Search Results (1,554)

The mechanism by which fish enhance hydrodynamic performance through collective swimming is a research hotspot in the field of underwater bionic robots. This study employs the Immersed Boundary-Lattice Boltzmann Method (IB-LBM) to conduct numerical simulations on a two-dimensional, single-degree-of-freedom (1-DOF) autonomous propulsion bionic fish swarm. It systematically investigates the effects of swarm size and inter-individual spacing on swimming speed and cost of transport (CoT) under two typical configurations: series and parallel arrangements. Findings reveal that hydrodynamic benefits are highly dependent on the spatiotemporal evolution of flow field structures. In the series configuration, an optimal spacing range of 1.5 L to 2.0 L exists within the school, where the “wake capture” effect is pronounced. Trailing fish achieve a maximum speed increase of approximately 41.1% while significantly reducing energy consumption. However, as spacing increases to 2.5 L, the cooperative gain for front and middle-row individuals rapidly diminishes, and the lead fish even experiences significant performance loss. Uniquely, the trailing fish in the four-fish formation exhibits distinct flow field reorganization and performance recovery at the 4.5 L trailing position. In the parallel formation, the “channel effect” and “blocking effect” of the fluid dominate. The study identifies 0.4 L laterally as the critical instability spacing under the investigated kinematic regime, where strong destructive interference causes a sharp deterioration in individual swimming performance. Additionally, the parallel formation exhibits pronounced positional differentiation. Central individuals, constrained by dual lateral flow fields, experience restricted lateral wake expansion and accelerated energy dissipation, resulting in significantly weaker escape capabilities from low-speed conditions compared to marginal individuals. The vortex-dynamic mechanism revealed herein provides theoretical foundations for formation control in multi-fish biomimetic cooperative systems. Full article

The external relations of small towns are an important dimension in the regional urban system. However, the “metropolitan bias” in existing studies results in a lack of empirical verification of their characteristics, hindering effective regional policymaking. Applying Central Flow Theory (CFT), mobile phone data, and a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model, this study investigates the spatially non-stationary associations between built environment factors and the “city-ness” and “town-ness” of small towns in the Yangtze River Delta. The results show: (1) Enterprise density in metropolitan shadow areas is positively associated with cross-city jobs–housing separation; in peripheral areas, both enterprise density and housing prices exhibit a strong correlation with intra-municipal jobs–housing separation. (2) Middle schools consistently correlate with localized intra-municipal flows, suggesting a plausible spatial anchoring role; around metropolises, medical and commercial facilities link to recreational flows and commuting town-ness, while in distal small towns, medical facilities coincide with intratown jobs–housing balance, and commercial facilities correlate with localized consumption and cross-town employment mobility. (3) Higher road network density corresponds to a shrinking commuting radius near metropolises and intra-municipal intertown interconnection in distal towns, rather than mere external relation channels. This study empirically supports CFT at the small-town scale, explores plausible mechanisms, and informs differentiated planning strategies. Full article

Background: The incidence and mortality rates of cancer among females aged 65 years or older in the Republic of Korea are increasing; however, the national cancer screening rate (50.4%) remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors of participation in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) among women aged 65 years or older using data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII, 2019–2021). Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII, 2019–2021). Study variables were selected based on Andersen’s healthcare utilization model. Participation in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) was defined as the dependent variable, and independent variables included predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine participants’ characteristics. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in NCSP participation according to participant characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with participation, with all independent variables simultaneously included in the model to adjust for potential confounding. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 2105 women aged 65 years or older were included in the analysis. Of the 2105 women aged 65 years or older, 1429 (67.9%) reported participation in cancer screening within the past two years. NCSP participation was significantly associated with being married (OR = 1.540; 95% CI: 1.263–1.879), being a middle school (OR = 1.357; 95% CI: 1.022–1.801) or college graduate or higher (OR = 2.012; 95% CI: 1.199–3.378), having private insurance (OR = 1.930; 95% CI: 1.573–2.368), average subjective health (OR = 1.332; 95% CI: 1.004–1.766), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.347; 95% CI: 1.110–1.636), and physical activity participation (OR = 1.252; 95% CI: 1.029–1.524). In contrast, urban residence, income level, being employed, medical coverage type, hypertension, diabetes, monthly drinking status and current smoking status were not statistically significantly correlated with NCSP participation. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for tailored outreach strategies and health education programs targeting women aged 65 years and older to enhance participation in the NCSP and ultimately improve public health outcomes. Full article

Honesty is essential for both individual development and the functioning of society. Although prior research has identified various factors that shape honest behavior, relatively little is known about whether adolescents’ honesty can be influenced by subtle morality-related cues, particularly among adolescents. The present study investigated whether exposure to verbal and visual morality-related cues would increase honest behavior in middle school students. Two behavioral experiments were conducted, each with 120 middle school students (aged 13–18) as participants. In Experiment 1, participants completed a Chinese idiom -unscrambling task with either the ethics-related or neutral characters. In Experiment 2, participants completed a visual cuing task involving either moral exemplar images or neutral images. In both experiments, honest behaviors were assessed via self-reported outcomes in a computerized coin-tossing task. Across both experiments, participants primed with morality-related words (Experiment 1) or moral exemplars (Experiment 2) demonstrated significantly more honest behavior in the coin toss task than those in the control group. These findings suggest that subtle verbal and visual morality-related cues can increase honest behavior in adolescents. The present study provides behavioral evidence that morality-related cues may shape honesty-related responding in adolescence and offers practical implications for promoting moral development through subtle contextual influences. Full article

While artificial intelligence (AI) integration in education has attracted considerable attention, research examining its impact on student motivation remains limited. This study investigates the relationship between AI use for learning purposes and learning motivation among 207 Israeli middle and high school students. Data were collected using two self-report instruments: a questionnaire measuring AI use frequency and perceived educational value, and a learning motivation questionnaire based on self-determination theory. Pearson correlations, descriptive statistics, and group comparisons examined associations between variables and differences across school levels and gender. Findings revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between AI use for learning and students’ learning motivation, with students reporting higher AI use demonstrating greater learning motivation. This association was significantly stronger among middle school students compared to high school students, while no gender differences emerged. Despite limitations including moderate internal reliability of the motivation scale, convenience sampling, and the correlational design preventing causal inferences, results suggest AI-supported learning environments may be particularly effective for fostering motivation during early adolescence. The directionality of the relationship remains unclear—whether AI use enhances motivation or motivated students are more inclined to adopt AI tools. These findings contribute to emerging literature on AI in education by highlighting motivational implications and emphasizing the need for developmentally sensitive AI integration. Future research should employ longitudinal and experimental designs to clarify causal mechanisms. Full article

This study investigated associations between a yearlong genre-based writing curriculum and students’ writing and self-efficacy outcomes. The curriculum had two stages: first, teaching genre elements without requiring use of sources and citations, and then integrating information from readings. Participants included 340 students and 3 teachers across 6th to 8th grades in a rural Title I middle school. Using a quasi-experimental, one-group pretest–posttest design with repeated measures, analysis showed significant improvements in writing quality across argumentative, compare-and-contrast, and narrative genres for all grades. Improvement patterns varied by grade and genre; self-efficacy and affect results were mixed—gains appeared in specific areas, but overall, self-efficacy decreased when reading was incorporated. Findings suggest the yearlong approach enhances writing quality but may require additional strategies to maintain student motivation. Full article

Previous research provides valuable insight into energy knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in the context of energy literacy. However, a research gap exists in dealing with a comprehensive understanding of complex relationships on energy-related attributes for adolescents. In this aspect, utilizing the framework of the Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) theory, this study highlighted these complex relationships for the selected adolescents as potential future energy consumers and future decision makers. Participants of the study were a total of 530 8th-grade students attending public schools located in a district of Istanbul, Türkiye. To test the hypothesized connections among the latent constructs, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was performed. This dataset demonstrates that altruistic values develop pro-environmental beliefs and awareness of consequences directly, but ascribed responsibility indirectly. Interestingly, biospheric and egoistic values showed no significant influence. In line with VBN theory, these students with more strong beliefs about human-nature interdependence develop an awareness of the consequences of their own actions and ascribed responsibility. The finalized model reveals that the relevant behaviors were linked to personal norms that could be positively explained by pro-environmental beliefs, awareness of consequences, and ascribed responsibility. These adolescents believing in the severity of global warming, while focusing on human well-being could be active in creating sustainable energy consumption patterns. This research provides valuable insight into strategies for promoting behavior aimed at reducing the persistent rise in energy consumption. Full article

Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are garnering significant attention due to growing global challenges, including poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and climate change, with the latter addressed specifically through SDG 13. This study examined the level of self-reported awareness of six science-related SDGs—SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land)—among science teachers in the Arab sector in Israel as a function of background variables: gender, seniority, degree type, academic institution, school type, area of specialization, and the integration of these SDGs into the science curriculum. The study employed a mixed-methods approach: in the quantitative component, 204 science teachers responded to a Likert-scale questionnaire; the qualitative component consisted of semi-structured interviews with 30 middle school science teachers from the Arab sector. The findings indicated a moderate level of self-assessed awareness regarding SDGs. Significant differences in awareness were found according to teaching subject: environmental studies teachers demonstrated the highest awareness, followed by general science, biology, and physics teachers, with chemistry teachers ranking lowest. No significant differences were found for the remaining variables (p > 0.05). Qualitative findings indicated that while teachers perceived SDG-related content as implicitly present in the curriculum, explicit and systematic integration of the SDG framework is largely absent. Overall, the findings suggest that teachers are not adequately exposed to the SDGs. Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate these topics into teacher-training courses and professional development programs and to further integrate them into curricula. This study contributes to the growing body of research on SDG integration in science education, particularly within underexplored minority educational contexts. Full article

Background: Ambient air pollution, particularly particulate matter (PM), has been linked to metabolic disorders, including diabetes. We evaluated associations between long-term exposure to coarse particulate matter (PM₁₀) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in a Korean population and assessed whether specific subgroups exhibited heightened susceptibility. Methods: We analyzed 6940 participants without diabetes from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) Ansan-Ansung cohort. Participants contributed 35,395 observations across a mean follow-up of 5.1 visits (2005–2017). Linear mixed models estimated associations between PM exposure and HbA1c while adjusting for covariates, including body mass index (BMI), time, and region. Subgroup analyses stratified by sex, age, BMI, region, education, smoking status, drinking status, and exercise. Results: Higher long-term PM₁₀ exposure was associated with elevated HbA1c (β = 0.0347 per interquartile range [IQR] increase of 9.48 μg/m³; 95% CI: 0.0220, 0.0473; p < 0.001). PM_2.5 showed a comparable positive association (β = 0.0166 per IQR of 8.67 μg/m³; 95% CI: 0.0010, 0.0321; p = 0.037). Associations were stronger among older adults (≥60 years: β = 0.0789 vs. <60 years: β = 0.0210; p-interaction < 0.001), rural Ansung residents (β = 0.0963 vs. Ansan: β = 0.0398; p-interaction < 0.001), participants with lower educational attainment (≤middle school: β = 0.0637; p-interaction < 0.001), and never smokers (β = 0.0455; p-interaction = 0.035). Conclusions: Among nondiabetic Korean adults, long-term PM₁₀ exposure was associated with higher HbA1c; PM_2.5 demonstrated a similar positive association. Associations were more pronounced among older adults, rural residents, individuals with lower educational attainment, and never smokers. These findings support ambient air pollution as an environmental contributor to subclinical glycemic changes and underscore the need for targeted public health strategies for vulnerable populations. Full article

Background: Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Nigeria. In 2023, the Government of Nigeria, with support from Gavi and partners, introduced the single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine through a phased, school-based campaign. The first phase was launched in October 2023 across 16 states, followed by a second phase in May 2024 that expanded coverage to the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory. This study evaluates the additional impact of a behavioral insights–informed digital intervention, comprising a social media campaign amplified by trained pharmacists serving as local influencers, implemented in 2025 to increase acceptance and uptake of HPV vaccination during routine immunization. Methods: A pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design with a control group was implemented in three Nigerian states in 2025 to assess the additional impact of a behavioral insights–informed social media campaign designed to strengthen social approval for HPV vaccination, increase awareness of vaccination locations, and reinforce caregivers’ recognition of their adolescent daughters’ desire to be vaccinated. Messages were amplified by trained pharmacists who served as local influencers. Caregivers of adolescent girls aged 9–17 years were recruited online through targeted Facebook and Instagram advertisements during Nigeria’s transition from school-based HPV vaccination campaigns to routine immunization. Caregivers in treatment areas were exposed to geofenced social media advertisements on Facebook and Instagram and pharmacist counseling, while those in control areas were not. Logistic regression models using a difference-in-difference approach estimated the campaign’s effect on HPV vaccination, controlling for caregiver and adolescent characteristics. Additional statistical models assessed the campaign’s impact on caregivers’ motivation and ability—key drivers of behavior according to the Fogg Behavior Model. Results: HPV vaccination increased at a significantly higher rate in the treatment compared to the control area. The adjusted odds of an adolescent girl being vaccinated were 1.48 times higher in the treatment area at follow-up (95% CI: 1.14–1.92). Adjusted marginal effects indicated that exposure to the campaign increased the probability of vaccination by 8.9 percentage points relative to the control group. The rate at which caregivers’ motivation (aOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.00–1.70) and ability (knowing where to get vaccinated: aOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.07–1.79; ease of vaccination: aOR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.22–2.06) increased was also higher in the treatment area. There was no relative increase in intervention versus control groups in factual knowledge regarding HPV vaccination. Conclusions: A behavioral insights–informed social media campaign in which pharmacists served as influencers was associated with higher HPV vaccine uptake during routine immunization. The higher rate of vaccination observed in intervention areas was associated with higher rates of caregiver motivation and ability but not with higher rates of caregiver knowledge. These findings are consistent with the potential of behavioral insights–informed digital campaigns to complement routine immunization efforts and improve vaccine uptake in low- and middle-income countries. Full article

In this study, the role French maintains in education is assessed across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Statistics on the numbers of L1 users, those who have French as an additional language, as well as other demographic data, are used to chart trends in acquisition patterns across these three regions. The decline in the learning of traditional additional languages is juxtaposed with Englishization. What languages are utilized in school as the language of instruction, as well as what foreign languages are promoted in educational systems, has a profound impact on patterns of second-language acquisition. Here, in all three regions, English is gaining ground at the expense of other languages in primary and secondary school, as well as in higher education, and one result of this historic shift in the acquisition of additional languages is that English is now significantly reducing the importance of French in Francophone Africa. Full article

Background: This two-year longitudinal study examined sex-specific changes and interrelations among body composition, physical fitness, physical activity (PA) enjoyment and PA levels during early adolescence. Methods: A cohort of 266 Italian middle school students (boys: n = 139; girls: n = 127) was assessed at two time points across two consecutive school years using anthropometry, field-based fitness tests, the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale Questionnaire (Italian version) and a PA frequency questionnaire. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to explore time and time × sex effects, and correlations between change scores were calculated to explore associations between variables. Results: BMI increased in both sexes, while fat mass decreased in boys and increased in girls. Boys showed greater gains in cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength, whereas girls maintained better flexibility. Moderate PA and overall moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) increased over time, with stronger positive associations between changes in PA enjoyment and MVPA in boys. Conclusion: These findings describe sex-specific patterns in physical fitness, body composition, and physical activity during early adolescence, and may help inform future research on sex-sensitive, individualized physical education approaches. Full article

Developing students’ systems thinking is important but challenging in middle-school ecology. This quasi-experimental study examined whether an instructional package combining case-based learning and concept mapping, as implemented under routine classroom conditions, was associated with different patterns of growth across levels of the Systems Thinking Hierarchy. A total of 177 eighth-grade students from six intact classes completed parallel pre- and post-assessments during an ecosystems unit. Student-level repeated-measures analyses showed no clear differential pattern at the level of identifying components and processes. Larger observed gains appeared in understanding relationships, organization, and matter-energy cycles, and a smaller pattern in the same direction appeared in generalization, temporal reasoning, and hidden dimensions. However, because students were nested within only six classes, each condition was taught by a different teacher, and the experimental teacher received targeted preparation, the findings should be interpreted cautiously as associations linked to an instructional package rather than as teacher-independent causal effects. The results suggest that classroom enactments combining cases and concept mapping may help students move beyond isolated ecological facts toward more relational explanations, while higher-order systems thinking remains difficult and likely requires longer-term scaffolding in routine middle-school biology lessons over a short instructional unit. Full article

Purpose: Anemia remains a major public health concern among vulnerable rural adolescent girls in many countries, including India. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anemia, nutritional status, and anemia-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among school-going rural adolescent girls, along with predictors of KAP score, complemented by stakeholder perspectives. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted among 553 school-going adolescent girls aged 14–19, selected through a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique from three rural districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing KAP, anthropometric measurements to collect Body Mass Index (BMI) and middle upper arm circumference (MUAC), dietary assessments using a dietary diversity score, and hemoglobin estimation using standardized procedures. Qualitative insights were obtained through focus group discussions (FGDs) with teachers, parents, frontline health workers, and community leaders and analyzed thematically. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of KAP. Results: The prevalence of anemia among the participants was 55.3%, and 30.7% were underweight. Although over half of the girls demonstrated adequate knowledge of anemia, only 39.6% reported good anemia-preventive practices, indicating a significant gap between knowledge and practice. Dietary scores indicated micronutrient-deficient diet consumption by participants (36.2%), which might be contributing to anemia. Multivariable analysis revealed that maternal education, hemoglobin status, diet patterns, and type of school attended were significantly associated with KAP scores. Qualitative findings highlighted challenges related to health-seeking behavior, cultural misconceptions, gaps in awareness and implementation of existing adolescent health programs. Conclusions: Anemia remains highly prevalent among rural school-going adolescent girls in Andhra Pradesh, with suboptimal anemia-preventive practices despite moderate levels of knowledge. Strengthening school-based nutritional education, improving dietary diversity, and enhancing the reach and effectiveness of adolescent health programs through community engagement may help combat anemia. Full article

Background: Nursing homes are congregate settings for elderly individuals where infectious diseases can easily spread. The elderly are at high risk of contracting and dying from influenza, and the most effective way to prevent this is to receive the influenza vaccine. Methods: This study conducted a cross-sectional survey of elderly people in nursing homes to investigate the occurrence of influenza symptoms during the 2024–2025 flu season, as well as vaccination status and reasons for receiving or not receiving the vaccine. Bivariate logistic regression was used to determine the factors influencing the vaccination rate. Results: Of the 1024 elderly people who participated in the survey, 25.39% reported experiencing flu-related symptoms in the previous flu season. While 16.21% of the elderly expressed willingness to receive vaccination, only 5.57% actually received it. Influenza vaccination was positively correlated with educational attainment (aOR 3.800, 95% CI 1.480–9.758 for middle school; aOR 5.138, 95% CI 1.738–15.191 for high school), monthly household income (aOR 0.216, 95% CI 0.072–0.644 for >8000), ability for self-care (aOR 0.269, 95% CI 0.123–0.591), and the scale of the nursing home (aOR 9.033, 95% CI 1.531–53.305 for 151–299; aOR 2.629, 95% CI 1.359–5.084 for ≥300). Willingness to receive the influenza vaccination was positively correlated with an unhealthy health status (aOR 0.398, 95% CI 0.204–0.779), symptoms of influenza (aOR 2.730, 95% CI 1.861–4.007), nursing home location (aOR 1.537, 95% CI 1.099–2.941 for outer suburbs), and the scale of the nursing home (aOR 1.991, 95% CI 1.154–3.435 for 151–299; aOR 2.158, 95% CI 1.374–3.390 for ≥300). Most elderly people who received the vaccine believed that vaccination could effectively prevent flu and that it could reduce the risk of complications, the rest were not vaccinated due to concerns about adverse reactions, mobility issues, or the distance to vaccination sites. Conclusions: Low awareness of flu vaccines and physical inability to travel to vaccination sites may be potential barriers to receiving the flu vaccine. It is worrying that the influenza vaccination rate is low among the elderly in nursing homes in Shanghai. As a result, it is crucial to prioritize targeted monitoring and intervention strategies for vulnerable populations living in collective institutions. Full article