Search Results (1,758)

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate sociodemographic factors, features of the acute infection, and post-infection health status in survivors of COVID-19, assessing their association with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS). Methods: A multidisciplinary public clinic in Brazil assessed COVID-19 survivors between June 2020 and February 2022. Patients were classified as having PACS or subacute infection (SI). Data on the history of the acute infection, current symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory findings were collected and analyzed using multivariate models with PACS as the outcome. Results: Among the 113 participants, 63.71% were diagnosed with PACS at a median of 130 days (IQR: 53–196) following acute symptom onset. Admission to the intensive care unit was more frequent among individuals with PACS than those with SI (83.3% vs. 65.0% respectively; p = 0.037). Symptoms significantly more prevalent in the PACS group when compared to the SI cohort included hair loss (44.4% vs. 17.1% respectively; p = 0.004), lower limb paresthesia (34.7% vs. 9.8% respectively; p = 0.003), and slow thinking speed (28.2% vs. 0.0% respectively; p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that only the time interval between the onset of acute symptoms and the clinical evaluation was independently associated with a PACS diagnosis (β = 0.057; 95% CI: 1.03–1.08; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with PACS had a higher frequency of intensive care unit admission compared to those with subacute infection. However, in the multivariate analysis, the severity of the acute infection did not predict the final diagnosis of PACS, which was associated only with the time elapsed since symptom onset. Full article

Museums play an essential role in preserving both cultural and natural heritage, safeguarding samples that offer invaluable insights into our history and scientific understanding. The integration of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has significantly advanced the study, restoration, and conservation of these priceless objects. This work explores the application of micro-CT across three critical areas of museum practice: sample virtualization, restoration assessment, and the analysis of fossil specimens. Specifically, micro-CT scanning was applied to fossils stored in the G.A.M.P.S. collection (Scandicci, Italy), enabling the creation of highly detailed non-invasive 3D models for digital archiving and virtual exhibitions. At the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, micro-CT was employed to evaluate fossil bone restoration treatments, focusing on the internal impact of menthol as a consolidant and its effects on the structural integrity of the material. Furthermore, micro-CT was utilized to investigate a sealed bee preserved in its cocoon within a paleosol in Costa Vicentina (Portugal), providing unprecedented insights into its internal anatomy and state of preservation, all while maintaining the integrity of the specimen. The results of this study underscore the versatility of micro-CT as a powerful non-destructive tool for advancing the fields of conservation, restoration, and scientific analysis of cultural and natural heritage. By integrating high-resolution imaging with both virtual and hands-on conservation strategies, micro-CT empowers museums to enhance research capabilities, improve preservation methodologies, and foster greater public engagement with their collections. 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

The swift advancements in autonomous vehicle systems have facilitated their implementation across various industries, including agriculture. However, studies primarily focus on passenger vehicles, with fewer examining autonomous trucks. Therefore, this study reviews autonomous truck systems implementation in North Dakota’s agricultural industry to develop comprehensive technology readiness frameworks and strategic deployment approaches. The review integrates systematic literature review and event history analysis of 52 studies, categorized using Social–Ecological–Technological Systems framework across six dimensions: technological, economic, social change, legal, environmental, and implementation challenges. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) analysis reveals 39.5% of technologies achieving commercial readiness (TRL 8–9), including GPS/RTK positioning and V2V communication demonstrated through Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative deployments, while gaps exist in TRL 4–6 technologies, particularly cold-weather operations. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including legislative fragmentation, inadequate rural infrastructure, and barriers to public acceptance. The study provides evidence-based recommendations that support a strategic three-phase deployment approach for the adoption of autonomous trucks in agriculture. Full article

Background: Falls are a major public health issue among older adults, often related to postural or orthostatic hypotension (OH). The optimal timing and methods for measuring blood pressure (BP) to assess OH and its relationship with falls are uncertain. Methods: We analyzed data from two older cohorts: the PROHEALTH study (n = 30, aged ≥ 65 years) and the NILVAD-CBF trial (n = 58, aged ≥ 50 years). Continuous beat-to-beat BP was measured during active stand tests. We assessed orthostatic BP responses during sit-to-stand and supine-to-stand maneuvers and calculated the associations between orthostatic BP response variables and falls. Results: In the PROHEALTH cohort, participants with a history of falls exhibited a significantly lower baseline BP (115 ± 13/68 ± 10 vs. 142 ± 21/79 ± 11 mmHg; p = 0.004/0.018) and lower systolic BP (SBP) nadir (90 ± 22 vs. 112 ± 25 mmHg; p = 0.043) than non-fallers. SBP recovery within three minutes post-stand was delayed in fallers but rapid in non-fallers. A lower resting BP was associated with fall risk, and a lower BP nadir within 10 s after standing showed a trend toward a higher fall risk. No significant associations were found in the NILVAD-CBF cohort (prospective falls). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that a lower resting SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) are associated with an increased fall risk in older adults, with a lower SBP and DBP nadir after standing also showing a potential association. Persistent OH or delayed BP recovery is identified as a potentially relevant fall risk factor. The supine-to-stand test was more sensitive in detecting OH than the sit-to-stand test. Continuous BP monitoring provides the advantage of detecting pathophysiologic orthostatic BP responses for fall risk assessment in older adults. Further research with larger cohorts is warranted to validate our findings. Full article

Background: Scrub typhus (ST) is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi (OT) infection, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected chiggers. The clinical presentations range from mild to life-threatening multi-organ dysfunction. This report describes a cluster of ST cases involving five oil palm estate workers in Pekan district, Pahang, Malaysia. Methods: The clinical history, laboratory, and entomological investigation were conducted on the patients, including the index case and four suspected cases in the cluster. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for OT and genotyping were performed on the patients’ blood and urine samples. Serological testing by indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP) test against Rickettsial diseases was also conducted. Principal Findings: Patients presented with fever, myalgia, headache, rash, cough, and eschar. The index case developed severe ST complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI) and respiratory distress, requiring intubation and ventilation at the intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. ST was confirmed through PCR analysis of a urine sample, showcasing a novel diagnostic approach. The other four cases were confirmed by a four-fold rise in immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers. Conclusions: oil palm estate workers are at high risk for chigger exposure in Malaysia. Awareness among clinicians and the public of ST is crucial for effective prevention, accurate diagnosis, and optimal management. Full article

Inscribed trays, plates, mortars, and pestles made of beautiful green chert bearing formulaic administrative textual formulae were found during excavations at the Persepolis Treasury in the 1930s. These implements and the enigmatic formulae inscribed upon them present scholars with a complex and unique challenge whose correct interpretation holds important implications for the study of Achaemenid history, imperial administration, and relations between ancient Arachosia (roughly modern-day Afghanistan) and the centers of power, as well as—as I argue in this article—for the symbiosis between administration and cult in antiquity. They continue to be hotly debated ever since their inauspicious initial publication by Bowman in 1970, yet they have thus far remained obscure. By comparing these finds with material and textual data from across the Achaemenid empire and early Parthian sources, this article offers a new comprehensive study of these objects. My analysis suggests that these objects are to be considered as a more systematized and tightly controlled Arachosian form of “informal taxation”—namely, regulated gifts—which are comparable to similar imperial donations found in the Treasury at Persepolis. Specifically, they take part in an “economy of fealty” demonstrating loyalty to king and empire through the adherence to the era’s Mazdean ritual orthopraxy. Full article

Japanese scholarship occupies a special place in the study of Old Uyghur philology, Central Asian history and religions on the Silk Road. The German volume edited by J. P. Laut and K. Röhrborn in 1988 provides an overview of Japanese studies of Old Uyghur Buddhism and presents some representative works published up to 1988. For publications subsequent to 1988, an appendix to Laut and K. Röhrborn’s volume by M. Ölmez can be mentioned, though it provides minimal elaboration on Buddhist publications. The present paper offers a comprehensive review of notable contributions to the study of Old Uyghur Buddhism published in Japanese in recent years, which are challenging to access for scholars unacquainted with the Japanese language. It focuses exclusively on publications released between 2000 and 2024 in Japanese, with no English translations available at the time of submission of this paper. Full article

Grassland communities consist primarily of perennial herbaceous species, with grasses forming a dominant or significant component. These ecosystems have been utilised for economic purposes since the earliest periods of human history. In the natural environment, they fulfil numerous critical functions that, despite increasing awareness of climate change, often remain undervalued. Grasslands contribute directly to climate regulation, air purification, soil conservation, flood mitigation, and public health—all of which positively affect the well-being of nearby populations. Moreover, they satisfy higher-order human needs known as “cultural” services, providing aesthetic enjoyment and recreational opportunities. These services, in tangible terms, support the development of rural tourism. The objective of this study was to examine the perception of cultural ecosystem services provided by different types of grassland communities—meadows, pastures, and lawns. The study employed a structured questionnaire to evaluate the perceived significance and functions of these communities. Respondents assessed their aesthetic and recreational value based on land-use type. To quantify these dimensions, the study applies the Recreational and Leisure Attractiveness Index (RLAI), the Aesthetic Attractiveness Index (AAI), ranking methods, and contingent valuation techniques. Based on the respondents’ declared WTP (willingness to pay) and WTA (willingness to accept) values, statistically significant differences in the perceived value of land-use types were identified. Lawns were rated highest in terms of recreational attractiveness, meadows in terms of aesthetics, while pastures achieved the highest economic values. Significant differences were also observed depending on respondents’ place of residence and academic background. The results indicate that the valuation of cultural services encompasses both functional and psychological aspects and should be integrated into local land-use and landscape planning policies. Full article

Adult entertainment work may be associated with increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV. In Brazil, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV infection has been available through the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) since November 2017, representing a significant advancement in public sexual health policy. The objective of this study was to understand the individual and social determinants that promote PrEP use among adult entertainment workers. This was a cross-sectional, analytical, and quantitative study. A multivariate modeling approach was employed to identify factors independently associated with PrEP use. The study included 254 adult entertainment workers using oral PrEP through the SUS, predominantly young adults (141; 55.5%), SUS users (248; 97.6%), single (213; 83.9%), non-white (142; 55.9%), cisgender (148; 58.3%), and heterosexual (152; 59.8%). Factors independently associated with greater PrEP use included having adult entertainment as the main source of income (aPR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.86–3.95), prior use of PEP (aPR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.63–3.81), undergoing any type of health treatment (aPR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.15–2.12), and having a history of STIs (aPR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.10–2.08). Conclusion: PrEP use in this population was strongly influenced by structural and contextual factors, indicating that the availability of the technology alone does not ensure its effectiveness. Full article

The genus Datura L. has pharmacological activities due to its source of bioactive compounds. The effects of bioactive compounds can vary depending on species, geographical location, and environmental conditions. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most recent progress and to provide a comprehensive overview of studies concerning genetic alteration and bioactive compounds in the genus Datura, based on Scopus publications between 2015 and 2025. Throughout history, the genus Datura (Solanaceae) contains nine species of medicinal plants. A key component of elucidating the diversification process of congeneric species is identifying the factors that encourage species variation. A comparative gene family analysis provides an understanding of the evolutionary history of species by identifying common genetic/genomic mechanisms that are responsible for species responses to biotic and abiotic environments. The diverse range of bioactive compounds it contains contributes to its unique bioactivity. Datura contains tropane alkaloids (such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine), datumetine, withametelin, daturaolone, and atropine. Several compounds have been isolated and refined for use in treating various conditions as a result of recent progress in therapeutic development. Daturaolone, for example, is used to treat certain neurological disorders. In addition to providing renewed opportunities for the discovery of new compounds, these advancements also provide insights into the genetic basis for their biosynthesis. Our discussion also includes pitfalls as well as relevant publications regarding natural products and their pharmacological properties. The pace of discovery of bioactive compounds is set to accelerate dramatically shortly, owing to both careful perspectives and new developments. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pregnancy has been considered a risk factor for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the clinical impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women managed at a Spanish tertiary care hospital across different phases of the pandemic. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Dr. Balmis General University Hospital (Alicante, Spain) between March 2020 and May 2023. All pregnant women who received hospital care with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were analyzed and compared with the 6120 total births recorded during the same period. Results: A total of 249 pregnant women with COVID-19 were included, with 30.8%, 25.0%, and 7.9% hospitalized during each respective pandemic phase. The overall incidence of infection was 41 cases per 1000 births. Hospitalized pregnant women showed significantly higher rates of preterm birth, labor induction (70.4% vs. 47.0%; OR: 2.67; 95% CI: 1.12–6.43), and cesarean delivery (46.9% vs. 24.9%, OR: 2.60; 95% CI: 1.27–5.50). Neonatal outcomes included lower Apgar scores, increased admission to the neonatal unit (25.8% vs. 8.2%, p = 0.007), and a higher rate of neonatal complications (23.3% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.015). Maternal obesity and non-Spanish nationality were associated with more severe maternal disease. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 significantly reduced the risk of hospitalization due to the infection (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.13–0.69). Conclusions: Pregnant women admitted with COVID-19 had increased risks of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes, underscoring the importance of preventive strategies, such as vaccination. Full article

There is a growing pressure on industry to secure environments and demonstrate their commitment in taking right steps to secure their products. This is because of the growing number of security compromises in the IT industry, Operational Technology environment, Internet of Things environment and smart home devices. These compromises are not just about data breaches or data exfiltration, but also about unauthorised access to devices that are not configured correctly and vulnerabilities in software components, which usually lead to insecure authentication and authorisation. Incorrect configurations are usually in the form of devices being made available on the Internet (public domain), reusable credentials, access granted without verifying the requestor, and easily available credentials like default credentials. Organisations seeking to address the dual pressure of demonstrating steps in the right direction and addressing unauthorised access to resources can find a viable approach in the form of the zero trust concept. Zero trust principles are about moving security controls closer to the data, applications, assets and services and are based on the principle of “never trust, always verify”. As it stands today, zero trust research has advanced far beyond the concept of “never trust, always verify”. This paper provides the culmination of a literature review of research conducted in the space of smart home devices and IoT and the applicability of the zero trust five-step implementation process to secure them. We discuss the history of zero trust, the tenets of zero trust, the five-step implementation process for zero trust, and its adoption for smart home devices and Internet of Things, and we provide suggestions for future research. Full article

Dietary choices and patterns have enormous consequences along the lines of individual, community, and planetary health. Excess meat consumption has been linked to chronic disease risk, and at large scales, the underlying industries maintain a massive environmental footprint. For these reasons, public and planetary health experts are unified in emphasizing a whole or minimally processed plant-based diet. In response, the purveyors of ultra-processed foods have added “meat alternatives” to their ultra-processed commercial portfolios; multinational corporations have been joined by “start-ups” with new ultra-processed meat analogues. Here, in our Viewpoint, we revisit the 1990s food industry rhetoric and product innovation, a time in which multinational corporations pushed a great “low-fat transition.” We focus on the McLean Deluxe burger, a carrageenan-rich product introduced by the McDonald’s Corporation in 1991. Propelled by a marketing and media-driven fear of dietary fats, the lower-fat burger was presented with great fanfare. We reflect this history off the current “great protein transition,” a period once again rich in rhetoric, with similar displays of industry detachment from concerns about the health consequences of innovation. We scrutinize the safety of carrageenan and argue that the McLean burger should serve as a cautionary tale for planetary health and 21st century food innovation. Full article

The last stop on the Muslim pilgrimage is the Kaʻba. Like all other holy and religious places, the Kaʻba has survived due to the repairs it has undergone since its construction. However, the Kaʻba has been rebuilt at times when it was destroyed for various reasons. Since the interruption of the pilgrimage would undermine the legitimacy of the caliph, Muslims attached great importance to rebuilding the Kaʻba in such cases. The Kaʻba was last rebuilt by the Ottoman Sulṭān Murād IV after the flood of 1039/1630. However, the rebuilding process has not been without its controversies. Although the Ottoman Empire attempted to rebuild the Kaʻba out of necessity, some scholars objected to this initiative. Ibn ʻAllān, one of the leading Shafiʻi muftis of Mecca, followed the rebuilding work day by day and did not hesitate to intervene when necessary. Riḍwān Agha, who carried out the rebuilding of the Kaʻba, was able to overcome Ibn ʻAllān’s objections with fatwas from the muftis of the four sects (four Sunni schools of law) and thus completed the building work. After the Kaʻba was rebuilt, Turkish works on its history began to be produced. In this way, the public was informed that the Kaʻba could be rebuilt if necessary, and attempts were made to anticipate and prevent any potential reactions. This study aims to contribute to the history of the Kaʻba by analysing its rebuilding after the flood of 1039/1630 through debates between scholars (ʻulamāʼ) and administrators (umarāʼ) during this period. Access to the details of this issue from the works of the ʻulamāʼ who witnessed the rebuilding makes this paper unique. Full article