Search Results (616)

Background/Objectives: This study evaluates the effects of a personalized exercise program on symptoms (pain, fatigue, sleep, cognitive function, physical function), resilience, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and compares the effectiveness of in-person versus telehealth delivery. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted on two 12-week randomized control pilot studies for solid tumor cancer survivors. One study involved in-person home visits with telephone follow-ups. The second utilized weekly exercise recommendations via a smartphone app. Both studies had control participants who received the standard care. Symptoms, resilience, and HRQOL were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Paired t-tests were conducted for intervention effects and ANCOVA for group differences, adjusting for age and education. Results: The analysis included 75 program completers: 15 in-person (iHBE), 38 telehealth (TEHE), and 22 who received standard care. Those receiving exercise interventions reported improvements in physical (t = 3.0, p < 0.01) and mental fatigability (t = 3.1, p < 0.01) at program completion compared to baseline. Comparing the mean changes between participants receiving exercise interventions in-person and via telehealth, there were no significant differences between the two delivery methods except perceived visuo-perceptual cognitive difficulty (F = 3.55, p = 0.027), where telehealth showed a slight advantage. Conclusions: The study provides initial evidence of the effectiveness of a telehealth personalized exercise on fatigability and cognitive difficulty, suggesting it is a potential viable alternative to in-person intervention. Further research with a larger cohort is essential to ascertain the effects of these interventional modalities on cancer-related health outcomes. Full article

There is a growing global interest in making existing buildings more energy-efficient. However, stakeholders seem to have differing views on the matter, especially in developing countries, thus raising the issue of awareness amongst key stakeholders at the operational stage of existing buildings. This study aimed to examine stakeholders’ awareness of the benefits of passive retrofit in residential buildings using a convergent mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data were collected from 118 property managers and 163 owners of residential buildings, and qualitative data were collected from six government officials in Lagos State, Nigeria. The quantitative data collected were analysed using fuzzy synthetic evaluation, which addresses the fuzziness in judgement-making on multi-criteria phenomena. The results revealed that property managers and owners had a moderately high level of awareness of the environmental, economic, and social benefits of the passive retrofitting of residential buildings. However, while property managers generally had a higher level of awareness than owners, a significant gap was found in their awareness of environmental benefits. Conversely, the qualitative analysis results showed that government officials demonstrated a strong awareness of environmental benefits (energy reduction, air quality, and natural lighting) and economic advantages (cost savings and lower implementation costs). In contrast, their awareness of social benefits was limited to health improvements. The findings have practical implications for policy development and awareness campaigns. Building agencies need to further reinforce their targeted awareness programmes for owners, who demonstrated fair awareness of environmental benefits while leveraging the intermediary role of property managers in promoting home retrofit practices. Economic benefits should also be an integral part of policy frameworks to drive wider adoption across all stakeholder groups. Full article

Introduction: Home-based cardiac telerehabilitation (HBCTR) is a multidisciplinary intervention aimed at optimizing functional, psychological, and social recovery in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This rehabilitation model serves as an effective alternative to traditional center-based rehabilitation, providing a cost-effective and clinically advantageous approach. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic literature search across multiple databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science). We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort, and observational studies assessing telerehabilitation in post-PCI patients. Primary outcomes focused on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adherence, while secondary outcomes included functional capacity (6 min walk test, VO₂max), cardiovascular risk factor control, and psychological well-being. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 and ROBINS-I tools. Results: A total of 3575 articles were identified after removing duplicates, of which 877 were selected based on title and abstract, and 17 met the inclusion criteria, with strong RCT representation ensuring robust evidence synthesis. HBCTR was associated with significant improvements in exercise capacity, with increases in VO₂max ranging from +1.6 to +3.5 mL/kg/min and in 6 min walk distance from +34.7 to +116.6 m. HRQoL scores improved significantly, with physical and mental component scores increasing by +6.75 to +14.18 and +4.27 to +11.39 points, respectively. Adherence to telerehabilitation programs was consistently high, often exceeding 80%, and some studies reported reductions in hospital readmissions of up to 40%. Wearable devices and smartphone applications facilitated self-monitoring, enhancing adherence and reducing readmissions. Several studies also highlighted improvements in anxiety and depression scores ranging from 10% to 35%. Conclusions: HBCTR is a promising strategy for rehabilitation and quality-of-life improvement after PCI. It offers a patient-centered solution that leverages technology to enhance long-term outcomes. By integrating structured telerehabilitation programs, healthcare systems can expand accessibility, promote adherence, and improve equity in cardiovascular care. Full article

The deep integration of smart grid and Internet of Things technologies has made high-speed power line carrier communication a key communication technology in energy management, industrial monitoring, and smart home applications, owing to its advantages of requiring no additional wiring and offering wide coverage. However, the inherent characteristics of power line channels, such as strong noise, multipath fading, and time-varying properties, pose challenges to traditional encryption algorithms, including low key distribution efficiency and weak anti-interference capabilities. These issues become particularly pronounced in high-speed transmission scenarios, where the conflict between data security and communication reliability is more acute. To address this problem, a secure transmission method for high-speed power line carrier communication based on generalized two-dimensional polynomial chaotic mapping is proposed. A high-speed power line carrier communication network is established using a power line carrier routing algorithm based on the minimal connected dominating set. The autoregressive moving average model is employed to determine the degree of transmission fluctuation deviation in the high-speed power line carrier communication network. Leveraging the complex dynamic behavior and anti-decoding capability of generalized two-dimensional polynomial chaotic mapping, combined with the deviation, the communication key is generated. This process yields encrypted high-speed power line carrier communication ciphertext that can resist power line noise interference and signal attenuation, thereby enhancing communication confidentiality and stability. By applying reference modulation differential chaotic shift keying and integrating the ciphertext of high-speed power line carrier communication, a secure transmission scheme is designed to achieve secure transmission in high-speed power line carrier communication. The experimental results demonstrate that this method can effectively establish a high-speed power line carrier communication network and encrypt information. The maximum error rate obtained by this method is 0.051, and the minimum error rate is 0.010, confirming its ability to ensure secure transmission in high-speed power line carrier communication while improving communication confidentiality. Full article

The location-allocation of nursing homes was examined by combining the entropy weight evaluation model and robust allocation model. The data of the elderly in Xuhui District in 2024 after the pandemic were used in this study. We constructed an evaluation index system by establishing the evaluation index principle of nursing homes’ location. Secondly, the polyhedral uncertainty set was used to predict the number of critical patients, and a model of robust configuration with capacity limitation and time constraints was constructed to minimize costs. The entropy weight method provided empirical results for the selection of nursing homes, and the robust configuration model ensured timely medical treatment. The feasibility and robustness of the mathematical model and solution method were verified, and the performance and advantages of the uncertain model over the deterministic model were proved. Full article

The prevalence of end-stage renal disease has surged significantly in recent decades, with an 88% increase reported in the United States between 2002 and 2022. Peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis offer numerous advantages over in-center hemodialysis, including improved quality of life, increased treatment flexibility, and reduced healthcare costs. Despite strong preferences among healthcare professionals and the documented benefits of home-based therapies, utilization remains limited in the U.S. One of the many factors that play a role in the underutilization of home therapies is inadequate training and perceived incompetence among nephrology fellows in initiating and managing home dialysis patients. Here in this article, we highlight the current educational gaps in home dialysis training and ways to overcome the barriers. There is a need for a multifaceted approach that includes home dialysis rotations and continuity clinics; a dedicated one-year Home Dialysis Fellowship; and continued medical education through didactics, symposiums, and conferences. Here we emphasize the need for structured, longitudinal programs that combine didactic learning with hands-on clinical in fellowship trainings and the importance of dedicated one-year fellowships in cultivating future leaders and experts in the field. By enhancing training pathways and expanding fellowship opportunities, nephrology education can better equip physicians to meet the growing demand for home dialysis, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing public health objectives. Full article

With the increasing prominence of the energy crisis and environmental problems, microgrid technology has received widespread attention as an important technical means to improve the stability and reliability of new energy access. Focusing on the latest development of microgrid operation control technology, this paper combs and summarizes the related research at home and abroad, including the key technologies of microgrid optimization operation, power prediction and virtual synchronous active support control technology, and points out their advantages and limitations. First, this review describes the concept and structure of microgrids, including components such as distributed power sources, energy storage devices, energy conversion devices and loads. Then, the microgrid optimization operation technologies are analyzed in detail, including energy management optimization algorithms for efficient use of energy and cost reduction. Focusing on microgrid power forecasting techniques, including wind energy and PV power forecasting and load forecasting, the contributions and impacts of different power forecasting methods are summarized. Furthermore, the inverter control strategies and the stability mechanism of the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) active support control technology are investigated. Finally, synthesizing domestic and international microgrid development experience, this review summarizes the current state-of-the-art technologies, analyzes the advantages and limitations of these key technologies (including optimization scheduling, power prediction and VSG-based active support control) and highlights the necessity of their continuous improvement to provide a solid foundation for promoting the widespread application and sustainable development of microgrid technology. Full article

Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) represent a uniquely vulnerable population due to intrinsic immunological dysfunction and a high prevalence of comorbid conditions. This review examines the complex interplay between natural and vaccine-induced immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in this group, focusing on viral entry, immune activation, and immune evasion mechanisms. Particular attention is given to the impaired cellular and humoral responses seen in PD patients, including reduced T-cell function, diminished antibody production, and abnormal cytokine signaling, all of which contribute to an elevated risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The immunogenicity and clinical efficacy of various vaccine platforms, including inactivated, vector-based, and mRNA formulations, are critically assessed, with an emphasis on the role of booster doses in enhancing protection amid waning immunity and evolving viral variants. Furthermore, the review highlights the advantages of PD as a home-based modality that is compatible with telemedicine and may reduce the risk of viral exposure. These insights underscore the importance of developing individualized vaccination strategies, maintaining close immunological surveillance, and implementing innovative dialysis care approaches to improve clinical outcomes during the ongoing pandemic and future public health crises. Tailored booster strategies and telemedicine-integrated care models are essential for improving outcomes in this high-risk population. Full article

Traditional smoking techniques, while historically valued for preservation and flavor enhancement, face limitations in aromatic diversity and safety, prompting exploration of spice-derived alternatives to meet modern culinary demands. This study explores the volatile compound profiles and aroma modulation of chicken wings smoked with four spices—cardamom, rosemary, mint, and rose—using a novel, household-friendly smoking protocol. The method combines air fryer pre-cooking (180 °C, 16 min) with electric griddle-based smoke infusion, followed by HS-SPME/GC-TOF/MS, relative odor activity value (ROAV) calculations, and metabolomic analysis. A total of 314 volatile compounds were identified across five samples. Among them, 45 compounds demonstrated odor activity values (ROAV) ≥ 1, contributing to green, woody, floral, and sweet aroma attributes. Eucalyptol displayed the highest ROAV (2543), underscoring its dominant sensory impact. Metabolomic profiling revealed a general upregulation of differential volatiles post-smoking: terpenes were enriched in wings smoked with cardamom, rosemary, and mint, while aldehydes and alcohols predominated in rose-smoked samples. An integrated screening based on ROAV and metabolomic data identified 24 key volatiles, including eucalyptol, β-myrcene, methanethiol, and α-pinene, which collectively defined the aroma signatures of spice-smoked wings. Spice-specific aroma enrichment and sensory properties were evident: rosemary intensified woody–spicy notes, mint enhanced herbal freshness, and rose amplified floral attributes. The proposed method demonstrated advantages in safety, ease of use, and flavor customization, aligning with clean-label trends and supporting innovation in home-based culinary practices. Moreover, it facilitates the tailored modulation of smoked meat flavor profiles, thereby enhancing product differentiation and broadening consumer acceptance. Full article

In this paper, multi-option probabilistic paired comparison models are presented and applied for prediction. As these models operate on the basis of probabilities, they can estimate the likelihood of future outcomes and thus predict future events. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate that these models have strong predictive capabilities when the information embedded into the data is properly utilized. To this end, we incorporate the degree (e.g., large or small) of the differences between the compared objects. By refining the usual three-option model, we define a five-option model capable of leveraging information derived from the goal differences. To incorporate additional information, the model is further extended to account for potential advantages in the comparisons. As a further refinement, temporal weighting is also introduced. These models are applied to forecasting football match outcomes in the top five European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1), and their predictive performance is evaluated using various metrics. Based on the most recent football seasons, this model consistently delivers better predictive metrics, on average, than those of the already strong benchmark model. The effect of a home-field advantage is statistically supported across all five leagues. The model fits are illustrated using confidence intervals, and, as an interesting insight, we also present the evolution of the team strengths for the top four English clubs during the 2023/24 season. Full article

In addition to axial motor complications such as abnormal posture, instability, falls, and gait variability, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsonian syndromes include executive dysfunction, Parkinson’s disease dementia, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. These motor disorders significantly affect mobility, quality of life, and well-being. Recently, physical activity of various intensities monitored both remotely and face-to-face via digital health technologies, mobile platforms, or sensory cues has gained relevance in managing idiopathic and atypical Parkinson’s disease (PD and APD). Remote monitoring solutions, including home-based digital health assessments using semi-structured activities, offer unique advantages. Real-world gait parameters like walking speed can now be continuously assessed with body-worn sensors. Developing effective strategies to slow pathological aging and mitigate neurodegenerative progression is essential. This study presents outcomes of using digital health technologies (DHTs) for remote assessment of motor function, physical activity, and daily living tasks, aiming to reduce disease progression in PD and APD. In addition to wearable inertial sensors, clinical rating scales and digital biomarkers enhance the ability to characterize and monitor motor symptoms. By reviewing recent literature, we identified emerging trends in quantifying and intervening in neurodegeneration using tools that evaluate both remote and face-to-face physical activity. Our findings confirm that DHTs offer accurate detection of motor fluctuations and support clinical evaluations. In conclusion, DHTs represent a scalable, effective strategy for improving the clinical management of PD and APD. Their integration into healthcare systems may enhance patient outcomes, support early intervention, and help delay the progression of both motor and cognitive symptoms in aging individuals. Full article

Remote monitoring technologies have transformed healthcare delivery by enabling the in-home management of chronic conditions, improving patient autonomy, and supporting clinical oversight. Passive sensing, a subset of remote monitoring, facilitates unobtrusive, real-time data collection without active user engagement. Leveraging devices such as smartphones, wearables, and smart home sensors, these technologies offer advantages over traditional self-reports and intermittent evaluations by capturing behavioural, physiological, and environmental metrics. This systematic review evaluates the clinical utility of passive sensing technologies used in remote monitoring, with a specific emphasis on their impact on clinical outcomes and feasibility in real-world healthcare settings. A PRISMA-guided search identified 26 studies addressing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, cancer, cardiopulmonary disorders, and musculoskeletal issues. Findings demonstrated significant correlations between sensor-derived metrics and clinical assessments, validating their potential as digital biomarkers. These technologies demonstrated feasibility and ecological validity in capturing continuous, real-world health data and offer a unified framework for enhancing patient care through three main applications: monitoring chronic disease progression, detecting acute health deterioration, and supporting therapeutic interventions. For example, these technologies successfully identified gait speed changes in Parkinson’s disease, tracked symptom fluctuations in cancer patients, and provided real-time alerts for acute events such as heart failure decompensation. Challenges included long-term adherence, scalability, data integration, security, and ownership. Future research should prioritise validation across diverse settings, long-term impact assessment, and integration into clinical workflows to maximise their utility. Full article

Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a severe psychiatric condition characterized by pervasive emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and unstable interpersonal relationships. Affecting over 1% of the general population, BPD carries significant morbidity, frequent hospitalizations, and an increased risk of suicide. Although specialized psychotherapeutic approaches have shown efficacy, their impact is often constrained by availability, lengthy treatment durations, moderate effect sizes, and high dropout rates. Pharmacological treatments for BPD remain inadequate and are usually accompanied by adverse side effects. Objective: This narrative review seeks to explore the potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a safe, cost-effective, and accessible neuromodulation intervention aimed at alleviating core BPD symptoms—namely, emotional dysregulation and impulsivity—while also addressing common comorbidities and opportunities for integration with existing therapeutic modalities. Methods: We conducted a narrative literature synthesis in accordance with the SANRA (Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles) guidelines. A PubMed/MEDLINE search was performed using keywords related to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and BPD, identifying five published randomized controlled trials on the topic. To provide a broader perspective, we also included studies from related fields examining mechanisms of action, safety and tolerability, cost-effectiveness, stimulation parameters, and clinical outcomes relevant to BPD. Results: Conventional tDCS protocols—typically involving 1–2 mA currents for 20–30 min—have demonstrated an excellent safety profile, resulting in only minimal and transient side effects without any risk of overdose or misuse, which is a key advantage for populations at high risk of suicidality. With moderately priced devices and the feasibility of home-based administration, tDCS provides a substantially more affordable alternative to both long-term pharmacotherapy and intensive psychotherapy. Neurobiologically, tDCS modulates the excitability of the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and enhances fronto-limbic connectivity, thereby strengthening top-down regulatory control over emotion and behavior. Pilot randomized controlled trials report moderate effect sizes for improvements in emotional regulation, inhibitory control, and rejection sensitivity, along with ancillary gains in executive functioning and reductions in depressive and substance-use symptoms when stimulating the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Conclusions: tDCS stimulation emerges as a safe and scalable adjunctive treatment for BPD, leveraging targeted neuromodulation to address core features and common comorbidities like depression. However, variability in current protocols and the scarcity of well-powered randomized trials underscore the pressing need for standardized methodologies, longer-term follow-up, and individualized stimulation strategies to establish enduring clinical benefits. Full article

This study evaluates and compares the environmental and economic implications of desktop and laptop computer systems throughout their life cycles using screening life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies. The functional unit was defined as the use of one computer system for fundamental home and small-business productivity tasks for over four years. The analysis considered the production, use, and end-of-life phases. The results showed the desktop system had a higher overall carbon footprint (679.1 kg CO_2eq) compared to the laptop (286.1 kg CO_2eq). For both systems, manufacturing contributed the largest share of the emissions, followed by use. Desktops exhibited significantly higher use phase emissions, due to greater energy consumption. Life cycle cost analysis revealed that laptops had slightly lower total costs (EUR 593.88) than desktops (EUR 608.40) over the 4-year period, despite higher initial investment costs. Sensitivity analysis examining different geographical scenarios highlighted the importance of considering regional factors in the LCA. Manufacturer-provided data generally showed lower carbon footprint values than the modeled scenarios. This study emphasizes the need for updated life cycle inventory data and energy efficiency improvements to reduce the environmental impacts of computer systems. Overall, laptops demonstrated environmental and economic advantages over desktops in the defined usage cases. Full article

Honeybee gut microbiota undergoes long-term adaptive evolution with the host, resulting in host-specific genomic and functional characteristics. However, the specific role of host-specialized strains in shaping host physiological functions remains understudied. This study investigates the host specificity of the core gut symbiont Snodgrassella in A. cerana and A. mellifera, exploring its effects on immune response and natural virus suppression through genomic analysis and colonization experiments. Genomic analysis revealed that strain from A. mellifera, exhibited a larger genome and greater gene content compared to strain from A. cerana. Competitive colonization experiments showed that although strains from different origins had similar colonization efficiency in the host, host-specific strain displayed a clear home-field advantage in the competitive colonization process. Moreover, Inoculation of A. mellifera with its native Snodgrassella strain significantly reduced Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) titers, whereas a non-native strain had no effect. In contrast, neither strain altered DWV or Sacbrood Virus (SBV) levels in A. cerana. Immune gene analysis revealed that only the native Snodgrassella strain upregulated defensin 2 in A. mellifera, while no significant changes occurred in A. cerana with either strain. These results suggest that Snodgrassella exhibits host specificity at the strain level, influencing both host immune response and virus suppression, with non-native strains showing reduced efficacy in these functional roles, especially in A. mellifera. Full article