Search Results (3,085)

Cannabis is one of the most common intoxicants used worldwide. Cannabis is widely consumed worldwide and can lead to visual alterations. However, most of the available information on its effects comes from studies conducted in developed countries, while data remain limited in developing regions such as Morocco, despite its significant role in cannabis cultivation. The aim of this study was to explore multiple visual parameters and self-perceived eyesight in cannabis users in Morocco. A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and April 2023 in Marrakesh, Morocco, in cannabis consumers. Data collection was performed in two phases. First a hetero-administrated questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographics, intoxicant consumption habit information, and eye health information. Then, several visual acuity tests were performed, including a preliminary examination, a visual function assessment, and an eye health assessment. Ninety-five cannabis users participated in this study. The majority were single (62.1%) males (87.4%). All lived in the Marrakesh-Safi region (100%), and most had daily activities such as having a job or being a student (77.9%). Most had vision conditions like astigmatism or myopia (83.4%). The majority had multiple addictions (66.5%), mainly to tobacco (43.7%). Hashish was the main cannabis type used (57.9%), and smoked cannabis was the principal mode of consumption (94.7%). Many had a family history of cannabis addiction (58.9%). Day light sensitivity (66.3%) and appearance of eye symptoms after cannabis use (90.5%) were declared by the majority. In most cases, no impact on far or near vision or vision impairment due to cannabis use were declared. Our results showed that using cannabis could have significant adverse effects on visual functions. Full article

As an emerging immersive media format, point clouds (PC) inevitably suffer from distortions such as compression and noise, where even local degradations may severely impair perceived visual quality and user experience. It is therefore essential to accurately evaluate the perceived quality of PC. In this paper, a no-reference point cloud quality assessment (PCQA) method that uses complexity-driven patch sampling and an attention-enhanced Swin-Transformer is proposed to accurately assess the perceived quality of PC. Given that projected PC maps effectively capture distortions and that the quality-related information density varies significantly across local patches, a complexity-driven patch sampling strategy is proposed. By quantifying patch complexity, regions with higher information density are preferentially sampled to enhance subsequent quality-sensitive feature representation. Given that the indistinguishable response strengths between key and redundant channels during feature extraction may dilute effective features, an Attention-Enhanced Swin-Transformer is proposed to adaptively reweight critical channels, thereby improving feature extraction performance. Given that traditional regression heads typically use a single-layer linear mapping, which overlooks the heterogeneous importance of information across channels, a gated regression head is designed to enable adaptive fusion of global and statistical features via a statistics-guided gating mechanism. Experiments on the SJTU-PCQA dataset demonstrate that the proposed method consistently outperforms representative PCQA methods. Full article

This mixed methods study explored perspectives from volunteer coaches and team parents involved in one sport-based youth development program, Junior Giants. The purpose was to (a) compare multiple perspectives on program impact and (b) investigate processes behind program impact and intentions to return. The sample (N = 11,638) included 1541 volunteer coaches, 861 team parents, and 9236 caregivers who completed an online survey assessing perceptions of players’ character development, antibullying, and league organization. Coaches and team parents also responded quantitatively and qualitatively about attending the initial training, use of practice plans, and intentions to return. Coaches reported significantly higher perceptions of participant change in character development and antibullying compared to caregivers (effect sizes were small), and team parents’ perceptions were not significantly different from coaches or caregivers. Perceptions of program outcomes did not differ by sport type (baseball v. softball), binary gender, age, or years in Junior Giants. For process variables, coaches were significantly more likely to attend the training and use the practice plans than team parents (small effects). Several themes emerged from open-ended questions, including not attending the initial team meeting due to schedule conflicts or signing up late to coach, not using practice plans due to limited time or needing modifications, and not intending to return due to child aging out or time commitment. Results suggest Junior Giants is perceived to have a positive impact and offer advice for supporting volunteers in sport-based youth development programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: The present exploratory study evaluates the feasibility and psychological effects of a structured Qigong intervention implemented in an Italian university setting. Qigong is a traditional Chinese mind–body practice combining gentle movements, breathwork, and mindful attention, aimed at enhancing mind–body integration and interoceptive awareness. Methods: A total of 332 undergraduate students voluntarily enrolled in a 12-week Qigong program. The intervention was based on Neidan Qigong and integrated both static and dynamic exercises. Psychological functioning was assessed through several self-report measures evaluating a range of constructs, including mindfulness (FFMQ), interoceptive ability (MAIA), perceived stress (PSS), depression, anxiety, and stress (BDI; DASS-21; STAI Y), emotion regulation (DERS), alexithymia (TAS), and sleep quality (PSQI). Results: A total of 114 students completed the intervention. The protocol was well received by participants and demonstrated high feasibility in the academic context, with good attendance rates and overall engagement. Preliminary findings indicate consistent improvements across several psychological domains. Conclusions: The results suggest that Qigong may be associated with improvements in mental health and well-being in young adults and may represent a promising, low-cost intervention. The findings should be interpreted as preliminary. Further research using controlled and methodologically rigorous designs is needed to assess the stability of these effects over time, incorporate physiological measures, and clarify the specific therapeutic contribution of spontaneous movement within Qigong practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: Single-sided deafness (SSD) impairs speech perception, reduces spatial hearing, decreases quality of life, and is frequently accompanied by tinnitus. Cochlear implantation (CI) has become an established treatment option, but long-term prospective evidence across multiple functional and psychological domains remains limited. This study investigated auditory performance, subjective hearing outcomes, tinnitus burden, and psychological well-being over a two-year follow-up in a large SSD cohort. Methods: Seventy adults with SSD underwent unilateral CI. Assessments were conducted preoperatively and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Outcome measures included the Freiburg Monosyllable Test (FS), Oldenburg Inventory (OI), Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ), Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and General Depression Scale (ADS-L). Longitudinal changes were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with effect sizes; Holm-adjusted p-values were applied for baseline-to-follow-up comparisons. Results: Speech perception improved markedly within the first 6 months and remained stable through 2 years, with large effect sizes. All OI subdomains demonstrated early and sustained improvements in subjective hearing ability. Several hearing-related quality-of-life domains assessed by the NCIQ, particularly social interaction, self-esteem, and activity participation, showed medium-to-large long-term improvements. Tinnitus severity decreased substantially, with marked reductions observed by 6 months and maintained thereafter; the proportion of tinnitus-free patients increased at follow-up, although tinnitus symptoms persisted in a substantial subset of participants. Perceived stress was reduced initially at the early follow-up and remained below baseline thereafter. Anxiety and depressive symptoms mostly stayed within nonclinical ranges, showing no lasting changes after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: In this prospective cohort, cochlear implantation was associated with durable improvements in auditory outcomes, tinnitus burden, and selected patient-reported quality-of-life domains over two years. Although significant functional and patient-centered improvements were noted, persistent tinnitus and diverse psychosocial outcomes underscore the need for personalized counseling and comprehensive follow-up that incorporate patient-reported outcomes and psychological assessments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Within Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC), motherhood in the context of severe cognitive impairment is shaped by unique emotional, relational, and identity-related challenges. Traditional understandings of maternal identity are strained when verbal communication and typical developmental milestones are absent. Although caregiving in PPC has been widely studied, the subjective and symbolic dimensions of motherhood in this setting have received far less attention. This study sought to explore how mothers construct, interpret, and make sense of their maternal identity while caring for a child with severe cognitive impairment in a PPC context, and to underscore the clinical relevance of these identity-related processes. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted involving nine mothers of children receiving paediatric palliative care services at a regional centre in Italy. Participants engaged in three online focus groups, totalling 270 min. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to interpret the transcribed data, using ATLAS.ti software, version 25.0.1 ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH, Berlin, Germany, for support. Member reflections were incorporated to validate the findings. Results: Three interconnected themes emerged from the reflexive thematic analysis. First, mothers described the development of a fusion-like, enmeshed mother–child relationship, characterised by embodied attunement, specialised interpretive expertise, and lifelong care dependency. Second, mothers detailed the construction of their maternal role, shaped by emotional labour, identity negotiation, sacrifice, loneliness, and peer support, alongside the construction of the child’s role, in which children were perceived as unique, symbolically meaningful beings whose social presence and limited reciprocity shaped maternal identity. Third, mothers articulated a search for meaning that sustained them throughout the caregiving journey, reframing their experience within a broader existential and relational perspective. Conclusions: Maternal caregiving in PPC encompasses distinct emotional, relational, and symbolic dimensions that extend beyond conventional understandings of motherhood. Grasping these identity-related dynamics has direct clinical relevance: it enables more attuned communication, strengthens the therapeutic alliance, and supports personalised, meaning-oriented care. These insights highlight the need for tailored interventions and further qualitative research to inform health care professionals and interdisciplinary practice. Full article

As chatbots are increasingly deployed to address service failures, understanding their role in facilitating consumer forgiveness has become essential. Several studies have compared consumers’ reactions to service recovery efforts conducted by a human versus a chatbot. Through three scenario-based experiments (total N = 1875) with Chinese participants, our study examines the interaction between service recovery agents (chatbot vs. human), types of consumer loss (utilitarian vs. symbolic), and service failure severity (low vs. high) in influencing consumer forgiveness. The results reveal that in cases of symbolic loss, consumers perceive humans—rather than chatbots—as more capable of providing emotional support during service recovery, thus promoting forgiveness more effectively. However, this discrepancy diminishes in the case of utilitarian loss. Our findings further suggest that the combined effect of service recovery agents and consumer loss on forgiveness is moderated by service failure severity. In the case of low-severity failures, recovery services provided by humans (vs. chatbots) are more effective in fostering forgiveness for consumers experiencing symbolic losses. However, for high-severity failures, regardless of the type of loss, consumers exhibit a higher level of forgiveness toward recovery services provided by humans. This research offers the following practical implications for managers dealing with service failures: strategic escalation to human agents is recommended for symbolic losses or high-severity failures, but chatbots represent a cost-efficient solution for utilitarian losses in low-severity scenarios. Full article

Emotional dysregulation (ED) reflects a heightened reactivity to stimuli, characterized by excessive negative affect and impulsive behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate ED in workers seeking care for occupational stress and to examine its associations with sociodemographic characteristics, occupational stress, and the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Eighty-seven workers referred for work-related stress were assessed using the Psychological Stress Measure (PSM) and the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) for stress, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) for psychopathology, and the RIPoSt-40 for ED. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were conducted using parametric or non-parametric tests, as appropriate. Forty-six percent of participants met criteria for Adjustment Disorders and 54% for Major Depressive Disorder. No significant differences between diagnostic groups emerged for ED or symptom severity. Women reported higher perceived stress and anxiety than men. Negative ED domains—affective instability, negative emotionality, and emotional impulsivity—showed moderate-to-strong positive correlations with stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Affective instability was also related to job stress dimensions, correlating negatively with decision latitude and positively with job demands. Negative emotional dysregulation appears to be a transdiagnostic vulnerability factor for stress-related psychopathology. Screening for ED may support early detection and targeted preventive interventions in occupational settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cyber bystanders can choose from several different strategies during cyberbullying incidents and have a significant effect on the situation. Hence, cyber bystanders are specifically targeted by prevention programmes and research investigating variables influencing cyber bystander responses is crucial for such programmes. The aim of our study was (1) to explore contextual factors’ effect on cyberbullying incidents’ perceived severity and (2) the most frequent cyber bystander responses. We also aimed (3) to learn how the context of cyberbullying incidents affects cyber bystander responses and the joint effect of individual and contextual variables on cyber bystander responses. Methods: In total, 314 Hungarian high school students participated in our online survey (mean age = 16.15, SD = 3.28). The respondents filled in self-administered questionnaires that measured cyber bystander responses, severity of different cyberbullying incidents, empathy, moral disengagement, social desirability, and cyberbullying engagement. Results: First, our results showed that the respondents perceived public and visual cyberbullying, and when the victim was upset by it the most severe incidents. Second, in almost every condition, the two most likely cyber bystander responses were ignorance and emotional support for the victim. Third, the individual and contextual variables had a joint effect influencing cyber bystander responses except for emotional support to the victim that was only influenced by individual variables, i.e., empathy, moral disengagement, and social desirability. Conclusions: All in all, our results showed that all cyberbullying contexts were associated with cyber bystander responses and the prominent association between moral disengagement, social desirability, empathy, and prosocial cyber bystander responses. Moreover, these results could guide cyberbullying prevention to focus on cyber bystanders’ empathy training, decreasing their moral disengagement, and educating them about the effects of online contextual variables. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) constitute a highly complex clinical environment characterized by patient fragility and frequent ethically sensitive decisions. To date, systematic studies investigating how Italian NICUs address these challenges and what forms of ethics support are effectively available are lacking. The aim of this study is therefore to assess how ethical issues are managed in Italian NICUs, with particular attention to the availability, use, and perceived usefulness of clinical ethics support in everyday practice. Methods: A 25-item questionnaire was developed by adapting an existing tool for investigating clinical ethics activities to the neonatal context. Following expert review by the GIBCE (Gruppo Interdisciplinare di Bioetica Clinica e Consulenza Etica in ambito sanitario), the final instrument covered four areas (general data, experience with ethical dilemmas, tools and procedures, opinions and training needs). A manual web search identified all Italian NICUs and their clinical directors, who were asked to disseminate the survey among staff. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Data collection was conducted via Google Forms and analyzed through qualitative thematic analysis. Results: A total of 217 questionnaires were collected. The most frequent ethical dilemmas concern quality of life with anticipated multiple or severe disabilities (72.4%) and decisions to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatments (64.5%). Major challenges include fear of medico-legal repercussions (57.6%) and communication divergences between physicians and nurses (49.8%). More than half of respondents (52.1%) reported no formal training in clinical ethics, and 68.7% had never developed a Shared Care Plan (Shared Document for healthcare ethics planning) as defined by the Italian Law 219/2017. Conclusions: Findings highlight marked fragmentation in ethical practices across Italian NICUs. On this basis, establishing structured and accessible CEC services could help promote consistency, reinforce shared ethical standards, and support transparent and equitable decision-making in critical neonatal care. Full article

Understanding residents’ perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) is crucial for protected areas governance. This study, conducted in China’s Three-River-Source National Park (TNP), employed participatory rural appraisal and household questionnaires to examine local cognitive patterns of ES and EDS, along with their socio-spatial heterogeneity and perceived synergies and trade-offs among them. The key findings are as follows: (1) Cultural services received the highest scores, followed by regulating services, whereas provisioning services, especially food provisioning, were rated as relatively inadequate. Safety threats were considered the most severe EDS. Overall, a Matthew Effect emerged: services with high current perception scores showed an improving trend, while those with low scores deteriorated. (2) Spatially, ES/EDS evaluation scores exhibited a “core zone < general control zone < peripheral zone” gradient. Socio-demographic and economic factors also influenced residents’ perceptions; women and the elderly were especially more concerned about food and energy supply shortages and safety issues. (3) The relationships among the various ES and EDS are primarily synergistic rather than trade-offs. Specifically, gains in regulating services were associated with enhanced cultural services, while declines in provisioning services and intensified safety threats coincided with the deterioration of material EDS. These findings offer a scientific basis for managing protected areas in high-altitude, ecologically fragile regions and provide practical insights for balancing ecological conservation with community development. Full article

Background: Children with disabilities and special educational needs show heterogeneous developmental profiles that may be associated with executive functioning and family factors. This study examined functional developmental profiles in primary education and their associations with executive functions, behavioural indicators, and parental mental health. Methods: Participants were 106 children aged 6–12 years attending mainstream schools, including a subgroup with special educational needs. Parents completed the Developmental Profile-3 (DP-3) and a family mental-health record, while teachers completed the Screening of Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Children (SPECI) and Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF-2) based on structured ratings derived from daily interaction with the child. Correlational and regression analyses were conducted. Results: Executive functions—particularly working memory and planning/organisation—were consistently associated with global, adaptive, and social development. Parental overload showed negative associations with several developmental domains. Associations with behavioural indicators were modest. Conclusions: Developmental functioning in children with and without special educational needs is associated with executive functions and family factors as perceived by parents and teachers. Findings should be interpreted as relational and inform future assessment and inclusive educational planning. Full article

Based on the collected mobile phone location data, this paper analyzes changes in four mobile location-based indicators and their spatiotemporal distribution characteristics before and after the earthquake, summarizing crowd movement patterns and communication behaviors after the M_S6.8 Dingri earthquake. By comparing natural neighbor interpolation and Thiessen polygon interpolation methods, we explore novel rapid assessment approaches for earthquake perception ranges, combined with actual seismic intensity maps. The results indicate an uneven distribution of population and differing dynamics in mobile phone signal activity. This reflects different behavioral patterns and the potential perceived extent of the earthquake. Within 50 km of the epicenter, all four indicators showed varying degrees of decline post-earthquake, while areas beyond 100 km exhibited short-term surges, reflecting differentiated behavioral responses based on seismic impact severity. In areas experiencing strong shaking, risk avoidance behavior predominated, while in areas where shaking was noticeable but less severe, communication behavior was more prominent. Mobile data decline zones showed high spatial correlation with intensity VIII+ regions, proving their effectiveness as rapid indicators for identifying strongly affected areas. Notably, mobile location data enabled accurate identification of strongly affected zones within 30 min post-earthquake. Full article

This study examines the psychological mechanisms underlying service stickiness during the mature phase of the AI subscription economy, with particular attention to the paradox of subscription fatigue. To enhance conceptual clarity, AI-driven stimuli—specifically Algorithmic Curation and Technological Fluidity—are defined as perceived attributes at the individual level. Employing the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) framework, the research explores how these perceived stimuli influence consumers’ internal states (Cognitive Efficiency and Serendipity) and subsequent behavioral responses (Service Stickiness). Empirical analysis using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) on data from U.S. subscription service users yields several theoretical insights. Cognitive Efficiency is identified as the primary driver of stickiness, indicating that, in the context of subscription fatigue, the utilitarian benefit of reduced cognitive effort surpasses hedonic enjoyment. Additionally, the study identifies a “Frictionless Trap,” in which excessive Technological Fluidity negatively affects Serendipity (β = −0.195), suggesting that an entirely seamless experience may create a filter bubble that limits unexpected discovery. As a result, Serendipity does not significantly affect stickiness in the aggregate model. However, post hoc analysis demonstrates that Serendipity remains significant for high-income users, while Cognitive Efficiency is most influential in high-frequency utilitarian contexts, such as food services. These findings indicate that sustainable retention depends on reducing cognitive load while intentionally introducing friction to preserve opportunities for discovery. Full article

This study aims to explain what drives consumers to adopt e-tipping in restaurants and determine whether interface-based manipulation reduces perceived autonomy, lowers satisfaction, and weakens brand favorability. Prior research indicates that when autonomy is undermined through manipulative design, satisfaction declines. This study integrates UTAUT2 and Self-Determination Theories to examine the determinants of consumers’ e-tipping intention, satisfaction, and brand favorability in Saudi restaurants. Four UTAUT2 motivators (performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence, hedonic motivation) and service quality were modeled as antecedents, cultural attitude as mediator, and inferred manipulation as moderator. An online survey of restaurant consumers in Saudi Arabia who had previously engaged in e-tipping generated 607 valid responses, providing adequate sample power for PLS-SEM testing. Results show that performance expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, and service quality significantly predict intention; cultural attitude mediates several effects; and manipulation weakens the intention–satisfaction relationship, negatively impacting brand favorability. This research offers a theoretical contribution by extending UTAUT2 to the e-tipping context through integrating service quality as an antecedent and positioning satisfaction and brand favorability as core outcomes. It advances theory by demonstrating how technology-driven manipulation within payment interfaces influences cultural attitudes, behavioral intentions, and post-experience evaluations in a high-context, non-tipping society. Managerial and policy implications for responsible e-tipping designs are discussed. Full article