Search Results (4,335)

Data-driven technologies in smart buildings offer significant opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort. However, the existing literature often lacks a holistic examination of the technological advancements, adoption barriers, and business models necessary to realize these benefits. To address this gap, this scoping review synthesizes current research on these technologies, identifies factors influencing their adoption, and examines supporting business models. Inspired by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a structured search of the literature across four major databases yielded 112 relevant studies. The key technologies identified included big data analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, the Internet of Things, Wireless Sensor Networks, Edge and Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Digital Twins, and Geographic Information Systems. Energy optimization is further achieved through integrating renewable energy resources and advanced energy management systems, such as Home Energy Management Systems and Building Energy Management Systems. Factors influencing adoption are categorized into social influences, individual perceptions, cost considerations, security and privacy concerns, and data quality issues. The analysis of business models emphasizes the need to align technological innovations with market needs, focusing on value propositions like cost savings and efficiency improvements. Despite the benefits, challenges such as high initial costs, technical complexities, security risks, and user acceptance hinder their widespread adoption. This review highlights the importance of addressing these challenges through the development of cost-effective, interoperable, secure, and user-centric solutions, offering a roadmap for future research and industry applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dysgeusia contributes to malnutrition and worsens the quality of life of patients with cancer. Despite the different strategies, there is no effective treatment for patients suffering from taste disorders provided by the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, we developed a novel strategy for reducing side effects in cancer patients by providing a novel food supplement with the taste-modifying glycoprotein miraculin, which is approved by the European Union, as an adjuvant to medical–nutritional therapy. Methods: A pilot randomized, parallel, triple-blind, and placebo-controlled intervention clinical trial was carried out in which 31 malnourished patients with cancer and dysgeusia receiving antineoplastic treatment were randomized into three arms—standard dose of dried miracle berries (DMBs) (150 mg DMB/tablet), high dose of DMBs (300 mg DMB/tablet), or placebo (300 mg freeze-dried strawberry)—for three months. Patients consumed a DMB or placebo tablet before each main meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Using stool samples from patients with cancer, we analyzed the intestinal microbiome via nanopore methodology. Results: We detected differences in the relative abundances of genera Phocaeicola and Escherichia depending on the treatment. Nevertheless, only the Solibaculum genus was more abundant in the standard-dose DMB group after 3 months. At the species level, Bacteroides sp. PHL 2737 presented a relatively low abundance in both DMB groups, whereas Vescimonas coprocola presented a relatively high abundance in both treatment groups after 3 months. Furthermore, a standard dose of DMB was positively associated with TNF-α levels and Lachnoclostridium and Mediterraneibacter abundances, and a high dose of DMB was negatively associated with TNF-α levels and the relative abundance of Phocaeicola. Following the administration of a high dose of DMB, a positive correlation was observed between erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acids and the presence of Lachnoclostridium and Roseburia. Additionally, a positive association was identified between Phocaeicola and the acetic acid concentration of feces. There was a negative association between the relative abundance of Phocaeicola and taste perception in the high-dose DMB group. Conclusions: The combination of DMB intake with nutritional treatment and individualized dietary guidance results in positive changes in the intestinal microbiome of patients with cancer and dysgeusia. Changes observed in the intestinal microbiome might contribute to maintaining an appropriate immune response in cancer patients. As the current pilot study included a limited number of participants, further clinical trials on a larger group of patients are needed to draw robust findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tactile gnosis derives from the interplay between the hand’s tactile input and the memory systems of the brain. It is the prerequisite for complex hand functions. Impaired sensation leads to profound disability. Various invasive and non-invasive sensory substitution strategies for providing feedback from prostheses have been unsuccessful when translated to clinical practice, since they fail to match the feeling to genuine sensation of the somatosensory cortex. Methods: Herein, we describe a novel surgical technique for upper-limb-targeted sensory reinnervation (ulTSR) and report how single digital nerves selectively reinnervate the forearm skin and restore the spatial sensory capacity of single digits of the amputated hand in a case series of seven patients. We explore the interplay of the redirected residual digital nerves and the interpretation of sensory perception after reinnervation of the forearm skin in the somatosensory cortex by evaluating sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), and amputation-associated pain qualities. Results: Digital nerves were rerouted and reliably reinnervated the forearm skin after hand amputation, leading to somatotopy and limb maps of the thumb and four individual fingers. SNAPs were obtained from the donor digital nerves after stimulating the recipient sensory nerves of the forearm. Matching SEPs were obtained after electrocutaneous stimulation of the reinnervated skin areas of the forearm where the thumb, index, and little fingers are perceived. Pain incidence was significantly reduced or even fully resolved. Conclusions: We propose that ulTSR can lead to higher acceptance of prosthetic hands and substantially reduce the incidence of phantom limb and neuroma pain. In addition, the spatial restoration of lost-hand sensing and the somatotopic reinnervation of the forearm skin may serve as a machine interface, allowing for genuine sensation and embodiment of the prosthetic hand without the need for complex neural coding adjustments. Full article

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with various oral health complications that can negatively impact quality of life. Despite evidence of the relationship between diabetes and oral health issues, limited research exists on the perceptions, behaviors, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of diabetic patients in Romania. This study aims to evaluate self-reported oral health, knowledge, behaviors, and OHRQoL among diabetic patients in western Romania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in early 2024 at Pius Brinzeu County Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, involving 121 patients with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires that assessed oral health status, behaviors, and OHRQoL, with the OHIP-14 instrument employed for quality-of-life measurement. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, and correlation analyses to identify the predictors of oral health knowledge and OHRQoL. Results: Participants (mean age: 63.24 years; 52.1% female; 60.5% urban residents) reported significant oral health challenges. Over half (56.2%) did not visit a dentist regularly, with financial constraints identified as the primary barrier (23.5%). Oral hygiene practices were suboptimal: only 38.0% brushed twice daily, while 78.5% used fluoride toothpaste. Auxiliary hygiene tools, such as mouthwash and toothpicks, were rarely used (13.22% and 11.57%, respectively). Regression analyses identified the significant predictors of oral health knowledge, including tooth mobility (β = 0.33, p < 0.01) and brushing frequency (β = −0.18, p < 0.05). The mean OHIP-14 score (0.55) indicated a moderate impact on OHRQoL, with domains such as psychological discomfort and social disability revealing nuanced challenges. Conclusions: Diabetic patients in Romania face oral health challenges and care barriers, emphasizing the need for preventive strategies, oral health education, and integrated diabetes care. Addressing these gaps can improve oral health outcomes and overall quality of life in this vulnerable population. Full article

Urban parks are pivotal in the sustainable development of urban ecosystems, significantly enhancing the ecological environment and residents’ quality of life. To scientifically improve urban park management and ensure long-term sustainability, this study aims to establish a framework for understanding and predicting residents’ spatial perceptions in urban parks. Overcoming the constraints of traditional empirical research, this study conducted a questionnaire survey involving 701 residents from Beijing Chaoyang Park, Shanghai Century Park, and Guangzhou Yuexiu Park from May to July 2024. By combining the semantic differential (SD) method, importance–performance analysis (IPA), and cognitive map methods, the study holistically assessed residents’ spatial perceptions and their variations in urban parks. The SD analysis highlighted perceptional differences in the three urban parks, revealing the needs for tailored planning considering personal characteristics and geographical location, which is essential for enhancing park services and overall satisfaction. Comparative analysis showed significant variations in the preferences in different resident groups, with Chaoyang Park facing a sense of deprivation due to weaker natural features, suggesting the critical role of natural elements in park design, while Century and Yuexiu Parks were highly valued for aligning park design with local needs and preferences. Cognitive maps reveal residents’ spatial perception of urban parks, particularly their significant differences in familiarity with the natural and social functions, artificial landscapes, and internal attractions of parks, which informs the integration of design elements that cater to varying preferences and foster a stronger sense of place. This study confirms the effectiveness of combining traditional methods with spatial perception analysis for quantitatively evaluating residents’ spatial perception, and provides useful references for the sustainable planning and management of urban parks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Football players have a high injury risk due to the physical demands of their profession, which can negatively affect their quality of life (QoL) in the long term. The aim of this study is to characterize the severe injuries that former Portuguese football players suffered throughout their professional careers and investigate the resulting impacts on the physical domain of QoL after retirement. Methods: This study includes 84 former Portuguese football players (48.8 ± 8.2 years) who underwent reform between 1988 and 2018 and played in professional leagues (15.2 ± 3.2 years of career duration), namely, first division leagues (n= 43) and secondary division leagues (n = 41). Quantitative and qualitative interview data are used by a validated interview guide and from results of the physical domain obtained by the application of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref). Results: Former players had 2.1 ± 1.5 severe injuries throughout their careers. The most common injuries involve the knee (47.5%) and foot/ankle (17.2%), with the anatomical area of the knee as the most likely to require surgical intervention (60%). The association between tactical-positional status and the incidence of severe injuries is significant, with defenders sustaining less severe injuries throughout their careers. This study found a statistically significant linear model (F(1.82) = 8.089, p < 0.006) that explains 7.9% of the variation in the physical domain of QoL (R2ajuste = 0.079). For each severe injury sustained throughout a career, there is an estimated decrease of 2.7 values in QoL perception in the physical domain. Conclusions: The higher the number of severe injuries sustained during a career, the lower the perception of QoL in the physical domain of former players in their post-career. These findings highlight the need to optimize training programs and injury prevention and recovery protocols for long-term QoL improvement in the physical domain of football players. Full article

Many clinical sites shifted towards digital delivery of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is still much to learn regarding tailoring digitally delivered interventions for trauma-affected populations. The current study examined the perceptions of Canadian mental health clinicians who provided digitally delivered psychotherapies utilized for trauma-affected populations. Specifically, we explored the shift to digital health use, what changed with this rapid shift, what needs, problems, and solutions arose, and important future considerations associated with delivering trauma-focused and adjunct treatments digitally. Survey data were collected from 12 Canadian mental health clinician participants. Surveys were adapted from the Alberta Quality Matrix of Health and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model. As a follow-up, the participants were invited to participate in either a semi-structured qualitative interview or focus group to further explore their perspectives on digitally delivered trauma-focused and adjunct therapies. Twenty-four clinician participants partook in an interview or focus group. The participants in this study supported the use of digitally delivered psychotherapies utilized for trauma-affected populations, sharing that these interventions appeared to offer similar quality of care to in-person delivery. Further research is required to address clinicians’ concerns with digital delivery (e.g., patient safety) and identify other avenues in which digitally delivered psychotherapies utilized for trauma-affected populations can be engaged with and improved upon. Full article

Background/Objective: Social networks help improve psychosocial and quality-of-life outcomes among older adults. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of social networks in the effect of health perception on the quality of life of the elderly. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 327 people over the age of 65 who applied to a family health center. The study data were collected using the “Personal Information Form”, “Perception of Health Scale”, “World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module”, and “Lubben Social Network Scale”. Multivariate regression analyses and mediation effect examinations were conducted to explore the relationships between social networks, health perception, and quality-of-life outcomes. Results: According to the findings, social networks mediate the relationship between health perception and quality of life. Individuals with a high level of health perception and a high level of social networks have higher quality-of-life levels than others. Conclusions: The results of the study confirm the significant correlation between health perception and the quality of life, as well as any potential links between these factors and social networks that affect older people’s quality of life. Full article

The undergraduate college years are a critical transition period for young adults in establishing life-long health behaviors. Background/Objective: Within the FRESH Study, we aimed to understand the relationship between perceived physical health, perceived mental health, and specific health metrics (e.g., physical activity, food insecurity, sleep quality) among college students following the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: First-year undergraduate students (n = 271) from an urban university were recruited in three study waves (2021–2022, 2022–2023, and 2023–2024). Participants answered online surveys on demographics, health perceptions, physical activity, dietary patterns, beverage consumption, food insecurity, stress, and sleep quality. Results: Overall, participants rated their physical health better than their mental health (‘good’, ‘very good’, or ‘excellent’; 89.6% vs. 62.2%), even though 30.7% were not of ‘healthy weight’ status, 34.5% did not meet physical activity recommendations, and 42.2% of students consumed some sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Students reporting suboptimal (‘fair’ or ‘poor’) physical and mental health were more likely to report food insecurity (p < 0.001, p = 0.010), poor sleep quality (p = 0.012, p < 0.001), and elevated stress (p = 0.001, p < 0.001). In addition, fast-food consumption (p < 0.001), breakfast consumption (p = 0.031), and food insecurity (p = 0.004) showed changes over three years. Conclusions: These findings call for targeted wellness initiatives addressing nutrition, food insecurity, stress management, sleep improvement, and physical activity among students and in university health programs. The FRESH Study emphasizes the need for continued longitudinal research to track health behaviors and inform future interventions. Full article

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital connectivity, airlines have integrated these advancements as indispensable tools for a seamless consumer experience. However, digitisation has increased the scope of risk in the cyber realm. Limited studies have systematically investigated cybersecurity risks in the airline industry. In this context, we propose a novel questionnaire model to investigate consumers’ perceptions regarding the cybersecurity of airlines. Data were collected from 470 Chinese participants in Nanjing City. The analytical approach encompassed a range of statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, difference analysis, and correlation. The constructs based on Maddux’s Protective Motivation Theory and Becker’s Health Belief Model were reliable, indicating the suitability of the proposed scales for further research. The results indicate that gender significantly influences passengers’ perceptions of airline cybersecurity, leading to variations in their awareness and response to cybersecurity threats. Additionally, occupation affects passengers’ information protection behaviour and security awareness. On the other hand, factors such as age, education level, and Frequent Flyer Program participation have minimal impact on passengers’ cybersecurity perceptions. Based on questionnaire content and data analysis, we propose three recommendations for airlines to enhance consumer cybersecurity perception. First, airlines should provide personalised network security services tailored to different occupations and genders. Second, they should engage in regular activities to disseminate knowledge and notices related to network security, thereby increasing passengers’ attention to cybersecurity. Third, increased resources should be allocated to cybersecurity to establish a safer cyber environment. This study aims to improve the quality of transportation policy and bridge the gap between theory and practice in addressing cybersecurity risks in the aviation sector. Full article

Based on the theory of planned behavior, the objective was to test a theoretical model that explains the intention to continue practicing sports among adolescents currently involved in sports practice in Mexicali based on factors that generate perceived social pressure to be perfect (perceived descriptive norm) and that lead to internal factors of perceived control (perceived competence, general self-concept, and enjoyment). A battery of questionnaires that measured the study variables was applied to 195 adolescent athletes of both sexes. The causal model with observed variables rejected part of the hypothesis since the athletes’ perception that their parents impose high performance expectations on them and that they criticize them when these expectations are not achieved was not associated with the athletes’ perceived competence. Meanwhile, perceived coach pressure was positively associated with perceived competence, suggesting that it may be adaptive. This also suggests that perceived competence favors the intention to continue practicing sports both directly and indirectly through self-concept and enjoyment. In conclusion, boys involved in sports will have the intention to continue practicing if they perceive that their closest social references demand that they be perfect in the sport and when they perceive themselves to be able to do it effectively. Meanwhile, girls will have the intention to continue in sports practice if, in addition, they have a better general self-concept and enjoy the activity. Therefore, an important task for coaches, in order to encourage the continuation of sport in adolescents, is to promote the perception of qualities, skills and abilities toward sport. Full article

Arbitrary translational Six Degrees of Freedom (6DoF) video represents a transitional stage towards immersive terminal videos, allowing users to freely switch viewpoints for a 3D scene experience. However, the increased freedom of movement introduces new distortions that significantly impact human visual perception quality. Therefore, it is crucial to explore quality assessment (QA) to validate its application feasibility. In this study, we conduct subjective and objective QAs of arbitrary translational 6DoF videos. Subjectively, we establish an arbitrary translational 6DoF synthesized video quality database, specifically exploring path navigation in 3D space, which has often been limited to planar navigation in previous studies. We simulate path navigation distortion, rendering distortion, and compression distortion to create a subjective QA database. Objectively, based on the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of various distortions, we propose a no-reference video quality assessment (VQA) metric for arbitrary translational 6DoF videos. The experimental results on the established subjective dataset fully demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed objective method. Full article

Soil colour is a key indicator of soil health and the associated properties. In agriculture, soil colour provides farmers and advises with a visual guide to interpret soil functions and performance. Munsell colour charts have been used to determine soil colour for many years, but the process is fallible, as it depends on the user’s perception. As smartphones are widely used and come with high-quality cameras, a popular one was used for capturing images for this study. This study aims to predict Munsell soil colour (MSC) from the Munsell soil colour book (MSCB) by using deep learning techniques on mobile-captured images. MSCB contains 14 pages and 443 colour chips. So, the number of classes for chip-by-chip prediction is very high, and the captured images are inadequate to train and validate using deep learning methods; thus, a patch-based mechanism was proposed to enrich the dataset. So, the course of action is to find the prediction accuracy of MSC for both page level and chip level by evaluating multiple deep learning methods combined with a patch-based mechanism. The analysis also provides knowledge about the best deep learning technique for MSC prediction. Without patching, the accuracy for chip-level prediction is below $40\%$, the page-level prediction is below $65\%$, and the accuracy with patching is around $95\%$ for both, which is significant. Lastly, this study provides insights into the application of the proposed techniques and analysis within real-world soil and provides results with higher accuracy with a limited number of soil samples, indicating the proposed method’s potential scalability and effectiveness with larger datasets. Full article

Plastic pollution is a problem and the world is currently dealing with its impacts on the aquatic environments. This study investigates the perceptions and knowledge of process controllers and managers from twelve water and wastewater treatment plants within two local municipalities (Thulamela and Makhado) in the Vhembe District Municipality, South Africa. The perceptions and knowledge of plastic pollution, limited resources and economic difficulties, the effects of plastic pollutants on water systems, a lack of information and training, and a lack of institutional support documents were the five main themes that were identified from semi-structured interviews with workers from the treatment plants. The findings show serious issues regarding plastic waste affecting treatment operations, ineffective methods of removing plastics and inadequate waste collection services in rural areas. Financial and material limits make managing plastic pollution even more difficult, and inconsistent training and a lack of institutional support make it difficult for workers to manage it consistently. The responses highlight the need for improved waste management plans, financial support for advanced filtration systems, and continuous training to provide workers with the skills and knowledge needed to reduce plastic pollution. These measures are crucial for maintaining the water quality and increasing treatment plants’ operational effectiveness. Full article

Background: Despite its estimated high prevalence among women and increasing awareness, lipedema remains under-investigated. Ignoring its debilitating nature, surgical treatment for this condition is frequently covered by health insurance only in advanced stages and after the exhaustion of conservative therapies. Methods: A total of 1015 patients with lipedema were recruited via social media platforms. Of these, 860 patients provided answers to at least one complete section of the modified Body-Q questionnaire (response rate 85%). The Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were utilized to assess the impact of the surgical treatment by means of patient-reported outcomes on the self-perception of various body areas. Results: The satisfaction scores among conservatively treated patients for abdominal appearance, arms, back, body, buttocks, and inner thighs showed a statistically significant decline with increasing stages of lipedema. The comparison of patient evaluation scores in the appearance domain demonstrated better patient self-perception scores in patients who received at least one session of the surgical treatment for the hips and thighs (p < 0.01), inner thighs (p < 0.01), and excess skin (0.01) scales. On the body scale, the patients who underwent liposuction again reported better satisfaction scores; however, this did not reach statistical significance (p < 0.081). In the health-related quality of life domain, the patients who received liposuction treatment reported a better outcome in the body image (p < 0.01), physical function (p = 0.05), physical symptoms (p = 0.04), and psychological function (p < 0.01) scales. Conclusions: The current study underscores the burden of lipedema of affected patients and its negative impact on self-perception. As the disease progresses, conservatively treated patients experience a decline in satisfaction with various aspects of their appearance. However, surgical interventions, particularly liposuction, does not address esthetic concerns but significantly improve health-related quality of life across multiple domains, emphasizing the comprehensive benefits of surgical intervention in the management of lipedema. Full article