Search Results (203)

I present a quantum-tunnelling oscillator model as a universal dynamical engine for two paradigmatic problems in quantum cognition theory—optical illusion perception and group decision making—where individuals are treated as quantum-mechanical agents whose choices shift through context-dependent transitions rather than simple probabilities. I show that, when networked together, these units form a quantum-cognitive neural system that reproduces familiar collective and perceptual phenomena while naturally accommodating counterintuitive processes that challenge classical models. Bridging ideas from quantum cognition theory and neural networks, this approach offers a compact, physically grounded way to describe how real individuals and groups think, perceive and decide. Full article

We characterize the combinatorial structure of the Voronoi cell of the ${\mathcal{A}}_n$ lattice in arbitrary dimensions. Based on the well-known fact that the Voronoi cell is the disjoint union of $(n+1)!$ congruent simplices, we show that it is the disjoint union of $(n+1)$ congruent hyper-rhombi, which are the generalized rhombi or trigonal trapezohedra. The explicit structure of the faces is investigated, including the fact that all the k-dimensional faces, $2\le k\le n-1$, are hyper-rhombi. Based on our explicit algebraic representation, we re-derive the classical geometric result that the Voronoi cell is the vertex-first orthogonal projection of the $(n+1)$-dimensional unit cube and therefore a zonotope. We prove that in low dimensions ($n\le 3$) the Voronoi cell of the ${\mathcal{A}}_n$ lattice can be understood as the section of the Voronoi cell of the ${\mathcal{D}}_{n+1}$ lattice with the hyperplane orthogonal to the diagonal direction. We provide all the explicit coordinates and transformation matrices associated with our analysis. Most of our analysis is algebraic and easily accessible to those less familiar with the Coxeter–Dynkin diagrams. Full article

Industry 5.0 places humans at the center of production systems, requiring technologies that integrate operators as active components while adapting dynamically to their physical and cognitive needs. Within this context, facilitating the learning of complex concepts becomes essential, particularly through intuitive and accessible approaches. The objective of this work is to develop a hands-on educational platform for the introduction to human–robot interaction, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4). The platform is designed to support the experiential learning of key aspects of collaboration between human and robots while simultaneously familiarizing students with practical elements, including programming, hardware implementation with microcontrollers and sensors, and the use of the Robot Operating System (ROS). The developed system is based on the use of inertial measurement units (IMUs) to capture kinematic signals, enabling real-time interaction with a collaborative robot. The platform supports both translational and orientation control, with a maximum latency of 0.3 s, ensuring responsive and effective human–robot interaction. The hands-on approach will allow students to interact directly with the test bench, putting previously learned theoretical concepts into practice, according to the principle of learn-by-doing. Full article

Wildfires are significant and increasing hazards in the United Kingdom (UK), affecting both ecosystem integrity and public safety, particularly within many rural–urban interface locations. In moorland environments, where recreational pressure is high, human negligence often remains a major ignition source. The Peak District National Park in Central England is vulnerable to these hazards, as exemplified by the 2018 wildfire at The Roaches Nature Reserve, which was triggered by an out-of-control barbecue. Despite increasing wildfire risk due to climate change, public awareness and perceptions of wildfire impact in the UK are limited. This study used an online questionnaire survey to examine public understanding of wildfires among a non-specialist audience and how the ‘2018 Roaches wildfire’ influenced Reserve users’ perceptions of impacts, recovery, and management. Respondents demonstrated a general awareness of wildfire severity, ignition sources, and global fire geography, although familiarity with specific UK incidents varied. Perceptions of impacts were mixed, reflecting different experiences and emotional responses to the 2018 event. Ecological aspects, such as soil, biodiversity, and landscape aesthetics, were widely perceived as ‘slow to recover’, whereas recreation, safety, and health were viewed as returning to normal more quickly. A strong sense of shared responsibility for wildfire safety emerged, with participants emphasizing the need for clearer communication, improved public education, and higher levels of community involvement. These findings provide exploratory but valuable insights into public perceptions of UK wildfires, thereby informing future research pathways to strengthen fire management and preparedness. Full article

Objectives: Treadmill walking is often employed for tightly controlled gait and energetics research, but growing evidence suggests that treadmill-based metabolic and biomechanical measurements may not directly reflect the ecologically valid mode of overground walking. While many previous studies focused on older adults, much less is known about how treadmill walking influences gait energetics and spatiotemporal parameters in young healthy adults across matched speeds. We investigated energy expenditure, metabolic cost of walking and spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy young adults walking overground and on a treadmill at three speeds (slow—1.0, comfortable—1.3, fast—1.5 m/s). Our hypothesis was that at the comfortable speed, treadmill and overground energetics and gait parameters would be comparable. However, at slow and fast speeds, there would be a significant energetic penalty, accompanied by significant differences in spatiotemporal parameters. Methods: Twenty young participants (10 males and 10 females) completed a randomized cross-over walking protocol with a minimum of ten minutes treadmill familiarization at 1.3 m/s. Breath-by-breath oxygen consumption ($\dot{V}{O}_2$) and Respiratory Exchange Ratio were measured using a portable indirect calorimetry system and gait parameters were calculated from Inertial Measurement Units. Gross and net energy expenditures, costs of walking, cadence, average step and stride lengths, and walk ratio were calculated. A three-way mixed ANOVA was used for primary statistical analyses. Results: Treadmill walking was characterized by higher gross and net energy expenditures and metabolic costs (p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.6) across all speeds compared to overground. It was also characterized by faster cadence and shorter average step and stride lengths (p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.9). Additionally, there was an effect of sex (p = 0.01, η_p² = 0.3) on the gait parameters, with females exhibiting a faster cadence and shorter average step and stride lengths than males. Conclusions: Our findings show that treadmill walking imposes a medium-to-large metabolic penalty even in healthy young adults, with compensatory gait adaptations, possibly reflecting increased stabilization demands and altered neuromuscular control strategies. These results underscore the limits of generalizing treadmill derived gait data to overground walking and we caution against the uncritical use of treadmills, especially while trying to understand ecologically relevant human walking mechanics and energetics. Full article

Although SARS-CoV-2 has been extensively studied from clinical, virological, and diagnostic perspectives, the problem of accurate automatic semantic segmentation of SARS-CoV-2 particles in electron microscopy images remains inadequately explored. Existing studies have largely focused on virus detection, classification, morphometry, or conventional image analysis, while comparatively little attention has been paid to pixel-level delineation of viral structures using specialised deep learning segmentation frameworks. To address this gap, we propose here a deep learning system based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) combined with image processing techniques to establish semantic segmentation tools for the automatic identification of SARS-CoV-2. Our approach utilises the super-Euclidean pixels method as an intermediate layer within the CNN for semantic segmentation. We then compare its performance against the gradient vector flow (GVF) and Poisson inverse gradient (PIG) segmenters. The proposed CNN model surpassed the traditional GVF and PIG segmentation models, achieving the following metrics (mean ± variance): Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) = 0.9345 ± 0.0006; intersection over union (IoU) = 0.8782 ± 0.0018; sensitivity/true positive rate (TPR) = 0.9373 ± 0.0018; specificity/true negative rate (SPC) = 0.9517 ± 0.0012; accuracy = 0.9449 ± 0.0004; area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.9446 ± 0.0431; and Cohen’s Kappa = 0.9137 ± 0.0011. This method enables virologists to employ an automatic CNN-based segmentation tool for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and demonstrates superiority over GVF and PIG. Full article

Background: Pain assessment in critically ill, mechanically ventilated pediatric patients is highly complex owing to communication barriers and the frequent use of sedation. A standardized, rapid, and objective tool such as the Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) is urgently needed in Japanese pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), particularly in mixed adult–pediatric settings, to ensure consistent, multidisciplinary assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical applicability, validity, and reliability of the Japanese version of the BPS in critically ill mechanically ventilated pediatric patients. Methods: This single-center, prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted between October 2021 and March 2023. The final analysis included 70 observations from 37 pediatric patients who needed mechanical ventilation (MV). Concurrent and convergent validity were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (ρ) between the BPS; the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale; and the COMFORT-Behavior (COMFORT-B) scale. Interrater reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and weighted kappa values among the three independent observers. The sample size (52 observations) was calculated based on the kappa coefficient estimation. The impact of sedation depth (assessed using the Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale [RASS]) and the observers’ prior clinical experience with the evaluations were also analyzed. Results: Concurrent and convergent validity were high, showing strong correlations with the FLACC (ρ = 0.49–0.91) and COMFORT-B (ρ = 0.69–0.87) scales. The total BPS score showed moderate interrater reliability (ICC = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.55–0.76; weighted κ = 0.63–0.71). However, deep sedation (defined as a median RASS score ≤ −4 across observers), present in 68.6% of the observations, caused a pronounced floor effect that suppressed behavioral responses, even during painful procedures. Consequently, the reliability of fine motor subscales like “upper limb movement” (κ = 0.08) was slight and for “facial expression” (κ = 0.38), it was fair. Furthermore, the correlation strength with the FLACC scale varied significantly with observer experience, with the strongest correlation (ρ = 0.91) achieved by the observer with extensive adult ICU experience. Conclusions: As an initial validation, the Japanese version of the BPS has demonstrated acceptable validity and moderate reliability in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients. However, its clinical application requires careful interpretation because of the pronounced floor effect under deep sedation. Furthermore, accurate assessment depends heavily on specific training and familiarity with the adult-derived scale. With adequate training, the BPS has the potential to serve as an alternative tool and a valuable common multidisciplinary language in mixed intensive care settings. Future research should investigate whether implementing this tool improves multidisciplinary communication and clinical outcomes. Full article

The Therapeutic Shoe Benefit (TSB) allows Medicare insurance beneficiaries to reduce their diabetic foot ulcer risk by providing offloading shoes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the process is cumbersome and that not all providers are aware of this benefit. This study evaluated TSB awareness across multiple healthcare disciplines and documented barriers to utilization. An online study surveyed healthcare providers practicing in the United States to determine familiarity with TSB and barriers to prescribing therapeutic shoes. The project was IRB-reviewed and received exempt status. The survey was sent to a wide variety of healthcare practitioners including: podiatrists, primary care providers, physical therapists, orthotist/prosthetists, specialty providers, and diabetes educators. This was done through targeted emails from professional organizations, word-of-mouth messaging through private practice groups, and marketing on LinkedIn. The survey was administered via Qualtrics with embedded branching logic used to gather data from the TSB’s three classifications of healthcare specialists: certifying physicians, prescribing practitioners, and suppliers. A total of 580 valid completions of the survey were analyzed. Irrespective of the TSB, podiatric physicians and medical professionals providing direct patient care recommend supportive shoes for patients with diabetes 98.2% (336/342) of the time. When asked about knowledge of the TSB, 522 or 90% of respondents indicated awareness of this Medicare benefit. Knowledge by specialty was hard to differentiate due to low responses by some specialties; however, prescribing podiatrists and prosthetic providers both responded with a familiarity rate above 92%. Common obstacles to providers prescribing shoes were: complexity of documentation (67.8%), challenges communicating with other providers (55.0%), and financial reasons/labor-to-reimbursement ratio (38.4%). TSB has the potential to reduce amputations and wound care costs. However, therapeutic shoes are underutilized with less than 20% of potential beneficiaries accessing this benefit. This research strengthens the argument that streamlining the process may increase access to therapeutic shoes. Full article

This article examines the context and aims of We Feed the UK: a multi-site series of arts projects and exhibitions, organised by the Gaia Foundation, that were exhibited at venues across the United Kingdom from February 2024 to June 2025. These aims were to celebrate and advocate for diverse regenerative food production businesses and community initiatives through poetry and photography. The featured enterprises combine food production with objectives such as biodiversity renewal, community development, mental health support and social justice, and the article proposes that this combination of environmental advocacy and affective social issues appeals to a wide and diverse audience. It supports this proposal through an examination of the first photography project in the series: Johannes Pretorius’s Intervention and Renewal, that engaged with a Cumbrian dairy farm that successfully combines biodiversity regeneration, organic agriculture and educational initiatives. Drawing upon Actor–Network Theory and notions of time as they pertain to the photograph, this examination reveals a project that offers both familiar imagery of British pastoral tropes, and the contemporary realities of the British food production system. As such it offers multiple points of engagement for audiences, and an effective entry point for the We Feed the UK programme. Full article

As of 2025, there are approximately 154.3 million voice assistant users in the United States (Emarketer, 2025). Given the prevalence of digital voice assistants in children’s lives, it is critical to understand how children interact with and learn from such digital technologies. Across two experiments, we utilized a modified selective trust design to explore children’s (N = 310) information-seeking behaviors towards technological and human sources in the science domain. In Experiment 1 (N = 143), we asked whether children (aged 4–6) are more likely to direct scientific questions towards and trust in scientific explanations from a digital voice assistant or a peer. The experiment included three parts: (i) scientific ask and endorse phase (ii) explicit judgement phase and (iii) digital voice assistant familiarity question phase. In the first part of the scientific ask and endorse phase, children were asked who they would rather ask to answer certain scientific questions. In the second part of this phase, the digital voice assistant and the peer each provided an explanation in response to that question. Half of the children were assigned to a condition where the digital voice assistant provided a noncircular explanation, and the other half of the children were assigned to a condition where the peer provided a noncircular explanation. In Experiment 2 (N = 167), we examined children’s preference to pose scientific questions to and trust in explanations from a digital voice assistant or a classroom teacher. Across both studies, children preferred to ask questions and trust scientific explanations from the digital voice assistant rather than the peer or the teacher. By understanding how children learn with and through digital technologies in the domain of science, we can design future interventions that leverage conversational AI to further enhance children’s science engagement and critical thinking skills during the early childhood years. Full article

Methods examining eyewitness testimony and its identification of suspects have not received sufficient analysis internationally. In the face of growing empirical evidence of methodologic and judicial errors, Greece’s judicial process nonetheless prioritizes eyewitness testimony in gathering evidence and preparing cases for trial. Due to its pluralistic geographical and cultural position uniting European, Balkan, and Mediterranean influences, and its alignment with non-Napoleonic code nations, Greece is a useful example for studying witness interviewing in evolving judicial systems. Drawing on 87 semi-structured interviews with Greek legal professionals, this study identifies systemic variables affecting eyewitness interviews and suspect identification. Prominent barriers to robust witness interviewing included inappropriate questioning techniques and wording, frequent interruptions, scripted questions, and failure to develop a sense of trust. In identifying suspects, participants highlighted inadequate compliance with defined protocols, inadequate management of negative emotions, pressure on witnesses to make positive identifications, and introduction of improper guidance about the alleged perpetrator. Lengthy delays before the eyewitness interview and a lack of infrastructure were core influences alongside a lack of familiarity with best practices. The findings signal the need for authorities to adopt reliable methods and specific guidance for utilizing eyewitness testimony. Full article

The easily defanged myth that baby rattlesnakes (genera Crotalus and Sistrurus) are more dangerous than adults has persisted in North America despite all evidence to the contrary. The most often cited reason for the babies-more-dangerous (BMD) myth is the venom-dump (VD) hypothesis: babies, in contrast to adults, cannot control how much venom they expend, and therefore inject all of it when biting. We undertook three approaches to explore the origin, transmission, and prevalence of this myth and its most frequent explanation. First, we examined historical newspaper accounts. From 130 newspaper stories mentioning the relative danger of baby rattlesnakes, we identified a timeline in which (1) most stories prior to 1969 were factually correct; (2) the BMD myth and VD hypothesis likely originated in the mid-to-late 1960s and became entrenched in California, especially, from 1970 to 1999; (3) factually incorrect statements subsequently prevailed throughout North America from 2000 to 2014; and (4) factually correct stories regained prominence with apparent effective messaging success from 2015 onward. We further learned that general information stories about rattlesnakes, more often citing subject experts like university professors, were much more likely to provide accurate information than local snakebite stories, which more often cited health professionals (e.g., physicians, veterinarians, pharmacists) and emergency responders (e.g., police and fire officers) who frequently supplied misinformation. Second, we surveyed familiarity with the BMD myth and VD hypothesis among 53 university classrooms (including one high school) representing 3751 students across 29 states within the United States. Consistent with the California media’s outsized influence on misinformation transmission, familiarity with the myth was greatest in the southwestern states (52.6%) and declined moving north and east, with the least familiarity in the northeastern states (16.4%). Third, a small survey of 75 emergency responders and health professionals from Southern California revealed that a whopping 73.3% actually believed the BMD myth. Numerous organizations generally regarded as authoritative further amplified the misinformation, especially on the internet, where some content persists to this day. Unfortunately, belief in the BMD myth and VD hypothesis can lead to negative consequences, including misinformed risk-taking by those encountering snakes, unwarranted fear among snakebite victims, and inappropriate care delivered by misinformed or patient/family-pressured medical professionals. Our findings target health professionals and emergency responders as priority audiences for education. Full article

Background: The use of physical restraints in hospital settings remains a controversial practice due to its ethical, legal, and safety implications. Although restraints are intended to prevent falls or manage agitation, their inappropriate use may compromise patient dignity, autonomy, and quality of care. Current healthcare policies emphasize restraint reduction, appropriate documentation, and professional training as key elements of humanized and safe care. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study based on an anonymous self-administered survey was conducted in a tertiary university hospital as the diagnostic phase of a quality improvement project aimed at evaluating healthcare professionals’ knowledge, perceptions, and documentation practices related to physical restraint use. A structured ad hoc questionnaire was distributed to registered nurses and nursing assistants working in adult inpatient units using a non-probabilistic convenience sampling strategy. The survey explored training, clinical decision-making, communication with patients and families, awareness of institutional protocols, and use of the electronic health record (EHR). Descriptive analyses and Pearson’s chi-square tests were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Results: A total of 241 professionals participated. More than half of respondents (54.8%) reported no formal training in physical restraint use, and only 27.4% considered their training sufficient. Although 86.3% stated they were familiar with restraint indications, only 53.5% were aware of the existence of a structured EHR restraint registry, and just 31.0% consistently completed it. Documentation of restraint removal was particularly low (32.9%). Furthermore, significant discrepancies were observed between regulatory definitions of restraints and professionals’ perceptions regarding practices requiring formal documentation. Statistically significant associations were identified between professional category, perceived training adequacy, and knowledge of physical restraint indications. Conclusions: This diagnostic phase identified substantial gaps between regulatory requirements, professional knowledge, and real-world documentation practices related to physical restraint use. The findings highlight the need for competency-based training strategies, standardized documentation processes, and strengthened institutional leadership to promote patient safety, regulatory compliance, and the humanization of hospital care. Full article

This study examines religion as a potent pre-socialisation factor in modern military socialisation, exploring how sacred roots and transcendent anchors influence the formation of military identity. By synthesising Ecological Systems Theory, the Religion–Military Model, and an Integrative Model, the analysis frames religiosity as a multidimensional construct that shapes integration across macro (societal), meso (organisational), and micro (individual) levels. The research reveals the dualistic nature of religious influence. On the one hand, religious pre-socialisation instils a habitus defined by normative commitment, sacrificial ethics, and ritual familiarity. These elements facilitate Person–Organisation fit and act as catalysts for identity fusion, where personal agency is united with the group’s strength. On the other hand, the study identifies a critical theological and psychological vulnerability: moral injury. When absolute religious commandments—such as the sanctity of life—collide with the lethal demands of combat, an irresolvable normative conflict arises, mirroring historical tensions between the Christian conscience and the sacramentum. By identifying strategic intervention points for chaplaincy and leadership, the study demonstrates that integrating the religious dimension is not only an ethical duty but a prerequisite for maintaining triadic equilibrium, resilience, and institutional stability. Full article

ESG criteria have become central to corporate sustainability, reshaping governance, reporting, and the accounting profession. This study investigates how chartered accountants engage with ESG by combining micro-level survey evidence from Greece with macro-level bibliometric analysis of global ESG scholarship. The survey explored accountants’ knowledge, practices, and perceptions of ESG indicators, revealing significant generational differences: younger professionals reported higher familiarity and stronger implementation of ESG practices, while older respondents demonstrated more limited engagement. Training emerged as a decisive factor, with formally trained accountants applying a broader range of ESG criteria and perceiving greater strategic benefits in credibility, competitiveness, and adaptability. Complementing these insights, the bibliometric analysis of 861 articles published between 1993 and 2025 demonstrated exponential growth in ESG-related research, particularly after 2019, with sustainable development emerging as the conceptual anchor of the field. Thematic mapping highlighted climate change, decision-making, and corporate governance as central concerns, while collaborations between countries such as China, Italy, and the United States underscored global research dynamics. Overall, the study shows that accountants are increasingly positioned as gatekeepers of sustainability reporting, but their effectiveness depends on continuous training, regulatory alignment, and integration into global ESG frameworks. Full article