Search Results (6,491)

In this study, we examine the predictive factors influencing the outcomes of voice treatment in patients with voice-related disorders, using the voice handicap index (VHI) as a key assessment tool. By analyzing various personal habits and clinical variables, we identify the primary factors associated with changes when comparing VHI scores before and after voice treatment. For this research, we employed binomial logistic regression, random forest (RF), and a multilayer perceptron (MLP) model to evaluate the effectiveness of voice treatment. The findings reveal that gender (with female patients showing greater improvements in VHI scores compared to male patients), surgical history, voice use status, and voice training status are significant predictors of therapy outcomes. The MLP model demonstrated high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.87 indicating its potential as a valuable clinical predictive tool; however, the model’s relatively low specificity suggests the need for further refinement to enhance its predictive accuracy. The results of this study provide valuable insights for clinicians and speech–language pathologists in developing personalized treatment strategies to optimize the effectiveness of voice therapy. Future research should prioritize the validation of these findings in larger and more diverse population samples. Furthermore, it is essential to explore additional predictive variables in order to enhance the model’s accuracy across different types of voice disorders. Full article

This study introduces a novel method for controlling an autonomous photovoltaic pumping system by integrating a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) control scheme with variable structure Sliding Mode Control (SMC) alongside Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithms. The stability of the proposed SMC method is rigorously analyzed using Lyapunov’s theory. Through simulation-based comparisons, the efficacy of the SMC controller is demonstrated against traditional P&O methods. Additionally, the SMC-based system is experimentally implemented in real time using dSPACE DSP1104, showcasing its robustness in the presence of internal and external disturbances. Robustness tests reveal that the SMC controller effectively tracks Maximum Power Points (MMPs) despite significant variations in load and solar irradiation, maintaining optimal performance even under challenging conditions. The results indicate that the SMC system can achieve up to a 70% increase in water flow rates compared with systems without MPPT controllers. Furthermore, SMC demonstrated high sensitivity to sudden changes in environmental conditions, ensuring efficient power extraction from the photovoltaic panels. This study highlights the advantages of integrating SMC into Photovoltaic Water Pumping Systems (PV-WPSs), providing enhanced control capabilities and optimizing system performance. The findings contribute to the development of sustainable water supply solutions, particularly in remote areas with limited access to the electrical grid. Full article

The article analyzes the impact of selected operational parameters of internal combustion engine vehicles on CO₂ emissions. The study was preceded by a detailed analysis of the issues related to CO₂ emissions in the EU, with a focus on Poland, where the tests were conducted. The key scientific assumption is that individual vehicle users’ behaviors significantly impact global CO₂ emissions. Daily use of private vehicles, driving style, and attention to fuel efficiency contribute to cumulative effects that can drive the transformation toward more sustainable transport. Therefore, the study was conducted using real-time empirical data obtained from the vehicles’ OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) diagnostic systems. This approach enabled the creation of a diagnostic tool allowing each vehicle user to assess CO₂ emissions and ultimately manage its levels, which is the biggest innovation of the work. Two levels of CO₂ emissions were identified as categorical variables in the model, considered either ecological or non-ecological from the perspective of sustainable transport. The CO₂ emission threshold of 200 g/km was adopted based on the average age of vehicles in Poland (14.5 years) and Regulation (EC) No 443/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Three models of logistic regression dedicated to different driving cycle phases—starting, urban driving, and highway driving—were proposed and compared. This study demonstrated that during vehicle starting, the most significant factors influencing the probability of ecological driving are vehicle velocity, relative engine load, and relative throttle position, while for the other two types of movement, engine power and torque should also be considered. The logistic regression model for vehicle start-up obtained a value of sensitivity at about 82% and precision at about 85%. In the case of urban driving, the values of the discussed parameters reach significantly higher levels, with sensitivity at around 96% and precision at about 92%. In turn, the model related to highway driving achieved the highest values among the created models, with sensitivity at around 97% and precision at about 93%. Full article

Permafrost peatlands are sensitive to changes in nitrogen levels because they are largely nitrogen-limited ecosystems. However, the microbial mechanisms by which the addition of nitrogen increases the emission of greenhouse gasses from permafrost peatlands remain unclear. This study was conducted to decipher the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and soil microorganisms under nitrogen addition. Here, we performed a 154-day experimental investigation in order to assess the release of greenhouse gasses such as CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O from the soils. Additionally, we examined the correlation between the rates of these gas emissions and the presence of crucial microbial functional genes in the soil. The results showed that the addition of low (0.01 g kg⁻¹), medium (0.02 g kg⁻¹), and high (0.04 g kg⁻¹) levels of nitrogen increased the cumulative CO₂ emissions by 2.35%–90.42%, respectively. The cumulative emissions of CH₄ increased by 17.29%, 25.55% and 21.77%, respectively. The cumulative emissions of N₂O increased 2.97, 7.49 and 7.72-fold. The addition of nitrogen increased the abundance of functional genes in the bacteria, fungi, methanogens, denitrifying bacteria, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil by modifying abiotic soil variables and providing sufficient substrates for microorganisms. The results indicated that the addition of nitrogen can significantly promote the emission of greenhouse gasses by increasing the abundance of functional microbial genes in the soil of permafrost peatlands. These findings highlight the importance of considering nitrogen deposition and the nitrogen released from thawing permafrost when predicting the future greenhouse gasses emitted from permafrost peatlands. Full article

The impact of drought is intensifying due to climate change, leading to significant environmental consequences, particularly concerning river water quality. While drought is typically classified as meteorological or hydrological, studies assessing its environmental impacts remain limited. Drought-induced hydrological alterations in rivers often degrade water quality, necessitating the development of an environmental drought index. This study introduces a novel methodology for calculating an index to evaluate the effects of drought on river water quality, specifically applied to tributaries of the Nakdong River in South Korea. The index was constructed by reviewing existing water quality and drought indices, selecting relevant parameters, and weighting each factor following the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) methodology. Factors integrated into the index encompass both meteorological and hydrological indicators, with priority given to variables measurable in real time. Real-time parameters—such as flow rate, cumulative precipitation, days without rainfall, and sensor-based metrics (pH, electrical conductivity [EC], dissolved oxygen [DO], and total organic carbon [TOC])—were incorporated. Additionally, for rivers with upstream dams, dam discharge data were included to reflect its influence on flow conditions. The applicability of the calculated index was assessed by comparing index values to observed water quality data. A class interval structure was implemented to enhance the index’s usability across diverse riverine conditions. Furthermore, the utility of the index was validated by comparing it to the basin’s target water quality, thereby assessing its sensitivity to drought-induced water quality deterioration. The environmental drought index proposed in this study enables the proactive and real-time monitoring of water quality under drought conditions. When applied to 10 tributaries of the Nakdong River, the index demonstrated a clear correlation between drought conditions and water quality deterioration. This index provides a practical tool for river management, facilitating early response strategies to mitigate water quality impacts associated with environmental drought. Full article

Sea beet (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang.) is a wild member of the Amaranthaceae family and a progenitor for all the cultivated beets (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris). It is a source of stress-resistant genes, contributing 21 valuable traits to sugar beet through multiple breeding approaches. Despite its importance, the core morphological diversity of sea beet within the Egyptian Mediterranean coastal region has not yet been thoroughly explored. The field observations indicated notable morphological diversity among sea beet populations. This study investigated the morphological diversity of six sea beet populations along with their associated soil and climatic conditions in their primary habitats. Our morphometric investigations identified two varieties: Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima var. glabra, characterized by glabrous, erect, larger basal leaves, and Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima var. pilosa, distinguished by its hairy, prostrate form with smaller basal leaves. These varieties exhibited differences in their spatial distribution, showing high variations at the inter- and intra-population levels as well as the variety level. Soil parameters significantly influenced population morphological variability, which demonstrated a strong positive correlation with soil organic carbon. Our results highlight the need for precise survey and molecular characterization to secure these potential genetic resources from alteration and loss, especially in coastal habitats that are particularly sensitive to future climate change. Full article

This study introduces a novel measure for evaluating attribute relevance, specifically designed to accurately identify attributes that are intrinsically related to a phenomenon, while being sensitive to the asymmetry of those relationships and noise conditions. Traditional variable selection techniques, such as filter and wrapper methods, often fall short in capturing these complexities. Our methodology, grounded in decision trees but extendable to other machine learning models, was rigorously evaluated across various data scenarios. The results demonstrate that our measure effectively distinguishes relevant from irrelevant attributes and highlights how relevance is influenced by noise, providing a more nuanced understanding compared to established methods such as Pearson, Spearman, Kendall, MIC, MAS, MEV, GMIC, and $Ph{i}_k$. This research underscores the importance of phenomenon-centric explainability, reproducibility, and robust attribute relevance evaluation in the development of predictive models. By enhancing both the interpretability and contextual accuracy of models, our approach not only supports more informed decision making but also contributes to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms in diverse application domains, such as biomedical research, financial modeling, astronomy, and others. Full article

This research paper presents an effective approach to reducing marine pollution and costs by determining the optimal marine alternative fuels framework for short-sea shipping vessels, with a focus on energy efficiency. Employing mathematical models in a Python environment, the analyses are tailored specifically for conventional and fully autonomous high-speed passenger ferries (HSPFs) and tugboats, utilizing bottom-up methodologies, ship operating phases, and the global warming potential approach. The study aims to identify the optimal marine fuel that offers the highest Net Present Value (NPV) and minimal emissions, aligning with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and environmental objectives. Data from the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS), along with specifications and port information, were integrated to assess power, energy, and fuel consumption, incorporating parameters of proposed marine alternative fuels. This study examines key performance indicators (KPIs) for marine alternative fuels used in both conventional and autonomous vessels, specifically analyzing total mass emission rate (TMER), total global warming potential (TGWP), total environmental impact (TEI), total environmental damage cost (TEDC), and NPV. The results show that hydrogen (H2-Ren, H2-F) fuels and electric options produce zero emissions, while traditional fuels like HFO and MDO exhibit the highest TMER. Sensitivity and stochastic analyses identify critical input variables affecting NPV, such as fuel costs, emission costs, and vessel speed. Findings indicate that LNG consistently yields the highest NPV, particularly for autonomous vessels, suggesting economic advantages and reduced emissions. These insights are crucial for optimizing fuel selection and operational strategies in marine transportation and offer valuable guidance for decision-making and investment in the marine sector, ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental sustainability. Full article

This study proposes a two-degree-of-freedom PID controller design and tuning method based on a simple pole placement approach to enhance servo and regulatory performance while ensuring the stability of diesel engines. In the modeling of the control target, the actuator is analytically modeled. In contrast, the type of model for the diesel engine is derived analytically, and its parameter estimation uses operational data from naval ships. The proposed controller consists of a PID controller to improve regulatory performance and a set-point filter to enhance servo response. PID controller parameters consist of the parameters of the controlled plant model and a single tuning variable. At the same time, the set-point filter comprises the controller parameters and a single weighting factor. To ensure the robust stability of the controller, the controller parameters are tuned based on the maximum sensitivity. To verify the effectiveness of this study, simulations for the speed control of a diesel engine with inherent nonlinearity were conducted under three scenarios. Performance was quantitatively analyzed using the integral of time-weighted absolute error, 2% settling time, 2% recovery time, specified maximum sensitivity, and maximum peak response value, and was compared with Skogestad’s IMC and Lee’s IMC. Based on evaluation indices, the proposed controller demonstrated superior performance in both servo and regulatory responses compared to the two existing control techniques while ensuring stability. Full article

Background and Objectives: The best way to distinguish complicated acute appendicitis (CAA) from uncomplicated acute appendicitis (UCAA) is still under debate. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of the serum sodium (Na⁺) level and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to distinguish CAA from UCAA and to evaluate whether CAA is more reliably diagnosed using these two variables together. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, two-center study of patients diagnosed with AA between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2023. The demographic and analytical variables were analyzed. The NLR was defined as the quotient between the absolute values of neutrophils and lymphocytes. Hyponatremia was defined as a serum Na⁺ level of ≤135 mmol/L. The sensitivity and specificity of the NLR and the serum Na⁺ level in the diagnosis of CAA were determined by assessing the receiver operating characteristic curves. Results: Among the patients who underwent an appendectomy, 3066 histologically confirmed AA cases were identified and included in this study. The registered data revealed that 348 (11.3%) patients had CAA, and the remaining 2718 (88.7%) patients had UCAA. The mean ages were 49.47 ± 18.97 and 38.16 ± 14.50, respectively (p < 0.001). The analysis revealed an exponential correlation between the NLR and the serum Na⁺ level with a moderate degree of agreement with CAA (Cohen’s Kappa: 0.461, p < 0.001). For CAA, using the NLR and the serum Na⁺ level, the areas under the curve and the cutoffs were 0.664, 4.2 with a confidence interval (CI) of 0.647–0.681 and 0.727, 135 mmol/L with a CI of 0.711–0.742, respectively; all these values were significant with a p-value of <0.001. Conclusions: Although the serum Na⁺ level is a more effective marker than the NLR, using these two variables together can help detect high-risk patients who may benefit from early management by limiting delays in surgery. Full article

The vestibular function is in synergism with the oculomotor vergence. Vertigo may be related to vergence disorders and conversely, vestibular pathologies may affect vergence. To consolidate this hypothesis, we conducted a study at the vestibular orthoptic clinic of the Bastogne Hospital. Fourteen patients with vertigo history appearing 2 weeks to 8 years ago, aged 30 to 65 years were studied; at the moment of the eye movement study, no patient had acute attack of vertigo. The origin of vertigo varied (Meniere’s disease, organic pathology, sensitivity to visual movement). An assessment with objective measurement of vergence (single-step protocol) was carried out with the REMOBI technology coupled with binocular video-oculography in sitting and standing positions. Four neuro-rehabilitation sessions of vergence eye movements were performed with the double-step in-depth protocol, alternating sitting and standing positions to involve different postural and vestibular functions. An assessment of vergence was done again 1 to 2 months later. The initial assessment revealed problems of magnitude and/or speed or variability of vergence for 11 of the patients relative to controls (published by the group in previous studies). After neuro-rehabilitation, an improvement was observed in eight patients. Patients reported a clear improvement of their self confidence in moving in the space. Posture measures done before rehabilitation comparing eyes fixating or closed or while making near–far vergence eye movements indicated lower medio-lateral acceleration when doing vergence eye movements in patients with vertigo history of functional origin. The results are in favor of the hypothesis of a symbiosis between vergence and vestibular function and the interest of diagnosis and rehabilitation of the vergence disorder in patients with vertigo history in the absence of acute vertigo attack. Full article

Fallow deer are animals kept on large-scale pastures, which influence soil properties, including the content of nutrients in the soil and the flow of these nutrients in the soil–plant–animal system. Therefore, the aim of this case study was to analyze the variability in the macronutrient content and biochemical properties of soil under rotational grazing conditions of farmed fallow deer. Fallow deer grazed in two summer pens from April to November, and in the winter pen from December to March. The analyses included the determination of several soil parameters to capture sensitive soil changes and assess potential degradation of the soil environment in response to grazing: pH_KCl, TOC, TN, N-NO₃, N-NH₄⁺, total (P, K, Mg, Ca, and Na) and available (Pav, Kav, Mgav) forms of macronutrients, and selected soil enzymes (dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase, and urease). The results showed that the pH_KCl in the plots used by farm fallow deer was lower than in the soil of the control object. Moreover, the TN and TOC content in the soils of all pastures was statistically significantly lower than in the soil without grazing, while for TOC, the same effect was observed in the winter pasture soil. The content of N-NO₃⁻ was several times higher than that of N-NH₄⁺ in the soils of the studied breeding plots. The relationships noted indicate that grazing is important in the transformation of soil organic matter, which is influenced by the relationship between carbon and nitrogen. In addition, the grazing of farmed fallow deer had a negative effect on the content of P in the soils of all pastures and a positive impact on the accumulation of K. Winter grazing had a positive effect on the amount of Pav and Kav in the soil, but a negative effect on the content of Mgav, compared to grazing in the summer quarters. In the plots used for pastures, the activity of soil enzymes was higher than in the control soil. It has been shown that the influence of fallow deer farming on the soil environment of pastures is not unequivocal. Therefore, long-term monitoring of changes in the properties of these soils is necessary. Full article

Background: Suk-Saiyasna is a traditional Thai herbal remedy that comprises 12 distinct herbs. Among these, cannabis leaves constitute 12 of the total 78 components in this formulation. This study specifically examines the portion of the cannabis plant, which accounts for approximately 15.8% of the overall herbal composition used in the entire remedy. According to the Thailand Narcotics Act of 2022, the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) concentration in herbal extracts must not exceed 0.2% by weight. This study aims to quantify the levels of Δ9-THC and cannabidiol (CBD) in commercial Suk-Saiyasna products. Methodology: This research utilizes Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSPs) to identify the optimal solvent for ultrasonic extraction, thereby maximizing cannabinoid yield. An advanced method was developed employing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), compliant with AOAC standards to meet regulatory guidelines. The method validation emphasized specificity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision. Results: Dichloromethane was chosen due to its favorable HSP values, enabling highly efficient extraction of Δ9-THC and CBD, achieving recovery rates of over 99.9% after the second extraction. This investigation benefits from the accuracy of the UHPLC-MS/MS technique in quantifying cannabinoids in commercial products, with Δ9-THC concentrations observed between 0.00231% and 0.14218%, and CBD concentrations ranging from 0.00002% to 0.01541%, all remaining below the legal limit. Conclusions: The variability in cannabinoid concentrations among various commercial products highlights the need for standardization in the herbal industry. This finding underscores the critical role of rigorous quality control measures in ensuring the safety and efficacy of cannabis-derived products. Full article

Determining the fundamental frequency of Offshore Wind Turbines (OWTs) is crucial to ensure the reliability and longevity of the structure. This study presents a global sensitivity analysis of the fundamental frequency of OWTs on jacket foundations. Monte Carlo sampling was employed to generate a diverse set of wind turbines, emplacements, and jacket designs, ensuring that the generated samples are realistic and yield relevant conclusions. The fundamental frequency and its partial derivatives were obtained via a previously developed ANN model. The relative sensitivities were computed to facilitate the comparison of their influence. The results demonstrate that wind turbine properties are the most relevant variables affecting the fundamental frequency, with a decrement in frequency caused by tower height and rotor-nacelle assembly mass, as well as an increment due to the section dimensions of the tower, particularly at its base. Soil properties have a significant effect on foundation stiffness for soft and light soils but can be neglected for hard and heavy soils. The diameter and thickness of the braces also show different relevance depending on their dimensions, producing rigid links between legs for greater sections. This study provides a measure of the variables influencing the fundamental frequency, facilitating a deeper comprehension of this phenomenon. Full article

Few studies have examined the relationship between teleworking practices and presenteeism. This study determined the association between teleworking practices and presenteeism among teleworkers in Japan. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 2687 teleworkers from five companies in Japan, collecting data on demographic variables, teleworking practices, frequency and duration of teleworking, presenteeism, and various lifestyle- and health-related factors. A logistic regression analysis was performed. Teleworkers with full-time employment and less teleworking experience exhibited higher presenteeism rates. Key practices negatively associated with presenteeism included creating a dedicated workspace, chatting with colleagues, and setting daily work goals. Gender differences were significant: for men, additional practices, such as determining their work hours, were beneficial; while for women, chatting with colleagues was particularly important. A sensitivity analysis indicated that specific teleworking practices can mitigate presenteeism. Certain teleworking practices, such as creating a workspace, chatting with colleagues, and setting work goals, were associated with lower presenteeism among teleworkers. These findings highlight the need for organizations to support telework ergonomics, promote social interaction, and encourage goal setting to enhance teleworker productivity and health. Training for employees and supervisors to raise awareness of their own and their subordinates’ health while teleworking is advised. Full article