Search Results (23,870)

Background/Objectives: Excessive smartphone use has emerged as an important behavioral health concern during adolescence, a developmental period characterized by heightened psychosocial vulnerability. This study aimed to identify psychosocial and behavioral factors associated with excessive smartphone use among Korean adolescents using nationally representative data. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2024 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS), including 54,653 adolescents. Excessive smartphone use was operationally defined as average daily smartphone use of ≥300 min. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine associated factors. An exploratory machine learning analysis using a Light Gradient Boosting Machine included 52,450 participants with complete predictor data. Results: Female sex, higher grade level, lower perceived socioeconomic status, higher perceived daily stress, higher anxiety symptoms, poorer sleep-related recovery, suicidal ideation, and more frequent vigorous physical activity were associated with higher odds of excessive smartphone use. The supplementary modeling approach showed patterns consistent with the regression findings, with grade level, socioeconomic status, and sex contributing prominently. Vigorous physical activity demonstrated a nonlinear association with predicted risk. Conclusions: Excessive smartphone use among adolescents appears to be shaped by developmental stage, socioeconomic context, and psychological vulnerability. These findings support prevention strategies that address emotional well-being and sleep health alongside broader structural and school-based approaches. Full article

In ecologically fragile and geomorphologically complex mountainous regions, ensuring a smooth transition from poverty alleviation to multidimensional sustainable rural development remains a key issue in regional governance. Focusing on the Qinba Mountains, a typical former contiguous poverty-stricken region in China covering 18 prefecture-level cities in six provinces, this study uses 2009–2023 prefecture-level panel data to examine the spatiotemporal evolution and driving mechanisms of coordinated rural revitalization. An integrated framework of “multi-dimensional evaluation–spatiotemporal tracking–attribution diagnosis” is developed by combining the improved AHP–entropy-weight TOPSIS method, the Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model, spatial Markov chains, spatial autocorrelation, and the Geodetector. The results show pronounced subsystem asynchrony. Livelihood and Well-being Security (U5) improves steadily, while Level of Industrial Development (U1), Civic Virtues and Cultural Vibrancy (U3), and Rural Governance (U4) also rise but with clear spatial differentiation; by contrast, Quality of Human Settlements (U2) fluctuates in stages under ecological fragility. Overall, the coupling coordination level advances from the Verge of Imbalance to Intermediate Coordination, yet the regional pattern remains uneven, with eastern basin cities leading and western deep mountainous cities lagging. State transitions display both policy responsiveness and path dependence: the probability of retaining the original state ranges from 50.0% to 90.5%; low-level neighborhoods reduce the upward transition probability to 25%, whereas medium-to-high-level neighborhoods raise the upward transition probability of low-level cities from 36.36% to 53.33%. Spatial dependence is also evident, with Global Moran’s I increasing, with fluctuations, from 0.331 in 2009 to 0.536 in 2023; high-value clusters extend along the Guanzhong Plain–Han River Valley corridor, while low-value clusters remain relatively locked in mountainous border areas. Driving mechanisms show clear stage-wise succession. At the single-factor level, the explanatory power of Road Network Density (F6) declines from 0.639 to 0.287, whereas Terrain Relief Amplitude (F1) becomes the dominant background constraint in the later stage (q = 0.772). Multi-factor interactions are generally enhanced. In particular, the traditional infrastructure-led pathway weakens markedly, with F1 ∩ F6 = 0.055 in 2023, while the interaction between terrain and consumer market vitality becomes dominant, with F1 ∩ F7 = 0.987 in 2023. On this basis, three major pathways are identified: government fiscal intervention and transportation accessibility improvement, capital agglomeration and market demand stimulation, and human–earth system adaptation and ecological value realization. These findings provide quantitative evidence for breaking spatial lock-in and improving cross-regional resource allocation in ecologically constrained mountainous regions. Full article

Mobility and its infrastructure represent challenges for contemporary society. It is necessary to promote collective public transport and active mobility, because they contribute to improving accessibility in cities and the well-being of society. The objectives of this research are (1) to analyze the perception of the population of Cartagena, Colombia, in relation to public transport safety; (2) to highlight the level of knowledge about legislation or regulations related to mobility and their participation in the adoption of planning tools for implementation; and (3) to analyze the proposed initiatives to achieve a more equitable, egalitarian, fair, inclusive, and sustainable mobility. The results emanate from a digital survey conducted with 828 people from different neighborhoods and socioeconomic strata in Cartagena. Regarding the first objective, the findings indicate that almost one-third of the respondents consider public transport unsafe or very unsafe. Public transport is perceived as more unsafe by women than men. In terms of the second objective, there is limited knowledge of mobility regulations (56% did not know or did not respond) and low citizen participation (12%) in the adoption of planning tools. Concerning the third objective, the results showed 54 initiatives oriented toward institutional strengthening and undertaking a more equitable, egalitarian, fair, inclusive and sustainable mobility. Full article

The rapid increase in companion animal ownership has intensified the demand for innovative tools that support animal health and overall welfare. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI), particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), has emerged as a promising approach in veterinary medicine. However, its application beyond clinical diagnostics, especially in behaviour and personality assessment, remains fragmented and insufficiently integrated into routine practice. This systematic review aims to synthesise current knowledge on AI-based applications in companion animal care, with a focus on behavioural monitoring, personality prediction, and welfare-related challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, a structured literature search was conducted in the Scopus and PubMed databases from 2020 to 2025. In addition, grey literature sources were searched to capture relevant non-peer-reviewed data. A total of 115 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Eligibility criteria included studies applying AI methods (machine learning or deep learning) to companion animals (dogs, cats, and exotic pets), while studies on humans, farm animals, or without AI methods were excluded. Due to the heterogeneity of included studies, no formal risk of bias assessment was performed, and results were synthesised narratively. The findings indicate that AI applications are most advanced in diagnostic imaging and clinical decision support, where data availability and methodological maturity are highest. In contrast, AI-based approaches for behaviour and personality prediction remain limited, particularly in cats and exotic companion animals, largely due to small, heterogeneous datasets, potential bias, and a lack of external validation. Emerging technologies such as wearable sensors, computer vision, and multimodal data integration demonstrate substantial potential for continuous behavioural monitoring and early detection of welfare-related issues in real household environments. Nevertheless, significant challenges persist, including data heterogeneity, limited model explainability, ethical considerations, and the absence of regulatory frameworks specifically addressing AI-based veterinary applications. Overall, this review highlights a substantial gap between the technical potential of AI and its current readiness for widespread application in companion animal behaviour and welfare assessment. Future research should prioritise large-scale and standardised data collection, cross-species validation, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure that AI-driven tools effectively support veterinary decision-making, animal welfare, and the well-being of owners. Full article

Mescaline, the primary bioactive alkaloid found in Peyote and San Pedro cactus, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is now attracting renewed interest for clinical applications. The purpose of this systematic review was to search the literature for studies reporting the use of mescaline to address the gap in our understanding of mescaline use and its impact. References were exported from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane. Included studies contained patient data pertaining to mescaline, primary sources for beliefs on the use of mescaline as traditional medicine, and a range of psychiatric conditions. Excluded studies included unpublished studies, animal studies, and studies without English full-texts available. Of 2770 imported references, 66 met the inclusion criteria, with only 10 being found suitable for analysis. Studies reported therapeutic effects such as improvements in depression scales, well-being, nicotine dependence, alcohol use, and obsessions. Bayesian analysis found that certain effects were frequently reported, such as hypertension, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The existing literature on mescaline is limited and of highly variable quality, preventing definitive conclusions regarding the prevalence of psychological and somatic effects from mescaline and mescaline-containing ethnobotanicals. Additional research is needed to determine the safety profile of mescaline. Given the prevalence of Peyote use in the Native American Church, the collaboration of the Native American Church and regional hospitals/poison centers is recommended to create a registry to allow for standardized and clinically applicable data collection on the effects of mescaline in prevalent populations. Full article

School-based mental health screening typically relies on single-time-point assessments, which assume that students’ emotional well-being is sufficiently stable for classification based on a single measurement. The present study examined this assumption by evaluating the stability of emotional well-being classifications under repeated mood monitoring. Students from two secondary schools (United Kingdom, n = 413; Australia, n = 354) completed the Brief Emotional Experience Scale weekly across six to seven weeks. Emotional well-being classifications were examined relative to a predefined low well-being threshold to assess stability across time, and a post-monitoring survey examined students’ self-reported perceptions of the monitoring experience. Most students (78%) showed consistently above-threshold classifications across monitoring occasions, while a small proportion (5%) showed persistently low classifications. However, 17% of students fluctuated above and below the low well-being threshold across weeks, indicating that classification status for this group was sensitive to assessment timing. When monitoring data were aggregated using different decision rules, the proportion of students flagged as low well-being varied substantially, ranging from approximately 5% under a conservative stability-based criterion to around 12% when classifications were based on averaged monitoring scores. Classifications derived from averaged monitoring scores showed high agreement with single-time-point classifications, while identifying a partially different subset of students as low well-being, underscoring the sensitivity of threshold-based decisions to classification approach. Student feedback provided preliminary contextual insight into the acceptability of repeated monitoring under routine school conditions, with over half of respondents reporting that the process supported their emotional understanding. A substantial minority also reported greater inclination to talk with others about their well-being. Overall, the findings indicate that single-time-point screening may provide an incomplete basis for emotional well-being classification for some students, and that repeated assessment offers additional temporal context for interpreting threshold-based screening decisions. Full article

This study examines the impact of family multidimensional poverty on cognitive function among older adults in China using the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Filling a critical gap in the existing literature, we construct a multidimensional poverty index (MPI) based on the Alkire-Foster methodology to evaluate cognitive decline within the context of China’s post-poverty-eradication landscape. Utilizing quantile regression analysis, our findings demonstrate that multidimensional poverty exerts a significant, negative effect on cognitive function, which is more pronounced among individuals at lower cognitive quantiles, consistent with the cumulative disadvantage theory. Furthermore, we identify substantial urban–rural and regional disparities, revealing unique socio-economic inequalities. By linking multidimensional poverty to elderly cognitive health through psychosocial pathways, this study provides empirical evidence that reducing multidimensional deprivation among older adults is integral to achieving both SDG1 and SDG3 in China’s post-eradication context, demonstrating that income-based metrics alone are insufficient to capture the full burden of poverty on elderly cognitive health. Full article

Urban green spaces (UGSs) provide critical ecosystem services (ESs) in rapidly urbanising cities but are increasingly threatened by land-use change, population growth, and socio-economic pressures. This study assessed spatial and temporal changes in UGS in Zomba City, Malawi, from 1998 to 2021 using geospatial and remote sensing methods. Landsat imagery from 1998, 2007, 2013, and 2021 was analysed through post-classification change detection to map land-use/land-cover (LULC) transitions, while the relationship between ward-level population density and vegetation condition was evaluated using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Results show a decline in total UGS cover from 60% in 1998 to 51% in 2021, primarily due to the expansion of built-up areas. Tree cover increased from 11% to 18%, with NDVI values rising from 0.700 to 0.947; these changes may reflect both natural vegetation growth and targeted restoration, indicating localised improvements in vegetation condition. An inverse relationship was observed between population density and NDVI, though some high-density wards exhibited NDVI gains associated with restoration initiatives. These findings underscore the role of both institutional and community efforts in sustaining urban vegetation and highlight the potential of ecological restoration to mitigate UGS loss and support ESs. Policymakers and planners should prioritise the protection, restoration, and equitable distribution of UGS, particularly in dense and underserved areas, as strategic urban greening enhances city resilience and human well-being. Full article

Background: Older adults are highly vulnerable to adverse psychological outcomes following large-scale disasters. Social micro-communities are often assumed to play a protective role in post-disaster recovery. This study examined the association between perceived micro-community support and psychological outcomes among older adults after the 2023 earthquakes in Malatya, Türkiye. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 287 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older from the Battalgazi and Yesilyurt districts. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a sociodemographic form, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Non-parametric statistical analyses were applied. Results: Younger participants reported significantly higher perceived social support and psychological well-being (p < 0.05). Male and married participants demonstrated greater life satisfaction (p < 0.05). Educational status was significantly associated with family support and total perceived social support (p < 0.05). Although most participants perceived micro-communities as important, perceived importance was not significantly associated with psychological well-being or life satisfaction. Health problems and economic hardship were the most common post-disaster stressors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ginger has a long history as both a culinary and medicinal plant and is widely recognized in traditional medicine for its ability to promote health and well-being. The principal bioactive compounds of ginger are present in fresh and dried forms and have been largely studied for their therapeutic potential. These compounds exhibit a wide range of biological activities mediated through various mechanisms. Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of innovative delivery systems, thereby enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of ginger-derived compounds in modern medical applications. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of ginger and its potential role in disease prevention. Relevant studies were identified through the main research databases, publication screening, manual reference checks, and author consensus was conducted. Results: This narrative review provides an overview of the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds in ginger for the management and prevention of cardiovascular, arthritis, neurodegenerative, and gastrointestinal diseases, with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms. In addition, their potential anti-aging properties are extensively discussed. The evidence reported is predominantly preclinical (in vitro and in vivo models), with more limited and heterogeneous clinical data. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in accelerating the discovery and evaluation of bioactive agents with therapeutic relevance across diverse biological systems. Conclusions: This review highlights the emerging applications of ginger extracts in human health and suggests their applications in both traditional medicine and contemporary drug discovery. Full article

Introduction: University students are vulnerable to psychological distress due to the academic and social demands of this life stage. Mindfulness and self-compassion are effective and adaptable strategies in an academic environment that promote emotional regulation and psychological well-being. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the combined impact of mindfulness- and self-compassion-based interventions (MBSCIs) on psychological distress. It will also analyze their role as predictors of therapeutic change, as well as the moderating influence of sociodemographic and contextual factors. Method: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and single-group pre-post trials investigating the effect of MBSCI on anxiety, depression and stress in college students. Studies were combined using the inverse variance method in a random effects model. Additional subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed, and risk of bias was assessed. The review was pre-registered (PROSPERO registration number: CRD420251003822). Results: Our review included 49 studies with a total of 5043 participants (3721 in the intervention group, and 1322 in the control group). The results provide relevant evidence on the efficacy of MBSCI in the university population, especially in reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. The effect sizes observed were moderate-to-large for stress and small-to-moderate for anxiety and depression, supporting their clinical usefulness in university educational settings. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as no included study achieved low risk of bias, and heterogeneity was moderate-to-high across most outcomes. Conclusions: The results suggest that MBSCI could alleviate psychological distress in university students. However, these results are limited by some methodological issues (risk of bias, heterogeneity, lack of follow-ups, poor standardization). It would be advisable to integrate these practices into the university curriculum as workshops or complementary activities. Further studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness and explore sustained effects and differences according to individual characteristics. Full article

Traditional one size fits all pharmacotherapy often yields suboptimal clinical outcomes, preventable adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and significant drug waste, imposing substantial economic and ecological burdens on healthcare systems. This review evaluates the transformative potential of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing, particularly cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene variants, as a foundation for an ecosystem-centric accountability framework for green pharmacy and links human metabolic variability to specific environmental outcomes. Personalized CYP profiling is shown to minimize the environmental release of unused drugs and potentially ecotoxic metabolites into aquatic ecosystems, in contrast to standard uniform drug use approaches. The limitations of ethnicity-based dosing models, which rely on population genetic variation, are examined in the context of increasing global genetic admixture. It is argued that individual genetic profiling, conceptualized as a PGx-Green Passport, provides a reliable safety standard that accounts for individual differences, thereby enhancing efficiency and well-being in a globalized society. By integrating clinical data, including real-world evidence on hospital utilization, with sustainability frameworks, this review demonstrates that PGx-guided therapy is not only a tool for clinical efficiency but also a fundamental requirement for systematically achieving environmentally sustainable healthcare. Full article

In recent decades, bathroom design has undergone significant changes driven by technological advances, aesthetic trends, and social transformations. Despite their relevance to daily routines and quality of life, bathrooms remain underexplored with regard to how cladding materials influence users’ psychological experience. This study aims to analyze the effects of different bathroom cladding materials on perception, emotional response, and purchase intention. An online experiment was conducted using a single-factor experimental design with five types of cladding materials (ceramic, vinyl, wood, microcement, and natural stone). A total of 58 participants evaluated five virtual bathroom stimuli through self-report measures assessing perceived well-being, perceived stress, perceived functionality, perceived aesthetic preference, perceived cost, emotional valence, and purchase intention. Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests. The results revealed significant differences across all perceptual dimensions depending on the cladding material. Wood and natural stone were associated with higher levels of perceived well-being and more pleasant emotional responses, whereas microcement was linked to higher perceived stress and lower aesthetic evaluations. In addition, affective variables—particularly aesthetic preference—emerged as the strongest predictors of purchase intention. These findings highlight the importance of bathroom materiality in shaping emotional experience and decision-making processes, and emphasize the role of cladding selection in promoting psychological well-being within domestic environments. Full article

Cities worldwide are turning to green infrastructure (GI) as a potential decentralized pathway to stormwater management, heat abatement, and other climate adaptation and wellbeing benefits. As with environmental governance, public engagement in GI planning—from design to implementation and maintenance—is necessary to incorporate diverse perspectives, better understand the potential impact of environmental policies, and ensure fair and equitable outcomes. However, GI is different from broader environmental governance approaches in that it demands on-the-ground labor and long-term maintenance, which are crucial for ecosystem function. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive literature review of 46 articles published between 2014 and 2024 to provide a more nuanced understanding of public engagement for GI in municipal settings. Results reveal diverse and innovative approaches to engagement that involve integrating social and environmental data, on-the-ground activities, and working groups. We further highlight four key characteristics of GI engagement: (1) the multifunctionality of GI, (2) the incorporation of public and private land, (3) effects on community-building and sense of place, and (4) environmental and social justice. By embracing the multifunctionality of GI and centering justice, engagement efforts are more likely to recruit diverse community members, maintain long-term engagement, and simultaneously address multiple social and environmental needs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires sustained self-care, yet patients’ ability to manage daily treatment and symptoms is often shaped by the support provided by informal caregivers. Methods: Guided by the Middle-Range Theory of Self-Care of Chronic Illness, this multicentre cross-sectional study described caregivers’ contributions to self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management in IBD, and compared these contributions between caregivers of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and those of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Results: A convenience sample of 275 caregivers of adult outpatients with IBD was recruited across multiple Italian centres. Caregiver contribution was measured using the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory, together with caregiver self-efficacy and selected sociodemographic and clinical variables. Caregivers reported substantial involvement across all self-care domains, with significantly higher contributions to self-care maintenance among caregivers of patients with CD than among those caring for patients with UC. Monitoring and management scores were similar across groups. Regression analyses indicated disease-specific patterns, with caregiver gender, education, employment status, and patient clinical characteristics showing differential associations with self-care domains. Conclusions: These findings underscore the central role of caregivers in supporting self-care in IBD and suggest that structured, caregiver-focused approaches embedded in routine clinical pathways may strengthen dyadic chronic illness management. Full article