Search Results (9,530)

We investigate the partial differential equation system which describes the double-diffusion convection phenomena with the reduction formalism. Double-diffusion refers to when two scalar quantities with different diffusivity, such as heat and solute concentration, contribute to density gradients within a fluid under the influence of gravity. The time-dependent self-similar trial function is applied and analytic results are presented for the dynamical variables and analyzed in detail. Additionally, the entropy production was derived as well. In the second part of the study we investigate the role of an additional heat source. Full article

This article explores an interreligious educational initiative jointly developed by the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI) and the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), the “Sixteen Sheets on Judaism,” created to support Catholic religious education in Italian schools. Using a dialogical-hermeneutic methodology within a constructivist qualitative framework, the study applies Hermeneutic Content Analysis to thematically code and interpret the corpus. The analysis shows how the sheets seek to dismantle long-standing stereotypes and theological distortions about Judaism—often still present in educational settings—and to prevent forms of antisemitism by fostering accurate knowledge and mutual respect. Key themes include the Hebrew Scriptures, the Written and Oral Torah, and the Jewish identity of Jesus and Paul. The materials promote mutual recognition and religious literacy through dialogical engagement and the affirmation of Judaism as a living and autonomous tradition. By enabling Jewish self-representation and encouraging theological reciprocity, the sheets exemplify a model of transformative non-formal education. The article positions this case within broader debates on interreligious pedagogy and presents it as a valuable tool for inclusive curriculum design and intercultural citizenship. Full article

Determining appropriate spatio-temporal scales for monitoring migratory shorebirds is challenging. Effective surveys must detect population trends without excessive or insufficient sampling, yet many programs lack formal evaluations of survey effectiveness. Using data from 2012 to 2019 on Louisiana’s barrier islands (Whiskey, west Raccoon, east Raccoon, and Trinity), we assessed how spatial and temporal scales influence population trend inference for piping plovers (Charadrius melodus). Point count data were aggregated to grid sizes from 50 to 200 m and analyzed using Bayesian dynamic occupancy models. We found occupancy and colonization estimates varied by spatial resolution, with space–time autocorrelation common across scales. Smaller islands (east and west Raccoon) yielded higher trend detection power due to better detectability, while larger islands (Trinity and Whiskey) showed lower power. Detectability, more than sampling frequency, drove trend inference. Models incorporating spatial autocorrelation outperformed traditional Frequentist approaches but showed poorer fit at coarser scales. These findings underscore how matching analytical scale to ecological processes and selecting appropriate models can influence predictions. Power analysis revealed that increasing survey frequency may improve inference, especially in low-detectability areas. Overall, our study highlights how careful scale selection, model diagnostics, and survey design can enhance monitoring efficiency and support long-term conservation of migratory shorebirds. Full article

Tibet occupies a central place in the avant-garde narratives of Ma Yuan (b. 1953), whose works significantly advanced the thought liberation movements of the 1980s in the People’s Republic of China. As global interest in the intersection of religion, literature, and cultural identity grows, Ma Yuan’s experimental writings offer a unique lens into the reconfiguration of religious and marginalized narratives in modern Chinese literature. While previous research has focused on his formal and stylistic innovations, this study uncovers how Ma Yuan transforms Buddhist rituals, myths, and customs within Tibetan culture to reexamine the spiritual dimensions of trauma and identity among marginalized groups. By engaging with Tibet as both a cultural reality and a mythological allegory, his narratives explore the interplay between body and soul, sacred and secular, and center and periphery within the late twentieth-century Chinese artistic landscape. This interdisciplinary study highlights how modernist literature reinterprets sacred practices and bridges Tibetan cultural heritage with China’s socio-historical modernization, contributing to broader understandings of cultural and intellectual transformations in the study of religion. Full article

Background: Speckled lentiginous nevus (SLN), also known as nevus spilus (NS), is a variant of congenital melanocytic nevus. Although historically considered to have low malignant potential, recent studies have reported melanoma arising within SLN. This study presents a systematic review of multiple melanomas occurring in association with SLN and includes a representative clinical case. Methods: We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed from 1957 to 2025 using the terms “melanoma” and “nevus spilus” or “speckled lentiginous nevus.” Filters were applied for original reports, case series, and case reports. Studies were selected based on predefined criteria, with data independently extracted by two reviewers. A case of a 66-year-old male with three melanomas (two within and one outside SLN) over nine years is also presented. Because the evidence base consisted almost exclusively of case reports and small series, meta-analysis and formal risk-of-bias assessment were not feasible; findings were therefore synthesized qualitatively. Results: We first describe an illustrative case of a 66-year-old male who developed three melanomas (two within and one outside SLN) over a nine-year period, underscoring the challenges of diagnosis and long-term monitoring. In the systematic review, we identified 41 eligible publications describing 51 patients, and in our illustrative case, we identified a total of 52 with melanoma on SLN; 9/52 (17.3%) developed multiple melanomas (24 total), and in our illustrative case, we identified a total of 52. Most were male (seven of nine), with the first melanoma diagnosed at a mean age of 52.4 years. The majority (21/24) occurred within SLNs ≥5 cm and were of the superficial spreading type (16/17 where specified). Of 24 tumors, 19 (79.2%) were synchronous, and among the 16 invasive melanomas, the mean Breslow thickness was 1.17 mm (median 0.95 mm, IQR 0.56–1.40 mm). Conclusions: Large or segmental SLNs may carry a clinically relevant risk for developing multiple melanomas. Regular full-body skin examinations and dermoscopic monitoring are recommended for early detection and management. As the synthesis is based mainly on case reports and small series, these conclusions are necessarily descriptive and exploratory, providing a qualitative mapping of the available evidence rather than definitive risk estimates. Full article

We formally represent the quantum interference of a single qubit embodied by a photon in the Mach–Zehnder interferometer using the classical Hamiltonian framework but with complex canonical variables. Although all operations on a single qubit can be formally expressed using complex classical Hamiltonian dynamics, we show that the resulting system is still not a proper qubit. The reason for this is that it is not capable of getting entangled to another bona fide qubit and hence it does not have the information-processing capacity of a fully-fledged quantum system. This simple example powerfully illustrates the difficulties faced by hybrid quantum–classical models in accounting for the full range of behaviour of quantum systems. Full article

The literature on youth ministry practices is mostly anecdotal, and empirical research into the practices, goals, and meanings of youth ministry to youth pastors is rare, especially in Australia. In this study, 20 youth pastors in Perth, Western Australia, were interviewed about their goals, priorities, practices, training, and what influenced them. This study forms part of a larger doctoral research project. The interview data were analysed utilising a phenomenological approach, drawing upon Goffman’s framing analysis to examine the link between ‘meaning making’ and explicit and tacit motivations for youth ministry practice. The research found that youth pastors were most often motivated by their personal experiences, influenced by mentors and peers, and sometimes their formal studies. Goffman’s framing was useful for explaining how motivations, influences, and goals shape ‘what’ is happening. The research contributes to knowledge about cross-denominational youth ministry practices with young people and has implications for youth ministry training and the need to support youth pastors’ informal learning through their networks. Full article

Science remains a foundational component of STEM education; however, its impact is constrained by a persistent shortage of qualified science teachers in U.S. high schools, particularly in the discipline of physics. This shortage has led to the widespread placement of teachers without subject-specific degrees or formal teaching credentials in physics classrooms. To mitigate this long-standing challenge, there is a critical need for sustained professional learning opportunities that enhance the content knowledge and pedagogical skills of out-of-field physics teachers. This case study examines the impact of teacher disposition on learning outcomes among participants in a three-year, targeted, and intensive physics professional development (PD) program. Using a qualitative data collection process, this study found that teachers who demonstrated a positive disposition toward the PD program exhibited notable gains in physics content knowledge, adopted student-centered instructional approaches, and reported increased self-efficacy in teaching physics compared to their less positively disposed counterparts. The findings underscore the need to consider and address teacher disposition as a mediating factor in the effectiveness of professional development for educators. The implications highlight the critical role of teacher disposition in shaping their learning outcomes, emphasizing the need to engage educators’ beliefs, motivations, and attitudes within supportive, reflective learning environments. By embedding dispositional awareness into PD frameworks, program designers can enhance and foster more meaningful and sustained teacher benefits. Full article

The end of the conflict in Sierra Leone between 1991 and 2002 provided an important context for exploring the role of peace education in restoring governance, rebuilding institutions, and promoting socio-economic development. Following the civil war, a variety of externally designed peace education programmes were introduced across the country. These included formal programmes integrated into the school curriculum and non-formal initiatives led by stakeholders. This study evaluated these programmes by examining their goals, implementation approaches, and effectiveness in fostering sustainable peace alongside development. The evaluation employed a social constructionist framework, recognising that understandings of peace and education are shaped by historical, social, and cultural factors. Data were gathered through the analysis of documentary sources and semi-structured online interviews with 12 key informants involved in peace education. The findings reveal important insights regarding both the potential of peace education as a developmental tool and its limitations in achieving lasting peace. Key lessons emphasise the critical role of local ownership, cultural relevance, and ongoing support for post-conflict educational interventions. These insights offer valuable guidance for enhancing future peacebuilding and reconstruction efforts in Sierra Leone and other similar post-conflict settings. Full article

This paper examines the impact of symmetry and asymmetry on the dynamic modeling and nonlinear control of a mobile robot with Ackermann steering geometry. A neural network-based residual model is incorporated as a novel control enhancement. This study presents a control-oriented formulation that addresses both idealized symmetric dynamics and real-world asymmetric behaviors caused by actuator imperfections, tire slip, and environmental variability. Using the Euler–Lagrange formalism, the robot’s dynamic equations are derived, and a modular simulation framework is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink R2022a, that incorporates distinct steering and propulsion subsystems. Symmetric elements, such as the structure of the inertia matrix and kinematic constraints, are contrasted with asymmetries introduced through actuator lag, unequal tire stiffness, and nonlinear friction. A residual neural network term is introduced to capture unmodeled dynamics and improve the robustness. The simulation results show that the control strategy, originally developed under symmetric assumptions, remains effective when adapted to systems exhibiting asymmetry, such as actuator delays and tire slip. Explicitly modeling these asymmetries enhances the precision of trajectory tracking and the overall system robustness, particularly in scenarios involving varied terrain and obstacle-rich environments. Full article

In the present work, we consider three branching random walk $S_n\mathsf{Z}\left(\mathsf{t}\right),$$\mathsf{Z}\in \{\mathsf{X},\mathsf{Y},\Phi \}$ on a supercritical random Galton–Watson tree $\partial \mathsf{T}$. We compute the Hausdorff and packing dimensions of the level set ${\mathrm{E}}_{\chi }(\alpha ,\beta )=\left\{\mathsf{t}\in \partial \mathsf{T}:{\lim }_{n\to \infty }{\displaystyle \frac{S_n\mathsf{X}\left(\mathsf{t}\right)}{S_n\mathsf{Y}\left(\mathsf{t}\right)}}=\alpha \mathrm{and}{\lim }_{n\to \infty }{\displaystyle \frac{S_n\mathsf{Y}\left(\mathsf{t}\right)}{n}}=\beta \right\},$ where $\partial \mathsf{T}$ is endowed with random metric using $S_n\Phi \left(\mathsf{t}\right)$. This is achieved by constructing a suitable Mandelbrot measure supported on $\mathrm{E}(\alpha ,\beta )$. In the case where $\Phi =1$, we develop a formalism that parallels Olsen’s framework (for measures) and Peyrière’s framework (for the vectorial case) within our setting. Full article

Two hybrid, entropy-guided node metrics are proposed for the k-hop environment: Entropy-Weighted Redundancy (EWR) and Normalized Entropy Density (NED). The central idea is to couple local Shannon entropy with neighborhood density/redundancy so that structural heterogeneity around a vertex is captured even when classical indices (e.g., degree or clustering) are similar. The metrics are formally defined and shown to be bounded, isomorphism-invariant, and stable under small edge edits. Their behavior is assessed on representative topologies (Erdős–Rényi, Barabási–Albert, Watts–Strogatz, random geometric graphs, and the Zephyr quantum architecture). Across these settings, EWR and NED display predominantly negative correlation with degree and provide information largely orthogonal to standard centralities; vertices with identical degree can differ by factors of two to three in the proposed scores, revealing bridges and heterogeneous regions. These properties indicate utility for vulnerability assessment, topology-aware optimization, and layout heuristics in engineered and quantum networks. Full article

Effective communication between construction sites and engineering or architectural offices is critical to the success of construction projects, particularly in the maintenance of critical infrastructure such as bridges. In scenarios where distance limits the physical presence of specialists, Requests for Information (RFIs) are the primary formal exchange tool. However, issues such as incomplete data, poor quality, or delayed responses often lead to significant project delays. This study proposes a multi-user Virtual Reality (VR) platform to optimize communication workflows in these contexts. Using the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM), an immersive environment was developed to connect up to 20 users simultaneously, integrating BIM models with support for technical details, language, and contextual factors. The tool was validated through a case study focused on the maintenance of a railway bridge, where five real RFIs were simulated. Results show that the immersive experience enhances spatial understanding, improves remote collaboration, and accelerates decision-making. Users highlighted the sense of presence and perceived usefulness, positioning this tool as an effective alternative to overcome communication barriers in geographically distributed infrastructure maintenance. Full article

Background: Adaptogens, commonly used as traditional herbal medicinal products for the relief of symptoms of stress, such as fatigue and exhaustion, belong to a category of physiologically active compounds related to the physiological process of adaptability to stressors. They are used both as pharmaceuticals in medicine and as dietary supplements or nutraceuticals in nutrition, depending on the doses, indications to treat diseases, or support health functions. However, such a dual-faced nature of adaptogens can lead to inconsistencies and contradictory outcomes from Food and Drug regulatory authorities in various countries. Aims: This narrative literature review aimed to (i) specify five steps of pharmacological testing of adaptogens, (ii) identify the sources of inconsistencies in the assessment of evidence the safety, efficacy, and quality of multitarget adaptogenic botanicals, and (iii) propose potential solutions to address some food and drug regulatory issues, specifically adaptogenic botanicals used for prevention and treatment of complex etiology diseases including stress-induced, and aging-related disorders. Overview: This critically oriented narrative review is focused on (i) five steps of pharmacological testing of adaptogens are required in a sequential order, including appropriate in vivo and in vitro models in animals, in vitro model, and mechanisms of action by a proper biochemical assay and molecular biology technique in combination with network pharmacology analysis, and clinical trials in stress-induced and aging-related disorders; (ii) the differences between the requirements for the quality of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements of botanical origin; (iii) progress, trends, pitfalls, and challenges in the adaptogens research; (iv) inadequate assignment of some plants to adaptogens, or insufficient scientific data in case of Eurycoma longifolia; (v) inconsistencies in botanical risk assessments in the case of Withania somnifera. Conclusions: This narrative review highlights the importance of harmonized standards, transparent methodologies, and a balanced, evidence-informed approach to ensure consumers receive effective and safe botanicals. Future perspectives and proposed solutions include (i) establish internationally harmonized guidelines for evaluating botanicals based on their intended use (e.g., pharmaceutical vs. dietary supplement), incorporating traditional use data alongside modern scientific methods; (ii) encourage peer review and transparency in national assessments by mandating public disclosure of methodologies, data sources, and expert affiliations; (iii) create a tiered evidence framework that allows differentiated standards of proof for traditional botanical supplements versus pharmaceutical candidates; (iv) promote international scientific dialogs among regulators, researchers, and industry to develop consensus positions and avoid unilateral bans that may lack scientific rigor; (v) formally recognize adaptogens a category of natural products for prevention stress induced brain fatigue, behavioral, and aging related disorders. Full article

Existing educational leadership research consistently emphasizes the importance of empowering and supporting classroom teachers to develop essential teaching experiences and leadership skills, enabling them to become autonomous curriculum developers and thinkers. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and understanding of distributed pedagogical leadership among Kenyan preservice professional actors in their respective contexts. It also examined the significance and impact of this practice on enhancing and strengthening the teaching and leadership abilities of teacher educators, thereby empowering them as effective pedagogical leaders in the classroom. The study employed a mixed methods design with a convergent parallel approach, using purposive sampling to select 83 participants, including administrative leaders, formal teacher leaders, and teacher educators from five public and private preservice teacher training colleges. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions for qualitative insights, and an online survey for quantitative data. Results show that principals and formal teacher leaders play a key role in empowering teacher educators by distributing pedagogical leadership responsibilities among all professional actors. However, teacher educators felt that the distribution of tasks and responsibilities was uneven, which hindered effective implementation. This study also highlights how employer policies, through principals, influence the distribution of pedagogical leadership responsibilities. Full article