Physical Integrity Research Articles

Beyond age and expertise: Emotional intelligence and heart rate variability predict decision-making under risk in mountain-guide population.

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are vital for malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa, but their durability is challenged by fabric decay and pyrethroid resistance. This study assessed the physical integrity and bioefficacy of piperonyl butoxide-LLINs (PBO-LLINs) and pyrethroid-only LLINs (pyrethroid-LLINs) after 1.5 years of use in western Kenya, where resistance is widespread. A survey on net integrity and insecticide efficacy was conducted in randomly selected households (101-107 per group per visit) from three villages per net type group in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kisumu County. Physical integrity surveys were done after every six months while residual bio-efficacy was after every three months for 18 months. Physical integrity and residual bio-efficacy studies were conducted following WHO guidelines. PBO-LLINs exhibited higher physical integrity than pyrethroid-LLINs over time. At 18 months, 45.2% (61/135) of pyrethroid-LLINs and 21.8% (31/142) of PBO-LLINs were torn, with pHI values of 2494.1 ± 1696.4 and 1618.6 ± 1056.7, respectively. Net type, net age and house wall structures significantly influenced net integrity (p < 0.05). Torn nets were significantly more common in pyrethroid-LLIN households with mud-unplastered [OR=5.323 (95% CI = 1.685-16.816), p = 0.004] and corrugated iron walls [OR=6.31 (95% CI = 2.10-18.93), p < 0.001] and in PBO-LLIN households with mud-unplastered walls [OR=9.823 (95% CI = 1.487-64.898), p = 0.018]. Against the Kisumu susceptible Anopheles gambiae s.s, both net types decreased in mortality at baseline (when new) from 97.6% to 18.4% and 98.6% to 18.5% for pyrethroid and PBO-LLINs respectively at 18 months. Against a Bungoma pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.s, mosquito mortality with pyrethroid-LLINs declined from 36.9% when new to 6.8% at 18 months, while PBO-LLINs dropped from 55.6% to 11.8%. Both physical integrity and bioefficacy of LLINs declined significantly within 18 months. The findings demonstrate that not all nets in the field offer maximum protection by this time point, calling for net care education and further evaluation of PBO-LLINs especially in pyrethroid-resistant regions.

The increasing complexity and cost of manufacturing monolithic chips have driven the semiconductor industry toward chiplet-based designs, where smaller, modular chiplets are integrated onto a single interposer. While chiplet architectures offer significant advantages, such as improved yields, design flexibility, and cost efficiency, they introduce new security challenges in the horizontal hardware manufacturing supply chain. These challenges include risks of hardware Trojans, cross-die side-channel and fault injection attacks, probing of chiplet interfaces, and intellectual property theft. To address these concerns, this paper presents ChipletQuake, a novel on-chiplet framework for verifying the physical security and integrity of adjacent chiplets during the post-silicon stage. By sensing the impedance of the power delivery network (PDN) of the system, ChipletQuake detects tamper events in the interposer and neighboring chiplets without requiring any direct signal interface or additional hardware components. Fully compatible with the digital resources of FPGA-based chiplets, this framework demonstrates the ability to identify the insertion of passive and subtle malicious circuits, providing an effective solution to enhance the security of chiplet-based systems. To validate our claims, we showcase how our framework detects hardware Trojans and interposer tampering.

Objective: This study compares differentiated STEAM projects in science learning using science experiments, STEAM integration, and physical activity integration, as well as students' perceptions of the role of physical activity. This study also examines how these physical activities motivate kids and develop 21st-century abilities like teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. Method: This study uses mixed approaches. Students' physical activity, motivation, and 21st-century skills were assessed using a Likert scale questionnaire. Other methods include project evaluation rubrics and observation notes to objectively assess 21st-century skills and project planning document analysis for STEAM model comparison. Qualitative data was evaluated thematically, whereas quantitative data was analysed descriptively (average, standard deviation, frequency). Triangulation combined data from multiple sources. Results: Physically active STEAM projects provide a more complete and immersive learning experience than other methods. Students liked the project's physical activities. Higher physical activity ratings correspond with improved science comprehension (β = 0.68, R² ≈ 0.52). Physical activity enhances teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity (β = 0.50, R² ≈ 0.25, 0.65, 0.42, 0.56, 0.33). Conclusion: The varied STEAM project with physical activities improves student perception and scientific and 21st-century skills knowledge. Physical activity enhances learning and helps master content and skills.

ABSTRACT | INTRODUCTION: Health work contributes directly or indirectly to the construction of subjectivity, lifestyle and the physical, psychological, social and spiritual health of professionals. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the meanings that oncology professionals working in cancer care in the Brazil's public health system have about their practice; to discuss the effects of these meanings on their processes of subjectivation. METHODS: This is a qualitative study in which an online questionnaire was applied and the final sample was made up of five workers: three psychologists, one doctor and one administrative technician. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Satisfaction in the personal, social and financial spheres, identification with the health area, confusion of meanings in relation to the patient and their family and physical-emotional exhaustion from the demands of working in public health are discussed. CONCLUSION: The work of health professionals permeates the sphere of the subject, who responds to the challenges with their professional and unique trajectory. Thus, there is a need to create mechanisms and strategies that meet the demands of the service provided and are consistent with the realities of the work environment, in order to maintain the physical and psychological integrity of the worker, with the aim of avoiding their suffering.

Advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic standards have substantially enhanced the survival of patients with malignant tumors. Nevertheless, the quest for effective strategies to address resistant or recurrent advanced tumors remains a critical and unwavering objective. Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) unleashed a new era of anti-tumor treatment by simultaneously binding to two distinct targets, thereby enhancing specificity, minimizing off-target toxicities, and synergistically modulating anti-tumor immunity and the tumor microenvironment. Compared with the combination of two monoclonal antibodies, BsAbs represent the physical integration of dual specificities, demonstrating superior binding efficacy, reducing the risk of drug resistance, and enabling unique biological functions such as bridging tumor cells and T cells to achieve precise cytotoxicity. However, limitations such as off-target toxicities, drug resistance and immune-related adverse effects require carefully evaluation and further optimization. Further studies are necessary to explore the potential of combining BsAbs with other anti-tumor strategies, balancing the efficacy and safety, optimizing the outpatient-based administration workflow. By tracking the research advancements of recently approved BsAbs and BsAb candidates in clinical trials, it is evident that BsAbs holds significant promise as a novel and transformative option for improving survival outcomes for patients.

This study proposes the SMR Smart Net-Zero City (SSNC) framework—a scalable model for achieving carbon neutrality by integrating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), renewable energy sources, and sector coupling within a microgrid architecture. As deploying renewables alone would require economically and technically impractical energy storage systems, SMRs provide a reliable and flexible baseload power source. Sector coupling systems—such as hydrogen production and heat generation—enhance grid stability by absorbing surplus energy and supporting the decarbonization of non-electric sectors. The core contribution of this study lies in its real-time data emulation framework, which overcomes a critical limitation in the current energy landscape: the absence of operational data for future technologies such as SMRs and their coupled hydrogen production systems. As these technologies are still in the pre-commercial stage, direct physical integration and validation are not yet feasible. To address this, the researchers leveraged real-time data from an existing commercial microgrid, specifically focusing on the import of grid electricity during energy shortfalls and export during solar surpluses. These patterns were repurposed to simulate the real-time operational behavior of future SMRs (ProxySMR) and sector coupling loads. This physically grounded simulation approach enables high-fidelity approximation of unavailable technologies and introduces a novel methodology to characterize their dynamic response within operational contexts. A key element of the SSNC control logic is a day–night strategy: maximum SMR output and minimal hydrogen production at night, and minimal SMR output with maximum hydrogen production during the day—balancing supply and demand while maintaining high SMR utilization for economic efficiency. The SSNC testbed was validated through a seven-day continuous operation in Busan, demonstrating stable performance and approximately 75% SMR utilization, thereby supporting the feasibility of this proxy-based method. Importantly, to the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first publicly reported attempt to emulate the real-time dynamics of a net-zero city concept based on not-yet-commercial SMRs and sector coupling systems using live operational data. This simulation-based framework offers a forward-looking, data-driven pathway to inform the development and control of next-generation carbon-neutral energy systems.

Accurate forecasting of tropical cyclone (TC) tracks is critical for disaster preparedness and risk mitigation. While traditional numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems have long served as the backbone of operational forecasting, they face limitations in computational cost and sensitivity to initial conditions. In recent years, deep learning (DL) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering data-driven modeling capabilities for capturing nonlinear spatiotemporal patterns. This paper presents a comprehensive review of DL-based approaches for TC track forecasting. We categorize all DL-based TC tracking models according to the architecture, including recurrent neural networks (RNNs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), Transformers, graph neural networks (GNNs), generative models, and Fourier-based operators. To enable rigorous performance comparison, we introduce a Unified Geodesic Distance Error (UGDE) metric that standardizes evaluation across diverse studies and lead times. Based on this metric, we conduct a critical comparison of state-of-the-art models and identify key insights into their relative strengths, limitations, and suitable application scenarios. Building on this framework, we conduct a critical cross-model analysis that reveals key trends, performance disparities, and architectural tradeoffs. Our analysis also highlights several persistent challenges, such as long-term forecast degradation, limited physical integration, and generalization to extreme events, pointing toward future directions for developing more robust and operationally viable DL models for TC track forecasting. To support reproducibility and facilitate standardized evaluation, we release an open-source UGDE conversion tool on GitHub.

Fetal/neonatal autopsy remains a cornerstone in the evaluation of perinatal losses, offering valuable insights into the causes of death. Couples may decline fetal/neonatal autopsy because of emotional distress, a wish to preserve their child's physical integrity, or cultural and religious beliefs, including body sanctity and burial traditions. Virtual autopsy, also known as virtopsy, has emerged as a promising noninvasive alternative to traditional autopsy techniques. However, the lack of standardized protocols limits their widespread adoption and comparability across studies. In this review, we aim to explore the current state of virtual autopsy techniques, emphasizing their utility in fetal and neonatal pathology. Key challenges include imaging parameters, data interpretation, and integration with clinical findings. These are highlighted. Furthermore, we propose a framework for developing standardized virtual autopsy protocols to improve reproducibility. By addressing these gaps, this review aims to contribute to the establishment of best practices, ultimately advancing the field of fetal and perinatal pathology.

Abstract. One of the most significant consequences of climate change is the threat to cultural heritage sites. The TRIQUETRA project addresses the critical challenge posed by climate change to cultural heritage sites by applying a comprehensive risk assessment framework. This framework integrates traditional and advanced technologies, including remote sensing and laser-based spectroscopy, to quantify the severity of risks, monitor their progression, and inform effective mitigation strategies. Understanding the potential risks at site level is vital to ensure that appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures are put in place. Recent research underscores the compounded impacts of climate-induced geo-hazards, such as landslides and earthquakes, which threaten the physical integrity of monuments and the socio-economic systems they support. Citizen engagement is also an integral part of the TRIQUETRA project, creating a dynamic web and mobile platform where visitors actively participate in cultural heritage (CH) site monitoring. The TRIQUETRA application enables citizens and cultural heritage site visitors to play a vital role in capturing and uploading site photos, contributing therefore, valuable datasets that complement and enhance the existing 3D models. This process is aided by a backend system that can aid cultural site authorities to better monitor the site by having up to date imagery and reports from visitors. At the same time the TRIQUETRA Citizen Engagement Application creates an interactive and enhanced experience for cultural heritage site visitors through immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experiences. The application provides additional information through an AR experience where user can learn more about critical features at risk, such as areas affected by climate change or structural vulnerabilities, fostering awareness and promoting preservation efforts. The methodology was applied to the Choirokoitia site in Cyprus, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is one of the best-preserved Neolithic sites in the Mediterranean. The Choirokoitia site will examine the potential risk of rockfall, as the topology of the site is vulnerable to movements as a result of extreme climate change as well as of daily/seasonal stressing actions. By integrating advanced technologies and community-driven monitoring, TRIQUETRA ensures a holistic approach to safeguarding cultural heritage. The project creates a replicable framework that enhances risk assessment and promotes active participation in preservation efforts, offering scalable benefits for cultural heritage sites worldwide.

As a container of accumulated experiences, cultural heritage connects past, present and future by transmitting knowledge to future generations through tangible/intangible assets. With this potential, cultural heritage can significantly contribute to community resilience, yet available resilience strategy documents place limited emphasis on cultural heritage. Based on this observed lack of systematic consideration, this paper analyses the resilience strategy documents presented in the 100 Resilient Cities Programme, and discerns six approaches towards cultural heritage, namely ignorance, economic development tool, identity construction, social component, physical integration tool, and comprehensive consideration. The paper discusses further ways cultural heritage can enhance community resilience.

Considering the growing need to optimize athletes’ physical performance and reduce the risk of injuries in various sports contexts, this study aims to investigate the role of strength training across different modalities. To this end, a literature review was conducted based on publications from the last five years available in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases, focusing on full-text articles in Portuguese or English. The findings show that different strength training protocols yield specific benefits depending on the sport and the athlete’s profile. Furthermore, well-structured strategies can promote performance gains with lower perceived fatigue and a reduced incidence of injuries, as evidenced in sports such as taekwondo, soccer, jiu-jitsu, basketball, and badminton. It is thus concluded that personalized strength training, combined with proper periodization, is essential for optimizing performance and preserving athletes’ physical integrity.

The study explores future spatial predictions through the relationship between modern and contemporary architectural movements and visual arts. Cinema, particularly science fiction, inspires architecture with its creative narratives and innovative spatial concepts. Influenced by modernism, the future envisioned in Playtime has largely come true. Accordingly, three cinematic works influenced by contemporary architectural approaches were selected and analyzed for their spatial and technological predictions. Minority Report, Blade Runner 2049, and the 2022 series The Peripheral were analyzed using semiotic methodology. The analysis was carried out in three main categories: architecture and form, the relationship between space and social life, and future predictions. The findings reveal that cinema, through its flexible design opportunities and visual impact, offers innovative ideas that inspire the field of architecture. The spatial depictions in the three analyzed works provide significant clues about how physical structures, technological integration and forms of social interaction might shape in the future.

Industry 4.0 is transforming manufacturing through automation and human–cyber–physical system integration, increasing the complexity of workforce roles. Traditional training methods often fall short in preparing workers for these digitally integrated settings, leading to performance and safety concerns. This review explores current training methods commonly used to train workforce health, safety, and key skills, along with their effectiveness. The findings highlight that immersive technologies improve decision-making, hazard detection, and procedure compliance, while wearable sensors enhance real-time feedback and risk mitigation. Despite these benefits, adoption of these technologies remains limited due to design and infrastructural constraints. The study emphasizes the need for adaptive, ergonomically informed training practices that integrate immersive technologies and real-time feedback to build a safer, more resilient workforce.

Endometriosis is a common disorder in postpubertal women and often associated with pain in the pelvis and elsewhere. Pain and related symptoms, such as fatigue, adversely affect quality of life. Surgical and hormonal treatments have limited efficacy and can cause additional problems. There are surprisingly few studies of psychologically based interventions aimed at pain management and a better quality of life, although women with endometriosis are included within mixed chronic pain populations. As studies of pain management applied to endometriosis start to emerge, it is important to ascertain whether the assumptions of the dominant psychological model of pain, fear, and avoidance (developed mainly in musculoskeletal pain) are appropriate for the population and the problems associated with pain. We conducted a qualitative study of 16 women with endometriosis, using a very open interview technique (Grid Elaboration Method) and thematic analysis of women's accounts. We elicited 6 interrelated themes: 1 on the nature of pain; 3 on impact on everyday life, social life, and relationships, and emotions; 1 on healthcare experiences; and 1 on the burden of being female. Even when describing concerns about what was causing pain, women expressed few fears about physical integrity, nor did they avoid activities with the intention of protecting themselves from damage or increased pain. This leads us to question the applicability of the fear and avoidance model, and we encourage further exploration of the psychology of endometriosis-related pain to better design effective pain management interventions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) receive a free long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) during their first antenatal care (ANC) visit to prevent malaria. This study, conducted in Benin, evaluates the distribution and utilization rates of LLINs provided at the first ANC visit among pregnant women. Data were collected from 14 public and private health centers located in urban and rural areas across Southern, Central, and Northern Benin. Pregnant women were enrolled in the study during their initial ANC visit and were subsequently visited at home twice, where a questionnaire was administered. The study assessed the distribution and use of LLINs during the first ANC visit. After the second home visit, the LLIN found on the pregnant women's sleeping unit was collected to evaluate its physical integrity and bio-efficacy. Chi-square tests were used to compare each indicator across three variables: region, urban/rural setting, and public/private status of health centers. A total of 718 pregnant women were included in the study. LLIN ownership and usage before the first ANC visit were 94% [89-97%] and 93% [85-97%], respectively. During the first ANC visit, 63% [40-80%] of the pregnant women received an LLIN, but only 11% [7-22%] installed it on their sleeping area. During the pregnancy period, 72% [64-78%] of the LLINs in use were found to be either physically damaged or not bio-effective. The distribution of LLINs to pregnant women during their first ANC visit was inadequate, with only a small fraction of recipients actively using the net. This shortfall leads to suboptimal protection for this vulnerable population during pregnancy.

This paper analyzes the texts in which Karol Wojtyła’s and Plato’s philosophy of love is developed to find the similarities and differences between their statements. After tracing the concepts of love in the bibliography of both authors, applying theoretical research as a method, five themes were found in which the proposals can be compared: love and physical integration, the possible subjects of love, the search for the good in love, the fruitfulness of love, and the ability to promote the fulfillment of the person who loves. In each of these themes, similarities and contrasts arise defined by the understanding of love as concupiscence, benevolence, virtue that is the foundation of morality, source of integration of the person, and interpersonal love in Karol Wojtyła, or as a search for physical, intellectual, or in the One, Good and Beauty in Plato.

literacy through collaboration between formal schools and the Moi Traditional School in Sorong District, Papua Barat Daya, Indonesia. In the context of globalization, preserving indigenous values while promoting health and physical education presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The study aims to describe how the Moi community’s cultural practices—particularly traditional games, movement arts, and local rituals—can be transformed into educational content that supports students' physical literacy, identity, and cultural integrity. Utilizing a qualitative descriptive method, this research finds that the collaborative model fosters not only student engagement in physical activities but also strengthens cultural transmission. Keywords: sports literacy, local wisdom, indigenous peoples' education, Moi tribe, cultural collaboration, physical education

ABSTRACT This paper explores risk management in architectural heritage and advocates planned conservation as an effective alternative to unstructured emergency interventions. It presents the first results of a multidisciplinary research on the sandstone facades of the Pitti Palace in Florence (Italy), which are deteriorating and detaching mainly due to the intrinsic characteristics of the Pietraforte. The study was conducted as part of an institutional agreement between Università Politecnica delle Marche and the Uffizi Galleries, with support from the Laboratory for Stone Materials and Applied Geology, Environment, and Landscape of the University of Florence. The aim is to address Preventive and Planned Conservation strategies to manage material deterioration and ensure the physical integrity and safe use of the building, with a heritage- and people-centered approach. In this context, the paper presents the method and activities that led to a knowledge-based tool for assessing stone detachment hazard and prioritizing conservation efforts. The tool combines archival documents, research on previous restorations, analysis of the asset’s state of conservation and instrumental diagnostic, the latter to validate the method. The results will help establish a methodological framework for future statistical analyses, supporting the development of a predictive model to govern complexity in heritage preservation, mitigate deterioration and ensure public safety.

Despite its intellectual and philosophical significance, cosmology and general relativity (GR) remain largely inaccessible to high-school physics teaching because of the advanced conceptual and mathematical prerequisites to master these topics. Integrating them into upper secondary physics teaching, outside specialized courses, poses a significant challenge that remains unresolved. While the strong rationale for their inclusion in the curriculum is widely acknowledged, significant obstacles, both practical and conceptual, hinder implementation. Moreover, empirical evidence on successful classroom and curriculum integration of modern physics remains scarce. This contribution reports on an implementation study of a GR and cosmology course developed for upper secondary school students as part of an educational project launched during the centenary of GR in 2015 and tested ever since for several years. The course aimed to expand students’ knowledge to include current physics topics while highlighting their foundations in areas of classical physics such as Newtonian mechanics, electromagnetism, and waves. Targeted teaching and learning materials are focused on conceptual and qualitative understanding, while systematically combined with a mathematical treatment accessible at the upper secondary level, avoiding oversimplification. A key element is an active learning approach, incorporating activities and tasks such as engaging applications related to current research, reflective exercises, thought experiments, and hands-on tasks. The main research objective was to explore whether a conceptually deep and educationally effective GR and cosmology course could be successfully implemented for nonspecialist upper secondary students. A pre-post study assessed both conceptual learning and affective outcomes, including interest, curiosity, self-concept, and perceived relevance of science. Results showed encouraging gains in both learning and motivation, with large to very large effect sizes for conceptual learning of core principles. Additionally, no or small effects of predictors such as gender were observed. We conclude that the integration of GR and cosmology into upper secondary physics teaching, in the form of courses and materials that are engaging, comprehensible, and impactful, is feasible. This can enable learners in nonspecialist courses and with diverse backgrounds to engage with these intellectually and educationally rich and stimulating topics.