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12 pages, 370 KB  
Article
Disentangling from Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Study of Survivors’ Experiences
by Andrea Borchers, Lynn Jones, Brooke de Heer and John Heick
Sexes 2026, 7(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes7030033 (registering DOI) - 25 Jun 2026
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern, with nearly one in three women experiencing rape, physical assault, stalking, emotional manipulation, or a combination of these behaviors in their lifetime. As an often neglected cause of injury [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health concern, with nearly one in three women experiencing rape, physical assault, stalking, emotional manipulation, or a combination of these behaviors in their lifetime. As an often neglected cause of injury worldwide, IPV is underreported and not well recognized by healthcare professionals. Employment has been identified as a key factor in women’s successful disentanglement from IPV. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the factors that influenced women who had experienced IPV, established a career path, and successfully disentangled from IPV. Materials and Methods: Women who experienced IPV were recruited from a local university. Results: Ten female participants completed open-ended interviews (mean age = 47, SD = 10.25). Five main themes emerged as the most important in disentangling from their abusive situation: tipping point, grit, religion, children, and education/career. The main theme or step in the process that led to disentanglement was the tipping point. Once the tipping point had been reached, participants moved toward disentanglement. Conclusions: Disentanglement from IPV was enhanced for women who reached a tipping point of abuse. Full article
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14 pages, 1282 KB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy and Safety of Octreotide for Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Portal Hypertension in Children—A Systematic Review
by Ann Kozak, Grace Nolder, Giusy Ranucci and Alessio Provenzani
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(7), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19070978 (registering DOI) - 24 Jun 2026
Abstract
Background: Portal hypertension can lead to complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, esophageal varices, and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, all of which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Variceal bleeding is the most severe complication, with an estimated mortality of up to [...] Read more.
Background: Portal hypertension can lead to complications such as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, esophageal varices, and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, all of which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Variceal bleeding is the most severe complication, with an estimated mortality of up to 30%. In children, evidence-based guidelines for the management of GI bleeding secondary to portal hypertension are lacking. In this con-text, octreotide, a synthetic somatostatin analog approved for other indications, has been increasingly used off-label and represents a paradigmatic example of drug re-purposing in pediatrics. Methods: Following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review evaluated the efficacy and safety of octreotide for the treatment of portal hyperten-sion-related GI bleeding in children. A comprehensive search of six sources, including five bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EBSCOhost) and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry, was conducted to identify studies in-cluding pediatric patients with GI bleeding secondary to portal hypertension. Results: Three non-randomized observational studies were included, assessing bleeding recurrence, packed red blood cell requirements, and adverse events following octreotide admin-istration. Overall, 33 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 6.3 years. One study reported a reduction in rebleeding episodes and transfusion requirements after oc-treotide treatment. Across all included studies, no serious adverse events were ob-served; mild and reversible hyperglycemia was the only reported drug-related effect. Quantitative synthesis was not feasible due to substantial heterogeneity, missing data, and a serious risk of bias, resulting in very low certainty of evidence. Conclusions: Octreotide may represent a feasible therapeutic option for portal hypertension-related GI bleeding in children; however, further prospective and standardized studies are needed to establish its long-term safety and efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pharmacovigilance in Drug Therapy and Adverse Reactions)
9 pages, 559 KB  
Article
Effect of Minimizing Light Exposure with Digital Visualization on Macular Function After Cataract Surgery in Patients with AMD: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Otman Sandali, Rachid Tahiri Joutei Hassani, Isabelle Audo, Vincent Gualino, Christine Tchikladze Merand and Vincent Borderie
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(13), 4897; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15134897 (registering DOI) - 24 Jun 2026
Abstract
Purpose: To assess whether reducing intraoperative light exposure preserves macular function after cataract surgery in patients with AMD. Methods: A total of 42 eyes of 42 patients with AMD were randomized in a prospective study. The primary outcome was the change [...] Read more.
Purpose: To assess whether reducing intraoperative light exposure preserves macular function after cataract surgery in patients with AMD. Methods: A total of 42 eyes of 42 patients with AMD were randomized in a prospective study. The primary outcome was the change in photopic (ERG) b-wave amplitude at one hour after surgery (V2). Secondary outcomes included ERG implicit time, multifocal ERG, visual acuity, and macular thickness, assessed at V2, V3 (day 1), and V4 (1 month). Results: Mean intraoperative light exposure was significantly lower in the 3D group than in the standard group (3938 vs 47,142 lux, p < 0.001). At 1 h after surgery, the decrease in photopic b-wave amplitude did not differ significantly between the two groups (−1.83 µV; 3D group, vs. −1.56 µV; standard group, p = 0.76). In exploratory analyses, ERG implicit time increased significantly in the standard group (p = 0.02) but remained stable in the 3D group (p = 0.24). At 1 month, an increase in macular thickness was observed only in the standard group (V1 265.9 ± 27.7 µm, V4 278.8 ± 34.9 µm; p = 0.003). Conclusions: Digital visualization significantly reduced intraoperative light exposure. However, no significant difference was observed for the primary endpoint of photopic ERG b-wave amplitude at 1 h postoperatively. Secondary findings regarding ERG implicit time and macular thickness should be considered exploratory and require confirmation in larger studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ophthalmology)
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34 pages, 5532 KB  
Article
Attention-Based Multimodal Framework for Athlete-Performance Analysis and Rehabilitation Monitoring Using Vision and Wearable Sensors
by Mohammed Alonazi, Iqra Aijaz Abro, Maha Abdelhaq, Raed Alsaqour, Ahmad Jalal and Hui Liu
Bioengineering 2026, 13(7), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13070718 (registering DOI) - 23 Jun 2026
Abstract
Background: Advances in monitoring systems featuring wearable sensors, computer vision, and artificial intelligence (AI) have been increasingly used in sports science and rehabilitation practices as a means of movement pattern analysis, injury prevention, and training optimization. These technologies are becoming essential components of [...] Read more.
Background: Advances in monitoring systems featuring wearable sensors, computer vision, and artificial intelligence (AI) have been increasingly used in sports science and rehabilitation practices as a means of movement pattern analysis, injury prevention, and training optimization. These technologies are becoming essential components of athlete-performance analysis and rehabilitation-monitoring systems designed to support biomechanical assessment, athlete development, and movement-quality evaluation. Athlete-performance analysis and rehabilitation monitoring increasingly rely on intelligent multimodal sensing systems capable of continuously evaluating movement quality, biomechanical patterns, training execution, and recovery progress. Human activity recognition (HAR) serves as a key enabling technology for these applications by providing automated assessment of human movement using wearable and vision-based sensing modalities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an attention-based multimodal framework that integrates wearable inertial sensing and RGB video analysis for robust athlete-performance assessment and rehabilitation monitoring through accurate recognition of human movement patterns. Methods: Athlete-performance analysis and rehabilitation monitoring combining inertial sensor data and RGB-based visual information was introduced. Inertial signals were segmented with adaptive windowing, whereas silhouette refinement was performed to analyze motion structures from visual inputs in support of athlete-performance analysis and rehabilitation monitoring. Temporal, spatial, and motion features such as trajectory, orientation, and skeleton-based space-time representations were calculated from multimodal inputs. The proposed framework was designed to capture complex movement dynamics associated with rehabilitation exercises and sports-related motion patterns across heterogeneous sensing environments. Extracted features were then combined and optimized with a multimodal feature fusion approach, while the Ranger optimization algorithm was utilized during the process. An attention-based deep learning classifier was implemented to classify movement activities. Results: The results showed that the proposed framework reached accuracy scores of 88.40% and 87.96% on the VIDIMU dataset and the UTD-MHAD dataset respectively. Recognition performance across both inertial and vision-based modalities provided greater robustness than single-modality solutions. The integration of wearable sensing and computer vision modalities further improved the ability of the framework to analyze complex movement behaviors under varying execution conditions and environmental variations. Conclusion: The proposed multimodal framework provides a foundation for intelligent athlete-performance and rehabilitation-monitoring systems by integrating wearable sensing, computer vision, and attention-based artificial intelligence for robust movement analysis. The findings highlight its potential to support biomechanical assessment, movement-quality evaluation, training-performance monitoring, rehabilitation tracking, and injury-risk management in modern sports and healthcare environments. Full article
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12 pages, 547 KB  
Article
Infectious Diseases Consultations as Markers of Hospital Workflow and Care Complexity
by Emel Gürcüoğlu
Healthcare 2026, 14(13), 1817; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14131817 (registering DOI) - 23 Jun 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This preliminary, single-centre study evaluated infectious diseases consultation (IDC) patterns as indicators of hospital workflow and care complexity, aiming to characterise routinely available variables that may inform future organisational research and EHR-based clinical decision support development. Methods: In this retrospective study, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This preliminary, single-centre study evaluated infectious diseases consultation (IDC) patterns as indicators of hospital workflow and care complexity, aiming to characterise routinely available variables that may inform future organisational research and EHR-based clinical decision support development. Methods: In this retrospective study, 39,275 IDC requests from 16,430 patients were analysed using hospital information management system records. Paediatric patients and specialised immunosuppressed patient units were excluded. Request volumes, diagnostic categories, consultation purposes, and factors associated with in-hospital mortality were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed separately for two hospital blocks. Results: A total of 39,275 IDC records for 16,430 unique patients were reviewed. Mean consultation access time was 82.2 ± 64.3 min. Requests originated from surgical clinics (43.8%), followed by intensive care units (37.6%) and medical/internal clinics (18.6%). Pneumonia was the most common indication (30.5%), followed by unspecified infections (25.4%) and skin/soft tissue infections (17.2%). Consultation objectives included treatment, diagnostic assessment, and clinical guidance as non-mutually exclusive components. Significant block-level differences were observed in consultation timing, ICU-related consultation, diagnostic profiles, consultation purposes, and mortality. Age and ICU-related consultation were independently associated with mortality in both blocks, whereas consultation access time and COVID-19 diagnosis showed block-specific associations. Conclusions: IDC patterns may reflect not only diagnostic demand but also case severity, ICU-related care, consultation timing, and hospital location. As a preliminary single-centre study, these hypothesis-generating findings highlight the importance of integrating clinical, organisational, and contextual variables in future prospective, multi-centre studies aimed at developing EHR-based decision-support models. External validation, incorporation of comorbidity indices and microbiological data, and assessment of explainability are required before clinical implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Healthcare Organizations, Systems, and Providers)
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12 pages, 2730 KB  
Article
Inter-Vendor Variability of Perfusion Parameters Derived from Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Patients with Prostate Cancer
by Mingyu Kim, Seung Ho Kim and Joo Yeon Kim
Tomography 2026, 12(7), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/tomography12070091 (registering DOI) - 23 Jun 2026
Viewed by 45
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the agreement on perfusion parameters derived from two different commercially available solutions for dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: A total of 50 patients (mean age, 71.6; range 56–86) who had undergone [...] Read more.
Purpose: To investigate the agreement on perfusion parameters derived from two different commercially available solutions for dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: A total of 50 patients (mean age, 71.6; range 56–86) who had undergone radical prostatectomy between December 2021 and September 2022 were included in this retrospective study. All patients had undergone DCE-MRI on a single 3T-MR scanner. Tumor segmentation on MR images was performed by two radiologists in consensus after radiologic-pathologic correlation using topographic maps as a reference standard. Subsequently, four perfusion parameters were calculated by dedicated commercially available solutions from two different vendors. Both solutions adopted a population-based arterial input function and an extended Tofts model as the pharmacokinetic model. The perfusion parameters were as follows; volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (kep), volume fraction of extravascular extracellular space (ve), and volume fraction of plasma (vp). The differences between paired measurements were compared by Bland–Altman analyses and the reproducibility was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The study population consisted of Gleason score (GS) 6 (n = 12), GS 7 (n = 34), GS 8 (n = 1), and GS 9 (n = 3). Significant differences were found for all parameters (p < 0.0001). Mean differences were as follows: Ktrans, −0.2102 (95% confidence interval; −0.2687 to −0.1518); kep, −0.7632 (−0.9005 to −0.6258); ve, −0.1507 (−0.2422 to −0.05907); vp, −0.02929 (−0.03383 to −0.02476). ICCs for average measures were as follows: Ktrans, 0.2989 (−0.2355 to 0.6021); kep, 0.6883 (0.4507 to 0.8231); ve, −0.1331 (−0.9967 to 0.3570); vp, 0.2653 (−0.3106 to 0.5881). Conclusion: All perfusion parameters were significantly different between the two solutions. Therefore, comparison of perfusion parameters across different solutions is not recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in the Use of Advanced Imaging for Radiation Oncology)
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25 pages, 40725 KB  
Article
A Method for Extracting Sedimentary Outcrops from UAV Oblique Photogrammetry Point Clouds
by Chufan Ren, Chaodong Wu, Yanan Zhang, Cong Lin, Xinyue Niu and Yanan Chu
Sensors 2026, 26(12), 3946; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26123946 (registering DOI) - 21 Jun 2026
Viewed by 240
Abstract
Point-cloud analysis of sedimentary outcrops using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) oblique photogrammetry is a crucial approach to sedimentary system characterization, stratigraphic correlation, and petroleum exploration analog studies. In large-scale field settings, however, outcrops are often scattered and fragmented, vegetation and soil cover is [...] Read more.
Point-cloud analysis of sedimentary outcrops using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) oblique photogrammetry is a crucial approach to sedimentary system characterization, stratigraphic correlation, and petroleum exploration analog studies. In large-scale field settings, however, outcrops are often scattered and fragmented, vegetation and soil cover is extensive, and class imbalance is pronounced. Manual interpretation is labor-intensive, while existing clustering algorithms, conventional machine learning methods, and general-purpose point-cloud segmentation networks struggle to simultaneously ensure geometric fidelity, rare-class recognition, and multi-scale feature integration. To address these challenges, we propose a method for extracting sedimentary outcrop point clouds from field surface point clouds using a UAV oblique photogrammetry acquisition strategy. The core segmentation module of the method, sedimentary cross-scale self-attention network (SedCSA-Net), is an enhanced version of PointNet++ that integrates collaborative improvements across four dimensions: data augmentation, sampling strategy, feature encoding, and loss optimization. Taking the Cretaceous Qingshuihe Formation in the Louzhuangzi area of the southern Junggar Basin as a case study, our experimental results indicate that SedCSA-Net overcomes the natural variability of UAV oblique photogrammetry point clouds—such as shadows, voids, and uneven density—achieving a mean Intersection over Union(mIoU) of 89.51% and an Overall Accuracy(OA) of 96.08%, with an outcrop-class Intersection over Union(IoU) of 86.90%. Attitude measurements derived from segmentation results deviate by less than 3° from manually annotated references, demonstrating that the proposed framework provides an end-to-end, generalizable approach for intelligent segmentation, geometric reconstruction, and attitude extraction of large-scale sedimentary outcrop point clouds. Full article
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17 pages, 264 KB  
Article
Self-Compassion of Nurses Working in Pediatric Hospitals
by Dimitra Tsoutsoura, Ioannis Koutelekos, Afroditi Zartaloudi, Areti Stavropoulou and Maria Polikandrioti
Healthcare 2026, 14(12), 1789; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121789 (registering DOI) - 21 Jun 2026
Viewed by 157
Abstract
Introduction: Compassion is defined as the emotional response that arises when an individual perceives another’s suffering and is motivated to alleviate it. Purpose: To explore levels of self-compassion among nurses working in pediatric hospitals and examine their associations with nurses’ characteristics. Materials and [...] Read more.
Introduction: Compassion is defined as the emotional response that arises when an individual perceives another’s suffering and is motivated to alleviate it. Purpose: To explore levels of self-compassion among nurses working in pediatric hospitals and examine their associations with nurses’ characteristics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 208 nurses from a public pediatric hospital. Data were collected through interviews using the Neff Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) which includes the following subscales: Self-Kindness, Common Humanity, Mindfulness, Self-Judgment, Isolation, and Over-Identification. The Greek-validated version of the instrument was used with acceptable internal consistency in the present sample (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.849). Data analysis included descriptive statistics and inferential tests (non-parametric comparisons and multiple linear regression), with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05. Results: The mean total Self-Compassion score was 83.24 ± 12.6 (range: 26–130). Regarding family-related factors, total Self-Compassion (p = 0.029), Common Humanity (p = 0.033), and Over-Identification (p = 0.041) were associated with the number of children. In relation to age, Self-Kindness (p = 0.033), Isolation (p = 0.005), and Over-Identification (p = 0.005) showed significant associations. Professional factors were also relevant, as Isolation was associated with total years of nursing experience (p = 0.032) and choice of nursing as a profession (p = 0.004), while Over-Identification was associated with years of experience in pediatric settings (p = 0.004) and choice of nursing as a profession (p = 0.049). Additionally, marital status was associated with Over-Identification (p = 0.045). Conclusions: Demographic and professional characteristics appear to influence the expression of Self-compassion. Healthcare organizations should implement targeted training programs to individualize professional development. Future research should explore work-related and personal factors influencing self-compassion to improve care quality and outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Aspects of Childhood and Adolescent Health)
16 pages, 7987 KB  
Article
Evaluation of a Digital Twin Metaverse Classroom in Higher Education
by Sing-Jian Teoh, Soon-Nyean Cheong, Chee-Onn Wong and Ahmad Hishamuddin Bin Mohamed
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(6), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15060402 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026
Viewed by 134
Abstract
This paper describes design, implementation and initial evaluation of Digital Twin Metaverse Classroom for higher education. Digital Twin Metaverse Classroom refers to highly realistic digital replicas or virtual replicas or prototypes of university classrooms or learning spaces. This paper focuses on creating high-fidelity [...] Read more.
This paper describes design, implementation and initial evaluation of Digital Twin Metaverse Classroom for higher education. Digital Twin Metaverse Classroom refers to highly realistic digital replicas or virtual replicas or prototypes of university classrooms or learning spaces. This paper focuses on creating high-fidelity digital replica of typical university lecture room. The main purpose of the Digital Twin Metaverse Classroom is to support teaching and learning in addition to traditional videoconferencing. The pilot involved thirty-two undergraduate students. A single-group pre-test/post-test quiz measured short-term learning, while the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) measured acceptance through perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward use, and behavioral intention. A single session raised the mean quiz score from 6.41 to 9.19, a within-session gain that reached statistical significance, while all four TAM constructs scored highly. Because the sample was small and confined to one institution, with neither a control group nor a follow-up, these findings are best read as early evidence of feasibility, short-term improvement, and favorable acceptance rather than as proof of comparative effectiveness. Full article
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14 pages, 5491 KB  
Article
Sequential Keratolytic Pre-Treatment Followed by Tirbanibulin in Hyperkeratotic Actinic Keratoses: A Retrospective Comparative Study
by Ilaria Proietti, Vincenzo Coppolelli, Alberto Taliano, Alessandro Colletti, Carmen Cantisani, Giovanni Pellacani and Concetta Potenza
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(6), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19060954 (registering DOI) - 19 Jun 2026
Viewed by 183
Abstract
Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common premalignant skin disorder associated with chronic ultraviolet exposure and a recognized risk of progression to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Tirbanibulin 1% ointment is an effective short-course field therapy for AK, but its efficacy in hyperkeratotic lesions [...] Read more.
Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common premalignant skin disorder associated with chronic ultraviolet exposure and a recognized risk of progression to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Tirbanibulin 1% ointment is an effective short-course field therapy for AK, but its efficacy in hyperkeratotic lesions (Olsen grade II–III) may be limited by reduced drug penetration through a thickened stratum corneum. Keratolytic pretreatment may represent a plausible strategy to improve topical drug delivery in these more challenging lesions. Methods: This retrospective chart review included consecutive adults with Olsen grade II–III AK treated in routine clinical practice with either a bland emollient lead-in followed by tirbanibulin (Group A) or salicylic acid 30% ointment pre-treatment (Decapan, Sanitpharma; Milan, Italy) followed by tirbanibulin (Group B). No study-driven procedures or additional visits were implemented. The 14-day bland emollient lead-in used in Group A was part of the routine clinical management applied during the relevant treatment period and was not introduced or retrospectively constructed for the purposes of the present comparative analysis. Outcomes were extracted from de-identified medical records and photographic documentation obtained as part of standard care. For the purposes of analysis, post-treatment evaluations were grouped into predefined windows of 3–6 weeks (T1), 10–14 weeks (T2), and 22–30 weeks (T3), corresponding approximately to 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment initiation. The primary efficacy endpoints were the Actinic Keratosis Area and Severity Index (AKASI) and Total Lesion Count (TLC). Secondary endpoints included quality of life assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: Both treatment regimens were associated with clinically meaningful improvements in AK severity. At T3, mean AKASI was significantly lower in Group B than in Group A (0.86 ± 0.38 vs. 1.35 ± 0.27; p < 0.001), corresponding to reductions from baseline of 60.6% and 36.9%, respectively. Similarly, mean TLC at T3 was significantly lower in Group B than in Group A (4.80 ± 1.5 vs. 6.35 ± 1.6; p < 0.001), corresponding to reductions from baseline of 46.7% and 27.0%, respectively. Quality-of-life outcomes also favored the sequential approach, with lower DLQI scores at T3 in Group B compared with Group A (2.9 ± 1.6 vs. 3.8 ± 1.9; p = 0.006). Both treatments were generally well tolerated. Although the incidence of local skin reactions (LSRs) was similar between groups, Group B showed lower retrospectively documented composite LSR scores and lower patient-reported discomfort (p < 0.001) and lower patient-reported discomfort (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Sequential keratolytic pretreatment followed by tirbanibulin was associated with greater reductions in disease burden and with lower severity of treatment-related local reactions in this retrospective cohort (Olsen grade II–III). This retrospective study suggests that keratolytic pretreatment may represent a useful adjunctive strategy in hyperkeratotic AK treated with tirbanibulin. Prospective randomized studies are warranted to confirm these findings and to define standardized treatment protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Advances in Targeted Therapy for Facial Skin Diseases)
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17 pages, 1236 KB  
Article
Multimodal Assessment of Hand Hygiene Quality Using ATP Bioluminescence, Microbiological Culture, and UV-Fluorescence Digital Imaging: A Prospective Before–After Study Across Intensive Care, Hematology, and Gynecology Departments
by Lucrețiu Radu, Marius-Bogdan Novac, Ramona-Constantina Vasile, Alexandra-Daniela Rotaru-Zăvăleanu, Liviu Martin and George-Alin Stoica
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(12), 4756; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15124756 (registering DOI) - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 172
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a critical patient safety challenge. Hand hygiene is considered the most effective preventive measure, yet traditional monitoring captures only compliance, not technique quality. This prospective before–after study evaluated whether real-time visual feedback via the Semmelweis UV-fluorescence system [...] Read more.
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a critical patient safety challenge. Hand hygiene is considered the most effective preventive measure, yet traditional monitoring captures only compliance, not technique quality. This prospective before–after study evaluated whether real-time visual feedback via the Semmelweis UV-fluorescence system is associated with improved hand hygiene quality, measured by ATP bioluminescence and microbiological culture. Methods: Three clinical departments (the Intensive Care Unit, Hematology, and Gynecology) at a Romanian tertiary hospital were purposively selected. Seventy-one healthcare workers (HCWs) were enrolled. The 12-week study comprised Phase 1 (baseline, weeks 1–4), Phase 2 (active intervention with Semmelweis feedback, weeks 5–8), a one-week washout (week 9), and Phase 3 (sustainability assessment, weeks 10–12). Paired ATP-CFU samples were collected weekly. Within-group comparisons used Kruskal–Wallis H tests with post hoc Dunn’s tests and Bonferroni correction. Secondary outcomes included Semmelweis global and zone-specific coverage and the correlation between subject-level Semmelweis coverage and ATP bioluminescence (Spearman’s rho). Results: A total of 781 paired ATP-CFU samples and 497 Semmelweis evaluations were analyzed. Mean ATP declined from 195.9 RLU at baseline to 148.2 RLU in Phase 2 (−24.4%) and 154.8 RLU in Phase 3 (−21.0%; Kruskal–Wallis H = 102.73, p < 0.001). CFU/mL declined from 84.8 to 66.2 (−21.9%) and 70.7 (−16.6%; H = 22.48, p < 0.001). Post hoc comparisons confirmed significant Phase 1 versus Phase 2 and Phase 1 versus Phase 3 differences for both markers (all p < 0.01), while Phase 2 versus Phase 3 was non-significant, indicating stabilization at an improved level. Subject-level Semmelweis coverage correlated negatively with ATP (rho = −0.665, 95% CI −0.778 to −0.510, p < 0.001), supporting construct validity at the operator level. Semmelweis global coverage was 93.1% (Phase 2) and 90.6% (Phase 3); interdigital spaces showed the highest inadequacy rate (73.9% protocol-based, 92.5% targeted). Conclusions: Real-time visual feedback via UV-fluorescence imaging was associated with significant and sustained improvements in hand hygiene quality beyond baseline. ATP, CFU, and Semmelweis assessments captured complementary, non-redundant dimensions, supporting multimodal evaluation. Interdigital spaces and fingertips remained persistent failure points requiring targeted educational reinforcement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Management and Long-Term Prognosis in Intensive Care)
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19 pages, 263 KB  
Article
Proactive Screening Beliefs in Chinese High-Risk Patients of Panvascular Disease from the Perspective of Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Study
by Shuying Li, Xin Xu, Chenxu Huang, Yuan Yu and Yu Chen
Healthcare 2026, 14(12), 1766; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121766 - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 176
Abstract
Background: Panvascular disease (PVD) is a systemic atherosclerotic condition that poses a substantial threat to global health. Despite the recognized importance of early proactive screening, proactive screening beliefs among high-risk populations are poorly understood. Objective: To explore the proactive screening beliefs [...] Read more.
Background: Panvascular disease (PVD) is a systemic atherosclerotic condition that poses a substantial threat to global health. Despite the recognized importance of early proactive screening, proactive screening beliefs among high-risk populations are poorly understood. Objective: To explore the proactive screening beliefs among Chinese high-risk patients for PVD based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), so as to provide evidence for developing targeted nursing intervention strategies and health policies. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Employing a purposive sampling strategy with maximum variation, participants at elevated risk for PVD were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Shanghai between October and December 2025 to conduct semi-structured interviews. Data saturation guided sample size (n = 22; 14 male, 8 female; mean age 62.68 years). Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Five main themes were extracted: multifaceted perceptions of susceptibility, multidimensional fear of severity, positive attitudes toward the benefits of proactive screening, multiple perceived barriers to proactive screening, and significant differences in self-efficacy for proactive screening. Conclusions: The proactive screening beliefs in Chinese high-risk patients of PVD were deeply embedded in local cultural values and healthcare realities. Tailored health education, age-friendly service optimization, and stratified intervention strategies are urgently needed to reduce screening barriers and improve population-wide proactive screening beliefs. Full article
13 pages, 716 KB  
Proceeding Paper
Multi-Axis Welding Positioner: A Laboratory Simulator for Outcome-Based Instruction in Welding and Fabrication Technology Courses
by Vicardo J. Aroy, Cerelo T. Tabat, Janevic T. Caham, Rian Jemar D. Dagani, Madelyn S. Monton and Lorena Q. Renolo
Eng. Proc. 2026, 143(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2026143026 - 17 Jun 2026
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Abstract
This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate a multi-axis welding positioner, designed as a laboratory simulator with 360° rotational capability and 90° tilting functionality to support outcome-based instruction in welding and fabrication technology courses. A developmental research design was employed to systematically [...] Read more.
This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate a multi-axis welding positioner, designed as a laboratory simulator with 360° rotational capability and 90° tilting functionality to support outcome-based instruction in welding and fabrication technology courses. A developmental research design was employed to systematically address common challenges in instructional welding operations, such as limited workpiece maneuverability, inconsistent welding angles, operator fatigue, safety risks from manual repositioning, and the lack of affordable, adaptable positioning equipment. The study was conducted at Caraga State University–Cabadbaran Campus in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, and involved sixteen purposively selected experts in Welding and Fabrication Technology. These experts assessed the prototype during the design, development, and evaluation phases via a validated researcher-developed survey instrument. The welding positioner was evaluated based on the following criteria: design, construction and material availability, functionality, usability, safety, modularity, and ergonomics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that the prototype was highly functional, safe, and user-centered, enhancing welding accuracy and reducing operator fatigue. Of the evaluated parameters, Design, Construction, and Material Availability achieved the highest mean rating (3.61), reflecting strong structural quality and resource accessibility. Functionality received the lowest mean rating (3.51), signaling minor areas for improvement in responsiveness and component adjustability. The prototype, built from locally available, cost-effective materials, featured a motorized rotation system and a manual tilting mechanism that operated reliably during testing. The study concluded that the welding positioner met structural, ergonomic, and operational standards for use as a laboratory simulator in outcome-based welding instruction. Recommendations include integrating automated controls, enhancing portability, embedding digital monitoring features, and conducting extended performance evaluations in industrial settings. Full article
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16 pages, 640 KB  
Article
Effects of Modest Carbohydrate–Energy Supplementation on Resistance Training Adaptations in Trained Men: A Crossover Trial
by Menno Henselmans, Dakota R. Tiede, Daniel L. Plotkin, Madison L. Mattingly, Emrie R. Harbour, Derick A. Anglin, Andrew D. Fruge, Fredrik Tonstad Vårvik, Michael D. Roberts and Mikel Izquierdo
Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1961; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121961 (registering DOI) - 17 Jun 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Higher energy and carbohydrate intakes have been hypothesized to enhance resistance training adaptations, yet empirical evidence remains mixed. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether supplemental carbohydrate–energy intake improves muscle hypertrophy and strength. Methods: Twenty resistance-trained men (26.7 ± 4.9 [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Higher energy and carbohydrate intakes have been hypothesized to enhance resistance training adaptations, yet empirical evidence remains mixed. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether supplemental carbohydrate–energy intake improves muscle hypertrophy and strength. Methods: Twenty resistance-trained men (26.7 ± 4.9 years old, 9.7 ± 6.1 years training experience) completed a quasi-randomized, double-blinded, counterbalanced crossover trial. Participants consumed either a daily protein-only supplement (30 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate) or a daily protein-plus-carbohydrate supplement (30 g protein, 54 g carbohydrate) for 8 weeks each, followed by crossover, while continuing their habitual training and nutrition. Primary outcomes included lean mass obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle thickness and cross-sectional area obtained via ultrasound, back squat one-repetition maximum, fatigue index, and knee extensor peak torque. Differences in estimated marginal means, controlling for order and phase effects, were analyzed via linear mixed models, with first-phase-only ANCOVAs as sensitivity analyses. Results: The carbohydrate–protein condition resulted in significantly higher daily energy (+485 kcal/d; p = 0.017) and carbohydrate intake (+33 g/d; p = 0.043) than the protein-only condition, with no differences in protein or fat intake or training volume. No significant differences between conditions were observed for any outcome, including in the sensitivity analyses. Conclusions: Modest supplemental carbohydrate–energy intake did not significantly augment muscle hypertrophy, fatigue resistance or strength in trained men within our study context. More high-powered research is needed to determine how much and under which circumstances carbohydrate–energy intake affects resistance training adaptations. Full article
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17 pages, 4096 KB  
Article
A Hybrid Iterative Algorithm for Generating Polygonal Flat-Top Beams with High Energy Utilization Rate
by Xiaohua Zeng, Hui Pang, Cheng Xu, Axiu Cao, Yongqi Fu and Qiling Deng
Photonics 2026, 13(6), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13060588 - 17 Jun 2026
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Abstract
Flat-top beams with uniform intensity distribution and well-defined profiles have broad application prospects. However, current design methods can only achieve circular or square beam shaping. Recently, a method enabling the generation of polygonal flat-top beams has been proposed, yet its energy utilization rate [...] Read more.
Flat-top beams with uniform intensity distribution and well-defined profiles have broad application prospects. However, current design methods can only achieve circular or square beam shaping. Recently, a method enabling the generation of polygonal flat-top beams has been proposed, yet its energy utilization rate is limited at the 70% level only. To solve this issue, we propose a hybrid iterative algorithm for the purpose of generating polygonal flat-top beams with high diffraction efficiency while maintaining excellent uniformity. The hybrid algorithm combines the advantages of the mixed-region amplitude freedom (MRAF) algorithm and the overcompensation (OC) algorithm. The MRAF is firstly employed to achieve high diffraction efficiency. Subsequently, the OC algorithm is adopted to optimize uniformity. In addition, a more convenient convolution-based method is used to construct the descending edge of the target flat-top beam. A series of polygonal flat-top beams, such as triangular, square, pentagonal, and hexagonal, are obtained, and comparisons with the original methods are also carried out by means of simulations and experiments. Our experimental data demonstrate that an average diffraction efficiency above 97% is achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diffractive Optics and Its Emerging Applications)
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