The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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11 pages, 624 KiB  
Article
Fractional Lévy Stable Motion from a Segmentation Perspective
by Aleksander A. Stanislavsky and Aleksander Weron
Fractal Fract. 2024, 8(6), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract8060336 (registering DOI) - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
The segmentation analysis of the Golding–Cox mRNA dataset clarifies the description of these trajectories as a Fractional Lévy Stable Motion (FLSM). The FLSM method has several important advantages. Using only a few parameters, it allows for the detection of jumps in segmented trajectories [...] Read more.
The segmentation analysis of the Golding–Cox mRNA dataset clarifies the description of these trajectories as a Fractional Lévy Stable Motion (FLSM). The FLSM method has several important advantages. Using only a few parameters, it allows for the detection of jumps in segmented trajectories with non-Gaussian confined parts. The value of each parameter indicates the contribution of confined segments. Non-Gaussian features in mRNA trajectories are attributed to trajectory segmentation. Each segment can be in one of the following diffusion modes: free diffusion, confined motion, and immobility. When free diffusion segments alternate with confined or immobile segments, the mean square displacement of the segmented trajectory resembles subdiffusion. Confined segments have both Gaussian (normal) and non-Gaussian statistics. If random trajectories are estimated as FLSM, they can exhibit either subdiffusion or Lévy diffusion. This approach can be useful for analyzing empirical data with non-Gaussian behavior, and statistical classification of diffusion trajectories helps reveal anomalous dynamics. Full article
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22 pages, 15458 KiB  
Article
Control of Three-Dimensional Natural Convection of Graphene–Water Nanofluids Using Symmetrical Tree-Shaped Obstacle and External Magnetic Field
by Walid Aich, Inès Hilali-Jaghdam, Amnah Alshahrani, Chemseddine Maatki, Badr M. Alshammari and Lioua Kolsi
Symmetry 2024, 16(6), 692; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16060692 (registering DOI) - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
This numerical investigation explores the enhanced control of the 3D natural convection (NC) within a cubic cavity filled with graphene–water nanofluids, utilizing a bottom-center-located tree-shaped obstacle and a horizontal magnetic field (MF). The analysis includes the effects of the Rayleigh number (Ra), the [...] Read more.
This numerical investigation explores the enhanced control of the 3D natural convection (NC) within a cubic cavity filled with graphene–water nanofluids, utilizing a bottom-center-located tree-shaped obstacle and a horizontal magnetic field (MF). The analysis includes the effects of the Rayleigh number (Ra), the solid volume fraction of graphene (φ), the Hartmann number (Ha), and the fins’ length (W). The results show complex flow patterns and thermal behavior within the cavity, indicating the interactive effects of nanofluid properties, the tree-shaped obstacle, and magnetic field effects. The MHD effects reduce the convection, while the addition of graphene improves the thermal conductivity of the fluid, which enhances the heat transfer observed with increasing Rayleigh numbers. The increase in the fins’ length on the heat transfer efficiency is found to be slightly negative, which is attributed to the complex interplay between the enhanced heat transfer surface area and fluid flow disruption. This study presents an original combination of non-destructive methods (magnetic field) and a destructive method (tree-shaped obstacle) for the control of the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in a 3D cavity filled with graphene–water nanofluids. In addition, it provides valuable information for optimizing heat transfer control strategies, with applications in electronic cooling, renewable energy systems, and advanced thermal management solutions. The application of a magnetic field was found to reduce the maximum velocity and total entropy generation by about 82% and 76%, respectively. The addition of graphene nanoparticles was found to reduce the maximum velocity by about 5.5% without the magnetic field and to increase it by 1.12% for Ha = 100. Varying the obstacles’ length from W = 0.2 to W = 0.8 led to a reduction in velocity by about 23.6%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry in Thermal Fluid Sciences and Energy Applications)
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11 pages, 542 KiB  
Article
Predictive Characteristics of Childhood Emergency Injury Presentations in a Non-Urban Area of Victoria, Australia
by Blake Peck, Daniel Terry and Kate Kloot
Emerg. Care Med. 2024, 1(2), 165-175; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecm1020018 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Injury is the leading cause of death and disability amongst those between 0 and 16 years of age. Routinely associated with a social gradient of health, childhood injury is reportedly higher in rural and regional areas. A retrospective cross-sectional study collected deidentified emergency [...] Read more.
Injury is the leading cause of death and disability amongst those between 0 and 16 years of age. Routinely associated with a social gradient of health, childhood injury is reportedly higher in rural and regional areas. A retrospective cross-sectional study collected deidentified emergency injury presentation data from nine health services in regional Victoria for children aged 0–14 years between 2017 and 2022. Emergency injury presentation incidence rates and predictor variables were analysed using hierarchical multiple regression. Significance was determined at p < 0.05. Amongst the 15,884 emergency injury presentations, 35.2% (n = 5597) occurred at health services that did not routinely report data to government datasets. Although some findings are consistent with current research, this study highlights specific factors that are predictive of injury amongst 0–4-year-old children who require deeper investigation, including general practitioner access and health literacy-related elements such as preschool health assessment attendance rates, parent education levels, and overseas birth. These findings provide more comprehensive insights for healthcare workers and policymakers as they seek to support people with injuries and accurately address health inequities. Full article
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15 pages, 257 KiB  
Article
Talking about Homelessness and School: Recommendations from Canadian Young People Who Have Experienced Homelessness
by Kevin Partridge and Jacqueline Kennelly
Youth 2024, 4(2), 820-834; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth4020054 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
The primary research question driving this paper is the following: “What are the schooling experiences of young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness?” Through interviews with 28 young people in two cities in Ontario, Canada, the authors identified several common [...] Read more.
The primary research question driving this paper is the following: “What are the schooling experiences of young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness?” Through interviews with 28 young people in two cities in Ontario, Canada, the authors identified several common experiences, including the following: lack of available information that could help them cope with their housing difficulties; prejudice and bullying from other students, sometimes stemming from their housing problems but also due to factors such as racialization, gender identity, poverty, and substance use; and individual support from some teachers and support staff, although this was dependent on being in school. They proposed changes to help young people still in school, including the inclusion of non-judgmental information and guidance on dealing with poverty and homelessness in school curricula, educating school staff about the ‘symptoms’ of homelessness to help them identify students at risk, and creating more safe and supportive school environments overall. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Youth Homelessness Prevention)
17 pages, 2090 KiB  
Review
Measures to Reduce the Discharge of tire Wear into the Environment
by Johannes Wolfgang Neupert, Daniel Venghaus and Matthias Barjenbruch
Microplastics 2024, 3(2), 305-321; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics3020019 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
The environmental impact of tire wear emissions has become increasingly apparent, and efforts to reduce their impact on the environment are on the rise. To minimise the generation of tire wear, it is essential to consider the influencing factors. However, as it cannot [...] Read more.
The environmental impact of tire wear emissions has become increasingly apparent, and efforts to reduce their impact on the environment are on the rise. To minimise the generation of tire wear, it is essential to consider the influencing factors. However, as it cannot be entirely prevented, measures to reduce immissions are also necessary. This paper summarises possible measures derived from the literature, stakeholder workshops, and the authors’ own conclusions, taking into account the different perspectives: tire, vehicle, road, sustainable mobility and emissions treatment. The presentation of the entry paths of tire wear into the environment and the hotspots of generation can be used to prioritise reduction measures. Measures should be implemented at a political level, technical solutions applied, and awareness raised among the general public. It is evident that reducing tire wear is a complex task that requires a transdisciplinary approach. Full article
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12 pages, 1212 KiB  
Article
Nusinersen Treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Retrospective Multicenter Study of Pediatric and Adult Patients in Kuwait
by Asma AlTawari, Mohammad Zakaria, Walaa Kamel, Nayera Shaalan, Gamal Ahmed Ismail Elghazawi, Mohamed Esmat Anwar Ali, Dalia Salota, Amr Attia, Ehab Elsayed Ali Elanay, Osama Shalaby, Fatema Alqallaf, Vesna Mitic and Laila Bastaki
Neurol. Int. 2024, 16(3), 631-642; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint16030047 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy is a neuromuscular genetic condition associated with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide therapy approved for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy in pediatric and adult patients. The objective of this clinical case series is [...] Read more.
Spinal muscular atrophy is a neuromuscular genetic condition associated with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide therapy approved for the treatment of 5q spinal muscular atrophy in pediatric and adult patients. The objective of this clinical case series is to describe the efficacy and safety of nusinersen in treating spinal muscular atrophy in 20 pediatric and 18 adult patients across six treatment centers in Kuwait. Functional motor assessments (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders, Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded, and Revised Upper Limb Module) were used to assess changes in motor function following nusinersen treatment. The safety assessment involved clinical monitoring of adverse events. The results demonstrate clinically meaningful or considerable improvement in motor performance for nearly all patients, lasting over 4 years in some cases. A total of 70% of patients in the pediatric cohort and 72% of patients in the adult cohort achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in motor function following nusinersen treatment. Additionally, nusinersen was well-tolerated in both cohorts. These findings add to the growing body of evidence relating to the clinical efficacy and safety of nusinersen. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Genetic Neurological Diseases)
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10 pages, 445 KiB  
Article
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Course and Complications of Varicella—A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Maja Pietrzak and Maria Pokorska-Śpiewak
Pediatr. Rep. 2024, 16(2), 451-460; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric16020039 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to characterize a cohort of children hospitalized due to varicella before and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical charts of all children hospitalized in the Regional Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Warsaw due to varicella in [...] Read more.
In this study, we aimed to characterize a cohort of children hospitalized due to varicella before and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical charts of all children hospitalized in the Regional Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Warsaw due to varicella in the years 2019 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and compared. In total, 221 children were included in the analysis; 59 of them were hospitalized in 2019, whereas 162 were hospitalized in 2022. Children hospitalized in 2022 were older than those reported in 2019 (median 4.0 vs. 3.0 years, p = 0.02). None of the hospitalized children received complete varicella vaccination. The most common complication in both years was bacterial superinfection of skin lesions, found in 156/221 (70.6%) of patients. This complication rate was higher in 2022 (50.8% in 2019 vs. 77.8% in 2022, p = 0.0001), OR = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.80–6.35. Moreover, skin infections in 2022 more often manifested with cellulitis (in 2022 13.6% vs. 3.4% in 2019, p = 0.03), OR = 4.40, 95% CI: 1.00–19.33. Sepsis as a complication of varicella was almost five-fold more prevalent in 2022 than in 2019 (p = 0.009), OR = 5.70, 95% CI: 1.31–24.77. Antibiotic use increased between 2019 and 2022 (71.2% vs. 85.2%, p = 0.01). Furthermore, patients were treated more frequently with the combination of two different antibiotics simultaneously (only 3.4% of patients in 2019 compared to 15.4% in 2022, p = 0.01). Primary infections with varicella zoster virus in 2022 led to a more severe course of the disease. Full article
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12 pages, 1308 KiB  
Article
Pre-Procedural Predictors of Successful Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: A Retrospective Study
by Lior Charach, Noam Peleg, Ran Abuhasira and Steven Shamah
Gastroenterol. Insights 2024, 15(2), 459-470; https://doi.org/10.3390/gastroent15020033 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Objective: Obesity is a major risk factor for the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease and predicts the development of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other various diseases. Methods: A retrospective study evaluated predictors for higher total body weight loss following endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty [...] Read more.
Objective: Obesity is a major risk factor for the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease and predicts the development of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other various diseases. Methods: A retrospective study evaluated predictors for higher total body weight loss following endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). Adults (>18 years old) with BMI > 30 kg/m2 who underwent ESG from January 2019 to July 2022 were included. Patients under the age of 18 were excluded from the study. Results: This retrospective cohort included 76 patients, of whom 62 women (81.6%) and 14 were men (18.4%) with a mean age of 46.3 ± 10.4. The mean BMI baseline was 36.6 ± 4.21. Out of the included patients, 10% were lost to follow-up at 1 month, 33% at 3 months, 50% after 6 months, and only 30% met 12 months follow-up. During the follow-up period, no mortality was documented. Three major adverse events (3.9%) were documented (one mediastinal abscess, one lower gastrointestinal bleeding and one pulmonary embolism), all of them in female patients. Among the demographic clinical and laboratory data examined, smoking (N = 6, p < 0.001) was associated with successful ESG, which was determined as total body weight loss (TBWL) above 15%. The rest of the variables examined were not shown to be statistically significant to sleeve success. Overall, 65 of the 76 patients which were studied in this research had more than 5% TBWL, 42 patients had more than 10% TBWL, 21 patients had more than 15% TBWL and 7 patients lost more than 20% of their weight during 1 year of follow-up. Maximal TBWL was achieved 3 months following the procedure. During the first month following ESG, the average weight lost was 8.6% (N = 69); at 3 months, it was 12.3% (N = 48); at 6 months, it was 11.3% (N = 33); and at 12 months, it was 9.8% (N = 13). Smoking was associated with higher weight loss. Conclusions: The current study showed a positive correlation between ESG weight loss above 15% and smoking. Older patients (>50) gained weight earlier, within 3 months, and by 1 year of follow-up almost returned back to their original weight. Females sustained weight loss over 1 year of follow-up compared to males. Patients with lower BMI continued losing weight during the follow-up period (12 months). This study tries to summarize pre-procedural prediction of ESG success. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Biliary Imaging)
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14 pages, 1070 KiB  
Article
Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship Models for the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Short-Chain Peptides of Goat Milk Using Quasi-SMILES
by Alla P. Toropova, Andrey A. Toropov, Alessandra Roncaglioni and Emilio Benfenati
Macromol 2024, 4(2), 387-400; https://doi.org/10.3390/macromol4020022 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
The inhibitory activity of peptides on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a measure of their antihypertensive potential. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models obtained based on the analysis of sequences of amino acids are suggested. The average determination coefficient for the active training sets is [...] Read more.
The inhibitory activity of peptides on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a measure of their antihypertensive potential. Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models obtained based on the analysis of sequences of amino acids are suggested. The average determination coefficient for the active training sets is 0.36 ± 0.07. The average determination coefficient for validation sets is 0.79 ± 0.02. The paradoxical situation is caused by applying the vector of ideality of correlation, which improves the statistical quality of a model for the calibration and validation sets but is detrimental to the statistical quality of models for the training sets. Full article
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15 pages, 607 KiB  
Article
Job Satisfaction, Mental Symptoms, and Well-Being in Adult Workers: A Gender Analysis
by M. Pilar Matud, Ligia Sánchez-Tovar, D. Estefanía Hernández-Lorenzo and David Cobos-Sanchiz
Psychiatry Int. 2024, 5(2), 253-267; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint5020018 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Although studies have found that job satisfaction has an impact on workers’ physical and mental health, research has generally not focused on the psychological well-being of adult workers and a gender differential analysis has not been conducted. The aim of the current research [...] Read more.
Although studies have found that job satisfaction has an impact on workers’ physical and mental health, research has generally not focused on the psychological well-being of adult workers and a gender differential analysis has not been conducted. The aim of the current research is to determine the importance of job satisfaction for mental symptoms and well-being among adult working women and men. We also examine gender differences in job satisfaction. A non-probability sample of 1977 Spanish workers (51.6% men and 48.4% women) aged between 36 and 65 years was used in this cross-sectional study. Six questionnaires and self-report scales were used to assess the participants. For both men and women, higher job satisfaction was associated with lower depressive, somatic, anxiety, and social dysfunction symptoms; higher life satisfaction; and greater psychological well-being. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that after controlling for the effects of self-esteem and social support, higher job satisfaction predicted greater life satisfaction, fewer mental symptoms, and greater psychological well-being, although the effect of job satisfaction on psychological well-being was somewhat stronger for men than for women. We conclude that job satisfaction is important for the mental health, psychological well-being, and life satisfaction of adult working women and men. Full article
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13 pages, 3061 KiB  
Article
Quantifying Visual Differences in Drought-Stressed Maize through Reflectance and Data-Driven Analysis
by Sanjana Banerjee, James Reynolds, Matthew Taggart, Michael Daniele, Alper Bozkurt and Edgar Lobaton
AI 2024, 5(2), 790-802; https://doi.org/10.3390/ai5020040 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Environmental factors, such as drought stress, significantly impact maize growth and productivity worldwide. To improve yield and quality, effective strategies for early detection and mitigation of drought stress in maize are essential. This paper presents a detailed analysis of three imaging trials conducted [...] Read more.
Environmental factors, such as drought stress, significantly impact maize growth and productivity worldwide. To improve yield and quality, effective strategies for early detection and mitigation of drought stress in maize are essential. This paper presents a detailed analysis of three imaging trials conducted to detect drought stress in maize plants using an existing, custom-developed, low-cost, high-throughput phenotyping platform. A pipeline is proposed for early detection of water stress in maize plants using a Vision Transformer classifier and analysis of distributions of near-infrared (NIR) reflectance from the plants. A classification accuracy of 85% was achieved in one of our trials, using hold-out trials for testing. Suitable regions on the plant that are more sensitive to drought stress were explored, and it was shown that the region surrounding the youngest expanding leaf (YEL) and the stem can be used as a more consistent alternative to analysis involving just the YEL. Experiments in search of an ideal window size showed that small bounding boxes surrounding the YEL and the stem area of the plant perform better in separating drought-stressed and well-watered plants than larger window sizes enclosing most of the plant. The results presented in this work show good separation between well-watered and drought-stressed categories for two out of the three imaging trials, both in terms of classification accuracy from data-driven features as well as through analysis of histograms of NIR reflectance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence-Based Image Processing and Computer Vision)
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15 pages, 1051 KiB  
Article
Significance of Duodenal Prolactin Receptor Modulation by Calcium and Vitamin D in Sulpiride-Induced Hyperprolactinemia
by Danijela Branislav Radojkovic, Milica Pesic, Milan Radojkovic, Marija Vukelic Nikolic, Tatjana Jevtovic Stoimenov, Sasa Radenkovic, Vojislav Ciric, Dijana Basic and Tatjana Radjenovic Petkovic
Medicina 2024, 60(6), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60060942 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Hyperprolactinemia, as a potential side-effect of some antipsychotic medications, is associated with decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures. This study investigates whether calcium and vitamin D supplementation affects prolactin receptor (Prlr) gene expression in the duodenum, [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Hyperprolactinemia, as a potential side-effect of some antipsychotic medications, is associated with decreased bone density and an increased risk of fractures. This study investigates whether calcium and vitamin D supplementation affects prolactin receptor (Prlr) gene expression in the duodenum, vertebrae, and kidneys of female rats with sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one-week-old female Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: Group S consisted of ten rats who received sulpiride injections (10 mg/kg) twice daily for 6 weeks; Group D (10 rats) received daily supplementation of 50 mg calcium and 500 IU vitamin D along with sulpiride for the last 3 weeks; and Group C consisting of seven age-matched nulliparous rats serving as a control group. Real-time PCR was used to assess Prlr gene expression in the duodenum, vertebrae, and kidneys. Results: In Group S, Prlr gene expression was notably decreased in the duodenum (p < 0.01) but elevated in the vertebrae and kidneys compared to Group C. Conversely, Group D exhibited significantly increased Prlr expression in the duodenum (p < 0.01) alongside elevated expression in the vertebrae and kidneys. Conclusions: In sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia, decreased Prlr gene expression in the duodenum may lead to reduced intestinal calcium absorption. Consequently, prolactin may draw calcium from the skeletal system to maintain calcium balance, facilitated by increased Prlr gene expression in the vertebrae. However, vitamin D supplementation in sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia notably enhances Prlr gene expression in the duodenum, potentially ameliorating intestinal calcium absorption and mitigating adverse effects on bone health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Endocrinology)
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10 pages, 298 KiB  
Article
Impact of Anxious and/or Depressive Reactive State on the Effectiveness of Rehabilitation of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
by Tatjana Bućma, Igor Sladojević, Lena Topić Arambašić, Natalija Jeremić and Bosa Tomić
Medicina 2024, 60(6), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60060941 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Rehabilitation is a part of the comprehensive treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). If present, psychological reactive states limit the results of the rehabilitation. The objectives were to determine the impact of psychological reactive states in these patients on the [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Rehabilitation is a part of the comprehensive treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). If present, psychological reactive states limit the results of the rehabilitation. The objectives were to determine the impact of psychological reactive states in these patients on the functionality obtained by rehabilitation and QoL, and to determine the connection between the objective and subjective evaluation. Materials and Methods: Based on the Hospital anxiety and depression scale, the patients were divided into a group with anxious and/or depressive reactive state and a group without the reactive state. The values of functional scores—the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), as well as the parameters of the QoL-Physical health Component Score (PCS) and the Mental health Component Score (MCS)—were determined at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the BBS, EDSS, PCS, and MCS groups at the beginning and the end of the rehabilitation in both groups. A statistically significant difference at the beginning and the end of the rehabilitation between the groups was found only in PCS and MCS. A highly statistically significant correlation between EDSS and PCS, and EDSS and MCS, was found only in the group without the reactive state. Conclusions: Although rehabilitation leads to an objective improvement of functionality in patients with MS, the presence of the anxious and/or depressive reactive state limits the results of rehabilitation and leads to discrepancies in the aforementioned objective assessment and the patient’s subjective experience through the evaluation of their QoL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neurology)
17 pages, 1240 KiB  
Article
Overweight, Obesity, and Associated Risk Factors among Students at the Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University
by Sameer Alqassimi, Erwa Elmakki, Areej Siddiq Areeshi, Amani Baker Mohammed Aburasain, Aisha Hassan Majrabi, Enas Mohammed Ali Masmali, Eman Adel Ibrahim Refaei, Raghad Abdu Ali Mobaraki, Reem Mohammed A. Qahtani, Omar Oraibi, Majid Darraj, Mohammed Ali Madkhali and Mostafa Mohrag
Medicina 2024, 60(6), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60060940 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and the associated risk factors among medical students at Jazan University in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 228 medical students from their second to sixth [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and the associated risk factors among medical students at Jazan University in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 228 medical students from their second to sixth academic years at the Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, dietary habits, comorbidities, medication use, family history, and lifestyle factors. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, and waist circumference were recorded. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to identify the risk factors associated with obesity. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the participants was 13.3% and 15%, respectively. Hence, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity is 28.3%. The mean weight was 63.39 ± 18.93 kg, and the mean height was 163.48 ± 9.78 cm. On the other hand, 17.3% of participants were underweight, whereas 54.4% had normal BMI. Most of the participants (61%) did not engage in regular exercise. A high proportion consumed fruits (82.9%) and vegetables (58.8%) 3 or fewer days per week, and 84.2% consumed 3 or fewer meals per day. Fast-food consumption more than 3 days per week was reported by 42.1% of participants. Obesity was not significantly associated with sociodemographic factors, physical activity, dietary habits, comorbidities, medication use, or family histories. However, those with a monthly family income of SAR 15,000–24,999 had significantly lower odds of obesity than those in the lowest income group (OR 0.230, p = 0.045). Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among medical students at Jazan University is high. Although no significant associations were found between obesity and most risk factors, this study highlights the need for interventions that promote healthy lifestyles among medical students. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies for preventing and managing obesity in this population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Epidemiology & Public Health)
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25 pages, 10086 KiB  
Article
Continuity and Innovation in Pottery Technology: The Karst Region (North-East Italy) from Neolithic to Early Bronze Age
by Federico Bernardini, Manuela Montagnari Kokelj, Matteo Velicogna, Nicolò Barago, Davide Lenaz, Angelo De Min and Elena Leghissa
Heritage 2024, 7(6), 2959-2983; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7060139 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
This paper explores the development of pottery technology in the Trieste Karst region (North-East Italy) from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (EBA). It also seeks to identify cultural links with other areas by examining potentially imported vessels. Archaeometric analyses (X-ray diffraction [...] Read more.
This paper explores the development of pottery technology in the Trieste Karst region (North-East Italy) from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (EBA). It also seeks to identify cultural links with other areas by examining potentially imported vessels. Archaeometric analyses (X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy) reveal significant differences between Neolithic ceramics (Danilo–Vlaška Group) and the majority of Late Copper Age (LCA)/Early Bronze Age (EBA) pottery (primarily associated with the Ljubljana Culture and a few with the Cetina Culture). Neolithic pottery displays consistent characteristics across all vessel types, including coarse grain, prevalent sparry calcite temper, and the absence of grog. In contrast, most LCA and EBA vessels exhibit distinct features such as very fine-grained paste, no sparry calcite, notable use of grog temper, higher quartz, muscovite, and flint content. Notably, from a technological perspective, the analyzed Cetina vessels bear a strong resemblance to the majority of LCA ceramics. The differences between Neolithic and LCA/EBA vessels clearly suggest the use of new raw materials, recipes, and techniques, likely reflecting changes in cultural and social contexts and potential connections with the core area of the Ljubljana Culture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Archaeological Heritage)
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16 pages, 1770 KiB  
Article
Heavy Rainfall Events in Selected Geographic Regions of Mexico, Associated with Hail Cannons
by Victor M. Rodríguez-Moreno and Juan Estrada-Ávalos
Forecasting 2024, 6(2), 418-433; https://doi.org/10.3390/forecast6020023 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
In this article, we document the use of hail cannons in Mexico to dispel or suppress heavy rain episodes, a common practice among farmers, without scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. This study uses two rain databases: one compiled from the Global Precipitation [...] Read more.
In this article, we document the use of hail cannons in Mexico to dispel or suppress heavy rain episodes, a common practice among farmers, without scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. This study uses two rain databases: one compiled from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission and the other generated with the implementation of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The aim is to explore the association between heavy rain episodes and hail cannon locations. The analysis includes two geographic features: a pair of coordinates and a 3 km radius area of influence around each hail cannon. This dimension is based on the size and distribution of the heavy rainfall events. This study analyzes four years of half-hourly rain data using the Python ecosystem environment with machine learning libraries. The results show no relationship between the operation of hail cannons and the dissipation or attenuation of heavy rainfall events. However, this study highlights that the significant differences between the GPM and WRF databases in registering heavy rain events may be attributable to their own uncertainty. Despite the unavailability of ground-based observations, the inefficiency of hail cannons in affecting the occurrence of heavy rain events is evident. Overall, this study provides scientific evidence that hail cannons are inefficient in preventing the occurrence of heavy rain episodes. Full article
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9 pages, 226 KiB  
Communication
A Comparison of the Frequency of Trisomy 13, 18, and 21 Using Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing According to Diminished vs. Normal Egg Reserve and Age
by Brooke Neumann, Nicole Weitz, Jerome H. Check, Carrie Wilson, Ann Diantonio and Megan O’Neil
Reprod. Med. 2024, 5(2), 81-89; https://doi.org/10.3390/reprodmed5020009 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Background: This study’s aim was to determine whether diminished oocyte reserve (DOR) increases the risk of having a fetus with trisomy 13, 18, or 21 at 10 weeks as evaluated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and to evaluate the confounding effect of advanced [...] Read more.
Background: This study’s aim was to determine whether diminished oocyte reserve (DOR) increases the risk of having a fetus with trisomy 13, 18, or 21 at 10 weeks as evaluated by non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and to evaluate the confounding effect of advanced age. Methods: NIPT was undertaken in all pregnancies conceived through natural treatment or assisted reproductive technology that reached 10 weeks from conception with a viable fetus from one infertility center. Data were stratified according to serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) < 1 ng/mL and ≥1 ng/mL. Results: No woman < 39 or with AMH ≥ 1 ng/mL showed trisomy 13, 18, or 21 by NIPT. Only women ≥ age 39 with DOR had one of these trisomies. Conclusions: Hopefully these data, coupled with other factors, e.g., etiology of infertility, age, insurance, or financial circumstances, and personal views of pregnancy termination, will aid patients with DOR when choosing treatment options, including natural conception, IVF-ET, IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy, or transfer of fertilized donor eggs. Full article
18 pages, 20475 KiB  
Article
Insulator Extraction from UAV LiDAR Point Cloud Based on Multi-Type and Multi-Scale Feature Histogram
by Maolin Chen, Jiyang Li, Jianping Pan, Cuicui Ji and Wei Ma
Drones 2024, 8(6), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8060241 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Insulators are key components to ensure the normal operation of power facilities in transmission corridors. Existing insulator identification methods mainly use image data and lack the acquisition of three-dimensional information. This paper proposes an efficient insulator extraction method based on UAV (unmanned aerial [...] Read more.
Insulators are key components to ensure the normal operation of power facilities in transmission corridors. Existing insulator identification methods mainly use image data and lack the acquisition of three-dimensional information. This paper proposes an efficient insulator extraction method based on UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) LiDAR (light detection and ranging) point cloud, using five histogram features: horizontal density (HD), horizontal void (HV), horizontal width (HW), vertical width (VW) and vertical void (VV). Firstly, a voxel-based method is employed to roughly extract power lines and pylons from the original point cloud. Secondly, the VV histogram is used to categorize the pylons into suspension and tension types, and the HD histogram is used to locate the tower crossarm and further refine the roughly extracted powerlines. Then, for the suspension tower, insulators are segmented based on the HV histogram and HD difference histogram. For the tension tower, the HW histogram is used to recognize the jumper conductor (JC) and transmission conductor (TC) from the power line. The HW histogram and VW histogram are used to extract the tension insulator in the TC and suspension insulator in the JC, respectively. Finally, considering the problem of setting a suitable grid width when constructing the feature histogram, an adaptive method of multi-scale histograms is proposed to refine the extraction result. Two 220 kV long transmission lines are used for the validation, and the overall object-based accuracy for suspension and tension towers are 100% and 97.3%, respectively. Compared with the point feature-based method, the mean F1 score of the proposed method improved by 0.3, and the runtime for each tower is within 2 s. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Drones in Ecology)
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32 pages, 23404 KiB  
Article
Coverage Path Planning with Adaptive Hyperbolic Grid for Step-Stare Imaging System
by Jiaxin Zhao
Drones 2024, 8(6), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8060242 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
Step-stare imaging systems are widely used in aerospace optical remote sensing. In order to achieve fast scanning of the target region, efficient coverage path planning (CPP) is a key challenge. However, traditional CPP methods are mostly designed for fixed cameras and disregard the [...] Read more.
Step-stare imaging systems are widely used in aerospace optical remote sensing. In order to achieve fast scanning of the target region, efficient coverage path planning (CPP) is a key challenge. However, traditional CPP methods are mostly designed for fixed cameras and disregard the irregular shape of the sensor’s projection caused by the step-stare rotational motion. To address this problem, this paper proposes an efficient, seamless CPP method with an adaptive hyperbolic grid. First, we convert the coverage problem in Euclidean space to a tiling problem in spherical space. A spherical approximate tiling method based on a zonal isosceles trapezoid is developed to construct a seamless hyperbolic grid. Then, we present a dual-caliper optimization algorithm to further compress the grid and improve the coverage efficiency. Finally, both boustrophedon and branch-and-bound approaches are utilized to generate rotation paths for different scanning scenarios. Experiments were conducted on a custom dataset consisting of 800 diverse geometric regions (including 2 geometry types and 40 samples for 10 groups). The proposed method demonstrates comparable performance of closed-form path length relative to that of a heuristic optimization method while significantly improving real-time capabilities by a minimum factor of 2464. Furthermore, in comparison to traditional rule-based methods, our approach has been shown to reduce the rotational path length by at least 27.29% and 16.71% in circle and convex polygon groups, respectively, indicating a significant improvement in planning efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Drone Design and Development)
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16 pages, 2955 KiB  
Article
Analyzing Trends in Digital Transformation Korean Social Media Data: A Semantic Network Analysis
by Jong-Hwi Song and Byung-Suk Seo
Big Data Cogn. Comput. 2024, 8(6), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/bdcc8060061 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
This study explores the impact of digital transformation on Korean society by analyzing Korean social media data, focusing on the societal and economic effects triggered by advancements in digital technology. Utilizing text mining techniques and semantic network analysis, we extracted key terms and [...] Read more.
This study explores the impact of digital transformation on Korean society by analyzing Korean social media data, focusing on the societal and economic effects triggered by advancements in digital technology. Utilizing text mining techniques and semantic network analysis, we extracted key terms and their relationships from online news and blogs, identifying major themes related to digital transformation. Our analysis, based on data collected from major Korean portals using various related search terms, provides deep insights into how digital evolution influences individuals, businesses, and government sectors. The findings offer a comprehensive view of the technological and social trends emerging from digital transformation, including its policy, economic, and educational implications. This research not only sheds light on the understanding and strategic approaches to digital transformation in Korea but also demonstrates the potential of social media data in analyzing the societal impact of technological advancements, offering valuable resources for future research in effectively navigating the era of digital change. Full article
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14 pages, 5084 KiB  
Article
Rotating Stall Inception Prediction Using an Eigenvalue-Based Global Instability Analysis Method
by Shenren Xu, Caijia Yuan, Chen He, Dongming Cao, Dakun Sun, Carlos Martel, Huihao Chen and Dingxi Wang
Int. J. Turbomach. Propuls. Power 2024, 9(2), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijtpp9020020 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
The accurate prediction of rotating stall inception is critical for determining the stable operating regime of a compressor. Among the two widely accepted pathways to stall, namely, modal and spike, the former is plausibly believed to originate from a global linear instability, and [...] Read more.
The accurate prediction of rotating stall inception is critical for determining the stable operating regime of a compressor. Among the two widely accepted pathways to stall, namely, modal and spike, the former is plausibly believed to originate from a global linear instability, and experiments have partially confirmed it. As for the latter, recent computational and experimental findings have shown it to exhibit itself as a rapidly amplified flow perturbation. However, rigorous analysis has yet to be performed to prove that this is due to global linear instability. In this work, an eigenanalysis approach is used to investigate the rotating stall inception of a transonic annular cascade. Steady analyses were performed to compute the performance characteristics at a given rotational speed. A numerical stall boundary was first estimated based on the residual convergence behavior of the steady solver. Eigenanalyses were then performed for flow solutions at a few near-stall points to determine their global linear stability. Once the relevant unstable modes were identified according to the signs of real parts of eigenvalues, they were examined in detail to understand the flow destabilizing mechanism. Furthermore, time-accurate unsteady simulations were performed to verify the obtained eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The eigenanalysis results reveal that at the rotating stall inception condition, multiple unstable modes appear almost simultaneously with a leading mode that grows most rapidly. In addition, it was found that the unstable modes are continuous in their nodal diameters, and are members of a particular family of modes typical of a dynamic system with cyclic symmetries. This is the first time such an interesting structure of the unstable modes is found numerically, which to some extent explains the rich and complex results constantly observed from experiments but have never been consistently explained. The verified eigenanalysis method can be used to predict the onset of a rotating stall with a CPU time cost orders of magnitude lower than time-accurate simulations, thus making compressor stall onset prediction based on the global linear instability approach feasible in engineering practice. Full article
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13 pages, 1809 KiB  
Article
Subjective Affective Responses to Natural Scenes Require Understanding, Not Spatial Frequency Bands
by Serena Mastria, Maurizio Codispoti, Virginia Tronelli and Andrea De Cesarei
Vision 2024, 8(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/vision8020036 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
It is debated whether emotional processing and response depend on semantic identification or are preferentially tied to specific information in natural scenes, such as global features or local details. The present study aimed to further examine the relationship between scene understanding and affective [...] Read more.
It is debated whether emotional processing and response depend on semantic identification or are preferentially tied to specific information in natural scenes, such as global features or local details. The present study aimed to further examine the relationship between scene understanding and affective response while manipulating visual content. To this end, we presented affective and neutral natural scenes which were progressively band-filtered to contain global features (low spatial frequencies) or local details (high spatial frequencies) and assessed both affective response and scene understanding. We observed that, if scene content was correctly reported, subjective ratings of arousal and valence were modulated by the affective content of the scene, and this modulation was similar across spatial frequency bands. On the other hand, no affective modulation of subjective ratings was observed if picture content was not correctly reported. The present results indicate that subjective affective response requires content understanding, and it is not tied to a specific spatial frequency range. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Visual Neuroscience)
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20 pages, 2539 KiB  
Article
The Security Evaluation of an Efficient Lightweight AES Accelerator
by Abdullah Aljuffri, Ruoyu Huang, Laura Muntenaar, Georgi Gaydadjiev, Kezheng Ma, Said Hamdioui and Mottaqiallah Taouil
Cryptography 2024, 8(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryptography8020024 - 4 Jun 2024
Abstract
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is widely recognized as a robust cryptographic algorithm utilized to protect data integrity and confidentiality. When it comes to lightweight implementations of the algorithm, the literature mainly emphasizes area and power optimization, often overlooking considerations related to performance [...] Read more.
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is widely recognized as a robust cryptographic algorithm utilized to protect data integrity and confidentiality. When it comes to lightweight implementations of the algorithm, the literature mainly emphasizes area and power optimization, often overlooking considerations related to performance and security. This paper evaluates two of our previously proposed lightweight AES implementations using both profiled and non-profiled attacks. One is an unprotected implementation, and the other one is a protected version using Domain-Oriented Masking (DOM). The findings of this study indicate that the inclusion of DOM in the design enhances its resistance to attacks at the cost of doubling the area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hardware Security and Cryptographic Implementations)
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