Search Results (33,435)

The blue shark (Prionace glauca) is a pelagic species widely distributed in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The trophic roles of blue sharks across different developmental stages and between sexes remain poorly understood. Fifty-four sharks were sampled (October 2022–March 2024) for precaudal length (PCL) and stable isotope levels (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) in the muscle tissue (n = 52). Mean PCL varied based on the month of sampling (p = 0.034), with the smallest individuals occurring in July (143.0 ± 4.3 cm) and the largest in October (178.0 ± 2.6 cm). Stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) indicated consistent offshore habitat use (δ¹³C: from −20.70 to −18.82‰) and significant nitrogen isotopic differences among life history (δ¹⁵N: from 10.23 to 15.72‰; Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.037). The elevated δ¹⁵N values observed in the subadult group (relative to juvenile individuals) are likely due to trophic enrichment associated with morphological development. Females exhibited markedly larger isotopic niches (SEAc = 2.42‰²) than did males (0.57‰²), and niche overlap was greater within each sex (40–52%) than between sexes (<21%). These results revealed sex-specific ecological roles and trophic strategies throughout the life history of P. glauca. Understanding these foraging differences can help with catch reduction and habitat-protection measures in the transboundary pelagic fisheries of the northwestern Pacific. Full article

Historical legacies of enslavement and apartheid structural violence underpin the societal fabric of Cape Town. Walking through the city of Cape Town, colonial reminders and bastions of white supremacy remain evident in statues, street names and the continued spatial apartheid present in the public space. Sites of intergenerational trauma remain scattered through the city, retraced and reclaimed through the efforts of community members, activists, artists and museums. This paper focuses on how race and memory are represented, resisted and challenged within popular culture in Cape Town, South Africa. Through considering museums and music as sites of public memory, this paper highlights how collective memory is being constructed in post-apartheid South Africa in ways that challenge white supremacist and colonial memory. Focusing on two case studies, the Iziko Slave Lodge and Youngsta CPT’s song YVR, this paper shows how colonial and apartheid conceptualisations of race are constantly being contested in post-apartheid popular culture to resist colonial memory and recreate new public memories. Full article

With the accelerated commercialization of autonomous vehicles, new accident types and complex risk factors have emerged beyond the scope of existing traffic safety management systems. This study aims to contribute to sustainable safety by establishing a quantitative basis for early recognition and response to high-risk situations in urban traffic environments where autonomous and conventional vehicles coexist. To this end, high-risk factors were identified through a combination of literature meta-analysis, accident history and image analysis, autonomous driving video review, and expert seminars. For analytical structuring, the six-layer scenario framework from the PEGASUS project was redefined. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), 28 high-risk factors were identified. A risk prediction model framework was then developed, incorporating observational indicators derived from expert rankings. These indicators were structured as input variables for both road segments and autonomous vehicles, enabling spatial risk assessment through agent-based strategies. This space–object integration-based prediction model supports the early detection of high-risk situations, the designation of high-enforcement zones, and the development of preventive safety systems, infrastructure improvements, and policy measures. Ultimately, the findings offer a pathway toward achieving sustainable safety in mixed traffic environments during the initial deployment phase of autonomous vehicles. Full article

Breeding performance encompasses offspring production, their survival rate, fertility, overall reproductive outcome, timing of reproduction, and breeding frequency. It varies in raptor species, being affected by different biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors. The Lesser Spotted Eagle is a monogamous, long-lived, slowly reproducing raptor, characterized by site-fidelity and strongly territorial behavior. In this study, we examined data collected over a 10-year period, highlighting the eagles’ main breeding parameters, analyzing whether any of them demonstrated significant trends or spatial or temporal differences over the study period. We also searched for a strict correlation between species breeding density and breeding performance. We found out that the mean occupancy rate of the territories marginally decreased β² = −0.64 ± 0.27, p = 0.047, as this process was clearly visible in Sakar Mnt. (β² = −0.66 ± 0.27, p = 0.038), where in 2022, only 67% of the monitored territories were occupied. The overall mean productivity, breeding success, and breeding frequency did not indicate any trend over the years (p > 0.05). Of all tested breeding parameters, occupancy rate (β² = 0.29 ± 0.14, p = 0.04) and breeding success (β² = −0.12 ± 0.06, p = 0.04) varied yearly, while productivity (β² = 0.25 ± 0.12, p = 0.03) and breeding frequency (β² = 0.27 ± 0.12, p = 0.03) were influenced by density. None of the tested indicators demonstrated significant regional differences, which indicated a temporally determinate, but spatially consistent pattern of breeding performance of the species in this part of its distribution. Recently, the landscape pattern in the south-eastern part of the country was marked by spectacular habitat loss, driven by human activities and natural phenomena, with entire biodiversity facing an uncertain future. Prompt action and urgent decisions are needed to prevent the negative consequences of these imminent threats to the species. Conservation efforts should be focused on the restoration of breeding and foraging habitats. Further research on the response of eagles to the effect of natural (fires) and anthropogenic (habitat transformation) factors, as well as the relationship between breeding performance and different drivers of reproduction, such as diet, weather, habitat features, and presence of intra- and interspecific competitors, would be of crucial significance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antihypertensive treatment is crucial for preventing major adverse cardiovascular events, but suboptimal adherence remains a challenge. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of routine care data from a large pragmatic trial comparing two thiazide diuretics: chlorthalidone (CTD) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). In the trial, 13,523 older hypertensive patients were randomized from 72 Veterans Affairs medical centers. Medication possession ratio (MPR), reflecting adherence to either study medication (CTD or HCTZ), was used and compared across all randomized patients. Results: The overall median MPR was 95% for all randomized patients and 80% for 6656 individuals who reached 2.4 years for the average follow-up. Lower MPR was observed in Black, separated, urban-living, and comorbid patients. About 30% of the participants (n = 4022) were categorized as non-adherent using a definition of MPR < 80%. Those with baseline systolic blood pressure ≥ 136, recent smoking history, and prior heart failure and Black participants had decreased odds of having an MPR ≥ 80%, while increased odds of reaching that threshold were observed in those who had an eGFR ≥ 60, received ≥3 antihypertensive medications, were married, or resided in rural areas. Conclusions: This analysis provided assessment of real-world medication adherence in a sizable older hypertensive cohort. The proportion of non-adherence found in our analysis was comparable to national trends for US older adults taking blood pressure medications. Identifying sociodemographic characteristics and health conditions associated with non-adherence can help clinicians design targeted interventions for improved adherence to clinically prescribed medications. This is important as hypertension and the older adult population are both expected to grow significantly in the future. Full article

Structural safety is of utmost importance for polar icebreakers under both navigation and icebreaking conditions. In this research, the Palmgren–Miner linear cumulative damage theory is employed to evaluate the structural fatigue lifespan of polar icebreakers. A spectral analysis, incorporating the time distribution coefficients for three load conditions, is executed to assess the fatigue damage at typical hot spots during navigation. For icebreaking activities, the ship–ice interaction loads with time history are simulated using the discrete ice element method, taking into account five sub-operating conditions. This simulation is coupled with rainflow counting to evaluate the fatigue damage. The results show that the cumulative fatigue damage during navigation is much less than that during icebreaking. Additionally, shoulder areas suffer more serious fatigue damage during icebreaking as a result of the direct impact of broken ice. Consequently, both navigation and icebreaking conditions should be considered in the design of hull structures and the assessment of fatigue strength for polar icebreakers. Full article

In frequent traffic accidents, the issue of vehicle losing control due to tire blowouts is particularly critical. Once it occurs, it severely threatens the safety of life and property. Therefore, developing safety tires that meet public needs is of significant practical importance. This paper first reviews the evolutionary history of safety tires, classifying them by structural design and detailing the characteristics of run-flat tires (RFTs) and non-pneumatic tires (NPTs). It summarizes the key experimental characterization, numerical simulation and theoretical modeling methods that support their development, while also emphasizing the insufficiency in experimental verification. Next, the research advancements in materials and manufacturing processes for key components across these two tire categories are summarized. Subsequently, a review is provided on the mechanical characteristics of RFTs and NPTs. Finally, this paper discusses existing research gaps and future development directions for safety tires, emphasizing the importance of multi-disciplinary integration and sustainable design. Full article

This article explores the papacy as a multifaceted form of cultural heritage, emphasizing the pope not only as a religious leader but also as a living symbol and institutional embodiment of Catholic heritage. Positioned at the intersection of theology, history, and heritage science, the study seeks to bridge the gap between spiritual authority and cultural memory by introducing a novel interpretive category: the pope as a living component of intangible religious heritage. The research combines a comprehensive literature review with an analysis of papal documentation, especially papal constitutions. Special attention is given to public engagement with the papacy, as reflected in internet search trends during significant ecclesiastical events such as papal deaths and conclaves. The results indicate that the pope functions as a living link in the continuity of Catholic identity, with digital indicators revealing peaks of global interest aligned with pivotal moments in Church leadership. The study also defines the roles and functions of the pope as a narrative bearer, initiator, and symbolic custodian of papal cultural heritage. Overall, the findings reinforce the papacy’s dual role as both a theological and sociocultural institution, offering new perspectives for understanding religious leadership as a medium of cultural transmission and public relevance in a digitized world. Full article

Background/Objectives: Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Early-onset PE (EOP) and late-onset PE (LOP) are distinct clinical entities with differing pathophysiological mechanisms and prognoses. However, few studies have explored differential risk factors for EOP and LOP in Latin American populations. This study aimed to identify and assess clinical risk factors for predicting EOP and LOP in a cohort of pregnant women from Bogotá, Colombia, using traditional statistics and machine learning (ML). Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 190 pregnant women diagnosed with PE (EOP = 80, LOP = 110) at a tertiary hospital in Bogotá between 2017 and 2018. Risk factors and perinatal outcomes were collected via structured interviews and clinical records. Traditional statistical analyses were performed to compare the study groups and identify associations between risk factors and outcomes. Eleven ML techniques were used to train and externally validate predictive models for PE subtype and secondary outcomes, incorporating permutation-based feature importance to enhance interpretability. Results: EOP was significantly associated with higher maternal education and history of hypertension, while LOP was linked to a higher prevalence of allergic history. The best-performing ML model for predicting PE subtype was linear discriminant analysis (recall = 0.71), with top predictors including education level, family history of perinatal death, number of sexual partners, primipaternity, and family history of hypertension. Conclusions: EOP and LOP exhibit distinct clinical profiles in this cohort. The combination of traditional statistics with ML may improve early risk stratification and support context-specific prenatal care strategies in similar settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rendu–Osler disease is a rare genetic disease, characterized by widespread telangiectasia that can involve the skin and mucous membranes. The diagnosis is based on spontaneous and recurrent epistaxis; various mucosal and cutaneous telangiectasia at typical sites; visceral manifestations including gastrointestinal telangiectasia or pulmonary, cerebral, or hepatic arteriovenous malformation; and a first-degree relative with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx generally develops in patients with a smoking history. It is most often treated by surgery and/or radiotherapy. To our knowledge, these two entities were never reported in the same patient. Methods: We herein report a case of a 51-year-old man with Rendu–Osler disease. He was subsequently diagnosed with a locally advanced well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cord. Results: The patient received a neo-adjuvant chemo-immunotherapy, with nine weekly injections of paclitaxel (60 mg/m²/week), cisplatin (30 mg/m²/week), and cetuximab (250 mg/m²/week), and three injections of pembrolizumab (200 mg every 3 weeks). This controlled tumor bleeding, and then cisplatin-enhanced radiotherapy helped obtain a complete remission. Conclusions: Locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx treatment in the context of active Rendu–Osler disease is challenging. If the wide curative surgical approach is deemed too risky, neo-adjuvant chemo-immunotherapy may present a helpful alternative as it may enhance the conditions in order to perform classical radiotherapy with concomitant cisplatin. Full article

The evolution of the theory of dependent origination in sectarian Buddhism (部派佛教) follows two logical threads: one is the debate on the ontological nature of dharmas, which drove the shift towards a “non-substantiality” (Nairātmyavāda 無體論) interpretation of dependent origination; the other is the discussion of the nature of dependent origination, which led to a shift towards a theory of unconditioned (Asaṃskṛtavāda 無為論). On the ontological nature of dharmas, the Sarvāstivāda (有部), rooted in the doctrine of “substantial existence in three times” (Trikāla-dravyāstitva 三世實有), established a “substantial dependent origination” (有體緣起論), arguing through three principles: self-nature inclusion (自性攝), substance without function (有體無用), and the real existence of causes and conditions (因緣實有). In contrast, schools such as the Mahāsāṃghika (大眾部), Dārṣṭāntika (譬喻師), and Sautrāntika (經量部) introduced theories like the “simultaneous arising of two minds” (二心俱生), “cognition having no object” (緣無境), and “seed-function”, propelling the shift towards a theory of non-substantialism. Concerning the nature of the law of dependent origination, the Sarvāstivāda asserted that “dependent origination is conditioned”, while the Vibhajyavāda (分別說部) pioneered the notion that “dependent origination is unconditioned”, abstracting the law of dependent origination from the phenomenal world into a transcendental existence, initiating a shift towards a theory of unconditioned and giving rise to two interpretative paths: one is the Mahāsāṃghika’s “intrinsic nature of the links of dependent origination” (緣起支性), leading to the construction of the “relational unconditioned” (關係性無為); the other is the Mahīśāsaka’s (化地部) “dependent origination as suchness” (緣起真如), leading to the construction of the “principle-based unconditioned” (理體性無為). The deep interaction of these two turns not only propelled the diverse development of sectarian Buddhism theories of dependent origination but also provided theoretical prototypes for Mahayana Buddhism’s (大乘佛教) theories, such as the theory of “dependent origination under ultimate reality” (實相緣起), “suchness-based dependent origination” (真如緣起), and “innate pure mind dependent origination” (自性清淨心緣起). Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vineyard cultivation time and the use of metal-based fungicides on the chemical fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) as well as their interactions with Cu, Zn, and Mn in vineyard soils from Southern Brazil with varying histories of fungicide application. Soil samples were collected in 2017 from vineyards aged 35, 37, and 39 years in the Serra Gaúcha region and 13, 19, and 36 years in the Campanha Gaúcha. In each region, samples were also collected from a non-anthropized reference area. In the oldest vineyards, sampling was conducted both within and between the rows of planting. Chemical fractionation of SOM was performed: non-humic substances (nHSs), particulate organic matter (POM), fulvic acid (FA), humic acid (HA), and humin (Hu). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were obtained for the HA, from which the aromaticity index (AI) and relative intensities (RIs) were calculated. In each SOM fraction, total organic carbon and the concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn were determined. Changes in land use alter the forms and distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and, consequently, of metals. Elemental and spectroscopic analyses of HS revealed that HA in the reference areas (forest and native grassland) was more aliphatic and had higher concentrations of polysaccharides, indicating fractions with a lower degree of stabilization. However, in vineyard areas, HA exhibited greater humification and aromaticity. Increasing cultivation time gradually increased soil carbon content, indicating that viticultural agroecosystems can sequester carbon in the soil over time, reaching levels similar to those observed in the reference areas. When comparing vineyard areas alone, with row collections and inter-row collections, we observed an increase in SOC levels in areas managed with cover crops, demonstrating the importance of conservation management in these areas. When evaluating the distribution of metals in these soils, we could observe the high affinity of Cu for the functional groups of SOM, with FA and HA responsible for the complexation of these elements in the soil. For Zn and Mn, the greatest accumulations were observed in the Hu fraction due to their greater affinity for soil clay minerals. This shows that soil organic matter is a key component in the complexation of metals in soils, reducing their availability and potential toxicity to cultivated plants. Full article

Wittgenstein’s philosophy has influenced the philosophy of religion quite considerably. This is hardly due to his rather few remarks on religion. Instead, Wittgenstein’s influence seems to be connected to a certain, without doubt common, interpretation of his later philosophy, mainly of Philosophical Investigations. I speak about one interpretation because in my view the purportedly different interpretations of the sense in which certain key-concepts in the Philosophical Investigations are supposed to be fruitful for understanding religious language, in fact have a common, unacknowledged presupposition: that Wittgenstein’s account of language rotates around the quite traditional, philosophical concepts of subjectivity and objectivity. In the interpretations at stake, these concepts form the backdrop of questions about what “can” intelligibly be assessed by an individual and what “has to be” accounted for in “our” common language. There are discussions in the Philosophical Investigations that do give rise to such questions. However, what I take to be the main direction in Wittgenstein’s later philosophy is the movement away from the concepts of subjectivity and objectivity. Most clearly, this is visible in the second volume of Last Writings on the Philosophy of Psychology, where Wittgenstein dissolves the idea of the inscrutable inner of the other. As I will show, these remarks are in tension both with the views that his followers, such as Peter Winch, put forth and with his own remarks on religion in Culture and Value. Full article

The aim of this paper was to evaluate health, psychological distress, and functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic among Danish adults with and without a history of mental illness. Data were drawn from three online surveys conducted in May 2020 (n = 3134), January 2021 (n = 1170), and January 2022 (n = 1174) as part of the Danish contribution to the Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT). The prevalence of mental and physical health issues, psychological distress (stress, sleep problems, loneliness, and boredom) and levels of functioning (self-care, interpersonal relationships, hobbies/leisure, and work/education) were evaluated at four different time points stratified by history of mental illness. Findings indicated that physical health was not differentially affected between people with and without prior mental illness. However, mental health declined significantly more among respondents with a history of mental illness. While levels of stress did not differ between the two groups, boredom was more pronounced in May 2020 among those with prior mental illness. Loneliness was significantly higher in this group in January 2021. Sleep disturbances were more pronounced for respondents with former mental illness during the whole period. A decline in functioning was observed in people both with and without a former mental illness. It seemed a little more pronounced for people with mental illness but seldom reached statistical significance. For all measures of health, distress, and functioning, 10–20% of respondents reported improvements in health, distress, and functioning during the pandemic, with stress showing the most improvement—one third of participants reported feeling less stressed. In most of the parameters measured, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to decrease with time. However, the effects were not uniform, and more investigations are needed to understand the whole picture. Full article

Understanding concrete creep aging is essential for ensuring structural safety and long-term durability, while the lack of robust numerical models limits the ability to thoroughly investigate and accurately predict time-dependent deformation and cracking behaviors. This study proposes a numerical framework integrating a discrete model and the microprestress solidification (MPS) theory to describe the aging creep and quasi-static performance of concrete at early-age and beyond. Hydration kinetics were formulated into constitutive equations to consider the time-dependent evolution of elastic modulus, strength, and fracture properties. Derived from the MPS theory, a unified creep model is developed within the equivalent rheological framework based on strain additivity. This formulation accounts for both visco-elastic and purely viscous creep phases while coupling environmental humidity effects with aging through the hydration degree. The proposed model is validated against experimental datasets encompassing diverse curing conditions, loading histories, and environmental exposures. The simulation results demonstrate that extended curing age enhances concrete strength (compression and fracture), while increased curing temperature has minimal impact due to the competing effects of microstructural refinement and thermal microcracking; both drying-induced transient creep and thermally induced microcracking contribute to increased creep deformation, driven by changes in microprestress resulting from variations in the chemical potential of nanopore water. The proposed numerical model can provide an effective tool to design and predict the long-term performance of concrete under various environmental conditions. Full article