Search Results (99)

Medieval and modern readers of Johannes de Hauvilla’s late XII-century Latin poem Architrenius have proposed an array of discordant interpretations of the eponymous protagonist. This paper offers a historical profile of the critical reception of this peculiar fictional character, tracing responses from the Middle Ages to the present day. Given the poem’s limited dissemination and the modest critical attention it has received in modern times, it is possible to provide a nearly comprehensive overview of the reception history of the Architrenius. We analyze and classify the terminology and the argumentative strategies used by critics in constructing their portrait of the hero of Johannes’ poem and observe how these choices interact with the overall critical assessment of the Architrenius. Our analysis identifies two principal families of readers—both philologically and thematically—suggesting a dual trajectory in the reception of the poem throughout the centuries. Full article

Background: Infectious proctitis remains an underrecognized entity, although sexually transmitted diseases, especially bacterial infections, exhibit a marked increase in their incidence. Methods: Here, we report a case of a 44-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with lower abdominal and rectal pain, tenesmus, fever and night sweats for the past 6 days. Results: The computed tomography initially revealed a high suspicion of metastatic rectal cancer. The endoscopic findings showed a 5 cm rectal mass, suggestive of malignancy. The histologic examination showed, however, no signs of malignancy and lacked the classical features of an inflammatory bowel disease, so an infectious proctitis was further suspected. The patient reported to have had unprotected receptive anal intercourse, was tested positive for Treponema pallidum serology and received three doses of intramuscular benzathine penicillin G. A control rectosigmoidoscopy, imaging at 3 months and histological evaluation after antibiotic treatment showed a complete resolution of inflammation. Conclusions: Syphilitic proctitis may mimic various conditions such as rectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease and requires a high degree of suspicion. Clinicians need to be aware of infectious proctitis in high-risk populations, while an appropriate thorough medical history may guide the initial diagnostic steps. Full article

Many contemporaries considered the crusader conquest of Jerusalem in 1099 as a significant moment in Salvation History. This article investigates how the reception of the Roman conquest of the city (70 CE) contributed to such an understanding. The important Benedictine exegete Rupert of Deutz (c. 1070–1129) refers to the Roman conquest in 79 passages within his opus, notably in his various biblical commentaries. This case study shows how the past event provided a rationale, exegetical and providential in nature, to understand three dimensions: (a) the role of the Jews, especially that it had been necessary to deprive them of the Holy Land; (b) the current situation of and purpose of Christians in the Holy Land; and (c) the End of Time, which was expected in Jerusalem, and which Rupert anchored already significantly in his own present. His commentary on John’s Revelation even asserted that the Roman conquest had opened the sixth of seven seals (Rev. 6:12). Therefore, the Apocalypse had been ongoing since 70 CE—but only in the Holy Land, a fact that made it necessary for Christians to travel there. The article thus demonstrates that biblical commentaries are potent sources for both crusade studies and historical research in general. Full article

Background: Influenza poses a significant threat to the health of Malaysians, particularly among the elderly population. It results in high levels of illness and mortality, becoming a financial burden on the government. Vaccination is widely recognised as the most effective measure for controlling the spread and impact of influenza. Objectives: This study sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding influenza and influenza vaccination among older adults attending primary healthcare centres in different states of Malaysia. Additionally, the study assessed the level of acceptance for a proposed free annual influenza vaccination program. Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted involving 672 older people aged 60 and above who visited nine primary healthcare centres in Malaysia. These centres were selected using proportionate to population size (PPS) sampling to ensure representation from each zone. Participants completed a validated self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the levels of KAP, and a binomial logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors of acceptance for the proposed free annual vaccination program. Results: Most participants displayed a strong understanding of influenza illness (74.0%) and the vaccine (65.9%). Moreover, 76.4% of respondents exhibited a positive attitude towards influenza vaccination. However, the prevalence of good vaccination practices was relatively low, with only 29.2% of participants having a history of previous vaccination, and just 55.2% of these consistently practicing annual vaccination. The group acceptance rate for the proposed free annual influenza vaccination was 62.3%. Significant predictors of acceptance included a history of previous vaccination (good practice) (OR = 6.438, 95% CI = 1.16–35.71, p < 0.001), a positive attitude towards vaccines (OR = 21.98, 95% CI = 5.44–88.87, p = 0.033), and a good level of knowledge about the influenza vaccine (OR = 0.149, 95% CI = 0.03–0.79, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Increasing the uptake of influenza vaccination among the older population in Malaysia remains a significant challenge. It is recommended that a targeted, free annual influenza vaccination program be implemented for high-risk populations, particularly those with comorbidities and those who have shown greater receptiveness. In addition, health education strategies aimed at raising awareness and understanding of influenza should be prioritised. Strengthening epidemiological data collection and establishing systematic monitoring mechanisms are also essential to support these efforts. Full article

This paper chronicles the evolution of the presbyterate of the Ruthenian Byzantine Metropolitan Catholic Church in the United States of America from the time of the first wave of immigrants to the United States to the present day. It looks at critical junctures in the history of this sui iuris Church regarding (1) the importation of married priests from Europe serving in the Metropolia during the first wave of immigration; (2) the restriction of consideration for priestly formation and ordination to celibate men; (3) the more recent importation of married priests from Europe in response to the critical shortage of clergy; and (4) most recently, the admission of American-born married men to priestly formation and ordination. This paper will examine in more detail the changing face of the presbyterate across the Metropolia, beyond the boundaries of the Passaic Eparchy. This paper also discusses how the Metropolia has adapted to forming married men alongside single men for the presbyterate as well as developed a policy for the formation of married deacons for the married presbyterate. The Byzantine Catholic Seminary adapted from having a student body of celibate men to one that includes celibate men, men who are dating, and others who are married. This paper also discusses the reception of married priests and their families by the lay faithful as well as the reception and acceptance of married priests and their families by celibate clergy. Finally, this paper discusses how the restoration of the married presbyterate to the Metropolia has been a positive development for the Church. Full article

Christian theology is not an isolated system of knowledge. The theological phenomena of revelation and inspiration are related to human knowledge of self, community and the world, yet it would be insufficient to think that their conceptual content comes only from human natural experience. This truth is expressed in the doctrine of “theological places”, which is most often associated with the Spanish Dominican Melchior Cano because of its systematic presentation. In this contribution, I present the hypothesis that science (in the modern sense) can be understood as a “theological place”, not only from the perspective of direct assimilation of concrete and detailed scientific data, but also at the level of imagination. Imagination turns out to be one of the essential components of the scientific method, of course, differently at different stages of the history of science. At the same time, today, theology itself is increasingly appealing to the imagination. In this perspective, one of the main tasks facing theology is the reception of the scientific imagination at both levels of its functioning: as a paradigm of thinking and a specific set of information that makes up the modern scientific picture of the world. Scientific imagination, not only that which comes from art, literature and philosophy, can significantly stimulate the theological imagination. Full article

Interpretations of the Book of Revelation were extremely popular in the 16th century, not least due to the precarious situation of Protestantism in Europe. In these contexts, the Revelation of John was of utmost importance to the issue of pastoral care in the early modern period, despite the intensive discussions about its canonicity. It contained the most detailed explanations of what awaited Christians after their death and how the events of the end times would unfold until the return of Christ. The perspective of what to expect after death was of great pastoral, and therefore, theological importance. One of the most important commentaries was the ‘Hundred Sermons on the Apocalypse’ by the Zurich-born reformer Heinrich Bullinger. This article examines the biblical concepts of the future that Bullinger identified, as well as the reformer’s own emphases and their practical implications. This article combines, therefore, the flourishing history of the reception of the Bible with the history of Christian conceptions of the future—and its pastoral implications—that have yet to be applied to the Swiss Reformation. Full article

Background—Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a chronic restrictive cardiomyopathy endemic to tropical and subtropical regions, characterized by fibrotic thickening of the endocardium, predominantly affecting the ventricular chambers. As global migration increases, cases of EMF may emerge in non-endemic areas, posing a diagnostic challenge for healthcare professionals unfamiliar with this condition. Methods—We report the case of a 21-year-old man of African origin who experienced sudden collapse while residing in a reception center for asylum seekers in Apulia, Southeastern Italy. His medical history revealed that one week prior, he had been presented with high fever, chest pain, and asthenia, symptoms initially misinterpreted as influenza by a local physician, leading to antibiotic therapy. Results—The definitive diagnosis of EMF was established post-mortem through histological examination, which identified characteristic endocardial fibrosis. This case exemplifies the re-emergence of neglected tropical cardiac diseases in Western countries due to increased migration from endemic regions. Conclusions—This case highlights the need for heightened clinical awareness among healthcare professionals, particularly in cardiology and primary care, to recognize and manage geographically displaced diseases such as EMF. Implementing enhanced medical education and diagnostic protocols is essential to address the evolving epidemiological landscape and improve early identification of rare but significant cardiac pathologies in migrant populations. Full article

The reception of the so-called New Atheism in the 2000s in the intellectual community was harsh. Its main figures were accused of elaborating on a subject of which they were mostly ignorant. Criticism focused on the narrow way they described religion as a set of factual beliefs that compete with—and pale in the face of—modern science, instead of a life experience, an ethical orientation, an existential commitment, or a set of communal practices. In the spirit of S.J. Gould’s non-overlapping magisteria thesis, these critics contended that religion has little to do with factual assertions. This paper challenges this strict separation, arguing that many theistic traditions, such as Christianity, inherently make factual claims about the universe and history, intertwining their beliefs with cosmic realities. Following Ronald Dworkin’s posthumous distinction between the “science part” and the “value part” of religion, the paper underscores the philosophical legitimacy of religious factual claims, thus acknowledging the potential overlap between science and religion. In this sense, it argues that the New Atheists may have got wrong the meaning of religion in many people’s lives, but they got the “science part” right enough. In the same vein, it concludes that while creationists are most likely wrong in their account of the origin of life and biodiversity, their contestation in the factual domain cannot be discarded as a disfigurement of religion. Full article

This article aims to elucidate the origin of the merchant scene within the Easter drama, which can, by extension, be interpreted as representative of the entire Visitatio Sepulchri. Given that the troper-proser Vic 105 is the oldest attestation of the scene, we have used this manuscript as our starting point. Through a critical edition of the first nine stanzas of the drama, we propose a multidisciplinary working hypothesis that combines tools from reception history and cultural transfers studies with more traditional methods of stemmatics. As part of an ongoing project, we present two types of results: those that are well-supported by strong evidence, and others in the form of plausible hypotheses, awaiting further data to be substantiated. Full article

The accurate and continuous location monitoring of athletes helps in meeting health and safety requirements and supporting the infotainment needs of large marathon events with thousands of participants. Currently, the tracking of individuals and groups of athletes at mass sports events is only possible to a limited extent, due to the weight, size, and cost constraints of the necessary devices. At marathon events, the usual infrastructure for timekeeping is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, which allows only precise tracking at huge intervals, with heuristic and interpolative algorithms to estimate runner positions in between the measuring points. Setting up RFID tracking stations on site is also material- and labor-intensive. We instead propose a continuous, real-time tracking solution, relying on Long-Range Wide-Area Network (LoRaWAN) GPS trackers. Due to the large geographical area and urban space in which marathon events take place, the positioning of static gateways cannot provide complete and continuous coverage. This research article presents an implementation with multiple LoRa trackers and mobile LoRa gateways installed on vehicle escorts to assess coverage quality. The tracking data collected by a receiving LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS) are stored in a database. Three experiments were conducted at three different official running events: a 10 km race, a half marathon, and a marathon. The backdrop for the 42.195 km event was the official Vienna City Marathon 2024 with more than 35,000 participants. The experimental results under these realistic conditions show the reception quality of this approach; e.g., during the marathon, the received packets from LoRa gateways were at an average distance of about 136 m (σ 157 m) from the tracker with a median update rate of 31 s across all trackers, using DR3/SF9. At greater distances, the quality decreased, although some outliers were received up to a distance of two kilometers. A possible prospect is that the low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) may repeat the history of RFID by entering the mass sports market from the industry domain. Full article

At the intersection of memory and feminist studies, this article examines the issue of suffrage and feminist monumental commemoration in the United States. Starting from the deficit of statues representing female historical figures in the public space, it analyzes the conception and reception of two important monuments honoring women’s suffrage (Portrait Monument 1921 and the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument 2020). While those monuments have somewhat broken the “bronze ceiling”, they testify to the mechanics of exclusion and inclusion at work both in the construction of history and memory. Then, the article takes on a broader perspective, questioning the extent to which traditional monuments, as products of a patriarchal culture and memory, can properly commemorate modern feminism. The essay identifies two trends, one consisting of transforming the bronze through various strategies, the other of “breaking the bronze” by replacing it with other materials and proposing new memory frameworks belonging to what James E. Young has labeled countermonuments. Still, the article ultimately questions the limits of the monument itself and points to the notion of interactive spaces as perhaps the most adequate sites of memory for the complex, multifaceted, contested, and contemporary movement that feminism(s) stand(s) for. Full article

As in many other countries, baseline data concerning the linguistic development of bilingual children in Sweden are lacking, and suitable methods for identifying developmental language disorder (DLD) in bilinguals are lacking as well. This study presents reference data from 108 typically developing (TD) Turkish/Swedish-speaking children aged 4;0–8;1, for a range of language tasks developed specifically for the assessment of bilinguals (LITMUS test battery, COST Action IS0804). We report on different types of nonword repetition (NWR) tasks (language-specific and language-independent), receptive and expressive vocabulary (Cross-Linguistic Lexical Tasks, CLTs), and narrative macrostructure comprehension and production (Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives, MAIN) in Turkish, the children’s home language, and in Swedish, the language of schooling and society. Performance was investigated in relation to age, language exposure, type of task, and (for NWR and narratives) vocabulary size. There was a positive development with age for all tasks, but effects of language exposure and vocabulary size differed between tasks. Six bilingual Turkish/Swedish children with DLD were individually compared to the TD children. TD/DLD performance overlapped substantially, particularly for NWR, and more so for the production than the comprehension tasks. Surprisingly, the discriminatory potential was poor for both language-specific and language-independent NWR. DLD case studies underscored the importance of interpreting language scores in relation to exposure history, and the need for an increased emphasis on functional language skills as reported by parents and teachers when assessing and diagnosing DLD in bilinguals. Full article

Understanding local history is fundamental to fostering a comprehensive global viewpoint. As technological advances shape our pedagogical tools, Virtual Reality (VR) stands out for its potential educational impact. Though its promise in educational settings is widely acknowledged, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, there is a noticeable decrease in research exploring VR’s efficacy in arts. The present study examines the effects of VR-mediated interventions on cultural education. In greater detail, secondary school adolescents (N = 52) embarked on a journey into local history through an immersive 360° VR experience. As part of our research approach, we conducted pre- and post-intervention assessments to gauge participants’ grasp of the content and further distributed psychometric instruments to evaluate their reception of VR as an instructional approach. The analysis indicates that VR’s immersive elements enhance knowledge acquisition but the impact is modulated by the complexity of the subject matter. Additionally, the study reveals that a tailored, context-sensitive, instructional design is paramount for optimising learning outcomes and mitigating educational inequities. This work challenges the “one-size-fits-all” approach to educational VR, advocating for a more targeted instructional approach. Consequently, it emphasises the need for educators and VR developers to collaboratively tailor interventions that are both culturally and contextually relevant. Full article

The Seven Victories is one of the most influential works in Catholic literature from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The seven victories spiritual cultivation contained therein is the result of the localization of the practice of the Christian faith in the West. It is still a living tradition in the Christian religion and even in Western culture. Since the end of the Ming Dynasty, The Seven Victories has aroused significant repercussions in the ecclesiastical and academic worlds. Some scholars converted to Catholicism because of The Seven Victories and wrote preambles in response to it; some scholars wrote essays criticizing the ethical ideas of The Seven Victories; and some scholars were inspired by The Seven Victories to write about Confucian ideas of sin, the work of reform, and the liturgy of repentance. Together, these constitute the history of the reception of The Seven Victories in China. Through Confucian culture integration, Chinese Christian scholars have developed a localized interpretation of the seven victories spiritual cultivation, resulting in a localized Chinese spiritual cultivation of sin. Full article