Search Results (2,834)

Background: Vascular access is a very important element for patients on chronic hemodialysis treatment, but it is also a major source of complications, often compromising patients’ quality of life. Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are preferred for their durability, but complications such as edema, bruising, cannulation pain, and hygiene concerns can affect patient satisfaction. Aim: We aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with vascular access and to identify the clinical and sociodemographic factors influencing this satisfaction. Methods: We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study on 235 hemodialysis patients in Italy. Satisfaction was assessed using the Short Form Vascular Access Questionnaire (SF-VAQ). Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected and analyzed with descriptive statistics, correlations, and multivariate regression models. Results: Satisfaction was significantly influenced by local complications, perceived hygiene, and access duration. Lower satisfaction was reported by patients with swelling, bruising, or negative hygiene perceptions. Longer use of the access was also associated with declining satisfaction. Conclusions: Patient satisfaction involves both clinical outcomes and patient perceptions. The integration of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into vascular access management can help clinicians identify early dissatisfaction and implement interventions that can improve treatment adherence and quality of life. Full article

In recent years, the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered increasing scholarly and professional interest, particularly regarding its implementation across various domains, including journalism. As with any emerging technological paradigm, AI must be examined within its contextual framework to elucidate its potential advantages, challenges, and transformative implications. This study, situated within the theoretical lens of Actor–Network Theory, employs a mixed methods approach and, specifically, an explanatory sequential design to explore the integration of AI in contemporary Greek journalism. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire (N = 148) administered to professional journalists in Greece, followed by semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants (N = 7). The findings indicate that journalists perceive AI as a tool capable of enhancing work efficiency, minimizing human error, and facilitating the processing of unstructured data. However, respondents also expressed concerns that AI adoption is unlikely to lead to improved financial compensation and may contribute to job displacement within the sector. Additionally, participants emphasized the necessity of regular professional development initiatives, advocating for the organization of seminars on emerging technologies on a biannual or annual basis. Full article

Background and Objectives: Parental beliefs strongly influence treatment adherence in pediatric allergic diseases. Concerns about corticosteroid therapy—known as corticophobia—may disrupt disease control and compromise child well-being. This study aimed to evaluate parental knowledge, beliefs, and concerns regarding topical, inhaled, and intranasal corticosteroid use in children, and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with corticophobia. Materials and Methods: This prospective survey was conducted in a tertiary pediatric allergy and immunology clinic. A structured questionnaire was anonymously completed by 110 parents of children receiving corticosteroid therapy. The survey assessed demographics, family history of atopy, corticosteroid use, perceived disease severity, knowledge level, concerns, and sources of information. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied (p < 0.05 significant). Results: The most frequent concerns were growth retardation, hormonal imbalance, and long-term side effects. Corticophobia was significantly more prevalent among university-educated parents (p = 0.043) and those with a family history of atopy (p = 0.017). Despite generally high adherence to prescribed regimens, nearly 60% of parents sought additional information, highlighting the impact of knowledge gaps on health-related parenting practices. Conclusions: Corticophobia remains a common parental concern in pediatric allergy care, with implications for adherence, family decision-making, and child well-being. Addressing misinformation and providing family-centered, tailored educational strategies—particularly for highly educated parents and those with an atopic background—may reduce fears, strengthen trust, and promote sustainable healthy behaviors. Full article

Industrialized processing has increased the complexity of the food supply chain. Concerns about food-related risks have increased consumer interest in food traceability. Traceability systems are regarded as effective tools for mitigating information asymmetry and enhancing food quality and safety. However, the design of traditional food traceability systems overlooks the risk of information overload. Based on information overload theory, this study designs an artificial intelligence (AI) traceability assistant as an innovative tool to optimize traditional food traceability systems and examines its positive effects. This study focuses on prepared foods as the research objects, selecting three types of prepared foods (Kung Pao chicken, fish-flavored shredded pork, and pickled fish) and three food traceability tasks (preservatives, sweeteners, and drug residues) as experimental stimuli. Through three online scenario experiments, 747 valid responses were collected. This study explores the impact of AI traceability assistant design on positive consumer engagement behaviors and its underlying mechanism. The results reveal that the AI traceability assistant significantly promotes positive consumer engagement behaviors. This positive effect is mediated by perceived system ease of use. Furthermore, perceived product risk positively moderates the impact of the AI traceability assistant on perceived system ease of use. Perceived product risk strengthens the mediating effect of perceived system ease of use. This study contributes a novel theoretical perspective for research on food traceability systems and reveals the underlying mechanism through which the AI traceability assistant exerts its positive effect. In practice, it provides actionable guidance for food producers implementing digital traceability solutions. Full article

The association between emotions and decision-making is evident. Our article aims to demonstrate, for individual investors, the development of negative emotional charges on stock markets in a perceived negative trend. The research question concerns how negative emotions may be associated with specific behavioral responses. Our results indicate a four-phase process involving, first, decisional “nonchalance”; second, decisional hesitation; third, partial disengagement; and, finally, decisional paralysis. The first phase appears related to the lack of experience of the individual investor, the second phase corresponds to the uncertainty related to stock market operations, while the last two phases seem to coincide with a deteriorating decision-making environment and the accumulation of negative experiences, resulting from financial expectations not being met. Emotional paralysis raises questions about the possibility of individual investors renewing their investment strategies. These results come from a qualitative approach based on experimental finance and supported by the analysis of data from semi-structured interviews. Our study proposes a new four-phase model (nonchalance, hesitation, partial disengagement, and paralysis) that delineates the emotional and behavioral trajectories of individual investors during a perceived bear market. Our qualitative perspective also contributes to existing literature by highlighting the underexplored phase of “nonchalance”. Full article

Background/Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly applied in breast imaging, with potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce workload in mammographic breast cancer screening. However, real-world integration of AI into national screening programs remains limited, and little is known about radiologists’ perspectives in Asian settings. This study aimed to explore radiologists’ perceptions of AI adoption in Singapore’s breast screening program, focusing on perceived benefits, barriers, and requirements for safe integration. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study involving a cross-sectional survey of 17 radiologists with prior experience using AI-assisted mammography, followed by semi-structured interviews with 10 radiologists across all three public healthcare clusters. The survey measured confidence in AI, attitudes toward its diagnostic role, and integration preferences. Interviews were analyzed thematically, guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. Results: Among survey respondents, 64.7% recommended AI as a companion reader, though only 29.4% rated its performance as comparable to humans. Confidence was highest when AI was validated on local datasets (mean 9.3/10). Interviews highlighted AI’s strengths in routine, fatigue-prone tasks, but skepticism for complex cases. Concerns included false positives, workflow inefficiencies, medico-legal accountability, and long-term costs. Radiologists emphasized the importance of national guidelines, local validation, and clear role definition to build trust. Conclusions: Radiologists support AI as an adjunct to, but not a replacement for, human readers in breast cancer screening. Adoption will require robust regulatory frameworks, seamless workflow integration, transparent validation on local data, and structured user training to ensure safe and effective implementation. Full article

Purpose—This study explores the determinants of entrepreneurial intention (EI) among university students, analyzing entrepreneurial motivation (EM) as a mediator and perceived institutional support (PIS) as a moderator within the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. Design/Methodology/Approach—Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), data from 128 students at the Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave, Portugal, were analyzed to assess direct, indirect, and moderating effects of entrepreneurial attitudes, education, and social norms. Findings—EM significantly mediates the relationship between attitude concerning entrepreneurship (ACE), perceived social norms (PSN), entrepreneurial education (EE), and EI, reinforcing its role in bridging individual and educational influences with entrepreneurial behavior. However, PIS does not significantly moderate the EM-EI relationship, suggesting institutional support alone is insufficient to enhance motivation’s impact on EI. This challenges assumptions about institutional effectiveness and highlights the importance of entrepreneurial ecosystems, social capital, and mentorship networks as alternative enablers. Implications—The study extends TPB by incorporating mediation and moderation effects, offering a deeper understanding of personal, social, and institutional influences on EI. This study contributes by simultaneously modeling entrepreneurial motivation as mediator and perceived institutional support as moderator within a TPB framework. Such integration remains rare, particularly in Southern European higher education contexts, and our findings nuance current assumptions by revealing when institutional supports may fail to strengthen motivational pathways. The findings emphasize the need for education policies that integrate experiential learning, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and mentorship to foster entrepreneurial mindsets. Originality/Value—This research challenges the assumed role of institutional support, highlighting motivation as a key driver of EI and providing new insights into policy-driven entrepreneurship promotion in higher education. Full article

Background/Objectives: Persons identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, queer, questioning, fluid, asexual, or other non-heterosexual orientations (LGB+ persons) have been identified as a risk group for sexual victimization (SV), which can have long-lasting negative effects on well-being and physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health. Othering-Based Stress (OBS)—reflecting societal processes of othering and resulting from stigma, prejudice, and discrimination—may contribute to increased vulnerability to SV and its consequences in LGB+ persons and affect help-seeking behavior following victimization. This study examines the impact of SV on LGB+ persons and their help-seeking behavior after victimization. Methods: Using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, first survey data from a nationally representative sample of the Belgian population on SV, its consequences, and subsequent help-seeking behavior were collected from 4632 individuals. Of these, 2965 participants (2601 heterosexual and 364 LGB+ individuals) experienced SV and represented the final sample for the quantitative analyses. In a second phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with 40 LGB+ victims to explore their experiences more thoroughly. Results: LGB+ individuals reported more negative consequences following SV than heterosexual persons, particularly regarding identity-related processes such as questioning gender expression and decreases in self-esteem. They also reported additional barriers to disclosing SV and seeking help from professional services or the police, including fears of stigma, invalidation, and concerns about professionals’ LGB+ competence. No significant differences were found between LGB+ persons who explicitly identified as belonging to a sexual minority group and those who did not, neither in the perceived consequences of SV nor in help-seeking barriers. Conclusions: LGB+ victims of sexual violence experienced more severe identity-related consequences and faced greater barriers to professional support than heterosexual victims. These results highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, LGB+-inclusive services and structural policy measures to improve access to appropriate care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gingival recession (GR), characterized by the apical displacement of the gingival margin leading to root exposure, risk of root caries, dentine hypersensitivity (DH), and plaque accumulation. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, causes, and consequences of gingival recession among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional self-reported survey was conducted from September 2023 to December 2024, involving 619 participants (51.53% male). Participants were recruited through dental clinics, community centers, and online platforms across multiple regions in Saudi Arabia to ensure diverse demographic and socioeconomic representation. A validated 27-question survey collected data on demographics, oral hygiene practices, and GR awareness and related factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of GR was 26.66%, dental plaque was the most frequently reported causing factor, followed by medical conditions (45.4%). Aesthetic concerns were the most recognized consequence (78.4%) followed by periodontitis and tooth mobility and tooth loss (58.5%). Medical disease (Odds Ratio OR = 2.149, p < 0.0001), trauma (OR = 1.515, p = 0.0078), and rough brushing (OR = 1.431, p = 0.0233) were identified as significant risk factors for gingival recession. The association between gingival recession (GR) and its perceived consequences was generally not statistically significant. However, a significant relationship was observed with dental caries (p = 0.0472). Conclusions: Gingival recession awareness among Saudi adults was influenced by age, gender, smoking, and oral hygiene factors. The findings emphasize the importance of raising awareness and promoting preventive strategies targeting modifiable risk factors to reduce GR prevalence and clinical impact. Full article

It is well known that early education and care lay the foundation for learning and wellbeing; however, resources available to support children with different life experiences can vary. For example, resources available to support early childhood educators working with young children from military families are particularly lacking. This is of concern, given that these children face a range of stressors in their daily lives. To address this gap, our interdisciplinary team used a co-creation framework to build a suite of free, online, psychosocial resources for the children and their parents, educators and support workers. To test the usability of the resources, we conducted an online survey with 83 Australian participants (parents, educators, and support workers) about their knowledge, skills and confidence in supporting these children and the children’s wellbeing. After the study, the participants were given access to the psychosocial resources for 6 to 12 months. Following this, an adapted survey was administered online (post-intervention) with 15 participants who had remained in the study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative data was analysed using cross-tabulation and descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. In our pre-intervention studies, 61% of parents and almost 26% of educators were only partially confident in understanding children’s responses to military-specific stressors. In contrast, in the current study, this number had fallen to under 7% (combined participant group), with perceived improvements noted in their views on the children’s wellbeing. These exploratory findings with a small sample size highlight the potential benefit of targeted programmes, professional development, and accessible resources for parents, educators, and support workers who assist children from military families. Full article

Governments worldwide are increasingly adopting intrusive surveillance measures to counter terrorism. However, the psychological and public health consequences of exposure to terrorism remain underexplored. This study examines how exposure to cyber and conventional terrorism affects perceived national threat and support for surveillance policies, using a controlled virtual reality experiment in which participants were immersed in realistic simulations of lethal terror attacks targeting critical railway infrastructure in Israel. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: cyber (N = 59), conventional (N = 59), or control (N = 45). Outcomes were standardized, but the framing differed by type of attack. Findings show that perceived national threat perceptions are a key mechanism linking exposure to terrorism to surveillance attitudes. At lower threat levels, participants differentiated between cyber and conventional attacks. In contrast, heightened threats led to uniform support for expansive surveillance regardless of the attack modality. Results demonstrate that exposure to terrorism, including cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, can activate psychological responses with implications for public resilience and policy attitudes, shaping preferences concerning privacy and security. These findings underscore the broader societal and public health relevance of understanding how people react to evolving security threats that disrupt essential systems such as transportation, energy, and healthcare. Full article

Background: Primary care overload, limited access to physicians, and rising antimicrobial resistance highlight the role of pharmacists in managing minor ailments such as sore throats. We evaluated pharmacy-based counseling in Poland supported by point-of-care testing and symptomatic therapy. Methods: Multicenter, prospective observational study across 23 community pharmacies. Adults (≥18 years) with sore throat underwent group A streptococcus (GAS) rapid antigen testing. Patients with a positive test result were referred to physicians, while others received pharmacist counseling and ketoprofen throat spray. Standardized questionnaires captured symptom severity, perceived effectiveness, onset/duration, convenience, adherence, and patient-reported outcomes. Results: 142 patients were included. Among ketoprofen users, 98.4% reported improvement, and 75% rated relief ≥8/10. Compared with prior remedies, 88.3% judged ketoprofen more effective, and 86.7% reported faster onset. The spray was convenient for 91.4% of participants; no overdosing occurred. Qualitative feedback emphasized rapid relief, easier swallowing/speaking, and return to daily activities without physician consultation. Conclusions: Polish community pharmacy practice, an integrated sore throat pathway combining point-of-care RADT with structured pharmacist counseling and symptomatic treatment, was feasible, acceptable, and without notable safety concerns. As a pilot, these practice-based findings warrant larger comparative and economic studies to confirm clinical effects and assess potential impact on antibiotic use. Full article

Background: Plant-based diets have been widely recommended as sustainable, ethical, and health-conscious alternatives. However, their adoption remains limited due to nutritional and cultural concerns, which may be reinforced in contexts associated with masculinity. This study aimed to explore (a) whether physical activity represents a barrier to plant-based food choices, and (b) whether beliefs about plant-based diets differ between sedentary and physically active individuals. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted, combining focus groups and survey data. Twenty-six Italian volunteers were divided into four groups: (I) physically active omnivores; (II) sedentary omnivores; (III) physically active veg*ans; and (IV) sedentary veg*ans. The discussions focused on protein-rich foods (animal-based vs. plant-based) and addressed nutritional concerns related to athletic performance, as well as attitudes toward plant-based proteins and veg*an individuals. Results: Omnivores—particularly active ones—favored animal-based proteins, perceiving them as more palatable, nutritious, and better suited for physical performance, a view often reinforced by coaches. This group also emphasized sensory pleasure as a barrier to adopting plant-based alternatives. It addressed masculinity-related themes more frequently; moreover, while veg*an participants were more inclined to seek professional advice to ensure a balanced diet, omnivores referred to the traditional Mediterranean diet as their primary source of nutritional guidance. This factor may further hinder openness to plant-based choices. Conclusions: The findings highlight stronger stigma among physically active individuals and suggest the need for interventions that replace the current narrative of plant-based diets as a restrictive or dietetic alternative with one that frames it as compatible with strength, vitality, and overall well-being. Full article

The concept of shared space is proposed to improve the safety and health of vulnerable road users (VRUs) by promoting walking and cycling. However, despite the documented benefits of shared spaces, concerns were raised about the frequency and severity of road user interactions in shared spaces. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the microscopic behaviors and psychological characteristics of vulnerable road user interactions (i.e., pedestrian–e-bike interactions and pedestrian–cyclist interactions) in non-motorized shared spaces and their interplay mechanisms. We identify a total of 334 interactions in the same- and opposite-direction using the Dutch Objective Conflict Technique for Operation and Research (DOCTOR) method at four locations in Shenzhen city, China. Trajectories of road users involved in these interactions were extracted to identify key points in trajectories and interaction phases, considering both microscopic behaviors and psychological factors synthetically. The study also compared lateral and longitudinal decision distances, maneuvering distances, maneuvering time, and safety zones across different characteristics, including severity levels, road user types, genders, and whether road users carry large items or not. The results show that the main characteristic of the interaction’s starting and ending points changes in the lateral direction. Road users have a stronger sense of security in swerve-back phases. The average lateral psychological safety distance in shared spaces is about 1.125 m. Moreover, the average safety zone area for road users in opposite and same-direction interactions are 4.83 m² and 9.36 m², respectively. Road users carrying large items perceived a higher risk in shared spaces and required longer lateral psychological safety distances and larger safety zones. The findings of this study can be used to better design shared space facilities, considering the perceived risk of road users and their interactions and psychological behavior. Full article

Background/Objectives: Family-centred care is key in neonatal practice, yet parents’ and staff’s research experiences are understudied. This study aims to explore their perspectives to improve inclusiveness, communication, and effectiveness in future neonatal research design and implementation. Methods: This embedded qualitative study, conducted within the Right vEntricular function applicability in a Prediction mOdel to identify pReterm infanTs with early BronchoPulmonary Dysplasia (REPORT-BPD) feasibility study, employed a qualitative descriptive design. The sample included 10 healthcare professionals, evenly split between medical and nursing backgrounds, and 10 parents, equally distributed between mothers and fathers of preterm infants enrolled in the REPORT-BPD study. Data were collected through audio-recorded semi-structured interviews, then transcribed into Word, and imported into NVivo 14 for thematic analysis by three researchers. Results: The following four main themes were developed from 11 sub-themes that were initially extracted: (1) Trust and Assurance in the Study, reflecting the overall trust between parents and staff, emphasising its perceived study’s safety and minimal impact on the infant. (2) Emotional and Psychological Considerations, highlighting the emotional landscape of parents, including their anxieties, stressors, and support systems that help ease their concerns. (3) Communication and Engagement, underscoring the importance of effective communication and engagement between researchers and study participants. (4) Value from Participation and Constructive Feedback, capturing the dual focus on the value participants gain from their involvement in the study, and their constructive suggestions. Conclusions: This study highlights trust, communication, and emotional impact in neonatal research, emphasising ethical, family-centred design to improve engagement and recruitment in future studies. Full article