History Research Articles

Refractive error and abnormal stereopsis association with road traffic accidents in Saudi Arabian truck drivers.

To investigate the visual functions of truck drivers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in the region of Qassim and Dammam and to see if is there any association between these visual functions and self-reported road traffic accidents (RTA). It is a cross-sectional, descriptive study. LogMAR visual acuity, refractive error, color vision, stereopsis, and confrontation visual fields were measured in 300 truck drivers in the Qassim and Dammam regions of KSA. Driving-related history and incidence of RTA from the past 3 years, systemic history, and general eye compliance history were collected through a self-reporting questionnaire. Among 300 truck drivers examined, 54 (18.4%) subjects have a refractive error, 14 (4.7%) subjects have color vision deficiency, 37 (12.2%) subjects have abnormal stereo acuity, and none of them have confrontation visual field defect. RTA was reported in 25 (8.3%) subjects. The current study has found RTA is significantly associated with refractive error (P = 0.01) and abnormal stereopsis (P < 0.01). Systemic history revealed that 11% of the subjects had diabetes mellitus. The current study is the first to report on the visual functions of KSA truck drivers. Hence, the current study has found a significant association between visual functions and RTA among truck drivers, we recommend a comprehensive examination need to be part of issuing driver's licenses in KSA. More studies with larger samples from different regions of KSA are needed to extrapolate these findings.

German Porphyria Registry (PoReGer)-Background and Setup.

Porphyrias, as most rare diseases, are characterized by complexity and scarcity of knowledge. A national registry in one of the largest European populations that prospectively collects longitudinal clinical and laboratory data are an important and effective tool to close this gap. The German Porphyria Registry (PoReGer) was founded by four centers with longstanding expertise in the field of porphyrias and rare diseases (Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Porphyria Center Saxony Chemnitz, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, University Medical Center Göttingen) and the German reference laboratory for porphyria, and is supported by the largest German porphyria patient organization. A specified data matrix for three subgroups (acute, chronic blistering cutaneous, acute non-blistering cutaneous) includes data on demographics, specific porphyria-related symptoms, clinical course, general medical history, necessary follow-up assessments (including laboratory and imaging results), symptomatic and disease-modifying therapies, and side-effects. Additionally, the registry includes patient-reported outcome measures on quality of life, depression, and fatigue. PoReGer aims to broaden and deepen the understanding on all porphyria-related subjects. We expect these data to significantly improve the management and care of porphyria patients. Additionally, the data can be used for educational purposes to increase awareness, for the planning of healthcare services, and for machine learning algorithms for early detection of porphyrias.

A Brief Analysis of the Historical Change Process and Characteristics of Hu Yaobang's Political Character

The development of character profoundly influences an individual's life, and in the realm of politics, it shapes a person's political trajectory, encompassing a series of decisions and choices. Hu Yaobang, as a prominent political figure within the Chinese Communist Party, was influenced by the cultural milieu of Hunan Province during his formative years, the era he lived in, and the people and events around him. Through a series of challenges and experiences, he evolved into a paramount figure within the CCP, with his political character maturing over time. Hu Yaobang's political character is multifaceted, marked by his dedication to public service, unwavering courage, and steadfast beliefs. These traits not only earned him acclaim as an exemplary Communist Party member but also bestowed enduring contributions upon China's reform and opening-up endeavors. This study aims to explore Hu Yaobang's political character, offering insights into China's unique historical development through individual analysis, holding positive implications for furthering China's reform and opening-up and its contemporary populace.

THE URGENCY OF UNDERSTANDING ISLAMIC HISTORY ACCORDING TO YUSUF QARADAWI'S PARADIGM

Secularists often spread lies about Islamic history and thus distort Islamic history. As Muslims, we must maintain the authenticity of Islamic history so that it can be properly understood by current and future generations. This article discusses the urgency of understanding Islamic history theoretically, as well as according to the paradigm of Yusuf Al Qardhawi which will be described in detail in this article. By using a descriptive qualitative approach with the aim of defining history, historical urgency, as well as describing theory and development, interpreting Yusuf Al Qaradawi's paradigm of the urgency of understanding Islamic history. This study resulted in the following discussions: 1) Yusuf Musthafa al-Qardhawi is one of the great scholars born in Cairo as well as a Muslim scholar who has had many works in various fields of science; 2) history is the knowledge or science of important events and events for many people or societies that occurred in the past that occurred to humans, society and nature chronologically or not; 3) History has 3 important essences, namely history as a science, history as events and history as stories; 4) By studying Islamic history, it is hoped that one can know and understand the growth and development of Islamic civilization, from the time of its birth to the present, and 5) According to Yusuf Al Qardhawi, the de-Islamization movement that aims to decredit Islam one of them is historical distortion, not all information recorded in history books is one hundred percent true. Many history books have distorted and lies that can be proven through intensive study. Therefore, it is important to study Islamic history that is studied by Muslims themselves so that Islamic history does not occur distortions).

The Central European history in constitutional preambles: state narrative and governance implications

ABSTRACT The study deals with the historical narrative of the modern Central European constitutions. The earlier 20th century constitutions were also in some way responsive to historical changes, but in the post-1989 constitutions, the historical narrative has also acquired a strong legitimating function. This was partly related to the fact that several states gained state independence at the time. Another important aspect is the confrontation with the communist past. Typically the constitutional preambles deal with history. The normative nature of the preambles is disputed, but they can play an important role in the process of legal interpretation by constitutional courtes. The most interesting in this respect is the Hungarian preamble adopted in 2011, which is both the longest and the most ideological in the Central European region. The ideological elements in the post-transitional constitutions has not weakened over time, but rather strengthened. This is particularly obvious in Hungarian constitutional development. However, a strong historical narrative can sometimes become counterproductive. This is especially true for states, where there is no co-decision consensus on the judgement of certain key historical events and thus an one-sided presentation of historical issues can also make it difficult for constitutions to fulfil their social integration function.

Commemoration, modernism and self-identity in contemporary graphic memoir

ABSTRACT This essay focuses on two texts, Mary M. Talbot’s and Bryan Talbot’s Dotter of her Father’s Eyes (2012) and Sarah Laing’s Mansfield and Me: A Graphic Memoir (2016). Both texts are in a direct line of influence from modernist authors such as James Joyce and Katherine Mansfield, but also from an earlier appropriation of modernism to support a life narrative within the graphic novel form, Alison Bechdel’s celebrated text Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic (2006). As I will show by responding to the critical background from both modernist studies and comics studies, these more recent graphic memoirs, which I term ‘auto/biographics’, use comparative memory to register historical changes between our generation and the modernist generation in order to fully develop their memory narratives. Talbot’s and Laing’s combination of words and images, memoir and biography, combine difficulties of identity and resemblance in hybrid forms that both seek to commemorate modernism as a historical period and attempt to render the ambiguities of memory through modernist techniques.

Wandering books in the global Enlightenment: The life of an eighteenth-century library that crisscrossed the Atlantic

ABSTRACT This study examines the “life” of an eighteenth-century private library that migrated from Spain to New Spain in 1765 and returned, greatly reduced, back to Europe in 1772. The collection’s owner was José de Gálvez (1720–1787), a reformist Spanish statesman and recently appointed royal inspector of the Mexican viceroyalty. Standing at the crossroads of book history, the history of reading, and political history, this piece examines the library and its books from both a material and intellectual perspective. It relies on “Thing Theory,” a methodological approach that opens avenues for further research on human-object relations in the Atlantic world. Examining the interplay between the owner, his ideas, his biography, and his book collection, this study expands book history’s geographies and proposes a new narrative about the global dimensions of the Enlightenment.

Evaluation of historical and future coastal wetland change in the Yellow and Bohai Seas using satellite images and a land use model

Predicting the future distribution of coastal wetlands and characterizing changes in the area of wetlands between historical and future periods are important for the formulation of wetland conservation and management plans. Here, we used a cellular automata–Markov model and satellite images to simulate the future distribution of coastal wetlands under the business-as-usual scenario (BAU) and ecological protection scenario (EP) along the Yellow and Bohai Seas in China; we also explored historical (from 1990 to 2020) and future (from 2020 to 2050) changes in wetlands and the factors driving these changes. We found that the area of tidal flats gradually decreased because of increases in the area of saltpans, and the aquaculture area increased because of land reclamation and the invasion of Spartina alterniflora; most of the tidal flat area was fragmented into multiple small patches. If the current rate of degradation continues (BAU), the area of tidal flats will decrease by 21.25%, and the area of saltpans and aquaculture will increase by 13.83% and 21.25%, respectively. By contrast, under EP, the area of tidal flats will increase by 13.81%, and this increase will mainly stem from the conversion of areas with S. alterniflora (174.49 km2, 33.22%) to aquaculture areas (155.17 km2, 29.54%). Clear differences between historical and future periods were observed among Liaohe Estuary, Bohai Bay, Laizhou Bay, and the Yancheng–Nantong coasts. Land reclamation is the main factor inducing changes in the area of tidal flats, saltpans, and aquaculture in Liaohe Estuary, Bohai Bay, and Laizhou Bay. Land reclamation and the S. alterniflora invasion both affect the distribution of wetlands along the Yancheng–Nantong coasts.

Declining but not (yet) threatened: a challenge for avian conservation in Australia

ABSTRACT Threatened species receive much attention in conservation science and practice. Species currently declining, but not yet listed as threatened, also deserve consideration to reduce their risk of sliding towards extinction and to maintain their functional roles in ecosystems. Information on declining bird species in Australia is available from four main sources: national databases, syntheses of historical change, regional monitoring programmes and summaries for guilds of species. Many species show evidence of decline; declines of species are occurring nation-wide, and they are ongoing. Trends for individual species vary geographically; they may be declining in part of their range but stable elsewhere. Common trajectories of population decline include: (a) a downward linear trend; (b) a marked downturn, sustained at a lower level; and (c) fluctuations through time associated with episodic events (e.g. drought) and incomplete recovery. Ongoing declines affect ecosystems through reduced species richness, homogenisation of bird communities, changes to interspecific interactions and ecosystem services, and contributing to extinction debt. Improving the conservation outlook for declining species requires systematic monitoring to know where, when and how much decline is occurring, together with protection of critical habitats and source populations, ambitious programmes of restoration, and identification and effective control of threats. Responding to declining species offers opportunities for community engagement, monitoring and action at a local and regional level. New ways are needed to incorporate such species in conservation planning and environmental regulation at a regional scale, to give them greater visibility and avoid local declines accumulating until taxa become nationally threatened.

Application of new materials and new processes for thread-bound books in the era of digital economy

With the continuous advancement of the digital age and the popularization of network technology, the development of thread-bound books must keep pace with the times. Designers should shoulder the responsibility of inheritance and development and strive to learn the essence of traditional thread-bound books,for modern book design services. Therefore, in the digital age, more possibilities are proposed for the future development direction of traditional thread-bound books. For book design, the application of new materials and new processes also reflects the trend of aesthetics. Thread-bound books are the carrier of information and the embodiment of civilization. Its emergence and development are a sign that mankind has entered the civilized era. At the same time, along with thread-bound books in history, along with the process of human life and production, the discovery and invention of new materials, and the discovery and invention of new substances, books, as witnesses of human civilization, are constantly changing their appearance to understand the changes in materials, technology and thread-bound books. The historical origin of design, understanding the flesh-and-blood relationship between materials, technology and books, in order to give greater meaning to modern thread-bound book design

THE EDUCATIONAL ROLE OF LIBRARIES IN THE GRECO-ROMAN CIVILIZATION AND THE FORMATION OF THE SOCIAL CHARACTER OF READING

The paper delves into the interplay between the history of books, the evolution of libraries, and reading habits in the Greco-Roman world. It examines how literary production and reading practices were influenced by social and cultural conditions, shaping the relationship between readers and literature. By exploring book production, library institutions, and reading attitudes of that era, it becomes apparent how reading literature not only requires but also enhances linguistic, social, and cognitive skills, thus impacting overall quality of life. This historical perspective underscores the educational role of libraries as hubs for reading, fostering culture, and emphasizing the communal aspect of reading. It suggests that the notion of reading groups as interpretive communities, as we understand them today, has deep historical roots, catering to individuals' mental needs and serving societal functions within each collective.

Historical land use and land cover change reduced the temperature of cold extremes more than that of hot extremes

&lt;p&gt;The impact of historical land use and land cover change (LULCC) on the mean climate has been extensively studied, but its impact on temperature extremes is not well understood. This study investigates the biophysical effect of LULCC on temperature extremes using two sets of model simulations �C one with land use fixed at 1850 level and the other with historical LULCC from 1850 to 2014. We find that the historical LULCC has two asymmetric effects: (i) it decreases the temperature of coldest day (�C0.56 �� 0.23 K; mean �� std. error) more than that of the hottest day (�C0.21 �� 0.07 K) at the mid-latitudes of northern hemisphere; and (ii) it has a stronger impact in the mid-latitudes of northern hemisphere relative to the tropical region. These changes result largely from an indirect effect of LULCC via changes in clouds, circulations, and the downward longwave radiation. We stress that the indirect effects from climate feedback of LULCC should be considered when implementing reforestation policy.&lt;/p&gt;

Conjunctival vessel morphology in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: findings of a case-control study.

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus that may lead to vision loss. Retinal problems are more likely to occur as the illness advances. Micro- and macro-vascular angiopathy is both linked to diabetes mellitus. Examining the impact of diabetes on blood vessels is one approach to understanding the disease's outward symptoms. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the morphology and breadth of conjunctival vessels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to establish a correlation between these alterations and clinical retinal changes. A case-control study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, KIMS, Koppal, Karnataka. The study included diabetic patients who voluntarily participated and were assessed at the Ophthalmology Outpatient Department (OPD). The general and ophthalmic history was taken for both cases and control. The best corrected visual acuity was estimated. Each subject, including cases and controls, had a general and ophthalmic history recorded. The anterior segment was evaluated with a slit lamp. After completing the clinical examination, the subjects underwent a conjunctival vessel imaging study using the slit lamp. The imaging included the study of conjunctival vessel morphology using ImageNet. Both the test and control groups are comparable in terms of age and gender. The severity of diabetic retinopathy was shown to correlate with the conjunctival width range. Mild diabetic retinopathy is characterized by a conjunctival width of 30-34 microns (mean: 34.9), moderate diabetic retinopathy by 35-39 microns (mean: 37.3), severe diabetic retinopathy by 40-44 microns (mean: 42.4), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy by 50-54 microns (mean: 45.6). Diabetes mellitus patients have larger conjunctival arteries as the disease becomes more severe. Dilated and tortuous conjunctival arteries are visible indicators that correlate with worsening diabetic retinopathy. This could be used for screening to ensure timely referral.

Historical changes in English literature

Historical changes in English literature

Long-term changes in population size and distribution of Stercorarius maccormicki (Stercorariidae, Charadriiformes) on the Haswell Islands, East Antarctica

Long-term studies are crucial in ecology, environmental change assessment, resource management and biodiversity conservation. Stercorarius maccormicki (hereinafter – south polar skua) are predators that can threaten populations of bird species of the orders Sphenisciformes and Procellariiformes. At many places in Antarctica, abundance trends for the skua are not known or have not been updated. This study is an attempt to answer the question: how did a south polar skua population react to changes in environmental conditions during 1956–2013? The objectives of the study was (1) to establish the dynamics of the breeding skua population on the Haswell Islands, i.e. Haswell Island and the small islands of the Haswell Archipelago during 1956–2013, and (2) to explain the reasons of the changes in the studied population. A secondary research question was whether there were changes in the spatial distribution of the breeding skua population on the Haswell Archipelago during the study period? The studies have been carried out on the Haswell Archipelago (Davis Sea), mainly in Antarctic Specially Protected Area №127 «Haswell Island and adjacent emperor penguin rookery on fast ice». Ground count was the main method for determining the size of bird colonies. South polar skua bred on 3–8 islands of the Haswell Archipelago. In the study period, the population size of the south polar skua has changed on the Haswell Archipelago. A decrease in the number of individuals (-52%) was observed between 1956–1957 and 1966–1967 breeding seasons. Between 1966–1967 and 1999–2000 breeding seasons, the skua population declined by 30.7% and reached the lowest value of 18 pairs. Population growth (344.4%) was recorded between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010 breeding seasons, with an increase of 33.8% and reaching the maximum value (83 pairs) in 2010–2011 breeding season. By 2012–2013 breeding season, the south polar skua population has declined by 13.2%. On Haswell Island, between 1956–1957 and 2012–2013 breeding seasons, there was a change in skua abundance that was similar to the change in the total breeding population on Haswell Archipelago during the entire period. On the small islands of the Haswell Archipelago, the number of breeding south polar skuas declined (-80%) between 1956–1957 and 1962–1963 breeding seasons. The breeding seasons of 1962–1963, 1966–1967 and 1999–2000 were characterised by the lowest number of individuals. Between 1999–2000 and 2009–2010 breeding seasons, the number of south polar skuas increased by 400%. A decrease in abundance (-41.6%) occurred between 2009–2010 and 2010–2011, followed by the consequent increase (by 36.3%) by 2012–2013 breeding season. During the study period, changes in the abundance of south polar skuas on the Haswell Archipelago were independent of changes in average daily November temperatures between 1956–1957 and 2012–2013 breeding seasons (Mann-Whitney test U = 0, p = 0.0017, n = 7 (asymptotic (2-sided))), when they were laying eggs and heating them. The number of south polar skuas changed independently of changes in the number of individuals of their prey, represented by Aptenodytes forsteri, Pygoscelis adeliae, and Fulmarus glacialoides (respectively U = 49, p = 0.0006, n = 7; U = 16, p = 0.029, n = 4; U = 16, p = 0.029, n = 4 (asymptotic (2-sided))). The high mortality of eggs, chicks and local weather conditions could influence the breeding success of the south polar skua, which could have a delayed effect on their long-term dynamics. Human activities have influenced the skua population, but have not been studied quantitatively. On the Haswell Archipelago, the reasons for historical changes in abundance of the breeding skua population remain largely unclear.

The current state of green spaces and their historical changes in Bukhara City

The article is based on the research and scientific results of the condition, size and quantity of green spaces in the city of Bukhara in the last 30 years. The study details the fact that green spaces are the main source of life for urban residents, as well as their important functions of protection from urban noise, recreation, environmental protection, aesthetics and even investment. The scientific conclusions and practical suggestions obtained as a result of research studies are also described in this article.

Morphological and Habitat Quality of Salmonid Streams and their Relationship with Fish-Based Indices in Aotearoa New Zealand and Ontario (Canada).

Habitat degradation is one of the major reasons for freshwater species decline. Hydrogeomorphological processes (such as sediment transport, bank erosion, and flooding) operate at the catchment scale and determine habitat features in river reaches. However, habitat quality indices and restoration for freshwater fish species are often implemented at small spatial scales of a few hundred metres. The Morphological Quality Index (MQI) considers fluvial processes at larger scales as well as channel forms, human impacts, and historical changes, but few studies have assessed its relevance for ecosystem health. We investigated relationships between the MQI, habitat quality (using the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index, QHEI), land cover, and fish metrics (number of fish species, index of biotic integrity (IBI), and trout biomass) in 26 salmonid streams in Aotearoa New Zealand and Southern Ontario, Canada. We found a significant correlation between the MQI and QHEI, and both metrics were correlated with urban and native forest proportion in the catchment. However, we found no relation between the MQI and the proportion of agricultural land in the catchment, while the QHEI was correlated with agricultural land in the riparian zone, highlighting the importance of vegetated riparian buffers in providing fish habitat. Establishing a strong correlation with fish metrics remains challenging. Nevertheless, a modified MQI targeting ecological health could be used as an effective management tool for aquatic conservation.

Browsing impacts on seedling survival of Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens)

SummaryBlack Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens F. Muell) is a dominant floodplain tree across the Murray‐Darling Basin. At Hattah‐Kulkyne National Park (northwest Victoria), historical changes in the hydrological regime and land use have degraded Black Box populations, with the majority of trees in poor health and with limited recruitment. To mitigate this threat, environmental watering has been implemented to improve condition, but successful regeneration has been limited. A 17‐month trial (April 2021 to September 2022) was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of different management techniques in promoting Black Box regeneration (natural regeneration, seed‐scattering, tube stock and browsing control: guarded and unguarded tube stock). At the end of the trial, only four of the initial 63 seedlings remained alive (two guarded tube stock and two natural regeneration). Most seedling death was attributed to browsing (likely kangaroos), which was evident in the first three months, with unguarded plants heavily impacted. No germinants were recorded in the seed—scattering plots. Our findings of high browsing impacts on Black Box seedling survival, corroborates existing data on browsers (abundance levels and management thresholds) and emphasises the importance of incorporating herbivore browsing management in floodplain vegetation management strategies that aim to promote regeneration within Hattah‐Kulkyne National Park.

Prawo karne a jurydyzacja prawa kanonicznego. Rozważania w kontekście praktycznej aplikacji kanonicznej procedury karnej w przypadkach nadużyć seksualnych popełnianych przez duchownych wobec małoletnich

The article analyses the criminal procedure applied in clarifying cases of sexual offences against minors in the Catholic Church and holding the perpetrators accountable. Taking into account the historical changes which the procedure underwent, the author of this article asks questions about its juridical efficiency in the context of revindicating victims and protecting their rights, the degree to which the procedural rights of the accused and the defendants are protected, canonical foundations, and the scope of responsibility of Church superiors in the context of compliance with the generally recognised procedural standards. The study, conducted using the legal-dogmatic method, supplemented with the legal-historic method, aims at specifying the actual degree and effects of the juridification of the currently applied procedure, its relations to a number of legal obligations incumbent on the Holy See, including the legal obligations arising from its adoption of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. On this basis, the author formulates conclusions de lege lata and demands de lege ferenda which, according to the author’s intention, should provide alternatives to improve the procedure in question, and make the public debate on the efforts taken by the Catholic Church in this matter more substantive.

CLSER: A new indicator for the social-ecological resilience of coastal systems and sustainable management

The coastal system is a highly active and productive social-ecological system (SES) facing significant challenges from human activities. However, understanding the resilience of this complex system is limited due to conflicting effects of local infrastructure development and regional ecosystem degradation with high spatial precision. This study proposes a holistic indicator, coastal landscape social-ecological resilience (CLSER), to evaluate the historical changes in social-ecological resilience in Fujian's coastal zone over the past two decades. The CLSER considers trade-offs between ecosystems, social systems, and production systems, the subsystems with conflicted interests, providing a comprehensive perspective of integrated land and sea planning at a fine spatial resolution. Results reveal spatial variation in CLSER within Fujian's coastal zone, with poorer conditions (i.e., class I and II) in developed urban areas and better conditions (i.e., class IV and V) in vegetated regions. From 2000 to 2010, CLSER experienced a significant decline, primarily driven by coastal habitat degradation due to extensive land reclamation and shoreline solidification. While there was a slight increase in CLSER from 2010 to 2020 due to the improvement of coastal infrastructure, it did not fully compensate for the overall loss in CLSER. Consequently, Fujian's coastal zone exhibits a more fragile social-ecological system under rapid urbanization, with increasing solid shorelines. The proposed indicator effectively reflects the general resilience of a coastal SES to external disturbances and suggests management strategies for promoting sustainable development in the coastal zone.