Search Results (60)

This article examines the interactions between Wang Yangming’s School of Mind and Daoist traditions, focusing on specific instances of contact, adaptation, and reinterpretation. Drawing on both historically attested events and later hagiographical narratives—treated here as cultural representations rather than literal biographies—the study traces how Wang encountered Daoist religious sites, imagery, and technical vocabulary over the course of his life. Particular attention is given to parallels between Wang’s use of concepts such as liangzhi (innate moral knowledge) and Daoist terms from inner alchemy, as well as his adaptation of practices like stillness-sitting (jingzuo) and the metaphor of “forming the sacred embryo” (jie shengtai). The analysis shows that these elements were selectively reframed within his own intellectual framework, often shifting their emphasis from physical cultivation or longevity to moral and practical self-cultivation. Such a reorientation may have something to do with the Jingming Sect 淨明道. By situating Wang’s reinterpretations within the broader religious and philosophical environment of early sixteenth-century China, the article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of cross-tradition engagement and the circulation of ideas between Confucianism and Daoism. Full article

Recent research in the area of physical literacy has revealed that the early years are a period that has not been well studied. Our research team designed a deductive review with the aim of investigating how preschool children’s physical literacy manifests across affective, physical, cognitive and social domains. The review includes scientific publications from the last four years, which investigate the elements of physical literacy in preschool children: motivation, confidence, motor competence, knowledge, understanding and use of physical activity. The characteristics of the elements were systematised into four domains, affective, physical, cognitive and social, as engagement in physical activities. Results. The majority of the articles explained physical literacy behaviours in 4- to 5-year-old children. The physical domain was most frequently described, mainly including the three basic motor skills of postural stability, object control, and locomotion, as well as physical qualities of movement. The second most frequently described domain was the social domain of the application of physical activities in preschool stages, including the types and amounts of physical activity used in both organised and leisure time. Conclusions. Physical literacy of preschool children is a purposefully organised and guided process, during which a child is given the opportunity to try and apply age-appropriate movement skills, without being limited by the child’s gender, parental attitudes, sporting choices, or the traditions of sport culture. Full article

Specialty coffee commercialization has experienced a consistent upward trend over the past several years. The prevalence of specialty coffee consumption has increased considerably, particularly among younger demographics and people who engage in physical activities. Sellers are actively involved in the development of innovative formulas and modifications to maintain the competitiveness of their product in the market. Here, we propose a naturally infused caffeine drink with cascara extract as an alternative social beverage. This beverage was formulated using extracts derived from Arabica Ethiopia coffee beans and coffee cherry shells. The final cascara-infused caffeine drink comprises a 50% Ethiopian Arabica coffee infusion and a 50% coffee cherry shell infusion. This beverage is characterized by an average caffeine content of 0.28 mg/mL, a caffeic acid content of 0.24 mg/mL, and a chlorogenic acid content of 0.13 mg/mL. Furthermore, 100 mL of the cascara-infused coffee drink is enriched with polyphenol compounds at an amount of 80.6 mg of Gallic Acid Equivalents per liter (mg GAE/L), including 67.6 mg of catechin equivalent per liter (mg CAE/L) flavonoids. The formulation of the infused caffeine drink contains natural sugars such as glucose, sucrose, and fructose, in amounts of 0.17 mg/mL, 0.97 mg/mL, and 1.66 mg/mL, respectively. The developed procedure has the potential to enhance the coffee-sale market. Full article

The “hand-waving sacrifice” is a large-scale sacrificial ceremony with more than 2000 years of history. It was passed down from ancient times by the Tujia ethnic group living in the Wuling Corridor of China, and it integrates religion, sacrifice, dance, drama, and other cultural forms. It primarily consists of two parts: ritual content (inviting gods, offering sacrifices to gods, dancing a hand-waving dance, etc.) and the architectural space that hosts the ritual (hand-waving hall), which together constitute Tujia’s most sacred ritual space and the most representative art and culture symbol. Nonetheless, in existing studies, the hand-waving sacrifice ritual, hand-waving hall architectural space, and hand-waving dance art are often separated as independent research objects, and little attention is paid to the coupling mechanism of the mutual construction of space and ritual in the process of historical development. Moreover, with the acceleration of modernization, the current survival context of the hand-waving sacrifice has undergone drastic changes. On the one hand, the intangible cultural heritage protection policy and the wave of tourism development have pushed it into the public eye and the cultural consumption system. On the other hand, the changes in the social structure of traditional villages have led to the dissolution of the sacredness of ritual space. Therefore, using the interaction of “space-ritual” as a prompt, this research first uses GIS technology to visualize the spatial geographical distribution characteristics and diachronic evolution process of hand-waving halls in six historical periods and then specifically analyzes the sacred construction of hand-waving hall architecture for the hand-waving sacrifice ritual space throughout history, as well as the changing mechanism of the continuous secularization of the hand-waving sacrifice space in contemporary society. Overall, this study reveals a unique path for non-literate ethnic groups to achieve the intergenerational transmission of cultural memory through the collusion of material symbols and physical art practices, as well as the possibility of embedding the hand-waving sacrifice ritual into contemporary spatial practice through symbolic translation and functional extension in the context of social function inheritance and variation. Finally, this study has specific inspirational and reference value for exploring how the traditional culture and art of ethnic minorities can maintain resilience against the tide of modernization. Full article

Microfluidic techniques have emerged as promising, efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly desalination solutions. By utilizing fluid dynamics at the microscale, these techniques offer precise control over chemical, biological, and physical processes, presenting advantages such as reduced energy consumption, miniaturization, portability, and enhanced process control. A significant challenge in scaling microfluidic desalination for macro applications is the disparity in flow rates. Current devices operate at microliters per minute, while practical applications require liters daily. Solutions involve integrating multiple units on a single chip and developing stackable chip designs. Innovative designs, such as 3D microfluidic chips, have shown promise in enhancing scalability. Fouling, particularly in seawater environments, presents another major challenge. Addressing fouling through advanced materials, including graphene and nanomaterials, is critical to improving the efficiency and longevity of devices. Advances in microfluidic device fabrication, such as photo-patterned hydrogel membranes and 3D printing, have increased device complexity and affordability. Hybrid fabrication approaches could further enhance membrane quality and efficiency. Energy consumption remains a concern, necessitating research into more energy-efficient designs and integration with renewable energy sources. This paper explores various electrochemical-based microfluidic desalination methods, including dialysis/electrodialysis, capacitive deionization (CDI)/electrochemical capacitive deionization (ECDI), ion concentration polarization (ICP), and electrochemical desalination (ECD). Full article

Ensuring people’s quality of life (QOL) has become increasingly challenging due to population aging. This study aimed to investigate the QOL among older people and factors associated with it in an urban setting of Central Nepal using the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-OLD) tool. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Central Nepal. The association between QOL and independent variables was first examined using a univariate analysis of variance followed by multiple linear regressions. The mean age of the 366 participants was 70 years (standard deviation [SD]: 8.2 years). The mean of the overall QOL scores was 74.37 (SD: 7.82). Older people who were literate (regression coefficient (β): 1.909; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.771 (1.986, 5.556)), who had an annual household income of NPR 40,000 (Nepalese Rupees) or more (β: 1.909: 95% CI: 0.337, 3.480), who reported health services as accessible (β: 4.019; 95% CI: 0.666, 7.371) and affordable (β: 3.176; 95% CI: 1.327, 5.025), and who reported partaking in physical activity (β: 2.107; 95% CI: 0.607, 3.606) had higher QOL scores compared to their respective counterparts. A holistic model of service using the social determinants of health framework is essential to improve the well-being of older people in Nepal. Full article

This study investigates the determinants of bottled water prices in Saudi Arabia using a hedonic price model, analyzing data collected from nine retail stores in Al-Ahsa Governorate. The analysis of 499 observations reveals that physical attributes, such as bottle size, packaging material (glass and aluminum), non-standard caps, and packaging type (multipack and box), significantly influence the price. Specifically, larger bottles, multipacks, and boxes are associated with lower per-liter prices, while glass and aluminum packaging and non-standard caps command higher prices. Chemical characteristics of bottled water, including total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium, and pH, have a minimal impact, and in some cases, they exhibit a negative influence on prices. Crucially, market dynamics, including the source of origin (imported vs. domestic) and the type of retail store, impact prices significantly. Imported bottled water is priced higher than domestically produced varieties, while products sold in hypermarkets are cheaper than those in other retail stores. Moreover, when analyzing domestic and imported bottled water separately, physical characteristics lose their statistical significance for imported products, and chemical characteristics become irrelevant for domestically produced bottled water. The study highlights the complex interplay of product characteristics and market factors shaping bottled water prices, providing insights for both the bottled water industry and policymakers. Full article

One of the basic features of shamanic rituals cross-culturally in East and Southeast Asia is that the ritual itself is structured as a journey up to the sky, climbing the world mountain or the world tree, or else a journey down to the bottom of the sea and back again. The shamanic retinue is understood to make this journey in person, rather than, as in Daoist ritual, sending divine emissaries up to the highest heavens. The journey is conducted through narrative song and dance, accompanied by strings of bells and lutes. The point of departure is the physical village or village household where the ritual is being conducted, and the journey progresses through a series of well-marked way stations via the temple of the earth god to the higher hills and finally to the villages and markets in the sky, before crossing the heavenly seas and ascending the highest mountain. On the way, demons and other impediments are encountered. The route and way stations vary depending on the purpose of the ritual and the intended divine recipient of offerings and submissions. The present article will explore the route up to the sky and the way stations in more detail, taking a single ritual type as performed by the Pụt and Then ritual practitioners as an example. The Pụt and Then are literate ritual specialists found among the Tày and Nùng peoples in northern Vietnam and southern China, near an area which is known to have been a centre of Brahmanical and Buddhist learning from very early times. Full article

Agroforestry improves the stability and productivity of agro-ecosystems and reduces environmental pressures, making it extremely flexible and useful in a variety of physical and social contexts. This practice is crucial to farmers’ livelihoods on both an ecological and economical level. Using an interview schedule, data were gathered from 170 heads of rural families who were chosen at random. Of the responders, the majority (77.5%) were young (25 to 40 years old). Of those who had completed more than five years of schooling, only 46.7% were literate, while a sizable majority (53.3%) were illiterate. For the vast majority of responders (62.4%), farming was their primary source of income. Given that over 54% of the respondents only owned up to five acres of land, small farming was extremely common. The majority (61.3%) were considered poor with a monthly income of less than PKR 18,000. “good source of fuel wood” was placed at the top (mean = 3.1%) when it came to the effect of agroforestry on the food security of rural households. One of the main obstacles was having a small land holding (mean = 2.52). The majority of respondents believed that the primary benefit of agroforestry was a reduction in soil loss. The amount of land held, income source, and educational attainment all significantly correlated with the perception of poverty. The study found that the best way of sustainably assuring food security in the study area and satisfying rural residents’ needs for food for extended periods of time is to incorporate agroforestry into the current farming system. Full article

This study emphasizes the importance of a teacher’s adaptability in conveying knowledge and the varied interpretations of exercises among educators. While there is an evident difference in how physical education (PE) is approached, the common thread is the motivation and involvement of students. Promoting physical activity and forming associated habits at school has a major impact on a person’s entire life. Students should learn these skills through PE classes led by physically literate teachers. The aim of this study was to determine PE teachers’ physical literacy (PL), their understanding of the concept of PL, and the application of its components in PE classes. In the first phase of the research questionnaire survey of 81 PE teachers, the aim was to determine their physical literacy. In the second phase, observations were conducted to assess which components of PL teachers use during PE classes. In the third phase, a group interview was conducted to determine the opinions of PE teachers on the components of PL and its application. Teachers with a normal BMI and teaching higher grade students (p < 0.05) had significantly higher PL scores than those with a BMI that was too high (p < 0.05). Additionally, correlation analysis (r = −0.247, p < 0.05) showed that as BMI decreased, the PL score increased. Only two aspects of PL are developed during PE classes—competence and motivation. Very little or no elements of knowledge and understanding of physical activities and associated health benefits, and ways to reduce sedentary time and promote daily habits were observed. PE teachers’ interviews revealed that they recognized PL as a holistic concept for the development of a person’s physical abilities and knowledge. PE specialists also suggested teaching methods that could be applied outside of classes and acknowledged shared problems that reduce students’ motivation to move and how to address them. This study highlights the complexity of the concept of PL and reveals many areas for future research: searching for a universal assessment of PL and focusing on the concept of promoting new, creative, less linear ways of assessing and teaching PL. Full article

Kris Martin: Altar/Altering Perspectives Flemish artist Kris Martin’s work exists in relationship to the city of Ghent and his reflection on that city’s medieval past. His pieces that implicitly engage with the Ghent Altarpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck question the position of human beings in both physical and subjective relationships to works of art. They invite viewers, particularly residents of Ghent, to participate in a new narrative of Ghent, one that is framed, sometimes literally, by the layers of Romanesque and Gothic art and architecture and the symbolism and visual language of Flemish Christianity. They reveal his baroque interest in bringing together tradition and a contemporary conceptual ideology and fall somewhere between the theatricality of the carnival and the artificiality of the spectacle. While a few pieces pointedly reference a Flemish Catholic ideology, the medieval manipulation of the public and the direct iconography are missing. Through his manipulation of scale and placement in non-traditional locations, the pieces are open to new readings beyond the emotive and didactic. But, much in the tradition of the Northern Renaissance, they engage the viewer intellectually and ask for introspection. Full article

The experience of bearing witness to the lack of appetite and involuntary weight loss that characterizes cancer anorexia–cachexia syndrome (CACS) is reported to be stressful for family members. Research identifies that family members engage in a wide range of behaviors in response to a relative who shows minimal interest in eating and is literally ‘wasting away’ before their eyes. Some families, though concerned about the symptoms of CACS, do not dwell excessively on the patient’s nutritional intake while others continually harass the patient to eat and petition health care providers for aggressive nutritional interventions to eat in an attempt to stave off further physical deterioration. While studies have detailed how family members respond to a terminally ill relative with CACS, empirical work explicating the explanatory models of CACS that they hold is lacking. Explanatory models (EMs) reflect the beliefs and ideas that families have about why illness and symptoms occur, the extent to which they can be controlled, how they should be treated, and how interventions should be evaluated. To address this gap in the literature, a grounded theory study guided by Kleinman’s Explanatory Model questions was conducted with 25 family members of advanced cancer patients. The core category of ‘Wayfaring’ integrates the key categories of the model and maps onto Kleinman’s questions about CACS onset, etiology, natural course, physiological processes/anatomical structures involved, treatment, and the impacts of disease on patient and family. Findings suggest that a divergence between some biomedical constructions of CACS and explanatory models held by family members may fuel the family–health care provider conflict, thereby providing direction for communication with families about care of the patient with anorexia–cachexia. Full article

The use of agricultural residues in biogas plants is becoming increasingly important, as they represent an efficient and sustainable substrate alternative. Pelletizing straw can have positive effects on transportation, handling, and biogas production. In this study, different grain straw pellets from mobile and stationary pelleting plants in Germany as well as the corresponding untreated straw were characterized and investigated for their suitability for anaerobic digestion (AD). Therefore, tests on the biochemical methane potential (BMP) and the chemical–physical characterization of unpelletized straw and straw pellets were carried out. The characterization of the pellets and the straw revealed a high average total solid content of 91.8% for the industrially produced straw pellets and of 90.8% for the straw. The particle size distribution within the tested pellet samples varied greatly depending on the pelleting process and the pre-treatment of the straw. In addition, a high C/N ratio of 91:1 on average was determined for the straw pellets, whereas the average higher heating value (HHV) content of the pellets was 17.58 MJ kg⁻¹. In the BMP tests, the methane production yields ranged from 260–319 normal liter (NL) CH₄ kg⁻¹ volatile solids (VS) for the straw pellets and between 262 and 289 NL CH₄ kg⁻¹ VS for the unpelletized straw. Overall, pelleting increases the methane yield on average from 274 to 286 NL CH₄ kg⁻¹ VS, which corresponds to an increase in methane yield of 4.3%. Based on the results, the feasibility of using straw pellets for AD could be confirmed, which can facilitate the possibility of increased biogas production from agricultural residues such as straw pellets and thus make the substrate supply more sustainable. Full article

In this study, the qualitative changes in raw birch sap after freezing and thawing were determined. Ten-liter bottles and one-ton plastic containers with six replications were used for the freezing of birch sap and thawing of frozen sap. During and after the thawing, the physical and physical–chemical properties of the sap were measured. According to the results, as the ice melts, the concentration of acids and other soluble substances in the sap decreases, but changes in qualitative indicators indicate the beginning of fermentation processes through color changes and pH as the temperature of the melting sap becomes positive. As a result, to freeze raw sap in large-volume containers, it is necessary to develop fast thawing technology using auxiliary means—circulation, external energy sources, and mechanical ice crushing. Full article

Science is currently becoming aware of the challenges in the understanding of the very root mechanisms of massively parallel computations that are observed in literally all scientific disciplines, ranging from cosmology to physics, chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. This leads us to the main motivation and simultaneously to the central thesis of this review: “Can we design artificial, massively parallel, self-organized, emergent, error-resilient computational environments?” The thesis is solely studied on cellular automata. Initially, an overview of the basic building blocks enabling us to reach this end goal is provided. Important information dealing with this topic is reviewed along with highly expressive animations generated by the open-source, Python, cellular automata software GoL-N24. A large number of simulations along with examples and counter-examples, finalized by a list of the future directions, are giving hints and partial answers to the main thesis. Together, these pose the crucial question of whether there is something deeper beyond the Turing machine theoretical description of massively parallel computing. The perspective, future directions, including applications in robotics and biology of this research, are discussed in the light of known information. Full article