Search Results (754)

Background/Objectives: Hydration status at the time of stroke has been identified as a predictor of both vital and functional prognosis. Many studies have demonstrated that dehydration is associated with poorer outcomes, yet the prevalence of dehydration in those affected by stroke remains high. In this review, we systematically identify, appraise and summarise international clinical practice recommendations regarding hydration care after stroke. Methods: International clinical practice guidelines, published since 2009, were identified through a combination of searches of four online databases, searching of relevant websites and guidelines repositories, and citation tracking. Independent screening and data extraction were followed by quality appraisal using the AGREE II tool, and qualitative content analysis underpinned by a priori defined categories. Results: Thirteen clinical practice guidelines were included, from which 35 eligible recommendations were identified. Only seven (54%) guidelines were rated as high-quality (adequately addressing at least three AGREE II domains including “Rigour of development”). The majority of the 35 recommendations were intended for application to all stroke patients (23, 66%). Specific sub-populations, for whom hydration care was emphasised included people with dysphagia (8, 23%), immobile (2, 6%) and catheterised patients (1,3%), and those with cerebral oedema (1, 3%). Hydration care was most often discussed in the context of the avoidance and/or management of post-stroke complications, with only 8 (23%) recommendations specifically discussing hydration care alone. Of those eight recommendations, 3 (38%) suggested all stroke patients should have their hydration assessed, and 5 (62%) proposed methods of hydration management. Conclusions: The review demonstrates that international stroke guidelines recognise the importance of hydration care, although almost half of the guidelines are low to moderate quality and consider hydration in the context of post-stroke complications. Whilst hydration care, routine assessment and management of hydration status, is broadly endorsed, methods remain poorly defined. Further high-quality evidence is needed to support the development of standardised, evidence-based guidelines. Future guidelines should address the timing and methods of assessment, including the establishment of diagnostic thresholds to inform the interpretation of haematological results and subsequent treatment decisions. Full article

Background: A bidirectional association between diabetes and oral health is well established, yet oral self-care is overlooked in diabetes management. Health Belief Model (HBM)-guided oral care interventions have exhibited promising outcomes in the literature but have not been used to guide oral self-care interventions designed for people with diabetes (PWD). Positioned at the early conceptualization and design stage of such a program, this developmental study was to identify self-perceived needs in oral self-care practices and to obtain preliminary feedback among PWD about the blueprint of a new program—DiaOral^©. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 PWD recruited from a large healthcare system, with a goal to recruit patients from racially/ethnically diverse urban/suburban zip codes. Interviews explored participants’ oral self-care practices in relation to diabetes. Sample DiaOral^© content and images on a blueprint were presented and feedback was solicited. Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis was used to code and interpret transcripts, aligning emerging themes with HBM constructs through team-based consensus. Results: Three major themes and 27 sub-themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge on optimal oral care, (2) low perceived importance of preventive care and oral health in diabetes, and (3) low self-efficacy for performing effective oral self-care. Participants expressed satisfaction with the content and their perceived confidence and interest potentially in using the DiaOral^© program based on their preliminary review of the blueprint. Conclusions: Findings support the relevance of HBM constructs in shaping oral self-care among PWD. This developmental study suggests that the DiaOral^© blueprint is ready to move forward to website prototype development. Future work will finalize the program and evaluate its efficacy among PWD. Full article

Background/Objectives: BPC-157 (body protection compound 157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a gastric protein fragment with reported cytoprotective and regenerative properties across multiple organ systems. Despite over three decades of preclinical research demonstrating consistent biological activity, its pharmaceutical development remains rudimentary, with no approved formulation, no validated dosing regimen, and no completed Phase II clinical trial. This review critically evaluates BPC-157 from a biopharmaceutical and drug development perspective, examining its physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, formulation challenges across routes of administration, the pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic disconnect that characterizes its preclinical profile, and the regulatory and translational barriers that currently preclude clinical advancement. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library from database inception to April 2026. Search terms included “BPC-157”, “BPC157”, “body protection compound 157”, “pentadecapeptide”, and “GEPPPGKPADDAGLV”, each combined with “pharmacokinetics”, “formulation”, “biopharmaceutics”, “drug delivery”, “clinical trial”, “toxicology”, and “regulatory”. Patent databases (Espacenet, Google Patents) and regulatory agency websites (FDA, EMA, WADA) were searched independently. Searches were supplemented by forward and backward citation tracking of key references. Articles were selected based on relevance to biopharmaceutical characterization, pharmacokinetics, formulation science, clinical evidence, and regulatory status; pharmacodynamic studies were included insofar as they inform translational development. Evidence was synthesized with emphasis on pharmaceutical characterization, formulation science, and translational feasibility; no formal quality assessment instrument was applied, consistent with the narrative review design. Results: BPC-157 exhibits unusual stability in gastric juice and demonstrates activity via oral, parenteral, and topical routes, yet its human pharmacokinetic profile remains critically undercharacterized despite a recently published formal preclinical ADME study in two species confirming a sub-30-min plasma half-life, linear dose-proportional kinetics, and intramuscular bioavailability of 14–51% depending on species. A plasma half-life of under 30 min—confirmed preclinically and in a preliminary two-subject human pilot—contrasts with prolonged biological effects lasting hours to days—a disconnect with significant implications for dosing strategy and formulation design. No pharmaceutical-grade formulation has been developed or validated. The peptide lacks bcs classification data, permeability characterization, and formal excipient compatibility studies. Available clinical data derive from fewer than 30 subjects across three uncontrolled pilot studies, none of which employed standardized pharmaceutical preparations. Conclusions: BPC-157 presents a compelling but pharmaceutically underdeveloped profile. The primary barrier to clinical translation is not the absence of biological activity, but the absence of fundamental pharmaceutical science: characterized formulations, validated pharmacokinetics, and a coherent drug development strategy. Addressing these biopharmaceutical gaps is a prerequisite for any meaningful clinical program. Full article

Start-ups have established themselves as drivers of dynamism and economic growth. However, they face many and varied challenges, with one of them being managing their communication strategy. This study aims to analyse the digital communication strategy of start-ups in the Agrotech and Foodtech sectors. For that purpose, the annual rankings published by El Referente between 2023 and 2025 were reviewed, and 17 companies were selected, 11 from the Agrotech sector and six from the Foodtech sector. Based on this sample, a mixed methodology was used, combining content analysis with social media metrics analysis. The results show an uneven use of communication strategies by start-ups. Almost all of them have their own communication channels, such as websites or social media profiles, but their use is not uniform, and in many cases, the potential offered by these tools could be improved. The findings contribute to the literature on strategic communication in start-ups by evidencing the gap between declared identity and substantive legitimacy in sectors of high social scrutiny, such as the agri-food sector. Full article

Helping Early Adolescents Live Their Healthiest Youth (HEALTHY) is a theory-driven, school-based nutrition education program grounded in frozen-fruit smoothie taste tests that has been shown to improve fruit intake and promote nutrition security among rural adolescents. To support broader dissemination, a comprehensive implementation toolkit and website were developed. This study conducted an expert review to evaluate the feasibility, clarity, and acceptability of the HEALTHY Toolkit. A survey collected quantitative (Likert-scale) and qualitative (open-ended) data, which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Experts (N = 15) primarily included Registered Dietitians (40%, n = 6) and school nutrition professionals (33%, n = 5). Experts reported high agreement that the HEALTHY Toolkit provided sufficient detail and guidance for implementation, indicating strong feasibility, clarity, and acceptability. Mean scores across Toolkit sections were high: Part I. Foundations (4.70 ± 0.26), Part II. Program Design and Implementation (4.64 ± 0.41), and Part III. Tools and Resources (4.14 ± 0.17). These findings support the use of formative evaluation approaches, such as expert review, to optimize implementation resources and strengthen readiness before dissemination. Overall, the HEALTHY Toolkit was perceived as a promising resource for supporting the implementation of the HEALTHY program. Full article

In submitting conference proceedings to Proceedings, the Volume Editors would like to certify to the publisher that all papers published in this volume have been subjected to peer review by the designated expert referees, and were administered by the Volume Editors strictly following the policies announced on the conference website [...] Full article

In submitting conference proceedings to Engineering Proceedings, the Volume Editors of the proceedings would like to certify to the publisher that all papers published in this volume have been subjected to peer review by the designated expert referees and were administered by the Volume Editors strictly following the policies announced on the conference website [...] Full article

In submitting conference proceedings to Proceedings, the Volume Editors of the proceedings would like to certify to the publisher that all papers published in this volume have been subjected to peer review by the designated expert referees and were administered by the Volume Editors, strictly following the policies announced on the conference website (https://inovatecdf [...] Full article

Background: Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a standard procedure with recognized long-term complications that may emerge years after surgery. Informed consent requires disclosure of material risks, but it is unclear whether these long-term sequelae are consistently communicated. This study systematically reviewed publicly available consent materials to assess disclosure of evidence-based long-term complications of PSF for AIS. Methods: Official websites of spine, orthopedic, and neurosurgical societies, along with major hospitals across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia, were searched for publicly available informed consent forms and patient information leaflets related to PSF for AIS. Documents were assessed for explicit mention of predefined long-term complications: chronic pain/health-related quality of life, pseudoarthrosis, adjacent segment degeneration, future surgery, pulmonary function impact, late infection, local tissue reaction to metal debris, and pregnancy-related issues. Disclosure frequencies were calculated. Results: Thirty-one documents from ten countries were included. Immediate perioperative risks were almost universally reported, whereas long-term complications were inconsistently disclosed. Reporting frequencies were: pseudoarthrosis, 80.6% (n = 25); future surgery, 67.7% (n = 21); adjacent segment degeneration, 51.6% (n = 16); chronic pain, 48.4% (n = 15); local tissue reaction to metal debris, 38.7% (n = 12); late infection, 25.8% (n = 8); pregnancy-related issues, 22.6% (n = 7); and pulmonary impact, 9.7% (n = 3). Conclusions: Publicly available consent materials for AIS surgery incompletely disclose long-term complications compared with the published evidence. However, written information sheets and consent forms represent only one component of the consent process. Consistently with the patient-centered standard articulated in Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board, informed consent should include discussion of material risks, benefits, reasonable alternative treatments including standard care, and the option of no treatment, with disclosure tailored to what matters to the patient and family. Updating written materials to better reflect lifelong risks may strengthen one important component of informed consent and shared decision-making for patients and families. Full article

This paper presents a literature review regarding the automatic extraction of meaningful information regarding suppliers’ ESG and sustainability compliance from textual sources. Assessing suppliers’ ESG compliance has become a key challenge for procurement managers. Given the large number of suppliers and required data points, traditional approaches such as questionnaires and audits are inefficient, ineffective and difficult to scale. To solve this problem, we investigate whether the required information can be automatically harvested from suppliers’ textual sources. Our structured literature review identified 82 papers on which we performed a descriptive analysis, finding a rich and flourishing body of literature produced by a heterogeneous scientific community. We further reduced our sample to 73 full-text articles that supported a more in-depth content-based analysis. We investigated which data sources can be used in particular, which technologies can be leveraged, and which types of outputs can be generated. Even though they could provide much of the required information, corporate websites are rarely utilized as data sources, partly due to the limited adoption of large language models (LLMs). LLMs are less diffused than traditional Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques due to their recent introduction and some gaps that still limit their performance. This represents both a constraint and an opportunity for future research. Full article

Portugal’s demographic ageing calls for effective strategies to address mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, fragmented evidence on digital tools limits their clinical application. This review aimed to map the landscape of validated digital cognitive rehabilitation platforms in Portugal for older adults with MCI and AD and to analyze their effectiveness, usability, and implementation barriers. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, seven studies published between 2015 and 2025 were identified from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, complemented by manual searches and platform website analysis. Methodological quality, assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools, ranged from 69% to 100%. The included studies evaluated platforms such as the Systemic Lisbon Battery (SLB), Digi&Mind, NeuroVRehab.PT, and the Fit4Alz project. Findings indicate improvements in global cognition, executive functioning, and attention. Multimodal interventions combining digital cognitive training and physical exercise produced more consistent cognitive benefits than isolated approaches. Despite initially low digital literacy among older adults, high adherence and motivation were reported, supported by gamification, user-centred design, and cultural adaptation. Although Portuguese digital platforms show strong potential for cognitive rehabilitation, the evidence base is constrained by methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and short intervention durations. Future research should prioritize long-term follow-up and remote monitoring through telerehabilitation. Full article

Taking Dachen Village in Jiangshan, Zhejiang Province, as an example, this paper discusses the application of digital intelligence technology innovation in the protection of rural cultural architectural heritage. After reviewing the relevant literature on the digital protection of traditional village cultural heritage, this research applied new technologies, such as big data screening and computer clusters, to develop a visual digital intelligence display platform for Dachen Village. The research results show the innovation, experience, and interactivity of digital intelligence technology. This research proposes the use of digital intelligent classification preservation, digital museum construction, and the intelligent development of planning circle websites to protect rural cultural heritage effectively. This paper addresses four core academic gaps in the current research on the “digital-intelligent preservation of traditional villages”: fragmented technological applications, lack of public participation, separation of tangible and intangible heritage, and the absence of replicable models. It proposes a “low-threshold, full-process, replicable” digital-intelligent preservation approach, providing dual reference for both theoretical and practical aspects in subsequent research. It also calls for public participation in jointly inheriting and carrying forward the treasures of human historical civilization. Full article

Objective: The objective of this study was to map and critically synthesize empirical evidence on ML/AI applications across surface mining unit operations, and to characterize models, validation practices, and evidence gaps. Eligibility criteria: Our eligibility criteria comprised peer-reviewed studies (2020–2025) applying ML/AI to surface mining activities, training/validating models on empirical datasets, and reporting quantitative performance metrics. Information sources: Scopus, ScienceDirect, Dimensions, and Web of Science were our information sources, last searched December 2025 and supplemented by website and citation snowballing. Risk of bias: Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted domain-based approach based on PROBAST, used to interpret findings without excluding studies. Synthesis method: Our research employed a narrative synthesis (no meta-analysis due to heterogeneity in datasets, algorithms, contexts, and metrics), grouped by application domain. Results: From 5317 records, 57 studies were included, concentrated in blasting (43), followed by load and haul (6), post-dismantling management (4), extraction (2), and overall exploitation (2). Studies predominantly reported statistical metrics (e.g., R², RMSE, and MAE), with limited operational performance indicators; validation was frequently site-specific. Dataset sizes were not reported consistently across studies. Limitations: This study’s limitations were database coverage, restricted timeframe, and incomplete reporting (e.g., software/tooling). Conclusions: ML/AI shows strong potential, especially in blasting, but scalable deployment is constrained by site specificity, inconsistent reporting, and heterogeneous validation; standardized reporting and operational indicators are priorities. Registration: The systematic review protocol was registered in OSF with DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/5UMKB. Funding: EU Erasmus+ STRIM project (1010832727). Full article

In submitting conference proceedings to Engineering Proceedings, the Volume Editors of the proceedings would like to certify to the publisher that all papers published in this volume have been subjected to peer review by the designated expert referees and were administered by the Volume Editors strictly following the policies announced on the conference website [...] Full article

The integration of sustainability in higher education institutions (HEIs) is critical but often hindered by the limitations of existing sustainability assessment tools (SATs), which are complex, rigid, and not sufficiently adaptable to specific organizational and socio-economic or local contexts. This study presents the Sustainability Implementation Reflective Assessment Framework (SIRAF), a meta-framework designed to assist HEIs in developing their own reflective, flexible, and user-friendly tools. The SIRAF taxonomy was developed through the findings of: a. a systematic literature review retrieved in authors’ previous research, b. a comparative analysis and synthesis of 12 SATs, as well as c. a theory-building process. It features a taxonomy of six core indicators with multiple sub-indicators. Its “pick-and-mix” approach enables institutions to customize assessments to align with their distinct needs, objectives, and resources. The SIRAF model was assessed in eight Greek universities offering tourism studies programs. The assessment incorporated data from institutional websites and a qualitative analysis. An evaluation of three fundamental indicators—curriculum, research, and institutional identity—disclosed a paucity of sustainability integration in curricula and governance, notwithstanding the augmentation of sustainability-related research activity. The findings underscore the significance of meticulously designed yet user-centred tools that facilitate evaluation, organizational learning, and strategic planning. As SIRAF shifts its paradigm of sustainability reporting from external compliance to internal improvement, it concomitantly reduces technical barriers and fosters institutional change. Though initially implemented in tourism and higher education, its inherent flexibility suggests the potential for broader applications, while future enhancements could include weighted scoring and wider empirical validation. Full article