Search Results (1,222)

The world is facing a state of “global boiling,” causing damage to various sectors. Developing pedestrian systems is a key to mitigating it, especially in tropical and humid cities where the climate discourages walking and increases the need for shaded walkways. Recent research shows a lack of data and in-depth studies on the built environment promoting walkability in such climates, creating a research gap this study aims to fill. Using Singapore as a case study, four locations—Marina Bay, Orchard Road, Boat Quay, and Chinatown—were surveyed and analyzed through visual decoding and questionnaires. Results show that natural light is the most frequently observed and important element in pedestrian pathway design in tropical and humid areas. Trees and sidewalks are also important in creating a walk-friendly environment. Green spaces significantly influence the desire to walk, though no clear positive outcomes were found. Additionally, “Other Emotions” negatively affect the decision to walk, suggesting these should be avoided in future pedestrian pathway designs to encourage walking. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass a wide range of heart and vascular conditions and remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that integrates acceptance, mindfulness, and commitment to value-based actions. This systematic review aims to explore the current evidence on the potential role of ACT interventions in supporting psychological well-being among individuals with CVDs. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A search of the literature was conducted through Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: The reviewed studies suggest that ACT may promote psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and self-care behaviors in patients with CVDs. Reported outcomes include improved mindfulness, reduced distress, and enhanced quality of life. However, the evidence base is limited in both size and methodological rigor, with included studies varying in design and population. Conclusions: While preliminary findings indicate that ACT shows promise in addressing psychological aspects of CVDs, the current evidence remains insufficient to draw definitive conclusions. Further high-quality, large-scale studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and clinical applicability of ACT in cardiovascular populations. Full article

In October 2024, a DANA (Isolated Depression at High Levels) triggered torrential rains across the Valencian Community, causing 227 deaths, severe infrastructure damage, and economic losses estimated at €17.8 billion. In this context of crisis, startups, despite having fewer resources and less experience than large corporations, played a significant role in crisis communication, shaping public perception and operational continuity. This study explores the communication strategies adopted by startups during and after the disaster, focusing on their activity on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook between October 2024 and January 2025. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted a quantitative analysis of digital discourse through the Fanpage Karma tool, assessing metrics such as engagement, reach, and posting frequency. Sentiment analysis was performed using GPT-4, an advanced natural language processing model, and in-depth interviews with startup representatives provided qualitative insights into reputational impacts. The findings reveal that startups which aligned their discourse with the social context, prioritizing transparency and emotional proximity, enhanced their visibility and credibility. These results underscore how effective crisis communication not only mitigates reputational risk but also strengthens the local entrepreneurial ecosystem through trust-building and social responsibility. Full article

Clinical and animal studies suggest that multiple brain systems are involved in mediating reward-motivated and related emotional behavior including the consumption of commonly used drugs and palatable food, and there is evidence that the repeated ingestion of or exposure to these rewarding substances may in turn stimulate these brain systems to produce an overconsumption of these substances along with co-occurring emotional disturbances. To understand this positive feedback loop, this review focuses on a specific population of hypothalamic peptide neurons expressing melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), which are positively related to dopamine reward and project to forebrain areas that mediate this behavior. It also examines neurons expressing the peptide hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) that are anatomically and functionally linked to MCH neurons and the molecular systems within these peptide neurons that stimulate their development and ultimately affect behavior. This report first describes evidence in animals that exposure in adults and during adolescence to rewarding substances, such as the drugs alcohol, nicotine and cocaine and palatable fat-rich food, stimulates the expression of MCH as well as HCRT and their intracellular molecular systems. It also increases reward-seeking and emotional behavior, leading to excess consumption and abuse of these substances and neurological conditions, completing this positive feedback loop. Next, this review focuses on the model involving embryonic exposure to these rewarding substances. In addition to revealing a similar positive feedback circuit, this model greatly advances our understanding of the diverse changes that occur in these neuropeptide/molecular systems in the embryo and how they relate, perhaps causally, to the disturbances in behavior early in life that predict a later increased risk of developing substance use disorders. Studies using this model demonstrate in animals that embryonic exposure to these rewarding substances, in addition to stimulating the expression of peptide neurons, increases the intracellular molecular systems in neuroprogenitor cells that promote their development. It also alters the morphology, migration, location and neurochemical profile of the peptide neurons and causes them to develop aberrant neuronal projections to forebrain structures. Moreover, it produces disturbances in behavior at a young age, which are sex-dependent and occur in females more than in males, that can be directly linked to the neuropeptide/molecular changes in the embryo and predict the development of behavioral disorders later in life. These results supporting the close relationship between the brain and behavior are consistent with clinical studies, showing females to be more vulnerable than males to developing substance use disorders with co-occurring emotional conditions and female offspring to respond more adversely than male offspring to prenatal exposure to rewarding substances. It is concluded that the continued consumption of or exposure to rewarding substances at any stage of life can, through such peptide brain systems, significantly increase an individual’s vulnerability to developing neurological disorders such as substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, or cognitive impairments. Full article

Car interior design should evoke emotions, offer comfort, convey safety and at the same time project the brand identity of the car manufacturer. Lighting is used to address these functions. Modules required for automotive interior lighting often feature injection-moulded (IM) light guides, whereas woven fabrics with polymer optical fibres (POFs) offer certain technological advantages and show first-series applications in cars. In the future, car interior illumination will become even more important in the wake of megatrends such as autonomous driving. Since the increase in deployment of these technologies facilitates a need for an economical comparison, this paper aims to deliver a cost-driven approach to fulfil the aforementioned objective. Therefore, the cost structures of the supply chains for an IM-based and a POF-based illumination module are analysed. The employed research methodologies include an activity-based costing approach for which the data is collected via document analysis and guideline-based expert interviews. To account for data uncertainty, Monte Carlo simulations are conducted. POF-based lighting modules have lower initial costs due to continuous fibre production and weaving processes, but are associated with higher unit costs. This is caused by the discontinuous assembly of the rolled woven fabric which allows postponement strategies. The development costs of the mould generate high initial costs for IM light guides, which makes them beneficial only for high quantities of produced light guides. For the selected scenario, the POF-based module’s self-costs are 11.05 EUR/unit whereas the IM module’s self-costs are 14,19 EUR/unit. While the cost structures are relatively independent from the selected scenario, the actual self-costs are highly dependent on boundary conditions such as production volume. Full article

Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and in Spain. Individuals with cancer are at a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population due to both general and disease-specific risk factors. Objective: To update knowledge on nursing care measures to address the risk of suicide in cancer patients. Methods: A narrative review was conducted by searching PubMed, WOS, Scopus, and CINAHL during February and March 2025. The inclusion criteria comprised original qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed-methods studies related to the topic of the review. Results: Of the 289 identified studies, 23 were selected. Twelve studies of cancer patients, ten studies of healthcare professionals, and one study of caregivers and survivors were included. Regarding suicide risk factors, eight studies addressed demographic aspects, fifteen socio-economic factors, twenty-one psycho-emotional factors, and seventeen physical factors. Key risk factors included male sex, advanced age, social isolation, lack of social support, hopelessness, and physical deterioration. Seventeen studies highlighted the need for continuous and comprehensive nursing care using validated tools for systematic assessment of suicide risk. Eight emphasised the importance of ongoing training in suicide prevention, which is essential for developing communication skills and improving therapeutic relationships. Five studies underscored the relevance of a holistic approach that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of patient care. Six extended this approach to include family members and caregivers. Conclusions: Suicide risk in cancer patients is associated with multiple risk factors. Emotional support and a comprehensive, continuous nursing approach—based on systematic assessments, specialised training, and a holistic focus—are key to effective suicide prevention. Full article

In the sentiment analysis of online comments, all comments are generally considered as a whole, with little attention paid to the inevitable emotional fluctuations in comments caused by changes in product value. In this study, we analyzed the online comments related to apple sales on Chinese e-commerce platforms, and combined topic models, sentiment analysis, and transfer learning to investigate the impact of product value on emotional fluctuations in online comments. We found that as product value changes, the sentiment of online comments undergoes significant fluctuations. Among the prominent negative sentiments, the proportion of topics influenced by product value significantly increases as product value decreases. This study reveals the correlation between changes in product value and sentiment fluctuations in online comments, and demonstrates the necessity of classifying online comments based on product value as an indicator. This study offers a novel perspective for enhancing sentiment analysis by incorporating product value dynamics. Full article

Tobacco use disorder remains a leading cause of preventable mortality, with nicotine playing a central role in the development and maintenance of dependence, mainly through its action on α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Smoking cessation treatments must address both physiological withdrawal and the affective disturbances (such as anxiety, irritability, and mood lability) which often facilitate relapses. This review compares two pharmacotherapies used in smoking cessation, varenicline and cytisinicline (cytisine), with particular focus on their impact on emotional regulation, psychological symptoms, and neuropsychiatric safety. Varenicline, a high-affinity partial agonist at α4β2 nAChRs, has demonstrated superior efficacy in maintaining abstinence and is well-supported by robust clinical data, including in psychiatric populations. However, its use may be limited by adverse effects such as nausea and sleep disorders. Cytisinicline, a structurally similar but less potent partial agonist, has recently gained renewed interest due to its lower cost, favorable tolerability profile, and comparable effectiveness in the general population. Although less extensively studied in patients with serious mental illness, preliminary data suggest cytisinicline may offer a better side effect profile, particularly regarding sleep disturbances and emotional reactivity. Both agents appear to ameliorate withdrawal-related affective symptoms without significantly increasing psychiatric risk. Ultimately, pharmacotherapy choice should be guided by individual clinical features, mental health status, treatment tolerability, and resource availability. Further research is needed to establish cytisinicline’s efficacy and safety across diverse clinical contexts, particularly among individuals with severe psychiatric comorbidities. Full article

This study examines how beliefs about the causes of climate change relate to emotions, perceptions of its effects, and willingness to engage in collective action among residents of the Valparaíso Region in Chile, a territory particularly vulnerable to this phenomenon. A survey was conducted with 809 individuals using stratified probabilistic sampling. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among those who attribute climate change to human, mixed, or natural causes. The results show that individuals who believe in the anthropogenic origin of climate change report higher levels of negative emotions, anxiety, perceived impacts, and willingness to participate in both direct and institutional collective actions. Moreover, these individuals perceive greater negative effects of climate change on their surroundings and daily lives. In contrast, those who attribute the phenomenon to natural causes show a lower predisposition to act and a lower risk perception. The study concludes that causal attribution of climate change significantly influences people’s emotional and behavioral responses, highlighting the importance of strengthening climate education and communication based on scientific evidence as key tools for fostering civic engagement in the face of the environmental crisis. The findings contribute to sustainability by strengthening environmental education, participatory governance, and collective action in vulnerable contexts. Full article

The hypothalamus belongs to the central brain structure designed for the neuroendocrine regulation of many organismal functions, including the stress response, cardiovascular system, and blood pressure, and it is well known that the serotonergic hypothalamic system plays a significant role in these processes. Unfortunately, the genetic determination of serotonergic hypothalamic mechanisms has been little studied. The aim of this article is to describe the expression profile of the genes in the hypothalamic serotonergic synapses in hypertensive ISIAH rats in comparison with normotensive WAG rats in control conditions and under the influence of a single short-term restraint stress. It was found that 14 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) may provide the inter-strain differences in the serotonergic synaptic function in the hypothalamus between the hyper- and normotensive rats studied. In hypertensive rats, downregulation of Slc18a1 gene in the presynaptic serotoninergic ends and decreased expression of Cacna1s and Htr3a genes determining the postsynaptic membrane conductance may be considered as a main factors causing differences in the function of hypothalamic serotoninergic synapses in hypertensive ISIAH and normotensive WAG rats at the basal conditions. Under basal conditions, glial cell genes were not involved in the formation of inter-strain differences in serotonergic synaptic function. The analysis of transcriptional responses to restraint stress revealed key genes whose expression is involved in the regulation of serotonergic signaling, and a cascade of interrelated changes in biological processes and metabolic pathways. Stress-dependent changes in the expression of some DEGs are similar in the hypothalamus of hypertensive and normotensive rats, but the expression of a number of genes changes in a strain-specific manner. The results suggest that in hypothalamic glial cells of both strains, restraint stress induces changes in the expression of DEGs associated with the synthesis of Ip3 and its receptors. Many of the identified serotonergic DEGs participate in the regulation of not only serotonergic synapses but may also be involved in the regulation of cholinergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic, and dopaminergic synapses. The results of the study provide new information on the genetic mechanisms of inter-strain differences in the functioning of the hypothalamic serotonergic system in hypertensive ISIAH and normotensive WAG rats at rest and under the influence of a single short-term restraint (emotional) stress. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neck pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, affecting the cervical region. It represents one of the leading causes of disability, with a prevalence of 30%. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive electrotherapy technique that enables direct modulation of cortical excitability. It involves the application of a low-intensity electrical current to the scalp, targeting the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of tDCS on functionality, pain, mobility, and pressure pain threshold in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Methods: Thirty participants (18–60 years) were selected to receive ten treatment sessions over a four-week period using tDCS (CG = 15) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (CG = 15), with the following various related variables evaluated: functionality (Neck Disability Index), pain intensity (NPRS), cervical range of motion (ROM), and pressure pain threshold (PPT). Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment, one month, and three months after the intervention. Results: The within-group analysis revealed statistically significant improvements for both groups at post-treatment, one-month follow-up, and three-month follow-up. Conclusions: The comparison between groups shows favorable changes in the tDCS group for PPT measurements. Full article

About 8% of Ghanaians, including adolescents, have various types of disabilities. Although many legal and constitutional protections for people with disabilities, including adolescents, exist in Ghana, it is widely known that these persons face a variety of psychosocial issues. Several factors have been identified as contributing to the unremitting marginalisation of people with disabilities in general, but the extent to which these can be generalised to adolescents with disabilities is unknown. This study, therefore, sought to document the determinants, manifestations, and consequences of disability-related stigma among differently abled adolescents in three special schools in northern, middle, and southern Ghana. An exploratory descriptive qualitative design was used. Overall, 54 participants were purposively selected for a semi-structured interview and focus group discussions. Braun and Clarke’s procedure for thematic analysis was followed. The findings showed a variety of stigmatising experiences by adolescents with disabilities in their sociocultural context. More broadly, the cause of disability was linked to the ramifications of parental sins against the gods, being a descendant of river gods, and the consequences of bewitchment/curses by family members. Others included the perceived transmissibility of the disability and disability as a visible condition. Stigma manifested in the form of pejorative labelling, ableism, and social exclusion. The consequences of this stigma included negative psychological and emotional effects (i.e., depression, low self-esteem, and a lack of confidence) and suicidal ideation. There is an urgent need for stigma reduction interventions for adolescents with disabilities in Ghana as part of an effort to improve their wellbeing. Full article

Background/Objectives: For those with comorbid mild traumatic brain injury/post-traumatic stress disorder (mTBI/PTSD), deficits are common with regard to recognition of emotion expression in others. These deficits can cause isolation and suicidal ideation. For mTBI/PTSD, there is a dearth of information regarding effective treatment. In pilot work, we developed and tested an innovative treatment to improve recognition of both affect (facial expression of emotion) and prosody (spoken expression of emotion). Methods: We enrolled eight Veterans with mTBI/PTSD and administered eight treatment sessions. Measures included the following: Florida Affect Battery (FAB), a test of emotion recognition of facial affect and spoken prosody; Attention Index of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS); and Emotion Recognition Test (ERT), a speed test of facial emotion recognition. Results: There was a significant treatment response according to the FAB (p = 0.01, effect size = 1.2); RBANS attention index (p = 0.04, effect size = 0.99); and trending toward significance for the ERT (0.17, effect size 0.75). Participants were able to engage actively in all eight sessions and provided qualitative evidence supporting generalization of the training to interpersonal relationships. Conclusions: Our data show promising clinical potential and warrant future research, given the importance of developing novel interventions to train and restore recognition of emotion in Veterans with mTBI/PTSD. Full article

Background and Objectives: During exam sessions, many students experience high levels of stress caused by the large volume of material to study, tight deadlines, and pressure to achieve top grades. This study aimed to examine the relationship between academic stress, sleep disturbances, and eating behaviors by using validated questionnaires administered to a student sample. As stress levels increased, the data revealed a higher frequency of insomnia symptoms and disordered eating, including behaviors such as compulsive eating and irregular meal patterns. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted on a convenience sample of 317 university students from various academic centers across Romania. Participants were recruited via online distribution of a self-administered questionnaire during a four-month period, including exam sessions. The survey included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), alongside additional items assessing perceived links between stress, sleep, and eating behaviors, and the use of medication. Data were analyzed using SPSS with Spearman correlations, t-tests, and linear regression. Results: Statistical analyses revealed significant and positive associations between perceived stress levels and insomnia, as indicated by Spearman’s correlation (p < 0.01). A similar significant correlation was identified between perceived stress and disordered eating behaviors among students. Specifically, the feeling of being overwhelmed by academic workload showed a strong positive correlation with a lack of control over eating behaviors (r = 0.568). Furthermore, linear regression analysis confirmed a significant predictive relationship between feeling overwhelmed and the tendency to eat excessively beyond initial intentions, with a standardized regression coefficient B = 0.581 (p < 0.001). A separate regression analysis focusing on exam-related stress and episodes of compulsive eating behavior demonstrated a comparable result (B = 0.573, p < 0.001), indicating a robust positive association. Additionally, independent samples t-tests demonstrated that students experiencing high levels of stress during the exam period reported significantly greater difficulties with sleep initiation and higher levels of disordered eating compared to their peers with lower stress levels. The difference in insomnia scores was highly significant (t = 11.516, p < 0.001), as was the difference in eating behavior scores (t = 10.931, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for emotional support services and effective stress management strategies, enabling students to navigate academic demands without compromising their mental or physical well-being. Full article

This study aims to explore the interrelationships among key factors influencing learning burnout, such as motivation and negative emotions (depression, anxiety, and stress) along with other factors influencing including problematic mobile phone use, nomophobia, and interactive learning, as well as whether their pathways of influence on learning burnout differ between online and offline learning contexts. Using the convenience sampling method, data from 293 college students were collected. Measurements were carried out using the Nomophobia Scale, the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), the Interactive Learning Scale, the Learning Burnout Scale, and the Scale of Motivation for Activity Participation. By applying network analysis and network comparison methods, and based on the Social Comparison Theory and the Affective Socialization Heuristics Model, it was found that under the online learning condition the motivation to pursue value directly affects learning burnout. In contrast, under the offline learning condition learning motivation indirectly affects learning burnout through negative emotions. This study posits that this difference is caused by peer comparison. In a collective learning atmosphere, students’ comparison with their peers triggers negative emotions such as anxiety and stress. These negative emotions weaken the learning motivation to pursue value, ultimately resulting in an elevated level of learning burnout. Full article