Search Results (1,965)

Artificial intelligence (AI), including rapidly expanding generative AI tools, is increasingly shaping how school-age students search for information and complete learning tasks. Yet comparative evidence on AI awareness, use, and attitudes across school levels—especially among under-18 learners—remains limited in Central and Eastern Europe. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this cross-sectional survey study examined Hungarian elementary and high school students’ AI use and school-related applications, focusing on perceived usefulness and willingness to use AI in learning contexts. Data were collected from 183 elementary and 127 high school students using a structured questionnaire. AI use was widespread in both groups, but marked school-level differences emerged. High school students reported more frequent and academically oriented AI use, greater reliance on AI tools when seeking help, and a stronger willingness to use AI during classroom activities. In contrast, elementary students more often relied on familiar platforms such as social media and YouTube and reported comparatively more recreational or conversational uses of AI. Across school levels, students generally viewed AI as useful and potentially engaging for learning, while many also expressed uncertainty about the reliability of AI-generated responses. These findings underscore the need for age-appropriate AI literacy education aligned with students’ developmental characteristics and digital habits, and they highlight the importance of teacher support and training to integrate AI meaningfully and responsibly into classroom practice. Full article

The present study examines the well-being of workers in an Italian manufacturing plant, focusing on work engagement, emotional exhaustion and work ability. These dimensions have received relatively little attention in manufacturing contexts. Utilising a person-centred approach, the objective is to identify distinct subjective well-being profiles among Italian manufacturing workers and to examine how work-related psychosocial characteristics differentiate these profiles. The research, which collected data from 340 workers (predominantly male at 62.1%) between July and September 2023, focused on work engagement, emotional exhaustion, and work ability—factors that have been previously understudied in manufacturing environments. Through cluster analysis, researchers were able to identify three worker profiles. The largest group, designated “Motivated & Healthy” (45.3%), exhibited the most favourable characteristics: strong work engagement, minimal emotional exhaustion, and adequate work ability. These workers reported experiencing reduced physical demands, greater autonomy in decision-making, and superior rewards compared to their colleagues. The second-largest group, “Motivated & Stressed” (32.5%), demonstrated a mixed profile. While maintaining average work engagement, these workers experienced high levels of emotional exhaustion and diminished work ability. The smallest group, termed “Disillusioned” (22.2%), consisted entirely of blue-collar workers and exhibited the most concerning pattern: low engagement, high exhaustion, and mediocre work ability. This group also reported the most challenging working conditions, including the highest physical and cognitive demands, least decision-making authority, and lowest rewards. The study corroborates earlier research findings by identifying significant relationships between work engagement and work ability (positive correlation) and emotional exhaustion (negative correlation). These results suggest that manufacturing facilities might benefit from tailoring their support strategies to address the specific needs of each worker profile, rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions. Full article

Developmental dyslexia (DD) often involves difficulties in phonological processing of speech. Objectives: While underlying neural changes have been identified in terms of stimulus- and task-related responses within specific brain regions and their neural connectivity, there is still limited understanding of how these changes affect the overall organization of brain networks. Methods: This study used EEG and functional network analysis, focusing on small-world propensity across various frequency bands (from δ to γ), to explore the global brain organization during the auditory discrimination of words and pseudowords in children with DD. Results: The main finding revealed a systemic inefficiency in the functional network of individuals with DD, which did not achieve the optimal small-world propensity. This inefficiency arises from a fundamental trade-off between localized specialization and global communication. During word listening, the δ-/γ1-networks (related to impaired syllabic and phonemic processing of words) and the θ-/β-networks (related to pseudoword listening) in the DD group showed lower local clustering and connectivity compared to the control group, resulting in reduced functional segregation. In particular, the θ-/β-networks for words in the DD group exhibited a less optimal balance between specialized local processing and effective global communication. Centralized midline hubs, such as the postcentral gyrus (PstCG) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), which are crucial for global coordination, attention, and executive control, were either absent or inconsistent in individuals with DD. Consequently, the DD network adopted a constrained, motor-compensatory, and left-lateralized strategy. This led to the redirection of information flow and processing effort toward the left PstCG/IFG loop, interpreted as a compensatory effort to counteract automatic processing failures. Additionally, the γ1-network, which is involved in phonetic feature binding, lacked engagement from posterior sensory hubs, forcing this critical process into a slow and effortful motor loop. The γ2-network exhibited unusual activation of right-hemisphere posterior areas during word processing, while it employed a simpler, less mature routing strategy for pseudoword listening, which further diminished global communication. Conclusions: This functionality highlights the core phonological and temporal processing deficits characteristic of dyslexia. Full article

Mobile technologies are rapidly growing and shaping the tourism industry. Nonetheless, remote locations have specific characteristics that could restrain the deployment and use of technologies and jeopardize the sense of safety, affecting tourism experiences. There is a lack of empirical research that studies the importance of mobile technologies and security networks in remote destinations. A survey based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was conducted on 738 tourists during their stay in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, a nine-island Portuguese archipelago, to analyze the importance and impact of mobile technologies and security services. Since tourists have a high intensity of smartphone usage during their stay (86% use mobile internet and almost 50% use smartphones once per hour), mobile communication services and technologies need to be in place. Internet access and Wi-Fi are highly important for tourists for browsing and messaging, especially in urban areas, but also in rural and maritime areas. The availability of emergency and security networks is critical for destination selection and to engage in tourism activities. This paper contributes to the study of mobile tourism in remote destinations, with inputs regarding tourists’ behavior, and has implications for governance and industry stakeholders regarding destination management and the creation of meaningful and sustainable experiences with a high value for digital and smart tourists in the post-pandemic era. Full article

Although Greece is a leading olive oil producer, research on olive tourism (OT) remains limited, restricting the development of evidence-based policies and strategies. This study utilises primary data from 55 qualitative interviews conducted with OT visitors across Greece in 2023 to examine the sociodemographic characteristics, visiting behaviours, motivations, and expectations of domestic OT participants. These visitors are primarily mature, highly educated individuals with medium to high income levels. Their main motivations include acquiring specialised knowledge, cultivating a personal interest in olive-related culture, and seeking connections with local and familial heritage. They prefer experiences that highlight the sociocultural and culinary aspects of olives and olive oil, especially those that facilitate the practical application of new knowledge. Interactivity, experimentation, social engagement, and outdoor activities are highly valued. Comparative analysis with OT studies from Spain, Portugal, and Italy reveals similarities in visitor demographics but also identifies notable differences in motivations and expectations. By addressing a significant research gap, these findings offer policymakers, tourism operators, and producers strategic guidance for OT development in Greece, as well as transferable insights useful to other olive-producing countries. The study also demonstrates the potential for well-designed OT initiatives to promote sustainable rural development, preserve cultural and environmental heritage, extend the tourism season, and strengthen local economies. Full article

Past literature on mental health has extensively discussed the effect of interpersonal relationships on mental health, but studies have yet to systematically investigate the meaning and influence of group membership. This study thereby focuses on the influence of group membership that individuals form through private groups on mental health. We particularly explore the possibility that the positive influence of the number of memberships on mental conditions turns negative when individuals suffer from excessive obligations and requirements from the groups they engage. Using data from the 2023 Korea Social Integration Survey, results from ordered logistic regression analyses suggest that the relationship between group membership and mental distress shows a U-shape. While one’s membership in private groups is negatively associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts even after controlling for interpersonal contact network as well as other socio-demographic characteristics, the association becomes positive when one engages in an excessive number of groups. Furthermore, we find this U-shape relationship to be significant only in urban communities, not smaller local communities. Our study provides implications for understanding how and under which social conditions membership in social groups shape one’s mental health. Full article

The SENDER (Sustainable Consumer Engagement and Demand Response) project aims to develop an innovative interface that engages energy consumers in Demand Response (DR) programs by developing new technologies to predict energy consumption, enhance market flexibility, and manage the exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). The current paper presents a replication study for consumer Digital Twins (DTs) that simulate energy consumption patterns and occupancy behaviors in various households across three pilot sites (Austria, Spain, Finland) based on six-month historical and real-time data related to loads, sensors, and relevant details for every household. Due to data limitations and inhomogeneity, we conducted a replication analysis focusing only on Austria and Spain, where available data regarding power and motion alarm sensors were sufficient, leading to a replication scenario by gradually increasing the number of households. In addition to limited data and short time of measurements, other challenges faced included inconsistencies in sensor installations and limited information on occupancy. In order to ensure reliable results, data was filtered, and households with common characteristics were grouped together to improve accuracy and consistency in DT modeling. Finally, it was concluded that a successful replication procedure requires sufficient continuous, frequent, and homogeneous data, along with its validation. Full article

Objective: This study characterized Spanish occupational therapists’ knowledge of the national Code of Ethics and perceptions of professional ethics and examined associations with sociodemographic and educational variables. It quantified knowledge of key Code elements (approving body and professional values), described ethics education and participation in formal ethical support structures, and identified resources used to manage ethical conflicts in routine practice. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was administered between March and September 2022. The analytical sample included 596 occupational therapists practicing in Spain. The questionnaire assessed participant characteristics, ethics education, knowledge and perceived importance of the Code, participation in ethics committees or similar structures, experience of ethical conflicts, and conflict-management strategies. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted (p < 0.05). Results: Respondents were mostly women (86.6%) and aged 20–40 years. Although 65.3% reported university ethics education and 73.2% rated the Code as important/very important, 11.4% were unaware of its existence. Only 28.2% identified the approving body, and 16.3% correctly identified the professional values included in the Code. Ethical conflicts were reported by 43.1%. When conflicts occurred, respondents most often consulted the interdisciplinary team (25.5%) or occupational therapy colleagues (24.3%), whereas few consulted the Code (4.5%) or an ethics committee (2.7%). Ethics education and greater professional experience were associated with higher Code knowledge. Conclusions: Occupational therapists in Spain endorse professional ethics, yet actionable knowledge and use of the Code and engagement with formal support structures remain limited. Strengthening practice-oriented ethics education and accessible deliberation mechanisms may improve ethical decision-making. Full article

Background/Objective: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) represents a major increasing burden for primary care systems worldwide. Digital health interventions (DHIs) have been proposed as scalable tools to improve glycemic control, yet uncertainty remains regarding which intervention characteristics yield the greatest benefit. To evaluate the effectiveness of DHIs on HbA1c levels in adults with T2DM and to examine whether intervention duration, engagement intensity, glucometer integration, and healthcare provider involvement modify glycemic outcomes. Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and JMIR databases were systematically searched for relevant studies published between January 2020 and May 2025. Study Eligibility Criteria: Randomized controlled trials comparing DHIs plus usual care versus usual care alone in adults with T2DM and reporting HbA1c as the primary outcome. Methods: Data were extracted using the Jadad scale and TIDieR framework. Random-effects meta-analysis estimated pooled mean differences (MD) in HbA1c with 95% CIs. Subgroup analyses examined effects by intervention characteristics. Heterogeneity and sources of variance were assessed through Cochran’s Q, I², meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses (leave-one-out and trim-and-fill). Results: Thirteen RCTs (n ≈ 20,000) met inclusion criteria. DHIs achieved significant HbA1c reductions (range 0.01% to 1.57%; pooled MD −1.08%; 95% CI −1.18 to −0.99; p = 0.001). Short-term (≤6 months), low-intensity interventions showed the largest effect sizes (MD −1.16%, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.39). Glucometer integration and healthcare provider involvement contributed minimally to additional benefit. Meta-regression confirmed substantial heterogeneity, but no single factor explained variance across studies. Limitations: Considerable heterogeneity across interventions and variability in engagement measurement may limit the generalizability of findings. Conclusions: Short-term, low-intensity DHIs significantly improve glycemic control in primary care populations with T2DM. Advanced meta-analytic techniques confirm the robustness of these effects, providing practical guidance for selecting and implementing effective digital interventions in routine diabetes care. Full article

Objectives: Flexibility may be influenced by several factors, including age, sex, and physical activity or sport. This study simultaneously investigated the effect of sport (wrestling vs. taekwondo vs. no participation in sports activities), age (children vs. adolescents), and sex (boys vs. girls) on lower and upper body flexibility during the developmental ages. Methods: A total of 120 wrestlers, 120 taekwondoists, and 120 non-athletes (60 boys: 30 children and 30 adolescents; 60 girls: 30 children and 30 adolescents, per group) participated in the present study and performed two flexibility tests (sit and reach, back scratch). Results: ANOVAs and ANCOVAs (using anthropometric characteristics as covariates) analyses showed greater (p = 0.000–0.005) flexibility values in wrestlers and taekwondoists than non-athletes (except for the sit and reach in children girls, and flexibility of the right hand in children boys and girls, where no differences were observed). However, no differences (p = 0.672–0.992) were presented between wrestlers and taekwondoists (except for the flexibility of the left hand, where wrestlers showed greater values). Within the wrestlers and taekwondoists groups, children exhibited lower (p = 0.01–0.04) values than adolescents; while, in non-athletes, no age-related differences were observed (p = 0.263–0.995). Additionally, girls demonstrated higher values than boys, and the right hand demonstrated higher flexibility values than the left hand (p = 0.000–0.04). The difference between hands was greater (p = 0.000–0.01) in non-athletes (69.14–96.22%) vs. athletes (23.73–58.85%), taekwondoists (41.01–58.85%) vs. wrestlers (23.73–47%), and boys (44.68–96.22%) vs. girls (23.73–70.44%). Conclusions: It seems that engaging in wrestling and taekwondo sports affects the growth pattern of flexibility in boys and girls during the developmental ages. Full article

The sewerage system is a vital part of the infrastructure in every settlement, and thus, of the state itself. It ensures the conveyance of sanitary wastewater from its sources (households, buildings and industrial facilities) and stormwater from urban surfaces through sewerage pipelines to wastewater treatment plants and ultimately to receiving bodies. In the Republic of Croatia, combined sewerage systems are predominant. This paper presents selected data on the characteristics of public sewerage systems in Croatia for the analyzed period. Additionally, a questionnaire was conducted to assess maintenance practices within the country. The analyzed characteristics include the total length of the sewerage network, the number of employees engaged in system maintenance, the number of connections, and the number of wastewater treatment plants. The study also evaluates whether a preventive maintenance strategy was in place during the observed period and whether respondents considered preventive or reactive maintenance to be more cost-effective. The collected data and responses are analyzed and discussed in the context of system efficiency and long-term sustainability. Full article

This study investigates how Portuguese teenagers (aged 13–18) perceive and prefer the communication characteristics of so-called “newsfluencers” on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Through 20 semi-structured interviews, the research explores how verbal and non-verbal traits shape adolescents’ engagement with news in a media ecosystem increasingly dominated by digital intermediaries. Drawing on literature on brand journalism, the study categorizes preferences into four key elements: character, tone, language, and purpose. The findings reveal that teenagers favor newsfluencers who are inspiring and friendly (character), are honest and direct (tone), use simple and fun speech (language), and aim to educate and inform (purpose). Participants express a desire for journalists who “talk to me as a friend”, emphasizing authenticity, emotional proximity, and conversational clarity over traditional, formal modes of reporting. These insights suggest that effective youth-oriented journalism on social media must balance factual accuracy and emotional engagement, blending education with entertainment. The research contributes to emerging scholarship on social media journalism and youth news consumption by highlighting how relational and affective communication strategies can enhance young audiences’ trust, understanding, and participation in news. Full article

The Crabtree and Warburg effects both involve elevated glycolytic flux and fermentation under aerobic conditions, yet their regulatory bases differ fundamentally. In the Crabtree effect, high-glucose concentrations suppress mitochondrial respiration, redirecting carbon flux toward fermentation. In contrast, the Warburg effect, characteristic of many cancer cells, features increased mitochondrial respiration to support biosynthetic and anaplerotic demands. We recently advanced an extended metabolic definition of the Warburg effect that incorporates enhanced amino acid catabolism and elevated lipid biosynthesis, reflecting broad mitochondrial engagement beyond oxidative phosphorylation. Revisiting the metabolic behavior of the snf1∆ strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which lacks the Crabtree effect, reveals a phenotype analogous to this expanded Warburg effect framework. Under glucose-rich conditions that typically elicit the Crabtree effect, snf1∆ cells preserve high mitochondrial respiration while maintaining robust glycolysis and fermentation. These cells also display enhanced amino acid degradation that feeds the Krebs cycle and increased lipid synthesis, recapitulating hallmark features of the Warburg state. Notably, mutation of the AMPK gene, the human ortholog of SNF1, similarly drives Warburg-like reprogramming in mammalian models. Together, these data establish snf1∆ as a valuable eukaryotic model for dissecting the regulatory determinants of the Warburg effect. Full article

As the importance of emotional interaction between humans and robots continues to gain attention, numerous studies have been conducted to identify the characteristics and effects of emotional HRI (Human–Robot Interaction) elements applied to robots. However, no study has yet combined various HRI elements into a single robot and conducted large-scale user experiments to determine which HRI element users prefer the most. This study selected four characteristics that facilitate attachment and emotional bonding between humans and animals: grooming, emotional transfer, imprinting, and cooperative hunting (play). These four characteristics were incorporated into the design and behavioral patterns of the robot EDIE as HRI elements. To allow users to effectively experience these elements, a 30 min runtime robot performance content featuring EDIE as the main character was developed. This large-scale experiment in the form of a performance enabled participants to engage with all four HRI elements and then respond to a survey identifying their most preferred element. Over two experiments involving a total of 3760 participants, this study examined trends in user preferences regarding the robot’s characteristics. By identifying the most effective HRI elements for fostering user attachment to robots, the findings aim to contribute to the harmonious coexistence of humans and robots. Full article

Background: As populations rapidly age, care robots have been proposed as a promising solution, supporting independent living and alleviating care burdens. However, acceptance of care robots among older adults remains limited. This study examined the relative contributions of demographic, health-related, digital competence, and technology-related psychological factors to care robot acceptance among older adults in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 506 community-dwelling older adults. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of care robot acceptance, sequentially entering demographic characteristics, health-related factors, digital competence, and technology-related psychological variables. Results: Demographic and health-related factors were initially associated with care robot acceptance, but their effects diminished after accounting for digital competence and psychological variables. In the final model, technology-related psychological factors—particularly technology use self-efficacy and technology enthusiasm—were the strongest predictors of acceptance, while most demographic and health variables became non-significant, with the exception of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Conclusions: These findings indicate that psychological readiness and confidence in technology use outweigh demographic or health characteristics in shaping older adults’ acceptance of care robots. Interventions and design strategies that enhance self-efficacy, foster positive engagement, and support functional independence may be critical for promoting the effective and sustainable adoption of care robots in aging societies. Full article