Search Results (853)

Ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging, defined as imaging at field strengths of 7 Tesla (7T) and above, represents a frontier technology in neuroimaging with emerging applications in prenatal brain research. This narrative review examines the current evidence on the potential benefits of UHF-MRI for investigating embryonic and fetal brain development. Through analysis of 97 studies identified across multiple databases, we find that UHF-MRI offers substantial advantages in spatial resolution, tissue contrast, and anatomical detail compared to conventional clinical field strengths (1.5T and 3T). The primary applications to date have been in ex vivo imaging of post-mortem fetal specimens and preclinical animal models, where UHF-MRI has enabled unprecedented visualization of laminar cortical organization, early sulcation patterns, microstructural development, and subtle anatomical features critical for understanding normal and abnormal neurodevelopment. Key benefits include enhanced delineation of transient developmental zones, improved characterization of cortical folding, superior detection of subtle malformations, and the ability to create high-resolution three-dimensional atlases of fetal brain development. However, significant technical and safety challenges currently limit in utero human applications, including concerns about specific absorption rate, acoustic noise, and fetal motion artifacts. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps and future directions for translating UHF-MRI technology to clinical prenatal diagnostics. Full article

Background and Objectives: Present assessment methods have not effectively mitigated the risk of recurrent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury following reconstruction (ACLR), suggesting that critical neuromuscular deficits may be underdiagnosed. This study aimed to compare limb asymmetries across strength, concentric and eccentric power, and deceleration metrics during return-to-sport (RTS) testing in professional athletes post-ACLR. Materials and Methods: Forty-four participants (33 males, 11 females; age 22.5 ± 5.8 years, body mass 75.9 ± 13.0 kg, height 180.5 ± 8.38 cm) (mean ± SD) with a unilateral reconstructed ACL (BTB = 33, HT = 11 graft) were included. They underwent isokinetic testing of knee flexor and extensor strength and bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ) assessments to measure concentric and eccentric peak power and deceleration metrics. Limb symmetry indices (LSI) were calculated for each parameter. Welch’s ANOVA and Games–Howell post hoc tests were used to compare LSIs among parameters. Results: Welch’s ANOVA showed that limb symmetry differed significantly across the measured neuromuscular parameters (F = 12,59, p < 0.001). Knee flexor strength LSI was significantly higher than knee extensor strength LSI (p = 0.003; d = 1.18), concentric peak power LSI (p < 0.001, d = 1.44), eccentric peak power LSI (p = 0.001, d = 1.71), and deceleration LSI (p = 0.001, d = 2.09). In addition, deceleration LSI was significantly lower than knee extensor strength LSI (p = 0.001, d = 1.34) and concentric peak power LSI (p = 0.007, d = 1.10). No significant difference was found between concentric and eccentric peak power, nor between knee extensor strength and either concentric or eccentric peak power LSIs. Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed significantly greater asymmetries in load absorption capacity compared to strength and concentric power measures at return-to-sport time frame in professional athletes post-ACLR. Full article

Background/Objectives: To investigate the volume of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods: Nineteen patients with advanced RP (mean age 52 years and mean duration of illness 357 months) and twenty-one age-matched normal subjects have been examined using 7 Tesla MRI of the brain. Brain segmentation was carried out with the “recon-all” function in the FreeSurfer software (version 7.4.1) package. Results: The volumes of the left and right LGN were significantly smaller in those patients with RP, in comparison to the controls. We found a significant positive correlation between the volume of the left LGN and the right eye best-corrected visual acuity in the RP group. Conclusions: Late-stage RP leads to a significant reduction in LGN volume, as measured with 7 Tesla MRI. The volume of the left LGN was correlated with the visual function of the right eye in patients with late-stage RP. The statistical power of the results is limited by there being a low number of RP patients included in this study, which is due to the low prevalence of this rare eye disease. Full article

(1) Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a widely used indicator of neuromuscular function, with predictive values for health and performance outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraday and interday reliability of maximal and explosive handgrip force–time metrics using the Kinvent K-Grip handheld dynamometer. (2) Methods: Thirty-four participants performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions per hand across two testing days. Force–time data were analysed for peak force (PF), mean force (MF), peak rate of force development (RFD), time-specific RFD, impulse, and forces at fixed time points. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change (MDC), and coefficient of variation (CV%). (3) Results: The device demonstrated excellent relative and absolute reliability for PF and MF across both days (ICC > 0.97; CV < 6%; MDC ≈ 5 kg). Later-phase explosive metrics (F250 and Imp200) showed good-to-excellent relative reliability (ICC = 0.88-0.99; CV = 4–14%), although with variable absolute reliability (MDC F250 ≈ 4–8 kg, MDC Imp200 ≈ 1 kg·s). For early-phase metrics, relative reliability was only moderate to good (ICC = 0.67–0.88) and characterised by a high degree of variability (CV = 15–22%). (4) Conclusions: The K-Grip handheld dynamometer is a reliable tool for cross-sectional assessments and for tracking larger maximal strength and later-phase force improvements at fixed time points. Early-phase explosive metrics are less suitable for monitoring intervention effects due to high measurement error and fatigue sensitivity. Full article

Material selection is a crucial issue that determines both the economic and technical aspects of a product, as well as the manufacturer’s brand. This process is complex, as it requires the consideration of multiple criteria for each type of material. In this study, probabilistic methods are used for material selection. To assess the effectiveness of applying probabilistic methods in material selection, this research was conducted with three different cases involving the selection of materials for crankshaft manufacturing, cutting-tool manufacturing, and materials used in powder-mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM). The results of material selection using probabilistic methods were compared with those obtained using other methods, demonstrating that probabilistic methods fully ensure accuracy in the surveyed cases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at 7 Tesla provides a substantially higher intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio compared with conventional 1.5 T and 3 T systems, potentially enabling higher spatial resolution, improved tissue contrast, and advanced metabolic imaging. However, clinical translation remains limited by technical challenges associated with ultra-high-field operation. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current human in vivo evidence on the feasibility, applications, and methodological limitations of 7-T cardiovascular MRI. Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted from database inception through January 2025. Studies reporting human in vivo cardiovascular MRI at 7 Tesla were included. Data regarding study design, sample characteristics, imaging applications, feasibility, quantitative findings, and reported limitations were extracted and qualitatively synthesized. Results: Sixty-five studies met inclusion criteria, predominantly small prospective cohorts (mean sample size = 13), largely involving healthy volunteers. Across diverse applications—including coronary MR angiography, cine imaging, valvular assessment, vascular imaging, flow quantification, myocardial tissue characterization, and multinuclear (³¹P, ²³Na, ³⁹K) imaging—7-T CMR was consistently feasible and capable of producing high-quality images. Quantitative ventricular and vascular measurements were generally concordant with lower field strengths. Incremental benefits were most apparent in high-resolution structural imaging and metabolic applications, whereas routine functional and flow assessments showed limited additional advantages. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Human cardiovascular MRI at 7 Tesla represents a technically feasible research and early translational platform with selective advantages over established field strengths. Further advances in radiofrequency technology, protocol harmonization, and larger disease-focused studies are required to clarify its potential clinical role. Full article

This article presents an online additive fault-detection system for the speed sensor of a 200 W shunt-type direct current (DC) motor, integrated into a power module controlled by an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). The system is designed to trigger an alarm signal when an additive fault occurs by comparing the Kalman Filter (KF) residual against a predefined detection threshold. Three specific fault types in the speed sensor were analyzed: offset, disconnection, and sinusoidal noise. Experimental results demonstrate effective fault detection across a speed range of 80 to 690 rpm under no-load conditions. However, when a constant torque of 0.5 Nm is applied, both the detection threshold and the subset of reliably identifiable faults must be adjusted. The main contribution of this study is the development of a customized real-time fault detection framework and the characterization of residual variations caused by unmodeled load disturbances in actual hardware. This approach improves the monitoring and fault-diagnosis capabilities of sensor systems in DC motors by quantifying the stochastic behavior of residuals under different operating constraints. Full article

Sustainable tourism is essential for preserving natural habitats and represents a vital component of sustainable development. This study addresses a business decision-making problem related to natural resource conservation and habitat protection through waste management and IT applications in the Serbian hotel sector. Tourism in Serbia and the Western Balkans represents a sensitive issue concerning the balance between economic development and environmental protection. Therefore, the multi-criteria optimization methods Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) are applied to address this problem. To achieve this goal, a hierarchical model was developed that considers nine criteria and four alternatives. The alternatives considered are: service user satisfaction, service cost, waste minimization, and service quality. The developed model was analyzed using a hybrid AHP–TOPSIS approach to identify the optimal alternative. The results indicate that environmental waste prevention ranks highest among all considered alternatives and plays a significant role in the development of sustainable tourism in Serbia. Full article

Gastronomic tourism heritage represents a significant segment of intangible cultural heritage, reflecting traditional knowledge, local identity, and long-standing culinary practices. The contemporary development of digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), opens new possibilities for its preservation, documentation, and sustainable interpretation within cultural tourism. The aim of this research is to examine the role of artificial intelligence as a tool for preserving gastronomic tourism heritage from the perspective of local community members in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia, regions characterised by shared gastronomic and cultural traditions. The study was conducted using a quantitative research design based on a structured questionnaire administered to 571 respondents. A convenience sampling approach was applied, targeting individuals involved in the preparation, transmission, or promotion of traditional gastronomy. Data were collected through a combination of field-based and online survey distribution. The analysis focuses on respondents’ perceptions of AI applications in documenting traditional recipes, interpreting gastronomic heritage, and promoting it within tourism, as well as on attitudes related to authenticity and cultural identity preservation. The findings indicate that, within the surveyed sample, artificial intelligence is generally perceived as a useful tool for safeguarding gastronomic heritage. At the same time, respondents emphasise the importance of transparent governance, community participation, and culturally sensitive implementation in order to minimise risks of commodification and loss of authenticity. Full article

Neonatal health requires precise lipid quantification in human milk to ensure proper nutritional development. Traditional manual methods, such as the creamatocrit, are limited by human-induced bias and significant measurement uncertainty. This study presents a low-cost Computer Vision System acting as an automated optical sensing modality for estimate the cream fraction (c) using advanced Machine Learning regression, which is subsequently used to derive fat and energy quantification through established analytical equations. The system is optimized for the Gold-LED spectrum, which enhances the dynamic range to 226 a.u. for robust feature extraction. We evaluated 28 distinct ML regression models across three feature spaces (Gray Scale, RGB, and Combined). The results, based on 6400 samples, demonstrate that the Rational Quadratic GPR model achieved the highest predictive stability with a coefficient of determination of $R^2=0.867$. This computational framework achieved a 57.5% reduction in relative error compared to manual benchmarks. SHAP analysis indicates that the model selectively attributes higher importance to Red channel intensities and Blue contrast gradients, which correspond to the optical scattering characteristics of lipid globules. These findings validate the system as a stable sensing modality for non-invasive quantification. The proposed architecture integrates cost-effective hardware with high-precision analytical modeling, offering a reagent-free and operationally feasible alternative for standardized nutritional assessment in neonatal intensive care units and milk banks. Full article

Swarm is a three-satellite mission operated by the European Space Agency to monitor the Earth’s magnetic field. The China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) is a satellite dedicated to studying the possible seismo-induced effects of earthquake activity on the ionosphere, operated by the China National Space Administration in cooperation with the Italian Space Agency. Such satellites are placed in Low Earth Orbit at an altitude ranging from 460 km to 510 km. We selected orbital combinations with the Swarm satellite in one hemisphere and CSES-01 in the opposite one to study the impact of magnetic pulsations on the ionospheric environment. The data have been filtered in the frequency range of Pi2 pulsations (period between 40 s and 150 s). Similar oscillations of a few nanoTeslas of the magnetic field intensity were detected by both satellites, sometimes in phase and at other times in counterphase. Detected oscillations could be explained by interactions between the Sun’s and Earth’s magnetic fields or the effect of a satellite crossing the auroral ring currents at the Northern and Southern Poles. This work supports the cross-validation of magnetic data from multiple satellite missions in Low Earth Orbit, such as Swarm and CSES. Our results confirm the scientific reliability of magnetic data acquired from the above-cited satellite missions. Full article

This study is grounded in the premise that local media should be understood beyond a market-oriented framework, with their social role theoretically redefined through the concept of symbolic capital. The central thesis is that the survival of local media must be regarded primarily as a matter of public interest and as a prerequisite for strengthening the democratic capacity of communities in contemporary socio-communicative contexts. Representative examples of both active and defunct local media in Serbia were analyzed to assess how, across different historical periods, they contributed to the formation and transformation of symbolic capital in local communities. The theoretical framework draws on Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic capital and Jürgen Habermas’ theory of the public sphere. The analysis indicates that local media functioned as institutional carriers of legitimacy during the socialist period, as spaces of resistance during the transitional period, and as sources of moral and professional capital in the contemporary era. Nevertheless, current project-based funding models and precarious working conditions undermine their autonomy and long-term sustainability. It is therefore concluded that the disappearance of local media represents not merely an economic problem but also a profound symbolic and democratic loss, as communities lose spaces of trust, dialogue, and public representation. Full article

Selenium (Se) is a vital element for human health and seafood represents one of its major dietary sources. Nevertheless, information regarding the bioaccessibility of Se from seafood commonly consumed in Thailand remains scarce. To address this limitation, the present study evaluated in vitro Se bioaccessibility using the equilibrium dialyzability approach. Ten seafood species frequently selected by Thai consumers were investigated to determine total Se concentrations following different culinary treatments, namely fresh, boiling, frying, and grilling. For thermally processed samples, gastrointestinal digestion was simulated in vitro through enzymatic digestion prior to bioaccessibility assessment using the equilibrium dialyzability method. Inductively coupled plasma triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QQQ-MS) was used to precisely quantify the total and dialyzable Se fractions. The effects of seafood species and cooking methods were evaluated statistically using two-way analysis of variance and the Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test for post hoc comparisons. The findings showed that, across the majority of cooking techniques, Indo-Pacific horseshoe crab eggs consistently showed considerably greater Se contents than other seafood (p < 0.05). Moreover, Se bioaccessibility in Indo-Pacific horseshoe crab eggs (81.1–88.3%) was markedly greater than that observed in other seafood items, including musk crab, blue crab, oysters, and wedge shell, regardless of cooking method (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences in Se bioaccessibility were observed among boiling, frying, and grilling (p > 0.05), indicating that thermal processing did not adversely affect Se availability. Overall, the seafood species examined in this study, irrespective of preparation method, contained substantial Se levels with high bioaccessibility, underscoring their nutritional value and supporting dietary recommendations that promote balanced consumption of marine foods. Full article

Tesla valves are passive flow-control devices that enables asymmetry without moving parts. In recent years, they have attracted renewed interest due to their wide range of applications, spanning from biomedical and agricultural systems to thermal and marine engineering. The performance of a 3D-printed double Tesla valve is experimentally investigated using an integrated low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) measurement system. The valve performance is evaluated for inlet volumetric flow rates ranging from 5 to 20 L/min. The results demonstrate a clear asymmetry between forward and reverse flow, with a maximum diodicity of 1.96 observed at the lowest (5–6 L/min) flow rate. The proposed low-cost experimental framework combines additive manufacturing and real-time IoT-based monitoring, offering a reproducible and accessible approach for investigating passive flow-control devices at flow-rate regimes beyond typical microfluidic applications. Full article

This study evaluates the dynamics of the human pupillary reflex in response to a stepped blue light stimulus (465 nm) in young adults residing at high altitude (3400 m above sea level). High-resolution video sequences of three participants were analyzed using four classical image segmentation techniques: K-Means, Otsu, fixed binary threshold, and multi-channel RGB threshold. Rather than proposing new algorithms, this work evaluates the technical feasibility and stability of computationally lightweight segmentation approaches under controlled lighting conditions and with low-cost hardware constraints. Among the methods evaluated, fixed binary thresholding showed stable temporal behavior and minimal computational complexity within the experimental setup. The results show a consistent contraction–plateau–recovery pattern across all participants, with representative contraction, stabilization, and recovery times of 1.89 s, 0.41 s, and 2.33 s, respectively. Although limited by the small sample size, these findings support the feasibility of implementing simplified segmentation strategies for pupillometry in resource-limited settings. Full article