Search Results (922)

Contemporary interpretations of psychedelic spirituality are dominated by the “mystical experience model,” which emphasizes that psychedelics can lead to well-being through bringing about ego dissolution and a unitive mystical experience. Rooted in perennialist and dualist assumptions—often derived from Christian mysticism, Vedanta, and Plotinian Neoplatonism—this framework has shaped both scientific discourse and popular understanding of psychedelic states. However, the mystical experience model is controversial: (1) secular critics consider it as too religious; (2) it is a form of mystical exceptionalism, narrowly focusing on only certain extraordinary experiences; (3) its ontological assumptions include a Cartesian separation between internal experience and external reality and a perennialist focus on ultimate reality; (4) it neglects psychedelic learning processes; (5) in the ritual and ceremonial use of psychedelics, shared intentionality and practices of sacred participation are more important than the induction of individual mystical experiences. This article proposes an alternative and complementary model grounded in theurgy, based on the Neoplatonism of Iamblichus and the participatory ontological pluralism of Bruno Latour. Unlike the mystical experience model, which privileges individual unitary experiences, theurgy affirms ritual mediation, ritual competence, and both individual and collective transformation. Theurgic ritual practice makes room for the encounter with autonomous entities (framed by Latour as “beings of religion”) that are often reported by participants in psychedelic ceremonies. By examining how the theurgic framework can expand our understanding of psychedelic spirituality in a way that is truer to psychedelic phenomenology, especially the presence of autonomous entities, imaginal realms, and the centrality of intention and ritual, this article argues that theurgy offers a nuanced and experientially congruent framework that complements the mystical experience model. Framing psychedelic spirituality through theurgic lenses opens space for a vision of the sacred that is not about escaping the world into undifferentiated unity, but about individual and collective transformation in communion with a living, differentiated cosmos. Full article

The purpose of this essay is not only to examine how Chicano and Mexican men navigate and negotiate street gangs, the criminal justice system, and self-destructive behaviors that dehumanize them, but also how they rehumanize themselves through the development of culturally rooted consciousness based on Indigenous cosmologies and epistemologies. It examines how these marginalized men integrate a Maya–Nahua philosophical syncretism with restorative and transformative justice practices, rooted in dialogue, that emphasize ethnic identity and social justice. Specifically, this piece focuses on the processes of re-indigenization and re-humanization that these men embrace within community-based spaces. The aim of this inquiry is twofold: (1) to understand the curative and culturally rooted cosmologies and practices of community-based healing circles to prevent self-destructive behaviors and (2) to identify the complexities of re-humanization and Indigenous-based pedagogies as a liberatory praxis that resists the discourses and mechanisms of dehumanization. Using Freire’s liberatory praxis framework, supplemented with indigenous pedagogies and qualitative methods, I argue that their engagement in re-indigenization facilitates their conversions as they begin to see themselves as subjects, rather than objects, subjugated by the created apparatuses of power or knowledge. The Círculo de Hombres plays a pivotal role in transforming men’s lives as they learn to see themselves as creators of historical knowledge and change agents, possessing the ability to transform themselves and the world around them. Full article

This research situates urban planning as a social well-being determinant, highlighting that cities function as social habitats that shape individuals’ quality of life, as well as being physical spaces. The study emphasises the dangers of inadequate urban management, particularly when it is based on biased or incomplete information. This has the potential to exacerbate inequality and undermine the benefits of urbanisation. The present study focuses on the intersection of gender, social roles, and access to basic infrastructure, including childcare centres, elderly facilities, healthcare services, pedestrian paths, street lighting, and green areas. By addressing this critical urban issue, namely the uneven distribution of opportunities for well-being, the study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in this field. The Capability Approach, developed primarily by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, provides a theoretical framework for evaluating individuals’ freedom to pursue the lives they value. Theories of subjective well-being (SWB) are rooted in psychological and economic traditions that assess individuals’ life satisfaction, happiness, and emotional equilibrium The present study proposes a methodological framework that integrates the Capability Approach with Subjective Well-Being theory. This approach facilitates a more comprehensive measurement of citizens’ well-being, transcending the limitations of traditional gender dichotomies. The study identifies the manner in which infrastructural design affects individual capabilities and demonstrates the manner in which urban policies can foster gender equality and inclusive socio-economic development. It is therefore evident that the research provides urban planners and policymakers with actionable insights by demonstrating that equitable infrastructure provision is a cornerstone of sustainable, socially just urban development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic cancer remains highly fatal, often diagnosed late with poor prognoses and worse psychological quality of life compared to other cancers. Globally, it is the twelfth most common cancer but the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with actual 5-year survival rates below 5%. Northern Ireland’s outcomes are among the worst, yet research on people’s experiences across the illness trajectory is scarce. Consequently, the unique needs of people with pancreatic cancer are poorly understood. It is crucial we develop deeper understanding of the entire pancreatic cancer journey to address this. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Northern Ireland and generate a theory that explains their journeys, from pre-diagnosis through to survivorship or end of life. Methods: This study will adopt a grounded theory approach, incorporating multiple qualitative data generation methods: semi-structured interviews with patients and care partners, and focus groups with professionals. An optional photovoice (participatory photography) method will be offered to participants. Theoretical sampling principles and constant comparative analysis will guide recruitment, data collection, and analysis to ensure the explanatory theory is rooted in participants’ lived experiences. Conclusions: Establishing a holistic, in-depth understanding of people’s pancreatic cancer journeys will enable us to better comprehend, anticipate, and meet their needs. A theory grounded in empirical data about lived experiences can inform priorities for future care, support services, policy, and research, and contribute to the development of support interventions that help people to maintain the best possible quality of life, whether during a short-term, terminal illness; treatment journey; long-term symptom management; or survivorship. Full article

Phosphate (Pi) is a vital macronutrient for plant growth and development, and precise monitoring of its cellular dynamics is essential to understanding Pi homeostasis and its interaction with stress responses. Genetically encoded FRET-based biosensors such as FLIPPi enable real-time, non-invasive visualization of cytosolic Pi levels in living tissues. In this study, Arabidopsis and rice lines expressing a FLIPPi biosensor were used to monitor cytosolic Pi dynamics in root epidermal cells. Sensor functionality was confirmed by measuring FRET responses to graded Pi supplies, revealing a consistent reduction in FRET ratios with increasing Pi concentrations, reflecting elevated cytosolic Pi levels. Comparisons with a Pi-insensitive FLIPPi variant confirmed the specificity of the observed changes. Furthermore, live imaging demonstrated rapid and dynamic alterations in cytosolic Pi upon treatment with defense-related hormones and elicitors of immune responses supporting a link between Pi signaling and plant immunity. Finally, the application of phosphite, an analog of Pi, altered Pi dynamics in both Arabidopsis and rice, suggesting an interference with Pi accumulation. Collectively, our findings establish FLIPPi as a reliable tool for in vivo monitoring of Pi in Arabidopsis and rice plants, the model systems for studies in dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous species, respectively. Full article

A low-scale Food Waste Compost (FWC1), characterized by optimal physic-chemical parameters and high organic matter percentages, was used as a fertilizer and a bio-stimulant for vegetable plants. Groups of treated plants were inoculated with active juveniles of root-knot nematodes to detect the effect on plant defense. Optimal amounts of compost mixed with soil increased plant biomass 30% compared to untreated plants. Moreover, when plants were inoculated, treated roots contained about 50% less sedentary forms (SFs) of nematodes and a lower reproduction rate of the parasites than untreated plants. Although the performance of FWC1 as defense activator was similar to other microbiome-generating commercial formulations, the compost was found to be the best fertilizer in both un- and inoculated plants. Diffuse root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was observed after treatments with FWC1. FWC1 water extracts did not show any toxic effect on living nematode juveniles. Expression of the marker gene of immune response PR4b was found to be 3–5-fold higher in the roots of inoculated plants treated with FWC1 with respect to untreated plants, thus indicating that FWC1 primes plants against RKNs (root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid White) Chitw). Data are reported to associate immunization of plants with mycorrhization occurring in FWC1-treated plants. The proposed compost is indicated as having optimal performance both as a bio-fertilizer and a bio-stimulant. Full article

Few publications have elaborated on the steady-state model, a ‘cybernetic model’ that should not be confused with its namesake in mathematical systems; it is rooted in preceding publications about general systems theories, something that is explored in this paper. First, the origins of homeostasis are briefly addressed as derived from biological concepts. After looking at its legacy the concepts of boundary zones from socio-economic theory, Shannon’s information theory, control mechanisms and engineering principles are added as a multidisciplinary amalgamation to modelling of primary, recurrent processes. The resulting cybernetic steady-state model offers a generic transdisciplinary framework for depicting regulatory and control processes within organisational and engineering systems as well as interaction between agents in networks. In the latter sense, it provides an explanatory concept for self-criticality in complex adaptive systems. Hence, it does not only have a rich heritage but also wide-ranging potential. For example, the steady-state model could be used to support action research and case studies in addition to serving as a reference model for other (business) process modelling techniques. Therefore, the steady-state model offers an enrichment of existing approaches to modelling recurrent processes —not only for operations management; it can also be seen as a more practical extension of Miller’s living systems and Beer’s viable system model making it suitable for a broad range of applications. Full article

This paper reconceptualizes intellectual safety in mathematics spaces by centering the voices and lived experiences of BIPOC students. The marginalization of BIPOC students is compounded by structural racism, historical exclusion, and deficit narratives that continue to shape academic environments, especially in mathematics contexts. While definitions of intellectual safety reflect white, Eurocentric norms, we argue that for BIPOC students, intellectually safe environments must be anti-racist, culturally responsive, and rooted in belonging. We started with existing definitions of intellectual safety and incorporated a more critical approach to sense of belonging. Through ethnographic research design we gathered student interviews and daily journal entries from a 12-day anti-racist mathematics summer institute for secondary students. Analysis revealed that while existing attributes captured much of the scholar’s joy, cultural affirmation, and belonging, new themes, like pride/confidence, clarity/transparency, and being listened to, emerged directly from how students experienced intellectual safety in practice. This led to a refinement of our initial conceptualization. This study provides insight into how intellectual safety manifests in a space intentionally designed to support BIPOC youth in exploring mathematics in agentic and culturally sustaining ways. Full article

Background/Objectives: Naegleria fowleri is a free-living protozoan that causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rapidly progressing central nervous system infection with high mortality rates and limited treatment options. Targeting virulence-associated proteins is essential for effective drug development. Fowlerpain-1 (FWP1), a papain-like cysteine protease (CP) implicated in extracellular matrix degradation and host–cell cytotoxicity, has been investigated as a therapeutic target. This study aimed to evaluate the FWP1 pocket geometry and stefin binding using an integrated in silico structural biology approach. Methods: A computational pipeline was used, including AlphaFold2-Multimer modeling of FWP1–stefin complexes, 20-ns molecular dynamics simulations under NPT conditions for conformational sampling, and molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area free energy calculations. Three natural CP inhibitors (stefins) were investigated. Structural stability was assessed using root mean square deviations, and binding profiles were characterized using protein–protein interaction analysis. Results: Stable FWP1–stefin interaction interfaces were predicted, with human stefin A showing favorable binding free energy. Two conserved motifs (PG and QVVAG) were identified as critical mediators of active-site recognition. Druggability analysis revealed a concave pocket with both hydrophobic and polar characteristics, consistent with a high-affinity ligand-binding site. Conclusions: This computational study supports a structural hypothesis for selective FWP1 inhibition and identifies stefins as promising scaffolds for developing structure-guided protease-targeted therapeutics against N. fowleri. Full article

Given the increasing demand for water and the need to reduce energy consumption, modern wastewater treatment systems should be characterised by high pollutant removal efficiency while consuming low resources. Hydrophytic wastewater treatment plants with vertical flow through a soil-plant bed (VFCW) are one solution that meets these requirements. The efficiency of these systems largely depends on the biological activity of the bed, of which free-living soil nematodes are an important component. The study presented in this paper aimed to assess the relationship between the quality of domestic wastewater flowing into VFCW beds and the abundance and trophic structure of soil nematode communities. The analysis was carried out on two real-world sites, where VFCW beds were the third stage of the plant bed system. Both treatment plants received only domestic wastewater. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the physicochemical composition of the wastewater flowing into the two treatment plants, indicating homogeneous system feed conditions. Nevertheless, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the relationships between effluent parameters and the abundance of individual nematode trophic groups differed in each bed, suggesting the influence of local environmental and biocenotic conditions. In particular, bacterivorous nematodes—key to bed function—were shown to be sensitive to different sets of variables at the two sites despite similar effluent composition. These results confirm that the rhizosphere—a zone of intense interactions between plant roots, microorganisms, and soil microfauna—plays a critical role in shaping the biological activity of the bed. Nematodes, particularly bacterivorous nematodes, support the mineralisation of organic matter and nutrient cycling, resulting in increased efficiency of treatment processes. The stability of the total nematode abundance, irrespective of inflow conditions, demonstrates the bed biocenosis high ecological resilience to external disturbances. The study’s results highlight the importance of an ecosystem approach in designing and managing nature-based solutions (NBS) treatment plants, which can be a sustainable component of sustainable water and wastewater management. Full article

Background: Parkinson’s is among the fastest-growing neurological disorders, characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms that affect daily function and quality of life. With no cure, sustainable management strategies are essential. Self-management is a key component, enabling people with Parkinson’s to actively manage symptoms, treatment, and lifestyle, reflecting the wider long-term conditions (LTCs) approach to improving outcomes and well-being of people affected by these conditions. However, more than half of people living with Parkinson’s (PwP) report difficulties in engaging with self-management, often due to limited knowledge, confidence, or access to tailored interventions. Aims: This paper explores the theoretical underpinnings, key drivers, and current evidence base for self-management in Parkinson’s. It examines the relevance and limitations of applying LTC models to a progressive and highly individualized condition such as Parkinson’s. Despite global guideline recommendations, self-management support remains a significant unmet need. While self-management has the potential to improve adherence, symptom control, and activity levels, uncertainties remain about what constitutes effective, meaningful support. There is a need for a nuanced, person-centered approach embedded within integrated care systems. Conclusions: To date, self-management has not demonstrated sustained benefits for PwP, in part due to limitations in how current models are conceptualized and delivered. This paper highlights the challenges of existing approaches and proposes a new framework that enables and empowers PwP and their support networks to live well with Parkinson’s. Rooted in partnership, enablement, and co-production, the proposed model promotes the development of personalized toolkits of strategies that help individuals navigate and mitigate the challenges of life with Parkinson’s. This reframing has important implications for future research, clinical practice, and policy. Full article

Pancreatic cancer is an extremely deadly disease with few effective treatment options and the lowest survival rate among all types of cancer. As a result, there is an urgent need for the development of new and more effective treatment strategies. Natural products have long been a vital source of drug discovery, offering unique bioactive compounds, and representing a promising source for new, effective, and less toxic treatments. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Apteranthes europaea (Guss.) Murb (A. europaea) root extract on the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. The proliferation assay (XTT) and real-time analysis using the IncuCyte Live-Cell Analysis System, following treatment of PL45 and Mia PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells with escalating concentrations (50–200 µL) to A. europaea root extract, demonstrated the progression of apoptosis. Apoptosis induction was confirmed through cell cycle analysis and Annexin V/PI double staining assays. Western blot analysis revealed the distinct activation of caspase-8, accompanied by the cleavage of caspase-3 and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Interestingly, no activation of caspase-9 was observed, suggesting the involvement of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway. Our findings suggest that A. europaea extract may be a potential novel strategy for treating pancreatic cancer. Full article

Parasitic infections remain a major global health challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings where they are closely tied to poverty and inadequate sanitation. The increasing emergence of drug resistance and the limited accessibility of current therapies highlight the urgent need for novel, safe, and affordable alternatives. Mangifera indica L. (mango), a widely cultivated fruit tree deeply rooted in traditional medicine, has long been used to treat conditions symptomatic of parasitic diseases, including fever, diarrhea, and dysentery. Phytochemical investigations have revealed a rich spectrum of bioactive compounds, notably mangiferin, phenolic compounds and terpenoids, which exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. This review critically synthesizes evidence on the antiparasitic potential of M. indica against protozoa, such as Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, and free-living amoebae, as well as helminths. Strongest evidence exists for malaria and helminth infections, where both crude extracts and isolated compounds demonstrated significant activity in vitro and in vivo. Encouraging but limited findings are available for leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, while data on toxoplasmosis and amoebiasis remain largely speculative. Variations in efficacy across studies are influenced by plant parts and extraction methods, with ethanolic extracts and mangiferin often showing superior results. Despite promising findings, mechanistic studies, standardized methodologies, toxicological evaluations, and clinical trials are scarce. Future research should focus on elucidating molecular mechanisms, exploring synergistic interactions with existing drugs, and leveraging advanced delivery systems to enhance bioavailability. Full article

Soil mineral nutrient heterogeneity is a distinctive characteristic of coastal habitats, yet its impact on plant growth and development remains uncertain. The objective of the present study was to establish an experimental system for evaluating the influence of mineral nutrient availability on the development of three distinct short-lived wild coastal plant species: Phleum arenarium, Plantago coronopus, and Ranunculus sceleratus. These plants were cultivated in containers of different volumes employing an inert substrate with varying proportions of commercial garden soil in controlled conditions. Low mineral nutrient concentration served as a factor inhibiting plant vegetative growth for both P. arenarium and R. sceleratus plants, albeit with a substrate volume-dependent effect. In contrast, P. coronopus exhibited relatively low root biomass and exhibited minimal susceptibility to alterations in mineral nutrient concentration. Conversely, proportional allocation to roots decreased with increasing mineral nutrient concentration, mirroring the pattern observed for P. arenarium. Notably, for R. sceleratus, this effect was pronounced only at a high substrate volume. Furthermore, allocation to roots decreased with increasing substrate volume, but this occurred only at a high mineral nutrient concentration. The substrate, similar to that in coastal habitats, incorporated quartz sand with varying proportions of mineral-rich organic matter, providing comparable plant-available mineral concentrations for analyzing the effects of nutrient concentration, substrate volume, and genetic variability on plant growth and development. For future experiments, a wider range of mineral concentrations and more individual concentrations should be used to assess mineral availability more realistically. Full article

Cognition is often modeled in terms of abstract reasoning and neural computation, yet a growing body of theoretical and experimental work suggests that the roots of cognition lie in fundamental embodied regulatory processes. This article presents a theory of cognition grounded in sensing, feeling, and affect—capacities that precede neural systems and are observable in even the simplest living organisms. Based on the info-computational framework, this entry outlines how cognition and proto-subjectivity co-emerge in biological systems. Embodied appraisal—the system’s ability to evaluate internal and external conditions in terms of valence (positive/negative; good/bad)—and the capacity to regulate accordingly are described as mutually constitutive processes observable at the cellular level. This concept reframes cognition not as abstract symbolic reasoning but as value-sensitive, embodied information dynamics resulting from self-regulating engagement with the environment that spans scales from unicellular organisms to complex animals. In this context, information is physically instantiated, and computation is the dynamic, self-modifying process by which organisms regulate and organize themselves. Cognition thus emerges from the dynamic coupling of sensing, internal evaluation, and adaptive morphological (material shape-based) activity. Grounded in findings from developmental biology, bioelectric signaling, morphological computation, and basal cognition, this account situates intelligence as an affect-driven regulatory capacity intrinsic to biological life. While focused on biological systems, this framework also offers conceptual insights for developing more adaptive and embodied forms of artificial intelligence. Future experiments with minimal living systems or synthetic agents may help operationalize and test the proposed mechanisms of proto-subjectivity and affect regulation. Full article