Search Results (2,397)

The article reports on a bilingual and interpretable book recommendation platform for schoolchildren. This platform uses a lightweight K-Nearest Neighbors algorithm combined with gamification and learning analytics. This application has been designed for a bilingual learning environment in Kazakhstan, supporting learning in Kazakh and Russian languages, and is intended to improve reading engagement through culturally adjusted personalization. The recommendation engine combines content and collaborative filtering in that it leverages structured book data (genres, target age ranges, authors, languages, and semantics) and learner attributes (language of instruction, preferences, and learner history). A hybrid ranking function combines the similarity to the user and the item similarity to produce top-N recommendations, whereas gamification elements (points, achievements, and reading challenges) are used to foster sustained activity.Teacher dashboards show learners’ overall reading activity and progress through real-time data visualization. The initial calibration of the model was carried out using an open-source book collection consisting of 5197 items. Thereafter, the model was modified for a curated bilingual collection of 600 books intended for use in educational institutions in the Kazakh and Russian languages. The validation experiment was carried out on a pilot test involving 156 children. The experimental outcome suggests a stable level of recommendation in terms of the Precision@10 and Recall@10 values of 0.71 and 0.63 respectively. The computational complexity remained low. Moreover, the bilingual normalization technique increased the relevance of recommendations of non-majority language items by 12.4%. In conclusion, the proposed approach presents a scalable and transparent framework for AI-assisted reading personalization in bilingual e-learning systems. Future research will focus on transparent recommendation interfaces and more adaptive learner modeling. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cellular profiles, microbiological status, and clinical outcomes such as hospital admission in adult patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on thirty adult bronchiectasis patients. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. The cellular components of BAL fluid (macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils) were analyzed. Patients were grouped according to the presence of microbial culture growth and history of hospitalization in the past year. Statistical analyses were performed to determine significant relationships. Results: The median age was 57 years, and the gender distribution was equal. There was no significant difference in BAL cellular profiles between groups with and without culture growth. However, in the group with a hospital admission in the past year, BAL showed a significantly lower percentage of alveolar macrophages (20% vs. 47%, p = 0.011) and a higher percentage of eosinophils (5% vs. 1%, p = 0.036). The hospitalized group also showed a trend toward a higher neutrophil percentage and a lower lymphocyte/neutrophil ratio. Furthermore, surprising associations were noted, such as a higher BAL macrophage count in married individuals and higher BAL eosinophilia in patients with diabetes. Conclusions: BAL cellular analysis provides valuable information beyond routine microbiological investigations in bronchiectasis. The low-alveolar-macrophage and high-eosinophil profile was found to be significantly associated with hospitalization, and this profile has the potential to serve as a prognostic biomarker in defining the “high-risk” phenotype. These findings highlight the complexity of the local inflammatory response and reveal the potential role of BAL in developing personalized treatment strategies for patients with bronchiectasis. Full article

Objective: Given the global trend of ecological protection and sustainable development, Global Geoparks have become an essential platform for resource conservation and regional growth. Changzhi City in Shanxi Province, China, is actively applying for Global Geopark status, relying on its rich geoheritage sites, cultural history, and natural landscapes. This paper presents a systematic evaluation of the city’s geodiversity and relic value, analyzes the feasibility of establishing a Global Geopark in Changzhi City, and provides scientific support for Changzhi City’s Global Geopark application. Methods: Geodiversity data were collected by region using a 1:25,000 grid for sampling. Four methods were adopted for evaluation, namely, the Shannon diversity index, Simpson diversity index, entropy weight method (EWM), and Pielou evenness index. Upon comprehensive comparison of the four approaches, the most suitable approach was selected to produce the final results. For the value evaluation of the geoheritage, a combination of the analytic hierarchy process and the entropy weight method was employed. Results: (1) According to the results of all four methods, the geodiversity of Changzhi City is higher in the eastern and western regions and lower in the central area. (2) The geoheritage sites are mainly distributed in the eastern part of the city and have relatively high relic value. (3) Changzhi City contains abundant natural reserves and cultural resources, meeting the fundamental requirements for Global Geopark construction. Specifically, 38 townships across eight counties were identified as potential geopark areas, encompassing 54 geoheritage sites, 76 provincial-level or higher cultural-relic protection sites, and 15 provincial-level or higher natural protected areas, with a total area of 4458.51 km². Conclusions: Our results suggest that the Shannon diversity index is an effective tool for evaluating geodiversity in Changzhi City. Based on the region’s geological and natural conditions, the delineated geopark area is feasible. In summary, our findings provide essential references for the protection and sustainable development of geoheritage sites, geodiversity, and geoparks and offer strong theoretical and data support for Changzhi City’s Global Geopark application. Full article

The crown conveys a rich tapestry of history and deep cultural resonances among the Yoruba people of South-western Nigeria, beyond its representation as an emblem of leadership, royalty, and nobility. This article explores layers of the meaning of crown in the Yoruba personal naming system. It relies on an ethnopragmatic theory to analyse the cultural significance and symbolic impact of crown-related names among the Yoruba. Drawing on a qualitative research approach using participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 25 participants who were purposively sampled in Ikeja, Lagos State, we argue that crown-related names are not mere identifiers or person reference labels, but they provide cultural insights and reflections on the foundation of authority and continuity, and carry the aspirational principles of the Yoruba traditional structure. The names symbolise personal journey; reinforce the hierarchical structure of the Yoruba society; and highlight the people’s deep connection to their ancestral lineage. This study concludes that crown-related names encapsulate the values, beliefs, and social structures of the Yoruba society, serving as enduring markers of dynastic identity and cultural values. In this way, crown-related names represent badges of honour that validate their bearers’ self-worth and dignity. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is a rare autoinflammatory bone disorder that primarily affects children and adolescents, with females more frequently impacted. The condition remains poorly understood, though cytokine dysregulation and inflammasome activation are believed to contribute to its pathogenesis. Clinically, CNO is often difficult to distinguish from infectious osteomyelitis, as presenting symptoms such as bone pain, swelling, and functional limitation are nonspecific, while cultures are frequently negative. As a diagnosis of exclusion, delays in recognition can lead to prolonged or unnecessary antibiotic exposure and uncertainty in management. Case Presentation: A 14-year-old male with a history of left second toe osteomyelitis initially diagnosed in 2021. Despite negative cultures and limited histopathologic findings, he received multiple antibiotic courses with little improvement, and the digit remained chronically swollen. Three years later, a repeat evaluation revealed osseous resorption of the middle and distal phalanges, and a biopsy confirmed acute and mild chronic fibrosing osteomyelitis, consistent with CNO. Given the risk of progression and possible amputation, surgical reconstruction was pursued. The patient underwent autologous calcaneal bone grafting with digital fusion using a K-wire. At three months and one year postoperatively, radiographs demonstrated solid fusion of the digit with maintained activity and resolution of pain. Conclusions: This case emphasizes the diagnostic complexity of CNO and the importance of considering it in children with culture-negative or recurrent osteomyelitis. It further illustrates how timely surgical intervention can preserve function and quality of life while avoiding unnecessary amputation. Full article

Introduction: Rectal colonization by carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CP-CRE) is a risk factor for subsequent infections, which are associated with high mortality rates. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Rectal swabs were collected from 297 patients within 48 h of admission to eight high-prevalence CP-CRE hospital departments, with follow-up swabs taken weekly for up to 4 weeks. Species identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and genetic detection of carbapenemases were performed. The genetic relationship among isolates was assessed using ERIC-PCR, combined with epidemiological data, to investigate subsequent infections. Results: Fecal carriage of CP-CRE was detected in 15.5% (46/297) of patients- All carbapenemases were metallo-betalactamases, with dominance of NDM-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. NDM + VIM-producing Escherichia coli were also detected. Among carriers, 26.1% were colonized by two different CRE species, and 86.9% had a history of prior hospitalization. Molecular analysis revealed clonal expansion, suggesting outbreaks among colonized patients. Additionally, 17.4% (8/46) of colonized patients developed an infection, which was significantly associated with urinary catheter use (p = 0.040), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.044), and surgical procedures (p = 0.040). Conclusions: rectal colonization by CP-CRE in hospitalized patients is a serious epidemiological concern, with evidence of clonal spread and subsequent infection in colonized patients. NDM-producing K. pneumoniae was also predominant, detecting co-production of NDM + VIM in E. coli. These findings underscore the urgent need to implement epidemiological surveillance cultures to improve the prevention and control of CP-CRE infections in Cuban hospitals. Full article

This article examines the visual reception of the woman of Endor (1 Sam 28) and her gradual integration into the Western imaginary of the witch. In the first section, it offers a concise overview of the formation of witchcraft in late medieval and early modern visual culture, when iconographic and discursive registers contributed to the consolidation of a demonological and persecutory repertoire associated with the female body. Against this background, the study analyzes how the figure of Endor came to be interpreted and represented through increasingly negative categories—eventually becoming a conventionalized motif in the history of art—despite the fact that the biblical narrative originally presents her as a ritual mediator whose role in Saul’s episode is not constructed as a paradigmatic case of “witchcraft” in a strict sense. Drawing on a methodology of visual exegesis that brings together cultural biblical studies, art history, and gender studies, this article examines a range of artworks depicting the episode in order to show how visual culture negotiates the boundary between the legitimate and the forbidden, and how the later demonization of Endor reveals persistent tensions between orthodoxy and heterodoxy across different historical contexts. Full article

Background: Arthrographis spp. are environmental fungi commonly found in soil and compost. Infections caused by Arthrographis species remain an uncommon clinical occurrence. Although these infections are infrequent in the general population, their incidence appears to be elevated among immunocompromised patients or those with significant comorbidities. Objectives: This review seeks to examine all documented human cases of Arthrographis spp. infections, with particular focus on aspects such as epidemiology, microbiological features, resistance patterns, therapeutic approaches and associated mortality rates. Methods: A narrative review was performed based on data obtained from the PubMed/MedLine and Scopus databases. Results: A total of 21 articles reported Arthrographis spp. infections in 21 patients. The mean age of affected individuals was 43.62 years, with 66.6% being male. A history of trauma was the most common predisposing factor, present in 33.33% of cases. Fever and abscess formation were the predominant clinical manifestations (28.6%), followed by organ dysfunction in 19% of patients. In vitro, the yeast generally showed susceptibility to voriconazole and itraconazole, with a low rate of resistance to amphotericin B. Clinically, amphotericin B was the most frequently administered antifungal (55%), followed by voriconazole (40%) and itraconazole (30%). The overall mortality rate was 19%, while deaths directly attributable to the infection accounted for 14.3%. Conclusions: Due to the capacity of Arthrographis spp. to cause serious infections, it is important for healthcare providers to consider this organism when dimorphic yeast appears in biological specimens’ cultures, especially in patients with immunosuppression or significant underlying conditions, to facilitate timely and accurate diagnosis. Full article

Medical history of psychopathology is, to some extent, the history of the overlapping traditions of Cartesian-Platonic dualism and physical reductionism looking for a taxonomic middle ground by means of diagnostic constructs. Building on such liminality, Freud first showed that traumatic memories could well be made of pure fantasy, a mind-only construct of experience, and still act traumatically on the patient’s body. Under that sway, Freud and Janet came to intentionally modify their patients’ memories to cure “hysterical” dysfunctional behaviours by means of hypnosis. The metaphorical practice of “writing new words in the human soul” has been adopted as a clinical device since the early days of psychotherapy, as the meaning of past experiences was clinically approached, verbally and emotionally negotiated, to remove somatic symptoms. Working on memory at the interdisciplinary level, we here show that what is nowadays referred to as the abstract mind, or psyche in medicine, is the historical precipitate of quite a unique cultural construction, resulting from the porous liminality between religious domain, philosophical theory and scientific method. We hereby address psychopathology, the philosophy of medicine and the frontiers between memory and fantasy—besides those between body and mind—to suggest how psychoanalysis can be considered more as a hermeneutic than as a science, or otherwise, how hermeneutics can be appreciated as a scientific, medical and therapeutic tool. Memory itself is addressed on the threshold between consciousness, organic life and intergenerational potential. Full article

Background: Integrity, encompassing honesty, accountability, and ethical conduct, is a cornerstone of the dental profession, essential for patient trust and safety. Despite its importance, academic dishonesty remains a pervasive issue in dental education globally. This review examines the prevalence, causes, and long-term career implications of academic dishonesty in dental education and explores institutional strategies to cultivate a culture of integrity. Method: The study was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify studies published between 1970 and 2025 on academic dishonesty in dental education. Search terms included dental students, cheating, plagiarism, and clinical falsification. Eligible studies reported prevalence, drivers, or consequences of dishonest behaviors. Data were extracted and thematically synthesized to highlight common patterns and professional implications. Results: Self-reported data indicate alarmingly high rates of cheating among dental students, ranging from 43% to over 90%. Common forms include exam fraud, plagiarism, and the falsification of clinical records. Key drivers include intense academic pressure, competitive environments, and a perception of weak enforcement. Such behaviors are not merely academic violations—they have profound professional consequences. A history of academic dishonesty can damage a student’s reputation, hinder licensure and credentialing processes, and limit postgraduate opportunities. Crucially, studies indicate that unethical behavior in school can normalize dishonesty, predicting a higher likelihood of future professional misconduct, such as insurance fraud or malpractice, thereby jeopardizing patient care and public trust. Conclusions: Academic integrity is a critical predictor of professional ethical conduct. Dental schools must move beyond punitive policies to implement proactive, multi-faceted approaches. This includes integrating comprehensive ethics curricula, fostering reflective practice, promoting faculty role modeling, and empowering student-led initiatives to uphold honor codes. Cultivating an unwavering culture of integrity is essential not only for academic success but for developing trustworthy practitioners committed to lifelong ethical patient care. Full article

This paper presents the results of a comprehensive technological study of three bronze sculptures from the Jin Empire period (1115–1234 AD) from the collection of the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography at the Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography of the Peoples of the Far East, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IHAE FEB RAS). Using photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the production techniques were reconstructed, differences in alloy composition were identified, and specific features of the casting processes were determined. Tomographic analysis revealed two fundamentally different manufacturing approaches: a multi-stage technology involving the use of different alloys and the assembly of separately cast elements, and a single-cast technology with a homogeneous structure. Elemental analysis of the three sculptures using EDS demonstrated significant compositional variability—from 21% to 67% copper and from 9% to 69% tin in different parts of the objects—confirming the complexity of the technological processes. An expanded study of 20 bronze sculptures using portable X-ray fluorescence analysis (pXRF) allowed for the identification of four typological alloy groups: classic balanced lead–tin bronzes (Cu 30–58%, Sn 16–23%, Pb 16–28%), high-lead bronzes (Pb up to 52%), high-tin bronzes (Sn up to 30%), and low-tin alloys (Sn less than 11%). The morphological features of the sculptures suggest one of their possible interpretations as ancestor spirits used in ritual practices. The research findings contribute to the study of Jurchen metallurgical traditions and demonstrate the potential of interdisciplinary, non-destructive analytical methods for reconstructing the technological, social, and cultural aspects of medieval Far Eastern societies. Full article

Astroviruses are non-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses known to infect various mammals and birds, including humans, often causing gastrointestinal disorders. In recent years, astroviruses have also been linked to neurological and respiratory diseases across several species, including ruminants, mink, deer, and other mammals. Notably, astrovirus infections in goats have been documented in countries such as Switzerland and China, where novel genotypes have been identified in fecal samples. However, their role in the context of disease remains unclear, and reports focusing solely on goat astrovirus in the United States have not been published. A necropsy case of a Boer goat kid with a history of diarrhea was submitted for investigation following death in January 2025. Fresh tissues were received and used for histopathology and enteric pathogen testing, including parasitic, bacterial, and viral workups. Metagenomic-based next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was also applied for this case. Histological examination revealed severe necrotizing enterocolitis. The small intestine exhibited epithelial ulcerations, villus atrophy, hyperplastic and dilated crypts with necrotic debris, few intraenterocytic coccidian parasites, and increased inflammatory cells in the lamina propria. The large intestine showed similar findings with pleomorphic crypt enterocytes. Standard enteric pathogen tests were negative except for aerobic culture that identified Escherichia.coli and Enterococcus hirae. mNGS and bioinformatic analysis identified a novel astrovirus in the intestinal content that showed the highest nucleotide identity (86%) to the sheep strain Mamastrovirus 13 sheep/HA3 from China based on BLAST analysis. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the newly identified caprine astrovirus IL90175 clustered with astrovirus strains from small ruminants in Asia and Europe. This research reports the discovery, histopathologic features, and genetic characteristics of a gastrointestinal disease-causing astrovirus in a goat kid, which had not been previously described in the United States. Full article

The purpose of this research was to investigate whether music empirically associated with therapeutic effects contains intrinsic informational structures that differentiate it from other sound sequences. Drawing on ontology, phenomenology, nonlinear dynamics, and complex systems theory, we hypothesize that therapeutic relevance may be linked to persistent structural patterns embedded in musical signals rather than to stylistic or genre-related attributes. This paper introduces the Discriminating Music Sequences (DiMuSes) method, an unsupervised, structure-oriented analytical framework designed to detect such patterns. The method applies 24 scalar evaluators derived from statistics, fractal geometry, nonlinear physics, and complex systems, transforming sound sequences into multidimensional vectors that characterize their global temporal organization. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reduces this feature space to three dominant components (PC1–PC3), enabling visualization and comparison in a reduced informational space. Unsupervised k-Means clustering is subsequently applied in the PCA space to identify groups of structurally similar sound sequences, with cluster quality evaluated using Silhouette and Davies–Bouldin indices. Beyond clustering, DiMuSe implements ranking procedures based on relative positions in the PCA space, including distance to cluster centroids, inter-item proximity, and stability across clustering configurations, allowing melodies to be ordered according to their structural proximity to the therapeutic cluster. The method was first validated using synthetically generated nonlinear signals with known properties, confirming its capacity to discriminate structured time series. It was then applied to a dataset of 39 music and sound sequences spanning therapeutic, classical, folk, religious, vocal, natural, and noise categories. The results show that therapeutic music consistently forms a compact and well-separated cluster and ranks highly in structural proximity measures, suggesting shared informational characteristics. Notably, pink noise and ocean sounds also cluster near therapeutic music, aligning with independent evidence of their regulatory and relaxation effects. DiMuSe-derived rankings were consistent with two independent studies that identified the same musical pieces as highly therapeutic.The present research remains at a theoretical stage. Our method has not yet been tested in clinical or experimental therapeutic settings and does not account for individual preference, cultural background, or personal music history, all of which strongly influence therapeutic outcomes. Consequently, DiMuSe does not claim to predict individual efficacy but rather to identify structural potential at the signal level. Future work will focus on clinical validation, integration of biometric feedback, and the development of personalized extensions that combine intrinsic informational structure with listener-specific response data. Full article

The Potocki family of the Pilawa coat of arms was among the most powerful noble lineages of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and its history is closely intertwined with that of Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine. In the late seventeenth century, Feliks Kazimierz Potocki (1630–1702) founded the town of Krystynopol (now Chervonohrad), named in honor of his wife, Krystyna Lubomirska. The residence, passed down through successive generations of the Potocki family, was transformed in the mid-eighteenth century into an impressive Baroque palace-and-garden complex designed by Pierre Ricaudde Tirregaille, becoming a model example of the magnate cultural landscape on the border of present-day Poland and Ukraine. In the centuries that followed, the estate changed owners multiple times, suffered devastation during the world wars, and in the Soviet period housed the Museum of Atheism. Today, the partially restored palace accommodates a small regional museum. Although in the eighteenth century the palace was surrounded by an extensive Italian-French style garden with water canals, ponds, and fountains, the area has since been built over with public-utility buildings. This study presents a concept for the development of the surviving elements of the historical palace park. The project is based on historical analyses, field research, site inspections, interviews with museum staff and town residents, as well as a detailed dendrological inventory including an assessment of tree health. The study area covers 4.71 ha, and the current tree stand is composed mainly of Salix alba, Populus nigra, Populus alba, Betula pendula, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus laevis, Acer negundo, and Acer pseudoplatanus. Archival sources allowed for the reconstruction of the original layout of the palace-park complex. The aim of the project is therefore to introduce new representative, educational, recreational, social, ecological, and touristic functions to the currently neglected area while respecting its historical heritage. Full article

In this study, we investigate the Suvarṇabhūmi area, corresponding to central–southern Mainland Southeast Asia. We test the hypothesis that this region, located to the south of the Himalayan foothills, can be characterised as a convergence zone in which diverse entities involving humans, animals, and artefacts have significantly diverged from their related counterparts outside the area. We argue that this process of convergence was facilitated by the Maritime Silk Road trade networks, which were particularly active between the 3rd century BCE and the 9th century CE. Comparative data are derived from multiple scientific disciplines, including linguistic typology, onomastics, epigraphy, archaeology, and evolutionary biology. This includes typological features of language, toponyms, inscriptions, glass bead chemistry and related material culture, and phylogenetic data from patterns of endemism to illustrate parallel convergence scenarios observed for each data type. The results reveal recurring patterns of convergence. Linguistic, technological, and biological entities tend to diverge from their original forms and realign with predominant regional types when entering the Suvarṇabhūmi area. The spread of Indic and Sinitic linguistic and cultural elements, the adaptation and development of Brāhmī scripts into distinct local forms, the secondary manufacturing of glass beads, and unique genetic lineages in mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and plants all point to the region’s role as a dynamic interaction sphere. We argue that Suvarṇabhūmi functions as an ecological system, in which trajectories of convergence are notable across a number of individual aspects of cultural and biological diversity. Altogether, these components have contributed to shaping the region’s distinctive natural and cultural history. Full article