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Found 6383 publications
Primitive reflexes as behavioral biomarkers of cognitive aging: associations with physical activity and resilience—a pilot study
Publication Name: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 17
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Introduction: Primitive reflexes (PRs) are brainstem-mediated automatic responses that typically disappear in early life, but may reappear in older age, which may be associated with neurodegenerative processes. But the presence of PRs in cognitively healthy adults has not yet been sufficiently explored. The relationship between PRs and cognitive functioning (COG) may be influenced by modifiable factors such as physical activity (PA) and psychological resilience. This cross-sectional observational pilot study aimed to investigate the mediating and moderating role of physical activity and resilience in the association between primitive reflexes and cognitive functioning in older adults. Methods: A total of 30 older adults (mean age 73.4 ± 6.9 years; 80% female) living in residential care facilities were assessed. PRs were evaluated using standardized neurological protocols, COG was measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination, PA with the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and resilience with the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. Moderation and mediation models were tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro, controlling for age and BMI. Results: A higher number of primitive reflexes was strongly associated with lower cognitive functioning [COG (r = −0.904, p < 0.001)]. Physical activity showed a significant mediating effect in this association, indicating that more active older adults exhibited better cognitive performance despite the presence of primitive reflexes. Resilience, although correlated with both cognition and physical activity, did not show a mediating or moderating effect. Discussion: These findings highlight primitive reflexes as potential behavioral biomarkers of cognitive aging, and underscore the importance of physical activity as a protective factor that may buffer against neurocognitive decline.
Open Access: Yes
EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERVICE PREFERENCES AND DIGITAL INFORMATION SOURCES IN THE CONTEXT OF ACTIVE TOURISM
Publication Name: Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 62
Issue: 4
Page Range: 2233-2239
Description:
The aim of the research is to explore the relationships between the different forms of active tourism and the service needs that arise, and the role of the use of information sources in the decision-making of active tourism participants. The closed-ended questionnaire survey investigated respondents' hiking habits, the services they use and the sources of information on active tourism. The questionnaire was completed by 169 people who had hiked in the Lake Velence area, their responses were analysed using SPSS and Excel programs. Cluster analysis was used to ide ntify different groups of active tourism participants, depending on the type of tours they prefer, the services they use and the sources of information they r ely on. ANOVA (one-way analysis of variance) was used to test whether different types of active tourism influence the use of services and to identify which services are most important for each group. In addition, a Pearson correlation matrix was constructed to show the relationships between each of the quantitative variables. The research contributes t o a better understanding of how different forms of active tourism and different information sources shape the service needs of active tourism participants, which can help to target the development of tourism services and the transition to the circular tour ism.
Open Access: Yes
Assessing the impact of household energy efficiency and renewable energy developments on energy poverty reduction
Publication Name: Environmental Economics
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 16
Issue: 4
Page Range: 83-94
Description:
The paper aims to develop and adapt an econometric model for assessing and forecasting the impact of household energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment on reducing energy poverty in Ukraine. Due to the lack of updated statistical data after 2022 caused by the war, the adapted model was tested using pre-war data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine and the World Bank for 2002-2021. As access to some prewar datasets was also restricted for security reasons in Ukraine, proxy indicators were applied, allowing adaptation to limited information conditions. The modeling results showed that a 1,000 USD increase in GDP per capita reduces the share of the population living below the national poverty line and, accordingly, the energy-poor population, by 3%. Conversely, a 1% increase in gross capital formation raises the energy poverty level by 0.5%, indicating no direct impact of investment in physical capital, including expenses on energy-efficiency measures, on household welfare. Household expenditures on utilities and the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption were found to be statistically insignificant. The study confirms that household income remains the dominant determinant of energy poverty, while improvements in energy efficiency and renewable energy development play supportive but not yet decisive roles. These findings highlight the need to integrate social and energy policies to raise household incomes, improve access to renewable technologies, and promote energy efficiency measures. The developed model offers a tool for enhancing state policies to alleviate energy poverty under wartime constraints and in post-war recovery.
Open Access: Yes
Fluctuating Free Convection Flow of Casson Dusty Fluid in an Inclined Microchannel Under Wall Shear Stress and an Inclined Magnetic Field
Publication Name: Contemporary Mathematics Singapore
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 6
Issue: 6
Page Range: 7601-7618
Description:
This study examines the unsteady free convection flow of Casson dusty fluid within an inclined microchannel under the influence of wall shear stress and an inclined magnetic field. The fluid is assumed to contain uniformly dispersed electrically conductive dust particles, and heat is applied via Newtonian heating at one boundary. The governing partial differential equations representing the motion of both fluid and dust phases are derived and solved using the Poincaré-Lighthill Perturbation Technique (PLPT). Key physical parameters such as the Casson fluid parameter, Grashof number, magnetic field inclination, radiation, and dusty fluid interaction parameter are varied to analyze their effect on velocity and temperature profiles. Results reveal that increasing the Casson parameter reduces fluid velocity, while higher Grashof numbers and radiation levels enhance it. The magnetic field generates Lorentz forces that oppose the motion, thereby reducing both fluid and dust particle velocities. The inclined magnetic field and Newtonian heating significantly influence thermal and flow behavior. These findings have practical implications in microfluidics, industrial coatings, biomedical flows, and heat management systems, where controlling dusty fluid dynamics under external fields is crucial.
Open Access: Yes
Description of morphological characteristics of arabian rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes agamemnon arabicus, of date palms in Algeria
Publication Name: Iop Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 1455
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The Arabian rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes agamemnon arabicus, has emerged as a signifiicant pest of date palms in Algeria, infilicting considerable damage on these crucial agricultural ecosystems. This study provides a thorough morphological description of Oryctes collected from date palm oases in El Oued, Algeria, during the period from 2022 to 2024. Through careful identifiication of the specimens, it was confiirmed that O. a. arabicus is the only subspecies present in the region, highlighting its specifiic ecological role. The fiindings emphasize the necessity of detailed morphological analyses for accurate species identifiication, which is crucial for effective conservation strategies. By enhancing our understanding of these beetles, this research contributes valuable insights into pest management practices that are essential for mitigating the impact of Oryctes infestations. Ultimately, the outcomes of this study advocate for targeted conservation efforts of date palm and sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring the protection of date palms and the resilience of the agricultural landscape in Algeria.
Open Access: Yes
Relevance of Industry 4.0 Technologies to Advancing SDG 14: Life Below Water
Publication Name: Sustainable Development Goals Series
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: Part F1068
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 197-218
Description:
This chapter explores the critical role of Industry 4.0 technologies in fostering Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14): Life Below Water. It investigates how digital innovations, such as remote sensing, artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, drones, robotics, and autonomous underwater vehicles, reshape marine ecosystems’ monitoring, management, and conservation. The chapter details key applications, including smart aquaculture farms, AI-driven pollution monitoring, early warning systems for harmful algal blooms, and real-time data platforms for marine governance. It outlines the contributions of these technologies to specific SDG 14 targets, particularly in reducing marine pollution, regulating harvesting to end overfishing, and increasing economic benefits for small island and coastal communities. In addition to exploring the significant benefits, the chapter critically discusses challenges such as high implementation costs, data interoperability issues, digital skill gaps, and ethical concerns related to Industry 4.0 adoption. It concludes by calling for greater investment, cross-sector collaboration, and inclusive policy frameworks to ensure that the digital transformation of marine conservation is both practical and equitable. Finally, the chapter envisions a “digital oceans” future where real-time and data-informed management ushers in resilient and sustainable marine ecosystems.
Open Access: Yes
Taxonomic contribution to knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Achipteria (Acari, Oribatida, Achipteriidae)
Publication Name: International Journal of Acarology
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 51
Issue: 2
Page Range: 81-87
Description:
The oribatid mite family Achipteriidae is recorded in the Dominican Republic for the first time. A new species of the genus Achipteria—A. (Izuachipteria) dominicanensissp. nov.—is described, based on adults collected from leaf litter in a mixed forest. The species is characterized by the morphology of the lamella (triangular distally, without strong lateral tooth), the location of the lamellar seta (on ventral side of the lamella), the length of the bothridial seta (long), the ornamentation and morphology of the pteromorph (partially striate, with lateral tooth), the number of the leg claws (one), and the absence of the notogastral saccules. The taxonomic status of the subgenera Achipteria (Cubachipteria), A. (Hokkachipteria), and A. (Izuachipteria) is discussed. An identification key, distribution, and habitat of the known representatives of Achipteria (Izuachipteria) are presented.
Open Access: Yes
System identification with generalized Prony schemes
Publication Name: Proceedings of the American Control Conference
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 5086-5092
Description:
We propose a novel method to identify the transfer functions of single-input-single-output linear time invariant (SISO-LTI) dynamic systems. Our approach makes use of the operator based generalization of Prony's method. In particular, the operator based Prony algorithm is used to reconstruct the transfer function of the system as a linear combination of rational basis functions. A considerable benefit of the proposed method is its robustness against the estimated system order. That is, if system order is over estimated, the correct system order can be found naturally. Another important benefit is that the proposed method is shown to be asymptotically robust towards zero expectation noise with the correct choice of certain evaluation functionals. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through numerical experiments.
Open Access: Yes
Leadership Readiness in Higher Education: A SILDM-Based Competency Diagnosis
Publication Name: European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Page Range: 44-60
Description:
This paper examines the self-perceived leadership readiness of first-year bachelor’s students enrolled in economics and business programmes, utilising the Korn Ferry Leadership Architect™ as a diagnostic tool within the broader conceptual framework of the Synced Integrated Leadership Development Model (SILDM). SILDM is a theoretically informed synthesis of established leadership and intercultural frameworks, designed to reflect the multifaceted nature of contemporary leadership. It integrates behavioural, ethical, relational, and cultural dimensions into a unified developmental perspective, addressing a key limitation in leadership education: the tendency to apply models in isolation without accounting for their interdependent dynamics. To operationalise this framework, a survey instrument based on 29 selected Korn Ferry competencies was administered to a sample of 1,307 first-year students, enabling structured self-assessment across four leadership domains: Thought, Results, People, and Self. The findings revealed higher levels of confidence in cognitive and task-oriented domains (Thought and Results), and notable developmental gaps in ethical self-regulation and interpersonal influence (Self and People). The paper proposes six pedagogically grounded interventions designed to foster more integrated, ethically grounded, and culturally responsive leadership development during the early stages of students’ academic and professional formation.
Open Access: Yes
