bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sorted stem/progenitor epithelial cells of pubertal bovine mammary gland present limited potential to reconstitute an organised mammary epithelium after transplantation
Authors: Finot Laurence , Hue-Beauvais Cathy , Aujean Etienne , Le Provost Fabienne , Chanat Eric
Published: October 2024

The development and maintenance of mammary gland tissue depend on the proliferation and differentiation of mammary stem and progenitor cells. Here, we investigated populations of mammary epithelial cells that are potential candidates for bovine mammary gland development using xenotransplantation into mice cleared mammary fat pad. Transplanted mammary explants from 17-month-old Holstein heifers developed outgrowths exhibiting the archetypal morphology and molecular marker distributions of the bovine gland. Xenotransplantation of sorted mammary epithelial cells (CD49fpos) into bovinised fat pads using inactivated bovine fibroblasts resulted in outgrowth developments with 50% take rate, but these lacked the ductal or alveolar epithelial structures of the normal mammary gland. Similar results were obtained with xenografts of candidate bovine mammary epithelial stem cells (CD49fhighCD24pos) or epithelial cells of the basal lineage (CD49fhighCD24neg) which also developed as clumps of cells surrounded by stromal stretches within the mouse adipose tissue. In conclusion, sorted cells showed compromised regenerative potential for epithelial morphogenesis. Further work is therefore needed to identify mammary stem/progenitor cells with full regenerative capabilities for biogenesis of normal mammary gland structure, with milk-secreting function.
Normal male fertility in a mouse model of KPNA2 deficiency
Authors: Rother Franziska , Abu Hweidi Dalia , Hartmann Enno , Bader Michael
Published: October 2024

The nuclear transport of proteins is mediated by karyopherins and has been implicated to be crucial for germ cell and embryonic development. Deletion of distinct members of the karyopherin alpha family has been shown to cause male and female infertility in mice. Using a genetrap approach, we established mice deficient for KPNA2 (KPNA2 KO) and investigated the role of this protein in male germ cell development and fertility. Breeding of male KPNA2 KO mice leads to healthy offsprings in all cases albeit the absence of KPNA2 resulted in a reduction in sperm number by 60%. Analyses of the KPNA2 expression in wild-type mice revealed a strong KPNA2 presence in meiotic germ cells of all stages while a rapid decline is found in round spermatids. The high KPNA2 expression throughout all meiotic stages of sperm development suggests a possible function of KPNA2 during this phase, hence in its absence the spermatogenesis is not completely blocked. In KPNA2 KO mice, a higher portion of sperms presented with morphological abnormalities in the head and neck region, but a severe spermiogenesis defect was not found. Thus, we conclude that the function of KPNA2 in round spermatids is dispensable, as our mice do not show any signs of infertility. Our data provide evidence that KPNA2 is not crucial for male germ cell development and fertility.
Genome-wide association study of salt tolerance at the seed germination stage in lettuce
Authors: Das Modan K. , Park Sunchung , Adhikari Neil D. , Mou Beiquan
Published: October 2024

Developing lettuce varieties with salt tolerance at the seed germination stage is essential since lettuce seeds are planted half an inch deep in soil where salt levels are often highest in the salinity-affected growing regions. Greater knowledge of genetics and genomics of salt tolerance in lettuce will facilitate breeding of improved lettuce varieties with salt tolerance. Accordingly, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in lettuce to identify marker-trait association for salt tolerance at the seed germination stage. The study involved 445 diverse lettuce accessions and 56,820 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers obtained through genotype-by-sequencing technology using lettuce reference genome version v8. GWAS using two single-locus and three multi-locus models for germination rate (GR) under salinity stress, 5 days post seeding (GR5d_S) and a salinity susceptibility index (SSI) based on GR under salinity stress and control conditions, 5 days post seeding (SSI_GR5d) revealed 10 significant SNPs on lettuce chromosomes 2, 4, and 7. The 10 SNPs were associated with five novel QTLs for salt tolerance in lettuce, explaining phenotyping variations of 5.85%, 4.38%, 4.26%, 3.77%, and 1.80%, indicating the quantitative nature of these two salt tolerance-related traits. Using the basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) within 100 Kb upstream and downstream of each of the 10 SNPs, we identified 25 salt tolerance-related putative candidate genes including four genes encoding for major transcription factors. The 10 significant salt tolerance-related SNPs and the 25 candidate genes identified in the current study will be a valuable resource for molecular marker development and marker-assisted selection for breeding lettuce varieties with improved salt tolerance at the seed germination stage.
The dynamics and behavior of logarithmic type fuzzy difference equation of order two
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Khaliq Abdul , Azeem Muhammad , Swaray Senesie , Kallel Mohamed
Published: October 2024

Fuzzy difference equations are becoming increasingly popular in fields like engineering, ecology, and social science. Difference equations find numerous applications in real-life problems. Our study demonstrates that the logarithmic-type fuzzy difference equation of order two possesses a nonnegative solution, and an equilibrium point, and exhibits asymptotic behavior.
x n + 1 = α + β l o g x n A + x n - 1 , ∀ n ∈ W
Where, xi represents the sequence of fuzzy numbers, and the parameters α, β, A, along with the initial conditions x−1 and x0, are positive fuzzy numbers. The characterization theorem is employed to convert each single logarithmic fuzzy difference equation into a set of two crisp logarithmic difference equations within a fuzzy environment. We evaluated the stability of the equilibrium point of the fuzzy system. Utilizing variational iteration techniques, the method of g-division, inequality skills, and a theory of comparison for logarithmic fuzzy difference equations, we investigated the governing equation dynamics, including its boundedness, existence, and both local and global stability analysis. Additionally, we provided some numerical solutions for the equation describing the system to verify our results.
Aging-induced dysbiosis worsens sepsis severity but is attenuated by probiotics in D-galactose-administered mice with cecal ligation and puncture model
Authors: Pinitchun Chalisa , Panpetch Wimonrat , Bhunyakarnjanarat Thansita , Udompornpitak Kanyarat , Do Huy Thanh , Visitchanakun Peerapat , Wannigama Dhammika Leshan , Udomkarnjananun Suwasin , Sukprasansap Monruedee , Tencomnao Tewin , Tangtanatakul Pattarin , Leelahavanichkul Asada
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Despite the well-established effects of aging on brain function and gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut microbiota), the influence of aging on sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) and the role of probiotics in this context remain less understood.

Methods

C57BL/6J mice (8-week-old) were subcutaneously administered with 8 weeks of D-galactose (D-gal) or phosphate buffer solution (PBS) for aging and non-aging models, respectively, with or without 8 weeks of oral Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). Additionally, the impact of the condition media from LGG (LCM) was tested in macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells), microglia (BV-2 cells), and hippocampal cells (HT-22 cells).

Result

Fecal microbiome analysis demonstrated D-gal-induced dysbiosis (reduced Firmicutes and Desulfobacterota with increased Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota), which LGG partially neutralized the dysbiosis. D-gal also worsens cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis severity when compared with PBS-CLP mice, as indicated by serum creatinine (Scr) and alanine transaminase (ALT), but not mortality, neurological characteristics (SHIRPA score), and serum cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). Additionally, D-gal-induced aging was supported by fibrosis in the liver, kidney, and lung; however, CLP sepsis did not worsen fibrosis. Interestingly, LGG attenuated all parameters (mortality, Scr, ALT, SHIRPA, and cytokines) in non-aging sepsis (PBS-CLP) while improving all these parameters, except for mortality and serum IL-6, in aging sepsis (D-gal CLP). For the in vitro test using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, LCM attenuated inflammation in some parameters on RAW264.7 cells but not BV-2 and HT-22 cells, implying a direct anti-inflammatory effect of LGG on macrophages, but not in cells from the brain.

Conclusion

D-gal induced fecal dysbiosis and worsened sepsis severity as determined by Scr and ALT, and LGG could alleviate most of the selected parameters of sepsis, including SAE. However, the impact of LGG on SAE was not a direct delivery of beneficial molecules from the gut to the brain but partly due to the attenuation of systemic inflammation through the modulation of macrophages.
The potential to prevent unnecessary emergency department visits by timely diagnosis of migraine–A prospective observational study
Authors: Drangova Hristina , Kofmel Nicole , Branca Mattia , Gloor David , Lehmann Beat , Exadaktylos Aristomenis , Jung Simon , Fischer Urs , Schankin Christoph J.
Published: October 2024

Aim

Successful acute migraine treatment potentially prevents emergency room (ER) consultations but requires that the diagnosis of migraine was given earlier. The aim of this study is to quantify the problem of missed migraine diagnosis prior to ER visits.

Methods

Inclusion criterion for this single-center prospective study was the presentation at the ER for acute headache. Patients with acute migraine attacks were assessed for previous migraine attacks, and whether they were given a diagnosis of migraine in the past.

Results

Of 137 patients with migraine diagnosis at discharge, 108 (79%) had previous headache attacks fulfilling the criteria for migraine according to The International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (ICHD-3). Of those, 54 (50%) received the diagnosis for the first time.

Conclusion

Half of the migraine patients (50%) presenting in the ER for headache could have been diagnosed earlier. This highlights the need for better detection and treatment of migraine by pre-hospital healthcare providers, as earlier diagnosis and specific acute treatment could have prevented the ER visit.
Sintilimab plus chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab biosimilar IBI305 in EGFR-mutated non-squamous NSCLC patients who progressed on EGFR TKI therapy: A China-based cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Peng Juan , Xu Huiling , Liu Qiao
Published: October 2024

Background

This study aims to compare the cost-effectiveness of sintilimab in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab biosimilar IBI305, versus chemotherapy alone for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have progressed on tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.

Methods

10-year Markov model was developed using a 21-day cycle length. Transition probabilities were derived from the ORIENT-31 trial, while cost and health state utilities were obtained from publicly databases, local hospitals, and published literature. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated as the primary model output and compared to a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold range of $15,289.34 to $38,223.34 per quality-adjusted life-years (QALY). Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the model.

Results

In the base-case analysis, sintilimab plus IBI305 and chemotherapy had an ICER of $53,266.32/QALYs, exceeding the upper WTP threshold. Sintilimab plus chemotherapy had an ICER of $15,329.11/QALY, slightly above the lower WTP threshold. Subgroup analysis yielded consistent results. Deterministic sensitivity analyses found no ICER for sintilimab plus chemotherapy beyond the upper WTP threshold. Most model input changes did not decrease the ICER of sintilimab plus IBI305 and chemotherapy below the upper WTP threshold. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses further demonstrated the cost-effectiveness superiority of sintilimab plus chemotherapy over sintilimab plus IBI305 and chemotherapy.

Conclusion

This study supports the cost-effectiveness of using sintilimab in combination with chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the cost-effectiveness of combining sintilimab with IBI305 and chemotherapy in this particular patient group may be lacking.
Research on state perception of scraper conveyor based on one-dimensional convolutional neural network
Authors: Lu Jie , Liu Zhenlin , Han Chenhui , Yang Zhiqiang , Zheng Jialu , Zhang Wangjie
Published: October 2024

Addressing the challenges of current scraper conveyor health assessments being influenced by expert knowledge and the relative difficulty in establishing degradation models for equipment, this study proposed a method for assessing the health status of scraper conveyors based on one-dimensional convolutional neural networks (1DCNN). The approach utilizes four preprocessed monitoring signals representing different health states of the scraper conveyor as input sources. Through multiple transformations of the data using a constructed one-dimensional convolutional neural network model, it extracts effective features from the data and establishes a mapping relationship between input data and equipment health status. This enables the recognition of the health status of the scraper conveyor. Comparative experimental analysis indicates that the proposed method can effectively identify the health status of the scraper conveyor, achieving an accuracy rate of 98.9%. This method provides an effective means and technical support for the subsequent health management of scraper conveyors in coal mining fully mechanized workfaces.
We need to aim at the top: Factors associated with cybersecurity awareness of cyber and information security decision-makers
Authors: Vrhovec Simon , Markelj Blaž
Published: October 2024

Cyberattacks pose a significant business risk to organizations. Although there is ample literature focusing on why people pose a major risk to organizational cybersecurity and how to deal with it, there is surprisingly little we know about cyber and information security decision-makers who are essentially the people in charge of setting up and maintaining organizational cybersecurity. In this paper, we study cybersecurity awareness of cyber and information security decision-makers, and investigate factors associated with it. We conducted an online survey among Slovenian cyber and information security decision-makers (N = 283) to (1) determine whether their cybersecurity awareness is associated with adoption of antimalware solutions in their organizations, and (2) explore which organizational factors and personal characteristics are associated with their cybersecurity awareness. Our findings indicate that awareness of well-known threats and solutions seems to be quite low for individuals in decision-making roles. They also provide insights into which threats (e.g., distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, botnets, industrial espionage, and phishing) and solutions (e.g., security operation center (SOC), advanced antimalware solutions with endpoint detection and response (EDR)/extended detection and response (XDR) capabilities, organizational critical infrastructure access control, centralized device management, multi-factor authentication, centralized management of software updates, and remote data deletion on lost or stolen devices) are cyber and information security decision-makers the least aware of. We uncovered that awareness of certain threats and solutions is positively associated with either adoption of advanced antimalware solutions with EDR/XDR capabilities or adoption of SOC. Additionally, we identified significant organizational factors (organizational role type) and personal characteristics (gender, age, experience with information security and experience with information technology (IT)) related to cybersecurity awareness of cyber and information security decision-makers. Organization size and formal education were not significant. These results offer insights that can be leveraged in targeted cybersecurity training tailored to the needs of groups of cyber and information security decision-makers based on these key factors.
Adapting spatiotemporal gait symmetry to functional electrical stimulation during treadmill walking
Authors: Kim Seung-Jae , Worthy Alex , Lee Brandom , Jafari Setareh , Dyke Olivia , Cho Jeonghee , Brown Elijah
Published: October 2024

Individuals with neurological impairments often exhibit asymmetrical gait patterns. This study explored the potential of using functional electrical stimulation (FES) as a perturbation method during treadmill walking to promote gait symmetry adaptation by investigating whether the FES perturbation could induce gait adaptation concerning spatial and temporal gait symmetry in healthy subjects. In the FES perturbation, both legs received electrical pulses at the same period as the subjects’ initial stride duration, and the temporal gap between the two pulses for each leg was manipulated over a 7-min period. Following this, subjects continued to walk for another 5 minutes without FES. Subjects participated in two trials: implicit and explicit. In the implicit trial, they walked comfortably during FES perturbation without consciously adjusting their gait. In the explicit trial, they voluntarily synchronized their toe-off phase to the stimulation timing. To examine the effects of the FES perturbation, we measured step length and stance time and then analyzed changes in step length and stance time symmetries alongside their subsequent aftereffects. During the explicit trial, subjects adapted their gait patterns to the electrical pulses, resulting in a directional change in stance time (temporal) symmetry, with the left stance becoming shorter than the right. The stance time asymmetry induced by FES perturbation showed a slight residual effect. In the implicit trial, the directional change trend was slightly observed but not statistically significant. No consistent trend in step length (spatial) symmetry changes was observed in either condition, indicating that subjects may adapt their spatial gait patterns independently of their temporal patterns. Our findings suggest that the applied FES perturbation strategy under explicit condition can induce adaptations in subjects’ temporal gait asymmetry, particularly in stance. The implicit condition showed a similar slight trend but was not statistically significant. Further experiments would provide deeper understanding into the mechanism behind subjects’ response to FES perturbations, as well as the long-term effects of these perturbations on the spatial and temporal aspects of gait symmetry.
A transposable element prevents severe hemophilia B and provides insights into the evolution of new- and old world primates
Authors: Kopp Johannes , Rovai Alice , Ott Michael , Wedemeyer Heiner , Tiede Andreas , Böhmer Hans Jürgen , Marques Tomas , Langemeier Jörg , Bohne Jens , Krooss Simon Alexander
Published: October 2024

Alu-elements comprise a large part of the human genome and some insertions have been shown to cause diseases. Here, we illuminate the protective role of an Alu-element in the 3’UTR of the human Factor 9 gene and its ability to ameliorate a poly(A) site mutation in a hemophilia B patient, preventing him from developing a severe disease. Using a minigene, we examined the disease-causing mutation and the modifying effect of the transposon in cellulo. Further, we simulated evolutionary scenarios regarding alternative polyadenylation before and after Alu insertion. A sequence analysis revealed that Old World monkeys displayed a highly conserved polyadenylation sites in this Alu-element, whereas New World monkeys lacked this motif, indicating a selective pressure. We conclude that this transposon has inserted shortly before the separation of Old and New World monkeys and thus also serves as a molecular landmark in primate evolution.
‘Of o toun were they born, that highte Strother’: Dialect and Pasolini in I racconti di Canterbury
Authors: Galison Jacqueline
Published: October 2024

Pier Paolo Pasolini’s I racconti di Canterbury (The Canterbury Tales) (1972), a reinterpretation of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, is undeniably the most controversial – and perplexing – film in his Trilogy of Life. Marked by a cacophonous filming process, one in which English and Italian actors attempted to retell a collection of stories written in a form of English that has been extinct for centuries, the triumphs of I racconti di Canterbury have seldom been recognized. Pasolini’s reinterpretation of Chaucerian dialect is especially understudied, despite how Chaucer was the first English writer to differentiate his characters through written language. My article first focuses on the dialect in Chaucer’s ‘The Reeve’s Tale’ (c.1400) and then, its reimagination in Pier Paolo Pasolini’s film I racconti di Canterbury. My research highlights Pasolini’s commendable fidelity to his source material and his success in replicating Chaucer’s representations of class difference.
Experiences of Dual Enrollment: Wisconsin Student Reflections on Its Role in Shaping Their Thinking of Their Educational Trajectory
Authors: Velez Gabriel , Vasquez Michael , Shana Ali
Published: October 2024

Research indicates that engaging in dual enrollment (DE) courses positively impacts college performance and degree completion time, evidenced mostly by static outcome measures (e.g., success in college, college admission, grades). These indicators are important, but do not fully examine how students perceive/experience DE opportunities. The current study used focus groups with DE students across Wisconsin (N=49) to explore how they thought about their experiences and how it informed their thinking about their future educational trajectories. Five themes emerged from thematic analysis of focus groups. First, they were able to maximize their experience thanks to onboarding support. Second, they gave a general description of how they saw their own growth as learners. Third, throughout their in-person interactions on campus, DE had the biggest influence on how this individual understood themselves. Fourth, logistical problems made the experiences less enjoyable. Fifth, the fact that DE credits offered faster and less expensive routes to and through college served as a motivator for many. Student responses indicated that DE courses on college campuses, rather than high schools, yielded more benefits. Overall, the study points toward the value of exploring student experience and particularly in relation to modality of DE.
Dual Enrollment and the 2024 Elections: How Federal Policy and This Year’s Elections May Impact Dual Enrollment
Authors: Perry Alexander
Published: October 2024

Depending on the outcome of the 2024 presidential and congressional elections, there is the potential for new policy to support dual enrollment under either a Trump or Harris Administrations. However, there are a number of underlying structural challenges facing dual enrollment policy advocates in either scenario. This article explores how either outcome of the 2024 presidential election would impact dual enrollment advocacy and policymaking, and why federal policy has historically been so scant on this issue.
Treatment Preference Archetypes in Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Their Implications for Therapy
Authors: Chang Joy W. , Brophy Kelcie , Ryan Kerry A. , Rubenstein Joel H. , Dellon Evan S. , Wallner Lauren P. , Kim Hyungjin Myra , De Vries and Raymond
Published: October 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Little is known about how patients make decisions about and prioritize therapies and disease management in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We aimed to systematically identify and characterize patient perspectives and attitudes that influence decision making for EoE management.

METHODS:

To understand the diverse attitudes and values of patients with EoE, we designed a study using the Q-method. We iteratively developed 31 statements related to EoE disease management. Participants sorted statements by ranking from +4 (most agree) to −4 (most disagree). By-person factor analysis, using 2-factor and 3-factor rotation, revealed distinct preference archetypes.

RESULTS:

Thirty-four adults with EoE (mean age 40.9 years, 51.4% male, 82.9% White) were recruited from gastroenterology and allergy clinics from a single center. We identified 2 treatment-centered archetypes: Medication preference, driven by symptoms and the desire to minimize risk of complications and Natural treatment preference, focusing on identifying trigger foods and diet adherence. Three-factor analysis revealed an additional archetype: Treatment ambivalent, a view of EoE as a mild and episodic (not chronic) disease with low priority to treat. Comparison by factor revealed 54% of those in the natural preference archetype were recategorized as treatment ambivalent, suggesting that they see natural treatment as a less complicated or milder strategy and may be at risk of nonadherence and reduced treatment uptake.

DISCUSSION:

We identified 3 distinct treatment preference archetypes among individuals with EoE, underscoring the need for personalized treatment strategies, especially for those favoring natural approaches but masking ambivalence, and may be at risk of nonadherence or loss to follow-up.
Idiots Have Blue Eyes
Authors: Spill Frédérique
Published: October 2024

Chapter six examines the significance of blue-eyed idiots throughout literature, from Conrad to Faulkner to Dostoevsky, and what this trait may suggest about these characters.
The Idiot Gaze and its Representations
Authors: Spill Frédérique
Published: October 2024

This chapter begins by describing the distortions that are characteristic of the gazes of Faulknerian idiots, and tests how these gazes break the rules of classical perspective, instead adhering to other ways of perceiving reality characterized by their phenomenological dimension. The chapter then explores the effects of these idiot gazes as filters for representing a world tinged in blue.
The Fury of Origins, The Ringing of Sound
Authors: Spill Frédérique
Published: October 2024

This chapter comments on the language used to describe the various sounds in Faulkner’s works. It begins with a discussion on the multiple introductions to The Sound and the Fury and Faulkner’s frequent revisitations to Yoknapatawpha.
The Aesthetics of Idiocy
Authors: Spill Frédérique
Published: October 2024

This chapter focuses on the use of speech—or lack thereof—in Faulkner’s idiots. This examination includes how these characters are spoken to, how they perceive speech, and how they do (or, more often, do not) speak. The chapter also closely analyzes the interior monologues used by Faulkner.
The Peasant Ghetto
Authors: Šentevska Irena
Published: October 2024

This paper traces the development of the Serbian hip-hop scene in its ever-changing social context from the late socialist 1980s, through the wartime 1990s, to the transitional 2000s, focusing on local conceptualizations of the notion of the ghetto and different ways in which hip-hop reflects the rural-urban divide in Serbian society. From rapping in rural dialects to satirically praising narco-agriculture, Serbian rappers have made quite a unique contribution to the hip-hop “Internationale” as a global movement with distinct origins in the New York City neighborhood of the South Bronx. Their concept of the peasant ghetto (seljački geto) i s, a t the same time, a form of social commentary on the state of the rural communities in the country and a diagnosis of present-day Serbia as a closed society with a legacy of international isolation following the Yugoslav wars and a peripheral and deprivileged position in the modern global world order. On the other hand, the substantial interactions and mutual influences between the Serbian hip-hop and turbo-folk scenes emphasized in this paper are another indication of the problematic distinction between urban and rural in the Serbian cultural context, at least in the realm of entertainment and popular music. The relationship between these two genres becomes even more interesting if hip-hop is observed as a distinct cultural foreign import with an indisputable urban background and turbo-folk is understood as the sole home-grown form of popular music in Serbia with now-remote rural origins.
Día de Muertos v současném Mexiku
Authors: Ponocná Petra
Published: October 2024

Día de Muertos, the Mexican celebration of death, is considered to be a traditional Mexican celebration by most Mexicans. The majority of them believe that the specificity and magnificence of this feast are unprecedented. Día de Muertos is a product of the syncretism of the Mesoamerican traditions of worshipping the dead and the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. Besides this, it is considered to be traditional commemorative ritual; it is also considered to be a symbol of Mexican national identity, and the celebration is supported by Mexican nationalists. Over the past 30 years, the celebration has evolved dramatically and has been influenced by American holiday of Halloween, which is celebrated by more and more people thanks to the influence of modernisation. Despite the fact that the Día de Muertos celebration may seem to be uniform, its local versions differ slightly. The aim of this paper is to describe and to analyse the process of the contemporary changes in this celebration and to approximate its importance in Mexican society, particularly in Querétaro city and in the Xochimilco district in Mexico City. For my research, I used the ethnographic methods of participant observation and interviews.
Ghetto Machines
Authors: Yıldırım Kevin
Published: October 2024

In this paper, I look at how the Istanbul hip-hop group Tahribad-ı İsyan has symbolized the expropriation of Sulukule, a predominantly Romani neighborhood demolished by municipal powers under the guise of urban renewal. By examining how the local government enacted this project, and showing how similar neoliberal city management policies instigated widespread social unrest across Turkey in 2013, I set the stage for a music video analysis that makes two ultimate claims. First, I propose that hip-hop enables the group to overcome the debilitating effects of enforced gentrification by recasting Sulukule’s urban decay as a “ghettocentric” urban landscape. Second, and in dialogue with the work of the Turkish urban geographers Ozan Karaman and Tolga Islam, I suggest that Tahribad-ı İsyan provides evidence of how music can construct bounded intra-urban identities amid discourses of borderless and open cities.
Balkan Session
Authors: Libánská Alena
Published: October 2024

This paper discusses Balkan music performed in the Czech Republic, especially in Prague. Balkan music is performed by musicians not enculturated in Balkan culture. Their music production can be understood as a social practice initiated by certain stereotypes, viewed as Balkanism (Todorova 2009). In doing so, they display their attitude towards their Slavic neighbors. Using an ethnographic snapshot of a festival evening called Balkan Session, the main objective of this paper is to show the interaction between Balkan music as performed in Prague and the Balkans, represented by the migrants from the Balkan Peninsula in Prague. The concepts of Balkanism (Todorova 2009), Safe Enterprise (Laušević 2007) and Intimate Distance (Bigenho 2012) are used in the interpretation.
Assessment of a new higher-order shear and normal deformation theory for the static response of functionally graded shallow shells
Authors: Shinde Bharti M. , Sayyad Atteshamuddin S. , Naik Nitin S.
Published: October 2024

Static response of simply supported functionally graded (FG) shallow shells using a new higher-order shear and normal deformation theory is focused in this article. The effects of transverse strains and stresses on the bending response of FG shell are considered by the present theory. The current theory considers the impacts of transverse normal and shear deformations that meet the requirements for traction-free boundary conditions. The virtual work principle is applied to the mathematical formulation of the present theory. The simply supported doubly curved shallow shell problems under the static transverse load are analyzed using Navier’s solution technique. To verify the existing theory, the current results are, whenever possible, compared with those that have already been published. Additionally, a few benchmark results are presented in this article that will be helpful to researchers in the future.
The unusual location of primary hydatid cyst: A case series study
Authors: Qaradaghy Seerwan Hama Shareef , Ismael Diyaree Nihad , Ameen Shorsh Hama Hussein , Mahmood Kawa Abdula , Aghaways Ismael Hama Amin , Shakor Fadhluddin Nasruddin , Abdullah Zana Othman , Ibrahim Kawa M. , Omer Mohammed Amin Ali , Mohammed Sangar Abdullah , Mohammed Aram Ahmed , Rasheed Safeen Hama
Published: October 2024

Background

Cystic echinococcosis mainly affects the liver and lungs, in which the larvae from the microvascular wall in the liver pass to the lungs and then to the blood circulation and settle in any tissue or organ.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to report the unusual location of hydatid cysts in infected patients in Sulaimaniyah City, Iraq.

Patients and methods

This retrospective case series study enrolled 13 patients. They underwent a surgical operation to excise their cyst after confirmed diagnosis with blood investigations, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (when needed). After the operation, the cyst was confirmed with histopathological examination, and patients were advised to take an Albendazole tablet.

Results

Most patients were females from rural areas, with a mean age of 38.93 ± 14.4 years. Patients presented with cysts on the skin of the anterior abdominal wall, gluteal region, mesenteric area, pericardium, tibia bone meta diaphysis, right inguinal region, right thigh, skin of the anterior neck, spleen, left suprarenal gland, right breast, and the iliopsoas muscle.

Conclusions

The hydatid cyst can affect any body part with no site immune and often produces nonspecific symptoms.
Exploring Ethical Potentials of Christian Narrative Testimonies
Authors: Peetz Katharina
Published: October 2024

Over the last decades, the role of narratives in Christian theology and ethics has been debated controversially. In light of this, this article explores the ethical potential of Christian narrative testimonies. First, it shows that the mode of Christian testimony to God’s incarnation in Jesus Christ is narratively structured. Second, it unfolds a threefold hermeneutic of these narratives: a hermeneutic of the simultaneous presence and absence of God in these testimonies, a hermeneutic of commentary and criticism, and a hermeneutic of attentive humility in the face of other narratives. Last but not least, ethical potentials of Christian narrative testimonies come into view: These narratives can bear witness to God’s absent presence, especially when they reveal themselves as radical contingent, when they are open to transformation by narratives of the other and when they motivate people to question the status quo of any given society in order to act for a more just future.
A review of electrical and piezoelectric properties of nanocellulose biocomposites
Authors: Habib Abdul , Sapuan Salit Mohd , Zainudin Edi Syams , Atiqah Afdzaluddin
Published: October 2024

The increasing request for lightweight, environmentally sustainable materials with versatile functionality and strong mechanical properties is driving renewed interest in nanocellulose for electrical applications. Nanocellulose, a biologically derived polymeric nanomaterial, has seen significant growth in the global market due to advancements in nanotechnology and the increasing need for sustainable materials. This has accelerated research into the development of cellulose-based nanomaterials. However, nanocellulose on its own does not inherently possess the ability to function as a conductive material. To address this limitation, researchers have explored various modifications, such as combining nanocellulose with conductive materials or applying specific chemical treatments. These approaches have been shown to enhance the electrical conductivity of nanocellulose, making it suitable for use in electrically conductive composites. Over the past few decades, nanocellulose composites have been extensively studied for their applications in energy, electronics, biomedicine, health, and environmental sectors. Nanocellulose possesses a unique combination of exceptional properties, including biodegradability, renewability, and a distinctive fibrous structure, proving that it is the best choice for these uses. The superior electrical properties of nanocellulose-based composites, coupled with their flexibility, ease of production, and biocompatibility, make them highly desirable for various advanced technological applications. Significant advancements have been achieved by researchers in fabricating various types of nanocellulose materials and exploring their potential in nanogenerators, humidity sensors, gas sensors, and supercapacitors. The ability to modify the surface of nanocellulose and its robust properties offer numerous opportunities for creating hybrid materials within the electrical domain.
Efficacy of sustainable cementitious materials on concrete porosity for enhancing the durability of building materials
Authors: Huang HaoYang , Amin Muhammad Nasir , Khan Suleman Ayub , Khan Kaffayatullah , Qadir Muhammad Tahir
Published: October 2024

The degradation of concrete structures is significantly influenced by water penetration since water serves as the primary vehicle for the movement of harmful compounds. The process of capillary water absorption is widely recognized as a crucial indicator of durability for unsaturated concrete, as it allows dangerous substances to enter the composite material. The water absorption capacity of concrete is intricately linked to its pore structure, as concrete is inherently porous. The main goal of this work is to create an innovative predictive tool that assesses the porosity of concrete by analyzing its components using a machine-learning (ML) framework. Seven distinct batch design variables were included in the generated database: fly ash, superplasticizer, water-to-binder ratio, curing time, ground granulated blast furnace slag, binder, and coarse-to-fine aggregate ratio. Four distant ML algorithms, including AdaBoost, linear regression (LR), decision tree (DT), and support vector machine (SVM), are utilized to infer the generalization capabilities of ML algorithms to estimate concrete porosity accurately. The RReliefF algorithm was implemented to calculate the significant features influencing porosity. This study concludes that in comparison to the alternative techniques, the AdaBoost method demonstrated superior performance with an R
2 score of 0.914, followed by SVM (0.870), DT (0.838), and LR (0.763). The results of the evaluation of RReliefF indicated that the binder possesses a remarkable influence on the porosity of concrete.
Theoretical research on load distribution of composite pre-tightened teeth connections embedded with soft layers
Authors: Li Fei , Zhou Zhaopeng , Ye Shuting , Zhao Qilin , Chen Mingzhao , Gao Yifeng , Shi Lin
Published: October 2024

It has been proved by experiments that the soft layers can effectively adjust the load distribution ratio of composite pre-tightened tooth connection, but theoretical research on the composite pre-tightened tooth connection embedded with soft layers has not been carried out. Therefore, in this work, the load distribution theory of composite pre-tightened tooth connection embedded with soft layers is studied by spring stiffness method. First, based on deformation compatibility condition, the theoretical calculation formula of load distribution ratio of each tooth is derived by spring stiffness method. Then, load distribution ratio is obtained by experiments, and the theoretical calculation results are verified. Finally, through the derived formula, the load distribution ratio of the composite pre-tightened tooth connection embedded with soft layers is parameterized. Research shows that (1) The theoretical value is in good agreement with the experimental value, and the maximum error of calculation result of the load distribution of the joint is 8%; (2) Under the action of soft layers, each tooth of two-teeth and three-teeth joints are damaged at the same time, the ultimate bearing capacity is increased by 29.0 and 21.6%, respectively, compared with the traditional two-teeth and three-teeth joints; (3) The elastic modulus and thickness of soft layers have a significant impact on the load distribution ratio of each tooth.
Investigating Light and Water Optimization for Early Seedling Establishment in Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth
Authors: Ibeh Kelechi Godwin , Akinyele Adejoke Olukemi
Published: October 2024

Seedling growth, development, and establishment are vulnerable stages for trees, greatly influenced by two important environmental factors: light availability and soil moisture regime. This study investigated the interactive effects of light intensity and water availability on key early vegetative growth parameters of collar diameter, height, and the number of leaves in seedlings of the tropical legume tree Albizia lebbeck. The experiment utilized a 4×3 factorial design with four light intensity levels (L1 (75%), L2 (50%), L3 (25%), and L4 (100% as control)) and three watering frequencies (daily (W1), every three days (W2), weekly (W3)) in a nursery greenhouse. Measurements were recorded biweekly for ten weeks. The results showed that moderate light intensity of 50% coupled with adequate moisture supply by daily watering (L2W1) led to optimal seedling growth. This treatment combination resulted in the greatest mean collar diameter (3.62 mm), plant height (41.88 cm), and number of leaves (11). Growth was restricted under full light (L4) and insufficient light (L3). Limited water availability by watering weekly (W3) also suppressed growth metrics. However, there was no significant difference between daily watering (W1) and moderate watering frequency (W2). Strong intrinsic synchronization was observed between the collar diameter and plant height growth trajectories over time, reflecting coordinated lateral and vertical stem expansion regulated by developmental processes. Leaf proliferation showed partially decoupled dynamics from stem growth, indicating specialized control over leaf traits. Collar diameter, height, and the number of leaves were inherently intercorrelated, highlighting their co-dependence in generating resources and signals needed to sustain growth and development. The findings suggest that 50% light intensity and adequate moisture by watering every 1-3 days are optimal for nursery establishment of A. lebbeck seedlings to maximize early vegetative growth.
Modified active balancer for use in multi-module batteries
Authors: Lipko D. O. , Bondarenko O. F.
Published: October 2024

The study considers the structure of multimodular batteries (on the example of electric vehicle batteries), cell configuration, chemical composition and capacity of the elements that form the cells. The authors compare the battery characteristics of most models of electric cars. Based on the analysis of the topologies of active balancers, it was proposed to additionally classify active balancers by a new classification feature, namely by the way energy flows between cells. The improved topology of the active balancer proposed in this study provides additional balancing at the module level and allows flexible change of the balancing method to speed it up and increase reliability. Modeling of the balancing speed for different active balancer topologies helped to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed topology.
Thermophysical model of a thermonic cathode with induction heating
Authors: Pysarenko L. D. , Tsybulskyi I. L.
Published: October 2024

A thermophysical model was built and the temperature field of a cylindrical thermionic cathode with induction heating was calculated, taking into account the initial and boundary conditions, based on the adoption of assumptions to simplify the mathematical model. During the induction heating of the cathode, a non-stationary heat conduction process is established, which is described by the differential equation of heat conduction with internal sources of Joule heat. The distribution of internal heat sources in the volume of the cathode is determined by the distribution of the ring induced current. The cylindrical design of the inductive thermionic cathode, due to spatial symmetry, allows to reduce the number of spatial variables, significantly simplify functional dependencies, and limit the algorithm for solving the problem. The problem was solved in the cylindrical coordinate system.
The obtained approximate solutions were assessed for the correctness of the accepted simplifications when finding the distribution of the temperature field with a sufficient degree of accuracy. Despite the high thermal conductivity of the cathode material, when the cathode is inductively heated, there can be a significant temperature difference between its outer and inner surfaces. The article shows the permissible temperature difference on the surface of the cathode, which limits the choice of geometric dimensions of the cathode. The temperature difference on the surfaces of the induction thermionic cathode is most affected on the end (annular) surfaces of the cathode, so it is better to apply emitting coatings to the side surfaces of the cylindrical cathode, thus complicating the design of the cathode.
The application of induction heating of the thermionic cathode allows to simplify the heating unit, increase the reliability and service life of powerful electronic devices. The obtained results are planned to be used in further research as test data for the analysis of more complex problems of numerical calculation of the thermal regimes of the cathode unit with heat shields and focusing elements of thermoelectron flows.