Search Results (674)

Traditional journalists now utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to disseminate information. With the emergence of TikTok as a prominent social network for entertainment and information, many journalists worldwide, including in Israel, have begun leveraging it to create and share short video content. This study presents a qualitative case study of journalists operating within the Israeli media system, examining why and how journalists use TikTok, the professional challenges they face on the platform, and how they address these challenges. Specifically, it focuses on how journalists perceive TikTok as a journalistic space and their professional role within it. Focusing on the Israeli context, which is both digitally advanced and characterized by a democratic and pluralistic media environment, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 prominent journalists from traditional Israeli media outlets who are extensively active and considered at least micro-influencers on TikTok. The findings reveal several key themes regarding journalists’ use of TikTok. These include the platform’s role as a tool for reaching younger audiences and maintaining relevance; and the journalists’ self-perception as gatekeepers combating fake news. However it was found that they face ethical dilemmas and an absence of the structural and ethical foundations necessary for serious investigative journalism. This is the result of adapting their work to the platform’s light, fast-paced, and visually engaging format, favoring content that is entertaining and often sensational, to meet the expectations of TikTok audiences. While grounded in the Israeli case, the findings contribute to broader discussions on the platformization of journalism and the transformation of professional norms in media environments. Full article

Background: Physical activity requiring self-control may yield greater post-activity cognitive improvements. Implementing such tasks within The Daily Mile could enhance cognition further while adding variety to the initiative. This study examined whether the inclusion of self-control tasks within The Daily Mile influences subsequent cognition and enjoyment. Methods: Participants, numbering 99 (10.2 ± 1.1 y), completed three trials (Daily Mile Normal, Daily Mile Self-Control, and resting), using a within-subject, order-balanced, crossover design. The Daily Mile Self-Control involved students completing tasks requiring self-control for 30 s every 2 min within The Daily Mile. Cognitive tests (Stroop test, Sternberg Paradigm, Visual Search test) were administered prior to, immediately following and 45 min following The Daily Mile and resting trials. During the trials, distance covered (m), average heart rate (beats·min⁻¹) and physical activity enjoyment (PACES) were measured. Focus groups explored factors affecting enjoyment during The Daily Mile trials. The effects of physical activity vs. rest on cognitive function were examined first, followed by the effect of adding self-control tasks to The Daily Mile. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the Daily Mile trials on distance covered or physical activity enjoyment. However, average heart rate was significantly higher in The Daily Mile Self-Control compared to The Daily Mile Normal. Compared to rest, The Daily Mile had a positive effect on inhibitory control. Working-memory accuracy maintained following activity, but perceptual accuracy was briefly impaired. Following the addition of self-control tasks, working memory response times improved. However, accuracy on inhibitory control and perception declined immediately after activity, compared to The Daily Mile Normal. Thematic analysis indicated varied perceptions among participants, with some valuing the simplicity and control of The Daily Mile Normal, and others favoring The Daily Mile Self-Control due to the variety and cognitive challenge. Conclusions: Incorporating self-control tasks into The Daily Mile produced mixed cognitive and qualitative responses, compared to The Daily Mile Normal. This suggests that tailoring physical activity to individual preferences may optimize engagement and cognitive outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID (LC) are complex multisystem conditions with significant functional disability. Many patients experience symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, which can be captured in some cases as Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) or Postural orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) on objective testing. Conservative treatments are recommended for first-line symptom management, but there is a lack of efficacy evidence. This study aims to assess the feasibility of an 8-week clinically supervised, personalised Dysautonomia Management Protocol (DMP) in a cohort of ME/CFS and LC patients with subjective and objective evidence of orthostatic intolerance (dysautonomia). Methods: ME/CFS and LC patients with objective dysautonomia on the 10 min active Lean Test (LT) were recruited to an 8-week DMP, with interventions introduced cumulatively every two weeks. Interventions included increasing daily fluid intake to 3 litres and salt intake to 10 g, pacing to avoid crashes and calf activation. Baseline and weekly data collection included the LT, Composite Autonomic Symptom Score questionnaire (COMPASS-31) and Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (YRS). Results: Sixteen participants completed the 8-week program, five discontinued during the program, and one was withdrawn following a severe crash. The COMPASS-31 improved by 7.7 points from week 1 to week 8 (p = 0.045), with a medium Cohen’s d effect size of 0.55. For the same period, there was a non-significant (p = 0.16) improvement in the YRS symptom severity score by 2 points. Comparing the final two weeks of the program with the first two weeks, mean heart rate during the LT decreased by 4.8 beats per minute (p = 0.032), with a medium Cohen’s d effect size of 0.44. Adherence to the interventions was highly variable, with none of the patients able to fully employ all four recommendations. Conclusions: The results suggest that targeted conservative interventions could influence autonomic function and symptom reduction. However, the magnitude of change was limited, and statistical significance might not necessarily relate to a clinically significant improvement in symptoms. Full article

Background: Early childhood is a critical period for the development of motor competence, which is closely related to later physical activity, educational readiness, and broader developmental outcomes. However, the temporal dynamics of motor skill acquisition in preschool children, particularly the time required to reach initial and early refinement phases of learning, remain insufficiently described. The aim of this study was to examine whether different levels of previous participation experience in an organized kinesiology program are associated with differences in the speed and quality of novel motor skill acquisition in preschool children, and to explore the relationship between baseline motor proficiency and phase-based indicators of motor learning. Methods: A total of 161 preschool children aged 5–6 years participated in the study and were grouped according to their previous participation experience in an organized kinesiology program (0 h, ~120 h, ~350 h, and ~470 h). Following BOT-2 assessment, all participants completed a standardized 7-week motor learning program that included nine previously unfamiliar motor tasks. Using a phase-based video analysis protocol, three learning indicators were recorded: time to Phase 1 (F1; first successful execution), time to Phase 2 (F2; initial refinement of performance), and final performance quality (K). Group differences and associations were first examined descriptively and correlationally, after which additional multivariable regression models were performed to determine whether previous participation experience and baseline motor proficiency were independently associated with motor learning outcomes. Results: The findings showed consistent differences across groups, with children who had greater previous participation experience generally reaching F1 and F2 more rapidly and achieving higher final performance quality scores. Higher BOT-2 scores were also associated with shorter learning times and better final performance quality. In the multivariable models, both previous participation experience in an organized kinesiology program and BOT-2 total score were independently associated with Phase 1 attainment time and final performance quality, whereas only previous participation experience remained independently associated with Phase 2 attainment time. The applied phase-based observational protocol demonstrated good to excellent inter-rater reliability across the evaluated motor learning variables. Conclusions: These findings provide phase-based temporal indicators of motor learning progression in preschool children and suggest that previous participation experience in an organized kinesiology program and baseline motor competence are meaningfully associated with the speed and quality of acquiring new motor tasks. The findings also demonstrate the potential of phase-based approaches for quantifying motor learning dynamics in early childhood settings. Such indicators may offer useful reference information for instructional pacing and the planning of motor learning activities, while also serving as practically relevant predictors for adapting future kinesiology programs to children’s motor readiness. Future research should further examine these relationships using longitudinal and analytically expanded designs. Full article

Qualification is the evidence-based process through which confidence is established that a component will perform its intended function, in its intended environment, for its intended lifetime, with the required reliability. It is an owner-led activity that defines the type, quantity and quality of data required for codification and for the industrial deployment of components and their structural materials. This paper presents a structured qualification framework and applies it to a fusion machine breeder blanket structure as a representative component. It demonstrates that qualification, rather than material properties alone, dictates the use of fusion structural materials and the deployment of such materials under ASME BPV and AFCEN RCC codes. Current limitations in addressing irradiation synergy, liquid metal corrosion, and joint integrity expose gaps that these codes cannot yet prescribe. Two contrasting structural blanket material case studies: metallic-based ferritic-martensitic steel Eurofer97 and non-metallic-based silicon carbide fibre-reinforced composites (SiC_f/SiC) are used to illustrate the differing evidence requirements for each system type. Industrial scale-up considerations, including alloy specifications, manufacturing readiness, inspection reliability, and supply-chain maturity, are evaluated alongside the need for internationally harmonised datasets and design methodologies. Fusion programmes can use a phased qualification strategy in which early, time-limited operation under controlled conditions builds the evidence needed for codification and scale-up, with the required pre-operation qualification level depending on risk, component criticality and failure consequences, and with the pace of qualification ultimately setting how quickly industry can supply components for commercial fusion. Codification remains essential for commercial deployment because construction codes express codified material behaviour through allowable stresses and permitted fabrication routes, enabling designers to use advanced materials without disclosing proprietary data. In jurisdictions where ASME BPV compliance is mandatory, codification determines whether a material may enter pressure boundary service and must therefore form part of the fusion machine owner’s long-term strategy for deployment. Full article

Infectious diseases remain a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. This burden is driven, in part, by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the re-emergence of epidemic and pandemic threats, underscoring the need for translational research to address knowledge gaps exposed by recent pandemics. Despite significant advances enabled by antibiotics and antivirals, their effectiveness is increasingly constrained by resistance development, limited pathogen spectra, and prolonged development timelines that fail to keep pace with rapidly shifting epidemiology. Diagnostic limitations impede timely pathogen identification and hinder the development of treatment regimens informed by pathogen mechanisms of action. Severe infections frequently involve dysregulated host responses, including hyperinflammation, inflammasome activation, and endothelial or immunothrombotic injury, which may progress to sepsis, immunoparalysis, or chronic sequelae, highlighting the limitations of pathogen-centered paradigms. Conventional biomarkers and culture-based microbiology are often slow or nonspecific, while molecular assays may not reliably distinguish colonization from active infection or capture host-response heterogeneity shaped by age, immune competence, and disease stage. This review synthesizes mechanistic and translational insights across three interrelated axes: (i) host–pathogen interactions, with a focus on innate immune sensing networks (e.g., Toll-like receptors, inflammasomes, RIG-I-like receptors, and cGAS-STING) and microbial replication and immune evasion strategies; (ii) clinical and public health implications, spanning acute organ dysfunction syndromes, post-acute infection syndromes, and AMR-driven health system strain; and (iii) emerging therapeutics along a continuum of pathogen-, virulence-, host-, and immune-directed approaches. Emphasis is placed on anti-virulence therapeutics, bacteriophage therapy, monoclonal antibodies, and engineered immune modalities within frameworks of quantitative translational pharmacology and implementation science. Finally, an integrative conceptual framework encompassing mechanistic phenotypes, host-response diagnostics, and stage-adapted therapeutic combinations is proposed to guide rational intervention across endemic infections and future pandemic preparedness. Full article

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) students face persistent barriers in geometry education due to instructional approaches that inadequately support visual communication and embodied learning. This study examined DHH students’ experiences with GeoMETriA, a metaverse-based geometry learning platform integrating sign language instruction, three-dimensional visualization, and avatar-mediated interaction. Guided by the Cognitive Affective Model of Immersive Learning (CAMIL), a multi-phase qualitative design was employed, including pre-workshop interviews with four special education teachers and post-workshop focus group discussions with seven DHH secondary students following a four-session learning workshop. The findings indicate that gamified activities and peer collaboration enhanced interest and sustained engagement, while avatar customization supported embodiment and a sense of presence. Students described progression from initial uncertainty to greater confidence through practice and scaffolded support. However, cognitive and usability challenges emerged, particularly concerning sign language video pacing, navigation complexity, and limited instructional scaffolding. The study contributes theoretically by extending CAMIL-informed interpretations to sign-supported metaverse learning, empirically by documenting how engagement, embodiment, and self-efficacy develop during immersive geometry learning, and practically by offering design implications including adjustable sign language delivery, structured scaffolding, and culturally responsive avatar options. These findings suggest that metaverse-based platforms hold promise for supporting DHH learners when accessibility and learner-centered principles are embedded as foundational design considerations. Full article

Gait parameters are commonly reported, but their stability over durations representative of a typical continuous run remains poorly understood. This study investigated the stability and temporal structure of key spatiotemporal and kinetic parameters during a 30 min easy-paced treadmill run (13 km∙h⁻¹) while participants wore familiar and unfamiliar every day running shoes. Step-level data were analysed across the full time series and in sequential 1 min epochs to determine how long each parameter took to reach practical stability and whether this differed between shoe conditions. Approximately 2450 steps were analysed per condition. Within-participant variability was low (CV < 2.5%) for all parameters and conditions except for peak impact force (CV = 6.9–7.0%) and average loading rate (CV = 8.4–8.7%). Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA-α) indicated persistent temporal structure for stride duration, swing time, and active peak force, whereas loading-phase kinetics showed weak long-range dependence. No significant differences were observed between shoe conditions for variability or temporal structure, although ground contact time was significantly longer when participants wore unfamiliar shoes. Practical windows of stability relative to each participant’s 30 min mean ranged from 11 to 17 min for spatiotemporal variables, 9 to 17 min for active peak force, and within the first minute for impact-related parameters and impulse. These findings indicate that studies examining spatiotemporal and kinetic parameters during easy-paced treadmill running require 11–17 min of continuous data to obtain 1 min epoch estimates that are practically stable relative to 30 min averages, regardless of footwear familiarity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a critical period for executive function (EF) maturation. While sleep and physical activity (PA) are key lifestyle factors, their longitudinal impact on EF in ecologically valid settings is insufficiently characterised. This study examined the associations between objectively measured sleep duration, daily steps, and EF performance across one academic year (~9 months). Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted with 168 Spanish adolescents (13–16 years). Sleep duration and daily steps were monitored using Fitbit Charge 6 wearables for 7-day periods at baseline (M1; September 2024) and follow-up (M2; June 2025). EFs were assessed using three validated tasks: Stroop (inhibitory control), Psychomotor Vigilance Task-Brief (PVT-B; sustained attention), and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT; working memory). Linear Mixed Models (LMM) were employed to analyse the effects of the fixed factors (i.e., Group and Time), and their interactions. Results: PA, but not sleep duration, significantly predicted executive performance. The High_PA group demonstrated faster reaction times in inhibitory control (p = 0.007) and significantly fewer attentional lapses in sustained attention (p = 0.014). In contrast, sleep duration showed no significant main effects on EF domains (p > 0.05). Regression analyses confirmed that higher daily steps predicted faster reaction times in inhibitory control in the total sample (r = −0.173, p = 0.002), although an unexpected positive association was observed in the Low_PA group for inhibitory control, warranting cautious interpretation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that habitual PA is associated with better EF performance in adolescents, whereas sleep duration alone (without considering timing or variability) showed no significant associations with cognitive outcomes. Sensitivity analyses using clinically informed thresholds and continuous standardised predictors confirmed the robustness of these findings. Full article

Background: Orthorexic eating reflects a rigid preoccupation with healthy eating that often co-occurs with health-oriented lifestyles, yet the affective experience of physical activity has received little attention. This study examined whether enjoyment of physical activity is associated with orthorexic tendencies in adults and whether it explains variance beyond age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity status, and self-rated diet. Methods: Adults (N = 434; M_age = 27.55) recruited online in Türkiye completed a survey including the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI), and sociodemographic, BMI, physical activity, and diet items. Pearson correlations and one-way ANOVAs assessed bivariate associations, and hierarchical regressions tested whether PACES added incremental variance to ONI total and domain scores beyond covariates. Results: PACES scores showed a near-zero correlation with ONI total (r ≈ 0.02) and did not add variance in regression models (ΔR² ≈ 0.00). Higher BMI and identifying one’s diet as “healthy and balanced” were linked to modestly higher ONI total and Impairments/Emotions scores, while differences in physical activity status were small and mainly limited to the Behavioural domain. Conclusions: In this non-clinical sample of Turkish adults, enjoyment of physical activity was not meaningfully associated with orthorexic tendencies. These findings suggest that enjoyment-focused physical activity promotion can be encouraged without increasing orthorexic symptoms, while replication in clinical/high-risk groups (e.g., elite/professional athletes and clinical eating disorder patients) and longitudinal designs is warranted. Full article

Assessing urban resilience under compound shocks requires observable and comparable process evidence that can inform resilient land governance and cross-jurisdiction planning. Using China’s Pilot Free Trade Zones (PFTZs) as a staged institutional setting, this research examines whether institutional exposure is associated with deviation–recovery trajectories of urban activity during the 2020 COVID-19 shock and whether these associations propagate through spatial spillovers with an identifiable scale profile. Institutional exposure is operationalized by the prefecture-level cities actually covered by PFTZ functional areas. With harmonized administrative boundaries, we construct an annual city-level VIIRS nighttime light (NTL) series for 2013–2024 and treat NTL as an activity-change signal rather than a direct proxy for output. We trace shock deviation in 2020 and subsequent recovery via staged differencing. Spatial interaction frictions are represented by least-cost path distance (LCPD) derived from a multi-source cost surface, which is used to build a gravity-based spatial weight matrix. Estimation relies on the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), with LeSage–Pace impact decomposition to distinguish direct and spillover effects, complemented by distance-threshold diagnostics to map attenuation patterns. Results indicate persistent clustering within the PFTZ-related urban system. The shock year is characterized by compressed connectivity and fragmented brightening, whereas recovery proceeds in a layered manner with earlier core repair, partial corridor reconnection, and weaker adjustment at the periphery. Spatial dependence in activity change is statistically significant. Associations linked to institutional exposure are realized primarily locally, while structural and scale conditions more readily operate through spatial externalities. Spillovers are most detectable at meso-scales and attenuate gradually across distance thresholds. Overall, the integrated earth-observation and spatial-econometric framework provides replicable geospatial evidence to support resilient land governance and regional coordination under common shocks. Full article

Epigenetic clocks have successfully estimated biological age by identifying CpG sites whose DNA methylation levels correlate with chronological age. However, these statistical models provide limited mechanistic insight into the biological underpinnings of ageing. While they capture the “pace” of ageing, they fail to quantify the “resilience” of biological systems—the capacity to recover, reorganize, and maintain homeostasis under stress. To overcome this limitation, we introduce EpiAge-R (Epigenetic Age with Resilience), a mechanistic framework that shifts the focus from passive correlation to active recovery potential. The EpiAge-R framework integrates multilayered biological information—including long-read methylation sequencing, chromatin context, histone modification balance, 3D genome topology, and mitochondrial dynamics—into a unified Resilience Index. By distinguishing between degenerative methylation drift (damage) and adaptive repair processes (resilience), EpiAge-R aligns with nonlinear multi-omics ageing trajectories. This framework provides a quantitative foundation for next-generation biomarkers and precision longevity interventions, aiming to define optimal health rather than statistical normality. Full article

Aim: Brain training games offer a promising avenue for promoting cognitive engagement and healthy aging among older adults. However, little is known about how design features align with the specific needs of this demographic to promote sustained usage and thereby cognitive intervention. The aim of this study was to characterize how all aspects of the game design and player experience might influence adherence mechanisms, and assess the feasibility and acceptability of a wearable brain-activity measuring device. Methods: We use an exploratory mixed-methods approach with n = 6 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 68 ± 3.94) within a smart-home-style Living-Lab. Participants played two commercially available brain-training games. One of the games uses a wearable brain-activity measuring device. We collected System Usability Scale (SUS) and User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) scores and conducted focus-group interviews and structured observations. We performed a qualitative theory-informed analysis through the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework. Results: Participants reported high motivation to play brain-training games for dementia prevention. They preferred large, high-contrast text, intuitive navigation, touch-based controls, and a relaxed pacing. The wearable device was acceptable and comfortable for home use. There were requests for a clearer meaning of brain activity scores and the integration of personalized brain data with other health apps and broader health metrics. Quantitative scales (SUS and UEQ) showed similar ratings for both games, with both meeting the threshold for acceptability. Conclusions: In this formative study, concrete design features that plausibly increase engagement, persistence and adherence were identified, alongside evidence for the feasibility of integrating a wearable brain-sensor. Our findings motivate a follow-on trial testing whether an adherence-optimized design increases the training dose and downstream cognitive outcomes. Full article

Background and Objectives: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) remains a disease without a curative treatment. Hence, patient healthcare is mostly based on symptom management and the application of coping strategies, such as pacing. In this strategy, patients learn how to plan their daily physical and cognitive activities according to their perceived energy reservoir (or envelop). However, there is currently no evidence for the feasibility of pacing in Portugal, where ME/CFS is not well recognized. Materials and Methods: We implemented a 8-week pacing program in Portuguese patients with an official diagnosis of ME/CFS. We focused on recruitment feasibility, protocol adherence, and patient acceptability, with secondary exploratory analysis of pre- and post-intervention variations in the Chalder’s fatigue questionnaire and SF36 physical functioning scores. Results: We were able to recruit thirteen patients for the study. The patients attended, on average, seven out of the eight sessions expected per participant, with the majority adhering to the research protocol ($n=7;53.8\%$). In a post-intervention survey, the respondents ($n=10$) considered that the intervention addressed the specific needs of people living with ME/CFS. Concerning the outcome trends, the average fatigue score decreased from 27.5 at baseline to 17.7 after the intervention. The mean physical functioning score increased from 24.6 to 31.7. Conclusions: This exploratory study supported the feasibility of benchmark studies in Portugal with increased sample size, longer interventions, and including a control group (e.g., specialized medical care), with which eventual placebo effects can be better accounted for. Full article

Background/Objectives: The calf muscles are vital for generating propulsive force during walking. This power is produced from calf muscle contractions and elastic strain energy release. However, the impact of walking speed on these power-generation mechanisms is understudied. This study aimed to investigate how different walking speeds affect calf muscle activation and ankle power generation. Methods: In this study, we analyzed electromyography (EMG) signals from the gastrocnemius (GAS) and soleus (SOL) muscles of 55 healthy individuals walking at various speeds. C1: household ambulators (0–0.4 m·s⁻¹), C2: limited community ambulators (0.4–0.8 m·s⁻¹), C3: community ambulators (0.8–1.2 m·s⁻¹), C4: self-selected usual speed, and C5: self-selected fast speed. Results: Deviating from a participant’s self-chosen pace led to increased cumulative muscle activity and prolonged plantar flexor activation. Optimal muscle activation was observed at speeds between 0.8–1.2 m·s⁻¹. A second-degree polynomial mixed model best captured the relationship between muscle activation duration and integrated EMG in the ankle power generation phase in late stance, demonstrating the nonlinear relationship between walking speed and calf muscle activation in this phase. Statistically significant models (p < 0.001) explained over 50% of the variability in GAS activation duration (R² = 0.55) and integrated EMG (R² = 0.56), as well as SOL activation duration (R² = 0.52) and integrated EMG (R² = 0.72). Conclusions: The nonlinear relationship between walking speed and calf muscle activation indicates that normal walking speed optimizes the utilization of elastic strain energy in the ankle power generation phase. Full article