Search Results (4,030)

Forest fires are commonly regarded as negative for ecosystems; however, they also represent a major ecological force shaping the biodiversity of invertebrates and many other organisms. The aim of this study was to better understand how multiple groups of invertebrates respond to wildfire across different forest types in Central Europe. The research was conducted following a large forest fire (ca. 1200 ha) that occurred in 2022. Data were collected over two years (2023 and 2024), from April to September. The research was conducted in coniferous forests and included six pairwise study types: burnt and unburnt dead spruce (bark beetle affected), burnt and unburnt clear-cuts, and burnt and unburnt healthy stands. In total, 96 traps were deployed each year. Across both years, 220,348 invertebrates were recorded (1.Y: 128,323; 2.Y: 92,025), representing 24 taxonomic groups. A general negative trend in abundance following forest fire was observed in the groups Acari, Auchenorhyncha, Blattodea, Dermaptera, Formicidae, Chilopoda, Isopoda, Opiliones, and Pseudoscorionida. Groups showing a neutral response included Araneae, Coleoptera, Collembola, Diplopoda, Heteroptera, Psocoptera, Raphidioptera, Thysanoptera, and Trichoptera. Positive responses, indicated by an increase in abundance, were recorded in Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera. However, considerable differences among management types (clear-cut, dead spruce, and healthy) were evident, as their distinct characteristics largely influenced invertebrate abundance in both unburnt and burnt variants of the types across all groups studied. Forest fire primarily creates favorable conditions for heliophilous, open-landscape, and floricolous invertebrate groups, while less mobile epigeic groups are strongly negatively affected. In the second year post-fire, the total invertebrate abundance in burnt sites decreased to 59% of the first year’s levels. Conclusion: Forest fire generates a highly heterogeneous landscape from a regional perspective, creating unique ecological niches that persist more than two years after fire. For many invertebrates, successional return toward pre-fire conditions is delayed or incomplete. Full article

Effective water infrastructure planning and management is key to sustainable water supply globally. This research assesses water infrastructure planning and management in Gauteng, South Africa, amid growing challenges from rapid urbanisation, high water demand, climate change, and resource scarcity. These challenges threaten the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 11; hence, an integrated approach is required for water sustainability. The study responds to a gap in the literature, which often treats planning and management separately, by adopting an integrated, multi-institutional approach across the water value chain. A mixed-methods triangulation strategy was employed for data collection whereby surveys provided quantitative data, while two sets of structured interviews were conducted: the first round to determine causal relationships among the critical success factors and the second round to validate the proposed framework. The findings reveal a misalignment between infrastructure planning and implementation, contributing to infrastructure backlogs and a short- to medium-term focus. Infrastructure management is further constrained by inadequate system redundancy, leading to ineffective maintenance. External factors such as delayed adoption of 4IR technologies, lack of climate resilient strategies, and fragmented institutional coordination exacerbate these issues. Using Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis, the study identified Strategic Alignment and a Value-Driven Approach as the most influential critical success factors in water asset management. The research concludes by proposing an integrated water infrastructure and planning framework that supports sustainable water supply. Full article

Background: Depression that is resistant to two or more adequate treatment trials—treatment-resistant depression (TRD)—is a prevalent clinical challenge. Although psychotherapies have been recommended by clinical guidelines as an alternative or adjunctive treatment strategy, the effectiveness of psychotherapy in individuals with TRD has not yet been evaluated through meta-analytic methods, primarily due to a limited number of trials. This highlights the necessity of personalized research targeting this specific population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the evidence on psychotherapy in treating TRD. Methods: A systematic search was conducted following the Guidelines from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Articles were included if they quantitatively examined the efficacy of psychotherapy on depression symptoms in individuals diagnosed with depression who had not responded to at least two prior treatments (i.e., pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy). Results: A total of 12 studies were included. The quality of evidence was evaluated as being globally moderate. When pooling all psychotherapies, a small-to-moderate, but significant, effect on depressive symptoms was observed compared to the control group (SMD = −0.49, CI = −0.63; −0.34). The observed effect remained unchanged after removing the outlier (SMD = −0.47, CI = −0.62; −0.32). When examining depressive symptoms by type of psychotherapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (SMD = −0.51, CI = −0.76; −0.25), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (SMD = −0.53, CI = −0.92; −0.14), and Cognitive Therapy (SMD = −0.51, CI = −1.01; −0.01) showed a moderately significant effect on depressive symptoms compared to the control group. Conclusions: Although this potentially represents the first meta-analysis in this area, the number of studies specifically addressing this complex population remains limited, and the existing literature is still in its early stages. Research focusing on TRD is notably sparse compared to the broader body of work on depression without treatment resistance. Consequently, it was not possible to conduct meta-analyses by type of psychotherapy across all treatment modalities and by type of control group. Due to several study limitations, there is currently limited evidence available about the effectiveness of psychotherapy for TRD, and further trials are needed. Beyond the treatments usually offered for depression, it is possible that TRD requires a personalized medicine approach. Full article

The dynamic model of a wheeled wall-climbing robot exhibits stage-specific changes when traversing different types of obstacles and during various stages of obstacle negotiation. Previous studies often employed remote control methods for obstacle-crossing control, which fail to dynamically adjust the torque distribution of magnetic wheels in response to real-time changes in the dynamic model. This limitation makes it challenging to precisely control the robot’s speed and attitude angles during the obstacle-crossing process. To address this issue, this paper first establishes a staged dynamic model for the wall-climbing robot under typical obstacle-crossing scenarios, including steps, 90° concave corners, 90° convex corners, and thin plates. Secondly, an adaptive controller based on a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is designed to effectively compensate for variations and uncertainties during the obstacle-crossing process. Finally, comparative simulations and physical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that this method can quickly respond to the dynamic changes in the model and accurately track the trajectory, thereby improving the control precision and stability during the obstacle-crossing process. Full article

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is widely applied in various scenarios, including logistics tracking, supply chain management, and target monitoring. In these contexts, the malicious cloning of legitimate tag information can lead to sensitive data leakage and disrupt the normal acquisition of tag information by readers, thereby threatening personal privacy and corporate security and incurring significant economic losses. Although some efforts have been made to detect cloning attacks, the presence of missing tags in RFID systems can obscure cloned ones, resulting in a significant reduction in identification efficiency and accuracy. To address these problems, we propose the block-based cloned tag identification (BCTI) protocol for identifying cloning attacks in the presence of missing tags. First, we introduce a block indicator to sort all tags systematically and design a block mechanism that enables tags to respond repeatedly within a block with minimal time overhead. Then, we design a superposition strategy to further reduce the number of verification times, thereby decreasing the execution overhead. Through an in-depth analysis of potential tag response patterns, we develop a precise method to identify cloning attacks and mitigate interference from missing tags in probabilistic cloning attack scenarios. Moreover, we perform parameter optimization of the BCTI protocol and validate its performance across diverse operational scenarios. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the BCTI protocol meets the required identification reliability threshold and achieves an average improvement of $24.01\%$ in identification efficiency compared to state-of-the-art solutions. Full article

Background/Objectives: This retrospective multicenter study, conducted within the ORCHESTRA Project, investigated SARS-CoV-2 reinfections among 5777 healthcare workers (HCWs) from four University Hospitals (Modena, Verona, Padova and Trieste) in northern Italy, aiming to assess the risk of reinfection and its determinants, comparing the clinical characteristics of reinfections with those of first infections, and examining the impact of preventive measures and vaccination strategies. Methods: HCWs completed an online questionnaire between June and August 2022. The survey collected demographic, occupational, and clinical data, including information on first infections and reinfections. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 28.0, through bivariate and multivariate approaches. Results: Response rates were 41.8% for Modena, 39.5% for Verona, 17.9% for Padova, and 17.4% for Trieste. Among the respondents, 4.8% (n = 276) experienced 2 infections and 0.5% (n = 27) reported 3 infections, out of a total of 330 reinfection cases. Additionally, 43.0% (n = 2787) reported only one infection, while 51.5% were never infected. Reinfection rates increased across five study phases (based on the epidemiological context), likely due to the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. A booster vaccine dose significantly reduced reinfection risk. Higher reinfection risk was found among HCWs aged ≤30 years, those with chronic respiratory diseases, and those working in COVID-19 wards, particularly nurses and allied health professionals. Reinfections were associated with a lower frequency of symptoms both during the period of swab positivity and after a negative swab, as well as with a shorter duration of swab positivity. No significant differences in symptom duration were found between first infections and reinfections. Conclusions: Despite its limitations, the online questionnaire proved a useful tool. Natural infection and vaccination reduced both reinfection risk and symptom severity. Prior infections should be considered in planning vaccination schedules and prioritizing HCWs. Full article

The aim of this research is to identify policy and practice interventions that support a just transition towards resilient practices for resource-dependent communities. We focus on Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho, two provinces in the Northern Midlands and Mountains of Vietnam. The region is reliant on agriculture but is assessed as highly vulnerable to climate change. We surveyed 105 farming households. A Likert-type questionnaire asked respondents to self-assess their experiences of weather extremes and of changes they had made to their farming practices. Our results show that for both Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho, farmers see the effects of climate change on their crops. Respondents in Thai Nguyen were more likely to report technically driven adaptation and engagement with extension services. Respondents in Pho Tho were more likely to continue traditional practices. For both, use of traditional knowledge and practices was related to taking measures to adapt to climate change. Our main conclusion is that at least three actions could support a just transition to resilient livelihoods. First is incorporating natural science and traditional knowledge into decision-making for just transitions. Second is considering long-term implications of interventions that appear to support livelihoods in the short term. Third is tailoring messaging and engagement strategies to the requirements of the most vulnerable people. The main message of this study is that a just transition for resource-dependent communities will inevitably be context-specific. Even in centralized and authoritarian contexts, flexibility to adapt top-down policies to locals’ own experiences of changing climates is needed. Full article

Barley leaf stripe, caused by Pyrenophora graminea (Pg), significantly reduces yields across various regions globally. Understanding the resistance mechanisms of barley to Pg is crucial for advancing disease resistance breeding efforts. In this study, two barley genotypes—highly susceptible Alexis and immune Ganpi2—were inoculated with the highly pathogenic Pg isolate QWC for 7, 14, and 18 days. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Alexis was 1350, 1898, and 2055 at 7, 14, and 18 days, respectively, while Ganpi2 exhibited 1195, 1682, and 2225 DEGs at the same time points. Gene expression pattern analysis revealed that Alexis responded more slowly to Pg infection compared to Ganpi2. A comparative analysis identified 457 DEGs associated with Ganpi2’s immunity to Pg. Functional enrichment of these DEGs highlighted the involvement of genes related to plant-pathogen interactions and kinase activity in Pg immunity. Additionally, 20 resistance genes and 24 transcription factor genes were predicted from the 457 DEGs. Twelve candidate genes were selected for qRT-PCR verification, and the results showed that the transcriptomic data was reliable. We conducted cloning of the candidate Pg resistance gene HvLRR_8-1 by the barley cultivar Ganpi2, and the sequence analysis confirmed that the HvLRR_8-1 gene contains seven leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains and an S_TKc domain. Subcellular localization in tobacco indicates that the HvLRR_8-1 is localized on the cell membrane. Through the functional analysis using virus-induced gene silencing, it was demonstrated that HvLRR_8-1 plays a critical role in regulating barley resistance to Pg. This study represents the first comparative transcriptome analysis of barley varieties with differing responses to Pg infection, providing that HvLRR_8-1 represents a promising candidate gene for improving durable resistance against Pg in cultivated barley. Full article

In late 2019, a new virus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in Wuhan, China, causing COVID-19 and the subsequent global pandemic. As of 30 April 2023, more than 774 million cases of COVID-19 had been reported worldwide, including over 7.5 million in Mexico. Despite advances in vaccination, epidemic surges of COVID-19 continued to occur globally, highlighting the importance of sharing and disseminating the experiences gained during these first years to better understand the virus’s evolution and respond accordingly. For this reason, the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) organized the meeting “Challenges and Opportunities for Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico” from 15 to 17 August 2022, to present the efforts and results accumulated over more than two years of the pandemic. In this meeting report, we summarize the key findings of each participant and provide their contact information. Full article

Introduction: Burnout syndrome, long described as an “occupational phenomenon”, now affects 15–20% of the general workforce and more than 50% of clinicians, teachers, social-care staff and first responders. Its precise nosological standing remains disputed. We conducted a mechanistic review of electroencephalography (EEG) studies to determine whether burnout is accompanied by reproducible brain-function alterations that justify disease-level classification. Methods: Following PRISMA-adapted guidelines, two independent reviewers searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and reference lists (January 1980–May 2025) using combinations of “burnout,” “EEG”, “electroencephalography” and “event-related potential.” Only English-language clinical investigations were eligible. Eighteen studies (n = 2194 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesised across three domains: resting-state spectra/connectivity, event-related potentials (ERPs) and longitudinal change. Results: Resting EEG consistently showed (i) a 0.4–0.6 Hz slowing of individual-alpha frequency, (ii) 20–35% global alpha-power reduction and (iii) fragmentation of high-alpha (11–13 Hz) fronto-parietal coherence, with stage- and sex-dependent modulation. ERP paradigms revealed a distinctive “alarm-heavy/evaluation-poor” profile; enlarged N2 and ERN components signalled hyper-reactive conflict and error detection, whereas P3b, Pe, reward-P3 and late CNV amplitudes were attenuated by 25–50%, indicating depleted evaluative and preparatory resources. Feedback processing showed intact or heightened FRN but blunted FRP, and affective tasks demonstrated threat-biassed P3a latency shifts alongside dampened VPP/EPN to positive cues. These alterations persisted in longitudinal cohorts yet normalised after recovery, supporting trait-plus-state dynamics. The electrophysiological fingerprint differed from major depression (no frontal-alpha asymmetry, opposite connectivity pattern). Conclusions: Across paradigms, burnout exhibits a coherent neurophysiological signature comparable in magnitude to established psychiatric disorders, refuting its current classification as a non-disease. Objective EEG markers can complement symptom scales for earlier diagnosis, treatment monitoring and public-health surveillance. Recognising burnout as a clinical disorder—and funding prevention and care accordingly—is medically justified and economically imperative. Full article

Background: Nemaline myopathy is a rare congenital neuromuscular disease associated with progressive weakness and frequent respiratory complications. In emergency situations, families often serve as the first and only responders. The aim of this study is to explore how parents in Spain care for children with nemaline myopathy during emergency situations, focusing on the clinical responses performed at home and the organizational challenges encountered when interacting with healthcare systems. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with 17 parents from 10 families belonging to the Asociación Yo Nemalínica. Semi-structured interviews were performed via video calls, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Giorgi’s descriptive method and ATLAS.ti software (version 24). Methodological rigor was ensured through triangulation, reflexivity, and member validation. Results: Four themes were identified. First, families were described as acting under extreme pressure and in isolation during acute home emergencies, often providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and respiratory support without professional backup. Second, families managed ambiguous signs of deterioration using clinical judgment and home monitoring tools, often preventing fatal outcomes. Third, parents frequently assumed guiding roles in emergency departments due to a lack of clinician familiarity with the disease, leading to delays or errors. Finally, the transition to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was marked by emotional distress and rapid decision-making, with families often participating in critical choices about invasive procedures. These findings underscore the complex, multidisciplinary nature of caregiving. Conclusions: Parents play an active clinical role during emergencies and episodes of deterioration. Their lived experience should be formally integrated into emergency protocols and the continuity of care strategies to improve safety and outcomes. Full article

Q Fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii that affects domestic and wild ruminants, leading to reproductive disorders. In humans, the disease can manifest with acute and chronic clinical manifestations. Veterinarians, as healthcare professionals in close contact with animals, serve both as the first line of defence in preventing infection at the animal–human interface and as an important sentinel group for the rapid detection of outbreaks. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, perception, and attitude of veterinarians in Southern Spain regarding Q Fever. To this end, an online survey was designed, validated, and conducted among veterinarians in the province of Malaga, with a final participation of 97 individuals, predominantly from the private sector (clinic, livestock, agri-food, etc.). The data obtained reflected a general lack of knowledge about the disease, particularly concerning its epidemiology and infection prevention. Regarding perception and attitude, a significant percentage of respondents stated they did not use protective equipment when handling susceptible animals and only sought information about the disease in response to outbreak declarations. The study emphasised the significance of promoting training in zoonotic diseases during and after graduation, the relevance of official channels in occupational risk prevention, and the utility of epidemiological surveys as a tool to identify and address potential gaps in knowledge related to this disease. 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

Background: University academics are often the first points of contact for students experiencing mental health problems (MHPs) because of the pre-existing relationship between academics and students. Aim: The aim of this review is to explore the experience of university academics who have supported students with MHPs. Methods: This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidance. Searches were conducted using six databases and were limited to peer-reviewed studies published in the English language between 2013 and 2023. Results: Thematic analyses identified three major themes: academics’ perceptions of mental health problems among students, the role of academics in supporting students and the academics’ perceived barriers to supporting students. Conclusions: Universities need to acknowledge the vulnerability of students’ mental health and prepare to respond appropriately. Improving the mental health literacy of university academics, and providing clarity about roles and mechanisms to support the mental health of university students will be crucial to achieve this. Full article

Healthcare supply chain management operates amid fluctuating patient demand, rapidly advancing biotechnologies, and unpredictable supply disruptions pose high risks and create an imperative for sustainable resource optimization. This study investigates the underlying mechanisms through which digital intelligence drives strategic decision optimization in healthcare supply chains. Drawing on the Resource-Based View and Dynamic Capabilities Theory, we develop a chain-mediated model, defined as the multistage indirect path whereby digital intelligence first bolsters innovation capability, which then activates supply chain resilience (absorptive, response, and restorative capability), to improve decision optimization. Data were collected from 360 managerial-level respondents working in healthcare supply chain organizations in China, and the proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that digital intelligence enhances innovation capability, which in turn activates all three dimensions of resilience, producing a synergistic effect that promotes sustained decision optimization. However, the direct effect of digital intelligence on decision optimization was not statistically significant, suggesting that its impact is primarily mediated through organizational capabilities, particularly supply chain resilience. Practically, the findings suggest that in the process of deploying digital intelligence systems and platforms, healthcare organizations should embed technological advantages into organizational processes, emergency response mechanisms, and collaborative operations, so that digitalization moves beyond the technical system level and is truly internalized as organizational innovation capability and resilience, thereby leading to sustained improvement in decision-making performance. Full article