bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The First High-contrast Images of Near High-mass X-Ray Binaries with Keck/NIRC2
Authors: Prasow-Émond M. , Hlavacek-Larrondo J. , Fogarty K. , Artigau É. , Mawet D. , Gandhi P. , Steiner J. F. , Rameau J. , Lafrenière D. , Fabian A. , Walton D. J. , Doyon R. , Ren 任 B. B. 彬
Published: May 2024

Although the study of X-ray binaries has led to major breakthroughs in high-energy astrophysics, their circumbinary environment at scales of ∼100–10,000 au has not been thoroughly investigated. In this paper, we undertake a novel and exploratory study by employing direct and high-contrast imaging techniques on a sample of X-ray binaries, using adaptive optics and the vortex coronagraph on Keck/NIRC2. High-contrast imaging opens up the possibility to search for exoplanets, brown dwarfs, circumbinary companion stars, and protoplanetary disks in these extreme systems. Here we present the first near-infrared high-contrast images of 13 high-mass X-ray binaries located within ∼2–3 kpc. The key results of this campaign involve the discovery of several candidate circumbinary companions ranging from substellar (brown dwarf) to stellar masses. By conducting an analysis based on Galactic population models, we discriminate sources that are likely background/foreground stars and isolate those that have a high probability (≳60%–99%) of being gravitationally bound to the X-ray binary. This paper seeks to establish a preliminary catalog for future analyses of proper motion and subsequent observations. With our preliminary results, we calculate the first estimate of the companion frequency and the multiplicity frequency for X-ray binaries: ≈0.6 and 1.8 ± 0.9, respectively, considering only the sources that are most likely bound to the X-ray binary. In addition to extending our comprehension of how brown dwarfs and stars can form and survive in such extreme systems, our study opens a new window to our understanding of the formation of X-ray binaries.
Can Jupiter’s Atmospheric Metallicity Be Different from the Deep Interior?
Authors: Müller Simon , Helled Ravit
Published: May 2024

Updated formation and structure models of Jupiter predict a metal-poor envelope. This is at odds with the two to three times solar metallicity measured by the Galileo probe. Additionally, Juno data imply that water and ammonia are enriched. Here, we explore whether Jupiter could have a deep radiative layer separating the atmosphere from the deeper interior. The radiative layer could be caused by a hydrogen-transparency window or depletion of alkali metals. We show that heavy-element accretion during Jupiter’s evolution could lead to the desired atmospheric enrichment and that this configuration would be stable over billions of years. The origin of the heavy elements could be cumulative small impacts or one large impact. The preferred scenario requires a deep radiative zone, due to a local reduction of the opacity at ∼2000 K by ∼90%, which is supported by Juno data, and vertical mixing through the boundary with an efficiency similar to that of molecular diffusion (D ≲ 10−2 cm2 s−1). Therefore, most of Jupiter’s molecular envelope could have solar composition while its uppermost atmosphere is enriched with heavier elements. The enrichment likely originates from the accretion of solid objects. This possibility resolves the long-standing mismatch between Jupiter’s interior models and atmospheric composition measurements. Furthermore, our results imply that the measured atmospheric composition of exoplanets does not necessarily reflect their bulk compositions. We also investigate whether the enrichment could be due to the erosion of a dilute core and show that this is highly unlikely. The core-erosion scenario is inconsistent with evolution calculations, the deep radiative layer, and published interior models.
KFVM-WENO: A High-order Accurate Kernel-based Finite Volume Method for Compressible Hydrodynamics
Authors: May Ian C. T. , Lee Dongwook
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a fully multidimensional kernel-based reconstruction scheme for finite volume methods applied to systems of hyperbolic conservation laws, with a particular emphasis on the compressible Euler equations. Nonoscillatory reconstruction is achieved through an adaptive-order weighted essentially nonoscillatory (WENO) method cast into a form suited to multidimensional reconstruction. A kernel-based approach inspired by radial basis functions and Gaussian process modeling, which we call kernel-based finite volume method with WENO, is presented here. This approach allows the creation of a scheme of arbitrary order of accuracy with simply defined multidimensional stencils and substencils. Furthermore, the fully multidimensional nature of the reconstruction allows for a more straightforward extension to higher spatial dimensions and removes the need for complicated boundary conditions on intermediate quantities in modified dimension-by-dimension methods. In addition, a new simple yet effective set of reconstruction variables is introduced, which could be useful in existing schemes with little modification. The proposed scheme is applied to a suite of stringent and informative benchmark problems to demonstrate its efficacy and utility. A highly parallel multi-GPU implementation using Kokkos and the message-passing interface is also provided.
Insights into the Galactic Bulge Chemodynamical Properties from Gaia Data Release 3
Authors: Liao Xiaojie , Li Zhao-Yu , Simion Iulia , Shen Juntai , Grand Robert , Fragkoudi Francesca , Marinacci Federico
Published: May 2024

We explore the chemodynamical properties of the Galaxy in the azimuthal velocity V

ϕ
and metallicity [Fe/H] space using red giant stars from Gaia Data Release 3. The row-normalized V

ϕ
–[Fe/H] maps form a coherent sequence from the bulge to the outer disk, clearly revealing the thin/thick disk and the Splash. The metal-rich stars display bar-like kinematics, while the metal-poor stars show dispersion-dominated kinematics. The intermediate-metallicity population (−1 < [Fe/H]< − 0.4) can be separated into two populations, one that is bar-like, i.e., dynamically cold (

σ

V

R

∼
80

km s−1) and fast-rotating (V

ϕ
≳ 100 km s−1), and the Splash, which is dynamically hot (

σ

V

R

∼
110

km s−1) and slow-rotating (V

ϕ
≲ 100 km s−1). We compare the observations in the bulge region with an Auriga simulation where the last major merger event occurred ∼10 Gyr ago: only stars born around the time of the merger reveal a Splash-like feature in the V

ϕ
–[Fe/H] space, suggesting that the Splash is likely merger-induced, predominantly made up of heated disk stars and the starburst associated with the last major merger. Since the Splash formed from the proto-disk, its lower metallicity limit coincides with that of the thick disk. The bar formed later from the dynamically hot disk with [Fe/H] > − 1 dex, with the Splash not participating in the bar formation and growth. Moreover, with a set of isolated evolving N-body disk simulations, we confirm that a nonrotating classical bulge can be spun up by the bar and develop cylindrical rotation, consistent with the observations for the metal-poor stars.
Dynamical Properties of Magnetized Low-angular-momentum Accretion Flows around a Kerr Black Hole
Authors: Dihingia Indu K. , Mizuno Yosuke
Published: May 2024

An essential factor for determining the characteristics of an accretion flow is its angular momentum. According to the angular momentum of the flow, semi-analytical analysis suggests various types of accretion solutions. It is critical to test these with numerical simulations, using the most advanced framework available (general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics), to understand how the flow changes with different angular momentum. By changing the initial condition of the accretion torus minimally, we can simulate a steady, low-angular-momentum accretion flow around a Kerr black hole. We focus primarily on the lower limits of angular momentum and find that an accretion flow with an intermediate range of angular momentum differs significantly from high- or very-low-angular-momentum flows. The intermediate-angular-momentum accretion flow has the highest density, pressure, and temperature near the black hole, making it easier to observe. We find that the density and pressure have power-law scalings ρ ∝ r

n−3/2 and p

g
∝ r

n−5/2, which only hold for very-low-angular-momentum cases. With the increase in flow angular momentum, it develops a nonaxisymmetric nature. In this case, simple self-similarity does not hold. We also find that the sonic surface moves away from the innermost stable circular orbit as the angular momentum decreases. Finally, we emphasize that an intermediate-angular-momentum flow could provide a possible solution to explaining the complex observation features of the supermassive black hole Sgr A* at our galactic center.
Oscillating Dark Energy in Light of the Latest Observations and Its Impact on the Hubble Tension
Authors: Rezaei Mehdi
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we have performed a comparative study of different types of oscillating dark energy (DE) models using the Metropolis algorithm of Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Eight different oscillating parameterizations are examined herein that have demonstrated considerable ability to fit the overall cosmological observations, including the Pantheon sample of Type Ia supernovae, baryon acoustic oscillations, cosmic chronometer Hubble data, and distance priors of the Planck cosmic microwave background. In order to compare the consistency of these models with observations, we have used both the Akaike and deviance information criteria. Although the values of the Akaike information criterion for different models indicate that there is no support for oscillating DE models, the deviance information criterion showed that there is significant support for some of these models. Our results showed that these models are capable of solving the cosmic coincidence problem and alleviating the Hubble tension. Comparing the H
0 values obtained for different oscillating scenarios with that of ΛCDM, we observed that our oscillating models led to

H

0

¯

=
69.78

, which is 0.29 greater than H
0,Λ and thus reduces the Hubble tension. Among all of the models, model 1, with H
0 = 70.00 ± 0.71, is the most capable of alleviating the H
0 tension. Furthermore, we examined our models assuming H
0 = 73.0 ± 1.4 from SHoES measurements. We find that adding this data point to our data combination led to a

Δ

H

0

¯

=
0.95

increase in the H
0 value for different models.
Infall Motions in the Hot Core Associated with the Hypercompact H ii Region G345.0061+01.794 B
Authors: Komesh Toktarkhan , Garay Guido , Henkel Christian , Omar Aruzhan , Estalella Robert , Assembay Zhandos , Li Dalei , Guzmán Andrés , Esimbek Jarken , Huang Jiasheng , He Yuxin , Alimgazinova Nazgul , Kyzgarina Meiramgul , Bekdaulet Shukirgaliyev , Zhumabay Nurman , Manapbayeva Arailym
Published: May 2024

We report high angular resolution observations, made with the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in band 6, of high excitation molecular lines of

CH

3

CN

and SO2 and of the H29α radio recombination line toward the G345.0061+01.794 B HC H ii region in order to investigate the physical and kinematical characteristics of its surroundings. Emission was detected in all observed components of the J = 14 →13 rotational ladder of

CH

3

CN

and in the 304,26–303,27, and 324,28–323,29 lines of SO2. The peak of the velocity-integrated molecular emission is located ∼0.″4 northwest of the peak of the continuum emission. The first-order moment images and channel maps show a velocity gradient of 1.1 km s−1 arcsec−1 across the source and a distinctive spot of blueshifted emission toward the peak of the zero-order moment. The rotational temperature is found to decrease from 252±24 K at the peak position to 166±16 K at its edge, indicating that our molecular observations are probing a hot molecular core that is internally excited. The emission in the H29α line arises from a region of 0.″65 in size, where its peak coincides with that of the dust continuum. We model the kinematical characteristics of the “central blue spot” feature as due to infalling motions, suggesting a central mass of 172.8±8.8 M
⊙. Our observations indicate that this HC H ii region is surrounded by a compact structure of hot molecular gas, which is rotating and infalling toward a central mass, that is most likely confining the ionized region. The observed scenario is reminiscent of a “butterfly pattern” with an approximately edge-on torus and ionized gas roughly parallel to its rotation axis.
A Deep Redshift Survey of the Perseus Cluster (A426): Spatial Distribution and Kinematics of Galaxies
Authors: Kang Wooseok , Hwang Ho Seong , Song Hyunmi , Park Changbom , Hwang Narae , Park Byeong-Gon
Published: May 2024

We study the global kinematics of the Perseus galaxy cluster (A426) at redshift z = 0.017 using a large sample of galaxies from our new MMT/Hectospec spectroscopic observation for this cluster. The sample includes 1447 galaxies with measured redshifts within 60′ from the cluster center (1148 from this MMT/Hectospec program and 299 from the literature). The resulting spectroscopic completeness is 67% at r-band apparent magnitude r
Petro,0 ≤ 18.0 within 60′ from the cluster center. To identify cluster member galaxies in this sample, we develop a new open-source Python package, CausticSNUpy. This code implements the algorithm of the caustic technique and yields 418 member galaxies within 60′ of the cluster. We study the cluster using this sample of member galaxies. The cluster shows no significant signal of global rotation. A statistical test shows that the cluster does not have a noticeable substructure within 30′. We find two central regions where the X-ray-emitting intracluster medium and galaxies show significant velocity differences (>7σ). On a large scale, however, the overall morphology and kinematics between the intracluster medium and galaxies agree well. Our results suggest that the Perseus cluster is a relaxed system and has not experienced a recent merger.
New records of Probopyrus pandalicola and Probopyrinella latreuticola (Epicaridea: Bopyridae) from the southern Mexican Caribbean
Authors: Castellanos-Osorio Iván , Vásquez-Yeomans Lourdes , Romero-Rodríguez Jesús
Published: May 2024

The ecology, distribution, and taxonomy of bopyrid isopod species are often omitted from studies not systematically addressed to crustaceans. From a wider study of zooplankton in coastal and reef waters of the Mexican Caribbean Sea, two bopyrid species were collected, Probopyrinella latreuticola, attached to the branchial chamber of Latreutes fucorum and Probopyrus pandalicola parasitizing the branchial chamber of Palaemon northropi. For both parasite-host associations, these records represent a new locality and the southernmost record in the Mexican Caribbean. A map and a list of the bopyrid species belonging to Bopyridae recorded in the Mexican Caribbean are provided.
Performance of high-resolution MUR satellite sea surface temperature data as a proxy for near-surface in situ temperatures on neotropical reefs
Authors: Skerrett Fiona , Adelson Anne , Collin Rachel
Published: May 2024

As ocean temperatures increase, so does the need for accurate, regular, and widespread temperature data. This is especially important for researchers studying corals, which can be pushed over their bleaching thresholds by small, sustained changes in water temperature. Satellite data products offer longitudinal estimates of sea surface temperature (SST) taken at regular intervals without the ongoing costs and geospatial limits associated with underwater temperature loggers. However, previous work indicates satellite data are sometimes characterized by significant temperature biases, particularly in stratified coastal waters. Here, we compared the foundation sea surface temperature (fSST) estimated from a highly processed, gridded satellite data set (GHRSST MUR L4 Global SST) to in situ temperature (IST) data collected from coral reef habitats in the top 20 m of the water column at 19 sites in Panama. Comparisons between Pacific and Caribbean coasts and between upwelling and non-upwelling seasons provide a robust test of the utility of this product to estimate subsurface temperatures. The mean differences between fSST and IST show that MUR fSST accurately reflects temperatures at shallow (<9 m) depths on the Caribbean coast (mean bias ≤0.55°C ± standard error (SE) 0.01°C) and during the non-upwelling season on the Pacific coast (mean bias ≤0.26°C ± SE 0.03°C). MUR fSST poorly reflects IST during the Pacific upwelling season, especially at sites 12 m and deeper. In such cases, 66% of satellite estimates deviated from ISTs by >1°C. Our findings underscore how highly processed SST data products should be ground-truthed before being used as a substitute for IST, especially in upwelling areas.
Nonnative species drive the global loss of freshwater fish beta-diversity
Authors: Cavalcante Lorraine , Occhi Thiago , Olden Julian , Andrian Padial André
Published: May 2024

Freshwater ecosystems are facing mounting challenges. The widespread introduction of nonnative species, for example, has resulted in the loss of native species and the substantial reconfiguration of diversity patterns across regions. Documenting such impacts remains critical for informing national-level biosecurity policies. Here, we explore changes in biogeographic patterns in freshwater fish diversity in response to the spread of nonnative species, teasing apart the geographic (watersheds) and taxonomic (species) drivers of patterns at the global scale. We leveraged global databases of fish species occurrence to estimate the unique contributions of local watershed and species (native and nonnative origin) contributions to beta-diversity for biogeographic domains. We report significant changes in freshwater fish beta-diversity in response to nonnative species, with the largest impacts in the Afrotropics, Nearctic and Palearctic domains. Even though, nonnatives decreased contribution of watersheds to beta-diversity in all domains, particularly in watersheds with known impacts. Watersheds identified as the most important for promoting beta-diversity were not evenly within across domains, were influenced by geographical isolation, and their unique composition were composed by many endemic and threatened species. Species contributions to enhancing beta-diversity were higher for natives, and threatened species. Relatedly, the species from the most important watersheds had wide ecological tolerances, were in general natives, endemics and/or with IUCN threat status. Our findings underscore the widespread consequences of nonnative species for shaping biogeographic patterns of freshwater fishes in the Anthropocene.
Comparing the ecological consequences of globally invasive fishes versus their F1 hybrids in recreational fisheries
Authors: Tarkan Ali Serhan , Kurtul Irmak , Britton John Robert
Published: May 2024

Recreational angling is a major introduction pathway for non-native fish into freshwaters, where multiple non-native fishes are often released into waterbodies to diversify the angling opportunities. When these non-native fishes are taxonomically similar, then there is concern that their hybridisation will result in F1 generations comprising of novel phenotypes that outperform their parental species, resulting in the impacts of these ecological engineering species being accelerated. Across two water temperatures (18oC, 26oC), comparative functional response analyses (CFR) quantified the consumption patterns of the globally invasive freshwater fish carp Cyprinus carpio and goldfish Carassius auratus, plus their F1 hybrids, before then testing differences in their specific growth rates (SGRs). In CFRs, carp consumed significantly more prey at 18oC than the other fishes, and with no differences between any of the fishes at 26oC. SGRs also did not differ substantially between the fishes at either temperature. These results suggest that hybridisation between the high impacting parental species did not produce novel phenotypes of high ecological performance that could accelerate their ecological impacts in invaded ecosystems. Accordingly, the ecological risks of their use in recreational angling remain an issue that is primarily associated with the parent populations, and this can be reflected in their invasion management.
Exploring the heterogeneity of stock market responses to Uber announcements: A comparative analysis of developed and emerging economies in Asia Pacific
Authors: Tavor Tchai
Published: May 2024

I investigated Uber's strategic announcements' impact on stock markets within the Asia Pacific region, distinguishing developed and emerging economies. Utilizing Crunchbase.com data, I applied the "Index Impact Test" and "Stock Response Test" to analyze market responses. I found that in developed economies, stock indices experienced a negative trend before announcements and a positive trend thereafter. In contrast, emerging economies exhibited a positive response exclusively after announcements. I also explored the performance of Uber's stock, demonstrating positive post-announcement effects in both economy types, with emerging economies showing sustained positivity. Further, I expanded to assess Uber's influence on other peer-to-peer (P2P) companies, specifically Lyft and Airbnb, offering insights into the broader implications of Uber's announcements across the P2P sector. The findings suggested that Lyft received a positive market response in developed and emerging economies, while Airbnb's response in developed economies tended to be negative post-announcement.
A Reimagining of Education and Research Involving Indigenous Communities
Authors: Iwuanyanwu Paul Nnanyereugo
Published: May 2024

Following independence from colonialism, African countries adopted certain elements of European economic, social, educational, and political systems in order to drive development. This resulted in a move away from traditional African modus operandi towards those of Europe. However, it is only a small fraction of the African continent that has been able to reap any benefits from this transition; many indigenous communities remain with limited contact to the benefits these changes bring. The current state of affairs in terms of economics, politics, education, and unemployment rates across Africa clearly demonstrate that what has been adopted does not address our key issues or promote sustainable growth. The legacy of the colonial era, which ultimately makes Africans consumers of science and technology rather than producers, has not favoured this transition. There is therefore a need to broaden the framework for curricular decisions and designs to address issues that have hitherto obscured the performance of Africans on tasks requiring European skills and abilities.
Community-Based Participatory Research Design Relevance for Decolonizing Postgraduate Education
Authors: Acharibasam John Bosco , Datta Ranjan , Atanga Rapahel Ane , Achonga Paul
Published: May 2024

The chapter explores the relevance of community-based participatory research design for decolonizing postgraduate programs. The ability of the participatory approach to create authentic partnerships and prioritize community needs has implications for decolonizing postgraduate programs. This chapter presents lessons from a community-based study that engaged rural women from northern Ghana in a dry-season gardening project. The chapter shows how decolonization can be achieved within educational institutions when communities are meaningfully engaged in research activities. The findings highlight that community-based research approaches can be crucial in decolonizing postgraduate programs.
Digitising the Supervision of Postgraduate Students in Higher Education
Authors: Makokotlela Matlala Violet
Published: May 2024

There is a general move from contact to digital student support in higher education institutions. The purpose of this book chapter was to explore the digital supervision of postgradduate students in education for sustainability at higher education. The digitisation of supervision of the postgraduate students is essential to provide complete global coverage in supervision and to be in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution that swept the globe. This should enable the African indigenous postgraduate students to compete with their equivalents worldwide after obtaining their postgraduate degrees. However, many countries in Africa are at a developing stage even technologically which negatively affects African indigenous postgraduate students. This literature study surveyed literature on digital support given to African indigenous postgraduate students in the context of supervision. The study contributes to the knowledge of digital supervision of the African indigenous postgraduate students. The findings of this review provide useful information for guiding the implementation of an effective digital supervision framework.
Shaping Propitious African Futures Through E-Learning
Authors: Truter Lorna , Du Toit Adri
Published: May 2024

In this chapter an examination of how universities, particularly the University of South Africa, adapt to remain relevant and inclusive, with a focus on postgraduate students in Africa. Unisa, with a 150-year history and a reputation for conferring the most degrees in South Africa, utilizes an open distance e-learning (ODeL) model serving nearly 400 000 students annually including 40 097 postgraduates in 2023. This investigation employs exploratory qualitative research utilizing thematic analysis of primary and secondary literature sources to assess the contextual adaptations implemented by Unisa. The study reveals that context-driven adaptations, such as Africanization and the integration of emerging technologies, have positively contributed to the university's efforts in shaping promising futures for its students. Consequently, recommendations based on these findings for future adaptations are proposed aiming to align tertiary education with the needs of postgraduate students particularly in Africa.
Beyond Access
Authors: Molla Tebeje
Published: May 2024

This chapter outlines the profound implications of Racial Othering on students with a refugee background, specifically centring on the experiences of African heritage youth. Drawing on the capability approach as an analytical framework, the chapter illustrates the pervasive nature of racial Othering by illuminating its role in propagating low teacher expectations, eroding student self-efficacy, fostering toxic stress, and inducing unhealthy or negative coping mechanisms. The key message is that providing equitable refugee education goes beyond widening access. Substantive equity provisions necessitate the removal of unfreedoms that impede individuals' ability to fully derive benefits from educational opportunities. In keeping with this perspective, the chapter underscores the imperative need to cultivate racially and culturally safe learning environments. Such environments not only acknowledge the multifaceted impact of racial Othering but actively work towards dismantling it, thereby enabling refugee students to convert their educational opportunities into meaningful and valued outcomes.
Fostering Intercultural Competence Through Learning Communities in Colombian Higher Education
Authors: Ricardo Carmen , Cano John , Medina Antonio , Pérez-Navío Eufrasio
Published: May 2024

The chapter presents the results of a research study conducted by researchers from the Universidad del Norte (Barranquilla, Colombia) where the dynamics and interactions among faculty that participated in the teacher learning community 'intercultural competence' (TLCIC). The goal of this study was to analyze the effect of the learning community in strengthening the intercultural pedagogical practices of teachers, leveraging the interpersonal relationships established among the participants of the TLCIC. This study was based on an evaluative approach of participatory research, inspired by cooperative action research, in which professionals from various fields collaborated in identifying issues, conducting observations, reflecting on the findings, and, jointly, addressing contextual challenges. The study consisted of five stages as a holistic and reflective process that integrates analysis, design of the learning experiences, implementation, and evaluation. Some results of the research will be described in this chapter.
Music as a Tool for Interculturalism
Authors: Marín Raquel Bravo , López García Narciso José
Published: May 2024

The world is always more connected. The result of this advance is globalization, a factor that silently affects daily life. Migratory movements have modified the environment, generating cosmopolitan cities, enriched by cultural diversity. This is reflected in the increasing variety of students. So, it is necessary to propose strategies that normalize this coexistence, taking advantage of this ethnic and cultural fusion. The goal is to offer an education based on respect and meaningful learning. This reality is a challenge for teachers. The objective of any lecturer should be focused on training future citizenship. This project, carried out at the Education Faculty of Albacete, University of Castilla La Mancha, (Spain) was implemented in the subject 'Musical Perception and Expression' during the 2022/2023 course. It has tried to highlight the cultural richness inherent in the music, folklore, and dances of different places. Music has been revealed as an ideal vehicle to share cultures.
Sounds of Cultures
Authors: Martínez María del Valle De Moya , De Moya María del Valle Robles
Published: May 2024

Interactions between nations, migration, and the increasing impact of media, among other reasons, have generated a multicultural reality in large areas of the planet. This situation requires, among other aspects and needs, an education focused on understanding diverse cultures, tolerance, and mutual respect as guidelines to achieve civic and social competence. Education should aim for each individual to better understand the surrounding world to improve their understanding of themselves and others (Delors, 1996). This work is a compilation that gathers various opinions on what culture is; multiculturalism and interculturality; intercultural education and the role of music within it. Thus, it highlights the special contribution that music education holds for acquiring the aforementioned civic competence, being an important educational resource for achieving fairer and more equitable societies in the third millennium.
The Literature of the North American Basque Diaspora
Authors: Monreal Haritz , Urza Gabriel
Published: May 2024

This chapter profiles an educational project developed for the creative writing workshop at the Third Age College of the University of the Basque Country, in San Sebastian. Projects that highlight the interpretation and creation of literary texts concerned with the specific literature of the Basque immigrant experience in the USA are scarce, and there are none that address students older than 55. Creative writing may become a means to transfer knowledge and experience. The authors conclude that through this course, older Basque students became aware of the motives that led a large number of their country folk to America, and also of the hardships that this community had to endure until they were finally integrated into the mainstream of a distinct multicultural society in the US. By interacting with texts from Basque immigrants in the US, these older students were more willing to share their own experiences and opinions, and to consider the immigrant experience in different contexts.
Using Translanguaging to Promote Social Justice in South African and Zimbabwean Primary Schools
Authors: Chakabwata William
Published: May 2024

The chapter analyses the use of English as an official language in South Africa and Zimbabwe primary schools, at the expense of the children's home language. The literacy levels of children in South African primary schools are dismal, a factor which may partly be attributed to the challenges associated with using a language of instruction that is different from the home language. Government officials, parents, learners, and stakeholders from industry continue to uphold the superiority of English over indigenous languages, in spite of the evidence that bilingual/multilingualism has numerous benefits for learners. The chapter uses decolonial and postcolonial theory to illuminate the discussion on the use of English as official language of communication. Finally, translanguaging is advocated as the appropriate policy response to promote social justice in primary schools in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Customer Engagement in Metaverse Using Big Data
Authors: Bathla Devesh , Ahuja Raina
Published: May 2024

Customer engagement and customer retention are closely linked, and the metaverse offers a unique opportunity for brands to build lasting relationships with their customers. Metaverse allows brands to create a virtual representation of their stores and to interact with customers in that space. The metaverse offers a platform for community building, where brands can create a sense of belonging and connection among their customers. Brands can create virtual events, social spaces, or games that bring their customers together and foster a sense of community. By building a community around their brand, customers are more likely to feel connected to the brand and to each other, which can increase the likelihood of repeat purchases and brand advocacy. The metaverse concept has been popularised in science fiction and video games but has gained momentum in recent years as a potential next step for the internet.
Ethical Marketing
Authors: Gogoi Nibedita , Agarwal Rounak , Dutta Sumanta
Published: May 2024

This chapter used a bibliometric analysis to assess the leading authors, countries, organisation, and journals in the domain of ethical marketing research while identifying prevailing research trends. Influential authors in ethical marketing research are Gene R. Laczniak and Patrick E. Murphy. United Kingdom leads in terms of ethical marketing research, followed by the findings of this research, which identify influential authors, countries, organizations, journals, and trends in the field of ethical marketing, can inform policy makers, educators, and researchers in India and globally about the importance of ethical marketing to promote transparency and sustainability to build trust and long-term customer loyalty which will help a business to survive in the market and achieve the organisational goals.
Exploring Market Knowledge Dimensions and Knowledge Integration Mechanisms in Automotive Cybersecurity and IoT
Authors: Jindal Priya , Chavan Lochan
Published: May 2024

There has been a wide range of technological improvements and breakthroughs, allowing new vehicles to evolve and adapt to changes to obtain a competitive advantage. Consumers' lives have been made easier by autonomous vehicles, such as cybersecurity, the internet of things (IoT), 5G technology, V2X communication, etc. These autonomous vehicles may examine system weaknesses and threats with the use of the market knowledge dimension and the knowledge integration mechanism, and they can then collaborate to reduce all potential risks and vulnerabilities. By concentrating on potential flaws and risks in automotive vehicles, cyber security, and IoT play important roles in advancing the physical world.
Metaverse and Industry 4.0
Authors: Gupta Palak , Verma Mini
Published: May 2024

Metaverse is an innovative and collective virtual shared space and internet application that integrates varied new technologies and has thereby impacted all diverse sectors. It has brought a disruption by integrating features of sociality, multi-technology, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), interoperability, and immersive technologies. It seems like an iteration of the internet, a 3D virtual space where humans experience virtual world beyond the imagination of reality. The intersection of Metaverse and Industry 4.0 represents a potential disruption across varied sectors like education, healthcare, travel, digital payments, digital currency, IT sector, and many other business services. In this chapter, a survey and study will be done on how metaverse and Industry 4.0 have disrupted these sectors and redefined their method to operate, innovate, collaborate, and flourish. Also, a study will be done on its challenges related to data security, privacy, and ethical use of advanced technologies, and a model framework will be proposed accordingly.
Metaverse in Higher Education
Authors: Akbar Khalida , Mbonye Vicent , Govender Trisha
Published: May 2024

The integration of the Metaverse in higher education transforms pedagogies and fosters entrepreneurial prospects. This chapter explores the Metaverse's influence on education, emphasizing integration, challenges, opportunities, and ethics. Augmented and virtual reality immerse students, fostering critical thinking and creativity. The Metaverse spawns innovative educational tools, fostering collaborations between academia and entrepreneurship. Challenges include technological barriers, costs, and ethical concerns. Private institutions adapt policies, aligning with student expectations. The Metaverse enhances engagement, emphasizing personalized learning experiences. Ethical considerations are crucial in a transformative landscape. Collaborations between academia and industry drive innovation, contributing to the evolution of higher education. The Metaverse's integration signifies a profound shift, necessitating innovation, ethics, and collaboration. This chapter underscores its transformative potential in pedagogies, entrepreneurship, and ethical considerations in higher education.
Artificial Intelligence in the Consumer Behavior Process in Business
Authors: Rosário Albérico Travassos
Published: May 2024

Artificial intelligence has significantly impacted the consumer behavior process in business. It has revolutionized how companies understand, interact with, and serve their customers. Businesses can understand sentiment, identify trends, and adjust their marketing and product strategies by analyzing social media data, customer reviews, and online interactions. Businesses can use these insights to make informed decisions about inventory management, pricing, and marketing strategies. AI can generate product descriptions, blog posts, and social media updates. This automation streamlines content creation processes and ensures a consistent online presence. Businesses leveraging AI effectively in their consumer engagement strategies can gain a competitive edge and build stronger customer relationships. Based on the above, it is to systematically review the bibliometric literature on artificial intelligence in the consumer behavior process in business using the Scopus database with the analysis of 140 academic and/or scientific documents
Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Education Marketing in an Emerging Bioeconomy
Authors: Oguntuase Oluwaseun James
Published: May 2024

The past decade has seen the rise of bioeconomy as an innovation to alleviate human-induced multidimensional and intertwined existential and civilizational challenges. The proponents of bioeconomy pin the responsibility of structural transition towards a bioeconomy on decisions and choices of individual consumers. Prior research on acceptance of bioeconomy are dominated by how broader public relates to bioeconomy, reducing end-user consumers to passive recipients, leaving gaps on acceptance of bioeconomy at individual consumer level. This chapter develops a framework for education marketing leveraging on artificial intelligence (AI) to drive acceptance of bioeconomy products. It is recommended that businesses create proactive, innovative and forward thinking education marketing strategies to enhance the sustainable lifestyle at individual level which is required to drive the adoption and diffusion of bioeconomy in the society. In practice, managers will gain unique insight into how marketing agility could be developed, deployed, and sustained in the emerging bioeconomy markets.
Financial Illusion
Authors: Laxman Vishnu , R. Nithyashree
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores the concept of “financial illusion” as a tool for businesses to navigate the digital banking landscape. It highlights the symbiotic relationship between businesses and digital banking, focusing on emerging trends like decentralized finance (DeFi) and the integration of artificial intelligence and blockchain. These trends challenge conventional financial security and reshape business strategies, as traditional financial paradigms are replaced by innovative technologies. The analysis discusses the impact of digital currencies, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and data analytics on financial decisions. It also highlights the importance of cybersecurity and regulatory frameworks in mitigating risks. The chapter emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt and embrace these changes, shedding the illusion of financial stability. It serves as a roadmap for businesses to navigate the digital banking landscape and make informed decisions in an era of financial illusion.
Harnessing AI for Ethical Digital Consumer Behavior Analysis
Authors: Motadi Masa Sylvester
Published: May 2024

This chapter investigates how artificial intelligence may be used ethically to forecast and analyze customer behavior by examining the dynamic interaction between AI and ethical digital consumer behavior analysis. The study explores the ground-breaking potential of AI to comprehend a wide range of consumer behaviors and preferences while critically assessing the moral dilemmas that arise. It highlights how crucial it is to balance the ethical issues of algorithmic bias, data privacy, and consumer autonomy with the technical developments in AI. The chapter identifies effective and ineffective uses of AI in analyzing consumer behavior via a methodical examination of real-world case studies, drawing essential conclusions and lessons. It highlights the responsibilities of different stakeholders—consumers, marketers, corporations, legislators, and AI developers—have in influencing moral AI practices by examining their points of view. The research concludes with the proposal of workable rules legislative frameworks that may direct the moral application of AI to the study of consumer behavior.
Science of Emotional Intelligence
Authors: Shafik Wasswa
Published: May 2024

Emotional intelligence (EI) is a vital aspect of human experience, influencing personal and professional success, empathy, and relationships. It is rooted in psychology and neuroscience and is developed through self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and intrinsic motivation. EI is influenced by cognitive and neurological mechanisms, such as the amygdala's function in processing emotions and the prefrontal cortex's adaptability. EI is assessed using various tools, such as self-report questionnaires and multisource feedback instruments. To develop EI, individuals and organizations can use strategies like mindfulness practices and empathetic listening drills, as presented in this study. EI has transformative potential in personal and professional contexts, affecting leadership, teamwork, and organizational dynamics. However, barriers such as cultural and societal influences and personal resistance to change can hinder the journey to EI mastery.
A Targeted Deep Sequencing Method to Quantify Endogenous Retrovirus Gag Sequence Variants and Open Reading Frames Expressed in Nonobese Diabetic Mice
Authors: Dai Yang D , Du Wenge , Wang Yaqin , Hu Wen-Yuan
Published: May 2024

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are involved in autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D). ERV gene products homologous to murine leukemia retroviruses are expressed in the pancreatic islets of NOD mice, a model of T1D. One ERV gene, Gag, with partial or complete open reading frames (ORFs), is detected in the islets, and it contains many sequence variants. An amplicon deep sequencing analysis was established by targeting a conserved region within the Gag gene to compare NOD with T1D-resistant mice or different ages of prediabetic NOD mice. We observed that the numbers of different Gag variants and ORFs are linked to T1D susceptibility. More importantly, these numbers change during the course of diabetes development and can be quantified to calculate the levels of disease progression. Sequence alignment analysis led to identification of additional markers, including nucleotide mismatching and amino acid consensus at specific positions that can distinguish the early and late stages, before diabetes onset. Therefore, the expression of sequence variants and ORFs of ERV genes, particularly Gag, can be quantified as biomarkers to estimate T1D susceptibility and disease progression.
Malignant Abrikossoff’s Tumour of the Tonsil - A Case Report of a Rare Entity
Authors: Molinari Giulia , Marrè Pietro , Fernandez Ignacio Javier , Presutti Livio , Pirini Maria Giulia , Botti Cecilia , Filippini Daria Maria
Published: May 2024

Rationale:

This study aimed to report an uncommon site of origin of a rare head-and-neck cancer, namely malignant granular cell tumour.

Patient Concerns:

An 89-year-old female patient complained of persistent pharyngodynia and odynophagia for two months.

Diagnosis:

Upon clinical examination, the right palatine tonsil was larger and palpably firmer than the contralateral. An incisional biopsy of the lesion was performed under local anaesthesia revealing malignant granular cell tumour. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the head and neck and an 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (PET) scan confirmed the presence of a pathologic appearance of the right palatine tonsil without nodal or distant metastasis.

Treatment:

Following a multidisciplinary consultation and the patient’s informed permission, a right tonsillectomy extended to the constrictor muscle fibres of the upper pharynx was performed.

Outcomes:

The tumour was staged as pT2 R0 cN0 M0, according to the AJCC 8th edition for soft-tissue tumours of the head and neck. Due to the early stage and the radicality of surgery, no further adjuvant treatments were provided. The patient is currently followed up with no evidence of disease one year post-operatively.

Take-away Lessons:

Granular cell tumours are rare mesenchymal tumours, firstly described by the pathologist Abrikossoff in 1926. This type of tumour constitutes approximately 0.5% of all soft-tissue tumours, and can affect any part of the body, with the head and neck being the most frequently involved site. The tonsil is an extremely rare localisation of this cancer. The differential diagnosis of unilateral tonsillar enlargement should also include this histological entity.
Where Microsurgical Tubal Reanastomosis Stands in the In vitro Fertilization Era
Authors: Moon Hwa Sook , Joo Bo Sun , Kim Sang Gap , Nam Kyung Il , Koo Ja Seong
Published: May 2024

Among various options of contraception, bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) remains the most frequently used method for women worldwide even at present. However, up to 30% of those who undergo BTL eventually change their minds and wish to conceive again for a variety of reasons, such as a change in marital status or simply wanting more children. In this case, we can either approach it surgically with tubal re-anastomosis (TA) or by in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer. Despite the many advantages of TA which lead the American Society of Reproductive Medicine Committee Opinion to recommend it as the primary choice of treatment in posttubal ligation infertility in 2012, IVF is widely being chosen as the first-line treatment nowadays. This study will review the efficacy of TA in various aspects, including pregnancy rate, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and accessibility, based on review of the literature and our experience. Through this study, we intend to provide a basis for gynecologists to consider TA as the first option in women who wish to conceive again after BTL in this day and age of IVF.