Search Results (30)

This article examines the persistent legal invisibility of the Kashmiri Pandits within international frameworks on indigenous rights and internal displacement. Despite meeting definitional criteria under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the community remains unrecognised as either indigenous or internally displaced. Drawing on Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), constructivist norm diffusion and decolonial intersectional critique, this article argues that this exclusion arises not from normative ambiguity but from geopolitical selectivity and epistemic suppression. Through doctrinal analysis of India’s treaty commitments, including its accession to the Genocide Convention (1959) and its interpretative reservation to Article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1979), this study reveals how recognition is constrained by state narratives of sovereignty and secularism. Supported by evidence from the NHRC inquiry, IDMC displacement data, and comparative experiences such as Native American recognition this paper demonstrates that categories of protection in international law are applied unevenly, depending on political compatibility rather than legal principle. It calls for renewed engagement with epistemic justice and narrative accountability in rethinking indigeneity and displacement in postcolonial contexts. Full article

This paper represents the results of ten years of monitoring using satellite imagery and aerial reconnaissance, followed by in-depth analysis utilizing LiDAR data and geomagnetic prospection techniques of the first two Neolithic rondels detected in Croatia—Markušica Brošov salaš and Gorjani Topole. Through the exclusive use of satellite and aerial image analysis, we were able to accurately determine the general size, shape, and number of ditches present at the sites under investigation. The wealth of information obtained from these images was sufficient for us to confidently interpret these formations as Neolithic rondels—meeting all the criteria commonly used. The addition of LiDAR data and geomagnetic prospection further enhanced our understanding by revealing a range of additional features and peculiarities across both sites, including within all identified ditch systems. These advanced methods allowed us to uncover details that would otherwise remain invisible through surface observation alone. Our research demonstrates the remarkable power of publicly available satellite imagery as a primary tool for archeological site detection and preliminary interpretation. The results from Markušica and Gorjani emphasize the scientific necessity of combining complementary remote sensing and geophysical techniques to overcome individual methodological limitations, providing robust documentation and interpretation of prehistoric enclosures in highly transformed landscapes. This research contributes novel insights into Neolithic social landscapes, monumentality, and land use strategies in Croatia while offering a methodological model for archeological prospection applicable across Central and Southeastern Europe. Full article

Dermoscopy is an essential, non-invasive diagnostic tool that has transformed the evaluation of pigmented skin lesions and is nowadays also increasingly recognized for its utility in general dermatology. Originally developed for the early detection of melanoma, dermoscopy now aids in diagnosing a wide range of non-neoplastic skin disorders—including inflammatory, infectious, and infiltrative conditions—by revealing morphological features invisible to the naked eye. Among these, facial dermatoses represent a diagnostically challenging group of disorders with overlapping clinical presentations. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest literature on dermoscopy in general dermatology, with a specific focus on facial dermatoses. Relevant information for this article was obtained through a comprehensive PubMed search using disease names along with the terms ‘dermoscopy’ and ‘dermatoscopy’. Despite its growing relevance, this field remains underexplored, largely due to the lack of standardized dermoscopic criteria and inconsistent terminology, which pose challenges to broader clinical implementation. Nonetheless, current evidence highlights the promising role played by dermoscopy as an adjunctive diagnostic method, particularly when used by experienced clinicians in combination with detailed patient history and clinical examination. Dermoscopy of facial dermatoses has the potential to significantly improve diagnostic precision in everyday practice. With continued research, greater standardization, and wider clinician training, dermoscopy is well-positioned to become as integral to the diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious dermatoses as it is to skin cancer detection. Full article

The Encyclopaedia Cloacae is a novel and centralised digital platform designed to support and advance wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) by cataloguing pathogens detectable in wastewater and their relevance to public health surveillance. The platform is hosted on the EU Wastewater Observatory for Public Health (EU4S) website, where it is populated with peer-reviewed research through a structured workflow under harmonised criteria which address the presence of pathogens in human excreta, detectability in wastewater, and integration into public health systems. This tri-criteria approach ensures that the database is both scientifically robust and operationally actionable. Complemented by the Visualising the Invisible dashboard, the platform offers geospatial insights into global WBE research activity. By consolidating peer-reviewed evidence on pathogen detectability in wastewater and human excreta, the Encyclopaedia Cloacae enables early detection of infectious diseases, whether already known or newly emerging. The continuously updated repository and geospatial dashboards help to identify surveillance gaps and research hotspots, to support timely public health responses, enhance pandemic preparedness, and strengthen global health security. In addition, it supports One Health strategies, connecting the health of humans, animals, and the shared environment. This article outlines the platform’s architecture, data curation methodology, and future directions, including automation and expansion to encompass broader health determinants such as antimicrobial resistance and chemical hazards. Full article

Background: High-voltage electrical injuries (HVEIs) represent a complex and life-threatening entity, frequently involving multi-organ damage. While traditionally linked to occupational hazards, train surfing—riding on moving trains—and train climbing—scaling stationary carriages—have emerged as increasingly common causes among adolescents. Popularized via social media, these behaviors expose individuals to the invisible danger of electric arcs from 15,000-volt railway lines, often resulting in extensive burns, cardiac complications, and severe trauma. This study presents a 30-year retrospective analysis comparing cardiac biomarkers and clinical outcomes in train-surfing injuries versus work-related HVEIs. Methods: All patients with confirmed high-voltage injury (≥1000 volts) admitted to a Level 1 burn center between 1994 and 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Exclusion criteria comprised low-voltage trauma, suicide, incomplete records, and external treatment. Clinical and laboratory parameters—including total body surface area (TBSA), Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, mortality, and cardiac biomarkers (creatine kinase [CK], CK-MB, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], aspartate transaminase [AST], troponin, and myoglobin)—were compared between the two cohorts. Results: Of 81 patients, 24 sustained train-surfing injuries and 57 were injured in occupational settings. Train surfers were significantly younger (mean 16.7 vs. 35.2 years, p = 0.008), presented with greater TBSA (49.9% vs. 17.9%, p = 0.008), higher ABSI scores (7.3 vs. 5.1, p = 0.008), longer ICU stays (53 vs. 17 days, p = 0.008), and higher mortality (20.8% vs. 3.5%). ECG abnormalities were observed in 51% of all cases, without significant group differences. However, all cardiac biomarkers were significantly elevated in train-surfing injuries at both 72 h and 10 days post-injury (p < 0.05), suggesting more pronounced cardiac and muscular damage. Conclusions: Train-surfing-related high-voltage injuries are associated with markedly more severe systemic and cardiac complications than occupational HVEIs. The significant biomarker elevation and critical care demands highlight the urgent need for targeted prevention, public awareness, and early cardiac monitoring in this high-risk adolescent population. Full article

Efforts to promote gender-inclusive education must extend beyond STEM fields to encompass all academic disciplines, including those that are traditionally feminized. This study examines how undergraduate students enrolled in Early Childhood, Primary, and Social Education degrees at the University of the Basque Country address gender issues in their final academic projects. Of the 2708 undergraduate dissertations (UDs) reviewed, only 383 met the criteria for gender-related content and were analyzed using lexical software (the Reinert method via Iramuteq). The analysis revealed a low overall engagement (12–14%) with gender themes, despite the critical role these educators will play in shaping future generations. Thematic clusters emerged around teacher training, gender stereotypes, and women’s empowerment. We argue that the invisibility of gender issues in these programs reflects a systemic problem, and that gender-inclusive reform must span the full spectrum of educational disciplines if broader social transformation is to be achieved. Full article

The adoption of sustainable food products by consumers is often hindered by both perceived and actual barriers within retail environments. This study investigates the interaction between the objective availability of sustainable food, its in-store visibility, and consumer perceptions of and discourses about these aspects, specifically examining how these factors contribute to socio-spatial disparities in access within an urban context (Turin, Italy). The research combined qualitative interviews with 50 consumers—to understand their perceptions and purchasing criteria—with quantitative observations of the presence and presentation of products in 56 supermarkets and 28 open-air markets across different socio-economic areas. The findings indicate that while sustainable products are more widely available than commonly perceived, their visibility (shelf positioning, signage) is significantly lower in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. This “invisibility” creates a crucial perceptual barrier, particularly for consumers who rely on immediate environmental cues and efficient shopping strategies, thus limiting purchases despite the actual presence of the products. The study concludes that in-store presentation strategies are critical mediators of perceived availability, disproportionately affecting consumers in lower socio-economic contexts and highlighting an innovative dimension of food access inequality that calls for targeted interventions at both the retail and policy levels. Full article

(1) Background: This study evaluated the quality of medical imaging acquired using radiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) in canine cadavers prepared with formalin solution, Thiel solution (TS), and saturated salt solution (SS). Additionally, the duration whereby image quality could be properly reproduced was investigated. (2) Methods: Nine dog cadavers, divided into three groups per embalming solution, were imaged pre- and post-embalming at 6 and 12 weeks using three different imaging modalities. Image quality was qualitatively scored based on human medicine guidelines criteria. The score was assigned as follows: “0 = not invisible, 1 = poorly invisible, 2 = adequately reproduced, 3 = very well reproduced”. (3) Results: On plain radiography, most scores were > 1.34, although the quality of all embalming solutions in thoracic and abdominal images decreased over time. Using ultrasound to image the liver, spleen, and kidney, the SS group was evaluated as poorly visible and scored < 0.82 at 6 and 12 weeks. CT images showed a tendency to degrade over time, but all solution groups had properly implemented images and scored > 1.62. (4) Conclusions: Regarding image quality and ease of application, TS is considered the most suitable embalming solution for medical imaging acquisition and is usable over time in all imaging modalities. Full article

Background: Ableism obstructs employment equity for disabled individuals. However, research lacks a comprehensive understanding of how ableism multidimensionally manifests across job types, disability types, stages of employment, and intersecting identities. Objectives: This scoping review examines how ableism affects disabled workers and jobseekers, as well as its impacts on employment outcomes, variations across disabilities and identities, and the best practices for addressing these. Eligibility Criteria: The included articles were 109 peer-reviewed empirical studies conducted in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Finland between 2018 and 2023. Sources of Evidence: Using terms related to disability, ableism, and employment, the databases searched included Sociology Collection, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Education Source, Academic Search Complete, and ERIC. Charting Methods: Data were extracted in tabular form and analyzed through thematic narrative synthesis to identify study characteristics, ableist barriers within employment, intersectional factors, and best practices. Results: Ableism negatively impacts employment outcomes through barriers within the work environment, challenges in disclosing disabilities, insufficient accommodations, and workplace discrimination. Intersectional factors intensify inequities, particularly for BIPOC, women, and those with invisible disabilities. Conclusions: Systemic, intersectional strategies are needed to address ableism, improve policies, and foster inclusive workplace practices. Full article

Feminist studies have increasingly highlighted the contributions of women from various backgrounds; however, a gap remains in the research on conservative religious women. This article presents findings on Casilda Iturrizar, a bourgeois and religiously conservative woman who significantly influenced 19th-century Bilbao. Three surveys with 442 participants and five communicative interviews with educators were conducted using a communicative methodology, which has pioneered the current criteria for social impact and cocreation in the Horizon Europe scientific program. The results revealed that most people in Bilbao were unaware of Casilda’s contributions, with feminists and institutions neglecting her achievements. The findings from the communicative interviews suggested that Casilda’s contributions have been overlooked, contradicting recent efforts in education to address the invisibility of notable women. Such findings potentially have social impact by opening feminism to all women, including those made invisible for having conservative religious thinking. Full article

To this day, the nature of dark matter (DM) remains elusive despite all our efforts. This type of matter has not been directly observed, so we infer its gravitational effect. Since galaxies and supermassive objects like these are most likely to contain DM, we assume that dense objects such as neutron stars (NSs) are also likely to host DM. The NS is considered the best natural laboratory for testing theories and collecting observational data. We mainly focus on two types of DM particles, fermions and bosons, with a mass range of [0.01–1.5] GeV and repulsive interactions of about [${10}^{-4}$–${10}^{-1}$] ${\mathrm{MeV}}^{-1}$. Using a two-fluid model to solve the TOV equations, we find stable configurations that span hundreds of kilometers and weigh tens or even hundreds of solar masses. To visualize results, we think of a giant invisible compact DM object and the NS in the center as the core, the only visible part. Stability criteria are met for these configurations, so collapsing into a black hole is unlikely. We go further and use this work for smaller formations that exist inside the mysterious Mass Gap. We also find stable configurations of 3–4 solar masses, with NS-DM mixing capable of describing the mass gap. Regardless, the present theoretical prediction, if combined with corresponding observations, could shed light on the existence of DM and even more on its fundamental properties. Full article

Introduction: Transparent orthodontic aligners have revolutionized dentistry and orthodontics since the 1990s, offering advantages over traditional fixed appliances in terms of hygiene, comfort, and aesthetics. With the increasing demand for invisible orthodontic treatments, clear aligners have gained popularity, prompting research into materials to enhance their efficacy and performance. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted using electronic databases (Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus) to identify studies on clear aligner materials published in the last decade. Selection criteria focused on studies specific to dental materials, excluding those unrelated to materials or clear aligners. Results: The review included 11 relevant studies evaluating 17 different clear aligner materials. Materials such as polyvinyl chloride derivatives, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) were commonly used. The studies assessed mechanical, physical, chemical, and optical properties, as well as thermoforming effects, stress decay, and surface characteristics. Discussion and Conclusions: Various materials exhibited distinct properties, with PETG materials offering transparency and flexibility, while TPU-based materials like Smart Track providing durability and elasticity. Thermoforming affected mechanical properties, with both PETG and TPU materials showing decreased efficacy post-thermoforming. Polymer blending improved mechanical properties, but variations existed among different brands and materials. Clear aligner materials exhibit diverse characteristics, influencing their suitability for orthodontic use. PETG-based materials offer transparency and flexibility, while TPU-based materials provide durability and elasticity. However, both materials undergo mechanical changes post-thermoforming, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize material performance for clinical use. Full article

Augmented reality (AR) improves science education by facilitating teaching and experiments in schools and universities. Studies show positive effects, like increased motivation and improved concept connections, but there is a lack of consistency in the implementation and investigation of AR in science experiments. This review examines AR usage, criteria, design parameters for the development of AR applications and the validation methods, taking into account the PRISMA guidelines. A Web of Science database search using “Publish or Perish” software (version 23.4.0) identified 247 potentially relevant articles from 2000 to March 2024 in international, peer-reviewed journals. After removing duplicates, inaccessible abstracts, and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 40 studies were selected for in-depth analysis. Physics had the most AR applications, primarily for visualizing invisible properties. Most studies used quantitative or qualitative methods, only a few used both or did not conduct empirical research. Research questions varied, but common drawbacks included small sample sizes and low use of AR design parameters such as interactivity, adaptivity, realistic representation and use of game elements. This review identifies opportunities for improvement in the implementation and investigation of AR in science education experiments and emphasizes consistent and rigorous approaches to fully exploit the benefits of AR in science education. Full article

Background: Oral frailty is associated with systemic frailty. The vertical position of the hyoid bone is important when considering the risk of dysphagia. However, dentists usually do not focus on this position. Purpose: To create an AI model for detection of the position of the vertical hyoid bone. Methods: In this study, 1830 hyoid bone images from 915 panoramic radiographs were used for AI learning. The position of the hyoid bone was classified into six types (Types 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) based on the same criteria as in our previous study. Plan 1 learned all types. In Plan 2, the five types other than Type 0 were learned. To reduce the number of groupings, three classes were formed using combinations of two types in each class. Plan 3 was used for learning all three classes, and Plan 4 was used for learning the two classes other than Class A (Types 0 and 1). Precision, recall, f-values, accuracy, and areas under the precision–recall curves (PR-AUCs) were calculated and comparatively evaluated. Results: Plan 4 showed the highest accuracy and PR-AUC values, of 0.93 and 0.97, respectively. Conclusions: By reducing the number of classes and not learning cases in which the anatomical structure was partially invisible, the vertical hyoid bone was correctly detected. Full article

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among women is an understudied topic in Hispanic Americans; therefore, we aim to describe this phenomenon and its associated risk factors in comparison with other sexual orientations and practices. A scoping review was carried out using the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Redalyc, Scielo.org, and Dialnet. The following keywords were used: same-sex, intragender, couple, domestic, and partner violence. The inclusion criteria applied were studies published between 2000 and 2022 with a minimum participation of 15% of Hispanic Americans, resulting in 23 articles. The findings showed a lower presence of studies on violence in women compared to men. Minority stress, power dynamics, social support, and childhood experiences of violence, which are related and complementary to each other, were identified as risk factors. We concluded that there is little research on IPV among women. In addition, studies require a renewed focus to comprehend this type of violence, which cannot be equated with those of heterosexual couples. This approach continues to perpetuate the invisibility of this problem, and, therefore, a more inclusive and specific perspective is needed. Full article