Search Results (7,189)

This article explores how ideologies and discourses of school safety and policing operate within the U.S. educational system and shape broader understandings of safety, punishment, and mass incarceration. Guided by corpus-assisted discourse studies (CADS) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), it examines three questions: how different educational community members define safety (and for whom), how policing is constructed as safe or unsafe, and how these narratives position certain students as threats. Analyzing school board meetings, online public comments, and conversations with students within the context of a 2020 local decision to remove School Resource Officers from Eugene, Oregon, public schools, the study identifies common and contested discursive strategies about policing and youth across social and historical contexts. A central finding is the role of adultism in sustaining links between schools and prisons, normalizing compliance, silence, and the disappearance of youth who challenge adult authority. These adultist discourses position students as belonging to adults and construct dissent as danger, enabling surveillance, policing, and incarceration to circulate as commonsense approaches to “community safety.” From these findings, the article introduces YouthCrit as an emergent conceptual framework grounded in youth analyses of adultism. In turn, YouthCrit offers a framework for scholars, educators, and practitioners to challenge deficit narratives about students while centering youth presence and perspectives in school-based research and within social movements for community safety. Full article

In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out on the landscape of the 5th-15th centuries in Catalonia. When studying settlement, we will assess research on the morphogenesis of villages and highlight differences across regions. We will also see the characteristics of the hamlets of the Early Middle Ages and those of the Pyrenean lands. Farmsteads, which were made up of a house and some land that depended on it, were a fundamental element of the landscape of many regions of Catalonia. To understand the characteristics of the agricultural areas, we will be interested in the concentric shapes and coaxial strips. Furthermore, to understand the landscape of the regions of Lleida and Tortosa, we must understand the transformations that occurred in the Islamic era and the diffusion of ditches and irrigated spaces. Likewise, we will examine the relationship we discover between the coombs and the first medieval settlements and necropolises. It is also important to determine when and why the terraces were built. This study will address the evolution of the landscape throughout Catalonia, with special emphasis on the most recent contributions relating to the regions of Barcelona and Lleida. This research has been based primarily on the study of written documents and the analysis of what is preserved on the ground, which we can learn about above all through aerial photographs. Full article

Despite decades of intensive research, an effective cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains elusive. Although AD is classically linked to amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation, growing evidence highlights neuroinflammation as a major driver of disease progression. Neuroinflammation forms a self-amplifying cycle involving various factors such as cytokines, chemokines, oxidative stress, and glial cell activation, emphasizing the need for multi-target therapeutic strategies. Schiff bases have emerged as promising candidates, especially metal-incorporated Schiff bases, as numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated their ability to modulate key pathological processes, including inflammation, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) impairment, metal dysregulation, Aβ aggregation, and cholinergic dysfunction. Additionally, some preclinical studies even revealed the neuroprotective and anti-amnesic potential of Schiff bases. Nevertheless, these activities have been investigated across diverse structures of Schiff bases, and systematic evaluation of metal-incorporated Schiff bases remains limited. Although Schiff base-based anti-AD investigations have remained exclusively at the preclinical level, the huperzine A prodrug ZT-1 progressed to early-phase clinical trials before its development was discontinued. Comprehensive studies assessing their multi-target potential with their pharmacokinetic profiles are therefore essential to advance their development as prospective anti-AD agents. Full article

This article explores the richly visual vocabulary characteristic of the Platonic corpus. Focusing on Plato’s linkage of seeing and knowing, it will explore a two-fold paradox: first, that the soul’s ascent is consistently depicted as a painful matter by Plato; and second, that it customarily involves some emphatically bodily mechanics. These textual and rhetorical details may, in their turn, call for a significant re-thinking of several truisms regarding Platonic spirituality and “Platonic love.” Four revisions follow. First, Platonic philosophy was not radically dualistic. Second, it was not aggressively rationalist, and secularist, informed by a blanket opposition to myth, to poetry, and to religious images. Third, it aspired to illumination without breezily claiming to bathe in that light. And fourth, it embraced and ennobled the ecstatic transport vouchsafed to embodied creatures by eros, that subtle species of desire that was, if not divine, then surely sublime. Full article

Africa is a continent experiencing the highest yearly rate of deforestation. As a result, there is debate about the causes and consequences of this phenomenon, as well as on the effectiveness of actions undertaken to address this problem. This study offers insights into economic aspects of deforestation in Africa with regard to the use of econometric and spatial data analysis and the inclusion of determinants not considered by previous research. Special attention is paid to the participation of African countries in UN-REDD (United Nations Collaborative Program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries) and grouping countries according to the level of their forest cover. We demonstrate a negative relationship between economic activity and forest cover using both econometric modeling and spatial data analysis, and present some moderate arguments in favor of the UN-REDD program and its effectiveness in mitigating deforestation in Africa. Importantly, there are no universal patterns across countries characterized by different levels of forest cover. Therefore, we conclude that advancement of this research area requires new methodological approaches based on big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to supplement existing approaches and enhance our understanding of the interplay between forest loss and economic growth. Full article

Waste deposits from the Iberian Pyrite Belt that are rich in pyrite are a valuable secondary resource for getting back sulphide minerals and important metals that go with them. This study assessed the efficacy of a Multi-Gravity Separator (MGS) in concentrating pyrite and related polymetallic minerals from sulphide waste material sourced from the Alonso mining district (Huelva, Spain). Bench-scale MGS tests were done on two particle size fractions (−500 µm and −50 µm) to see how the speed of the drum rotation, the angle of the tilt, and the flow rate of the wash water affected the separation efficiency. Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) showed that both size fractions had about 65.8 wt% pyrite, but the −50 µm fraction was much more liberated. Under the best operating conditions, the MGS was able to recover about 58% of the pyrite from the −500 µm fraction and about 64% from the −50 µm fraction. The mass recoveries were about 38% and 42%, respectively. There was also a better recovery of related metals like Co, Cu, Zn, and Mn, especially for the finer fraction. This shows the improvement of the liberation and stratification behaviour. The results show that MGS is a good way to pre-concentrate fine-grained pyrite-rich waste. The performance is heavily influenced by the size distribution of the particles and the operating parameters. These results suggest that improvements in gravity separation may offer a long-term pathway for the recycling of sulphide mine waste within a circular economy. Full article

Mathematics education in the digital age has brought about many changes, both for teachers and learners. In K-12 mathematics education, math apps have become increasingly used tools as 1:1 device initiatives continue to proliferate the number of digital devices in the classroom. While researchers have begun to uncover the impact of math apps on students’ learning and well-being, what has remained unknown is how widespread math apps are in K-12 mathematics education. Using the PRISMA to systematically collect and analyze publicly available user data on K-12 math apps, this study found estimates of 608 million users on math apps devoted entirely to math and 683 million users on learning apps with math and additional content. Moreover, results indicated that the math apps in this study have, on average, increased by an estimated 427.3% over the last decade, with learning apps that include math seeing an estimated 345.7% increase in use over the last ten years. This study illuminates important math app user-count metrics that often remain in the shadows and calls for greater consistency and transparency in educational technology companies’ user reports. Full article

Background/Objectives: Blood Flow Restriction training has been suggested as a method to enhance strength and neuromuscular adaptations at low exercise intensities. Early reports indicate potential effects on pain perception, myofascial stiffness, and flexibility; however, the evidence remains inconsistent. Method: Twenty-two healthy adults participated in a randomized, within-participant, contralateral-controlled design, performing 5 min of treadmill walking (4–5 km/h) with and without blood flow restriction at 70% arterial occlusion pressure. Pressure pain threshold, hip range of motion, and hamstring stiffness were measured before and after the intervention. Adverse effects were recorded. Results: Changes in pain threshold, range of motion, and myofascial stiffness were similar between conditions. The pressure pain threshold decreased slightly in both conditions, regardless of BFR, while range of motion and stiffness remained unchanged. Mild, short-lasting sensations (cuff pressure, erythema, tingling) were reported, with no adverse events. Conclusions: A single short session of low-intensity BFR walking did not change pain sensitivity, flexibility, or myofascial stiffness in healthy adults. The protocol was well tolerated. Repeated or longer interventions may be needed to see measurable effects. Full article

In skeletal muscles fibers, cellular respiration, excitation–contraction (EC) coupling (the mechanism that translates action potentials in Ca²⁺ release), and store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE, a mechanism that allows recovery of external Ca²⁺ during fatigue) take place in organelles specifically dedicated to each function: (a) aerobic ATP production in mitochondria; (b) EC coupling in intracellular junctions formed by association between transverse tubules (TTs) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) named triads; (c) SOCE in Ca²⁺ entry units (CEUs), SR-TT junctions that are in continuity with membranes of triads, but that contain a different molecular machinery (see Graphical Abstract). In the past 20 years, we have studied skeletal muscle fibers by collecting biopsies from humans and isolating muscles from animal models (mouse, rat, rabbit) under different conditions of muscle inactivity (sedentary aging, denervation, immobilization by casting) and after exercise, either after voluntary training in humans (running, biking, etc.) or in mice kept in wheel cages or after running protocols on a treadmill. In all these studies, we have assessed the ultrastructure of the mitochondrial network and of the sarcotubular system (i.e., SR plus TTs) by electron microscopy (EM) and then collected functional data correlating (i) the changes occurring with aging and inactivity with a loss-of-function, and (ii) the structural improvement/rescue after exercise with a gain-of-function. The picture that emerged from this long journey points to the importance of the internal architecture of muscle fibers for their capability to function properly. Indeed, we discovered how the intracellular organization of the mitochondrial network and of the membrane systems involved in controlling intracellular calcium concentration (i[Ca²⁺]) is finely controlled and remodeled by inactivity and exercise. In this manuscript, we give an integrated picture of changes caused by inactivity and exercise and how they may affect muscle function. Full article

The rapid proliferation of connected vehicles equipped with both Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) sidelink and cellular interfaces creates new opportunities for real-time vehicular applications, yet achieving ultra-reliable communication without prohibitive cellular costs remains challenging. This paper addresses reliable inter-vehicle video streaming for safety-critical applications such as See-Through for Passing and Obstructed View Assist, which require stringent Service Level Objectives (SLOs) of 50 ms latency with 99% reliability. Through measurements in Seoul urban environments, we characterize the complementary nature of V2V and Vehicle-to-Network-to-Vehicle (V2N2V) paths: V2V provides ultra-low latency (mean 2.99 ms) but imperfect reliability (95.77%), while V2N2V achieves perfect reliability but exhibits high latency variability ($P_{99}$: 120.33 ms in centralized routing) that violates target SLOs. We propose a hybrid framework that exploits V2V as the primary path while selectively retransmitting only lost packets via V2N2V. The key innovation is a dual loss detection mechanism combining gap-based and timeout-based triggers leveraging Real-Time Protocol (RTP) headers for both immediate response and comprehensive coverage. Trace-driven simulation demonstrates that the proposed framework achieves a 99.96% packet reception rate and 99.71% frame playback ratio, approaching lossless transmission while maintaining cellular utilization at only 5.54%, which is merely 0.84 percentage points above the V2V loss rate. This represents a $7\times$ cost reduction versus PLR Switching (4.2 GB vs. 28 GB monthly) while reducing video stalls by $10\times$. These results demonstrate that packet-level selective redundancy enables cost-effective ultra-reliable V2X communication at scale. Full article

Canada’s ageing population continues to grow rapidly and significantly more diverse, which will require unique health and home service needs. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing challenges in Canada’s healthcare system and demonstrated the need for long-term care (LTC). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 decision makers, managers, and leaders in long-term ethnically focused facility care. Braun & Clarke’s six-stage process of thematic analysis was applied using an iterative, deductive approach to examine the experiences of stakeholders involved in the operational, managerial, financial, and clinical aspects of an ethnicity-focused LTC. Findings highlighted salient characteristics of impactful ethnicity-focused care and factors were uniquely shaped by the delivery of culturally specific care. Key subthemes included social isolation and emotional impact, operational and logistic difficulties during COVID-19, mitigation measures implemented in response, and the social, behavioural, and health benefits observed among seniors living in these LTC homes. Participants identified political and economic constraints (e.g., provincial funding) to establishing ethnicity-focused care homes but proposed several solutions and highlighted potential benefits that could support successful implementation. Analysis of experiences of operational challenges in safely and adequately running ethnicity-focused LTC reinforces the value of ethnicity-focused LTC during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as they provide a culturally safe and familiar space with preventive measures applied in a timely manner for seniors to engage with their peers in an environment that meets their health needs, ensuring safety standards. Full article

Over the past five years, generative AI has carved out a major role in architecture, especially in education and visual idea generation. Most of the time, the literature talks about AI as a tool, an assistant, or sometimes a co-creator, always highlighting efficiency and the end product in architectural design. There is a steady rise in empirical studies, yet the real impact on how young architects learn still lacks a solid theory behind it. In this systematic review, we dig into peer-reviewed work from 2015 to 2025, looking at how generative AI fits into architectural design education. Using PRISMA guidelines, we pull together findings from 40 papers across architecture, design studies, human–computer interaction and educational research. What stands out is a clear tension: on one hand, students crank out more creative work; on the other, their reflective engagement drops, especially when AI steps in as a replacement during early ideation instead of working alongside them. To address this, we introduce the idea of “AI sparring”. Here, generative AI is not just a helper—it becomes a provocateur, pushing students to think critically and develop stronger architectural concepts. Our review offers new ways to interpret AI’s role, moving beyond seeing it just as a productivity booster. Instead, we argue for AI as an active, reflective partner in education, and we lay out practical recommendations for studio-based teaching and future research. This paper is a theoretical review and conceptual proposal, and we urge future studies to test these ideas in practice. Full article

Background: International policy increasingly recognises the importance of inclusive, community-based support for people living with dementia. Football, as a culturally significant sport, has the potential to reach older adults and communities disproportionately affected by health inequalities. The objectives of this review were to collate evidence on football-based dementia initiatives, including intervention format, delivery approaches, and reported outcomes. Methods: Seven databases (Sportdiscus, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature from their inception to June 2025. The PICO framework was used to define eligibility criteria. Eligible studies described community-based football-themed or football-based programmes involving people living with dementia. Data were extracted on participant sample, intervention characteristics, and reported outcomes, and iteratively charted. Results: In total, 11 of the 1059 identified articles were included within this review. Initiatives were often delivered through professional football clubs and charitable foundations, with formats ranging from reminiscence therapy sessions to walking football. Common outcomes for participants included increased sociability, improved mood, enhanced communication, and a strengthened sense of identity and belonging. Some interventions also reported physical benefits, such as improved mobility. Carers highlighted respite opportunities, peer support, and enjoyment from seeing relatives more engaged. Despite positive reports, outcome measurement was inconsistent, and most studies were small-scale or descriptive pilot projects. Conclusions: Football-based dementia initiatives provide meaningful, culturally grounded opportunities for social inclusion and support. Their delivery through community clubs/organisations positions them well to address inequities in dementia care, particularly in areas of disadvantage. However, stronger evaluation methods are required to build a robust evidence base and guide sustainable implementation at scale. Full article

Global cancer incidence reached 20 million new cases across 185 countries in 2022, with approximately 10 million cancer-related deaths annually. Among adults with solid tumors and hematological malignancies, infections are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality, with respiratory infections playing a particularly significant role. These infections not only reduce life expectancy but can also delay cancer therapy, negatively affect treatment outcomes, and increase healthcare costs. In recent years, the burden of respiratory infections in this population has been driven by influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis. Effective vaccines are available for all these pathogens and are recommended for adults with cancer, yet vaccination uptake remains suboptimal despite their heightened vulnerability. This review provides practical guidance for healthcare professionals on vaccinating adults with cancer against respiratory infections, summarizing key information to help clinicians address vaccination-related complacency, confidence, and convenience. Evidence from studies in both the general population and cancer patients consistently shows that vaccination benefits outweigh potential risks, with adverse event rates comparable to those seen in individuals without cancer. Early vaccination is encouraged, as there is limited justification for delaying immunization even when immune responses may be reduced. Vaccine dosing aligns with recommendations for the general population, with important exceptions. Live attenuated vaccines should be avoided because of the risk of replication and disease in immunocompromised patients, and selected groups may require booster doses to achieve adequate protection. Notably, cancer immunotherapy does not appear to impair vaccine-induced immune responses. Full article