Search Results (222)

Though previous studies have demonstrated the protective benefits of sports participation against illicit drug use for a general population, how these findings apply to LGBTQ youth remains unknown. This study specifically looks at the relationship between sports participation and prescription drug misuse among sexual and gender minority youth. Using secondary data from the 2019 YRBS, we analyze associations among sports participation, sexual orientation, gender identity, and prescription drug misuse among a representative sample of U.S. high school students in Florida. Our results show that sexual and gender minority youth are at increased risk for prescription drug misuse compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Moreover, sports participation is associated with higher rates of prescription drug misuse among all students, and the nuances of these trends are discussed with particular attention paid to sexual and gender minority youth. These results challenge conventional wisdom about sports participation. Without the addition of new demographic survey questions and LGBTQ youth participation in the YRBS, common myths about sports might have persisted. Our findings point to the meaningful presence of LGBTQ youth in sports, call for research and programming on LGBTQ athletes’ unique needs regarding substance misuse risk, and encourage LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices within schools and sports programs in particular. Full article

Semantic modeling of legal reasoning is an important research direction in the field of artificial intelligence and law (AI and law), aiming to enhance judicial transparency, fairness, and the consistency of legal applications through structured semantic representations. This paper proposes a semantic judicial reasoning framework based on the “Data–Information–Knowledge–Wisdom–Purpose” (DIKWP) model, which transforms the conceptual expressions of traditional legal judgment into DIKWP graphs enriched with semantics. The framework integrates the objective content of legal norms with stakeholders’ subjective cognition through a DIKWP×DIKWP bidirectional mapping mechanism, achieving “semantic justice”. Specifically, we define a DIKWP-based legal knowledge representation method and design a mapping algorithm from traditional legal concepts to the DIKWP semantic structure. To validate the effectiveness of the framework, we use a real administrative law case as an example and construct DIKWP (normative content) and DIKWP (subjective cognition) graphs to model legal rules, evidence, and various perspectives. The results indicate that the intention-driven semantic transformation mechanism can harmonize legal reasoning with stakeholders’ cognitive backgrounds, thereby enhancing the interpretability and fairness of judicial interpretation. Case analysis further demonstrates that reasoning within the DIKWP semantic space can reveal underlying assumptions, bridge cognitive gaps, and promote judicial fairness by aligning legal intentions. This study provides new theoretical and methodological support for the explainable reasoning of intelligent judicial systems. Full article

Traditional Chinese Kang heating systems have been used for over two millennia in northern China, yet their thermal efficiency and optimal design parameters lack scientific validation. This study aims to establish evidence-based guidelines for Kang-to-room area ratios to enhance thermal comfort and energy efficiency in rural architecture. We conducted direct measurements in a controlled experimental house (24 m²) in Huludao City, collecting temperature and humidity data from Kang surfaces and interior spaces over five-day periods. A benchmark curve for heat flux density was developed based on specific fuelwood consumption rates (1 kg/m²). TRNSYS simulations were employed to validate experimental data and analyze thermal performance in the historical Qingning Palace (352 m²) at Shenyang Imperial Palace. The benchmark curve demonstrated high accuracy with a Mean Absolute Error of 0.46 °C and Root Mean Square Error of 0.53 °C when compared to measured temperatures over the 48 h validation period; these values are well within acceptable ranges for calibrated thermal models. Simulations revealed optimal thermal comfort conditions when heat dissipation parameters were scaled appropriately for building size. The optimal Kang-to-room area ratio ranges from 0.28 to 0.69, with the existing Qingning Palace ratio (0.34) falling within this range, validating traditional design wisdom. This research provides a scientific foundation for sustainable architectural practices, bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary thermal engineering principles for both heritage preservation and modern rural construction applications. Full article

A Sanskrit manuscript of the Prajñāpāramitā or Perfection of Wisdom in eight thousand verses, now in the Cambridge University Library, Add.1643, is one of the most ambitiously designed South Asian manuscripts from the eleventh century, with the highest number of painted panels known among the dated manuscripts from medieval South Asia until 1400 CE. Thanks to the unique occurrence of a caption written next to each painted panel, it is possible to identify most images in this manuscript as representing those of famous pilgrimage sites or auspicious images of specific locales. The iconographic program transforms Add.1643 into a portable device containing famous pilgrimage sites of the Buddhist world known to the makers and users of the manuscript in eleventh-century Nepal. It is one compact colorful package of a book, which can be opened and experienced in its unfolding three-dimensional space, like a virtual or imagined pilgrimage. Building on the recent research focusing on early medieval Buddhist sites across Monsoon Asia and analyzing the representational potentials and ontological values of painting, this essay demonstrates how this early eleventh-century Nepalese manuscript (Add.1643) and its visual program document and remember the knowledge of maritime travels and the transregional and intraregional activities of people and ideas moving across Monsoon Asia. Despite being made in the Kathmandu Valley with a considerable physical distance from the actual sea routes, the sites remembered in the manuscript open a possibility to connect the dots of human movement beyond the known networks and routes of “world systems”. Full article

Conventional wisdom holds that nuclear oncogenes and tumor suppressors initiate malignant transformation. However, mounting research suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction—rooted in the unique evolutionary history and genetic autonomy of mitochondria—may serve as a more fundamental driver of oncogenesis. This paper proposes a “mitochondria-first” hypothesis of cancer, emphasizing the pivotal role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, metabolic reprogramming, and immune evasion. By examining the evolutionary conflict between host and mitochondria, evaluating high mtDNA mutation rates, and highlighting the disruptive potential of mitochondrial transfer to immune cells, we outline robust mechanisms through which mitochondria could ignite cancer development. We also discuss emerging diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that target mitochondrial integrity, offering a potential paradigm shift in oncology. Full article

With the rapid developments of artificial intelligence across all areas of society, especially within the last two years, the present paper provides a much-needed focus on the relationship between AI and religion by providing a review of recently published academic works from 2024 to early 2025 in the area of AI and religion. The review focuses on 15 published research studies that both demonstrate a broad range of research interests in this field and are empirically and epistemologically sound and, as such, should be of interest for guiding further research in these important areas. The review concludes by placing the need for scientific and empirical research within a wider context of a Christian engagement with wisdom and creativity as a way for continuing academic progress in the exciting field of AI and religion. Full article

This paper is a critical, historical review of the literature on intelligence and moral development. In this review we come to a number of conclusions. For example, we identify methodological issues in past research on intelligence in relation to moral development, from Wiggam’s paper in 1941 through the first quarter of the 21st century, and we commend research done with methodological improvements we specify. Also, we conclude that Heyes’ evolutionary psychology that humans have a specifiable “starter kit” of processes that produce “cognitive gadgets,” including those used in normative thinking, should be given further attention. But, importantly, we note that these “gadgets” may be “malware” or be missing. Another conclusion is that Gert’s account of harms and benefits, of the moral rules, of how the rules are justified, and of how violations are justified, can be a fruitful component of the study of moral development. Furthermore, we argue that the work on wisdom by Sternberg, Kristjansson, and others is important to grasp for its relevance to putting morality into action. Lastly, we discuss areas for future research, especially in neuroscience, and we recommend paying attention to practices for the building of practical wisdom and morality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traditional nutritional knowledge, shaped by centuries of cultural and ecological adaptation, offers holistic and sustainable dietary frameworks that remain highly relevant to modern health challenges. However, current digital nutrition platforms often fail to reflect this diversity, relying instead on standardized models with limited cultural sensitivity. This paper aims to explore how traditional nutritional wisdom can be integrated into digital health platforms to promote more inclusive and effective approaches to personalized nutrition. Methods: This perspective paper employs a cultural adaptation framework to analyze the integration of traditional food knowledge into digital contexts. Drawing from interdisciplinary research across nutrition science, anthropology, digital health and implementation science, we utilize the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Framework and the PEN-3 Cultural Model to structure our analysis. A systematic scoping review of literature published between 2010 and 2025 was conducted to identify integration challenges and opportunities. Additionally, we analyzed case studies of three traditional dietary systems (Argentina, Italy and Japan) and evaluated five leading digital nutrition platforms for their degree of cultural inclusivity, using qualitative comparative methods. Results: The analysis highlights significant challenges in adapting traditional knowledge to digital formats, including standardization barriers, contextual loss and technological limitations. However, successful integration initiatives demonstrate that through participatory design, flexible data architectures and culturally-informed algorithms, traditional food systems can be meaningfully represented. Our proposed four-phase integration framework—documentation, digital adaptation, implementation and evaluation—provides a structured approach for developers and researchers. Conclusions: Bridging traditional nutrition with digital platforms represents a vital opportunity to enhance personalization and preserve food heritage while improving health outcomes for diverse populations. This integration requires interdisciplinary collaboration, user-centered design processes and ethical approaches that respect cultural ownership and context. Full article

This article explores the integration of “Ayatutu”, a communal philosophy from Nigeria’s Tiv people, into mathematics education frameworks. Ayatutu—embodying collective responsibility and mutual assistance—aligns with contemporary cooperative learning approaches while offering unique cultural dimensions. Through analysis of the ethnomathematics literature, indigenous knowledge systems, and cooperative learning theories this article develops a theoretical framework for Ayatutu-based mathematics instruction built on the following five core elements: collective problem-solving, resource sharing, complementary expertise, process orientation, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The framework demonstrates significant alignment with sociocultural learning theory, communities of practice, and critical pedagogy while also offering potential benefits including enhanced mathematical engagement, positive identity development, stronger learning communities, and cultural sustainability. Implementation challenges involving teacher preparation, structural constraints, cultural translation, and balancing individual with collective learning are examined. This research contributes to decolonizing mathematics education by positioning indigenous philosophical systems as valuable resources for creating culturally responsive and mathematically powerful learning environments that serve diverse student populations while honoring cultural wisdom. Full article

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is intricately linked to metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hyperlipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly when combined with probiotic fermentation, offers a promising therapeutic strategy by modulating microbial balance and host metabolism. This narrative review synthesizes current research on probiotic-fermented herbal bioactives, focusing on their mechanisms in ameliorating metabolic diseases. Probiotic and bioactive compounds (e.g., berberine, polysaccharides) are highlighted for their roles in enhancing intestinal barrier function, regulating microbial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and reducing inflammation. Fermentation techniques improve the bioavailability of TCM components while reducing toxicity, as seen in fermented Salvia miltiorrhiza and Rhizoma Coptidis. Despite promising results, challenges include the complexity of microbiota–host interactions and variability in TCM standardization. Future directions emphasize integrating multi-omics technologies and personalized approaches to optimize probiotic-fermented TCM therapies. This review underscores the potential of combining traditional herbal wisdom with modern biotechnology to address metabolic disorders, which pose significant global health challenges, through a “gut microbiota–metabolism” axis. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of these conditions. TCM has shown promise in modulating gut microbiota to restore metabolic homeostasis. This review synthesizes current research on TCM-derived interventions, such as herbal compounds, probiotics, and fermentation techniques, that target gut microbiota to ameliorate metabolic disorders. We discuss mechanisms of action, including prebiotic effects, enhancement of intestinal barrier function, and regulation of microbial metabolites, while addressing the limitations and future directions of TCM-based therapies. Full article

Introduction: Engaging social actors dedicated to education has facilitated dialogue, emotional connection, action, and the accumulation of knowledge to create insights that address community needs and promote its development. This study aims to understand the relationship between education, culture, and community as described by teachers working in Mapuche contexts in the Araucanía region of Chile. Method: This research was based on social science research, using a qualitative approach and a non-experimental emergent design. The participants interviewed for the study consisted of 15 in-service teachers in three schools in Mapuche contexts in the Araucanía region of Chile. The study used a semi-structured interview script to collect data, and in the analysis plan the Grounded Theory (GT) was used, to conceptualize the emerging patterns in categorized concepts and theories. Results: The analysis revealed three distinct categories: culture and diversity; education; and community. Discussion: There is a connection between culture and diversity, education, and community, with learning as the central theme. However, each of these dimensions tends to operate mainly in isolation, lacking effective connections that would facilitate consistent development in the learning and teaching processes. Conclusions: It is essential to incorporate inclusive strategies that recognize and value social and cultural diversity within school classrooms and promoting the dialogue of knowledge and wisdom through intercultural education fosters the active participation of all actors involved in the teaching and learning processes. Full article

This study explores the intersection of landscape design and ecosystem services, emphasising context-sensitive design and the integration of indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) in forest health bases. Current challenges include disconnects between design practices and local cultural identity, as well as insufficient ecological integration, necessitating systematic approaches that harmonise ecological functions with sociocultural values. While existing research prioritises health benefit assessments, the role of ILK in long-term sustainability remains underexplored. To address this gap, we developed a multidimensional evaluation system integrating ecological, cultural, community, and human health indicators. Using a hybrid Delphi–Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), we identified 33 core indicators through literature word-frequency analysis. These indicators were refined via two rounds of expert surveys involving 48 interdisciplinary scholars and empirically validated at the Yuping Mountain Forest Health Base in Sichuan, China. The case study achieved an overall score of 4.371 (Grade I), with “Site location” (weight 0.064) and “Maintenance of the human landscape” (weight 0.056) as pivotal factors. ILK integration enhanced ecological resilience and community cultural engagement. Quantitative data revealed strong performance in five senses of experience (weight 0.056), though cultural resource utilisation requires refinement. The innovation of this study is that it is the first to construct an ILK-driven assessment framework to achieve the deep integration of scientific quantification and local wisdom. The study provides a decision-making tool that is both humanistic and scientific, in order to promote the synergistic development of human health, ecological protection, and cultural heritage and to help sustainable landscape design practice. Full article

For centuries, plant-derived natural products (NPs) have been fundamental to traditional medicine, providing essential therapeutic compounds. Ethnobotanical knowledge has historically guided NP discovery, leading to the identification of key pharmaceuticals such as aspirin, morphine, and artemisinin. However, conventional bioactivity-guided fractionation methods for NP isolation are labour-intensive and can result in the loss of bioactive properties due to the focus on a single compound. Advances in omics sciences—genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics—coupled with computational tools have altogether revolutionised NP research by enabling high-throughput screening and more precise compound identification. This review explores how integrating traditional medicinal knowledge with multi-omics strategies enhances NP discovery. We highlight emerging bioinformatics tools, mass spectrometry techniques, and metabologenomics approaches that accelerate the identification, annotation, and functional characterisation of plant-derived metabolites. Additionally, we discuss challenges in omics data integration and propose strategies to harness ethnobotanical knowledge for targeted NP discovery and drug development. By combining traditional wisdom with modern scientific advancements, this integrated approach paves the way for novel therapeutic discoveries and the sustainable utilisation of medicinal plants. Full article

Welding robots are essential in modern manufacturing, providing high precision and efficiency in welding processes. To optimize their performance and minimize errors, accurate simulation of their behavior is crucial. This paper presents a novel approach to enhance the simulation of welding robots using the Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality (VAM) simulation platform. The VAM platform offers a dynamic and versatile environment that enables a detailed and realistic representation of welding robot actions, interactions, and responses. By integrating VAM with existing simulation techniques, we aim to improve the fidelity and realism of the simulations. Furthermore, to accelerate the learning and optimization of the welding robot’s behavior, we incorporate deep reinforcement learning (DRL) techniques. Specifically, DRL is utilized for task offloading and trajectory planning, allowing the robot to make intelligent decisions in real-time. This integration not only enhances the simulation’s accuracy but also improves the robot’s operational efficiency in smart manufacturing environments. Our approach demonstrates the potential of combining advanced simulation platforms with machine learning to advance the capabilities of industrial robots. In addition, experimental results show that ANFIS achieves higher accuracy and faster convergence compared to traditional control strategies such as PID and FLC. Full article

As individuals grow older, they experience notable shifts in their health conditions, social positions, and personal identity. Studies show that finding meaning in life correlates with healthier lifestyle choices and enhanced overall well-being. This sense of meaning functions as a protective factor against life’s challenges, strengthening resilience during later years. The research utilized thematic analysis within a qualitative methodology to investigate the subjective sources of meaning among elderly people living in Romanian institutional settings. The analysis revealed several interconnected themes. Religiosity and spirituality emerged as a fundamental anchor, with participants often mentioning God, Divinity, and Higher Power in their narratives. They typically conceptualized life as a sacred gift and emphasized the importance of religious practices such as prayer and church attendance as essential to their sense of purpose. The intergenerational transmission of values also proved significant, with elderly individuals finding meaning in passing down moral and spiritual principles to younger family members, viewing this as their enduring legacy. Interpersonal connections played a crucial role as well, with quality relationships with family and friends fostering a sense of belonging, while broken relationships or isolation negatively impacted well-being. Daily life objectives, including short-term goals like maintaining routines or anticipating family visits, along with preserving functional independence, provided structure and immediate purpose for many participants. The research distinguished between religiosity and spirituality as related but separate concepts: while formal religious rituals offered community-based meaning, those less engaged with organized religion discovered transcendence through personal spiritual experiences such as connecting with nature. This study highlights cultural specificities, particularly how Orthodox Christian traditions shape existential narratives among Romanian elderly, and proposes practical interventions for retirement facilities to incorporate activities focused on spiritual engagement, relationship building, and opportunities for elders to share their wisdom with younger generations. Full article