Search Results (10,624)

The tracking of assets or cargo is one of the main objectives of global logistics and transportation systems, ensuring operational efficiency, security, and timeliness. Currently, battery-operated GPS (Global Positioning System)-based tracking devices are used for this purpose. The main shortcoming of these devices is the lifetime of the batteries because they cannot be replaced or recharged, or because this is simply not economically feasible. Therefore, efficient methods are needed to prolong battery life as much as possible. Various existing energy-saving techniques can be applied to solve this problem. However, none of these consider situations in which multiple tracking devices are transported together and can cooperate to further increase their energy efficiency. In this study, we propose and evaluate the novel lightweight peer-to-peer energy-saving method for nearby wireless battery-powered trackers based on their cooperation. The proposed method is based on the short-range BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) device discovery mechanism and the dynamic election of the leader tracker (with the highest battery capacity) to report the location of its own and other neighboring trackers to the central server. The experimental evaluation of the proposed method shows that, compared to the traditional approach, where each tracker sends its location individually, the proposed method allows a reduction in the average battery charge required for one position report from 19% to 240% per each cooperating tracker. The average energy consumption for one location report per node decreased from 4.68 mWh using the traditional approach to 3.93 mWh for 2 cooperating devices and 1.92 mWh for 15 cooperating devices. Full article

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the opinions and experiences of older adults regarding age-based discrimination in healthcare. Method: The study is based on the analysis of data from 492 older adult respondents aged 60–84, with the mean age of 71.6 ± 6.6 years, who completed and returned anonymous questionnaires sent to their homes. Results: Most of the respondents (74.8%) believed that the state does not consistently improve the protection of older persons’ rights. Nearly half (42.5%) reported that healthcare services are not provided equally to younger and older people. A significant proportion of respondents (41.1%) reported experiencing age-based discrimination themselves, having responded affirmatively to at least three out of nine statements indicating discriminatory experiences. Poor health status and financial hardships emerged as the primary factors associated with multidimensional discrimination experienced by older adults. More than half (64.0%) of respondents believed that discriminatory attitudes towards older people are rooted in healthcare professionals’ internal cultural norms. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicate the need to change the attitudes of healthcare professionals towards older adults. There is an urgent need for the targeted professional education on this issue. Full article

As the hydrogen economy rapidly expands, carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites (Towpreg) have become key materials for next-generation hydrogen pressure vessels, offering superior processability, reproducibility, and storage stability compared to conventional wet-winding composites. Since hydrogen storage vessels are evaluated at three representative service temperatures (−40, 25, and 85 °C), Towpreg materials must maintain consistent mechanical performance across this range to meet certification standards. This study establishes an integrated methodology combining Towpreg panel fabrication, temperature-controlled tensile and fatigue testing, and quantitative assessment of thermo-mechanical stability using DM epoxy resin as the matrix. To address artifacts such as tab slippage at high temperatures and inefficiency at low temperatures, a “Localized Thermal Control” approach was developed. The HY-Mini Heater System enables localized heating at 85 °C, while the HY-Cooler System applies a Joule–Thomson-based Stirling cooler for efficient localized cooling at −40 °C. Quantitative evaluation showed tensile strengths of 2973.3 MPa (RT), 2767.3 MPa (HT, ~7% decrease), and 2907.7 MPa (LT, ~2% decrease). Under R = 0.1 fatigue testing, the Basquin slope (m) was 11.97 (RT), 9.98 (HT), and 10.6 (LT), while the intercept (log b ≈ 3.7) remained nearly constant. These results confirm the excellent thermo-mechanical stability of the carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites (Towpreg) for hydrogen tank applications. Full article

Background: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases worldwide, yet little is known about the role of lipid mediators in its pathogenesis. This study investigated whether there is a link between complete blood count (CBC) and arachidonic acid (AA) derivatives resulting from the activation of lipoxygenases (LOX) in 39 female patients with HT. Material and Methods: Blood samples were used as the research material. Liquid chromatography was employed to analyze the lipid mediators. Results: Neutropenia, lymphopenia and basopenia were observed in the women studied. An increase in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and low haematocrit (HCT) and hemoglobin (HGB) levels were also noted. The highest amounts of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (5S-HETE, 12S-HETE and 15S-HETE) and 5-oxo-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-oxo-ETE) were observed in the study group. The strongest positive correlations were observed between the acids and C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophils (NEUT), and eosinophils (EOS). Furthermore, significant correlations between eicosanoids and anthropometric parameters were also presented. Conclusions: Eicosanoids may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HT, affecting complete blood count. Further research in this area could lead to the development of new diagnostic markers and therapeutic strategies, including those aimed at the anticancer treatment of this gland. Full article

Background/Objectives: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual disorder in men, frequently linked to endothelial dysfunction affecting penile vasculature. Accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin D (VD) status may influence endothelial function and, consequently, erectile function. VD deficiency has also been associated with cardiovascular risk factors, which are well-known contributors to ED. Methods: A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted, analyzing studies from PubMed and Cochrane databases published between 2010 and 2025. Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and pilot clinical trials examining the relationship between VD levels and ED in the general male population were included. Results: Out of 1335 identified articles, 10 studies met inclusion criteria, encompassing over 13,000 men. Observational studies consistently showed that men with moderate-to-severe or arteriogenic ED had significantly lower serum VD levels and poorer erectile function scores compared to those with mild ED. VD deficiency was independently associated with higher ED prevalence, irrespective of lifestyle, cardiovascular risk, or sex hormone levels. Although several observational studies suggested a potential optimal vitamin D threshold, definitive recommendations cannot be established due to the heterogeneity of available evidence and conflicting findings from randomized controlled trials. The latter demonstrated inconsistent effects of vitamin D supplementation on erectile dysfunction outcomes, with the largest trial reporting no significant reduction in disease prevalence. These findings underscore the critical need for rigorously designed trials targeting populations with severe VD deficiency and arteriogenic ED. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights an association between vitamin D status and erectile dysfunction, particularly in men with moderate-to-severe or arteriogenic ED. However, most of the evidence is derived from low-certainty observational studies. While observational data suggest potential benefits of adequate VD levels for sexual health, well-designed randomized controlled trials are essential to delineate causal relationships and potential for therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Background: Surgical resection (SR) and liver transplantation (LT) are the main curative options for non-hepatocellular carcinoma (non-HCC) liver malignancies, including colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hCCA), and neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases (NETLMs). Resection aims for negative margins and adequate hepatic reserve, while LT offers treatment for unresectable disease but is limited by donor scarcity, immunosuppression, and ethical constraints. Methods: A targeted literature search (2005–2025) was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar with predefined MeSH terms combining “liver resection,” “hepatectomy,” and “liver transplantation” across non-HCC malignancies. Relevant studies, reviews, and guidelines were included. Results: For CRLMs, SR remains standard with 5-year overall survival (OS) up to 58%, while LT offers 60–83% in highly selected unresectable cases. In iCCA, resection achieves median survival around 40 months, and LT yields OS up to 69% in very early or neoadjuvant-controlled disease. For hCCA, the Mayo protocol combining neoadjuvant therapy with LT provides 5-year OS of 65–80%. In NETLMs, LT achieves 63–97% OS under strict criteria. Conclusions: SR remains first-line for resectable non-HCC malignancies, while LT provides superior outcomes in unresectable yet biologically favorable disease, emphasizing careful selection and organ allocation. Full article

DLP (Digital Light Processing) 3D printing enables precise fabrication of temporary crowns. Tribological properties of these materials affect clinical durability, wear resistance, and masticatory function. This study compared three C&B-type photopolymers for DLP-printed temporary crowns: Gr-17.1 temporary It, Gr-17 temporary (Pro3dure), and VarseoSmile Temp (BEGO). Samples were printed, post-processed, and polished. Surface topography (Sa, Sz) was measured via white light interferometry, and scratch resistance was evaluated with a Rockwell indenter. Sliding wear tests under wet conditions (37 °C, 90% RH) were conducted using an SRV 4 tester at 25 N for 20,000 cycles. VarseoSmile Temp showed the highest scratch and sliding wear resistance, with the lowest mean volumetric wear (0.025 mm³) and residual scratch depth, reflecting its higher inorganic filler content (30–50 wt%). Gr-17.1 had the most stable coefficient of friction (~0.3), while Gr-17 experienced the greatest wear (0.235 mm³). No direct correlation between friction and wear was observed. These findings indicate that wear resistance depends on microstructure and filler content, supporting tribological testing as a tool to evaluate the durability of 3D-printed temporary crowns. Full article

European Union legislation, particularly Council Directive 2004/113/EC, mandates gender neutrality in credit scoring to prevent discrimination. However, this creates a regulatory paradox if gender is a statistically relevant predictor of default risk. This study investigates this “fairness-through-unawareness” approach by empirically testing for systematic mispricing. We employ a twofold econometric analysis on a dataset of consumer loans from a Lithuanian peer-to-peer platform. After data preparation for the regression, the sample consists of 9707 loans. First, logistic regression is used to model actual default risk, controlling for credit rating, age, loan amount, and education. Second, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression is used to model the interest rate set by the platform. The Logit model finds that gender is a highly significant predictor of default (p < 0.001), with male borrowers associated with a higher probability of default. Conversely, the OLS model finds that gender is not a statistically significant factor in loan pricing (p = 0.263), confirming the platform’s compliance with EU law. The findings empirically demonstrate the regulatory paradox: the legally compliant, gender-blind pricing model fails to account for a significant risk differential. This leads to systematic risk mispricing and an implicit cross-subsidy from lower-risk female borrowers to higher-risk male counterparts, highlighting a critical tension between regulatory intent and outcome fairness. The analysis is limited to observed loan-level characteristics; it does not incorporate household composition or the internal structure of the platform’s proprietary scoring model. Full article

Background/Objectives: International guidelines recommend the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for lung transplantation (LT). Although multiplex PCR (mPCR) has been shown to hasten antibiotic adaptation during pneumonia, its use to guide antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing LT has not been described. We aimed to determine whether mPCR in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in donor and recipient allows the early adaptation of antibiotic prophylaxis during LT. Methods: a retrospective, single-center study to evaluate the proportion of patients for whom mPCR (FilmArray Pneumonia Plus Panel^®, Biomérieux (FAPP)) in the donor and recipient BAL resulted in an early modification of antibiotic prophylaxis. We also compared the time to results using mPCR and standard microbiology and the time spent with inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis. Results: Forty-one patients were included. Donor and recipient mPCR resulted in the early adaptation of antibiotic prophylaxis in 10 (24%) patients. Standard microbiology confirmed the results of mPCR in 90% of them. FAPP resulted in an antibiotic escalation based on donor (9/10) or recipient (1/10) BAL identification, mainly Group 3 Enterobacterales and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli. The time to results was 1.7 (1.5–2.4) h for mPCR vs. 74.3 (41.5–92.7) h for standard microbiology (p < 0.001) on donor BAL and 1.7 (1.5–2.4) h vs. 92.8 (48.4–112.9) h (p < 0.001) on recipient BAL. Patients with mPCR-based adaptation had a 71.9 (30.7–92.1) h reduction in the duration of inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis. Conclusions: mPCR in donor and recipient BAL during LT might lead to faster adaptation and a reduction in the time spent with inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis. Full article

Demographic decline and population ageing present unprecedented challenges to housing systems in post-socialist Europe. With one of the European Union (EU)’s fastest shrinking populations, an underdeveloped social housing sector, and an ageing housing stock dominated by Soviet-era multi-family blocks, Latvia exemplifies these difficulties. Adaptive property reuse—repurposing underutilised buildings into age-friendly social housing—offers a potential solution, but its feasibility depends on complex economic, regulatory, social, and environmental determinants. This study investigated these determinants using a mixed-methods approach. Data were drawn from 312 survey responses, 15 policymaker interviews, 10 developer interviews, and focus group of 25 senior residents across Latvia. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to extract six determinant clusters: site selection, feasibility analysis, design and planning, implementation strategies, monitoring and evaluation, and scaling strategies. The findings demonstrate: (1) economic feasibility and regulatory clarity dominate stakeholder concerns, with financing gaps receiving the lowest ratings (M = 2.91); (2) implementation strategies emerged as the highest-priority determinant, emphasising governance capacity and structured execution; (3) significant trust deficits exist between developers and municipal authorities, undermining collaboration; (4) seniors prioritise design inclusivity and social integration, while developers emphasise cost efficiency and regulatory certainty; and (5) environmental sustainability consistently ranked lower (M ≈ 3.34) across all stakeholder groups due to pressing affordability concerns. Although municipal officers were intentionally oversampled (58%) due to their central role in Latvia’s housing governance, robustness checks confirmed the six-factor structure remained stable across stakeholder groups. This study contributes theoretically by contextualising adaptive reuse within shrinking cities and ageing societies and practically by providing a determinant-based framework for housing policy. Full article

To address the evolving mobility requirements of local (suburban) and regional public transportation systems, it is imperative to employ service models capable of adapting to low-density and variable demand. This paper develops and tests a practical methodology aimed at identifying regions optimally suited for demand-responsive transport (DRT) and integrating DRT into regional public transport frameworks. At the beginning, a review of DRT system implementation practices in other countries is presented, and an analysis of international public transport macro-models is provided, which reveals structural differences between urban and regional environments. Then, the article describes the development and verification of a public transport macro-model for a selected region. With the help of the model, potential DRT territories in the analyzed region are defined and, using the macro-modeling of the PTV Vissum program, the implementation and results of DRT are evaluated. The fourth section of the article describes the refined methodology for selecting DRT territories and its transferability and parameterization for the wider application in other regions. The proposed methodology integrates multi-criteria spatial assessment, clustering techniques, and service scenario testing to identify low-demand zones, measure accessibility deficiencies, and select DRT designs that are appropriate for specific needs. The results showed that after changing the organization of the public transport service, the total bus mileage decreased from 287,684.18 km per month to 284,078.27 km/month (which is 1.25%), and the total time spent by passengers on trips decreased by 0.5% (the difference is 118 h 11 min). Full article

In this article, models for prediction of surface hardness for SLM specimens are presented. In experiments, EOS Maraging Steel MS1 was processed using EOS M 290 3D printer via selective laser melting (SLM). To predict hardness of SLM specimens, several machine learning methods were applied, including genetic programming, neural network, multiple regression, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, logistic regression, and random forest. In the research, fractal geometry was used to characterize the complexity of SLM-shaped microstructures. It was found that fractal geometry combined with machine learning techniques together greatly improved our comprehension of the intricacies of surface analysis and provided highly efficient predictions. All the applied algorithms exhibited predictability above 90%, with the best average result of 98.7% for genetic programming. Full article

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in cats, but its seizure types, etiologies, and clinical associations remain incompletely characterized compared to dogs. This retrospective study analyzed 118 feline epilepsy cases from two veterinary hospitals in Finland and Lithuania, aiming to evaluate the distribution of seizure types and their associations with demographic, clinical, neurological, diagnostic, and diagnostic test results. Seizures were classified as single generalized (SG), cluster seizures (CS), or status epilepticus (SE). SG and CS occurred with nearly equal frequency (44.9% and 45.8%, respectively), while SE was less common (9.3%). Median age at presentation was 72 months, and no significant differences were found in age, sex, reproductive status, or body weight between seizure types. Abnormal clinical findings (p = 0.009) and neurological abnormalities (p < 0.001) were significantly more frequent in cats with SE, indicating greater neurological compromise in severe seizure forms. MRI was performed in 74.6% of cases and revealed a significant difference in utilization among seizure types (p = 0.004), with lower imaging rates in SE, likely reflecting clinical instability at presentation. Etiology of seizure development was established in 89 cats: idiopathic epilepsy (IE) predominated (80.9%), followed by structural (15.7%) and metabolic/toxic (3.4%) causes. Seizure type and etiology were significantly associated (p = 0.006), with structural epilepsy most common in SE and idiopathic epilepsy prevailing in SG and CS. Among cats with known outcomes (n = 35), seizure control was achieved in 68.6%, while mortality and euthanasia were higher in SE. These findings provide new insight into feline epilepsy by linking seizure type to clinical and etiological profiles, emphasizing that severe presentations are more often associated with neurological abnormalities and structural causes, whereas demographic factors alone do not predict seizure severity. Full article

The quality of seedlings and a plant’s yield are influenced by the different substrates used to grow the seedlings. Zeolite has been successfully used in growing media for containerized production systems. This study aimed to assess the effects of peat and zeolite substrates on sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedling growth, photosynthetic parameters, and crop yield. The research was conducted at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. Sweet pepper seedlings were grown in different substrates: peat, peat+zeolite 1:1, peat+zeolite 2:1, and peat+zeolite 3:1. The biometric parameters of sweet pepper seedlings grown in a mixture of peat and zeolite at different ratios were affected differently. Adding zeolite to peat substrate positively affected the stomatal conductance and transpiration rate in sweet pepper seedling leaves. Sweet peppers whose seedlings had been grown in peat-zeolite substrates gave higher yields. Full article

Background/Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent social-communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. While genetic factors play a major role, prenatal environmental exposures may also contribute. Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a known risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes, but its association with ASD remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar up to September 2025. Eligible observational studies evaluated maternal active smoking during pregnancy and ASD diagnosis in offspring. Effect estimates were pooled using a random-effects model and expressed as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was quantified using I², with subgroup and sensitivity analyses performed. Results: Twenty-one studies including several million mother–child pairs met the inclusion criteria. The pooled RR for ASD associated with maternal smoking was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.95–1.08), indicating no significant association. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings, with no evidence of publication bias. Conclusions: Maternal smoking during pregnancy does not appear to increase ASD risk in offspring. Nevertheless, smoking cessation remains critical due to established adverse fetal effects. Full article