Search Results (4,487)

Background/Objectives: The identification of health risk factors in children should rely not only on body mass index but also on modifiable lifestyle behaviors. Early screening for physical inactivity, poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, and chronic stress is crucial for effective preventive healthcare. The aim of this project was to develop the OWL screening tool, a protocol for the holistic assessment of key lifestyle risk factors in children aged 6–12. Methods/Rationale: The OWL tool was developed by integrating evidence-based recommendations from major health societies (WHO, EFSA, the National Sleep Foundation, and the Pediatric Endocrine Society), incorporating psychological principles, and adapting validated components from existing pediatric screening instruments. Its design prioritizes flexibility for use across various age groups and settings. The development process resulted in the 20-item OWL questionnaire, structured into four lifestyle domains: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management. Each item is a closed-ended question requiring a dichotomous (yes/no) response. One point is awarded for each health-promoting behavior endorsed, yielding a total possible score of 20. The tool is suitable for self-report by older children, parent-report for younger children, or clinician-administered review. Conclusions: By integrating sleep and stress management with traditional lifestyle factors, the OWL screening tool offers a highly relevant approach to pediatric preventive care. The findings presented here should be interpreted as a proof-of-concept, and the tool is not yet ready for clinical implementation without further rigorous evaluation. Full article

Multi-view Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provides rich information for target recognition. However, fusing features from unaligned multi-view images presents challenges for existing methods. Conventional early fusion methods often rely on image registration, a process that is computationally intensive and can introduce feature distortions. More recent registration-free approaches based on the Transformer architecture are constrained by standard position encodings, which were not designed to represent the rotational relationships among multi-view SAR data and thus can cause spatial ambiguity. To address this specific limitation of position encodings, we propose a registration-free fusion framework based on a spatially aware Transformer. The framework includes two key components: (1) a multi-view polar coordinate position encoding that models the geometric relationships of patches both within and across views in a unified coordinate system; and (2) a spatially aware self-attention mechanism that injects this geometric information as a learnable inductive bias. Experiments were conducted on our self-developed FAST-Vehicle dataset, which provides full 360° azimuthal coverage. The results show that our method outperforms both registration-based strategies and Transformer baselines that use conventional position encodings. This work indicates that for multi-view SAR fusion, explicitly modeling the underlying geometric relationships with a suitable position encoding is an effective alternative to physical image registration or the use of generic, single-image position encodings. Full article

This study explores the artistic experiences of individuals with low vision in creating clay-based artworks at the Pandawa Social Home for Blind Sensory Disabilities in Kudus Regency, Indonesia. The research used a qualitative, descriptive-exploratory design, and fifteen participants with varying levels of visual impairment were involved. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews, observations, and analysis of their clay creations. The findings reveal that clay, with its tactile qualities, serves as an effective medium for creative expression, enabling participants to explore form through touch and pressure. This process supported the development of fine motor skills, creativity, and self-confidence while fostering emotional well-being and social interaction. Participants relied on memory, imagination, and sensory perception to produce artworks that held personal and aesthetic meaning, despite differing from conventional visual standards. The study underscores the therapeutic benefits of clay art and highlights the crucial role of supportive environments—families, educators, and art communities—in nurturing creativity and enhancing the quality of life for individuals with visual impairments. The limitations of this study include its small sample size, its single-institution approach, and its focus on clay. Future research should expand the participant pool, explore other accessible art media, and examine the long-term impact on psychosocial development. Full article

Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated self-degradation process of eukaryotic cells which is critical for the elimination of cellular damage. Its capacity progressively declines with age, and this change can lead to the development of various neurodegenerative pathologies including Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). SCA1 is mainly caused by mutations in the polyglutamine region of Ataxin 1 protein. In patients affected by the disease, Purkinje neurons of the cerebellum frequently undergo demise and eventually become lost. Here we tested whether two well-characterized autophagy-enhancing small molecules, AUTEN-67 and -99, which antagonize the autophagy complex Vps34 through blocking the myotubularin-related lipid phosphatase MTMR14/EDTP, have the capacity to ameliorate SCA1 symptoms. We found that in a Drosophila model of SCA1, only AUTEN-67 exerts positive effects including improvement in climbing ability and extending life span. Based on these results, we hypothesized that the two compounds influence autophagy in the brain in a neuron-specific manner. Indeed, according to data we obtained, AUTEN-67 and -99 exhibit shared and unique functional domains in the Drosophila brain. AUTENs enhance autophagy in GABAergic and dopaminergic neurons. In addition, AUTEN-67 also affect autophagy in cholinergic neurons, while AUTEN-99 trigger the process in glutaminergic neurons and motoneurons. We also observed varying efficiencies between the two AUTENs among different subtypes of cultured hippocampal neurons of mice. These data suggest that the two compounds display neuron-specific differences in exerting autophagy-enhancing effects, and may lead to a better understanding of which types of neurons autophagy could potentially be activated to treat SCA1 in human patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: Perfectionism is a personality trait characterised by the setting of extremely high and unrealistic personal standards, accompanied by critical self-evaluations. The literature indicates that perfectionism may develop as a learned behaviour, shaped by parent–child interactions, highlighting the influence of parental, individual and environmental factors. This quantitative study examines how parental perfectionism/practices and child temperament contribute to early perfectionism. Methods: The sample comprised 32 first-grade children (9 girls) from Faro district, aged between five and seven, and their parental figures. Parental perfectionism was assessed using self-report questionnaires, while children’s characteristics were evaluated through a combination of parent-report measures, direct observation, and interview-based methods. Results: Children self-rated higher perfectionism than parents attributed, with modest cross-informant agreement for socially prescribed and negligible agreement for Self-Oriented Perfectionism. Direct parent–child associations were small and method-dependent. Coercive/intrusive parenting corresponded to higher child Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, with convergence between observed intrusiveness and self-reported coercive practices. Temperament showed modest, patterned covariation with parenting and child perfectionism. Notably, Effortful Control attenuated the association between parental and child Socially Prescribed Perfectionism, whereas Surgency/Extraversion and Negative Affect did not; no temperament dimension moderated Self-Oriented Perfectionism. Conclusions: Findings indicate a complex interplay between dispositional and environmental factors in early childhood and underscore the value of multi-informant, multi-method assessment. As a pilot study, these findings provide initial insights into the intergenerational transmission of perfectionism in small children and serve as a basis for generating hypotheses and guiding future research, emphasising longitudinal designs and diverse samples to strengthen validity and clarify intergenerational processes. Full article

Ritual prayer (ṣalāh) is one of the most central and enduring practices in Islam, widely recognized for its spiritual significance. However, its educational and formative role in shaping the Muslim’s inner self and moral identity remains insufficiently explored in contemporary scholarship. This paper aims to examine ritual prayer as a core pedagogical tool within Islamic education, focusing on its transformative power in the processes of self-purification (tazkiyah) and identity formation. The study seeks to analyze the ethical and psychological dimensions of ṣalāh, drawing on classical Islamic sources, as well as integrating insights from contemporary critical philosophy—particularly Byung-Chul Han’s Vita Contemplativa—and Islamic virtue ethics, including perspectives such as those advanced by Elizabeth Bucar. Through this framework, the paper explores how prayer shapes inner dispositions like humility, mindfulness, sincerity, patience, and submission, reinforcing both spiritual awareness and communal belonging. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology, the study engages Qur’anic verses, prophetic traditions, and traditional pedagogical literature to investigate how ṣalāh functions as a lived and repeated experience that cultivates the soul and molds ethical behavior. The discussion highlights how regular performance of prayer integrates belief with action and contributes to the formation of a reflective and morally grounded Muslim identity. This paper contributes to the field of Islamic Practical Theology by demonstrating how ritual prayer operates as a dynamic and holistic model for moral and spiritual development. It provides educators and scholars with a theoretical and applied vision for incorporating ṣalāh-based character education into Islamic curricula. Future research may explore how prayer interacts with modern lifestyles, digital spiritual practices, and intergenerational transmission of religious identity in diverse contexts. Full article

Intensive mothering is a widespread cultural ideology positioning mothers as uniquely responsible for their children’s optimal development through emotionally and cognitively intensive caregiving. A key belief within this framework is maternal essentialism, which asserts that mothers are biologically and morally best suited for parenting young children. Guided by the Family Stress–Proximal Process (FSPP) model, this study examined whether maternal essentialist beliefs act as distal sociocultural stressors influencing children’s executive functioning indirectly through parenting stress and positive parenting behaviors. Data were collected via self-report from 255 U.S. mothers of 3- to 5-year-old children. Path analyses showed that stronger maternal essentialism was associated with increased parenting stress, which predicted lower engagement in positive parenting and greater reported difficulties in children’s executive functioning. The indirect effect of maternal essentialism on children’s executive functioning was statistically significant. These findings suggest that internalized cultural ideologies, often viewed as aspirational, may inadvertently increase parenting stress and reduce caregiving quality, which is associated with diminished child cognitive outcomes. This study extends prior research by linking maternal essentialist beliefs to child developmental outcomes through specified psychological and relational processes, supporting the usefulness of the FSPP framework in understanding how sociocultural pressures influence family dynamics and child development. Full article

Background/Objectives: History of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a strong risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We sought to examine the association between perceived risk of developing T2D and relevant health behaviors in this population. Methods: We analyzed self-reported survey items and objective electronic health record data of participants in the Gestational diabetes Risk Attenuation for New Diabetes (GRAND) Study, a multisite randomized control trial testing the effectiveness of shared decision-making for women with elevated body mass index (BMI), prediabetes and history of GDM. Data on demographics, health behaviors, and perceived T2D risk were self-reported. We ran four regression models to study the association between women’s perceived risk of developing T2D and four key health behaviors: (1) physical activity, (2) consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, (3) consumption of ultra-processed foods, and (4) consumption of meals prepared outside the home. All models were adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, income, HbA1c, BMI, family history of T2D, and study arm. Results: Our sample included 242 women who on average were 41 years old (±6 years) with BMI of 32.7 (±6.9 kg/m²). Perceived risk of developing T2D was not significantly associated with physical activity, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, ultra-processed food consumption, or meals prepared outside of the home. Higher BMI was significantly associated with increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.10), but not other health behaviors. Conclusions: We found perceived risk of developing T2D was not independently associated with four key health behaviors. Women with GDM are at high risk of developing T2D and may benefit from tailored or more intensive strategies promoting health behavior changes shown to lower T2D risk. Full article

Labor shortages in seedling nurseries, particularly in manual inspection and replanting, hinder operational efficiency despite advancements in automation. This study aims to develop a cost-effective, GPU-free machine vision system to automate the detection of deficient seedlings in plug trays, specifically for small-scale nursery operations. The proposed Deficiency Detection and Replanting Positioning (DDRP) machine integrates low-cost components including an Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435, Raspberry Pi 4B, stepper motors, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). It utilizes OpenCV’s Haar cascade algorithm, HSV color space conversion, and Otsu thresholding to enable real-time image processing without GPU acceleration. The proposed Deficiency Detection and Replanting Positioning (DDRP) machine integrates low-cost components including an Intel RealSense Depth Camera D435, Raspberry Pi 4B, stepper motors, and a programmable logic controller (PLC). It utilizes OpenCV’s Haar cascade algorithm, HSV color space conversion, and Otsu thresholding to enable real-time image processing without GPU acceleration. Under controlled laboratory conditions, the DDRP-Machine achieved high detection accuracy (96.0–98.7%) and precision rates (82.14–83.78%). Benchmarking against deep-learning models such as YOLOv5x and Mask R-CNN showed comparable performance, while requiring only one-third to one-fifth of the cost and avoiding complex infrastructure. The Batch Detection (BD) mode significantly reduced processing time compared to Continuous Detection (CD), enhancing real-time applicability. The DDRP-Machine demonstrates strong potential to improve seedling inspection efficiency and reduce labor dependency in nursery operations. Its modular design and minimal hardware requirements make it a practical and scalable solution for resource-limited environments. This study offers a viable pathway for small-scale farms to adopt intelligent automation without the financial burden of high-end AI systems. Future enhancements, adaptive lighting and self-learning capabilities, will further improve field robustness and including broaden its applicability across diverse nursery conditions. Full article

This study, by analyzing processes taking place in physical education (PE) lessons, sought to identify how traits of self-confidence and intrinsic motivation developed in pupils with special educational needs (SEN). The research employed a micro-ethnographic study that was directed at the research object: opportunities to develop pupils’ traits of self-confidence and intrinsic motivation. Empirical data were gathered through video recordings of PE lessons. The sample comprised 36 first-grade pupils with severe SEN. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified themes and subthemes that revealed the development of emotional intelligence traits: self-confidence and intrinsic motivation, as well as themes and subthemes that revealed the manifestation of these traits in PE lessons. The study found that constructive dialogic interaction—emphasizing emotional support and strength-oriented, reciprocal teacher–pupil reflection—was the key factor in developing both self-confidence and intrinsic motivation. The study revealed distinctive features of self-confidence (demonstration of self-efficacy, positive self-assessment, reflection on the perception of strengths) and intrinsic motivation (choosing challenging tasks, determination and persistence, the need to improve skills and achieve better results). The empirical findings reflected universal methods for cultivating emotional intelligence traits that could be transferred to other educational contexts. The article presents a small part of the dissertation research data. Full article

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide, with proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) playing a central role in its pathogenesis. Under hyperglycemic conditions, PTECs drive a pathological triad of inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Recent advances reveal that these processes interact synergistically to form a self-perpetuating vicious cycle, rather than operating in isolation. This review systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying this crosstalk in PTECs. Hyperglycemia induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), which collectively activate key inflammatory pathways (NF-κB, NLRP3, cGAS-STING). The resulting inflammatory milieu triggers apoptosis via death receptor and mitochondrial pathways, while apoptotic cells release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that further amplify inflammation. Concurrently, fibrogenic signaling (TGF-β1/Smad, Hippo-YAP/TAZ) promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Crucially, the resulting fibrotic microenvironment reciprocally exacerbates inflammation and apoptosis through mechanical stress and hypoxia. Quantitative data from preclinical and clinical studies are integrated to underscore the magnitude of these effects. Current therapeutic strategies are evolving toward multi-target interventions against this pathological network. We contrast the paradigm of monotargeted agents (e.g., Finerenone, SGLT2 inhibitors), which offer high specificity, with that of multi-targeted natural product-based formulations (e.g., Huangkui capsule, Astragaloside IV), which provide synergistic multi-pathway modulation. Emerging approaches (metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic regulation, mechanobiological signaling) hold promise for reversing fibrosis. Future directions include leveraging single-cell technologies to decipher PTEC heterogeneity and developing kidney-targeted drug delivery systems. We conclude that disrupting the inflammation–apoptosis–fibrosis vicious cycle in PTECs is central to developing next-generation therapies for DN. Full article

Smart devices and emerging technologies are highly popular devices and technologies that considerably improve our daily living by reducing or replacing human workforces, treating disease, monitoring healthcare, enhancing service performance, improving quality, and protecting the natural environment, and promoting non-gas emissions, sustainable working, green technologies, and renewable energy. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have recently emerged as a type of advanced energy harvesting technology that is simple, green, renewable, flexible, and endurable as an energy resource. High-performance TENGs, denoted as advanced TENGs, have potential for use in many practical applications such as in self-powered sensors and sources, portable electric devices, power grid penetration, monitoring manufacturing processes for quality control, and in medical and healthcare applications that meet the criteria for smart devices and emerging technologies. Advanced TENGs are used as highly efficient energy harvesters that can convert many types of wasted mechanical energy into the electric energy used in a range of practical applications in our daily lives. This article reviews recently advanced TENGs and their potential for use with smart devices and emerging technology applications. The work encourages and strengthens motivation to develop new smart devices and emerging technologies to serve us in many fields of our daily living. When TENGs are introduced into smart devices and emerging technologies, they can be applied in a variety of practical applications such as the food processing industry, information and communication technology, agriculture, construction, transportation, marine technology, the energy sector, mechanical processing, manufacturing, self-powered sensors, Industry 4.0, drug safety, and robotics due to their sustainable and renewable energy, light weight, cost effectiveness, flexibility, and self-powered portable energy sources. Their advantages, disadvantages, and solutions are also discussed for further research. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) express features of parental cells and are fundamental in modulating the crosstalk between cancer cells and their environment. Increasing evidence suggests that EVs have a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, cancer development, and drug resistance. EVs are also involved in controlling the communication between hematopoietic stem cells and the surrounding microenvironment in the bone marrow (BM), during several processes such as self-renewal, mobilization, and lineage differentiation. Proteins expressed in cancer cell-derived EVs can be useful to further understand the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell fate, a fundamental mechanism in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Furthermore, EVs are implicated in transmitting drug-resistance mechanisms in solid and not-solid cancer types. Here, using a proteomic approach, we analyze and validate the protein profile of EVs from three AML cell lines with different genotypes, namely OCI-AML-2, OCI-AML-3, and HL-60. The majority of the identified proteins were significantly enriched in the Gene Ontology category ‘Extracellular Exosome’. Network model analysis of EV proteins revealed several significantly modulated pathways, including inflammation activation and metastatic processes in AML cell-derived EVs. The EVs proteomic profiling allows us to identify the EVs-associated molecules and pathways that could impact cancer progression and drug resistance. Full article

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents, highlighting the need for effective suicide prevention strategies. Safety planning is a best-practice intervention that has recently shifted toward smartphone-based formats. This study explored stakeholder perspectives (adolescents, parents, practitioners) and described the development of an age-tailored app. A qualitative study was conducted in Germany (2023–2024) with focus groups involving adolescents (n = 7), parents (n = 4), and practitioners (n = 4). Adolescents (14–21 years) were eligible if they had received inpatient treatment, experienced suicidal thoughts within the past 24 months, and had prior experience with safety planning. Parents and practitioners had experience or expertise with suicidality among adolescents. Data were analyzed using Kuckartz’s qualitative content analysis. App development was based, among other things, on insights from focus groups and pertinent theories. Stakeholders expressed differing needs regarding app content, settings, and adjustability. The developed emira-app includes an interactive safety plan to support users in self-managing emotional crises, along with additional features (e.g., digital HopeBox and diary) to promote integration into users’ daily routines. This multi-component safety planning app was specifically developed for adolescents, and its participatory development process allowed an intensive exploration of key stakeholders’ perspectives. Full article

Compared with other fossil energy sources, natural gas is characterized by compressibility, low energy density, high storage costs, and imbalanced usage. Natural gas pipeline supply systems possess unique attributes such as closed transportation and a highly integrated upstream, midstream, and downstream structure. Moreover, pipelines are almost the only economical means of onshore natural gas transportation. Given that the upstream of the pipeline features multi-entity and multi-channel supply including natural gas, coal-to-gas, and LNG vaporized gas, while the downstream presents a competitive landscape with multi-market and multi-user segments (e.g., urban residents, factories, power plants, and vehicles), there is an urgent social demand for non-discriminatory and fair opening of natural gas pipeline network infrastructure to third-party entities. However, after the fair opening of natural gas pipeline networks, the original “point-to-point” transaction model will be replaced by market-driven behaviors, making the verification and allocation of gas transmission capacity a key operational issue. Currently, neither pipeline operators nor government regulatory authorities have issued corresponding rules, regulations, or evaluation plans. To address this, this paper proposes a multi-dimensional quantitative evaluation model based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), integrating both commercial and technical indicators. The model comprehensively considers six indicators: pipeline transportation fees, pipeline gas line pack, maximum gas storage capacity, pipeline pressure drop, energy consumption, and user satisfaction and constructs a quantitative evaluation system. Through the consistency check of the judgment matrix (CR = 0.06213 < 0.1), the weights of the respective indicators are determined as follows: 0.2584, 0.2054, 0.1419, 0.1166, 0.1419, and 0.1357. The specific score of each indicator is determined based on the deviation between each evaluation indicator and the theoretical optimal value under different gas volume allocation schemes. Combined with the weight proportion, the total score of each gas volume allocation scheme is finally calculated, thereby obtaining the recommended gas volume allocation scheme. The evaluation model was applied to a practical pipeline project. The evaluation results show that the AHP-based evaluation model can effectively quantify the advantages and disadvantages of different gas volume allocation schemes. Notably, the gas volume allocation scheme under normal operating conditions is not the optimal one; instead, it ranks last according to the scores, with a score 0.7 points lower than that of the optimal scheme. In addition, to facilitate rapid decision-making for gas volume allocation schemes, this paper designs a program using HTML and develops a gas volume allocation evaluation program with JavaScript based on the established model. This self-developed program has the function of automatically generating scheme scores once the proposed gas volume allocation for each station is input, providing a decision support tool for pipeline operators, shippers, and regulatory authorities. The evaluation model provides a theoretical and methodological basis for the dynamic optimization of natural gas pipeline gas volume allocation schemes under the fair opening model. It is expected to, on the one hand, provide a reference for transactions between pipeline network companies and shippers, and on the other hand, offer insights for regulatory authorities to further formulate detailed and fair gas transmission capacity transaction methods. Full article