Search Results (591)

Traditional villages are widely recognized as vast cultural treasure troves, characterized by diverse historical elements and distinctive spatial forms. Within this context, historical factors exert varying degrees of influence on spatial configurations, and each type of space preserves a distinct facet of historical memory. Taking Nankou Village in Beijing as a case study, this paper selects three distinct periods as entry points to explore how historical elements affect the spatial morphology of villages through Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression analysis and standard deviation ellipse methods. Under the theories of Halbwachs and Nora, this research analyzes the role of village spaces in the bearing and reshaping of historical memory. It further employs qualitative materials to inversely verify the quantitative results, thereby cross-validating the findings through both quantitative and qualitative perspectives in exploring the interactions between “historical elements” and “spatial morphology”. This integrated approach culminates in the innovative proposal of a “history–space” inter-construction mechanism. The findings reveal that different types of historical elements have significant influences on guiding and reshaping spatial features, exhibiting strong spatial heterogeneity. When multiple historical elements are coupled, the evolution of village morphology shows distinct phases, directions, and expansive characteristics. As these spaces undergo continuous practice, they drive the reconstruction of memory and reinterpretation of historical significance. Ultimately, Nankou Village has developed a unique “history–space” inter-construction mechanism, which uncovers the inherent logic of their ongoing evolution. This mechanism further holds theoretical extrapolative value for other historically and culturally significant villages. This study underscores the importance of integrating research and preservation of intangible cultural elements and physical spaces, providing critical insights into understanding spatial evolution patterns of traditional villages and their influencing factors. Full article

Background/Objectives: International physical activity (PA) questionnaires require a reliability and validity assessment in many countries to understand cross-cultural differences accurately. The current study examined the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the WHO Health Behaviour in School-aged Children PA (HBSC-J) survey in adolescent students in Japan. Methods: The participants were 215 Japanese high school students. The HBSC-J was administered twice to measure reliability. The PA in the last week evaluated using the HBSC-J was compared with the PA evaluated using a triaxial accelerometer to measure the concurrent validity. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for reliability were 0.74 for the number of days, with 60 min/day or more of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). For the days with an MVPA of 60 min/day or more, ICCs were lower for girls (0.63 [0.49–0.74]) than boys (0.82 [0.75–0.87]). Positive correlations were observed between the accelerometry MVPA and the number of days, with at least 60 min/day of MVPA (r = 0.44). Conclusions: The HBSC-J questionnaire should be acceptable for evaluating MVPA in Japanese adolescents, with a reasonable reliability and validity. Full article

This study investigates the effectiveness of virtual simulations in developing intercultural competence (IC) among pre-service teachers in Israel. In the context of cultural diversity and historical conflict, 283 Arab and Jewish students participated in a course utilizing either a 3D virtual world (VW) or video conferencing via Zoom. The mixed-methods research combined quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. Quantitative results showed a modest but significant increase in intercultural competence for both groups, with no significant difference between VW and Zoom platforms. Qualitative findings revealed that while VW participants faced more technical challenges, they also reported more opportunities for empathy development and cross-cultural understanding. Both groups valued the exposure to different cultures and expressed a desire for face-to-face encounters. This study highlights the potential of virtual simulations in fostering IC, emphasizing the importance of collaborative problem-solving and intercultural interaction, regardless of the specific digital platform used. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on technology-mediated intercultural education and offer insights for designing effective virtual learning environments in multicultural contexts. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents the major cause of dementia worldwide, involving different etiopathogenetic mechanisms, but with no definitive cure. The efficacy of new AD drugs is limited by the multifactorial disease nature that involves several targets, but also by the difficult penetration across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) for reaching the target area at therapeutic doses. Thus, the inability of many compounds to efficiently bypass the BBB makes it arduous to treat the disease. Furthermore, the lack of more representative BBB in vitro models than conventional 2D cultures, and xenogeneic animal models that recapitulate AD pathogenesis, makes it even more difficult to develop definitive cures. In this context, microfluidics has emerged as a promising tool, offering advanced strategies for simulating the BBB, investigating its crossing mechanisms, and developing nanocarriers that successfully pass the BBB for brain-targeting, with particular interest in pathological states. The advantages of microfluidic platforms for studying the BBB role in pathophysiological conditions might herald more tailored and effective approaches based on functionalized nanosystems for treating AD. Here, we provide an overview of the latest advances in microfluidic-based technologies both for the synthesis of nanodrug delivery systems, and for developing advanced models of the BBB-on-a-chip to simulate this biological barrier, facing open challenges in AD, and improving our understanding of the disease. Full article

Diabetes mellitus constitutes a significant global public health problem. It is a chronic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, which is a consequence of inadequate insulin secretion, deficient insulin action, or a combination of both factors. A crucial component in the effective management of this pathology is therapeutic adherence, as it helps prevent complications, improve patient quality of life, reduce associated mortality, and decrease the need for hospitalization. In this context, it is crucial to implement a comprehensive care model that offers continuous support and a multidisciplinary approach. Primary care should be central, coordinating the entire care process. Understanding the clinical and social characteristics of people with diabetes is key to guiding more effective interventions. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, degree of metabolic control, and treatment adherence in patients with diabetes mellitus enrolled in primary care programs in Ceuta. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study conducted during the second half of 2024. The study population included individuals enrolled in the primary care diabetes program in Ceuta. We analyzed sociodemographic variables with a self-administered questionnaire, the level of therapeutic adherence using the MMAS-8 scale, and glycemic control through glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. Results: The sample consisted of 370 individuals, with 50.3% being men. The average age was 62.82 years (SD = 13.46). A significant portion of participants, 61.07%, had no formal education or had only received primary education. Additionally, 84.9% of the participants had at least one other associated chronic pathology. Regarding adherence, 36.8% of the patients showed a high level, and for all patients, the mean HbA1c value was 7.5% (SD = 1.55). Furthermore, our analysis revealed statistically significant associations between cultural background and both therapeutic adherence (weak positive correlation: r = 0.213, p ≤ 0.001; multivariate significance: sig: <0.001; Exp(B) = 2.448) and glycemic control (multivariate significance: sig: <0.001; Exp(B) = 2.686). Conclusions: We observed high treatment adherence in the study population, with HbA1c values within the limits recommended by the World Health Organization for older adults. Furthermore, a relationship between cultural background and both treatment adherence and glycemic control was identified. This suggests a need for further research into these and other social determinants, like study level or monthly income, in future studies. Full article

This essay is an analysis of poetry written by Latinx Undocupoets in the United States. It focuses on three contemporary poets—Javier O. Huerta, Yosimar Reyes, and Javier Zamora. The author examines the way these poets navigate borderland identities by cultivating cultural mestizaje to advance a political project, where consciousness-raising and advocating for those who cross or are crossed by borders are the priorities. The author argues that three common themes related to transformation appear in the work of Undocupoets: rebirth, shapeshifting, and activism. These poets transform themselves and their communities by engaging in differential movement and relocating marginalized individuals and communities to positive social locations while portraying them in their full complexity—a postnationalist perspective that manifests itself in a borderlands framework. The author demonstrates how these writers formulate decolonial imaginaries and differential consciousness to relocate migrants and undocumented people to social locations that transcend the negative stereotypes that have historically shaped their identities and lived experiences. Through rebirth, shapeshifting, and activism, Undocupoets enact a form of agency and present new ways of seeing and understanding the migrant experience. Full article

The evolution of agricultural civilization is closely related to the social changes in ancient China, with Fuzhou being home to a large number of traditional granary buildings with distinctive regional characteristics. This study employs field surveys, a literature review, architectural mapping, and comparative analysis to explore whether there is mutual verification between the “room-style” granaries in Fuzhou and related agricultural imagery. The findings reveal that (1) the granary buildings in Fuzhou city generally follow the ancient raised-platform structure and are organically integrated with the local courtyard-style dwellings, forming a unique “room-style” granaries. Their layout and structure not only adapt to the local natural environment but also reflect the ancient craftsmen’s deep understanding of material properties and structural mechanics. (2) The spatial layout and functions of traditional granary buildings have evolved with social changes. Their development has been profoundly influenced by Zhuzi’s granary system and Neo-Confucian thought, gradually forming a hybrid space that combines storage and residential functions, integrating both practicality and esthetics. This evolutionary process not only reflects the flexibility and adaptability of the ancient storage system but also demonstrates the influence of social and cultural factors in shaping architectural space. Currently, there are the following gaps in the research on traditional granaries in Fuzhou City: a lack of analysis on the form and structural patterns of local granary buildings, insufficient cross-verification between documentary records and physical remains, and inadequate research on the construction wisdom of traditional granary buildings. This study provides valuable insights into the research of ancient architectural art, cultural exchange, and regional construction. Full article

The presented findings are derived from the project #STANDFORSOMETHING, coordinated by the European Youth Card Association, funded by the European Parliament, with the aim of thoroughly investigating the perspectives and opinions of European youth regarding the European Union (EU) and its institutions—a historically under-researched cohort—despite their impact on the future policy agenda. The crucial question in this research is to understand the effect of issue salience on the dispositions of citizens towards the EU, whether positive or negative, but also to understand the impact on the development of a European identity or the perseverance of a national identity. This threefold relationship explored in the attitudes of the youth can reveal a behavioral algorithm that can explain the rhythm of European integration on a cultural and political level and its variances across different countries. This collaborative effort involved a quantitative part—a survey with 3000 young respondents from across all EU Member States—and a qualitative part. An advanced comparative data analysis brings forward a significant connection between the youth’s attitudes towards the EU, their sense of European identity, and their major issues of concern. On a cross-national analysis, the EU map is segmented into four distinct behavior patterns across specific geographical zones, underscoring the diversity and depth of youth attitude and issue profiles across Europe, resulting in a specific tool to be used by European policymakers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antigenic drift of influenza A(H1N1pdm09) viruses has led to periodic replacement of vaccine strains. Understanding how structural differences in glycoproteins influence immune protection is crucial for improving vaccine effectiveness. Methods: We conducted a structural analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins from drifted A(H1N1)pdm09 strains: A/South Africa/3626/2008 and A/Guangdong–Maonan/SWL1/2020, as well as their cold-adapted live attenuated vaccine (LAIV) reassortant strains (A/17/South Africa/2013/01(H1N1)pdm09 and A/17/Guangdong–Maonan/2019/211(H1N1)pdm09). We compared their replication in chicken embryo and mammalian cell culture, assessed type I interferon induction, and evaluated post-vaccine protection in mice after homologous and heterogeneous viral challenges. Results: The two vaccine strains had distinct glycosylation patterns for HA and NA. However, they had similar replication capacity in embryonated egg and mammalian cells. In the mouse respiratory tract, both strains replicated similarly. A/17/South Africa/2013/01(H1N1)pdm09 induced significantly higher levels of IFN-α and Mx1 in vitro, and it elicited earlier IgM and IgG response after vaccination in mice. At day 6 after immunization, it provided 70% protection from homologous challenge. A/17/Guangdong–Maonan/2019/211(H1N1)pdm09 did not prevent death, but it reduced viral titer in the lungs. Interestingly, A/17/South Africa/2013/01(H1N1)pdm09 provided full protection from heterologous H5N1 challenge, while A/17/Guangdong–Maonan/2019/211(H1N1)pdm09) only provided partial protection. Conclusions: Differences in HA and NA glycans among A(H1N1)pdm09 strains may influence innate and adaptive immunity, as well as cross-protection. These findings emphasize the importance of glycoprotein structure when selecting vaccine candidates for optimal homologous and cross-protection against influenza. Full article

This article employs the theoretical framework of religious mediatization and a philosophical–anthropological lens to examine how various religious traditions utilize audiovisual media in the digital age to disseminate their faith and transform the religious experience. By comparing representative film and television cases from Christianity, Islam, and Eastern religions, the study analyzes how digital media reconstruct religious narratives, ritual practices, and identity, and facilitate cross-cultural faith exchange in online spaces. The findings indicate that audiovisual media have become a key arena for contemporary religious practice: they reinforce believers’ identity within their tradition while enabling different faith communities to encounter each other’s narratives, generating new understanding and spiritual experiences. Meanwhile, digital media have fostered virtual religious communities and a fan culture reminiscent of “implicit religion” (secular activities imbued with religious-like devotion), challenging traditional religious authority. Finally, from an interdisciplinary perspective, this article reflects on the opportunities and challenges of religious mediatization in the digital era, highlighting how media shape humanity’s quest for meaning and transcendence in a “liquid modernity” context. It also calls for deeper research into interreligious digital communication. Full article

The Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI) is one of the most widely used instruments for assessing burnout in Latin America, and several European countries. Based on a theoretical model, the SBI comprises 20 items distributed across four dimensions: Enthusiasm Toward the Job, Psychological Exhaustion, Indolence, and Guilt. Unlike traditional frameworks, the SBI incorporates guilt as a central factor, providing a more comprehensive understanding of burnout. The present study aimed to validate the French version of the instrument (SBI-FR) in a sample of 373 French teachers. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the adequacy of the four-factor structure with satisfactory fit indices (RMSEA = 0.057, 90% CI, GFI = 0.911, NFI = 0.909, CFI = 0.948, AIC = 451.824). All items showed acceptable psychometric properties, and reliability coefficients were adequate across the four dimensions. These results support the SBI-FR as a valid and reliable tool for assessing burnout among teachers in France. Furthermore, the inclusion of guilt contributes to theoretical advances in the conceptualization of burnout, enabling the distinction between guilt-prone and non-guilt-prone profiles. Overall, this study offers empirical evidence for the cross-cultural applicability of the SBI and highlights its relevance as an alternative instrument for diagnosing burnout, particularly in educational settings. Full article

Air traffic control is widely recognized as one of the most psychologically demanding occupations, where safety and operational performance are tightly interwoven. This study explores the relationship between occupational health and safety (OHS) systems and the psychological well-being of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs), focusing on factors such as perceived safety, job satisfaction, stress, and mental strain. Conducted within the Hellenic Air Navigation Services Provider, the research adopts a cross-sectional design using a structured questionnaire distributed nationwide. The study draws upon the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) theoretical framework to examine how organizational resources, such as training, clarity of role, supervisor support, and employee autonomy, interact with job demands to shape occupational outcomes. Special emphasis is placed on understanding how the presence and awareness of structured OHS systems influence ATCOs’ perceptions of safety and well-being. Our analysis indicated that participants who reported the presence of an OHS system perceived their workplace as significantly safer than those who reported no such system. Hence, the existence of structured measures allows ATCOs to feel confident in their work environment. By assessing a range of psychosocial and organizational variables, this study seeks to contribute to both the academic discourse and practical strategies aimed at improving safety culture and psychological resilience in high-risk work environments. The findings are intended to inform policy development and organizational practices within the air traffic control sector and other safety-critical domains. Full article

This article analyzes how food functions as a cultural and narrative device in Vicente Blasco Ibáñez’s Around the World of a Novelist (1924), offering insight into early-20th-century global encounters as mediated through diet and gastronomy. Framed within literary analysis and food studies, the study focuses on Blasco Ibáñez’s representations of food across Japan, China, India, and the Americas, identifying how culinary practices serve to construct cultural otherness, negotiate identity, and reflect broader ideological frameworks. The methodology involves close textual reading combined with interpretive tools from cultural anthropology and nutritional science, especially regarding traditional versus industrial food systems. The analysis finds that Japanese foodways are portrayed as ritualized and harmonious, Chinese cuisine as ingenious yet unsettling, Indian diets as spiritually driven but materially scarce, and American food systems as abundant and industrialized. Across these accounts, food emerges not merely as sustenance but as a marker of civilization, modernity, and cultural difference. The article concludes that Blasco Ibáñez’s narrative captures a transitional moment in global food history, documenting both the persistence of traditional culinary systems and the rise of industrialized, globalized nutrition, thereby positioning gastronomy as a key lens for understanding travel literature and cross-cultural representation. Full article

Trust and engagement in social commerce are increasingly recognized as critical drivers of consumers’ purchase intentions. This study aims to review the existing literature on consumer trust and engagement in social commerce by identifying the main predictors, examining research trends and gaps, and suggesting clear directions for future studies to better understand and support consumer behavior in this context. The study conducted a systematic literature review and a thematic analysis. The findings showed that four main themes were identified, including technological, organizational, social, and motivational. Under these four themes, eighteen sub-themes were identified. This study is innovative in systematically integrating predictors of consumer trust and engagement into a unified framework that positions trust as a mediator, and in developing a thematically grounded synthesis of four themes and eighteen sub-themes, highlighting underexplored areas such as entertainment and emerging technologies for future research. The studies of consumer trust and engagement are increasing in emerging economies. The study highlights the gaps in the current literature, including inadequate integration across theme categories, insufficient focus on emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, and a lack of examination of cultural and emotional aspects. Future research should deploy longitudinal designs, cross-cultural comparisons, and mixed-methods techniques to address these gaps. This study enhances the comprehension of trust and engagement in social commerce, offering significant insights for platform developers, marketers, and policymakers. Full article

This article examines the “semantic gap” in the digitisation of museum collections—the divide between human-comprehensible representations of artefacts and machine-readable data structures. Drawing on a comparative analysis of national museum databases from Latvia, Estonia, and Finland, the study explores how material objects are transformed into digital surrogates and the challenges of creating interoperable, searchable, and meaningful datasets. Key obstacles include inconsistent metadata standards, linguistic variability, and differences in classification systems, which hinder aggregation and transnational analysis. Case studies of temporal, material, and image-based metadata reveal how human-oriented descriptions—rich in nuance, context, and uncertainty—often resist direct computational translation. The research shows that while digital formats offer powerful opportunities for aggregation, search, and reinterpretation of heritage at scale, this flexibility comes at the cost of reducing object-specific richness. The paper argues that the value, or “aura,” of digitised objects lies in their potential for connectivity and cross-institutional integration, achievable only through metadata standardisation and thoughtful design. Understanding digitisation as a culturally embedded process can help bridge disciplinary perspectives and improve future museum data infrastructures. Full article