Search Results (458)

Most research on domestic dog (Canis familiaris) behavior has focused on pets with restricted movement. However, free-ranging dogs exist in diverse cultural contexts globally, and their interactions with humans are less understood. Tourists can facilitate unrestricted dog movement into wilderness areas, where they may negatively impact wildlife. This study investigated which stimuli—namely, voice, touch, or food—along with inherent factors (age, sex, sociability) motivate free-ranging dogs to follow a human stranger. We measured the distance (up to 600 m) of 129 free-ranging owned and stray dogs from three villages in southern Chile as they followed an experimenter who presented them one of the above stimuli or none (control). To evaluate the effect of dog sociability (i.e., positive versus stress-related or passive behaviors), we performed a 30 s socialization test (standing near the dog without interacting) before presenting a 10 s stimulus twice. We also tracked whether the dog was in the company of other dogs. Each focus dog was video-recorded and tested up to three times over five days. Generalized linear mixed-effects models revealed that the food stimulus significantly influenced dogs’ motivation to follow a stranger, as well as a high proportion of sociable behaviors directed towards humans and the company of other dogs present during the experiment. Juveniles tended to follow a stranger more than adults or seniors, but no effects were found for the dog’s sex, whether an owner was present, the repetition of trials, the location where the study was performed, or for individuals as a random variable. This research highlights that sociability as an inherent factor shapes dog–stranger interactions in free-ranging dogs when food is given. In the context of wildlife conservation, we recommend that managers promote awareness among local communities and tourists to avoid feeding dogs, especially in the context of outdoor activities close to wilderness. Full article

This study examines food safety and waste behaviours depicted in the televised cooking competition MasterChef, a globally franchised series that showcases diverse culinary traditions and influences viewers’ practices. The research focuses on the MasterChef editions aired in Turkey and the United Kingdom, two countries with distinctly different social and cultural contexts. Video content analysis, based on predefined criteria, was employed to assess observable behaviours related to food safety and waste. Additionally, content analysis of episode transcripts identified verbal references to these themes. Principal Component Analysis was employed to categorise patterns in the observed behaviours. The findings revealed frequent lapses in food safety, with personal hygiene breaches more commonly observed in MasterChef UK, while cross-contamination issues were more prevalent in MasterChef Turkey. In both versions, the use of disposable materials and the discarding of edible food parts emerged as the most common waste-related practices. These behaviours appeared to be shaped by the cultural and culinary norms specific to each country. The study highlights the importance of cooking shows in promoting improved food safety and waste management practices. It recommends involving relevant experts during production and clearly communicating food safety and sustainability messages to increase viewer awareness and encourage positive behaviour change. Full article

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the processing and analysis of video sensor data, driving advancements in areas such as surveillance, autonomous driving, and personalized content recommendations. However, leveraging video data presents unique challenges, particularly in the time-intensive feature extraction process required for model training. This challenge is intensified in research environments lacking advanced hardware resources like GPUs. We propose a new method called the multimodal latent representation learning framework (MLRL) to address these limitations. MLRL enhances the performance of downstream tasks by conducting additional representation learning on pre-extracted features. By integrating and augmenting multimodal data, our method effectively predicts latent representations, leveraging pre-extracted features to reduce model training time and improve task performance. We validate the efficacy of MLRL on the video moment retrieval task using the QVHighlight dataset, benchmarking against the QD-DETR model. Our results demonstrate significant improvements, highlighting the potential of MLRL to streamline video data processing by leveraging pre-extracted features to bypass the time-consuming extraction process of raw sensor data and enhance model accuracy in various sensor-based applications. Full article

Objective: This cross-sectional content analysis aimed to investigate how oil pulling is portrayed on YouTube Shorts, focusing on the types of speakers, claims made, and alignment with scientific evidence. The study further explored how the content may influence viewer perception, health behaviors, and the potential spread of misinformation. Methods: On 28 January 2025, a systematic search of YouTube Shorts was performed using the term “oil pulling” in incognito mode to reduce algorithmic bias. English language videos with at least 1000 views were included through purposive sampling. A total of 47 Shorts met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a structured coding framework that recorded speaker type (e.g., dentist, hygienist, influencer), engagement metrics, stated benefits, oil type and regimen, the use of disclaimers or citations, and stance toward oil pulling rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Speaker background and nationality were determined through publicly available channel descriptions or linked websites, with user identities anonymized and ethical approval deemed unnecessary due to the use of publicly available content. In total, 47 videos met the inclusion criteria. Results: Of the 47 YouTube Shorts that met the inclusion criteria, most were posted by influencers rather than dental professionals. These videos predominantly encouraged oil pulling, often recommending coconut oil for 10–15 min daily and citing benefits such as reduced halitosis and improved gum health. However, a smaller subset advanced more extreme claims, including reversing cavities and remineralizing enamel. Notably, US-licensed dentists and dental hygienists tended to discourage or express skepticism toward oil pulling, assigning lower Likert scores (1 or 2) to influencers and alternative health practitioners (often 4 or 5). Conclusions: YouTube Shorts largely promote oil pulling through anecdotal and testimonial-driven content, often diverging from evidence-based dental recommendations. The findings reveal a disconnect between professional dental guidance and popular social media narratives. While some benefits like halitosis reduction may have limited support, exaggerated or misleading claims may result in improper oral hygiene practices. Greater engagement from dental professionals and improved health communication strategies are needed to counteract misinformation and reinforce oil pulling’s role, if any, as an adjunct—not a replacement—for standard oral care. Future studies should explore viewer interpretation, behavioral influence, and cross-platform content patterns to better understand the impact of short-form health videos. Full article

Analyses of teaching behaviors in physical education (PE) classrooms are critical for evaluating teaching quality. Traditional evaluation methods primarily rely on manual analysis, which suffers from complex coding procedures, low efficiency, and suboptimal accuracy, hindering long-term sustainability in teaching quality improvement. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology offers a novel approach by enabling real-time data collection, automated annotation, and in-depth analysis of teaching behaviors, thereby supporting sustainable PE teaching optimization. Leveraging the CogVLM2-Video model, the research presents a system for real-time data collection, automated annotation, and in-depth analysis of teaching behaviors. It consists of four key modules: The perception layer handles data acquisition and input providing foundational data for analysis. The platform layer manages data processing and storage, ensuring integrity and security for long-term evaluation. The model layer focuses on behavior recognition and analysis, employing advanced algorithms for precise interpretation of teaching behaviors. The application layer delivers real-time feedback and adaptive recommendations, promoting sustained teaching improvement. The system architecture was initially validated using 50 basketball lesson videos. Then, the recognition model was trained on a Kinetics-400 subset, achieving 92% accuracy and 95% consistency with manual annotations. These results demonstrate the system’s practical value and long-term applicability, offering an efficient, precise solution for PE classroom teaching behavior assessment. Full article

Background: The aim of this review was to analyze training interventions used and their effectiveness in improving pelvic floor muscle function related to urinary continence in postmenopausal women. We then characterized the recommended pelvic floor muscle training programs used in experimental studies based on four training components: frequency, intensity, duration, and type of pelvic floor muscle exercise. Methods: For this purpose, we conducted a literature review of works published up until the end of 2024, available in the Web of Science, PubMed, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus with Full Text databases. We used the keywords “pelvic floor muscle”, “training”, and “postmenopausal women”. Initially, we identified 205 articles published between 1997 and 2024. Then, based on specific criteria, we qualified 15 for analysis. Results: Thirteen studies included only PFMT, while three of them combined PFMT with other physical activity. In two studies, training was conducted in the form of a virtual video game using a pressure platform. We have noted that researchers most often use a 1 h pad test, digital palpation, and surface electromyography to assess the function of pelvic floor muscles. In improving pelvic floor muscle function related to urinary incontinence, 14 out of the 15 analyzed studies showed improvement. In only eight of the fifteen articles, researchers characterized all components of the implemented PFMT that enable full replication of the training intervention. In four of the studies, only one of the required components, namely intensity, was missing. The recommended number of training sessions was 2 to 7 per week, on average 3 ± 2 (M ± SD). Training interventions lasted from 2 to 24 weeks, on average 10 ± 6 weeks. Conclusions: Regardless of the chosen form of training intervention, PFMT is an effective method in improving the function of pelvic floor muscles in postmenopausal women. Full article

This paper proposes an integrated tree model architecture and a low-cost data construction method based on an improved Stacking strategy. It systematically analyzes the importance of safety indicators for mountainous sharp bends in plateau regions and conducts safety evaluation and optimization-strategy research for ten typical sharp-bend road segments in Tibet. In response to the challenges of traditional data collection in Tibet’s unique geographical and policy constraints, we innovatively use drone aerial video as the data source, integrating Tracker motion trajectory analysis, SegFormer road segmentation, and CAD annotation techniques to construct a dataset covering multi-dimensional features of “human–vehicle–road–environment” for mountainous plateau sharp-bend highways. Compared with similar studies, the cost of this dataset is significantly lower. Based on the strong interpretability of tree models and the excellent generalization ability of ensemble learning, we propose an improved Stacking strategy tree model structure to interpret the importance of each indicator. The Spearman correlation coefficient and TOPSIS algorithm are used to conduct safety evaluation for ten sharp-bend roads in Tibet. The results show that the output of the improved Stacking strategy and the sensitivity analysis of the three tree models indicate that curvature variation rate and acceleration are the most significant factors influencing safety, while speed and road width are secondary factors. The study also provides a safety ranking for the ten selected sharp-bend roads, offering a reference for the 318 Quality Improvement Project. From the perspective of indicator importance, curvature variation rate, acceleration, vehicle speed, and road width are crucial for the safety of mountainous plateau sharp-bend roads. It is recommended to implement speed limits for vehicles and widen the road-bend radius. The technical framework constructed in this study provides a reusable methodology for safety assessment of high-altitude roads in complex terrains. Full article

Purpose: Current yoga programs for cancer survivors do not meet participants’ needs and are rarely implemented in community-based settings, despite reported benefits. The aim of the current study was to implement a co-created 12-week bi-modal Hatha-based yoga program for adults diagnosed with gynecologic cancer in the community and assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program and study methods. Methods: Using a mixed methods series N-of-1 A₁BA₂ research design, participants were recruited from The Ottawa Hospital. Participants self-selected a morning or evening program, completed surveys 9 to 11 times and were interviewed post-program. The yoga instructor was interviewed post-program about her experience delivering the program. Quantitative feasibility outcomes were tracked throughout the study. Qualitative acceptability outcomes were explored during post-program semi-structured interviews. Audio and video recordings of the yoga classes and data from the instructor interview were used to assess fidelity outcomes to determine whether the protocol could be adhered to consistently. Results: Forty-one individuals were screened for eligibility and 20 consented (48.7%). Seventeen participants (85.0%) completed the final survey. Participants attended 83.1% (19.9/24) of classes with varied engagement with optional features. The instructor was 61.3% adherent to the prescribed protocol, using recommended behaviors 44.6% of the time. Participants shared barriers and facilitators that influenced the success of the trial methods and program. Conclusions: The program was well-received and trial methods were moderately successful, but refinements are warranted before a large-scale trial. Community-based yoga programs could be feasible and acceptable for women with gynecologic cancer. Full article

In order to improve education for sustainability (EfS) in English-speaking schools in North Cyprus, this study investigates the use of playful learning and video feedback as cutting-edge pedagogical techniques. Engaging students in transformative learning experiences is crucial in an era characterized by environmental issues and the pressing need for sustainable development. Students better understand their learning processes when paired with video feedback, which facilitates reflective practice. This study uses a qualitative case study methodology to investigate how instructors employ video feedback and playful learning activities to help students grasp sustainability ideas. Data were gathered through teacher interviews, classroom observations, and evaluations of student performance and feedback. The results demonstrate how these approaches can promote active learning, boost student enthusiasm, and enhance comprehension of sustainability-related topics. This study’s conclusion includes recommendations for educators and legislators looking to integrate creative, student-centered approaches into EfS curricula. Full article

Background/Objectives: Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, has a broad physiological effect, and its deficiency has been identified as a risk factor for many diseases. This study aimed to analyze the dietary intake of vitamin D and the factors determining its intake among Polish post-primary school students. The data obtained were then related to the dietary recommendations for the Polish population. Methods: The study was conducted on a nationwide sample of 3257 male adolescents (aged 14–20 years) recruited from all macroregions of Poland. Dietary vitamin D intake (dVDi) was assessed using the Vitamin D Estimation Only–Food Frequency Questionnaire (VIDEO-FFQ). Results: The median dietary intake of vitamin D was 4.36 µg daily. This value was below the recommended intake of 15 µg of vitamin D, according to Polish standards, in almost 80% of the study group. The observed dietary vitamin D intake bellow the recommended level ranged from 35.5% of students attending schools in the North-Western macroregion to 93.7% in the Central macroregion, from 45.4% of students attending schools located in the countryside to 92.7% in big cities, from 85.3% among underweight students to 76.7% of obese students, over 77% in both age groups (14–17 and 18–20 years old), and over 78% in both groups: supplementing and not supplementing vitamin D. Fish and fish products provided the highest vitamin D (38.7%), while cereal products and fats provided the lowest (4.49% and 4.35%, respectively). The highest amounts of vitamin D were provided by salmon, rainbow trout, herring, and eel (fish species containing 7–15 µg of vitamin D in 100 g of product), and halibut, mackerel, brook trout, sole, and tuna (fish species containing 1.05–4 µg of vitamin D in 100 g of product), and these fish were consumed in the largest quantities by male adolescents. Dietary vitamin D intake was notably higher in adolescents from the North-Western macroregion of Poland (median: 50.57 vs. 3.72–5.18 µg daily for other macroregions), those attending schools in the countryside (median: 49.49 vs. 3.97–4.39 µg daily for other locations of the school), those with a normal body weight (median: 4.59 vs. 3.38 µg daily for adolescents with underweight), and those who took vitamin D supplements (median: 4.71 vs. 4.06 µg daily for adolescents not supplemented with vitamin D). However, the results showed that dVDi was not dependent on age. Conclusions: The study results indicate that low dVDi among Polish male adolescents can be attributed to the limited supply of vitamin D from dietary sources, especially fish and fish products. The necessity for interventions has been identified, including nutritional education on the role of vitamin D and its sources in the diet. Full article

Background/Objectives: Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patient caregivers is paramount in the surgical waiting area, particularly during periods of heightened stress and emotional vulnerability. Globally, communication practices exhibit considerable variability, from traditional face-to-face interactions to integrating advanced digital technologies. Despite innovations, a comprehensive understanding of the impact of diverse communication strategies on patient caregiver satisfaction remains underdeveloped. This scoping review was designed to systematically map the existing literature on healthcare communication practices and identify strategies that may influence satisfaction among patient caregivers. Methods: A thorough search of multiple databases—Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, ProQuest, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and clinical trial registries—was conducted. Only studies published in English or those for which an English full text was accessible were included. Eligible studies were those undertaken in hospital settings, including operating theaters, surgical units, surgical waiting areas, postoperative intensive care units, emergency departments, and other clinical areas focusing on patient caregivers. The review adhered to the methodological framework recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute for scoping reviews and was reported following the most recent PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Results: Ultimately, five studies met the inclusion criteria. The selection process involved a structured search utilizing Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), keywords, and index terms, supplemented by manual reference list screening. Initial screening was performed based on titles and abstracts, followed by full-text evaluation using a standardized selection form. Data extraction focused on the communication methods, study designs, and outcomes related to patient caregiver satisfaction. The findings are synthesized narratively and presented through tables and figures, offering a comprehensive overview of global communication practices and their influence on patient caregiver satisfaction in surgical environments. Across the five included studies, digital communication interventions such as SMS, mobile apps, or video updates reported improved patient caregiver satisfaction (e.g., 70.8% in Canada and 97% in Switzerland) and also reduced patient caregiver anxiety (e.g., STAI score ≥ 44) in 74.2% of Ethiopian patient caregivers. Worldwide evidence highlights the practical importance of tailored digital communication practices to support providing timely and accessible information to patient caregivers, while also revealing gaps linked to insurance status, digital literacy, and various communication approaches in healthcare systems. Conclusions: The five studies included showed considerable variation in communication practices across surgical settings. The main findings reveal that structured, timely, and transparent communication, mainly via digital tools such as SMS updates and mobile applications, enhanced patient caregiver satisfaction and alleviated their emotional distress too. Nevertheless, gaps were identified in postoperative communication, and challenges, such as technological accessibility, digital literacy skills of patient caregivers, and inconsistent methods for measuring satisfaction outcomes, were noted across studies. This scoping review identified the different types of healthcare communication practices adopted globally in surgical care settings and also demonstrated their influence on patient caregiver satisfaction. Traditional and digital communication practices both have their significant impact on patient caregiver experiences in surgical healthcare settings, focusing more on timely and consistent real-time updates and culturally sensitive information. Addressing the existing communication gaps and having tailored communication approaches to specific contexts may lead to improved patient caregiver support and surgical outcomes. Full article

Background: Animated video is promising to educate and empower caregiving and provide additional social support for kidney transplant (KT) access; yet, it has not been tested. Our clinical-research group developed a caregiver-directed educational animated video to complement an existing intervention currently being adapted to stimulate social network engagement in KT access. This qualitative study assessed the videos’ learning and sharing applicability to KT caregivers, as well as recommendations for improvement of the video and the transplant centers’ program to meet caregivers’ needs. Methods: Caregivers of KT-seekers (n = 17) and KT-recipients (n = 9) at a single center were individually interviewed after viewing the video remotely on their own device. Interview transcripts were analyzed using content analysis with a deductive approach. Results: Five overarching themes emerged about the caregivers’ perceptions of the animated video: (1) clear and engaging, (2) a good overview of caregiving, (3) a way to refresh knowledge and show others how they can contribute to caregiving, (4) additional information needed, and (5) desired more transplant center communication and support. Conclusions: An animated video to promote caregiving in transplant access was well received as an entry point for education and is potentially applicable for sharing to mobilize additional social support. Full article

Video emotion recognition (VER), situated at the convergence of affective computing and computer vision, aims to predict the primary emotion evoked in most viewers through video content, with extensive applications in video recommendation, human–computer interaction, and intelligent education. This paper commences with an analysis of the psychological models that constitute the foundation of VER theory. The paper further elaborates on datasets and evaluation metrics commonly utilized in VER. Then, the paper reviews VER algorithms according to their categories, and compares and analyzes the experimental results of classic methods on four datasets. Based on a comprehensive analysis and investigations, the paper identifies the prevailing challenges currently faced in the VER field, including gaps between emotional representations and labels, large-scale and high-quality VER datasets, and the efficient integration of multiple modalities. Furthermore, this study proposes potential research directions to address these challenges, e.g., advanced neural network architectures, efficient multimodal fusion strategies, high-quality emotional representation, and robust active learning strategies. Full article

Background and Objective: Delirium, a prevalent neurocognitive disorder, frequently affects critically ill patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs), leading to increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. This quasi-experimental study assessed the effect of an educational program relating to ICU nurses’ knowledge of delirium in a university hospital in Nablus, Palestinian Authority. Methods: A pre-test–post-test design was employed, utilizing a 25-item questionnaire for 114 ICU nurses. The educational intervention included a presentation on delirium, the distribution of educational materials, and follow-up video sessions. Our study aim was to evaluate nurses’ understanding of ICU delirium and the impact of the educational program on their ability to identify and evaluate the delirium. Results: Pre-intervention assessments indicated limited awareness among nurses regarding delirium diagnosis and management tools, i.e., the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. Post-intervention results showed a significant improvement in knowledge; median scores increased from 6 (range: 3–13) to 15 (range: 12–20) (p < 0.001). Nurses also reported greater confidence in identifying and managing delirium, and 50% found CAM-ICU easy to use. However, knowledge gaps remained concerning mixed delirium types and modifiable risk factors. Conclusions: Continuous educational programs are essential for ensuring long-term knowledge retention. We recommend integrating routine delirium education with hospital policies and emphasizing the use of delirium assessment tools during each shift. Findings show that targeted education can enhance ICU nurses’ competencies and thereby improve patient outcomes through more effective delirium management. Full article

Traditional art appreciation instruction relies heavily on textbooks, slides, or videos, limiting student engagement and immersion. To address this issue, this study proposes a desktop VR (GDVR) art appreciation module based on a gamification approach. Unlike traditional VR art learning environments, the GDVR module combines real-time feedback and gamification elements to increase students’ motivation and understanding of information. This study used focus group interviews to evaluate the usability of the GDVR module, as well as student engagement. In addition, on-screen observations have been adopted to capture student interaction behavior and navigation patterns, providing greater insight into usability. Forty Chinese middle school students participated, and the data were analyzed thematically. The results show that the GDVR module demonstrates stable technical performance, intuitive navigation, and a high level of immersion. Moreover, most students find it more engaging than traditional methods, noting that the real-time feedback system significantly enhanced their engagement with and understanding of the material. Furthermore, this study highlights the practical application potential of utilizing low-cost, desktop-based virtual reality systems in the context of middle school art appreciation. Finally, the study acknowledges its limitations and provides recommendations for future research to further refine and expand the application of GDVR in the field of art education. Full article