bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Botanical survey of ethnomedicines in Dayak sub-ethnic groups, Ot Danum and Tomum in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: NENENG LISWARA , NAWAN NAWAN , NAIBAHO FRANS GROVY , RAHMAN SUDARMAN , SEPTYA LIA , PANJAITAN DESIMARIA , LESTARI RIA WINDI , IRSYAM ARIFIN SURYA DWIPA , NORWAHYUNIE NORWAHYUNIE , NORAINI NORAINI
Published: February 2025

Abstract. Neneng L, Nawan, Naibaho FG, Rahman S, Septya L, Panjaitan D, Lestari RW, Irsyam ASD, Norwahyunie, Noraini. 2025. Botanical survey of ethnomedicines in Dayak sub-ethnic groups, Ot Danum and Tomum in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 458-469. The rise of globalization, urbanization, and environmental changes has led to the emergence of new infectious diseases and increased Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), posing significant public health threats. This study aims to document the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Dayak Ot Danum and Tomum subtribes in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, particularly regarding their ethnobotanical remedies for treating infectious diseases. Field surveys were conducted in August 2024 across four villages, utilizing purposive and snowball sampling techniques to interview 12 key informants, including traditional healers. Semi-structured interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), and field observations were employed to gather information on the local use of medicinal plants. A total of 62 plant species were identified, with the highest proportions targeting bacterial infections (24 species), followed by viral (21 species), fungal (11 species), and parasitic infections (4 species), with mixed efficacy as antibacterial and antifungal (10 species) and antibacterial and antiviral (3 species). The Zingiberaceae family was the most frequently documented, a testament to the diverse and rich ethnobotanical knowledge of these communities. The findings highlight the effective use of traditional medicine in combating infections, suggesting the potential for integrating ethnobiological practices into contemporary healthcare strategies to address AMR. As indigenous populations face increasing health risks, preserving and leveraging traditional medicinal knowledge is crucial for developing sustainable approaches to health and wellness.
Optimization of D-amino acid oxidase production by Trigonopsis variabilis using glucose syrup from cassava as carbon source
Authors: RUSLI ZALDY , SURYADI HERMAN , WIBISANA AHMAD
Published: February 2025

Abstract. Rusli Z, Suryadi H, Wibisana A. 2018. Optimization of D-amino acid oxidase production by Trigonopsis variabilis using glucose syrup from cassava as carbon source. Bioteknologi 15: 26-32. Glucose syrup from cassava (GSC) contains glucose as the main sugar suitable for an economical and efficient production of D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) by Trigonopsis variabilis. The aim of this study is to optimize the DAAO production by T. variabilis using GSC as the carbon source via response surface methodology (RSM) with Face-centered Central Composite Design (FCCD). In the first step, the effects of six factors (concentration of GSC and DL-alanine, pH, temperature, incubation time, and inoculum concentration) were screened to obtain the significant factors on DAAO production by Plackett-Burman design. As a result, the incubation time, the concentration of GSC and DL-alanine showed to be significant factors for DAAO production (P<0.05). These factors were then optimized using RSM with FCCD. The optimized RSM results demonstrated that a quadratic polynomial model was found suitable to define the relation between the incubation times, concentration of GSC and DL-alanine parameters. Moreover, the observed high R2 value (0.9782) confirms a strong evaluation of the experimental data. The optimum condition for DAAO production is as follows: GSC and DL-alanine concentration was 12.3% and 0.3%, respectively, and the culture incubation time was 56.1 hours. Using this condition, we got a DAAO activity of 195.38 U/g dry weight of yeast.
Screening of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from sugarcane plant rhizosphere as biofertilizer agent for sorghum growth (Sorghum bicolor)
Authors: PRISILLIA RISKI MARETA AYU , Susilowati Ari , SOLICHATUN SOLICHATUN
Published: February 2025

Abstract. Prisillia RMA, Susilowati A, Solichatun. 2021. Screening of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from sugarcane plant rhizosphere as biofertilizer agent for sorghum growth (Sorghum bicolor). Asian J Trop Biotechnol 18: 37-45. Sorghum plants (Sorghum bicolor L.) development in Indonesia is still behind due to limited application in a few locations. Sorghum is a crop that can be grown on marginal terrain. The scarcity of nutrients in marginal land necessitates the addition of nutrients. Biofertilizer is a biological fertilizer that comprises microorganisms that act as nutrient suppliers and promote plant growth in the soil. This research included soil sampling, prospective testing, and screening to identify a biofertilizer solubilizing bacterium candidate. Bacterial screening entails bacterial identification, bacterial growth measurement, and a media pH test. The biofertilizer application experiment used a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors: the first component was the addition of phosphate solubilizing bacteria, which was divided into two levels, without bacteria, and with bacteria. The second factor was variations in the NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) fertilizer concentrations of 0, 25, 50, and 100%, which correspond to 0; 0.625; 1.25, and 2.5 g NPK / plant, respectively. The vegetative phase of sorghum growth was observed for 50 days, and height, the number of leaves, leaves color, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of sorghum plants were determined using ANOVA and DMRT test levels of 5%. Seven isolates of phosphate solubilizing bacteria were obtained from this research. Two possibly superior isolates were produced as biofertilizers: BPF 5 and 12 I. Compared to control treatments, adding BPF 5 and 12 I isolate in combination with varied NPK fertilizer concentrations significantly altered sorghum growth parameters, such as plant height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight. The addition of BPF 12 I isolates at 0% and 25% fertilizer concentrations results in sorghum growth.
Stand-alone middle meningeal artery embolization in chronic subdural hematoma patient presenting cognitive decline: a case report
Authors: Galindra Yusmahenry , Rilianto Beny , Kurniawan Ricky Gusanto , Prasetyo Bambang Tri
Published: February 2025

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a neurological disorder that commonly occurs in the elderly with high morbidity and mortality. Current treatment for cSDH consists of conservative therapy, surgical evacuation, and endovascular therapy, or a combination of all the methods. Endovascular therapy for cSDH management involving middle meningeal artery embolization (MMAE) has become a promising therapeutic option for clinicians as it offers a minimally invasive, safe, and effective choice with a low recurrence rate. MMAE using particles can also be performed in frail elderly patients who cannot undergo large craniotomy procedures. We presented a case of a subdural hematoma patient with cognitive decline using a therapeutic strategy of stand-alone MMAE, which resulted in cognitive function improvement
Genotypic pattern of fluoroquinolone resistance among extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli
Authors: Febrianti Tati , Puspandasari Nelly , Febriyana Dwi , Weaver Tom , Karuniawati Anis
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND Fluoroquinolone (FQ) is one of the therapeutic options for treating extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) infection, but its use could increase the resistance level of ESBL-Ec. This study aimed to analyze the resistant genes responsible for ESBL production and FQ resistance among the ESBL-Ec isolated from healthy humans and communal wastewater.
METHODS This was an observational study using stored isolates and laboratory data. Genome sequencing was done on 43 E. coli DNA isolates before resistance genes, mutations, and high-risk clones were examined through bioinformatic data analysis.
RESULTS The analysis of 39 ESBL-Ec isolates showed ESBL genes, including blaCTX-M-55 (56%), blaCTX-M-15 (31%), and blaCTX-M-27 (8%). ESBL-Ec isolates exhibited mutations in gyrA (54%), gyrB (0%), parC (28%), and parE (10%). Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes detected included qnrS1 (54%), qnrS13 (13%), qnrB2 (3%), aac(6’)-Ib-cr5 (3%), qepA (0%), and oqxAB (0%). ESBL and FQ resistance genes were simultaneously detected in 33 ESBL-Ec isolates, with high-risk clones identified as ST155, ST10, ST23, ST38, ST131, and ST69 Cplx.
CONCLUSIONS ESBL and FQ resistance genes were simultaneously detected in ESBL-Ec isolated from healthy humans and communal wastewater.
Circularity of violence and institutionalisation: understanding women’s (im)mobility across borders
Authors: Mehta Rimple
Published: February 2025

Women’s experiences of border crossing in the context of any form of forced mobility are significantly different to those of men, often leading to their death. Despite this, women have historically been at the margins of literature on international migration. However, in the last four decades, due to the feminist focus on inclusion of women in migration studies, there has been focus on the experiences of women during, before and after forced migration across borders. This body of literature has been limited by its focus on women’s experiences of violence in either the home or destination country, with some focus on experiences during the migration journey. The continuity of violence across borders and a succinct focus on violence against women (VAW), particularly domestic violence, as an independent or interrelated factor for forced mobility across political borders remains underexplored. Further, there seems to be a dearth of discussions on how the precarities shaped by VAW induced migration paves women’s pathways to different kinds of institutions, including women’s refuges, detention centres, protection homes, prisons in destination countries. Drawing on narratives of migrant and refugee women in prisons in India and Australia, the article connects the missing links between literature on VAW, women’s mobility across political borders and their consequent containment in institutions.
Fatty Arbuckle's Fingerprints: Race, Photographic Evidence, and the Smudge
Authors: Jeffay Tory
Published: February 2025

abstract: This article uses the historical entanglement of photography and fingerprinting in order to explore the racialized fallibility of visual evidence and the operation of a forensic imaginary in the interpretation of photographic imagery. Looking at the forensic evidence in the trials of silent film star Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, I argue that the over-investment in what can be known from photographic evidence stems from a racialized desire to make imagined difference visible and knowable. Ultimately, I suggest the figure of the smudge rather than the fingerprint better characterizes the unstable nature of photographic evidence.
Cover Essay: How to Interpret Postcards
Authors: Spigel Lynn
Published: February 2025

abstract: This essay demonstrates the value of postcards as visual evidence for historical research. Focusing on midcentury hotel and motel postcards, it offers a brief history of postcard production technologies and techniques and explores visual strategies they employed. While analyzing these images, the essay also considers how postcards deleted certain aspects of the scenes they depicted, rendering unpleasant objects invisible to the observer. Therefore, this essay argues that what is absent from the image is as significant as what is present.
Roundtable: Global Histories of Technology in Worlds of Environmental Change
Authors: van der Vleuten Erik , de Hoop Evelien , van der Straeten Jonas , Akallah Jethron Ayumbah , Chatterjee Animesh , Heymann Matthias , Kumar Prakash
Published: February 2025

abstract: In the face of diverse and uneven environmental crises across the globe, ongoing efforts to "globalize" the history of technology field may be considered urgent. In doing so, however, we risk uncritically exporting the norms and practices of a predominantly Western-centric field—an arguably colonial act. This roundtable explores four areas of contention: how to conceptualize "the global"; why, how and with whom to study "history" amid threatened "futures"; how to articulate and delineate the field's subject matter ("technology"); and how researchers can collaborate equitably within and across diverse sites around the globe. Building on these discussions, we propose three themes for further conversation: how to transcend the North-South binary without disregarding its critical insights; how to balance the use of locally specific vocabularies with quasi-global terms; and how to develop collaborative relationships with those whose histories historians document, fostering joint experimentation with "historiographical interventions."
The Safari and the Screen: How Visual Technologies Shaped Italian Colonial Narratives
Authors: Falcucci Beatrice , Mancosu Gianmarco
Published: February 2025

abstract: Recent historiography on empire and postcolonialism has highlighted the diverse visual practices and technologies that shaped colonial narratives and knowledge. This article examines how various visual media were used to advance Italy's imperial agenda, drawing on both recent scholarship and original research. Introducing the concept of transmediality and its methodological importance for analyzing colonial cultural and visual practices, the article presents the case of Vittorio Tedesco Zammarano—an explorer, hunter, filmmaker, and writer active in Italian Somalia. Through a close examination of the technologies and cultural practices, this study reflects on how colonial fantasies, desires, and epistemes—particularly those related to hunting and safari—were intertwined with Fascist Italy's colonial ambitions, highlighting broader trans-imperial connections.
Americanization Through Innovation: Polish American Women, Domestic Appliances, and the Household Revolution Debate, 1900–40
Authors: Kuźma-Markowska Sylwia
Published: February 2025

abstract: For Polish-American women, household appliances—promoted in Polish-language magazines in the United States in 1930s—were not merely labor-saving tools, but symbols of Americanization and social mobility. Revisiting Ruth Schwartz Cowan's argument that the domestic technological revolution primarily benefited middle-class women, this article examines the experiences of immigrant and second-generation Polish-American women in early twentieth-century and interwar Chicago. While Cowan highlights the increased expectations these technologies imposed on women, this article demonstrates how they facilitated Polish-American women's integration into American consumer culture and adaptation of American values. Drawing on oral histories and advertisements, this article explores the intersection of gender, class, and ethnicity in shaping immigrant women's interactions with modern domestic technology.
Delivering Airpower: How Innovation in Wartime Foreshadowed Modern Supply Chain Strategies
Authors: Dye Peter
Published: February 2025

abstract: Modern supply chains claim novel levels of resilience and adaptability, but these were developed in World War I (and later redeployed during World War II) and have been "reinvented" in contemporary business contexts. This article highlights how the supply chains developed for wartime aviation logistics anticipated today's notions of supply chain resilience and adaptability. While the logistic innovations of World War II are widely recognized, those developed during World War I, particularly in aviation, are less well known but equally groundbreaking. The Royal Flying Corps pioneered agile supply chain strategies that sustained continuous air superiority on the Western Front—helping break the stalemate of trench warfare. Innovations such as postponement, strategic warehousing, bidirectional supply, recycling, circular manufacturing, and product service systems addressed the challenges of high attrition, technological advancement, and unpredictable demand.
Light amplitude modulation in photonic waveguides using graphene plasmonic resonance
Authors: Kuzmiak Vladimir , Petracek Jiri , Ctyroky Jiri
Published: February 2025

Hybrid waveguides with graphene can enable resonant coupling of the waveguide mode and the graphene plasmonic modes. We demonstrate theoretically that the plasmonic resonance can be significantly enhanced using a graphene nanoribbon with a deep subwavelength width when a lower-order graphene nanoribbon mode and a mode of a bare waveguide are efficiently coupled. A further increase by order of magnitude is possible when a single graphene stripe is replaced by a finite array of graphene nanoribbons. This effect may provide a feasible platform for an efficient amplitude modulation which can be employed in design of specific devices such as low-power modulators, filters or sensors.
Second-order nonlinear frequency conversion in InGaP-on-insulator waveguides
Authors: Ahler Lucas , Ulsig Emil , Stanton Eric , Godoy Pedro , Weight Skyler , Nader Nima , Leger Alexandre , Degli-Eredi Iterio , Mirin Richard , Volet Nicolas
Published: February 2025

InGaP integrated on a silicon substrate has emerged as a promising platform for nonlinear and quantum photonics, offering high nonlinear conversion efficiency and scalability with silicon-based fabrication infrastructure. This work presents an experimental demonstration of sum- and difference-frequency generation in InGaP waveguides. We generate light at 930 nm, 1550 nm and 2325 nm, achieving conversion efficiencies of 4.5 ± 0.5 /W, 1.4 ± 0.2 /W and 0.43 ± 0.04 /W, respectively. These results highlight the potential of InGaP-on-insulator for advanced photonic applications, including broadband infrared light generation and quantum frequency conversion. We discuss a roadmap for this technology to achieve even broader wavelength coverage, higher efficiencies and quantum-frequency conversion of single-photons.
Proposal for an ultra-high accuracy, high-speed, and miniaturized ring-laser gyroscope by optical frequency combs
Authors: Nishino Hitoshi , Maenaka Kazusuke , Ono Takahito
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes an ultra-high accuracy and high-speed angular velocity sensor as a new application of optical frequency combs. Using a Sagnac interferometer, a time shift of the ultra-short pulse laser, corresponding to the optical path shift between the pulses, occurs under certain angular velocities. This time shift can be detected as the difference in the two beat signals between the optical frequency comb and the stabilized CW (Continuous Wave) laser. In both two beat signals, the same stabilized CW laser is used, while the mode-locked dual optical frequency combs are used; one is straight light as a reference, and the other is rotated for sensing. When angular velocity is given to this system, the sensing beat frequency will change, and then the angular velocity can be calculated by the difference between each beat frequency. The relationships between the accuracy of the angular velocity and required relative frequency stability of the optical frequency comb are shown, and the miniaturization and high-frequency signals are discussed. The detectable angular velocity is calculated to be on the order of pico-rad/sec. The gyroscope has the potential for miniaturization with ultra-high accuracy and speed on-chip platform.
Patrones valorativos en el discurso oficial de Derechos Humanos en Chile: Dando valor al pasado y construyendo memorias históricas en la sociedad
Authors: Oteiza Teresa
Published: February 2025

Este artículo analiza algunos patrones de la realización de voz de la Comisión Nacional de Verdad y Reconciliación chilena de 1991, establecida después de la dictadura militar (1973-1990). En este documento oficial, producido y promovido por el gobierno chileno, los autores procuran presentarse a sí mismos sin poder para juzgar a la sociedad o para explicar los eventos históricos. Sin embargo, ellos proponen evaluaciones (evocadas e inscritas) de sectores relevantes de la sociedad, ofrecen una interpretación de la historia, y específicamente, dan una explicación para la “intervención militar” y las posibles causas para las graves violaciones a los derechos humanos durante la dictadura. Este trabajo se fundamenta en los enfoques teóricos complementarios de la LSF y el ACD, y se centra en el análisis de la valoración (White 2000, 2003; Martin 1997, 2003, 2004; Martin & Rose 2003; Martin & White 2005) y el análisis de la transitividad de las proyecciones mentales y verbales en el discurso, como herramientas para un examen más flexible y detallado del uso de los recursos de valoración. Este análisis nos permite crear una red sistémica de patrones de recursos gramaticales y léxicos usados por la Comisión para generar atenuación en la representación de sí misma y de otros en el discurso. Este análisis lingüístico, inserto en una práctica social, ofrece asimismo una comprensión complementaria de las subjetividades encontradas en el campo de la historia oral, específicamente en el estudio de testimonios que dan cuenta de memorias diferentes y contradictorias del pasado reciente chileno (Stern 2006).
VIH/SIDA nos jornais portugueses: construções visuais e linguísticas, discursos e género
Authors: Pinto-Coelho Zara
Published: February 2025

Este artigo questiona a representação visual do VIH/SIDA na imprensa portuguesa, partindo de uma abordagem da semiótica social (Kress e van Leeuwen, 1996) e de uma perspectiva feminista (Lazar, 2005). Pretende destacar o modo como se combinam os discursos usados na construção visual do VIH/SIDA e os usados na sua construção linguística, prestando especial atenção às diferenças e semelhanças entre representações de mulheres e de homens e aos discursos de género. Pode ser visto também como exemplo de uma forma possível de articular a Semiótica Social da imagem visual com a Análise Crítica do Discurso (e.g. van Dijk, 2005) numa análise da construção do género no discurso jornalístico.
La presuposición en el discurso noticioso
Authors: Bekalu Mesfin Awoke , Lizasoain Conejeros Andrea
Published: February 2025

En este estudio se analizan cinco artículos noticiosos extraídos de tres periódicos etíopes publicados en lengua inglesa, con el fin de examinar el tipo de conocimiento que los periodistas presuponen en el discurso noticioso y, en términos de la Teoría de la Relevancia, la cantidad de esfuerzo de procesamiento que los lectores deben invertir para acceder y/o activar lo que se ha presupuesto. Otro objetivo es revelar la existencia de posibles razones ideológicas detrás del uso de presuposiciones ‘justas’ o ‘injustas’ por parte de los periodistas. Este análisis indica que algunos escritores de artículos noticiosos presuponen diferentes tipos de conocimiento en los discursos noticiosos injustamente y agregan un aura de mistificación adicional a ciertos temas, lo que, a su vez, podría tener razones políticas o ideológicas. De esta manera, se defiende que al producir artículos noticiosos con presuposiciones injustas, los periodistas oscurecen ciertos temas y ponen a sus lectores en una situación en la que tienen que hacer excesivos esfuerzos de procesamiento para lograr el efecto cognitivo requerido de los artículos.
Etnometodología
Authors: Firth Alan , Cadavid G. Teresa E.
Published: February 2025

La versión original, en inglés, de este artículo (“Ethnomethodology”) fue publicada en: Verschueren, J. y otros (ed.). Handbook of Pragmatics Manual. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins B.V., 1995, pp.269-278.
Discurso, género y etnicidad en una comunidad de shipibos en Lima
Authors: Zavala Virginia , Bariola Nino
Published: February 2025

La migración de una población de shipibos, desde la Amazonía a Lima, ha dado lugar a una recreación de las relaciones de género y de la etnicidad shipiba. Ahora que son las “madres” quienes sostienen económicamente a sus familias, la identidad shipiba de las mujeres ya no connota su condición subalterna, sino la posibilidad de acceso a una posición de poder. En este artículo, analizamos de qué manera el uso de la lengua vernácula se constituye como un recurso simbólico importante para la performance de las identidades étnicas y de género en las asambleas comunales, donde se discuten los problemas que la gente enfrenta en este nuevo escenario urbano. Las mujeres no solo usan esta lengua en mayor medida que los hombres; además interactúan de una forma en la que despliegan su agencia. Esta asociación entre la mujer shipiba, el uso de la lengua vernácula y el acceso al poder a través de la producción y venta de artesanías ha contribuido a mantener el nexo entre la lengua shipiba y la identidad étnica shipiba en la ciudad.
Argumentación y manejo de la imagen en publicidad institucional. La DGT
Authors: Díaz Domínguez María Luz
Published: February 2025

En el año 2007 la DGT comienza una serie de campañas publicitarias con características que las diferenciaban de lo que se había observado hasta la fecha en ese tipo de publicidad. La parte gráfica perdía su protagonismo casi por completo, dejando paso a la fuerza de la palabra, con la que, aparentemente, se llega a dañar la imagen del receptor. En este artículo tratamos de mostrar cómo la DGT emplea con notable éxito el manejo de las diferentes imágenes en juego, logrando rentabilizar el ataque al receptor para lograr sus objetivos: el acercamiento al de la institución al receptor y la toma de conciencia y responsabilidad de este. Para ello hemos analizado el corpus desde una perspectiva lingüístico pragmática, tomando en cuenta la argumentación así como cuestiones relativas a la cortesía.
The protective effects of Saudi propolis against hepatic injury induced by gold nanoparticles in adult male albino rats
Authors: Althubyani Sarah A.
Published: February 2025

Background and Aim: Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are widely used in industrial and medical applications due to their unique properties but may induce oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity. Propolis, a bee-derived natural product with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, shows promise as a hepatoprotective agent. This study evaluates the protective effects of Saudi propolis against GNP-induced hepatic damage by examining oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and liver function. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Saudi propolis against oxidative damage and lipid dysregulation induced by GNPs in male albino rats.

Materials and Methods: A total of 180 adult male rats were divided into six groups: (1) Control (saline), (2) Propolis (100 mg/kg), (3) GNPs (10 nm, 0.2 mg/kg/day), (4) GNPs (30 nm, 0.2 mg/kg/day), (5) GNPs (10 nm) + propolis, and (6) GNPs (30 nm) + propolis. Treatments were administered daily for 5, 10, or 15 days. Blood and liver samples were analyzed for oxidative stress markers, liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and glutamyl transpeptidase), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxides [GPx]), and lipid profiles (cholesterol [CHO] and triglyceride [TG]).

Results: Rats treated with GNPs showed elevated liver enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress, accompanied by increased CHO and TG levels. In contrast, co-administration of Saudi propolis significantly mitigated these effects, restoring MDA, SOD, and GPx levels close to control values. The hepatoprotective effects were more pronounced for 10 nm GNPs than 30 nm. After 15 days, TG levels returned to near-normal levels, while CHO levels improved but remained elevated.

Conclusion: Saudi propolis exhibits significant protective effects against GNP-induced hepatic damage, primarily due to its antioxidant properties and ability to reduce oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The findings provide evidence for the therapeutic potential of propolis in managing nanoparticle-induced liver toxicity.

Keywords: antioxidants, gold nanoparticles, hepatotoxicity, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, rats, Saudi propolis.
Modeling the associations between L2 teacher support and EFL learners’ reading motivation: The mediating impact of reading enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom
Authors: Derakhshan Ali , Solhi Mehdi , Dewaele Jean-Marc , Shakki Farzaneh
Published: February 2025

The present study aimed to explore the association between 302 (93 males and 209 females) English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ perceived teacher support (i.e., personal support and academic support) and their reading motivation. This inquiry also sought to assess the potential mediating influences of second or foreign language (L2) boredom, anxiety, and enjoyment on the interplay between the constructs under investigation. The results indicated a significantly strong and positive relationship between personal and academic teacher support and reading motivation. While L2 reading boredom and anxiety exhibited strong negative correlations with the two facets of teacher support, L2 enjoyment was positively correlated. Additionally, L2 reading enjoyment displayed a strong association with reading motivation. The results also revealed that over half of the variance in L2 reading motivation could be predicted by teacher support, along with the mediating influences of learner emotions. The findings are discussed in connection with educational theories, and implications are drawn for teaching.
An isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based candidate reference measurement procedure for the quantification of cortisol in human serum and plasma
Authors: Ott Myriam , Singh Neeraj , Bauland Friederike , Köppl Daniel , Kandler Kerstin , Gaudl Alexander , Geistanger Andrea , Ceglarek Uta , Rauh Manfred , Geletneky Christian , Taibon Judith
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Accurate measurement of serum cortisol is crucial for the diagnosis and management of adrenal disorders. Thus, we have developed a novel isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC MS/MS)-based candidate reference measurement procedure (RMP) to quantify cortisol in human serum/plasma, offering higher sensitivity and reliability compared to existing RMPs.

Methods

Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopic (qNMR) methodology has been utilized to assign the absolute content (g/g) and SI-traceability to the reference materials. A novel two-dimensional heart-cut liquid chromatography (LC) approach was implemented for the LC-MS/MS, combined with a supported liquid extraction (SLE) sample preparation protocol. A multi-day validation experiment assessed precision and accuracy. Reproducibility was assessed by comparing procedure results between two independent laboratories, and measurement uncertainty (MU) was evaluated in compliance with current guidelines.

Results

The established RMP exhibited high sensitivity, with a quantification range of 0.800–600 ng/mL (2.21–1,655 nmol/L), exceeding the ranges of existing JCTLM-listed RMPs. Intermediate precision was ≤2.6 %, and repeatability ranged from 0.9 to 1.9 % across all concentration levels. The relative mean bias ranged from −1.3 to 1.4 % for all matrices and concentration levels. Measurement uncertainties (MU) for cortisol in single measurements were ≤2.8 % regardless of the concentration level and sample type. Using the certified International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) reference panel, the equivalence between the candidate RMP and the Joint Committee on Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (JCTLM) listed RMPs (NRMeth 57 and NRMeth 8) was assessed, revealing excellent agreement.

Conclusions

This RMP allows for highly sensitive and reproducible determination of cortisol. The performance of the RMP facilitates the standardization of routine assays and ensures traceability in the measurement of individual patient samples.
Propagation of waves from finite sources arranged in line segments within an infinite triangular lattice
Authors: Kapanadze David , Vashakidze Zurab
Published: February 2025

This paper examines the propagation of time-harmonic waves in a two-dimensional triangular lattice with a lattice constant

a
=
1

{a=1}

. The sources are positioned along line segments within the lattice. Specifically, we investigate the discrete Helmholtz equation with a wavenumber

k
∈

(
0
,

2
⁢

2

)

{k\in(0,2\sqrt{2})}

, where input data is prescribed on finite rows or columns of lattice sites. We focus on two main questions: the efficacy of the numerical methods employed in evaluating the Green’s function, and the necessity of the cone condition. Consistent with a continuum theory, we employ the notion of radiating solution and establish a unique solvability result and Green’s representation formula using difference potentials. Finally, we propose a numerical computation method and demonstrate its efficiency through examples related to the propagation problems in the left-handed two-dimensional inductor-capacitor metamaterial.
Why less is sometimes more
Authors: Berger Bernhard J. , Plump Christina , Drechsler Rolf
Published: February 2025

Explaining and understanding AI-generated policies of control problems is crucial for the acceptance of such policies. Based on an optimisation challenge that took place at GECCO 2024, we describe different solutions for optimising generated policies for the well-known game 2048. At the same time, these generated policies aim to be simpler to understand and, thus, their decisions explainable in contrast to current solutions for 2048, as, e.g., neural network-based models. Our approach uses only Boolean expressions in the policy, and the optimisation shows that such a policy has advantages compared to more complex policy variants. The optimisation generates better results in a shorter time than for non-Boolean expressions. Additionally, the Boolean policies are smaller in size and can be reduced even more when applying existing techniques for term rewriting and simplification. These simplifications, again, may aid in understanding the policy’s decision.
Corrosion behavior of a dissimilar Inconel 625 superalloy and AISI 316L stainless steel weld
Authors: Dokme Fatih , Kulekci Mustafa Kemal , Engin Kaan Emre , Esme Ugur
Published: February 2025

Corrosion significantly impacts the welding of dissimilar components, leading to a decrease in the lifespan of products. The primary aim of this research is to examine the corrosion behavior of the weld region in dissimilar welding of Inconel 625 and AISI 316L plates with a thickness of 20 mm. The plates are weld together by using continuous current gas tungsten arc welding (CCGTA) and pulsed current gas tungsten arc welding (PCGTAW) methods. The process employs ERNiCr-3, TIG 316L, and a twisted combination of both filler metals (ERNiCr-3+TIG 316L). Specimens with dimensions of 12 mm × 20 mm × 42 mm are obtained by cutting the weld samples for corrosion tests. The divided parts are each submerged in a 100 ml pool of sulfuric acid and are maintained for a combined duration of 240 h. A weight loss investigation is undertaken, in addition to metallurgical characterizations of the specimens. Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) in conjunction with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) are utilized to conduct metallurgical investigations. It is observed that twisted filler metal and CCGTA welding method results in the highest amount of mass loss. The least corroded sample is obtained by using twisted filler metal combined with PCGTA welding method.
Realizing electronically reconfigurable intrinsic chirality: from no absorption to maximal absorption of any desirable spin
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ismail , Khan Tayyab Ali , Abdelbaky Moustafa , Wong Alex M. H.
Published: February 2025

Circular dichroism – the spin-selective absorption of light – finds diverse applications in medicine, antennas and microwave devices. In this work, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an ultrathin electronically reconfigurable chiral metasurface which exploits the intrinsic symmetries of the meta-molecule to realize any spin absorption based on the handedness of the chirality chosen. We construct the left-chiral and right-chiral states by reconfiguring the meta-molecule into two enantiomeric states, which achieve strong circular dichroism exceeding 82 % at the design frequency of 9.5 GHz. The meta-molecule can be switched into a third (non-chiral) state which is isotropic and transparent. The achieved circular dichroism characteristics remain insensitive to incidence angles up to ±45°. The proposed reconfigurable chiral metasurface achieves left- and right- circular dichroism at the same frequency and with high efficiency, and is an attractive candidate for wide-ranging practical applications in imaging, wireless communication and medicine.
HIV-1 infection facilitates Alzheimer’s disease pathology in humanized APP knock-in immunodeficient mice
Authors: Bhattarai Shaurav , Kadry Rana , Yeapuri Pravin , Lu Yaman , Foster Emma G. , Zhang Chen , Dash Prasanta , Poluektova Larisa Y. , Gorantla Santhi , Mosley R. Lee , Gendelman Howard E.
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition in the brain is a principal pathological feature of both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and progressive human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) infection. Both enable Aβ assembly and Aβ protein aggregation. The potential link between HIV-1 and AD remains uncertain, supporting the need for a reliable animal model. HIV-1 is tropic and pathogenic for humans. It does not replicate in mice. The restricted species tropism has slowed progress in basic research activities. The current study seeks to correct animal model limitations.

Methods

We created an AD mouse to address the need to develop an small animal model that allows studies of viral infection by making a knock-in (KI) with the human amyloid precursor protein (APP)KM670,671NL Swedish mutation to the mouse genome. The resulting founder mice were crossed with immunodeficient NOG (NOD. Cg-Prkdc

scid

Il2rg

tm1Sug
Tg(CMV-IL-34)1/Jic) to generate NOG/APPKM670,671NL/IL-34 (NAIL) mice. The mice were reconstituted with human hematopoietic stem cells to generate NAIL mice with functional adaptive and innate human immune systems. Four-month-old, humanized NAIL mice were infected with HIV-1ADA, a macrophage-tropic viral strain then evaluated for viral infection and AD pathology.

Results

Productive HIV-1 infection was confirmed by plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in infected NAIL mice. The viral load increased by tenfold between day 10 and day 25 post-infection. By day 25, viral DNA confirmed the establishment of HIV-1 reservoirs in CD45+ cells from the immune tissues of infected NAIL mice. Additionally, p24 measurements in lymphoid and brain tissues of NAIL mice validated productive HIV-1 infection. Amyloid burden from infected NAIL mice was increased. Immunofluorescence staining revealed co-localization of Aβ fibrils and HLA-DR+ microglia in infected NAIL mice.

Conclusions

These results highlight the AD-HIV model’s unique pathobiological and infectious features where the viral and immune responses can now be measured.
Paul’s Style and the Problem of the Pastoral Letters: Assessing Statistical Models of Description and Inference
Authors: Pracht Erich Benjamin , McCauley Thomas
Published: February 2025

In this study, we combine the core competencies of a New Testament scholar and a mathematician to conduct a stylometric analysis of the Pauline and Pastoral Letters based on 18 epistolary modes of discourse, which we argue are at least as stylistically relevant as traditional features such as term frequencies. By focusing on features of this type, we apply discrete probability models – namely, the binomial, Poisson, and negative binomial distributions – to determine which ones are the best fit for each feature. With our approach, we have found a way to utilize Paul’s authentic letters as a standard of measurement by which the style(s) of the Pastorals can be compared, an essential first step to statistical inference that is generally lacking in Pauline stylometry. With few exceptions, we find that the Pastoral Letters do not contain stylistic differences with the authentic Paulines at a statistically significant level, a finding that disputes many previous studies (especially in the qualitative tradition) that assume stylistic difference, but which is in line with an emerging trend in computational analyses of the Pauline and Pastoral Letters.
Dynamics of closed-form invariant solutions and formal Lagrangian approach to a nonlinear model generated by the Jaulent–Miodek hierarchy
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Hussain Akhtar , Zidan Ahmed M.
Published: February 2025

This study focuses on a (3 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear evolution model derived from the Jaulent–Miodek hierarchy. Our research employed analytical tools to scrutinize the invariance characteristics of this model. However, our primary emphasis is on utilizing the potent Lie group method, which effectively reveals the inherent symmetries within the model and explores solutions that remain invariant under group transformations using symmetry algebra. Furthermore, we investigated the application of Ibragimov’s approach to examine the conservation laws relevant to the model under consideration. This theorem is employed to identify and analyze the conservation laws associated with the (3 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear evolution model, which is essential for understanding the behavior of the system. Our research is significant as it contributes to exploring this particular model and addresses a specific gap in the group theoretic approach within this context.
Annual Summary of Global Infectious Diseases in 2024
Authors: Sun Yinfu , Liu Dongliang , Wu Yufan , Li Guodan , Luo Yi , Xiang Qi , Wu Yan , Guo Xiang , Lin Lin , Li Taihan , Yu Wenjin , Gu Dayong
Published: February 2025

Infectious diseases pose a major challenge to public health worldwide. In recent years, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases have emerged as major public health threats. Effective prevention, control, and essential monitoring strategies are required to combat the rising global incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases. The frequency of infectious disease outbreaks has increased in the past several decades, and this trend has been predicted to be likely to continue. To effectively identify public health threats, and monitor and alert against infectious diseases, we obtained surveillance data from Shusi Tech’s Global Epidemic Information Monitoring System and conducted a comprehensive analysis of outbreak timing and location from the beginning of the year to December of 2024.
Ischaemic pontine stroke as a manifestation of left atrial myxoma
Authors: Łabuz-Roszak Beata , Górniak Maja , Wójcicki Kacper , Bortnowska Alicja , Gierlotka Marek
Published: February 2025

The article presents a case report of an 84-year-old woman admitted to the stroke unit due to sudden visual disturbances, dizziness, and balance disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed foci of ischaemic stroke in the pons, while echocardiography detected a tumour (most likely a myxoma) in the left atrium of the heart. The patient was transferred to the cardiology department, where cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and transoesophageal echocardiography were performed. Additionally, atherosclerosis of the aorta and coronary vessels and heart failure (NYHA I) were diagnosed. The patient was qualified for cardiac surgery, and the tumour was removed using extracorporeal circulation. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma. The case highlights the importance of extensive diagnostics in determining the aetiology of stroke. Cooperation between neurologists, cardiologists, and cardiac surgeons is crucial for correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment in cases involving the co-occurrence of heart tumours and stroke.
Integrating Predictive Analytics into Risk Management: A Modern Approach for Financial Institutions
Authors:   Solution Architect, TCS-USA, Palakurti Naga Ramesh
Published: February 2025

This paper examines how predictive analytics enhances risk management in financial institutions.
Advanced tools like machine learning and statistical modeling help predict risks, identify trends, and implement
strategies to prevent losses by analyzing historical and real-time data. It covers the use of predictive analytics for credit
risk, market risk, operational risk, and fraud detection, with practical case studies. Additionally, it discusses challenges,
ethical issues, and prospects in this field.
Empowering Software Engineers with AI: Accelerating Development and Enhancing Productivity
Authors:   Sr Staff Software Engineer – Cloud Observability, Top Enterprise AI Software Company, Texas, USA, Narasingu Sai Prakash
Published: February 2025

AI is entering software engineering by offering the tools and solutions that can considerably improve
productivity and concisely advance software development. The paper aims to explain how AI helps software
engineering to progress more with less by automating tiresome work, enhancing the value of code, and supporting
better decision-making. Specific areas where such advancements can have a tremendous impact are AI-assisted code
development and debugging, intelligent testing tools, project management automation, efficient natural language
processing tools as well as tools that enhance communication between teams. The paper also looks at new trends
including AI-coupled pair programming as well as the use of artificial intelligence models to enable probable lines of
code vulnerability. By using case studies and performance evaluations, this research demonstrates that AI has practical
applications in a field that range from shortening development cycles to decreasing errors and fostering meaningful
innovations in software engineering. In the final section, this paper also outlines future research about the ethical issue
of innovation by AI development tools.
Enterprise Data Security and Integration with LLMs
Authors:   University of Texas at Dallas, USA, Musunuri Anusha
Published: February 2025

Today, it is essential to maintain enterprise data security and adequate integration capabilities for
business warp. The age of identifying and sharing much sensitive data within organizations capitalizing on limited
protections has given way to the era where secure access controls can still result in huge stakes. Failure to secure data
might result in compromised app security, and you can imagine financial or reputational damages after accessing any
nonpublic asset. Worried about this, many organizations are moving towards enterprise-grade data security solutions
that use the help of logical link machines. LLMs are secure networks or enclaves facilitating controlled data sharing
amongst various systems and applications. They provide a safe place for storing, processing, and transferring data so
that only authorized people can access the sensitive information. LLMs also help integrate data with multiple systems
and applications within an organization. This is useful for better data management, workflow automation, and good
decision-making powers. Enterprises need a complete solution to secure their data, and at the same time, they would
prefer that zero human hands should touch it for integration. Doing so presents a good opportunity for businesses to
earn the trust of their customers and be compliant with regulatory mandates. It also helps them build an in-depth
defense fabric they can rely on in an ever-changing threat landscape.