Online Rituals in Virtual Worlds. Christian Online Service between Dynamics and Stability.

In the article ”Online Rituals in Virtual Worlds. Christian Online Services between Dynamics and Stability“ Nadja Miczek reflects on Christian ritual settings in two case studies analysing different Online Services: “Church of Fools” and “Second Life.” She thereby focuses on recent concepts of ritual theory, like Ritual Dynamics and Ritual Transfer and broaches the issues of invention, transformation and exclusion at different stages of ritual action

New numerical solver for flows at various Mach numbers

Many problems in stellar astrophysics feature flows at low Mach numbers. Conventional compressible hydrodynamics schemes frequently used in the field have been developed for the transonic regime and exhibit excessive numerical dissipation for these flows. While schemes were proposed that solve hydrodynamics strictly in the low Mach regime and thus restrict their applicability, we aim at developing a scheme that correctly operates in a wide range of Mach numbers. Based on an analysis of the asymptotic behavior of the Euler equations in the low Mach limit we propose a novel scheme that is able to maintain a low Mach number flow setup while retaining all effects of compressibility. This is achieved by a suitable modification of the well-known Roe solver. Numerical tests demonstrate the capability of this new scheme to reproduce slow flow structures even in moderate numerical resolution. Our scheme provides a promising approach to a consistent multidimensional hydrodynamical treatment of astrophysical low Mach number problems such as convection, instabilities, and mixing in stellar evolution.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication by A&

Introduction to the Special Issue: Religions on the Internet - Aesthetics and the Dimensions of the Senses

Introduction to the special issue on "Aesthetics and the Dimensions of the Senses

Benefits of pervious concrete for urbanized habitats

Pervious (draining) concrete is a new generation concrete which, for its structure, allows rainwater to enter the subsoil and at the same time is determining the final surface without the need for any additional layer. Pervious concrete allows to drain off up to 95 % of precipitation, which represents a significant contribution to ecology and sustainability. Therefore, its use is particularly suitable in city parks, bike paths, in the vicinity of apartment buildings, swimming pools and parking lots. Rainwater is not purposelessly be drained by the city sewer system, but it is absorbed directly in place and contributing to the environmental improvement of the urban habitat (replenishment of groundwater supplies, water for roots of plants and trees, reduction of the thermal island of the city, etc.). Unlike prefabricated paving blocks (interlocking and flat paving), pervious concrete makes it possible to realize structured and complex shapes of finished surfaces without the need for laborious cutting, waste, dust and with generally faster laying. This paper summarizes the current achievements within the Buzzi Unicem Group and the use of pervious concrete in the Czech and Slovak Republic

Rituals Online – Dynamic Processes Reflecting Individual Perspectives

Within the field of the new media, the Internet is recognised by a growing number of researchers both as source and tool for examining and analysing religions and religious activities. Today a wide range of religious rituals is crossing the border from the offline to the online realm. On personal homepages as well as on institutional websites (e.g. churches) one can find classical ritual texts, different descriptions of rituals and a lot of ritual prescripts, which together inform or guide the user in ritual behaviour. It becomes evident that by the change of media the rituals as well as the religions as a whole undergo certain processes of change, adaptation and innovation.On webpages containing Rituals Online, a wide range of highly complex transfer and design processes take place which affect the planning and accomplishment of religiousness and religious performance on the Internet. Besides tracing the different patterns and structures of these processes, one also has to think about the new theoretical and methodological challenges the researchers in Religious and Ritual Studies are confronted with since the Internet offers a new and nearly boundless field and space for academic study

Von betenden Avataren in virtuellen Welten. Methodologische und methodische Überlegungen zur religionswissenschaftlichen Forschung in virtuellen 3D Welten

Spätestens seit dem ‚Medienhype’ im Jahr 2007 dürfte vielen Menschen die virtuelle Welt ‚Second Life’ (SL) ein Begriff sein. Es war die Rede vom „Digitalen Maskenball“ i, den die Menschen in SL veranstalten würden und die virtuelle Mafia stand ebenso wie das digitale Studium ii im Mittelpunkt der Aufmerksamkeit der Printmedien. Nach einer anfänglichen Euphorie, in der SL teilweise als ein neues Utopia stilisiert wurde, kehrte sich die Berichterstattung bald ins Gegenteil um. iii Nun war die Rede von verödeten virtuellen Landschaften, in denen kaum Menschen anzutreffen seien. Auch die zuvor noch bewunderten Chancen im unternehmerischen Bereich wurden nun als Spinnereien und Zeitverschwendung abgetan. Jenseits des mittlerweile abgeebten Medienhypes bleibt jedoch zu fragen, wie Menschen, die regelmäßig in virtuellen 3D Welten besuchen, diese nutzen und welche Kommunikations- und Aushandlungsprozesse dort stattfinden. Wie erste Untersuchungen belegen konnten iv, stellen solche soziokulturellen Austauschprozesse einen der wichtigsten Faktoren innerhalb dieser Welten dar. Die daraus resultierenden Fragstellungen ergeben daher ein neues, spannendes Feld für kulturwissenschaftlich orientierte Forschung. Auch die Religionswissenschaft sollte dieses noch junge Forschungsfeld nicht außer Acht lassen, denn nicht nur SL, sondern auch weitere virtuelle 3D Welten v bieten den Wissenschaftlern ein breites Spektrum Untersuchungsperspektiven. In vielen dieser Welten zählen religiöse Gemeinschaften zu den Pionieren vi, die den virtuellen Raum für sich erobert haben. Es finden regelmäßige Treffen statt, bei denen über religiöse Themen gesprochen wird und in vielen Fällen ist zu beobachten, dass auch die religiöse Praxis zumeist in Form von Online-Ritualen Einzug in die virtuellen Welten gefunden hat. So stellen religiöse Vergemeinschaftungs-formen ebenso wie einzelne religiöse Akteure mit ihren diskursiven Aushandlungs- und Deutungsprozessen von Religiosität in virtuellen Welten einen spannenden und lohnenden Untersuchungsfokus für religionswissenschaftliches Arbeiten dar. Dies setzt allerdings voraus, dass Forscher bereit sind, bekannte Forschungsfelder und -methoden zu verlassen und sich auf virtuelles Neuland zu begeben

Non-pharmacological factors that determine drug use and addiction

Based on their pharmacological properties, psychoactive drugs are supposed to take control of the natural reward system to finally drive compulsory drug seeking and consumption. However, psychoactive drugs are not used in an arbitrary way as pure pharmacological reinforcement would suggest, but rather in a highly specific manner depending on non-pharmacological factors. While pharmacological effects of psychoactive drugs are well studied, neurobiological mechanisms of non-pharmacological factors are less well understood. Here we review the emerging neurobiological mechanisms beyond pharmacological reinforcement which determine drug effects and use frequency. Important progress was made on the understanding of how the character of an environment and social stress determine drug self-administration. This is expanded by new evidence on how behavioral alternatives and opportunities for drug instrumentalization generate different patterns of drug choice. Emerging evidence suggests that the neurobiology of non-pharmacological factors strongly determines pharmacological and behavioral drug action and may, thus, give rise for an expanded system’s approach of psychoactive drug use and addiction

The influence of sport climbing on depressive disorders

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the most common mental disorder, affecting a significant percentage of the adult population. The disease is associated with many negative health consequences and is one of the leading causes of disability and inability to work worldwide. Sports climbing can be a great method, complementary to psychotherapy, used to reduce the symptoms of depressive disorders.  Aim of the study: The aim of our work is to review and summarize the most interesting conclusions from research on the impact of climbing as a complementary form of treatment for depressive disorders. Material and methods: We conducted a review of scientific publications published in the years 2004-2024 in English and Polish in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. We used keywords such as "depression" and "sport climbing". Conclusions: Research shows that sport climbing can alleviate depressive symptoms, have a positive impact on emotion regulation and lead to changes in brain functioning

Effectiveness of Ceftazidime/Avibactam treatment for infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC), a 30-day mortality perspective. Comparison of results with control groups treated with other antibiotics

Introduction: Infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) pose a significant clinical challenge due to increasing antibiotic resistance. This study analyzes the effectiveness of ceftazidime/avibactam treatment for KPC infections, focusing on 30-day mortality and comparing results with control groups treated with different antibiotics. Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of six cohort studies, comparing thirty-day mortality in patients treated with ceftazidime/avibactam with control groups using other antibiotics. The studies included patients infected with KPC, and the analysis focused on therapeutic effectiveness. Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to compare the results in terms of 30-day mortality in groups treated with ceftazidime/avibactam compared to control groups using different antibiotics.   Conclusions: Data analysis from various studies revealed varied 30-day mortality outcomes in groups treated with ceftazidime/avibactam compared to control groups using different antibiotics. Ceftazidime/avibactam proved to be more effective in all studies, reducing mortality rates compared to other treatment regimens. We emphasize that emerging antibiotic resistance, especially in the case of KPC, requires a comprehensive therapeutic approach. Despite promising ceftazidime/avibactam results, factors such as overall patient health and treatment delays may influence final therapy outcomes. We also highlight controversies regarding combination therapy vs. monotherapy, necessitating further research. Our work underscores the importance of monitoring the effectiveness of KPC infection treatment and exploring new therapeutic strategies. Further clinical studies are essential to develop a fuller understanding and optimal therapeutic protocols in the face of the growing antibiotic resistance problem

ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and EUS (endoscopic ultrasonography) in diagnosis of choledocholithiasis – battle or cooperation?

Introduction: Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, a common manifestation of gallstone disease, is mainly based on advanced endoscopic techniques such as ERCP and EUS. Since the 1970s, ERCP has been a key method in the diagnosis and treatment of choledocholithiasis, allowing direct visualization and therapeutic interventions. However, technological developments have brought the emergence of EUS as a complementary tool, providing high-resolution imaging of the bile ducts. Understanding the diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic options and complications of both modalities is key to optimizing the care of patients with bile duct stones. Aim of the study: The aim of our study is to review and compare various diagnostic methods of bile duct stones, as well as to assess their effectiveness, accuracy, and potential complications. Materials and methods: We searched electronic sources, aspecially in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using keywords such as ,,endoscopic ultrasonography”, ,,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography” and ,,choledocholithiasis”. Conclusions: With the use of modern technologies, such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and retrograde choleangiopancreatography (ERCP), it has become possible to diagnose bile duct stones more accurately and introduce more effective and less invasive therapies. The development of the availability of diagnostic tests, especially those that do not require invasive procedures, has helped reduce the risk of complications. EUS may be the preferred tool of choice for patients with gallstones, as it is associated with a lower risk of complications compared to ERCP alone. Decisions regarding the use of specific diagnostic and therapeutic modalities should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account medical and economic considerations