Search Results (7,914)

With the increasing demand for building structures with diversified functions driven by social development, the necessity to cope with more extreme and complex service environments (involving earthquakes, marine corrosion, high temperatures, and droughts) is imposing higher strength and toughness requirements on building structures [...] Full article

Contemporary architecture is undergoing a transformation from the modernist techno-functional paradigm towards practices that integrate technology with humanistic, cultural, and environmental values. Biophilia—understood as the innate human need for contact with nature—is becoming an important design category that supports health, well-being, and ecological awareness, yet it can also convey additional narratives. In this context, immersion plays a significant role: it is a process of deep engagement of the user with space, involving the senses, emotions, and imagination, while simultaneously fostering relationships between humans and their surroundings. The concept of immersiveness, originating in art theory and digital media studies, is now applied in architecture as a tool for creating spatial narratives and cultural experiences. Biophilic architecture employs immersive strategies to transform buildings into environments that support sensory, behavioural, and social practices. This article analyses selected examples of such projects (including the Rooftop Garden—Warsaw University Library, Musée du quai Branly, and apartment buildings Bosco Verticale) and proposes a Multi-criteria Method for Assessing Architectural Immersiveness (MMAAI). The findings indicate that the integration of nature, technology, and spatial narrative enables architecture to act as a mediator between humans and the environment, generating new qualities of spatial experience in the Anthropocene epoch. Full article

In this research, an innovative, integrative method is applied, which not only links media discourse and statutory planning documents but also involves both quantitative and qualitative analysis. By going beyond the traditional extreme of either policy review or text-based SETS frameworks, this study becomes the pioneer of a dual-coded, matrix-driven approach, which is capable of measuring policy–implementation gaps and empirically revealing the impact of media framing on disaster management outcomes. The 29 October 2024 Valencia flood, which claimed over 229 lives, highlights critical shortcomings in the region’s flood management policies. This study evaluates media and institutional sources to examine how public discourse aligns with post-flood management strategies. It focuses on Valencia’s statutory flood management plan, the “Pla d’acció territorial de caràcter sectorial sobre prevenció del risc d’inundació a la Comunitat Valenciana” (“Regional Action Plan for Flood Risk Prevention,” PATRICOVA) and its limited integration with the Socio–Ecological–Technological Systems (SETS) framework, which we identify as a central weakness. By analyzing Spanish media coverage, particularly from sources such as El País, ABC, and La Vanguardia, alongside government policy documents, the study reveals a gap between theoretical flood risk planning and practical disaster response. Our keyword-based text mining of leading newspapers highlights the neglect of social, ecological, and technological interactions. While PATRICOVA emphasizes nature protection and technological infrastructure, it overlooks critical societal dimensions and climate adaptation scenarios. Media analysis reveals significant failures at the SETS interfaces, especially in early warning systems, intergovernmental coordination, and community preparedness. Full article

This research examines how perceived social support shapes the legal motivation of Chinese university students by unraveling the underlying psychological pathways. Integrating the relational legal socialization framework with self-determination theory, we test a moderated mediation model in which subjective social support, comprising emotional and informational resources from families, peers, and institutions, exerts both a direct effect on legal motivation and an indirect effect through core self-evaluation, which is characterized by stable, positive self-beliefs. Additionally, we investigate the role of objective social support, defined as concrete resources and formal assistance, in moderating the link between subjective support and core self-evaluation. Utilizing survey responses from 365 undergraduates across mainland China, mediation and moderated mediation analyses with bootstrapped confidence intervals demonstrate that subjective support significantly enhances legal motivation, partially via improvements in core self-evaluation. Crucially, the mediating influence of core self-evaluation is stronger when objective support is high, confirming the moderation hypothesis. These findings enrich legal socialization theory by bridging individual psychological processes with behavioral outcomes in a Chinese context and underscore the importance of simultaneously cultivating perceived support experiences and strengthening formal support structures to foster legal motivation and compliance among college students. Full article

Academic failure and social inequalities are becoming more prevalent in schools. While knowledge has evolved and society has undergone significant transformation, schools have largely remained structured around a uniform model applied indiscriminately to all. In Portugal, efforts were made to initiate change through the conceptualisation and implementation of innovation plans to alter the prevailing grammar of schooling, prompting an inquiry into whether these initiatives yielded the intended outcomes. To this end, a case study was conducted in two such schools, aiming to capture the perspectives, ideas, and perceptions of various stakeholders: students and teachers through questionnaires, coordinating teachers via narrative accounts, and school leaders through semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that the contexts of implementation, the scale of the initiative, and the number of schools involved significantly influence both practices and leadership outcomes. Nonetheless, despite these constraints, the innovation plans facilitated the emergence of more collaborative dynamics and the creation of more meaningful learning environments, wherein students assumed a more active role in their educational processes. The results further indicate that these innovation plans encountered obstacles rooted in entrenched professional and organisational cultures, which hindered profound changes in the structuring of teaching and learning practices. Full article

Background: Aging populations make expanded workforce participation among older adults an economic and public health priority. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the growth of virtual work, providing new opportunities for healthy aging in the workplace through increased flexibility and less physical strain. However, digital exclusion, ergonomically challenging tasks, and social isolation can limit these opportunities for older populations. Objective: This scoping review aimed to synthesize interdisciplinary research on the relationship between remote work and labor force participation among adults aged 45 years and older, focusing on health-related outcomes, barriers, and facilitators. Methods: Following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search across seven databases for peer-reviewed and gray literature published between 2000 and 2025. Of 2108 records screened, 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a standardized charting tool and analyzed thematically. Results: Most studies were published after 2020 and originated in North America (45%) and Europe (40%). Core barriers included digital exclusion, ageism, and adverse ergonomic environments. Facilitators involved flexible working hours, a supportive organizational environment, and digital skills. Health-related outcomes such as stress reduction and improved well-being were commonly reported. However, only 18% of studies assessed policy effects, and very few examined intersectionality (e.g., gender, socioeconomic status). Conclusions: Remote and flexible work options can improve the health and participation of older adults in the workforce, but technology, infrastructure, and social barriers remain. Age-inclusive policies, digital equity efforts, and inclusive workplace practices are necessary to maximize the benefits of remote arrangements for aging populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Eating disorders (EDs) in adolescents are increasingly prevalent. In South Tyrol, a bilingual region in Northern Italy, not only actual gender and age prevalences can be compared to screening rates, but even the comparability of screening tools across languages can be examined. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis integrated clinical registry data with representative, online school-recruited adolescents (11 to 17) self-reports. 166 clinically diagnosed cases and 1465 screened adolescents (1246 German, 219 Italian), were examined. The SCOFF questionnaire (cutoff ≥ 2 for German and ≥3 for Italian), body mass index, body image perception, psychosocial and lifestyle indicators in proxy and self-reports were examined using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: The clinical dataset for 2024 has a prevalence rate of 0.4%. The SCOFF screening tool identified symptomatic cases in 10.6%, and an age-increasing trend among females. The overall SCOFF-prevalence did not differ between language versions, although responses to individual items varied significantly. Predictors of ED included body image, psychosomatic complaints, problematic social media use, and low social support, with differences between genders. Parents tended to underestimate their children’s perception of being “too thick.” Conclusions: In early adolescence, preventive strategies are needed and targeted interventions in late adolescence. For early detection and intervention, gender-sensitive prevention and active parental involvement is needed. The SCOFF questionnaire demonstrates utility across both languages, but bilingual comparison highlights the need for culturally adapted tools and cross-language validation. Full article

Technocracy refers to any political–social–economic system that is governed and managed using purportedly objective scientific and technical principles, and in which ultimate power and authority rests with technical and scientific experts. The concept had its initial origins in the early decades of the Industrial Revolution (with antecedents stretching back to the rationalism of ancient Greece and, later, the Enlightenment in the West). Henri Saint-Simon in early 19th century France was the earliest exponent of a technocratic system which involved overall political and economic government by industrialists. Technocracy was formally coined as a term in the early 20th century in the United States in the context of a specific intellectual movement under the same name which laid out a more detailed system of economic and social management by industrialists and scientists that supposedly would guarantee maximum efficiency in production, consumption and distribution without the self-defeating tendencies of political systems of the time, either democratic or authoritarian. Technocracy is currently used to refer to any policy or governmental arrangement that purportedly emphasizes technical criteria above non-technical values in policy, planning and public decision-making, and which gives significant authority to experts. Singapore is often referred to as a leading example of such an approach. Various controversies have arisen around technocracy, especially its potential incompatibility with democracy and social values that are not easily translated into technical terms. There is also debate about how feasible a genuine technocracy actually is in practice. Full article

This study used Q methodology to explore and categorise caregivers’ subjective perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ‘virtual human’ (AVH) devices in caring for older adults. We derived 123 initial statements from literature and focus groups and narrowed them to 34 statements as the final Q sample. Seventeen caregivers, nurses, and social workers completed the Q-sorting procedure. Using principal component analysis and Varimax rotation in Ken-Q, we identified three perception types: Active Acceptors, who emphasise the devices’ practical utility in patient communication; Improvement Seekers, who conditionally accept the technology while seeking greater accuracy and effectiveness; and Emotional Support Seekers, who view the device as a tool for emotional relief and psychological support. These findings suggest that technology acceptance in caregiving extends beyond functional utility. It also involves trust, affective experience, and interpersonal interaction. This study integrates multiple frameworks, including the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Science and Technology Studies (STS), and Human–Machine Communication (HMC) theory, to provide a multifaceted understanding of caregivers’ acceptance of AI technology. The results offer valuable implications for designing user-centred AI care devices and enhanced emotional and communicative functions. Full article

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent vaginal infection predominantly attributed to Candida albicans. A considerable proportion of women experience more than three episodes of VVC annually, a condition referred to as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). It is estimated that RVVC affects more than 130 million women globally each year and has a substantial negative impact on their quality of life, resulting in physical discomfort, psychological distress, and social stigma. Nevertheless, not all individuals who develop VVC progress to RVVC, suggesting that genetic variation may play a critical role in host susceptibility. The present review aims to evaluate the associations between genetic predispositions—specifically polymorphisms in Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2, TLR4)—and RVVC. TLRs are essential for detecting pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and initiating immune responses. During RVVC episodes, Candida undergoes a reversible transition from the yeast form to the hyphal form, resulting in alterations in surface PAMPs, which are subsequently recognized by innate immune receptors expressed on vaginal epithelial cells. Polymorphisms in these receptors may modulate individual susceptibility to RVVC. This review examines the literature on the impact of specific polymorphisms in TLR2 and TLR4 on fungal recognition and infection. Furthermore, the interactions between TLRs and other elements of the innate immune system have also been explored. A deeper understanding of how genetic variability in immune receptors influences infection susceptibility could pave the way for personalized therapeutic strategies for RVVC, potentially involving immunomodulatory agents or antifungal treatments tailored to an individual’s genetic profile. Full article

Background/Objectives: Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights, with migrant women being among the most affected groups. This study aimed to explore the experiences of health, legal, and social professionals involved in the care of migrant women victims of trafficking and sexual violence in southern Spain. Methods: A qualitative design was applied, using semi-structured interviews with 47 professionals from hospitals, NGOs, and legal institutions. Results: The analysis identified common challenges such as language barriers, limited resources, and the absence of standardized protocols. Health professionals highlighted the need for continuous training and culturally sensitive care; legal professionals emphasized flexibility in procedures and the importance of confidential interviews for early detection; and social workers stressed the value of coordinated action across sectors. Conclusions: The findings underline the need for an integrated approach that combines health, social, and legal responses in order to improve protection and support for migrant women victims of trafficking. Full article

Background/Objectives: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder typically characterized by impaired social communication. Previous reports have postulated gut microbiota to be an important non-genetic factor affecting ASD-like phenotypes in mice, as germ-free (GF) mice show impaired social communication. Results: In this study, we identified hippuric acid (HA) as a metabolite generated via a gut microbiome-dependent mechanism that plays a role in the acquisition of social behavior during mouse development. We discovered that oral or intraperitoneal HA administration to GF mice normalizes their social behavior. Furthermore, HA administration restored oxytocin expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and secretin expression in the subfornical organ, suggesting that HA may activate the secretin–oxytocin system to influence the social behavior of mice. Conclusions: These findings indicate that HA may serve as an important gut microbiome-dependent mediator affecting the brain mechanisms involved in regulating social behavior. Full article

Although service firms recognize the significance of frontline employees’ emotional labor in enhancing perceived service quality and sustaining competitive advantage, the theoretical mechanisms underlying this relationship remain insufficiently understood. Drawing on the Emotions as Social Information Model (EASI), this study proposed that frontline employees’ emotional labor influences customer perceived service quality through two distinct pathways: emotional contagion and inferential processing. Moreover, the relative strength of these two pathways is contingent upon customer involvement. Using dyadic data collected from frontline employees and customers in the banking sector, the results indicated the following: frontline employees’ different emotional labor strategies (deep acting and surface acting) exerted significant influence on perceived service quality through different pathways. Specifically, surface acting impacted service quality solely through emotional contagion process (via customers’ positive affect). Whereas deep acting influenced service quality through both emotional contagion (via customers’ positive affect) and inferential processing (via customer participation). Additionally, customer involvement moderated the relationship between deep acting and customer participation (strengthening the positive association), as well as the link between surface acting and customers’ positive affect (attenuating the negative association). Full article

Background: Celiac disease (CeD) is a chronic, immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. While a lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) remains the cornerstone of treatment, inadequate follow-up can lead to persistent symptoms, nutritional deficiencies, and long-term complications. Aim: This narrative review summarizes best practices in celiac disease follow-up, with emphasis on multidisciplinary, nutritional, clinical, and preventive care strategies to optimize long-term outcomes. Main Findings: High-quality follow-up requires coordinated care involving gastroenterologists, dietitians, primary care providers, and other specialists. Nutritional challenges of the GFD include high cost, limited fortification, suboptimal nutrient content, and increased risk of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Patients also face psychosocial and behavioral burdens such as anxiety, social isolation, and disordered eating. Evidence-based strategies for follow-up include structured clinical and serologic monitoring, laboratory assessments, bone health evaluation, cancer risk reduction, and preventive care. Novel tools such as gluten immunogenic peptide testing, digital health platforms, and artificial intelligence are emerging as adjuncts to clinical management. Implications: Structured, patient-centered follow-up that integrates medical, nutritional, and psychosocial dimensions is essential to achieving mucosal healing, maintaining long-term health, and improving quality of life in individuals with CeD. Full article

Digital tools and platforms offer significant potential to address critical gaps in market access, credit availability, and agricultural knowledge, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas. This is especially relevant in regions like Sudan, where these opportunities remain largely underexplored. By providing real-time market information, facilitating financial access, and offering essential agricultural training, these tools can help bridge traditional barriers, improve decision-making capabilities, and contribute to sustainable agriculture. Such advancements strengthen economic resilience and promote equity in agriculture, enabling these farmers to drive innovation and sustainability in the industry. Our study was conducted in Omdurman’s Algamwai area during 2022 and 2023, and involved interviews with 100 female farmers. It explored the intersection of gender, technology, and socioeconomic equity. It highlighted how technological advancements can enhance agricultural productivity and market access while addressing challenges such as limited digital literacy and socioeconomic constraints. Despite structural inequalities—including restricted land ownership (45%), limited credit access (5%), and inadequate extension services—female farmers are driving innovation and sustainability by adopting sustainable practices, enhancing food security, and building community resilience. Digital urban agriculture provides income opportunities (76% rely on it) and serves as a platform for equitable participation. From a social science perspective, this research underscores the need to address systemic disparities to unlock the full potential of farmers. Policies ensuring equitable access to resources, credit, and technology are essential for fostering participation and maximizing the socio-economic benefits of digital agriculture in Sudan and similar contexts. Full article