Search Results (1,304)

COVID-19 lockdown announcements triggered global waves of panic buying, leading to widespread panic buying of essential goods and supply chain disruptions. Although the acute phase of the pandemic has passed, panic buying continues to emerge during natural disasters, extreme weather events, and other crisis-related disruptions, highlighting the ongoing need for evidence-based strategies to address its psychological drivers. Social cognition constructs, including willingness, intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and risk perceptions, have been identified as modifiable psychological predictors of panic buying. However, few studies have experimentally tested theory-driven interventions aimed at modifying these mechanisms. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief, online intervention based on integrated social cognition models in reducing panic-buying-related cognitions during a hypothetical lockdown scenario. A pre-registered randomized controlled trial was conducted with Australian grocery shoppers (N = 140), who were randomly allocated to an intervention or control condition. Participants completed self-report measures assessing their willingness, intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and risk perceptions at both pre- and post-intervention times. The hypotheses were partially supported. Compared with the control condition, the intervention group reported greater reductions across targeted psychological constructs. For hygiene products, significant decreases were observed across all five constructs, and for non-perishable foods, willingness, intention, and attitudes significantly decreased. For cleaning products, reductions were evident for attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions. These findings suggest that theory-informed, scalable interventions can effectively modify the social cognition processes underlying panic buying. This study extends existing research and demonstrates the potential for brief, theory-based communication strategies to reduce panic-buying-related cognitions. Future research should evaluate these interventions in real-world settings and explore mechanisms to target automatic cognitive processes. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) is a transboundary viral disease that has heavily impacted Southeast Asia since its introduction in 2019. Smallholder pig production systems in Cambodia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the Lao PDR), characterized by low biosecurity, free-ranging practices, and limited veterinary oversight, remain particularly vulnerable. To assess farmers’ awareness and practices regarding ASF, a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey was implemented between March and September 2023 by Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières within the framework of the Biosecurity in Pig Farming (BIG) project. A total of 471 pig farmers, including 56% women, were interviewed across eight provinces using a standardized questionnaire (188 in Cambodia and 283 in the Lao PDR). Results showed that ASF awareness was generally high (92% in Cambodia, 66% in the Lao PDR), yet 15% of Cambodian and 30% of Lao respondents expressed doubts about the presence of ASF in their country. While recognition of ASF symptoms was moderate and positively correlated with farmers’ perceived capacity to identify the disease, knowledge of transmission pathways was low and often misaligned with perceptions. Airborne transmission was frequently cited as a risk, and the risks related to visitors and fomites were underestimated by more than 50% of the farmers. Implementation of biosecurity measures (BSM) was limited, with mean scores of 43% in Cambodia and 27% in the Lao PDR. Risky practices such as swill feeding, free-ranging, sharing of boars, traders, and inadequate carcass disposal remained widespread. Statistical analysis identified education level, herd size, knowledge, perceived risks, and perceived benefits of BSM as the main determinants of biosecurity implementation. Farmers with larger herds or stronger commercial orientation demonstrated higher biosecurity adoption, while misconceptions and knowledge gaps remained frequent among smallholder farmers. Strengthening awareness, promoting low-cost and feasible biosecurity practices, and integrating farmer-centred approaches are essential for reducing ASF transmission risks and improving the resilience of smallholder pig production systems in the region. Full article

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition characterised by chronic pain, which may or may not be associated with muscular stiffness. Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. The loss of muscle mass is a key factor in the progression of both fibromyalgia and sarcopenia and therefore warrants thorough evaluation. It has been demonstrated that obesity directly influences factors that increase pain perception and disease severity and reduce quality of life. The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between fibromyalgia and the increased risk of developing sarcopenia. Methods: The sample consisted of 84 patients diagnosed with FM. We assessed sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric variables (circumferential and ultrasound) pain with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and algometry, risk of developing sarcopenia with SARC-F, quality of sleep, anxiety, and depression using validated questionnaires. Results: A total of 96.3% of the participants were women. Overall, 56.3% of the sample presented a high risk of sarcopenia according to SARC-F, VAS scores showed significant negative correlations with anxiety (p < 0.01) and with almost all algometric measures (p < 0.05). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) demonstrated a positive and significant correlation with sleep quality (p < 0.01) and depression (p < 0.01). Furthermore, presence of a high risk of sarcopenia according to SARC-F was significantly associated with FIQ scores (p = 0.002) and depression (p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a significant association between the impact of FM and a high risk of developing sarcopenia according to SARC-F. This population exhibits a high degree of pain, which are significantly associated with elevated levels of anxiety and depression. Full article

Subjective assessments of air pollution annoyance reveal that individuals’ focus on specific risks is influenced by their attachment to place, beliefs, values, and behavior rather than the composition or toxic effects of air pollutants. Additionally, the social context plays a role in shaping how communities react to and perceive air pollution impacts. This study examines residents’ environmental perceptions regarding the effects of settleable particles before and after the interruption of a large industrial source in the southern region of Espírito Santo, Brazil (South America). A second objective was to model the relationship between air pollution annoyance and other perceived variables under both scenarios. Data were collected through surveys conducted before and after the interruption of the industrial plant. The Pearson chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression model analyzed the data. Results indicate a shift in residents’ concerns with a focus on social and well-being issues. We also found a small number of items relating to dust annoyance and home ownership that can be used to predict the air pollution impact for individual community members. The findings show that settleable particles are directly perceived by exposed populations and significantly affect community health and quality of life. Full article

To address the increasing complexity and diversity of user requirements in underwater rescue equipment, this study proposes a Digital Twin (DT)-enhanced KJ-Kano conceptual design framework. It systematically closes the feedback loop between requirement prioritization and experiential validation. Unlike traditional approaches, this framework orchestrates KJ clustering, Kano analysis, and mission-aware DT simulation in a domain-adapted, iterative workflow, enabling dynamic validation of user needs under high-risk, simulated rescue scenarios. Functional expectations and preferences were clustered and prioritized, then instantiated in a modular DT prototype for navigation, manipulation, and perception tasks. To evaluate design effectiveness, 55 participants operated the robot DT model and its control interfaces in virtual rescue missions. User satisfaction across functionality, interactivity, intelligence, and appearance was assessed with a five-point Likert scale, and the results showed high reliability (Cronbach’s $\alpha$ = 0.86) and positive evaluations (overall mean = 3.83). Intelligent experience scored highest (3.95), while ease of operation was lowest (3.60), suggesting potential for interface optimization. The framework effectively transforms heterogeneous, context-specific user requirements into validated design solutions, offering a replicable, data-driven methodology for early-stage conceptual design of underwater rescue robots and other safety-critical human–machine systems, bridging the gap between generic design methods and high-risk domain application. Full article

Background: Chronic kidney disease and haemodialysis treatment are associated with physiological and functional alterations that compromise postural stability, favouring frailty and the risk of falls. These conditions directly affect the quality of life and autonomy of people undergoing haemodialysis, constituting an important challenge for rehabilitation nursing. In this sense, the aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between falls, frailty and quality of life in people with chronic kidney disease on a regular haemodialysis programme, identifying implications for rehabilitation nursing care. Methods: This was a quantitative, observational and cross-sectional study conducted with 62 participants from a haemodialysis unit in northern Portugal. The Tilburg Frailty Indicator and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument (KDQOL-SF™ 1.3) were applied. Statistical analysis used parametric and non-parametric tests, considering a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of falls in the year preceding the data collection was 32.2%, and the prevalence of frailty was 40.3%. A significant association was found between frailty and falls (p = 0.038) and between sex and falls (p = 0.002). The dimensions Symptoms/problems and Effects of kidney disease on daily life showed lower scores among participants with falls (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Frailty and poorer illness perception were associated with the occurrence of falls and with lower quality of life. Comprehensive assessment and the implementation of rehabilitation programmes led by specialist nurses in rehabilitation nursing are essential to promote functionality, safety and autonomy in people undergoing haemodialysis. Full article

We examine whether and how book-tax differences (BTDs) may affect investors’ perception of information risk. Using bid-ask spreads as a proxy for information risk, we document a positive association between bid-ask spreads around 10-K filing dates and positive temporary BTDs for firms with low analyst following or institutional ownership, consistent with larger positive temporary BTDs exacerbating information asymmetry for firms with poor information environments. Furthermore, this positive association is less pronounced for firms with higher analyst following or institutional ownership, suggesting that financial analysts and institutional investors mitigate information risk from positive temporary BTDs through their monitoring and information intermediary roles. We find similar results using positive permanent BTDs. Overall, our findings suggest that investors factor BTDs into their assessments of information risk, highlighting the importance of considering information risk in the valuation of BTDs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are at increased risk for mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety. Emerging evidence suggests that psychological rather than purely medical factors may play a decisive role in explaining individual differences in emotional adjustment. However, comprehensive models integrating multiple cognitive and emotional domains remain scarce. This study aimed to identify the psychological variables most strongly associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms in ACHD when considered simultaneously to inform priorities for psychosocial interventions. Methods: A total of 1136 ACHD (aged 18–85 years; 59.7% female) from the National Register for Congenital Heart Defects, Berlin, completed an online survey assessing depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, illness perceptions, and illness identity. Correlational and multiple regression analyses were conducted, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, CHD severity, and secondary diseases. Significance level for regression models was set at p < 0.025 due to Bonferroni correction. Results: Rumination showed the strongest positive correlations with both depression and anxiety, whereas acceptance was most negatively correlated. In multiple regression analyses, rumination (highest unique variance explanation with semi-partial R² = 0.068 resp. 0.072) and illness engulfment emerged as the most strongly associated predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Illness-related concerns were not significant predictors. Conclusions: The findings highlight the key role of repetitive negative thinking and an engulfed illness identity in the development of emotional distress among ACHD. Psychotherapeutic interventions targeting rumination, fostering psychological distance from illness identity, and promoting a multifaceted self-concept may be particularly beneficial in this population. Full article

Toxic romantic relationships, a popular term referring to intimate partner violence (IPV) characterized by psychological, physical, and sexual violence, are a growing concern among young people. This pilot study aimed to preliminarily validate the vignette task on IPV, the “Mind 4 partner abuse” task, and to investigate the cognitive patterns and emotional profiles concerning IPV. Our research involved 228 university students from the University of L’Aquila who participated in an online psychoeducational program to raise awareness of the risks of IPV. Participants completed the “Mind 4 partner abuse” task, which included five vignettes depicting escalating violence in relationships. The task assessed participants’ emotional responses (anger, anxiety/fear, sadness, shame/guilt) and cognitive responses (functional-assertive or dysfunctional) to each vignette. In addition, for convergent validation, the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was administered to assess empathic abilities. Five distinct factors were identified: active coping and legal awareness (ACLA), emotional distress (ED), assertiveness and autonomy defense (AAD), assertive reaction and self-empowerment (ARSE), and refusal of public humiliation and dignity assertion (RDA). One factor out of the five, emotional distress (ED), identified a dysfunctional cognitive pattern. The instrument showed a good convergent validity with the IRI. The correlation analysis showed that the IRI personal distress scale was negatively associated with ACLA and positively associated with ED. The IRI Empathic Concern scale was positively associated with RDA. In the dysfunctional cognitive pattern, as measured by the “Mind 4 Partner Abuse” vignette task, the ED factor was positively correlated with anxiety, sadness, shame, and guilt. The potential of the vignette task to identify high-risk cognitive profiles is promising, but it has yet to be confirmed. Given the limitations of the study, the findings offer only preliminary indications of cognitive patterns in young adults and their perceptions of romantic relationships, as assessed through a psychoeducational intervention. Further research with larger and more diverse samples, as well as more robust task designs, is necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn. Full article

Amid accelerating climate change, intensifying urban heat island effects, and rising public demand for livable, walkable streets, there is an urgent practical need for interpretable and actionable evidence on streetscape quality. Yet, research on streetscape quality has often relied on single data sources and linear models, limiting insight into multidimensional perception; evidence from temperate monsoon cities remains scarce. Using Tianjin’s main urban area as a case study, we integrate street-view imagery with remote sensing imagery to characterize satellite-derived environmental indicators at the point scale and examine the following five perceptual outcomes: comfort, aesthetics, perceived greenness, summer heat perception, and willingness to linger. We develop a three-step interpretable assessment, as follows: Elastic Net logistic regression to establish directional and magnitude baselines; Generalized Additive Models with a logistic link to recover nonlinear patterns and threshold bands with Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate control and binned probability calibration; and Shapley additive explanations to provide parallel validation and global and local explanations. The results show that the Green View Index is consistently and positively associated with all five outcomes, whereas Spatial Balance is negative across the observed range. Sky View Factor and the Building Visibility Index display heterogeneous forms, including monotonic, U-shaped, and inverted-U patterns across outcomes; Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Land Surface Temperature are likewise predominantly nonlinear with peak sensitivity in the midrange. In total, 54 of 55 smoothing terms remain significant after Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate correction. The summer heat perception outcome is highly imbalanced: 94.2% of samples are labeled positive. Overall calibration is good. On a standardized scale, we delineate optimal and risk intervals for key indicators and demonstrate the complementary explanatory value of street-view imagery and remote sensing imagery for people-centered perceptions. In Tianjin, a temperate monsoon megacity, the framework provides reproducible, actionable, design-relevant evidence to inform streetscape optimization and offers a template that can be adapted to other cities, subject to local calibration. Full article

Practices with medical cyclotrons to produce PET radiopharmaceuticals in Latin America represent a technological advance for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer, but they involve occupational risks due to exposure to ionizing radiation. This study evaluates the perception of risk in 46 radiopharmacy service workers in 13 countries in the region (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Dominican Republic and Venezuela), analyzing differences by gender and age. The questionnaire, validated by reliability analysis (Cronbach’s coefficient α > 0.7), was statistically analyzed with means, standard deviations (SD) and standard errors (SE), 95% confidence intervals (Student’s t-distribution), and coefficients of variation (CV) to assess the dispersion of each variable. The results reveal general underestimation in dimensions such as reversibility of consequences (SD = 0.7142, SE = 0.1053) and familiarity (SD = 0.8410, SE = 0.124), promoting complacency, while immediacy of consequences shows overestimation (SD = 0.9760, SE = 0.1439), amplifying anxiety. By gender, women tend to overestimate (e.g., immediacy = 2.5) and men underestimate (e.g., confidence = 1.78); by age, young people (26–45 years old) overestimate more than older people (≥46 years old). These deviations, with high QoL indicating heterogeneity, suggest interventions such as continuous training, real-time monitoring, and communication campaigns to balance perception. Practical recommendations include job rotations to reduce underestimation due to familiarity and simulations to mitigate emotional overestimation, which are aligned with IAEA regulations (GSR Part 3, SSG-46) to promote a sustainable safety culture. Full article

Under the context of non-dyadic human–machine interaction in intelligent coal mines, this study investigates the impact of different dyadic collaboration modes on Team Situation Awareness (TSA). Based on a simulated coal mine monitoring task, the experiment compares four working modes—Individual Operation, Supervised Operation, Cooperative Operation, and Divided-task Operation—across tasks of varying complexity. TSA was assessed using both objective (SAGAT) and subjective (SART) measures, alongside parallel evaluations of task performance and workload (NASA-TLX). The results demonstrate that, compared to Individual or Supervised Operation, both Cooperative and Divided-task Operation significantly enhance TSA and task performance. Cooperative Operation improves information integration and comprehension, while Divided-task Operation enhances response efficiency by enabling focused attention on role-specific demands. Moreover, dyadic collaboration reduces cognitive workload, with the task-sharing mode showing the lowest cognitive and temporal demands. The findings indicate that clear task structuring and real-time information exchange can alleviate cognitive bottlenecks and promote accurate environmental perception. Theoretically, this study extends the application of non-dyadic interaction theory to intelligent coal mine scenarios and empirically validates a “Collaboration Mode–TSA–Performance” model. Practically, it provides design implications for adaptive collaboration frameworks in high-risk, high-complexity industrial systems, highlighting the value of dynamic role allocation in optimizing cognitive resource utilization and enhancing operational safety. Full article

This study examines how consumers’ perceptions of threat severity and anxiety during public health crises influence their motivation to protect themselves and, subsequently, their intentions to purchase protection insurance products. Drawing on Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), we develop an integrated framework that links cognitive risk assessments and emotional responses to financial protection decisions. Using survey data collected from 437 respondents in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic, the research model is tested through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The empirical results indicate that both perceived severity and anxiety significantly enhance protection motivation, with perceived severity exerting a stronger effect. These two antecedents also directly strengthen consumers’ intentions to purchase protection insurance. Furthermore, protection motivation partially mediates the effects of perceived severity and anxiety on purchase intention. These findings extend the application of PMT to the financial and insurance domains by demonstrating how cognitive and affective factors jointly shape demand for protection insurance in high-risk environments. The practical implications of these results for insurers include risk communication strategies, product positioning, and the development of crisis-responsive insurance solutions. Full article

In response to the challenges posed by the complex evolution of risks and the static nature of traditional assessment methods during the construction of long-span prestressed concrete (PC) continuous rigid-frame bridges, this study proposes a risk assessment framework that integrates visual perception with dynamic probabilistic reasoning. By combining an improved YOLOv8 model with the Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory–InterpretiveStructure Modeling (DEMATEL–ISM) algorithm, the framework achieves intelligent identification of risk elements and causal structure modelling. On this basis, a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) is constructed, incorporating a sliding window and forgetting factor mechanism to enable adaptive updating of conditional probability tables. Using the Tongshun River Bridge as a case study, at the identification layer, we refine onsite targets into 14 risk elements (F1–F14). For visualization, these are aggregated into four categories—“Bridge, Person, Machine, Environment”—to enhance readability. In the methodology layer, leveraging causal a priori information provided by DEMATEL–ISM, risk elements are mapped to scenario probabilities, enabling scenario-level risk assessment and grading. This establishes a traceable closed-loop process from “elements” to “scenarios.” The results demonstrate that the proposed approach effectively identifies key risk chains within the “human–machine–environment–bridge” system, revealing phase-specific peaks in human-related risks and cumulative increases in structural and environmental risks. The particle filter and Monte Carlo prediction outputs generate short-term risk evolution curves with confidence intervals, facilitating the quantitative classification of risk levels. Overall, this vision-guided dynamic risk assessment method significantly enhances the real-time responsiveness, interpretability, and foresight of bridge construction safety management and provides a promising pathway for proactive risk control in complex engineering environments. Full article

Background: Persistent postpartum pain (PPP) is a common condition after cesarean section (CS) that affects multiple domains of quality of life. PPP was defined as pain of any cause (not only related to surgery) appearing after CS and persisting for at least the three following months. The objective of this study was to calculate the incidence of PPP in women after elective CS and to analyze the associated risk factors. Methods: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study. An electronic patient-reported outcome tool (ePRO) was used to assess patients’ perception of their own health and to assess the presence and severity of pain. Results: Pain during pregnancy was reported by 66.14% of the study group. The most frequently reported localizations of pain were the lumbar spine, pubic symphysis, lower limbs, and sacrococcygeal region. The mean postoperative pain (day 0) defined by a Numeric Rating Scale was 5.44 (2.78 SD), and on the day of discharge (usually the third day after CS), it was 3.6 (2.29 SD). PPP occurred in 32.37% of women, was usually mild in nature, and had a little to moderate impact on function. Previous surgery raises the odds of PPP by 48.7% (OR = 1.487), pain during pregnancy raises the odds of PPP by 48.1% (OR = 1.481), and each additional point of the NRS on day 0 raises the odds of PPP by 16.6% (OR = 1.166). Conclusions: A higher risk of PPP could be found in women with pre-existing pain conditions, previous surgery, and severe postoperative pain. Persistent postpartum pain is not limited only to the area of surgery. Persistent back pain was reported by every second woman with PPP. Full article