Search Results (1,083)

This article explores the underlying ideas conveyed by the literary representations associated with Luqmān b. ʿĀd and Luqmān the Sage in classical Arabic sources. It avoids conflating them or collapsing all portrayals of Luqmān b. ʿĀd into a single composite figure. At the same time, it resists imposing a rigid dichotomy between these representations, instead examining possible mutual influences and conceptual continuities. To assess the range of divergent Luqmān images in light of the Qurʾānic tradition, the article treats them as manifestations of diverse local and regional narrative currents, woven together within a broader pan-Arabic reservoir of motifs. Full article

Salvia fruticosa, S. officinalis, S. pomifera ssp. pomifera, S. ringens, and S. tomentosa have multiple potential uses in floriculture and the pharmaceutical industry, serving sustainable horticulture and landscaping. The aim was to develop effective asexual propagation protocols for the exploitation of the above species. Thus, the effect of cutting origin, season of cutting collection, and various indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) treatments on rooting stem cuttings was examined. Shoot-tip cuttings were collected either from greenhouse or wild mother plants, in November, February, May, and August and were treated either with Rhizopon dusting powder 0.5% w/w IBA or immersion for 1 min in 0–6000 mg L⁻¹ IBA solution. The cuttings were then placed for rooting in a 1:1 (v/v) peat–perlite substrate, under mist, for 2 weeks and on the greenhouse bench in semi-shade for another 4 weeks. More efficient rooting was succeeded by cuttings, (i) of S. tomentosa, followed by S. fruticosa and S. pomifera ssp. pomifera, while S. officinalis was the most difficult to root, (ii) from greenhouse plants, (iii) collected in autumn or spring, and (iv) treated with Rhizopon dusting powder or 1500 mg L⁻¹ IBA solution. Higher dry weight values of the rooted cuttings were found in autumn. Conclusively, rooting of Salvia spp. cuttings depended on species, mother plants’ physiological state, time of cutting collection, climatic conditions, and auxin application. Full article

Accurately predicting the reception area of the Automatic Identification System (AIS) is critical for ship tracking and anomaly detection, as errors in signal interpretation may lead to incorrect vessel localization and behavior analysis. However, traditional propagation models, whether they are deterministic, empirical, or semi-empirical, face limitations when applied to dynamic environments due to their reliance on detailed atmospheric and terrain inputs. Therefore, to address these challenges, we propose a data-driven approach based on graph neural networks (GNNs) to model AIS reception as a function of environmental and geographic variables. Specifically, inspired by attention mechanisms that power transformers in large language models, our framework employs the SAmple and aggreGatE (GraphSAGE) framework convolutions to aggregate neighborhood features, then combines layer outputs through Jumping Knowledge (JK) with Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM)-derived attention coefficients and integrates an attentional pooling module at the graph-level readout. Moreover, trained on real-world AIS data enriched with terrain and meteorological features, the model captures both local and long-range reception patterns. As a result, it outperforms classical baselines—including ITU-R P.2001 and XGBoost in F1-score and accuracy. Ultimately, this work illustrates the value of deep learning and AIS sensor networks for the detection of positioning anomalies in ship tracking and highlights the potential of data-driven approaches in modeling sensor reception. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to develop an advanced oral delivery platform for Salvia officinalis (S. officinalis) extract by co-encapsulating it with inulin and pectin in alginate-based microbeads, formulated via ionic gelation. Methods: The microbeads were comprehensively characterized, including the assessment of morphology, particle size, encapsulation efficiency, swelling behavior, in vitro dissolution, and enzymatic stability, and Caco-2 cell-based assays for cytocompatibility, permeability, and transepithelial electrical resistance. Antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory effects were also evaluated. Results: The resulting microbeads (~275 µm) achieved > 90% encapsulation efficiency and exhibited pronounced swelling (~90%). The release of S. officinalis constituents displayed pH sensitivity, with sustained release in simulated intestinal fluid, alongside significant enhancement of enzymatic stability. Encapsulation led to markedly improved permeability of bioactive compounds across Caco-2 monolayers, attributable to reversible modulation of tight junctions. Encapsulated extract retained potent antioxidant activity and significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines. The formulation, across various concentrations, further promoted the growth and viability of Lactobacillus strains. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that alginate–inulin–pectin microbeads provide a multifunctional system for stabilizing S. officinalis extract, enabling controlled release, enhanced intestinal absorption, and maintained bioefficacy. Importantly, the formulation also promoted Lactobacillus viability, indicating a prebiotic effect and offering considerable potential for improved oral therapeutic applications. Full article

The global need for tissue and organ transplantation paved the way for plant-based scaffolds as cheap, ethical, and valuable alternatives to synthetic and animal-derived matrices for tissue regeneration. Over the years, the field has outgrown its initial scope, including the development of tissue models, platforms for drug testing and delivery, biosensors, and laboratory-grown meat. In this scoping review, we aimed to shed light on the frequency of the use of different plant matrices, the main techniques for decellularization, the functionalization methods for stimulating mammalian cell attachment, and the main results. To that purpose, we searched the keywords “decellularized” AND “scaffold” AND (“plant” OR “vegetable”) in online-available databases (Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Sage Journals). From the selection and study of 71 articles, we observed a multitude of plant sources and tissues, along with a large and inhomogeneous body of protocols used for decellularization, functionalization and recellularization of plant matrices, which all led to variable results, with different extents of success (mostly in vitro). Since the field of plant-based scaffolds shows high potential for growth in the next few years, driven by emerging biotechnological applications, we conclude that future research should focus on plant sources with low economic and environmental impacts while also pursuing the standardization of the methods involved and a much deeper characterization of the scaffold performance in vivo. Full article

To mitigate the degradation of positioning accuracy in sixth-generation mobile communication systems under dynamic line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions, this paper proposes an improved adaptive Kalman filter positioning method based on Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS)-modulated signals. Firstly, the distance can be measured by using the OTFS-modulated signals transmitted between base stations and nodes. Secondly, the distance information is converted into the distance difference information to establish the time difference of arrival (TDOA) positioning equation, which is preliminarily solved using the Chan algorithm. Thirdly, residuals are calculated based on the preliminary positioning results, dividing the complex environment into distinct regions and adaptively determining corresponding genetic factors for each region. Finally, the selected genetic parameters are substituted into the Sage–Husa adaptive Kalman filter equations to estimate positioning results. The simulation analysis demonstrates that in complex environments featuring both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight conditions, the vehicle motion trajectories estimated using this method more closely approximate actual trajectories. Additionally, both the accuracy and stability of positioning results show significant improvement compared to traditional methods. Full article

Introduction: 3D-printing is an emerging technology in the field of prosthetics, offering advantages such as cost-effectiveness, ease of customization, and improved accessibility. While previous reviews have focused on limited aspects, the aim of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the clinical outcomes of 3D-printed prostheses for both upper and lower limbs. Methods: A search was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines across six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Sage). Studies on 3D-printed prostheses in human rehabilitation that focused on the clinical outcomes of the device were included, while studies lacking clinical data, 3D printing details, or focusing on traditional manufacturing methods were excluded. Finally, the risk of bias was assessed using the modified Downs & Black Checklist. Results: A total of 1420 studies were identified, with 11 meeting the inclusion criteria. The included studies assessed different 3D-printed prosthetic types and upper and lower limb prostheses. The main clinical outcomes analyzed were functional performance, design and material integrity, and overall effectiveness of 3D-printed prostheses. Studies on upper limb prostheses reported improved dexterity, range of motion (ROM), and user satisfaction, despite some durability limitations. Lower limb prostheses showed enhancements in comfort, gait parameters, and customization, particularly in amphibious and partial foot designs. Conclusions: 3D-printed prostheses show potential to improve functional performance, patient satisfaction, fit, and implementation feasibility compared to conventional methods. However, limitations such as small sample sizes, variability in assessment tools, and limited high-quality evidence highlight the need for further research to support broader clinical adoption. Full article

According to the production process requirements of oriented silicon steel in a certain steel mill, optimization of the slag composition ratio is studied through thermodynamic calculations. The CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-FeO-MgO slag system is studied using FactSage thermodynamic software (FactSage 8.1), and a slag optimization plan is proposed based on industrial experiments involving changes in the composition ratio of the slag, calculation and analysis of the melting characteristics of RH refining slag, further verification through orthogonal experiments, and observations of the slag state, temperature, and composition relationship through phase diagrams. This study provides theoretical guidance for finding a suitable slag composition ratio based on the influence of slag on dissolved aluminum in steel liquid. Research has shown that, combined with thermodynamic analysis, slag melting characteristics, component content calculations, and industrial experiments, the range of RH refining slag composition suitable for production in this steel mill is slag in the range of 1.3~1.5 alkalinity, 25~30% Al₂O₃, 5~6% MgO, and 1–2% FeO. Full article

Background: Mongolia is experiencing a rapid epidemiologic transition in which high burdens of micronutrient malnutrition, infection, and cardiometabolic disease are simultaneously prevalent. This cross-sectional study sought to understand how nutritional, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic risk factors are distributed among a population at high-risk for tuberculosis (TB), comprising household contacts (HHCs) and healthcare workers, (HCWs) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and how these factors are associated with TB infection. Methods: A total of 196 HHCs and 241 HCWs were assessed for latent TB infection (LTBI) using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) assay and for diabetes using fingerprick samples for fasting blood glucose. Participants also underwent assessments of their diet and physical activity, nicotine dependence, body mass index, and serum 25(OH)D concentration. We examined associations between assessed risk factors and LTBI using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of LTBI was 47% for both HHCs and HCWs. A total of 54% percent of HHCs and 68% of HCWs had low physical activity levels; 63% of HHCs and 95% of HCWs were overweight or obese; 7% of HHCs and 4% of HCWs had impaired or diabetic fasting blood glucose [FBG]; and 49% of HHCs and 70% of HCWs were vitamin D deficient. In a multivariable analysis of HHCs, LTBI was independently associated with lower serum [25(OH)D], and the odds ratio (OR) was 3.18 (95% CI 1.38–7.79; p = 0.009). In contrast, the probability of LTBI did not differ significantly between vitamin D-deficient and non-deficient HCWs, and the OR was 0.89 (95% CI 0.59–1.37; p = 0.42). In a pooled analysis of HHCs and HCWs, the probability of LTBI did not significantly differ between vitamin D-deficient vs. non-deficient participants. The association between serum [25(OH)D] and LTBI among HHCs and HCWs was significantly modified by fasting blood glucose (FBG), such that a lower vitamin D status was significantly more common among those in the highest tertile of FBG than among those in the lowest tertile of FBG. Conclusions: Nutritional, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic risk factors are highly prevalent among HHCs and HCWs with TB in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. These findings underscore the importance of simultaneously controlling TB infection, malnutrition, and cardiometabolic risks among HHCs and HCWs to reduce the disease burden in Mongolia. Full article

Launching a new institution of higher education requires navigating complex stakeholder relationships while justifying significant public investment. The rarity of successfully launching new postsecondary institutions makes each case a valuable source of insights for higher education leaders seeking to advance institutional innovation. This case study examines how the City University of New York (CUNY) successfully founded Guttman Community College (GCC) in 2012. Using Strategic Academic Research and Development (SARD) as a conceptual framework, we analyze two distinct phases: the founding process (2007–2012) and early operational years. During the founding phase, CUNY’s planning team excavated research-based best practices from leading experts and harnessed local expertise through consultative meetings with community college presidents, administrators, and faculty from across the university. In the operational phase, GCC institutionalized continuous improvement through an advisory board, dedicated Assessment Days, the Academic Assessment & Learning Committee governance structure, and the SAGE (Systematic Approach for Guttman Effectiveness) framework. Despite recent declines following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the college’s initial three-year graduation rate of 49.1% dramatically aaexceeded CUNY’s community college average of 15.9% from the same time period. This case demonstrates how systematic application of SARD principles can guide successful institutional innovation in higher education. Full article

Psychopathy in women remains understudied, particularly regarding the role of early relational experiences such as attachment. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the association between attachment-related factors and psychopathic traits in women. A structured search following PRISMA guidelines across multidisciplinary databases (Scopus-Elsevier^®, ESBCO^®, Pubmed^®, Sage Publishing^®, B-On, and Web of Science-Core Collection^®) yielded 147 articles, of which eight met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies met three to four out of the five methodological quality criteria. Findings indicate that insecure attachment styles are differentially associated with psychopathy. Avoidant attachment is positively linked to callous-unemotional traits, whereas the role of anxious attachment appears more heterogeneous. Some studies associate it with higher levels of affective traits and secondary psychopathy, while others identify it as a negative predictor of callous-unemotional features in women. Avoidant attachment was also negatively correlated with empathy and positively related to maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, particularly among women with secondary psychopathic traits. Negative maternal parenting was associated with elevated psychopathic traits, whereas positive parental involvement acted as a protective factor. Additional predictors included early maladaptive schemas and childhood risk factors such as parental criminality and poor supervision. These findings highlight the relevance of early intervention and attachment-informed approaches in forensic risk assessment, trauma-informed care, and prevention programs targeting women with psychopathic traits. Full article

Background/Objectives: As global aging accelerates, there is a pressing and empirically substantiated demand for integrated and sustainable strategies, as evidenced by the rising prevalence rates of chronic conditions, social isolation, and digital exclusion among older adults worldwide. These factors underscore the urgent need for multidimensional interventions that simultaneously target physical, psychological, and social well-being. The HOPE-FIT (Hybrid Outreach Program for Exercise and Follow-up Integrated Training) model and the SAGE (Senior Active Guided Exercise) program were designed to address this need through a hybrid framework. These programs foster inclusive aging by explicitly bridging digitally underserved groups and mobility-restricted populations into mainstream health promotion systems through tailored exercise, psychosocial support, and smart-home technologies, thereby functioning as a scalable meta-model across healthcare, community, and policy domains. Methods: HOPE-FIT was developed through a formative, multi-phase process grounded in the RE-AIM framework and a Hybrid Type II effectiveness–implementation design. The program combines professional health coaching, home-based and digital exercise routines, Acceptance and Commitment Performance Training (ACPT)-based psychological strategies, and smart-home monitoring technologies. Empirical data from pilot studies, large-scale surveys (N = 1000), and in-depth user evaluations were incorporated to strengthen validity and contextual adaptation. Culturally tailored content and participatory feedback from older adults further informed ecological validity and program refinement. Implementation Strategy/Framework: The theoretical foundation integrates implementation science with behavioral and digital health. The RE-AIM framework guided reach, fidelity, and maintenance planning, while the Hybrid E–I design enabled the concurrent evaluation of effectiveness outcomes and contextual implementation strategies. Institutional partnerships with community centers, public health organizations, and welfare agencies further facilitated the translation of the model into real-world aging contexts. Dissemination Plan: The multi-pronged dissemination strategy includes international symposia, interdisciplinary academic networks, policy briefs, localized community deployment, and secure, authenticated data sharing for reproducibility. This design facilitates evidence-informed policy, empowers practitioners, and advances digital health equity. Ultimately, HOPE-FIT constitutes a scalable and inclusive model that concretely addresses health disparities and promotes active, dignified aging across systems and disciplines. Full article

Network anomaly detection is widely used in network analysis and security prevention, in which reconstruction-based approaches have achieved remarkable results. However, attributed networks exhibit highly nonlinear relationships and time dependence over time, which make the anomalies more complex and ambiguous, resulting in anomaly detection still facing challenges. To this end, this study proposes an adversarial reconstruction framework with spectral-augmented and graph joint embedding for anomaly detection (GAN-SAGE), which integrates an autoencoder (AE) based on the frequency feature enhanced graph transformer (GT) into the generator for generating adversarial networks (GAN), improving network representation through adversarial training. The first stage of the encoding process captures the frequency domain information of the input timing data through spectral-augmented, and the second stage enhances the modeling capability of spatial structure and graph interaction dependency through multi-attribute coupling and GTs. We conducted extensive experiments on AIOps, SWaT and WADI datasets, demonstrating the effectiveness of GAN-SAGE compared to the state-of-the-art method. The detection performance of GAN-SAGE, respectively, improved by an average of 9.64%, 18.73% and 19.79% in terms of F1-score across the three datasets. Full article

The terpeno-heterocyclic molecular hybrids are a new and promising class of modern organic and medicinal chemistry, because their molecules exhibit high and selective biological activity, natural origins, and good biocompatibility, and, usually, they are less toxic. The reported norlabdane-heterocyclic hybrids were synthesized by classical and new, original, and environmentally friendly methods, which include coupling reactions of norlabdane derivatives (such as carboxylic acids, acyl chlorides, or bromides) with individual heterocyclic compounds, as well as heterocyclization reactions of certain norlabdane intermediates like hydrazides, thiosemicarbazones, or hydrazinecarbothioamides. The aforementioned norlabdanes were derived from (+)-sclareolide 2, which is readily obtained from (−)-sclareol 1, a labdane-type diterpenoid extracted from the waste biomass of Clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) that remains after essential oil extraction. All synthesized compounds were tested against various fungal strains and bacterial species, with many exhibiting significant antifungal and antibacterial activity. These findings support the potential application of the synthesized compounds in the treatment of diseases caused by fungi and bacteria. Additionally, the use of plant-based waste materials as starting resources highlights the economic and ecological value of this approach. This review summarizes experimental data on the synthesis and biological activity of norlabdane: diazine, 1,2,4-triazole and carbazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 1,3-thiazole, 1,3-benzothiazole and 1,3-benzimidazole hybrids performed by our research group covering the period from 2013 to the present. Full article

This paper investigates functional identities in superalgebras, building on Wang’s foundational work. We study d-superfree subsets and k-supercommuting maps in prime superalgebras, both with and without superinvolution, introducing new results on symmetric and skew elements. Using SageMath, we computationally verify key properties in the finite-dimensional superalgebra $M_2\left(\mathbb{Q}\right)$, including supercommutators, superinvolutions, and k-supercommuting maps, thereby providing concrete illustrations of the abstract theory. These computations underscore the practical applicability of functional identities in finite-dimensional settings and offer fresh insights into superalgebra structures. Full article