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Search Results (816)

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Keywords = cross cultural model

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19 pages, 753 KiB  
Article
In-Context Learning for Low-Resource Machine Translation: A Study on Tarifit with Large Language Models
by Oussama Akallouch and Khalid Fardousse
Algorithms 2025, 18(8), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/a18080489 (registering DOI) - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
This study presents the first systematic evaluation of in-context learning for Tarifit machine translation, a low-resource Amazigh language spoken by 5 million people in Morocco and Europe. We assess three large language models (GPT-4, Claude-3.5, PaLM-2) across Tarifit–Arabic, Tarifit–French, and Tarifit–English translation using [...] Read more.
This study presents the first systematic evaluation of in-context learning for Tarifit machine translation, a low-resource Amazigh language spoken by 5 million people in Morocco and Europe. We assess three large language models (GPT-4, Claude-3.5, PaLM-2) across Tarifit–Arabic, Tarifit–French, and Tarifit–English translation using 1000 sentence pairs and 5-fold cross-validation. Results show that 8-shot similarity-based demonstration selection achieves optimal performance. GPT-4 achieved 20.2 BLEU for Tarifit–Arabic, 14.8 for Tarifit–French, and 10.9 for Tarifit–English. Linguistic proximity significantly impacts translation quality, with Tarifit–Arabic substantially outperforming other language pairs by 8.4 BLEU points due to shared vocabulary and morphological patterns. Error analysis reveals systematic issues with morphological complexity (42% of errors) and cultural terminology preservation (18% of errors). This work establishes baseline benchmarks for Tarifit translation and demonstrates the viability of in-context learning for morphologically complex low-resource languages, contributing to linguistic equity in AI systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Evolutionary Algorithms and Machine Learning)
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13 pages, 224 KiB  
Review
Cultural, Religious, and Spiritual Influences on Communication in Pediatric Palliative Care: A Narrative Review Focused on Children with Severe Neurological Conditions
by Francesca Benedetti, Luca Giacomelli, Simonetta Papa, Viviana Verzeletti and Caterina Agosto
Children 2025, 12(8), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12081033 (registering DOI) - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
Pediatric palliative care (PPC) aims to enhance the quality of life of children with life-limiting conditions and their families through individualized, interdisciplinary support. Among this population, children with neurological diseases represent a substantial and growing group, often facing prolonged disease courses, cognitive impairment, [...] Read more.
Pediatric palliative care (PPC) aims to enhance the quality of life of children with life-limiting conditions and their families through individualized, interdisciplinary support. Among this population, children with neurological diseases represent a substantial and growing group, often facing prolonged disease courses, cognitive impairment, and high prognostic uncertainty. Effective communication is central to PPC; however, it remains deeply influenced by cultural, religious, and spiritual frameworks that shape family perceptions of illness, suffering, and decision-making. This narrative review explores communication strategies in PPC, with a specific focus on children with neurological conditions, highlighting conceptual foundations, cross-cultural variations, and emerging best practices. Key findings highlight the importance of culturally humble approaches, family-centered communication models, and structured tools, such as co-designed advance care planning and dignity therapy, to enhance communication. Additionally, the review highlights the presence of ethical and interdisciplinary challenges, particularly in neonatal and neurology settings, where misaligned team messaging and institutional hesitancy may compromise trust and timely referral to palliative care. Future research, policy, and clinical education priorities should advocate for models that are inclusive, ethically grounded, and tailored to the unique trajectories of neurologically ill children. Integrating cultural competence, team alignment, and family voices is essential for delivering equitable and compassionate PPC across diverse care settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Palliative Care and Pain Management)
24 pages, 1671 KiB  
Article
Sustainability in Purpose-Driven Businesses Operating in Cultural and Creative Industries: Insights from Consumers’ Perspectives on Società Benefit
by Gesualda Iodice and Francesco Bifulco
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157117 - 6 Aug 2025
Abstract
This study intends to provide insights and challenges for the shape of the B movement, an emerging paradigm that fosters cross-sectoral partnerships and encourages ethical business practices through so-called purpose-driven businesses. Focusing on Italy, the first European country to adopt this managerial model, [...] Read more.
This study intends to provide insights and challenges for the shape of the B movement, an emerging paradigm that fosters cross-sectoral partnerships and encourages ethical business practices through so-called purpose-driven businesses. Focusing on Italy, the first European country to adopt this managerial model, the research investigates Italian Benefit Corporations, known as Società Benefit (SB), and their most appealing sustainability claims from a consumer perspective. The analysis intends to inform theory development by assuming the cultural and creative industry (CCI) as a field of interest, utilizing a within-subjects experimental design to analyze data from a diverse consumer sample across various contexts. The results indicate that messaging centered on economic sustainability emerged as the most effective in generating positive consumer responses, highlighting a prevailing inclination toward pragmatic factors such as affordability, economic accessibility, and tangible benefits rather than social issues. While sustainable behaviors are not yet widespread, latent ethical sensitivity for authentic, value-driven businesses suggests that economic and ethical dimensions can be strategically synthesized to enhance consumer engagement. This insight highlights the role of BCs in catalyzing a shift in consumption patterns within ethical-based and creative-driven sectors. Full article
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30 pages, 3188 KiB  
Article
A Multimodal Bone Stick Matching Approach Based on Large-Scale Pre-Trained Models and Dynamic Cross-Modal Feature Fusion
by Tao Fan, Huiqin Wang, Ke Wang, Rui Liu and Zhan Wang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8681; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158681 (registering DOI) - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Among the approximately 60,000 bone stick fragments unearthed from the Weiyang Palace site of the Han Dynasty, about 57,000 bear inscriptions. Most of these fragments exhibit vertical fractures, leading to a separation between the upper and lower fragments, which poses significant challenges to [...] Read more.
Among the approximately 60,000 bone stick fragments unearthed from the Weiyang Palace site of the Han Dynasty, about 57,000 bear inscriptions. Most of these fragments exhibit vertical fractures, leading to a separation between the upper and lower fragments, which poses significant challenges to digital preservation and artifact restoration. Manual matching is inefficient and may cause further damage to the bone sticks. This paper proposes a novel multimodal bone stick matching approach that integrates image, inscription, and archeological information to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of matching fragmented bone stick artifacts. Unlike traditional methods that rely solely on image data, our method leverages large-scale pre-trained models, namely Vision-RWKV for visual feature extraction, RWKV for inscription analysis, and BERT for archeological metadata encoding. A dynamic cross-modal feature fusion mechanism is introduced to effectively combine these features, enabling better interaction and weighting based on the contextual relevance of each modality. This approach significantly improves matching performance, particularly in challenging cases involving fractures, corrosion, and missing sections. The novelty of this method lies in its ability to simultaneously extract and fuse multiple sources of information, addressing the limitations of traditional image-based matching methods. This paper uses Rank-N and Cumulative Match Characteristic (CMC) curves as evaluation metrics. Experimental evaluation shows that the matching accuracy reaches 94.73% at Rank-15, and the method performs significantly better than the comparative methods on the CMC evaluation curve, demonstrating outstanding performance. Overall, this approach significantly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of bone stick artifact matching, providing robust technical support for the research and restoration of bone stick cultural heritage. Full article
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23 pages, 915 KiB  
Article
Understanding Value Propositions and Perceptions of Sharing Economy Platforms Between South Korea and the United States: A Content Analysis and Topic Modeling Approach
by Jing Gu, Da Yeon Kim, Seungwoo Chun and Jin Suk Lee
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7028; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157028 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 167
Abstract
The sharing economy (SE) has rapidly expanded to become a key component of the global economy. However, as SE platforms evolve, a growing disconnect may exist between the value propositions companies emphasize and the values consumers actually perceive. Do the value frames communicated [...] Read more.
The sharing economy (SE) has rapidly expanded to become a key component of the global economy. However, as SE platforms evolve, a growing disconnect may exist between the value propositions companies emphasize and the values consumers actually perceive. Do the value frames communicated by SE companies align with those perceived as important by consumers, and how does this alignment differ across cultural contexts such as South Korea and the U.S.? Drawing on two complementary studies, we examine value alignment between SE companies and consumers in South Korea and the U.S. Study 1 employs content analysis of marketing messages from 246 SE platforms across five sectors, identifying the core value propositions emphasized. Study 2 applied structural topic modeling (STM) to consumer reviews from major SE platforms in both countries, focusing on three sectors: accommodation, service exchanges, and second-hand transactions. The findings reveal that SE companies in both countries primarily emphasize functional and economic values, with U.S. companies placing greater additional emphasis on emotional and social values than their South Korean counterparts. Similarly, consumers in both countries value functional, emotional, and economic aspects, showing general alignment with company marketing communications. However, South Korean consumers tended to emphasize functional and economic values more, while U.S. consumers were relatively more oriented toward emotional and social values. Notably, sustainability, widely regarded as a core principle of the SE, was not strongly emphasized by either companies or consumers. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of value dynamics in the SE and offer practical implications for developing culturally informed and value-driven marketing strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability)
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14 pages, 854 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Critical Impact and Socio-Ethical Implications of AI on Content Generation Practices in Media Organizations
by Sevasti Lamprou, Paraskevi (Evi) Dekoulou and George Kalliris
Societies 2025, 15(8), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15080214 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 232
Abstract
This systematic literature review explores the socio-ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in contemporary media content generation. Drawing from 44 peer-reviewed sources, policy documents, and industry reports, the study synthesizes findings across three core domains: bias detection, storytelling transformation, and ethical governance frameworks. [...] Read more.
This systematic literature review explores the socio-ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in contemporary media content generation. Drawing from 44 peer-reviewed sources, policy documents, and industry reports, the study synthesizes findings across three core domains: bias detection, storytelling transformation, and ethical governance frameworks. Through thematic coding and structured analysis, the review identifies recurring tensions between automation and authenticity, efficiency and editorial integrity, and innovation and institutional oversight. It introduces the Human–AI Co-Creation Continuum as a conceptual model for understanding hybrid narrative production and proposes practical recommendations for ethical AI adoption in journalism. The review concludes with a future research agenda emphasizing empirical studies, cross-cultural governance models, and audience perceptions of AI-generated content. This aligns with prior studies on algorithmic journalism. Full article
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26 pages, 4349 KiB  
Article
Palazzo Farnese and Dong’s Fortified Compound: An Art-Anthropological Cross-Cultural Analysis of Architectural Form, Symbolic Ornamentation, and Public Perception
by Liyue Wu, Qinchuan Zhan, Yanjun Li and Chen Chen
Buildings 2025, 15(15), 2720; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152720 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 124
Abstract
This study presents a cross-cultural comparison of two fortified residences—Palazzo Farnese in Italy and Dong’s Fortified Compound in China—through a triadic analytical framework encompassing architectural form, symbolic ornamentation, and public perception. By combining field observation, iconographic interpretation, and digital ethnography, the research investigates [...] Read more.
This study presents a cross-cultural comparison of two fortified residences—Palazzo Farnese in Italy and Dong’s Fortified Compound in China—through a triadic analytical framework encompassing architectural form, symbolic ornamentation, and public perception. By combining field observation, iconographic interpretation, and digital ethnography, the research investigates how heritage meaning is constructed, encoded, and reinterpreted across distinct sociocultural contexts. Empirical materials include architectural documentation, decorative analysis, and a curated dataset of 4947 user-generated images and 1467 textual comments collected from Chinese and international platforms between 2020 and 2024. Methods such as CLIP-based visual clustering and BERTopic-enabled sentiment modelling were applied to extract patterns of perception and symbolic emphasis. The findings reveal contrasting representational logics: Palazzo Farnese encodes dynastic authority and Renaissance cosmology through geometric order and immersive frescoes, while Dong’s Compound conveys Confucian ethics and frontier identity via nested courtyards and traditional ornamentation. Digital responses diverge accordingly: international users highlight formal aesthetics and photogenic elements; Chinese users engage with symbolic motifs, family memory, and ritual significance. This study illustrates how historically fortified residences are reinterpreted through culturally specific digital practices, offering an interdisciplinary approach that bridges architectural history, symbolic analysis, and digital heritage studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
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38 pages, 1465 KiB  
Article
Industry 4.0 and Collaborative Networks: A Goals- and Rules-Oriented Approach Using the 4EM Method
by Thales Botelho de Sousa, Fábio Müller Guerrini, Meire Ramalho de Oliveira and José Roberto Herrera Cantorani
Platforms 2025, 3(3), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/platforms3030014 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 254
Abstract
The rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 technologies has resulted in a scenario in which collaborative networks are essential to overcome the challenges related to their implementation. However, the frameworks to guide such collaborations remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by proposing Business [...] Read more.
The rapid evolution of Industry 4.0 technologies has resulted in a scenario in which collaborative networks are essential to overcome the challenges related to their implementation. However, the frameworks to guide such collaborations remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by proposing Business Rules and Goals Models to operationalize Industry 4.0 solutions through enterprise collaboration. Using the For Enterprise Modeling (4EM) method, the research integrates qualitative insights from expert opinions, including interviews with 12 professionals (academics, industry professionals, and consultants) from Brazilian manufacturing sectors. The Goals Model identifies five main objectives—competitiveness, efficiency, flexibility, interoperability, and real-time collaboration—while the Business Rules Model outlines 18 actionable recommendations, such as investing in digital infrastructure, upskilling employees, and standardizing information technology systems. The results reveal that cultural resistance, limited resources, and knowledge gaps are critical barriers, while interoperability and stakeholder integration emerge as enablers of digital transformation. The study concludes that successfully adopting Industry 4.0 requires technological investments, organizational alignment, structured governance, and collaborative ecosystems. These models provide a practical roadmap for companies navigating the complexities of Industry 4.0, emphasizing adaptability and cross-functional synergy. The research contributes to the literature on collaborative networks by connecting theoretical frameworks with actionable enterprise-level strategies. Full article
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19 pages, 440 KiB  
Article
Contextual Study of Technostress in Higher Education: Psychometric Evidence for the TS4US Scale from Lima, Peru
by Guillermo Araya-Ugarte, Miguel Armesto-Céspedes, Nicolás Contreras-Barraza, Alejandro Vega-Muñoz, Guido Salazar-Sepúlveda and Nelson Lay
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6974; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156974 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 277
Abstract
Sustainable education requires addressing the challenges posed by digital transformation, including technostress among university students. This study evaluates technostress levels in higher education through the validation of the TS4US scale and its implications for sustainable learning environments. A cross-sectional study was conducted with [...] Read more.
Sustainable education requires addressing the challenges posed by digital transformation, including technostress among university students. This study evaluates technostress levels in higher education through the validation of the TS4US scale and its implications for sustainable learning environments. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 328 university students from four districts in Lima, Peru, using an online survey to measure technostress. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to assess the psychometric properties of the TS4US scale, resulting in a refined model with two latent factors and thirteen validated items. Findings indicate that 28% of students experience high technostress levels, while 5% report very high levels, though no significant associations were found between technostress and sociodemographic variables such as campus location, employment status, gender, and academic level. The TS4US instrument had been previously validated in Chile; this study confirms its structure in a new sociocultural context, reinforcing its cross-cultural applicability. These results highlight the need for sustainable strategies to mitigate technostress in higher education, including institutional support, digital literacy programs, and policies fostering a balanced technological environment. Addressing technostress is essential for promoting sustainable education (SDG4) and enhancing student well-being (SDG3). This study directly contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 4 (Quality Education) by providing validated tools and evidence-based recommendations to promote mental health and equitable access to digital education in Latin America. Future research should explore cross-country comparisons and targeted interventions, including digital well-being initiatives and adaptive learning strategies, to ensure a resilient and sustainable academic ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sustainable Education and Approaches)
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20 pages, 1320 KiB  
Article
Emotional Intelligence in the Professional Development of Nurses: From Training to the Improvement of Healthcare Quality
by Efthymia Chatzidimitriou, Sotiria Triantari and Ioannis Zervas
Nurs. Rep. 2025, 15(8), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep15080275 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 576
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Emotional intelligence has emerged as a key factor in shaping nursing performance and care quality, yet its specific mechanisms and impact within the Greek public healthcare context remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the role of emotional intelligence in ethical [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Emotional intelligence has emerged as a key factor in shaping nursing performance and care quality, yet its specific mechanisms and impact within the Greek public healthcare context remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the role of emotional intelligence in ethical behavior, crisis management, and the perceived quality of care among nurses working in Greek public hospitals. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among practicing nurses using validated instruments to assess emotional intelligence, ethical compliance, crisis management skills, and care quality. Data were analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB SEM) to examine both direct and indirect relationships among variables. Results: The results indicated that emotional intelligence training had a strong and significant effect on nurses’ ethical behavior and their ability to manage critical situations. However, the direct effect of emotional intelligence on the perceived quality of care was not significant; instead, its influence was mediated through improvements in ethics and crisis management. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the benefits of emotional intelligence in nursing are most evident when integrated with supportive organizational practices and ongoing professional development. Overall, this study highlights the need for comprehensive emotional intelligence training and a supportive workplace culture to enhance ethical standards, resilience, and patient care quality in Greek healthcare settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nursing Leadership: Contemporary Challenges)
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13 pages, 699 KiB  
Article
Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the YFAS 2.0 for Assessing Food Addiction in the Mexican Adult Population
by Haydee Alejandra Martini-Blanquel, Indira Rocío Mendiola-Pastrana, Rubí Gisela Hernández-López, Daniela Guzmán-Covarrubias, Luisa Fernanda Romero-Henríquez, Carlos Alonso Rivero-López and Geovani López-Ortiz
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15081023 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 167
Abstract
Food addiction is characterized by compulsive consumption and impaired control over highly palatable foods, with neurobiological mechanisms analogous to substance use disorders. The Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) is the most widely used instrument to assess these symptoms; however, its psychometric [...] Read more.
Food addiction is characterized by compulsive consumption and impaired control over highly palatable foods, with neurobiological mechanisms analogous to substance use disorders. The Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) is the most widely used instrument to assess these symptoms; however, its psychometric properties have not been validated in Mexican adults. This study aimed to perform the cross-cultural adaptation of the YFAS 2.0 and validate its psychometric properties for the identification of food addiction in the Mexican adult population. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 500 Mexican adults aged 20 years or older. Participants completed the cross-culturally adapted YFAS 2.0. Exploratory and hierarchical factor analyses were conducted. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and omega coefficients, and model fit was evaluated through global fit indices. The scale showed high internal consistency (α = 0.88; ωt = 0.87; ωh = 0.89). The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin index was 0.815 and Bartlett’s test was significant (χ2 = 4367.88; df = 595; p < 0.001). Exploratory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure, with the first factor explaining 21.3% of the total variance. In the hierarchical model, all items loaded substantially onto the general factor. Fit indices indicated excellent model fit (CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.001; RMR = 0.004). The YFAS 2.0 is a valid and reliable instrument for identifying food addiction symptoms in Mexican adults. It may be useful in clinical practice and research on eating disorders. Full article
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33 pages, 3621 KiB  
Systematic Review
Space to Place, Housing to Home: A Systematic Review of Sense of Place in Housing Studies
by Melody Safarkhani
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 6842; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17156842 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 343
Abstract
This study conducts a systematic qualitative review of empirical research on sense of place within housing contexts, employing the tripartite model of place identity, place attachment, and place dependence. The study employs an expanded model that captures the internal complexity of each indicator [...] Read more.
This study conducts a systematic qualitative review of empirical research on sense of place within housing contexts, employing the tripartite model of place identity, place attachment, and place dependence. The study employs an expanded model that captures the internal complexity of each indicator by integrating its cognitive, affective, and conative components, which represent the dimensions of human–place interaction. This model conceptualizes sense of place as a multidimensional construct, facilitating thematic synthesis and cross-study comparisons. A structured search of Scopus and Web of Science identified 10 studies that met predefined inclusion criteria. Additionally, eight studies with divergent conceptualizations of sense of place were narratively analyzed to explore the diversity of interpretations across disciplinary perspectives in housing research. The review yields three key findings: (1) The expanded tripartite model provides a framework for understanding the relationships between residents and housing. (2) Sense of place is both a criterion and a catalyst for housing sustainability. (3) The development of a sense of place is influenced by the interaction of physical, spatial, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and institutional housing factors. Sense of place provides insight into how housing becomes home, informing context-dependent strategies that enhance place-based connections and contribute to housing sustainability. Full article
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23 pages, 4112 KiB  
Article
Metabolic Culture Medium Enhances Maturation of Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes via Cardiac Troponin I Isoform Induction
by Daria V. Goliusova, Agnessa P. Bogomolova, Alina V. Davidenko, Kristina A. Lavrenteva, Margarita Y. Sharikova, Elena A. Zerkalenkova, Ekaterina M. Vassina, Alexandra N. Bogomazova, Maria A. Lagarkova, Ivan A. Katrukha and Olga S. Lebedeva
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157248 - 26 Jul 2025
Viewed by 474
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) provide a powerful platform for investigating cardiac biology. However, structural, metabolic, and electrophysiological immaturity of iCMs limits their capacity to model adult cardiomyocytes. Currently, no universally accepted criteria or protocols for effective iCMs maturation exist. This [...] Read more.
Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs) provide a powerful platform for investigating cardiac biology. However, structural, metabolic, and electrophysiological immaturity of iCMs limits their capacity to model adult cardiomyocytes. Currently, no universally accepted criteria or protocols for effective iCMs maturation exist. This study aimed to identify practical culture conditions that promote iCMs maturation, thereby generating more physiologically relevant in vitro cardiac models. We evaluated the effects of short- and long-term culture in media supplemented with various stimulatory compounds under 2D conditions, focusing on intracellular content and localization of slow skeletal troponin I (ssTnI) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) isoforms. Our findings demonstrate that the multicomponent metabolic maturation medium (MM-1) effectively enhances the transition toward a more mature iCM phenotype, as evidenced by increased cTnI expression and formation of cross-striated myofibrils. iCMs cultured in MM-1 more closely resemble adult cardiomyocytes and are compatible with high-resolution single-cell techniques such as electron microscopy and patch-clamp electrophysiology. This work provides a practical and scalable approach for advancing the maturation of iPSC-derived cardiac models, with applications in disease modeling and drug screening. Full article
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30 pages, 4379 KiB  
Article
Cross-Platform Comparison of Generative Design Based on a Multi-Dimensional Cultural Gene Model of the Phoenix Pattern
by Yali Wang, Xinxiong Liu, Yan Gan, Yixiao Gong, Yuchen Xi and Lin Li
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8170; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158170 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 236
Abstract
The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence has paved the way for a new approach to reproduce and intelligently generate traditional patterns digitally. This paper focuses on the traditional Chinese phoenix pattern and constructs a “Phoenix Pattern Multidimensional Cultural Gene Model” based on [...] Read more.
The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence has paved the way for a new approach to reproduce and intelligently generate traditional patterns digitally. This paper focuses on the traditional Chinese phoenix pattern and constructs a “Phoenix Pattern Multidimensional Cultural Gene Model” based on the grounded theory. It summarises seven semantic dimensions covering composition pattern, pixel configuration, colour system, media technology, semantic implication, theme context, and application scenario and divides them into explicit and implicit cultural genes. The study further proposes a control mechanism of “semantic label–prompt–image generation”, constructs a cross-platform prompt structure system suitable for Midjourney and Dreamina AI, and completes 28 groups of prompt combinations and six rounds of iterative experiments. The analysis of the results from 64 user questionnaires and 10 expert ratings reveals that Dreamina AI excels in cultural semantic restoration and context recognition. In contrast, Midjourney has an advantage in composition coordination and aesthetic consistency. Overall, the study verified the effectiveness of the cultural gene model in generating AIGC control. It proposed a framework for generating innovative traditional patterns, providing a theoretical basis and practical support for the intelligent expression of cultural heritage. Full article
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35 pages, 3265 KiB  
Article
Cyber Edge: Current State of Cybersecurity in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Opportunities, and Challenges
by Md. Rajib Hasan, Nurul I. Sarkar, Noor H. S. Alani and Raymond Lutui
Electronics 2025, 14(14), 2915; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14142915 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 390
Abstract
This study investigates the cybersecurity landscape of Aotearoa-New Zealand through a culturally grounded lens, focusing on the integration of Indigenous Māori values into cybersecurity frameworks. In response to escalating cyber threats, the research adopts a mixed-methods and interdisciplinary approach—combining surveys, focus groups, and [...] Read more.
This study investigates the cybersecurity landscape of Aotearoa-New Zealand through a culturally grounded lens, focusing on the integration of Indigenous Māori values into cybersecurity frameworks. In response to escalating cyber threats, the research adopts a mixed-methods and interdisciplinary approach—combining surveys, focus groups, and case studies—to explore how cultural principles such as whanaungatanga (collective responsibility) and manaakitanga (care and respect) influence digital safety practices. The findings demonstrate that culturally informed strategies enhance trust, resilience, and community engagement, particularly in rural and underserved Māori communities. Quantitative analysis revealed that 63% of urban participants correctly identified phishing attempts compared to 38% of rural participants, highlighting a significant urban–rural awareness gap. Additionally, over 72% of Māori respondents indicated that cybersecurity messaging was more effective when delivered through familiar cultural channels, such as marae networks or iwi-led training programmes. Focus groups reinforced this, with participants noting stronger retention and behavioural change when cyber risks were communicated using Māori metaphors, language, or values-based analogies. The study also confirms that culturally grounded interventions—such as incorporating Māori motifs (e.g., koru, poutama) into secure interface design and using iwi structures to disseminate best practices—can align with international standards like NIST CSF and ISO 27001. This compatibility enhances stakeholder buy-in and demonstrates universal applicability in multicultural contexts. Key challenges identified include a cybersecurity talent shortage in remote areas, difficulties integrating Indigenous perspectives into mainstream policy, and persistent barriers from the digital divide. The research advocates for cross-sector collaboration among government, private industry, and Indigenous communities to co-develop inclusive, resilient cybersecurity ecosystems. Based on the UTAUT and New Zealand’s cybersecurity vision “Secure Together—Tō Tātou Korowai Manaaki 2023–2028,” this study provides a model for small nations and multicultural societies to create robust, inclusive cybersecurity frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Solutions for Network and Cyber Security)
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