Search Results (517)

The emergence of artificial intelligence tools in scientific production is generating significant challenges for scientific integrity and editorial governance, prompting journals and publishers to develop normative guidelines for their use. This study analyzes the current state of guideline implementation among Latin American journals indexed in Scopus and classified according to the Scimago Journal Rank (SJR). A quantitative approach was adopted, complemented by a descriptive documentary analysis based on a detailed review of the websites of 1119 journals from 17 Latin American countries. The collected data were systematized using Excel and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The results indicate that only 27.2% of journals have explicit guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence, with a predominantly regulatory rather than punitive orientation that prioritizes technical support while restricting practices that compromise human intellectual control. Additionally, statistically significant differences were identified according to quality indicators, showing that journals with higher quality levels are more likely to have such guidelines. Overall, the findings reveal an incipient and heterogeneous regulatory development, underscoring the need to strengthen and harmonize editorial guidelines on artificial intelligence in order to safeguard transparency, clarify the responsibilities of the actors involved in the production and publication process, and protect the integrity of scientific communication. Full article

Objectives: To identify, evaluate, and synthesize best evidence-based practices for the comprehensive care and management of cutaneous lesions in Pemphigus patients, encompassing assessment, prevention, topical care, health education, and follow-up. This aims to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical practice. Methods: Guided by the “6S” evidence model, a systematic search was performed across multiple databases, guideline repositories, and professional organization websites. The literature published from the inception of each database up to 25 February 2025 was considered. Two researchers with training in evidence-based methods independently assessed the quality of included literature, extracted data, and synthesized the evidence. Results: A total of 14 publications were included, consisting of 1 clinical decision tool, 6 guidelines, 6 expert consensus documents, and 1 systematic review. From these, 24 evidence recommendations were summarized, organized into five key areas: management principles, skin assessment, lesion care, health education, and recurrence and follow-up. Conclusions: This review integrates current best evidence on skin lesion management in Pemphigus into a structured set of recommendations. The findings offer practical, evidence-based guidance for clinical practice and can support the development of standardized care protocols to improve patient outcomes. Full article

Objectives: To summarize the best evidence regarding folic acid supplementation for preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) in women of childbearing age and to develop a structured evidence summary for guiding clinical practice. Methods: We systematically searched multiple databases and professional websites from 1 January 2013 to 18 September 2025. Sources included 7 databases and 20 professional websites. The search targeted clinical guidelines, expert consensuses, best practices, and recommended practices on folic acid supplementation for NTD prevention in women of childbearing age. The retrieved literature underwent quality assessment, evidence extraction, and summarization. Results: The review included 17 publications: 10 guidelines, 4 expert consensuses, 2 recommended practices, and 1 best practice. From these, 14 distinct evidence statements were synthesized and organized into five thematic dimensions: risks of neural tube defects and the role of folic acid, time window of neural tube closure, timing and dosage of folic acid supplementation, relationship between dietary folic acid and folic acid tablets, and folic acid-related testing. The key recommendations include initiating supplementation at least 3 months preconception, with daily doses of 0.4 mg for low-risk, 1.0 mg for moderate-risk, and 4.0–5.0 mg for high-risk women, continuing through the first trimester, emphasizing that dietary intake alone is insufficient, and advising against routine folate testing. Conclusions: This study synthesized the best available evidence regarding folic acid supplementation for preventing NTDs in women of childbearing age, providing an evidence-based foundation to inform clinical practice, particularly for healthcare systems and populations in regions without mandatory folic acid food fortification. Full article

Training the public health workforce is a critical component of health system strengthening. In Mexico, postgraduate education operates under a national accreditation framework intended to ensure academic quality and social relevance, yet comprehensive information about the scope and distribution of training programs is limited. This study characterizes public health and related academic programs available in 2024, examining the institutional sector, delivery modality, geographic distribution, and accreditation status. A systematic institutional mapping was conducted through structured searches of the official websites of public and private higher education institutions. Eligible programs included bachelor’s degrees, specializations, master’s degrees, and PhDs that were active between March and November 2024. Searches used predefined keyword combinations, repeated at multiple timepoints, and were restricted to official institutional domains. Data were extracted on academic level, institutional sector, delivery format, duration, geographic region, and inclusion in the National Postgraduate System. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze accreditation patterns; geospatial analysis assessed regional distribution. A total of 175 programs were identified across 30 of Mexico’s 32 states. Professional master’s degrees represented the largest category, followed by research-oriented master’s and PhD programs. Public institutions offered nearly two-thirds of all programs. Among postgraduate programs, fewer than half were accredited, with accreditation concentrated in master’s degrees in science (84.6%) and PhDs (55.6%). Only 23.0% of professional master’s degree were accredited. Most programs were delivered fully in person; online offerings were limited and more common in private institutions. Research-oriented programs were geographically concentrated in a small number of states, whereas professional programs exhibited broader but uneven national distribution. Public health education in Mexico shows growth in professionally oriented training but also reveals persistent gaps in accreditation, geographic equity, and flexible delivery modalities. The disproportionate expansion of professional programs without corresponding integration into accreditation frameworks raises concerns for workforce planning and educational equity. Strengthening national information systems, improving institutional reporting standards, and aligning accreditation criteria with workforce needs are essential to ensure that public health training supports progress towards universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

This article investigates the estimation of water quality parameters, specifically chlorophyll-a, applying machine learning techniques to Sentinel-2 images. This study focuses on five small reservoirs located in the Extremadura region (Spain), as these are the ones for which continuous daily records from automatic in situ sensors are available. Chlorophyll-a estimates are obtained from two sources: (1) From the C2RCC atmospheric correction of Sentinel-2 images using Sen2Cor and radiometric calibration to ensure temporal consistency, and (2) from in situ data obtained from the official website of the Guadiana Basin Automatic Network Information System. The machine learning (ML)-based methodology significantly improves the predicted results for inland water bodies, enabling enhanced continuous assessment of water quality in small reservoirs. Full article

Classroom acoustic conditions significantly affect students’ learning outcomes and teachers’ occupational health, yet a systematic gap persists between optimal acoustic standards established in research and their implementation in practice. Although peer-reviewed literature has defined performance thresholds, guidance on which design strategies effectively achieve these targets across different school spaces remains limited. Grey literature—project documentation from architectural firms, acoustic consultants, and material suppliers—contains valuable practice-based evidence. This study aimed to map practice-based evidence in K–12 school acoustic design, identify dominant space–strategy patterns, and appraise evidence quality through systematic mapping of grey literature. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, systematic searches were conducted across 27 websites representing three source types, yielding 142 projects from 22 countries. Data extraction employed a standardised coding framework encompassing project metadata, 19 space types, and 16 acoustic strategy subcategories within five major categories. Evidence quality was assessed using a quantified AACODS framework (score range 6–30), with inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.989). The evidence landscape revealed geographic concentration in North America (41.5%) and the Asia–Pacific region (26.8%), with architectural firms contributing most documentation (54.2%). Space–strategy analysis identified dominant patterns: classrooms and corridors primarily employed absorptive ceilings combined with wall treatment, gymnasiums relied on suspended absorbers, and performance spaces used multi-strategy packages including variable acoustics systems. Open-plan learning spaces displayed high strategy diversity without consensus solutions. Mean quality score was 15.2/30 (SD = 3.0), with only 16.9% of projects reporting quantitative performance indicators. These findings reveal a substantial research-to-practice gap and provide an empirical basis for developing targeted acoustic design guidance for practitioners, informing policy, standards, and future research directions. Full article

This study proposes and validates a comprehensive model of the determinants of online travel company success by establishing the relationships between a properly conceptualized higher-order e-service quality construct, perceived value, and satisfaction on customer loyalty and customers’ citizenship behavior. The model was tested using structural equation modeling and data collected on 257 US travelers. Results reveal that e-service quality positively influences customers’ loyalty and citizenship behavior both directly and indirectly (through perceived value and satisfaction). Perceived value also exerts a direct positive influence on satisfaction. The results provide theoretical and practical implications by helping to demystify the relationships between the tested variables, as well as by increasing our understanding of the determinants of success in online travel websites. Full article

Background: Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) in total knee arthroplasty represents an increasingly relevant component of personalized surgical planning. As nearly half of orthopedic patients search online for medical information before or after clinical consultation, the quality, accuracy, and readability of publicly available digital resources directly influence patient expectations, shared decision-making, and rehabilitation engagement. This study assessed the content, quality, and readability of online information about PSI in TKA. Methods: Google searches using four predefined PSI-related terms were conducted on 6 March 2025. After applying exclusion criteria, 71 websites were included for evaluation. Websites were categorized as academic or non-academic and analyzed for authorship, reporting of advantages and disadvantages, inaccurate assertions, use of peer-reviewed references, multimedia content, and mention of specific PSI platforms. Website quality was assessed using validated quality evaluation tools (QUEST and JAMA criteria), and readability was evaluated using established readability indices (SMOG, FKGL, and FRE). Results: Academic websites demonstrated significantly higher quality than non-academic sources based on QUEST (25.4 vs. 9.8; p < 0.001) and JAMA criteria (3.7 vs. 1.7; p < 0.001). Disadvantages of PSI were reported in 69.1% of academic sites versus 12.5% of non-academic sites (p < 0.001). Inaccurate claims occurred in 31.3% of non-academic sites but were absent in academic sources (p < 0.001). Peer-reviewed references were present in 81.8% of academic websites and only 12.5% of non-academic sites (p < 0.001). Readability was uniformly poor across all websites, with no significant group differences (mean SMOG 13.5; mean FKGL 11.8; mean FRE 32.4). Conclusions: Online information about PSI in total knee arthroplasty varies widely in transparency and accuracy, with non-academic websites frequently omitting risks or presenting misleading claims. Given the role of individualized implant planning, accessible and evidence-based digital content is essential to support personalized patient education and shared decision-making. Because limited readability restricts patient comprehension and informed participation in personalized orthopedic care, improving the clarity and accessibility of digital patient resources is essential. Full article

This study addresses the ecological impact of the internet’s energy consumption by examining the topic of sustainable web design from a consumer-centric perspective. Sustainable web design, encompassing data volume reduction, website element optimization and compression, and ecological hosting, offers the potential to mitigate ecological footprints while simultaneously improving the technical performance and user experience. A mixed-methods research approach was implemented, combining preliminary expert interviews to establish five foundational attributes used in the second part of the study, a discrete choice experiment. Robustness checks of the results employed a mixed logit estimation and tertiary covariates controlling for different sustainability personality types. Rapid loading times turned out to be particularly decisive in generating a positive brand image and enhancing purchase intentions. In addition, communication measures of sustainable web design practices in the form of sustainability seals, the disclosure of green hosting and the provision of transparent information about sustainability efforts also have a positive impact, enhancing the brand perception, quality assessment and users’ purchase decision. The findings, however, reveal no indication whether inherently visible aspects of websites as compared to implemented communication tools, like seals, labels, or information pages, are more effective measures in general. Full article

Background: Social media, especially Instagram, spreads nutrition-related information that often lacks scientific rigor. Many women report feeling inadequately informed about women’s health by healthcare professionals, turning to social media, increasing exposure to misinformation. Objectives: The NutriWomen platform aims to assess the quality, methodological soundness, and credibility of nutritional health claims and dietary recommendations on Instagram targeting women across different life stages. Its goal is to develop a systematic and scientifically grounded evaluation framework to assess Instagram nutrition-related claims and the methodological quality and interpretability of their supporting evidence, and to translate the results into accessible outputs that help women make informed nutrition decisions across life stages. Methods: This study follows a five-stage design Stage 1 involves a retrospective content analysis of Instagram posts containing nutrition-related claims targeted at women, identified through the “Top posts” function and screened using predefined criteria. Stage 2 assesses information quality using a validated 14-item tool. Stage 3 evaluates the scientific accuracy of claims by formulating PI(E)CO(TS) questions, selecting key outcomes, retrieving evidence from PubMed and the Cochrane Database, and appraising systematic reviews with a modified AMSTAR-2 tool incorporating GRADE ratings, when available. Stage 4 develops the NutriWomen website platform to translate assessments into accessible visual summaries. Stage 5 conducts a mixed-methods study with peri-, meno-, and postmenopausal women to explore information needs and evaluate platform usability through focus groups. Conclusions: The NutriWomen platform will be the first website to systematically publish the results of evaluations assessing the scientific quality of nutritional health claims on Instagram targeted at women across different life stages. It will provide a replicable methodology, and a digital tool designed to empower women with trustworthy nutrition information, with the potential to enhance health literacy and promote better health outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: The internet is a major source of health information, including prostate cancer, but the quality of such content is inconsistent and may influence patient decision-making. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of online prostate cancer information by language, location, and user mode (“Logged off” vs. “Anonymous”) using the Google search engine. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study between 5 and 11 December 2022, evaluating Google search results for prostate cancer information across three European cities (Basel, Munich, and Paris) and three languages (English, German, and French) in both “Logged off” and “Anonymous” user modes. A total of 900 websites (450 per mode) were retrieved and classified as: (1) university, (2) hospital, (3) governmental/medical societies, (4) industrial/commercial/NGOs, or (5) other. Website quality was assessed using the validated QUEST, which evaluates authorship, attribution, conflicts of interest, currency, and evidence. Inclusion rates and QUEST scores were compared across languages, locations, and categories using Kruskal-Wallis tests with multiple comparison adjustments. A total of 900 websites (450 per mode) were retrieved in English, German, and French from searches conducted in Basel, Munich, and Paris. Websites were classified as: (1) university, (2) hospital, (3) governmental/medical societies, (4) industrial/commercial/NGOs, or (5) other. Quality was assessed using the QUEST, which evaluates authorship, attribution, conflicts of interest, currency, and evidence. Inclusion rates and QUEST scores were compared across languages, locations, and categories using Kruskal-Wallis tests with multiple comparison adjustments. Results: Inclusion rates were high for both modes (Logged off: 86%; Anonymous: 85%). Location-based differences were significant for Basel (p = 0.04) and Paris (p = 0.02), while language-based differences were not significant. In “Logged off” mode, Category 1 achieved the highest median QUEST score (18.3), followed by 3 (17.8), while Category 2 scored lowest (14.2). Differences were significant (χ² = 50, p < 0.001), particularly between Categories 2 vs. 3 and 2 vs. 4 (p < 0.001). Similar patterns were observed in the “Anonymous” mode. Conclusions: Online prostate cancer information varies substantially in quality. French-language sites, despite high inclusion rates, were of lower quality, while English and German content more frequently met high-quality standards. University websites were the most reliable, hospital websites the least. Language, location, and site type influence the accessibility and reliability of online prostate cancer information. Full article

Background: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), and Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) are rare immune-mediated liver conditions that significantly affect patients’ quality of life. In Romania, access to specialized information and patient support resources is limited, underscoring the need for tailored educational tools. The aim was to describe the methodology for developing, implementing, and conducting a feasibility study of an online platform for patients with PSC, PBC, and AIH, as a pilot study, providing early insights. Methods: The platform offers educational materials, registration, a discussion forum, and digital tools for quality-of-life assessment. Data on demographics, usage, and quality of life were collected using standardized questionnaires (CLDQ-PSC, PBC-10) and non-standardized questionnaires, and analyzed with Microsoft Office Excel and DATATab. Results: The website was created using an online platform requiring no advanced IT skills. Content was developed in accordance with international guidelines (EASL, AASLD) and translated and adapted for Romanian patients. As of 15 July 2025, 81 patients had been registered (26% PSC, 68% PBC, 6% AIH), with a predominance of urban participants (all patients: 87% female, mean age at diagnosis = 44.5 years). Most participants used mobile devices and reported improved understanding and engagement with their health after using the platform. Conclusions: The first dedicated digital platform has been established in Romania to address the health literacy needs of patients with PSC, PBC, and AIH. The study offers insights into future directions and a replicable model for similar initiatives. The pilot evaluation of the platform faced several limitations, including self-selection bias, non-standardized assessments, and a small sample size. Full article

University website research to date tends to focus on conformity with technical standards. It rarely analyses the systemic nature of digital noise and its cognitive impacts. The study measures the intensity of digital noise on public websites of Polish universities (n = 65) and identifies its most common sources. The author investigates five dimensions: Distraction Intensity, Content Overload, Readability, Visual Balance, and Signal-to-Noise Ratio. The results are aggregated into a synthetic Noise Level Score (NLS) and analysed statistically. Four categories of digital noise have emerged from the observations: obligatory, compensated, ornamental, and habitual. This categorisation indicates that digital noise is not always random. It can be a supervised or even intentionally designed phenomenon when specific elements (such as disclaimers, system alerts, or consent layers) are not only expected but required by the user or the law. The study reveals a highly homogeneous sample and strong convergence of the results, indicating a systemic problem. Over 47% of the websites exhibited high NLS, while only 9% scored low. This means that content, visual, and interaction overloads are not incidental. Instead, it follows from the institutional and technological constraints on Polish higher education. The results ought to be interpreted in the context of the institutional communication imperative, defined as a constant pressure from legal obligations, standards, PR, market, and organisational factors towards constant publishing for multiple audiences through multiple channels. Full article

Virtual museums are increasingly adopted to sustain public engagement with cultural heritage, yet the mechanisms through which virtual exhibition experiences motivate on-site visitation remain underexplored. Drawing on the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) framework and extending the Information Systems Success Model (IS Success Model), this study proposes and tests a psychological pathway linking virtual museum experience quality to offline visiting intention. Using the official website of the Sanxingdui Museum as the empirical context, we surveyed 467 users in China who explored the virtual exhibition but had never visited the museum in person. Virtual exhibition experience quality was operationalised through five dimensions: information quality, system quality, perceived interactivity, perceived authenticity and perceived enjoyment. Perceived cultural value and cultural identity were specified as mediators. Structural equation modelling revealed that higher levels of virtual exhibition experience quality significantly enhanced perceived cultural value and cultural identity. Perceived cultural value, in turn, positively predicted cultural identity, and both constructs were positively associated with intention to visit the physical museum, with a significant sequential mediation from experience quality to offline visiting intention via perceived cultural value and cultural identity. These findings clarify how virtual heritage platforms can foster cognitive appreciation and emotional identification that translate into real-world visitation, offering guidance for designing sustainable digital pathways to long-term engagement with cultural institutions. Full article

Urban Building Energy Modeling (UBEM) plays a critical role in supporting data-driven strategies for the energy transition of cities. However, its application is often hindered by the lack of harmonized, high-quality input data representing the building stock. This paper presents the methodology and outputs of a national research project to construct an Italian library of reference buildings suitable for UBEM applications described with scorecards. The methodological workflow included six key phases: definition of a national data classification framework, acquisition and integration of heterogeneous data sources, data harmonization, statistical analysis and clustering, archetype formalization, and dissemination. The result is a library of 380 scorecards covering residential, educational, office, commercial, and catering buildings across multiple climate zones and construction periods. Each scorecard is based on empirical data from public databases, field surveys, or technical standards, and includes detailed descriptions of geometry, envelope characteristics, HVAC systems, internal gains, and ventilation. The scorecards are shared openly on the project’s website and were built to work with different UBEM platforms. Overall, both the method and the results help bring more consistency to UBEM practice and support better, data-driven urban energy planning. Full article