Search Results (260)

This study employs social network analysis to illuminate the intricate relationships within Daoist exorcism rituals from the Southern Song to the Yuan dynasty, as documented in two pivotal compilations: Pearls Left Behind from the Sea of Ritual (Fahai Yizhu 法海遺珠) and Collected Essentials of Daoist Methods (Daofa Huiyuan 道法會元). While previous scholarship focused on individual rituals or generals using traditional document analysis, this article introduces a novel digital humanities methodology. By treating the Daoist generals summoned in these rituals as network nodes, we map and analyze their co-occurrence patterns, offering a comprehensive understanding of the evolving ritual landscape. Our analysis reveals a significant expansion in the scale of exorcism rituals from Fahai Yizhu to Daofa Huiyuan, indicating a shift from concise manuals to more systematic frameworks with clearer factional organization. Specifically, the Great Demon-Subjugating Ritual of Shangqing Tianpeng (Shangqing Tianpeng Fumu Dafa 上清天蓬伏魔大法) and various Marshal Zhao exorcism rituals exhibit the largest scales, reflecting the widespread popularity of Heavenly Commander Tianpeng (Tianpeng 天蓬) beliefs and Marshal Zhao’s capacity to integrate diverse pantheons, including local deities, plague gods, thunder generals, and “rampant soldiers” (changing 猖兵). Key figures like Yin Jiao (殷郊), Zhao Gongming (趙公明), Zhang Yuanbo (張元伯), Ma Sheng (馬勝), Deng Bowen (鄧伯溫), and Guan Yu (關羽) demonstrate high centrality. Notably, Ma Sheng, Zhao Gongming (趙公明), and Guan Yu (關羽) play increasingly pivotal roles in Daofa Huiyuan, while Zhang Yuanbo (張元伯) and Song Wuji (宋無忌) experience hierarchical reversals, suggesting an augmented importance of local deities after the Southern Song. This pioneering SNA application offers a robust framework for understanding these complex interconnections. Full article

The Adriatic–Ionian region is seismically very active and poses a major challenge for risk mitigation. Each country has developed laws, standards, and techniques to reduce seismic vulnerability. The ADRISEISMIC project created a database of existing regulatory and incentive frameworks, based on a comprehensive study conducted in six countries. The study covered seismic norms, building regulations, urban planning regulations, incentive frameworks, and post-earthquake planning. A comparative matrix was developed in which key parameters, such as year of issuance, references to EU regulations, level of enforcement, mandatory status, target groups, reference period in relation to earthquake occurrence, and consideration of cultural heritage, were analyzed. The database aims to support a harmonized strategy to reduce seismic vulnerability by promoting measures based on common reference standards. This increases safety, improves the built environment, and minimizes risks to people and nature. Particular attention will be paid to historic urban areas that are both vulnerable and rich in cultural heritage. The collected regulatory and incentive framework will serve as a basis for future research to support the identification of good practices and the formulation of customized roadmaps to apply them to reduce seismic vulnerability. Full article

Macroalgae (seaweeds) produce unique bioactive metabolites that have enabled their survival for millions of years, offering significant potential for human benefits. In the Israeli Mediterranean Sea, no comprehensive systematic surveys of seaweeds have been published since the 1990s, and their chemical composition remains largely unexplored. This study presents an extensive survey of intertidal seaweed communities along the shallow Israeli coastline, documenting their spatial, temporal, and biochemical diversity. Of the 320 specimens collected, 55 seaweed species were identified: 29 red (Rhodophyta), 14 brown (Phaeophyceae), and 12 green (Chlorophyta). A significant shift in species abundance was documented, with a single dominant annual bloom occurring during spring, unlike previously reported biannual blooms. Chemical analysis of the dominant species revealed significant seasonal variations in compound levels, with higher protein content in winter and increased antioxidant capacity during spring. Phenolic and natural sunscreen compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs) showed no general seasonal trend. These findings highlight the optimal environmental conditions for seaweed growth and underscore their potential for aquaculture and biotechnology. We hypothesize that the ecologically unique conditions of the Israeli Mediterranean Sea may foster resilient seaweed species enriched with distinctive chemical properties, suitable for nutritional, health, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical applications, particularly as climate-adaptive bioresources. Full article

Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) has emerged as a key tool in advancing heritage conservation and sustainable management. Preceding reviews had typically concentrated on specific technical aspects but did not provide sufficient bibliometric analysis. This study aims to integrate existing HBIM research to identify key research patterns, emerging trends, and forecast future directions. A total of 1516 documents were initially retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using targeted search terms. Following a relevance screening, 1175 documents were related to the topic. CiteSpace 6.4.R1, VOSviewer 1.6.20, and Bibliometrix 4.1, three bibliometric tools, were employed to conduct both quantitative and qualitative assessments. The results show three historical phases of HBIM, identify core journals, influential authors, and leading regions, and extract six major keyword clusters: risk assessment, data acquisition, semantic annotation, digital twins, and energy and equipment management. Nine co-citation clusters further outline the foundational literature in the field. The results highlight growing scholarly interest in workflow integration and digital twin applications. Future projections emphasize the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in HBIM, while also recognizing critical implementation barriers, particularly in developing countries and resource-constrained contexts. This study provides a comprehensive and systematic framework for HBIM research, offering valuable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers involved in heritage preservation and digital management. Full article

The increasing frequency and severity of bushfires in Australia, combined with an ageing population in bushfire-prone regions, creates an urgent need for targeted resilience guidance for older Australians. The outcome of this research is a developed and validated user-friendly toolkit for bushfire retrofitting, tailored to the specific needs of this vulnerable older demographic. A qualitative multi-method approach was employed, incorporating a systematic literature review (SLR) and participatory design method. Two bushfire-prone regions, Bega Valley and Noosa Shire, were used as the case study contexts for this research. Data collection in these two regions involved focus groups with participants over the age of sixty and on-site fieldwork assessments of bushfire-prone properties. Several types of data including interview transcripts, physical artefacts, documents, and archival records were collected. The data was then analysed using thematic and content analysis to identify key areas of focus for the toolkit. Findings revealed that existing bushfire retrofit resources inadequately address the implementation capabilities of older people. The adapted toolkit design therefore presents a novel approach that addresses the current gaps in the literature by providing a scalable approach to retrofitting that is tailored to varied retrofitting capabilities. By effectively integrating technical building compliance standards with age-specific design considerations, the toolkit promotes the effective implementation and adoption of retrofit measures by older people, ultimately improving individual and community resilience against bushfires. Full article

Background: Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and a key structural driver includes SIDS’ heavy reliance on imported food. Yet, our knowledge about food sources in SIDS is limited. Methods: We systematically searched 14 peer-reviewed databases and 17 grey literature repositories, identifying 56 articles and 96 documents concerning food sources in SIDS. Our study aimed to map these sources while considering broader societal, cultural, and environmental aspects. Results: We found high heterogeneity of food sources beyond store-bought foods, highlighting the complexity of food landscapes in this context. To explore these food sources and their interconnections, we developed a classification including Aid, Buy, Grow, Share, State and Wild food sources, and offered contextually-sensitive insights into their variety (types), extent (relevance), nature (characteristics) and changes over time. We developed an interactive open-access evidence map that outlined the identified interconnections between food sources following our proposed classification. There are numerous interrelations between food sources, showing that pathways from food sourcing to consumption can be unexpected and complex. Conclusions: In 2014, SIDS governments collectively committed to ending malnutrition by 2030. A deeper understanding of food sourcing is essential to achieve this goal. Full article

The growing prevalence of AI chatbots in everyday life has prompted educators to explore their potential applications in promoting student success, including support for classroom engagement and communication. This exploratory study emerged from semester-long observations of class participation apprehensions in an introductory educational psychology course, examining how chatbots might scaffold students toward active and independent classroom contribution. Four students experiencing situational participation anxiety voluntarily participated in a pilot intervention using AI chatbots as virtual peer partners. Following comprehensive training in AI use and prompt design given to the entire class, participants employed systematic consultation frameworks for managing classroom discourse trepidations. Data collection involved regular instructor meetings documenting student experiences, challenges, and developmental trajectories through qualitative analysis emphasizing contextual interpretation. While students reported general satisfaction with chatbot integration, implementation revealed three critical complexities: temporal misalignment between AI consultation and real-time discussion dynamics; feedback inflation creating disconnects between AI reassurance and classroom reception; and unintended progression from supportive scaffolding toward technological dependency. Individual outcomes varied, with some students developing independence while others increased reliance on external validation. AI-assisted participation interventions demonstrate both promise and limitations, requiring careful consideration of classroom dynamics. Effective implementation necessitates rehearsal-based rather than validation-focused applications, emphasizing human mentorship and community-centered approaches that preserve educational autonomy while leveraging technological scaffolding strategically. Full article

Mental illness relapse among teachers presents a growing public health concern, particularly in under-resourced settings, where social and structural factors often go unaddressed. This study aimed to explore challenges outside the workplace that contribute to mental illness relapse among public school teachers in Limpopo Province and how they cope with them. Guided by the Stress-Vulnerability Model, a qualitative explorative phenomenological design was employed. Fourteen participants with a documented history of existing mental illness and mental illness relapse were purposively selected across four different hospitals. The data were collected through in-depth, face-to-face semi-structured interviews until data saturation was reached. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Tesch’s open coding method. The findings revealed unstable home environments, community-level stigma, inadequate institutional support, and systemic barriers to mental healthcare access. Moreover, the participants rely on family members for support and on spiritual practices to cope, highlighting gaps in formal support systems. Addressing these overlooked challenges is critical to reducing relapse resulting from social and systematic challenges, promoting mental health equity, and sustaining teacher resilience in underserved communities. This study calls for collaborative efforts from policymakers, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and community leaders, including faith-based organisations, to develop integrated mental health strategies. Such strategies can promote mental health equity, reduce stigma, and support sustainable teacher well-being in vulnerable communities. Full article

Non-conformities—deviations from established standards or procedures—can significantly impact product quality and process performance. Although various tools and methodologies exist, current research lacks an integrated, deferred, and corrective approach to non-conformance management that bridges day-to-day operations with systematic quality control. The proposed tool aims to address this gap by providing a practical framework that combines batch data processing using the “Daily Challenge” tool with structured problem solving and corrective strategies. It serves as a comprehensive decision-making tool for systematically managing deviations. The methodology begins with identifying non-conformities through data collection and direct observation, followed by focused reporting and active discussion during departmental meetings. Issues are then categorized based on their frequency, operational impact, and resource requirements to determine the appropriate resolution path—whether through immediate correction or detailed analysis using structured tools such as the “Daily Challenge” sheet. It integrates well-established methodologies such as 5M and PDCA into a structured, daily workflow for resolving non-conformities. Implemented solutions are evaluated for effectiveness with ongoing monitoring to ensure continuous improvement. A key feature of this system is the use of the “Daily Challenge” form, which facilitates documentation, accountability, and knowledge retention—helping to reduce the recurrence of similar situations. The case studies illustrate the methodology through two examples: a labeling issue involving the omission of quantity information on product labels due to operator oversight and the management of production downtime caused by equipment and sensor failures. Although a standard existed, the errors revealed the need for reinforced procedures. Corrective actions included revising procedures, retraining personnel, repairing and recalibrating equipment, enhancing maintenance protocols, and using visual documentation to enhance process understanding. The “Daily Challenge” tool provides a replicable framework for managing non-conformities across various industries, aligning operational practices with quality assurance goals. By integrating structured analysis, clear documentation, and corrective strategies, it fosters a culture of continuous improvement and compliance. Full article

Revealing the complex system of transboundary conflicts would help to understand the behavior of states and anticipate potential actions that would collectively reflect the state doctrine. However, a specific approach to the state political doctrine (SPD) for governing transboundary water has not been formalized. The core academic contribution of this research is to formalize the structure of the SPD for transboundary water, which might assist in fostering water cooperation and peacebuilding in one of the most conflict-prone regions—the Middle East and South Africa—by examining the upstream countries’ behavior. Case studies include Turkey in the Euphrates–Tigris Basins, Israel in the Jordan River Basin, and Ethiopia in the Nile River Basin. The theoretical framework presents a new paradigm that systematically links a state’s essential drivers, political philosophy, and potential actions, employing the Hegelian dialectic of thesis–antithesis–synthesis and the three Doctrines of Being, Essence, and Concept to articulate the state’s behavior and its indispensable core principles for survival. It is integrated with Arnold Toynbee’s challenge-and-response theory to analyze upstream motives. This study reviewed 328 documents and pieces of literature alongside 105 expert discussions. The key findings include the three upstream countries embracing different SPDs to address specific challenges at the state level, where Turkey employs the Water-Bank Doctrine, Israel utilizes the Identity-Seeking Doctrine, and Ethiopia adopts the Nation Rise Power Doctrine. Besides the critical external challenges that limit water availability, such as the impact of climate change, the time factor is a crucial key to shifting the bargaining power and impacting the adopted SPD, thereby affecting water diplomacy and regional water cooperation. Full article

Extreme weather events pose increasing risks to air transport operations, affecting flight safety, scheduling, and infrastructure resilience. This paper provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of scientific literature addressing the impacts of extreme weather on aviation, based on 1000 documents retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (2010–2024). Using VOSviewer software, keyword co-occurrence, overlay visualization, co-authorship networks, and citation analyses were conducted. Results revealed a clear thematic shift from environmental impact assessments toward research emphasizing operational resilience, technological adaptation, and mitigation strategies. Collaboration networks highlighted strong international cooperation, particularly among institutions in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with growing contributions from emerging research regions. Highly cited studies predominantly focused on emissions modeling and operational mitigation measures. Despite notable advances, the field remains fragmented and geographically uneven, underscoring the need for broader interdisciplinary integration and empirical validation of adaptation strategies. This paper offers a systematic overview of the evolving research landscape and identifies critical directions for future efforts to enhance the resilience and sustainability of global air transport systems under increasing climatic volatility. Full article

Background: Professional knowledge and experience of healthcare organization went through continuous change and development with the progression of COVID-19 pandemic waves. However, carefully developed guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) remained largely unchanged regardless of the epidemic situation, with the largest change being a more prominent bioethical approach. It would be possible to further improve the quality of CPR by systematic data collection, the facilitation of prospective studies, and further development of the methodology based on this evidence, as well as by providing information and developing provisions on interventions with expected poor outcomes, and ultimately by refusing resuscitation. Methods: This study involved the critical collection and analysis of literary data originating from the Web of Science and PubMed databases concerning bioethical aspects and the efficacy of CPR during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: According to the current professional recommendation of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC), CPR should be initiated immediately in case of cardiac arrest in the absence of an exclusionary circumstance. One such circumstance is explicit refusal of CPR by a well-informed patient, which in practice takes the form of a prior declaration. ERC prescribes the following conjunctive conditions for do-not-attempt CPR (DNACPR) declarations: present, real, and applicable. It is recommended to take the declaration as a part of complex end-of-life planning, with the corresponding documentation available in an electronic database. The pandemic has brought significant changes in resuscitation practice at both lay and professional levels as well. Incidence of out-of-hospital resuscitation (OHCA) did not differ compared to the previous period, while cardiac deaths in public places almost halved during the epidemic (p < 0.001) as did the use of AEDs (p = 0.037). The number of resuscitations performed by bystanders and by the emergency medical service (EMS) also showed a significant decrease (p = 0.001), and the most important interventions (defibrillation, first adrenaline time) suffered a significant delay. Secondary survival until hospital discharge thus decreased by 50% during the pandemic period. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic provided a significant impetus to the revision of guidelines. While detailed methodology has changed only slightly compared to the previous procedures, the DNACPR declaration regarding self-determination is mentioned in the context of complex end-of-life planning. The issue of safe environment has come to the fore for both lay and trained resuscitators. Future Directions: Prospective evaluation of standardized methods can further improve the patient’s autonomy and quality of life. Since clinical data are controversial, further prospective controlled studies are needed to evaluate the real hazards of aerosol-generating procedures. Full article

As close relatives of the vertebrates, cephalochordates have been the focus of significant evo–devo and genomic research; however, their biodiversity and systematics remain poorly known. In particular, few species have been documented in the eastern Pacific and there are few published observations for this region. Using sequences from COI and 16S DNA barcode markers and morphological observations from 16 animals collected incidentally during other studies, we document the presence of three species of amphioxus on the Pacific coast and one from the Caribbean coast of Panama. The high genetic diversity recovered from so few samples suggests that the application of molecular taxonomy to neotropical amphioxus would likely uncover additional species and could help to more easily delineate morphological differences among taxa. Full article

Ralstonia eutropha H16, a metabolically versatile bacterium, has gained prominence as a microbial platform for sustainable bioproduction. While its capabilities in synthesizing single-cell proteins and biodegradable materials are well documented, comprehensive strain-level safety evaluations remain insufficient for food-grade applications. This study systematically assessed the safety of R. eutropha H16 through genomic, phenotypic, and toxicological analyzes. Genomic analyzes revealed the absence or minimal presence of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes, aligning with microbiological safety standards. Phenotypic investigations demonstrated a limited gastric fluid tolerance (pH 2.5, survival rate 25.70% after 3 h) and intestinal fluid persistence (pH 8, 44.67% viability after 3 h), coupled with an exceptional bile salt tolerance (0.2% w/v). Antioxidant assays confirmed the fermentation broth specifically scavenges DPPH free radicals (14.60 ± 1.24 μg Trolox/mL), whereas bacterial suspensions and cell-free supernatants exhibited a strong hydroxyl radical scavenging (>90 U/mL) and superoxide anion inhibition (>100 U/L). Acute toxicity testing indicated no mortality or histopathological abnormalities, with an LD₅₀ value exceeding 1 × 10¹¹ CFU/kg. Subacute toxicity studies (28-day, 1 × 10⁸–1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg) revealed no significant effects on growth, hematology, or organ function. Minor alterations in serum biochemistry might be attributed to physiological adaptation. Subacute exposure induced transient serum ALT fluctuations without hepatorenal dysfunction, while maintaining hematological parameters within physiological ranges. Collectively, these results substantiate the safety of R. eutropha H16 for food-related applications while underscoring the necessity of strain-specific risk assessments for industrial microbial platforms. Full article

Indigenous Peoples have stewarded Indigenous traditional ecological knowledges (TEK) for millennia. Health-related TEK represents vital knowledge that promotes Indigenous health and wellbeing. Yet, the intergenerational protection of TEK continues to be threatened by various factors, including climate change, which underscores the importance of strengthening and supporting Indigenous-managed TEK repositories. Using a scoping review methodology, we aimed to identify documents for setting up health-related TEK repositories within Indigenous communities. A systematic search was completed in multiple databases—Medline, PubMed, CABI abstracts, Canadian Public Policy Collection, and JSTOR—with manual searches carried out on relevant Indigenous repositories and Google. Content analysis was then carried out with the nine documents meeting our inclusion criteria. We characterized six overarching categories and twelve sub-categories from the included documents. These categories covered impacts on Indigenous TEK repositories resulting from colonial processes, with TEK being seen as diverse, living knowledge protected by longstanding cultural protocols. Concerns surrounding TEK repository management included the need for platforming Indigenous data sovereignty and Indigenous Peoples’ access and ownership. Wise practices of Indigenous-led repository development demonstrated clear examples of data governance processes in action. Indigenous communities were seen to be vital in contributing to key policies and protocols that protect health-related TEK. Full article