Search Results (381)

Designed as a comprehensive and innovative approach, the Observatory for Academic Success (OPSA 2.0) of the Polytechnic University of Leiria (IPLeiria), Portugal, aims to enhance academic success and reduce dropout rates, addressing the growing diversity of student profiles in higher education. Through a multi-dimensional framework, OPSA 2.0 is structured around seven pillars: a Mentoring Program; a Tutoring Program; a Pedagogical Training and Development Program; a Special Learning Support Program; an Academic Success Platform; a Together with the Community Program and a Coordination, Communication, Interaction, and Dissemination Program, ensuring the management and execution of OPSA 2.0 while promoting its activities, engagement, and results. OPSA 2.0 positions itself as a benchmark in pedagogical innovation, by integrating technology, pedagogy, and institutional collaboration, offering a holistic and transformative approach to supporting student achievement and mitigating early academic disengagement. By bridging theory and practice, this article presents the design of the OPSA 2.0 project, outlining its methodological framework, objectives, and core strategic axes. Full article

Natural hazards exert a detrimental influence on human survival, environmental conditions and society. Historical hazard events have generated a broad corpus of literature addressing the spatiotemporal extent, dissemination or social responses. With regard to quantitative analysis based on information locked within verbose text, the release of such information from the narrative format is encouraging. Natural Language Processing (NLP), a technique demonstrated to be capable of automated data extraction, provides a useful tool in establishing a structured dataset on hazard occurrences. In our study, we utilize scattered textual records of historical natural hazard events to create a novel dataset and explore the applicability of NLP in parallel. We put forward a standard list of toponyms based on manual annotation of a compilation of disaster-related texts, all of which were references in an authoritative publication in the field. The final natural hazards dataset comprised location data, which referred to a specific hazard report in Europe during 1301–1500, together with its geocoding result, year of occurrence and detailed event(s). We evaluated the performance of four pre-trained geoparsing tools (Flair, Stanford CoreNLP, spaCy and Irchel Geoparser) for automated toponym extraction in comparion with the standard list. All four tested methods showed a high precision (above 0.99). Flair had the best overall performance (F1 score 0.89), followed by Stanford CoreNLP (F1 score 0.83) and Irchel Geoparser (F1 score 0.82), while spaCy had a poor recall (0.5). Then we divided natural hazards into six categories: extreme heat, snow and ice, wind and hails, rainstorms and floods, droughts, and earthquakes. Finally, we compared our newly digitized natural hazard dataset to a geocoded version of the dataset provided by Harvard University, thus providing a comprehensive overview of the spatial–temporal characteristics of European hazard observations. The statistical outcomes of the present investigation demonstrate the efficacy of NLP techniques in text information extraction and hazard dataset generation, offering references for collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts. Full article

In oncology, traditional H&P templates centered on a single chief complaint often fail to address the longitudinal care needs and emotional complexities of cancer patients, leaving learners unprepared for sensitive conversations such as breaking bad news or discussing treatment goals. To address this, we conducted a literature review of specialty-focused H&P tools in child psychiatry and gynecology and, drawing on our experiences as two first-year medical students in an outpatient oncology clinic, developed an oncology H&P template to guide novice clinicians. The guide incorporates structured prompts for rapport-building; detailed oncologic and family cancer history; functional independence assessments; treatment goals; emotional wellbeing; support networks; and responding to emotion. After initial pilot testing by the two developers under supervisor guidance, the template was distributed to five then ten additional students and disseminated via the ASCO online forum and Twitter. Feedback from ten oncologists and oncology trainees highlighted the template’s value in gathering review of systems, past treatment details, functional status, and cancer history. Our findings suggest that this oncology-tailored tool enhances interview flow, promotes comprehensive data collection, and supports empathetic patient engagement. Integration into routine oncology training is planned, with future adaptations for specific oncological subspecialties and potential use in other medical specialties. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patient and public involvement (PPI) in the design, conduct, and dissemination of pragmatic trials may make trial results more relevant and meaningful. The nature of PPI in paediatric pragmatic trials has been poorly characterized in the literature. This study examined the prevalence and nature of PPI in paediatric pragmatic trials and lessons learned from researchers’ experiences. Methods: For this mixed methods study, we conducted an online survey and semi-structured interviews with corresponding authors of published paediatric pragmatic trials, identified using an online search filter in MEDLINE. Descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: PPI was reported by 71/127 (56%) survey respondents. Reported impacts of PPI in the survey included the following: more feasible interventions (71%), higher-quality research (57%), improved recruitment and retention (57%), and increased applicability of research findings (57%). Both survey and interview participants identified that insufficient resources, time, and training for relationship development were challenges to PPI in paediatric trials. Three themes were identified from the semi-structured interview data (recruitment and engagement, sustaining PPI relationships, and PPI value added). Conclusions: PPI aligns with the purpose and intended impact of pragmatic trials, and paediatric researchers perceive that PPI leads to increased research relevance, quality, and dissemination. There is, however, a need for institutional and funding bodies to invest in PPI partnership, including offering support for researchers and providing opportunities for children, youth, and parents as PPI partners. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plastination with polyester resin is a consolidated technique for anatomical preservation, particularly valuable in neuroanatomy education and radiological correlation. This review synthesizes the principles, technical evolution, methodological variations, applications, and limitations of polyester-based sheet plastination methods (P35, P40, P45). Methods: Key documents were analyzed to trace the transition from P35, recognized for excellent gray-white matter contrast but technical complexity, to P40, offering greater transparency, lower viscosity, improved strength, and simplified UV-curing. P45 was also reviewed, especially for large body sections using water-bath curing. Innovations included vertical curing chambers, active-passive vacuum cycles, resin reformulations, and strategies to reduce tissue shrinkage. Methodological quality was assessed with the AQUA tool, which evaluates five domains: Objectives, Study Design, Methodology, Descriptive Anatomy, and Results Reporting. Results: Plastination proved applicable in medical and veterinary education, as well as morphometric and imaging-based research, improving anatomical understanding and CT/MRI correlation. AQUA analysis revealed low risk of bias in Objectives and Descriptive Anatomy, but frequent unclear or high-risk assessments in Study Design, Methodology, and Results Reporting, mainly due to limited details on sample selection, resin handling, curing, and reproducibility. Publications after 2010 showed improved methodological rigor, reflecting growing standardization and better reporting. Conclusions: Polyester sheet plastination remains a versatile, high-impact tool, though it requires specialized infrastructure, trained personnel, and strict environmental control. Future development should focus on protocol standardization, international dissemination, integration with digital technologies (3D models, virtual reality), and sustainable alternatives. Progress depends on inter-institutional collaboration, technical training, and open access to updated resources. Full article

This study investigates Leonardo da Vinci’s long-standing interest in milling technologies through the digital reconstruction of a pendulum-driven mill illustrated in the Codex Atlanticus. By tracing the chronological development of Leonardo’s ideas across multiple sheets, this research highlights the continuity and evolution of his conceptual approach to energy transmission and mechanical automation. This work adopts a systematic design methodology to interpret and visualize the structural logic of the machine, integrating historical sources with engineering reasoning. The resulting CAD model reconstructs the key components (such as the gear train, escapement system, and pendulum) within a coherent architectural framework inspired by Leonardo’s sketches. While the digital model remains a preliminary interpretation, it offers a historically grounded basis for future refinements. In particular, it lays the groundwork for potential physical reconstructions intended for museum display and public engagement. This study contributes to the broader understanding of Renaissance mechanical culture and the role of digital tools in heritage preservation and dissemination. Full article

This study examines university teachers’ digital competences during Emergency Remote Teaching at three Spanish institutions—the University of La Laguna, the University of Extremadura, and the University of Valladolid—and, from the faculty perspective, appraises hybrid teaching experiences and institutional support services. We employed a qualitative multi-case design using semi-structured focus-group interviews and discussion groups with 57 instructors from Social Sciences and Humanities, Engineering, and Health Sciences, selected via purposive sampling. Data were deductively coded in Atlas.ti 24. Faculty perceive hybrid teaching as useful for widening access and repositioning the virtual campus as a communicative hub; they highlight Moodle, videoconferencing, content-authoring tools such as H5P, and methodologies like gamification and flipped learning to enhance motivation. Nonetheless, generational gaps and concerns about the authenticity of online assessment persist, supporting continued reliance on in-person examinations. Technical and training support services are viewed positively, yet respondents call for more staffing and stronger dissemination of teaching resources. Consolidating teachers’ digital competences requires institutional policies that integrate robust infrastructure, contextualized continuous professional development, and communities of practice to ensure the sustainability of hybrid models in higher education at the national level. Full article

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a major public health concern among postmenopausal women, characterized by decreased bone mineral density and microarchitectural deterioration, which lead to fragility fractures, pain, functional impairment, sleep disturbances, and a reduced quality of life. Exercise, particularly strength, weight-bearing, and balance training, represents a key non-pharmacological approach to prevention and management. Pilates, a low-impact, core-centered method increasingly incorporated into rehabilitation settings, appears especially suitable for women with osteoporosis. However, high-quality randomized controlled trials concurrently evaluating its effects on pain, balance, sleep, autonomy, and health-related quality of life remain scarce. Objective: To examine the efficacy and feasibility of a Pilates-based exercise program in improving pain, balance, sleep quality, functional autonomy, and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Methods: A single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial will be conducted over 12 weeks at Physiocare Madrid (Spain). A total of 126 (63 per group) postmenopausal women aged 50–80 years, diagnosed with osteoporosis by densitometry or with a prior fragility fracture, will be randomly assigned (1:1; OxMaR software, version 2014) to one of two groups: (a) Experimental group: supervised Pilates mat sessions, 60 min, twice weekly for 12 weeks; or (b) Control group: ergonomics education for activities of daily living, two 60 min sessions held six weeks apart. Outcome assessors will remain blinded to group allocation. Evaluations will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Outcome measures will include balance and mobility (Timed Up and Go Test; Functional Reach Test), functional autonomy (Functional Independence Measure), pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), health-related quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF; QUALEFFO-41), and treatment satisfaction (CSQ-8). Feasibility parameters (recruitment, adherence, retention, and safety) will also be monitored. Data will be pseudonymized and analyzed descriptively to estimate variability and preliminary effects, informing the design of a definitive trial. Expected Results: It is hypothesized that Pilates will produce clinically meaningful improvements in balance, pain, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life compared with ergonomics education, with acceptable feasibility and safety outcomes. Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial will provide initial evidence regarding the efficacy and feasibility of Pilates as a complementary rehabilitation strategy for women with osteoporosis and provide key parameters to optimizing a future adequately powered trial. Ethics and Dissemination: This study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and has been approved by the Human Ethics Committee of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. Potential risks will be minimized, and any adverse events will be systematically recorded and addressed. Full article

This study aimed to adapt and translate the Knowledge, Comfort, Approach and Attitude towards Sexuality Scale (KCAASS) for stroke rehabilitation clinicians who are Canadian French speakers and to determine its measurement properties. The KCAASS was adapted for stroke rehabilitation by three occupational therapists and translated into Canadian French using a back-translation process. After being pretested, the resulting KCAASS-Stroke-FrCan was disseminated to seven rehabilitation centers in Quebec, Canada. Exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach alphas, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were computed. 199 clinicians participated. Factor analysis revealed a four-factor solution. Internal consistency for the total score (α = 0.942) and subscales “Knowledge” (α = 0.834), “Comfort” (α = 0.966), and “Approach” (α = 0.836) were very good, and critical for “Attitude” (α = 0.628). Test–retest reliability was very good (0.81; p < 0.001) for the total score, good for “Knowledge” (0.69; p < 0.001) and “Comfort” (0.74; p < 0.001), very good for “Approach” (0.82; p < 0.001), and poor for “Attitude” (0.37; p = 0.003). SEM and MDC were presented. The KCAASS-Stroke-FrCan showed good measurement properties to assess stroke rehabilitation clinicians’ training needs and educational interventions. Full article

University Dual Training is constructed at the intersection of academic and professional spheres, shaping a complex and multifaceted educational model. The aim of this study is to analyze the media representation of University Dual Training within the Spanish higher education landscape. The analysis focused on news articles published in the digital press of Spanish universities between 2021 and 2025. Following the methodological principles of a systematic review, a total of 81 news items (comprising 747 lexical segments) were identified and categorized 60 from 25 public universities and 21 from 7 private institutions. Data analysis, supported by the MAXQDA 24 software, enabled the identification of trends in the use of keywords, temporal evolution, and prevailing themes, along with the degree of relevance attributed to this training modality. The findings reveal an institutional tendency in media dissemination centred on promoting University Dual Training as a pathway for educational innovation, highlighting experiences and collaborations with companies, and projecting a discourse in which universities present themselves as committed to this modality. The study concludes that digital university newspapers convey the relevance and impact of University Dual Training as a modality that brings together diverse stakeholders, creating a space of collaboration and shared responsibility that strengthens student training and employability. Full article

Nitrate pollution from agricultural activities is a major cause of surface and groundwater degradation across Europe. In Andalusia, southern Spain, approximately 26% of the regional territory is affected by this type of contamination. To mitigate and prevent nitrate pollution, a regulatory framework has been implemented, establishing specific restrictions and recommendations for agricultural practices and nitrogen fertilization management in designated areas. However, the effectiveness of these measures is often constrained by limited awareness of the issue, insufficient understanding of existing regulations, and a general lack of training in nitrogen fertilization management among farmers. To address these challenges, a specialized training program on crop fertilization was developed for agricultural professionals. This initiative aimed to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of nitrate pollution, disseminate information about relevant legislation, and strengthen technical knowledge related to nitrogen fertilization planning and management, thereby enhancing on-farm decision-making. This study analysed the impact of this training activity on the level of awareness and knowledge regarding nitrate-related issues in Andalusia. Full article

Background: Social media has emerged as a powerful communication tool for healthcare professionals, including nutritionists and dietitians, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence suggests that their online presence can enhance nutritional literacy and play a crucial role in countering misinformation. Objective: This systematic review aims to investigate how and why Registered Nutritionists and Dietitians (RNDs) use social media in their professional practice, focusing on benefits, challenges, and impact. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted between 1 January 2019 and 28 February 2024, in PubMed, Scopus, Scholar, and SciELO databases using terms such as ‘nutritionist’, ‘dietitian’, and ‘social media’. Quality was assessed using the MMAT tool. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The included studies were analysed with respect to their content, professional practices, and patterns of social media use. Results: Of the 359 articles identified through the systematic search, 10 cross-sectional studies conducted using questionnaires were included in this review. Sample sizes ranged from 10 to 2542 participants across nine countries. Instagram and Twitter were the most frequently used platforms among RDNs, primarily for sharing evidence-based nutritional information, counselling content, and professional promotion. Reported usage ranged from 37.5% to 100%, with a marked increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among younger professionals. Key enablers included enhanced communication, professional visibility, and cost-effective outreach, while main challenges involved limited digital literacy and difficulties replicating face-to-face counselling online. Although ethical concerns were reported, many RNDs maintained compliance with professional standards, particularly in regions with strict marketing regulations. Conclusions: This systematic review provides evidence that social media is a valuable tool for RNDs, particularly in the context of food and/or nutritional education. RNDs would benefit from training in content creation, knowledge dissemination and ethical digital communication. However, clearer guidelines from professional organisations are also recommended. Full article

The entry is intended to define the concepts of risk communication and emergency communication. At the same time, it explains the difference not only from a communication point of view but also from a cultural one. Risk and emergency are two sociologically relevant events, and they are culturally constructed. They are events that bring about a socio-cultural change, which, in turn, is triggered by the population’s responses on the basis of the social perception of the events themselves, also conveyed by the different forms of communication. When communicating risk and emergencies, it is essential to educate people about alert and emergency systems. Above all, what they refer to and what kind of message they contain. The “warning communication” must be specific and refer exclusively to the threat to start the first phase of the communication through which it is possible to understand the type of threat and define the communication plan to be implemented later. The use of social media, which is strongly spread in digital society, allows not only rapid dissemination of information but also rapid communication and message selection (speed and content of the message are equally important). Alert and warning systems are very often linked to risk systems, since the risk from natural disasters (eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis) or technological catastrophes (nuclear power plant explosions) follows emergency phases when the phenomenon occurs. The communication processes, in and emergency, must be able to explain, persuade but also confer an assist the political decision-maker and the decision-making process itself through an alert system (especially in the first phase), followed by continuous dissemination through the media that the digital society offers, as well as through the usual systems adopted by government bodies (for example, bulletins and news), specialized research institutions and institutes with information and communication functions. In risk and emergency management, information and communication are to be considered, respectively, a basic element and a means of dissemination and training to educate the population to perceive a risk, to recognise emergencies and the possible impact of the risk. Differences will be expressed and analysed with reference to international examples. Full article

Based on cross-sectional survey data from 574 grain farmers in Hebei Province, China, this study systematically analyzed, using an ordered Logit model and Bootstrap mediation effect tests, the mechanism by which information acquisition influences farmers’ adoption of green production technologies. The results showed that the diversity of information acquisition channels, content quality, and source credibility were all significantly and positively correlated with the degree of technology adoption, with content quality exhibiting the strongest correlation. Perceived usefulness played a partial mediating role between information acquisition and adoption behavior. Digital skills significantly and positively moderated the path through which information acquisition affects technology adoption—farmers with higher digital skills were more adept at converting information into technical knowledge and practices. Further heterogeneity analysis revealed that farmers with high digital skills in plain areas benefited more noticeably from information acquisition. Therefore, it is recommended that county-level agricultural technology extension centers take the lead in developing visualized technical materials to improve the quality of information content; conduct special digital skills training for elderly farmers to enhance their ability to acquire and identify information; and in regional practices, implement the supporting service of “targeted information & high-standard farmland” in plain areas while establishing a “technology demonstration household” dissemination network in mountainous areas. These measures will collectively form a differentiated and implementable technology promotion system, providing a feasible, practical path for advancing agricultural green transformation. Full article

The protection and dissemination of cultural heritage in the digital age are confronted with dual problems of fragmented cultural narratives and insufficient public participation, which have now become a major bottleneck in realizing the value of cultural heritage. The rise of artificial intelligence technology nowadays offers an unprecedented opportunity to address this challenge. This study proposes a framework that combines artificial intelligence to tackle this issue, using the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kaiping Diaolou, as a case study. The methodology integrates AIGC tools such as Stable Diffusion and GPT-4 with traditional 3D modeling and digital twin technologies, aiming to go beyond traditional “photorealistic” replication by creating ink-wash stylized models with cultural resonance and artistic expressiveness, while providing immersive gamified experiences in virtual and augmented reality environments. A mixed-methods evaluation combining ratings from 6 experts and surveys from 122 participants confirms that the framework significantly improves work efficiency—modeling time is reduced from several hours to an average of 48 min, with a 60% increase in efficiency. More importantly, the gamified narrative generated by AI received a high engagement score of 4.2 (out of 5.0) among the 18 to 25 age group. The study also reveals a significant digital divide: users over 36 years old rated usability 35% lower than younger participants. The framework effectively lowers the technological threshold, allowing non-expert users to meet 70% of usability standards after brief training. This study ultimately validates an innovative framework that combines scalability and efficiency, offering an empirically tested practical solution for the deep, sustainable revitalization and public engagement of cultural heritage. Full article