Search Results (9,633)

Background: Perfectionism is a multidimensional disposition marked by exceptionally high standards and self-worth contingent on flawless performance. In university settings, academic demands may amplify perfectionistic pressure, with maladaptive outcomes most consistently linked to socially prescribed expectations and self-critical failure processing. This study profiled perfectionism dimensions in Italian university students and examined their associations with perceived relational and self-related correlates (Roots). Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted with Italian university students. Participants completed two validated tools: the 14-item Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale—Revised (MPS-R) and the 16-item Roots questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, and non-parametric group comparisons were performed. Results: Self-oriented perfectionism was the most prominent dimension, while socially prescribed perfectionism (SPP) was comparatively lower but showed the clearest links with vulnerability-related correlates. Lower perceived parental and interpersonal trust was associated with stronger failure-based self-appraisals and perceived excessive demands from others. Higher SPP was observed among women and younger students and in more evaluative study contexts. Conclusions: Perfectionism in this sample was predominantly self-directed, yet risk-relevant profiles were characterized by SPP and self-critical failure processing in conjunction with lower perceived trust/acceptance. These findings support screening approaches that move beyond global scores and inform prevention strategies targeting fear of mistakes, contingent self-worth, and perceived evaluative pressure to promote student well-being. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to test temporal pathways and scalable, targeted prevention strategies. Full article

Background: Dental anxiety remains a prevalent and persistent challenge in pediatric dentistry, significantly affecting children’s cooperation, treatment outcomes, and long-term oral health behaviors. Despite advances in minimally invasive care, anxiety continues to act as a barrier to effective clinical management. This narrative review aims to synthesize current evidence on validated assessment tools for pediatric dental anxiety and to examine contemporary non-pharmacological management strategies applicable in routine clinical practice. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in major electronic databases to identify relevant studies, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines addressing dental anxiety assessment and behavioral management in children. Particular emphasis was placed on validated anxiety scales, communication strategies, environmental adaptations, and emerging digital interventions such as immersive distraction technologies. Results: Multiple validated instruments are available to assess pediatric dental anxiety; however, their applicability varies by age, cognitive development, and clinical context. Non-pharmacological approaches including tell–show–do, modeling, parental guidance, audiovisual distraction, and virtual reality-based techniques demonstrate consistent effectiveness in reducing anxiety and improving behavioral cooperation. Recent trends emphasize multimodal, patient-centered strategies integrating communication, environmental modification, and digital tools. Conclusions: Structured anxiety assessment combined with contemporary multimodal management strategies can enhance clinical efficiency, improve child cooperation, and promote positive dental experiences. The integration of emerging digital technologies represents a promising advancement in pediatric anxiety management and supports a more individualized approach to care. Furthermore, a structured multimodal clinical framework is proposed to facilitate chairside decision-making and practical implementation. Full article

Cultural heritage buildings constitute an irreplaceable record of historical, social, and architectural identity, and their preservation is essential for cultural continuity and sustainable development. However, their conservation is inherently challenging due to material aging, complex construction techniques, limited documentation, and strict intervention constraints that restrict invasive monitoring or retrofitting solutions. Environmental degradation and microclimatic effects further accelerate deterioration, often in ways that are difficult to quantify or predict. This paper presents RADAR, a non-invasive, data-driven framework for assessing environmental and structural risk in cultural heritage buildings. The proposed approach integrates high-resolution geometric acquisition, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, and environmental monitoring to analyze airflow patterns, temperature distribution, and moisture-related decay mechanisms. By combining measured data with numerical simulations, RADAR enables the identification of high-risk zones and deterioration drivers without altering the building fabric. The framework is demonstrated through a real-world case study, illustrating its applicability as a decision-support tool for preventive conservation and heritage management. Full article

Background: Antithrombotic therapy is a risk factor for subdural hematoma after head injury. Methods: We retrospectively studied 180 consecutive patients with traumatic acute subdural hematoma. Results: The median age was 81 years, 68 (38%) were female, and 44% were on antithrombotic therapy. In the antithrombotic therapy group, the patients were significantly older (84, 77–88 vs. 78, 74–84, p value = 0.00104), and the proportion of minor injury was significantly higher (83% vs. 61%, p value = 0.00178). Poor clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the groups (44% vs. 41%; p value = 0.762). In multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex, poor outcomes (42%) were associated with the first Glasgow coma scale scores (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.65–0.82, p value < 0.001) and the first CT findings (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.98–11.8, p value < 0.001), but not with antithrombotic therapy (OR 1.48, 95% CI 0.61–3.60, p value = 0.390). Of the 97 patients treated conservatively for more than 2 weeks, surgical intervention in the chronic phase was higher in the antithrombotic therapy group (16% vs. 1.9%; p value = 0.0230). The timing of re-administration did not correlate with the incidence of chronic surgical intervention (within 2 weeks: 18%; over 2 weeks: 9.1%; p value = 0.663). Conclusions: The proportion of minor injury was significantly higher in the antithrombotic therapy group than in the non-medication group. Antithrombotic therapy was not associated with poor outcome but correlated with the increased risk of surgical intervention in the chronic phase. Full article

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital education has transformed gamification from a motivational strategy into a data-driven, adaptive learning paradigm. This systematic review conceptualizes AI-supported gamification as an information-centered ecosystem integrating learning analytics, behavioral modeling, adaptive algorithms, and intelligent feedback mechanisms to enhance cognitive development and critical thinking. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. Peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2020 and 2025 were considered. Studies were included if they examined gamification in educational contexts with AI-driven or adaptive system components, while non-educational contexts, duplicates, and non-English publications were excluded. After screening and eligibility assessment, 100 studies were included in the final synthesis. The review examines how AI-driven personalization, neurotechnology, predictive modeling, and generative systems reshape the design and effectiveness of gamified e-learning environments. Architectural patterns identified include recommender systems, real-time behavioral adaptation, affect-aware feedback loops, and algorithmic content generation. Across the reviewed studies, AI-supported gamified systems were frequently associated with increased engagement and moderate improvements in executive functions, higher-order reasoning, and adaptive learning pathways. However, challenges related to system transparency, data governance, algorithmic bias, cognitive load management, and equitable access remain significant. The review was not registered. By framing gamification as an adaptive information system rather than solely a pedagogical intervention, this study proposes a structured taxonomy of AI-driven gamified architectures—including data acquisition, user modeling, predictive analytics, and adaptive feedback layers—and outlines research priorities for scalable, ethically grounded, and data-informed e-learning ecosystems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating pain condition with complex pathophysiology and limited treatment efficacy. Whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) has shown promising results in other chronic pain syndromes, but no studies to date have examined its use in CRPS. To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and potential benefits of WBC in a female patient with CRPS of the ankle. Methods: A 65-year-old female outpatient with type I CRPS at the right ankle underwent 15 WBC sessions (3 min at −110 °C) over two weeks, without any concurrent pharmacological or rehabilitative interventions. Assessments at baseline and post-intervention included standardized measures of pain (VAS, SF-MPQ), disability (PDI), catastrophizing (PCS), mobility (TUG, Chair Stand Test), strength and ROM (goniometry, MRC), psychosocial status (SF-36, WHO-5, PSQI, BDI, STAI), and MRI of the right knee and ankle. Results: Post-treatment, the patient showed substantial improvements in pain (VAS −66.7%, SF-MPQ −51.7%), function (TUG −31.8%), muscle strength, psychological well-being, and quality of life. MRI and edema measurements indicated stabilization or regression of inflammatory features. No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions: This case suggests that WBC may represent a safe, well-tolerated, non-pharmacological intervention for CRPS, with potential to improve pain, function, and well-being. Full article

This qualitative study examined how a 21-day integrated program fosters interoceptive awareness and mind–body integration among urban adults in mainland China (n = 11). The intervention combined daily nasal breathing regulation, spontaneous mandala making, and descriptive journaling, complemented by weekly group sharing. Using a cultural–psychological lens, we investigated how an inward–turning tradition in Chinese culture shapes embodied experience and meaning–making. Applying Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to diaries, drawings, and focus-group data, we identified three interrelated processes: (1) the refinement of bodily attention; (2) a shift from deliberate control to natural immersion; and (3) the symbolization of feeling through artistic expression and social resonance. Findings indicate that systematic engagement in the “breath–mandala” intervention heightened sensitivity to chest-centered embodied sensations and promoted the integration of bodily experience into personal narratives; a non-goal-directed, relaxed practice style facilitated the transition from control to absorption, activating self-regulatory mechanisms; and non-evaluative awareness deepened flow while supporting cognitive reorganization and reflective capacity. The study delineates a core pathway by which breath-triggered interoceptive work operates within mind–body interventions, offering a theoretical basis and practical direction for tailored regulation programs across diverse populations. Full article

Retaining the green workforce, employees driving sustainability and environmental innovation, is essential for organizational resilience and long-term environmental goals. While prior Green HRM research has primarily relied on survey-based methodologies and theoretical frameworks to examine retention factors, these approaches lack predictive capability and fail to provide actionable, employee-specific insights. This study advances beyond descriptive and correlational analyses by employing explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) to develop a transparent, data-driven framework for identifying attrition drivers and quantitatively evaluating retention strategies. Unlike existing studies that rely on self-reported perceptions, our approach leverages objective HR data and machine learning to predict individual-level attrition risk with calibrated probabilities. Leveraging the IBM HR Analytics dataset as a proxy for sustainability-focused roles, we construct an interpretable logistic regression model with strong predictive performance and isotonic regression calibration. Global and local interpretability techniques, including SHAP, LIME, and permutation importance, show that non-monetary factors, such as excessive overtime, frequent business travel, and limited promotion opportunities, have a greater impact on turnover risk than salary levels. These findings align with Green Human Management (Green HRM) principles, which emphasize work–life balance and employee well-being. Crucially, our policy simulation framework, absent from prior Green HRM studies, demonstrates that eliminating overtime could reduce predicted attrition probability by 17.35% for affected employees, potentially retaining 31 staff members, substantially outperforming modest salary adjustments. This work expands the value of predictive AI into HR analytics by consolidating HR analytics with Green HRM through a novel methodology that bridges the gap between prediction and actionable intervention. It represents the first systematic integration of XAI-based predictive modeling with counterfactual policy simulation in environmentally conscious sustainable organizations. Full article

Background: Virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (or collectively extended reality, XR) serious games, combined with motion-tracking technologies, are increasingly used for motor and cognitive rehabilitation and training. As XR and tracking technologies advance, a systematic mapping of the related research area could offer relevant insights. Objectives: This review aims to map interactive XR serious games, using motion-tracking technologies for physical or cognitive rehabilitation or training, and describe intervention characteristics and evaluation methods. Eligibility Criteria: Eligible studies were English, peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2015 and October 2025, with more than three participants, using custom XR serious games for rehabilitation or training. Studies were excluded if they focused on technical aspects, passive XR, diagnostic evaluation, psychological therapies, minor participants, procedural training, or education. Charting Methods: Data were charted using a structured form capturing XR characteristics, hardware configurations, study characteristics, and evaluation methods. Results: 61 studies were included. Most employed non-immersive or fully immersive VR interventions, targeting physical upper-body rehabilitation, especially post-stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Usability, acceptability and user experience, and training effectiveness were commonly evaluated with positive outcomes. Conclusions: The findings highlight opportunities for research into augmented and mixed reality approaches, particularly for cognitive function, and use of XR-based interventions across broader populations. Full article

Environmental transparency in food manufacturing requires efficient carbon footprint data collection, yet multi-departmental coordination often creates time-consuming, fragmented processes that impede adoption. This study applies lean office methodologies to optimize carbon footprint assessment processes in food manufacturing. Using a case study approach at a Thai food processing facility, we implemented flow process charts, value stream mapping, eight waste analysis, and ECRS methodology to evaluate the data collection process for strawberry jam production. The baseline assessment documented 142 activities across 12 departments, requiring 17,540 min. The lean interventions included establishing a centralized cross-functional team, developing standardized data collection templates, implementing a unified digital repository system, and consolidating redundant verification procedures. The improved process reduced activities from 142 to 63, decreased the required time from 17,540 to 11,190 min (36.2% reduction), and eliminated 95.8% of non-value-added activities while maintaining regulatory compliance. These efficiency gains enable more frequent environmental assessments and facilitate the broader adoption of carbon footprint measurement within resource-constrained manufacturing contexts. The study demonstrates that lean principles effectively optimize environmental assessment processes themselves, providing a replicable framework adaptable across diverse food manufacturing facilities and product lines while addressing critical adoption barriers including resource constraints and administrative complexity. Full article

Phosphorylation has long been regarded as the principal mechanism governing oncogenic signal transduction. However, it does not fully account for the diversity, persistence, and context dependence of cancer signaling outputs. Protein methylation, historically studied in the context of histone regulation, is now recognized as a widespread modification of non-histone signaling proteins, including transcription factors, DNA damage response mediators, and scaffold components. In this Review, we propose that protein methylation functions as a regulatory logic layer that shapes how oncogenic signals are amplified, stabilized, and interpreted. Rather than serving as a primary trigger of pathway activation, methylation modulates signaling behavior across four interconnected dimensions: activation threshold and signal gain, temporal persistence, network topology and complex assembly, and spatial routing. We examine major signaling axes in which methylation refines genome integrity networks, proliferative pathways, inflammatory circuits, and lineage-specific transcriptional programs. We further discuss the interdependency between methylation and phosphorylation, highlighting sequential, competitive, and feedback-mediated interactions that expand combinatorial signaling states. Finally, we explore how methylation-mediated regulatory logic contributes to signaling plasticity and adaptive resistance under therapeutic pressure, and we outline key measurement and translational challenges. Framing protein methylation within a regulatory logic paradigm provides a structured approach for integrating this modification into contemporary models of oncogenic signaling and therapeutic intervention. Full article

As emerging pollutants, nanoplastics (NPs) are profoundly threatening aquatic ecosystems. However, the systematic response mechanisms of aquatic floating macrophytes to NP stress and the mitigation strategies of nanoselenium (Se) remain poorly understood. This study used P. stratiotes, a dominant species in freshwater ecological restoration, as the research object. By intervening in NP stress via foliar application of Se, the study systematically deciphered the plant’s response and mitigation mechanisms to NPs pollution through integrating physiological and biochemical analyses, ultrastructural observation of cells, and transcriptomic and metabolomic multi-omics techniques. The results showed that NP stress significantly reduced photosynthetic pigment concentration and inhibited photosystem function in Pistia stratiotes L., disrupted energy metabolism homeostasis, and simultaneously induced an outburst of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It activated non-enzymatic antioxidant substances such as flavonoids and glutathione (GSH), as well as enzymatic defense systems including catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD), promoting the reprogramming of the plant’s metabolic strategy from growth priority to defense dominance. At the transcriptomic level, NP stress significantly altered the gene expression profile, with core pathways enriched in photosynthesis antenna proteins and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in metabolites, with markedly upregulated contents of defense-related metabolites such as lipids and terpenoids. The intervention of NPs-Se effectively restored photosynthetic pigment contents and enzyme activities, alleviated cell membrane damage by repairing the photosynthetic apparatus, optimizing ribosome-mediated protein synthesis pathways, and strengthening the antioxidant defense network. Meanwhile, it regulated the expression of specific genes and the accumulation of core differential metabolites, reconstructed the balance between energy supply and defense investment, enabling the plant to achieve more efficient adaptive regulation. Multi-omics correlation analysis further confirmed that the responses of P. stratiotes to NPs and NPs-Se exhibited characteristics of coordinated regulation, highlighting the modular regulatory patterns of nano-stress responses. In conclusion, Se can effectively alleviate the stress damage of nanoplastics to P. stratiotes through multi-dimensional regulation, providing a key experimental basis and theoretical support for the ecological restoration of NP-polluted water bodies and ecological risk assessment. Full article

This study fills a research gap regarding the risks that religion, spirituality, and faith (RSF) pose to resilience in survivors of sex trafficking. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted on data from 44 interviews with 38 survivors of sex trafficking drawn from a larger qualitative study to develop a constructivist grounded theory of resilience during and after trafficking. Twenty-three (58%) identified as Christian, with the remaining participants (n = 15; 42%) identifying with non-mainstream or individualized spiritualities. Participants named religious struggles, spiritual bypassing, exclusionary and oppressive religious beliefs, and injurious behaviors from Christian communities and service providers as sources of harm. The core phenomena of personal agency amidst divine intervention and spiritual power, and the indestructibility of faith and hope, enabled participants to nonetheless benefit from RSF as a source of resilience. Participants’ enumeration of strategies for managing, overcoming, and preventing the harms of RSF notably occurred primarily in the privacy of their personal religious practices, with neither secular nor faith-based service providers being helpful. Their insights and experiences call for service providers and faith actors to be equipped to support survivors’ spiritual strengths and address spiritual trauma and religious struggles, and to advance church culture and traditions for autonomy-affirming spiritual support and care. Full article

Today, university counselling services play a crucial role in creating places where personal and professional skills can be developed. Universities provide an environment where people can grow as individuals and improve their quality of life. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a counselling service that uses positive psychology as a theoretical and practical framework on students’ well-being and positive resources. Methods: Seventy students aged between 19 and 54 (M = 24.2; SD = 5.87), of whom 68.6% were women and 31.4% were men, participated in 10 psychological counselling sessions. The sessions focused on academic and general well-being, non-intellectual skills related to academic performance and satisfaction (e.g., academic self-efficacy, motivation, reaction to failure, time management), as well as positive resources (e.g., hope, resilience, courage). Participants completed a questionnaire protocol on these variables before and 6 months after the intervention. Results: The results show a significant increase in almost all indices of general and domain-specific well-being and in positive psychosocial resources. The participants themselves stated that the counselling intervention produced significant changes in their lives in general and as university students. Conclusions: The results seem to suggest that structuring counselling programmes with a positive, well-being-oriented perspective can promote students’ professional and personal development. Building psychological support environments can guide everyone on the path to maximising their potential in life and professional trajectories. The university services must pay constant attention not only to student performance but, above all, to improving their quality of life, preventing distress and promoting well-being. Full article

In recent years, imaginative techniques have effectively addressed the growing demand for brief, evidence-based treatments applicable in various contexts. Among these, Imagery with Rescripting (ImRs) was developed within the Schema Therapy model. ImRs can be applied individually or in combination with other protocols, demonstrating significant outcomes even after just one session. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the applications of ImRs, with a specific focus on its effectiveness in trauma-related disorders. The search string used was “(‘imagery with Rescripting’) AND ((‘Trauma’ OR ‘PTSD’ OR ‘dissociation’))”. The following databases were utilized: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, Embase, and PsychInfo. The research included English-language and Italian-language studies, encompassing experimental and observational designs, case reports, and case series. Samples consisted of healthy participants or clinical populations aged 18 years and older, with no temporal limitations. A total of 56 articles were selected. The results highlight the efficacy of this intervention, whether administered individually or as part of combined protocols, across a wide range of diagnostic categories, including healthy samples, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder (BDP), sleep disorders, psychotic spectrum disorders, chronic pain, anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders. The studies also support hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying the technique: ImRs facilitates the reprocessing of the meaning associated with mental representations and reduces the occurrence of negative intrusive images related to past events. This process alters and rewrites the individual’s negative memories and images. The narrative review supports the effectiveness of ImRs in treating various psychopathological disorders, both trauma-related and non-trauma-related. In addition to highlighting the effectiveness of ImRs when appropriately integrated with other techniques, the review emphasizes the importance of conducting efficacy studies on larger samples to evaluate ImRs as a standalone intervention model. Full article