Human Life Research Articles

Ghosts in the Machine: Kafka and AI

The writings of Franz Kafka open, perhaps precisely because of their temporal distance to our present, a unique window onto the nexus of power, material, and the human that constitutes AI today. Anxiety and Unbehagen [discontent] are states of mind that often grip both Kafka and his characters in an early-20th-century world increasingly dependent upon and perceived through the lens of disembodied communication and technology. But can we draw a line from Kafka’s reflections on analog media to the digital media that have come to dominate our lives in the 21st century, and whose effects are felt on a planetary scale? The short answer is “yes”. In Kafka’s analog world of technological horrors, glitches in the machinic administration of human life turn out to be not bugs, but rather features of the system; precisely the arbitrary effects that accompany the rigid implementation of rules and the slippages that occur during their merciless application enhance the power of the system as a whole. Kafka’s apparatuses and bureaucratic systems, in their powerful and toxic confluence of regularity and opacity, systematicity and arbitrariness, foreshadow the effects of AI upon our embodied existence in the 21st century.

Societal impacts and opportunities of federated learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems have the potential to significantly enhance various aspects of human life, including healthcare, employment, energy management, finance, and creative endeavors. However, the rise of larger, computationally intensive AI models has also led to concerns about their negative societal impacts, such as increasing economic concentration, higher energy emissions, and threats to data privacy. In this paper, we examine the societal implications of a promising machine learning approach called federated learning. We begin by reviewing ongoing research challenges, noting that federated learning is often promoted as a potential solution to mitigate issues of economic concentration, environmental harm, and privacy concerns associated with AI. While federated learning systems hold significant promise, they are currently at an early stage of development and face critical technical challenges, including data leakage risks and high communication costs, which need to be addressed before widespread adoption can occur.

A PUF-Based Secure Authentication and Key Agreement Scheme for the Internet of Drones

The Internet of Drones (IoD) is an emerging industry that offers convenient services for humans due to the high mobility and flexibility of drones. The IoD substantially enhances human life by enabling diverse drone applications across various domains. However, a malicious adversary can attempt security attacks because communication within an IoD environment is conducted through public channels and because drones are vulnerable to physical attacks. In 2023, Sharma et al. proposed a physical unclonable function (PUF)-based authentication and key agreement (AKA) scheme for the IoD. Regrettably, we discover that their scheme cannot prevent impersonation, stolen verifier, and ephemeral secret leakage (ESL) attacks. Moreover, Sharma et al.’s scheme cannot preserve user untraceability and anonymity. In this paper, we propose a secure and lightweight AKA scheme which addresses the shortcomings of Sharma et al.’s scheme. The proposed scheme has resistance against diverse security attacks, including physical capture attacks on drones, by leveraging a PUF. Furthermore, we utilize lightweight operations such as hash function and XOR operation to accommodate the computational constraints of drones. The security of the proposed scheme is rigorously verified, utilizing “Burrows–Abadi–Needham (BAN) logic”, “Real-or-Random (ROR) model”, “Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Application (AVISPA)”, and informal analysis. Additionally, we compare the security properties, computational cost, communication cost, and energy consumption of the proposed scheme with other related works to evaluate performance. As a result, we determine that our scheme is efficient and well suited for the IoD.

Cultural Resilience and Transformation: Real-Time Impact on Lai Haraoba Dance in Manipur

The Lai Haraoba traditional dance holds a pivotal role as a cultural cornerstone in Manipur, Northeast India. This indigenous dance form is a manifestation of artistic perfection, embodying a profound vision of human and social life. Rooted in the rural society of Manipur, this traditional element reflects the realities of daily life. This research aims to investigate the impact of real time life on the creation of Lai Haraoba. Utilizing the dance as a primary source and other culturally relevant Indian dances such as Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi as secondary sources, our study reveals a focus on societal well-being, particularly in the context of agricultural development. Data collection and analysis were conducted in line with defined problems, objectives, and plans, employing a qualitative research method. Our findings illuminate the presence of enduring values within Lai Haraoba, transcending temporal and geographical boundaries. The dance embodies humanist characteristics, emphasizing common humanity, respect for individuality, and the propagation of human values.

Revealing the origin of activity and selectivity in nitrate to ammonia conversion on single transition metal atom catalysts supported by a Ti2NO2 monolayer.

In recent years, the issue of nitrate (NO3-) contamination has become an increasingly severe problem for human life. Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (NH3) is one of the promising strategies to eliminate nitrate contamination. However, the reduction of NO3- to NH3 is a multi-electron process and is susceptible to interference from by-products and competing hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). Introducing a single transition metal (TM) atom onto MXene-based surfaces can alter MXenes' electronic configuration, enhancing their catalytic performance and the Faraday efficiency of the nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR). In this work, we investigated the initial activation mechanisms of nitrate on various TM-modified Ti2NO2 (TM@Ti2NO2) catalysts and their NO3RR performance using first-principles calculations, aiming to select effective NO3RR electrocatalysts. The results indicated that both V@Ti2NO2 and Cr@Ti2NO2 were viable catalysts for NO3RR, showing particular promise for the efficient conversion of NO3- to NH3 at the most favorable limiting potentials of -0.41 V and -0.52 V, respectively. Further electronic structure analysis (density of states, COHP, and the descriptor ψ) confirmed that the single TM atom supported the boost in product selectivity and efficiency of NH3 by acting as an electron "bridge" to strengthen the interaction between NO3- and MXenes. AIMD simulations indicated that V@Ti2NO2 and Cr@Ti2NO2 maintained dynamical stability at the reaction temperature. These findings lay the foundation for a deeper understanding of the initial activation mechanisms and provide fresh theoretical insights into the design of MXene-based electrocatalysts with high NO3RR performance.

Discussions on Human Enhancement Meet Science: A Quantitative Analysis

The analysis of citation flow from a collection of scholarly articles might provide valuable insights into their thematic focus and the genealogy of their main concepts. In this study, we employ a topic model to delineate a subcorpus of 1,360 papers representative of bioethical discussions on enhancing human life. We subsequently conduct an analysis of almost 11,000 references cited in that subcorpus to examine quantitatively, from a bird’s-eye view, the degree of openness of this part of scholarship to the specialized knowledge produced in biosciences. Although almost half of the analyzed references point to journals classified as Natural Science and Engineering (NSE), we do not find strong evidence of the intellectual influence of recent discoveries in biosciences on discussions on human enhancement. We conclude that a large part of the discourse surrounding human enhancement is inflected with “science-fictional habits of mind.” Our findings point to the need for a more science-informed approach in discussions on enhancing human life.

Protective Effect of Carbon Dots Derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza Pretreatment in Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Acute myocardial infarction is an ischemic injury of the myocardium caused by an imbalance in the blood supply to myocardial tissues, which poses a serious threat to human life and health. Oxidative stress has been recognized as a significant contributor to acute myocardial infarction. Salvia miltiorrhiza Carbonisata (SMC) is among the most frequently employed herbal remedies for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction; however, the exact identity of its principal active constituents is not well defined. Research indicates that carbon dots (CDs) exhibit significant biological properties. Consequently, we initially synthesized carbon dots (CDs) from Salvia miltiorrhiza Carbonisata, with the objective of exploring how SMC-CDs mitigate isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. The results showed that the pretreatment with SMC-CDs markedly enhanced compromised cardiac function, mitigated myocardial fibrosis and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, decreased the size of the infarct, and suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of myocardial tissue were enhanced, and oxidative stress caused by free radicals was effectively mitigated by SMC-CDs, which succeeded in reducing levels of myocardial enzymes and elevating the activity of relevant ATPases. This implies that SMC-CDs could be a potential candidate for novel nanomedicine strategies designed to address cardiovascular ailments.

Promote Meaningful Learning About Climate Change Through Games and Ict's, in Students of Grade 8 of An Educational Institution in The Village of La Loma in the Municipality of El Paso in The Department of Cesar -Colombia

Objective: To promote meaningful learning about climate change mitigation through ICTs in students in grade 8 of an educational institution in the village of La Loma in the municipality of El Paso in the Department of Cesar, Colombia. Theoretical Framework: Climate change is considered a global challenge due to its impact on ecosystems, biodiversity and human life. Its mitigation from school age can be promoted through playfulness and the use of ICT, in order to develop social, emotional and technological competencies in students as part of meaningful learning. Method: The paradigm developed was positivist with a quantitative, non-experimental and descriptive approach. It began with a previous diagnosis of knowledge about climate change in 39 students, by means of a validated and reliable questionnaire. Results and Discussion: The students had a moderate knowledge about the phenomenon, so it was necessary to propose dynamic activities that seek to capture the interest of the students, facilitating a participatory and deep learning. Implications of the research: It proposes the design of strategies based on games and ICTs to promote environmental education and contribute to form a school community that is more aware, sensitive and committed to environmental protection. Originality/value: Its contribution is practical, since playful strategies were designed through a web proposal combining playfulness and the use of ICTs, including interactive activities, educational games, readings and digital visualizations to teach key concepts about climate change and its possible solutions.

Determination of Renewable Energy Growth Using Cluster Analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods

Energy plays an important role in both the economic and social development of countries and is a critical factor in human life. The high consumption of fossil fuels in energy production leads to serious environmental problems such as increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that lead to global warming and climate change. Many countries around the world have actively turned to renewable energy or sustainable energy sources in order to cope with the environmental crises caused by climate change. In this study, the renewable energy use performance of OECD countries in terms of sustainable development is evaluated. In the study, 38 countries were divided into three clusters for each year with the 13 variable K-means algorithm for the years 2018–2022. The criteria of the countries in the determined clusters were weighted with the CRITIC (Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation) method for each year during the study period. Countries with weighted criteria were ranked separately for each year within their own clusters using the COPRAS method. With these rankings, it is understood that the biggest share in achieving Türkiye’s “Net Zero 2053” targets among OECD countries is the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Cyclone Idai Disaster in Zimbabwe: A New Testament ethical analysis of Matthew 24:37–39

The ravaging effects of Tropical Cyclone Idai on Zimbabwe’s Eastern border with Mozambique in March 2019 posed a rude awakening for the country to develop strategic disaster management policies. The loss of 340 lives, with many others declared missing, displacement and distress more than 200 and 70 000 people, annihilation of agricultural, educational, health and residential infrastructure, all combined to endorse the need for sustainable disaster risk management strategies in Zimbabwe. Matthew 24:37–39 cast the story of Noah who adopted a disaster response framework in the form of an ark, which was going to float above the floods to prevent loss of fauna and human lives. Through the lens of New Testament Ethical Analysis (NTEA), this article discusses how deployment of ethics of love, selfless service, charity, social responsibility, justice, sharing, care ministry, good neighbourliness, good relationships with self, others, God, environment and climate constitute an effective way of controlling, managing and reducing disaster risks. The article discusses moral exhortations embedded in Matthew 24:37–39 in relation to disaster response frameworks in Zimbabwe.Contribution: The article contributes to the ongoing debate on how biblical ethics can be deployed to the catalogue of disaster management and risk reduction strategies in Zimbabwe and beyond.

A Biological lens on artificial general intelligence and consciousness

The development of artificial intelligence and robotic systems has revolutionized multiple aspects of human life. It is often asked whether artificial general intelligence (AGI) can ever be achieved or whether robots can truly achieve human-like qualities. Our view is that the answer is “no,” because these systems fundamentally differ in their relationship to the ultimate goal of biological systems – reproduction. This perspective gives rise to the conjecture that reproduction, or self-replication, is a prerequisite for human-like (or biological-type) cognition, intelligence, and even consciousness. This paper explores the implications of reproduction as a criterion for the viability of artificial systems, emphasizing how alignment with human reproductive imperatives determines their cultural integration and longevity. We argue that systems incapable of self-replication or co-evolving to complement human reproductive roles are likely to remain peripheral curiosities, with limited societal or evolutionary impact.

Implementasi Metode Utrujah dalam Program Unggulan Takhassus Tahfidz Quran di SDIT Sahabat Quran Talawi Hilir Kota Sawahlunto

The Quran contains the words of Allah, which serve as a guide for Muslims in all aspects of life, as it provides instructions from Allah Swt. to direct the purpose of human life. This study aims to understand and examine the implementation of the Utrujah method in the flagship Tahfidz Quran program at SDIT Sahabat Quran Talawi Hilir, Sawahlunto City. The research uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data sources were gathered from 6 informants, consisting of 1 school principal, 2 Takhasus teachers, and 3 Takhasus students through interviews. All interview results were then analyzed through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing, followed by validation using technique triangulation and source triangulation. The findings of the study indicate that the implementation of the Utrujah method in the flagship Takhasus Tahfidz Quran program at SDIT Sahabat Quran is carried out through planning, implementation, and evaluation. Planning includes preparing Takhasus teachers, Takhasus students, and student learning models. The implementation of the Utrujah method is carried out in three stages: the first stage is the Pra-Alquran, which involves the introduction of hijaiyah letters, followed by the Tahsin stage, which focuses on the improvement of Quranic recitation by applying the materials learned in the Pra-Alquran stage, and concluded with the Tahfidz stage, which is the process of memorizing the Quran with correct recitation. The evaluation results show that the percentage of students achieving their targets is 90%.

Nursing and Pluralism: The Work of Michel Serres.

Nursing theory should reflect the pluralism inherent in nursing practice. Nurses routinely enact different kinds of knowledge in combination to achieve good nursing care. Nursing theoretical and philosophical literature includes many attempts to engage with epistemological pluralism. In this paper, concepts from the work of Michel Serres are introduced as a contribution to the resources available to think pluralistically about nursing. Serres' work is valuable because he is a pluralist thinker, who uses different conceptual tools to explore the complexity of human life, including topology, isomorphism, and the excluded third. Serres' terms are discussed with examples of application to nursing. An extendeddd example of addictions nursing is used to pull together different concepts applied to a complex and multilayered area of practice.

Real-Time Adaptive and Lightweight Anomaly Detection Based on a Chaotic System in Cyber–Physical Systems

When cyber–physical systems (CPSs) are connected to the Internet or other CPSs with connectivity, external adversaries can potentially gain access to the CPS and attempt to control the electronic control units (ECUs). In particular, the lack of confidentiality and integrity in the controller area networks (CANs) of CPSs makes it difficult to distinguish malicious data from legitimate data. The security vulnerabilities of CPSs, which are frequently exposed to adversaries, pose the risk of destabilizing the lives of humans. Therefore, we propose a real-time adaptive and lightweight anomaly detection (RALAD) mechanism that efficiently and securely detects anomalies within a given virtual group though verification of the data integrity and key management of stateless synchronization based on a chaotic system while driving. These characteristics prevent an adversary from authenticating maliciously modified messages even though it captures legitimate messages on the CAN bus. RALAD shows a clear difference from others in terms of (1) its unique secret key-sharing method and approach to secret key generation for each message, (2) safe controlling support after detecting anomalies, and (3) its software-based solution that eliminates the need for hardware secure modules. It leads to freedom from the issues of additional cost, weight, and wiring in CPSs. The proposed method achieves real-time anomaly detection, and the experiment results show a 100% detection rate for all attacks. This demonstrates that RALAD maintains high reliability and efficiency, even under various bus load conditions and attack rates.

Generative artificial intelligence acceptance and artificial intelligence anxiety among university students: the sequential mediating role of attitudes toward artificial intelligence and literacy

Abstract The use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications is increasing in daily life. However, despite its remarkable capabilities, the widespread integration of this technology into all aspects of human life also carries the risk of causing unforeseen psychological difficulties for humanity. For this reason, it is necessary to identify the factors that may particularly affect artificial intelligence anxiety. We examined the sequential mediation effect of AI literacy and attitudes towards AI on the relationship between generative AI acceptance and AI anxiety. The study was conducted with 494 university students (M age = 21.84, SD = 1.24). The research model was designed according to the PROCESS Macro model 80 proposed by Hayes. Data were analyzed using the SPSS v.26 program, Pearson’s correlations, and Hayes’s PROCESS macro method for mediation. The results revealed that AI anxiety has significant relationships with generative AI acceptance, AI literacy, and attitudes toward AI. Indirect effect tests supported the mediating relationship between attitudes toward AI and AI literacy. These results help us understand the underlying mechanism in the relationship between generative AI acceptance and AI anxiety.

A Bio-Redox Dynamic Pickering Emulsion from Nature to Nature.

The biosafety issue of Pickering emulsions has gradually become public. It is shown that the particles that make up Pickering emulsions, previously thought to be non-physiologically toxic, may also pose a potential threat to human life and health, as well as to ecosystems, due to their inherent emulsifying capacity. Hence, the principle of "from nature to nature" is proposed, which refers to emulsifiers that are of natural origin and can be metabolized by natural biological processes to eliminate their emulsifying ability. A feasible pathway by which the natural small molecule, thioctic acid, is exploited for the preparation of Pickering emulsions is also presented. The strategy of calcium ion-induced aggregation and ring-opening polymerization of sodium thioctate is utilized for the preparation of particulate emulsifiers, thus forming stable O/W-type Pickering emulsions. Benefiting from the antioxidant property of the thioctic acid moiety and the transdermal capacity of the emulsion itself, it combines protection of the bioactive substance with transdermal delivery. Furthermore, the particulate emulsifiers that are prepared, abundantly enriched with dynamic disulfide bonds, can be integrated into the natural metabolic pathway, specifically by being reduced through the involved glutathione, thereby facilitating their natural degradation and effectively mitigating any potential biological hazards.

Fluoride in Groundwater of Chhattisgarh: A Comprehensive Review of Health Impacts on Humans, Mitigation Strategies and Sustainable Solutions

Fluorosis is a slowly progressing and often neglected disease that poses great health challenges by gradually affecting the human body. Although fluoride toxicity is theoretically reversible, such slow progression leaves with few choices of cure for these side effects, making prevention crucial. Inequitable access to safe sources of drinking water has worsened the prevalence of dental fluorosis, especially in regions where the concentration of fluoride in water is high. This review discusses the association between fluoride exposure, dental fluorosis, and skeletal fluorosis, bringing together an elaborate study of the negative effects that fluoride has on the human body. Skeletal fluorosis is one of the conditions that have received much attention lately. It remains the central theme in this study, which provides information about the latest discoveries made on this condition, detailing its prevalence, health effects, and the course it takes. It also reviews the latest developments in the prevention of fluorosis: new and cheap fluoride removal technologies and mitigation techniques. The conclusions are meant to stimulate further studies on the treatments of fluorosis and on ways to provide clean drinking water inexpensively and sustainably. Fluoride contamination of water is driven by geochemical reactions and natural as well as anthropogenic activities. Although fluoride is necessary for health, quantities over 1.5 mg L⁻¹ are toxic, and prolonged exposure through water has severe health effects, including skeletal fluorosis and oxidative damage to vital organs such as kidneys, the brain, thyroid gland, and liver. The review shows the need of prevention and intervention while shedding light on the multifaceted impacts from fluoride toxicity. By focusing on fluoride pollution, the article aims at unravelling the burden on human health and global water security in safeguarding human lives.

A Blockchain-based Landslide Mitigation Recommendation System for Decision-Making

Landslides are catastrophic natural disasters that could threaten the structural integrity of a building, imposing hazards to engineering and human life. This study proposes a TOPSIS landslide disaster mitigation recommendation system integrated with blockchain. New approaches to data provenance, transparency, and informed decision-making are explored in the context of geospatial blockchain. The decision-making process is carried out using the multicriteria evaluation method, which considers soil stability, rainfall, vegetation density, proximity to rivers, and slope. The results yielded promising precision, recall, accuracy, and F1 scores (91%, 93%, 95%, and 95%, respectively), suggesting that the model could make accurate and impartial prioritization predictions. Blockchain ensures data transparency, immutability, and security, and TOPSIS ranks mitigation strategies from worst to best to determine the better solution. The proposed approach is essential to predict regions that are prone to landslides and enables the appropriate management of relaxation measures. This application of blockchain technology can provide trust, reliability, and speed in decision-making while reducing landslides.

Role of Parents and Teachers in Supporting a Child’s Growth and Learning: Aurobindonian Perspective

Children are mostly guided by their parents and teachers. The problem lies in the fact that parents and teachers have their own deficiencies which are transferred to their children consciously or unconsciously. Our way of upbringing may nurture or spoil the possibilities within a child. Sri Aurobindo and the Mother have envisaged a new world upon this earth which will be led by the Divine Consciousness. They have shown the ways to prepare ourselves for a better tomorrow. The childhood is the most important period of human life. The personality begins to build up and take shape with habits. If good habits are instilled at this stage, they become very natural with the child. The aim of this life is to walk on the path of discovering the inner truth, the Divine within. In this context, the role of parents and teachers bears immense significance. In order to be a good guide, they need to be the living examples of the ideals they teach. A child is a little scientist. He discovers the world through investigation and experiment. This trait must be nurtured by the parents and the teachers. By instilling good habits, giving freedom to explore, creating a conducing learning-atmosphere, helping the child strengthen the contact with his real self, parents and teachers can fulfill their role most effectively and meaningfully.

Characterization and Health Risks of Groundwater Hydrochemistry in the Upper Weihe River Basin

Groundwater is a vital and invaluable resource on our planet, serving as a critical water supply for human life, industrial activities, and agricultural production. It plays a pivotal role in sustaining human existence and driving societal progress. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the hydrochemical characteristics and controlling factors of groundwater in the Upper Weihe River (UWR) using statistical analysis, Piper diagrams, Gibbs diagrams, correlation analysis, and ion ratio analysis. To evaluate the suitability of the regional groundwater for potable use, we employed the entropy weight water quality index (EWQI). Additionally, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and percentage of soluble sodium (Na%) were utilized to evaluate the groundwater’s adaptability to irrigation. Furthermore, this study also assessed the health risks faced by adults and children in the UWR. The findings indicate that the main cations and anions in groundwater are Ca2+ and HCO3−, respectively. The hydrochemical types are predominantly HCO3-Ca, Cl-Ca, and mixed types. The composition of groundwater is primarily influenced by the dissolution of silicate and carbonate minerals, with cation exchange also playing a significant role in shaping its hydrochemical characteristics. The water quality assessment indicates that the majority of groundwater in UWR is classified as “excellent” or “good”, rendering it suitable for human consumption. However, 7.17% of the water samples were of poor quality and unsuitable for drinking; these were primarily located in a few areas in the northern and western parts of the study area. Regarding irrigation, 94.83% of the groundwater is deemed very suitable; however, a small fraction is not appropriate for such use. Additionally, non-carcinogenic risks are generally higher across most parts of the study area for both children and adults, with children exhibiting significantly higher risks than adults. These findings offer crucial insights regarding the sustainable management and environmental conservation of groundwater resources in the UWR.