Search Results (7,186)

Background: Brazilian psychologists faced heightened occupational and emotional demands during the COVID-19 peak, yet evidence on longer-term changes in distress and self-care is limited. This repeated cross-sectional study compared psychological distress and multidimensional self-care among Brazilian psychologists at the pandemic peak (T1: April 2021; n = 578) and three years later (T2: April 2024; n = 524). Methods: Distress (DASS-21) and self-care indicators (perceived self-care, working hours, work–life balance, psychotherapy/psychiatric care) were assessed. Blockwise OLS and logistic models (M0–M3) estimated time differences; dose–response and moderation analyses used adjusted marginal means with FDR correction. Results: Anxiety and stress were lower at T2 (M3: anxiety β = −1.53; stress β = −2.08; p < 0.001), whereas depression showed no statistically significant change in fully adjusted models (β = −0.37, p = 0.456), with only a modest downward tendency evident in unadjusted and nonparametric comparisons. Clinically elevated (Moderate+) anxiety decreased robustly (OR = 0.56), while the reduction in Moderate+stress was attenuated after full adjustment (OR = 0.71, p = 0.049) and did not remain significant after FDR correction. Perceived self-care showed a dose–response association with lower distress, and stress declined most among telehealth and hybrid practitioners. Conclusions: Three years post-peak, anxiety and stress were lower, whereas depression showed no clear change in fully adjusted models, indicating heterogeneous recovery. Self-care and work conditions were key associated factors, underscoring the need for sustained workforce well-being strategies. Because the design was repeated cross-sectional, these findings reflect sample-level trends rather than within-person change. Full article

Background: Blood-accessible biomarkers may support future personalization of prostate cancer radiotherapy, but their interpretation depends on sampling timing relative to radiotherapy, androgen deprivation therapy, and post-treatment recovery. We mapped clinical evidence for selected biomarker domains beyond prostate-specific antigen: γ-H2AX/DNA damage response, IL-6/inflammatory mediators, testosterone/endocrine recovery and a prespecified galectin-1/3 immune–stromal domain evaluated as a potential evidence gap. Methods: We conducted a PRISMA-ScR scoping review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science searched on 7 January 2026. Eligible original human studies evaluated soluble serum/plasma analytes or peripheral blood cell-based assays in prostate RT pathways. Data were charted by biomarker domain, treatment context, RT modality/fractionation, assay reporting, sampling schedule, and endpoint linkage. Results: Of 3499 records, 45 studies were included. No eligible study reported repeated circulating galectin-1/3 kinetics anchored to prostate radiotherapy, identifying a distinct clinical evidence gap. The remaining evidence was dominated by testosterone studies (n = 28), followed by IL-6/inflammatory mediators (n = 12) and γ-H2AX/DDR (n = 5). Testosterone studies were mapped as separate RT-only endocrine kinetics and ADT-anchored recovery streams. IL-6 studies mainly used during-RT or early post-RT sampling and linked trajectories to acute toxicity, fatigue, symptoms or inflammatory phenotypes; no included study directly validated serial IL-6/inflammatory trajectories against biochemical control, metastasis-free survival, or overall survival. γ-H2AX studies were characterized by ultra-acute, fraction-anchored sampling. Across domains, baseline definition and sampling timing limited interpretability more than assay platform alone. Conclusions: Evidence maturity was unequal across the selected domains. Testosterone provided the comparatively more developed longitudinal clinical literature, whereas IL-6/inflammatory mediators remained exploratory and were linked mainly to acute toxicity, fatigue, symptoms, and inflammatory phenotypes. γ-H2AX remained predominantly a translational and biodosimetry-oriented marker, while galectin-1/3 represented a hypothesis-generating clinical evidence gap. None of these biomarkers currently supports routine biomarker-guided prostate RT personalization. Future biomarker-embedded studies may benefit from domain-specific sampling considerations, explicit RT/systemic-therapy context stratification, standardized assay reporting, and clinically relevant endpoints. Full article

Tortillas are an essential food in Mexico, and they are usually packaged in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags, but these packages can release microplastics (MPs) into the food. On the other hand, MPs have been associated with conditions such as the release of toxic substances, damage to mitochondrial membranes, and the generation of oxidative stress and inflammation, among others. Currently, there are no studies on the presence of MPs in corn tortillas, so the objective of this work was to study samples of tortillas acquired at five points of sale in central Mexico, namely, supermarkets (A and B) and tortilla shops (C, D, and E), as well as to evaluate the presence of MPs and their identification by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, an abundance interval and an estimate of the consumption rate were established considering the available information on per capita consumption of tortillas in Mexico. The results show that the samples of tortillas purchased at sampling points A and B presented MPs in the form of films with an abundance between 155.56 and 177.78 MPs/kg of tortilla; however, no microplastics were identified in the samples of tortillas acquired at sites C, D, and E. The analysis suggests that the identified MPs may have come from the plastic bags in which tortillas are packaged. In addition, it was established that the daily consumption rate of microplastics per person is 2.48 to 5.15 pieces. Full article

This study employs a qualitative narrative inquiry to explore how support systems and industry engagement influence youth employability and entrepreneurial aspirations within South Africa’s TVET sector. The central research question examines how young people’s personal stories reveal the impact of systemic barriers and support mechanisms on their identity construction, resilience, and agency. Using in-depth interviews and focus groups with 24 purposively sampled youth across Gauteng’s TVET colleges, the analysis combines thematic and narrative approaches to uncover recurring patterns and narrative structures. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 30, with a balanced gender distribution, representing various socio-economic backgrounds and career interests, selected through purposive sampling to ensure data richness and saturation. The analysis integrated thematic and narrative approaches, with a detailed coding process, theme development, and measures to mitigate bias through member checking and peer debriefing. Findings indicate that experiential learning, mentorship, family encouragement, and industry connections serve as critical support mechanisms that shape youth perceptions of opportunity and self-efficacy. Conversely, systemic barriers such as resource limitations and skills mismatches are frequently narrated as obstacles constraining pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. The study concludes that integrating youth narratives into policy development can foster more inclusive and effective strategies for youth empowerment. These insights contribute to the literature on youth employment by highlighting the active role of storytelling in identity negotiation and social critique within socio-economic contexts. Full article

Continuous and noninvasive blood pressure (BP) monitoring is important for hypertension screening and long-term cardiovascular management. Continuous BP estimation using photoplethysmography (PPG) and electrocardiography (ECG) has become a promising alternative to conventional cuff-based measurements. However, handcrafted feature-based methods are sensitive to fiducial point detection, while end-to-end deep models often require large labeled datasets and may ignore subject-specific BP baselines. This study proposes a personalized calibration and hybrid feature fusion framework for continuous BP estimation from ECG and PPG signals. The framework integrates physiologically interpretable handcrafted features, self-supervised waveform representations, and subject-specific prior BP information to predict systolic and diastolic BP. The handcrafted branch extracts pulse transit time, heart rate variability, and PPG morphological descriptors, whereas a masked reconstruction-based self-supervised encoder learns latent waveform embeddings without BP labels. Personalized calibration incorporates base BP from the earliest calibration file through an alpha-weighted strategy, and the fused representation is fed into XGBoost regressors. The framework was evaluated on a private dataset and the BP-UCI dataset, achieving SBP/DBP MAEs of 7.25/3.98 mmHg and 7.85/4.02 mmHg, respectively. Comparative and ablation results indicate improved baseline performance in the current experimental setting, suggesting the methodological feasibility of the proposed framework for small-sample continuous BP estimation. Further validation with larger and more diverse cohorts is still required. Full article

In the last several years, reading comprehension has declined during elementary school in the U.S. Are cell phones to blame? There is a dearth of evidence concerning the cell phone impact on reading comprehension at the elementary school level. Our primary question was whether acquisition of a phone would be negatively related to the reading comprehension performance of third- and sixth-grade children. More specifically, would notifications or the mere presence of a phone reduce the concentration required for an optimal reading comprehension performance? Among 106 children, we studied 55 children in a sixth-grade group and 51 children in a third-grade group. The sample was linguistically diverse: English was the home language for 42%, Arabic for 30%, and Spanish for 28%. The experimental procedure used a repeated-measures design: Participants who brought phones to school the day of the study took a grade-appropriate reading comprehension test from the DIBELS 8th edition with their phone next to them and a different test from the same battery without their phone nearby or in sight. Participants who did not have a phone with them also took two reading comprehension tests from the DIBELS 8th edition; they were the same tests taken by participants in the experimental portion of the study who had phones with them. All participants completed a short survey about phone ownership and use, along with demographic questions. There was no effect of the experimental conditions on reading comprehension: Whether or not a child had their phone in sight made no difference to their reading comprehension performance. Nor did reading comprehension differ for students with or without phones at school the day of the study. This absence of short-term effects contrasted with the presence of long-term relationships: Possessing a personal cell phone was significantly associated with lower reading comprehension scores across the whole sample. However, for participants from non-English-speaking homes who had their own phones, reading comprehension was significantly better the earlier a child began texting and had access to games on their phone. For children from English-speaking homes who had their own phones, neither early mobile game access nor earlier initiation of texting was associated with better reading comprehension. Full article

The growing presence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in learning environments highlights a need to understand self-regulated learning (SRL) as these technologies enable new pathways for independent learning. This study examined the cognitive and personal factors associated with the self-reported metacognitive use of GenAI within the SRL framework, focusing on perceived self-regulation skills, perceived usefulness, and learning motivation. An online survey was conducted among 1265 participants recruited through snowball sampling. The findings indicate that perceived personal skills and perceived usefulness are the strongest predictors of self-reported metacognitive use of GenAI. In contrast, learning motivation emerged as a negative predictor, suggesting that motivation does not necessarily translate into effective engagement with GenAI-based learning. Additionally, perceived usefulness partially mediated the relationship between motivation and metacognitive use. The findings extend SRL theory to GenAI-driven learning environments and highlight the importance of fostering learners’ self-regulation skills and awareness of the value of GenAI for effective adoption. Full article

The rapid influx of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into higher education has resulted in a large number of research studies over the past three years. Much of the research to date has focused on the researcher/educator perspective of the optimal usage, benefits and challenges in the implementation of GenAI, often in a very general sense. The importance of the student voice and discipline-specific results must not be lost in this debate. This study investigates students’ decisions to use (or not use) GenAI for mathematics purposes and the reasons they give to support this choice. This was done by surveying almost 700 students in an Irish university, using an online, anonymous survey in March 2025. The students in the sample were all studying at least one mathematics module at the time. In addition, students were asked what they perceive the benefits and challenges to be of GenAI for mathematics in higher education. 91% of respondents were using GenAI for mathematics purposes. Both their reasons for using GenAI and the benefits they perceived for it fell into four main themes: Self-Improvement, Tools, Access, and Support. Their reasons for not using GenAI, and the challenges they perceived, were categorised under Unnecessary/Unknown, Inaccurate, Skill Loss, and Ethical Concerns. Students mentioned using GenAI for self-improvement reasons, such as bettering their understanding of mathematics, and found the lack of interaction with a person to be a benefit rather than a challenge. This study was conducted at a unique moment in time when the usage of GenAI was moving from sporadic to widespread and reflects students’ self-reported reasons for this. Full article

Background/Objectives: Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs are associated with adolescents’ eating habits. Validated surveys are needed to assess these constructs (in different populations and languages), considering both personal and socio-environmental factors, including peer influence. Therefore, the objective of this study was to validate the SCT-based Scale for Factors Influencing Eating Behavior in Adolescents (SCT-FIEBA), in Spanish. Methods: The scale was administered to 705 high school students from two schools in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Mexico, with randomized and stratified selection. Two weeks later, 43 participants completed the retest. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA); internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega; and temporal stability was assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additionally, factor patterns influencing eating behavior were identified using hierarchical cluster analysis and discriminant analysis. Results: EFA (n = 353) showed an adequate structure with seven or eight factors (with 34 items). However, CFA (n = 352) showed a better fit with eight factors and 33 items (RMSEA = 0.073, SRMR = 0.083, CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90) than the other models. The scale’s internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92, CI 0.92–0.93; McDonald’s omega = 0.93, CI 0.92–0.93), with all sections scoring from moderate to excellent. The reproducibility indices were good for the whole scale (ICC = 0.70, CI 0.50–0.82) and four sections; the other four presented moderate values. It is recommended to verify reproducibility in a larger sample. Hierarchical cluster analysis yielded better results with four patterns influencing eating behavior based on SCT, and the discriminant analysis results were satisfactory (Wilks’ lambda = 0.108; 87% of cases correctly classified). Conclusions: The SCT-FIEBA demonstrated validity and reliability for assessing SCT constructs applied to eating behavior among high school adolescents in a Mexican population, as well as for identifying four distinct psychosocial patterns that influence eating behavior. Full article

Self-efficacy, a person’s belief in their capability to carry out a given task, shapes whether teachers attempt, persist with, and transfer new practices. Yet teachers’ perceived capability to use generative AI (GenAI) is often treated as a single general readiness rather than examined across the distinct domains in which it is now used. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this study provides a domain-differentiated account of GenAI competency self-efficacy among university teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in the Saudi higher-education context. A sample of 232 EFL teachers at Saudi public universities completed a contextually adapted version of the Generative AI Competency Self-Efficacy Scale for Teachers and Researchers (GAICS-TR). Data were analysed using repeated-measures analysis of variance, correlational analyses, and hierarchical multiple regression. Overall self-efficacy was only slightly above the scale midpoint, and the overall score concealed an uneven pattern across domains. Teachers felt most capable in Basic GenAI Understanding and Teaching with GenAI, less so in Professional Engagement, and least confident in Research with GenAI, with the lowest confidence reported for data analysis. Prior AI training and frequency of GenAI use were associated with overall self-efficacy, whereas teaching experience and academic rank were not. The findings suggest that overall measures of GenAI readiness can mask lower-confidence areas within specific domains, especially in research-facing uses such as data analysis. Accordingly, supporting teachers’ development in using GenAI calls for targeted, domain-sensitive professional development that reaches teachers at all career stages rather than broad familiarisation with the tools. Full article

Sustaining learner motivation remains a persistent challenge in higher education Japanese-language e-learning, where learners often study with limited social presence and personalized encouragement. This paper proposes a preliminary Design Framework for Motivational Robots in E-Learning (DFMRE), derived through a retrospective, theory-guided synthesis of two previously published empirical studies on robot-assisted Japanese-language learning. The synthesis interprets the prior findings through Self-Determination Theory and self-efficacy theory and formulates five candidate design principles: human-affine compact hardware, multi-level learner-selectable gestures, calibrated vocal encouragement, learner-initiated interaction protocol, and content-independent system integration. To provide an initial external check, nine domain experts with diverse backgrounds in education, educational technology, human–robot interaction, and related fields provided a preliminary appraisal of the principles in terms of clarity, feasibility, transferability, and overall usefulness. The framework received broadly favorable ratings, including a mean overall usefulness score of 4.33 on a 5-point scale, while expert comments highlighted the need for clearer operational definitions and flexible interaction modes. Because the empirical base consists of two small-sample Japanese-language learning studies conducted at one institution using one robot platform, DFMRE should be read as an early, context-grounded, falsifiable proposal rather than as a confirmed model for higher education e-learning in general. Full article

Background/Objectives: The rapid growth of the companion animal industry has increased demand for professional pet grooming services; however, occupational health risks among pet groomers remain underexplored. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), occupational burnout, and associated occupational and ergonomic factors and their interrelationships among pet grooming professionals. Methods: A total of 180 pet grooming professionals were recruited through geographically stratified convenience sampling across northern, central, and southern Taiwan. Data were collected using structured questionnaires assessing demographics, workload, ergonomic equipment, and working postures. MSD symptoms were evaluated using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and occupational burnout was assessed using the Taiwan Ministry of Labor Burnout Assessment Scale. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to identify factors associated with MSD severity and occupational burnout. Results: MSDs were highly prevalent, with 95% of participants reporting symptoms in at least one body region. The most affected regions were the right shoulder (71.7%), neck (70.6%), upper back (65.6%), and lower back (65.6%). Significant associated ergonomic factors included excessive bathing tub depth (≥46 cm), non-adjustable grooming tables, prolonged trunk flexion, and horse-stance postures. Higher workload intensity, including frequent bathing tasks and handling aggressive or large animals, was significantly associated with greater MSD severity (p < 0.05). Moderate-to-severe personal- and work-related burnout were identified in 43.3% and 37.2% of participants, respectively. MSD severity was positively correlated with personal-related burnout (r = 0.491, p < 0.001) and work-related burnout (r = 0.428, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis results indicated the MSD score was a significant predictor of both personal- and work-related burnout (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Pet grooming professionals experience a substantial burden of MSDs and occupational burnout associated with ergonomic strain and physically demanding work. Non-neutral postures and inadequately designed equipment were significantly associated with greater MSD severity. The close association between MSDs and burnout underscores the interrelationship between physical and psychological occupational health. Ergonomic workplace modifications and targeted occupational health interventions are necessary to improve worker well-being and industry sustainability. Full article

Background: With the continuous increase in the prevalence of single-person households, growing public health concerns have emerged regarding mental health. This study examined the associations among living alone, eating alone, and depressive symptoms. Methods: We analyzed a nationally representative sample of 23,066 adults from South Korea. Participants were asked whether they lived alone or with other household members and whether they usually ate breakfast, lunch, or dinner alone. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. An analysis was conducted to estimate the direct and indirect associations among living alone, eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner alone, and depressive symptoms, using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among the participants, 12.7% lived alone and 87.3% lived with others. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 10.6% among those living alone and 4.7% among those living with others. In the analysis, the OR (95% CI) for the total association between solitary eating and depressive symptoms was 1.94 (1.62, 2.35). The OR (95% CI) for the overall indirect association through eating alone was 1.36 (1.24–1.51). Conclusions: This study found an indirect association between living alone and depressive symptoms through solitary eating. Future longitudinal studies are required to establish the temporal ordering among living alone, eating alone, and depressive symptoms and to validate our findings. Full article

Background: Diabetes mellitus is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia and shapes individuals’ lived experiences within culturally and religiously embedded contexts. Although existing research has extensively examined biomedical, behavioral, and psychosocial dimensions of diabetes using quantitative and conventional qualitative approaches, there remains limited understanding of how individuals interpret, construct meaning, and reconstruct identity in relation to the illness over time. In particular, phenomenological inquiry is needed to access the lived, embodied, and existential dimensions of type 2 diabetes that are often not captured in existing outcome- or theme-focused qualitative studies. This study aimed to explore how Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes experience identity transitions, construct meaning, and undergo personal transformation. Methods: A hermeneutic phenomenological design informed by van Manen was employed. Twenty-seven Saudi adults with type 2 diabetes of at least one year’s duration were purposively recruited from a tertiary diabetes center in Riyadh. The sample size was guided by the principles of hermeneutic phenomenology, which prioritize depth, richness, and interpretive adequacy rather than numerical saturation. Recruitment and data collection continued until interpretive sufficiency was achieved, defined as the point at which no new experiential meanings or conceptual insights emerged across iterative analysis. Data were generated through in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted in Arabic. Analysis followed an iterative interpretive process guided by the hermeneutic circle. Reflexivity, member checking, and peer review were used to enhance rigor. Results: Diabetes was experienced as a profound multidimensional disruption affecting embodiment, social roles, emotional well-being, and existential orientation. Participants described persistent fatigue and bodily limitation, shifting family roles and reduced social participation, emotional turbulence moving from shock to acceptance, and ongoing processes of meaning-making grounded in faith, gratitude, and strengthened family relationships. Conclusions: Living with diabetes involves an ongoing process of meaning-making and identity reconstruction that extends beyond clinical disease management to include emotional, social, and existential dimensions. These findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive, person-centered care that addresses the lived experience of chronic illness within its sociocultural and spiritual context. Full article

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is frequently resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as sunitinib, limiting therapeutic efficacy. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, including ABCB1, ABCB5, and ABCG2, are important transporters implicated in multidrug resistance, influencing drug efflux and tumor progression. We aimed to evaluate the expression of ABCB1, ABCB5, and ABCG2 in human RCC tissues and human renal cancer cell lines CAKI-2 and A-498, and to investigate their potential association with sunitinib resistance and associated signaling pathways. Twenty paired tumorous and adjacent non-tumorous human kidney tissue samples were analyzed for ABC transporter gene expression using qRT-PCR. RCC cell lines CAKI-2 and A-498, including sunitinib-resistant derivatives, were treated with 40 µM sunitinib. The levels of transporters and key signaling proteins were assessed by Western blot. ABCG2 was consistently higher in tumorous tissues, and ABCB1 and ABCB5 showed grade-dependent increases in tumors. Resistant cells exhibited elevated ABCB1 and dynamic ABCB5 and ABCG2 expression patterns compared to sensitive cells, indicating an association between altered transporter expression and the resistant phenotype. Sunitinib treatment modulated signaling pathways, with differential activation of PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and MAPK/ERK observed in sensitive versus resistant cells. Our findings suggest that altered ABCB1 and ABCG2 expression may be associated with the development of sunitinib resistance in RCC and may be linked to changes in key survival signaling pathways. These findings provide a basis for future functional studies investigating the role of ABC transporters in sunitinib resistance and may contribute to the development of personalized therapeutic strategies in RCC. Full article