Search Results (393)

This review provides a systematic critique of the debate between two paradigms in the philosophy of mind—the Naturalist–Externalist Research Program (NERP) and the Phenomenal Intentionality Research Program (PIRP)—with particular focus on Uriah Kriegel’s reconciliation project. Following Kriegel’s view, attention is given to rational agents’ awareness of their mental states—a key issue since most current artificial intelligence systems aim to model rational thinking and action. Naturalist accounts derive mental content from brain activity and environmental interaction, emphasizing a constitutive dependence of the former on the latter. In contrast, phenomenological theories assert that the object of mental states is an internal semblance presented to the subject. Within this framework, I maintain that Kriegel attempts to naturalize mental content within the framework of a Same Order theory, but this limits his ability to demonstrate that intentionality is grounded in consciousness in the sense of the Phenomenal Intentionality Research Program. Compounding this issue, the idea that the mind arises from manipulating representations has been challenged by dynamical approaches to cognitive science, yet advanced representational models persist, often simulating phenomenological qualities through forms of internal data organization. Methodologically, the approach is primarily comparative and reconstructive, focusing on the structural tensions and theoretical commitments that distinguish NERP and PIRP. Full article

My aim in this paper is to examine some aspects of the relationship between the concepts of God, destiny, and happiness in Wittgenstein’s writings. The analysis is done—to use an expression of the philosopher’s own—by contrast with and against the background of Roman Stoicism’s views on this matter, mainly Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. The different uses of the concept of God that appeared in their texts are analysed, and the relationship between the notions of destiny, self-sufficiency, and happiness is clarified. Several similarities between Wittgenstein and Roman Stoics are traced, among others, those relating to the sense of the principle of distinction between what depends on oneself and what does not, the primacy of inner life as an absolute alternative to the impossible mastery of the world of facts, and the ideas of a serene acceptance of adversity and of happiness as peace of mind. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is marked by cognitive decline, and also by retinal degeneration. Having in mind that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n − 3) is a safe, low-cost, and pivotal fatty acid for brain health and sustained cognitive function, this study exploits environmentally friendly non-fish sources as potential dietary supplements enriched with DHA to prevent or reverse AD. Forty 5xFAD transgenic male mice, aged five weeks old, were randomly distributed by five body weight-matched dietary groups (with eight animals each) and fed isocaloric diets based on the AIN-93M standard formulation for rodents for 6 months. Except for the control feed (without supplementation), each diet contained a modified lipidic fraction supplemented with 2% of the following: (1) linseed oil (LSO, rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n − 3)); (2) cod liver oil (fish oil, FO, rich in both DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n − 3)); (3) Schizochytrium sp. microalga oil (Schizo, with 40% of DHA); and (4) commercial DHASCO (DHASCO, with 70% of DHA). The aim of this study was to measure retinal neural layer thickness, calculate ganglion cell layer (GCL) density, and assess retinal injury by means of immunohistochemical staining for β-amyloid plaques deposition, TAU protein levels, and IBA1, as hallmark features of AD progression, in order to elucidate the effects of different dietary DHA treatments in Alzheimer’s retinas. Although no statistical differences were observed across retinal layer thicknesses depending on the diet (p > 0.05), there was a consistent pattern for slightly increased retinal thickness in 5xFAD mice fed fish oil relative to the others for the measurement of total layers, in general and for the inner segment/outer segment layer, the outer nuclear layer, the outer plexiform layer, the inner nuclear layer, and the inner plexiform layer, in particular. The ganglion cell layer (GCL) density was increased in 5xFAD mice fed the DHASCO oil diet relative to the control (p < 0.05), suggesting a benefit of DHA supplementation on the number of viable ganglion cells. No positive staining was observed for β-amyloid plaques deposition or the neuroinflammatory marker, IBA1, corroborating previous findings in human AD retinas. Conversely, the internal retinal layers showed intense TAU immunostaining. Immnunostained TAU area was significantly reduced in 5xFAD mice fed a fish oil diet compared to control (p < 0.05), although the number of TAU-positive cells did not differ across diets (p > 0.05). The retinal protected integrity derived from the benefits of DHA supplementation found, either from fish oil or DHASCO oil, underscores the potential of retinal biomarkers as non-invasive indicators of cognitive decline and overall brain health, opening new avenues for investigating AD pathophysiology in the retina. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) exhibits substantial clinical heterogeneity and poor prognosis in relapsed/refractory (R/R) settings. PRO-MIND is a prospective, multicenter real-world study evaluating tafasitamab–lenalidomide followed by tafasitamab monotherapy in patients with transplant-ineligible R/R DLBCL in Italy. This ad hoc, cross-sectional, baseline analysis aimed to characterize health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptom burden before tafasitamab–lenalidomide initiation in the PRO-MIND cohort. Methods: Thirty-eight patients across 30 centers completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-NHL-HG29 questionnaires at pretreatment baseline, prior to starting tafasitamab–lenalidomide. EORTC QLQ-C30 scores (0–100) were compared with age-specific normative values for the Italian general population using Welch’s t-test. Differences of ≥5 points were considered clinically meaningful and ≥10 points clearly clinically important. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated to complement p-values for between-group comparisons. Results: Compared with normative data, the PRO-MIND cohort had significantly lower EORTC QLQ-C30 functioning scores for physical (Δ 12.7, p = 0.0135), role (Δ 16.1, p = 0.0168), social (Δ 15.2, p = 0.0019), and cognitive (Δ 8.5, p = 0.0460) functioning. Symptom scales revealed worse fatigue (Δ 14.8, p = 0.0097), insomnia (Δ 13.9, p = 0.0291), appetite loss (Δ 9.4, p = 0.0435), and pain (Δ 8.7, p = 0.0430) in the PRO-MIND cohort versus normative data, with effect sizes in the small-to-moderate range. EORTC QLQ-NHL-HG29 scores indicated a high prevalence of concerns about future health (84.2%), disease recurrence (81.6%), and dependency (78.9%), as well as physical symptoms, including lack of energy (71.1%), sleep difficulties (63.2%), and pain or discomfort (60.5%). Conclusions: This cross-sectional, baseline-only analysis of the PRO-MIND real-world cohort showed that patients with transplant-ineligible R/R DLBCL scheduled to receive tafasitamab–lenalidomide already had pronounced impairments in physical, role, social, and cognitive functioning, along with substantial fatigue, insomnia, pain, appetite loss, and psychological concerns. These baseline benchmarks underscore the importance of systematic HRQoL assessment and targeted supportive interventions focusing on these domains before and during treatment. Future longitudinal PRO-MIND analyses will complement these findings by describing how HRQoL evolves after tafasitamab–lenalidomide initiation. Full article

High-resolution NICFI-Planet image collection on Google Earth Engine (GEE) promises fine-scale tropical forest monitoring, but persistent cloud covers, shadows, and haze undermine its value. Here, we present two simple, fully reproducible cloud-masking algorithms. We introduce (A) a Blue and Near-Infrared threshold and (B) a Sentinel-2-derived statistical thresholding approach that sets per-band cutoffs. Both are implemented end-to-end in GEE for operational use. The algorithms were first developed, tuned, and evaluated in the Sundarbans (Bangladesh) using strongly contrasting dry- and monsoon-season scenes. To assess their broader utility, we additionally tested them in two independent deltaic mangrove systems, namely, the Bidyadhari Delta in West Bengal, India, and the Ayeyarwady Delta in Myanmar. Across all sites, Algorithm B consistently removes the largest share of cloud and bright-water pixels but tends to over-mask haze and low-contrast features. Algorithm A retains more usable pixels; however, its aggressiveness is region-dependent. It appears more conservative in the Sundarbans but noticeably more over-inclusive in the India and Myanmar scenes. A Random Forest classifier provided map offers a useful reference but the model is dependent on the quantity and quality of labeled samples. The novelty of the algorithms lies in their design specifically for NICFI-Planet basemaps and their ability to operate without labeled samples. Because they rely on simple, fully shareable GEE code, they can be readily applied in regions in a consistent manner. These two algorithms offer a pragmatic operational pathway: apply them as a first-pass filter keeping in mind that its behavior may vary across environments. Full article

The benefits of the servicizing business model, in which a firm sells the use or functionality of a product rather than the product itself, extend beyond attracting new customers and driving economic growth. Aligned with circular economy principles, servicizing promotes sustainability by encouraging firms to enhance product durability and customers to be more mindful of their amount of usage. However, the lack of product ownership may lead to product misuse, negatively affecting both economic and environmental outcomes. This study addresses product misuse as a major risk to servicizing firms’ performance and investigates whether, and under what conditions, adopting Behavior-Dependent Pricing (BDP) can mitigate this risk. Leveraging digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), we develop a BDP model in which a firm monitors customers’ usage behavior and provides monetary incentives for more sustainable use. We identify conditions under which BDP leads to a win–win–win outcome by increasing firm profits, enhancing customer utility, and reducing environmental impacts. This study provides firms with insights on how and when servicizing can be less vulnerable to product misuse risk that could undermine profitability, thereby encouraging adoption of the servicizing business model and generating economic and environmental benefits. Full article

Human social life is dependent on the ability of individuals to understand other people as separate cognitive agents, capable of thought independent from themselves. This understanding and the attribution of mental states to others, often called Theory of Mind (ToM), is a naturally developing ability. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) seem to experience difficulty in attributing mental states to others, and this may explain impaired social interaction and communication behaviors. The Frith-Happé animations are short videos designed to test ToM development by varying the degree of intentionality present and asking viewers to describe their interpretation. The present study recorded eye movements and verbal descriptions in 15 children and 23 young adults with ASD and 20 and 15 typically developing (TD) peers, respectively. The results showed eye movement patterns in ASD and TD children did not differ significantly, but both groups differed from adults in their verbal responses. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) produced shorter (F(1,60) = 5.8, p = 0.019) and less appropriate (F(1,60) = 4.4, p = 0.04) ToM descriptions than TD peers, although their eye movement patterns were comparable to those of TD children. While low-level visual processing may be intact in individuals with ASD, challenges with social cognition and verbal expression may remain. Full article

The year 2024 marked the 80th anniversary of Woodward’s total synthesis of quinine. Quinine is a natural alkaloid from the bark of the cinchona tree that has been used for years as an antimalarial drug. The antibacterial effect of quinine salts has also been regarded. With this in mind, a series of original 9-deoxycinchone alkaloid derivatives bearing a dialkylamino- or heterocyclic moiety at the 4 position of the 9-(((4-X-but-2-ynyloxy)methyl)-1,2,3-triazolyl)-substituent was synthesized. The copper-catalyzed three-component A³-coupling reaction of 9-(((4-prop-2-ynyloxy)methyl)-1,2,3-triazolyl)- substituted cinchona alkaloid derivatives with secondary amines and formaldehyde was the main route of synthesis. The present study attempted to examine the antibacterial properties of 9-substituted 9-desoxyquinine-derived compounds and their antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacterial strains, e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtillis, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli. The difference in the antibacterial activity profile of diastereoisomeric 9-(((4-X-but-2-ynyloxy)methyl)-1,2,3-triazolyl)-substituted derivatives of cinchona alkaloids indicated the importance of the nature of nitrogen substituents in the molecules. In a concentration-dependent pattern, (9R)- and (9S)- (((4-asocan-1yl)-but-2-ynyl-oxy)methyl)-1,2,3-triazolyl)-substituted compounds demonstrated considerable biofilm-inhibitory efficacy against the S. aureus bacterial strain. A detailed study of the molecular interactions with the targeted protein MurB was performed using docking simulations, and the obtained results are quite promising. Full article

In a world increasingly characterized by rises in anxiety, depression, mood disorders and cognitive decline, our mental well-being often depends not only on our environment, but also on our food. In this systematic review, 25 clinical nutritional trials analyzed the relationship between dietary patterns and mental health across the lifespan. The PubMed-Medline, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant articles from 2013 published up to June 2025 and included studies with a minimum 3-month follow-up and a minimum of 50 participants. The results showed that, in most studies, the Mediterranean diet reduces depressive symptoms by 32–45%. It works because it is rich in polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber; lowers systemic inflammation; promotes gut diversity; and improves dopamine and serotonin modulation. On the other hand, five studies have shown that the MIND Diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) (with daily leafy greens, berries at least twice a week, whole grains, legumes, olive oil and nuts) and a whole-food plant-based diet lower C-reactive protein and improve mood in patients with chronic stress and fatigue. Plants provide antioxidants and phytochemicals that neutralize oxidative stress in neurons. This report emphasizes the need to promote well-being and increase public demand for food that also improves quality of life and mental health. Full article

Background: Local flaps are a cornerstone of reconstructive plastic surgery for oncological skin defects, ensuring functional recovery and aesthetic integration. Their selection, however, varies with surgeon experience. Generative artificial intelligence has emerged as a potential decision-support tool, although its clinical role remains uncertain. Methods: We evaluated three generative AI platforms (ChatGPT-5 by OpenAI, Grok by xAI, and Gemini by Google DeepMind) in their free-access versions available in September 2025. Ten preoperative photographs of suspected cutaneous neoplastic lesions from diverse facial and limb sites were submitted to each platform in a two-step task: concise description of site, size, and tissue involvement, followed by the single most suitable local flap for reconstruction. Outputs were compared with the unanimous consensus of experienced plastic surgeons. Results: Performance differed across models. ChatGPT-5 consistently described lesion size accurately and achieved complete concordance with surgeons in flap selection. Grok showed intermediate performance, tending to recognise tissue planes better than lesion size and proposing flaps that were often acceptable but not always the preferred choice. Gemini estimated size well, yet was inconsistent for anatomical site, tissue involvement, and flap recommendation. When partially correct answers were considered acceptable, differences narrowed but the overall ranking remained unchanged. Conclusion: Generative AI can support reconstructive reasoning from clinical images with variable reliability. In this series, ChatGPT-5 was the most dependable for local flap planning, suggesting a potential role in education and preliminary decision-making. Larger studies using standardised image acquisition and explicit uncertainty reporting are needed to confirm clinical applicability and safety. Full article

Human rights frameworks have historically emphasised physical integrity, yet psychological integrity, the right to mental stability, identity, and emotional safety all remain neglected in health policy and law. This narrative review and commentary argues that psychological integrity is inseparable from ecological integrity, and that contemporary mental health crises are rooted in ruptured human–nature attachments. Drawing on Mother Nature Attachment Theory (MNAT) and supported by emerging empirical evidence, this review traces a trajectory from pre-attachment, through rupture via colonisation, displacement, and ecological collapse, to reconnection through cultural and ecological repair. Gaza exemplifies a contemporary site of deliberate ecological–psychological rupture, where environmental destruction compounds trauma and erodes cultural continuity. In contrast, Indigenous frameworks in Australasia, such as Te Whare Tapa Whā, provide culturally grounded models of reconnection that demonstrate how ecological repair and psychological restoration can proceed together. These contrasting cases illustrate MNAT’s trajectory and emphasise that safeguarding psychological integrity requires embedding ecological security into public health systems. The review concludes that planetary mental health depends on recognising healing of mind and Earth as an indivisible task. Healing mind and Earth must be understood as a single, urgent task within planetary public mental health. Full article

The four ethical boundaries established in the Declaration Toward a Global Ethic (1993)—“Do not kill,” “Do not steal,” “Do not lie,” and “Do not commit sexual immorality”—though recognized as cross-civilizational consensus, face practical challenges as external commandments. From a comparative theological perspective, Christianity’s “Moral Golden Rule” originates from the Ten Commandments, with Sabbath observance serving as sacred temporal space for moral practice. While this time-bound practice has physiological and psychological foundations and plays a vital role in shaping religious identity, contemporary conflicts and divisions within Christian civilization reveal its sacredness facing secularization crises. The Buddhist ethical framework of the Five Precepts and Ten Virtues, grounded in the principles of dependent origination, karma, and mind-consciousness, manifests enhanced flexibility in sacred temporality and tolerant practical applications when interpreted through the lens of emptiness as a temporal perspective. The Christian Zen movement creatively employs Buddhist meditation techniques as methodological instruments, providing an embodied practice pathway for civilizational dialogue and constructing future communities of shared ethical values. Full article

This study explores economic and risk perceptions that spark off-shore irregular migration among West Africans through the Mediterranean Sea to countries of destination (CODs). This study is timely because deaths on the Mediterranean Sea, which are unprecedented in migration history, result in a need to create awareness and save lives. Grounded in the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Cultural Theory of Risk Perception, this study explores the economic and risk perceptions of off-shore irregular migration. This study comprised a literature review, otherwise known as a “meta study”. The study’s findings reveal that there is a nexus between a person’s attitude and behaviours in terms of human action. Human nurturing determines a person’s attitudes and behaviours. The human mind does what it wants when one is desperate for economic survival. This forces humankind to engage in dangerous activities to survive. Therefore, irregular migrants’ choice of unsafe routes through the Mediterranean Sea to CODs depends on their expected outcomes. Irregular migrants consider migration as an “insurance”, and flee from hardship towards opportunities. The perceptions that lead to this range from salary disparities to economic freedom. I argue that spiritual beliefs, peer pressure, media platforms, and personal factors influence irregular route choices. This study recommends collaboration among the ECOWAS, African nations’ governments, and the IOM to engage returning migrants to narrate their in-depth experiences about the routes’ dangers to create awareness. Returning migrants’ narratives should be disseminated in mass media and on social media platforms to target youth. This would discourage West African youth from choosing unsafe routes to CODs. Collaboration should be extended to youth training in entrepreneurship to equip youth as job creators rather than job seekers to curb unemployment, which usually sparks off-shore irregular migration. Full article

The relationship between exercise and immune function has been widely studied, yet findings remain inconsistent regarding how different exercise modalities and intensities influence acute and chronic immunological responses. Previous reviews have often focused on single exercise types or limited outcomes, leaving a gap for an integrated synthesis. This narrative review aims to address this gap by summarizing and comparing immunological effects across aerobic exercise, resistance training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), blood flow restriction (BFR), isometric exercise, mind–body interventions, and hypoxic training. A structured narrative approach was adopted. Literature published between January 2000 and December 2024 was searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Experimental and observational studies on humans and animal models were included, with study selection and data extraction performed by two reviewers. Findings were synthesized thematically by exercise modality to capture both acute and chronic immune responses. Twenty-four eligible studies were identified. Aerobic and mind–body exercises consistently demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective effects, including increased IL-10 production, improved T cell profiles, and reduced inflammatory markers. Isometric training showed favorable modulation of cytokines and T cell balance, while resistance training evidence was limited but suggested cortisol-lowering benefits. HIIT, BFR, and hypoxic exercise produced mixed results, often combining transient pro-inflammatory responses with immunological benefits. Acute and chronic immunological responses to exercise are highly modality- and intensity-dependent. Aerobic and mind–body interventions provide the most consistent benefits, whereas HIIT, BFR, and hypoxic training show variable effects. Further high-quality trials are needed to clarify mechanisms and guide exercise-based immune recommendations. Full article

Background: Intuitive inquiry meditation (Can-Hua-Tou) is a unique mental practice which differs from relaxation-based practices by continuously demanding intuitive inquiry. It emphasizes the doubt-driven self-interrogation, also referred to as Chan/Zen meditation. Nonetheless, its electrophysiological signature remains poorly characterized. Methods: We recorded 128-channel EEG from 20 male Buddhist monks (5–28 years Can-Hua-Tou experience) and 18 male novice lay practitioners (<0.5 year) during three counter-balanced eyes-closed blocks: Zen inquiry meditation (ZEN), a phonological control task silently murmuring “A-B-C-D” (ABCD), and passive resting state (REST). Power spectral density was computed for alpha (8–12 Hz), beta (12–30 Hz) and gamma (30–45 Hz) bands and mapped across the scalp. Mixed-design ANOVAs and electrode-wise tests were corrected with false discovery rate (p < 0.05). Results: Alpha power increased globally with eyes closed, but condition- or group-specific effects did not survive FDR correction, indicating comparable relaxation in both cohorts. In contrast, monks displayed a robust beta augmentation, showing significantly higher beta over parietal-occipital leads than novices across all conditions. The most pronounced difference lay in the gamma band: monks exhibited trait-like fronto-parietal gamma elevations in all three conditions, with additional, though sub-threshold, increases during ZEN. Novices showed negligible beta or gamma modulation across tasks. No significant group × condition interaction emerged after correction, yet only experts expressed concurrent beta/gamma amplification during meditative inquiry. Conclusions: Long-term Can-Hua-Tou practice is associated with frequency-specific neural adaptations—stable high-frequency synchrony and state-dependent beta enhancement—consistent with Buddhist constructs of citta-ekāgratā (one-pointed concentration) and vigilance during self-inquiry. Unlike mindfulness styles that accentuate alpha/theta, Chan inquiry manifests an oscillatory profile dominated by beta–gamma dynamics, underscoring that different contemplative strategies sculpt distinct neurophysiological phenotypes. These findings advance contemplative neuroscience by linking intensive cognitive meditation to enduring high-frequency cortical synchrony. Future research integrating cross-frequency coupling analyses, source localization, and behavioral correlates of insight will further fully delineate the mechanisms underpinning this advanced contemplative expertise. Full article