Search Results (879)

Driven by global population aging, long-term in-home and institutional elderly care faces challenges in delivering continuous, privacy-aware, and resource-efficient safety and health monitoring. Existing edge-based solutions struggle to jointly balance detection accuracy, privacy, and resource overhead during continuous operation, and often have limited situational awareness and inflexible management. We propose EdgeElderCare, a resource-aware, scene-adaptive edge-cloud collaborative system for continuous elderly safety and health monitoring. Its contributions are threefold: (1) a scene-adaptive multi-sensor task-sharing architecture that deploys vision-based fall detection in public areas and privacy-aware millimeter-wave radar in private spaces. Combined with edge-side task scheduling, it provides spatially complementary coverage of public and private areas, mitigates the accuracy–privacy conflict, and reduces computing and bandwidth consumption relative to data-level fusion; (2) a lightweight myocardial infarction detection module deployed on an edge platform, enabling local ECG analysis with low resource overhead; (3) a 3D digital-twin edge-cloud management platform that maps multi-source sensing data to a virtual scene in real time and supports hierarchical visual alerting. Experiments in a real nursing home environment show that the system operated stably on resource-constrained edge hardware: UWB positioning achieved centimeter-level RMSE, visual fall detection reached a recall of 0.90, millimeter-wave radar fall detection achieved accuracy, and F1 above 0.90, and myocardial infarction detection exceeded 0.99 accuracy on the public PTB/PTB-XL benchmark. These results indicate an engineering-feasible approach to intelligent elderly care. Larger-scale and longer-term validation remains the focus of future work. Full article

Sambucus ebulus L. (dwarf elder) is a polyphenol-rich medicinal plant with a long history of ethnopharmacological use whose biological potential remains substantially underexplored. This narrative review examines the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative properties of S. ebulus fruit preparations and their molecular mechanisms. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (no lower date limit; upper limit May 2026) using “Sambucus ebulus” and related terms combined with relevant biological and pathway keywords; studies restricted to non-fruit tissues or lacking phytochemical characterization were excluded or flagged. The fruits contain anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, and stilbenes that collectively modulate NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt, and Nrf2 signaling. Available evidence is predominantly in vitro, with limited in vivo data, and two human intervention studies. Data support anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative activities that appear to arise from the combined action of multiple phytochemicals. Critical limitations of available research include the absence of clinical trials, limited pharmacokinetic data, lack of standardized preparations, and insufficient formal safety characterization, all of which must be addressed before translational application can be considered. Full article

This preliminary iconological inquiry aims to show that the Machiavellian image of the centaur Chiron—which was to enjoy extraordinary fortune in Western political thought—must be situated within Medicean ideology, where it had already assumed a highly significant role as early as the time of Cosimo the Elder. The figure of the centaur governed by Pallas—armed yet pacific Wisdom, whose very epithet alludes to the palle of the Medici coat of arms—may be taken to encapsulate the characteristic Renaissance impulse to recast the classical in Christian terms, an impulse that reached its apex in the ideological glorification of the Medici family as rulers of a new Athens coextensive with the new messianic Jerusalem. It was only with the elevation to the papacy of Lorenzo the Magnificent’s son, however, that the centaur acquired its fullest duplicity and symbolic potency—openly invoked in The Prince and displayed on the frontispiece of the first printed edition of La Mandragola. The paradigmatic twofold prince—at once humane, devout, and merciful, yet also libidinous, deceitful, and violent—is none other than Leo X: the pontiff in whom sacral and temporal power, Roman libido dominandi and Christian redemptive charisma, coexist in a dialectical tension, ceaselessly hybridizing one another. It is through the mediation of this papal centaur that the prince is secularized. Full article

Background: Sambucus ebulus L. berries contain numerous bioactive compounds, but their volatile molecular composition has not yet been fully characterized. In this study, we analyzed the volatile components of the essential oil and aqueous infusion prepared from dried S. ebulus fruits, followed by multitarget in silico analysis of the major compounds against the following enzymes implicated in neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, namely cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), for which inhibitory activity of plant-derived compounds has previously been reported. Methods: Steam distillation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) were employed for compound isolation and analysis. Molecular docking studies were performed using Schrödinger software (version 2025-1). Results: Fatty acid esters and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone predominated in the essential oil, whereas linalool was identified as the major constituent of the infusion. MAO-A was predicted to be the most favorable interaction target for hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and other major constituents. Conclusions: Our findings expand the currently limited available data on the volatile composition of S. ebulus fruits and characterize the volatile profile of its fruit infusion for the first time. The in silico analyses suggest that S. ebulus volatile constituents may interact with several target enzymes implicated in neurodegeneration and inflammation. Full article

Indigenous students continue to experience persistent educational inequities shaped by colonial histories, assimilationist schooling structures, and the marginalization of Indigenous knowledge systems. Although social–emotional learning (SEL) is widely promoted as foundational to student well-being and academic success, dominant SEL frameworks often reflect Eurocentric assumptions that overlook Indigenous understandings of relationality, land, identity, healing, and collective responsibility. In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), this study examines how SEL and teacher professional development can be reimagined through Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK). Using a qualitative collaborative ethnographic design integrated with a structured literature synthesis, the study drew on two years of community-engaged research involving collaborative focus group dialogues, community interactions, and sustained relational engagement with Native teachers, Elders, cultural leaders, and community practitioners (N = 20). Thematic analysis revealed five interrelated themes: culturally grounded SEL frameworks, structural barriers and equity-driven strategies, culture as prevention and healing, schoolwide conditions that sustain belonging and identity, and alignment between Indigenous-centered SEL and SDG 4. Findings highlight the importance of cultural identity, ceremony, storytelling, Elder mentorship, talking circles, land-based learning, relational accountability, and community partnerships in supporting meaningful SEL. The findings also reveal tensions between Indigenous relational approaches to SEL and dominant educational systems shaped by standardization, accountability pressures, and assimilationist schooling structures. The study advances a conceptual model showing how Indigenous-centered SEL, mediated through relational teacher professional development, can support culturally sustaining, healing-centered, equity-oriented, and sovereignty-affirming educational outcomes aligned with SDG 4. In addition to contributing to SEL scholarship, the study offers implications for teacher education, educational policy, and school leadership seeking to advance culturally sustaining and community-responsive educational systems. Full article

Effective dementia care is often hindered by fragmented communication among patients, informal caregivers, and clinicians. To address this, we introduce an ambient assisted living (AAL) framework designed to establish a continuous, virtual, and unobtrusive connection between an elder’s home and external guardians or medical staff (virtual rounds). The system enables guardians to communicate directly within the home environment, without requiring the older adult to manually accept calls or activate the connection using wearable devices, buttons, or other interfaces. The elders can activate the connection verbally. The structural core of this system relies on three novel hardware configurations designed for zero-interface operation: a remote audio announcement device, a bidirectional intercom, and a “zero-interface mirror” enabling stream-only, real-time video co-presence between patients and guardians. Crucially, the system utilizes a privacy-preserving, staged edge-AI architecture to process data. By default, it operates without long-term persistent storage, selectively transmitting abstracted audio-based behavioral metrics to a secure dashboard. For advanced dementia stages, the system employs ephemeral data retention—specifically a highly restricted, 24 h rolling audio buffer—allowing authorized guardians to verify acute events without permanently exfiltrating raw data. We evaluate this infrastructure through a 10-month longitudinal, single-home feasibility deployment, augmented with historical verified fall data to rigorously test the detection of rare acute events. The study validates the framework’s technical viability, system uptime, and privacy-first architecture in continuously tracking long-term proxy behavioral indicators under real-world conditions. Rather than asserting generalized clinical efficacy, this work demonstrates the operational feasibility of a novel, affordable, technical blueprint for dignified, remote digital care coordination. Full article

The development of new corn varieties is necessary to meet the corn demand. Using full diallel crosses is a method for developing high-yielding hybrid corn. This development requires systematic selection methods that incorporate various approaches in developing selection indices. This study aimed to develop a selection index concept for two full diallel cross populations and select potential hybrid crosses for preliminary yield evaluation. The study involved two populations of 100 corn seed genotypes from full diallel crosses (90 F₁ genotypes and 10 selfing elders) and five check varieties per population, planted using a Type II Augmented RCBD in eight blocks. Agronomic characteristics were analyzed using analysis of variance, heritability, factor analysis, and path analysis, with selection criteria aligned with heterotic potential, specific combining analysis, and heterobeltiosis. Analysis revealed significant genetic variation and moderate-to-high heritability for most traits. Correlation, factor, and path analyses identified cob diameter, number of rows per cob, and seeds per row as optimal selection criteria. Selection indices were developed by integrating standard heterosis, specific combining ability, and heterobeltiosis, with weights based on heritability and direct effects. Forty-four hybrid crosses showed potential for preliminary yield tests, with seven having the best final index compared to the reference variety. The p17 × p23 cross had the best potential for the final index. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating multivariate analysis and selection indices in developing superior hybrid corn crosses. Further optimization is recommended through preliminary yield tests and molecular approaches. Full article

Buildings represent 40% of the European Union’s energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Nursing homes are among the buildings that consume the most energy. The objective of this study was to make predictive models of Energy Consumption, Energy Costs, and CO₂ Emissions in nursing homes using different variables. To do this, data from 20 public nursing homes located in Extremadura (Spain) during the 2019–2023 period were analyzed. All the buildings were built or renovated between 1995 and 2009; the useful area and the number of residents were in the range of 1332–10,880 m² and 24–254 residents. A statistical analysis was performed using multivariable linear regression. During the research, equations that allow for the estimation of the annual Energy Consumption, Energy Costs and CO₂ Emissions of nursing homes, according to the useful area and number of residents, were found. The R_adj² was 0.9710, 0.9744 and 0.9742, respectively. The quality of the models obtained was contrasted using the mean absolute error (MAE), the relative error (RE) and the root mean square error (RMSE), together with the assessment of multicollinearity through the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF). The findings of this study may prove beneficial for stakeholders within the elder care sector. Full article

Urban soils along transportation routes are subjected to intense anthropogenic pressure, altering their physicochemical properties and promoting the accumulation of potentially toxic metals (PTM). This study aimed to assess soil contamination levels and evaluate the bioindicative potential of Acer negundo L. growing in urban green areas exposed to varying traffic intensities. Topsoil and leaf samples were collected from eight sites representing different levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Soil granulometric composition, pH, organic carbon content, selected nutrients, and concentrations of PTM (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, Cd, Hg, Fe) were determined, and contamination was evaluated using pollution indices (Igeo, EF, CF, Er). The soils ranged from moderately acidic to slightly alkaline (pH_KCl 5.85–7.66). Elevated concentrations of Zn (1078 ± 3.07 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (401.4 ± 2.51 mg kg⁻¹), Mn (1816 ± 3.3 mg kg⁻¹), and Cd (10.8 ± 2.06 mg kg⁻¹) were recorded at most sites, frequently exceeding permissible limits for urban green areas (Zn: 500; Pb: 200; Mn: 240 and Cd: 2 mg kg⁻¹). Correlation analyses revealed that zinc and cadmium are the two predominantly traffic-related origins. Pollution indices indicated moderate to very high enrichment, particularly for Cu and, locally, for Cd and Zn, while cadmium posed the highest potential ecological risk. The differences in the order of element abundance between the soil and plant tissues indicated a selective enrichment in plant leaves, with a preference for Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb. A strong positive correlation between soil and leaf cadmium concentrations indicates its high bioavailability and efficient transfer to plant tissues. These results demonstrate that Acer negundo is a valuable bioindicator of urban soil contamination, particularly for cadmium and zinc, and highlight the significant impact of road traffic on urban soil quality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Seasonal waves of respiratory viruses—including SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus (IAV), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)—continue to pose a global health burden and highlight the need for antiviral agents that are effective, safe, broadly active, affordable, and widely accessible. Current interventions are limited by the need for their early administration, the risk of resistance, their costs, and the restricted availability in large parts of the world. For certain natural products, such as European black elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) fruit extract (ElderCraft^®; EC) and the seaweed-derived sulfated polymer iota-carrageenan (IC), antiviral activities against respiratory viruses, particularly IAV and SARS-CoV-2, have previously been shown. Here, we assessed the antiviral activity of IC and an anthocyanin-standardized EC extract against SARS-CoV-2, IAV, and RSV, either as monotherapy or in multiple-dose combinations. Methods: MDCKII cells were infected with IAV_PR8, human Calu-3 lung epithelial cells with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, and HEp-2 cells with RSV (A2 strain). Inhibitors were administered either by pre-incubation of cell-free virions prior to infection or, in separate time-of-addition experiments, during or post-infection. Viral replication was quantified by qRT-PCR or intracellular immunostaining. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using a neutral red uptake assay. Results: Most intriguingly, both EC and IC are able to neutralize virions derived from SARS-CoV-2, IAV, or RSV extracellularly in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, EC and IC alone exhibited strong anti-RSV activity, which was not reported previously. Most importantly, combined treatment with IC and EC caused a pronounced synergistic antiviral effect against the tested viruses, as confirmed by the Bliss independence model, without any detectable impact on cell viability. Finally, solutions prepared from matrix-standardized mono- or combi-lozenges, containing IC and/or EC in high or low doses, reproduced the antiviral and synergistic combination effects observed with the pure compounds. Conclusions: In summary, these findings support further development of EC and IC as a topically accessible, virion-neutralizing combination (e.g., lozenges) to provide additional protection against major respiratory viruses and potentially strengthen pandemic preparedness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ovarian cancer is typically diagnosed in postmenopausal women, so there are limited data available for young adult cancer survivors (YACS). The aim was to assess the patient perspective of YACS. Methods: In this international and multicenter cross-sectional survey study, patient history, long-term side effects, and patient perspective were assessed. Long-term survival was defined as survival of at least five years after cancer diagnosis. Two groups were defined: (1) 18–40 years and (2) ≥41 years. Results: Altogether, 1833 long-term survivors (LTS) have been recruited, with 1771 patients ≥41 years and 62 patients 18–40 years at recruitment. FIGO stages were similar; among the patients, 99.0% had received primary surgery followed by chemotherapy in 90.3%. Almost 50% still experienced long-term side effects. Patients ≤ 40 years reported more frequently not only gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea/vomiting (44.4%, p = 0.01), bloating (59.3%, p = 0.038), and constipation (60%, p = 0.015) but also depression (31.4%, p = 0.02), lymphedema (45.3%, p = 0.026), and concentration difficulties (30.6%, p = 0.002). Distress levels were also higher in YACS, especially concerning insurance/finances, work/school, child care, worries, and sadness. Polyneuropathy and secondary cancer were the only side effects that were more frequent in the elder cohort (polyneuropathy: 20.3% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.002, and secondary cancer: 8.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.014). YACS were more physically active (p = 0.003) and interested in studies about long-term cancer survivorship in 87.2%. Conclusions: Long-term side effects are equally common in YACS after ovarian cancer, but with a focus on practical problems, mental health, gastrointestinal problems, and sexuality. This knowledge should be incorporated into follow-up care of ovarian cancer patients in order to improve quality of life. Full article

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents living in rural communities do not have sufficient access to health promotion services. Community programs that respond to adolescent needs, highlight community strengths, and are locally tailored are needed. Set in Queensland (Australia), this study was cross-sectional and qualitative in design. Using implementation science and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander frameworks, this study aimed to identify community priorities for the co-design of a culturally appropriate, empowerment-focused nutrition program with rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents. Through community yarning, the barriers, enablers, and opportunities for program implementation were explored within an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled health organization. Ten adolescents, two parents/caregivers, eight healthcare staff, six community leaders, and four Elders participated. Thematic analysis identified six themes that outline community health priorities, contextualization to the local food environment, and the importance of cooking skills for empowerment and involving the family unit. Thematic analysis also explored community preferences for program evaluation. Themes were integrated with other knowledge sources to develop a program outline that is aligned with evidence-based practice and community voice. Implementation of the co-designed program is recommended and will be explored in partnership with the community through future research. Full article

This study explores how gender roles shape transnational caregiving among Nigerian immigrants between northern BC and Nigeria. It examines the persistence or renegotiation of traditional caregiving expectations and how carers navigate societal norms, professional roles, and personal motivations. It also investigates how the elder care recipient’s gender influences caregiving dynamics, including cultural taboos, communication, and family interactions. This qualitative study employed a narrative inquiry approach, guided by a care and gender (Gender+) lens, to explore the caregiving experiences of 10 Nigerian immigrant carers (five women, five men) residing in northern BC and supporting elderly relatives in Nigeria. Participants were recruited through snowball and purposive sampling. A pre-interview survey captured demographic and caregiving background data. In-depth semi-structured interviews elicited personal caregiving narratives, and thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns related to gender, culture, and transnational caregiving dynamics. The study revealed four key themes regarding caregiving practices among Nigerian immigrant families: gendered cultural caregiving expectations, perceptions of caregiving abilities based on gender, resistance to traditional norms, and cultural taboos and gendered caregiving assignments. Caregiving experiences of Nigerian immigrants are influenced primarily by gender, with migration stage, class, and birth order acting as contextual modifiers. Centering a Gender+ lens, this research underscores the need for culturally responsive policies that address the challenges of immigrant carers and support their efforts to fulfil caregiving responsibilities within transnational settings. Full article

In complex sedimentary environments, the identification of thin sandbodies and the accurate prediction of their thickness remain challenging, particularly when relying on a single analytical approach. Taking the lower sub-member of the fourth member of the Shahejie Formation (Es₄^L) in the Chenguanzhuang area of the Dongying Depression as a case study, this study proposes a quantitative prediction method that integrates sedimentary facies constraints with machine learning-based seismic multi-attribute fusion. Based on core observations, well log data, and 3D seismic datasets, the study area is subdivided into two zones: Zone I (shallow-water delta front) and Zone II (shore–shallow lake). Sensitive attributes for each zone are optimized using Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical clustering, and five machine learning models—SVR, Random Forest, MLP, Ridge Regression, and Lasso Regression—are systematically evaluated. The MLP model is selected for Zone I, achieving R² values of 0.856 and 0.936 for the training and test sets, respectively, whereas Ridge Regression combined with leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) is adopted for Zone II to mitigate overfitting caused by limited well data, yielding R² values of 0.864 and 0.779. Compared with conventional linear regression (R² = 0.45), the proposed approach significantly improves the accuracy of quantitative sandbody prediction, providing a reliable geological basis for hydrocarbon exploration and an effective technical framework for similar complex sedimentary environments. Full article

This paper explores Indigenous Maya practices, ways of sensing, from a personal perspective to provoke discussion on ways to ground mathematics education through land and ancestors. This paper is largely based on my doctoral research work (2018–2022). I adopt a sensory ethnography approach as a viable means to explore Maya Elders’ ways of knowing. Over a period of three years, I walked alongside my Elders and journeyed into a world of mysticism and mathematical wonder. These experiences evoked the questions: “What are the challenges in engaging with this form of knowing as a learner and translator? How can these experiences help us to ground Indigenous forms of mathematical knowing? What insights can we learn via our own Indigenous mathematical heritage?” I argue that an embodied and sensory approach to mathematics through the ways of our ancestors leads to a more meaningful and purposeful mathematics. In this more-than-human context, the predominant view of mathematics as a-human, a-cultural, and a-historical is blurred to reveal mathematics as human and very much grounded in our ways of yearning to make sense of the world around us. Full article