Search Results (404)

Naming the divine exposes a structural tension: language makes the transcendent intelligible only by confining it within humanly constructed measures. Jean-Luc Marion identifies this risk as conceptual idolatry, opposing the conceptual idol to the icon, a sign that directs the gaze beyond itself rather than arresting it. This article adopts Marion’s distinction not as a genealogical claim but as a heuristic framework for examining how different traditions navigate the limits of naming, tracing how the divine name shifts from a restrictive boundary to an open threshold across three registers: philosophical negation, name and letter mysticism, and repetitive invocation. Two dimensions emerge from this typology. Philosophical negation, rooted in Greek thought and Christian apophaticism, dismantles the predicative structure that produces the conceptual idol. Name and letter mysticism and repetitive invocation, drawing on Jewish and Islamic letter mysticism and the invocatory practices of dhikr, mantra, and Hesychasm, converge instead on a different mechanism: semantic exhaustion, the progressive suspension of a word’s referential function through sustained rhythmic repetition. By placing these practices in dialogue, the article identifies structural affinities that are difficult to see from within any single tradition’s own resources, suggesting that this convergence reflects an independent structural response to a shared linguistic aporia rather than doctrinal borrowing. Full article

The Shaximiao Formation in the Sichuan Basin hosts abundant tight oil resources; however, its reservoirs are typified by low porosity, low permeability, pronounced pore–throat structural heterogeneity, and highly complex microscopic crude oil seepage behavior. This study systematically investigates the microscopic flow mechanisms of crude oil in the Shaximiao Formation using a microfluidic experimental platform coupled with an integrated physical simulation system that enables real-time monitoring of dynamic imbibition throughout the fracturing–shut-in–flowback cycle. Experiments were conducted across three reservoir quality classes (Class I, II, and III), seven discrete shut-in durations (4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 42, and 54 h), and two representative fracturing fluid injection rates (12 and 20 m³/min). The results show that (1) residual-oil exhibits a distinct spatial distribution pattern: enrichment in large pores and large throats, with minimal retention in small pores and small throats; (2) moderate extension of shut-in duration significantly enhances movable oil saturation, whereas excessive shut-in time drives partial movable oil to transform into film flow or become trapped in dead-end pores, thereby exacerbating residual-oil retention; (3) the proportion of movable oil decreases gradiently with declining reservoir quality, following the order: Class I > Class II > Class III reservoirs; and (4) for the same reservoir type, a lower injection rate (12 m³/min) improves sweep efficiency in small pore–small throat regions and reduces residual oil retention, while a higher rate (20 m³/min) tends to induce an unbalanced seepage phenomenon, “preferential breakthrough in large pores and persistent retention in small pores”, which impairs the overall reservoir stimulation effect. Full article

This paper aims to provide insight into the mechanisms involved in blast-induced liquefaction in a saturated sand foundation. Firstly, the liquefaction mechanism of a saturated sand foundation under explosion loading is discussed. Secondly, significant influencing factors such as the scaled distance, the number of explosives, the type of sand foundation and the relative density are discussed in detail. Thirdly, logarithmic and exponential empirical equations for blast-induced liquefaction, applicable to both single and multiple explosives, were derived based on the existing results of the literature. Finally, simulation methods for blast-induced liquefaction are discussed in brief. The results of this paper not only provide a theoretical basis for conducting blast-induced liquefaction field tests in a saturated sand foundations but also offer solutions and recommendations for simulating the blast-induced liquefaction phenomenon using software. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anticipatory grief is a significant phenomenon in the experience of family caregivers of individuals receiving palliative care (PC) at home, representing a complex emotional response to impending loss. Nevertheless, there is scarce research supporting an in-depth, context-sensitive understanding of caregivers’ lived experiences in home settings. This study aims to develop a grounded theory that explains how family caregivers of individuals receiving PC at home experience anticipatory grief. Methods: This qualitative study used a constructivist grounded theory approach. Fifteen family caregivers of cancer patients receiving PC were recruited from two Portuguese-specialized palliative care teams. Data collection took place from January to April 2026 through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure variation in experiences. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was conducted in line with grounded theory, using the constant comparative method. Theoretical saturation was achieved after 15 interviews. The COREQ checklist was followed. Results: A theory was built around the core category “(Re)constructing meanings in the face of imminent loss in the context of palliative caregiving”, from which three categories emerged: (1) between presence and loss: life on hold; (2) challenges in the caregiving relationship; and (3) assigning meaning and purpose to the anticipation of death. Conclusions: Overall, the findings conceptualize anticipatory grief as a dynamic and evolving process of meaning reconstruction, offering a theoretical framework to inform more nuanced and context-sensitive support for family caregivers. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health challenge associated with substantial physical, psychological, social, and economic consequences. Although its clinical outcomes have been extensively investigated, less is known about how individuals progressively reconstruct their lives while living with an irreversible condition requiring long-term dialysis, particularly in contexts characterized by health inequities. This study aimed to develop a substantive theory explaining how adults reconstruct their lives while living with CKD on dialysis. A qualitative study was conducted using Strauss and Corbin’s Grounded Theory methodology. Eighteen adults receiving hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis in Chile participated in semi-structured interviews. Data collection and analysis were conducted concurrently using theoretical sampling, the constant comparative method, memo writing, and theoretical saturation. The findings identified “Reconstructing Life While Living with Chronic Kidney Disease” as the central phenomenon. Life reconstruction emerged as a dynamic and ongoing process sustained by the interaction between resignation and survival and facilitated by three interrelated conditions: understanding the disease, social support networks, and nursing care. Through this process, participants progressively reorganized their identities, everyday lives, interpersonal relationships, and future life projects while living with an irreversible chronic condition. The resulting substantive theory provides a contextually grounded explanation of life reconstruction that integrates individual, relational, and social dimensions of living with CKD. By demonstrating that opportunities for life reconstruction are shaped not only by individual agency but also by supportive social and healthcare conditions, the findings contribute to nursing knowledge and provide a conceptual foundation for person-centered care, health equity, and future research on chronic illness. Full article

This study develops a stochastic queueing framework to model the dynamical interaction between proliferating tumor cells and the adaptive immune system, incorporating the critical phenomenon of immune checkpoint inhibition. The immune response is conceptualized as a multi-server service system where CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells act as parallel servers eliminating cancerous cells, while tumor cell division follows a controlled birth process with logistic growth constraints. The novelty lies in embedding a state-dependent immune evasion mechanism through a dimensionless checkpoint parameter $\kappa \in [0,1]$ that modulates the effective killing rate as a function of tumor burden via the saturation function $\varphi \left(n\right)=n/(K+n)$. The resulting process $\left\{N\right(t),t\ge 0\}$ constitutes a non-homogeneous birth–death Markov chain with the following transition rates: $\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill {\lambda }_n& =\lambda \left(1-{\displaystyle \frac{n}{K}}\right){\mathbb{1}}_{\{n<K\}},{\mu }_n\hfill & \hfill =\left\{\begin{array}{cc}n\mu (1-\kappa \varphi (n\left)\right),\hfill & 1\le n<c,\hfill \\ c\mu (1-\kappa \varphi (n\left)\right),\hfill & n\ge c,\hfill \end{array}\right.\end{array}$ We derive the exact stationary distribution in closed form, establishing the fundamental stability condition ${\rho }_{\mathrm{eff}}=\lambda /\left[c\mu (1-\kappa )\right]<1$ for tumor elimination. The expected tumor burden L and mean elimination time W are computed explicitly. A critical threshold ${\kappa }_c=1-\lambda /\left(c\mu \right)$ emerges, above which the immune system loses control regardless of other parameters. Heavy-traffic analysis reveals quadratic divergence $L\sim K/{(1-{\rho }_{\mathrm{eff}})}^2$ as ${\rho }_{\mathrm{eff}}\to 1^{-}$, explaining catastrophic tumor escape. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations ($n={10}^4$ replications) validate theoretical predictions with relative errors <5% and p-values $>0.05$ from two-sample t-tests. The model provides quantitative tools for optimizing checkpoint inhibitor dosages and predicting patient-specific responses in immuno-oncology. Full article

This paper studies a robust composite higher-order feedback iterative learning control method for affine nonlinear discrete-time systems. The considered system is subject to input saturation, randomly varying trial lengths, random initial state shifts, and external disturbances. In the controller formulation phase, a Bernoulli stochastic sequence is used to model the data dropout phenomenon caused by non-uniform trial lengths. To address information loss caused by varying trial lengths, a composite control law is developed by combining a higher-order feedforward learning term with a real-time feedback term. The proposed method uses input and error information from several previous trials to compensate for the loss of learning information caused by non-uniform trial lengths. Based on mathematical induction, it is shown that the mathematical expectation of the tracking error gradually converges towards a strictly bounded residual neighborhood. It can be clearly shown that the analytical limits of this area are related to the magnitude of external disturbances and the variations in the initial state. Moreover, in optimal circumstances, the suggested algorithm ensures the rigorous asymptotic convergence of the anticipated error to zero. Finally, numerical simulations support the theoretical analysis and show that the proposed method maintains satisfactory tracking performance under the considered nonideal factors. Full article

The fading of painted relics is a widespread deterioration phenomenon in ancient painted cultural relics, yet its underlying mechanism has long been attributed solely to pigment oxidation. Directed at colored drawings with complex surface microstructures, such as pottery paintings, wall murals and architectural paintings, here we challenge this view by demonstrating that light scattering induced by sub-micron pores within the paint layer plays a dominant role, especially Mie scattering when pore sizes approach visible light wavelengths (400–700 nm). In order to minimize the damage to the genuine painted relics, a large number of simulated experiments were conducted first. Using porous polyacrylamide (PAM) membranes and nylon 6 filter membranes as model systems, we show that pore-induced scattering reduces the optical path length for light absorption, leading to a significant decrease in color saturation and brightness. By filling the pores with non-volatile colorless ionic liquids ([BMIM]PF₆) (n = 1.41) or glycerol (n = 1.47)—both possessing refractive indices close to those of the pigments—the scattering is effectively suppressed, and the original color is restored. The filling treatment reduces the color difference (ΔE*ab) by 30%–50% and the surface reflectivity by 20%–40%. Mercury intrusion porosimetry and fluorescence spectroscopy confirm that pore elimination and optical path lengthening are responsible for the color recovery. The proposed mechanism and restoration strategy were successfully validated on authentic painted brick fragments from the Western Qing Tombs (Hebei, China), where severely faded green and red patterns reappeared after ionic liquid treatment. This study provides a new interface-regulation paradigm for the conservation of painted cultural heritage, shifting the focus from irreversible chemical remediation to reversible physical restoration and offers a generalizable platform for controlling light scattering in porous optical materials. Full article

This study proposes an incremental neural network adaptive control algorithm based on composite learning for a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) helicopter system characterised by dynamic event triggering and input saturation. Firstly, by integrating a composite learning strategy within the incremental neural network control framework, the study aims to overcome the challenges posed by system dynamic uncertainties. The proposed novel update algorithm effectively incorporates estimation error terms into the weight adaptation process, thereby improving the approximation capability for system dynamics while alleviating the dependence on the classical persistent excitation condition. In addition, to reduce the communication load between the controller and the actuator, we introduce an adaptive dynamic event-triggered mechanism. Furthermore, a saturation-resistant auxiliary system is constructed to address the input saturation phenomenon present in the system. Subsequently, the system is proven to be semi-globally consistent and bounded stable via Lyapunov functions. Finally, the effectiveness of the control strategy proposed in this study is verified through simulation. Full article

Background/Objectives: The obesity epidemic coexists with the phenomenon of “hidden hunger” (Type B malnutrition)—a micronutrient deficiency amidst a caloric excess. Traditional dietary assessment methods often distort the actual picture by ignoring technological losses during cooking, which necessitates the use of digital tools. Methods: A cross-sectional study (N = 3267) was conducted using the digital platform “NIAP”. The analysis was based on valid 3–7-day dietary records with algorithmic accounting for nutrient retention factors during thermal processing. The nutrient profiles of individuals with a normal body mass index (BMI) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) were compared. Results: The epidemiology of intake shortfalls was highly prevalent and pronounced: 99.9% of the cohort had ≥1 inadequacy (with a mean negative deviation of −77.3% for vitamin D and −59.2% for Omega-3), and 61.5% exhibited ≥10 simultaneous multiple intake shortfalls. These inadequacy rates remained robust in a sensitivity analysis excluding under-reporters. The obesity group consumed significantly more energy, saturated fatty acids, added sugars, cholesterol, and sodium, but demonstrated a lower relative macronutrient intake (g/kg of body weight). Absolute fiber intake did not differ between the groups, indicating a decrease in its density per 1000 kcal in the diet of individuals with obesity; the intake of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showed a downward trend. The Na:K ratio was significantly higher in the obesity group (1.19 vs. 1.04, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis confirmed an inverse relationship between BMI and the overall nutrient density of the diet. Conclusions: A high-energy diet does not compensate for systemic micronutrient inadequacy among the evaluated cohort. Obesity is associated with a dietary imbalance favoring “empty calories” and pro-inflammatory components against a background of severe multiple dietary inadequacies. The integration of algorithmic dietary assessment that accounts for cooking losses is critical for objective diagnosis and personalized nutritional intervention. Full article

Protein nitration within the nitro-proteome is a dynamic component of drought and recovery responses in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), yet its role in stress adaptation remains unclear. Young wheat seedlings demonstrate a degree of drought resistance, characterized by physiological and morphological adaptations, during the initial growth phases. However, this tolerance begins to diminish significantly in 5-day-old seedlings. The mechanisms behind this phenomenon are unclear. Our results indicate that it may be related to protein nitration. This study compared the physiological and nitrosative responses of 4-day-old drought-tolerant and 6-day-old sensitive wheat seedlings subjected to drought followed by rehydration. In tolerant seedlings, in contrast to sensitive ones, the water saturation deficit after rehydration returned to the control levels, confirming their drought tolerance. Moreover, NO₂⁻ accumulation in the recovery group was significantly higher in sensitive seedlings than in the control group. Results indicate that drought resistance correlates with protein nitration during the recovery phase. Nitro-proteomic analysis revealed that in tolerant seedlings, protein nitration is limited. The most significant differences are observed in the recovery group, with predominant downregulation of protein nitration in tolerant seedlings and significant upregulation of numerous proteins in sensitive seedlings. Upregulated nitration of vital proteins involved in energy production, photosynthesis (such as the Rubisco large subunit), ATP synthases, and cytosolic malate dehydrogenase may lead to disturbances in energy metabolism and thus prevent an effective response to changing environmental conditions. These findings suggest that regulation of protein nitration during recovery may contribute to drought resilience in wheat and could represent a potential target for improving stress tolerance. Full article

Aluminum alloying was considered difficult at excessively high aluminum mass fractions. For high-aluminum steel subjected to aluminum alloying under vacuum conditions, a positive trend was observed between the aluminum content and the aluminum yield. As the aluminum content increased from 5 to 5.5, the aluminum yield rose from 89.56% to 95.76%. Theoretical calculations were performed to determine that the saturated vapor pressures of pure aluminum were 267 Pa, 440 Pa, and 704 Pa at 1600 °C, 1650 °C, and 1700 °C, respectively. In consideration of aluminum volatility and temperature effects, the maximum aluminum yield was obtained at 1600 °C under 267 Pa. During smelting in a vacuum induction furnace, fine inclusions (1–5 μm) were counted for 82.4% of the total inclusions, whereas large inclusions (>20 μm) were recorded at only 0.98%. This phenomenon was attributed to the fact that the rising time of small-sized inclusions was 2500 times longer than that of large ones. Full article

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a critical public health concern in South Africa, which ranks among the countries most severely affected worldwide. Women and girls are reported to bear the greatest burden, with men predominantly identified as perpetrators. GBV is particularly prevalent in densely populated areas such as informal settlements, where adverse socioeconomic conditions create fertile ground for its proliferation. Despite the scale of this problem, to the researchers’ knowledge, few studies, especially qualitative ones, have been conducted in such contexts, even though informal settlements are widespread across the country. To generate nuanced insights into this phenomenon, the current study explored the lived experiences of women victims of GBV in Alexandra, one of South Africa’s largest informal settlements. The study was grounded in an interpretive paradigm, employed a qualitative approach, and adopted a single-case-study design. Participants were purposively selected from a population of women victims of GBV, and the sample size was determined through data saturation. Data were collected through individual, face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) with Nvivo version 15 software and interpreted through the lens of feminist theory. The findings revealed that GBV has profound effects on women’s emotional, psychological and social wellbeing, extending beyond the immediate incidents to also affect their overall functioning, erode self-confidence, and limit opportunities for independence. The use of intimidation and coercion tactics by perpetrators trapped victims in a cycle of dysfunction which diminished agency, and fostered isolation. Interpreting these findings through a feminist lens highlights the systematic and recurrent nature of GBV, which cuts across personal, structural and relational dimensions. The findings underscore the urgent need for context-specific interventions that will help dismantle structures of abuse while supporting victims’ and/or survivors’ autonomy, recovery and, most importantly, capacity to rebuild identity and trust. Full article

Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules reduces power generation efficiency, and traditional water-based cleaning is impractical in arid regions. Inspired by the classical acoustic phenomenon of Chladni figures—specifically the mechanism where an acoustic standing wave field drives the regular migration and accumulation of particles—this study proposes a waterless dust removal method using low-frequency ultrasonic vibration via piezoelectric excitation. Impedance analysis identifies optimal electromechanical coupling at 28 kHz. Experiments demonstrate that higher driving voltages accelerate cleaning, with recovery rates saturating beyond 125 V. Notably, intense friction and collisions between particles within high-density dust layers consume substantial kinetic energy, significantly multiplying the required cleaning time. Macroscopic transport analysis reveals that dust removal relies on the synergy of vibration-induced adhesion decoupling and gravity-driven transport. Sufficient tangential gravity is crucial for macroscopic particle removal, and tilt angles above 30° provide the necessary downward driving force to ensure smooth particle sliding. Under optimal conditions, the system achieves an over 97% short-circuit current recovery at a low power consumption of ~10 W, providing a theoretical basis for waterless PV self-cleaning systems. Full article

Background: Focal entrapment of the Common Peroneal (Fibular) nerve (CPN) is the most frequent lower-extremity nerve entrapment yet it can be difficult to diagnose clinically. The Phoenix Sign—an increase in extensor hallucis longus (EHL) motor strength following lidocaine injection—may assist diagnosis. Additional observed effects include improved arterial perfusion and Doppler waveforms. Methods: In this double-blinded, randomized small pilot study, only four patients (N = 4) with diabetic peripheral neuropathy underwent bilateral peripheral nerve blocks with lidocaine or papaverine. The first leg to be tested was randomized; the contralateral leg received a different agent that was randomized initially. Pre- and post-block assessments included motor strength, Doppler velocity of dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries, and near-infrared spectroscopy for microvascular perfusion. Results: All patients demonstrated increased EHL motor strength after injection with either agent. Doppler waveforms of the dorsalis pedis artery improved: lidocaine produced a 151.7% increase in blood flow velocity (p = 0.03), whereas papaverine produced a 16.8% increase (p = 0.19). Posterior tibial artery flow increased by 37.4% with lidocaine (p = 0.06) and 13.9% with papaverine (p = 0.33), but neither was statistically significant. No changes in oxygen saturation, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, or total hemoglobin were observed using near-infrared spectroscopy. The consistency of motor responses across subjects supports the validity of the Phoenix Sign as a diagnostic tool. Conclusions: Peripheral nerve blocks with lidocaine or papaverine improved motor strength and macrovascular function in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, though microvascular changes were not detected. These preliminary findings are consistent with the Phoenix Sign phenomenon and support further study as a potential clinical indicator. While these preliminary findings indicate support as a diagnostic tool, they are preliminary and hypothesis-generating for evaluating the Phoenix Sign as a potential clinical indicator of CPN entrapment and highlight the need for larger studies to evaluate vascular responses. Trial Registration: NCT06919289 (retrospectively registered 8 April 2025). Full article