Search Results (38,126)

This study explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing earthquake risk mitigation across six key areas. Unlike traditional approaches, this paper examines how AI-driven innovations can uniquely enhance early warning systems, enabling real-time structural health monitoring, and providing dynamic, multi-hazard risk assessments that seamlessly integrate seismic data with other natural hazards such as tsunamis and landslides. It introduces groundbreaking applications of AI in earthquake-resilient design, where generative design algorithms and predictive analytics create structures that optimally balance safety, cost, and sustainability. The study also presents a novel discussion on the ethical implications of AI in this domain, stressing the critical need for transparency, accountability, and bias mitigation. Looking forward, the manuscript envisions the development of advanced AI platforms capable of delivering real-time, personalized risk assessments, immersive public training programs, and collaborative design tools that adapt to evolving seismic data. These innovations promise not only to significantly enhance current earthquake preparedness but also to pave the way toward a future where the societal impact of earthquakes is drastically reduced. This work underscores the potential of AI’s role in shaping a safer, more resilient future, emphasizing the importance of continued innovation, ethical governance, and collaborative efforts. Full article

Background/Objective: Nutritionists play a crucial role in guiding individuals toward healthier lifestyles through personalized meal planning; however, this task involves navigating a complex web of factors, including health conditions, dietary restrictions, cultural preferences, and socioeconomic constraints. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) offers a valuable framework for structuring these multi-faceted decisions but inconsistencies can hinder its effectiveness in pairwise comparisons. Methods: This paper proposes a novel hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization–Simulated Annealing (PSO-SA) algorithm to refine inconsistent AHP weight matrices, ensuring a consistent and accurate representation of the nutritionist’s expertise and client preferences. Our approach merges PSO’s global search capabilities with SA’s local search precision, striking an optimal balance between exploration and exploitation. Results: We demonstrate the practical utility of our algorithm through real-world use cases involving personalized meal planning for individuals with specific dietary needs and preferences. Results showcase the algorithm’s efficiency in achieving consistency and surpassing standard PSO accuracy. Conclusion: By integrating the PSO-SA algorithm into a mobile app, we empower nutritionists with an advanced decision-making tool for creating tailored meal plans that promote healthier dietary choices and improved client outcomes. This research represents a significant advancement in multi-criteria decision-making for nutrition, offering a robust solution to the inconsistency challenge in AHP and paving the way for more effective and personalized dietary interventions. Full article

Debating the nature of social cognition, there has been an upsurge in studies on empathy since the turn of the century. The contribution of Edith Stein’s doctoral dissertation On Empathy has also been brought to the forefront. In her philosophy, there is a continuous concern for the questions of social relations and human community, the explorations of the human person and its unfolding in the encounter with otherness being a leading thread in her work. Still, after her dissertation, the notion of empathy is no longer in use. What does this signify? I propose that the notion of ‘empathy’ proved to be too restrained for what Stein discovers and wants to phenomenologically describe. After her conversion to the Christian faith, working in the intersection of philosophy and theology, she expands and transforms her notion of what it means to be a person and, correspondingly, her intuition of the social relation. In the interpretative readings of this article, I show how Edith Stein’s early intuitions on empathy, alterity, and personhood come to full development in her later writings, where the relation to otherness and the unfolding of the person are conceived as inseparable from the experience of a loving God. Full article

This study explores the motivations, choices, and constraints shaping tourism behavior among transgender individuals living in Italy. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research begins with quantitative data collection and analyses, followed by qualitative insights to uncover the multifaceted reasons that drive transgender individuals to engage in tourism. These motivations range from seeking personal authenticity to cultural exploration and community connection. This study also examines the intricate interplay of choice and constraint in shaping transgender travelers’ tourism experiences, highlighting the challenges they face and the strategies they use to cope with the obstacles they face within the tourism context. Given Italy’s persistent stereotypes and prejudices against gender and sexual minorities, this research provides a critical examination of the intersectionality of gender identity and tourism within a challenging cultural and legal landscape. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of transgender travelers’ tourism experiences and offer valuable implications for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and scholars. By amplifying the voices of Italian transgender travelers, this study aims to foster greater inclusivity and recognition of their diverse needs and experiences within the tourism sector. Full article

The traditional catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) using metal oxide catalysts often requires either high temperatures (thermocatalysis) or ultraviolet light (UV) excitation (photocatalysis), limiting practical applications under ambient conditions. Our research aimed to develop a catalytic system capable of oxidizing CO to CO₂ at room temperature and in the dark. Using the Strong Metal–Support Interaction (SMSI) methodology, several titanium oxide (TiO₂)-complexed metals were prepared (Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt). The highest catalytic efficiency of CO oxidation at room temperature was demonstrated for the TiO₂-Pt complex. Therefore, this complex was further examined structurally and functionally. Two modes of operation were addressed. The first involved applying the catalytic system to remove CO from an individual’s environment (environmental system), while the second involved the installation of the catalysis chamber as a part of a personal protection unit (e.g., a mask). The catalytic activity exhibited a significant reduction in CO levels in both the environmental and personal protection scenarios. The practical application of the system was demonstrated through efficient CO oxidation in air emitted from a controlled fire experiment conducted in collaboration with the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority. Full article

We retrospectively collected all ultrasound imaging data of our thalassemia patients over a period of 10 years with the aim of assessing the prevalence and the risk factors of renal stones and cysts. Moreover, we assessed the incidence of renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) among thalassemia patients (133 with thalassemia major (TM) and 157 with thalassemia intermedia (TI)) and its association with demographic and clinical findings. Renal stones were detected in 15.2% of patients. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the independent predictors were blood consumption, splenectomy, and proteinuria. Renal cysts were detected in 18.4% of patients. In the multivariable analysis, age emerged as the only independent predictor. After the first detection, 35% of the patients showed changes in the number, size, or grading of renal cysts. During the study period, the crude incidence rate of RCC was 75.9 cases per 100,000 person-years. The most frequent histological subtype (80%) included clear-cell RCC. In total, 80% of patients with RCC had TM and all were positive for hepatitis C virus antibodies. Thalassemia patients are significantly affected by asymptomatic renal diseases such as stones, cysts, and cancer, suggesting the need for regular screening by imaging. Full article

Personality traits significantly impact chronic diseases, affecting disease management, coping strategies, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. People with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often exhibit dysfunctional personality traits associated with negative disease outcomes, including personality changes and disorders. Our study explored personality traits and their connection to clinical aspects and cognitive functioning in MS patients. We used two assessment tools: the NEO-FFI and the Lüscher Color Test, which is based on color preferences. The aim was to investigate the applicability of the Lüscher Color Test in MS patients. The study included 20 participants from the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Cohort. The results showed elevated scores in neuroticism, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness in MS patients, while there was no effect for extraversion. A significant positive correlation was found between neuroticism and the preference for green-blue color shades, as well as a rejection of orange-reddish color shades in the Lüscher Color Test, indicating avoidance of stimulation and engagement. Another notable positive association was found between openness and the preference for lighter shades in the Lüscher Color Test. Although this relation did not reach the level of statistical significance, it suggests a potential trend. Neuroticism on its own predicted anxiety and fatigue, while the preference for lighter shades in the Lüscher Color Test correlated with EDSS scores. No significant correlations were found between personality traits and cognitive aspects. Despite the limitations of this study, our results highlight the importance of assessing personality traits in MS patients, using either the NEO-FFI or the Lüscher Color Test, to improve treatment strategies and explore emotional conflicts related to the disease. Full article

The prevalence of mental health problems in adolescence is high, and it would appear that certain conditioning factors such as having a Specific Learning Disability (SpLD), the application of educational measures (repeating a school year), or gender can have an impact on the socioemotional development of adolescents. However, we do not yet have a clear picture of the role played by each variable or whether there are interactions between them. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyse the effect of these independent variables on internalising problems (anxiety and depression) and on personal resources (self-esteem, social competence, and awareness of the problem). The sample is composed of 80 students, 40 with SpLD and 40 control, aged between 12 and 17 years old, matched in terms of age and gender. The results indicate that the variables Specific Learning Disabilities and educational measures have a negative impact on internalising problems and personal resources of adolescents, while there is no significant effect with respect to gender. In addition, we identified interactions between having SpLD and being held back a year. We therefore call into question the negative impact of repeating a school year according to the condition. Full article

Professional development involves facing numerous challenges. It is a complex process, susceptible to personal aspects (e.g., health, happiness, productivity), but also contextual aspects (e.g., recognition of the complexity and unpredictability of the labor market, and of the need to have a positive impact on the community). The life design paradigm views individuals as active agents in their career construction. Although this approach strongly emphasizes individual agency, it also underscores the importance of addressing broader issues related to sustainability. Indeed, career counselling can stimulate actions that favor sustainable development, benefiting society and enhancing the well-being of all people. To this end, we developed a training to stimulate reflections on sustainable careers, sense of community, and sustainable behavior. The study involved 44 university students divided into an experimental (n = 22) and a control group (n = 22). The first group participated in 16 online activities, interspersed with three in-person meetings. After the training, the experimental group exhibited improvements in sustainable careers, sense of community, self-efficacy in implementing sustainable behavior, and the perceived importance of promoting sustainability. These findings suggest that career counselling activities can significantly increase the personal resources of university students, equipping them to contribute to society and promote a sustainable world. Full article

Grief is a natural and self-limited adaptation process to a new reality that emerges after a significant loss (whether real or perceived), with a broad variety of manifestations that exert an impact on a grieving person’s health. The study aim was to synthesize the evidence available about the interventions carried out by Primary Health Care nurses, by means of an individual approach to reduce maladaptive grief or maladaptive grief risk. A scoping review was conducted (November and December 2023) through searches in Medline, Cinahl, Web of Science, ProQuest and Scopus using MeSH terms combined with Booleans. Primary research of any design in adult people undergoing grief situations and receiving professional assistance by nurses in the primary, home and community care contexts published after 2009 in English, Spanish or Portuguese languages were included. Excluded publications were those conducted in in-hospital clinical settings and which did not correspond to research designs or the gray literature. The screening process was carried out by two reviewers using the appropriate JBI critical appraisal tools for each design and discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer. A total of n = 10 studies were included (n = 4 qualitative, n = 2 ECAs, n = 1 quasi-experimental, n = 2 cross-sectional observational, and n = 2 mixed methods). The qualitative studies identified topics and subtopics of professionals’ and families’ experiences of grief. The observational studies analyzed symptoms and factors associated with the grieving process. Interventions consisted of cognitive–behavioral therapies delivered by psychological specialists who assessed the severity of grief in a range of cultural contexts using different instruments. The evidence retrieved from the studies that address the reduction in maladaptive grief or maladaptive grief risk is not conclusive. There is a need to increase both the number and the methodological quality of studies assessing the effectiveness of Nursing care in Primary Health Care for individuals experiencing maladaptive grief or maladaptive grief risk. Further research should focus on experimental studies, developing specific interventions conducted by nurses to address individual’s grief and prevent maladaptive grief. Full article

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex cellular process that allows cells to change their phenotype from epithelial to mesenchymal-like. Type 3 EMT occurs during cancer progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of RNA-binding motif single-stranded interacting protein 3 (RBMS 3) in the process of EMT. To investigate the impact of RBMS 3 on EMT, we performed immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions on archived paraffin blocks of invasive ductal breast carcinoma (n = 449), allowing us to analyze the correlation in expression between RBMS 3 and common markers of EMT. The IHC results confirmed the association of RBMS 3 with EMT markers. Furthermore, we performed an in vitro study using cellular models of triple negative and HER-2-enriched breast cancer with the overexpression and silencing of RBMS 3. RT-qPCR and Western blot methods were used to detect changes at both the mRNA and protein levels. An invasion assay and confocal microscopy were used to study the migratory potential of cells depending on the RBMS 3 expression. The studies conducted suggest that RBMS 3 may potentially act as an EMT-promoting agent in the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), but as an EMT suppressor in the HER-2-enriched subtype. The results of this study indicate the complex role of RBMS 3 in regulating the EMT process and present it as a future potential target for personalized therapies and a diagnostic marker in breast cancer. Full article

In recent years, recommender systems—which provide personalized recommendations by analyzing users’ historical behavior to infer their preferences—have become essential tools across various domains, including e-commerce, streaming media, and social platforms. Recommender systems play a crucial role in enhancing user experience by mining vast amounts of data to identify what is most relevant to users. Among these, deep learning-based recommender systems have demonstrated exceptional recommendation performance. However, these “black-box” systems lack reasonable explanations for their recommendation results, which reduces their impact and credibility. To address this situation, an effective strategy is to provide a personalized textual explanation along with the recommendation. This approach has received increasing attention from researchers because it can enhance users’ trust in recommender systems through intuitive explanations. In this context, our paper introduces a novel explainable recommendation model named GCLTE. This model integrates Graph Contrastive Learning with transformers within an Encoder–Decoder framework to perform rating prediction and reason generation simultaneously. In addition, we cleverly combine the neural network layer with the transformer using a straightforward information enhancement operation. Finally, our extensive experiments on three real-world datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of GCLTE in both recommendation and explanation. The experimental results show that our model outperforms the top existing models. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC) represents an early stage of metastatic disease characterized by a limited number of lesions. Recent advancements in imaging and treatment have revived interest in personalized therapies, including metastasis-directed radiotherapy (OMDRT) and primary prostate radiotherapy (PPR). This study evaluates the impact of OMDRT timing and the role of PPR on survival outcomes in OMPC patients; Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 82 patients with OMPC who underwent OMDRT between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed. Patients were classified based on OMDRT timing (early vs. late) and disease type (synchronous vs. metachronous). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary endpoints, assessed via Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models; Results: Among the patients, 36 (43.9%) had synchronous and 46 (56.1%) had metachronous OMD. With a median follow-up of 32 months, the 5-year PFS and OS rates were 77.5% and 88.5%, respectively. Early OMDRT significantly improved PFS (HR 0.461, 95% CI: 0.257–0.826, p = 0.009) and OS (HR 0.219, 95% CI: 0.080–0.603, p = 0.003). Subgroup analysis showed the most favorable outcomes for synchronous OMD patients receiving early OMDRT, with a median PFS of 22.2 months and a 5-year survival rate of 42.1%. The treatment of the primary prostate provided a survival benefit in the OS of synchronous OMD patients (5-year 83.1% vs. 50%, p = 0.025), and there was a further improvement in OS after PPR (5-year 87.7% vs. 50%, p = 0.015). Conclusions: Early OMDRT significantly enhances survival outcomes in OMPC, in both synchronous and metachronous cases. The integration of PPR can further improve results, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and personalized treatment strategies. To more definitively clarify our findings across various clinical situations, further studies with larger cohorts or prospective designs are necessary. Full article

Background: Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) identifies genetic alterations and patterns that are crucial for therapy selection and precise treatment development. In Colombia, limited access to CGP tests underscores the necessity of documenting the prevalence of treatable genetic alterations. This study aimed to describe the somatic genetic profile of specific cancer types in Colombian patients and assess its impact on treatment selection. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Clínica Colsanitas S.A. from March 2023 to June 2024. Sequencing was performed on the NextSeq2000 platform with the TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500) assay, which simultaneously evaluates 523 genes for DNA analysis and 55 for RNA; additionally, analyses were performed with the SOPHiA DDM software. The tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1) were assessed. Results: Among 111 patients, 103 were evaluated, with gastrointestinal (27.93%), respiratory (13.51%), and central nervous system cancers (10.81%) being the most prevalent. TP53 (37%), KMT2C (28%), and KRAS (21%) were frequent mutations. Actionable findings were detected in 76.7% of cases, notably in digestive (20 patients) and lung cancers (8 patients). MSI was stable at 82.52% and high at 2.91%, whilst TMB was predominantly low (91.26%). Conclusions: The test has facilitated access to targeted therapies, improving clinical outcomes in Colombian patients. This profiling test is expected to increase opportunities for personalized medicine in Colombia. Full article

Comprehending the significance of legacy in end-of-life (EoL) situations helps palliative care professionals enhance person-centered outcomes for those with a life-threatening illness and their families. Our purpose was to conduct a concept analysis of legacy in EoL care. By employing Walker and Avant’s approach, we identified the concept’s defining characteristics. Subsequently, we established the antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents. After conducting a thorough review of titles and abstracts, a total of 30 publications were analyzed. These articles were sourced from three databases (CINAHL, Medline via PubMed, and Scopus) from 2002 to 2023. Our analysis identified several core attributes of legacy: (a) leave behind something of value that transcends death; (b) determine how people want to be remembered; (c) build and bestow across generations; (d) integrate advance care planning through EoL conversations and shared decision-making; and (e) develop strategies of dignity-conserving care. The consequences are related to improvements in spiritual and subjective well-being; coping with inevitable EoL existential issues; decreases in EoL suffering; engendering self-awareness, hope, gratitude, and peace; achieving and maintaining dignity; creating good memories; promoting mutually constructive and transformative relationships; and fostering the adjustment of bereaved people. Nevertheless, further effort is required to implement the key attributes of legacy that form the basis for creating legacy-oriented interventions near the EoL. Full article