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Search Results (4,163)

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Keywords = behaviour assessment

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14 pages, 841 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Deep Learning for Robust Stress Classification in Sows from Facial Images
by Syed U. Yunas, Ajmal Shahbaz, Emma M. Baxter, Mark F. Hansen, Melvyn L. Smith and Lyndon N. Smith
Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1675; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151675 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025
Abstract
Stress in pigs poses significant challenges to animal welfare and productivity in modern pig farming, contributing to increased antimicrobial use and the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study involves stress classification in pregnant sows by exploring five deep learning models: ConvNeXt, EfficientNet_V2, [...] Read more.
Stress in pigs poses significant challenges to animal welfare and productivity in modern pig farming, contributing to increased antimicrobial use and the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study involves stress classification in pregnant sows by exploring five deep learning models: ConvNeXt, EfficientNet_V2, MobileNet_V3, RegNet, and Vision Transformer (ViT). These models are used for stress detection from facial images, leveraging an expanded dataset. A facial image dataset of sows was collected at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the images were categorized into primiparous Low-Stressed (LS) and High-Stress (HS) groups based on expert behavioural assessments and cortisol level analysis. The selected deep learning models were then trained on this enriched dataset and their performance was evaluated using cross-validation on unseen data. The Vision Transformer (ViT) model outperformed the others across the dataset of annotated facial images, achieving an average accuracy of 0.75, an F1 score of 0.78 for high-stress detection, and consistent batch-level performance (up to 0.88 F1 score). These findings highlight the efficacy of transformer-based models for automated stress detection in sows, supporting early intervention strategies to enhance welfare, optimize productivity, and mitigate AMR risks in livestock production. Full article
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25 pages, 1105 KiB  
Review
Review and Decision-Making Tree for Methods to Balance Indoor Environmental Comfort and Energy Conservation During Building Operation
by Shan Lin, Yu Zhang, Xuanjiang Chen, Chengzhi Pan, Xianjun Dong, Xiang Xie and Long Chen
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7016; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157016 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
Effective building operation requires a careful balance between energy conservation and indoor environmental comfort. Although numerous methods have been developed to reduce energy consumption during the operational phase, their objectives and applications vary widely. However, the complexity of building energy management makes it [...] Read more.
Effective building operation requires a careful balance between energy conservation and indoor environmental comfort. Although numerous methods have been developed to reduce energy consumption during the operational phase, their objectives and applications vary widely. However, the complexity of building energy management makes it challenging to identify the most suitable methods that simultaneously achieve both comfort and efficiency goals. Existing studies often lack a systematic framework that supports integrated decision-making under comfort constraints. This research aims to address this gap by proposing a decision-making tree for selecting energy conservation methods during building operation with an explicit consideration of indoor environmental comfort. A comprehensive literature review is conducted to identify four main energy-consuming components during building operation: the building envelope, HVAC systems, lighting systems, and plug loads and appliances. Three key comfort indicators—thermal comfort, lighting comfort, and air quality comfort—are defined, and energy conservation methods are categorized into three strategic groups: passive strategies, control optimization strategies, and behavioural intervention strategies. Each method is assessed using a defined set of evaluation criteria. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey is administered for the calibration of the decision tree, incorporating stakeholder preferences and expert judgement. The findings contribute to the advancement of understanding regarding the co-optimization of energy conservation and occupant comfort in building operations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Technologies and Digital Design in Smart Construction)
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19 pages, 1889 KiB  
Article
Infrared Thermographic Signal Analysis of Bioactive Edible Oils Using CNNs for Quality Assessment
by Danilo Pratticò and Filippo Laganà
Signals 2025, 6(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/signals6030038 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
Nutrition plays a fundamental role in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases, with bioactive food components offering a therapeutic potential in biomedical applications. Among these, edible oils are recognised for their functional properties, which contribute to disease prevention and metabolic regulation. The proposed [...] Read more.
Nutrition plays a fundamental role in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases, with bioactive food components offering a therapeutic potential in biomedical applications. Among these, edible oils are recognised for their functional properties, which contribute to disease prevention and metabolic regulation. The proposed study aims to evaluate the quality of four bioactive oils (olive oil, sunflower oil, tomato seed oil, and pumpkin seed oil) by analysing their thermal behaviour through infrared (IR) imaging. The study designed a customised electronic system to acquire thermographic signals under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The acquisition system was used to extract thermal data. Analysis of the acquired thermal signals revealed characteristic heat absorption profiles used to infer differences in oil properties related to stability and degradation potential. A hybrid deep learning model that integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) units was used to classify and differentiate the oils based on stability, thermal reactivity, and potential health benefits. A signal analysis showed that the AI-based method improves both the accuracy (achieving an F1-score of 93.66%) and the repeatability of quality assessments, providing a non-invasive and intelligent framework for the validation and traceability of nutritional compounds. Full article
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35 pages, 575 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Interplay Between Juvenile Delinquency and ADHD: A Systematic Review of Social, Psychological, and Educational Aspects
by Márta Miklósi and Karolina Eszter Kovács
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 1044; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15081044 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, frequently observed in juvenile offenders. This systematic review explores the interplay between ADHD and juvenile delinquency, focusing on behavioural, psychological, and social dimensions. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic [...] Read more.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, frequently observed in juvenile offenders. This systematic review explores the interplay between ADHD and juvenile delinquency, focusing on behavioural, psychological, and social dimensions. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review was conducted using EBSCO Discovery Service, Science Direct, PubMed, and snowballing techniques. Studies meeting specific inclusion criteria, including juvenile offenders diagnosed with ADHD and comparisons to non-offender or non-ADHD control groups, were analysed. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. A total of 21 studies were included, highlighting significant associations between ADHD and juvenile delinquency. ADHD symptoms, especially impulsivity and emotional dysregulation, were linked to an earlier onset of offending and higher rates of property crimes. Comorbidities such as conduct disorder, substance use disorder, and depression exacerbated these behaviours. Sociodemographic factors like low education levels and adverse family environments were also critical modifiers. Early intervention and tailored treatment approaches were emphasised to address these challenges. The findings underscore the need for early diagnosis, individualised treatment, and integrative rehabilitation programmes within the juvenile justice system to mitigate long-term risks and promote social inclusion. Full article
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25 pages, 9193 KiB  
Article
Antibiotic-Loaded Bioglass 45S5 for the Treatment and Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Novel Strategy Against Antimicrobial Resistance
by Humera Sarwar, Richard A. Martin, Heather M. Coleman, Aaron Courtenay and Deborah Lowry
Pathogens 2025, 14(8), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14080760 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
This study explores the potential of biodegradable Bioglass 45S5 formulations as a dual-function approach for preventing and treating Staphylococcus aureus infections in orthopaedic surgery while addressing the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The research focuses on the development and characterisation of antibiotic-loaded [...] Read more.
This study explores the potential of biodegradable Bioglass 45S5 formulations as a dual-function approach for preventing and treating Staphylococcus aureus infections in orthopaedic surgery while addressing the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The research focuses on the development and characterisation of antibiotic-loaded BG45S5 formulations, assessing parameters such as drug loading efficiency, release kinetics, antimicrobial efficacy, and dissolution behaviour. Key findings indicate that the F2l-BG45S5-T-T-1.5 and F2l-BG45S5-T-V-1.5 formulations demonstrated controlled antibiotic release for up to seven days, with size distributions of D(10): 7.11 ± 0.806 µm, 4.96 ± 0.007 µm; D(50): 25.34 ± 1.730 µm, 25.20.7 ± 0.425 µm; and D(90): 53.7 ± 7.95 µm, 56.10 ± 0.579 µm, respectively. These formulations facilitated hydroxyapatite formation on their surfaces, indicative of osteogenic potential. The antimicrobial assessments revealed zones of inhibition against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, ATCC-6538) measuring 20.3 ± 1.44 mm and 24.6 ± 1.32 mm, while for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC-43300), the inhibition zones were 21.6 ± 1.89 mm and 22 ± 0.28 mm, respectively. Time-kill assay results showed complete bacterial eradication within eight hours. Additionally, biocompatibility testing via MTT assay confirmed cell viability of >75%. In conclusion, these findings highlight the promise of antibiotic-loaded BG45S5 as a multifunctional biomaterial capable of both combating bone infections and supporting bone regeneration. These promising results suggest that in vivo studies should be undertaken to expedite these materials into clinical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance in the Post-COVID Era: A Silent Pandemic)
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13 pages, 2629 KiB  
Article
Seed Germination Requirements of the Threatened Local Greek Endemic Campanula pangea Hartvig Facilitating Species-Specific Conservation Efforts
by Margarita Paradisiotis, Elias Pipinis, Stefanos Kostas, Georgios Tsoktouridis, Stefanos Hatzilazarou, Anna Mastrogianni, Ioannis Tsiripidis and Nikos Krigas
Conservation 2025, 5(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation5030039 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
Ex situ conservation is a vital strategy of preserving plant species at risk, offering practical methods to obtain information regarding species-specific germination characteristics. Campanula pangea, a local endemic species of NE Greece, has been previously classified as vulnerable, partly due to the [...] Read more.
Ex situ conservation is a vital strategy of preserving plant species at risk, offering practical methods to obtain information regarding species-specific germination characteristics. Campanula pangea, a local endemic species of NE Greece, has been previously classified as vulnerable, partly due to the lack of knowledge about its biology. This study focused on the germination behaviour of C. pangea stored seeds by assessing their germination success under the effects of incubation temperature and gibberellic acid (GA3). To contextualize the experimental conditions, a bioclimatic profile of the species was developed using open-access temperature and precipitation data that characterize its natural habitat. The results showed that the optimal germination temperature range for C. pangea is 15–20 °C. Pre-treatment of seeds with GA3 solution (1000 mg L−1) widened the germination range of the seeds only at the low temperature of 10 °C. The experimentation results showed that the seeds of C. pangea exhibit dormancy. These findings contribute to the development of a species-specific germination protocol for ex situ propagation and conservation, enhance understanding of the species’ germination requirements, and thus support future conservation efforts and assessments of extinction risk, or other ornamental applications and/or targeted medicinal research. Full article
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13 pages, 3685 KiB  
Article
A Controlled Variation Approach for Example-Based Explainable AI in Colorectal Polyp Classification
by Miguel Filipe Fontes, Alexandre Henrique Neto, João Dallyson Almeida and António Trigueiros Cunha
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8467; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158467 (registering DOI) - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 149
Abstract
Medical imaging is vital for diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer (CRC), a leading cause of mortality. Classifying colorectal polyps and CRC precursors remains challenging due to operator variability and expertise dependence. Deep learning (DL) models show promise in polyp classification but face adoption [...] Read more.
Medical imaging is vital for diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer (CRC), a leading cause of mortality. Classifying colorectal polyps and CRC precursors remains challenging due to operator variability and expertise dependence. Deep learning (DL) models show promise in polyp classification but face adoption barriers due to their ‘black box’ nature, limiting interpretability. This study presents an example-based explainable artificial intehlligence (XAI) approach using Pix2Pix to generate synthetic polyp images with controlled size variations and LIME to explain classifier predictions visually. EfficientNet and Vision Transformer (ViT) were trained on datasets of real and synthetic images, achieving strong baseline accuracies of 94% and 96%, respectively. Image quality was assessed using PSNR (18.04), SSIM (0.64), and FID (123.32), while classifier robustness was evaluated across polyp sizes. Results show that Pix2Pix effectively controls image attributes like polyp size despite limitations in visual fidelity. LIME integration revealed classifier vulnerabilities, underscoring the value of complementary XAI techniques. This enhances DL model interpretability and deepens understanding of their behaviour. The findings contribute to developing explainable AI tools for polyp classification and CRC diagnosis. Future work will improve synthetic image quality and refine XAI methodologies for broader clinical use. Full article
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19 pages, 331 KiB  
Article
Antipredator Response in Domestic Japanese Quail and Game-Farmed Quail
by Pedro González-Redondo, Natalia Diego-Fuentes and Carlos Romero
Animals 2025, 15(15), 2237; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15152237 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 114
Abstract
Game-farmed quails that are currently raised in captivity and released in hunting preserves are not attractive for many hunters because of their low antipredator instinct, which is due to the fact that in most cases, these farm-reared quails are hybrids between European common [...] Read more.
Game-farmed quails that are currently raised in captivity and released in hunting preserves are not attractive for many hunters because of their low antipredator instinct, which is due to the fact that in most cases, these farm-reared quails are hybrids between European common (Coturnix coturnix) and Japanese (Coturnix japonica) quails, with the latter having been selectively bred for docility. This study aimed at assessing the antipredator response of game-farmed and Japanese quails by performing three tests: human approach test, simulated aerial predator approach test and tonic immobility test. Thirty game-farmed quails (average body weight: 133 g) and thirty Japanese quails (323 g) were subjected to the tests. For each genotype of quail, fifteen males and fifteen females were used. In the human approach test, the distance at which quails moved was greater for game-farmed quails than for Japanese ones (37.4 vs. 19.6 m, p < 0.001). In the simulated aerial predator approach test, female quails of the Japanese species crouched down at the longest distance with respect to the predator (9.83 m), whereas no significant difference existed for this trait among the other three groups (6.84 m, on average). The percentage of quails flying when the predator got closer was higher for the Japanese species than for the game-farmed quails (23.3 vs. 3.33%, p = 0.023). Fewer inductions were needed to cause tonic immobility in the game-farmed quails than in the Japanese ones (3.10 vs. 4.10, p = 0.009), but then, the duration of the tonic immobility response did not differ significantly between the two genotypes. No effect of sex was detected in the human approach and tonic immobility tests. In conclusion, as compared with Japanese quails, game-farmed quails showed more fearful behaviour when confronted with a human being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Poultry)
21 pages, 6163 KiB  
Article
Residual Stress and Corrosion Performance in L-PBF Ti6Al4V: Unveiling the Optimum Stress Relieving Temperature via Microcapillary Electrochemical Characterisation
by Lorenzo D’Ambrosi, Katya Brunelli, Francesco Cammelli, Reynier I. Revilla and Arshad Yazdanpanah
Metals 2025, 15(8), 855; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15080855 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 177
Abstract
This study aims to determine the optimal low-temperature stress relieving heat treatment that minimizes residual stresses while preserving corrosion resistance in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) processed Ti6Al4V alloy. Specifically, it investigates the effects of stress relieving at 400 °C, 600 °C, and [...] Read more.
This study aims to determine the optimal low-temperature stress relieving heat treatment that minimizes residual stresses while preserving corrosion resistance in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) processed Ti6Al4V alloy. Specifically, it investigates the effects of stress relieving at 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C on microstructure, residual stress, and electrochemical performance. Specimens were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical techniques. A novel microcapillary electrochemical method was employed to precisely assess passive layer stability and corrosion behaviour under simulated oral conditions, including fluoride contamination and tensile loading. Results show that heat treatments up to 600 °C effectively reduce residual stress with minimal impact on corrosion resistance. However, 800 °C treatment leads to a phase transformation from α′ martensite to a dual-phase α + β structure, significantly compromising passive film integrity. The findings establish 600 °C as the optimal stress-relieving temperature for balancing mechanical stability and electrochemical performance in biomedical and aerospace components. Full article
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18 pages, 913 KiB  
Article
Barriers and Enablers to Engaging with Long-Term Follow-Up Care Among Canadian Survivors of Pediatric Cancer: A COM-B Analysis
by Holly Wright, Sharon H. J. Hou, Brianna Henry, Rachelle Drummond, Kyle Mendonça, Caitlin Forbes, Iqra Rahamatullah, Jenny Duong, Craig Erker, Michael S. Taccone, R. Liam Sutherland, Paul C. Nathan, Maria Spavor, Karen Goddard, Kathleen Reynolds, Sharon Paulse, Annette Flanders and Fiona S. M. Schulte
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(8), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32080427 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 87
Abstract
Survivors of pediatric cancer are at risk for late effects and require risk-adapted long-term follow-up (LTFU) care. Yet less than 50% of survivors attend LTFU care. This study aimed to identify barriers and enablers of engaging with LTFU care as perceived by Canadian [...] Read more.
Survivors of pediatric cancer are at risk for late effects and require risk-adapted long-term follow-up (LTFU) care. Yet less than 50% of survivors attend LTFU care. This study aimed to identify barriers and enablers of engaging with LTFU care as perceived by Canadian survivors of pediatric cancer and healthcare providers (HCPs). Survivors (n = 108) and HCPs (n = 20) completed surveys assessing barriers and enablers to attending LTFU care, summarized using descriptive statistics. Participants were invited to participate in survivor focus groups (n = 22) or HCP semi-structured interviews (n = 7). These were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation for Behaviour Change (COM-B) model, which explores how an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation influence a target behaviour. Structural barriers, transitioning from pediatric to adult care, and time constraints were highlighted as barriers that affect survivors’ physical opportunity to engage in LTFU care. Accessibility, financial support, HCPs and family support, and community resources were highlighted as enablers that better survivors’ physical and social opportunity to engage in LTFU care. In conclusion, Canadian survivors of pediatric cancer highlighted barriers that limited their physical opportunity to attend LTFU care, while factors that enhanced their physical and social opportunities facilitated greater engagement with LTFU care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Psychosocial Oncology)
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28 pages, 3441 KiB  
Article
Which AI Sees Like Us? Investigating the Cognitive Plausibility of Language and Vision Models via Eye-Tracking in Human-Robot Interaction
by Khashayar Ghamati, Maryam Banitalebi Dehkordi and Abolfazl Zaraki
Sensors 2025, 25(15), 4687; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154687 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 251
Abstract
As large language models (LLMs) and vision–language models (VLMs) become increasingly used in robotics area, a crucial question arises: to what extent do these models replicate human-like cognitive processes, particularly within socially interactive contexts? Whilst these models demonstrate impressive multimodal reasoning and perception [...] Read more.
As large language models (LLMs) and vision–language models (VLMs) become increasingly used in robotics area, a crucial question arises: to what extent do these models replicate human-like cognitive processes, particularly within socially interactive contexts? Whilst these models demonstrate impressive multimodal reasoning and perception capabilities, their cognitive plausibility remains underexplored. In this study, we address this gap by using human visual attention as a behavioural proxy for cognition in a naturalistic human-robot interaction (HRI) scenario. Eye-tracking data were previously collected from participants engaging in social human-human interactions, providing frame-level gaze fixations as a human attentional ground truth. We then prompted a state-of-the-art VLM (LLaVA) to generate scene descriptions, which were processed by four LLMs (DeepSeek-R1-Distill-Qwen-7B, Qwen1.5-7B-Chat, LLaMA-3.1-8b-instruct, and Gemma-7b-it) to infer saliency points. Critically, we evaluated each model in both stateless and memory-augmented (short-term memory, STM) modes to assess the influence of temporal context on saliency prediction. Our results presented that whilst stateless LLaVA most closely replicates human gaze patterns, STM confers measurable benefits only for DeepSeek, whose lexical anchoring mirrors human rehearsal mechanisms. Other models exhibited degraded performance with memory due to prompt interference or limited contextual integration. This work introduces a novel, empirically grounded framework for assessing cognitive plausibility in generative models and underscores the role of short-term memory in shaping human-like visual attention in robotic systems. Full article
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15 pages, 2391 KiB  
Article
Host-Seeking and Acceptance Behaviour of Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae in Response to Volatile Compounds Emitted by Amaranth
by Mariana Cruz-Díaz, Humberto Reyes-Prado, Víctor R. Castrejón-Gómez and Paola Rossy García-Sosa
Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1637; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151637 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 206
Abstract
In this study, the seeking behaviour and food acceptance of larvae of Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were analysed under laboratory conditions. Larval orientation and feeding preferences were assessed using a selection arena for neonate larvae and a four-way olfactometer for third-instar larvae. [...] Read more.
In this study, the seeking behaviour and food acceptance of larvae of Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were analysed under laboratory conditions. Larval orientation and feeding preferences were assessed using a selection arena for neonate larvae and a four-way olfactometer for third-instar larvae. Stimulants included amaranth bars with additives (honey and chocolate) and natural amaranth (toasted grain only). The results showed that amaranth volatiles influence the orientation and feeding behaviour of this polyphagous insect. A marked preference for sugar-rich foods was observed, with amaranth with honey and amaranth with chocolate being the food sources most frequently chosen by the neonate larvae. These individuals exhibited a gregarious feeding behaviour and did not engage in cannibalism. The third-instar larvae also showed a preference for sweet food but were more attracted to the amaranth–additive combination. In the four-way olfactometer bioassays, chocolate was the most frequently chosen stimulus, while cellophane did not differ significantly from air. An analysis of volatile compounds by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that amaranth with chocolate releases more volatile compounds (16) compared with honey (12) and natural amaranth (6), suggesting that these volatiles could possibly influence the larvae’s choice of food source. Full article
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20 pages, 857 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Determinants of Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults Across Europe: Evidence from SHARE Wave 9
by Daniela Melo, Luís Midão, Inês Mimoso, Leovaldo Alcântara, Teodora Figueiredo, Joana Carrilho and Elísio Costa
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(15), 5340; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155340 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 165
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The rapid ageing of the European population presents growing challenges for mental health, highlighting the need to identify factors that can prevent or delay psychological decline and promote a higher quality of life in later life. This study aims to provide [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The rapid ageing of the European population presents growing challenges for mental health, highlighting the need to identify factors that can prevent or delay psychological decline and promote a higher quality of life in later life. This study aims to provide an updated and comprehensive overview of mental health among older adults in Europe by examining the prevalence of depressive symptoms and identifying key associated factors. Methods: We analysed data from individuals (n = 45,601) aged 65 years and older across 27 European countries and Israel who participated in Wave 9 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). This study assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms, which were evaluated using the EURO-D scale (score range: 0–12), with a cut-off of ≥4 indicating clinically relevant symptoms. It also explored associations with sociodemographic characteristics, physical health, behavioural factors, social participation, internet skills and living conditions. Results: Our findings confirm that depressive symptoms remain highly prevalent among older adults in Europe, with 35.1% of women and 21.5% of men affected, reflecting persistent gender disparities in mental health. Depression in later life was significantly associated with poor physical health, loneliness and lower quality of life. Conversely, moderate involvement in grandchild care and in social participation emerged as potential protective factors. Conclusions: Late-life depression has substantial implications for both mental and physical well-being. Our findings suggest that social integration, gender related factors and physical health are closely associated with depressive symptoms in older adults. These associations highlight the importance of considering these domains when designing interventions and policies aimed at promoting mental health in ageing populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Geriatric Medicine)
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26 pages, 4789 KiB  
Article
Analytical Modelling of Arc Flash Consequences in High-Power Systems with Energy Storage for Electric Vehicle Charging
by Juan R. Cabello, David Bullejos and Alvaro Rodríguez-Prieto
World Electr. Veh. J. 2025, 16(8), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj16080425 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 199
Abstract
The improvement of environmental conditions has become a priority for governments and legislators. New electrified mobility systems are increasingly present in our environment, as they enable the reduction of polluting emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are one of the fastest-growing alternatives to date, with [...] Read more.
The improvement of environmental conditions has become a priority for governments and legislators. New electrified mobility systems are increasingly present in our environment, as they enable the reduction of polluting emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) are one of the fastest-growing alternatives to date, with exponential growth expected over the next few years. In this article, the various charging modes for EVs are explored, and the risks associated with charging technologies are analysed, particularly for charging systems in high-power DC with Lithium battery energy storage, given their long market deployment and characteristic behaviour. In particular, the Arc Flash (AF) risk present in high-power DC chargers will be studied, involving numerous simulations of the charging process. Subsequently, the Incident Energy (IE) analysis is carried out at different specific points of a commercial high-power ‘Mode 4’ charger. For this purpose, different analysis methods of recognised prestige, such as Doan, Paukert, or Stokes and Oppenlander, are applied, using the latest version of the ETAP® simulation tool version 22.5.0. This study focuses on quantifying the potential severity (consequences) of an AF event, assuming its occurrence, rather than performing a probabilistic risk assessment according to standard methodologies. The primary objective of this research is to comprehensively quantify the potential consequences for workers involved in the operation, maintenance, repair, and execution of tasks related to EV charging systems. This analysis makes it possible to provide safe working conditions and to choose the appropriate and necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) for each type of operation. It is essential to develop this novel process to quantify the consequences of AF and to protect the end users of EV charging systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fast-Charging Station for Electric Vehicles: Challenges and Issues)
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19 pages, 1599 KiB  
Article
Nanopolystyrene (nanoPS) and Sodium Azide (NaN3) Toxicity in Danio rerio: Behavioural and Morphological Evaluation
by Wanda Komorowska, Łukasz Kurach and Agnieszka Dąbrowska
Microplastics 2025, 4(3), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4030045 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 215
Abstract
Nano- (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous and raising concerns about their toxicity. A popular model for studying acute toxicity is Danio rerio. This study investigated the acute toxicity in FET test of polystyrene nanoparticles (500 nm, nanoPS) at different concentrations (0.01, [...] Read more.
Nano- (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous and raising concerns about their toxicity. A popular model for studying acute toxicity is Danio rerio. This study investigated the acute toxicity in FET test of polystyrene nanoparticles (500 nm, nanoPS) at different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/mL), with different surface groups (non-modified, amine, carboxyl) and discuss the toxicological contribution of commercially added compounds. Different behavioural tests were used to investigate the neurotoxicity of nanoPS and sodium azide: coiling assay test, light–dark preference test, and colour preference test. Sodium azide and other preservatives are often present in commercially available NP and MP solutions frequently used in microplastic toxicity tests, but their effects on the results remain largely unknown. In the FET test, nanoPS did not increase mortality or affect the heart rate or body length. A higher hatching rate was observed at 48 hpf. Although nanoPS showed no acute toxicity, behavioural tests revealed subtle neurotoxic effects (changes in colour preference), suggesting a potential impact on neurological function. Additionally, sodium azide exhibited toxicity, indicating that additives may confound toxicity assessments. This highlights the need for careful consideration of preservatives in nanoparticle research to avoid misleading conclusions. Full article
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