Search Results (7,034)

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems struggle to maintain optimal thermal comfort because perception is subjective and varies significantly across individuals. Traditional uniform cooling strategies often overlook demographic diversity, leading to inequitable comfort outcomes and inefficient building operations. To address this limitation, this study analyzed a web-based survey of 366 university occupants using a partial proportional odds model with multiple imputation and inverse-frequency weighting. Interaction terms, specifically Age–Activity, Gender–Clothing, and Age–Clothing, were included to assess combined effects that reflect demographic disparities in adaptive capacity. The results show that clothing insulation, activity, age, gender, race/ethnicity, and space type significantly influence thermal responses. Notably, male occupants were more than three times as likely to report feeling too warm (odds ratio [OR] = 3.24), whereas older adults exhibited significantly lower odds of reporting feeling too warm (OR = 0.42). Substantial variation was observed across racial and ethnic groups (ORs ranging from 2.4 to 6.5). These findings highlight the limitations of traditional population-average comfort approaches and provide valuable scientific insights for demand-response-ready HVAC strategies that adjust temperature setpoints dynamically without sacrificing comfort. By offering accurate, real-time estimates across diverse thermal ranges, these occupant-centric models reduce HVAC energy use and associated emissions at the building scale while supporting ancillary services for flexible load shifting and smarter coordination within low-carbon electric grids. Ultimately, incorporating demographic and contextual diversity into building controls reduces unnecessary cooling waste while promoting thermal equity, establishing a human-centric foundation for sustainable built environments. Full article

Objectives: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed during childhood, primarily characterized by continuous symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The present study aimed to investigate the genetic association between polymorphisms in the serotonergic system-related genes, HTR1B and HTR2A, and the susceptibility to ADHD in a Korean sample. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 234 children diagnosed with ADHD and 1686 healthy controls. Clinical diagnosis was established based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Genetic analysis focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the serotonergic pathway: rs6296 in HTR1B, and three SNPs (rs6311, rs6313, and rs9534495) in HTR2A. Genotype and allele frequencies were analyzed using Chi-square tests. Risk estimates were calculated as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) across dominant, recessive, and additive inheritance models. Results: A statistically significant association was observed between the HTR2A rs9534495 polymorphism and ADHD. Specifically, significant associations were identified under the dominant (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48–0.93, p = 0.017), recessive (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.48–0.93, p = 0.016), and additive (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.65–1.00, p = 0.046) models. However, these significant findings did not persist after applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Conversely, no significant associations were detected for the HTR1B (rs6296) and the other HTR2A (rs6311, rs6313) polymorphisms. Conclusions: These findings suggest that genetic variations in the serotonergic system, particularly within the HTR2A gene, may contribute to the genetic susceptibility to ADHD. This study confirmed gene SNIPs associated with the serotonergic system in the pathophysiology of ADHD. Future research involving large-scale multi-ethnic cohorts, functional assays, and gene–environment interaction analyses is warranted to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of serotonergic genes. Full article

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with positive self-rated health (SRH); however, evidence regarding different practice patterns and potential racial differences among university students remains limited. The objective of this study was to estimate the association between LTPA patterns and positive SRH among university students who entered higher education in 2025 at a public university in Brazil. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1143 first-year undergraduates. Positive SRH (defined as reporting “good” or “very good” health) was used as the outcome. LTPA (walking and activities of moderate and vigorous intensity) was classified as inactive, insufficiently active, weekend warrior, or regularly active based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on physical activity. The analyses were stratified by self-reported race/skin color (White students vs. students from other racial/ethnic groups). Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression. The prevalence of positive SRH was 44.6% among White students and 41.1% among other racial/ethnic group students. Among White students, positive SRH was associated with walking performed at weekend warrior (PR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.33–3.24) and regular levels (PR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.06–2.14), as well as with vigorous-intensity activity in a weekend warrior pattern. Among other racial/ethnic group students, positive SRH was associated with regular walking (PR = 1.34; 95% CI:1.05–1.71) and with vigorous-intensity activity at both insufficient and regular levels. LTPA was positively associated with SRH, with variations according to intensity, practice patterns, and race/skin color, indicating that benefits are not homogeneous across groups. Full article

This paper aims to describe what is currently known about Lynch syndrome within Asian American populations. According to data collected by the US Census, as of 2022, 24.7 million people of Asian descent live in the United States. Cancer is the leading cause of death within this population, and as a result, it is crucial to identify ways that cancer can be identified at earlier and more treatable stages. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis within the Asian American population, with an incidence of 37.1 per 100,000 Asian American men and 26.5 per 100,000 Asian American women. Lynch syndrome, the most common hereditary cause of colorectal cancer, has been incompletely described in this diverse population. This review addresses the available literature on the prevalence of Lynch syndrome in Asian American and Asian populations and differences in the manifestations of this syndrome between and within these populations, as well as in comparison to the non-Hispanic white population. Based on these differences, variances in screening rates, outcomes, and management strategies with respect to Asian ethnicity are also explored. Potential barriers to optimal management of Lynch syndrome in Asian American populations, with particular consideration of primary language and degree of cultural assimilation, are assessed. Future directions for research and recommendations to help address disparities or differences to optimize care for this group are also described. Full article

Background: GBC is an aggressive biliary tract malignancy with limited survival. Although actionable genomic alterations (AGAs) are increasingly recognized in GBC, their prognostic association in real-world practice remains incompletely defined because genomic status is often confounded by stage at presentation and treatment selection. We evaluated the association between documented AGA status and overall survival (OS) using a tiered matching strategy to account for major clinical confounders. Methods: Using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, we identified adults with GBC and stratified them into patients with at least one documented AGA in KRAS, TP53, ERBB2, IDH1, FGFR1, PIK3CA, or ARID1A, and a comparison cohort with no documented AGA (representing a real-world population of untested and wild-type patients). Two 1:1 propensity score-matched models were constructed: Model 1 matched for age, sex, and race/ethnicity; Model 2 additionally matched for metastatic disease, surgical resection, and chemotherapy history. Outcomes were evaluated using risk analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival methods. Results: A marked disparity in genomic documentation was observed before matching, with unknown race recorded in 51.0% of the comparison cohort versus 3.7% of the documented AGA cohort. In the demographic-matched analysis (Model 1), the documented AGA cohort had higher mortality (52.8% vs. 42.5%, p < 0.001) and shorter median OS (684 vs. 948 days; HR 1.23, p = 0.006). In the primary stage- and treatment-matched analysis (Model 2), mortality remained higher in the documented AGA cohort (56.2% vs. 43.0%), corresponding to an absolute risk difference of 13.2% (p < 0.001). Median OS was numerically shorter in the documented AGA cohort (750 vs. 784 days), although the proportional hazards assumption was violated, supporting interpretation based primarily on absolute risk measures. In exploratory subgroup analyses, KRAS alterations were associated with worse survival, whereas the TP53 subgroup was limited by small sample size. Conclusions: In this real-world matched analysis, the presence of documented AGAs in GBC were associated with higher mortality even after matching for major demographic, stage-related, and treatment-related variables. These findings support the prognostic relevance of genomic status in GBC and underscore the need to address disparities in access to genomic documentation and testing. Full article

Recruitment is a time-consuming process, and AI systems are increasingly being used to support the decision-making process. However, machine learning models used in such systems can inherit bias if the underlying training data reflects biased human preferences. It is essential to analyze and quantify these biases in order to develop fairer AI systems. To address this issue, we collected human judgments of colleague preference for 2200 face images. The face image set includes images of different ethnicities and genders, as well as both real and synthetically generated faces. The images were annotated by humans from diverse backgrounds in terms of age, gender, and ethnicity. Annotators were shown series of pairs of face images and asked to select which individual they would prefer as a colleague. We gathered responses from 451 annotators and aggregated the annotations to compute a preference score for each image. This dataset provides a basis for understanding human bias in colleague preference and can support the development of fair and unbiased AI models for use in recruitment settings. Full article

Religion, culture, and ethnic heritage play a significant role in shaping migrant identities. This paper examines the interplay of these factors in the identity formation of African Christian migrants in Europe, with a particular focus on second-generation (2G) migrants. It analyzes how 2G individuals negotiate Western secular values alongside Pentecostal orientations in ways that facilitate upward social mobility. The study is based on a critical review of the existing literature, compared with lived realities of migrants in the Netherlands. Drawing on empirical research from various European contexts, the paper aims to provide a rigorous and multidimensional account of intergenerational identity reconstruction among 2G African Christians. By centring the Pentecostal family as a primary site of socialization, the paper explores how 2G African Christians simultaneously distance themselves from, and selectively adapt, elements of indigenous African spirit cosmologies in pursuit of secular, achievement-oriented goals. This dialectical engagement reflects a broader generational shift: while first-generation migrants tend to rely heavily on religion and religious institutions as mechanisms of integration, 2G migrants increasingly prioritize secular aspirations while navigating socioeconomic structures, negotiating belonging, and constructing hybrid forms of transnational identity. In doing so, the paper contributes to scholarship on how 2G African migrants in Europe mobilize Pentecostal spirituality as a resource for achieving secular objectives. Full article

The Socialist Yugoslav Second World War memorials, works of large-scale memorial sculpture scattered across former Yugoslavia’s successor states, have gained international artistic recognition yet deteriorated significantly since the 1990s dissolution of the country. This deterioration has been particularly severe in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where ethnic and political divisions have complicated their commemorative value. This study employs the concept of “dissonant landscape” to reframe these memorials as integral components of a larger Yugoslav modernist cultural landscape rather than isolated problematic structures. By situating memorials within broader contexts of everyday heritage and collective memory, the framework enables complex interpretations that transcend simplistic ideological readings. The memorials, as dissonant heritage, are invested with multiple meanings by different ethnic–religious groups, and may function as catalysts for cultural dialogue and reconciliation. Methodologically, this study relies on conceptual analysis in the realm of critical heritage studies, combined with a case study of the Monument to the Fallen Fighters of the National Liberation War from Drvar, a relatively understudied memorial recently prioritized by local conservation efforts, and it includes analysis of previously unpublished archival material, field observation, interviews with local authorities and survey with the citizens of Drvar. This study establishes a new perspective on the heritage potential of Yugoslav memorials that may serve as bases of innovative preservation policies, grounded in reconciliation and cultural tourism. Full article

Background: Delivering comprehensive cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment across Hawaiʻi and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI) is constrained by geographic isolation, oncology workforce shortages, and persistent cancer inequities. Objectives: The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, partners with community healthcare systems to address cancer health disparities. Here, we describe an implementation-focused strategy initiated in December 2024 that is designed to improve equitable access to evidence-based oncology services across the catchment area. Approach: This program description integrates publicly available demographic and health system data and presents a structured implementation framework centered on (1) workforce development and oncology training pathways; (2) a statewide clinical oncology network supported by telehealth; (3) community-engaged screening and early detection outreach; and (4) strengthening clinical research and trial infrastructure with deliberate inclusion of underserved populations. Evaluation: We outline an evaluation framework incorporating process and outcome metrics spanning workforce capacity, screening participation, timeliness of care, clinical trial enrollment, and equity indicators stratified by county, island, and population group. Conclusions: This approach offers a scalable, implementation-oriented model for developing an academic oncology ecosystem that emphasizes measurement, accountability, and equity, with potential applicability to other geographically dispersed and ethnically diverse regions. Full article

To advance our understanding of the social and emotional development of minoritized youth in new destination areas, we examined whether same-day links between positive interactions with friends and mood vary by two contextual factors—(a) the racial–ethnic composition of adolescents’ close friends, and (b) the quality of parent–adolescent interactions—among Black and Latiné adolescents living in United States. Data were obtained from two daily diary studies, one of 36 Black adolescents (44% male; 11 to 17 years old; M = 13.65, SD = 2.29), and one of 21 Latiné adolescents (52% male; 11 to 14 years old; M = 12.76, SD = 1.00). Across 10 school days, youth completed afternoon reports of positive interactions with friends and bedtime reports of mood and positive parent–youth interactions; the race–ethnicity of the friend group were assessed at baseline. Multilevel models separated day-level from person-level effects and tested moderation by the racial–ethnic composition of friends and parent–youth interactions. For Black adolescents with few same-race friends (0 to 1 out of max 3), when youth reported more positive friend interactions, they reported lower positive mood. The opposite was true for Black youth with more same-race friends; when youth reported more positive friend interactions, they reported more positive mood at the end of the day. Among Black youth with higher mean levels of positive parent interactions, when youth reported more positive friend interactions, they reported lower negative mood. Results from the analysis of Latiné youth did not support study hypotheses. Findings extend cultural–ecological–transactional frameworks of development by showing that the short-term emotional yield of supportive interactions with friends hinges on contextual vulnerabilities and assets, such as peer group composition and family relationship quality, especially for Black youth. Full article

Raphiel Eristavi’s [Kakheti, 1824–Telavi, 1901] archival legacy constitutes a unique, underexplored corpus for examining the sociopolitical and cultural processes shaping 19th-century Georgia’s national identity. These archival documents contain his writings as a publicist, his ethnographic and geographical notes, literary texts, and private correspondence, shedding light on the intellectual and cultural dynamics of the period, particularly about reintegrating Muslim Georgian communities into the national space. Eristavi’s contributions to periodicals reflect his publicist activities, illustrating the press’s formative role in shaping public opinion, consolidating cultural identity, and fostering national awareness. His writings articulate his conviction that language, culture, tradition, and shared historical memory function as the primary instruments for reconnecting estranged territories with Georgia’s historical continuum. This entry analyzes Eristavi’s role as an intellectual and cultural mediator in integrating Muslim Georgian populations (i.e., Tao-Klarjeti and Samtskhe) into broader national frameworks, particularly in his writings on the Crimean War and Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, as well as how he engaged with questions about ethnic identity, territorial cohesion, and cultural memory. By situating Eristavi’s archive within the wider efforts of the Georgian intelligentsia, this study seeks to highlight his contribution to preserving language, promoting education, and reaffirming historical unity as essential components of national and state consciousness. Full article

Amid escalating global crises, tourism sustainability is threatened by heightened industry vulnerability, yet the intrinsic coupling of tourism industry vulnerability (TIV) and resilience (TIR) remains underexplored via systemic theoretical frameworks. This study aimed to define TIV/TIR as industry-specific constructs and develop an integrated analytical model grounded in dissipative structure theory to characterize tourism systems’ crisis responses. We selected Southwest China’s ethnic minority regions (Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan) as cases, using 2015–2024 prefecture-level panel data to explores the spatio-temporal differentiation characteristics of TIV/TIR. Results revealed severe COVID-19-induced TIV surges in 2020–2021, followed by rapid TIR rebounds; TIV and TIR exhibited a significant negative correlation with regional heterogeneity. Most cities showed high TIV–low TIR, with Guizhou displaying negative TIV-TIR spatial autocorrelation and Guangxi–Yunnan showing TIR clustering; inter-city TIV disparities widened while TIR levels converged, leading to a low-vulnerability, balanced-resilience tourism system by 2024. This research introduces the novel sensitivity-adaptive capacity-recovery (SACR) framework, advancing understanding of TIV-TIR dynamics and providing targeted empirical insights for tourism resilience building and sustainable development in resource-dependent destinations. Full article

Existing research on factors associated with self-esteem and the subsequent risk of mental health disorders among immigrant Indian university students has largely focused on the US immigrant population. To address this gap, the present study surveyed immigrant university students in the UAE. While previous studies have independently linked ethnic identity, perceived social support, and maladaptive perfectionism to self-esteem, this study is the first to examine these associations within a new geographical context. The study hypothesized that (i) ethnic identity would predict self-esteem, (ii) perceived social support would positively predict self-esteem, and (iii) maladaptive perfectionism would negatively predict self-esteem. The final regression model explained 35% of the variance in self-esteem, and the findings were in line with the hypotheses. These findings can help highlight the potential relevance of ethnic identity, social support, and maladaptive perfectionism in understanding variations in self-esteem among immigrant Indian university students. However, the study has limitations, including its cross-sectional and correlational nature. Further studies may reveal culturally embedded patterns warranting investigation through longitudinal or experimental research. Full article

Background: The Danish National Survey of Diet and Physical Activity (DANSDA) is Denmark’s national dietary surveillance system, providing population-level data to support evidence-based government advisory tasks and policymaking, research, and education. Methods: DANSDA 2021–2024 is a cross-sectional survey based on a simple random sample of citizens aged 4–80 years from the Danish Civil Registration System. Home visits included structured interviews covering socio-economic status, family composition, ethnicity, lifestyle behaviors and attitudes, health and non-communicable diseases, dietary supplement use, and measurements of anthropometrics and blood pressure. Dietary intake was recorded using a digital or paper-based seven-day food record and a food frequency questionnaire. Physical activity was measured with a pedometer and a seven-day step diary. Participants aged 40–70 years were offered blood sampling for glucose and lipid analyses. Results: A total of 4223 individuals participated, with 3824 providing valid food records (97.4% were digital). The response rate was 26.3%. The overall underreporting rate was 24%. The sample was skewed by age, education, income, household type, and region; these variables and sex were used to generate weighting factors. Nearly 1000 blood samples were analyzed for glucose and lipids, with surplus material stored in a biobank. Conclusions: DANSDA 2021–2024 provides comprehensive data on diet, physical activity, anthropometry, blood pressure, and blood glucose and lipids. Despite declining response rates and underrepresentation of individuals with lower education and income, weighting procedures support its continued use for national monitoring and research. Strengthening participation and representativeness should be a priority in future survey cycles. Full article

Background/Objectives: Classism, or discrimination based on social class, is associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety symptoms. However, limited research has examined the psychological processes that may help explain these associations. The present study tested whether perceived stress statistically mediated the associations between experienced and anticipated classism and mental health symptoms. Methods: A U.S. census-matched sample on age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and census region (n = 1993) was analyzed. Missing data were addressed using Bayesian multiple imputation, and mediation models estimated total, direct, and indirect effects. Results: Results indicated that perceived stress statistically accounted for the associations between both experienced and anticipated classism and higher depression and anxiety symptoms, even after adjusting for income and education. In exploratory analyses, individuals living at or below the federal poverty line reported a higher likelihood of experiencing classism, and perceived stress significantly mediated the association between experienced classism and mental health symptoms within this population. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence that perceived stress is a statistical mediator of the association between classism and mental health symptoms. Future prospective and experimental work is required to establish potential causal relationships between the constructs. Full article