Search Results (1,990)

A reconfigurable analog beamformer for the use case of multiband Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) multiantenna receiver systems is designed and tested. The beamformer board operates in all existing GNSS frequency bands. In this paper, the two commonly used GNSS bands, the E1/L1 and E5a/L5 GNSS bands at 1.575 GHz and 1.176 GHz, respectively, are studied. An analog weighting of the complex excitation of up to 14 individual channels is realized using attenuators and phase shifters, digitally controlled by proprietary PC software. We present an analysis of the relative errors between the channels and a simple calibration of constant errors which is applied and validated. The beamformer is then demonstrated in an exemplary test case, to generate an ad hoc pattern from an array of antennas. Full article

This study investigates the impact of AI augmentation level on employee productivity and innovation quality, while examining the mediating role of knowledge augmentation quality and the moderating roles of task complexity and employees’ trust in AI. The research aims to uncover how AI can act as a strategic cognitive enhancer rather than a mere automation tool in modern workplaces. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected from 275 employees working in AI-enabled organizations across the technology, banking, telecommunications, and digital services sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Validated measurement scales from prior studies were used, and SmartPLS was applied to test direct, mediating, and moderating effects. The results confirmed that AI augmentation positively influences both employee productivity and innovation quality. Knowledge augmentation quality significantly mediated these relationships, while task complexity and employee trust in AI positively strengthened the impact of knowledge augmentation on performance outcomes. This study extends the AI literature by demonstrating that AI’s true value lies in enhancing the quality of knowledge that employees receive, not just automating tasks. It offers theoretical insight into human–AI collaboration and provides practical guidance for designing AI systems that enhance cognitive support, trust, and performance in intelligence-driven work environments. Full article

Overweight and obesity represent a significant global health challenge, requiring comprehensive, long-term approaches. Digital weight-loss services (DWLSs) have emerged as promising obesity care models, as they facilitate access to continuous multidisciplinary care. This study aimed to evaluate 12-month weight-loss and adherence patterns in a large unsubsidized DWLS in the UK, which combined lifestyle therapy with semaglutide treatment. A retrospective cohort design was used to analyze data from 7279 patients who initiated treatment between 1 January 2023, and 1 May 2024. Of these patients, 1678 (23.05%) met all criteria for inclusion in the efficacy estimand, which included receiving a minimum of 8 medication orders and submitting weight data within 341–379 days after program initiation. The efficacy estimand achieved a mean weight loss of 15.67%, with 92.49% losing a clinically meaningful amount of weight (≥5%). A strong positive association was found between weight tracking frequency and weight loss, to the extent that a percentage discrepancy of 8.41 points was observed between patients who tracked on less than 20 occasions (Median = 11.83%) and those who tracked at least 100 times (Median = 20.24%). A significant association between weight loss and semaglutide orders was also observed, with a clear distinction existing between patients who received less than 12 orders, and those who received 12 or more orders. Patients whose DWLS experience was supplemented with Wegovy recorded significantly higher mean weight loss than those who were treated with Ozempic (17.68% vs. 14.72%). The findings highlight the importance of program engagement in DWLS outcomes and suggest the need for a comparative analysis of unsubsidized and subsidized services. The study is limited by its real-world observational design and reliance on self-reported data; future research should compare outcomes between unsubsidized and subsidized DWLS cohorts. Full article

Objective: To conduct a scoping review of the global trends of adolescent health inequities and their social determinants from 2000 to 2024 and establish an evidence base for developing targeted intervention strategies. Methods: Guided by the rainbow model, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 171 peer-reviewed articles related to adolescent health inequalities and their social determinants from the Web of Science Core Collection using CiteSpace 6.3.1 to summarize empirical evidence on how social determinants of health (SDOH) influence adolescents’ health behaviors (e.g., drinking) and health outcomes (e.g., overweight). Results: First, results showed a progressive increase in publications addressing social determinants of adolescent health from 2000 to 2024. Journals in public health and preventive medicine accounted for the highest proportion of articles, with the United States contributing the largest national share (21.05% of global output). Second, an analysis of keywords showed that previous studies mostly focused on the effects of socioeconomic status, family affluence on adolescent health (e.g., physical activity, mental health, and overweight). Third, inequalities in adolescent health were prevalent globally. Health behaviors (e.g., diet, oral health, and smoking) have received widespread attention and are influenced by socioeconomic status, family environment, and gender, whereas various indicators of adolescent health outcomes (e.g., obesity, mental health, and suicide) were highly correlated with family socioeconomic status. Conclusions: To reduce adolescent health disparities, it is important to deepen interdisciplinary research, consider the impact of emerging societal (e.g., digital environments) and environmental factors (e.g., climate change), and develop systematic and comprehensive intervention strategies that encompass the individual, family, school, community, and national levels. Full article

Background: Cancer-directed treatment near the end of life may represent low-value, high-intensity care and potential medical futility, but data from middle-income countries are limited. This study used digitally documented advanced care planning (ACP) in the electronic health record (EHR) and indicators of late oncologic interventions (LOI) within 15 and 30 days before death to examine end-of-life care in Brazil. Objective: To identify factors associated with LOI near death and to explore whether documented ACP is linked to lower treatment intensity. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting/Participants: Adults with metastatic solid tumors who died between January 2022 and December 2023 in two oncology referral hospitals in southern Brazil and had ≥6 months of premortem EHR data. Measurements: LOI were defined as systemic anticancer therapy, radiotherapy, or oncologic surgery within 30 days (LOI-30) or 15 days (LOI-15) before death. Independent predictors were estimated by Poisson regression with robust variance. Results: Among 79 patients, 21.5% received LOI-30 and 8.9% received LOI-15. Breast and lung cancers were the most common primary sites. LOI-30 was independently associated with age < 60 years (relative risk [RR] 3.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50–9.44), higher education (RR 2.07; 95% CI 1.07–3.99), and lower platelet count (RR 0.96 per 10,000/µL; 95% CI 0.92–0.99). ACP was documented for 19% of patients and was associated with absence of LOI-30. Conclusions: Digitally visible ACP in the EHR was associated with reduced aggressive end-of-life care. Using existing EHR infrastructure to prompt and standardize ACP documentation may help align care with patient values in middle-income countries. Full article

Speed breeding technologies offer a promising avenue for accelerating crop improvement, yet their application to biennial crops like sugar beet remains constrained by extended generation cycles. This study examined the effects of supplemental phosphorus-potassium (PK) nutrition on the development of two hybrids under a speed-breeding protocol. Plants received one of four nutritional regimes: PK supplementation, potassium (K) supplementation, standard Knop’s solution (KS), or nutrient deficiency (D). Digital phenotyping confirmed that adequate nutrition maintained photosynthetic health, as deficiency significantly reduced NDVI and increased PSRI by 75 days. The most notable, genotype-specific effects were observed in reproductive architecture. PK nutrition significantly increased the median number of flower stalks by 17% in Smart Iberia KWS (21.0 vs. 18.0) and substantially in Dubravka KWS (33.0 vs. 1.0). PK also supported root development, increasing mini-steckling weight by 45–183% under white light. In the generative phase, plants under PK nutrition consistently showed the highest progression to flowering and capsule formation. A consistent increase in median 1000-seed weight of 24–36% was associated with PK treatment. In conclusion, supplementing standard nutrition with phosphorus and potassium enhances key yield-related architectural traits and supports reproductive development in sugar beet under speed-breeding conditions, with the magnitude of response depending on genotype. This provides a practical basis for optimizing mineral nutrition to improve the efficiency of accelerated breeding protocols. This provides a practical basis for optimizing mineral nutrition to improve the efficiency of speed breeding protocols. Full article

The integrate-and-dump filter is a core component of satellite navigation receivers, enabling the tracking of navigation satellite signals and significantly influencing receiver performance. Currently, satellite navigation receivers, particularly onboard unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are vulnerable to spoofing. Whether counterfeit signals can successfully hijack a receiver depends critically on how these signals alter the integrate-and-dump filter output. Existing research on satellite navigation spoofing often uses an output signal model for the integrate-and-dump filter derived from continuous-time integration. However, this model deviates from practical implementation because most modern navigation receivers are built on digital circuits that approximate continuous-time integration through discrete-time accumulation. Consequently, the discrete-time nature of actual hardware introduces errors that are not captured by the conventional continuous-time model. In this study, a mathematical model for the output signal of an integrate-and-dump filter was implemented via discrete-time accumulation. The accuracy of the proposed model was verified through simulations, and a comparative analysis with the traditional continuous-time integration model was conducted to highlight the impact of discretization errors. Full article

Background: Patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to calcification of the heart valves and coronary arteries, which results in a high mortality rate. In particular, aortic stenosis (AS) is an independent risk factor for heart failure-related mortality in patients undergoing HD. Recently, the analysis of digitized heart sounds using artificial intelligence (AI) has promoted the automation of cardiac disease detection and technological advances in diagnostic algorithms. Methods: We retrospectively investigated the 203 consecutive patients receiving HD who had undergone visualized phonocardiography using a regulatory-approved medical device (Japan) between January and May 2025 to detect AS. The usefulness of this phonocardiogram device, which utilizes acoustic analysis and an AI-based automatic diagnostic algorithm named the “Super Stethoscope”, was evaluated for the screening of AS in patients undergoing HD based on comparisons with findings obtained from echocardiography. Results: The results showed a significant correlation between the severity of systolic murmurs determined by the AI-based approach and the peak aortic jet velocity measured in 19 patients diagnosed with AS using transthoracic echocardiography (r = 0.578, p < 0.05). Additionally, for the AI-based diagnosis of AS based on systolic murmurs, the sensitivity and specificity in detecting moderate or severe AS were 0.90 and 0.70, respectively, among the patients undergoing HD. Conclusions: The AI-based diagnostic approach using the ECG-gated phonocardiogram “Super Stethoscope” could be a promising tool for AS screening. Transthoracic echocardiography is recommended in cases classified as grade B or higher by AI-based assessment. Full article

Objectives: Lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity, cognitive engagement, social interaction, diet, sleep, and vascular risk management are increasingly recognized as contributors to cognitive aging and dementia risk. Although many middle-aged and older adults express interest in maintaining brain health, less is known about their beliefs about brain-healthy behaviors or their preferences for receiving multicomponent brain health interventions. This study examined adults’ ratings of the usefulness of a wide range of lifestyle activities for brain health and their preferred formats for receiving support. Methods: A 60-item online survey was administered to compensated volunteers aged 40 years and older through a commercial provider. The questionnaire assessed perceived usefulness of lifestyle-based brain health activities and preferred intervention delivery formats. The analytic sample included 761 respondents. Descriptive statistics were computed for all ratings and differences by age group and gender were tested using MANOVA with post hoc comparisons adjusted for multiple testing. Results: Participants endorsed many lifestyle activities as helpful for brain health. Mentally stimulating activities, good sleep, stress management, and creative activities received the highest ratings, whereas strength training, meditation, language learning, and computer-based cognitive training were rated lower. Aerobic exercise and mentally stimulating activities were most frequently selected as the single most important activity. Significant effects of age, gender, and their interaction were observed, with younger men and older women generally rating activities more favorably. With respect to desire for services, over half of participants preferred receiving a cognitive assessment, and many favored online education or app-based tools. Conclusions: Middle-aged and older adults recognize a wide range of lifestyle factors as potentially beneficial for brain health and express strong interest in structured support, particularly assessments and digital resources. These findings can inform the design of flexible, multicomponent brain health interventions aligned with adults’ preferences and priorities. Full article

Sporadic-E (Es) layers can strongly perturb HF/VHF propagation and create intermittent interference, motivating higher-revisit monitoring at the frequencies most affected. EsTRACE (Es-layer TRAnsient Cloud Explorer) is a PlanarSat mission concept that transmits sequential beacons in the 28/50 MHz amateur bands using FT4 (weak-signal digital) and CW (continuous wave) waveforms and leverages distributed amateur receiver networks for near-real-time SNR mapping. This paper documents the early-phase spacecraft design from the Bid/proposal phase (Bid), through the Conceptual Design Review (CoDR), to the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), using a power-first sizing loop that couples link-budget closure to duty cycle and solar-array area under a free-tumbling, batteryless constraint. The analysis supports conceptual feasibility of the architecture under stated antenna and ground-segment assumptions; on-orbit demonstration and measured RF/antenna characterization are identified as required future validation steps. Full article

Background: Maintaining physical activity (PA) is vital for older people, particularly those with frailty and mobility limitations. Wearable activity trackers and digital feedback tools show promise for encouraging PA, but their feasibility and acceptability in aged care remain underexplored. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of using wearable and mobile devices for step tracking and examined the usability of three interfaces (Fitbit, mobile app, and website) for reviewing PA progress in aged care. Methods: This is a user experience and feasibility study that does not involve objective physical activity quantification or device performance analysis. It is a mixed-methods feasibility study conducted with 14 participants aged ≥65 years from residential and community aged care services in metropolitan and regional New South Wales, Australia. Participants used a Fitbit Inspire 3 linked to a study website and a mobile phone step-counting app to monitor their steps across the three interfaces for four weeks. Feasibility was evaluated through enrolment and retention, and acceptability through a facilitator-led survey. Quantitative items on usability, comfort, motivation and device preference were summarised descriptively; open-ended responses were analysed thematically to identify user experiences, benefits, and barriers. Results: Step tracking was feasible, with 82% enrolment and 93% retention. Participants preferred the Fitbit over the mobile phone or website due to its ease of use, visibility and more enjoyable experience. Step tracking increased awareness of PA and supported confidence to move more. Participants valued reminders, rewards and opportunities for social sharing. Reported barriers included illness, usability challenges and occasional technical issues. Conclusions: Wearable step trackers show promise for supporting PA among older people receiving aged care. Despite the small sample and short follow-up, strong acceptability signals suggest that simple digital tools could enhance the reach and sustainability of mobility-promoting interventions into aged care systems. Future studies should examine long-term adherence, usability across diverse mobility and cognitive needs, and conditions for successful scale-up. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for pain management but pose gastrointestinal (GI) and cardiovascular (CV) risks, particularly during long-term use. This study evaluated NSAID-prescribing patterns and the appropriateness of gastroprotective co-therapy among patients with varying GI and CV risk profiles. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient pharmacy department over six months (March 2023 to August 2023) at a public secondary care facility. Data pertaining to patient demographics, NSAIDs prescription, and GI/CV risks were collected and reviewed from electronic health records. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were performed. Results: A total of 1005 prescriptions containing 2051 NSAIDs were analyzed. Selective COX-2 inhibitors and non-selective NSAIDs were the most frequently prescribed. Only 42.1% of patients received proton-pump inhibitors despite guideline recommendations. Non-selective NSAIDs were significantly associated with CV history and GI risk (p < 0.0001). Logistic regression showed age, gender, CV history, and GI risk significantly influenced NSAID selection. Notably, non-selective NSAIDs continued to be prescribed among moderate- and high-GI-risk patients. Conclusions: Suboptimal adherence to guideline-recommended gastroprotective strategies was evident, particularly among high-risk patients. Comprehensive GI and CV risk assessment and the rational use of gastroprotective co-therapy are essential. Integrating evidence-based digital tools may enhance safer NSAID prescribing in routine practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Adhera^® Caring Digital Program (ACDP) is a digitally delivered intervention aimed at enhancing the mental and physical well-being of family caregivers of children with chronic conditions. Tailored for the context of childhood obesity, ACDP leverages the Adhera AI Precision Digital Companion to support caregivers in promoting effective treatment adherence and healthy behaviors at home. While children in this study received GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment as part of their obesity management, the ACDP was designed to empower caregivers through educational, behavioral, and emotional support tools. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between engagement with the ACDP as a DHI and clinical outcomes in participants receiving GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment for obesity. Methods: This study analyzed data from approximately 40 pediatric patients receiving GLP-1-based pharmacological treatment for obesity and their caregivers enrolled in the ACDP. Caregiver engagement was assessed through a composite score derived from digital activity metrics and classified as low, medium, or high. Children’s clinical parameters (BMI, weight, fat mass %, muscle mass %, and waist circumference) were collected at baseline and Day 150. Biometric, physical activity, and sleep data were also collected through a wearable device, enabling continuous and objective monitoring of participants’ physiological and behavioral patterns in real-world conditions. Statistical analyses included paired comparisons, Pearson correlations, and group comparisons by engagement level. Results: Data from 40 pediatric participants and their caregivers were analyzed over 150 days. Observed changes over the time in children showed a reduction in waist circumference (−6.0%, p = 0.0056) and a modest decrease in BMI. Higher levels of caregiver engagement with the Adhera^® Caring Digital Program correlated with reduction in body fat (ΔFat% r ≈ 0.5, p = 0.091) representing the strongest correlation observed in the study, albeit not reaching statistical significance. From baseline to Day 150, significant improvements were observed across all clinical outcomes, including reductions in BMI (−4.51 kg/m²), body weight (−11.42 kg), body fat percentage (−5.63%), and waist circumference (−8.69 cm), alongside an increase in muscle mass (+4.47%) (all p < 0.0001). Conclusions: At the mid-point of the intervention, combined GLP-1 pharmacotherapy and the Adhera^® Caring Digital Program led to meaningful improvements in BMI, adiposity, and central obesity. While caregiver engagement was not significantly associated with short-term outcomes, observed trends suggest that digital support may provide complementary benefits to pharmacological treatment, warranting further evaluation at Day 300. Full article

Rapid urbanization, rising energy consumption, and the environmental pressures of the 21st century have led the construction sector to focus on sustainable design solutions to protect the natural environment and combat climate change. Technological advances are leading to an increasing number of ultratall buildings. However, due to the complex issues involved, these structures currently serve primarily as symbols and serve as testing grounds for technological innovation. Therefore, there is a clear need to analyze the issues involved in designing high-rise buildings sustainably in the context of contemporary environmental challenges. Global multi-criteria certifications exist to establish parameters verifying a building’s impact on its surroundings. This study systematically assessed the sustainable strategies of the world’s twenty tallest buildings using a four-category model: A—passive design, B—active mechanical systems, C—renewable energy integration, and D—materials, water, and circularity strategies. The quantitative assessment (0–60) was supplemented with qualitative analysis and correlational research, including LEED certification. A novel element of the study is a multi-criteria comparative analysis, culminating in an assessment of the degree of implementation of sustainable development strategies in the world’s tallest buildings and linking the results to LEED certification levels. The results identify categories requiring further improvement. The results indicate that Merdeka 118 (46.7%), followed One World Trade Center (43.3%) and Shanghai Tower (41.7%) received the highest scores. Category B dominated all buildings, categories A and D demonstrated moderate implementation, and category C demonstrated the lowest performance due to economic and technical constraints at extreme heights. LEED Platinum-certified buildings demonstrated significantly higher levels of technology integration than Gold or non-certified buildings. The study results emphasize the need for integrating passive design strategies early in the design process, improving renewable energy solutions, and long-term operational monitoring supported by digital tools (such as IoT and digital twins). Full article

Background/Objectives: This study explores the perceptions, experiences, and expectations of pediatric healthcare professionals regarding the implementation of virtual visits (VVs) in routine pediatric practice. Methods: Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to analyze individual, organizational, and contextual factors influencing the adoption of pediatric virtual visits, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey distributed nationwide among pediatricians, pediatric nurses, and residents. Results: A total of 308 Spanish healthcare professionals correctly completed the REDCap survey and were included in the analysis. The mean age was 44.3 years, and respondents represented both hospital-based (55.8%) and primary care professionals (44.2%). Overall, 74.8% had previous experience with telephone consultations, while only 11% had performed virtual visits. Most professionals believed VVs could be useful in primary care (81.3%) and hospital out-patient settings (73.9%), especially for follow-up appointments, communication of test results, and chronic-care monitoring. VVs were perceived as more appropriate for older children and adolescents than for infants. Major concerns included poor internet connection (52.6%), and data security (37.4%); however, a particularly relevant finding was the low confidence in using digital tools, particularly among older professionals. Comparative analyses by age and workplace setting identified differences in interest, perceived barriers, and access to technical resources. Hospital-based clinicians reported greater interest in adopting VVs and better access to technological resources compared with primary care professionals. The professionals’ age was inversely associated with interest in VVs. Notably, 72.6% of respondents expressed interest in receiving specific VV training, and nearly 90% believed virtual visits should be offered in their workplace. Conclusions: These findings show a high overall acceptance of VVs but also underline persistent barriers related to infrastructure, digital literacy, and clinical applicability in younger children. Addressing these obstacles through training, improved equipment, and clear clinical protocols will be essential for the successful implementation of pediatric VV programs. Full article