Search Results (180)

Mesozooplankton play a pivotal role in marine pelagic food webs, mediating energy and matter transfer between primary producers and higher trophic levels. Daya Bay, a semi-enclosed bay located in the northern South China Sea, has undergone significant environmental changes due to anthropogenic activities, such as thermal discharge from nuclear power plants and eutrophication. This study examined the mesozooplankton community structure, feeding preferences, and food web organization through four seasonal cruises (May 2022, February 2023, August 2023, and November 2023), employing stable isotope analysis and a Bayesian Isotopic Mixing Model. Results indicate that mesozooplankton abundance and diversity were lower in regions affected by thermal discharge, suggesting a suppressive effect of elevated temperatures. Seasonal shifts in dominant species were observed: Penilia avirostris and Dolioletta gegenbauri dominated the community in spring, while Noctiluca scintillans blooms occurred in summer and winter. Isotopic analysis revealed distinct trophic strategies: copepods exhibited omnivorous habits, whereas cladocerans and tunicates showed stronger herbivorous tendencies. N. scintillans functioned as a high-trophic omnivore, preying on copepod larvae and competing for food resources. Overall, the mesozooplankton community was characterized by an omnivory-dominated trophic network, which enhanced resilience yet remains sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. This study clarifies how human-induced environmental changes reshape trophic pathways in subtropical coastal waters, providing a valuable reference for long-term monitoring and ecosystem management in Daya Bay. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence links children’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL) to overall diet, but data on specific, actionable habits are limited. We tested whether vegetable intake ≥2 portions/day and fish intake ≥2–3 times/week were associated with risk of low HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-10 Index score <40) and assessed their joint effect and robustness to overall diet quality. Methods: In three waves (2020–2023) in Madrid (Spain), 1127 observations from 771 children (8–12 years) were analysed. Logistic Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status (four levels), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time, body mass index (BMI) z-score, wave and school ownership. Marginal predicted probabilities were computed for four exposure combinations (neither, vegetables only, fish only, both). Sensitivity models added school area and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED; KIDMED_wo_FV and total); hybrid within–between GEE and a linear mixed model for continuous KIDSCREEN-10 were also fitted. Results: Vegetables ≥2/day and fish ≥2–3/week were inversely associated with low HRQoL (odds ratio (OR) 0.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30–0.82) and 0.61 (0.43–0.87)). The interaction was positive (OR 2.50 (1.39–4.53)). Adjusted probabilities were 40.1% (neither), 25.8% (vegetables only; −14.3 percentage points (p.p.)), 29.7% (fish only; −10.5 p.p.), and 34.0% (both; −6.1 p.p.). Findings persisted with KIDMED_wo_FV and attenuated with total KIDMED. MVPA related inversely and screen time directly to risk. Conclusions: Vegetables ≥2/day and fish ≥2–3/week were associated with lower odds of low HRQoL, with non-additive combined effects. These simple targets may complement physical-activity promotion and reduced screen time; longitudinal/experimental studies should test causality and dose–response. Full article

Background: Diet plays a vital role in the incidence of hypertension. Considering the complex composition and proportion of the diet and changes in eating habits, therefore, this study explores the association between the trajectory of dietary patterns and hypertension. Methods: A total of 1234 adults without hypertension at baseline and who provided at least three survey data from 1997 to 2018 were included. Factor analysis was used to extract dietary patterns, whose trajectories were simulated using the group-based trajectory model. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association between dietary pattern trajectories and hypertension. Results: The factor analysis indicated four dietary patterns: the southern pattern, rice-vegetarian pattern, healthy pattern, and alcohol-meat pattern. Compared to the low-rapid rise and medium-stable groups of the southern pattern, participants in the high-stable group had a 20% reduction in the risk of hypertension (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67–0.96). The high-rapid rise group of the healthy pattern exhibited a 42% reduction in hypertension risk (HR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.35–0.97). Conversely, individuals in the medium-high-medium subgroup of the alcohol-meat pattern displayed an increased risk of hypertension compared to those in the low-stable subgroup, with an HR of 1.48 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.94). No significant association was found between the rice-vegetarian pattern trajectory and hypertension (HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.85–1.34). Conclusions: Long-term adherence to the southern and healthy patterns might reduce the risk of hypertension, but following the alcohol-meat pattern might increase the risk of hypertension among adults in China. Full article

Background and Aims: Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) provides a non-invasive alternative to traditional colonoscopy. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, diagnostic yield (DY), and patient satisfaction of the OMOM CC100 CCE system, with special focus on fully remote (n = 30) and partially remote (n = 89) administration across four centres to advance decentralised models. Methods: This prospective, investigator-initiated, international multicentre feasibility study enrolled 119 patients aged 18–75 years at centres in Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, and Poland from July 2024 to May 2025. Indications included rectal bleeding, iron-deficiency anaemia, a positive faecal immunochemical test, changes in bowel habit, suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), post-polypectomy or colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery surveillance, and a family history of CRC. The OMOM CC100 capsule was employed with a standardised bowel preparation regimen. Administration was fully remote in Denmark using the IntelliGI™ platform and partially remote (clinic ingestion, home completion) at the other sites. Primary outcomes encompassed procedure feasibility, completion rate (capsule excretion or anal verge visualisation), bowel cleanliness (Leighton-Rex scale ≥ 3), diagnostic yield, and patient satisfaction. Secondary measures included transit times, adverse events, and technical failures. Results: Median age was 55.7 years (65 males, 54 females). Overall completion rate was 79%, varying by centre: Sweden (90%), Portugal (81%), Denmark (80%), and Poland (63%). Adequate bowel cleanliness was achieved in 71% of cases. Diagnostic findings included polyps (25 patients), angioectasia (20), diverticulosis (17), and mucosal inflammation (17); 42% were normal. Fully remote administration yielded 80% completion and 89.7% satisfaction. No serious adverse events occurred; overall satisfaction was 81%, with 87% preferring home-based procedures. Conclusions: The OMOM CC100 CCE system is feasible, safe, with DY comparable to established systems. IntelliGI™-enabled remote administration promotes decentralised care, enhancing accessibility. Full article

Introduction: Promoting healthy habits in childhood is fundamental for fostering long-term well-being. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically validate an app-integrated instrument to assess knowledge, habits, and attitudes related to health in children aged 8–11, within the context of the MHealth intervention Healthy Jeart. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used. An initial item pool underwent expert content validation before being administered to a sample of 623 children from primary education centers in Andalusia, Spain. Construct validity was examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results: The analyses supported a coherent four-factor structure comprising 21 items: (1) Use of technologies, (2) diet and growth, (3) psychological well-being, and (4) physical activity and well-being. The instrument demonstrated satisfactory model fit and internal consistency, providing a multidimensional assessment of children’s health-related behaviors. The sample was recruited from primary schools in Andalusia (Spain), which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions and cultural contexts. Conclusions: The validated instrument offers a reliable and efficient means of evaluating healthy habits in children aged 8–11, particularly when embedded within digital interventions such as Healthy Jeart. It represents a valuable tool for educators and pediatric nursing professionals working in school settings, enabling early identification of gaps in health literacy and supporting targeted interventions that promote holistic child well-being. Full article

Studying the response of urban functions to residents’ spatiotemporal activity patterns is essential for understanding urban functions and guiding resource allocation. Unlike previous studies constrained by fixed intervals and static functional spaces, this study has developed an analytical framework to examine urban functional responses to residents’ activity patterns under dynamic spatiotemporal combinations. Tensor decomposition was employed to identify key temporal activity patterns of residents and dynamic urban functional patterns, while a Random Forest model was used to evaluate the contributions of five POI (Points of Interest) groups—Transportation, Organizations, Leisure, Habitation, and Basic Facilities—derived from a reclassification of 17 original POI categories, and the Elasticity Index (EI) quantifies functional responsiveness to activity changes. Results indicated that (1) four temporal patterns (sleeping, commuting, daytime, and leisure) and four spatial function types (the basic living area, the residential areas with mixed functions, residential areas with commercial functions and bustling business districts) characterized Beijing’s urban dynamics; (2) the five types of urban function varied with spatiotemporal context, with basic living POIs dominating daytime activities in residential zones and transportation POIs prevailing during commuting in mixed-use areas; (3) EI revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in adaptive capacities to activity transitions, which helped to accurately identify the key areas for improving urban functions. These findings provide new methodological insights and scientific evidence for resilient urban planning and resource optimization, supporting data-driven decision-making for spatial planning, infrastructure allocation, and emergency response management. Full article

Background/Objectives: The relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQL) in community-dwelling older adults and the consumption of foods typical of the Mediterranean diet (MD) has not been studied. The main objective of this study was to determine which MD foods, as well as overall MD adherence, are associated with HRQL in community-dwelling older adults, taking into account both physical and mental components. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or over. Sociodemographic variables, the Spanish version of the SF-12v2 quality-of-life questionnaire (physical and mental component scores), and data on the consumption of MD foods and adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) were collected. Two binary logistic regression models, adjusted for age and sex, were fitted to analyse which food types included in the MEDAS questionnaire were significantly associated with a higher probability of having good physical and mental components of HRQL. Results: A total of 285 participants were recruited, with a mean age of 74.97 (SD 5.75) years, predominantly female (87.7%, n = 250) and 36.3% (n = 104) lived alone. The sample showed low physical quality of life [PCS-12: 42.88 IQR (33.61–51.09)], moderately good mental quality of life [MCS-12: 51.09 (39.97–57.42)] and good adherence to the Mediterranean diet [MEDAS: 9 (8–10)]. Binary logistic regression for PCS-12 showed that younger age, the joint consumption of less than one serving of butter per day, less than one cup of sugar-sweetened beverages per day and two or more servings of vegetables per day were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with good physical quality of life. Similarly, living alone, four or more tablespoons of olive oil per day and less than 2 servings of desserts per week were associated with good mental quality of life (MCS-12). Conclusions: The Mediterranean diet is related to physical and mental quality of life in older adults, with the consumption of specific foods within the MD showing significant associations in multivariate analyses. Identifying the items that are most closely related to good physical and mental health is key to promoting healthy lifestyle habits that are directly linked to improving quality of life from a holistic perspective. Understanding the associations between quality of life and consumption or avoidance of certain foods could help inform future nutritional interventions aimed at improving both physical and mental health in older adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tooth wear (TW) is a prevalent multifactorial condition resulting from chemical erosion and mechanical forces, yet the contributions of risk-group status and salivary factors remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between salivary characteristics and the severity of chemical and mechanical TW in at-risk groups, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sleep bruxism (SB), eating disorders (EDs) and gambling disorder (GD). Methods: This cross-sectional observational study enrolled adults categorized into the four mutually exclusive at-risk groups and an age and sex-matched healthy control group. Demographic information, medical history, oral hygiene, diet, stress, and parafunctional habits were obtained through questionnaires. TW was assessed by a single examiner using TWES 2.0. Maximum bilateral force and salivary pH, flow and buffer capacity was measured. Correlations, multivariate linear regression, and mediation models were used to explore the relationships between the different variables and TW. Results: In total, 147 participants, divided into five groups (34 with GERD, 28 with SB 20 with GD, 20 with ED, and 45 controls) were included. The lowest resting salivary pH was observed in the GERD and ED groups (GERD: 6.63 ± 0.61; ED: 6.62 ± 0.52). The GERD group also exhibited the highest chemical (1.51 ± 0.58) and mechanical (1.08 ± 0.58) TW. Chemical and mechanical wear were strongly correlated, and mechanical wear increased with age. Risk-group status and salivary pH explained 47% of chemical wear, while age and bite force explained 54% of mechanical wear. Conclusions: Chemical TW was strongly linked to risk-group status—particularly GERD/ED—and low salivary pH, while mechanical TW related to age and bite force. Further longitudinal studies with larger samples, employing standardized methodologies and criteria are needed. Full article

This paper proposes a novel bio-inspired metaheuristic algorithm called the Red-crowned Crane Optimization (RCO) algorithm. This algorithm is developed by mathematically modeling four habits of red-crowned cranes: dispersing for foraging, gathering for roosting, dancing, and escaping from danger. The foraging strategy is used to search unknown areas to ensure the exploration ability, and the roosting behavior prompts cranes to approach better positions, thereby enhancing the exploitation performance. The crane dancing strategy further balances the local and global search capabilities of the algorithm. Additionally, the introduction of the escaping mechanism effectively reduces the possibility of the algorithm falling into local optima. The RCO algorithm is compared with eight popular optimization algorithms on a large number of benchmark functions. The results show that the RCO algorithm can find better solutions for 74% of the CEC-2005 test functions and 50% of the CEC-2022 test functions. This algorithm has a fast convergence speed and high search accuracy on most functions, and it can handle high-dimensional problems. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test results demonstrate the significant superiority of the RCO algorithm over other algorithms. In addition, applications to eight practical engineering problems further demonstrate its ability to find near-optimal solutions. Full article

Objectives: Diabetes Mellitus involves demanding challenges that interfere with family functioning and routines. In turn, family and social context impacts individual glycemic control. This study aims to identify this recursive interplay, the mutual influences of family systems and diabetes management. Design: Data was collected through a cross-sectional design comparing patients, aged 22–55, with and without metabolic control. Methods: Participants filled out a set of self-report measures of sociodemographic, clinical and family systems assessment. Patients (91) were also invited to describe their perception about disease management interference regarding family functioning. We first examined the extent to which family variables grouped dataset to determine if there were similarities and dissimilarities that fit with our initial diabetic groups’ classification. Results: Cluster analysis results identify a two-cluster solution validating initial classification of two groups of patients: 49 with metabolic control (MC) and 42 without metabolic control (NoMC). Independent sample tests suggested statistically significant differences between groups in family subscales- family difficulties and family communication (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression shed light on predictors of explained variance to no metabolic control, in four models: Sociodemographic, Clinical data, SCORE-15/Congruence Scale and Eating Behavior. Furthermore, groups differ on family support, level and sources of family conflict caused by diabetes management issues. Considering only patients who co-habit with a partner for more than one year (N = 44), NoMC patients score lower on marital functioning in all categories (p < 0.05). Discussion: Family-Chronic illness interaction plays a significant role in a patient’s adherence to treatment. This study highlights the Standards of Medical Care for Diabetes, considering caregivers and family members on diabetes care. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major global health concern influenced by sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. This study compared T2D risk scores between commerce and industry sectors and assessed the associations of age, sex, education, physical activity, diet, and smoking with elevated risk. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 56,856 men and 12,872 women employed in the commerce (n = 27,448) and industry (n = 42,280) sectors across Spain. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data were collected. Four validated T2D risk scores (QDscore, Finrisk, Canrisk, and TRAQ-D) were calculated. Multinomial logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for high-risk categories by sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. Results: Women in the industrial sector had significantly higher age, BMI, waist circumference, and lipid levels than those in commerce; differences among men were less marked. Across all participants, higher T2D risk scores were independently associated with physical inactivity (OR up to 12.49), poor Mediterranean diet adherence (OR up to 6.62), industrial employment (OR up to 1.98), and older age. Male sex was strongly associated with high Canrisk scores (OR = 6.31; 95% CI: 5.12–7.51). Conclusions: Employment in the industrial sector, combined with sedentary behavior and poor dietary habits, is independently associated with higher predicted T2D risk. Workplace prevention strategies should prioritize multicomponent interventions targeting modifiable risk factors, especially in high-risk subgroups such as older, less-educated, and inactive workers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Loneliness is the sensation of feeling alone or emotionally isolated, even when one is surrounded by other people. It is associated with conditions such as depression, anxiety, harmful habits, and cardiovascular problems. The main objective of the present study was to develop and determine the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Loneliness Scale (MLS), which is a self-report instrument. Methods: The present study is instrumental in nature, as it aims to analyze the psychometric properties of a new assessment instrument. A total of 484 adults, both men and women, aged between 18 and 55 years, participated in this research. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed the presence of four dimensions: social disconnection, family estrangement, loss of attachment figure, and intrapersonal emptiness. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the four-dimensional model exhibited a good fit (CFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.07; SRMR = 0.07; AIC = 737.87). The concurrent validity was evidenced by significant correlations with the De Jong Gierveld scale and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. The reliability analysis demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, with omega coefficients ranging from 0.84 to 0.92 and alpha coefficients from 0.84 to 0.93. Conclusions: The MLS is a self-report instrument designed to assess loneliness, and it has satisfactory psychometric properties. Full article

The rapid development of science and technology enables technological innovations to change the way of English oral learning. Based on the use of a large language model (LLM), we developed a novel dynamic evaluation system for oral English, LLM-DAELSL, which combines daily oral habits and a textbook outline. The model integrates commonly used vocabulary from everyday social speech and authoritative prior knowledge, such as oral language textbooks. It also combines traditional large-scale semantic models with probabilistic algorithms to serve as an oral assessment tool for undergraduate students majoring in English-related fields in universities. The model provides corrective feedback to effectively enhance the proficiency of English learners through guided training at any time and place. The technological principle of the model involves inputting prior template knowledge into the language model for reverse guidance and utilizing the textbooks provided by China’s Ministry of Education. The model facilitates the practice and evaluation of pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and fluency. The six-month tracking results showed that the oral proficiency of the system learners was significantly improved in the four aspects, which provides a reference for other language learning method developments. Full article

This paper introduces a methodology for estimating transition intensities in a multi-state model for disability and long-term care insurance. We propose a novel framework that integrates observable risk factors, such as demographic (age and sex), lifestyle (smoking and exercise habits) and health-related variables (body mass index), into the estimation and graduation of transition intensities, using a parametric approach based on the Gompertz–Makeham law and generalised linear models. The model features four states—autonomous, dead, and two intermediate states representing varying disability levels—providing a detailed view of disability/lack of autonomy progression. To illustrate the proposed framework, we simulate a dataset with individual risk profiles and model trajectories, mirroring Portugal’s demographic composition. This allows us to derive a functional form (as a function of age) for the transition intensities, stratified by relevant risk factors, thus enabling precise risk differentiation. The results offer a robust basis for developing tailored pricing structures in the Portuguese market, with broader applications in actuarial science and insurance. By combining granular disability modelling with risk factor integration, our approach enhances accuracy in pricing structure and risk assessment. Full article

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate uterine prolapse (UP) among women attending a semi-urban health center for routine gynecological examinations. Specifically, the study explores the potential association between UP and various established or suspected risk factors, including age, menopausal status, number and mode of deliveries, birth weight, smoking habits, and body mass index (BMI). Furthermore, it examines the relationship between the presence or severity of UP and the scores of specific questionnaires and their subscales. Finally, the study seeks to develop a predictive model for the likelihood of UP based on questionnaire responses. Methods: A quantitative study was conducted at the gynecological department of a health center in Greece from January 2021 to October 2022. A total of 134 women were recruited using convenience sampling during routine gynecological visits. The degree of prolapse was classified according to the International Continence Society (ICS) Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) classification system. Data collection also included the use of validated instruments: the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ), the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20), and the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7). The data were processed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v25. Results: Of the 134 participants, 21 (15.7%) aged 21 to 82 showed signs of UP, while 113 women (84.3%) did not. The average age of the women with UP was 55 years. Fourteen (10.4%) of these women were diagnosed with UP stage I, three of them (2.2%) with stage II, and four of them (3%) with stage III UP. There were no stage IV UP incidents. The risk factors associated with the disease include age, mode of delivery, parity, and duration of menopause. Regarding parity, every subsequent birth after the first one increases the likelihood of a UP incident by approximately 125%. Conclusions: Most women with UP did not exhibit severe symptoms, as UP typically does not manifest symptoms until it reaches a final stage. Considering the population aging and the increase in morbidity, a regular pelvic organ prolapse (POP) checkup should be established to facilitate early recognition, prevention, and treatment of symptoms. This study offers a potential tool for non-invasive screening to facilitate identifying UP in women early, which has not been previously reported. Full article