Search Results (2,068)

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies become increasingly embedded in higher education, concerns have emerged regarding their psychological impact on university faculty. While existing research has largely focused on technological readiness and digital competencies, the social–psychological foundations of faculty well-being in AI-integrated teaching environments remain insufficiently explored. Drawing on social support theory and self-determination theory, this study proposes and tests a structural model of AI-related well-being among university faculty. A total of 523 faculty members in China participated in a cross-sectional survey measuring perceived social support, organizational support, AI literacy, technological self-efficacy, and AI well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the hypothesized pathways and mediating mechanisms. The results indicate that both social support and organizational support significantly and positively influence AI literacy and technological self-efficacy. In turn, AI literacy and technological self-efficacy significantly predict AI well-being and serve as key mediators. Among all factors, AI literacy exhibits the strongest total effect on AI well-being, followed by social support, organizational support, and technological self-efficacy. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of faculty psychological adjustment during technological transitions and offers practical recommendations for institutions seeking to cultivate AI-ready and psychologically supportive academic environments. Full article

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), originally developed as a synthetic auxinic herbicide, is the most widely used chemical inducer of somatic embryogenesis (SE) in plants. Despite extensive use of 2,4-D in plant regeneration, the systems-level regulatory mechanisms connecting hormonal signaling, metabolic reprogramming, translational control, and embryogenic competence remain poorly resolved. Here, we hypothesize that TOR signaling functions as an integrative molecular hub coordinating transcriptional, metabolic, and developmental reprogramming during somatic embryogenesis induction. To investigate the molecular regulatory landscape associated with 2,4-D-induced SE, we performed a systems-level analysis integrating publicly available transcriptomic data from Arabidopsis thaliana with high-confidence protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses using STRING v12.0 (confidence score ≥ 0.900). Using a previously published transcriptomic dataset, we identified 1927 upregulated genes associated with SE induction, which were organized into 34 functional modules related to transcriptional regulation, translation metabolism, hormone signaling and cellular homeostasis. Within this interactome, TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR) kinase emerged as an integrative regulatory hub associated with multiple pathways involved in embryogenic reprogramming. Network analyses revealed three major TOR-associated regulatory axes: (1) the TOR–FKBP12–RPS6A axis, associated with ribosome biogenesis and translational regulation; (2) the TOR–CBP20 axis, connected with transcriptional reprogramming; SE master regulators (LEC1, LEC2, and FUS3); and lipid, sterol, brassinosteroid (BR), and auxin-associated pathways; and (3) the TOR–TAP46 axis, linked with one-carbon metabolism, nucleotide biosynthesis, DNA replication and repair, and genome-stability pathways. Additionally, the network contained 411 embryo-lethal (EMBL) genes distributed across multiple regulatory modules, reinforcing the biological relevance of the identified interactome and highlighting the importance of coordinated developmental, metabolic, and transcriptional regulation during embryogenesis induction. These findings support a systems-level TOR-associated regulatory framework involved in the integration of transcriptional, translational, metabolic, hormonal, and genome-maintenance pathways during embryogenesis. This interactome model provides a foundation for functional studies aimed at dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying SE and identifying candidate targets to improve regeneration and biotechnological application and crop genetic engineering. Collectively, this study proposes a mechanistic framework in which TOR signaling integrates developmental, metabolic, translational, and genome-stability pathways to orchestrate embryogenic competence, providing candidate molecular targets for improving plant regeneration and genome engineering platforms. Full article

Counterfactual thoughts about “what might have been” typically evoke emotions such as regret and relief, yet little is known about how such emotions are processed during real-time language comprehension. This eye-tracking study examined how native Chinese readers infer counterfactual emotions in narratives and whether pragmatic competence modulates this process. Participants read stories in which a character made a decision and subsequently experienced a positive or negative outcome; the final sentence was either consistent or inconsistent with the character’s feeling of regret or relief. Emotion words that mismatched the counterfactual context elicited longer reading times than matching words, indicating rapid online inference and monitoring of the protagonist’s emotions. Crucially, this emotional-consistency effect emerged earlier for relief than for regret (in first-pass reading times for relief but only in later eye-movement measures for regret), revealing an early processing advantage for relief. Moreover, individual differences in pragmatic competence selectively modulated inconsistency detection for regret but not relief: higher pragmatic competence was associated with greater early sensitivity to regret-related mismatches. These findings suggest that inferring regret places greater demands on higher-order pragmatic processing than relief and point to an optimism bias in counterfactual thinking among Chinese readers. Full article

Background: Cigarette smoking promotes persistent systemic alterations in COPD, yet the interplay among genetic susceptibility, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, impaired control of persistent viral replication, and long-term outcomes remains incompletely understood. Methods: We conducted an observational study in 102 patients aged ≥70 years with severe-to-very-severe COPD undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation. Current smokers (n = 38) were compared with never/former smokers (n = 64). Analyses included Chr15q25 genotyping (rs16969968), oxidative stress biomarkers (tail intensity, 8-OHdG, MDA, and bilirubin), hematological and immunological parameters, α7nAChR expression, TTV load as a surrogate marker of immune competence, latent virus prevalence, and five-year survival assessed by multivariable Cox regression. Results: Current smokers exhibited significantly higher DNA damage (tail intensity, p = 0.001; 8-OHdG, p = 0.002), lower bilirubin levels (p = 0.031), increased neutrophil and CD4⁺ T-cell counts (p = 0.031 and p = 0.028, respectively), altered α7nAChR expression on CD4⁺ T cells (p = 0.030), and higher TTV load (p = 0.002) than never/former smokers. The rs16969968 AA genotype was more frequent among current smokers. In survival analyses, an elevated WBC count was independently associated with increased mortality risk (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01–1.23; p = 0.035), whereas higher bilirubin levels showed a protective association. TTV load, smoking status, and FEV1 were not independently associated with mortality. Conclusions: In severe-to-very-severe COPD, smoking is associated with a distinct biological profile characterized by enhanced oxidative DNA damage, systemic inflammation, immune remodeling, reduced antioxidant defenses, and impaired control of persistent viral replication. WBC and bilirubin emerged as the biomarkers most consistently associated with long-term outcomes. These findings support integrated biological profiling as a tool for risk stratification and precision-guided rehabilitation in advanced COPD. Full article

Hydrogen is increasingly recognised as one of the leading pathways for decarbonising the maritime sector. Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) hybrid propulsion is emerging as a promising low-emission technology; however, its safe deployment depends on marine engineers being trained to interpret and manage coupled hydrogen, fuel cell, battery, and electric propulsion systems. However, a critical training gap remains. Alternative fuel guidance identifies hazards and safety barriers, but does not consistently translate hydrogen PEMFC–LFP operation into observable competence assessment evidence and implementation pathways. This paper develops a demonstrator-anchored and regulatory-grounded competency framework for marine engineers operating compressed hydrogen PEMFC-lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery–electric propulsion systems. A structured purposive narrative synthesis combined prototype vessel testing evidence with regulatory safety training, and competency framework literature. The experimental operational data, including compressed hydrogen supply, pressure regulation, PEMFC charging, battery buffering, propulsion current demand, voltage sag, state-of-charge response, monitoring tasks, alarms, and emergency isolation, were used as operational anchors rather than calibrated performance validation evidence. The analysis identified six competency domains. Compared with IGF/LNG model course training, the largest hydrogen-specific competence gaps concerned compressed hydrogen handling, PEMFC purge and shutdown logic, battery-buffered propulsion monitoring, integrated emergency shutdown, and communication during abnormal operation. These findings were translated into assessable learning outcomes, a provisional 40 h training module, instructor prerequisites, practical assessment evidence, a proposed digital twin/VR supplement, and a staged implementation roadmap. The proposed framework provides a structured pilot pathway. It translates operational testing evidence into assessable maritime education and training. It also establishes a foundation for future competency development and certification for commercial vessels. Full article

Purpose: This study examines the preparedness of the Ghanaian construction workforce for Industry 5.0 by assessing digital readiness, identifying skill gaps, and proposing human-centred upskilling strategies. Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative approach was adopted, using six focus group discussions with 32 construction professionals from Accra and Kumasi. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling, while data were analysed thematically. Findings: Four major themes emerged: digital readiness, skill gaps, upskilling strategies, and human–machine collaboration. The findings showed that digital readiness was uneven across roles, with design and managerial professionals demonstrating higher exposure to digital tools than site-based workers and supervisors. Six key barriers were identified: limited BIM competence, low digital literacy, poor technological infrastructure, weak organisational support, inadequate structured training, and resistance to technological change. Three upskilling priorities were also identified: role-specific digital training, continuous professional development, and inclusive training models. Originality: The study provides empirical evidence on Industry 5.0 workforce readiness within a developing-country construction context. Practical Implications: The findings support stronger CPD systems, inclusive training programmes, and collaboration among industry, government, academia, and professional bodies. Research Limitations: The study was limited to 32 professionals in Accra and Kumasi; therefore, the findings are context-specific. Full article

This study investigates the processing of Italian verb constructions containing preverbal dative clitics that function either as arguments or as adjuncts, adopting a developmental perspective across Italian-speaking children, adolescents, and adults. In a self-paced reading experiment, adults and fourteen-year-old adolescents read trivalent verbs selecting a dative argument (‘Martina mi ha prestato una bicicletta.’; Eng.: ‘Martina lent me a bicycle.’) faster than bivalent verbs licensing a benefactive dative (‘Martina mi ha riparato una bicicletta.’; Eng.: ‘Martina repaired me a bicycle), in line with the Argument Structure Hypothesis, which predicts lower processing costs for lexically selected arguments than for syntactically computed adjuncts. In contrast, eleven-year-old children showed no processing differences between the two constructions. A second experiment using eye-tracking with ten-year-old children replicated this null effect, indicating that the absence of sensitivity to the argument–adjunct distinction at this age is not due to methodological factors. Instead, the findings suggest a developmental trajectory, with adult-like processing emerging only in early adolescence. Children’s performance appears to be influenced by grammatical competence rather than by verb argument structure per se. Overall, the results highlight the role of grammatical maturation in real-time syntactic processing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Contemporary healthcare systems face compound challenges (including technological acceleration, demographic aging, rising chronic disease burden, and growing patient expectations) that demand models that are simultaneously efficient, high-quality, and person-centered. Despite a substantial body of research addressing organizational design, human capital management, and clinical competencies, these dimensions have largely been theorized in isolation. This study aims to construct and justify an integrated theoretical framework explaining how organizational models, human capital, and transversal competencies may jointly shape care quality, patient safety, and institutional sustainability in healthcare organizations. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted, integrating contributions from business economics, healthcare management, organizational psychology, and nursing sciences. This design was selected for its suitability in synthesizing heterogeneous, multidisciplinary knowledge into a coherent conceptual framework, a purpose for which systematic meta-analytic approaches are not appropriate. Sources encompassed 79 references: peer-reviewed journals (PubMed, JSTOR, Google Scholar), institutional reports (WHO, OECD, European Commission, Joint Commission), normative standards (ISO 30414:2018), and Italian regulatory frameworks, spanning foundational twentieth-century contributions through the most recent literature (2025). Results: Four principal findings emerged: (1) healthcare organizations are evolving from rigid hierarchical structures toward flexible, value-based configurations, with the Value-Based Healthcare (VBHC) paradigm redirecting institutional attention from service volume to patient-meaningful outcomes per unit of cost; (2) transversal competencies (communication, empathy, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and transformational leadership) are closely associated with care quality and patient safety, with 70–80% of sentinel events associated with communication failures; (3) human capital, encompassing technical expertise and relational capacity, constitutes the primary lever of competitive advantage in healthcare institutions; and (4) the trajectory from pyramidal toward participatory and self-managed models is supported by international evidence, including the Buurtzorg experience in the Netherlands. Conclusions: The integrated three-pillar framework (combining resource-based theory and dynamic capabilities, Value-Based Healthcare, and evolutionary organizational theory) provides a theoretically grounded basis for understanding how organizational structure, human capital, and transversal competencies are jointly associated with clinical performance. Healthcare institutions should systematically integrate soft-skills training into professional education and invest in participatory organizational structures. Health policy should revise financing mechanisms to incentivize patient-meaningful outcomes over service volumes and support the broader transition toward Value-Based Healthcare models. The Italian SSN is discussed as an illustrative national context rather than as the primary empirical focus of the review. Full article

Emerging adulthood may be particularly challenging for young people who have graduated from educational frameworks for adolescents at risk, many of whom have faced complex social, emotional, or familial hardships, alongside academic challenges such as school dropout, yet the mechanisms linking such adversity to well-being remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, this study examined whether satisfaction of three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) mediates the association between negative life events and mental well-being among emerging adults from at-risk educational backgrounds. Participants were 256 Israeli emerging adults (aged 18–25; 48.8% female) who had completed their secondary education in frameworks for youth at risk. Mental well-being was assessed across emotional, social, and psychological dimensions, alongside measures of negative life events and need satisfaction. Parallel mediation analyses indicated that exposure to a greater number of negative life events was associated with lower psychological need satisfaction. Direct effects of negative life events on well-being became nonsignificant once need satisfaction was included, whereas total indirect effects remained significant across outcomes. Competence emerged as the most consistent mediator, while autonomy was specific to emotional well-being and relatedness to social and psychological well-being. These findings identify need satisfaction as a key mechanism linking adversity to well-being and highlight the importance of maintaining supportive relational and developmental structures for young adults transitioning out of at-risk educational frameworks. Full article

Rural communities face persistent economic challenges, and universities increasingly serve as catalysts for regional entrepreneurial development. This study evaluates the RISE29 program, a consulting-based internship initiative placing interdisciplinary undergraduate teams as paid interns with small businesses in economically distressed counties of Eastern North Carolina, examining what students across disciplines learned. Drawing on Cope’s entrepreneurial learning framework as a sensitizing theoretical lens, the study asks: (1) What themes characterize the entrepreneurial learning experiences described by RISE29 interns across cohorts and disciplines? (2) How do reflective depth, student agency, and program satisfaction vary across cohort periods, disciplinary affiliations, and program structures? A multi-layered qualitative analysis of 158 written reflection papers submitted across ten cohorts (Spring 2019–Summer 2022) was integrated with deductive qualitative analysis guided by Cope’s entrepreneurial learning framework, constructivist grounded theory coding, reflexive thematic analysis, reflective depth coding, sentiment and tone analysis, and cross-group comparison. Seven themes emerged: communication as the central axis of learning; collaborative identity development; leadership identity formation; encounter with Eastern North Carolina’s rural communities; professional identity and career clarity; real-world learning and classroom transfer; and program satisfaction with constructive critique. All four dimensions of Cope’s framework were present across disciplines, and non-Business students, in several cases, demonstrated a high degree of analytical depth warranting further investigation. Reflective depth increased in cohorts using an expanded prompt, though overlapping structural changes across the study period preclude single-factor attribution. Place-based, consulting-driven experiential programs generate substantive entrepreneurial learning across disciplinary lines, though findings reflect students’ perceived learning rather than verified competency acquisition. These results support investment in client vetting, structured reflection, cross-disciplinary teaming, and in-person community engagement. Full article

This article examines how media discourse in South Korea constructed Filipino caregivers as a legitimate yet conditional solution to the country’s care crisis. Moving beyond approaches that treat media coverage as a neutral reflection of policy debate, it analyzes news discourse as part of the broader politics of immigrant integration, showing how narratives of care, foreignness, affordability, and utility helped define the terms under which migrant caregivers could be welcomed. Drawing on a qualitative discourse analysis of English- and Korean-language newspaper coverage, the article traces how Filipino caregivers were alternately represented as desirable care providers, disciplined service workers, classed household resources, and ultimately precarious migrants whose social legitimacy remained revocable. The findings show that media and policy languages worked together to normalize a form of conditional belonging in which migrant caregivers were incorporated as useful labor but not recognized as fully deserving social subjects. Across the coverage, affordability emerged as a key discursive filter through which rights, value, and inclusion were negotiated, while competing narratives pushed the care regime toward more selective, informalized, and stratified forms. The article argues that secondary citizenship in this case was not only a legal or labor-market condition but also a discursive accomplishment produced through the intertwined narration of care needs, migrant labor, and unequal integration. Full article

Background: Effective nurse–patient communication is fundamental to quality care delivery, yet language barriers pose significant challenges in multicultural healthcare environments. In Saudi Arabia’s diverse healthcare landscape, nurses frequently encounter patients who do not speak Arabic, potentially compromising care quality and patient safety. Objective: To explore multilevel factors influencing communication between Saudi nurses and non-Arabic-speaking patients, using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as a conceptual framework. Design: A qualitative descriptive study employing semi-structured interviews analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. Setting: Four healthcare facilities (two governmental and two private hospitals) across Saudi Arabia. Participants: Eighteen Saudi registered nurses with experience caring for non-Arabic-speaking patients, recruited through purposive sampling. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (n = 18) were conducted in Arabic or English between November 2025 and February 2026. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis, organized within Bronfenbrenner’s ecological levels. Collaborative reflexive coding and member-checking with six participants supported analytical rigor. Results: Five main themes emerged: (1) Individual-level competencies and preparedness (microsystem), (2) Interpersonal dynamics and cultural sensitivity (microsystem), (3) Unit-level resources and organizational support (mesosystem), (4) Institutional policies and language services (exosystem), and (5) Healthcare system and societal influences (macrosystem). Participants identified language proficiency gaps, cultural misunderstandings, inadequate interpreter services, and systemic barriers as primary challenges affecting communication quality. Conclusions: Communication between Saudi nurses and non-Arabic-speaking patients is influenced by complex, interconnected factors across multiple ecological levels. Interventions should address individual competency development, organizational support systems, and policy-level changes to ensure equitable, safe, and effective communication for all patients. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly recognized as a transformative technology in healthcare, with growing evidence supporting its applicability across time-critical clinical environments. This perspective aims to evaluate the integration of AI and machine learning (ML) into pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) across three core domains: clinical decision support, stakeholder engagement, and medical education. Within clinical decision support, ML architectures have demonstrated high predictive performance across several high-acuity clinical scenarios, including triage stratification, pediatric traumatic brain injury risk classification, early sepsis detection and clinical deterioration prediction, and dermatological assessment. Model interpretability and real-world implementability remain critical prerequisites for clinical adoption, with explainability methods representing fundamental instruments to enhance transparency and stakeholder trust. Regarding stakeholder engagement, the triadic dynamic among clinicians, caregivers, and patients defines a unique communication challenge in PEDs, with large language models (LLMs) showing preliminary utility; however, stakeholder-inclusive model validation and robust data privacy protections for minors remain key challenges, particularly regarding legal ambiguities of LLM deployment in clinical pipelines. In medical education, AI-driven simulation platforms and LLM-generated adaptive curricula represent promising tools for competency-based training across pediatric emergency scenarios. Future directions emphasize the imperative of prospective multicenter validation in pediatric-specific cohorts, rigorous data quality standards addressing conformance, completeness, and plausibility, and the development of pediatric-tailored governance frameworks. Real-world implementation will require the systematic involvement of all stakeholders—including children, caregivers, clinicians, developers, and institutions—as co-designers of equitable, transparent, and safe AI systems for this uniquely vulnerable population. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the accounting function, but evidence from emerging economies still leaves a central question unresolved: whether the profession’s traditional strengths are sufficient to support this technological transition. This study examines this issue in Peru, where digital reform has advanced rapidly, but professional adaptation remains uneven. Using survey data from 424 accounting professionals and academics, a Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) approach was employed to test the relationships between Sustainability, Professional Challenges, IFAC Ethics, and AI Orientation. The construct previously described as AI adaptation is now defined more cautiously as AI Orientation, because its indicators capture a broad perceptual orientation toward AI, including perceived challenge, workflow impact, curricular integration, substitution concerns, and routine use, rather than verified adoption behavior. The results confirmed the strength of the traditional professional sequence: Sustainability significantly predicted Professional Challenges (β = 0.637; p < 0.001), and Professional Challenges strongly predicted adherence to IFAC Ethics (β = 0.972; p < 0.001). However, the direct path from Sustainability to IFAC Ethics was not significant (β = 0.200; p = 0.096). Regarding technological integration, the model revealed a structural disconnect. While Sustainability showed a weak direct effect on AI Orientation (β = 0.279; p = 0.045), neither Professional Challenges (β = 0.160; p = 0.510) nor IFAC Ethics (β = 0.037; p = 0.810) significantly predicted AI Orientation. These findings indicate that while the ethical and adaptive core of the Peruvian accounting profession remains highly resilient under pressure, its connection to AI is still fragmented, with algorithmic tools often perceived as external technological systems rather than integrated accounting competencies. Full article

Introduction: Cross-country running performance is influenced by a complex interaction of physiological, biomechanical, and morphological factors. Recently, infrared thermography (IRT) has emerged as a non-invasive method to assess skin temperature (TSK) and detect potential asymmetries associated with neuromuscular status, fatigue, and injury risk. However, limited evidence exists regarding its relationship with competitive performance in endurance athletes. Methods: An observational study, conducted with STROBE guidelines, included 24 national-level cross-country athletes competing in the 2026 Spanish National Championships. Pre-competition assessments comprised bilateral thermographic analysis of the anterior and posterior thigh and leg regions, alongside some anthropometric measurements (thigh and leg circumferences) following ISAK standards. Performance was evaluated using official race times. Independent t-tests and linear regression models were applied to assess sex differences and associations between variables. Results: No significant sex differences were observed in thigh circumference, whereas males presented significantly greater leg volume (right p = 0.020; left p = 0.042). Thermographic analysis showed no differences in bilateral thermal asymmetry (ΔTSK) between sex quadriceps (p = 0.077), hamstrings (p = 0.695), shins (p = 0.510), and calves (p = 0.194); however, higher absolute temperatures were observed in males in specific thigh regions (right anterior p = 0.039, right posterior p = 0.015, left posterior p = 0.020). Males achieved significantly faster race times during the first four laps, t1 (p ≤ 0.001), t2 (p = 0.002), t3 (p = 0.002), and t4 (p = 0.008), but there was no difference in the fifth lap, t5 (p = 0.179). Statistically significant correlations were observed between temperature differences in the various anatomical regions and competition results during the first four laps, in three of the four regions analyzed (anterior thigh p = 0.035, posterior thigh p = 0.010, anterior leg p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Pre-competition thermal asymmetry of the lower limbs appears to be negatively associated with endurance performance, potentially reflecting suboptimal neuromuscular status or incomplete recovery. IRT represents a practical and sensitive tool for monitoring athletes’ physiological readiness. Full article