Search Results (264)

This study aimed to identify scientific evidence that addresses women’s experiences in the process of illness and care during tuberculosis treatment. A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute’s Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches were performed in the Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, SciVerse Scopus, and LILACS databases. The following descriptors were used: “Women,” “Tuberculosis,” “Gender Perspective,” and “Qualitative Approach.” Studies reporting the experiences of women with active tuberculosis, published in any language, without time restrictions, were included. Of the 16,029 studies initially identified, 7079 duplicates were removed and 8895 were excluded after title and abstract screening. A total of 55 studies were read in full, of which 41 did not meet the eligibility criteria, resulting in a final inclusion of 14 studies. Most selected studies were conducted in high-tuberculosis-burden, low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2024. All studies focused on pulmonary tuberculosis, with one addressing drug-resistant tuberculosis. The results revealed that women’s experiences with tuberculosis are shaped by the following four thematic categories: (1) stigma and social vulnerability of women with tuberculosis; (2) gender factors in access to health services and in the interruption of tuberculosis treatment among women; (3) intersectionality and social determinants of health; and (4) the importance of social, family, and healthcare support in the experience of tuberculosis illness. The experience of illness due to tuberculosis among women is profoundly shaped by vulnerabilities related to gender, stigma, and social class, which intensify social exclusion, hinder access to diagnosis and treatment, and deepen physical and emotional suffering. Stigma reinforces isolation and weakens support networks, while the burden of domestic labor, caregiving responsibilities, and economic dependence makes it difficult for women to prioritize their own health. In this context, family support and gender-sensitive, humanized healthcare are essential. Therefore, the implementation of public policies that address these specificities and confront structural inequalities is urgent to ensure comprehensive care and a dignified, effective recovery for women with tuberculosis. Full article

Background: Adolescents’ engagement with social media and emerging metaverse platforms has become nearly universal, creating environments rich in opportunities for learning, creativity, and social connection. However, these same spaces also enable a range of risky behaviors (RBs) with potential impacts on mental health, safety, and development. Recent research (2022–2025) has documented rising concerns over cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, self-harm content, problematic use, and new risks specific to immersive VR. Aims: This Perspective uses a narrative synthesis of recent empirical and theoretical literature, including four key articles provided by the author and over 40 additional peer-reviewed and institutional sources, to (i) map the most prevalent and emergent RBs in adolescent social media and metaverse use, (ii) clarify the neurodevelopmental and socio-technical mechanisms that link these behaviors to individual and contextual factors, and (iii) propose a multi-level framework for intervention, policy, and future research aligned with adolescent development. Methods: A narrative synthesis approach was adopted, which is appropriate for integrating heterogeneous study designs and rapidly evolving evidence. The review emphasizes studies published from 2022 to 2025, with a focus on large-scale surveys, longitudinal cohorts, systematic reviews, and scoping reviews relevant to adolescent online risk. Results: Evidence indicates small but consistent associations between high-intensity platform use and internalizing symptoms, with gendered pathways and cultural moderators. Algorithmic amplification contributes to the spread of harmful content, while immersive environments increase the salience and emotional impact of interactions. Certain groups—those with prior trauma, low SES, or marginalized identities—face heightened vulnerability. Conclusions: RBs in digital spaces emerge from the interplay of adolescent neurodevelopment, platform affordances, and socio-cultural context. This Perspective synthesizes recent evidence via narrative review to articulate these mechanisms and to inform an integrated, multi-level framework for harm mitigation that aligns research, platform design, and policy with adolescent developmental needs, while preserving the benefits of digital engagement. Full article

Background: The Canadian HIV Cure Enterprise (CanCURE) is a pan-Canadian research collaboratory, investigating approaches for achieving sustainable HIV remission. In preparation for the next research cycle, CanCURE researchers and the Community Advisory Board (CAB) co-designed a web-based survey to identify HIV research priorities from the perspective of people with HIV (PWH) in Canada. The current study examined gender-based differences in these priorities. Methods: From August to December 2024, we recruited PWH across Canada through community organizations and community members. We collected data using REDCap electronic data capture tools hosted at The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. The survey included 36 demographic questions, 16 questions related to general knowledge about HIV and HIV cure-related concepts, and 21 questions ranking research priorities. Knowledge questions were multiple choice, while priorities could be ranked on a scale. We summarized participant characteristics via descriptive statistics, and the research priorities were further stratified according to gender. Results: Of 109 participants, 48.6% self-identified as men, 46.8% as women, and 4.6% as two-spirit, non-binary, agender, or other. The median age was 53 years old. Approximately one-third of participants had lived with HIV for ≤14 years, one-third for 15–24 years, and one-third for ≥25 years. Overall, the median knowledge score of respondents was 79%. Among the 78 participants with prior HIV research experience, three times as many men (61.1%) as women (19.0%) participated in interventional studies involving medication or medical procedures. Men ranked preventing HIV transmission to partners as a priority, studying where the virus hides as the second, and avoiding high comorbidity risks as the third. In contrast, women ranked not having to take pills daily as a priority and avoiding higher risks for comorbidities as the second priority. Both genders equally valued expanding community involvement in HIV cure research. However, men focused more on integrating social and behavioural research, while women emphasized the need for diverse ethnic representation in research. Conclusions: Although both men and women share some common priorities regarding HIV cure research, there are notable gender differences in their specific concerns. Furthermore, a significant gender gap in participation in interventional studies, essential for advancing HIV cure research, highlights the importance of aligning research priorities with concerns of both genders. Full article

The integration of educational robotics and computational thinking into teaching is a growing trend that presents challenges and opportunities for teacher training. Grounded in theoretical perspectives that position educational robotics as a central element for the development of computational thinking, the STEAM approach, and consequently digital teaching competence, this study aims to analyze the perceptions of teachers who teach children aged 3 to 12 years regarding the use of these pedagogical tools. A quantitative approach with a descriptive-comparative design was used, collecting information through a questionnaire and considering variables such as gender, age, and educational stage. We employed a sample of 216 active teachers. The results indicate that teachers’ perceptions are predominantly positive, highlighting the potential of robotics to foster logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. However, significant barriers were identified, including the lack of specific training and resistance to methodological change. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in perception based on gender or educational stage, but differences were found depending on the frequency of robotics use in the classroom. The study concludes that reinforcing teacher training in this area and promoting its integration is necessary as an effective strategy for developing STEAM competencies in students. Full article

The publication analyses three criminal justice structures prominent in the scientific debate across various countries from the perspective of human rights, with particular emphasis on the principles of gender equality—the order to temporarily vacate the premises shared with the victim, the public-complaint nature of the offense of rape and the prohibition of mediation in cases of domestic violence. Their shared characteristic is their assumed support for victims of a specific type of criminal offenses, which justifies the premises and scope of these constructs (or the submitted postulates). The analysis has confirmed that all the indicated instruments unreasonably restrict the rights of victims. They are all grounded in a single model of the victim as a person—a weak, powerless woman, unable to decide about herself freely and without coercion. At the same time, it can be argued that they exemplify legal paternalism and systemic gender-based discrimination. Full article

Bibliometric indicators play a key role in assessing research performance at individual, departmental, and institutional levels, influencing both funding allocation, and university rankings. However, despite their widespread use, bibliometrics are often applied indiscriminately and without discrimination, overlooking contextual factors that affect research productivity. This research investigates how gender, academic discipline, institutional location, and academic rank influence bibliometric outcomes within the Greek Higher Education system. A dataset of 2015 faculty profiles from 18 universities and 92 departments was collected and analyzed using data from Google Scholar and Scopus. The findings reveal significant disparities in publication and citation metrics: female researchers, faculty in peripheral institutions, and those in specific disciplines (such as humanities) tend to score lower values across several indicators. These inequalities underscore the risks of applying one-size-fits-all evaluation models in performance-based research funding systems. The paper moves beyond a one-size-fits-all perspective and proposes that bibliometric evaluations should be context-sensitive and grounded in discipline and rank-specific benchmarks. By establishing more refined and realistic expectations for researcher productivity, institutions and policymakers can use bibliometrics as a constructive tool for strategic research planning and fair resource allocation, rather than as a mechanism that reinforces the existing biases. The study also contributes to ongoing international discussions on the responsible use of research metrics in higher education policy. Full article

The influence of sex and gender on health is a relevant topic in both social research and health studies. However, the complexity of considering sex and gender jointly with multiple dimensions of the social structure (labor market, violence, traditions and culture, health system, etc.) requires an analytical framework. The present study employs the gender regime as a theoretical framework for health studies. It primarily draws upon the theoretical contributions of Walby and Connell, engaging with the challenges encountered in theoretical, methodological and empirical debates. Despite the diverse roots of these two perspectives, broadly utilizing the gender regime is promising for research. The health evidence demonstrates the potential of this framework to facilitate a more nuanced understanding of the distinct characteristics, experiences and resources that are specific to men and women. Studies of pain and illness also illustrate the contribution of the gender regime for both science and public policy related to health and well-being. A multi-level framework for health and pain has been developed using a sociological interpretive synthesis and a critical review. The present study puts forward a model and classification of components with an application to human health in which the gender regime is significant. Full article

Driving under the influence (DUI) has long been recognized as a major contributor to traffic accidents. However, the factors influencing the severity of crashes in DUI situations may vary significantly between genders due to physiological and psychological differences. This study analyzes DUI single-vehicle crash data from Texas to construct a random-parameter logit model that captures gender-specific differences in crash severity. A partially constrained method is employed to better identify these gender-specific factors, emphasizing the importance of separately assessing DUI behavior for males and females in traffic safety analysis. The results reveal notable gender differences in the severity of injuries from DUI crashes. A comprehensive evaluation was conducted from four perspectives: driver characteristics, vehicle features, roadway conditions, and environmental factors. Out-of-sample simulations provided additional insights, showing that even at lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, the probability of severe injury increases significantly. In conclusion, this study not only uncovers the gender-specific mechanisms behind DUI crash severity but also offers valuable empirical evidence for integrating gender considerations into future traffic safety policies and interventions. Full article

The influence of traditional Chinese ritual culture on courtyard spatial sequences is widely acknowledged. However, quantitative analytical methods, such as space syntax, have rarely been applied in studies of ritual–residential space relations. This study uses space syntax, specifically Visibility Graph Analysis (VGA) and axial maps, to conduct a quantitative study of the spatial relationship between ritual and residential areas in Prince Kung’s Mansion. The VGA results indicate a distinct gradient of visual integration, which decreases progressively from the outward-oriented ritual areas, such as the palace gate and halls, through the transitional domestic ritual areas to the inward-oriented residential areas, such as Xijin Zhai and Ledao Tang. This pattern demonstrates a positive correlation between spatial visibility and ritual hierarchy. The axial map results confirm that the central axis and core ritual spaces exhibit the highest spatial connectivity, reflecting their supreme ritual status. More importantly, spatial connectivity is intensified during ritual activities compared to in daily life, indicating that enhanced spatial connectivity is required during rituals. Ritual spaces are characterized by extroversion, high visibility, and connectivity, while residential spaces prioritize introversion and minimal exposure. The deliberately designed ritual–residential architectural spatial sequence of Prince Kung’s Mansion articulates Confucian ideological principles, such as centrality as orthodoxy, gender segregation, and hierarchy. This study visually and quantitatively illustrates the harmony between ritual and residential spaces in Prince Kung’s Mansion. It enhances our understanding of the mechanisms of expression of courtyard ritual cultural spaces, providing evidence-based guidance for functional adaptive transformations in heritage conservation practices. It also offers a fresh perspective on the analysis of courtyard ritual spaces. Full article

Background/Objectives. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) capture patients’ perspectives about their health status, quality of life, and medical care outcomes. LIMB-Q Kids is a validated PROM designed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children with lower limb differences. It evaluates physical, social, and psychological function; symptoms related to the leg, hip, knee, foot and ankle; leg-related distress, appearance, and school-related concerns. It has now been translated and culturally adapted from English to other languages. The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt LIMB-Q Kids to Hebrew. Methods. Following international guidelines, two independent forward translations from English to Hebrew were produced and reconciled into a single version. A backward translation was then compared with the original to identify discrepancies. This draft underwent cognitive debriefing interviews (CDIs) with 11 children (ages 8–15) having lower limb differences to assess comprehension and cultural relevance. Results. CDIs revealed general issues including lengthy or unclear text, high-level language, cultural unfamiliarity and duplication of descriptors. Specific to Hebrew, issues included gender inflections and the need for vowel diacritics to support younger, less proficient readers. Revisions to 14 items were made. Conclusions. A translation and cultural adaption (TCA) process led to a linguistically validated and culturally adapted Hebrew version of LIMB-Q Kids. It can now be used for the clinical follow-up of children with lower limb differences including pre- and post-operatively, and as an aid to decision-making for surgery. Full article

Compared to studies in school settings, little attention has been paid to bullying in the child protection system (PS), even though these children, adolescents, and youth are one of the most vulnerable groups, with the highest prevalence of bullying. This study aims to analyze, according to gender and nationality, the perception of adolescents and youth in the Spanish PS of the bullying and gender-based bullying situations that take place in their protection facility, as well as their response to these situations and the relationship with the training they received in gender equality, sexual diversity and bullying. Two hundred forty-nine adolescents and youth from 58 centers/facilities of the PS in Spain, with an average age of 16.38 years, participated. Of these, 37.3% had Spanish nationality. A correlational study was conducted using a cross-sectional random sample survey. It was found that 30.9% of the participants identify bullying situations, which reached 34.9% for LGBTIQ-phobic bullying and 37.7% for sexist bullying. Girls identify situations of both bullying and sexist bullying more, and girls and both male and female Spanish adolescents and youth attribute greater severity to these problems and respond more positively in favor of the victims. Those who have received more training in gender equality, sexual diversity, and bullying support bully victims more significantly. According to our current knowledge, this study addresses for the first time the phenomenon of bullying and gender-based bullying in the context of the PS from a perspective of gender, nationality, and the formative dimension. It also highlights the need for mandatory training in gender-equality and sexual diversity for adolescents/youth and educational professionals of the PS, as well as the creation of specific anti-bullying protocols with an inclusive approach. Full article

Heating and cooling (H&C) account for nearly half of the EU’s energy consumption, with significant potential for decarbonization through renewable energy sources (RES) integrated in district heating and cooling (DHC) systems. This study evaluates the environmental and social impacts of RES-powered DHC solutions implemented in three European small-scale demo sites (Bucharest, Luleå, Córdoba) under the Horizon 2020 WEDISTRICT project. Using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) methodologies, the research compares baseline fossil-based energy scenarios with post-implementation renewable scenarios. Results reveal substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions (up to 67%) and positive environmental trade-offs, though increased mineral and metal resource use and site-specific impacts on water and land use highlight important sustainability challenges. Social assessments demonstrate improvements in gender parity, local employment, and occupational safety, yet reveal persistent issues in wage equity, union representation, and inclusion of vulnerable populations. The findings emphasize that while renewable DHC systems offer significant climate benefits, social sustainability requires tailored local strategies and robust governance to avoid exacerbating inequalities. This integrated environmental-social perspective underscores the need for holistic policies that balance technical innovation with equitable social outcomes to ensure truly sustainable energy transitions. Full article

Understanding the determinants of success in International One Day (ODI) and Twenty20 (T20) cricket is essential for optimising team and player performance. This review aimed to identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with successful outcomes in elite international ODI and T20 matches. The review also examines performance analysis (PA) methods and trends across male and female cricketers. Comprehensive searches were conducted across PubMed, SPORTDiscus, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital library, Ebscohost and Web of Science, covering literature published between 2000 and the present. Studies were included if they reported on KPIs or PA techniques contributing to the success in cricket. Following a rigorous screening process, nine studies met the inclusion criteria. This review revealed that most PA studies focused on distinguishing KPIs between winning and losing teams. Although video technology and statistical models are increasingly applied, relatively few investigations have incorporated contextual variables or gender-inclusive perspectives. Notably, only one study examined female cricketers, which limited the ability to draw strong conclusions on sex-specific performance differences. Furthermore, gaps remain regarding the consistent application of PA methods across formats. This review provides an overview of success determinants in international cricket and highlights the need for holistic, inclusive and ecologically valid approaches. Full article

In the global work culture of the 21st century, the image of female leaders is marginal. The stereotypical opinion links the terms leaders and managers to the male gender and predetermined gendered characteristics typical to men. The aim of this study is to redefine certain perspectives through empirical research based on previous literature regarding gender stereotypes in leadership and challenges facing female leaders. This paper looks at the main issues that concern female leaders throughout their careers and even after reaching a higher position and discusses the differences between male and female workers on the top levels of the organizational hierarchy. The research was conducted in the Western Transdanubia region of Hungary. The research was based on eight semi-structured interviews with mid- and senior managers, which were analyzed through thematic analysis to identify patterns and challenges. As an exploratory qualitative study with a region-specific sample, the findings provide valuable insights but should be interpreted cautiously as they cannot be extrapolated to a comparable situation. The findings of the study indicate that gender gaps in the corporate world can be attributed to the presence of stereotypes resulting from gender roles embedded in patriarchal societies, gender-based discrimination in the labor market. As the results suggest, these non-quantifiable problems are of great importance in terms of the position of women in the labor market and society. Full article

Virtual reality (VR) is often regarded as the “ultimate empathy machine” because of its ability to immerse users in alternative perspectives and environments beyond physical reality. In this study, 105 participants (average age 22.43 ± 5.31 years, range 19–45, 75% female) with diverse educational and professional backgrounds experienced three-dimensional 360° VR videos featuring actors expressing different emotions. Despite the availability of established methodologies in both research and clinical domains, there remains a lack of a universally accepted “gold standard” for empathy assessment. The primary objective was to explore the relationship between the empathy levels of the participants and the changes in their physiological responses. Empathy levels were self-reported using questionnaires, while physiological attributes were recorded through various sensors. The main outcomes of the study are machine learning (ML) models capable of predicting state empathy levels and trait empathy scores during VR video exposure. The Random Forest (RF) regressor achieved the best performance for trait empathy prediction, with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 9.1%, and a standard error of the mean (SEM) of 0.32% across folds. For classifying state empathy, the RF classifier achieved the highest balanced accuracy of 67%, and a standard error of the proportion (SE) of 1.90% across folds. This study contributes to empathy research by introducing an objective and efficient method for predicting empathy levels using physiological signals, demonstrating the potential of ML models to complement self-reports. Moreover, by providing a novel dataset of VR empathy-eliciting videos, the work offers valuable resources for future research and clinical applications. Additionally, predictive models were developed to detect non-empathic arousal (78% balanced accuracy ± 0.63% SE) and to distinguish empathic vs. non-empathic arousal (79% balanced accuracy ± 0.41% SE). Furthermore, statistical tests explored the influence of narrative context, as well as empathy differences toward different genders and emotions. We also make available a set of carefully designed and recorded VR videos specifically created to evoke empathy while minimizing biases and subjective perspectives. Full article