bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotional Abuse, Emotional Regulation and Mental Health in Young Adults
Authors: Nazir Arooj , Omer Fajar , Baseer Amber
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: Emotional regulation is a key element in regulating relationship and mental health. However, emotional abuse is a by product of having emotional dysfunctional and low mental health in dating young adults. This study examined associations between emotional abuse, emotion regulation, and mental health in young adults in dating relationships in Pakistan.
Methodology: A quantitative correlational study design was used. A sample of 146 university students (73 females, 73 males) aged 18-25 currently in relationships recruited through purposive sampling technique. They completed the Multidimensional Measure of Emotional Abuse (MMEA), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ).
Findings: The statistical analysis including independent t-tests revealed significant gender differences, with females reporting higher emotional abuse, cognitive reappraisal, and mental health symptoms. Correlational analyses indicated significant positive relationships between emotional abuse, maladaptive emotion regulation, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Hierarchical regression analyses showed hostile withdrawal and denigration emotional abuse behaviors strongly predicting mental health difficulties and significant variance with age and socioeconomic status in relation to emotional abuse, especially in females.
Conclusion: The findings suggest young women in dating relationships in Pakistan face heightened emotional abuse associated with poor mental health, despite using emotional regulation strategies. This highlights the need for greater support and interventions to promote healthy relationships and resilience in this population.
Social Impact of Cannabis Smoking on Smokers in Owerri West LGA, Nigeria
Authors: Obilor Ngozi Mary , Awogu Charles Olisa
Published: December 2024

Cannabis is a weed derived from the cannabis sativa plant. It is usually smoked to get intoxicated. This is act though rampant; seem not to have been socially accepted by the society. Thus, smokers of cannabis are labelled criminals and irresponsible even though these labels may be mere stereotype. In view of this, the study investigated the social impact of cannabis smoking on cannabis smokers. It tried to find out how cannabis smoking has affected the social relationship of cannabis smokers. The study adopted the labelling theory of Howard Becker because it explains the stereotypical stigma attached to cannabis smokers. The study adopted a qualitative research design and interviewed 2 criminologists, a Nigeria Drug, Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) commandant, 2 NDLEA officials and 10 cannabis smokers. Both primary and secondary sources of data collection techniques were adopted for this study however; findings were further discussed for better comprehension. The findings of this study revealed that, people do not disassociate themselves from cannabis smokers even though they believe cannabis smokers are criminals and are irresponsible because most criminals smoke cannabis. It was also revealed that smoking cannabis does not make individuals prone to criminal activities because it is not addictive but, could become a habit. Based on these findings, the study recommends that, government and non-government agencies (NGOs) create awareness on the negative consequences of smoking cannabis through the mass media and social media. It was also recommended that; the public be sensitized against negative stereotypes against cannabis users. In furtherance to this, law enforcement agencies should enforce the laws against cannabis and other drug producers, distributors and sellers so as to curb the spread of cannabis use in Owerri West LGA and Nigeria at large.
Why Did Pakistan Actively Engage in Central Asia Since 1991?
Authors: Khan Hashmat Ullah
Published: December 2024

Central Asia, Pakistan's western extended peripheral region, has extensive economic, political and strategic importance. The region drew the interests of regional and extra-regional players after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, owing to its geo-strategic location and extensive natural resources, particularly energy resources. The main objective of this study is to know why did Pakistan actively engage in Central Asia Since 1991? The complex interdependence theory helps to understand this engagement. There are many important economic, political, strategic and interdependency reasons behind the projection of interests and active engagement of Pakistan in Central Asia. Central Asian Republics (CARs) are potential partners of Pakistan in both regional and international affairs and have strategic importance to counter-balance India, office cost-effective energy resources, and potential trade market. Likewise, for the landlocked CARs, the geo-strategic location of Pakistan, inter-regional connectivity, quest to get access to the nearest seaport, and diversification of the export market for their energy resources are some compelling factors to tilt towards Pakistan. Their religious affinity and historical linkages have also worked to engage them actively. This study explores and analyses the rationales behind Pakistan's active engagement in Central Asia in light of the country's broader regional policy. The study is based on secondary data using the Content Analysis Technique.
Negative Effects of Children’s Television: A Case Study of Bahawalpur
Authors: Khan Huma , Majid Ul Ghafar  , Ullah Farid
Published: December 2024

Television is the major source of entrainment for children. TV play’s significant role by providing information, entertainment through its different programs. This article is exploring the adverse effects of children TV Programs that affected the behavior of children. They have resulted in negative imitation of Children TV characters, change of behavior into a violent and aggressive behavior. Children TV negative content creates desensitization for violence victims in real life. The elements of violence and fantasy create fear in children. They prefer to eat junk food and start to live in fantasy world instead of real. The social learning theory has supported this research study. Empirical analysis reveals that violent TV programs have negative effects on children attitude and behavior. However, this research article is based on survey technique to explore and investigate the effects specifically the negative effects of TV programs on children behavior. Data was collected from 500 children including different age groups. Children who have the age between 3 to 6 were unable to fill the questionnaire. Therefore, their parents and teacher were asked to fill the questionnaire. Closed ended questionnaire was used. The empirical analysis of the data reveals that children who prefer to watch action and violent TV programs have negative effects as compare to those who watch entertainment type programs.
Literacy as a Social Practice: Mapping out Multimodal Literacy Practices in Middle-Class Beauty Salons
Authors: Rasul Sarwet , Razia Alia , Mumtaz Sadia
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: Literacy is a socio-culturally constructed activity that is deeply associated with social position and identity which varies according to different social and cultural contexts. The study explores multi-literacies as a new world of reading, writing multimodal and mediated practices which offers handling of tech tools, pictures, words, texts, as semiotic forms of communication in addition to the traditional notions of text.
Methodology: The study has adapted and employed qualitative approach and three-dimensional framework of Multi-Layering by (Bloome & Theodorou, 1988). Purposive sampling had been used for the selection of sample from four salons based on selected population of middle class areas of Rawalpindi city. Audio recordings, observations and field notes have been used as research instruments. The study has explored the use of multilingual, multimodal and covert strategies as a means to enhance and facilitate the beautician-client interaction with power imbalance in salon setting.
Findings & Conclusion: It is found through the analysis of data that beauticians maintain their dominance through coordinated actions using beauty artifacts along with multimodal mediated techniques in beauty procedures. Additionally, they extend the notion of customers’ self-care to get them their aspired beauty looks to align with the society’s desired beauty ideals.
Role of Social Media Apps in Accelerating Women Empowerment in Pakistan
Authors: Hassaan Hafiz Muhammad , Baber Muhammad Qamar Zaman , Shoukat Khadija
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: The paper focused on how social media applications empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Social media apps empower women socially, psychologically and financially.
Methodology: The current research study based on quantitative research and data was collected from (N=300) respondents including male and female of Bahawalpur City using questionnaire included 32 close-ended questions. The respondents were who regularly use social media using non-probability (available and convenient) sampling.
Findings: Study found that women empowerment is a phenomenon which is undeniable as the success of country is carried out by every single individual living in that certain country through which it becomes necessary to make every individual empowered.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the use of social media has caused women empowerment and provide confidence and opportunities to the women through which they tend to show their capabilities and skills.
Fiscal Decentralization and Health Outcomes: Empirical Evidence from Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Mehr-un-Nisa  , Qamar-un-Nisa  , Irshad Rimsha
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: A large number of countries are transferring financial, administrative and political powers to the local governments. In Pakistan, devolution reforms were launched through Local Government Ordinance in 2001. This research investigates that whether higher autonomy of district governments could improve health sector outcomes, in their respective districts or not.
Methodology: The linear fixed effects and random effects regression models are employed for a panel of 34 districts of Punjab province, Pakistan, during 2003-2015.
Findings: The results reveal that fiscal decentralization improves health outcomes in Punjab province of Pakistan. The child and maternal health measures are improved with the evidence of fall in maternal and child mortality rates in Punjab.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the decentralization process during Pervez Musharraf’s regime could not change the structure of the economy as a whole. Therefore, decentralization of health sector in all provinces is suggested to reinforce the benefits of fiscal decentralization.
Measuring Women’s Contribution in Care Economy: Constructing Survey Based Indexed Questionnaire
Authors: Tabassum Shahla , Khan Younas , Zarrin Uzma , Zahra Maryum
Published: December 2024

Aims of the Study: The objective of the current article is to construct a survey-based questionnaire pertaining to women's contribution to the care economy from a quantitative perspective. It is the first attempt in Pakistan to use perceptional and likert scales to measure and cover the major domains of unpaid care work, namely reproductive, child, domestic, elderly, and care of persons with special needs.
Methodology: In this article, the index-based questionnaire that was used to calculate the value of women's contributions to the care economy was constructed using five steps. The first step was to develop questions; the second step was to evaluate the content of the questions, phrase sentences, and response format. The third step involved seeing the sequence and layout, while the fourth step was to conduct a consultative workshop to get feedback from key stakeholders. The fifth and last step was to do a purposeful pilot study with 28 respondents, analyze its results through Cronbach’s Alpha value, and finalize the tool for future scenarios.
Findings: Based on the study results, a reliability analysis of all the domains was forwarded for further data collection. The Cronbach’s alpha value for reproductive care exhibits 0.99, followed by child care at 0.88 and domestic care at 0.69; elderly and special needs care revealed higher validity at 1.00, respectively.
Conclusion: The study concluded from the inferences that the construction of index variables is an addition to the existing body of knowledge in general while achieving SDG 5 in particular with the corroboration of measuring unpaid care work in monetary terms.
Psycho-therapeutic Intervention for Meta-cognitions and Emotional Regulation in Binge Eating Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Qadeer Iqra , Ilyas Uzma , Zahra Hurmat , Saleem Haya , Ibrar Muhammad
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: This article aimed to systematically review the researches that advocate the understanding of neurological basis and psychological trajectory in meta-cognition among patients with Binge eating disorders. The objective was to update the existing literature and help clinicians better understand the efficacy of CBT intervention for binge eating disorders (BEDs) while taking into account their meta cognition and emotional dysregulation.
Methodology: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model was utilized to conduct this systematic review. For this purpose, research article on emotional dysregulation in patients with binge eating disorder in which Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) was utilized as an effective treatment for BED were scrutinized. Different electronic databases such as Research Gate, Google Scholar and Science Direct were employed to gather relevant articles. (N=345) articles were collected and assessed however, only 16 articles were selected for review based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Findings: The findings of the systematic review pointed that individuals with BED use maladaptive strategies for emotional regulation and exhibit high negative self-directed behaviors, lack of emotional awareness, and inability to involve in goal directed behaviors. Impaired metacognition and impulsivity were also identified as core elements of BED.
Conclusion: Poor metacognitions, lack of self-control and emotional dysregulation that trigger or initiate binge eating behaviors can be regulated through interventions. CBT was found to be an effective treatment for binge eating disorder as it addresses meta cognitions and attempts to improve emotional regulation strategies.
Identity Construction through Language: An Examination of Billboards of Pakistani Automobile Workshops
Authors: Rasul Sarwet , Javed Ambreen
Published: December 2024

Aim of the Study: The study aims to explore the identity construction through language in the billboards of Pakistani automobile workshops. Language employed by the billboards communicates important messages to the costumers and constructs identity of the producers/ owners/ mechanics.
Methodology: Focusing on the language of billboards and the connection between language and identity, the study employs qualitative research method; and the data is collected from three localities in the form of pictures of billboard. The model adapted for the current research incorporates three theoretical approaches: Bhatia’s (1992) ‘Single Discourse Unit’, Tajfel’s (1979) ‘Social Identity Theory’ and Woodward’s (1997) ‘Theory of Identity and Representation’.
Results and Conclusion: The analysis shows how the language choices used to make headlines and body text of these billboards contribute in constructing different identities including professional, ethnic, community identity and in group and out-group membership.
Structural Transformation and Export Diversification: A Case Study of Pakistan
Authors: Adeel Noor Ul Ain , Kazi Salman Faysal , Naveed Samina , Shaffi Maha
Published: December 2024

Aim of the study: Structural transformation plays a significant role in a country’s economic growth and development. There are many economies around the world which have experienced structural transformation, however, this phenomenon had not been rigorously analyzed for Pakistan. This study examined the process of structural transformation in Pakistan’s economy through two dimensions.
Methodology: The first dimension is the study of structural transformation with reference to export diversification using traditionality index. For this, industry-specific data at 2-digit SITC from 1972 till 2021 was collected, using which the aggregate and average cumulative export experience functions were calculated. The traditionality index was further utilized to construct the structural change index by calculating medium-term structural change. The second dimension is the investigation of sectoral shifts, for which sectoral composition of GDP and sectoral % growth data were taken for 6 countries, including Pakistan. This data was then scrutinized in a comparative analysis approach.
Findings and conclusion: The findings of the study show that in context of export diversification, the top 10 export industries of Pakistan are traditional, and no significant structural change has been observed. According to the comparative analysis, the industrial sector’s contribution to Pakistan’s GDP is one of the lowest while growth of all three sectors lags behind other countries. Services sector is the highest contributor to Pakistan’s GDP but is dominated by only 2 categories.
Study implications: This study can be helpful for law makers, the state, and industrialists to understand that the way forward is to diversify and shift to value adding exports to increase share of the industrial sector in GDP via appropriate reforms.
Patent Activity of Countries and Sectors in Graphene-Based Technologies
Authors:   Faculty of Management, University of Warsaw, Poland, Nawrocki Piotr
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The aim of this article is to analyse the patent activity of various countries, regions,
and sectors (academic, private, governmental) from 2000 to 2018, identifying global leaders
in graphene-based technologies.
Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on an analysis of patent filings from the
PATSTAT (EPO) database covering the years 2000-2018. Bibliometric techniques were employed
to quantify trends in patent filings, combined with statistical analysis to identify areas with
the highest growth dynamics. The data was segmented by countries and sectors, enabling
a statistical examination of regional and sectoral diversity.
Findings: The findings reveal a diverse level of development in graphene technologies across
different regions and sectors, influenced by local innovation strategies and varying levels of
research and development engagement. Initially, the provision of essential research resources
and infrastructure played a crucial role in enabling the growth of graphene-based technologies.
As research progressed, there was a notable increase in patent activity, reflecting the
intensification of research and development efforts and the gradual implementation of new
technologies across various industrial sectors.
Research limitations: The research limitations stem from the quality of patent data, which
does not always reflect the full scope of research and development activity. Issues may arise
from classification errors, inconsistencies in name standardization, transcription errors, and
data incompleteness, all of which may affect the accuracy of the analysis results.
Research implications: This study provides valuable insights into the development and commercialization
of graphene technologies, which can support innovation strategies across
various sectors. The findings can assist policymakers in making decisions regarding resource
allocation and setting research and development priorities, as well as understanding the
dynamics of activity and collaboration between sectors.
Originality/value: The article contributes to the literature on innovation management, particularly
in the context of breakthrough technologies represented by graphene-based technologies.
The study provides detailed insights into the leaders in this field, highlighting the importance
of cross-sector collaboration in the effective implementation of new technologies and fostering
innovation dynamics.
The Role of Augmented Reality in Improving Brand Attitude Through Perceived Enjoyment
Authors:   Management Study Program, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Widyastuti Widyastuti
Published: December 2024

Augmented Reality is a technology that is commonly used by businesses to market their products.
The technology allows customers to test products online in order to deliver a more enjoyable purchasing
experience. The study is aimed at investigating the impact of vividness and perceived informativeness,
as a characteristic of AR, on brand attitude through perceived enjoyment. There are 204 respondents
chosen using purposive sampling technique. They are women who used Augmented Reality when
purchasing cosmetics online. The study used a path analysis with the assistance of Amos software.
According to the findings, perceived enjoyment can strengthen the influence of vividness and perceived
informativeness on brand attitude.
Le droit animalier québécois : vers un agenda de recherche
Authors: Lessard Michaël , Ménard Daphnée B. , Simoneau-Gilbert Virginie
Published: December 2024

Au cours des dernières années, le traitement des animaux a retenu une attention sans précédent au Québec et le droit animalier a subi des transformations profondes. Ce champ de recherche en pleine ébullition méritait un pôle de recherche universitaire québécois. L’Observatoire québécois de droit animalier a pour mandat la promotion, l’étude et le développement du droit animalier. Ses activités, organisées autour de trois axes principaux – recherche, éducation et innovation sociale –, visent à combler les lacunes actuelles et à proposer des solutions innovantes pour améliorer la condition animale en droit. Cette note de recherche constitue un premier jalon essentiel dans cette mission, offrant un état de la situation du droit animalier québécois et établissant les bases d’un agenda de recherche auquel sont convié·es juristes et philosophes.
Acerca de por qué aun no filosofando, filosofamos: procedimientos dialécticos en el Protréptico de Aristóteles
Authors: Seggiaro Claudia Marisa
Published: December 2024

En este trabajo, nos interesa analizar las estrategias argumentativas implementadas por Aristóteles en la serie de fragmentos 2a-2g del Protréptico. Nuestra tesis es que la lectura de esta serie de extractos, a la luz de los restantes fragmentos conservados, nos permite aseverar que en ellos se esboza un argumento dialéctico cuyo propósito es defender la necesidad de filosofar. Para ello, Aristóteles procede refutativamente, demostrando los absurdos que se siguen de la tesis de sus contrincantes. La estrategia argumentativa allí utilizada es consistente con la utilizada en otros textos que forman parte del corpus, como, por ejemplo, Física I, Metafísica I 9; IV 3-6 y Sobre la filosofía fragmentos 9, 16, 17 y 19a-c. Dado esto, su estudio constituye un importante aporte para la compresión del modus operandi utilizado por el Estagirita, para dar cuenta de sus diferentes tesis.
La recepción de F. W. J. Schelling en los jóvenes hegelianos, el marxismo y la Teoría Crítica
Authors: Magnet Colomer Jordi
Published: December 2024

El presente artículo pretende dilucidar los motivos fundamentales de la recepción de F. W. J. Schelling en los jóvenes hegelianos (I), el marxismo (II) y la Teoría Crítica (III) estableciendo ciertos paralelismos y divergencias respecto al modo en que fue acogida su obra en el seno de estas tres tradiciones. En el primer apartado se toma en consideración el alcance de este influjo en la obra de L. Feuerbach, así como en algunos escritos de juventud de F. Engels. A continuación, se examinan los aspectos centrales de su recepción en G. Lukács y, en menor medida, en la obra de otros autores como E. Bloch o E. Dussel. Por último, vienen a apuntarse las temáticas principales de esa recepción en la Teoría Crítica, especialmente allí donde es más pronunciada, en los casos de H. Marcuse, J. Habermas y Th. W. Adorno.
Dynamics of social differentiation of the population of cities in the south of Western Siberia based on census data (late 19th – early 20th century)
Authors: Muratova Svetlana R.
Published: December 2024

The object of our local historical study was the totality of the urban population of the south of Western Siberia, the subject – the patterns and forms of social differentiation of the population of Omsk, Petropavlovsk, Semipalatinsk, Pavlodar, Biysk and Ust-Kamenogorsk. These cities had a single history of origin in the border area. The author relied on the concept of limology, which focuses on the study of border territories and processes. The territorial scope of the study is limited to the south of Western Siberia, including the south of Tomsk province (Altai Krai), the territory of the Steppe General Governorate with its center in Omsk together with the Akmola and Semipalatinsk regions. The purpose of the study was to analyze the forms of social differentiation of the population of cities in the south of Western Siberia in the chronological framework of the end of the 19th century – the first third of the 20th century and to identify patterns. Research methodology: historical methods are combined with microsociological methods. This allowed us to study the population of cities through the analysis of statistical census data. Systemic, comparative-historical, statistical research methods were used, which allowed us to comprehensively study the stated topic, classify and process data with the calculation of absolute and relative values, average values, using demographic indicators. The novelty of the study lies in the consideration of the functional, rank, differentiation of the population of the cities under study. The tables present an analysis of the forms of social differentiation of the population of cities in the south of Western Siberia, and revealed the level of its activity. The average salary of different professional spheres is discussed and the leveling of wages is noted to reduce the differentiation of the population.
On the issue of the concept of a single continuous violent sexual crime
Authors: Mironchik Anna Sergeevna , Kachina Natal'ya  Veniaminovna
Published: December 2024

The subject of the research is the issue of identifying the key features of a single continuing violent sexual crime and its distinction from the aggregate of such crimes. The relevance of this issue is related to its controversial nature both in the doctrine of criminal law and in law enforcement. In this regard, such characteristics as identification of the act and of intent are considered, including in relation to violent sexual crimes. The attempt is made to resolve this problem taking into account the position of the Criminal Court of the Russian Federation as well as current trends in law enforcement practice. This issue is considered on the basis of a comparative-law and systemic analysis of the provisions of criminal law that establish criminal liability for sexual freedom crimes. During the analysis of the problem, the concept of a single continuing violent crime against sexual freedom has been developed, as well as criteria for distinguishing it from the similar crimes. The research has led to a reasonable conclusion that different sexual crimes should be grouped under one legal provision. This provision must include such qualifying key feature as committing such actions against two or more persons, regardless of their age. As a result of the conducted research, reasonable conclusions were made about the necessity of combining violent sexual crimes, currently provided for by Articles 131 and 132 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, into one article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and adding to it such a qualifying feature as the commission of these acts in relation to two or more victims, regardless of their age.
Reported transgenerational responses to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in C. elegans are not robust
Authors: Gainey D Patrick , Shubin Andrey V , Hunter Craig P
Published: December 2024

Here we report our attempt to replicate reports of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in
Caenorhabditis elegans
. Published results from multiple laboratories show that
C. elegans
adults and their F1 embryos exposed to the pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
show pathogen aversion behavior and a pathogen exposure-dependent increase in
daf-7/TGFβ
reporter gene expression. However, results from one group show persistence of the aversion behavior and elevated
daf-7
expression in the F2, F3, and F4 generations. In contrast, we failed to consistently detect either the pathogen avoidance response or elevated
daf-7
expression beyond the F1 generation. We did confirm that the dsRNA transport proteins SID-1 and SID-2 are required for the intergenerational (F1) inheritance of pathogen avoidance, but not for the F1 inheritance of elevated
daf-7
expression. Furthermore, our reanalysis of RNA seq data provides additional evidence that this intergenerational inherited PA14 response may be mediated by small RNAs. The experimental methods are well-described, the source materials are readily available, including samples from the reporting laboratory, and we explored a variety of environmental conditions likely to account for lab-to-lab variability. None of these adjustments altered our results. We conclude that this example of transgenerational inheritance lacks robustness, confirm that the intergenerational avoidance response, but not the elevated
daf-7p::gfp
expression in F1 progeny, requires
sid-1
and
sid-2
, and identify candidate siRNAs and target genes that may mediate this intergenerational response.
Unified bursting strategies in ectopic and endogenous even-skipped expression patterns
Authors: Berrocal Augusto , Lammers Nicholas C , Garcia Hernan G , Eisen Michael B
Published: December 2024

Transcription often occurs in bursts as gene promoters switch stochastically between active and inactive states. Enhancers can dictate transcriptional activity in animal development through the modulation of burst frequency, duration, or amplitude. Previous studies observed that different enhancers can achieve a wide range of transcriptional outputs through the same strategies of bursting control. For example, in Berrocal et al., 2020, we showed that despite responding to different transcription factors, all even-skipped enhancers increase transcription by upregulating burst frequency and amplitude while burst duration remains largely constant. These shared bursting strategies suggest that a unified molecular mechanism constraints how enhancers modulate transcriptional output. Alternatively, different enhancers could have converged on the same bursting control strategy because of natural selection favoring one of these particular strategies. To distinguish between these two scenarios, we compared transcriptional bursting between endogenous and ectopic gene expression patterns. Because enhancers act under different regulatory inputs in ectopic patterns, dissimilar bursting control strategies between endogenous and ectopic patterns would suggest that enhancers adapted their bursting strategies to their trans-regulatory environment. Here, we generated ectopic even-skipped transcription patterns in fruit fly embryos and discovered that bursting strategies remain consistent in endogenous and ectopic even-skipped expression. These results provide evidence for a unified molecular mechanism shaping even-skipped bursting strategies and serve as a starting point to uncover the realm of strategies employed by other enhancers.
Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells Co-Opt the Tenogenic Gene Scleraxis to Instruct Regeneration
Authors: Bai Yun , Harvey Tyler , Bilyou Colin , Hu Minjie , Fan Chen-Ming
Published: December 2024

Skeletal muscles connect bones and tendons for locomotion and posture. Understanding the regenerative processes of muscle, bone and tendon is of importance to basic research and clinical applications. Despite their interconnections, distinct transcription factors have been reported to orchestrate each tissue’s developmental and regenerative processes. Here we show that
Scx
expression is not detectable in adult muscle stem cells (also known as satellite cells, SCs) during quiescence.
Scx
expression begins in activated SCs and continues throughout regenerative myogenesis after injury. By SC-specific
Scx
gene inactivation (ScxcKO), we show that
Scx
function is required for SC expansion/renewal and robust new myofiber formation after injury. We combined single-cell RNA-sequencing and CUT&RUN to identify direct Scx target genes during muscle regeneration. These target genes help explain the muscle regeneration defects of ScxcKO, and are not overlapping with
Scx
-target genes identified in tendon development. Together with a recent finding of a subpopulation of
Scx
-expressing connective tissue fibroblasts with myogenic potential during early embryogenesis, we propose that regenerative and developmental myogenesis co-opt the
Scx
gene via different mechanisms.
Adult neurogenesis through glial transdifferentiation in a CNS injury paradigm
Authors: Casas-Tintó Sergio , García-Guillen Nuria , Losada-Pérez Maria
Published: December 2024

As the global population ages, the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders is fast increasing. This neurodegeneration as well as other CNS injuries cause permanent disabilities. Thus, generation of new neurons is the rosetta stone in contemporary neuroscience.Glial cells support central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis through evolutionary conserved mechanisms. Upon damage, glial cells activate an immune and inflammatory response to clear the injury site from debris, and proliferate to restore cell number. This glial regenerative response (GRR) is mediated by the neuropil associated glia (NG) in
Drosophila
, equivalent to vertebrate astrocytes, oligodendrocytes (OL) and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Here, we examine the contribution of NG lineages and the GRR in response to injury. The results indicate that NG exchanges identities between EG and ALG. Additionally, we found that NG cells undergo transdifferentiation to yield neurons. Moreover, this transdifferentiation increases in injury conditions. Thus, these data demonstrate that glial cells are able to generate new neurons through direct transdifferentiation. The present work makes a fundamental contribution to the CNS regeneration field and describes a new physiological mechanism to generate new neurons.
The identification of extensive samples of motor units in human muscles reveals diverse effects of neuromodulatory inputs on the rate coding
Authors: Avrillon Simon , Hug François , Enoka Roger M , Caillet Arnault HD , Farina Dario
Published: December 2024

Movements are performed by motoneurons transforming synaptic inputs into an activation signal that controls muscle force. The control signal emerges from interactions between ionotropic and neuromodulatory inputs to motoneurons. Critically, these interactions vary across motoneuron pools and differ between muscles. To provide the most comprehensive framework to date of motor unit activity during isometric contractions, we identified the firing activity of extensive samples of motor units in the tibialis anterior (129 ± 44 per participant; n=8) and the vastus lateralis (130 ± 63 per participant; n=8) muscles during isometric contractions of up to 80% of maximal force. From this unique dataset, the rate coding of each motor unit was characterised as the relation between its instantaneous firing rate and the applied force, with the assumption that the linear increase in isometric force reflects a proportional increase in the net synaptic excitatory inputs received by the motoneuron. This relation was characterised with a natural logarithm function that comprised two stages. The initial stage was marked by a steep acceleration of firing rate, which was greater for low- than medium- and high-threshold motor units. The second stage comprised a linear increase in firing rate, which was greater for high- than medium- and low-threshold motor units. Changes in firing rate were largely non-linear during the ramp-up and ramp-down phases of the task, but with significant prolonged firing activity only evident for medium-threshold motor units. Contrary to what is usually assumed, our results demonstrate that the firing rate of each motor unit can follow a large variety of trends with force across the pool. From a neural control perspective, these findings indicate how motor unit pools use gain control to transform inputs with limited bandwidths into an intended muscle force.
Acoustic Sensors data transmission integrity and endurance with IoT-enabled location-aware framework
Authors: Ali Shujaat , Nadeem Muhammad , Ahmed Sheeraz , Khan Faheem , Khan Murad , Alharbi Abdullah
Published: December 2024

Environmental monitoring and disaster mitigation are critical applications of underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs). However, UASNs face significant challenges, including high latency, limited bandwidth, and energy constraints. This study introduces an Internet of Things (IoT)-driven location-aware framework (ILAF) designed to enhance UASN performance by utilizing non-GPS geographic coordinates for determining the location of sensor and sink nodes, identifying their neighbors based on coordinates and transmission range, and optimizing node placement and routing without the need for GPS modems. The framework is compared with several state-of-the-art protocols, including Bald Eagle Search inspired optimized energy efficient routing protocol (BES-OEERP) and IoT-enabled depth-based routing technique (IDBR), demonstrating superior performance. Specifically, ILAF achieved a packet delivery ratio (PDR) of 99%, which outperforms energy-efficient region-based source distributed routing algorithm (EERSDRA) (98%) and energy-efficient geo-opportunistic routing protocols (EEGORP) (96%). Additionally, ILAF reduced energy consumption by 20% compared to these existing protocols. These improvements result in a more energy-efficient network with fewer dead nodes (12 after 1,000 rounds) and higher throughput (5.7 kbps at 1,000 rounds), making ILAF suitable for real-time underwater applications. Future research will explore integrating lightweight IoT protocols like Message Queue Telemetry Transport (MQTT) and Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) to enhance the framework’s performance and reliability further.
Observation of peri-implant bone loss rates in patients visiting dentist—A retrospective evaluation of patients of a faculty hospital for one year
Authors: Karadag Ilkim , Kurnaz Halis , Akkaya Mehmet Murat , Karadag İrem , Konukçu Kurnaz Zeynep Ilayda
Published: December 2024

Background

Many studies have been published on the relationship between different parameters with marginal bone loss around implants. The results of these studies vary, but some variables such as smoking or certain systemic conditions are more likely to predispose or exacerbate the resorption around implants. The aim of this study was to determine the rates of implants with radiographically detected marginal bone loss and to determine whether there is a relationship between the severity of destruction and certain risk factors like location of implant, restoration type, systemic condition, age, sex or smoking habits.

Materials and Methods

Panoramic radiographs obtained for 1 year were examined. Patients with bone loss around the implant were classified according to the region of implant placement, type of restoration on implants, systemic diseases, and smoking habits. The rate of bone loss around the implants was recorded as the resorption score. Double and multiple comparison tests were applied to observe whether the resorption scores were related to the variables.

Results

Of 17,352 patients, 1,465 had at least one implant, and 1,116 of these had no bone loss. A total of 181 patients (863 implants) included in the study, there was a weak correlation between age (p = 0.017) and resorption rate. Implants supporting bridge restorations had higher resorption scores. Gender, age, and systemic conditions alone are not effective in increasing peri-implant bone loss (p < 0.05); therefore, placing implants in the mandible (p = 0.020) or using implants to support bridge restorations(p = 0.027) may make implants more vulnerable to resorption.
Lo abyecto y lo teriomorfo como estrategias de resistencia en el cuento
centroamericano contemporáneo (1963-2013)
Authors:   , Pérez María del Carmen
Published: December 2024

Esta investigación ofrece un análisis de obras representativas de la
cuentística
contemporánea de Centroamérica correspondientes a un período que va desde la
década
de 1960, en que varias colecciones de cuentos ganan el Premio Casa de las
Américas de
forma consecutiva hasta el 2013, época en que los cuentos centroamericanos y
sus
autores empiezan a circular en un mercado más amplio.
Desde una metodología de análisis de carácter inductivo y categorías teóricas
para
el análisis basadas en conceptos de Sigmund Freud, Julia Kristeva y Giorgio
Agamben,
entre otros. Se focaliza este trabajo en estudiar lo abyecto, lo siniestro y lo
teriomorfo
como recursos narrativos de resistencia o contestatarios frente a instancias de
dominación
simbólica (familia y nación), histórica-política (neocolonialismo) o biopolítica
(cuerpo
animal/cuerpo muerto/cuerpo deforme).
Se propone que el uso de estos recursos vislumbra los procesos de
modernización
del campo literario centroamericano durante el transcurso de tres momentos
fundamentales: los años sesenta y setenta; el período posterior a los acuerdos
de paz en
Centroamérica, años noventa, y la primera década del dos mil. Estos procesos
de
modernización traen consigo ciertos cambios de sensibilidades que van desde
el
compromiso social y de denuncia hasta la ruptura y disidencia con lo
establecido, la
violencia y el desencanto.
Los ejes centrales del corpus lo conforman los libros de cuentos Los monos
de
San Telmo y Vino de carne y hierro de Lizandro Chávez Alfaro (Nicaragua,
1929-2006),
Ondina y Hoy es un largo día de Carmen Naranjo (Costa Rica, 1928-2012), Ningún
lugar
sagrado y 1986 de Rodrigo Rey Rosa (Guatemala, 1958), Mariana en la tigrera de
Ana
María Rodas (Guatemala, 1937), ¿Qué signo es usted, niña Bertha? y El gran
masturbador de Horacio Castellanos Moya (El Salvador, 1957), Contra-Corriente y
El
diablo sabe mi nombre de Jacinta Escudos (El Salvador, 1961) Causas Naturales y
De
fronteras de Claudia Hernández (El Salvador, 1975), Buenas costumbres de Denise
PhéFunchal (Guatemala,1977), Abrir las manos de Cheri Lewis (Panamá, 1974), y
Todos los
días de mi muerte y Fracciones de algún total de Pedro León Carvajal (Nicaragua,
1946-2016).
Imaging Features of Bilateral Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis in Sequential Presentation of Hip Pain: A Case Report
Authors: Patil Chandrashekar , Kuppam Rithya , Bandaru Akhila , Mangalagiri Nikhitha , Vasudha B
Published: December 2024

Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis (SUFE) is the most common hip abnormality in adolescents, leading to significant morbidity if not properly treated. It is classified as a Salter-Harris type I injury, resulting from a fall that affects the physis of both hips and can cause unstable alignment between the epiphysis and metaphysis. They typically present with a decreased range of motion, hip discomfort and limping. Hereby, the author presents the case of 12-year-old adolescent female with a sequential history of hip pain one after the other after a fall one month back. On physical examination, full internal rotation was lacking and flexion and abduction ability were limited. X-ray and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of both hip joints were taken, which revealed widened epiphysis of bilateral femurs with slippage of bilateral femoral epiphysis onto metaphysis, suggestive of bilateral SUFE. Later the patient underwent bilateral prophylactic in-situ fixation with screws to prevent further slippage and long-term complications.
Predisposing Factors of Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness in Untrained Athletes: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Sadasivuni Harini , Narayanasetti Nagarjuna , Alagingi Nityal Kumar
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is a common consequence of ultrastructural muscle damage. Following unusual eccentric exercises, individuals who are not professionally trained or are amateur athletes experience muscle tenderness that can range from mild discomfort to severe debilitating pain.

Aim: To identify the factors that contribute to the development of DOMS in untrained athletes and to raise awareness about these factors.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Physiotherapy, GEMS College of Physiotherapy, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India on 50 untrained athletes aged 18-25 years, over a period of eight months from January to September 2022, with complete enrollment of untrained athletes. The history of pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion and DOMS was surveyed through a self-reported questionnaire, followed by quantitative statistical analysis using mean, standard deviation and percentages of the data.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.04±2.7401 years. The current research examined various predisposing factors that influenced the occurrence of DOMS. Specifically, 35 (70%) athletes reported engaging in eccentric exercises; 24 (48%) athletes reported exposure to hot weather and outdoor environments; 32 (64%) athletes reported neglecting warm-up sessions; and 43 (86%) athletes reported skipping cool-down exercises.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the group of muscles comprising the shoulders and biceps is particularly susceptible to experiencing pain, loss of strength, muscle tenderness and reduced range of motion as a result of DOMS. DOMS is commonly induced by engaging in high-intensity workouts, such as lifting heavy weights with eccentric contractions, without proper warm-up and cool-down routines, especially in hot outdoor environments.