Search Results (2,768)

Background: Urban disasters expose persistent gaps in the operational picture and timely decision-making for response teams, which require user-centred systems that connect analysis to action. This study proposes and formatively validates an integrated framework that couples digital twins and augmented reality for humanitarian logistics. Methods: A mixed methods design combined a structured literature synthesis with a practitioner survey across architecture, engineering, planning, BIM, and construction to assess perceived value and adoption conditions. Results: Findings indicate that practitioners prioritised digital twins for enhancing situational awareness (71.4%) and augmented reality for providing real-time information overlays (64.3%). A majority judged that integrating these technologies would yield substantial improvements in disaster response (67.9%), despite implementation challenges. Conclusions: The framework links live state estimation and short-horizon simulation to role-specific, in-scene AR cues, with the aim of reducing decision latency and improving coordination. Adoption depends primarily on human and organisational factors, including user accessibility, preparation needs, and clear governance. These results suggest a viable pathway to operationalise the bridge between analysis and field action and outline priorities for pilot evaluation. Full article

This observational retrospective study aimed to examine the association between team behaviour during periods of one-goal leads and subsequent match outcomes while accounting for team level and match location. All matches (n = 380) of the English Premier League (EPL) during the season 2023/24 were analyzed. Team behaviour was evaluated by shots every 10 min during a one-goal lead (SP10MDOGL), a time-normalized indicator of offensive activity that reflects a team’s strategic orientation while protecting a narrow lead. Mixed effects multinomial logistic regression was used to establish the association between SP10MDOGL and the match outcome. Results indicated that increased SP10MDOGL was strongly associated with a higher likelihood of both drawing (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29–4.33; Cohen’s d (d) = 0.47) and winning (OR = 3.38; 95%CI = 1.93–5.92; d = 0.67) compared to losing. This association remained consistent across high-, intermediate-, and low-level teams regardless of whether they played at home or away. These findings suggest that maintaining an offensive approach through an increased number of shots during a one-goal lead is associated with a higher likelihood of securing positive match outcomes within the elite-level football context, such as the EPL. Soccer coaches should consider implementing proactive offensive strategies when protecting a narrow lead, regardless of their team level and match location. Full article

Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially in distributed infrastructures where systems are deeply interconnected. To address this, we developed a framework that automates how organizations discover their digital assets and assess which ones are the most at risk. The approach integrates diverse public information sources, including WHOIS records, DNS data, and SSL certificates, into a unified analysis pipeline without relying on intrusive probing. For risk scoring we applied Gradient Boosted Decision Trees, which proved more robust with messy real-world data than other models we tested. DBSCAN clustering was used to detect unusual exposure patterns across assets. In validation on organizational data, the framework achieved 93.3% accuracy in detecting known vulnerabilities and an F1-score of 0.92 for asset classification. More importantly, security teams spent about 58% less time on manual triage and false alarm handling. The system also demonstrated reasonable scalability, indicating that automated OSINT analysis can provide a practical and resource-efficient way for organizations to maintain visibility over their attack surface. Full article

Background: Authentic leadership is characterized by the authenticity and self-awareness of the leader, who acts with transparency and promotes positive outcomes in clinical practice and team management. In Portugal, there isn’t a tool available to assess nurses’ perceptions of authentic leadership in nursing. This study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Authentic Nurse Leadership Questionnaire (ANLQ) for the Portuguese context and to evaluate its psychometric properties. This instrument assesses nurses’ perceptions of the authentic leadership exercised by their leader. Methods: A methodological, descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation process followed the recommendations of internationally recognized guidelines. The Authentic Nurse Leadership Scale—Portuguese version (ANLS-PT) was administered to a sample of 406 nurses from various functional units in three primary healthcare centers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques were used. Reliability was established through a test–retest administration to 22 nurses at two different times, with a two-week interval. The internal consistency of the scale was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Results: An instrument with 29 items and 3 dimensions was obtained, explaining 68.3% of the total variance. The identified dimensions were Caring and Decision-Making, Self-Awareness, and Relational Integrity and Ethics. The overall instrument showed an internal consistency of 0.97. Conclusions: The ANLS-PT proved to be a valid, reliable, and robust tool for assessing authentic leadership in the Portuguese cultural context and can be used in various nursing practice contexts. Full article

Introduction: Concussions are a growing concern in professional football due to their potential short- and long-term neurological consequences. Despite increasing global awareness, data on the epidemiology and clinical management of concussions in Portuguese football remain scarce. This preliminary exploratory study aimed to characterize the incidence, mechanisms, symptomatology, and medical response to concussions in Portugal’s Professional Football Leagues during the 2023/2024 season, based on reported cases. Methods: A retrospective observational analysis was conducted on head injuries reported by club medical teams during official matches in Liga Portugal First and Second Leagues. Collected variables included player position, time of injury, mechanism, symptoms, medical interventions and hospital referral. Results: Only six concussions were reported during official matches, with an overall incidence of 0.60 per 1000 player-hours. Most occurred in defenders, primarily due to head-to-head collisions, followed by ball impact, falls, and maxillofacial trauma. Injuries were more frequent during the final third of matches. Common symptoms included loss of consciousness, headache, and amnesia. Half of the players were referred to hospital care and underwent cranial CT scans. Among all variables analyzed, a statistically significant association was found between mechanism of injury and occurrence of amnesia (p = 0.014), with non-head-to-head impacts more frequently associated with amnesia. However, given the extremely limited sample size, this finding should be interpreted with extreme caution and requires replication in larger cohorts. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that defenders face a higher risk of head injuries, particularly from head-to-head impacts occurring late in matches. The prevalence of severe symptoms and the potential association between non-head-to-head impacts and amnesia highlight the need for more robust injury surveillance systems and underscore the importance of improved sideline assessment and return-to-play protocols. The findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive, standardized reporting mechanisms for concussions. Further research should explore long-term neurological effects and the effectiveness of preventive measures such as rule modifications, protective measures, and enhanced concussion management protocols, supported by more extensive and systematically collected data. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) significantly alters glucose metabolism, yet managing glucose variability in patients undergoing bariatric surgery remains challenging. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) offers real-time insights into glucose fluctuations and may support long-term metabolic management in this population. This case highlights the utility of CGM in identifying postprandial glycemic variability and guiding dietary adjustments. Case Presentation: A 45-year-old female, 14 years post-RYGB, presented with symptoms including postprandial fatigue, nocturnal cravings, and unexplained weight gain, despite adherence to nutritional guidelines. Her BMI had decreased from 52 kg/m² (pre-surgery) to 29 kg/m². She was provided with a CGM device (FreeStyle Libre 3) by the clinical team and instructed to monitor glucose without modifying her routine initially. Data revealed significant glycemic variability, with peaks up to 220 mg/dL and hypoglycemic dips to 45 mg/dL. Based on this, she adjusted her diet by reducing non-complex carbohydrates and increasing vegetables, proteins, and complex carbohydrates. Within two weeks, her symptoms improved, including better sleep and energy levels, accompanied by a 3 kg weight loss following dietary adjustments informed by CGM feedback. Conclusions: This case suggests how CGM can empower patients having undergone bariatric surgery to manage glucose fluctuations through informed self-management. The patient’s ability to identify and address glucose variability without formal intervention highlights CGM’s potential as a supportive tool in long-term care. While further studies are needed, this case suggests CGM may benefit similar patients experiencing postprandial symptoms or weight regain after bariatric surgery. Full article

Fifty-two horses aged >15 years, diagnosed with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and displaying hypertrichosis were recruited via an online survey of PPID horse owners. From mid-December, group T (n = 29) wore Equilume^® light masks extending photoperiod to 15 h daily, while group C1 (n = 23) remained under natural photoperiod. As 85% (44/52) of recruited study horses received pergolide medication, a second unmedicated PPID research herd (C2; n = 17) was recruited and remained under natural photoperiod. Hair coat samples, shedding and body condition scores were collected monthly by owners for 13 months and analysed by the research team. Data related to management, coat condition and PPID clinical signs were collected using bimonthly questionnaires (BMQ). Time (p < 0.001), group (p = 0.025) and time-by-group interaction (p = 0.005) affected hair length. Group differences were attributable to shorter hair lengths in C2, and no differences in hair length occurred between T and C1 (p > 0.05). Time affected shedding scores (p < 0.001) which was advanced by one month in T (p < 0.05). In group T, BMQ responses showed improved coat condition in April (p = 0.035), decreased fat coverage in April and June (p < 0.05), and increased energy/alertness in February (p = 0.022). Improvements in coat condition (p = 0.043), clinical signs of PPID (p = 0.018), and general quality of life (p = 0.035) were reported in T only in a final study questionnaire. Blue light treatment merits further investigation as a complementary treatment for PPID. Full article

Smart cities are an emerging technology that is receiving new ethical attention due to recent advancements in artificial intelligence. This paper provides an overview of smart city ethics while simultaneously performing novel theorization about the definition of smart cities and the complicated relationship between (smart) cities, ethics, and politics. We respond to these ethical issues by providing an innovative representation of the agent-deed-consequence (ADC) model in symbolic terms through deontic logic. The ADC model operationalizes human moral intuitions underpinning virtue ethics, deontology, and utilitarianism. With the ADC model made symbolically representable, human moral intuitions can be built into the algorithms that govern autonomous vehicles, social robots in healthcare settings, and smart city projects. Once the paper has introduced the ADC model and its symbolic representation through deontic logic, it demonstrates the ADC model’s promise for algorithmic ethical decision-making in four dimensions of smart city ethics, using examples relating to public safety and waste management. We particularly emphasize ADC-enhanced ethical decision-making in (economic and social) sustainability by advancing an understanding of smart cities and human-AI teams (HAIT) as group agents. The ADC model has significant merit in algorithmic ethical decision-making, especially through its elucidation in deontic logic. Algorithmic ethical decision-making, if structured by the ADC model, successfully addresses a significant portion of the perennial questions in smart city ethics, and smart cities built with the ADC model may in fact be a significant step toward resolving important social dilemmas of our time. Full article

This study examines the feasibility of applying eye tracking as a rigorous method for assessing user experience in web design. A controlled experiment was conducted with 102 participants, who interacted with both guideline-compliant websites and systematically degraded variants violating specific principles of Material Design 2. Eleven websites were presented in A/B conditions with modifications targeting three design dimensions: contrast, link clarity, and iconography. Eye-tracking indicators—time to first fixation, fixation duration, fixation count, and time to first click—are examined in conjunction with subjective ratings and expert assessments. Mixed-effects models are employed to ensure robust statistical inference. The results demonstrate that reduced contrast and unclear links consistently impair user performance and increase search effort, whereas the influence of icons is more context-dependent. The study contributes by quantifying the usability costs of guideline deviations and by validating a triangulated evaluation framework that combines objective, subjective, and expert data. From a practical perspective, the findings support the integration of eye tracking into A/B testing and guideline validation, providing design teams with empirical evidence to inform and prioritize improvements in user interfaces. Full article

Blackground: Football performance analysis has grown rapidly in recent years, with increasing interest in advanced metrics to more accurately evaluate both individual and team performance. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of the Expected Shots Impact Timing (xSIT) metric as an indicator of shooting performance in English professional football, specifically in the men’s Premier League (PL) and the Women’s Super League (WSL). Methods: A total of 9831 shots from the PL (2015/16 season) and 3219 shots from the WSL (2020/21 season) were analyzed. Data were obtained from publicly accessible football databases. The variables examined included goals, Possession Value (PV), Expected Goals (xG), Expected Goals on Target (xGOT), and xSIT. All variables were normalized per match (90 min). Descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and comparative analyses between leagues. Results: The WSL exhibited a significantly higher PV than the PL (p < 0.001), whereas the remaining metrics showed no significant differences between leagues (p > 0.05). Moreover, in the WSL, all performance indicators displayed very strong correlations with goals, while in the PL, similarly strong associations were observed, except for PV, which showed only a weak relationship. Conclusions: the xSIT metric, as an indicator of shooting performance, may be regarded as an influential factor in determining match outcomes across both leagues. Full article

Arbitrary zones are commonly used to describe and monitor external load (EL) during training and competitions. However, in recent years, relative speed zones have gained interest as they allow a more detailed description of the demands of each individual player, with their benefits largely unknown. This study aimed to (i) identify differences in EL methodological approaches using arbitrary and relative running speed zones; (ii) examine the effect of the methodological approaches to identify fast and slow basketball players during competition and training; and (iii) determine the effect of the season stage on the methodological approaches. Twelve players from a Spanish fourth-division basketball team were observed for a full season of matches and training using inertial devices with ultra-wideband indoor tracking technology and micro-sensors. Relative velocity zones were based on the maximum velocity achieved during each match quarter and were retrospectively recalculated into four zones. A linear mixed model (LMM) compared fast and slow players based on speed profiles between arbitrary and relative thresholds and during each competition stage. All players surpassed peak speeds of 24 km·h⁻¹ during the season, exceeding typical values reported in elite basketball (20–24.5 km·h⁻¹). Arbitrary thresholds produced greater distances in high-speed running (Zones 3 and 4) and yielded lower values in low-speed activity (Zone 1), with differences of ~100 m and ~120–250 m, respectively (p < 0.001), particularly for fast-profile players. These discrepancies were consistent across most stages of the season, although relative zones better captured variations in Zone 1 across time. Training sessions also elicited +8.7% to +40.7% greater distances > 18 km·h⁻¹ compared to matches. The speed zone methodology substantially influenced EL estimates and affected how player EL was interpreted across time. Arbitrary and relative approaches offer unique applications, with coaches and sport scientists encouraged to be aware that using a one-size-fits-all approach may lead to misrepresentation of individual player demands, especially when tracking changes in performance or managing fatigue throughout a competitive season. Full article

Artificial intelligence tools are quickly being applied in many areas of science, including learning sciences. Learning requires various types of thinking, sustained by distinct sets of neural networks in the brain. Labelling these systems gives us tools to manage them. This paper presents a pilot application of Large Language Models (LLMs) to physics textbook analysis, grounded in a well-developed neural network theory known as the Five Pillars of the Mind. The domain-specific networks, innate sense, and the five pillars provide a framework with which to examine how physics is learnt. For example, one can identify which pillars are active when discussing a physics concept. Identifying which pillars belong to which physics concept may be significantly influenced by the bias of the author and could be too time-consuming for longer, more complex texts involving physics concepts. Therefore, using LLMs to identify pillars could enhance the application of this framework to physics education. This article presents a case study in which we used selected Large Language Models to identify pillars within eight pages of learning material concerning forces aimed at 12- to 14-year-old pupils. We used GPT-4o and o4-mini, as well as MAXQDA AI Assist. Results from these models were compared with the authors’ manual analysis. Precision, recall, and F1-Score were used to evaluate the results quantitatively. MAXQDA AI Assist obtained the best results with 1.00 precision, 0.67 recall, and an F1-Score of 0.80. Both products by OpenAI hallucinated and falsely identified several concepts, resulting in low precision and, consequently, low F1-Score. As predicted, ChatGPT o4-mini scored twice as high as ChatGPT 4o. The method proved to be promising, and its future development has the potential to provide research teams with analysis not only of written learning material, but also of pupils’ written work and their video-recorded activities. Full article

This study evaluates the competency-based performance of Initial Incident Commander (IIC) candidates—fire officers who serve as first-arriving, on-scene incident commanders—in South Korea and identifies sub-competency deficits to inform training improvements. Using evaluation data from 92 candidates tested between 2022 and 2024—of whom 67 achieved certification and 25 did not—we analyzed counts and mean scores for each sub-competency and integrated transcribed radio communications to contextualize deficiencies. Results show that while a majority (72.8%) passed, a significant proportion (27.2%) failed, with recurrent weaknesses in crisis response, progress management, and decision-making. For example, “Responding to Unexpected or Crisis Situations 3-3” recorded 27 unsuccessful cases with a mean score of 68.8. Candidates also struggled with resource allocation, situational awareness and radio communications. The study extends recognition-primed decision-making theory by operationalizing behavioral marker frameworks and underscores the need for predetermined internal alignment, scalability and teamwork synergy. Practical implications recommend incorporating high-fidelity simulation and VR scenarios, competency frameworks and reflective debriefs in training programs. Limitations include the single-country sample, reliance on predetermined scoring rubrics and absence of team-level analysis. Future research is indispensable to adopt multi-jurisdictional longitudinal designs, evaluate varied training interventions, assess skill retention and explore the interplay between physical and cognitive training over time. Full article

The extracranial–intracranial (EC–IC) bypass is a complex neurosurgical procedure performed for cerebral flow augmentation or flow replacement. Anesthetic management of these patients poses significant challenges due to the delicate balance required to maintain cerebral perfusion, often complicated by extensive cardiovascular comorbidities. Despite the complexity of these cases, current literature offers limited guidance on optimal anesthetic strategies. At our high-volume academic institution, we developed a standardized multimodal anesthetic protocol aimed at achieving intraoperative hemodynamic stability and facilitating timely postoperative emergence. A dedicated team of neuroanesthesiologists manages these cases in constant communication with the surgical team, ensuring real-time adjustments aligned with surgical needs and patient physiology. Our experience highlights the importance of individualized anesthetic planning and interdisciplinary coordination. Given the scarcity of published data and the specialized nature of EC–IC bypass procedures, we believe our institutional approach may serve as a useful reference for other centers, particularly those with limited exposure to this complex patient population, and lay the foundation for future prospective trials on optimal anesthetic care for this patient population. Full article

This study investigates the challenges of promoting accessibility for deaf teachers and students in higher education, focusing on the development of inclusive teaching materials. A qualitative case study was conducted in ten teacher training programmes at the Federal University of Alagoas (Brazil), including nine distance learning courses and one face-to-face LIBRAS programme. Analysis of the Virtual Learning Environment revealed a predominance of text-based content, with limited use of Libras videos, visual resources, or assistive technologies. The integration of Brazilian Sign Language into teaching practices was minimal, and digital translation tools were rarely used or contextually appropriate. Educators reported limited training, technical support, and institutional guidance for the creation of accessible materials. Time constraints and resource scarcity further hampered inclusive practices. The results highlight the urgent need for institutional policies, continuous teacher training, multidisciplinary support teams, and the strategic use of digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Compared with previous studies, significant progress has been made. The present study highlights the establishment of an Accessibility Centre (NAC) and an Accessibility Laboratory (LAB) at the university. These facilities are designed to support the development of policies for the inclusion of people with disabilities, including deaf students, and to assist teachers in designing educational resources, which is essential for enhancing accessibility and learning outcomes. Artificial intelligence tools—such as sign language translators including Hand Talk, VLibras, SignSpeak, Glove-Based Systems, the LIBRAS Online Dictionary, and the Spreadthesign Dictionary—can serve as valuable resources in the teaching and learning process. Full article