Surgical correction of ear shape and size is a common procedure in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. However, objective reference values for ideal auricular proportions remain limited. To systematically evaluate public perception of ideal ear size using digitally modified full-face images and provide gender-specific aesthetic reference values. 141 dental students assessed a set of 16 male and 16 female clone images with ear sizes ranging from 4.9 to 7.9cm. Participants identified the most and least attractive sizes, as well as thresholds for "too small" and "too large." The most attractive ear sizes were between 5.7 and 6.3cm for male faces and 5.5-6.1cm for female faces, corresponding to approximately one-fourth the height of the head in both sexes. Ears ≥6.5cm were generally perceived as too large. Correlation analyses revealed consistent individual judgment patterns. This is the first systematic analysis to define perceived ideal ear size in full-face views of young Caucasian adults. The findings offer clinically relevant guidance for aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, emphasizing the importance of age- and gender-sensitive planning.

Batik is an Indonesian ancestral heritage in the form of oral and intangible culture that has long been recognized by UNESCO. As time progresses, batik usage has diminished, particularly among the youth who prioritize practical, efficient technology such as QR Codes through the adoption of digitalization and QRIS. On the other side, the limitations of fashion MSMEs in providing information regarding alternative products brought to exhibitions have resulted in buyers not finding products that match their desires, so MSMEs need a product catalog to represent products that cannot be brought to exhibitions. This research attempts to combine batik and QR Codes using the atumics method to create a new product that is relevant to the times. By combining culture and technology, the batik QR Code can be filled with digital information links, one of which can be a digital catalog of fashion MSME products fostered by Rumah BUMN Pekalongan. It is hoped that with this research, batik will have a functional value that is harmonious with its aesthetic value and can provide an additional product alternative for buyers at exhibitions.

The development of contemporary fashion has transformed clothing from a functional necessity into a medium of visual expression that embodies both aesthetic and symbolic values. This study aims to analyze the design characteristics of Jacob Wil as reflected in the evening gown “Viraadhya” through the visualization of corset transparency techniques and velvet fabric texture as key elements in shaping the garment’s aesthetic value. The research employs a qualitative approach using a descriptive-analytical method. Data were collected through visual observation, documentation studies, and literature reviews. The analysis focuses on design aesthetics, garment construction, material texture, and fashion semiotics. The findings indicate that “Viraadhya” successfully represents Jacob Wil’s distinctive design characteristics through the application of a structured mermaid silhouette, the exploration of transparent corset construction, and the combination of velvet and transparent materials that create a visual contrast between strength and softness. The corset transparency technique functions not only as a constructive element but also as an aesthetic strategy that reinforces the garment’s visual identity. Meanwhile, the use of velvet fabric contributes a sense of luxury, drama, and visual depth that supports the overall design narrative. This study demonstrates that the exploration of garment construction and material innovation can serve as an important strategy in establishing visual identity within contemporary evening gown design. Keywords: Corset transparency, velvet fabric, evening gown, Jacob Wil, fashion Design.

ABSTRACT Urban parkettes as green spaces are vital for several landscape values. They are realms for place attachments (PA) through place dependence (PD) and place identity (PI). Growing concern is on dwindling green spaces due to rapid urbanization. Studies that illuminate PA within urban parkettes in the African context are scanty. This exploratory case study on Kigali City’s urban parkettes within the central business district analyzes user perceptions on landscape values, examines the relationship between landscape values and PA, and lastly determines which landscape values are most predictive of PA. A mixed‑method approach with 185 on-site survey respondents, 14 interviews, and field investigation through observations, photography and mapping was used. Findings revealed that air quality and aesthetic values (mean 4.25 and 4.10) are the most important, while economic values (mean 2.50) ranked the least. There was a moderate positive correlation between the landscape values and PD, and a weaker result for PI. The landscape values are statistically significant positive predictors of PD and PI, thus impacting PA. The study concluded that landscape amenities and activities influence attachments to the parkettes. The recommendations are important for policy and practice to prioritize PA metrics in urban landscape place‑making of green spaces.

As a repository of human history and a conduit for culture, heritage buildings represent the primary central focus of heritage conservation. However, the lack of a comprehensive framework for evaluating the cultural value of heritage buildings is a significant challenge. Based on a systematic review of the classification of cultural value in cultural heritage over the past two decades, this study employed face-to-face interviews with ten local shop owners, go-along interviews with ten visitors, and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with five experts in Longxing Ancient Town, Chongqing, China. The interview transcripts were coded and analyzed with NVivo software, the FGD results were analyzed manually, and the weights of the indicators were assigned using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Ultimately, by synthesising the perspectives of various stakeholders, the Cultural Value Evaluation Scale (CVES) for heritage buildings was developed for the first time. This scale, designated as the LHSSA Framework (Local value, Historic value, Sustainability value, Scientific value, Aesthetic value), encompasses five primary indicators and 24 secondary indicators. The scale offers considerable theoretical significance and practical value for the identification of heritage value and the improvement of the heritage value evaluation system.

ABSTRACT Thermal modification is an alternative to enhance the aesthetic and technological attributes of wood. African mahogany (Khaya ivorensis A. Chev.) wood has high commercial value and is gaining increasing presence in the Brazilian market; however, there are still gaps regarding the effects of thermal modification on the quality of wood from young trees. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of heat treatment on the colorimetric and chemical characteristics, as well as the termite resistance, of short-rotation (19-25-year-old) African mahogany wood. Samples derived from sapwood/heartwood and heartwood were subjected to thermal modification (180 °C and 200 °C) and compared to the control (25–30 °C). Color, chemical composition (total extractives, lignin, holocellulose, and ash), and resistance to dry-wood termites (Cryptotermes brevis) and arboreal/soil termites (Nasutitermes corniger) were evaluated. Thermal modification intensified the darkening and color uniformity of the wood, resulting in a relative increase in lignin, extractives, and ash content, and a corresponding reduction in holocellulose. The temperature of 180 °C resulted in better performance against dry-wood termites, but without a pronounced effect against soil termites. Thus, thermal modification is an alternative to increase the aesthetic value and improve the termite resistance of the wood.

The Book of Songs, the first of the Five Classics, is a classic of Chinese culture. It is the first collection of realistic poetry in China and is the glorious starting point of realistic poetry in China. Imagery is the product of the poet’s subjective emotions and objective objects, and is essential for the poet to convey his emotions and meanings. As one of the traditional Chinese cultural texts, The Book of Songs is rich in imagery of animals, plants and cultural relics, containing a rich cultural heritage and carrying the poet’s deep emotions. Relevance theory is arguably the most popular cognitive pragmatics theory in recent years, focusing on human cognition and verbal communication. The purpose of this paper is to explore the study of animal, plant and cultural relic imagery in The Book of Songs based on the translation theory of relevance theory, to show the aesthetic value of the translation, and to promote the recognition of the artistic value of the traditional Chinese cultural texts represented by The Book of Songs and their dissemination to the outside world.

Biodeterioration of building materials by aerophytic green algae is increasingly recognized as a significant factor affecting the aesthetic value and durability of brick and plaster façades, yet the biochemical mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. This study investigates the metabolomic profiles of five algal taxa: Chloroidium saccharophilum PNK010, Klebsormidium nitens PNK013, Bracteacoccus minor PNK015, Diplosphaera chodatii PNK021, and Stichococcus bacillaris PNK040 growing on brick and plaster for a year under laboratory and environmental conditions. Untargeted UHPLC-MS/MS metabolomics, with metabolic pathway and chemical-class enrichment analyses, were used to characterize substrate- and condition-associated metabolic signatures and to detect metabolites potentially involved in material deterioration. The research demonstrated strain-specific and substrate-driven metabolic differentiation. Plaster exhibited higher metabolic heterogeneity and stress-related pathways, whereas brick showed more conserved, growth-associated metabolic profiles. Across taxa, low-molecular-weight organic acids, including citric/isocitric, acetic, and oxalic, were recurrently detected, suggesting their potential involvement in acidification- and metal-complexation-related processes at the algal-mineral interface. Enrichment of flavin nucleotides, carboxylic acids, fatty acyls, and aromatic secondary metabolites further supports the involvement of redox activity, stress adaptation, and biofilm persistence. These findings allow a provisional ranking of the algae based on their potential for geochemical biodeterioration, as follows: PNK010 > PNK040> PNK015 > PNK021> PNK013.

ABSTRACT The colors of cultural heritage are visual characteristics that embody historical and aesthetic values; however, traditional architectural heritage color analysis depends on manual field surveys, limiting efficiency and scalability. Consequently, large-scale heritage sites such as the Ming Great Wall have been perceived as uniformly “gray”, and their artistic value has been underestimated. To address this limitation, this study develops an automated method for analyzing large-scale architectural heritage colors through semantic segmentation and image-based color statistics, using the brick-and-stone sections of the Ming Great Wall in Beijing, Tianjin, and eastern Hebei. A total of 478,143 UAV facade images were collected, and a semantic segmentation dataset was constructed. A training-optimized Mask2Former model was used to segment material components, while K-means clustering and the HSV color model were applied to extract and visualize dominant colors. The model achieved an mIoU of 80.15% and accurately segmented brick and stone materials. The results show that saturated stone materials are predominantly distributed on hollow defense towers. Field verification identified four stone color composition patterns, suggesting links among lithology, construction choices, and component-level color organization. These findings challenge the gray-wall perception of the Ming Great Wall and provide a transferable framework for heritage color analysis, monitoring, and conservation.

Recent advancements in the field of artificial intelligence have driven the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence generated content in the cultural and creative industries, making it a core driver of innovation. However, empirical research on user acceptance of artificial intelligence generated content remains limited. To address this research gap, this study, based on a review of the literature, constructs a four-dimensional analytical framework comprising technical functionality, cultural and aesthetic value, perceived psychological value, and user acceptance. Using structural equation modeling, this study analyzed data from 323 users with experience using artificial intelligence generated content to reveal the underlying relationships among these variables. The results indicate that technical functional experience has a significant positive impact on both user acceptance and cultural aesthetic value; cultural aesthetic value directly enhances psychological perceived value and positively influences user acceptance through a mediating effect; and psychological perceived value has a direct positive effect on user acceptance. The findings of this study provide empirical evidence to help stakeholders in the cultural and creative sector optimize their strategies for applying AI-generated content.

Poa pratensis L. is an important perennial grass that is widely used in seed and sod production for turfgrass establishment. However, its health and aesthetic value are frequently threatened by powdery mildew infection. In this study, the MLO genes of P. pratensis were identified through transcriptome analysis of Kentucky bluegrass in response to Blumeria graminis f. sp. poae. A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, including physicochemical characterization, protein interaction prediction, EggNOG annotation, domain identification, and phylogenetic reconstruction, was conducted. Expression profiling revealed distinct patterns of PpMLO gene expression among varieties with different resistance levels. In this study, 33 PpMLO genes were identified from transcriptome data of under powdery mildew stress. Transmembrane domain analysis revealed that seven PpMLO proteins contain seven transmembrane domains, with leucine being the most abundant amino acid. The protein interaction network suggested a coordinated signaling system involving seven PpMLO proteins and functional proteins from Oryza sativa L. GO analysis revealed that the core members of the PpMLO gene family regulate immune and stress response biological processes by targeting the membrane and endomembrane systems and through molecular functions such as enzyme activities and ubiquitination. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the PpMLO gene family members of P. pratensis clustered in the same group as the homologous MLO genes of Arabidopsis thaliana and O. sativa, suggesting that they may have conserved biological functions in the response to powdery mildew stress. Expression profiling revealed three key candidate genes, PpMLO2, PpMLO13, and PpMLO14, exhibited distinct expression patterns across cultivars with varying resistance levels. In the moderately resistant cultivar 'Taihang', PpMLO2 and PpMLO13 were significantly upregulated (Log2 fold change = 6.31 and 6.21, respectively). In the highly susceptible cultivar 'Explorer', PpMLO13 was moderately upregulated (Log2 fold change = 3.85). In contrast, PpMLO14 was strongly downregulated in the susceptible cultivar 'Black Jack' (Log2 fold change = -6.82). These differential expression patterns indicate that the MLO signaling pathway may adopt distinct regulatory strategies depending on the genetic background of the host. The identification of PpMLO2, PpMLO13, and PpMLO14 as key susceptibility candidates provides clear targets for precision molecular breeding. Targeting these genes through gene silencing or genome editing represents a promising strategy for reducing reliance on chemical fungicides and promoting sustainable green management of powdery mildew in P. pratensis.

This study focuses on integrations of an eco-friendly, cost effectiveness, and safe approach for conservation of historical manuscripts to avoid the risks from utilizing traditional conservation methods and synthetic fungicides, which pose dangerous effects on environment, human health, and materials of historical museums. Therefore, the deterioration aspects of an 11th-century historical manuscript, including its paper and leather binding, were assessed in relation to the influence of the corresponding fungal communities. Photographic documentation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), color changes, and pH values in comparison to a control sample were used to examine the deterioration aspects. Dust, dirt, corrosion, stains, weakness, missing parts, decreasing paper crystal, changing cellulosic band wavenumbers, color change, and acidity were identified as the most degrading elements. Thirteen fungal strains were isolated from the historical manuscript and identified morphologically and molecularly as Aspergillus flavus (five isolates), A. chinensis (one isolate), Penicillium chrysogenum (one isolate), Cladosporium velox (one isolate), Paecilomyces variotii (two isolates), Paecilomyces brunneolus (one isolate), Curvularia tamilnaduensis (one isolate), and Curvularia geniculate (one isolate). These strains showed high activity for producing different hydrolytic enzymes involved in biodeterioration, including cellulase, amylase, gelatinase, and pectinase. The conservation of the historical manuscript against fungal deterioration was achieved using innovative and pioneering environmentally friendly biomaterials: Lactobacillus plantarum extract (100 µg mL⁻¹) followed by green-synthesized TiO₂-NPs (100 µg mL⁻¹). Other conservation techniques, such as cleaning, consolidation, completion of missed parts, and other necessary methods for the studied manuscript, were also applied and revealed the aesthetic value of the manuscript.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-55481-1.

infrastructure, particularly in major cities such as Makassar, which has strong potential to support electric vehicle growth in Eastern Indonesia. However, the availability of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (PEVCS) still needs to be improved to meet users’ functional, comfortable, and sustainable mobility needs. This study aims to design an SPKLU in Makassar City using a futuristic architectural approach, not only as a technical charging facility but also as a building with aesthetic value, strong visual identity, and supporting facilities for users. The method used is a descriptive, qualitative approach with an architectural design focus, conducted through literature reviews, site observation, interviews, spatial needs analysis, circulation analysis, and precedent studies of similar buildings. The design results show that a futuristic architectural approach is applied through dynamic building forms, the use of innovative materials such as stainless steel cladding and recycled plastic sheeting, smart glass applications, charging parking sensor systems, and the utilization of solar panels. The design also provides supporting facilities, including waiting areas, cafes, restaurants, minimarkets, showrooms, workshops, car wash areas, prayer rooms, ATM centers, green open spaces, and gazebos. Therefore, the proposed SPKLU is expected to become a modern, comfortable, and technology-adaptive charging facility that supports Makassar’s image as a sustainable city.

Urban blue spaces provide important ecosystem services (ES), that support health and well-being of city residents. This study examined residents' perceptions of ES provided by managed, semi-managed and low-managed blue spaces and their surroundings in Warsaw, a city dominated by the River Vistula which flows through its centre and is partially unregulated. We conducted a geo-questionnaire, asking respondents to mark their favourite blue spaces and evaluate them for different ES benefits. The data were analysed using cluster, correlation and spatial analysis to identify patterns and synergies among perceived ES. The results revealed five distinct ES clusters, showing synergies among aesthetic, recreational and nature appreciation related values. Managed blue spaces, such as urban parks or promenades, were primarily associated with social bonding, while historical and neighbourhood parks are valued for providing an everyday connection to nature and biodiversity. Low- and semi-managed areas, including vast informal riversides, play an important role in recreation, relaxation, connection to nature, and social bonding. These areas provide similar benefits with minimal interventions, highlighting their potential as Informal Blue Spaces, integral part of urban blue-green infrastructure. The results add to the increasing evidence of the social value of blue spaces and demonstrate how diverse management and investment approaches can support complementary socio-cultural benefits in cities. • Cultural ecosystem services are most valued in Warsaw's blue spaces. • Synergy clusters highlight ecological, recreational, aesthetic and symbolic values. • Blue space types and management intensity shapes perceived benefits. • Informal Blue Spaces provide diverse benefits with low-cost management input. • Findings support integrating diverse blue spaces into urban planning and policy.

The Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station (EEJI), a protected area in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biome, harbors remarkable biodiversity, including diverse bioluminescent species. These organisms, which include beetles, fungi, and dinoflagellates, play essential ecological roles and hold significant potential for conservation-driven ecotourism. This study aimed to document the diversity of bioluminescent species at the EEJI and explore opportunities for sustainable tourism. Field surveys conducted across diverse habitats identified species of bioluminescent beetles, fungi, and dinoflagellates. Lampyridae dominated the beetle diversity, displaying ecological adaptability to forest and coastal environments, respectively. However, threats such as habitat degradation and light pollution pose significant risks. Inspired by models from Mexico and Malaysia, this study proposes sustainable management strategies, including guided night tours, light pollution control, and community-based conservation initiatives. By leveraging the ecological and aesthetic value of bioluminescent species, the EEJI can enhance biodiversity conservation, foster environmental education, and generate sustainable income for local communities.

Enhancement of ecological barrier function based on the nonlinear relationship between environmental factors and ecosystem services, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Addressing the pervasive pain points in contemporary study tours, namely travel without meaningful learning, learning without deep engagement, and the formalistic implementation of aesthetic education, this paper introduces the theories of embodied cognition and value internalization to propose an "Aesthetic Education + Empathy" curriculum model. Taking Harbin Volga Manor as the empirical case study site for study tour research, the findings demonstrate that creating embodied learning contexts such as life empathy, rule-based collaboration, craftsmanship and gratitude can effectively break down the cognitive barriers of traditional aesthetic education. Courses at the manor, including Forest Little Knight and Little Baker, follow the closed-loop logic of sensory perception – emotional resonance – meaning construction, and have successfully facilitated students' internalization of moral and aesthetic values, transitioning from physical space perception to spiritual world cultivation. This study provides a replicable theoretical framework and practical reference for study tour bases aiming to transform into an immersive education paradigm.

Wastra refers to Indonesian traditional textiles, such as batik and Samarinda woven fabrics, which possess historical, aesthetic, and economic value as part of local cultural heritage. Amid increasing environmental issues, particularly water pollution caused by production activities, wastra has the potential not only as a cultural product but also as a communication medium for conveying sustainability values. This study aims to analyze the role of wastra as a medium for ecological education in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Samarinda City, and to understand how symbolic interaction processes shape ecological awareness and practices in wastra production.This research employs a qualitative approach with a case study method focusing on the practice of Samarinda weaving in Kampung Tenun. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with artisans, the Joint Business Group (KUB) Putri Mahakam, batik activists, consumers, and the Department of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and SMEs of Samarinda City. The analysis was conducted using George Herbert Mead’s symbolic interactionism approach as further developed by Herbert Blumer.The findings indicate that the function of wastra as a medium for ecological education has not yet been integrated into promotional communication, such as exhibitions and tourism activities, resulting in only partial or fragmented contributions to the SDGs, particularly SDGs 8, 11, and 12. This study also contributes theoretically through the integration of symbolic interactionism, environmental communication, and the concept of communication fragmentation within the context of local culture.

ABSTRACT A familiar kind of intellectual controversy sees hoaxers submit materials that they consider of low quality to editors, hoping to expose what they view as deficient editorial standards. I offer a defence of this practice. Whereas a common criticism is that their use of deception makes such hoaxes unethical, I argue that authors do not have an obligation to only submit material that they consider truthful or good. Hoaxes can also perform important functions, such as drawing attention to the current state of an academic or artistic discipline. While particular hoaxes can be unethical, when this occurs, it will be due to contingent features of the hoax in question, not because of the core deception that hoaxes as such involve. Not only can properly executed hoaxes uphold their own form of truth-telling, they can exhibit aesthetic values that we associate with authentic works of art, such as originality and skilful performance. However, this latter outcome can occur in ways that the hoaxers did not intend. I illustrate my argument by reference to the Ern Malley and Sokal hoaxes. Although I appeal in places to hoaxes’ potentially positive consequences, my framework is broadly ecumenical rather than consequentialist, in so far as most non-consequential views also give some weight to consequences.

ABSTRACT Lately, the revival of indigenous beliefs and practices has garnered increasing attention from scholars of African religion, policymakers, and administrators. Many of their works contextualized the imperative of this cultural reawakening in terms of cultural identities and in relation to decolonial constructs. This study specifically investigates the revival of the aspect of Oriokpa (masquerade) tradition and how the performance/practice impinges on the rights of others, affecting peaceful coexistence in a plural Nsukka-Igbo society of Nigeria. While recent scholarship highlights the aesthetic, therapeutic, and heritage-preserving values of masquerade revival, little attention has been paid to its ‘dark figure’, the hidden contradictions, abuses, and social frictions that accompany renewed visibility of the Oriokpa masquerade. Drawing from ethnographic insights and scholarly analyses, the paper rethinks revival not as a simple cultural resurgence but as a contested negotiation between sacred ritual, popular spectacle, economic appropriation, and governance. Findings reveal that beyond its role in heritage preservation and cultural tourism, Oriokpa masquerade revival in Nsukka is entangled with issues of violence, gendered harassment, commercialization, and strained relations between custodians, youth groups, and state authorities. The paper argues that understanding masquerade revival in plural Nsukka/Igbo society requires a shift from celebratory narratives to critical, multidimensional perspectives that account for both resilience and disruption. The study advocates the rethinking of the aspects of culture that stress group relations in plural societies.