Search Results (450)

Background: Insomnia and excessive sleepiness are significant health problems with a complex etiology, increasingly affecting young people, especially students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbances and patterns of psychoactive drug use among female Polish students. We also explored the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep behaviors. We hypothesized that sleep disorders are common in this group, that medical students are more likely to experience insomnia and excessive sleepiness, and that the pandemic has exacerbated both sleep disturbances and substance use. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a custom survey designed using standardized questionnaires—the Athens Insomnia Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale—that was distributed online using the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing method. A total of 11,988 responses were collected from 31 January 2016 to 1 January 2021. Inclusion criteria were being female, having a college student status, and giving informed consent. Results: Among the 11,988 participants, alcohol use declined after the pandemic began (p = 0.001), while sedative use increased (p < 0.001). Insomnia (AIS) was associated with study year, university profile, and field of study (p < 0.001), with the highest rates in first-year and non-medical students. It was more common among users of sedatives, psychostimulants, and multiple substances. No significant change in insomnia was found before and after the pandemic. Excessive sleepiness (ESS) peaked in first-year and medical students. It decreased during the pandemic (p < 0.001) and was linked to the use of alcohol, psychostimulants, cannabinoids, and multiple substances. Conclusions: These findings highlight that female students are particularly vulnerable to sleep disorders. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep disturbances remains inconclusive. Given the varied results in the existing literature, further research is needed. Full article

Background: Environmental exposures, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in conjunction with social and behavioral factors, can significantly impact liver health. This research investigates the combined effects of PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), alcohol consumption, smoking, income, and education on liver function among the U.S. population, utilizing data from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: PFAS concentrations in blood samples were analyzed using online solid-phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a highly sensitive and specific method for detecting levels of PFAS. Liver function was evaluated using biomarkers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin, and the fatty liver index (FLI). Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression analyses were employed to assess the associations between exposures and liver outcomes. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) was utilized to explore the nonlinear and interactive effects of these exposures. To determine the relative influence of each factor on liver health, Posterior Inclusion Probabilities (PIPs) were calculated. Results: Linear regression analyses indicated that income and education were inversely associated with several liver injury biomarkers, while alcohol use and smoking demonstrated stronger and more consistent associations. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) further highlighted alcohol and smoking as the most influential predictors, particularly for GGT and total bilirubin, with posterior inclusion probabilities (PIPs) close to 1.0. In contrast, PFAS showed weaker associations. Regression coefficients were small and largely non-significant, and PIPs were comparatively lower across most liver outcomes. Notably, education had a higher PIP for ALT and GGT than PFAS, suggesting a more protective role in liver health. People with higher education levels tend to live healthier lifestyles, have better access to healthcare, and are generally more aware of health risks. These factors can all help reduce the risk of liver problems. Overall mixture effects demonstrated nonlinear trends, including U-shaped relationships for ALT and GGT, and inverse associations for AST, FLI, and ALP. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of considering both environmental and social–behavioral determinants in liver health. While PFAS exposures remain a long-term concern, modifiable lifestyle and structural factors, particularly alcohol, smoking, income, and education, exert more immediate and pronounced effects on hepatic biomarkers in the general population. Full article

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in early childhood may increase the risk of emotional behavioral problems (EBPs); however, few studies have explored the longitudinal effect of ACEs in early childhood on later EBPs and their underlying mechanisms. This study examined the serial mediating role of psychological resilience (PR) and problematic media use (PMU) in the relationship between ACEs in early childhood and EBPs. Participants included 534 three-year-old children (mean age of 33.29 years, SD = 3.97) and their parents from Wuhu, China. The parents completed online questionnaires measuring children’s ACEs, PR, and demographic information in September 2022 (Time 1), children’s PMU in September 2023 (Time 2), and EBPs in September 2024 (Time 3). Macro Process 6 was used to test the serial mediating effects of PR and PMU. A total of 5000 bootstrap samples were used to estimate the 95% confidence intervals. The results revealed that ACEs in early childhood did not directly predict EPBs. PR (b = 0.132 (95% CI [0.051, 0.221])) mediated the relationship between ACEs and children’s EBPs. PR and PMU also played a serial mediating role in the association of ACEs and children’s EBPs (b = 0.026, 95% CI [0.008, 0.054]). Our findings highlight the importance of improving PR and addressing PMU when designing interventions targeting Chinese preschoolers exposed to ACEs. Full article

Injury or fear of injury can cause stress for everyone. This is especially true for dancers, whose careers can be ruined by a serious injury. Stress or various psychological problems can play a role in the development of injury. Our research aims to explore the psychosocial patterns associated with injuries among Hungarian professional folk dancers. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 96 professional dancers (47.9% male, 52.1% female, mean age 29.9 years). Data was collected through an online questionnaire survey. Among psychological factors, perceived stress (using the Perceived Stress Scale), burnout (using the Athletic Burnout Questionnaire), coping skills (using the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory), relationship with the leader (using the Coaching Behaviour Questionnaire) and perceived social support (using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) were examined among injured and non-injured dancers. The two groups were compared along psychological subscales using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) followed by a post hoc ANOVA and Mann–Whitney test regarding social support. Our results showed a significant correlation between psychosocial factors and injuries sustained during the study period. Positive correlation was found between injuries and perceived stress (p < 0.001) and burnout (reduced sense of accomplishment p = 0.021; dance devaluation p < 0.001). Factors reflecting dancer’s behavior and coping skills also correlated with injuries, such as a decrease in coachability (p = 0.007), less concern (p = 0.029), and negative reactions to the leader’s behavior (p = 0.019). In addition, perceived social support from family also negatively correlates with injury (p = 0.019). Our findings suggest a multidirectional relationship between physical injuries and the mental state of dancers. Further investigation of the causal relationships is recommended, with the aim of using psychosocial support tools during the prevention and treatment of injuries by the professionals dealing with dance artists. It is also recommended to investigate whether individual psychological factors are directly related to injuries or interact with each other. It would also be useful to introduce prevention programs that help dancers manage their emotions related to injuries. Full article

The increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) and power electronic loads challenges the modeling and control of modern distribution networks (DNs). The traditional models often fail to capture the complex aggregate dynamics required for advanced control strategies. This paper proposes a novel framework for DN power regulation based on Neural Ordinary Differential Equations (NODEs) and Model Predictive Control (MPC). NODEs are employed to develop a data-driven, continuous-time dynamic model capturing the aggregate relationship between the voltage at the point of common coupling (PCC) and the network’s power consumption, using only PCC measurements. Building upon this NODE model, an MPC strategy is designed to regulate the DN’s active power by manipulating the PCC voltage. To ensure computational tractability for real-time applications, a local linearization technique is applied to the NODE dynamics within the MPC, transforming the optimization problem into a standard Quadratic Programming (QP) problem that can be solved efficiently. The framework’s efficacy is comprehensively validated through simulations. The NODE model demonstrates high accuracy in predicting the dynamic behavior in a DN against a detailed simulator, with maximum relative errors below 0.35% for active power. The linearized NODE-MPC controller shows effective tracking performance, constraint handling, and computational efficiency, with typical QP solve times below 0.1 s within a 0.1 s control interval. The validation includes offline tests using the NODE model and online co-simulation studies using CloudPSS and Python via Redis. Application scenarios, including Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) and supply–demand balancing, further illustrate the practical potential of the proposed approach for enhancing the operation and efficiency of modern distribution networks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs) carry a debilitating burden of disease which, even after pharmacological and psychological treatment are optimized, remains difficult to fully target. New online-delivered and user-led interventions may provide an appropriate, cost-effective answer to this problem. This study aims to retrieve the currently gathered findings on the efficacy of these interventions across several outcomes, such as symptom severity, social cognition, functioning and others. Methods: A systematic review of the current available literature was conducted. Of 29 potentially relevant articles, 26 were included and assigned at least one of four intervention types: Web-Based Therapy (WBT), Web-Based Psycho-Education (WBP), Online Peer Support (OPS) and Prompt-Based Intervention (PBI). Results: The findings were grouped based on outcome. Of 24 studies evaluating the effects of symptom severity, 14 have achieved statistically significant results, and 10 have not. WBT (such as online-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, social cognition training and Mindfulness Training) seemed to be the most effective at targeting symptoms. Of 14 studies evaluating functioning, seven achieved significant results, four involving a form of social or neurocognitive training, suggesting a potential pathway towards functional improvements through interventions targeting cognition and motivation. Regarding social cognition, all seven studies measuring the effects of an intervention on this outcome produced significant results, indicating that this outcome lends itself well to remote, online administration. This may be linked with the nature of social cognition exercises, as they are commonly administered through a digital medium (such as pictures, videos and auditory exercises), a delivery method that suits the online-user led model very well. Conclusions: Online user-led interventions show promise as a new way to tackle functional deficits in SSD patients and achieve these improvements through targeting social cognition, a hard-to-reach component of the burden of SSDs which seems to be successfully targetable in a remote, user-led fashion. Symptomatic improvements can also be achievable, through the combination of these interventions with treatment as usual. Full article

Understanding how students’ online homework behaviors relate to their academic success is increasingly important, especially in elementary education where such research is still emerging. In this study, we examined three years of online homework data from fourth-grade students enrolled in an after-school math program. Our goal was to see whether certain behaviors—like how soon students started their homework, how many times they tried to solve problems, or whether they uploaded their written work—could help explain differences in homework completion and test performance. We used multiple regression analyses and found that some habits, such as beginning homework soon after class and regularly attending lessons, were consistently linked to better homework scores across all curriculum levels. Test performance, however, was harder to predict and showed fewer consistent patterns. These findings suggest that teaching and encouraging specific online study behaviors may help support younger students’ academic growth in digital learning environments. Full article

The challenges associated with climate change have led to the need for pro-environmental behaviors, including the consumption of sustainable novel foods. Despite the importance of sustainable food for the environment, there is still a need to further investigate the psychological determinants of consumer behavior change putatively able to promote the use of novel foods. In line with this, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of readiness to change (RTC) in shaping the intention to consume sustainable foods (e.g., chia seeds and edible insects). RTC refers to a valuable construct composed of seven different dimensions, namely perceived importance of the problem/change, motivation, self-efficacy, effectiveness of proposed solution, social support, action and involvement, and perceived readiness. In keeping with this, a cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting from 1252 participants through an online and anonymous survey. In line with the aim above, a linear discriminant analysis was performed to explore potential non-linear relationships between RTC and novel food consumption. The results highlighted certain RTC dimensions (e.g., perceived importance of the problem, action, and self-efficacy) able to positively support the intention to consume novel foods (e.g., chia seeds and spirulina algae). In conclusion, the study pointed out evidence regarding psychological determinants in terms of RTC able to improve sustainable behaviors, namely the use of novel foods. In the context of sustainability, the present study represents a groundwork for the implementation of future studies in this field of research as well as the development of future policies aimed at promoting awareness and encouraging the adoption of sustainable eating behaviors. Full article

Driven by digital technology, live streaming business is becoming increasingly common worldwide. Unlike traditional online shopping, live streaming commerce integrates real-time interaction, social communication, and e-commerce. It also eliminates the limitations of one-way information transmission and promotes purchasing behavior by conveying signals such as products, brands, and the personal charm of live streamers to consumers through real-time communication. The core issues explored in this study are whether the cues between the signal transmitters and receivers are consistent and how they affect consumers’ purchasing behavior. In this study, the consistency of the signal is measured by five dimensions, namely self–product fit, live streamer–product fit, live content–product fit, danmaku content–product fit, and self–live streamer fit. In order to study this problem, we constructed a structural equation modeling (SEM) model. In the causal relationship between signal consistency and purchase intention, performance responses have also been discussed as mediating variables. Accordingly, signal consistency enables consumers to perceive performance expectancy, whereby consumers believe that products that perform well positively influence satisfaction. To verify these hypotheses, 443 randomly collected valid questionnaires were used in empirical analyses. The results showed that most of our hypotheses were validated, aside from the relationship between self–live streamer fit and perceived performance expectancy. The findings suggest that signal consistency cues such as live streamer–product fit, live content–product fit, danmaku content–product fit, and self–product fit positively influence consumers’ perceived performance expectancy and satisfaction, which in turn promote purchase intention. These findings not only enrich the application of signaling theory in the field of live streaming commerce but also expand consumer behavior theory. Moreover, they also inspire practitioners in live streaming commerce by helping them to improve live streaming sales and bolster their market competitiveness through signal display optimization, content planning, and precision marketing. Full article

Background: Sedentary behavior is a considerable health risk, which is related to a variety of chronic diseases and a lower quality of life. Breathlessness, or dyspnea, is a significant barrier to physical exercise, especially in sedentary populations. This study aimed to assess the relationship between activity-related dyspnea and physical activity levels in women with sedentary behavior, while also identifying demographic and health factors that influence this association. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design conducted in Saudi Arabia, utilizing an electronic survey for data collection. The participants were Saudi females aged 20–50 years with sedentary behavior, who reported sitting for 6 h or more each day. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to collect data, which examined sociodemographic information, breathlessness (assessed via the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) breathlessness scale and the Dyspnea-12 (D-12) questionnaire), and physical activity levels using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ). Only healthy volunteers without chronic or respiratory problems were included. Results: Among 646 participants, 95.2% reported breathlessness, with Grade 2 (32.2%) being most common. Physical activity levels were low, with 37.36% insufficiently active. Significant differences in dyspnea scores were observed across activity levels (H(2) = 50.43, p < 0.0001), with more active individuals reporting less dyspnea. Ordinal logistic regression showed that higher mMRC scores were strongly associated with lower activity (OR = 0.19, 95% CI [0.16, 0.23], p < 0.001). Dyspnea-12 physical domain scores also correlated inversely with activity (OR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.90, 0.96], p < 0.001), while the emotional domain was not significant. Conclusions: The study revealed a significant association between higher breathlessness severity and lower physical activity levels among Saudi women with sedentary behavior. Dyspnea was prevalent, with 95.2% of participants experiencing some degree of breathlessness. Future longitudinal or interventional studies are required to determine the direction of this relationship and explore whether interventions targeting breathlessness management could support increased physical activity or if greater activity itself may help alleviate dyspnea. Full article

Ship type (e.g., Cargo, Tanker and Fishing) classification is crucial for marine management, environmental protection, and maritime safety, as it enhances navigation safety and aids regulatory agencies in combating illegal activities. Traditional ship type classification methods with AIS data are often plagued by problems such as data imbalance, insufficient feature extraction, reliance on single-model approaches, or unscientific model combination methods, which reduce the accuracy of classification. In this paper, we propose an ensemble classification method based on a stacking strategy to overcome these challenges. We apply the SMOTE technique to balance the dataset by generating minority class samples. Then, a more comprehensive ship behavior model is developed by combining static and dynamic features. A stacking strategy is adopted for the classification, integrating multiple tree structure-based classifiers to improve classification performance. The experimental results show that the ensemble classification method based on the stacking strategy outperforms traditional classifiers such as CatBoost, Random Forest, Decision Tree, LightGBM, and the ensemble classification method, especially in terms of improving classification precision, recall, F1 score, ROC curve, and AUC. This method improves the accuracy of ship type recognition, and it is suitable to real-time online classification, which is helpful for applications in marine safety monitoring, law enforcement, and illegal fishing detection. Full article

Young Black males (YBM), ages 15–17, experience disproportionately high rates of firearm violence and related structural disadvantages, shaping both their psychological and practical responses to violence-related stressors. These intersecting exposures influence their coping strategies, mental health, help-seeking behaviors, and broader social functioning. Generational shifts in how young males conceptualize identity, mental health, help-seeking, and masculinity, combined with increasing exposure to firearm violence, underscore the need for a closer examination of contemporary coping strategies. This qualitative study applies Thorne’s Interpretive Description (ID) to explore coping patterns among YBM navigating violence exposure in physical and online environments. Drawing from two focus groups of 33 YBM (M = 15.8, SD = 1.19) from a Midwest high school, we conducted a thematic analysis grounded in the interpretive description tradition. Integrating the Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST) and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping (TMSC), we examined how structural and interpersonal factors shape YBM agency and coping responses. Four coping patterns emerged: (1) Problem-Focused Adaptive, (2) Problem-Focused Maladaptive, (3) Emotion-Focused Adaptive, and (4) Emotion-Focused Maladaptive. The findings underscore the dynamic interaction between environmental stressors, available resources, and cognitive appraisals, indicating that for Black adolescent males, coping strategies are neither static nor inherently adaptive or maladaptive. Full article

This study explores how university students’ engagement in sustainability-themed extracurricular activities influences their awareness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the critical role of higher education in advancing sustainability, this research assesses initiatives such as environmental action clubs, sustainability research, eco-innovations, green campuses, and training workshops for fostering awareness, engagement, and leadership. A cross-sectional quantitative design targeted 400 university students in Greece involved in sustainability-related extracurricular activities. Structured online questionnaires were used, and multiple regression analysis examined the relationship between extracurricular activities and SDG engagement. The findings highlighted that all five activity types significantly enhance students’ sustainability awareness. Environmental action clubs improve knowledge of climate change and waste reduction, while research projects strengthen engagement with renewable energy and climate resilience. Eco-innovation challenges foster problem solving and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in urban and industrial sustainability. Green campus initiatives promote practical sustainable strategies, and capacity-building programs develop leadership and teamwork skills. Extracurricular activities serve as transformative tools that bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world sustainability applications, equipping students with the mindset and skills to address global challenges. Universities and policymakers should enhance funding, digital integration, and collaborations to expand the reach of these programs. Future research should assess the long-term impact of student participation on sustainable behavior and broader societal well-being. Full article

The escalating climate crisis necessitates urgent and widespread behavioral change, particularly in transportation choices, given their significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines the relationship between dimensions of readiness to change (RTC) and pro-environmental transportation behaviors (PEB-T), exploring both linear and non-linear patterns of association. Data were collected from 807 participants via an online survey, and analyses included linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and network analysis (NA) to account for non-linear relationships and gender-specific variations. Results indicate that perceived importance of the problem consistently emerged as a critical predictor of PEB-T across all analyses and gender groups. However, other dimensions, such as motivation, effectiveness of the proposed solution, action, and perceived readiness, exhibited gender-sensitive effects. These findings advance the understanding of RTC as a determinant of PEB-T, highlighting both universal and gender-specific predictors. The study supports the hypothesis of non-linear relationships between antecedents and behaviors, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions. Full article

With the strong growth of the organic market and continuous expansion of organic product categories, it is essential to understand the organic consumption of different product categories. Founded on the protection motivation theory, this study examined the effects of threat appraisal of conventional agricultural practices and two enablers, organic certification/trust and perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE), on organic consumption (attitude and purchase frequency) beyond food. A total of 410 responses collected from adults residing in the US through an online survey were analyzed. The analysis showed that the influence patterns of threat appraisal, organic certification/trust, and PCE were similar in attitude formation, but they were different in purchasing behaviors across different types of organic products. PCE was found to be a powerful predictor of both attitude and behavior, and, particularly, it mediated the influence of organic certification/trust and threat appraisal on purchase behavior. The results also indicated that the impacts of threat appraisal and PCE differed across product types varying from plant- or non-plant-based, freshness, and product format alteration. The results highlight the importance of organic benefit messages that enable consumers to believe in their ability to fight environmental problems to promote consumers’ purchasing of diverse organic products. Our study contributes to the growing literature on organic consumption with unique findings related to the threat appraisal of conventional agriculture and diverse organic products beyond organic food or produce. The findings and discussions provide insights into organic product development and communication strategies to support an expanded array of organic products and future research. Full article