarros Chavalala, Rachel Tsakani Lebese and Lufuno Makhado
Healthcare 2024, 12(23), 2320; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232320 (registering DOI) - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The health-seeking behavior of men is a public health concern and is associated with poor health outcomes and lower life expectancy among men. Masculinity norms are among the factors contributing to men’s poor health-seeking behavior. This study explored the views and experiences [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The health-seeking behavior of men is a public health concern and is associated with poor health outcomes and lower life expectancy among men. Masculinity norms are among the factors contributing to men’s poor health-seeking behavior. This study explored the views and experiences of purposively selected nurses on men’s health-seeking behavior. Methods: Through qualitative descriptive design, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 professional nurses, and collected data were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Tech’s eight steps were used to analyze data and guide the development of the main themes and sub-themes. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, confirmability, dependability, and transferability. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Venda Research ethics committee with reference number FHS/21/PH/26/1215. Results: Self-medication, a lack of trust in Western medicine, and the use of traditional healers were identified as reasons men underutilize health care services. Men were viewed as people who consult heath care services when illness is severe, feel uncomfortable with female nurses, and value respect from clinicians. Conclusions: Cultural norms still remain a barrier among men in this study setting, as men did not feel comfortable with their private parts being physically examined by female clinicians. There is a need to take note of cultural norms impacting health care service usage by men. Full article
17 pages, 7515 KiB  
Article
Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Antiproliferative Effect of New Pyrrole Hydrazones
by Stanislava Vladimirova, Rossitsa Hristova and Ivan Iliev
Molecules 2024, 29(23), 5499; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235499 - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Novel pyrrole-based carbohydrazide (1) and hydrazones (1A–D) were synthesized, characterized, and subjected to spectroscopic studies. The hydrazones were obtained by reacting a pyrrole hydrazide with substituted pyrrole aldehydes. The initial carbohydrazide was prepared by selective hydrazinolysis of [...] Read more.
Novel pyrrole-based carbohydrazide (1) and hydrazones (1A–D) were synthesized, characterized, and subjected to spectroscopic studies. The hydrazones were obtained by reacting a pyrrole hydrazide with substituted pyrrole aldehydes. The initial carbohydrazide was prepared by selective hydrazinolysis of the obtained N-pyrrolylcarboxylic acid ethyl ester. The biological activity of the newly synthesized compounds was investigated in vitro on a panel of tumor and non-tumor cell lines. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts BALB 3T3 clone A31 were used in the safety test (BALB 3T3 NRU-assay). Antiproliferative activity was determined on keratinocytes (HaCaT) and melanoma (SH-4) cells by MTT dye reduction assay. The safety test of the compounds showed low cytotoxicity and absence of phototoxic potential. Among our novel pyrrole hydrazones, 1C was the most selective (SI = 3.83) in human melanoma cells and exhibited very good antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 44.63 ± 3.51 μM). The cytotoxic effect of 1C correlates with its ability to induce apoptosis and to cause cell cycle arrest in the S phase. In addition, the results show that hydrazones obtained by condensation with β-aldehydes are more bioactive than those obtained by condensation with α-aldehydes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
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12 pages, 1119 KiB  
Article
Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess the Usability of and User Experience with Mobile Health Applications
by Anna de Dios López, Jordi Real, Claudia Meza, Alicia Borras-Santos, Roberto Collado-Borrell, Vicente Escudero-Vilaplana and Mar Gomis-Pastor
Healthcare 2024, 12(23), 2328; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232328 - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Background/objectives: The growing use of mobile health (mHealth) applications needs reliable tools to assess their usability and user experience in clinical practice to improve the digital health (eHealth) interventions and ensure engagement, as higher engagement is often linked to increased efficacy of healthcare [...] Read more.
Background/objectives: The growing use of mobile health (mHealth) applications needs reliable tools to assess their usability and user experience in clinical practice to improve the digital health (eHealth) interventions and ensure engagement, as higher engagement is often linked to increased efficacy of healthcare interventions. This study aimed to validate the patient Satisfaction and Usability with APPs questionnaire (pSUAPP), a multidimensional tool designed for the comprehensive assessment of mHealth applications, particularly for the integrated follow-up of patients with chronic diseases. Methods: A validation study was conducted between August and December 2022 with 85 participants from two hospitals in Spain, who completed the pSUAPP questionnaire, comprising 27 Likert-like items across four dimensions: first contact, registration, features and overall experience, and 1 open question. The questionnaire was validated by a panel of 11 experts and further assessed for psychometric properties. Results: The mean pSUAPP score was 79.0 (SD = 12.0), indicating high usability and positive user experience, with the highest scores in the ‘features’ dimension. The pSUAPP demonstrated moderate correlation with the System Usability Scale (SUS) and high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha and omega t > 0.9). A reproducibility analysis showed negligible changes between repeated measures. Conclusions: The pSUAPP questionnaire was found to be a robust tool for evaluating mHealth app usability and user experience, with potential application across various clinical settings. Full article
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22 pages, 1348 KiB  
Review
Galantamine-Memantine Combination in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
by Emma D. Frost, Swanny X. Shi, Vishnu V. Byroju, Jamir Pitton Rissardo, Jack Donlon, Nicholas Vigilante, Briana P. Murray, Ian M. Walker, Andrew McGarry, Thomas N. Ferraro, Khalid A. Hanafy, Valentina Echeverria, Ludmil Mitrev, Mitchel A. Kling, Balaji Krishnaiah, David B. Lovejoy, Shafiqur Rahman, Trevor W. Stone and Maju Mathew Koola
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1163; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121163 (registering DOI) - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 1% of population over age 60. It is defined by motor and nonmotor symptoms including a spectrum of cognitive impairments known as Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Currently, the only US Food and [...] Read more.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 1% of population over age 60. It is defined by motor and nonmotor symptoms including a spectrum of cognitive impairments known as Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Currently, the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for PDD is rivastigmine, which inhibits acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase increasing the level of acetylcholine in the brain. Due to its limited efficacy and side effect profile, rivastigmine is often not prescribed, leaving patients with no treatment options. PD has several derangements in neurotransmitter pathways (dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway, kynurenine pathway (KP), acetylcholine, α7 nicotinic receptor, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors) and rivastigmine is only partially effective as it only targets one pathway. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a metabolite of tryptophan metabolism, affects the pathophysiology of PDD in multiple ways. Both galantamine (α7 nicotinic receptor) and memantine (antagonist of the NMDA subtype of the glutamate receptor) are KYNA modulators. When used in combination, they target multiple pathways. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with each drug alone for PD have failed, the combination of galantamine and memantine has demonstrated a synergistic effect on cognitive enhancement in animal models. It has therapeutic potential that has not been adequately assessed, warranting future randomized controlled trials. In this review, we summarize the KYNA-centric model for PD pathophysiology and discuss how this treatment combination is promising in improving cognitive function in patients with PDD through its action on KYNA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neuropharmacology and Neuropathology)
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18 pages, 8779 KiB  
Case Report
Correlational Research of Strength Parameters of Waste Soils Determined in the Laboratory and In Situ in Cracow
by Jakub Zięba and Elżbieta Pilecka
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 10783; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142310783 (registering DOI) - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
This work presents an analysis of the relationship between strength parameters determined in the laboratory and the results of a cone penetration test with pore water pressure measurement (CPTU) of waste soils in the “White Seas” area in Cracow. Anthropogenic soil is an [...] Read more.
This work presents an analysis of the relationship between strength parameters determined in the laboratory and the results of a cone penetration test with pore water pressure measurement (CPTU) of waste soils in the “White Seas” area in Cracow. Anthropogenic soil is an alkaline waste formed during the production of soda ash and deposited in the area of the former Solvay Sodium Plant factory in Cracow, Poland. Due to the large area of the land and numerous investment plans and completed buildings, there was a need to identify reliable functional relationships enabling the determination of the strength parameters of these soils based on the results of the CPTU. Statistical analysis showed that the best correlation with the test results was provided by two logarithmic functions in which the dependent variables were the effective friction angle and effective cohesion. The dependent variable for both cases was the corrected cone resistance qt. The functional relationship combined data from labour-intensive, long-lasting and costly laboratory measurements with quick and less expensive measurements, i.e., in situ CPTUs. The obtained relationships enable the determination of the strength properties of the subsoil of these anthropogenic soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Civil Engineering)
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20 pages, 26068 KiB  
Article
Noise-Robust Radar High-Resolution Range Profile Target Recognition Based on Residual Scattering Attention Network
by Pengjun Huang, Shuai Li, Wentao Li, Muhai Zheng, Biao Tian and Shiyou Xu
Electronics 2024, 13(23), 4587; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13234587 - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
In recent years, radar automatic target recognition (RATR) utilizing high-resolution range profiles (HRRPs) has received significant attention. Approaches based on deep learning have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in HRRP recognition tasks. However, the performance of neural networks is notably vulnerable to noise, leading to [...] Read more.
In recent years, radar automatic target recognition (RATR) utilizing high-resolution range profiles (HRRPs) has received significant attention. Approaches based on deep learning have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in HRRP recognition tasks. However, the performance of neural networks is notably vulnerable to noise, leading to a detrimental effect on their recognition accuracy and overall robustness. To address this issue, a residual scattering attention network (RSAN) is proposed for HRRP target recognition, which comprises a residual scattering network, ResNet18, and a self-attention module. The residual scattering network is designed to suppress noise components and extract noise-robust features. It is derived from the improvement of a scattering network and does not need to learn parameters from the data. ResNet18 is employed for the purpose of extracting a deep representation of scattering features for HRRPs. Furthermore, a self-attention module is integrated into ResNet18, enabling the model to focus on target regions, thereby enhancing its feature-learning capability. The effectiveness and noise robustness of the proposed method are validated through experiments conducted on two measured datasets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microwave Imaging and Applications)
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16 pages, 2647 KiB  
Article
Personalized Dose Selection for Treatment of Patients with Neuropsychiatric Disorders Using tDCS
by Sagarika Bhattacharjee, Rajan Kashyap, Vanteemar S. Sreeraj, Palanimuthu T. Sivakumar, Ganesan Venkatasubramanian, John E. Desmond, S. H. Annabel Chen, T. N. Sathyaprabha and Kaviraja Udupa
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121162 - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Background: Individualizing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) parameters can improve precision in neuropsychiatric disorders. One important decision for the clinician is the selection of an appropriate montage—conventional or high-definition (HD)—to implement dose-controlled tDCS while maintaining the patient’s safety. Method: The present [...] Read more.
Background: Individualizing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) parameters can improve precision in neuropsychiatric disorders. One important decision for the clinician is the selection of an appropriate montage—conventional or high-definition (HD)—to implement dose-controlled tDCS while maintaining the patient’s safety. Method: The present study simulated tDCS administration using T1-weighted brain images of 50 dementia, 25 depression patients, and 25 healthy individuals for two conventional and HD montages, targeting the regions of interest (ROIs) in the dorsal and ventral pathways that support language processing. For each tDCS configuration, the electric fields at the ROIs and the individualized dose required to achieve the desired current intensity at the target ROI across the subjects were estimated. Linear regression was performed on these parameters. Result: A significant relationship between atrophy and current dose that varies according to the disease was found. The dementia patients with significant brain atrophy required a higher personalized dosage for HD montage, as the current intensity at the target ROIs was lower and more variable than that of conventional montage. For dementia, tDCS individualization is pathway-dependent, wherein HD configuration of the dorsal route requires current dosages above the safety limit (>4 mA) for 46% of individuals. However, there was no significant difference in electrode configurations between the HD and traditional setups for depression and healthy volunteers without significant brain atrophy. Conclusions: HD-tDCS with fixed locations is limited, making conventional tDCS more effective for dose-controlled applications. In patients with atrophy, individualized adjustments based on simulations are needed due to the variable stimulation strength in the ROI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Stimulation for Psychiatric Disorders: Emerging Evidence and New Perspectives)
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24 pages, 13737 KiB  
Article
Generating a 30 m Hourly Land Surface Temperatures Based on Spatial Fusion Model and Machine Learning Algorithm
by Qin Su, Yuan Yao, Cheng Chen and Bo Chen
Sensors 2024, 24(23), 7424; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24237424 - 21 Nov 2024
Abstract
Land surface temperature (LST) is a critical parameter for understanding climate change and maintaining hydrological balance across local and global scales. However, existing satellite LST products face trade-offs between spatial and temporal resolutions, making it challenging to provide all-weather LST with high spatiotemporal [...] Read more.
Land surface temperature (LST) is a critical parameter for understanding climate change and maintaining hydrological balance across local and global scales. However, existing satellite LST products face trade-offs between spatial and temporal resolutions, making it challenging to provide all-weather LST with high spatiotemporal resolution. In this study, focusing on Chengdu city, a framework combining a spatiotemporal fusion model and machine learning algorithm was proposed and applied to retrieve hourly high spatial resolution LST data from Chinese geostationary weather satellite data and multi-scale polar-orbiting satellite observations. The predicted 30 m hourly LST values were evaluated against in situ LST measurements and Sentinel-3 SLSTR data on 11 August 2019 and 21 April 2022, respectively. The results demonstrate that validation based on the in situ LST, the root mean squared error (RMSE) of the predicted LST using the proposed framework are around 0.89 °C to 1.23 °C. The predicted LST is highly consistent with the Sentinel-3 SLSTR data, and the RMSE varies from 0.95 °C to 1.25 °C. In addition, the proposed framework was applied to Xi’an City, and the final validation results indicate that the method is accurate to within about 1.33 °C. The generated 30 m hourly LST can provide important data with fine spatial resolution for urban thermal environment monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Environmental Sensing)
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