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52 pages, 5885 KB  
Review
A Review and Experimental Analysis of Supervised Learning Systems and Methods for Protein–Protein Interaction Detection
by Kamal Taha
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(9), 4094; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27094094 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
The exponential growth of genomic and proteomic data has made computational protein–protein interaction (PPI) prediction indispensable, driving the need for a comprehensive and method-aware evaluation of supervised learning approaches. PPIs are fundamental to understanding cellular processes and disease mechanisms, yet experimental identification remains [...] Read more.
The exponential growth of genomic and proteomic data has made computational protein–protein interaction (PPI) prediction indispensable, driving the need for a comprehensive and method-aware evaluation of supervised learning approaches. PPIs are fundamental to understanding cellular processes and disease mechanisms, yet experimental identification remains slow, costly, and difficult to scale. This survey systematically investigates ten supervised learning models—Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), Naïve Bayes, Probabilistic Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine (SVM), Least Squares SVM (LS-SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Weighted K-Nearest Neighbor (WKNN)—through a tri-layered framework that integrates Comparative Quantitative Analysis, Comparative Observational Analysis, and Experimental Evaluations. Beyond conventional accuracy summaries, this work provides critical commentary tied to real-world use, analyzing where techniques succeed or fail in practice—for instance, when instance-based methods bottleneck during inference, when kernel choices influence SVM variance, or when deep architectures trade accuracy for computational cost. The survey also offers concrete deployment guidance, such as calibration insights for WKNN versus KNN under varying feature noise or dataset curation quality, delivering operational perspectives that typical surveys omit. Comparative Quantitative Analysis consolidates metrics such as accuracy, F1-score, and computational time from the existing literature, while Comparative Observational Analysis evaluates interpretability, scalability, dataset suitability, and efficiency. Complementing these, Experimental Evaluations conducted by the authors empirically validate model performance on benchmark datasets. Together, these layers provide a unified and evidence-backed perspective on algorithmic strengths, weaknesses, and practical applicability. Findings show that GNNs and DNNs achieve the highest predictive accuracy due to their ability to capture structural and topological relationships, whereas ELM and Naïve Bayes offer superior efficiency. SVM and LS-SVM maintain robust stability under noisy conditions, and CNNs are well-suited for sequence-based prediction tasks. By combining empirical validation, critical insights, and deployment-focused recommendations, this survey delivers decision-grade guidance that bridges theoretical understanding with real-world implementation, thus clarifying the trade-offs among accuracy, efficiency, and scalability in PPI detection research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)
28 pages, 3586 KB  
Article
Assessing the Interplay of Personal and Behavioral Factors on Indoor Thermal Comfort in North Texas
by Atefe Makhmalbaf, Kayvon Khodahemmati, Mohsen Shahandashti and Santosh Acharya
Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4494; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094494 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems struggle to maintain optimal thermal comfort because perception is subjective and varies significantly across individuals. Traditional uniform cooling strategies often overlook demographic diversity, leading to inequitable comfort outcomes and inefficient building operations. To address this limitation, [...] Read more.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems struggle to maintain optimal thermal comfort because perception is subjective and varies significantly across individuals. Traditional uniform cooling strategies often overlook demographic diversity, leading to inequitable comfort outcomes and inefficient building operations. To address this limitation, this study analyzed a web-based survey of 366 university occupants using a partial proportional odds model with multiple imputation and inverse-frequency weighting. Interaction terms, specifically Age–Activity, Gender–Clothing, and Age–Clothing, were included to assess combined effects that reflect demographic disparities in adaptive capacity. The results show that clothing insulation, activity, age, gender, race/ethnicity, and space type significantly influence thermal responses. Notably, male occupants were more than three times as likely to report feeling too warm (odds ratio [OR] = 3.24), whereas older adults exhibited significantly lower odds of reporting feeling too warm (OR = 0.42). Substantial variation was observed across racial and ethnic groups (ORs ranging from 2.4 to 6.5). These findings highlight the limitations of traditional population-average comfort approaches and provide valuable scientific insights for demand-response-ready HVAC strategies that adjust temperature setpoints dynamically without sacrificing comfort. By offering accurate, real-time estimates across diverse thermal ranges, these occupant-centric models reduce HVAC energy use and associated emissions at the building scale while supporting ancillary services for flexible load shifting and smarter coordination within low-carbon electric grids. Ultimately, incorporating demographic and contextual diversity into building controls reduces unnecessary cooling waste while promoting thermal equity, establishing a human-centric foundation for sustainable built environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Low-Energy Buildings and Low-Carbon Grid Systems)
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33 pages, 1300 KB  
Article
Learning to Deliberate Through Hybrid Role-Playing Games: Evidence from Participatory Budgeting Simulations
by Paolo Spada, Marco Meloni, Matt Ryan, Richard Gomer and Vanyssa Wanick
Soc. Sci. 2026, 15(5), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15050295 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Hybrid role-playing games are increasingly used to support democratic learning, yet there is limited empirical evidence on how such hybrid designs function across contexts. This study analyses the pedagogical and deliberative effects of Empaville, a hybrid role-playing game designed to simulate a green [...] Read more.
Hybrid role-playing games are increasingly used to support democratic learning, yet there is limited empirical evidence on how such hybrid designs function across contexts. This study analyses the pedagogical and deliberative effects of Empaville, a hybrid role-playing game designed to simulate a green participatory budgeting process by embedding deliberation, competition, and voting within a fictional urban setting. We analyse six implementations conducted between 2023 and 2025 in the United Kingdom and Morocco (N = 118), combining participant observation with post-game survey data. The analysis examines role activation, phase-level enjoyment, and participants’ reported learning and deliberative experiences, using descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, effect size measures, and qualitative thematic analysis. Across contexts, participants report that the game supports perspective-taking, intellectual humility, and constructive engagement with disagreement, while perceived learning and participation intensity vary more substantially across individuals and sessions. Cross-national comparisons reveal some statistically detectable differences in how specific phases are experienced, particularly voting, but effect sizes are generally small or trivial, indicating limited substantive divergence overall. These findings suggest that hybrid role-playing games can foster deliberative learning outcomes in short educational interventions, while highlighting the importance of distinguishing between enjoyment, engagement, and perceived pedagogical value. The study contributes an exploratory but systematic mixed-methods evaluation suitable for small-N pedagogical interventions without causal claims. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue From Vision to Action: Citizen Commitment to the European Green Deal)
27 pages, 1540 KB  
Article
Quantitative Analysis of Information Security and Privacy Challenges in Government Cloud Service Adoption
by Ndukwe Ukeje, Jairo A. Gutierrez and Krassie Petrova
Information 2026, 17(5), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/info17050440 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
The government’s adoption of cloud computing is critical for digital transformation, but it faces persistent concerns over information security, privacy, governance, and risk. This study examines the factors influencing a government’s intention to adopt cloud services, adapting the Unified Theory of Acceptance and [...] Read more.
The government’s adoption of cloud computing is critical for digital transformation, but it faces persistent concerns over information security, privacy, governance, and risk. This study examines the factors influencing a government’s intention to adopt cloud services, adapting the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) with constructs tailored to the public sector. A cross-sectional survey was conducted across 90 Nigerian government organisations, producing 230 valid responses from IT professionals, administrators, and policy personnel. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS and structural equation modelling in AMOS. Validity and reliability were confirmed through composite reliability, Cronbach’s alpha, and discriminant validity measures. Findings show that privacy (β = 0.11, p < 0.05), governance framework (β = 0.34, p < 0.001), performance expectancy (β = 0.38, p < 0.001), and information security (β = 0.10, p < 0.05) significantly influence government intention to adopt cloud services. Performance expectancy emerged as the strongest predictor. Contrary to expectations, perceived risk did not significantly moderate the relationships, and interaction terms were non-significant. The final model explained 45% of the variance in adoption intention (R2 = 0.45). The study highlights the importance of strengthening governance frameworks, emphasising tangible performance outcomes, and positioning information security and privacy as an enabler of adoption rather than a barrier. By adapting UTAUT to the government context and disentangling the role of perceived risk, the study offers both theoretical refinement and practical guidance for policymakers aiming to accelerate digital transformation and secure cloud adoption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internet of Things and Cloud-Fog-Edge Computing, 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 611 KB  
Article
Sciatica and Mental Well-Being Among Saudi Women: A Cross-Sectional Investigation
by Mohammad A. Jareebi
Healthcare 2026, 14(9), 1227; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14091227 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sciatica can adversely affect mental well-being; however, evidence regarding its psychological impact among Saudi women remains scarce, particularly concerning differential effects across specific mental health domains. This study examined the prevalence of sciatica and its associations with depression, anxiety, and stress among [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sciatica can adversely affect mental well-being; however, evidence regarding its psychological impact among Saudi women remains scarce, particularly concerning differential effects across specific mental health domains. This study examined the prevalence of sciatica and its associations with depression, anxiety, and stress among adult Saudi women. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February to March 2024 among Saudi women aged ≥18 years. Participants (n = 706) completed the Arabic Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and provided sociodemographic and health information. Sciatica status was based on self-report. Multivariable linear regression analyses identified independent predictors of each mental health domain. Results: Sciatica prevalence was 11.0% among 706 participants (mean age 29 ± 11 years; mean BMI 24 ± 6.5 kg/m2). Sciatica was the strongest independent predictor of stress (β = 6.87, 95% CI: 4.57–9.17, p < 0.001). No significant associations were observed with depression (β = 1.80, p = 0.183) or anxiety (β = 0.45, p = 0.481). Additional stress predictors included lower-back pain, diabetes, lower–middle income, and daily phone use >8 h, while bachelor-level education was protective. Arthritis independently predicted anxiety (β = 1.52, p = 0.008). Conclusions: In this convenience sample of Saudi women, sciatica was significantly associated with higher stress symptom scores, while associations with depression and anxiety did not reach statistical significance. The observed pattern suggests that stress screening and management should be considered within biopsychosocial care for sciatica patients, pending confirmation in prospective studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Women’s and Children’s Health)
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18 pages, 497 KB  
Article
Coping Skills, Hospitalizations, and Hopefulness in Youths with Sickle Cell Disease Treated in a Regional Outpatient Comprehensive Pediatric Center
by Theodore A. Petti, Paulette Forbes and Richard Drachtman
Children 2026, 13(5), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13050637 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent inherited pediatric hematologic disease. Pain is the most common complaint and primary reason for emergency care. Effective coping is critical to improved quality of life for individuals with SCD and other chronic illnesses. Hope, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent inherited pediatric hematologic disease. Pain is the most common complaint and primary reason for emergency care. Effective coping is critical to improved quality of life for individuals with SCD and other chronic illnesses. Hope, engendered by provision of comprehensive care, may explain the positive impact of effective coping and improved health outcomes. The relevance of effective coping skills and hope’s impact on repeated hospitalizations and/or length of hospitalization stay (LOS) among adolescents with SCD is considered. A regional, comprehensive pediatric sickle cell center (RCPSCC) provided the services. Methods: Patients with SCD, ages 13 through 21 years seen in a university RCPSCC (URCPCC-SCD), completed surveys: a general scale providing a broad range of positive and maladaptive coping-related issues, and KIDCOPE, a standardized scale measuring pediatric coping strategies. Medical records were reviewed for frequency of hospitalization and length of stay (LOS) for the eight months before study entry. Results: Thirty-four URCPCC-SCD outpatients, mean/median age of 16 years, entered the study, and data were analyzed for 33. All reported some sense of future hopefulness, and almost half reported feeling “tense or wound up” most of the time. Use of avoidant or negative coping strategies in response to daily stress correlated positively with increased LOS. Conclusions: Youths with SCD require effective coping strategies to improve self-efficacy and related hope for brighter futures. Individualized, comprehensive treatment and support to families and individuals at risk for sickle cell crisis are uniquely offered in a URCPCC-SCD. Their contributions to service delivery and clinical outcome are expected to enhance hope, mitigate prolonged hospitalizations, and improve adherence to treatment (N = 268). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pediatric Hematology & Oncology)
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20 pages, 471 KB  
Article
Time–Money Segment Differences in Ideation and Collaboration Readiness in Sustainable Tourism Education
by Dejan Križaj
Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4490; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094490 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
This study examines whether tourism students’ self-reported time–money use patterns are related to their readiness to collaborate on idea development, and whether sustainability emerges spontaneously in their tourism innovation ideas. Using an anonymised dataset of open-ended questionnaire responses from Slovenian higher education tourism [...] Read more.
This study examines whether tourism students’ self-reported time–money use patterns are related to their readiness to collaborate on idea development, and whether sustainability emerges spontaneously in their tourism innovation ideas. Using an anonymised dataset of open-ended questionnaire responses from Slovenian higher education tourism students (N = 597; 2019–2025), we applied deterministic rule-based coding to classify the presence of actionable ideas and sustainability framing, as well as collaboration readiness and conditions. Actionable ideas were common (53.4%), but sustainability framing was uncommon (7.5%). Most respondents were unconditionally willing to collaborate (69.3%), while 30.7% expressed conditional willingness or unwillingness. Time–money behavioural segments were significantly associated with collaboration reservations, whereas segment differences in ideation and sustainability framing were not significant. Among students expressing reservations, topic match and perceived team quality were the most frequently stated conditions. These findings indicate that sustainability-oriented tourism education should support both sustainability integration and low-risk collaboration through clear project briefs, topic-based matching, and team-process supports. The conclusions should be interpreted with reasonable caution as they are context-specific evidence based on self-reported, rule-coded responses, particularly for sustainability framing, where positive cases were rare. In this context, segmentation should be regarded as a diagnostic tool for course design rather than as a basis for labelling students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)
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21 pages, 3898 KB  
Article
Cross-Domain Generalisation of Classical Machine Learning for Terrestrial LiDAR and Underwater Sonar 3D Point Cloud Classification
by Simiso Siphenini Ntuli and Mayshree Singh
Geomatics 2026, 6(3), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics6030044 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Cross-domain semantic classification of 3D point clouds remains challenging due to strong domain shifts between heterogeneous sensing modalities. Most existing classification frameworks are domain-specific, limiting their use in integrated land–water mapping applications. This study evaluates the transferability of classical geometric machine learning classifiers [...] Read more.
Cross-domain semantic classification of 3D point clouds remains challenging due to strong domain shifts between heterogeneous sensing modalities. Most existing classification frameworks are domain-specific, limiting their use in integrated land–water mapping applications. This study evaluates the transferability of classical geometric machine learning classifiers between terrestrial and underwater point cloud domains without target-domain retraining. Experiments were conducted using terrestrial data acquired with a Leica BLK360 terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) and underwater point clouds collected with a Blueview BV5000 mechanical scanning sonar (MSS). Two dimensionality-based frameworks, CANUPO–Support Vector Machine (SVM) and 3DMASC–Random Forest (RF), were implemented in CloudCompare and assessed under intra-domain and cross-domain configurations. Strong intra-domain performance was achieved, with terrestrial–terrestrial accuracies of 0.99 for CANUPO–SVM and 0.97 for 3DMASC. In underwater evaluation, CANUPO maintained high accuracy (0.97), whereas 3DMASC decreased to 0.86 due to increased variability in the submerged data. Under cross-domain transfer, CANUPO achieved 0.93 accuracy for terrestrial-to-underwater and 0.89 for underwater-to-terrestrial classification, while 3DMASC demonstrated stable generalisation with 0.95 accuracy in both directions. Overall, dimensionality-based geometric descriptors capture stable structural cues across sensing environments, providing an interpretable and efficient pathway for applications such as hydrographic surveying, coastal monitoring, and underwater search-and-rescue detection. Future work will extend validation to larger datasets and explore domain adaptation strategies to further reduce cross-modality domain shift. Full article
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8 pages, 348 KB  
Article
The Incongruous Alcohol–Physical Activity Association Reexamined: Veteran and Nonveteran Outcomes
by Samantha McCowen, Kieleha Ingram, Julie A. Partridge and Justin T. McDaniel
Psychoactives 2026, 5(2), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychoactives5020013 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
This observational study examined the association between binge drinking and a binary measure of participation in physical activity (PPA) in veterans and nonveterans using pooled 2021–2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (n = 107,498). Multivariable survey-weighted logistic regression models were stratified [...] Read more.
This observational study examined the association between binge drinking and a binary measure of participation in physical activity (PPA) in veterans and nonveterans using pooled 2021–2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (n = 107,498). Multivariable survey-weighted logistic regression models were stratified by veteran status and adjusted for sociodemographic and health characteristics. Veterans were older than nonveterans (mean age: 60.8 vs. 51.4 years) and slightly less likely to report PPA (80.8% vs. 83.4%). Among veterans, binge drinking days were inversely associated with PPA (aOR = 0.98, p = 0.01), indicating lower odds of physical activity with increasing binge drinking days. A similar but stronger association was observed among nonveterans (aOR = 0.98, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that binge drinking is associated with reduced PPA among veterans and nonveterans. Full article
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25 pages, 356 KB  
Review
Oral Health Care in the United States
by Duangporn Duangthip, Sherif Ammar, Frederick Howard and Xi Chen
Dent. J. 2026, 14(5), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14050265 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
An updated understanding of the U.S. oral health care system is essential for addressing the burden of oral disease, high dental expenditures, and persistent inequities in access. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the prevalence of major oral diseases, dental care delivery, [...] Read more.
An updated understanding of the U.S. oral health care system is essential for addressing the burden of oral disease, high dental expenditures, and persistent inequities in access. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the prevalence of major oral diseases, dental care delivery, financing, dental workforce, and public health initiatives, and highlights the challenges and future opportunities in the U.S. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and reports from U.S. federal agencies and professional organizations was conducted between September 2025 and March 2026. Following the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, untreated caries remains widespread, affecting 11% of children (ages 2–5), 10% of adolescents (ages 12–19), 21% of adults (ages 35–49), and 12% of older adults (ages 65–74). Periodontal diseases are common, with 42% of adults aged 30 years or older having periodontitis. Oral cancer incidence stands at 11.5 per 100,000 and increases sharply with advancing age. Edentulism among older adults (ages 65–74) was approximately 11%. The U.S. dental workforce includes over 200,000 dentists, yet shortages affect rural and low-income areas, with 62 million Americans living in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. Dental care is primarily delivered through private practices, supplemented by community health centers. Financing relies mostly on private insurance and out-of-pocket payments, while the coverage of public programs like Medicaid varies across states, and Medicare generally excludes routine dental care for older adults. Water fluoridation remains widespread, yet ongoing debates highlight persistent challenges. School-based dental sealants and topical fluoride programs are widely recognized as cost-effective and scalable, offering substantial benefits at the population level. Nevertheless, community-based preventive measures are often hindered by resource constraints, inequitable access, and in some cases political conflicts. In summary, oral diseases remain prevalent in the U.S. Limited public coverage, workforce shortages in rural or underserved areas, and uneven access to dental care highlight the need for systemic reforms to improve oral health equity. These findings point to the importance of strengthening dental public health research and coordinated policy action to reduce structural barriers and expand access to dental care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Disease Research in the USA)
29 pages, 6830 KB  
Article
Descriptions of Four New Species in Cunninghamellaceae (Mucoromycota) from the Brazilian Savanna Through Integrative Taxonomy
by Leslie Waren Silva de Freitas, Layanne de Oliveira Ferro, Andre Rodrigues, Camila Santana de Oliveira, Mateus Oliveira da Cruz, Jadson Diogo Pereira Bezerra, Hyang Burm Lee, Cristina Maria de Souza-Motta, Maria Alice Barbosa dos Santos, Roger Fagner Ribeiro Melo and André Luiz Cabral Monteiro de Azevedo Santiago
J. Fungi 2026, 12(5), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12050329 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
During a survey on Mucorales fungi from soil in the world’s most biodiverse savanna, the the Brazilian Cerrado, nine specimens belonging to the Cunninghamellace were isolated. Morphological, multiloci analyses (ITS-nLSU-act) and maximum temperature growth data revealed that those specimens represent four [...] Read more.
During a survey on Mucorales fungi from soil in the world’s most biodiverse savanna, the the Brazilian Cerrado, nine specimens belonging to the Cunninghamellace were isolated. Morphological, multiloci analyses (ITS-nLSU-act) and maximum temperature growth data revealed that those specimens represent four new species: two in Absidia and two in Gongronella. Morphological characteristics of the isolates distinguishes them from other species: Absidia rhizoidea sp. nov. forms rhizopodiform rhizoids at the end of stolons, commonly next to the sporangiophores; A. variabilis sp. nov., mostly with slightly dorsiventrally flattened sporangia; Gongronella longapophysata sp. nov., which forms a long apophysis below sporangia; and G. verticilatta sp. nov., with whorled-branched sporangiophores. The maximum temperatures growth (Tmax) of those new species are as follows: A. rhizoidea (33 °C on MEA and 32 °C on PDA), A. variabilis (31 °C on MEA and 32 °C on PDA), G. longapophysata (32 °C on MEA and 33 °C on PDA), and G. verticilatta (31 °C on MEA and PDA). The present study highlights and discusses the micromorphological, physiological (Tmax) and phylogenetic characteristics of the new species. Full article
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21 pages, 1361 KB  
Article
Perceived Risk and Trust Towards Health Chatbots: Extending TAM with Self-Efficacy
by Le Song, Jie Liu, Maizura Yasin and Marzni Mohamed Mokhtar
Information 2026, 17(5), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/info17050439 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Health chatbots have been growing into a necessary tool for dealing with risky and important contexts, such as medical and health information seeking. Meanwhile, trust towards chatbots influences people’s willingness to embrace technology and use it consistently. Thus, it is important to explore [...] Read more.
Health chatbots have been growing into a necessary tool for dealing with risky and important contexts, such as medical and health information seeking. Meanwhile, trust towards chatbots influences people’s willingness to embrace technology and use it consistently. Thus, it is important to explore the mechanism of forming trust towards the health chatbots. The TAM has been introduced to explain the mechanism. This study extends the TAM framework by incorporating perceived risk and self-efficacy to develop an expanded model that explains the mechanisms underlying trust formation in health chatbots, applying a survey and investigating 480 Chinese chatbot users on the Credamo. The findings show that perceived risk reduces trust both directly and indirectly through perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and self-efficacy. Both parallel and serial mediation pathways were supported. These results offer a more complete insight into trust formation in high-risk AI contexts and provide practical guidance for chatbot design and governance in health communication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Data Mining and Healthcare Informatics)
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22 pages, 1229 KB  
Review
Geospatial and Data Science Microcredentials: A Pathway to Career Advancement
by Sara Gutierrez Diaz, Souleymane Fall and Joseph E. Quansah
Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(5), 717; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16050717 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Microcredentials have become a valuable educational pathway for individuals seeking to build relevant, in-demand skills. These concise, stackable courses are intended to demonstrate real-world skills to potential employers. A literature review was conducted to examine existing microcredential programs, including their types, benefits, and [...] Read more.
Microcredentials have become a valuable educational pathway for individuals seeking to build relevant, in-demand skills. These concise, stackable courses are intended to demonstrate real-world skills to potential employers. A literature review was conducted to examine existing microcredential programs, including their types, benefits, and challenges. This review focused on the potential of various microcredential programs to enhance educational and employment opportunities, especially for individuals from Racial Groups with Small Populations (RGSP). This study explored the possibility of microcredentials in geospatial and data science to advance careers and bridge skill gaps. A brief survey was also conducted among Tuskegee University students to understand preliminary perceptions, needs, preferences, and benefits associated with microcredential programs. The responses indicate a varying level of familiarity with geospatial and data science disciplines. Among the students surveyed, affordability, course content, career advancement opportunities, flexible schedules, and online delivery were identified as key factors influencing enrollment decisions in microcredential programs. This review showed that most microcredential programs found are likely to be offered by large institutions. Given the persistent disparities and relatively low employment rate in geospatial and data science fields for RGSP learners, this report explores how microcredentials may provide opportunities for skill development and enhance economic mobility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Higher Education)
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13 pages, 715 KB  
Article
Unmet Medical Needs Among Immigrants in Korea Before and During COVID-19
by Min Young Park and Joonho Ahn
Healthcare 2026, 14(9), 1226; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14091226 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate how the disparities in unmet medical needs between immigrants to South Korea and native-born populations evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using nationally representative cross-sectional data from the 2018 and 2020 Surveys on Immigrants’ Living Conditions and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: This study aimed to investigate how the disparities in unmet medical needs between immigrants to South Korea and native-born populations evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using nationally representative cross-sectional data from the 2018 and 2020 Surveys on Immigrants’ Living Conditions and Labor Force in South Korea, we compared unmet medical needs among immigrants at two time points (N = 12,227 in 2018; N = 18,530 in 2020). Standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) were calculated. Analyses were stratified according to work status, gender, Korean language proficiency, education level, and duration of stay. Results: Working immigrants had lower SPRs for unmet medical needs than Korean nationals (2018: 0.879; 2020: 0.745) but non-workers had consistently higher SPRs (2018: 1.117; 2020: 1.128). The SPRs for male and female non-workers increased and decreased, respectively. The SPRs were persistently higher among individuals with poorer Korean language proficiency, lower education, and shorter duration of stay. Conclusions: Systemic disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may exacerbate pre-existing healthcare inequalities among immigrant populations. The persistence and widening of these disparities call for targeted policies that address structural barriers and ensure equitable healthcare access during future public health crises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Healthcare for Migrants and Minorities)
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39 pages, 901 KB  
Review
A Survey of Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Financial Fraud Detection: Architectures, Data Modalities, and Real-World Deployment Challenges
by Spiros Thivaios, Georgios Kostopoulos, Antonia Stefani and Sotiris Kotsiantis
Algorithms 2026, 19(5), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/a19050354 (registering DOI) - 2 May 2026
Abstract
Financial fraud has become a critical challenge for modern financial systems due to the rapid growth of digital transactions, online banking services, and electronic payment platforms. Traditional rule-based fraud detection systems are increasingly inadequate in addressing the evolving and adaptive strategies employed by [...] Read more.
Financial fraud has become a critical challenge for modern financial systems due to the rapid growth of digital transactions, online banking services, and electronic payment platforms. Traditional rule-based fraud detection systems are increasingly inadequate in addressing the evolving and adaptive strategies employed by fraudsters. Consequently, Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques have emerged as powerful tools for detecting fraudulent activities in large-scale financial datasets. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of ML/DL approaches for financial fraud detection. The survey systematically reviews existing research across multiple methodological paradigms, including classical supervised learning, anomaly detection, graph-based methods, deep neural networks, multimodal architectures, and cost-sensitive learning frameworks. Particular emphasis is placed on emerging techniques such as graph neural networks, transformer-based architectures, and federated learning approaches designed to address privacy and scalability challenges. In addition to reviewing model architectures, this work analyzes key challenges inherent to fraud detection systems, including extreme class imbalance, concept drift, adversarial behavior, data privacy constraints, and real-time deployment requirements. Furthermore, the survey examines evaluation methodologies, highlighting the limitations of commonly used metrics and discussing more realistic evaluation strategies that incorporate operational costs and risk management considerations. This paper also provides a structured taxonomy of fraud detection methods, comparative analyses of commonly used datasets, and a synthesis of current research trends. Finally, open challenges and promising research directions are identified, including adaptive learning systems, interpretable Artificial Intelligence models, graph-based behavioral modeling, and privacy-preserving collaborative fraud detection frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI-Driven Business Analytics Revolution)
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