Search Results (18,392)

Adaptive reuse of industrial heritage from a tourism perspective presents a complex design challenge requiring a balance between heritage preservation, functional innovation, and diverse stakeholder expectations. However, current practices often face issues such as ambiguous demand interpretation and a disconnect between design generation and systematic evaluation. Addressing these limitations, this paper proposes and illustrates a human–machine collaborative design paradigm that integrates generative AI into a closed-loop process of “demand analysis–intelligent generation–comprehensive evaluation.” The method first employs Kansei Engineering and the KANO model to qualitatively extract and quantitatively prioritise heterogeneous user needs, translating subjective perceptions into structured design constraints and optimisation objectives. Next, these needs are encoded as text prompts to drive targeted spatial exploration by the generative AI tool Nano Banana AI. Finally, the TOPSIS method is applied for multi-criteria performance evaluation and solution selection. A case study of Shanghai Libo Brewery suggests that this paradigm can enhance design efficiency and show potential to outperform traditional methods across dimensions such as historical preservation, public accessibility, ecological integration, social inclusivity, and formal innovation. The research offers a quantifiable and systematically documented intelligent design methodology for industrial heritage renewal, while acknowledging the exploratory nature of the generative phase. Furthermore, it provides a visitor-demand-driven innovation pathway for developing industrial heritage tourism destinations, thereby potentially enhancing cultural experiences and tourism appeal at heritage sites. This research illustrates a move from an experience-driven paradigm toward a data- and value-driven approach, contributing theoretical methodologies to the intersection of cultural tourism and artificial intelligence. Full article

Background: Parental practices that support autonomy, provide structure, and foster warm relationships are associated with greater satisfaction of students’ basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In minority educational contexts, however, students’ psychological need satisfaction is also shaped by broader sociocultural conditions that may create additional pressures and sources of chronic stress. Within such environments, parental support may function as a protective factor that helps students cope with educational and cultural demands. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore how parental support contributes to the satisfaction of students’ basic psychological needs within a minority educational context where students from the Greek minority attend a bilingual school operating within a Turkish educational framework. Methods: A qualitative design was employed using three focus groups conducted in a minority school located in Gökçeada, Türkiye: one with parents (N = 5), one with lower secondary school students (N = 6), and one with upper secondary school students (N = 6). Interview questions were developed on the basis of Basic Psychological Needs Theory. Data were analyzed thematically by five members of the research team. Results: Findings indicated that parental support influenced students’ need satisfaction through practices related to autonomy (e.g., trust, space for mistakes), competence (e.g., encouragement, comparison), and relatedness (e.g., emotional presence, empathy). However, these practices were not experienced in a uniform way. Rather, their meaning and impact were shaped by contextual conditions associated with minority status, including bilingual educational demands, limited resources, and close-knit community dynamics. Conclusions: The study suggests that in minority school settings, parental support operates not simply as a general interpersonal resource but as a contextually mediated protective process. By showing how sociocultural and institutional conditions shape the enactment and experience of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, the findings extend existing BPNT research beyond majority settings and offer a more context-sensitive understanding of students’ psychological need satisfaction. Full article

Mechanical confinement plays an important role in regulating tumor growth and invasion; however, the quantitative, time-resolved, three-dimensional evaluation of confined tumor spheroids remains technically challenging. In this study, we developed a custom-built selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM)-based monitoring platform for long-term volumetric imaging of tumor spheroids under mechanically confined conditions. This system integrates a culture housing unit and a transparent cuvette-based spheroid culture method optimized for SPIM observation. Colorectal adenocarcinoma-derived cell spheroids were embedded in agarose gels with defined concentrations to modulate the stiffness of the surrounding matrix. Bright-field imaging and viability analyses confirmed sustained spheroid growth without necrotic core formation over a 4-day culture period, demonstrating that the SPIM-based system maintained the physiological culture conditions. Three-dimensional imaging using SPIM enabled a quantitative evaluation of spheroid growth and anisotropic invasion. Volumetric expansion was observed under all confinement conditions. Notably, increasing the matrix stiffness enhanced both the volumetric growth rate and anisotropic invasion, indicating stiffness-dependent directional growth under mechanical confinement. The developed SPIM-based platform has the potential to serve as a practical tool for the time-resolved three-dimensional analysis of tumor spheroid growth and may provide a useful approach for investigating the mechanobiological regulation of tumor progression in confined microenvironments. Full article

Liu Mu 劉牧 inaugurated the diagram-based paradigm of Yijing 易經 interpretation in the Song dynasty and restored the Hetu and Luoshu 河圖洛書 to the center of Yi studies 易學. Existing scholarship has approached his system primarily through the lens of xiang-shu 象數 structure or semiotics, frameworks that illuminate how his numerical diagrams function as interpretive tools while leaving unaddressed a more fundamental question: what grounds their authority. This article argues that attending to the religious dimensions of Liu Mu’s system opens a new line of inquiry by revealing how his numerological framework could function as a substantive ground of political and moral order in the intellectual culture of the Renzong 宋仁宗 reign. Liu Mu’s system operates on two interconnected religious levels. First, by anchoring moral and political norms in the objective order of cosmic numerology rather than in human convention, it furnishes a sacred foundation for ethical and political life that transcends arbitrary agreement. Second, by deliberately withholding Heaven’s One (tianyi 天一) from the yarrow-stalk method, it carves out, within an otherwise calculable rational order, an irreducible space for genuine encounter with cosmic mystery. The article further demonstrates that this strategy was shaped by the specific historical and institutional contexts of the early Song. Liu Mu’s enduring contribution lies in constructing a numerological system in which sacred authority and rational order are not opposed but mutually constitutive. Full article

Background: Effective communication improves patient satisfaction and reduces stress for both patients and physicians. Surveys consistently highlight the importance of strong communication skills among physicians, especially in oncologic settings. Yet, communication training is neither ubiquitous nor standardized in medical studies or residency, and physicians report that this task represents a burden for them. Given the limited data addressing the observations and expectations of patients with gynecologic malignancies when receiving bad news, this survey aimed to assess their perspective on this topic. Methods: We examined throughout an anonymous questionnaire how patients with gynecological and breast cancer experienced the delivery of bad news. Data were collected in Germany from July 2024 to September 2025. The questionnaire was available online and in paper form in four languages (German, English, Turkish, Arabic), with the purpose of recording culture-specific data. Results: A total of 249 patients completed the survey. Regarding the overall need for improvement in delivering bad news, 222 women (94.5%) declared that improvement was necessary, with 92 (39.1%) of them indicating that substantial improvement was required. While 67.9% of patients were content with the physician’s professional competence, 30.5% stated a lack of empathy, and 32.9% stated insufficient time for conversation. When comparing satisfied and dissatisfied patients, significant differences were observed across several aspects, such as consultation length, nonverbal communication, calmness of the setting, stress level after the conversation, and the offer to bring a trusted person or arrange a follow-up conversation. Conclusions: This patient survey highlights a persistent gap between patients’ expectations and physicians’ performance when it comes to delivering bad news. The findings underline the urgent need for the implementation of systematic training programs and structured communication protocols in gynecologic oncology. Full article

Background: The NF-κB signaling pathway plays a critical role in innate immune defense against infections. However, many pathogens secrete toxins or effectors into host cells to manipulate cellular functions for their survival and proliferation. Toxoplasma gondii is known to establish chronic infections by employing sophisticated immune evasion strategies. Dense granule (GRA) proteins are essential for the survival and pathogenesis of T. gondii. Methods: In this study, plasmid transfection, cell culture, luciferase reporter assay, quantitative PCR, and western blot were employed to identify T. gondii GRA proteins that regulate the NF-κB pathway. Results: We demonstrate that GRA12, a specific GRA protein, significantly inhibits NF-κB promoter activity and the transcriptional expression of key cytokines, including IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-β. Western blot analysis further revealed that GRA12 suppresses the activation of the IKK complex and p65. Moreover, GRA12 prevents the nuclear translocation of p65. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that GRA12 is involved in immune evasion by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, thereby facilitating T. gondii dissemination and infection. Full article

Background: Spirituality and religious diversity are increasingly recognized as essential components of holistic nursing care in global healthcare systems. However, their integration into undergraduate nursing education remains heterogeneous and often insufficiently structured, creating a gap between professional values and students’ preparedness to address spiritual needs in culturally diverse clinical environments. This study aimed to explore nursing students’ perceptions, attitudes, and perceived competencies regarding spirituality, religion, and spiritual care. Methods: A descriptive exploratory survey was conducted on a sample of 69 third-year nursing students (69.6% female; majority aged ≤24 years) enrolled in two universities in Rome, Italy. Data were collected between May and July 2025 using the Nursing Care and Religious Diversity Scale (NCRDS), consisting of 31 items. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, internal reliability analyses, group comparisons, and multivariate regression models. Results: Students showed moderate levels of attention to patients’ spiritual needs (mean = 3.11, SD = 0.88) and integration of spirituality into care practice, while high importance was attributed to spiritual care skills. University education was perceived as only partially adequate. Multivariate analyses showed that students’ personal spirituality is positively associated with the assessment of spiritual needs and the perception of competence, while exposure to contexts characterized by greater religious diversity is associated with a lower perception of preparedness. Conclusions: The results highlight a discrepancy between professional values and perceived operational skills, suggesting the need to systematically integrate spirituality and religious diversity into nursing curricula. These findings highlight the need for a structured integration of spirituality and religious diversity into nursing curricula through targeted educational strategies in order to strengthen students’ competencies and promote truly holistic and person-centered care. Full article

Blue space, as an important natural and social composite feature system in cities, not only provides supporting, regulating, and provisioning services, but also plays a key role in human well-being, recreational experience, and urban sustainable development. The blue space cultural ecosystem service (CES) has gradually attracted the attention of academia in recent years, but there is a lack of systematic integration research in related fields. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of current studies to clarify how, and to what extent, blue spaces influence CESs. This study adopts a PRISMA-based systematic search combined with qualitative synthesis, aiming to review the research status of CES and its developmental trajectory within blue space studies, and to identify future research trends and critical gaps. A total of 52 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were finally selected through database screening. The research innovatively divides the evolution of blue space CES into three stages (2012–2017/2018–2022/2023–2025), revealing a shift in research focus from single value identification to complex policy support. Secondly, through the mapping of six typical blue space types (such as rivers and wetlands) and 10 CES indicators, combined with a Pearson correlation heatmap, it provides quantitative insights into the coupling mechanisms between indicators, such as the significant synergy between spiritual and educational values. Methodologically, it systematically discriminates between the application boundaries of monetary valuation based on the contingent valuation method and non-monetary valuation represented by social media big data and PPGIS, pointing out that technological progress is driving the evaluation toward high dynamics and refinement. Finally, the study points out current bottlenecks such as uneven geographical distribution and insufficient planning transformation, emphasizing that future research should use artificial intelligence to improve data processing accuracy and transform blue space CESs from “invisible welfare” into “explicit policy assets” to guide sustainable urban renewal and healthy space design. Full article

Background/Objectives: Peritoneal micrometastases (micromets) remain a major barrier to durable cytoreduction in ovarian and other intra-abdominal cancers because lesions are difficult to visualize and are often resistant to systemic therapy. Liposomal doxorubicin (Dox) improves pharmacokinetics but can be limited by slow intratumoral release. Porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP) liposomes enable near-infrared light–triggered release of Dox (chemophototherapy (CPT)), creating an opportunity for intraoperative fluorescence-guided treatment planning and monitoring. Here, we evaluate a laparoscopic fluorescence imaging platform for quantifying light-triggered drug delivery. Methods: LC-Dox-PoP was applied to SCC2095sc and SKOV-3 cultures in 2D monolayers and 3D spheroid clusters. Dox fluorescence was quantified using a laparoscopic fluorescence imaging system over 1–9 μg/mL concentrations and compared with standard well-plate reader measurements. Porphyrin fluorescence was monitored to assess spheroid localization and photobleaching after activation light exposure. Results: For both cell lines, Dox fluorescence exhibited an approximate 4-fold increase at the maximum administered LC-Dox-PoP concentration, following a linear trend in both SCC2095sc and SKOV-3 cultures (R² = 0.97, 0.98 for 2D and R² = 0.98, 0.98 for spheroids). Laparoscope-derived fluorescence measurements agreed with well-plate reader measurements (R² = 0.89–0.96). Porphyrin fluorescence provided stronger complementary contrast for localizing spheroid constructs and decreased after activation light exposure, consistent with photobleaching during triggered release. Conclusions: These results support a quantitative imaging framework for fluorescence-guided monitoring of light-triggered liposomal drug release and may enable individualized CPT dosimetry for peritoneal micrometastases. Findings in SCC2095sc additionally suggest potential relevance of fluorescence-guided CPT for head and neck/oral cancer, where localized post-resection adjuvant treatment may improve control of residual disease. Full article

Accurate identification of cariogenic bacteria is crucial for understanding caries development in children. Classical culture methods often underestimate microbial diversity, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can detect species that are difficult to cultivate. The aim of this study was to compare culture-based and PCR-based methods for detecting key cariogenic microorganisms in the carious dentin of pediatric patients. Thirty dentin samples were collected from the permanent teeth of children aged 8–14 years. Parallel analyses were performed using standard culture techniques and PCR targeting the gtfB gene of S. mutans and the 16S rRNA gene of Lactobacillus spp. Culture results were quantified as colony-forming units, while PCR results were classified as negative, low-positive, or positive. The results show that culture-based methods identified S. mutans in 16.7% of the samples and Lactobacillus spp. in 3.3%, while PCR identified a signal for S. mutans in 43.3% and Lactobacillus spp. in 100% of the samples. PCR-based methods provide higher sensitivity for detecting key cariogenic bacteria, including S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp. However, PCR detects bacterial DNA and does not indicate bacterial viability or activity. Combining molecular and culture-based approaches allows a more comprehensive assessment of the cariogenic microbiota, supporting accurate microbiological evaluation in pediatric caries research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising avenue for myocardial regeneration, yet therapeutic application remains limited by inconsistent differentiation capacity and the absence of standardized cardiogenic induction protocols. This study demonstrates a proof-of-concept for guiding patient-specific bone marrow MSCs toward a functional cardiomyocyte phenotype using paracrine signals from differentiating iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). Materials and Methods: MSCs were maintained in conditioned medium from a concurrent, validated iPSC-CM differentiation protocol, with evaluation via immunocytochemistry, optical mapping, and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Results: Differentiated MSCs acquired organized sarcomeric architecture with cross-striations and displayed spontaneous calcium oscillations with decay kinetics matching source iPSC-CMs (CaT50 ≈ 283 ms vs. 301 ms). In co-culture, MSC-derived cells exhibited synchronized calcium dynamics with iPSC-CMs, confirming functional coupling, while patch-clamp detected hallmark cardiac ion currents (INa, ICa,L, and IKv). Morphologically, MSC-CMs displayed more mature, elongated rod-like shapes. Conclusions: Although current densities indicate partial immaturity, their reproducible detection validates successful cardiomyogenic commitment. This “parallel differentiation” platform eliminates donor-specific protocol tuning, providing a streamlined, paracrine-mediated approach to generate autologous cardiomyocyte-like cells for disease modeling, pharmacological testing, and future regenerative applications. Full article

Background: Family caregivers remain closely involved in communication, care planning, and shared decision-making in long-term care (LTC) facilities. In this context, the quality of the relationship between family caregivers and professional staff may influence trust, collaboration, and satisfaction with care. However, few instruments have been specifically adapted to assess caregiver–staff relationship quality in Taiwanese LTC settings. Objectives: This study aimed to culturally adapt and preliminarily validate the Family Caregiver Relationship Quality (FCRQ) Scale for use in Taiwanese LTC facilities. Methods: A cross-sectional psychometric validation study was conducted with 205 primary family caregivers recruited from 20 LTC facilities in Taiwan. The original Relationship Quality Scale was adapted to the LTC context through contextual revision, expert review, bilingual verification, and pilot testing. Psychometric evaluation included confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency assessment, convergent validity, and structural equation modelling with Bollen–Stine bootstrap correction to address potential non-normality. Results: The initial 16-item model required refinement, and three items with low standardized factor loadings were removed. The revised 13-item model met the prespecified fit criteria and showed acceptable internal consistency and convergent validity. The retained items reflected three conceptually related domains of relationship quality: trust, commitment, and satisfaction. Overall, the findings provided preliminary psychometric support for the adapted scale in Taiwanese LTC settings. Conclusions: The adapted FCRQ Scale may be a useful tool for assessing caregiver–staff relationship quality in Taiwanese long-term care facilities, particularly in the context of shared decision-making and family-centred care. Nevertheless, the findings should be interpreted as preliminary, and further validation in larger and more diverse samples is needed before broader clinical or research application. Full article

Background/Objectives: Wound infections cause significant morbidity, yet current diagnostics rely on time-consuming microbial culture. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from bacterial metabolism offer potential for early diagnosis. This study aimed to validate the volatile metabolites profiled by gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) combined with machine learning for rapid identification of wound infections and certain bacterial infections. Methods: Headspace of clinical wound samples were analyzed using GC-IMS. Volatile metabolite profiles were compared between infected and non-infected groups and between Escherichia coli (E. coli)-positive and negative samples. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and Mann–Whitney U test were used for preliminary screening with variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1 and p-value < 0.05. Three machine learning algorithms, namely support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression (LR), and random forest (RF), were trained on the selected features for classification, using 5-fold cross-validation with 10 repeated runs. Model performance was assessed using key evaluation metrics, including accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, the area under the curve (AUC) and feature importance ranking to identify the most relevant biomarkers. Results: A total of 19 volatile metabolites associated with clinical wound samples were identified. The RF model achieved 90.15% sensitivity and 0.91 AUC for bacterial infection detection. For E. coli identification, LR reached 85.35% sensitivity and 0.89 AUC. Potential volatile metabolic biomarkers including elevated 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and ethyl hexanoate for identifying bacterial infection were selected through the cross-validation results of the three algorithms. Conclusions: Untargeted metabolomics by GC-IMS effectively captures infection-specific volatile metabolic signatures in complex wound samples. Integration with machine learning enables rapid, high-accuracy diagnosis of bacterial infections and E. coli identification at point of care. This approach addresses clinical metabolomics translational challenges by providing a portable and cost-effective method, potentially reducing antibiotic misuse through more timely and targeted therapy. Full article