Search Results (1,662)

Background and Objectives: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the loss of pigmentation, resulting in depigmented patches due to the destruction of melanocytes. This condition can lead to considerable psychological distress, and research indicates a possible connection with major depressive disorder (MDD). Nonetheless, the depth and nature of this association, particularly within the Saudi population, have not been thoroughly investigated. This case–control study seeks to explore the relationship between vitiligo and depressive symptomatology, evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms in vitiligo patients compared to control subjects, and examine the association between the clinical severity of vitiligo (assessed using the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index, VASI) and depressive symptoms (measured using the PHQ-9, a validated screening instrument based on DSM criteria). Materials and Methods: A total of 700 participants were included, comprising 340 individuals with vitiligo and 360 controls with other skin conditions. Participants completed a web-based questionnaire that collected sociodemographic data and included the PHQ-9 assessment. The severity of vitiligo was determined using the VASI. Statistical analysis involved using the computer program IBM Statistical Program for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 26.0). Results: The average PHQ-9 score was significantly higher for patients with vitiligo (8.28 ± 7.36) compared to controls (6.30 ± 4.70, p = 0.028). While the overall rates of mild to severe depression were comparable (41.5% in vitiligo patients versus 40.3% in controls, p = 0.748), vitiligo patients exhibited higher occurrences of moderately severe depression (11.8%) and severe depression (10.9%) compared to controls (5.8% and 0.8%, respectively; p < 0.001). A weak, yet significant, positive correlation was found between VASI and PHQ-9 scores (ρ = 0.184, p < 0.001). The vulgaris and segmental types of vitiligo exhibited the highest median depression scores (PHQ-9: 11 and 9, respectively; p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that those with genital vitiligo had greater odds of experiencing depression (OR = 12.10, p = 0.039), while those with universalis vitiligo faced even higher odds (OR ≈ 26,837.84, p = 0.001). Interestingly, higher VASI scores were linked to lower odds of depression (OR = 0.927, p = 0.029). Additionally, the risk of depression significantly increased with higher income levels and among individuals aged 50 years and older. Conclusions: Although the overall prevalence of depression was not significantly different between vitiligo patients and controls, the degree of depressive symptoms was notably more severe in those with vitiligo. Specific clinical subtypes, particularly genital and universalis vitiligo, were found to be more closely associated with an increased risk of depression. These results highlight the importance of regular mental health screenings and customized psychosocial support in dermatological care, especially for high-risk groups. Full article

Fungicide treatment is one of the most common methods for controlling fungal plant diseases. However, many phytopathogenic fungi develop resistance to fungicides. Addressing this agriculturally important issue requires comprehensive investigations into fungicide resistance. Our study aims to assess the degree and prevalence of resistance to carbendazim—one of the most widely used fungicides—in populations of Microdochium nivale, the causal agent of the deleterious plant disease pink snow mold; to explore possible relationships between carbendazim resistance and physiological and genetic traits; and to gain insight into the molecular basis of carbendazim resistance in this species. We showed that carbendazim resistance is widespread in the analyzed M. nivale populations, and that the application of carbendazim increases the proportion of resistant strains. Nevertheless, carbendazim-resistant strains are present at high relative abundance in populations that have never been exposed to fungicides. Carbendazim resistance in M. nivale is strongly associated with sequence variations in the β-tubulin gene, resulting in amino acid sequence variability that leads to differential affinity for carbendazim. Additionally, we propose a metabarcoding-based approach employing a genetic marker linked to a specific phenotypic trait to assess the ratio of genotypes with contrasting properties within a particular fungal species in environmental communities. Full article

Graphene quantum dots (QGDs), as nascent carbon-based materials, demonstrate remarkable promise in many different applications. Thanks to excellent electrical and thermal properties, great biocompatibility, feasibility of surface functionalization and low cytotoxicity, QGDs can be any material and have many applications, from elastic PV panels to drug delivery. This paper concentrates on relating the structure of the QGD (which is the result of the synthesis method used and consequently the variable degree of defect, the possible presence of functional groups especially in the defect region, etc.) to the resulting physicochemical properties. Therefore, the aim of this study is to theoretically relate and determine the effect of defect amount and type on the value of the HOMO–LUMO gap with respect to possible QGD luminescence colors. Finally, it presents a direction in new graphene-based materials synthesis, where every single defect has a huge impact on its properties. Full article

Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent type of arthritis, primarily impacting synovial joints. While it has traditionally been viewed as resulting from mechanical wear and tear, OA is now increasingly understood as an inflammatory condition. By analysing serum concentrations of molecular patterns related to inflammatory damage (DAMPs), including high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), hS100A8/A9 proteins, and their soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), it is possible to investigate the inflammatory pathogenesis of the disease. Methods: The research was conducted at Dubrava University Hospital in Zagreb, Croatia, from March 2022 to July 2024. The study analyses venous blood from 94 subjects with different degrees of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and hip osteoarthritis (hip OA) using ELISA. The aim is to measure serum levels of DAMP biomarkers, including HMGB1, hS100A8/A9, and sRAGE. Results: Subjects with KOA exhibited higher levels of HMGB1 (21.72 ± 3.50) than those with hip OA (7.11 ± 1.46) or controls (1.64 ± 0.80), indicating a potential role for HMGB1 as a proinflammatory mediator. Lower sRAGE levels in KOA (499.97 ± 18.71) compared to controls (1273.8 ± 58.92) may suggest impaired anti-inflammatory activity. Because of possible differences in biomechanical loads and metabolic pathways, hS100A8/A9 concentrations in KOA (1227.06 ± 175.34) were greater than in hip OA (664.88 ± 38.90). Conclusions: HMGB1 exhibits proinflammatory and sRAGE anti-inflammatory activity in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and hip OA. Their levels support an inflammatory pathogenesis of these diseases. HMGB1 and sRAGE are promising biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and could represent potential therapeutic targets. Full article

The iron and steel industry is one of the main industrial contributors to air pollution. The aim of our study is to analyze modern studies on air pollution by the iron and steel industry, as a result of which the geography and research directions and the degree of development of current issues will be assessed, and the most cited articles and journals will be identified. A review of contemporary research (2018–2024) was conducted on the basis of articles with a digital object identifier (DOI) using machine learning methodologies (VOSviewer software version 1.6.20). The number of articles selected was 80. The heat map of study density clearly showed that the geographic distribution of studies was extremely uneven. A total of 65% of the studies were conducted in China, 9% in Nigeria, 6% in Russia, 3% in Poland, and 3% in Turkey. The remaining 14% of articles represent a series of single studies conducted in 11 countries. The revealed geographical imbalance between countries with developed production and the number of studies conducted in them shows a significant shortcoming in monitoring research. Most of the studies (20%) were devoted to the assessment of multicomponent emissions. A special place among them was occupied by the inventory of emissions using various methods. The next main directions in terms of the number of articles were aimed at studying the toxic metal emissions (19%), at the analysis of organic emissions (19%), at the modeling and forecasting of emissions (18%), and at particulate matter studies (15%). The main features of the articles for each direction are briefly noted. Citation analysis made it possible to compile a rating of articles of greatest scientific interest and the most authoritative journals. Citation network analysis revealed important insights into the structure of scientific communication in the monitoring of atmospheric pollution from the iron and steel industry. The results of our review will contribute to the consolidation of scientists, the identification of gaps in scientific knowledge, and the improvement of environmental policy and technological solutions. Full article

The article is devoted to the control of multichannel objects by the method of numerical optimization. In this area, there are several not entirely accurate, but deeply rooted, ideas and approaches that we would like to analyze. This analysis is presented through typical examples and with the use of usually inexpensive software, which can also be obtained for free in a demo version. Using this software is easy with the help of intuitive buttons and options. Thus, solving problems in the design of a regulator for multichannel systems becomes accessible to anyone who has a mathematical model of the object. The principles of control of two-channel objects are considered, i.e., objects of size 2 × 2, which by induction can be extended to objects of size 3 × 3 and, possibly, even more. At the beginning, a solution to the problem of controlling a two-channel object of size 2 × 2 is proposed using a PID regulator of the same size or its simplest modifications. Then the problem with 3 × 3 objects is solved. There are two main factors that influence the result: the presence or absence of dominance of the absolute value of the diagonal elements of the object’s transfer function matrix over the remaining elements; the selected optimization objective function. In the case of dominance, the control task is significantly simplified. In its absence, in some cases it can be ensured by changing the numbering of the channels. Recommendations for forming the objective function are given. For the first time, the use of a fractional degree in the objective function is proposed, and the effectiveness of this approach is justified and shown. For the first time, an additional modification of the test signals during optimization is proposed, and the effectiveness of this modification is shown. It is also shown how the control quality of some channels can be improved at the expense of some deterioration in the control quality of other channels. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) soft skills have become increasingly vital in today’s technology-driven world, as they support decision-making systems, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and enable individuals to adapt to rapidly changing environments—factors that are fundamental for achieving the sustainability goals of smart cities. Even though AI soft skills are becoming more important, no scale specifically designed to identify and evaluate individuals’ AI soft skills has been found in the existing literature. Therefore, this paper aimed to develop a reliable and valid scale to identify the AI soft skills of individuals. A sample of 685 individuals who were employed in AI-active sectors, with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and at least one year of AI-related work experience, participated in the study. A sequential exploratory mixed-methods research design was utilized. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) identified a five-factor structure that accounted for 67.37% of the total variation, including persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and creativity. Factor loadings ranged from 0.621 to 0.893, and communalities ranged from 0.587 to 0.875. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported this structure, with strong model fit indices (GFI = 0.940, AGFI = 0.947, NFI = 0.949, PNFI = 0.833, PGFI = 0.823, TLI = 0.972, IFI = 0.975, CFI = 0.975, RMSEA = 0.052, SRMR = 0.035). Internal consistency for each factor was high, with Cronbach’s alpha values of dimensions ranging from 0.804 to 0.875, with a value of 0.921 for the overall scale. Convergent and discriminant validity analyses further confirmed the construct’s robustness. The finalized AI soft skills (AISS) scale, consisting of 24 items, offers a psychometrically valid and reliable tool for assessing essential AI soft skills in professional contexts. Ultimately, this developed scale enables the determination of the social and cognitive skills needed in the human-centered and participatory governance structures of smart cities, supporting the achievement of specific Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 4, SDG 8, and SDG 11, and contributes to the design of policies and training programs to eliminate the deficiencies of individuals in these areas. Thus, it becomes possible to create qualified human resources that support sustainable development in smart cities, and for these individuals to take an active part in the labor market. Full article

The main objective of this research consists in finding a rapid method for cheese lipidomics based on NMR data. This study plays an important role in differentiation and characterization of cheese samples in accordance with fat composition, especially in the case of fat substitution with exogenous animal or vegetal fat. Our findings play an important role in relation to religious requirements regarding non-allowed foods (pork fat, for example, in some cultures) and in the correct characterization of foods according to their lipidic profile. The approach consists in establishing a fingerprint region (0.86–0.93 ppm from ¹H-NMR spectra) and then creating a database of the results obtained. The evaluation of the long-chain saturated fatty acids and the saturated short-chain fatty acids (C4 to C8) was established with a newly developed set of equations that make the computation possible even when mixtures of fats from different sources are present. This was accomplished by developing a new method for quantification of the fatty acid composition of different types of cheese, based on ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to 40 cheese samples with varying degrees (0%, 5%, 12%, or 15%) of milk fat substitution (pork fat, vegetable fat, hydrogenated oils) and different clotting agents (calcium chloride or citric acid). The best sample discrimination was achieved using fatty acid profiles estimated from ¹H-NMR data (using a total of six variables), explaining 89.7% of the total variance. Clear separation was observed between samples containing only milk fat and those with added fats. These results demonstrate that the integration of ¹H-NMR spectroscopy with principal component analysis (PCA) provides a reliable approach for discriminating cheese samples according to their fat composition. Full article

This paper presents the Green Watershed Index (GWI) methodology, focusing on the 17 sustainability indicators selected in the Razey watershed, NW Iran. Field surveys and data collection have provided the possibility of field inspection and measurement of the present condition of the watershed and the indicators taken. Based on the degree of compliance with the required process, each indicator was scored from 0 to 10 and classified into three categories: unsustainable, semi-sustainable, and sustainable. Using the Entropy method to assign weight to each indicator and formulating a proportional mathematical relationship, the GWI score for each sub-watershed was derived. Spatial changes regarding the selected indicators and, consequently, the GWI were detected in the study area. Development of water infrastructure, particularly in the upstream sub-watersheds, plays a great role in increasing the GWI score. The highest weight is related to environmental productivity (0.26), and the five indicators of water footprint, knowledge management and information quality system, landscape attractiveness, waste recycling, and corruption control have approximately zero weight due to their monotonous spatial distribution throughout sub-watersheds. Only sub-watershed R1 has the highest score (5.13), indicating a semi-sustainable condition. The rest of the sub-watersheds have unsustainable conditions (score below 5). Concerning the GWI, the watershed is facing a critical situation, necessitating the implementation of management and conservation strategies that align with the sustainability level of each sub-watershed. Full article

Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) unlock superior wind resources and reduce operational barriers. The dynamics of FOWT platforms present added engineering challenges and opportunities. While the motion of the floating platform due to wind and wave disturbances can worsen power quality and increase structural loading, certain movements of the floating platform can be exploited to improve power capture. Consequently, active FOWT platform control methods using conventional and innovative actuation systems are under investigation. This paper develops a novel framework to design nonlinear control laws for six degrees-of-freedom platform motion. The framework uses simplified rigid-body analytical models of the FOWT. Lyapunov’s direct method is used to develop actuator-agnostic unconstrained control laws for platform translational and rotational control. A model based on the NREL-5MW reference turbine on the OC3-Hywind spar-buoy platform is utilized to test the control framework for an ideal actuation scenario. Possible applications using traditional and novel turbine actuators and future research directions are presented. Full article

With the continuous development of the Internet, people have put forward higher requirements for the stability and availability of the network. Although we constantly strive to take measures to avoid network failures, it is undeniable that network failures are unavoidable. Therefore, in this situation, enhancing the stability and reliability of the network to cope with possible network failures has become particularly crucial. Therefore, researching and developing high fault protection rate intra-domain routing protection schemes has become an important topic and is the subject of this study. This study aims to enhance the resilience and service continuity of networks in the event of failures by proposing innovative routing protection strategies. The existing methods, such as Loop Free Alternative (LFA) and Equal Cost Multiple Paths (ECMP), have some shortcomings in terms of fast fault detection, fault response, and fault recovery processes, such as long fault recovery time, limitations of routing protection strategies, and requirements for network topology. In response to these issues, this article proposes a new routing protection scheme, which is an intra-domain routing protection scheme based on the minimum cross-degree backup path. The core idea of this plan is to find the backup path with the minimum degree of intersection with the optimal path, in order to avoid potential fault areas and minimize the impact of faults on other parts of the network. Through comparative analysis and performance evaluation, this scheme can provide a higher fault protection rate and more reliable routing protection in the network. Especially in complex networks, this scheme has more performance and protection advantages than traditional routing protection methods. The proposed scheme in this paper exhibits a high rate of fault protection across multiple topologies, demonstrating a fault protection rate of 1 in the context of real topology. It performs commendably in terms of path stretch, evidenced by a figure of 1.06 in the case of real topology Ans, suggesting robust path length control capabilities. The mean intersection value is 0 in the majority of the topologies, implying virtually no common edge between the backup and optimal paths. This effectively mitigates the risk of single-point failure. Full article

Background. Parents of autistic children face challenges that can negatively affect the quality of the parent–child relationship. This study aimed to explore the potential protective role of parental resolution about positive (closeness) and negative (conflict and dependence) aspects of the parent–child relationship, with parenting stress and caregiving burden as mediators. Methods. A cross-sectional study (ethical approval: CE n. 92949) was conducted with 51 Italian parents of autistic children. A multiple mediation model was tested. Results. Parental resolution had a significant total effect (β = 0.012; BootLLCI = 0.002; BootULCI = 0.024) and a significant direct effect on the parent–child relationship (β = 0.223; BootLLCI = 0.058; BootULCI = 0.389), indicating that resolving the child’s diagnosis could potentially influence parents’ perceptions of their relationship with their child, possibly leading to views of it being somewhat closer, experiencing fewer conflicts, and involving a lower degree of dependence. An indirect effect via parenting stress was also significant (β = −0.130; BootLLCI = −0.009; BootULCI = −0.291), while caregiving burden did not show a mediating effect. Conclusion: Despite the exploratory and cross-sectional nature of this study, the findings highlight the importance of promoting family well-being in the context of autism. The findings may inform future research on parental resources and guide clinicians in developing intervention programmes to mitigate the emotional impact of receiving a child’s autism diagnosis. Full article

Study design: Trends in the utilization of Mandibulo-Maxillary Fixation (MMF) are shifting nowadays from tooth-borne devices over specialized screws to hybrid MMF devices. Hybrid MMF devices come in self-made Erich arch bar modifications and commercial hybrid MMF systems (CHMMFSs). Objective: We survey the available technical/clinical data. Hypothetically, the risk of tooth root damage by transalveolar screws is diminished by a targeting function of the screw holes/slots. Methods: We utilize a literature review and graphic displays to disclose parallels and dissimilarities in design and functionality with an in-depth look at the targeting properties. Results: Self-made hybrid arch bars have limitations to meet low-risk interradicular screw insertion sites. Technical/clinical information on CHMMFSs is unevenly distributed in favor of the SMARTLock System: positive outcome variables are increased speed of application/removal, the possibility to eliminate wiring and stick injuries and screw fixation with standoff of the embodiment along the attached gingiva. Inferred from the SMARTLock System, all four CHMMFs possess potential to effectively prevent tooth root injuries but are subject to their design features and targeting with the screw-receiving holes. The height profile and geometry shape of a CHMMFS may restrict three-dimensional spatial orientation and reach during placement. To bridge between interradicular spaces and tooth equators, where hooks or tie-up-cleats for intermaxillary cerclages should be ideally positioned under biomechanical aspects, can be problematic. The movability of their screw-receiving holes according to all six degrees of freedom differs. Conclusion: CHMMFSs allow simple immobilization of facial fractures involving dental occlusion. The performance in avoiding tooth root damage is a matter of design subtleties. Full article

In recent times, blades that have the ability to change shape passively or actively have garnered interest due to their ability to optimize blade performance for varying flow conditions. Various versions of morphing exist, from simple chord length changes to full blade morphing with multiple degrees of freedom. These blades can incorporate smart materials or mechanical actuators to modify the blade shape to suit the wind conditions. Morphing blades have shown an ability to improve performance in simulations. These simulations show increased performance in Region 2 (partial load) operating conditions. This study focuses on the effects of the wake for a flexible wind turbine with actively variable twist angle distribution (TAD) to improve the energy production capabilities of morphing structures. These wake effects influence wind farm performance for locally clustered turbines by extracting energy from the free stream. Hence, the development of better wake models is critical for better turbine design and controls. This paper provides an outline of some approaches available for wake modeling. FLORIS (FLow Redirection and Induction Steady-State) is a program used to predict steady-state wake characteristics. Alongside that, the Materials and Methods section shows different modeling environments and their possible integration into FLORIS. The Results and Discussion section analyzes the 20 kW wind turbine with previously acquired data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) AeroDyn v13 software. The study employs FLORIS to simulate steady-state non-linear wake interactions for the nine TAD shapes. These TAD shapes are evaluated across Region 2 operating conditions. The previous study used a genetic algorithm to obtain nine TAD shapes that maximized aerodynamic efficiency in Region 2. The Results and Discussion section compares these TAD shapes to the original blade design regarding the wake characteristics. The project aims to enhance the understanding of FLORIS for studying wake characteristics for morphing blades. Full article

Multimodal optimization problems represent a category of complex optimization challenges characterized by the presence of multiple global optimal solutions. Addressing these problems requires an algorithm that can not only efficiently locate and identify as many peaks as possible but also pinpoint the precise coordinates of these peaks with a high degree of accuracy. Evolutionary algorithms are frequently employed to tackle multimodal optimization problems, and their heuristic approach often leads to the high-probability discarding of suboptimal individuals generated during the evolutionary process. If all individuals are utilized to depict the contours of the problem space, the contours will be depicted increasingly accurately as the algorithm iterates. By optimizing in this way, the results will become increasingly accurate. Therefore, in this paper, a topographical-contour-based differential evolution (TCDE) method is introduced to address multimodal optimization problems. The method initially applies DE for terrain exploration, followed by the construction of terrain contours to obtain more accurate landform representation, and it finally employs a niching search to investigate the landforms for optimal peaks. Experiments were conducted on a set of eight widely recognized benchmark functions with 15 excellent optimization algorithms, including both DE and non-DE multimodal optimization approaches. The outcomes of these experiments conclusively demonstrate the superior performance of the TCDE algorithm over its counterparts. Full article