Search Results (3,138)

Dam monitoring tracks environmental variables (water level, temperature) and structural responses (deformation, seepage, and stress) to assess safety and performance. Structural health monitoring (SHM) refers to the systematic observation and analysis of the structural condition over time, and it is essential in maintaining the safety, functionality, and long-term performance of dams. This review examines monitoring data applications, covering structural health assessment methods, historical motivations, and key challenges. It discusses monitoring components, data acquisition processes, and sensor roles, stressing the need to integrate environmental, operational, and structural data for decision making. Key objectives include risk management, operational efficiency, safety evaluation, environmental impact assessment, and maintenance planning. Methodologies such as numerical modeling, statistical analysis, and machine learning are critically analyzed, highlighting their strengths and limitations and the demand for advanced predictive techniques. This paper also explores future trends in dam monitoring, offering insights for engineers and researchers to enhance infrastructure resilience. By synthesizing current practices and emerging innovations, this review aims to guide improvements in dam safety protocols, ensuring reliable and sustainable dam operations. The findings provide a foundation for the advancement of monitoring technologies and optimization of dam management strategies worldwide. Full article

This study presents an approach based on machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze the relationship between emergency room (ER) admissions for cardiorespiratory diseases (CRDs) and environmental factors. The aim of this study is the development and verification of an interpretable machine learning framework applied to environmental and health data to assess the relationship between environmental factors and daily emergency room admissions for cardiorespiratory diseases. The model’s predictive accuracy was evaluated by comparing simulated values with observed historical data, thereby identifying the most influential environmental variables and critical exposure thresholds. This approach supports public health surveillance and healthcare resource management optimization. The health and environmental data, collected through meteorological sensors and air quality monitoring stations, cover eleven years (2013–2023), including meteorological conditions and atmospheric pollutants. Four ML models were compared, with XGBoost showing the best predictive performance (R² = 0.901; MAE = 0.047). A 10-fold cross-validation was applied to improve reliability. Global model interpretability was assessed using SHAP, which highlighted that high levels of carbon monoxide and relative humidity, low atmospheric pressure, and mild temperatures are associated with an increase in CRD cases. The local analysis was further refined using LIME, whose application—followed by experimental verification—allowed for the identification of the critical thresholds beyond which a significant increase in the risk of hospital admission (above the 95th percentile) was observed: CO > 0.84 mg/m³, P_atm ≤ 1006.81 hPa, Tavg ≤ 17.19 °C, and RH > 70.33%. The findings emphasize the potential of interpretable ML models as tools for both epidemiological analysis and prevention support, offering a valuable framework for integrating environmental surveillance with healthcare planning. Full article

This study analyzes the differences in the selection of teaching methodologies, assessment instruments, and educational values in Master’s Theses (TFMs) written within the Geography and History specialization of a Teacher Training Master’s program in Spain. The aim is to examine how these pedagogical components vary according to the gender of the author and the educational level targeted by the instructional proposals. A mixed-methods approach was applied combining statistical analysis (Chi-square and ANOVA tests) with qualitative content analysis of 54 anonymized TFMs. The results indicate that while gender-related differences were not statistically significant in most categories, qualitative patterns emerged: female authors tended to adopt more reflective, participatory approaches (e.g., oral expression, gender visibility), whereas male authors more often used experiential or gamified strategies. Significant differences by educational level were found in the use of gamification, inquiry-based learning, and project-based learning. A progressive increase in methodological complexity was observed from lower secondary to upper levels. In terms of educational values, interdisciplinarity and inclusion were most frequently promoted, with critical perspectives such as historical memory and gender visibility more prevalent at the Baccalaureate level. These findings underscore the TFM’s role as a space for pedagogical innovation, reflective practice, and value-driven teacher identity formation. Full article

This study analyses the effectiveness of a contextualized teaching and learning sequence (TLS) based on forensic entomology (FE) to disprove the idea of spontaneous generation (SG) among students enrolled in the Higher Vocational Education and Training (VET) Cycle in Pathological Anatomy and Cytodiagnosis. Through an inquiry- and project-based learning approach, students replicate a version of Francesco Redi’s historical experiments, enabling them to engage with core scientific concepts such as the metamorphic cycle of insects and the role of entomology in forensic science. The research adopts a semiquantitative and exploratory design. It investigates: (1) whether students’ prior knowledge about FE and related biological processes is sufficient to refute SG; (2) to what extent this knowledge is influenced by their previous academic background and gender; and (3) whether a contextualized TLS can significantly enhance their conceptual understanding. The results reveal that most students begin with limited initial knowledge of FE and multiple misconceptions related to SG, irrespective of their previous study. Gender differences were observed at baseline, with women showing lower prior knowledge, but these differences disappeared after the intervention. The post-intervention data demonstrate a significant improvement in student’s ability to reject SG and explain biological processes coherently. The study highlights the importance of integrating entomology into health-related VET programs, both as a means to promote scientific literacy and correct misconceptions and as a pedagogical tool to foster critical thinking. It also highlights the potential and historically grounded methodologies to equalize learning outcomes and strengthen the scientific preparation of future healthcare professionals. Full article

Heavy rainfall events, characterized by extreme downpours that exceed 100 mm per day, pose an intensifying hazard to the densely settled valleys of the western Himalaya; however, their coupling with expanding urban land cover remains under-quantified. This study mapped the spatiotemporal exposure of built-up areas to heavy-day rainfall (HDR) across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh and the adjoining areas by integrating daily Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations product (CHIRPS) precipitation (0.05°) with Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) built-up fractions within the Google Earth Engine (GEE). Given the limited sub-hourly observations, a daily threshold of ≥100 mm was adopted as a proxy for HDR, with sensitivity evaluated at alternative thresholds. The results showed that HDR is strongly clustered along the Kashmir Valley and the Pir Panjal flank, as demonstrated by the mean annual count of threshold-exceeding pixels increasing from 12 yr⁻¹ (2000–2010) to 18 yr⁻¹ (2011–2020), with two pixel-scale hotspots recurring southwest of Srinagar and near Baramulla regions. The cumulative high-intensity areas covered 31,555.26 km², whereas 37,897.04 km² of adjacent terrain registered no HDR events. Within this hazard belt, the exposed built-up area increased from 45 km² in 2000 to 72 km² in 2020, totaling 828 km². The years with the most expansive rainfall footprints, 344 km² (2010), 520 km² (2012), and 650 km² (2014), coincided with heavy Western Disturbances (WDs) and locally vigorous convection, producing the largest exposure increments. We also performed a forecast using a univariate long short-term memory (LSTM), outperforming Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and linear baselines on a 2017–2020 holdout (Root Mean Square Error, RMSE 0.82 km²; measure of errors, MAE 0.65 km²; R² 0.89), projecting the annual built-up area intersecting HDR to increase from ~320 km² (2021) to ~420 km² (2030); 95% prediction intervals widened from ±6 to ±11 km² and remained above the historical median (~70 km²). In the absence of a long-term increase in total annual precipitation, the projected rise most likely reflects continued urban encroachment into recurrent high-intensity zones. The resulting spatial masks and exposure trajectories provide operational evidence to guide zoning, drainage design, and early warning protocols in the region. Full article

Understanding population connectivity and genetic structure is crucial for the effective management of exploited marine species. This study investigates the population genetics of the common European squid (Loligo vulgaris) across the Mediterranean Sea, focusing on samples from the Aegean Sea and comparative sequences from Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean, and Atlantic coasts. A total of 67 COI mitochondrial sequences were analyzed, identifying 12 haplotypes and 27 polymorphic sites. Population-level genetic diversity, pairwise F_ST values, and haplotype network analyses revealed pronounced genetic differentiation in the eastern Mediterranean contrasting with the genetic homogeneity observed among Western populations. The low haplotype diversity observed in the Greek populations of L. vulgaris may be influenced by a combination of ecological and historical factors, as the Aegean region is recognized as a hotspot of endemism and historical population fragmentation. The results indicate the existence of at least two genetically differentiated clusters within the Mediterranean basin. This study advances current knowledge of the genetic structure of Loligo vulgaris by providing novel genetic data on populations from the eastern Mediterranean, offering valuable insights for future conservation and management strategies for the species. Full article

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, with over 60% of Americans drinking it daily. This review examines coffee’s multifaceted impact on health and well-being, drawing on decades of research. Overall, the consensus is that moderate coffee intake is more beneficial than harmful across a wide range of health outcomes. Numerous large-scale, prospective cohort studies from around the world have consistently shown that moderate coffee consumption—typically three to five cups per day—is associated with reduced overall mortality and lower risk of major diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, respiratory conditions, cognitive decline, and potentially several types of cancer, including liver and uterine cancers. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee have shown benefits. The addition of sugar and cream to coffee may attenuate coffee’s positive health effects. Despite historical concerns, coffee consumption is not linked to increased risks of cancer, hypertension, or arrhythmia. However, some concerns remain. For pregnant women, coffee consumption should be limited to lower amounts, such that the daily intake of caffeine does not exceed 200 mg/day. Also, excessive caffeinated coffee intake may cause anxiety or sleep disturbances. Coffee’s health-promoting mechanisms include improved glucose balancing, increased physical activity, increased fat oxidation, improved lung function, and reduced inflammation. Beyond mortality and chronic diseases, coffee consumption affects many aspects of well-being: it supports hydration, boosts mental acuity, enhances physical performance, and may aid bowel recovery after surgery. While the field is well-studied via long-term observational cohorts, future research should focus on randomized controlled trials, Mendelian randomization studies, and granular analyses of coffee types and additives. Full article

The perianal skin is a unique “skin–gut” boundary that serves as a critical hotspot for the exchange and evolution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, its role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has often been underestimated. To characterize the resistance patterns in the perianal skin environment of patients with perianal diseases and to investigate the drivers of AMR in this niche, a total of 51 bacterial isolates were selected from a historical strain bank containing isolates originally collected from patients with perianal diseases. All the isolates originated from the skin site and were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, and co-occurrence network analysis. The analysis revealed a highly structured resistance pattern, dominated by two distinct modules: one representing a classic Staphylococcal resistance platform centered around mecA and the bla operon, and a broad-spectrum multidrug resistance module in Gram-negative bacteria centered around tet(A) and predominantly carried by IncFIB and other IncF family plasmids. Further analysis pinpointed IncFIB-type plasmids as potent vehicles driving the efficient dissemination of the latter resistance module. Moreover, numerous unexplained resistance phenotypes were observed in a subset of isolates, indicating the potential presence of emerging and uncharacterized AMR threats. These findings establish the perianal skin as a complex reservoir of multidrug resistance genes and a hub for mobile genetic element exchange, highlighting the necessity of enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions in this clinically important ecological niche. Full article

Background/Objectives: Historically, echocardiographic imaging of the right heart has been challenging because its abnormal geometry is not conducive to reproducible anatomical and functional assessment. With the development of advanced echocardiographic techniques, it is now possible to complete an integrated assessment of the right heart that has fewer assumptions, resulting in increased accuracy and precision. Echocardiography continues to be the first-line imaging modality for diagnostic analysis and the management of acute and chronic right heart failure because of its portability, versatility, and affordability compared to cardiac computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography. Virtually all echocardiographic parameters have been well-validated and have demonstrated prognostic significance. The goal of this narrative review of the echocardiographic parameters of the right heart chambers and hemodynamic alterations associated with right ventricular dysfunction is to present information that must be acquired during each examination to deliver a comprehensive assessment of the right heart and to discuss their clinical significance in right heart failure. Methods: Using a literature search in the PubMed database from 1985 to 2025 and the Cochrane database, which included but was not limited to terminology that are descriptive of right heart anatomy and function, disease states involving acute and chronic right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, and the application of conventional and advanced echocardiographic modalities that strive to elucidate the pathophysiology of right heart failure, we reviewed randomized control trials, observational retrospective and prospective cohort studies, societal guidelines, and systematic review articles. Conclusions: In addition to the conventional 2-dimensional echocardiography and color, spectral, and tissue Doppler measurements, a contemporary echocardiographic assessment of a patient with suspected or proven right heart failure must include 3-dimensional echocardiographic-derived measurements, speckle-tracking echocardiography strain analysis, and hemodynamics parameters to not only characterize the right heart anatomy but to also determine the underlying pathophysiology of right heart failure. Complete and point-of-care echocardiography is available in virtually all clinical settings for routine care, but this imaging tool is particularly indispensable in the emergency department, intensive care units, and operating room, where it can provide an immediate assessment of right ventricular function and associated hemodynamic changes to assist with real-time management decisions. Full article

The study of historical monuments within both architectural and literary frameworks reveals a dynamic interplay between scientific observation and artistic interpretation—a vital characteristic of travel writing/the travelogue. This approach, exemplified by British traveler and writer Henry Finnis Blosse Lynch (1862–1913), reflects how factual detail and creative representation are seamlessly integrated in depictions of sites, landscapes, and cultural scenes. This case study highlights Lynch as a pioneering explorer who authored the first comprehensive volume on Armenian architecture and as a writer who vividly portrayed Armenian monuments through both verbal description and photographic imagery, becoming the first traveler to document such sites using photography. Additionally, this paper emphasizes the significance of Lynch’s detailed accounts of architectural monuments, churches, monasteries, cities, villages, populations, religious communities, and educational institutions in vivid language. The careful study of his work can contribute meaningfully to the investigation of the travelogue as a literary genre and to the preservation and protection of the architectural heritage of historical and contemporary Armenia, particularly in regions facing cultural or political threats. Full article

Main roads are usually equipped with traffic flow monitoring devices in the road network to record the traffic flow data of the main roads in real time. Three complex scenarios, i.e., Y-junctions, multi-lane merging, and signalized intersections, are considered in this paper by developing a novel modeling system that leverages only historical main-road data to reconstruct branch-road volumes and identify pivotal time points where instantaneous observations enable robust inference of period-aggregate traffic volumes. Four mathematical models (I–IV) are built using the data given in appendix, with performance quantified via error metrics (RMSE, MAE, MAPE) and stability indices (perturbation sensitivity index, structure similarity score). Finally, the significant traffic flow change points are further identified by the PELT algorithm. Full article

This study presents a cross-cultural comparison of two fortified residences—Palazzo Farnese in Italy and Dong’s Fortified Compound in China—through a triadic analytical framework encompassing architectural form, symbolic ornamentation, and public perception. By combining field observation, iconographic interpretation, and digital ethnography, the research investigates how heritage meaning is constructed, encoded, and reinterpreted across distinct sociocultural contexts. Empirical materials include architectural documentation, decorative analysis, and a curated dataset of 4947 user-generated images and 1467 textual comments collected from Chinese and international platforms between 2020 and 2024. Methods such as CLIP-based visual clustering and BERTopic-enabled sentiment modelling were applied to extract patterns of perception and symbolic emphasis. The findings reveal contrasting representational logics: Palazzo Farnese encodes dynastic authority and Renaissance cosmology through geometric order and immersive frescoes, while Dong’s Compound conveys Confucian ethics and frontier identity via nested courtyards and traditional ornamentation. Digital responses diverge accordingly: international users highlight formal aesthetics and photogenic elements; Chinese users engage with symbolic motifs, family memory, and ritual significance. This study illustrates how historically fortified residences are reinterpreted through culturally specific digital practices, offering an interdisciplinary approach that bridges architectural history, symbolic analysis, and digital heritage studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) medications were historically commonly prescribed as the first-line biologic treatment for chronic inflammatory pouch conditions. However, their use in these conditions is mainly based on retrospective studies of relatively small numbers of patients with short follow up periods. We aimed to describe the long-term outcomes of first-line anti-TNF therapy in a large, multi-centre, multi-national patient cohort with chronic inflammatory pouch conditions. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, multi-centre, multi-national study. We included patients with chronic inflammatory pouch conditions initially treated with anti-TNF drugs infliximab (IFX) or adalimumab (ADA), who had a follow up of at least 1 year. The primary outcome was anti-TNF treatment persistence, defined as continuation of anti-TNF throughout the study period. The secondary outcome was pouch failure, defined by the need for a defunctioning ileostomy or pouch excision. Results: We recruited 98 patients with chronic inflammatory pouch conditions initially treated with anti-TNF medications—63 (64.3%) treated with IFX and 35 (35.7%) treated with ADA. Average follow up length was 94.2 months (±54.5). At the end of the study period only 22/98 (22.4%) patients were still on anti-TNF treatment. In those in whom the first-line anti-TNF was discontinued, the median time to discontinuation was 12.2 months (range 5.1–26.9 months). The most common cause for anti-TNF discontinuation was lack of efficacy despite adequate serum drug levels and absence of anti-drug antibody formation (30 patients, 30.6%). Loss of response due to anti-drug antibody formation was the cause for discontinuation in 18 patients (18.4%), while 12 patients (12.2%) stopped treatment because of adverse events or safety concerns. Out of the 76 patients discontinuing anti-TNF treatment, 34 (34.7% of the cohort) developed pouch failure, and 42 (42.8% of the cohort) are currently treated with a different medical therapy. Conclusions: First-line anti-TNF therapy for chronic pouch inflammatory conditions is associated with low long-term persistence rates. This is due to a combination of lack of efficacy and adverse events. A significant percentage of patients initially treated with anti-TNF therapy develop pouch failure. Full article

African ground squirrels (Xerus spp.), the inhabitants of African arid zones, face extreme heat and water scarcity driving selection for metabolic optimization. We assembled and annotated the first mitogenomes of Xerus inauris and Xerus rutilus (16,525–16,517 bp), revealing conserved vertebrate architecture with genus-specific traits. Key features include Xerus rutilus’s elongated ATP6 (680 vs. 605 bp), truncated ATP8–ATP6 spacers (4 vs. 43 bp), and tRNA-Pro control regions with 78.1–78.3% AT content. Their nucleotide composition diverged from that of related sciurids, marked by reduced T (25.78–26.9%) and extreme GC skew (−0.361 to −0.376). Codon usage showed strong Arg-CGA bias (RSCU = 3.78–3.88) and species-specific elevations in Xerus rutilus’s UGC-Cys (RSCU = 1.83 vs. 1.17). Phylogenetics positioned Xerus as sister to Ratufa bicolor (Bayesian PP = 0.928; ML = 1.0), aligning with African biogeographic isolation. Critically, we identified significant signatures of positive selection in key mitochondrial genes linked to arid adaptation. Positive selection signals in ND4 (ω = 1.8 × background), ND1, and ATP6 (p < 0.0033) correspond to enhanced proton gradient efficiency and ATP synthesis–molecular adaptations likely crucial for optimizing energy metabolism under chronic water scarcity and thermoregulatory stress in desert environments. Distinct evolutionary rates were observed across mitochondrial genes and complexes: Genes encoding Complex I subunits (ND2, ND6) and Complex III (Cytb) exhibited accelerated evolution in arid-adapted lineages, while genes encoding Complex IV subunits (COXI) and Complex V (ATP8) remained highly conserved. These findings resolve the Xerus mitogenomic diversity, demonstrating adaptive plasticity balancing arid-energy optimization and historical diversification while filling critical genomic gaps for this xeric-adapted lineage. Full article

The article addresses the question of the relative importance of human population size and growth in relation to the environmental problems of planetary heating and biodiversity loss in the current, Anthropocene era. To what extent could policies to encourage lower fertility be justified, while observing that this subject is an inherently contested one. It is proposed that a helpful distinction can be made between specific threats to habitats and biodiversity, as opposed to those related to global energy use and warming. Pressures of over-population can be important in relation to the former. But with regard to the latter—rising per capita energy usage—reduced fertility has historically been positively, not negatively correlated. A case can be made that the high-fertility nations of sub-Saharan Africa could benefit from culturally respectful fertility reduction policies. However, where planetary heating is concerned, it is the hydrocarbon-based, per capita energy-consumption patterns of already low-fertility populations on the other five inhabited continents that is rather more critical. While it will be helpful to stabilise global human population, this cannot be viewed as a solution to the climate crisis problem of this century. That requires relentless focus on reducing hydrocarbon use and confronting the rising inequality since c.1980 that has been exacerbating competitive materialist consumerism. This involves the ideological negotiation of values to promote a culture change that understands and politically embraces a new economics of both human and planetary balance, equity, and distribution. Students of populations can contribute by re-assessing what can be the appropriate demographic units and measures for policies engaging with the challenges of the Anthropocene. Full article