Search Results (1,287)

Virtual reality (VR) is widely used across various areas of human life. One field where its application is rapidly growing is sport and physical activity (PA). Training applications are being developed that support various sports disciplines, motor skill acquisition, and the development of motor abilities. Immersive technologies are increasingly being used to assess motor and cognitive capabilities. As such, validation studies of these diagnostic tools are essential. The aim of this study was to estimate the validity and reliability of reaction speed (RS) measurements using the Rezzil Player application (“Reaction” module) in immersive VR compared to results obtained with the SMARTFit device in a real environment (RE). The study involved 43 university students (17 women and 26 men). Both tests required participants to strike light targets on a panel with their hands. Two indicators of response were analyzed in both tests: the number of hits on illuminated targets within a specified time frame and the average RS in response to visual stimuli. Statistically significant and relatively strong correlations were observed between the two measurement methods: number of hits (r_S = 0.610; p < 0.001) and average RS (r_S = 0.535; p < 0.001). High intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were also found for both test environments: number of hits in VR (ICC = 0.851), average RS in VR (0.844), number of hits in RE (ICC = 0.881), and average RS in RE (0.878). The findings indicate that the Rezzil Player application can be considered a valid and reliable tool for measuring reaction speed in VR. The correlation with conventional methods and the high ICC values attest to the psychometric quality of the tool. Full article

Among different formations, inorganic/inorganic assemblies can be considered “two in one” systems offering collective and/or new physical-chemical properties and substantial activity. Herein, a post-synthetic approach involving the assembly through Van der Waals forces and/or hydrogen bonding of the preformed ZnO@OAm NPs and Ca(OH)₂@OAm NPs of non-uniform sizes (9 nm and 27 nm, respectively), albeit coated with the same surfactant (oleylamine-OAm), is reported. The resulting semiconductor hetero-nanostructure (named CaZnO) has been physicochemically characterized. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks correspond to both ZnO and Ca(OH)₂, confirming the successful formation of a dual-phase system. Field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) of CaZnO indicated the formation of Ca(OH)₂ NPs decorated with irregular-shaped ZnO NPs. The synthesized hetero-nanostructure was evaluated by assessing any negative effects on the photosynthetic function of tomato plants as well as for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The impact of the CaZnO hetero-nanostructure on photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry was evaluated under both the growth light intensity (GLI) and a high light intensity (HLI) at a short (90 min) and long (96 h) duration exposure. An enhancement of photosystem II (PSII) function of tomato plants by 15 mg L⁻¹ CaZnO hetero-nanostructure right after 90 min was evidenced, indicating its potential to be used as a photosynthetic biostimulant, improving photosynthetic efficiency and crop yield, but pending further testing across various plant species and cultivation conditions. Full article

Background: In light of the concerning increase in burnout among healthcare professionals, it is essential to identify the specific factors that contribute to this phenomenon and can be addressed. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the relationship between burnout and emotional intelligence (EI) among healthcare professionals, alongside additional factors that may influence both concepts. Methods: A structured search in OVID, PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2024) was conducted. The inclusion criteria were English language and peer-reviewed studies assessing both burnout and EI in healthcare professionals. The exclusion criteria were non-English papers, studies without EI–burnout correlation, or involving non-healthcare populations. Thirty-one eligible studies were included in this analysis. Results: The findings suggest a consistent inverse correlation between EI and burnout across various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and residents. Higher EI was associated with reduced levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and a greater sense of personal accomplishment. Burnout was found to be prevalent among younger healthcare workers, particularly residents, with contributing factors including exposure to workplace violence, high workload, and diminished psychological ownership. In contrast, associations that suggest protective influences on emotional intelligence included spiritual intelligence, self-control, income, and healthy habits, such as sufficient sleep and physical activity. Conclusions: This narrative review highlights a consistent inverse association between EI and burnout in healthcare professionals. Given that both burnout and EI are affected by adjustable individual and organizational elements, specific interventions aimed at enhancing EI and improving workplace conditions may provide effective techniques to boost clinician occupational well-being and performance. Full article

Background: The increasing demand for care in hospital settings, often at a high intensity, requires organizing work according to 24 h shifts. Nevertheless, shift work (SW), especially at night, alters the circadian rhythm, negatively affecting the psychophysical health of nurses, compromising their quality of life, and jeopardizing patient safety. Shift-work-related diseases (SWDs) can arise from these disruptions. Methods: This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of several types of medical, psychotherapeutic, and educational interventions and strategies on shift-work-related diseases (SWDs). The databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched using the MESH terms “shift work” and “nurses” from January 2015 to March 2025. A total of 43 articles were included in the final analysis. Results: Quantitative findings from the studies showed, for example, improvements in sleep quality scores ranging from 15% to 40% with optimized shift planning, reductions in fatigue scores by 20–35% through strategic napping, and moderate effect sizes for light therapy interventions. Physical activity and relaxation techniques were associated with a 10–25% improvement in subjective well-being indices, while meal timing interventions led to reductions in gastrointestinal symptom prevalence by up to 18%. The selected articles were discussed by dividing them according to the type of intervention applied to shift nurses, namely improvement of shift planning, light and temperature modulation, introduction of napping, supplementation, meal management, psychotherapy, sleep education, physical activity, relaxation techniques and yoga, music therapy, and aromatherapy. This categorization was performed to highlight the range of strategies tested and their relative quantitative impact. Conclusions: There is evidence that SWDs can be mitigated through targeted interventions and strategies. The limitations of the studies examined include small sample sizes, extreme heterogeneity of follow-up, the few numbers of randomized controlled trials, and the prevalence of female or Intensive Care Unit nurses in study samples. Further research should focus on large-scale randomized controlled trials, multicenter longitudinal studies, and the evaluation of the most promising interventions—particularly light therapy, optimized shift scheduling, and structured napping protocols—to assess their long-term efficacy and generalizability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Research raising concerns about the occupational health of signed language interpreters has proliferated in the past two decades. Recent studies examining interpreters’ various work settings find that Video Relay Service (VRS) work is linked to greater health risks than other interpreting settings. This study aimed to shed light on why VRS work appears to be particularly hazardous. Methods: This mixed-methods study reports data from an online survey of 345 American VRS interpreters. Participants were queried about a range of potentially stressful experiences with callers. Quantitative data regarding the types, frequency, patterns, and consequences of stressful calls were further informed by qualitative data reported by participants in free-response survey fields. Results: Incidents of VRS interpreters mediating calls regarding sexual activity, drug deals, and prostitution were reported with notable frequency, as was interpreters’ witnessing abuse of vulnerable individuals. Interpreters also were often the object of callers’ derisive sexual, physical, and racial comments. Yet the incidence of participants reporting these experiences to management or outside authorities was quite limited despite the potential legal jeopardy involved. When reports were made, most participants stated their companies took little or no action. We also examined how factors such as the tenure of VRS, hours worked per week, and work shift times were associated with such caller experiences. Conclusions: This study builds upon prior VRS health risk research by examining external factors, including caller behavior and employer policies, that may contribute to interpreter stress and burnout. Suggestions for remediation and workforce development, involving VRS companies, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and state legislation are offered. Full article

Weeds are one of the main problems in cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs); they negatively affect yield (herba and essential oil), and the overall quantity and quality of biomass, flowers, roots, seeds, and secondary metabolites. This review evaluates mulching as a sustainable, non-chemical method for weed management in the cultivation of MAPs and examines how effectively organic, synthetic, and living mulches reduce weeds and increase yields. Regarding different mulch materials such as straw, sawdust, bark, needles, compost, polyethylene, and biodegradable films, the basic processes of mulch activity, including light interception, physical suppression, and microclimate adjustment, are examined. The review further analyzes the impact of mulching on soil parameters (moisture, temperature, pH, chlorophyll content) and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. The findings consistently indicate that mulching substantially reduces weed biomass, improves crop performance, and supports organic farming practices. However, there are still issues with cost, material availability, and possible soil changes, and the efficacy is affected by variables including cultivated plant species, mulch type, and application thickness. The review highlights the importance of further research to optimize the selection of mulch and MAPs and their application across various agroecological conditions, and indicates that mulching is a potential, environmentally friendly technique for weed control in MAP cultivations. Full article

(1) Background: Recent decades have seen growing interest in neuroplasticity and the activity-dependent mechanisms that allow Brain Networks to adapt functionally. Among the various stimuli, physical exercise has emerged as a key modulator of brain plasticity. This narrative review aims to synthesize evidence on the structural and functional effects of physical exercise on the brain in healthy individuals aged 18–80 years. Exercise modalities were categorized into Cardiovascular, Strength, and Mixed Training. Each was further classified by intensity (Light-to-Moderate vs. Vigorous) and duration (Short- vs. Long-Term). A total of 25 interventions were analyzed to evaluate how these variables influence Brain Networks. Findings indicate that exercise type, intensity, and duration collectively modulate neuroplastic responses. Notably, physical training induces structural and functional changes in major Brain Networks, including the Default Mode Network, Salience Network, Central Executive Network, Visuospatial Network, Sensorimotor Network, and Language and Auditory Networks. These results underscore the potential of physical exercise as an effective non-pharmacological strategy to enhance brain health and plasticity across the adult lifespan. This narrative review aims to highlight the effects of physical exercise in changing the brain either functionally or structurally. Moreover, the most relevant exercise training modalities that may improve/change neural networks in healthy populations (18–80 years) were discussed. (2) Methods: Three different types of exercise were considered: (i) Cardiovascular, (ii) Strength, and (iii) Mixed Exercise. For each of them, two levels of intensity (Light-to-Moderate and Vigorous) and two durations (Short-Term and Long-Term Effects) were included. By analyzing 25 interventions, indications about the effects on the brain considering the three factors (type of exercises, intensities, and durations) were provided. (3) Results: The findings suggest that the type of exercises, intensities, and durations could to lead neural modification over time. Specifically, exercise intervention contributes to both structural and functional changes in brain regions located in key Brain Networks, including the Default Mode Network, Salience Network, Central Executive Network, Visuospatial Network, Sensorimotor Network, and Language and Auditory Networks. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, the evidence presented herein underscores the beneficial effects of physical exercise on the structural and functional integrity of the brain, highlighting its importance as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve brain plasticity. Full article

Bats are a taxa of high conservation concern and are facing numerous threats including widespread mortality due to White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) in North America. With this decline comes increasing difficulty in monitoring imperiled bat species due to lower detection probabilities of both mist-netting and acoustic surveys. Lure technology shows promise to increase detection while decreasing sampling effort; however, to date research has primarily focused on increasing physical captures during mist-net surveys using sound lures. Because much bat monitoring is now performed using acoustic detection, there is a similar need to increase detection probabilities during acoustic surveys. Ultraviolet (UV) lights anecdotally have been shown to attract insects and thereby attract foraging bats for observational studies and to experimentally provide a food source for WNS-impacted bats before and after hibernation. Therefore, we constructed a field-portable and programmable UV lure device to determine the value of lures for increasing acoustic detection of bats. We tested if the lure device increased both the echolocation passes and feeding activity (feeding buzzes) across a transect of bat detectors. There was an increase in feeding activity around the UV light, with a nuanced, species-specific and positionally dependent effect on echolocation passes received. The UV light lure increased echolocation passes for the eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis), little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), and evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis), but decreased passes of the North American hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus). The northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) showed a negative response within the illuminated area but increased echolocation activity outside the illuminated area during lure treatment and activity was elevated at all positions after the lure was deactivated. Our study demonstrates some potential utility of UV lures in increasing the feeding activity and acoustic detection of bats. Additional research and development of UV lure technology may be beneficial, including alternating on and off periods to improve detection of light-averse species, and improving echolocation call quality along with the increase in received passes. Full article

“The whole day movement matters to health.” has become an important topic while the associations between executive function and different movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and sleep) are traditionally examined in isolation. This study aimed to examine the combined associations of movement behaviors (i.e., moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA], light PA, screen-based SB, non-screen-based SB, and sleep) with executive function (i.e., working memory, inhibition, and overall executive function) among college students. A total of 366 college students (60.1% female; mean age = 22.59 ± 3.54) were recruited. Validated questionnaires were used to assess light PA, MVPA, screen-based and non-screen-based SB, sleep, and executive function. All the movement behaviors including screen-based SB (β = 0.13), sleep (β = −0.12), and MVPA (β = −0.16) were significant predictors on working memory (R² = 0.09). Only BMI (β = 0.14) was found to be a significant contributor to inhibition (R² = 0.05). The overweight/obese group had significantly higher scores (meaning lower functioning) in inhibition compared to peers with healthy weights (d = 0.24). These findings suggest healthy movement behaviors (i.e., engage in MVPA, reduce screen-based SB, sufficient sleep) and weight management are beneficial for executive function during young adulthood. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traditional models like ordinary least squares (OLS) struggle to capture non-linear relationships in children’s subjective well-being (SWB), which is associated with physical activity. This study evaluated machine learning (ML) for predicting SWB, focusing on sports participation, and explored theoretical prediction limits using a global dataset. It addresses a gap in understanding complex patterns across diverse cultural contexts. Methods: We analyzed 128,184 records from the ISCWeB survey (ages 6–14, 35 countries), with self-reported data on sports frequency, emotional states, and family support. To ensure cross-country generalizability, we used GroupKFold CV (grouped by country) and leave-one-country-out (LOCO) validation, yielding mean R² = 0.45 ± 0.05, confirming robustness beyond cultural patterns, SHAP for interpretability, and bootstrapping for error estimation. No pre-registration was required for this secondary analysis. Results: XGBoost and LightGBM outperformed OLS, achieving R² up to 0.504 in restricted datasets (sensitivity excluding affective leakage: R² = 0.35), with sports-related variables (e.g., exercise frequency) associated positively with SWB predictions (SHAP values: +0.15–0.25; incremental ΔR² = 0.06 over demographics/family/school base). Using test–retest reliability from literature (r = 0.74), the estimated irreducible RMSE reached 0.941; XGBoost achieved RMSE = 1.323, approaching the predictability bound with 68.1% of explainable variance captured (after noise adjustment). Partial dependence plots showed linear associations with exercise without satiation and slight age decline. Conclusions: ML improves SWB prediction in children, highlighting associations with sports participation, and approaches predictable variance bounds. These findings suggest potential for data-driven tools to identify patterns, such as through physical literacy pathways, informing physical activity interventions. However, longitudinal studies are needed to explore causality and address cultural biases in self-reports. Full article

Membrane separation technology can be operated in moderate conditions with low energy consumption and has been widely explored and increasingly applied in the water treatment, food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. As an upgraded counterpart, stimulus-responsive membranes can respond to external stimuli (such as light, temperature, pH, electric field, magnetic field, etc.) and actively modulate their own physical and chemical properties, thus showing self-adaptive ability and improved performance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advancements in the design principles, fabrication methods, and applications of these stimulus-responsive membranes. The challenges and future directions in this field are also prospectively discussed, highlighting the potential for further innovation and industrial applications of stimulus-responsive membranes. Full article

In this study, we present analysis of TESS photometry, spectral energy distribution (SED), high-resolution spectroscopy, and spot modeling of the ${\alpha }^2$ CVn-type star AL Col (HD 46462). The primary objective is to determine its fundamental physical parameters and investigate its surface activity characteristics. Using TESS short-cadence (120 s) SAP flux, we identified a rotational frequency of 0.09655 ${\mathrm{d}}^{-1}$ ($P_{\mathrm{rot}}=10.35733$ d). Wavelet analysis reveals that while the amplitudes of the harmonic components vary over time, the strength of the primary rotational frequency remains stable. A SED analysis of multi-band photometric data yields an effective temperature ($T_{\mathrm{eff}}$) of 11,750 K. High-resolution spectroscopic observations covering wavelengthrange 4500–7000 Å provide refined estimates of $T_{\mathrm{eff}}$ = 13,814 ± 400 K, $logg$ = 4.09 ± 0.08 dex, and $\upsilon sini$ = 16 ± 1 km s⁻¹. Abundance analysis shows solar-like composition of O ii, Mg ii, S ii, and Ca ii, while helium is under-abundant by 0.62 dex. Rare earth elements (REEs) exhibit over-abundances of up to 5.2 dex, classifying the star as an Ap/Bp-type star. AL Col has a radius of $R=3.74\pm 0.48{\mathrm{R}}_{\odot }$, with its H–R diagram position estimating a mass of $M=4.2\pm 0.2{\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }$ and an age of $0.12\pm 0.01$ Gyr, indicating that the star has slightly evolved from the main sequence. The TESS light curves were modeled using a three-evolving-spot configuration, suggesting the presence of differential rotation. This star is a promising candidate for future investigations of magnetic field diagnostics and the vertical stratification of chemical elements in its atmosphere. Full article

Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with energies exceeding ${10}^{19}$ eV are believed to originate from extragalactic environments, potentially associated with relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN). Among AGNs, blazars, particularly those detected in very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays, are promising candidates for UHECR acceleration and high-energy neutrino production. In this work, we investigate three blazar sources, AP Librae, 1H 1914–194, and PKS 0735+178, using multiwavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) modeling. These sources span a range of synchrotron peak classes and redshifts, providing a diverse context to explore the physical conditions in relativistic jets. We employ both leptonic and lepto-hadronic models to describe their broadband emission from radio to TeV energies, aiming to constrain key jet parameters such as magnetic field strength, emission region size, and particle energy distributions. Particular attention is given to evaluating their potential as sources of UHECRs and high-energy neutrinos. Our results shed light on the complex interplay between particle acceleration mechanisms, radiative processes, and multi-messenger signatures in extreme astrophysical environments. Full article

Background: Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising tool for promoting physical activity through immersive gaming experiences. This study aimed to compare the physiological responses and perceived exertion during VR gaming using two different locomotion interfaces: omnidirectional treadmill and traditional controllers. Methods: Twenty-one university students (7 women, 14 men; age 23.5 ± 1.4 years) participated in a crossover study comparing physical activity intensity during VR gaming using traditional controllers versus an omnidirectional treadmill (Virtuix Omni). Participants played VRZ Torment for 15 min in each condition, separated by 30 min washout periods. Physiological responses were measured using indirect calorimetry (Cortex METAMAX® 3B), heart rate monitoring (Polar V800), and subjective ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Exercise intensity was classified according to established guidelines, and user satisfaction was assessed using a 10-point scale. Results: Omnidirectional treadmill locomotion resulted in significantly higher physiological responses and perceived exertion across all measured variables compared to controller-based movement: heart rate (76.7 ± 11.7% vs. 51.7 ± 9.5% HRmax, p < 0.001), metabolic equivalents (7.3 ± 1.7 vs. 2.1 ± 0.3 METs, p < 0.001), and RPE (14.4 ± 2.9 vs. 9.3 ± 1.5, p < 0.001). Treadmill gaming achieved vigorous-intensity exercise, while controller gaming remained at light intensity. User satisfaction was significantly higher with treadmill locomotion (8.5 ± 1.3 vs. 5.0 ± 2.3, p < 0.001). Strong correlations were observed between physiological measures only during high-intensity treadmill exercise. Conclusions: Omnidirectional treadmill VR gaming achieves vigorous-intensity physical activity sufficient to meet health recommendations, while traditional controller gaming provides only light-intensity exercise. These findings support the potential of locomotion-enhanced VR systems for health promotion. Full article

Understanding the combined gravi-phototropic behavior of plants is essential for space agriculture. Existing single-axis clinostats and gel-based grow media provide limited simulation fidelity. This study developed a Cloud-enabled triple-axis clinostat with built-in automated aeroponic and artificial photosynthetic lighting systems for Earth-based simulation under Martian gravity ranging from 0.35 to 0.4 g. Finite element analysis validated the stability and reliability of the acrylic and stainless steel rotating platform based on stress, strain, and thermal simulation tests. Arduino UNO microcontrollers were used to acquire and process sensor data to activate clinorotation and controlled environment systems. An Arduino ESP32 transmits grow chamber temperature, humidity, moisture, light intensity, and gravity sensor data to ThingSpeak and the Create IoT online platform for seamless monitoring and storage of enviro-physical data. The developed system can generate 0.252–0.460 g that suits the target Martian gravity. The combined gravi-phototropic tests confirmed that maize seedlings exposed to partial gravity and grown using the aeroponic approach have a shoot system growth driven by light availability (395–400 μmol/m²/s) across the partial gravity extremes. Root elongation is more responsive to gravity increase under higher partial gravity (0.375–0.4 g) even with low light availability. The developed soilless clinostat technology offers a scalable tool for simulating other high-value crops aside from maize. Full article