Search Results (27,617)

From young children to elders in the community, the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence is indiscriminate of age, ability, gender, culture, or status. Many communities continue to wrestle with the pastoral and practical implications of welcoming children into worship as full, distinct participants, yet within the biblical narrative, children are included as full participants in experiencing the Spirit’s gifts and empowerment and encountering God’s dynamic presence. Emerging from the discipline of practical theology and a review of New Testament pneumatology from Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12, this paper argues for the full inclusion of children within the church’s worship life as welcomed, distinct participants. Contributing to the emerging field of children’s spirituality, we offer faith-forming pedagogical practices to engage children in congregational songs as participants and as those filled with the Spirit as leaders. This article contributes to the fields of worship studies and children’s spirituality by exploring hospitable approaches in corporate worship and congregational songs that affirm children’s capacity to lead in distinct ways where their own spirituality is formed alongside that of the congregation. Full article

Many antifungal agents, including isoconazole nitrate (ISN), suffer from low aqueous solubility and inconsistent dissolution kinetics, which limit their therapeutic potential. To address these challenges, this study aimed to enhance the solubility and stability of ISN through the development of inclusion complexes with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). HP-β-CD inclusion complexes were prepared using a spray-drying technique and characterized through phase-solubility studies, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The inclusion complex significantly improved ISN solubility, increasing from 0.5088 mg/mL to 3.6550 mg/mL. These complexes were incorporated into a thermosensitive, mucoadhesive in situ gel system using Pluronic^® F127 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to optimize vaginal drug delivery. The formulations were evaluated for gelation temperature, viscosity, swelling behavior, and pH, confirming their suitability for vaginal application. Antimicrobial studies demonstrated that the ISN/HP-β-CD gels exhibited superior activity against Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C. krusei compared to ISN alone. In vitro release studies further revealed sustained drug release following Peppas-Sahlin kinetics, supporting enhanced bioavailability and prolonged therapeutic action. This study demonstrates that the ISN/HP-β-CD-loaded in situ gel system offers a promising and effective approach for improving the solubility, stability, and antifungal efficacy of ISN for the treatment of vaginal infections. Full article

Successful Education Actions (SEAs) have proven to be key to generating opportunities for vulnerable groups. Building a sustainable future requires ensuring inclusive education that addresses inequalities and fosters social cohesion, aspects that SEAs promote by addressing educational and occupational inclusion. Recent studies underline the effects of SEAs on education and social cohesion. However, their impact on employability development has been insufficiently explored. Therefore, this study presents a systematic review that explores how SEAs contribute to the development of transversal competences that improve the employability of people in vulnerable situations, impacting on three dimensions: individual characteristics, personal circumstances, and contextual factors. PRISMA2020 methodology was used, and 30 empirical articles were analysed. After analysis, the results show that the high social and educational expectations, participation, quality relationships, community engagement, and co-creation promoted by SEAs have a significant impact on the employability of participants. These factors can contribute to more sustainable cities by fostering inclusive and lasting employability. The study systematises the positive effects of SEAs on employability and proposes optimal educational strategies that facilitate informed decisions for managers and policy makers. Full article

Tidal creeks are vital geomorphological features of tidal flats, and their spatial and temporal variations contribute significantly to the preservation of ecological diversity and the spatial evolution of coastal wetlands. Traditional methods, such as manual annotation and machine learning, remain common for tidal creek extraction, but they are slow and inefficient. With increasing data volumes, accurately analyzing tidal creeks over large spatial and temporal scales has become a significant challenge. This study proposes a residual U-Net model that utilizes full-dimensional dynamic convolution to segment tidal creeks in the Yellow River Delta, employing Gaofen-2 satellite images with a resolution of 4 m. The model replaces the traditional convolutions in the residual blocks of the encoder with Omni-dimensional Dynamic Convolution (ODConv), mitigating the loss of fine details and improving segmentation for small targets. Adding coordinate attention (CA) to the Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) module improves target classification and localization in remote sensing images. Including dice coefficients in the focal loss function improves the model’s gradient and tackles class imbalance within the dataset. Furthermore, the inclusion of dice coefficients in the focal loss function improves the gradient of the model and tackles the dataset’s class inequality. The study results indicate that the model attains an F1 score and kappa coefficient exceeding 80% for both mud and salt marsh regions. Comparisons with several semantic segmentation models on the mud marsh tidal creek dataset show that ODU-Net significantly enhances tidal creek segmentation, resolves class imbalance issues, and delivers superior extraction accuracy and stability. Full article

This study focused on 16,101 Cunninghamia lanceolata trees across 133 plots in seven cities of Guangdong Province, China, to develop a comprehensive full growth cycle crown width (CW) model. We systematically analyzed the dynamic characteristics of CW and its multi-scale influencing mechanisms. A binary basic model, with the diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (H) as core predictor variables, effectively reflected tree growth patterns. The inclusion of age groups as dummy variables allowed the model to capture the dynamic changes in CW across different growth stages. Furthermore, the incorporation of a nested two-level nonlinear mixed-effects (NLME) model, accounting for random effects from the forest block- and sample plot-level effects, significantly improved the precision and applicability of the final model (R² = 0.731, RMSE = 0.491). This model quantified both macro- and micro-level effects of region and plot on CW. Our findings showed that the two-level NLME model, incorporating tree age groups, optimally accounted for environmental heterogeneity and tree growth cycles, resulting in the best-fitting statistics. The proposed full growth cycle CW model effectively enhanced the model’s efficiency and predictive accuracy for Cunninghamia lanceolata, providing scientific support for the sustainable management and dynamic monitoring of plantation forests. Full article

This study aimed to improve the solubility of ezetimibe (EZT), which has low aqueous solubility, by preparing complexes using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) derivatives. Phase solubility studies and Job’s plot confirmed a high apparent stability constant for EZT with β-CD and even higher constants with its derivatives, establishing a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. The composites were prepared using spray drying over a range of molar ratios, and their physicochemical properties were evaluated using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Saturation solubility and in vitro dissolution tests revealed that solubility increased with higher CD molar ratios. EZT/RM-β-CD inclusion complexes (ICs) and EZT/DM-β-CD ICs exhibited a similar solubility, which was greater than that of EZT/HP-β-CD ICs and EZT/SBE-β-CD ICs (where RM, DM, HP, and SEB represent H, CH₃, -CH₂-CHOH-CH₃ and -(CH₂)₄-SO₃Na synthetic derivatives, respectively). Most complexes, except for EZT/SBE-β-CD at 1:2 or higher ratios, showed superior solubility compared with EZT powder and commercial products. Molecular docking simulations confirmed EZT inclusion within the CD, revealing hydrogen bonds and binding energies that aligned with solubility trends. These findings suggest that EZT complexes with β-CD derivatives significantly improve solubility, highlighting their potential for developing more effective oral solid formulations for hyperlipidemia treatment. Full article

Background: Acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) is associated with a high risk of epilepsy, a complication linked to poor outcomes. Craniotomy is a known risk factor, with an epilepsy incidence of approximately 25%. This study evaluated radiomic features from preoperative CT scans to predict epilepsy risk in aSDH patients undergoing craniotomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 178 adult aSDH patients treated between 2016 and 2022 identified 64 patients meeting inclusion criteria. Radiomic features (e.g., Feret diameter, elongation, flatness, surface area, and volume) from preoperative CT scans within 24 h of surgery were analyzed alongside clinical factors, including cardiac comorbidities, pupillary response, SOFA score, age, and anticoagulation status. Results: Of the 64 patients, 18 (28%) developed generalized seizures. Univariate analysis showed significant associations with Feret diameter (p = 0.045), elongation (p = 0.005), cardiac comorbidities (p = 0.017), and SOFA score (p = 0.036). ROC analysis showed excellent discriminatory ability for elongation (AUC = 0.82). Multivariate analysis identified elongation as an independent predictor (p = 0.003); elongation ≥ 1.45 increased seizure risk 7.78-fold (OR = 7.778; 95% CI = 1.969–30.723). Conclusions: Radiomic features, particularly elongation, may help predict epilepsy risk in aSDH patients undergoing craniotomy. Prospective validation is needed. Full article

Book banning and laws against discussing so-called “divisive concepts” in the United States are limiting what is read to children in schools, even in places without specific legislation. Books by Black and LGBTQIA+ authors and/or about Black or LGBTQIA+ characters are specific targets of the book banning and censorship efforts. The research reported in this article used a case study approach to explore two teacher candidates’ responses to inclusive children’s picture books and their discussions of the books with students in their classrooms during their practicum. The results indicated that the teacher candidates strongly believed in the value of sharing inclusive children’s literature and effectively utilized open-ended questions to spark critical thinking. However, they found it challenging to follow their students’ leads and build on comments in ways that could have resulted in deeper thinking and understanding. More practice, feedback and reflective opportunities are needed during teacher preparation in actual classrooms to improve teacher candidates’ abilities to conduct interactive read-alouds about topics that feel risky. The findings also highlight the need for schools and mentor teachers to model discussions about inclusive children’s books. Full article

Aleurocanthus spiniferus (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) has rapidly spread, mainly in the central and eastern Mediterranean coastal area, infesting various new host plants alongside known ones. This invasive species poses a significant threat to agricultural ecosystems, necessitating urgent action to monitor and control outbreaks in previously pest-free areas. While entomological and morphological recognitions are crucial for initial detection, challenges often arise in quickly identifying different developmental stages or genus-level distinctions, particularly in surveys conducted by personnel with limited entomological skills. Due to these challenges, a qPCR probe protocol was developed to enhance the diagnostic capacity of laboratories responsible for the territorial control of pests. This biomolecular tool integrates morphological surveys, enabling prompt and reliable proof of A. spiniferus presence in free areas, delimited territories, or during phytosanitary import inspections. The protocol’s high analytical specificity, inclusivity, and exclusivity ensure accurate identification of A. spiniferus, while its low limit of detection and high repeatability and reproducibility reinforce its utility as a standardized diagnostic method. By facilitating prompt and targeted control efforts, this innovative approach strengthens the resilience of agricultural systems against the widespread threat of A. spiniferus infestations. Full article

This study explores the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of CeO₂ nano-fuels, with a particular focus on the influence of nanoparticle additives on the diffusion and thermal conductivity of C14-based fuel systems. Using molecular dynamics simulations and the COMPASS force field, we model the interactions between C14 molecules and CeO₂ nanoparticles, varying nanoparticle size and concentration. Our results reveal that the inclusion of CeO₂ nanoparticles leads to significant enhancements in both thermal conductivity (increasing by 9.8–23.6%) and diffusion coefficients (increasing by approximately 140%) within the 20 °C to 100 °C temperature range. These improvements are attributed to the interactions between nanoparticles and fuel molecules, which facilitate more efficient energy and mass transport. Notably, nanoparticles with smaller sizes (0.2 nm and 0.5 nm) exhibit more pronounced effects on both the thermodynamic and kinetic properties than larger nanoparticle analogs (20 nm and 50 nm). The study also highlights the temperature-dependent nature of these properties, demonstrating that nanoparticle additives enhance the fuel’s thermal stability and diffusion behavior, particularly at elevated temperatures. This work provides valuable insights into the optimization of nano-fuel systems, with potential applications in enhancing the performance and efficiency of diesel combustion and heat transfer processes. Full article

Background /Objectives Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental condition, and symptoms persist into adulthood. Its etiology, though recognized as multifactorial, is still under discussion. Metabolomics helps us to identify pathways associated with functional and structural changes that may be related to symptomatology. This study aimed to characterize potentially altered metabolic pathways and associated biochemical reactions in ADHD. Methods: A scoping review of experimental research was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus using PRISMA ScR. Fifty-five studies were eligible for data extraction, of which fifteen met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Subsequently, the identified metabolites were analyzed in the context of the literature to recognize possible discordant pathways in the disorder. Results: Two groups of relevant neuromodulators of ADHD were found: precursors of monoamines and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The literature was reviewed to discover potential implicated pathways and new metabolites of interest. Conclusions: The study of ADHD biomarkers should focus on measuring precursor, intermediate, and final metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids and monoamines in panels or through untargeted analysis to improve the understanding of the pathology and individualization of treatments. Full article

Teacher preparation programs (TPPs) can equip pre-service teachers (PSTs) with skills to implement evidence-based reading interventions with fidelity by engaging PSTs in carefully designed clinical experiences with feedback via coaching. To individualize support and facilitate a responsive approach to feedback centered on PSTs’ levels of fidelity, first, this study examined the impact of a multilevel coaching intervention on PSTs’ fidelity of implementation of an evidence-based reading intervention during a tutoring clinical experience. Second, this study examined PSTs’ perceptions of the feasibility, effectiveness, and future impact of the multilevel coaching intervention. Results of a single-case, multiple baseline across participants design indicated a functional relation between the multilevel coaching intervention and PSTs’ fidelity, inclusive of both structural and process dimensions. Furthermore, PSTs found the multilevel coaching intervention to be socially valid, indicating the intervention was feasible, effective, and impactful on their future teaching experiences. Major implications for teacher preparation and coaching support include (a) providing PSTs with authentic clinical experiences, inclusive of coaching support, when implementing EBPs; (b) viewing fidelity as a multidimensional construct that can inform coaching support and teacher practices; and (c) enhancing TPPs with experiences that impact PSTs’ perceptions about their own ability to teach reading. Full article

Background/Objectives: This systematic review integrates Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), Educational Neuroscience (EdNeuro), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) to examine their combined impact on optimizing learning environments. It explores how AI-driven adaptive learning systems, informed by neurophysiological insights, enhance personalized education for K-12 students and adult learners. This study emphasizes the role of Electroencephalography (EEG), Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), and other neurophysiological tools in assessing cognitive states and guiding AI-powered interventions to refine instructional strategies dynamically. Methods: This study reviews n = 103 papers related to the integration of principles of CLT with AI and ML in educational settings. It evaluates the progress made in neuroadaptive learning technologies, especially the real-time management of cognitive load, personalized feedback systems, and the multimodal applications of AI. Besides that, this research examines key hurdles such as data privacy, ethical concerns, algorithmic bias, and scalability issues while pinpointing best practices for robust and effective implementation. Results: The results show that AI and ML significantly improve Learning Efficacy due to managing cognitive load automatically, providing personalized instruction, and adapting learning pathways dynamically based on real-time neurophysiological data. Deep Learning models such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) improve classification accuracy, making AI-powered adaptive learning systems more efficient and scalable. Multimodal approaches enhance system robustness by mitigating signal variability and noise-related limitations by combining EEG with fMRI, Electrocardiography (ECG), and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). Despite these advances, practical implementation challenges remain, including ethical considerations, data security risks, and accessibility disparities across learner demographics. Conclusions: AI and ML are epitomes of redefinition potentials that solid ethical frameworks, inclusive design, and scalable methodologies must inform. Future studies will be necessary for refining pre-processing techniques, expanding the variety of datasets, and advancing multimodal neuroadaptive learning for developing high-accuracy, affordable, and ethically responsible AI-driven educational systems. The future of AI-enhanced education should be inclusive, equitable, and effective across various learning populations that would surmount technological limitations and ethical dilemmas. Full article

Background/Objectives: The accurate measurement of corneal epithelial thickness (CET) and pachymetry is essential for diagnosing and managing corneal conditions such as keratoconus and for optimizing outcomes in refractive surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the agreement and repeatability of measurements between two anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) devices—OCT REVO FC 130 and Optovue RTV XR Avanti—in healthy individuals. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional, observational study included 53 healthy participants. High-quality scans were performed using both devices by two trained operators. Agreement between devices was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis and Deming regression, while repeatability and reproducibility were evaluated through intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and test–retest variability (TRT). Results: Both devices demonstrated high repeatability and reproducibility across central and peripheral zones, with ICCs exceeding 0.98 for central pachymetry and stroma measurements. Repeatability and reproducibility were slightly higher for the OCT REVO FC 130 compared to the Optovue RTV XR Avanti, particularly for central measurements. Bland–Altman analysis revealed a mean difference near zero with narrow limits of agreement for most parameters, indicating strong inter-device agreement. Variability in CET measurements was higher, potentially due to the inclusion of tear film in OCT segmentation. Conclusions: The OCT REVO FC 130 and Optovue RTV XR Avanti offer comparable reliability and precision for corneal thickness measurements in healthy eyes, with the REVO demonstrating slightly better repeatability and reproducibility. These findings support the use of either device in clinical practice and research for corneal assessment. Full article

Background: The most effective treatment approach for sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain in spondyloarthropathy (SpA) patients remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of different injective therapies for SIJ pain in SpA patients. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to January 2024. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies in English, including comparative and non-comparative studies, and case series. A meta-analysis was performed on the available data. The “Checklist for Measuring Quality” by Downs and Black was used to evaluate the quality of included papers. Results: A total of 17 studies involving 494 patients were included: 12 prospective case series, 1 retrospective comparative study, 2 prospective comparative studies, and 2 randomized controlled trials. Steroid injections were analyzed in 15 studies, etanercept in 1, and infliximab in 1. A meta-analysis of 375 patients receiving steroid injections showed a significant reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) scores from 8.2 pre-treatment to 3.2 (p < 0.001) at short-term follow-up, with stability at mid-term follow-up (VAS 3.3, p < 0.001) and worsening at the last follow-up (VAS 5.1, p < 0.001). The failure rate was 13% (p = 0.019), and one study reported a 12.5% complication rate. Biologic therapies showed no complications or failures, with improvements in both VAS and BASDAI scores. Conclusions: Intra-articular steroid injections are effective and safe for SIJ pain in SpA patients, although their efficacy diminishes over time, and not all patients respond to treatment. Biologic therapies have shown promising results, but further research is needed to confirm their long-term efficacy. Full article