Search Results (158)

Sloman and Rabb found support for the existence of the community of knowledge (CK) effect, which occurs when individuals are more likely to report understanding and being able to explain even fake scientific information when told that an expert understands the information. To date, no studies have been conducted that attempted to replicate original findings, let alone test the presence of the CK effect in realistic, legal scenarios. Therefore, Study One replicated original CK effect studies in a jury-eligible M-Turk sample (N = 291) using both Sloman and Rabb’s experimental stimuli as well as new stimuli. Study Two then tested the presence of the CK effect using scientific testimony in a mock court hearing from a forensic evaluator (N = 396). Not only did the CK effect improve laypeople’s perceptions of the scientific information in court, but it also improved their perceptions of the expert witness’s credibility, increased the weight assigned to the scientific information, and increased the weight assigned to the expert testimony. This effect was mediated by participants’ perceived similarity to the expert, supporting the theory behind the CK effect. These studies have important implications for the use of scientific information in court, which are discussed. Full article

The healthcare industry is witnessing a rapid rise in the adoption of wearable and implantable medical devices, including advanced electrochemical sensors and other smart diagnostic technologies. These devices are increasingly used to enable real-time monitoring of physiological parameters, allowing for faster diagnosis and more personalized care plans. Their growing presence reflects a broader shift toward smart connected healthcare systems aimed at delivering immediate and actionable insights to both patients and medical professionals. At the same time, the healthcare industry is increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, primarily due to the high value of medical information; in addition, the growing integration of ICT technologies into medical devices has introduced new vulnerabilities that were previously absent in this sector. To mitigate these risks, new international guidelines advocate the adoption of best practices for secure software development, emphasizing a security-by-design approach in the design and implementation of such devices. However, the vast and fragmented nature of the information required to effectively support these development processes poses a challenge for the numerous stakeholders involved. In this paper, we demonstrate how key features of the Malware Information Sharing Platform (MISP) can be leveraged to systematically collect and structure vulnerability-related information for medical devices. We propose tailored structures, objects, and taxonomies specific to medical devices, facilitating a standardized data representation that enhances the security-by-design development of these devices. Full article

Background/Objectives: The potential advantages of robotic assistance in spinal procedures are a growing area of interest, and patient perception plays a key role in its broader acceptance. However, public perception of robotic surgery in spinal operations remains unexplored. This study aims to assess the general public’s perceptions, expectations, and concerns regarding robot-assisted spine surgery. Methods: In the fall of 2024, a questionnaire was distributed to attendees at a public open day at the Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, where the Globus ExcelsiusGPS™ spine surgery robot was demonstrated live on a mannequin. The 15-item questionnaire assessed demographic data, prior knowledge of medical robots, mental representations of surgical robots, expectations, and emotions after witnessing the demonstration. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Wilcoxon, McNemar tests, and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 109 questionnaires were collected. Most participants were female (64.4%) and had no direct experience with spinal pathology (79.8%). While 87.2% were aware of robotic surgery in general, only 65.1% specifically knew about its use in spine surgery. After witnessing the live demonstration, 81.9% felt reassured by the robot′s presence in surgery, compared to 61.3% before the demonstration (p = 0.007). Preference for robot-assisted surgery increased from 50.5% to 64.5% (p < 0.001). Notably, individuals with back-related issues showed greater confidence in the robot’s capabilities (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The general public perceives robotic spine surgery positively, viewing it as faster, more precise, and capable of performing tasks not readily performed by humans. The study highlights the importance of live demonstrations in enhancing trust and acceptance of robotic systems. Its findings have economic implications, as patients may be more likely to choose hospitals offering robot-assisted spine surgery. However, it is essential to also acknowledge alternative methods, such as computer-assisted navigation, which has demonstrated efficacy in spine surgery. Full article

In an optomechanical system (OMS), the dynamics of quantum correlations, e.g., quantum discord, can witness synchronized squeezing between the cavity and mechanical modes. We investigate an OMS driven by two coherent fields, and demonstrate that optimal quantum correlations and squeezing synchronization can be achieved by carefully tuning key parameters: the cavity-laser detunings, loss rates, and the effective coupling ratio between the optomechanical interaction and the amplitude drive. By employing the steady-state solution of the covariance matrix within the Lyapunov framework, we identify the conditions under which squeezing becomes stabilized. Furthermore, we demonstrate that synchronized squeezing of the cavity and mechanical modes can be effectively controlled by tuning the loss ratio between the cavity and mechanical subsystems. Alternatively, in the case where the cavity is driven by a single field, we demonstrate that synchronized squeezing in the conjugate quadratures of the cavity and mechanical modes can still be achieved, provided that the cavity is coupled to a squeezed reservoir. The presence of this engineered reservoir compensates the absent driving field, by injecting directional quantum noise, thereby enabling the emergence of steady-state squeezing correlations between the two modes. A critical aspect of our study reveals how the interplay between dissipative and driven-dispersive squeezing mechanisms governs the system’s bandwidth and robustness against decoherence. Our findings provide a versatile framework for manipulating quantum correlations and squeezing in OMS, with applications in quantum metrology, sensing, and the engineering of nonclassical states. This work advances the understanding of squeezing synchronization and offers new strategies for enhancing quantum-coherent phenomena in dissipative environments. Full article

Quantum mechanics enables the generation of genuine randomness through its intrinsic indeterminacy. In device-independent (DI) and semi-device-independent (SDI) frameworks, randomness generation protocols can further ensure that the output remains secure and unaffected by internal device imperfections, with certification grounded in violations of generalized Bell inequalities. In this work, we propose an SDI randomness expansion protocol using $n\to 1$ parity-oblivious quantum random access code (PO-QRAC), where the presence of true quantum randomness is certified through the violation of a two-dimensional quantum witness. For various values of n, we derive the corresponding maximal expected success probabilities. Notably, for $n=4$, the expected success probability obtained under our protocol exceeds the upper bound reported in prior work. Furthermore, we establish an analytic relationship between the certifiable min-entropy and the quantum witness value, and demonstrate that, for a fixed witness value, PO-QRAC–based protocols certify more randomness than those based on standard QRACs. Among all configurations satisfying the parity-obliviousness constraint, the protocol based on the $3\to 1$ PO-QRAC achieves optimal randomness expansion performance. Full article

In a smart microgrid (SMG) system that deals with unpredictable loads and incorporates fluctuating solar and wind energy, it is crucial to have an efficient method for controlling frequency in order to balance the power between generation and load. In the last decade, cyberattacks have become a growing menace, and SMG systems are commonly targeted by such attacks. This study proposes a framework for the frequency management of an SMG system using an innovative combination of a smart controller (i.e., the Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC)) with three conventional cascaded controllers, including Fractional-Order PI (FOPI), Tilt Integral Fractional Derivative (TID^μ), and Proportional Integral Derivative Acceleration (PIDA). The recently released Eel and Grouper Optimization (EGO) algorithm is used to fine-tune the parameters of the proposed controller. This algorithm was inspired by how eels and groupers work together and find food in marine ecosystems. The Integral Time Squared Error (ITSE) of the frequency fluctuation (ΔF) around the nominal value is used as an objective function for the optimization process. A diesel engine generator (DEG), renewable sources such as wind turbine generators (WTGs), solar photovoltaics (PVs), and storage components such as flywheel energy storage systems (FESSs) and battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are all included in the SMG system. Additionally, electric vehicles (EVs) are also installed. In the beginning, the supremacy of the adopted EGO over the Gradient-Based Optimizer (GBO) and the Smell Agent Optimizer (SAO) can be witnessed by taking into consideration the optimization process of the recommended regulator’s parameters, in addition to the optimum design of the membership functions of the fuzzy logic controller by each of these distinct algorithms. The subsequent phase showcases the superiority of the proposed EGO-based FFOPI-TID^μ-PIDA structure compared to EGO-based conventional structures like PID and EGO-based intelligent structures such as Fuzzy PID (FPID) and Fuzzy PD-(1 + PI) (FPD-(1 + PI)); this is across diverse symmetry operating conditions and in the presence of various cyberattacks that result in a denial of service (DoS) and signal transmission delays. Based on the simulation results from the MATLAB/Simulink R2024b environment, the presented control methodology improves the dynamics of the SMG system by about 99.6% when compared to the other three control methodologies. The fitness function dropped to 0.00069 for the FFOPI-TID^μ-PIDA controller, which is about 200 times lower than the other controllers that were compared. Full article

Background: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting a prospective study to evaluate histological changes in skin and muscle tissues after two weeks of balneotherapeutic intervention, as described in Romanian medical regulations. Methods: Thirty-five patients participated in this study, thirty of whom received balneotherapy (a cold mud ointment or a mud pack, or a mud bath, and/or a salted water bath) and five received hydrotherapy (the witness plot). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Twenty-four hours after discharge, a tegument and muscle biopsy were performed, and fragments were histologically prepared. Results: In the blade evidence analysis, the increased caliber and number of open capillaries and the presence of angiogenesis vessels were statistically significant (p = 0.001 < α = 0.05) for the cold mud ointment and mud pack compared with the witness and mud bath plots. The number of angiogenesis blood vessels was higher in the dermis (p < 0.05 *) with the mud pack plot and in the muscle with the mud cold ointment (p < 0.05). The histological study showed that two weeks of therapeutic intervention produced evidence-based proof in the dermis and muscle tissues, which was persistent at least twenty-four hours after the completion of the balneal course. The results encourage the team to continue the histological approach using modern techniques. Full article

Across the centuries, trees have been recognised as one of the oldest lifeforms on earth, witnessing and subject to the passage of time on a scale that far exceeds human life, telling us who we are in the world. This paper explores the intricate nature of human interactions with trees across a broad chronological and conceptual range, and the cultural, symbolic, and ecological meaning of “iconic” trees, drawing upon a selection of case studies to explore and analyse the relationship between the tree as a living organism and its cultural, textual, and mnemonic meaning. In conducting this, it reflects upon the cultural geographies of presence and absence, and the role of emblematic trees as places of memory and structures of belief. The relationship between human life and the life of trees is shown to be symbiotic; multiple cultural values and symbolic forms are ascribed to trees, and those same trees shape the physical, ecological, and human environment. The social and cultural construction of the landscape and sites of memory is presented as a key component in the formation of narratives and mentalities that define the relationship between humans and iconic trees, material and imagined. Physical, ecological, and cultural erosion, it is suggested, have the capacity of memorialising forgetfulness and creating a space in which the absence of presence and the presence of absence co-exist. The iconic image of the fallen tree, in its presence and absence, exposes the extent to which trees are also human objects, constructed and understood in human terms, and subject to a range of personal, political, and pragmatic impulses. A tree can be iconic not simply because of what it was but because of what it was believed to be, integrating a physical, historical, memory, and ecological or cultural space into our relationship with the natural world. Full article

Marriage is a social contract that carries a number of qualities recognized as having fundamental values. These qualities include a spiritual bond between spouses, mutual love, affection, and responsibility, the continuation of the generation, and the existence of social order. The social definition of marriage implies that it is a phenomenon that occurs not only between two individuals in the context of cultural continuity but also in other social structures. It evolves into a structure that encompasses not only the initial two families but also the broader societal context. In Islamic marriage, a contract is formalized between a man and a woman who meet the religious requirements for marriage. The contract is executed with their consent and in the presence of witnesses. However, from a cultural perspective, marriage embodies a multifaceted structure, influenced by religion, ritual practices, symbols, and traditions. In this study, topics such as oral culture, wedding traditions, and rituals are discussed, and cultural practices are interpreted. This study sheds light on the manner in which marriage rites influence the discourse and actions within the social structure. Such studies are of paramount importance in demonstrating the continuity and vitality of culture, as well as the transformative nature of ritual meanings over time. They underscore the notion that culture is an ever-evolving process of interpretation, a characteristic that is intrinsic to its very essence. These actions, inextricably linked to societal structures, have the potential to give rise to novel symbolic meanings and values at any given juncture. However, it is imperative to recognize that the mere analysis of texts representing oral culture products is insufficient for comprehending their ritual functions, social messages, and emotional dimensions. Consequently, an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates the study of transitional rituals and oral culture is necessary to achieve a more comprehensive understanding. By examining cultural elements from diverse perspectives, we can develop a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of cultural diversity in Anatolia. Full article

The doctrine of deification (or theosis) has seen renewed interest in recent decades within lines of inquiry that extend beyond its traditional association with the Eastern Orthodox tradition. The ascendancy of Tuomo Mannermaa’s Finnish interpretation of Luther—a rereading of the mercurial monk linking his doctrine of justification to deification—was an important catalyst of this turn of events, as it prompted scholars to reexamine the presence of deification–imagery within the intellectual topography of significant Protestant figures. Initially regarded as absent from, alien to, or even contradictory with Western Protestantism, deification is increasingly being recognized as a core feature of biblical soteriology—particularly in relation to articulating the contours of what union with Christ and/or participation in the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4) truly entails. Indeed, several biblical specialists—Michael Gorman, Ben Blackwell, Stephen Finlan, L. Ann Jervis, and others—following the lead of their theologian counterparts, have similarly proposed that deification best characterizes both Pauline and Johannine soteriologies. Although scholars are now exploring how deification operates within the theological frameworks of key Protestants, two significant issues persist within the ever-growing body of literature on the doctrine. The first issue concerns adequately defining deification, as its contours and content differ among individual thinkers and across theological, chronological, and geographic spectrums. Norman Russell aptly recognizes this problem due to his decades-long research tracing the evolution of the concept of deification and notes that the doctrine requires a clear working definition due to entering both mainstream theological traditions—manifesting in diverse forms—and popular spirituality. The lack of a clear definition is directly tied to a second issue—little attention has been given to articulating the doctrine’s practical disciplines and lived experience within theological frameworks external to Eastern Orthodoxy, and more recently, the Western academy. To fill this lacuna in scholarship, we introduce a portrayal of deification advanced by a significant Christian voice from the Global South, Witness Lee (1905–1997), whose theological vision presents a distinctive understanding of the practical experienced of deification called the “God-man living”. Full article

Pastoral supervision and spiritual direction are inherently personal in nature. They reveal a transformative life of spiritual and soul care demanding the formation of theological reflection, healing, guidance, and discernment. Whilst pastoral supervision serves to guide theological reflection on service and mission, spiritual direction facilitates the moments of awakening to the presence and narrative of God’s grace and work in the depths of the soul. Under the light of Catholic Social Teaching, the notions of solidarity and subsidiarity will be pressed into service to unveil a common spiritual–theological foundation animating the roots of both these ministries. To understand the common dynamics of pastoral supervision and spiritual direction, the article develops a spiritual theology to reveal that both ministries, however distinct in practice, share the same incarnational (creative) and redemptive (re-creative) qualities. In other words, they both share the same source, root, origin, or existence in God’s word and grace. This comes to light by learning to pronounce love in truth, a prophetical work of solidarity and subsidiarity, of friendship and sharing orienting integral human development to listen and respond to God’s movement. The actions of solidarity and subsidiarity are rooted in the beatitude of righteousness revealing the little goodness, a work of possibility and responsibility. Such actions serve to transform the time of ministry into spaces of blessing and mystery, of appreciating the sacredness and unknowability of the other with boldness, curiosity and gentleness. The article concludes by showing how both ministries of pastoral supervision and spiritual direction share the spiritual-pastoral appeal to form communities witnessing the little goodness of love in truth. Full article

Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology is a method for identifying specific biological species by monitoring the presence of DNA fragments in the environment. This technology has the capacity to detect a wide range of species, including elusive and cryptic organisms, by analyzing the genetic material in the environment. The advantages of high sensitivity, wide spatial coverage and non-invasiveness provide many opportunities for its application in identifying and monitoring aquatic organisms, improving our ability to detect and quantify biodiversity. Furthermore, eDNA technology can provide an accurate, convenient and standardizable solution for regularly monitoring aquatic ecosystems. The utilization of eDNA in ecology and conservation has witnessed substantial growth in recent years. However, eDNA still faces numerous challenges, including DNA degradation, risk of contamination and the absence of standardized protocols. Nonetheless, the application of eDNA in aquatic ecosystem monitoring holds considerable promise, particularly in light of technological advancements. As technology evolves, the accuracy, scalability and applicability of eDNA in diverse ecosystems are steadily improving. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the application of eDNA technology in aquatic ecosystem monitoring, addressing its technical limitations and potential future developments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) are common, with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) achieved in approximately 25% of patients. However, it remains unknown whether post-ROSC care delivered by a pre-hospital critical care team (CCT) improves patient outcomes. We therefore aimed to investigate this in OHCA patients admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: In this retrospective observational study, consecutive adults with ROSC after non-traumatic OHCA admitted to our ICU between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2022 were included. We compared patients who received post-ROSC care from a CCT to those who received standard care. The primary outcome was a good neurological outcome on hospital discharge (defined as Cerebral Performance Category 1–2). Descriptive statistics, Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) values, and adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) are reported. We constructed multivariable logistic regression models that adjusted for the component variables of the MIRACLE2 score. Results: We included 126 OHCAs (median age 63 years, 69% male), which were largely witnessed (82%), involved bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (87%), and had an initial shockable rhythm (61%). The prevalence of good neurological outcomes was higher in patients who received post-ROSC care from a pre-hospital CCT (37% vs. 17%, p = 0.012). The MIRACLE2 score was a strong predictor of good neurological outcomes (AUC 0.932), and in our multivariable analysis, good neurological outcome was associated with both CCT presence post-ROSC (aOR 3.77, 95% CI 1.02–13.89) and the delivery of PHEA (aOR 4.10, 95% CI 1.10–15.27, p = 0.035). Furthermore, in patients meeting the Utstein criteria (n = 69), good neurological outcomes were also more prevalent with CCT presence post-ROSC (62% vs. 29%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that post-ROSC care delivered by a pre-hospital CCT was associated with good neurological outcomes on hospital discharge. Full article

Salt stress exerts a notable influence on rice’s normal growth and development process. It causes a decline in rice yield, and in certain extreme cases can lead to the complete failure of rice crops. Abscisic acid, also known as S-ABA, may play an important role in regulating rice plant responses to various stressors and promoting crop growth against adversity. In this research, the impact of externally applied S-ABA (0.03% S-ABA, diluted 100 times) on the growth and yield of rice was explored. The experiment made use of the traditional rice variety Huanghuazhan as the test material. The study focused on how S-ABA affected rice at various growth phases under salt-stress conditions. The effects of S-ABA sprayed once (three-leaf/one-heart stage) and twice (three-leaf/one-heart stage, break stage) on the photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant metabolism, membrane lipid peroxidation products, osmotic regulation, and yield of rice under 0.4% NaCl were studied. The experimental outcomes indicated that the presence of salt stress had a restraining effect on the growth of rice. There was a notable decline in the net photosynthetic rate; moreover, the yield was diminished by 26.90%. Salt-induced stress clearly imposed negative impacts on these aspects of rice’s physiological functions and productivity. The exogenous application of S-ABA was highly effective in mitigating the inhibitory influence of salt stress on the growth of rice. When S-ABA was sprayed on two occasions, there was a notable increase in the total chlorophyll content within the rice leaves, ranging from 7.40% to 80.99%. This led to an enhancement in the photosynthetic ability of the plants. Additionally, the growth of rice seedlings was significantly promoted. The activity of antioxidant enzymes also witnessed an upward trend, and the content of soluble protein increased by 0.87–2.60%. The content of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were decreased by 4.18–12.49% and 13.71–52.18%, respectively, the damage to membrane lipid peroxidation was alleviated, and rice yield was increased by 14.84% and 29.29% after spraying S-ABA once or twice under salt stress, respectively. In conclusion, salt stress inhibits the growth and development of rice during grouting and destroys the antioxidant system of the rice plant, thus reducing its yield. Leaf spraying with S-ABA can alleviate the degradation of chlorophyll, enhance the photosynthesis, antioxidant system, and osmotic regulation ability of rice, reduce salt-stress damage, and thus alleviate the yield loss under salt stress to a certain extent. In addition, the regulation effect of two sprayings of S-ABA is better than that of one spraying. The results of this study revealed the physiological regulation mechanism of S-ABA at different growth stages of rice under salt stress, and provided theoretical support for the reduction of salt-stress damage to rice. This suggests that S-ABA has potential applications in the improvement of salt tolerance in rice. Full article

The utilization of covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) as photocatalysts has witnessed rapid advancements in the field of photocatalysis. However, the presence of residual components in certain CTFs materials is widely ignored as regards their influence on photocatalytic performance. In this study, we find that trifluorosulfonic acid (TfOH) molecules stably exist in the amino-functionalized CTF-NH₂ framework, which enhance the affinity for water. The experimental results indicate that the residual TfOH elevates the VB position of CTF-NH₂, facilitating the oxidization of both water and sacrificial agents. Moreover, the present of TfOH accelerates the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers to the Pt cocatalyst. Consequently, CTF-NH₂-F containing residual TfOH molecules demonstrates a significant enhancement in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, achieving about 250 µmol over a duration of 3 h of illumination, which represents a 2.5-fold increase compared to that observed for CTF-NH₂. This research underscores the substantial impact that residues exert on photocatalytic performance. Full article