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18 pages, 785 KB  
Article
Chronic Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in COPD in Lithuania: National Registry Trends and Prehospital Emergency-Care Professionals’ Knowledge of Hypercapnia and Oxygen Therapy
by Rasa Gauronskaitė, Anrenas Karvelis, Edvardas Danila and Rolandas Zablockis
Diagnostics 2026, 16(17), 2782; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16172782 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hypercapnic respiratory failure (HRF) is a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilisation. National HRF trends among patients with COPD remain poorly characterised in Lithuania, and the knowledge of prehospital [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Hypercapnic respiratory failure (HRF) is a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilisation. National HRF trends among patients with COPD remain poorly characterised in Lithuania, and the knowledge of prehospital emergency-care professionals regarding oxygen therapy and hypercapnia has not been evaluated. Methods: This study comprised two components. First, a cross-sectional online survey assessed knowledge of COPD, hypercapnia, and oxygen therapy among prehospital emergency-care professionals (EMS physicians, emergency nurses, EMS paramedics, and paramedics); three questionnaire items whose designated correct answers could not be unambiguously supported were excluded from the knowledge score, and the original 10-item score was retained as a sensitivity analysis. Second, nationwide electronic health record data from the Lithuanian national health record system (ESPBI IS, 2020–2023) were analysed retrospectively: patients with COPD and concomitant chronic HRF were identified using ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes, and the number of patients with a recorded J96.11 diagnosis irrespective of underlying disease was obtained as a national denominator. Proportions are reported with 95% confidence intervals and temporal trends as absolute changes in percentage points; multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios adjusted for age group and sex. Between-year differences were tested using the χ2 test with Holm-adjusted pairwise comparisons, and the association between sex and chronic HRF was expressed as an odds ratio. All tests were two-sided, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among the 65 prehospital emergency-care professionals surveyed, knowledge of hypercapnia was relatively high: 78.5% (95% CI 67.0–86.7) correctly defined it and 72.3% (95% CI 60.4–81.7) identified its symptoms, whereas 58.5% (95% CI 46.3–69.6) identified the recommended SpO2 target range of 88–92%. Respondents answered a median of 5 of the 7 scored knowledge items correctly (IQR 4–6). Total knowledge scores differed by professional role (p = 0.034) but not by years of experience, sex, or frequency of COPD contact; the sensitivity analysis using the original 10-item score gave the same pattern (p = 0.006). In the national electronic health record data, the COPD population increased from 27,239 to 32,446 (+19.1%) between 2020 and 2023, while the number of COPD patients with a recorded chronic HRF diagnosis rose from 160 to 291 (+81.9%). The proportion rose from 0.59% (95% CI 0.50–0.69) to 0.90% (95% CI 0.80–1.01), an absolute increase of 0.31 percentage points (95% CI 0.17–0.45; risk ratio 1.53, 95% CI 1.26–1.85). Men had higher odds than women after adjustment for age (adjusted OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.28–1.88), and adjusted odds were lowest in patients aged 80 years or older. Across the four annual cross-sections, COPD accounted for 41.5% of patient-year observations with a recorded J96.11 diagnosis nationally. Conclusions: Knowledge of COPD, hypercapnia, and oxygen therapy varied among the prehospital emergency-care professionals surveyed, with one of the lowest proportions of correct responses observed for the recommended target oxygen saturation range. National electronic health record data showed an increase in the proportion of patients with COPD who had a recorded diagnosis of chronic HRF between 2020 and 2023. These components were analysed independently, and no relationship between professional knowledge and temporal trends in recorded diagnoses was assessed. The electronic health record findings support continued monitoring and recognition of chronic HRF in COPD, whereas the survey findings support further evaluation of targeted education on oxygen therapy in the prehospital setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of Lung Diseases)
11 pages, 392 KB  
Communication
Employing Area Under the Curve (AUC) to Reduce Many Repeated Measures into Single Variables for Analysis: A Simulation Study
by Daniel Rodriguez
Stats 2026, 9(5), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/stats9050090 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background: The proliferation of fitness apps and wearable technology provides researchers interested in health and fitness with vast opportunities to test hypotheses involving a continuous stream of data collected on individual research participants in real-world settings. Although there are a variety of [...] Read more.
Background: The proliferation of fitness apps and wearable technology provides researchers interested in health and fitness with vast opportunities to test hypotheses involving a continuous stream of data collected on individual research participants in real-world settings. Although there are a variety of methods available to analyze such repeated measures data, one method that may benefit researchers in these endeavors is Area Under the Curve (AUC). To our knowledge, AUC has yet to be assessed for efficacy with many repeated measures collected from fitness apps. As such, the purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of AUC with larger numbers of repeated measures typical of a fitness app using simulated data. Methods: We generated two samples of 21 hypothetical cyclists with 30 and 100 repeated measures of performance data (speed, time, and power) based on a Strava app segment, and calculated AUC using the trapezoidal rule and definite integrals with the best-fitting line. We then assessed the relations between time, speed, and power with all three calculations using bivariate correlations, multiple regression analysis, and a mediation analysis whereby power was hypothesized to predict a reduction in time indirectly through speed. We repeated these analyses with data assuming a normal and a lognormal distribution, and with equal versus unequal timepoints between consecutive repeated measures in the normal distribution. Results: There was little difference in relative performance comparing the two AUC calculation methods in the two samples (30 versus 100 repeated measures). However, there was a difference in the proportion mediated in the mediation results when comparing the two samples based on the number of repeated measures and spacing between consecutive repeated measures. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Area Under the Curve may be a viable method for assessing cumulative level of a behavior when dealing with datasets including many repeated measures such as those acquired from wearable technology and fitness apps. However, there may be differences in results when dealing with different numbers of repeated measures and variability in time between events. As such, future studies should assess AUC with larger numbers of repeated measures using non-simulated data in diverse performance scenarios. Full article
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15 pages, 3784 KB  
Article
Novel Quantitative Metrics for Foveal Hypoplasia Derived from Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Using AngioTool
by Charlotte Egbring, Sarah Kleemann, Nicole Eter and Jens Julian Storp
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(17), 6724; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15176724 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This monocentric case–control study prospectively recruited patients with foveal hypoplasia (FH) and compared them with retrospectively selected age- and sex-matched healthy controls. It is the first study to employ AngioTool software to quantitatively assess retinal microvascular alterations in FH using Optical [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This monocentric case–control study prospectively recruited patients with foveal hypoplasia (FH) and compared them with retrospectively selected age- and sex-matched healthy controls. It is the first study to employ AngioTool software to quantitatively assess retinal microvascular alterations in FH using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A). Methods: In total, 19 patients with FH and 19 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included at Münster University Hospital, Germany, and underwent OCT-A imaging of the macula. The 3 × 3 mm2 angiograms of the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were examined using AngioTool software. Quantified parameters included flow density (FD), number of junctions, total and average vessel length, number of endpoints, and lacunarity. Results: A total of 62 eyes from 38 participants were included in the analysis. Compared with controls, eyes with FH demonstrated significantly lower FD, fewer junctions, shorter total vessel length, and a greater number of endpoints in both SCP and DCP. These differences showed small-to-large effect sizes, depending on the parameter and plexus. Average vessel length remained significantly decreased in the SCP but not the DCP. The difference in SCP lacunarity did not remain significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. In the exploratory subgroup analysis, there were no significant differences between mild and severe FH in either the SCP or the DCP after correction for multiple testing. Conclusions: FH is associated with alterations of retinal microvasculature involving both the SCP and DCP. These findings are consistent with altered retinal vascular development in FH. OCT-A may provide useful quantitative information for the characterization of FH, although the clinical and prognostic relevance of these vascular parameters remains to be established. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ophthalmology)
24 pages, 3039 KB  
Article
High-Resolution Mapping of DTP1–3 and MCV1 Immunization Coverage and Estimates of Zero-Dose and Under-Vaccinated Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
by Krishnaveni K. Sasi, Chigozie E. Utazi, Heather R. Chamberlain, A. Cunningham, Pierre Z. Akilimali, Attila N. Lazar and Andrew J. Tatem
Vaccines 2026, 14(9), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14090754 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Immunization coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) consistently falls short of global standards, placing the country among those with the highest prevalence of unvaccinated or “zero-dose” children. This study aimed to generate high-resolution (1 km × 1 km) geospatial [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Immunization coverage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) consistently falls short of global standards, placing the country among those with the highest prevalence of unvaccinated or “zero-dose” children. This study aimed to generate high-resolution (1 km × 1 km) geospatial estimates of coverage for the first to third doses of diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis vaccine (DTP1–3) and the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1), along with estimates of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children to support vaccination programming in DRC. Methods: We used Bayesian geostatistical modelling to integrate data from the 2023 Enquête de Couverture Vaccinale (ECV) survey with geospatial covariates and harmonized population datasets. The model generated vaccine coverage and dropout rates at 1 × 1 km resolution while accounting for spatial dependence and prediction uncertainty. Grid-level estimates were aggregated to health areas, health zones, and provinces using population-weighted averages, and combined with under-one population estimates to quantify zero-dose and DTP-under-vaccinated children. Results: The grid-level unconstrained coverage estimates (estimation over all land grid squares) showed substantial variability across the country (DTP1: 13.3 to 99.7%; DTP2: 12.3 to 96.8%; DTP3: 3.1 to 93.6%; and MCV1: 7.5 to 93.6%). In total, 56.4% of mapped health areas achieved DTP1 coverage above 80%, but this declined to 32% for DTP2, 15% for DTP3, and 8.3% for MCV1. Around 60.5% of the health zones achieved DTP1 coverage ≥ 80%, while only 2.7% fell below 40%, indicating that substantial disparities persist across these zones. Nationally, based on constrained coverage estimates (only areas with identified built settlements) applied to an estimated 4.2 million children under 1 year in 2024, 18.4% had not received DTP1, 20.7% were DTP-under-vaccinated (received DTP1 but not DTP3), and 46.8% remained unvaccinated for MCV1. Conclusions: The prevalence of large numbers of zero-dose children, together with increased dropout rates, underscores systemic issues in access and follow-up initiatives. These findings are critical for microplanning and targeted outreach to achieve equitable immunization coverage in line with the Immunization Agenda 2030’s goal of leaving no child behind. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI and Geospatial Modeling for Vaccination Strategies in LMICs)
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15 pages, 2189 KB  
Article
Effects of Rust Fungus and Aphid Infestation on Plant Height and Seed Production of Impatiens parviflora DC
by Péter Csontos, Damian Chmura, Károly Penksza, Zsuzsanna Angyal, András Albert Halbritter, Orsolya Pintér, Zsófia Kovács, Tibor Kalapos and Júlia Tamás
Plants 2026, 15(17), 2655; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15172655 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
The effects of the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii Tranzschel and the aphid Impatientinum asiaticum Nevsky 1929 on plant height, seed number per capsule, and seed mass were investigated in eight small balsam (Impatiens parviflora DC.) stands in Hungary and one in Poland. [...] Read more.
The effects of the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii Tranzschel and the aphid Impatientinum asiaticum Nevsky 1929 on plant height, seed number per capsule, and seed mass were investigated in eight small balsam (Impatiens parviflora DC.) stands in Hungary and one in Poland. Two stands were infected by rust, five by aphids, and two were healthy. The lowest average plant height was 37.5 cm and the highest 94.7 cm, both measured in aphid-infested stands. Examining the stands separately, no relationship appeared with the type of damage. For data pooled across stands, differences were significant: rust-infected plants were the tallest, healthy shoots were the shortest, while aphid-infected plants fell in between. Mean seed number per capsule was the lowest (1.53) in the pest-free Nagybörzsöny stand, and the highest (2.33) in the aphid-infested Bielsko-Biała stand. In pairwise comparison of stands, average seed number did not differ in most cases. Significant positive correlation was found between average plant height and average seed number per capsule. Seeds were the heaviest in the healthy stand, whereas they were lighter in rust-infected and aphid-damaged stands. Regarding the applicability of the studied pests as biological control agents, the results showed that both pests reduce seed mass but not overall performance of the host plant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategies for Sustainable Innovative Crop Pest Management)
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25 pages, 1770 KB  
Article
An Enhanced Hybrid SVD-DBO-VMD Framework for Rolling Bearing Fault Feature Extraction Using Vibration Data
by Chen Zhang, Luyan Xu, Xiansong He, Zhibin Zhao and Xiaoli Zhao
Sensors 2026, 26(17), 5485; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26175485 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
To address the challenging problem of extracting fault information from rolling bearings, this study proposes a novel hybrid method that integrates singular value decomposition (SVD), Dung Beetle Optimization (DBO), and Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) for enhanced fault feature extraction. The method consists of [...] Read more.
To address the challenging problem of extracting fault information from rolling bearings, this study proposes a novel hybrid method that integrates singular value decomposition (SVD), Dung Beetle Optimization (DBO), and Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) for enhanced fault feature extraction. The method consists of three key steps: (1) adaptive SVD denoising via singular-value difference spectrum, where the collected signal is first reconstructed into a phase-space Hankel matrix, and the maximum extremum point of its singular value difference spectrum is identified as the optimal rank order for SVD denoising; (2) DBO of VMD parameters using minimum envelope entropy—to prevent over-decomposition, where DBO is employed to automatically determine the optimal number of modes K by minimizing the envelope entropy, and the signal is decomposed into a set of Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs); (3) kurtosis-peak-to-peak joint screening of sensitive IMFs, in which a joint criterion based on kurtosis and peak-to-peak values is applied to select the IMF that contains the richest fault information. This sensitive IMF is then subjected to Hilbert envelope spectrum analysis to accurately extract the fault characteristic frequency of rolling bearings. Experimental results from two different test rigs demonstrate that the proposed method can more effectively highlight periodic fault impulses and identify fault types, offering a reliable approach for rolling bearing fault feature extraction. Full article
22 pages, 817 KB  
Article
A Multi-Distance Ensemble of Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Ontology Ranking
by Ameeth Sooklall and Jean Vincent Fonou-Dombeu
Future Internet 2026, 18(9), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi18090464 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Due to the increase in the number of ontologies in various domains, ranking them to facilitate their selection for reuse is an important task in ontology engineering to date. To assess the multi-faceted quality configurations of candidate ontologies, Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) frameworks [...] Read more.
Due to the increase in the number of ontologies in various domains, ranking them to facilitate their selection for reuse is an important task in ontology engineering to date. To assess the multi-faceted quality configurations of candidate ontologies, Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) frameworks are used. In particular, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is an MCDM method that is widely adopted for the task of ontology ranking. However, traditional TOPSIS implementations rely almost exclusively on the Euclidean distance metric. This introduces severe rank volatilities and systematic biases when evaluating heterogeneous ontology metadata. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a novel Multi-Distance Ensemble TOPSIS (Ensemble-TOPSIS) method for robust ontology ranking. Rather than forcing a localized geometric choice, the proposed Ensemble-TOPSIS method simultaneously projects alternative ontologies through a multi-distance ensemble composed of Euclidean, Chebyshev, cosine, and Mahalanobis configurations. The Ensemble-TOPSIS method was applied to three datasets of ontologies from the artificial intelligence, agricultural, and biological domains to test its scalability and multi-domain applicability. The experimental results reveal that all the ontologies from the three domains were successfully ranked by the proposed Ensemble-TOPSIS method. Furthermore, the statistical rank correlation using Spearman’s ρ, Kendall’s τ, and the WS rank similarity coefficients was calculated between the TOPSIS variants, and the proposed Ensemble-TOPSIS method achieved the highest correlation in the majority of cases. Moreover, a comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation across 1200 stochastically generated, non-linear, and skewed multicollinear decision domains established the asymptotic stability of the proposed Ensemble-TOPSIS method, which achieved the highest global mean performance (ρ¯=0.88, τ¯=0.75, WS¯=0.94), minimized rank variance (σ2(WS)=0.0006), and optimally maximized the lower-bound worst-case performance profile (ρ=0.67) compared to individual baseline formulations. Full article
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34 pages, 1591 KB  
Article
First-Order Wall-Slip-Induced Departure from Inverse-Cubic Scaling of Levitation-Pressure RMS in a Push–Pull Levitation Stage
by Eisuke Umesaki, Hiroki Suzuki, Junji Sakamoto and Toshinori Kouchi
Fluids 2026, 11(9), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids11090218 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
This study clarifies how rarefaction-induced wall slip in a thin gas film affects the established inverse-cubic scaling law for the spatial nonuniformity of levitation pressure in a push–pull levitation stage. The levitation force in this stage is generated by the combined action of [...] Read more.
This study clarifies how rarefaction-induced wall slip in a thin gas film affects the established inverse-cubic scaling law for the spatial nonuniformity of levitation pressure in a push–pull levitation stage. The levitation force in this stage is generated by the combined action of blowing and suction. The continuum-based stress description is retained, and only the wall boundary condition is changed from the no-slip condition to a first-order slip condition. Three-dimensional incompressible unsteady Stokes simulations in a thin-gap unit-cell model are combined with a lubrication-theory scaling analysis. The effects of levitation height, blowing-velocity distribution, port-radius ratio, and computational-domain width are examined systematically. The results show that wall slip has only a minor influence at relatively large levitation heights. As the levitation height decreases, however, rarefaction-induced slip increases the flow-rate conductance. Consequently, the intensity of the spatial variation in levitation pressure is systematically reduced below that predicted by the no-slip inverse-cubic scaling law. This departure is well described by a correction relation derived from the lubrication approximation and remains robust against changes in the prescribed blowing-velocity distribution and geometric conditions. These findings provide an incompressible baseline for predicting levitation-pressure nonuniformity within the nominal gap-based Knudsen-number range examined here. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Fluids—Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics)
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12 pages, 1682 KB  
Article
Institutional Capacity and COVID-19 Response Among Romanian Public Health Directorates: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Analysis of 20 Jurisdictions
by Lenuța Silvia Nicoruț, Timea Claudia Ghitea, Rareș Cristian Daina, Eleia Zina Csákvári, Mădălina Diana Fehér, László Fehér and Lucia Georgeta Daina
COVID 2026, 6(9), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid6090155 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background: Transparent measurement is essential when organizational capacity is compared across public health institutions. The supplied analytic dataset did not contain repeated annual scores or indicator-level evidence for the previously proposed five-domain maturity model. We therefore conducted a reproducible cross-sectional analysis limited to [...] Read more.
Background: Transparent measurement is essential when organizational capacity is compared across public health institutions. The supplied analytic dataset did not contain repeated annual scores or indicator-level evidence for the previously proposed five-domain maturity model. We therefore conducted a reproducible cross-sectional analysis limited to the variables available in the dataset. Methods: Twenty Romanian public health directorates (PHDs)—10 in counties with a university medical center (CU) and 10 in counties without one (FU)—were compared using structural indicators, eight binary COVID-19 re-sponse measures, and a composite capacity–response index. The index was the equally weighted arithmetic mean of four sample-normalized components: employees per 100,000 inhabitants, budget per capita, previous-crisis experience, and the number of documented COVID-19 measures. Results are presented as medians and interquartile ranges. Mann–Whitney U and Fisher exact tests were used, with Holm correction within comparison families. Results: The composite index was higher in CU than FU institutions (55.0 [38.0–66.3] vs. 22.0 [19.3–31.3]; U = 93.0; p = 0.0013; Holm-adjusted p = 0.0077; rank-biserial r = 0.86). CU institutions also had larger populations, more employees, larger total budgets, higher per capita budgets, more previous-crisis experience, and more documented response measures. Employees per 100,000 inhabitants did not differ significantly. After multiplicity correction, vaccination-center involvement and communication/education were more frequently documented in the CU group. Digital platforms were recorded for only two institutions and cannot be interpreted as a digital-maturity domain. Conclusions: The available data support descriptive evidence of institutional disparities associated with the university-center context, but they do not support causal inference or validation of a maturity model. The composite index should be treated as an exploratory, sample-dependent benchmarking measure pending prospective instrument development, documented scoring rules, independent assessment, and external criterion validation. Its group difference largely reflects the four constituent components, which should remain the primary basis for interpretation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section COVID Public Health and Epidemiology)
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34 pages, 28055 KB  
Article
Experimental Evaluation of Wi-Fi and BLE Smart Particles in a Rotating Drum: Link-Budget-Normalised RSSI Characterisation and IMU Validation of the Wi-Fi Particle
by Nancy Gulati, Tahir Jauhar, Gabriel Lodewijks, Michael Carr and Craig Wheeler
Sensors 2026, 26(17), 5481; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26175481 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Wireless sensing inside rotating industrial machines is challenging due to signal attenuation, multipath propagation, and continuous sensor motion. Smart particles equipped with wireless communication and inertial sensors provide a promising approach for monitoring such systems. However, the reliability of wireless signal transmission under [...] Read more.
Wireless sensing inside rotating industrial machines is challenging due to signal attenuation, multipath propagation, and continuous sensor motion. Smart particles equipped with wireless communication and inertial sensors provide a promising approach for monitoring such systems. However, the reliability of wireless signal transmission under rotational dynamics remains insufficiently understood, and systematic approaches for sensor selection are lacking. This paper presents a link-budget-normalised experimental characterisation of three commercial smart particles, namely MetaMotionS (BLE), WitMotion BLE, and WitMotion Wi-Fi, in a bare 300 mm diameter by 310 mm deep metallic drum fitted with six triangular lifters, at rest and at 16, 18, and 20 RPM, corresponding to 20.7–25.9% of the critical speed and Froude numbers of 0.043–0.067. Because raw received power conflates transmit power with channel behaviour, the comparison is expressed as excess path loss above free space together with second-order fading statistics. Two particles of the same protocol class differ by 23.9 dB, of which at most 4 dB is attributable to the transmission of power across the documented range of both radios, establishing that device implementation rather than protocol class governs the ranking. Two particles logged simultaneously through a single receiver observe one channel realisation, and the correlation between their signal fluctuations is not significantly different from zero at any speed (r = +0.064, −0.098, −0.083), indicating device-specific rather than environmental fading. Under rotation, the Wi-Fi particle holds an RSSI standard deviation of 1.96 dB against 6.27 and 6.58 dB for the two BLE particles (Welch ANOVA, p < 0.001; Games–Howell post hoc, all pairwise comparisons p < 0.001; |Cliff’s δ| > 0.96). A bounded, dimensionless multi-criteria selection procedure over link margin, signal variability, cross-speed consistency, packet delivery, and energy per delivered packet is introduced; the ranking is invariant under weighted-sum and TOPSIS aggregation but inverts once endurance carries a weight above 0.35, which quantifies the trade-off between link quality and battery life. Coupling between the wireless and motion streams is examined by folding both onto rotation phase. A rotation-locked component in RSSI is detected in one of nine sensor–speed combinations, with a maximum modulation amplitude of 0.92 dB. The RSSI logging cadence of approximately 1 Hz resolves the drum fundamental but lies below the Nyquist requirement for the dominant motion band at 0.91–1.04 Hz, so joint wireless–motion studies of rotating machinery require RSSI logging at 5 Hz or above on a clock shared with the inertial unit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensors and Robotics)
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28 pages, 6544 KB  
Article
Investigation of Thermal and Hydraulic Performance in a Helical Two-Tube Heat Exchanger Equipped with Wire/Spring Turbulators
by Mesut Demirbilek and Merdin Danışmaz
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(17), 8617; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16178617 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
This study numerically investigated thermal enhancement in helical tube flows equipped with an embedded wire/spring turbulator. Five turbulator configurations (circular, square, and two different rectangular cross-sections) were examined for turbulent operation using water and three nanofluids (CuO–water, TiO2–water, and Al2 [...] Read more.
This study numerically investigated thermal enhancement in helical tube flows equipped with an embedded wire/spring turbulator. Five turbulator configurations (circular, square, and two different rectangular cross-sections) were examined for turbulent operation using water and three nanofluids (CuO–water, TiO2–water, and Al2O3–water). The insertion of the turbulator reorganized the flow and intensified near-wall mixing, which led to consistently higher heat-transfer performance as evidenced by enhanced Nusselt number (Nu) levels. However, these thermal gains were accompanied by additional hydraulic losses, reflected in increased friction factor (f) and pressure-drop penalties. The results also revealed that Nu increases with increasing Dean number, indicating that curvature-driven secondary motions and turbulence augmentation act synergistically in promoting convection. In contrast, the hydrodynamic cost intensifies with flow strength, producing a net decrease in thermal efficiency, η, with Reynolds number for all cases. This decline occurs because the pressure-drop growth rate exceeds the incremental heat-transfer improvement. Among the examined fluids, nanofluids generally provided higher η than water, while Al2O3–water exhibited the most favorable behavior among the nanofluids. To jointly account for thermal and hydraulic effects, the thermal performance factor (TPF) was evaluated and found to decrease with Reynolds number across all fluids, implying that heat-transfer benefits become less dominant at higher inertia. The combined results highlight that selecting the appropriate turbulator cross-section and working fluid is essential for achieving an efficient thermal–hydraulic equilibrium. Full article
14 pages, 358 KB  
Article
Evaluating the Quality of Reporting in Randomized Controlled Trial Abstracts on Diabetic Foot: A Cross-Sectional Study with Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
by Luciana Tonkic, Marin Rudan, Tanja Milicevic Milardovic, Dubravka Vukovic, Ana Sanader Vucemilovic, Doris Rusic and Josipa Bukic
Biomedicines 2026, 14(9), 1943; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14091943 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which published abstracts of randomized controlled trials on diabetic foot complied with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for Abstracts (CONSORT-A) guidelines and to identify factors associated with the quality [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which published abstracts of randomized controlled trials on diabetic foot complied with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for Abstracts (CONSORT-A) guidelines and to identify factors associated with the quality of reporting. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was designed using the MEDLINE/PubMed database, and the timeframe from 1994 to 2026 was covered by this review. In total, 606 abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on diabetic foot were assessed for compliance with the CONSORT-A checklist criteria. Results: Ratio of non-pharmacological and pharmacological studies was approximately 1:1. Most of the included abstracts did not report a multicenter design (84.3%) and reported less than one hundred participants included (78.9%). The median total score was six of 17 items (35.29%, IQR 29.41–47.06%). The objective of the study, conclusion and intervention had been reported by over ninety percent of the studies. Randomization method (3.6%), funding (4.8%), recruitment process (6.8%) and numbers of analyzed participants in the study (7.4%) were all reported by less than ten percent of the abstracts. Following CONSORT-A, in 2008, median abstract reporting score improved from 35.29% to 41.18% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: However, segmented regression showed a secular trend of +0.63 percentage points per year (95% CI 0.14–1.12, p = 0.012) with no change in level (p = 0.261) or slope (p = 0.278) at 2008, indicating that the improvement is not attributable to the guideline itself. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Diabetes and Associated Complications)
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14 pages, 1384 KB  
Article
Cerebral Infarctions After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement of Horizontal Aorta Versus Non-Horizontal Aorta
by Hanyi Dai, Dao Zhou, Wenjing Sheng, Rongrong Zheng, Jun Chen, Abuduwufuer Yidilisi, Xianbao Liu and Lihan Wang
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(17), 6715; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15176715 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Horizontal aorta, characterized by a high aortic angle, represents a challenging anatomical feature during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), but its association with cerebral ischemic injury remains unclear. This study investigated the association between horizontal aorta and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Horizontal aorta, characterized by a high aortic angle, represents a challenging anatomical feature during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), but its association with cerebral ischemic injury remains unclear. This study investigated the association between horizontal aorta and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI)-detected cerebral infarctions after TAVR. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 411 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transfemoral self-expanding TAVR between March 2017 and May 2022. Aortic angle was defined as the angle between the aortic annular plane and the horizontal plane on preprocedural computed tomography, and horizontal aorta was defined as an aortic angle > 60°. Patients were categorized into horizontal aorta and non-horizontal aorta groups. The incidence, number, and volume of new DW-MRI lesions were compared between groups. Results: The median age was 74.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 69.0 to 79.0); 54.5% were male, and the median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 3.83% (IQR: 2.29 to 6.39). Horizontal aorta was present in 69 patients (16.8%). Procedural complications were infrequent and comparable between groups. Although the incidence of new cerebral infarctions was similar between groups (89.9% vs. 83.0%; p = 0.157), patients with horizontal aorta had more cerebral infarction lesions (median, 4.0 vs. 3.0; p = 0.031), larger total lesion volume (320.0 vs. 180.0 mm3; p = 0.017), and larger lesion volume per infarction (70.0 vs. 51.7 mm3; p = 0.036). Multivariable analysis identified horizontal aorta as an independent predictor of the number of post-TAVR cerebral infarctions. Conclusions: Horizontal aorta is relatively common among patients undergoing TAVR and is independently associated with a greater burden of DW-MRI-detected subclinical cerebral ischemic injury. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cardiology)
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27 pages, 1336 KB  
Article
Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Balances and Economic Trade-Offs of Oil Palm-Cassava Intercropping: A 25-Year Retrospective Assessment
by Jittima Prasara-A, Pornpimon Boonkum, Charongpun Musikavong and Shabbir H. Gheewala
Agriculture 2026, 16(17), 1873; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture16171873 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
Sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia requires balancing economic viability with climate mitigation. This study investigated whether integrated intercropping can mitigate early-stage economic “dead zones” in perennial crops while simultaneously enhancing long-term carbon sequestration. A 25-year bio-economic simulation in Thailand compared three scenarios: oil [...] Read more.
Sustainable agriculture in Southeast Asia requires balancing economic viability with climate mitigation. This study investigated whether integrated intercropping can mitigate early-stage economic “dead zones” in perennial crops while simultaneously enhancing long-term carbon sequestration. A 25-year bio-economic simulation in Thailand compared three scenarios: oil palm monoculture (OPM), cassava monoculture (CM), and cassava-oil palm intercropping (COPI) during the initial 5-year establishment phase. Secondary national data were analyzed to quantify crop yields, carbon footprint, carbon sequestration, and inclusive income (incorporating crop revenues, self-employment wages, and potential carbon credits). Results demonstrate that COPI and OPM achieve identical accumulated carbon sequestration (−389.50 tCO2eq/ha with the same number of palm plants, with carbon footprints of 65.07 and 63.57 tCO2eq/ha, respectively (CM: 30.78 tCO2eq/ha)). Economically, COPI successfully bridges early-stage cash deficits, achieving the highest cumulative inclusive income (2.95 × 106 THB/ha) and commercial profit (2.93 ×106 THB/ha), outperforming OPM (2.78 × 106 THB/ha and 2.77 × 106 THB/ha) and CM (2.91 × 106 THB/ha for both). Although OPM yields a slightly higher net cash flow (0.77 × 106 THB/ha vs. COPI’s 0.74 × 106 THB/ha), COPI optimizes smallholder livelihood stability via retained household self-employment wages. Overall, integrated intercropping improves smallholder climate resilience and financial stability, providing a scalable model for sustainable tropical agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ecosystem, Environment and Climate Change in Agriculture)
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22 pages, 3988 KB  
Article
NSTracker: 3-Axis Antenna Control Software for Stable Satellite Data Acquisition
by Euteum Choi, Mingeun Cho, Seungmin Tak and Seongjin Lee
Sensors 2026, 26(17), 5477; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26175477 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2026
Abstract
With the rapid growth of the New Space era, the increasing number and diversity of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites demand generic and reusable antenna control software capable of stable and accurate tracking across heterogeneous orbital and antenna environments. Previous works have primarily [...] Read more.
With the rapid growth of the New Space era, the increasing number and diversity of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites demand generic and reusable antenna control software capable of stable and accurate tracking across heterogeneous orbital and antenna environments. Previous works have primarily focused on two-axis antenna systems, relying on step-based tracking or Two-Line Element (TLE)-based orbit prediction. However, such approaches suffer from manual initialization requirements and gimbal lock at high elevation angles, limiting continuous tracking performance. Although three-axis antenna structures have been proposed to address these issues, their lack of software-level generality and experimental validation restricts practical reuse across antenna platforms. This paper presents a generic three-axis parabola antenna control software that integrates TLE-based orbit prediction, a gimbal lock avoidance algorithm, and an antenna specification reflection function. By decoupling antenna-specific parameters from the core tracking logic, the proposed system enables flexible adaptation to diverse antenna configurations. Experimental validation using a real three-axis antenna and simulations demonstrates high tracking accuracy, achieving an average gain error within 0.466 dBm for GEO-KOMPSAT-2A and stable signal strength above 55 dBm for the LEO satellite ARIRANG-5. Furthermore, analysis of 11,469 gimbal-lock-prone satellites confirms robust avoidance performance across diverse orbital conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Communications)
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