Search Results (371)

Smart Tourism Destinations (DTIs) represent innovative places established on the basis of an infrastructure of advanced technology, whose objective is to promote accessible, sustainable development for tourist regions to enrich tourist’s experiences and inhabitants’ quality of life. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to verify whether the phenomenon indicators of existing smart tourist destinations fit within all dimensions of a smart tourist destination. For data collection, the bibliographic survey method was used in renowned databases. Data analysis comprises two approaches, bibliometric and content analysis, applied sequentially. The results of the bibliometric analysis identify three main pillars in the current perspectives on DTIs: Management and Tourism Experience, Technology, and Sustainability, in addition, it revealed a duality between approaches from the Far East and Western Europe. The content analysis culminates in the proposition of two theoretical-conceptual models for the dimensions and indicators of DTIs, encompassing elements: Information and Communication Technologies (TICs), Governance, Innovation, Accessibility, Performance, Mobility and Infrastructure, as well as Segmented Sustainability in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions. However, the analysis highlights the lack of consensus among studies, especially DTI indicators. The results of the research highlight the insufficiency of these indicators for a comprehensive assessment, notably in the environmental dimension of sustainability. Full article

In Calabria coastal regions, seaward and landward sides could be connected through the ecological role of fluvial catchments. Calabria Tyrrhenian coast shows a wilderness area, characterized by two terrestrial and marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) connected by the fluvial catchment of Verri stream. The bibliographic search was realized according to a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis, as a standardized method for screening the most relevant literature. The field survey, conducted in the study area, highlighted high biodiversity levels and a great natural heritage represented by 189 plant species and 130 animal ones. According to the resulting data, the basin represents a classical model of ecological corridor linking terrestrial and marine SACs, as cornerstones of Natura 2000 network, so representing the European assessment for biodiversity conservation. This paper highlights the high biological richness of a wilderness area showing the tight relationship between the continental and the marine districts of the same coastal region. The main goal of the research is to remark the fundamental role of fluvial corridors within a regional approach where riverine catchments could represent the connecting steps of the network. In Calabria it is hopeful to establish a functional connectivity amongst protected areas supported by fluvial corridors along the regional basins. Full article

Background/Objectives: To critically evaluate the current scientific literature on the physiological and preventive functions of vitamin D, with special emphasis on its possible involvement in multi-organ pathologies, and to assess the effectiveness of supplementation strategies for maintaining homeostasis. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted following a methodological approach in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement for systematic reviews. The bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, using controlled terms and Boolean operators. Rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied in three phases: blind search, selection by title/abstract, and full-text evaluation. Articles published in first quartile journals (JCR 2023) were prioritized. The search was complemented with targeted strategies such as consulting ORCID profiles, using the Jábega tool, and tracking cross-references. Results: The selected studies reinforce that vitamin D acts as a transcriptional modulator with effects beyond the skeletal system, including immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and antitumor functions. Associations were identified between low levels of 25(OH)D and a higher prevalence of autoimmune, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases, as well as certain types of cancer. However, evidence of causality is still limited, and clinical trials have shown mixed results regarding its preventive efficacy. Supplementation strategies are useful in vulnerable populations, although their indiscriminate use without a documented deficiency is not recommended. Conclusions: Vitamin D is emerging as a potentially relevant agent in preventive medicine. While its benefits extrapolated from bone metabolism still require robust clinical validation, current findings support its role in regulating key systemic functions. A balanced approach combining sun protection, health education, food fortification, and targeted supplementation, tailored to the clinical context of each individual, is recommended. Full article

This study presents a systematic bibliographic review of the application of Big Data and machine learning (ML) methods to improve energy efficiency in architectural design. The review covers peer-reviewed publications from 2010 to 2025, examining how ML algorithms such as Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and neural networks have been used to optimise design parameters including orientation, glazing ratio, and compactness. A systematic search and selection protocol was applied to identify, classify, and critically analyse over 70 relevant studies. The findings reveal consistent evidence that data-driven models outperform traditional simulation-based methods in predicting heating and cooling loads while highlighting current gaps related to data quality, model interpretability, and real-world validation. The study contributes to the understanding of how ML-driven approaches can guide sustainable architectural design and future research directions in the built environment. Additionally, illustrative experiments were performed using simulated datasets to validate and exemplify key findings identified in the reviewed studies. Full article

Astrotourism is gaining international recognition as a practice that integrates science, culture and sustainability, addressing global challenges such as light pollution and fostering inclusive local development. Although its environmental and economic impacts are widely acknowledged, its potential as a driver of social innovation remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining how astrotourism activates social innovation across multiple governance scales. The objective is to identify the mechanisms, enabling conditions, and territorial arrangements through which astrotourism operates as social innovation in peripheral contexts. The research adopts a qualitative and exploratory approach, based on documentary and bibliographic analysis of four international cases: Alfa Aldea in Chile, Dark Sky Alqueva in Portugal, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival in Canada, and the National Astrotourism Strategy in South Africa. A comparative framework was applied to identify three recurrent dimensions of social innovation—social capital, redistribution of power, and collaborative responses to crises—drawing on both classical and contemporary literature. Findings show that, despite institutional and territorial differences, all four cases demonstrate the capacity of astrotourism to build trust networks, strengthen community protagonism, and generate adaptive responses to socioeconomic vulnerabilities. The study proposes an interpretive matrix that outlines pathways of social innovation, offering policymakers tools to design multi-scalar strategies that connect community initiatives with national frameworks to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Beyond astrotourism, the framework also provides insights for other sustainable tourism modalities based on natural and cultural heritage. Full article

Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to preventive measures is limited. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, mainly HPV16 and HPV18, is the key cause of cervical cancer. While prophylactic HPV vaccines effectively prevent new infections, they offer no therapeutic benefit for individuals with established lesions. This review evaluates the clinical evidence on therapeutic HPV vaccines, focusing on their ability to promote viral clearance. A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed, selecting human studies reporting outcomes on HPV clearance. Seventeen clinical trials were identified, including DNA-based (VGX-3100, GX-188E), viral-vector (MVA E2, TG4001), peptide-based (Pepcan), and bacterial-vector (GLT 001) vaccines. Among them, DNA-based vaccines, particularly VGX-3100, showed the most consistent results, whereas several protein- or vector-based approaches demonstrated variable outcomes. Early therapeutic HPV vaccine trials faced setbacks due to limited efficacy, delivery approaches, and study design challenges, preventing progression to late-phase development. Recent DNA-based candidates, however, are advancing through phase II/III trials. While none have yet to be approved for commercial use, these vaccines elicit virus-specific T-cell responses and can induce regression of precancerous lesions, offering a promising addition to prophylactic vaccination and screening. Variability in study designs and endpoints underlines the need for standardized protocols and further phase III trials. Overall, therapeutic HPV vaccines represent a rapidly advancing field with the potential to complement prophylactic vaccination and screening, thereby strengthening global cervical cancer control efforts, particularly in LMICs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and achalasia are two chronic esophageal disorders, characterized by inflammatory and neuromotor dysfunction, respectively, that share overlapping immune-inflammatory features. Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the oral and esophageal microbiota may represent a common determinant in their pathophysiology. This review aims to provide a comparative and integrated overview of microbial and immune alterations in EoE and Achalasia, with potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus including clinical studies, experimental research, and review articles published between 2015 and 2025. The keywords Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Achalasia, Microbiota, and Dysbiosis were used for article selection. Results: In EoE, several studies demonstrated increased bacterial diversity with predominance of Prevotella and reduction of Streptococcus, findings associated with greater inflammatory severity and epithelial barrier dysfunction. Conversely, Achalasia is characterized by reduced microbial diversity and a shift from Gram-positive commensals to Gram-negative taxa capable of activating pro-inflammatory pathways (TLR4-MYD88-NF-κB), leading to neuronal loss and impaired peristalsis. Conclusions: Both EoE and Achalasia share the hallmark of dysbiosis, although with distinct immune profiles (Th2 vs. Th17). The identification of specific microbial “signatures” suggests promising perspectives for non-invasive biomarkers and microbiota-targeted therapies, including probiotics and glycan-modulating strategies. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify causal mechanisms and validate microbiota manipulation as a complementary therapeutic approach in esophageal diseases. Full article

Background: Empathy and perspective-taking are, respectively, associated with improved healthcare and educational outcomes. However, numerous studies show that medical students are experiencing a significant decline in self-reported empathy. We aim to examine the impact of empathy and perspective-taking on medical student satisfaction and performance. Methods: Qualitative evidence synthesis was performed using a meta-ethnography approach. Six electronic bibliographic databases were searched for papers published during 2000–2021, including those exploring empathy or perspective-taking in medical education concerning medical student satisfaction and performance and involving medical students. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used to appraise the quality of each included paper critically. Results: In total, 851 articles were identified, and 15 studies were included. Six third-order constructs were synthesized and integrated via a “Bow-Tie” model. This included blending humanism in clinical skills with personal experiences, vicarious learning, challenging pre-conceived notions, curricular and pedagogical inculcation, collective expressions of empathy with secure catharsis, and multi-stakeholder perspectives and involvement. Conclusion: This Bow-Tie model provides a novel framework that integrates the contextual factors to better understand the roles of empathy and perspective-taking in medical education. This aids the planning of interventions, such as in the medical humanities to achieve the desired outcomes. Full article

Background: There is conflicting evidence on whether falling insulin requirements (FIRs) in the third trimester are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We synthesized published evidence to address this knowledge gap. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, wherein we searched four bibliographic databases until September 04 2025 for articles describing third-trimester FIR and pregnancy outcomes. We assessed the risk of bias using the Quality In Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool, performed meta-analysis with pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for maternal and perinatal outcomes and assessed certainty of evidence (CoE) using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: We identified 2044 articles, of which nine fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Third-trimester FIR has an important association with preeclampsia [OR 3.0 (95% CI 1.41–6.38, absolute event rate (AER) 15.9%, high CoE], probably has an important association with neonatal respiratory distress [OR 2.03 (95% CI 1.27–3.26), AER 15.8%, moderate CoE]; may have an important association with a composite of outcomes reflecting placental dysfunction [OR 2.32 (95% CI 1.07–5.03), AER 13.5%, low CoE] and preterm birth [OR 2.0 (95% CI 0.51–7.85), AER 9.3%, very low CoE]; and may not have an important association with stillbirth [OR 1.5 (95% CI 0.27–8.40), AER 0.05%, low CoE], small-for-gestational-age [OR 1.29 (95% CI 0.77–2.15), AER 1.8%, low CoE], or low Apgar score at 5 minutes [OR 1.68 (95% CI 0.68–4.14), AER 2.3%, low CoE]. Conclusions: The CoE regarding associations between third-trimester FIR and adverse pregnancy outcomes varies considerably, and it remains uncertain whether these associations reflect cause or effect. Therefore, a solitary finding of third-trimester FIR does not warrant early delivery and maternal–foetal surveillance should be based on the primary clinical diagnosis. Full article

Background: Sexual and reproductive health promotion is a political and social process that involves not only individual actions but also strategies to change social, environmental and economic factors. It is necessary to know the characteristics of effective interventions in order to design new evidence-based programmes. However, programmes need to follow a holistic approach, hence the importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education. Methods: An extensive bibliographic search was carried out. Twenty systematic reviews between 2015 and 2025 were selected following PRISMA 2020. Results: This review shows that interventions to promote SRH are effective and have significant results in increasing SRH knowledge, attitudes and skills, the competencies of professionals and improving access to SRH services. It has been possible to extract that it is necessary to promote SRH with the inclusion of young people, the adaptation of interventions according to the needs of each person, the coordination between different areas, the application of the intersectional and gender perspective, the application of a rights-based approach, the use of comprehensive and inclusive education models, the training of professionals and the carrying out of evaluations to disseminate the results. Furthermore, there are shortcomings in the evidence, such as the lack of an intersectional perspective, the lack of inclusion of certain groups and the lack of rigorous evaluations following quality standards. Conclusion: Programmes based on Comprehensive Sexuality Education are effective and have certain common characteristics. Full article

This paper examines the state-of-the-art in fire suppression technologies based on computer vision applications in the subject areas of computer science and engineering. The study involves a two-stage analysis of publications using keywords. This paper presents a bibliographic analysis of scientific literature from the Scopus database using VOSviewer software and the author’s methodological approach. General keywords were used for the initial analysis of the dataset, followed by a more detailed study with additional criteria and specific keywords. The categories considered in the article are as follows: Firefighting Robots, Fire Detection, Fire Suppression, Aerial Vehicles, and Computer Vision. It is shown that the research includes technical aspects of fire robots and systems, as well as the improvement of their software and hardware. The subsequent review highlights the important role of computer vision in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of fire suppression systems. It is noted that key advances include the development of sophisticated fire detection algorithms and the implementation of automated fire suppression systems. The study also discusses the challenges and future directions in this field, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. This review provides valuable information for researchers, engineers, and practitioners in the field of fire safety by offering a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art technologies and their applications in fire suppression. Full article

The topic proposal concerns the axes of climate operation and modification, the consequences and/or benefits of the flow of the economy, as well as the risks to social security, amidst the evolution of human interventions, which the Anthropocene highlights. Atmospheric data demonstrates the interaction of gaseous pollutants and aerosols, with the contribution of different emission and pollution sources to its chemical composition. At the same time, satellite remote sensing of precipitation and the water cycle reveal an imbalance in components and effects, in an environment of rapid rates of commercial production and human mobility in the developed world. How does mobility prevent the full observation and modeling of the elements involved (in atmospheric and hydrological data)? What is the role of multi-sensor technologies for detecting gases and what are their applications in decontamination? With sources from bibliographic reviews, data were collected from the detection of point sources of gases and dynamic analyses of the extent of the water surface, in order to highlight the descriptive characteristics of the meteorological phenomena and their activity. The scientific approach to analyzing the individual data is based on the techno-scientific Actor-Network Theory, in order to test their connection and contribution to the overall problematic result. The aim of this study is to build an interdisciplinary analysis with documentation of vulnerabilities in the expression of weather phenomena, of the present geological time. The ambition of the study is to propose principles of regulation and precaution, related to the sustainable development of geo-resources and ways to reduce vulnerability. Full article

This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research applying data envelopment analysis (DEA) to the evaluation of sustainability and performance in complex socioeconomic systems between 2010 and mid-2025. DEA has become an increasingly valuable tool for measuring efficiency, benchmarking practices, and supporting decision-making in contexts where sustainability challenges intersect with economic, environmental, and governance dimensions. To capture global research dynamics, we extracted and merged bibliographic data from Web of Science and Scopus, analyzing publication trends, thematic clusters, co-authorship networks, citation structures, and keyword co-occurrences using bibliometric tools such as VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. Our findings reveal a consistent growth trajectory of the field, with research outputs peaking in 2020 and subsequently diversifying across multiple thematic areas. Conceptual mapping highlights two dominant domains: (i) policy, governance, and planning and (ii) environmental, ecological, and management applications, both linked through the overarching theme of sustainable development. The analysis further underscores the geographic diversity of contributions, the concentration of knowledge in key publication outlets, and the increasing connectivity of international collaboration networks. By identifying thematic gaps and underexplored intersections, this study emphasizes the need for more interdisciplinary approaches that integrate bibliometric insights with practical sustainability outcomes. The results provide a structured overview of the field’s evolution, offering researchers and policymakers a valuable reference point for advancing DEA applications in sustainability research. Full article

Robotisation is playing an increasingly important role in economic and technological life today. Industrial robotisation has a significant impact on the efficiency and productivity of manufacturing companies, and service robots are becoming more and more common in everyday life. The main objective of our research is to examine the impact of robotisation on energy consumption and sustainability, as well as the technological and corporate challenges facing the integration of robots. The research is based on a literature review, which we supplemented with a bibliographic analysis. In terms of methods, we relied on the Global Citation Score, Co-Coupling Network Analysis, and Burst Analysis. Our results suggest that research on industrial robotisation can be divided into complementary dimensions, ranging from engineering-level trajectory optimization and subsystem design to system-level modeling, macroeconomic sustainability analysis, and data-driven optimization. The findings highlight that the positive impacts of robotisation on both energy efficiency and carbon reduction can be maximized when these approaches are integrated into a systemic framework that connects micro- and macro-level perspectives. Full article

The global rise in the elderly population inherently escalates the demand for health and social care. Ensuring cognitive performance for healthy brain aging presents significant challenges for researchers and health professionals promoting self-care behaviors. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of the latest research on healthy brain aging by employing a biopsychosocial framework. It integrates biological, psychological, and social dimensions to elucidate their collective influence on cognitive health in older adults. Methodologically, this article provides a narrative review of the existing literature. A diverse array of bibliographic resources was obtained from prominent electronic databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, to ensure broad coverage of the topic. The search was designed to capture relevant studies published between 2010 and 2025, using key terms such as ‘aging’, ‘biomarker’, ‘neurodegeneration’, and ‘cognitive performance’. Following a rigorous selection process, two field specialists evaluated a total of 106 full-text articles to identify those that met the eligibility criteria, ultimately yielding 70 relevant studies. The findings reveal important connections between psychosocial and biological biomarkers and brain morphology, highlighting lifestyle factors—such as diet, exercise, and social engagement—as crucial for cognitive health. The article also underscores specific biomarkers relevant for assessing brain age and their relationship to neurodegenerative disorders. Notably, while biological markers like Aβ, tau, and α-synuclein (proteins that define the core molecular pathology of common neurodegenerative diseases) are present, they do not guarantee the onset of neurodegenerative diseases; psychosocial factors play an essential role in determining disease manifestation. In conclusion, these results support a holistic approach to healthy aging, which integrates psychosocial environments and lifestyle choices that enhance cognitive resilience. We propose further cross-sectional descriptive studies to better identify the biopsychosocial variables influencing cognitive performance and healthy brain aging, aiming to improve clinical practices and inform public health strategies. Full article