Search Results (155)

Background and Objectives: Eating disorders are one of the most widespread health concerns, mainly among adolescents. Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have been reported to have a high prevalence of eating disorders. The aim of our study is to evaluate the risk of diabetes-specific eating disorders in children with T1DM using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII), with real-time glycemic data from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Materials and Methods: Sixty-four patients (aged 7–18 years) completed the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R). The DEPS-R is a diabetes-specific self-report questionnaire to assess diabetes-specific compensatory behaviors. Auxological findings, sex, age, age at diagnosis, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, and all CGM data were obtained from their medical records. Results: Although the median DEPS-R score was higher in children and adolescents using CSII compared to those using multiple daily injections (MDIs) (14 vs. 11), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.302). The risk of diabetes-specific eating disorders was identified in six patients (30%) using CSII and in nine patients (20.4%) using multiple daily injections (p = 0.403). Interestingly, in the subgroup with poor glycemic control (HbA1c > 9%), DEPS-R scores were significantly lower among those using CSII compared to the MDI group. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated positive associations between DEPS-R scores and diabetes duration, weight SDS, body mass index (BMI), BMI SDS, HbA1c, mean glucose, Glucose Management Indicator (GMI), time above range (TAR) (very high), and coefficient of variation (CV), while a moderate negative correlation was observed with time in range (TIR). Conclusions: This study showed that the treatment of CSII had a beneficial effect on the risk of eating disorders in patients with poor glycemic control. As well, from this perspective, CSII maintains its status as a potentially beneficial therapeutic approach in diabetes management. Full article

Enhanced Giant Magneto-Impedance (GMI) effects of composite materials play a crucial role in producing devices with a good soft magnetic property. To improve this soft magnetic property, graphene is introduced to increase the conductivity of composite materials. However, the quality of graphene layers restricts the enhancement of GMI effects. There are few reports on the direct growth of graphene on Fe_73.5Si_13.5B₉Cu₁Nb₃ (FINEMET). In this paper, the composite ribbons of FINEMET coated with as-grown graphene are prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which is much better than previous results obtained by methods such as the transfer method or electroless plating in quality. The Ni layer, with good magnetic conductivity, is induced to the FINEMET as an auxiliary layer by the magnetron sputtering method for high-quality graphene-layer growth due to its high carbon dissolution rate. The results show that the growth temperature of the as-grown graphene layer on the FINEMET with the best GMI ratio could reach as high as 560 °C. Moreover, it was found that an Ni layer thickness of 300 nm has a crucial impact on GMI, with the maximum ratio reaching 76.8%, which is 1.9 times that of an initial bare FINEMET ribbon (39.7%). As a result, the direct growth of graphene layers on FINEMET ribbons by the CVD method is a promising way to light GMI-based devices. Full article

Background: Numerous experimental studies aim to improve outcomes of peripheral nerve repair following trauma. This study evaluates the efficacy of the human epineural patch (hEP) compared to the human amniotic membrane (hAM) in promoting nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve crush injury. Methods: Thirty-six athymic nude rats were divided into three groups (n = 12 per group) following nerve crush: (1) an unprotected injury site; (2) crush injury wrapped with hEP; and (3) crush injury wrapped with hAM. Animals were assessed over 6 or 12 weeks post-injury. Evaluations included motor recovery (Toe-Spread test), sensory recovery (Pinprick test), muscle denervation atrophy (the gastrocnemius muscle index (GMI)), histomorphometry (myelin thickness, axonal density, fiber diameter, and percentage of myelinated fibers), and immunofluorescence (GFAP, Laminin B, NGF, S-100, VEGF, vWF, HLA-DR, and HLA-I) assessments. Results: The hEP group showed superior motor recovery, axonal density and higher GMI values compared to the hAM and control groups. The increased expression of neurogenic and angiogenic markers highlighted its neuroregenerative potential. Negligible HLA-DR and HLA-I expression confirmed the lack of hEP and hAM immunogenicity. Conclusions: The application of hEP following sciatic nerve crush injury facilitated nerve regeneration, improved functional outcomes, and offered a viable alternative to hAM. Structural stability and the regenerative capacity position hEP as a new, promising off-the-shelf product for nerve regeneration. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive comparison between Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) and Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) measurements through analysis of collocated precipitation at the 19 GHz footprint scale for pixels during hemispheric summer seasons (JJA for Northern Hemisphere and DJF for Southern Hemisphere). Precipitation pixels exceeding 0.2 mm/h are categorized into convective, stratiform, and mixed types based on DPR classifications. While showing generally good agreement in spatial patterns, the GMI and DPR exhibit systematic differences in precipitation intensity measurements. The GMI underestimates convective precipitation intensity by 13.8% but overestimates stratiform precipitation by 12.1% compared to DPR. Mixed precipitation shows the highest occurrence frequency (47.6%) with notable differences between instruments. While measurement differences for convective precipitation have significantly improved from previous Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) and Precipitation Radar (PR) estimates (62% to 13.8%), the overall difference has increased (from 2.6% to 12.6%), primarily due to non-convective precipitation. Latitudinal analysis reveals distinct precipitation regimes: tropical regions (below ~30°) produce intense convective precipitation that contributes about 40% of total precipitation despite lower frequency, while mid-latitudes (beyond 30°) shift toward stratiform-dominated regimes where stratiform precipitation accounts for 60–90% of the total. Additionally, geographical variation in GMI-DPR differences shows a see-saw pattern across latitude bands, with opposite signs between tropical and mid-latitude regions for convective and stratiform precipitation types. A fundamental transition in precipitation characteristics occurs between 30° and 40°, reflecting changes in precipitation mechanisms across Earth’s climate zones. Analysis shows that tropical precipitation systems generate approximately three times more precipitation per unit area than mid-latitude regions. Full article

The uncontrolled urbanization of Brazilian cities accentuates the imbalance between population demands and urban space planning. The integrated management of human and technological resources constitutes a fundamental governance strategy for the proposition of sustainable and effective responses to the challenges faced by cities. To generate references to public management, the objective of this research was to develop a management tool to verify the maturity level of Brazilian cities for smart city actions. A performance measurement system (PMS) organized smart city actions into 11 thematic areas, quantitatively measuring smart city actions in a down–top structure since the indicators and metrics are described in a standardized scale to obtain the general maturity index (GMI). The PMS was implemented in the city of Santa Maria/Brazil, where its GMI equal to 43.72% indicated a currently intermediate maturity level of smart city actions, mainly related to the low performance in the thematic areas of mobility, coexistence and reciprocity, and security and protection. To improve the current performance, five incremental actions were proposed, contemplating the key performance indicators “Public roads”, “Multipurpose lanes”, “Public accessibility”, “Accessibility signage”, and “Monitoring”, projecting a GMI equal to 49.75% and 55.78%, respectively, for an intermediate and an advanced maturity level scenario. Full article

This paper proposes an analytical framework for pre-analyzing the potential performance of online sensor calibration in Kalman filtering. Taking a multi-sensor integrated kinematic positioning and navigation system as an example, a pre-analysis of the system performance can be conducted: the observability of individual sensor systematic error states; minimum estimable values of sensor systematic error states; and minimum detectable systematic errors in sensor observations. These measures together allow for a rigorous characterization of the potential performance of a system as part of mission planning. The proposed framework enables a thorough evaluation of the relative value of different calibration maneuvers and sensor configurations before data collection by simulating the anticipated trajectory, without even requiring the construction of a physical system. When used with the Generic Multisensor Integration Strategy (GMIS), the proposed framework provides unique insight into the potential performance of IMU sensors. To illustrate the utility of the proposed framework, two situations were analyzed: one where no specific calibration maneuvers were undertaken and one where a circular motion maneuver was undertaken. The results show the potential and practicality of the proposed framework in firmly establishing best practices for field procedures and learning about the system’s capability when using online sensor calibration. Full article

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been recognised as the gold standard for assessing arterial stiffness and a relevant indicator in diagnosing cardiovascular disease. Conventional approaches can be affected by factors such as the size of the probe, its positioning on the skin with the appropriate angle and magnitude of the incident force, or influenced by optical properties. Aiming at improving the assessment of PWV parameter, an important cardiovascular risk marker, the present study introduces a new arterial pulse wave measurement technique based on measurements of the impedance phase characteristics of giant magneto-impedance (GMI) sensors submitted to slight magnetic field variations caused by the displacement of a small magnetic marker placed on the patient’s skin, whose movement is coordinated by the local pressure wave. The proposed method eliminates the necessity of using probes with mechanical amplification, enhancing spatial resolution and usability in hard-to-reach anatomical regions through a contactless device unaffected by optical parameters. The obtained experimental results indicate the potential of the developed measurement system in measuring arterial pulse waveform and PWV. Full article

With the change in climate and rapid social development, the problems of low agricultural water resource utilization efficiency (AWUE) and significant spatiotemporal variability in the Hebei Province of China are becoming increasingly prominent. This paper constructed a framework that considers environmental exogenous variables and selects evaluation indicators based on the Lasso model. It also used the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to measure AWUE from 2012 to 2021. Furthermore, the Global Moran’s Index (GMI) and Getis Ord Gi * Index (GOGI) were applied to explore characteristics and trends of the spatiotemporal of AWUE. The conclusions are as follows: (1) The AWUE showed a fluctuating development trend of first rising and then falling. However, it did not achieve the effectiveness of DEA in general, and AWUE still had the potential and room for improvement. (2) From the perspective of spatiotemporal variability of AWUE, the northeast region shows better performance than the southwest region. The AWUE among cities and areas had a significant but relatively loose spatial correlation. (3) From 2012 to 2021, the centroid distribution of AWUE hotspots showed a shift from central areas to northeast, with an average annual transfer distance of 11.14 km. In summary, this study emphasizes the urgent need to improve AWUE, which can provide a reference for water resources departments to formulate policy planning and management decisions tailored to local conditions. Full article

Co-based amorphous wires (Co-AWs) are functional materials renowned for their high impedance change rate in magnetic fields and a pronounced giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect. In this study, magnetron sputtering (MS) and dip-coating (DC) techniques were employed to fabricate carbon-based nanocoatings aimed at modulating the GMI properties of Co-AWs. The magnetic properties and GMI responses of the composite Co-AWs with carbon-based coatings were comparatively analyzed. The results demonstrate that both methods effectively enhanced the GMI properties of the coated Co-AWs. The DC method emerged as a rapid and efficient approach for forming the coated film, achieving a modest enhancement in GMI performance (10% enhancement). In contrast, the MS technique proved more effective in improving the GMI effect, yielding superior results. Co-AWs coated via Ms exhibited smoother surfaces and reduced coercivity. Notably, the GMI effect increased with the thickness of the sputtered carbon coatings, reaching a maximum GMI effect of 522% (a remarkable 357% enhancement) and a sensitivity of 33.8%/Oe at a coating thickness of 334 nm. The observed trend in the GMI effect with carbon layer thickness corresponded closely to variations in transverse permeability, as determined by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Furthermore, the carbon coating induced changes in the initial quenching stress on the surface of the Co-AWs, leading to alterations in impedance and a significant reduction in the characteristic frequency of the Co-AWs. Our findings provide valuable insights into the modulation of GMI properties in Co-AWs, paving the way for their optimized application in advanced magnetic sensor technologies. Full article

The Glucose Management Indicator (GMI) is a biomarker of glycemic control which estimates hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) based on the average glycemia recorded by continuous glucose monitoring sensors (CGMS). The GMI provides an immediate overview of the patient’s glycemic control, but it might be biased by the patient’s sensor wear adherence or by the sensor’s reading errors. This study aims to evaluate the GMI’s performance in the assessment of glycemic control and to identify the factors leading to erroneous estimates. In this study, 147 patients with type 1 diabetes, users of CGMS, were enrolled. Their GMI was extracted from the sensor’s report and HbA1c measured at certified laboratories. The median GMI value overestimated the HbA1c by 0.1 percentage points (p = 0.007). The measurements had good reliability, demonstrated by a Cronbach’s alpha index of 0.74, an inter-item correlation coefficient of 0.683 and an inter-item covariance between HbA1c and GMI of 0.813. The HbA1c and the difference between GMI and HbA1c were reversely associated (Spearman’s r = −0.707; p < 0.001). The GMI is a reliable tool in evaluating glycemic control in patients with diabetes. It tends to underestimate the HbA1c in patients with high HbA1c values, while it tends to overestimate the HbA1c in patients with low HbA1c. Full article

The increasing global emphasis on sustainability necessitates the integration of environmentally responsible practices within supply chains. This study explores the impact of green supply chain management practices (GSCMPs) on firm sustainable performance in Pakistan’s manufacturing and service industries. Unlike prior research, which primarily focuses on the direct impact of GSCMPs, this study advances knowledge by incorporating green technological innovation (GTI) and green managerial innovation (GMI) as mediators and green organizational culture (GOC) as a moderator. The study looks at survey data from 480 industry professionals and uses partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and multi-group analysis (MGA). It discovers that GSCMPs greatly enhance sustainability outcomes, especially when green innovations are used. Furthermore, the impact of GSCMPs is more pronounced in the manufacturing sector, emphasizing the role of regulatory pressures and technological advancements. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature by integrating post-pandemic sustainability challenges, highlighting industry-specific dynamics, and providing actionable strategies to enhance green supply chain adoption in emerging markets. The study provides applicable strategies for managers and policymakers to embed sustainability deeper into corporate strategies, ensuring resilience and competitive advantages in evolving global markets. Full article

Magnetic nanoparticles are extensively utilized as markers/signal labelling in various biomedical applications. Detecting and distinguishing magnetic signals from similarly sized moving magnetic nanoparticles in microfluidic systems is crucial yet challenging for biosensing. In this study, we have developed an original method to detect and differentiate magnetic signals from moving superparamagnetic (SPM) and ferrimagnetic (FM) nanoparticles of comparable sizes. Our approach utilizes a highly sensitive magnetic-coil-based sensor that harnesses the combined effects of giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) and an LC-resonance circuit, offering performance superior to that of conventional GMI sensors. Iron oxide nanoparticles, which have similar particle sizes but differing coercivities (zero for SPM and non-zero for FM) or similar zero coercivities but differing particle sizes, flow through the magnetic coil at controlled velocities. Their distinct effects are analyzed through changes in the complex impedance of the sensing system. Our findings provide a unique pathway for utilizing SPM and FM nanoparticles as innovative magnetic markers to identify specific biological entities, thereby expanding their potential applications. Full article

Alternative splicing is a critical post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism in eukaryotes. While infection with Ralstonia solanacearum GMI1000 significantly alters plant alternative splicing patterns, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, the effect of the GMI1000 Type III secretion system effectors on alternative splicing in the tomato cultivar Heinz 1706 was investigated. The RNA-seq analysis confirmed genome-wide alternative splicing changes induced by the Type III secretion system in tomato, including 1386 differential alternatively spliced events across 1023 genes, many of which are associated with plant defense. Seven nucleus-localized Type III effectors were transiently expressed in an RLPK splicing reporter system transgenic tobacco, identifying RipP2 as an effector that modulates alternative splicing levels. Sequence analysis, protein–protein interaction assays, and AlphaFold2 structural predictions revealed that RipP2 interacted with the tomato splicing factor SR34a. Furthermore, RipP2 acetylated a conserved lysine at position 132 within the SWQDLKD motif of SR34a, regulating its splicing pattern in defense-related genes and modulating plant immunity. This study elucidates how the “RipP2-SR34a module” influences plant immune responses by regulating the alternative splicing of immune-related genes, providing new insights into pathogen–plant interactions and splicing regulation. Full article

Several studies in recent decades have investigated the relationship between physical activity and learning, emphasising the role of corporeality as an effective tool for embodying knowledge, as well as skills, motor skills, and life. The aim of this exploratory study is to analyse and interpret the correlations existing between motor competence and school performance in all the disciplines included in the curriculum of primary school. Through non-probability sampling, a sample of 120 Italian children aged 6–10 years was involved. The TGMD-3 test was used to assess gross motor competence, while academic achievement was assessed based on the children’s GPA (grade point average) evaluation. Additional information on extracurricular sports practice was acquired through a questionnaire completed by parents. The Spearman correlation conducted between the children’s TGMD-3 scores (Gross Motor Index, Locomotion, and Ball scaled scores) and the academic achievement showed weak intensity and no statistical significance. In the analysis by sex, only weak and non-significant correlations, mostly of a negative type, were revealed in the group of males. In the group of females, on the other hand, positive, mostly moderate, and statistically significant correlations emerged between GMI and the scaled Ball scores with the learning assessments, except for Physical Education. The results suggest the need to expand studies investigating the quantity and quality of physical education and sports in the formal school context to understand whether, in sharing the educational project, it can promote better school performance and, more generally, more harmonious development of cognitive, motor, and social skills. Full article

We provide new experimental studies of the temperature dependence of the giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect and hysteresis loops of Fe-rich and Co-rich amorphous microwires with rather different room temperature magnetic properties and GMI effect features. We observed a remarkable modification of hysteresis loops and magnetic field dependence of the GMI ratio upon heating in both of the studied samples. We observed a noticeable improvement in the GMI ratio and a change in hysteresis loops from rectangular to inclined upon heating in Fe-rich microwire. However, the opposite trend was observed in Co-rich microwire, in which, upon heating, the shape of the hysteresis loop changed from linear to rectangular. Generally, the evolution of the shape of the hysteresis loops during heating correlates with the modification of the dependencies of the GMI ratio ΔZ/Z on the magnetic field. For Co-rich microwire, the double-peak magnetic field dependence changed to single-peak, while for Fe-rich microwire, the opposite tendency was observed. The origin of the observed temperature dependences of the hysteresis loop and the GMI effect is discussed, considering internal stresses’ relaxation during heating, the temperature dependencies of the magnetostriction coefficient, and internal stresses, as well as the Hopkinson effect. Full article