1. Repeatability of mechanical muscle activity measurements using a muscle contraction (MC) sensor: time-series and discrete variable analysis of the vastus medialisAljaž Merčun, Matej Drobnič, Elijan Mastnak, Jan Žumer, Srdjan Djordjević, 2026, original scientific article Keywords: MC sensor, muscle activity, repeatability, intraclass correlation, cross-correlation
Published in DiRROS: 16.04.2026; Views: 82; Downloads: 44
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2. Assessing health-related quality of life outcomes through sensory modulation profiles in adults with atypical sensory processing: a cross-sectional studyPatricija Goubar, Tomaž Velnar, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: Atypical sensory modulation—manifesting as low registration, sensitivity, avoidance, or sensory seeking—can significantly affect adults’ daily functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite growing interest in sensory diversity, its relationship with HRQoL remains insufficiently explored in adult populations. Objectives: This study investigated the association between sensory modulation profiles and HRQoL outcomes in adults, with the aim of informing neurodiversity-affirming clinical approaches. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 86 adults (aged 23–54), evenly divided into two groups based on typical vs. atypical sensory modulation profiles, assessed via the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP). HRQoL was measured using the SF-36. Statistical analyses included the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Adults with atypical sensory modulation profiles reported significantly lower HRQoL across all eight SF-36 domains (p < .001), most notably in domains related to fatigue, pain, mental health, and social functioning. No significant associations were found between HRQoL outcomes and age or gender, suggesting sensory modulation profiles were the primary factor. Conclusion: Sensory modulation differences are strongly associated with reduced HRQoL, independent of demographic factors. These findings underscore the importance of integrating sensory-informed, person-centered strategies in adult care to support well-being and promote environmental accommodation over pathologisation.
Keywords: sensory modulation disorder, sensory integration dysfunction, sensory processing disorder, health-related quality of life, health status indicators, adults, sf-36 questionnaire, cross-sectional study
Published in DiRROS: 15.04.2026; Views: 91; Downloads: 41
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3. Differential associations between smoking, e-cigarette use, and diabetes prevalenceYusuff Adebayo Adebisi, Chimwemwe Ngoma, Davide Campagna, Antonio Ceriello, Najim Z. Alshahrani, Anoop Misra, Abdul Basit, Tadej Battelino, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background: Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for diabetes, but the relationship between e-cigarette use and diabetes remains uncertain. Evidence to date has been drawn almost entirely from North America and Asia, with little information from European populations. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 17,854 adults aged 16 years and older from the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021 waves of the nationally representative Scottish Health Survey. Diabetes status was based on self-report of doctor-diagnosed diabetes. Participants were classified into six mutually exclusive categories of smoking and e-cigarette use: never users of either cigarettes or e-cigarettes, ex-smokers (former smokers who never used e-cigarettes), current exclusive cigarette smokers, current exclusive e-cigarette users, current dual users, and former e-cigarette users. Weighted prevalence estimates and survey-weighted binary logistic regression models were used to examine associations, adjusting for age group, sex, education, deprivation quintile, ethnicity, alcohol use, physical activity, and hypertension. Results: Diabetes prevalence was highest among ex-smokers (11.3 %, 95 % CI: 10.1-12.5). Prevalence was 5.7 % (95 % CI: 5.2-6.2) among never users of either cigarettes or e-cigarettes, 6.2 % (95 % CI: 4.9-7.9) among current exclusive cigarette smokers, 4.9 % (95 % CI: 3.4-7.1) among current exclusive e-cigarette users, 8.3 % (95 % CI: 5.8-11.8) among current dual users, and 5.1 % (95 % CI: 4.1-6.3) among former e-cigarette users. In adjusted models, ex-smokers had 35 % higher odds of diabetes compared with never users of either cigarettes or e-cigarettes (OR = 1.35, 95 % CI = 1.14-1.60, p < 0.001), whereas current exclusive smokers (OR = 0.78, 95 % CI = 0.58-1.03, p = 0.084), current exclusive e-cigarette users (OR = 0.81, 95 % CI = 0.53-1.22, p = 0.309), current dual users (OR = 1.49, 95 % CI = 0.94-2.38, p = 0.091), and former e-cigarette users (OR = 1.00, 95 % CI = 0.78-1.29, p = 0.973) were not significantly different from never users. Sensitivity analyses restricting ex-smokers to those with ≥5 years since cessation and limiting the sample to adults aged ≥45 years reproduced the same pattern of results. Conclusions: In this nationally representative study of Scottish adults, excess diabetes prevalence was observed among ex-smokers, a pattern that may reflect both reverse causation if individuals quit smoking after diagnosis and the lasting metabolic effects of cumulative smoking exposure. Neither current nor former e-cigarette use was associated with diabetes, and the observed variation in prevalence appeared linked to smoking history rather than e-cigarette use. However, because vaping is relatively recent, further longitudinal research is needed to clarify any long-term risks.
Keywords: cigarette smoking, cross-sectional study, diabetes, e-cigarettes, Scotland, tobacco
Published in DiRROS: 23.03.2026; Views: 135; Downloads: 89
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4. Attitudes towards genome editing in farmed animals – a cross-cultural studyLeon Borgdorf, Elsa Delanoue, Marjeta Čandek-Potokar, Valentin P. Haas, Koen Kramer, Franck L. B. Meijboom, 2026, original scientific article Keywords: focus groups, genome editing, moral foundations, public attitudes, cross-cultural research, farmed animals, animal breeding
Published in DiRROS: 12.03.2026; Views: 218; Downloads: 176
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5. Assessing life balance of European people with multiple sclerosis : a multicenter clinimetric study within the RIMS networkDaphne Kos, Sofie Ferdinand, Marijke Duportail, Isaline Eijssen, Sofie Schouteden, Lore Kerkhofs, Jelka Janša, Núria Filló, Kathleen M. Matuska, Heleen Beckerman, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Background Life balance is defined as “a satisfying pattern of daily activity that is healthful, meaningful, and sustainable to an individual within the context of his or her current life circumstances”. To assess life balance, the self-report instrument Life Balance Inventory (LBI) has been developed in the US. The aim of this study was to evaluate cross-cultural, construct validity and test-retest reliability of translated versions of the LBI in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) within different European cultures (Dutch, Flemish, Slovenian, and Spanish). Method The LBI was translated according to the principles of forward/backward translation and the cultural adaption process of patient-reported outcomes and evaluated in people with MS in each country/language area. LBI (score range 1–3; higher scores refer to better balance) was registered twice with an interval of 7 days to evaluate test-retest reliability using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and Bland Altman analyses. To evaluate construct validity, Pearson correlations of the LBI with quality of life, fatigue, depression and self-efficacy were explored. Results The total sample (n = 313, 50 ± 11 years of age, MS duration 13 ± 8 years) consisted of five subsamples: Dutch (n = 81, 74% women, 54 ± 9.6 years of age), Flemish 1 (n = 42, 57% women, 49 ± 12 years), Flemish 2 (n = 105, 63% women, 50 ± 10.6 years), Slovenian (n = 48, 79% women, 44 ± 11.2 years) and Spanish (n = 37, 62% women, 47 ± 9.0 years). Baseline total LBI scores differed between subsamples (F(4, 312)=7.19, p < 0.001). ICC [95% CI] of total LBI was 0.88 [0.83–0.92] (Flemish 2), 0.65 [0.39–0.82] (Flemish 1), 0.55 [0.37–0.69] (Dutch), 0.45 [0.15–0.67] (Spanish) and 0.35 [0.07–0.59] (Slovenian). Systematic error was present in one sample; no proportional bias occurred. Correlations ranged from 0.05 to 0.55 for quality of life and self-efficacy, from −0.50 to 0.05 for fatigue and from −0.44 to −0.28 for depression, not fully supporting the hypotheses. Conclusion The study results provide limited support for test-retest reliability, cross-cultural and construct validity of the LBI in different European subsamples. Although LBI may serve as a supportive tool in goalsetting in rehabilitation, the current version of LBI is not recommended for (international) research purposes.
Keywords: cross-cultural validation, meaningful activities, patient reported outcome measure (prom), quality of life, rehabilitation
Published in DiRROS: 10.03.2026; Views: 255; Downloads: 118
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6. The choice of study designs of diagnostic accuracy using Borrelia specific IgG and IgM antibodies for the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosisRam Benny Dessau, Alice Raffetin, Randi Eikeland, Volker Fingerle, Anna J. Henningsson, Klaus-Peter Hunfeld, Benoit Jaulhac, Reto Lienhard, Per-Eric Lindgren, Franc Strle, 2025, review article Abstract: Background: Laboratory diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB) is used in a variety of clinical settings where a range of other diagnoses may be considered. Therefore, it is essential that diagnostic accuracy studies and literature reviews consider information from different types of studies and choices of sample groups. The quality of patient selection is important to minimize the risk of misclassification. This narrative review was inspired by systematic reviews where nearly all studies on the diagnostic accuracy for LB tests were determined as biased and having low quality based solely on study design considerationsdnot the clinical relevance. Objectives: To propose flexible design and interpretation of studies used to assess diagnostic accuracy in clinical microbiology. Sources: Criteria for rating the quality of studies were discussed among the ESCMID study group for LB ESGBOR (The ESCMID study group for Lyme borreliosis). The literature was searched for similar methodological discussions. Content: Knowledge of antibody reactivity in the background population across various clinical patient groups with and without infection should consider variations in clinical presentation and duration of disease. Case-control studies are the most frequently used design and were judged particularly instrumental in assessing serologic testing. However, clinical and epidemiological studies not specifically intended for diagnostic accuracy may also contribute estimates of sensitivity and specificity. Systematic reviews should focus on the application of the diagnostic assay for the individual patient in various clinical settings, rather than seeking an unbiased average. Different LB sample groups and controls for test panels are discussed. Implications: Case-control (two-gate design) studies, case series, and seroprevalence studies representing the range of LB in different populations are necessary to assess the diagnostic accuracy of serological tests for LB. A broader range of studies should be considered for inclusion in systematic reviews of diagnostic accuracy
Keywords: case-control design, cross-sectional design, diagnostic accuracy, diagnostic antibody tests, diagnostic test accuracy, Lyme borreliosis, research design, serology, systematic review
Published in DiRROS: 09.03.2026; Views: 214; Downloads: 122
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7. Understanding suboptimal insulin use in type 1 and type 2 diabetes : a cross-sectional survey of people with diabetesRachel S. Newson, Esther Artime, Julie Bower, Erik Spaepen, Birong Liao, Indranil Bhattacharya, Tadej Battelino, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Purpose: This analysis aimed to document suboptimal insulin dosing (missed or skipped and mistimed basal and/or bolus) in people with diabetes (PwD), including type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Additionally, barriers and solutions for optimal insulin dosing were explored. Patients and Methods: This multinational, cross-sectional, online survey was conducted in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Eligible PwD with T1D or T2D used an analog insulin pen. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 1150 PwD (T1D: 300; T2D: 850) were included. Overall, a proportion of PwD reported missing 1 or more basal (48.2%) or bolus dose (59.6%) in the past 30 days. Among those who reported missing doses, the average number [standard deviation] was 3.6 [3.6] basal doses and 4.6 [7.4] bolus doses. PwD reported forgetting, being too busy/distracted, and finding it too complicated or burdensome as key reasons for missed doses. A proportion of PwD reported mistiming 1 or more basal (45.7%) dose or bolus (53.6%) dose in the past 30 days. Among those who reported mistiming doses, the average was 3.9 [4.0] basal and 5.1 [8.1] bolus doses. Key reasons reported for mistiming doses included being too busy or distracted, being out of routine, or having an unexpected or earlier/later-than-expected meal. Conclusion: Suboptimal insulin use is prevalent among PwD, with nearly half of participants reporting missed or mistimed doses in the past 30 days. Results indicate the need for support to help PwD self-manage the complexity of insulin treatment and to improve outcomes due to suboptimal insulin dosing. Such support might include devices that record measurements and dosing and provide feedback.
Keywords: diabetes, basal, bolus, suboptimal dosing, missed doses, mistimed doses, cross-sectional survey, suboptimal insulin use, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes
Published in DiRROS: 24.02.2026; Views: 268; Downloads: 150
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8. Force signal alignment in dynamic testing machine calibration applicationsMiha Hiti, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Calibration of force in measuring systems where the force is time dependent i.e. dynamically changing, introduces additional complexities versus quasi-static calibration conditions. Time variable force signals necessitate accurate time alignment between concurrent signals – measurement series from unit under test and the measurement series from the reference standard need to be synchronised. Different unsynchronised measuring systems are typically used for acquisition of each calibration signal and they need to be time aligned in post- processing to eliminate as much as possible the influence of the sample misalignment from the resulting testing machine indication error. The paper focuses on the time synchronization of measurement series by using cross-correlation to determine the necessary time correction when calibrating testing machines with dynamic cyclic force excitation. Measurements are presented for calibration signals in the examples of 20 kN testing machine compression calibration for 5 kN ± 1 kN cycling force with 1 Hz, 5 Hz, and 10 Hz cycling frequencies, and 1000 kN testing machine tensile calibration for 500 kN ± 100 kN cycling force with 1 Hz cycling frequency. The standard deviation of the error distribution after time correction and clock rate compensation was below 0.2 % for both, 20 kN testing machine calibration, and 1000 kN testing machine calibration.
Keywords: calibration, dynamic testing systems, time-synchronization, cross-correlation
Published in DiRROS: 11.02.2026; Views: 460; Downloads: 182
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9. Predictors for residential mobility in later life : empirical findings for the young-oldliving in an Austrian small townTatjana Fischer, Markus Jobst, Karl Moder, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The article addresses residential mobility in later life from the perspective of the young-old, an under-explored topic in Austria. Data originating from a written survey conducted as part of a cross-sectional case study on people aged 60 to 74 years living in an Austrian small town are used to estimate prospective behaviour using logistic regression. The results show that women and people with a higher educational attainment are more likely to leave their current urban residential municipality, while men are more likely to relocate to a nursing home. Moreover, a duration of residence of 20 or more years decreases the probability of relocation. The findings confirm previous studies and highlight, that more spatially disaggregated data is needed to improve decision-making in town planning.
Keywords: spatial research, cross-sectional study, aging in place, residental mobility, attitudes, Austria
Published in DiRROS: 10.02.2026; Views: 577; Downloads: 229
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