Search Results (2,738)

This article explores how Japanese anime has become a space of theological imagination, where viewers encounter the divine not as fixed dogma but as a lived process. Through symbolic analysis of five spiritually resonant anime series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica, To Your Eternity, Sunday Without God, Code Geass, and The Promised Neverland, the study examines how characters such as Madoka, Fushi, Ai, Lelouch, Emma, and Mujika embody a form of theosis that unfolds through memory, sacrifice, refusal, and care. Rather than representing God as omnipotent or remote, these narratives invite a vision of the divine as vulnerable, suffering, and becoming, emerging through grief, relationships, and transformations. Drawing on theological and philosophical frameworks, especially process theology and symbolic interpretation, the article argues that anime collapses the traditional boundaries between theology and philosophy by embodying both in story. In these narrative worlds, divinity is not merely represented, it is approached, co-created, and remembered. The sacred is not a theory to master, but an encounter to undergo. Anime, thus, does not offer theology as a system but rather theology as a journey: a reenchanted vision of the world where God is still becoming. Full article

This paper presents an ethnographically informed analysis of research in Cairo and Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) surrounding the 2022 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP27) summit. I discuss the geopolitics and geopolitical disruptions of researching activism and activist lives in politically sensitive environments. As shown here, developing new methodological interventions plays a crucial role in understanding contextual methodological limitations, dealing with logistical challenges, and building authentic relationships with research participants. Here, I introduce counter-interviews as a methodological strategy to build trust and invest in researcher–participant relationships. This article draws on participant observation, conversations with environmental and climate activists and non-activists in Cairo prior to and after COP27 and in Sharm El-Sheikh during the second week of the summit, reflective field notes, and 20 semi-structured interviews conducted online between February and August 2023. Here, I use the term “environmental non-activism” to draw attention to the sensitivity, complexity, and fragility of political or apolitical environmental and climate action in an authoritarian context where any form of collective action is highly monitored, regulated, and sometimes criminalized by the state. The main argument of this paper is that examining interlocking power dynamics that shape and reshape the activist space in relation to the state is a requirement for understanding and researching the complexities and specificities of climate activism and non-activism in authoritarian contexts. Along with this argument, this paper invites climate education researchers to reevaluate what non-movements and non-activists in the Global South offer to their analyses of possible alternatives, socio-political change, and politics of hope (and to the broader field of activism in educational research, where commitment to disruption, refusal, and subversion play a key role. Full article

The European Union Council’s zero vision aims to eliminate workplace fatalities, while Industry 4.0 presents new challenges for occupational safety. Despite HR professionals assessing managers’ and employees’ competencies, no system currently exists to evaluate the competencies of workers’ representatives in occupational safety and health (OSH). It is crucial to establish the necessary competencies for these representatives to avoid their selection based on personal bias, ambition, or coercion. The main objective of the study is to identify the competencies and their components required for workers’ representatives in the field of occupational safety and health by following the steps of the DACUM method with the assistance of OSH professionals. First, tasks were identified through semi-structured interviews conducted with eight occupational safety experts. In the second step, a focus group consisting of 34 OSH professionals (2 invited guests and 32 volunteers) determined the competencies and their components necessary to perform those tasks. Finally, the results were validated through an online questionnaire sent to the 32 volunteer participants of the focus group, from which 11 responses (34%) were received. The research categorized the competencies into the following three groups: core competencies (occupational safety and professional knowledge) and distinguishing competencies (personal attributes). Within occupational safety knowledge, 10 components were defined; for professional expertise, 7 components; and for personal attributes, 16 components. Based on the results, it was confirmed that all participants of the tripartite system have an important role in the training and development of workers’ representatives in the field of occupational safety and health. The results indicate that although OSH representation is not yet a priority in Hungary, there is a willingness to collaborate with competent, well-prepared representatives. The study emphasizes the importance of clearly defining and assessing the required competencies. Full article

The current proceedings summarize the presentations delivered during the third International Electronic Conference on Microbiology (ECM 2025), which was held online from 1 to 3 April 2025, via the SciForum platform. This virtual event brought together researchers from around the world to share recent advances in microbiological sciences. The ECM 2025 highlighted recent developments across a broad spectrum of microbiological research, including antimicrobial resistance, gut microbiota, infectious diseases, and environmental microbiomes. Participants shared their work through online presentations and abstracts, with selected submissions invited for full publication. The event fostered global collaboration, promoted open-access science, and showcased innovative tools for studying and managing microbial systems in health, agriculture, and industry. The multidisciplinary program was organized into several thematic sessions: S1. Gut Microbiota and Health Disease. S2. Foodborne Pathogens and Food Safety. S3. Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance. S4. Emerging Infectious Diseases. S5. Microbiome and Soil Science. S6. Microbial Characterization and Bioprocess. S7. Microbe–Plant Interactions. This conference report presents summaries of the contributions made by participating authors over the three-day event. Full article

The characterization of Large Reasoning Models (LRMs) as exhibiting an “illusion of thinking” has recently emerged in the literature, sparking widespread public discourse. Some have suggested these manifestations represent bugs requiring fixes. I challenge this interpretation by reframing LRM behavior through dual-process theory from cognitive psychology. I draw on more than half a century of research on human cognitive effort and disengagement. The observed patterns include performance collapse at high complexity and counterintuitive reduction in reasoning effort. These appear to align with human cognitive phenomena, particularly System 2 engagement and disengagement under cognitive load. Rather than representing technical limitations, these behaviors likely manifest computational processes analogous to human cognitive constraints. In other words, they represent not a bug but a feature of bounded rational systems. I propose empirically testable hypotheses comparing LRM token patterns with human pupillometry data. I suggest that computational “rest” periods may restore reasoning performance, paralleling human cognitive recovery mechanisms. This reframing indicates that LRM limitations may reflect bounded rationality rather than fundamental reasoning failures. Accordingly, this article is presented as a hypothesis paper: it collates six decades of cognitive effort research and invites the scientific community to subject the dual-process predictions to empirical tests through coordinated human–AI experiments. Full article

Freezing of gait (FoG) impairs mobility and daily functioning and increases the risk of falls, leading to a reduced quality of life (QoL) in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Cue2walk, a wearable smart cueing device, can detect FoG and hereupon provides rhythmic cues to help people with PD manage FoG in daily life. This study investigated the user experiences and device usage of the Cue2walk, and its impact on health-related QoL, FoG and daily activities. Twenty-five users of the Cue2walk were invited to fill out an online survey, which included a modified version of the EQ-5D-5L, tailored to the use of the Cue2walk, and its scale for health-related QoL, three FoG-related questions, and a question about customer satisfaction. Sixteen users of the Cue2walk completed the survey. Average device usage per day was 9 h (SD 4). Health-related QoL significantly increased from 5.2/10 (SD 1.3) to 6.2/10 (SD 1.3) (p = 0.005), with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.83). A total of 13/16 respondents reported a positive effect on FoG duration, 12/16 on falls, and 10/16 on daily activities and self-confidence. Customer satisfaction was 7.8/10 (SD 1.7). This pilot study showed that Cue2walk usage per day is high and that 15/16 respondents experienced a variety of positive effects since using the device. To validate these findings, future studies should include a larger sample size and a more extensive set of questionnaires and physical measurements monitored over time. Full article

The impacts of the climate crisis compel congregations to reimagine their mission and identity in various ways. Working with data taken from U.S. clergy participating in an online program for education and support on climate and environmental issues, as well as selected congregational leaders from their congregations, this article examines the ways that ministers and their congregations in primarily North American mainline Protestant contexts frame the climate crisis and how those understandings both create tension and open space for new conversations about their Christian and congregational vocation. It also describes how these ministers and congregations engage with environmental issues through means beyond technological solutions and consumption choices, such as collaborating with other community organizations, hosting rituals for grieving or meaning-making, and inviting transformative encounters with the more-than-human world. Finally, it will suggest possible strategies for leaders and their congregations to frame and creatively engage with the environment through various methods. Full article

Survivors of pediatric cancer are at risk for late effects and require risk-adapted long-term follow-up (LTFU) care. Yet less than 50% of survivors attend LTFU care. This study aimed to identify barriers and enablers of engaging with LTFU care as perceived by Canadian survivors of pediatric cancer and healthcare providers (HCPs). Survivors (n = 108) and HCPs (n = 20) completed surveys assessing barriers and enablers to attending LTFU care, summarized using descriptive statistics. Participants were invited to participate in survivor focus groups (n = 22) or HCP semi-structured interviews (n = 7). These were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation for Behaviour Change (COM-B) model, which explores how an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation influence a target behaviour. Structural barriers, transitioning from pediatric to adult care, and time constraints were highlighted as barriers that affect survivors’ physical opportunity to engage in LTFU care. Accessibility, financial support, HCPs and family support, and community resources were highlighted as enablers that better survivors’ physical and social opportunity to engage in LTFU care. In conclusion, Canadian survivors of pediatric cancer highlighted barriers that limited their physical opportunity to attend LTFU care, while factors that enhanced their physical and social opportunities facilitated greater engagement with LTFU care. Full article

Blended and virtual learning have become an integral part in international higher education, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the European Union’s Digital Education Action Plan. These modalities have enabled more inclusive, flexible, and sustainable forms of international collaboration, such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs), reshaping the landscape of global academic mobility. This paper introduces the INVITE Learning Design Framework (LDF), developed to support higher education instructors in designing high-quality, internationalized blended and virtual learning experiences. The framework addresses the growing need for structured, theory-informed approaches to course design that foster student engagement, intercultural competence, and motivation in non-face-to-face settings. The INVITE LDF was developed through a rigorous scoping review of existing models and frameworks, complemented by needs-identification analysis and desk research. It integrates Self-Determination Theory, Active Learning principles, and the ADDIE instructional design model to provide a comprehensive, adaptable structure for course development. The framework was successfully implemented in a large-scale online training module for over 1000 educators across Europe. Results indicate that the INVITE LDF enhances educators’ ability to create engaging, inclusive, and pedagogically sound international learning environments. Its application supports institutional goals of internationalization by making global learning experiences more accessible and scalable. The findings suggest that the INVITE LDF can serve as a valuable tool for higher education institutions worldwide, offering a replicable model for fostering intercultural collaboration and innovation in digital education. This contributes to the broader transformation of international higher education, promoting equity, sustainability, and global citizenship through digital pedagogies. Full article

Background and Aims: The majority of individuals with COVID-19 developed acute symptoms. Post-COVID-19 syndrome refers to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 that persist for more than 12 weeks. The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for post-COVID-19 syndrome in the Omani population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted at the University Hospital Center (UHC). All patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (through polymerase chain reaction PCR testing) between March 2020 and March 2022 were included. Eligible participants were interviewed through a phone call, informed about the study procedure, and invited to participate in the study. Results: The study enrolled 265 COVID-19 patients, of whom 156 (59.2%) were females and 204 (77.3%) had been vaccinated. The overall prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome was 48.5%. The most common symptom was fatigue (71, 26.9%), followed by joint pain (44, 16.7%). The other symptoms included loss of taste/smell (34, 12.9%), cough (32, 12.1%), palpitation (25, 9.5%), and hair loss (27, 10.2%). Unvaccinated patients showed a higher incidence of fatigue (p = 0.03) and loss of smell/taste (p = 0.01) on univariate analysis. Females were at high risk for the development of various symptoms, including fatigue, muscular pain, breathing difficulty, cough, chest pain, palpitation, headache, and hair loss. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender is a significant independent predictor (odds ratio: 3.1; p = 0.00) for the development of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Conclusions: The prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome among the Omani population was high, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to manage long-term symptoms in vulnerable groups. Full article

Aim: To explore the experiences, beliefs, and values of patients who participated in a two-arm randomized clinical trial assessing a nurse-led intervention program for chronic pain self-management, which demonstrated positive effects on pain reduction, depression, and anxiety, and on health-related quality of life 24 months after completion of the program. Design: Descriptive phenomenological qualitative study. Methods: Patients were recruited via telephone, informed about the study, and invited to participate in an individual interview at a place of their choice (hospital or home). All interviews were audiotaped, and an inductive thematic analysis was performed. Results: Seven interviews were carried out between both groups. Six emerging categories were found: effective relationship with the healthcare system, learning to live with pain, family and social support, behaviors regarding pain, resources for self-management, and concomitant determinants. Conclusions: Patients report key aspects that help us to understand the impact of this type of nurse-led group intervention: the intrinsic therapeutic effect of participating in the program itself, the ability to learn to live with pain, the importance of family and social support, the modification of pain-related behaviors, and the identification of resources for self-care. The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive, individualized care approaches to chronic pain, addressing stigma and social context. Expanding community-based programs and supporting caregivers is essential, as is further research into gender roles, family dynamics, and work-related factors. Full article

Assessment of the placental cord insertion (PCI) is a vital component of antenatal ultrasound examinations. PCI can be complex, particularly in cases of abnormal PCI, and requires proficient sonographer spatial perception. The current literature describes the increasing potential of three-dimensional (3D) modelling to enhance spatial awareness and understanding of complex anatomical structures. This study aimed to evaluate sonographers’ confidence in ultrasound assessment of the PCI and the potential benefit of novel 3D-printed models (3DPMs) of the PCI in ultrasound education. Sonographers employed at a large private medical imaging practice in Western Australia were invited to participate in a face-to-face presentation of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, ultrasound videos, and 3DPMs of normal cord insertion (NCI), marginal cord insertion (MCI), and velamentous cord insertion (VCI). Our objective was to determine the benefit of 3DPMs in improving sonographers’ confidence and ability to spatially visualise the PCI. Thirty-three participants completed questionnaires designed to compare their confidence in assessing the PCI and their ability to spatially visualise the anatomical relationship between the placenta and PCI, before and after the presentation. There was a significant association between a participant’s year of experience and their confidence levels and spatial awareness of the PCI prior to the demonstration. The results showed the 3DPMs increased participant confidence and their spatial awareness of the PCI, with no significant association with years of experience. Additionally, participating sonographers were asked to rate the 3DPMs as an educational device. The 3DPMs were ranked as being a more useful educational tool for spatially visualising the NCI, MCI, and VCI than 2D ultrasound images and videos. Most participants responded favourably when asked whether the 3DPMs would be useful in ultrasound education, with 75.8%, 84.8%, and 97% indicating the models of NCI, MCI, and VCI, respectively, would be extremely useful. Our study has demonstrated a potential role for 3DPMs of the PCI in ultrasound education, supplementing traditional 2D educational resources. Full article

Introduction: Efficient communication and collaboration among local health departments (LHDs), healthcare organizations, governmental entities, and other community stakeholders are critical for public health preparedness and response. This study evaluates (1) the impact of informatics on LHDs’ frequency and collaboration in creating consistent COVID-19 messaging; (2) the influence of informatics on targeted messaging for vulnerable populations; and (3) LHD characteristics linked to their consistent and/or targeted messaging engagement. Methods: This study analyzed the 2020 National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Forces of Change (FOC) survey, the COVID-19 Edition. Of the 2390 LHDs invited to complete the core questionnaire, 905 were asked to fill out the module questionnaire as well. The response rate for the core was 24% with 587 responses, while the module received 237 responses, achieving a 26% response rate. Descriptive analyses and six logistic regression models were utilized. Results: Over 80% (183) of LHDs collaborated regularly with public health partners, and 95% (222) used information management applications for COVID-19. Most interacted with local and state agencies, but only half with federal ones. LHDs that exchanged data with local non-health agencies, engaged with local non-health agencies, and communicated weekly to daily with the public about long-term/assisted care had higher odds of creating consistent messages for the public, and about the use and reuse of masks had lower odds of collaborating with public health partners to develop consistent messages for the public. Conclusion: Our findings underscore the centrality of informatics infrastructure and collaboration in ensuring equitable public health messaging. Strengthening public health agencies and investing in targeted training are crucial for effective communication across the communities served by these agencies. Full article

This study contributes to the broader sustainability discourse by evaluating public knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding air pollution among residents of Hanoi, Vietnam, focusing on its causes, health impacts, and mitigation strategies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 521 individuals in suburbs around Hanoi. A multistage sampling technique, combining cluster and simple random sampling, was used for participant recruitment. Three central and three suburban districts of Hanoi were randomly selected as clusters. One individual from each household was invited to participate and answer a structured survey, which assessed perceptions of air pollution, its human-induced causes, recognised health impacts, and individual and community-level mitigation behaviours. Nearly all participants (98.3%) were aware of air pollution, with 65.3% attributing it to human activities and 61.2% recognising specific air pollutants as primary contributors. The majority (93.9%) acknowledged health impacts, citing respiratory infections (55.1%) and sinus issues (51.2%) as prevalent concerns. Vulnerable groups, such as children under 5 (82.3%) and adults over 65 years old (77.4%), were identified as disproportionately affected. Social media (68.9%) and television (58.3%) were the dominant sources of information. Despite a recognition of air pollution’s importance (98.5%), there was limited engagement in systemic sustainability actions, such as supporting renewable energy initiatives. Most participants (84.3%) reported personal mitigation efforts, including energy-saving practices (35.5%) and walking instead of driving a car or bike (35.3%). While awareness of air pollution and its health impacts is high among Hanoi residents, proactive engagement in systemic solutions remains limited. Policymakers should prioritise community-based programs, public–private partnerships, sustainability education, and culturally tailored policy interventions to bridge gaps between awareness and action. Tailored interventions addressing demographic and cultural factors are essential to fostering socio-environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanising contexts. Full article

Over a three-year R&D project, the perception of mobile phone use in Spanish secondary schools shifted from initial tolerance to increasingly prohibitive policies. Drawing on the Actor–Network Theory, this study examines how mobile phones—alongside institutional discourses and school and family concerns—acted as dynamic actants, shaping public and political responses. The research adopted a qualitative design combining policy and media document analysis, nine semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, ten regional case studies, and twelve focus groups. The study concluded with a public multiplier event that engaged the broader educational community. The Madrid region, among the first to adopt a restrictive stance, contributed two school-based case studies and three focus groups with teachers, students, and families. Findings suggest that the turn toward prohibition was motivated less by pedagogical evidence than by cultural anxieties, consistent with what it conceptualizes as a techno-pessimistic shock. This shift mirrors the historical patterns of societal reaction to disruption and technological saturation. Rather than reinforcing binary framings of promotion versus prohibition, such moments invite critical reflection. The study argues for nuanced, evidence-based, and multilevel governance strategies to address the complex role of mobile technologies in education. Full article