Search Results (380)

Sexual consent is essential, but in some instances an individual may consent to sexual behaviors that are unwanted. The likelihood of unwanted consensual sex may be influenced by multiple social and individual factors. The current study examined engagement in unwanted consensual sex based on demographics, relationship and/or hookup history, and sexual communication characteristics among college students. This cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing a random sample of college students at one midwestern university. Data was collected via an online survey, including questions about sexual behavior, communication, and sexual consent. Basic frequencies and bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. This random sample included 1263 undergraduate students. Level of comfort communicating about sex was negatively associated with unwanted consensual sex. Gender was significantly associated with the likelihood of unwanted consensual sex and was a significant predictor of unwanted consensual sex among this sample. Unwanted consensual sex may vary based on individual characteristics, like gender. The current findings may help guide future studies on unwanted consensual sex, as well as continued sex education programming on college campuses to increase comfort when communicating about sexual behaviors. Full article

Once marketed as smoking cessation tools, e-cigarettes are used by adolescents mainly for entertainment, driven by aggressive marketing, appealing flavors, and safer alternatives to smoking. This study analyzes data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) to explore trends in adolescent perceptions and usage patterns of e-cigarettes from 2011 to 2023, focusing on their dual roles as cessation aids and recreational products. Cross-sectional data from the NYTS over four years (2011: N = 18,866; 2015: N = 17,711; 2019: N = 19,018; 2023: N = 22,069) formed the foundation of this study. This study investigated demographic trends, usage frequency, initial and future use patterns, and quitting behavior. Descriptive statistics and latent class analysis (LCA) were employed to examine adolescent e-cigarette use patterns, with statistical significance determined at p < 0.05. The reasons for using e-cigarettes have changed significantly over the years because of family or friends. In all years (2015–2023), use for smoking cessation dropped significantly (2.33% in 2023 vs. 6.95% in 2015). In 2023, 38% wanted to quit using e-cigarettes within 30 days, and 25% attempted to quit at least 10 times. Flavored e-cigarette users were more than twice as likely to consider quitting compared to those not interested in flavors (OR = 2.64). Our findings highlight a significant decrease in the use of e-cigarettes for cessation, with a corresponding increase in recreational use over time. These trends emphasize the urgency of implementing interventions to mitigate nicotine addiction and its associated health risks among adolescents. Adolescent e-cigarette use has transitioned from being primarily driven by cessation efforts to recreational purposes, largely influenced by appealing flavors and social factors such as peer influence, showing the need for stricter marketing regulations and targeted educational campaigns. Full article

Diagnosing and prognosing immune-mediated airway diseases, like hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and sarcoidosis, is complicated due to their overlapping symptoms and the lack of definitive biomarkers. Hence, we wanted to compare bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytokine and chemokine profiles from 92 patients with different immune-mediated and inflammatory airway diseases, namely, HP, sarcoidosis, non-allergic asthma, amiodarone lung, and EGPA. We also compared pulmonary function parameters, BAL’s cellularity, and lymphocyte immunophenotypes. We found significant differences across all measured lung functions (VC, VC%, FEV1, FEV1%, and Tiff%) and in the number of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils. Furthermore, we showed significant differences in CD4, CD8, and CD4/8 across all included ILDs and OLDs; however, no significant differences were found in CD3, CD19, NK, or NKT. We identified nine biomarkers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, VEGF, angiogenin, C4a, RANTES, and MCP-1) that significantly differ in the BAL of patients with HP and sarcoidosis and showed that RANTES and IL-6 are associated with fibrotic outcome. We have demonstrated that interstitial and obstructive lung diseases differ in cytokine and cellular lung imprint, which may, in the future, enable the determination of the disease subtype and thus the identification of targets for the treatment of individuals or subgroups within diseases. Full article

Climate change, urbanization, and socio-economic inequality are increasing the severity of urban challenges, emphasizing the imperative for a resilient built environment. Yet, architectural education has lagged in adopting resilience principles into its central curricula. This paper critiques dominant pedagogical paradigms and identifies shortcomings in interdisciplinary collaboration, digital tool adoption, and practical problem-solving. Moving its focus from local to international best practices for resilience, the study extracts key dimensions for learning architecture and explores case studies in leading schools that reflect pioneering, resilience-centric pedagogies. The findings highlight the importance of scenario-based learning, participatory design, and the use of technologies like AI, GIS, and digital twins to strengthen resilience. The article also explores how policy reformulation, accreditation mandates, and cross-sector collaborations can enforce the institutionalization of resilience education. It demands a pedagogical shift toward climate adaptation design studios, inter/transdisciplinary methods, and technological skills. The study ends with action guidelines for teachers, policymakers, and industry professionals who want to ensure that architectural education becomes responsive to resilient urban futures. Full article

This study investigates the impact of heatwaves on the thermal comfort and well-being of elderly individuals living alone during heatwaves, focusing on two contrasting residential typologies in the Atlantic climate of Spain: a dense urban area and low-density peri-urban setting. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining in situ environmental monitoring, adaptive comfort modelling, and user-centred data from surveys and interviews based on the De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale. The results show that both dwellings exceeded recommended indoor temperature thresholds during heatwaves, especially at night, contributing to sleep disturbance, cardiovascular stress, and emotional discomfort. Despite 85% of participants indicating that outdoor activities help them to mitigate not-wanted loneliness, architectural barriers often hinder such engagement. Over half reported having no balcony or terrace, which may have further intensified social isolation. Field data collected during 2022 summer heatwaves recorded maximum daytime temperatures of 30 °C and night-time peaks of 28.7 °C, exceeding the 25 °C threshold. The adaptive comfort evaluation classified both cases as Class 4 (severe discomfort). The urban dwelling showed consistent moderate discomfort (Category 3), likely due to poor ventilation and urban heat island effects. The peri-urban case, despite lacking the heat island influence, showed worse thermal conditions, especially during the day. Architectural barriers, poor thermal performance, and the lack of semi-outdoor spaces may exacerbate isolation among elderly people during extreme heat events. Full article

In Industry 5.0 it is essential that humans are in the loop of technology integration of industry processes. With the advancements of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), a lot of new opportunities and challenges for learning and teaching are present. Many students already use publicly available AI Digital Assistants (p-AIDA) like ChatGPT for academic purposes. However, there are concerns around the use of such p-AIDA tools, particularly in terms of academic integrity, data privacy, intellectual property, and the impact on the quality of education. Furthermore, many higher education institutions have substantial learning materials and data about students that they may not want to share with p-AIDA. Therefore, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and following a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach, we explored the perspectives and experiences of a beta-test of an institutionally developed AIDA (i-AIDA) with 18 UK students using multiple methods and data sources (including pre-post-test, interviews, think-aloud, and prompt analysis). Our research underscores the potential benefits and limitations of in-house i-AIDA in enhancing learning experiences without compromising academic integrity or privacy, and how higher education institutions can prepare themselves for Industry 5.0. Full article

Maritime trade in Bangladesh is growing significantly, as observed by UNCTAD, which reported 3.20 mTEUs throughput in 2022. Additionally, the principal seaport, Chattogram Port, reported a port throughput of 3.27 mTEUs in 2024, the historical record for any port in Bangladesh. More than 50% of imports and exports, including empty containers, were handled in 2024 through 19 nos close dry ports in Chattogram City by applying small-scale intermodal systems, where the performance of pure intermodal from/to mid-range dry ports (3 Nos) to Chattogram Port is 2.53%. By 2030, the government wants all import and export operations to be conducted through dry ports. Furthermore, the current volume of international goods freight cannot be handled by the dry ports that are currently in place. This research applied mixed methods to explore the opportunities to set more dry ports and the application of intermodal systems for increasing the seaport’s efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness. The Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method was used to know the dry port location, investment, and policy in creating the opportunity to set up more dry ports in Bangladesh. In the findings, 82.50% of participants agreed that existing facilities are not enough and need to establish more dry ports to handle current and future volumes of containers. Moreover, the responses reveal a division of opinion on establishing a dry port outside of Chattogram, with a notable inclination towards opposition. According to 62% of respondents, dry ports outside Chattogram are necessary. To enhance intermodal connectivity and facilitate easier cargo transfers between ports and hinterland regions, integrated infrastructure development would be in line with national economic objectives. The research aims to investigate the possibilities for establishing additional dry ports across the country to boost seaport productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness by utilizing intermodal freight transportation systems to cut costs and time while also considering environmental factors like CO₂ emissions. Full article

People are less likely to help others when they view time as a scarce resource. Does changing people’s perception of time influence their willingness to help? We hypothesized that people would be more willing to help and would allocate more time to helping others when they view time as a nonzero-sum resource (i.e., as a resource that merely exists or that can be created moment-by-moment with their interactions with others) versus a zero-sum resource (i.e., a commodity that can be lost, taken, or given away). Study 1 measured people’s perception of time and their willingness to help in hypothetical vignettes. Studies 2 and 3 manipulated the perception of time to examine its effect on people’s willingness to help others and the amount of time they wanted to spend helping. Study 3 further examined prosocial motivation as a potential mediator. Across the three studies, we demonstrated that when people perceive time as a nonzero-sum resource versus a zero-sum resource, people are more willing to help others. People’s prosocial motivation to reduce others’ distress mediated this relationship. We speculate that when people perceive time to be nonzero-sum, time spent helping others is not viewed as costly, but as a resource to invest in to benefit both themselves and others. Full article

Background: External social influences on body image affect females differently than males, and adolescent girls are more likely to want to change their weight status. Understanding the healthy and unhealthy habits of adolescent girls is vital for developing effective and targeted health promotions and interventions. Methods: Using data from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS) survey, this cross-sectional study compares dietary habits, physical activity, vaping, alcohol use, sleep, and screen time in females (9th–12th grades) who intend to lose weight versus those who want to maintain their current weight. Results: The sample consisted of 4362 females, of which 56.7% reported an intent to lose weight. The average BMI percentile was 64.1 compared to 75.4 among those trying to lose weight and 50.1 among those not trying to lose weight. Adolescent girls intending to lose weight also reported less frequent breakfast consumption (OR 0.52; 0.40–0.69), less sleep (OR 0.72; 0.59–0.89), more screen time (OR 1.27; 1.02–1.58), engaging in muscle toning exercises (OR 1.30; 1.07–1.57), vaping (OR 1.22; 1.01–1.47), and alcohol use (OR 1.61; 1.32–1.98) compared to those not intending to lose weight. Conclusions: Adolescent girls trying to lose weight would likely benefit from interventions to help them improve sleep, reduce screen time, improve dietary and exercise habits, and monitor alcohol and vaping use. Full article

For a country to be able to sustain a policy of increasing the use of renewable energy sources to supply electricity, it must be able to continue to provide a reliable electricity supply service to its customers. Typically, electricity reliability is maintained by thermal electricity generation. To substitute solar PV for thermal electricity generation to a significant degree, it is imperative to determine the least-cost complementary technologies that will provide system reliability. In many parts of Africa and Asia, potential sites for seasonal storage dams are available or have been built. In the case studied here, maintaining service reliability by expanding the capacity of the generation plant of a seasonal storage dam in all scenarios is less costly than providing service reliability by a thermal alternative. However, maintaining service reliability while expanding generation by solar PV is in all cases costly. The levelized financial cost of the incremental energy supplied when a reliable service is maintained is between 30% and 89% greater than the levelized cost of a standalone solar PV plant. For the same set of scenarios, the range of the economic levelized cost is 28% to 85% greater with reliability than the standalone solar PV field without reliability. Given the circumstances of the electricity market, the least-cost technology to maintain a reliable service may be specific to the market. The analysis also shows that when the economic opportunity cost of funds increases from 2% to 11.5%, the levelized cost of renewable electricity generation systems doubles. Hence, if the developed countries of the world want low-income countries to maintain policies to reduce the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity, capital subsidies to low-income countries that are facing high economic opportunity costs of funds are likely to be necessary. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adolescence is a sensitive period of development marked by significant changes. The quality of life (QoL) of adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD) can be substantially impacted by the disease. The chronic nature of AD is particularly significant: due to recurring (relapsing) skin lesions, adolescents are likely exposed to greater stress and depressive symptoms than those experiencing transient or one-time symptoms. Aesthetic and functional AD skin lesions during adolescence lead to reduced happiness, high stress and depression. Methods: In this review, we wanted to present the current knowledge on mental health, psychological features and psychiatric comorbidity of adolescents with AD, based on the previous studies/research on this topic presented in the PubMed database. Results: Previous studies have confirmed that sleep disturbances, behavioral disorders, internalizing profiles, depression and anxiety, stress symptoms and suicidality represent the most prevalent psychiatric comorbidities and psychological features in adolescents with AD. According to research data, adolescents with AD also reported a tendency toward feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and even suicidal thoughts and attempts. The relationship between sleep disturbances, psychiatric disorders, and suicidality in adolescents with AD is complex and multifaceted. Conclusions: Adequate social competencies are essential for healthy mental development, as their impairments may be associated with psychological alterations or psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence that potentially persist into adulthood. These findings highlight the need for continuous psychological evaluation and the implementation of intervention programs from an early age. Psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, accompanied by psychopharmaceuticals, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (when indicated), seem to be the most beneficial treatment options in AD patients who have the most frequent psychiatric comorbidities: depression and anxiety. Full article

Collaboration among employees is critical to achieving sustainability goals. This article explains how employee engagement fosters the socio-economic dimension of sustainability, both for the organization and society. As is well known, there is a constant search for factors that enhance engagement. Given that one of the important requirements for its formation is affiliation, it is assumed that cooperation can foster engagement. It should be noted that it is also an important element of social sustainability, as it enables the building of lasting relationships and social capital. After all, employees may, in fact, perform tasks in different ways, and this affects not only the relationship between them, but also their performance (work results achieved). While there are studies on collaboration as well as on the determinants of employee engagement, there is a lack of research on the kind of collaboration in the context of team engagement. This article aims to help reduce this gap. The goal of our research was to determine whether and how the intensity of collaboration is related to the level of team work engagement. The intensity of collaboration is analyzed through the level of behavioral, structural, and functional interdependence, and the engagement is understood according to the Schaufeli and Bakker approach. Taking this into account, 12 teams operating in various industries, who carry out various scopes of tasks, were invited to participate in the study. The assumption was confirmed. At the same time, the importance of relational aspects for team work engagement, i.e., behavioral interdependence, the method of contact between team members, and the difficulty of performing tasks, was highlighted. Based on the research results, it was indicated that leadership and environmental conditions (centralization, formalization) are crucial for working in teams in the context of team work engagement. It should be emphasized that this study is a valuable guideline for managers and organizations that want to nurture the engagement of the whole team. At the same time, like the aspect of team autonomy, it suggests a direction for further research to support the long-term sustainability of the organization. Full article

Systemic inflammation has an important role in the prognosis and progression of many chronic diseases, including diabetes (T2DM). This retrospective study aimed to evaluate inflammatory status by determining the serum inflammatory biomarkers (PTX3, hs-CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6) and new indices, like the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) to lymphocyte ratio (MCVL) and cumulative inflammatory index (IIC), in a cohort of patients with prediabetes (PreDM) and newly diagnosed T2DM. We also wanted to assess the association with clinical parameters and different obesity-related indices, to identify possible correlations and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the biomarkers using ROC curve analysis. In this study, we included 60 patients diagnosed with T2DM and 30 patients with PreDM. The ELISA method was applied. Elevated PTX3, hs-CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were found in T2DM patients compared to preDM patients. An independent relationship was found between PTX3, hs-CRP, and different obesity-related indices in patients with preDM and T2DM. The MCVL index exhibited an inverse trend proportional to the rising levels of HbA1c in the T2DM group. Spearman’s analysis revealed in the T2DM group that the PTX3 values correlated much better with IIC (rho = 0.445, p-value = 0.014) and MCVL (rho = 0.338, p-value = 0.048). Hs-CRP values expressed moderate-to-weak correlations with IIC and MCVL in both groups. Additionally, ROC analysis showed that the PTX3 (AUC was 0.720; p = 0.003; cut-off value 1888.00 pg/mL, with 67.60% sensitivity and 73.30% specificity) and MCVL index (AUC was 0.677; p = 0.047; cut-off value 39.60, with 63.30% sensitivity and 66.70% specificity) have a good, accurate diagnosis compared with IL-6 (AUC was 0.866; p < 0.0001; cut-off value 40.30 pg/mL, with 100.00% sensitivity and 60.00% specificity). IIC showed 61.70% sensitivity and 60.00% specificity, with an AUC of 0.572, p = 0.027 and a cut-off value of 2.35. PTX3 and MCVL can serve as independent predictor factors in the inflammatory status in preDM and T2DM patients, supporting their potential as biomarkers for T2DM management and future research. Full article

Rates of self-harm among young women have been increasing in recent years across multiple high-income nations. Given the negative outcomes associated with self-harm, it is essential that young women who engage in self-harm receive the support that best addresses their specific needs. The aim of the current study is to explore support preferences among Australian young women with a history of self-harm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 young women (M = 20.9, SD = 2.1) with a history of self-harm, recruited through social media posts. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using a Reflexive Thematic Analysis approach. Thematic analysis of the data identified themes pertaining to the following: (1) the types of support young women want around self-harm, and (2) how young women would like to receive support for self-harm. Regarding the former, participants expressed wanting information about self-harm and self-harm interventions, education about self-harm for those around them, age-specific mental health education, and alternative coping strategies. Some participants expressed not wanting any support. Regarding the latter, participants wanted self-harm information to be provided by health professionals and in school settings, and preferred for information to be provided in written or digital forms. The findings highlight the need to improve access to formal mental health support among young women, the importance of young people being able to access support confidentially, and the need for young peoples’ caregivers and health professionals to be educated about self-harm. Additionally, the findings support a role for schools in providing information about mental health and available support. Full article

Although same-sex couples have had access to legal marriage since 2015, the current literature does not ask young adults who identify as part of the LGBTQ community about their desire to be married. Using interviews with 36 women who self-identified as queer, I find that they are more likely to desire marriage. However, an important segment is also ambivalent about legal marriage. I also find that women who want to be married are more likely to highlight the benefits of marriage, including the opportunity to resist heteronormative beliefs and practices in their marital relationships. Women who reject or are ambivalent about marriage are more likely to highlight the drawbacks of the institution. I argue that both groups of women use their emphasis on the benefits or drawbacks of marriage to resist heteroarchy and other intersecting oppressions they still face despite the legalization of same-sex marriage, without compromising their identity as queer. Full article