bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Furanocoumarin compounds isolated from Dorstenia foetida potentiate irinotecan anticancer activity against colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Pengnam Supusson , Jitkaroon Watcharapa , Srisuphan Roongtiwa , Wongprayoon Pawaris , Rayanil Kanok-On , Charoensuksai Purin
Published: March 2024

Although the anticancer activity of Dorstenia foetida was already observed, the chemical entity responsible for this activity remained unidentified. In this study, the cytotoxic activity of two furanocoumarin compounds, i.e., 5-methoxy--3-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyl)-psoralen (1) and 5-methoxy-3-(3-methyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyl)-psoralen diacetate (2) isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of D. foetida (whole plant) was investigated in several cancer cell lines including HN22, MDA-MB-231, HCT116, and HT29. The results revealed that compound 2 exhibited cytotoxic activity, particularly against colorectal cancer cell lines HCT116 and HT29. The interplay between compound 2 and irinotecan (Iri) showed synergism against HCT116, which was analyzed by CompuSyn software. The simulation revealed that, at the molar ratio of Iri:2 of 1:40, the concentration predicted to achieve a 90 % inhibitory effect when used in the combination would be ~28- and ~4-fold lower than the concentration of compound 2 and Iri, resp., when used individually. Finally, the percentage of apoptotic cells in the HCT116 line treated with the combination was markedly higher than in the cells treated with the individual agent (60 % apoptotic cells for the combination compared to 17 and 45 % for Iri and compound 2 monotherapy, resp). In conclusion, our results identified compound 2 as a plant-derived compound exhibiting anticancer properties that can act synergistically with Iri and warranted further research to assess the potential of this synergism for colorectal cancer treatment.
A comprehensive overview of selective and novel fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors as a potential anticancer modality
Authors: Jain Nem Kumar , Tailang Mukul , Thangavel Neelaveni , Makeen Hafiz A. , Albratty Mohammed , Najmi Asim , Alhazmi Hassan Ahmad , Zoghebi Khalid , Alagusundaram Muthumanickam , Jain Hemant Kumar , Chandrasekaran Balakumar
Published: March 2024

The arrival of comprehensive genome sequencing has accelerated the understanding of genetically aberrant advanced cancers and target identification for possible cancer treatment. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene alterations are frequent findings in various rare and advanced cancers refractive to mainstay chemo-therapy or surgical interventions. Several FGFR inhibitors have been developed for addressing these genetically altered FGFR-harboring malignancies, and some have performed well in clinical trials. In contrast, others are still being investigated in different phases of clinical trials. FDA has approved four anticancer agents such as erdafitinib, pemigatinib, infigratinib, and futibatinib, for clinical use in oncogenic FGFR-driven malignancies. These include cholangiocarcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, and myeloid/lymphoid malignancies. Pemigatinib is the only FGFR inhibitor globally approved (USA, EU, and Japan) and available as a targeted therapy for two types of cancer, including FGFR2 fusion or other rearrangements harboring cholangiocarcinoma and relapsed/refractory myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with FGFR1 rearrangements. Myeloid/lymphoid neoplasm is the latest area of application added to the therapeutic armamentarium of FGFR inhibitors. Furthermore, futibatinib is the first-in-class covalent or irreversible pan-FGFR inhibitor that has received FDA approval for locally advanced or metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma harboring FGFR2 gene aberrations. This review highlights the current clinical progress concerning the safety and efficacy of all the approved FGFR-TKIs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) and their ongoing investigations in clinical trials for other oncogenic FGFR-driven malignancies.
Medicarpin suppresses lung cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo by inducing cell apoptosis
Authors: Shen Zongyi , Yin Liqi , Chang Manxia , Wang Haifeng , Hao Mingxuan , Liang Youfeng , Guo Rui , Bi Ying , Wang Jiansong , Yu Changyuan , Li Jinmei , Zhai Qiongli , Cheng Runfen , Zhang Jinku , Sun Jirui , Yang Zhao
Published: March 2024

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Surgery, chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are considered dominant treatment strategies for LC in the clinic. However, drug resistance and meta-stasis are two major challenges in cancer therapies. Medicarpin (MED) is an isoflavone compound isolated from alfalfa, which is usually used in traditional medicine. This study was de sig ned to evaluate the anti-LC effect and reveal the underlying mechanisms of MED in vivo and in vitro. We found that MED could significantly inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest of A549 and H157 cell lines. Basically, MED induced cell apoptosis of LC cells by upregu lating the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and Bak1, leading to the cleavage of caspase-3 (Casp3). Moreover, MED inhibited the proliferation of LC cells via downregulating the expression of proliferative protein Bid. Overall, MED inhibited LC cell growth in vitro and in vivo via suppressing cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis, suggesting the therapeutic potential of MED in treating LC.
Long non-coding RNA TINCR suppresses growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells: Insights from in vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Wei Yuan , Zhu Ping
Published: March 2024

There is increasing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in the development and progression of malignant tumors, particularly pancreatic cancer. In this study, the influence of the lncRNA TINCR on the behavior of human pancreatic cancer cells was investigated with the aim of deciphering its role in growth, migration, and invasion. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to investigate TINCR expression in pancreatic cancer cells. Ectopic expression of TINCR in PANC-1 cells was induced to evaluate the effects on cell viability and apoptosis, examining the apoptotic genes Bax and Bcl-2. Migration and invasion assays were used to measure the impact of TINCR on these cellular processes. In vivo studies using a xenograft mouse model examined the effects of TINCR on tumor growth, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. PANC-1 cells showed strikingly low TINCR expression compared to other pancreatic cancer cell lines. Ectopic TINCR expression reduced the viability of PANC-1 cells primarily by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by increased Bax and decreased Bcl-2 expression. Overexpression of TINCR significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells. It also decreased the migration and invasion ability of PANC-1 cells, as demonstrated in wound healing and transwell assays. In addition, overexpression of TINCR-suppressed proteins is associated with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in PANC-1 cells. In the xenograft mouse model, overexpression of TINCR inhibited tumor growth, EMT markers, and proteins associated with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This study sheds light on the tumour-suppressive role of TINCR in PANC-1 cells and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target. These results shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of TINCR on pancreatic cancer and offer promising opportunities for innovative therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes in this serious malignancy.
Construction of languages as the interlinguistic problem
Authors: Košecký Stanislav
Published: March 2024

This study attempts to sketch the vast problem of the construction of languages or construction within languages. So far, linguists have paid little attention to these issues, as under the influence of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, stressed especially by A. Schleicher based on Darwinism, they were considered understood and untouchable. Only later, especially under the influence of B. de Courtenay, H. Schuchardt and O. Jespersen, language started to be understood as a sociopsychological tool that allows conscious influence on its structure and evolution. After dealing with the topic of the attributes of language according to a new classification, the author then discusses the object of interlinguistics, which is presented according to the latest concept of the Gesellschaft für Interlinguistik (GIL). The following three overviews of important interlinguistics works with an emphasis on the construction of languages begin with D. Blanke’s book Internationale Plansprachen, which offers the reader the most extensive work on this topic until now, with an extraordinarily rich bibliography. Then there is a rather detailed review of A. Piperski’s book focuses on the construction of languages, and the author ends his extensive study with a short analysis of Y. Wahlgren’s work on fantasy languages, for which the moment of construction plays an essential role.
The First Application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: A Fast-Analytical Technique in Targeted Search for Elements in Geological Samples from Deep Boreholes in Latvia
Authors: Ganeev R. A. , Kim V. V. , Vorobyov D. , Gross U. , Ubelis A. , Ozols D. , Butikova J. , Grube J. , Sarakovskis A.
Published: March 2024

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) provides a rapid, cost-effective, and extra-sensitive analysis of geological samples to make preliminary conclusions about the presence of valuable elements up to the trace levels in the ore. We present the first results of a highly sensitive qualitative analysis of the core samples of geological ore from two boreholes in Latvia (Staicele 1, from a depth range of 794–802 m, and Garsene (Subate) 2A, from a depth range of 1102–1103 m) using LIBS. Our measurements using this technique confirmed the high iron content and indicated traces of rare and high in-demand metals (such as Ti, V, Co, Sm, etc.) in the sample from Staicele, renewing interest in studying boreholes across Latvia. The presented pilot studies demonstrated effectiveness and unique possibility in performing a very sensitive and time-saving qualitative analysis of the composition of samples of ores from the old but still valuable borehole cores by using the LIBS method. We compare these measurements with other methods of sample analysis.
Analysis of the Energy Consumption for Heating in Schools
Authors: Sinakovics M. , Zajacs A. , Palcikovskis A. , Jacnevs V.
Published: March 2024

The aim of the study is to analyse energy consumption for heating in set of the school buildings. Data analysis includes three data sets – predictions from energy performance certificates (EPC), measured data from heat meters and measured climate corrected data. Data sets were statistically checked and processed and represented graphically. The actual energy consumption differs from the one stated in the EPCs in all cases, which means that schools consume on average 15 % more energy than it is stated in the EPC. Overall, the data reveal that the actual energy consumption differs from the theoretical consumption, with all schools having higher actual consumption than the theoretical values. The differences in the data sets are discussed, and possible improvements are suggested taking into account strong relation between energy consumption and indoor air quality.
Occupational Safety Risk Assessment for Wola Heavy-Duty Machinery Operator in a Romanian Diabase Open –Pit Mine
Authors: Moldoveanu Raluca Cepreaga , Moraru Roland Iosif
Published: March 2024

Occupational safety risk assessment is always the basic stage of the systematic approach of reducing the impact of undesired events (work injuries and occupational illnesses), by decreasing both their likelihood of occurrence and the gravity/severity of the generated impact. Eighteen years ago, when, as a consequence of the regulatory changes induced by our country’s accession into the European Union, the risk assessment became mandatory/compulsory. Since then some progress was factually realized in the spirit of applying different risk analysis techniques in all Romanian organizations. Even if there are many aspects that are requiring further improvement, an effectively validated and nationally accepted indigenous tool is nowadays available. This method was put in practice in this research paper, in order to analyse, evaluate and assess the safety risks related to several of the main activities/jobs in a diabase open pit mine exploiting construction stone in a certain province of the country. Based on the results obtained, it has become feasible to propose realistic measures aimed at preventing the identified and quantified risks located in the field of unacceptable risks and protecting exposed workers to their effects. The case study developed and synthesized in this article confirms the capability of the risk assessment process to facilitate the substantiation of the decisions regarding the allocation of resources towards the minimization of the risks encountered in the work processes by different categories of workers in the mining companies.
Experimental Verification of Calculation Formulas for Hydraulic Characteristics of Ash Suspension Removal
Authors: Kurilov Vladyslav
Published: March 2024

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the hydraulic characteristics of ash suspensions, in particular the removal of ash from the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station. The importance of this research is justified by the relevance of understanding hydrodynamic processes in suspensions, which is crucial for the efficiency of mineral resource processing. The study focuses on the investigation of the physico-chemical properties of suspensions, which is fundamental for the development and optimization of technological processes. The main goal of the article is to determine the discrepancies between theoretical calculations and experimental data in the context of the hydraulic characteristics of ash suspensions. Focusing on this issue, the research aims to make an important contribution to the accuracy of prediction and calculation of the behavior of suspensions, which has important practical applications. The research methodology includes a series of experiments to measure various hydraulic parameters of the suspension, including suspension density, solid phase weight content, and porosity. The experiments are based on a detailed analysis of ash samples collected from the Dnieper Hydroelectric Station. It is established that theoretical formulas for determining hydraulic characteristics are well confirmed experimentally. The difference is due to the accuracy of measuring the density of the solid phase and errors in measuring weight and volume; it is sufficiently small and does not have a fundamental character.
Computational Simulation of Methane Ignition in Enclosed Spaces
Authors: Florea Gheorghe Daniel , Petrilean Dan Codruț
Published: March 2024

In the research on gas explosions, the emphasis has been and continues to be primarily on physical experiments conducted on various scaled-down models. Building models at actual size is often a resource-intensive task in terms of materials, time, and human resources. The rapid advancement of computational techniques has allowed, among other things, the transfer of gas explosion research into the virtual environment. For validating computerized simulations of this kind, physical experiments and specialized literature are still considered fundamental. However, one of the challenges posed by the virtualization process is the limitation of conducting simulations in fully or partially enclosed spaces, under initially imposed conditions, without the possibility of dynamically modifying these conditions based on the development of overpressures generated by the virtual explosion. This paper details a computerized experiment where the boundary conditions were successfully transformed into predefined pressure threshold surfaces, transitioning from rigid surfaces to surfaces capable of releasing the overpressures developed in fully or partially enclosed spaces. This approach aligns the results of these simulations with the real dynamic effects of gas explosion events.
CFD Simulation of Carbon Dioxide Dispersion Dynamics in Closed Spaces
Authors: Cioclea Doru , Radu Sorin Mihai , Cămărășescu Alexandru , Matei Adrian , Drăgoescu Răzvan
Published: March 2024

Carbon dioxide is a suffocating gas resulting either from industrial activities from combustion or explosion. There may also be carbon dioxide deposits under pressure, quartered in porous geological formations. This gas can show slow or violent releases with accumulation at ground level. Carbon dioxide is a gas that is both toxic and asphyxiating. This gas can accumulate in closed spaces and when it exceeds the concentration of 12% vol. it becomes lethal. For the protection of working personnel, it is necessary to identify and apply the most effective preventive measures. This requires an understanding of carbon dioxide’s behaviour during the build-up phase. The research gives a CFD analysis for determining the dynamics of carbon dioxide dispersion in a confined enclosure.
A Cleaning of Internal Surfaces of Bunkers Without the Presence of Operating Personnel Inside the Bunker
Authors: Shapovalov V.A. , Lyashenko V.I. , Gurin A.O.
Published: March 2024

Bunkers are an integral part of the infrastructure of enterprises in various industries processing bulk materials. Corrosion processes and the formation of dust deposits on the internal surfaces of bunkers are irreversible and often lead to disruptions in the technological process and equipment performance parameters, and in some cases, to accidents. The stability and continuity of technological processes for processing bulk materials largely depend on the cleanliness of the internal surfaces of bunkers. Even the best technical characteristics of technological equipment only indicate the technical capabili-ties of the operation of technological lines. Their reliable and effective operation can be ensured by proper maintenance of the condition of internal surfaces and cleaning from corrosion and deposits. Increased dustiness, poor visibility, and confined spaces significantly complicate the conditions for performing work by service personnel inside bunkers. The enclosed space inside bunkers is a very dangerous place not intended for the work of service personnel. In order to avoid endangering ser-vice personnel and prevent people from entering the bunker, methods are proposed to easily, quickly, and, most importantly, safely clean the surfaces inside the bunkers.
Assessing Direct Marketing and Personal Selling Tools Used by Medical Representatives
Authors: Kyguolienė Asta , Juknė Gabrielė
Published: March 2024

Direct marketing and personal selling tools are the tools most used by medical representatives in their daily work. The aim of the study is therefore to assess the direct marketing and personal selling tools used by medical representatives and to provide recommendations for their effective use. The research includes results from a questionnaire survey of healthcare professionals and semi-structured interviews with medical representatives. Based on the findings, the article provides insights into what changes might be useful in the use of direct marketing and personal selling tools.
Audit Fee Determinants in CEE Companies Before and During COVID-19
Authors: Legenzova Renata , Lialkaitė Augustina
Published: March 2024

Audit fee serves not only as a compensation for external audit firms to ensure the accuracy and reliability of a company’s financial statements, but it also plays a role in the financial market, by simultaneously reflecting the accounting quality and overall standing of the auditee. This exploratory study aims to identify the factors determining the audit fees of Central and Eastern European companies taking into account periods before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate an upward trend in audit fees for CEE companies during COVID-19, with total assets of auditee and affiliation with Big Four auditors being positive determinants in both periods.
Guidelines for the Formation of the Value Proposition of Inbound Medical Tourism: The Case of Lithuania
Authors: Matulevičiūtė Ieva , Kyguolienė Asta
Published: March 2024

In order to attract more medical tourists to Lithuania and to provide them with more value, it is necessary to update the current medical tourism value proposition presented in 2012. Thus, the aim of the study is to identify potential elements of the value of inbound medical tourism and to provide guidelines for the development of the value proposition for medical tourism in Lithuania. The research presents the results of secondary data analysis, the results of content analysis of thes medical tourist’s feedback, and the results of semi-structured interviews with medical tourism experts. Based on the results, the article provides insights what changes could be meaningful in renewing the value proposition of inbound medical tourism in Lithuania, highlighting the importance of renewing the priority of target audience.
Treasury Management Practices, Financial Performance and Sustainability in Banking Sector
Authors: Olunuga Adeshola Olugbenga
Published: March 2024

This study investigated the impact of treasury management practices on financial performance of the banking sector in Nigeria. Treasury management has become a crucial component of the financial performance and sustainable growth of banks. Consequently, difficulties with treasury management practices have an immediate impact on the banking industry and financial system as a whole, which can have an indirect effect on the economic growth and development of the nation. The study used secondary data extracted from annual reports of quoted deposit money banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. Panel data analysis was utilized. Descriptive statistics, correlation matrix and ordinary least square (OLS) were employed. The explanatory variables were bank deposit liabilities and earning assets whereas return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) were used as proxies for bank financial performance. The DMBs’ data was evaluated using appropriate statistical methods. According to the findings of the study treasury management practices influence the financial performance and sustainability of Nigerian DMBs. Given the highly competitive nature of the industry and the demands for financial performance, the study concluded that there is a need for a strong, effective and efficient treasury management strategy that will maximise returns, increase the value of the company’s shares and maximise shareholder wealth.
Exploring Effects of Interventions on Aspiring Entrepreneurs’ Psychological Capital, Creative Self-Efficacy, and Well-Being
Authors: Savickaitė-Kazlauskė Evelina , Bendaravičienė Rita
Published: March 2024

This paper examines the effectiveness of the pilot emotional intelligence programme with individual coaching interventions in enhancing the psychological capital, creative self-efficacy, well-being, and life satisfaction of entrepreneurship students. The study, involving 16 students from an entrepreneurship academy, shows that these interventions have a positive impact on these psychological aspects, both immediately after the sessions and in the long term. The results indicate a strong interconnection between psychological capital and its components and well-being, and to a lesser extent, with creative self-efficacy.
On Relative Success in Obtaining Grants for Smart Cities in the European Union and on the Cost of the Outcome
Authors: Koreň Tomáš , Gajniak Ondrej , Kubák Matúš
Published: March 2024

The concept of smart cities is gaining momentum with efforts to go greener and be more sustainable along with the growing demand for data-driven policies. The European Union (EU) is highly committed to fostering sustainable urban development through targeted funding programs that encourage innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions for climate-neutral and smart cities. We have used data mining on the data of the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) and Eurostat during 2014 – 2022, to analyze such projects. Firstly, we can report that in absolute measures, Germany, Spain, France, Sweden and Lithuania have obtained the largest amounts of money fromthe EU Horizon program to support the development of smart cities. Secondly, we have found that when accounting for the size of funding per capita, Estonia leads in terms of funds invested in smart cities followed by Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, and Cyprus. Focusing our attention on the cost of outcomes, i.e., the efficiency of spending funds on smart cities, we can see that the leading countries in the EU are Romania, Switzerland, Norway, and Luxembourg. The authors have compared the success of European projects in their different phases, while considering the overall results as most relevant for our evaluation.
Accounting and taxation in Romania: from connection to disconnection?
Authors:   Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Romania, Istrate Costel
Published: March 2024

Research Question: What are the effects of the evolutions in tax and financial reporting regulations on the book-tax relationship in the case of Romanian listed companies; is the de jure trend towards a disconnection confirmed, and what findings can be made from a de facto analysis based on the effective tax rate (ETR)? Motivation: Istrate (2011) applied the grid proposed by Lamb et al. (1998) and found that, in 2020, the de jure trend was clearly towards a book-tax disconnection. My intention is to replicate this analysis for 2021 and to add some other variables that could characterize the period, in order to assess the 2021 de jure and de facto (dis)connection. Idea: Mandatory introduction of IFRS for some listed companies, adaptation of the Romanian accounting rules to the European directive 34/2013, modification of the tax rules, in particular as a result of European efforts to fight tax avoidance, unprecedented situations such as the covid-19 crisis were just as many reasons for companies to adapt their tax and financial reporting behaviours, which makes the more interesting the analysis of the book-tax relationship. Data: For the application of the analysis grid proposed by Lamb et. al (1998) and developed later by other authors, I have analysed the accounting and financial reporting regulations, in parallel with the treatments provided by the Romanian tax law. For the de facto analysis attempt, I analysed more than 3,800 observations about the Romanian companies listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange for the period 2000-2021. Tools: The assessment of the book-tax relationship was done by applying the Lamb et al. (1998) model, with the six possible cases: from total identity, to total disconnection. My analysis takes into account 40 key elements. In the case of de facto analysis, I calculated an ETR as the ratio between the current tax expense to profit before taxes. Findings and contributions: The study proposes a de jure analysis that confirms the evolution towards almost total disconnection between accounting and tax rules, especially for companies applying IFRS. The de facto analysis allows us to observe that ETR significantly different from the statutory tax rates (STR) – which confirms the disconnection between accounting and taxation. So, for the Romania listed companies, in general, the book-tax disconnection explains and justifies the differences between the ETR and the STR; in this case, the ETR is not really the best proxy for the tax avoidance, as many studies in the literature proposed.
Auditors’ characteristics and timeliness of listed family-owned firms in Nigeria
Authors: Gbadamosi Rachael Modupe , Alade Muyiwa Ezekiel
Published: March 2024

Research question: What are the effects of auditors’ characteristics on timeliness of financial reporting among listed family-owned firms in Nigeria? Motivation: Timely issuance of audited annual financial report is highly desirable to various stakeholders against top management insider trading on the accounting information of which family-owned listed firms is highly prone to involve. Idea: This study examined the effect of auditor’s characteristics on timeliness of listed family-owned firms in Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the extent at which auditor’s type; audit opinion; audit fee; auditor’s tenure; and joint audit affect timeliness of financial statements of listed family-owned businesses in Nigeria. Data: The data used and evaluated covered a period from 2012 to 2021, and were drawn from 47 listed family-owned firms in Nigeria. The secondary data were obtained from MachameRatio database. Tools: Both descriptive statistics and partial least square regression analyses were performed. Findings: The robust test performed revealed that Big-4 audit firms, audit opinion and audit tenure have positive effect, while audit fee and joint audit impound negative effect, on timeliness of financial statements of listed family-owned firms in Nigeria. However, the result is statistically significant for audit opinion, audit tenure and audit fee. Contribution: The implication of the findings is that audit opinion and audit tenure enhance timely issuance of the financial reports of listed family-owned firms in Nigeria. This study’s contributions to the body of knowledge include exploring the position of auditor’s features on timeliness of financial statements of listed family-owned firms in Nigeria which extant studies have scarcely investigated. The study recommended that listed family-owned firms in Nigeria should engage auditors for longer audit tenure among others.
The Motif of Freedom as a Reflection of the National Identity of Brazil through the Prism Romantic Era Poetry
Authors: Kuznetsova P. D.
Published: March 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the process of the formation of Brazilian national identity through the prism of poetry as one of the most important elements of the nation's identity and maturity. The relevance of this topic is connected not only with the growing interest of Russian humanitarian science in the ‘Other West’, but also with application to the task of successful interaction with representatives of a particular culture requiring familiarity with the meanings that determine their self-identification. It is necessary to have a holistic understanding of the process of national identity formation and social factors behind its transformation. The characteristic features of the rich culture of the Luso-Brazilian world nevertheless suggest a high degree of differentiation in the identity of the people of Portugal and its former colonies. The aim of the study is to analyze how the motif of freedom manifests itself in the works of Brazilian Romantic poets, reflecting the gradual conceptualization of Brazilian national and cultural identity. To achieve this goal, the following objectives were set: first, to systematize the existing works on the national identity of Brazilians; second, to identify the motif of freedom in specific poems by prominent poets of the studied era and trace how this motif reveals identity of a Brazilian. The materials of the study are the corpus of works by Brazilian Romantic poets, comprising both the original works and their translations into Russian (including translations made by the author of this article). The leading research method was culturalhistorical; the corpus study was conducted by means of content analysis. The novelty of the study was determined by the fact of addressing the motif of freedom, considered as a key factor of Brazilian identity. As a result, it is shown how this motif was formed in the work of Brazilian Romantic poets of the 19th century, branching out into many conceptualizations of freedom. The study of the corpus of Brazilian poetic texts provides convincing evidence that the motif of freedom was one of the first steps for Brazilian society to realize its unique identity. The author concludes that the beginning of this process in the 19th century is associated with such vectors of comprehension of freedom as the desire of Brazilians to return to their homeland from foreign lands, escape from reality/life, freedom in the choice of Christian religion and freedom from sin, the desire to show strength, awareness of the important role of indigenous peoples and praise of the Indian struggle against oppression and despotism, resistance to slavery and colonizers. Gradually, however, the ontology of freedom from is complemented by an ontology of freedom for: Brazilian poets find imaginative solutions that reveal the identity of their people as a cultural search for a counterpart of communication.
Types of Conceptualization of Horror in the Genres of Country Noir and Southern Gothic
Authors: Rzayev B. V.
Published: March 2024

The relevance of considering the semantic content of the concept of horror, which connects the genres of country noir and southern gothic into a single subsystem of cultural semiotics, is due to the need for a more detailed study of the specifics of both the generalizing concept itself and its role in specific genres of literature and cinema. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to trace the features of the semantic registers of disclosing various types of horror in the philosophical and hermeneutic field of the genres of country noir and southern gothic. To do this, 1) the theoretical foundations for the conceptualization of horror in these genres are determined and the key elements and mechanisms of concept implementation are identified; 2) the narrative and metaphorical series of deployment of the concepts are analyzed within the framework of the lifeworlds of the characters in literary texts constructed by the authors; 3) philosophical and hermeneutic layers through which these concepts are revealed in selected genres are identified. The research methods are based on philosophical-hermeneutic, conceptual, and narrative approaches in the analysis of a number of works, chosen by their genre and the degree of their relevance for a particular type of conceptualization of horror. For example, the works No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy, Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell, The Salt of the Earth by Flannery O’Connor, The Last Good Kiss by James Crumley, The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner, as well as the movie What Josiah Saw. The sequence of works referred to in the text is determined by the sequence of presentation of the types of the concept of horror. As a result of the study, the hypothesis was confirmed that the conceptualization of horror as a violation of the usual course of determination reveals itself in three versions of the ontologizing of this experience: horror of an uncertain world (determination dependent on the frame of perception of the subject, acting as an expression of the radical external, outside the power of the subject), horror of an indefinite self (determined as the order of the surrounding world with uncertainty in the inner world of the individual), horror of invasion (determination to displace each other). The conclusion is that the study of horror as a result of a violation of the usual course of determination in the context of country noir and southern gothic allows not only to identify their implicit philosophical and cultural component, but also to better understand these genres, as well as expand the theoretical basis for the analysis of similar phenomena in other cultural and literary traditions.
Scientific Study of Islam for Its Understanding and Dialogue of Cultures
Authors: Sapronova M. A.
Published: March 2024

Heightened interest in modern Islam, its philosophy, and its culture is substantiated by the complex transformations in Islamic countries and Muslim regions of post-Soviet Russia. Some countries see a rise in the political role of Islam: religion has become a driver of international politics, and adaptation of the Muslim world to the global transformational processes of the century is still on the agenda. Some argue that the scholarly study of religion is ineffective for solving global issues. Muslim scholars take a dim view of non-Muslims attempting to study Islam. Russian academic approach lies in between Western and Muslim religious sciences; thus, new Russian works on Islam not only promote religious studies but also strengthen Russia as an international actor. Doctor of Philosophy, professor Taufik Ibragim is one of the eminent researchers of Islam. In 2009, he was a co-author of the biography of Muhammad. In 2015, he published a much-talked-about work on religious pluralism in the Quran. T. Ibragim’s works conflate encyclopedic knowledge and academic scrutiny with clarity and are of interest to both specialist audiences and general readers. In 2022, he published the book Names of God according to Islam, in which he attempted to translate Muslim concepts into the language of another monotheistic religion. The nature of God—personal and/ or impersonal—is subject to heated discussions, and T. Ibragim gives his interpretations of Quranic verses. The introduction presents an overview of the characteristics of God in the Quran and also gives the first comprehensive index of the names of God. The methodology, systematization, structure, and content of the book make it significant for Russian Islamic and Oriental studies. It will be helpful for theologists, Arabic and Islam scholars, as well as students. T. Ibragim’s works shed light on one of the most numerous and dynamic world religions and let everyone look into the hidden treasures of Islamic tradition.
Moral Paradoxes of the Age of Turbulence
Authors: Silantieva M. V. , Glagolev V. S.
Published: March 2024

MGIMO University annually hosts an international conference held in the memory of Professor A. F. Shishkin, a distinguished soviet ethicist and the founder of the Department of Philosophy of the university. The latest 29th Shishkin Readings took place in MGIMO University on December 23, 2023, and was devoted to ethical issues in the age of ever-increasing turbulence. M. A. Shishkin and A. V. Shestopal greeted the participants, and V. S. Glagolev gave an opening talk on the requirements a modern person should meet and a moral compass in the turbulent social context. There followed plenary and breakout sessions moderated by senior lecturers of the Department of Philosophy D. S. Gorshenyov and I. A. Chuprova. PhD students, professors, and researchers shared their expertise and participated in keen discussions. Today’s turbulence transforms individual and social lives, massive changes in international affairs put forward new challenges which cannot be addressed without consideration of their ethical dimension. In their reports, speakers focused on negative and positive evaluations, the role of ethics as an academic discipline, moral aspects of digitalization and the rise of AI. Over the years the conference, by giving the floor to aspiring scholars, proved to be a good venue for bridging the gap between generations of academicians. Young researchers had a favorable chance to present and argue their studies before a competent audience coming from various academic fields.
Russian Studies in Contemporary Korea
Authors: Svintsova I. Y. , Eunkyung Yi.
Published: March 2024

The Russian Language Department of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) —one of the leading universities of the Republic of Korea— was founded in the same year with the University and is about to celebrate its 70th anniversary. Today the University and the Russian Language Department are the main popularizers of the Russian language, literature, culture and Russian regional studies in South Korea. There are several associations: KASEUS — Korean Association of Slavic-Eurasian Studies; Russian Language and Literature Association (based on the HUFS — Hankuk University of Foreign Studies); KAR — Korean Association of Russian Studies (based on the Korean University); KASL — Korean Association of Slavic Languages (based on the Korean University); KATPR — Korean Association of Teachers and Teaching Staff of the Russian Language (whose members are university professors and school teachers); and KRA — Korea-Russia Association. The Korean-Russian Society of Art and Culture KORACS was established in 2013 to organize cultural exchange between Korea and Russia. The associations organize and conduct scientific conferences, symposiums, forums, and some publish their own journals. In South Korea, there are exchange programs for undergraduate and graduate students of Russian and Korean universities, and Russian professors are invited here to give lectures. Every spring the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies holds a Russian language Olympiad for students of Korean universities. This competition is of great interest to Korean students and is an incentive for deeper study of the Russian language. The Russian language and culture are represented and preserved here: there are Russian professors, school teachers, Russian-speaking Koreans and citizens of other countries. Therefore, despite the difficulties associated with changes in the socio-political situation, Russian studies in South Korea continue to develop. Interest in the Russian language, literature and culture does not wane since people always need to learn something new and wonderful and this is how Russian culture is characterized.
Evolution of the Concept of Barbarism within the Context of the Franco-German Confrontation in the 1870s–1910s
Authors: Antonevich K. S.
Published: March 2024

Intolerance, demonization and hate speech used to be an integral part of Franco-German relations in the 19th century. The paper is devoted to the analysis of the image of barbarians within the context of the confrontation between France and Germany in 1870s–1910s. Creation and transformation of political myths is viewed through the lens of cultural artefacts. The study is topical because it allows for the analysis of the universal development of cultural confrontation on a specific example. The prime goal of the article is to identify the patterns of mutual stigmatization and account for their seeming anomalies or exceptions to these patterns: the German simultaneously viewed as well-educated and barbarian; common origins of barbarian and classical antique cultures resulting in opposing identities, etc. The aims of the study include: 1) to systematize empirical sources; 2) to assess the impact of historical and cultural context on the formation of the conceptual images of barbaric and civilized; 3) to single out basic dichotomies of the barbaric vs civilized opposition. The study was based on various cultural texts of the period, ranging from speeches, essays, and memoirs to posters and monuments. Methods used included comparative, semiotic, and imagological approaches, corpus, discourse, and content analyses. French newspaper clichés are compared to the Europe-wide opinions about Prussian militarism. As it turns out, the German way of thinking about the heroes of the past contributed to political stigmatization of Germany. Another finding, based on French literature, is the unobvious correlation between decadent world perception and political turmoil in France. Modernist poetry, literature and journalism compared the fall of the French Empire to the collapse of the Roman Empire and thus contributed to the conceptualizing of the German as barbarians. At the same time German propaganda attempted to defend itself by finding barbarians on the east and ironically quoting French sources to speak about actual war crimes. The results of the study show that seemingly chaotic hate speech and confrontation are determined on the basis of the specific rules related to age-old non-political traditions and current political circumstances marking the dichotomy between oneself and the other, friend or foe.
The Influence of Buddhism on the Traditional Rituals of the Buryats of the Eastern Sayan Region
Authors: Mansheev D. M. , Dondukova G. P.
Published: March 2024

The article, based on field materials, examines the transformation of the worldview of the Buryats of the Eastern Sayan region under the influence of Buddhism. The relevance of the study comes from the need to clarify the value matrices of the traditional society of this region nowadays. The purpose of the study is to identify the key features of the interaction of traditional rituals with later beliefs among the bearers of these values. To achieve this goal, it was necessary to solve several problems: modern scientific ideas about the influence of Buddhism on traditional beliefs were systematized; the specific relationships of Buddhism, traditional shamanism and beliefs are highlighted; the dominant values of Buddhism reinterpreting the heritage of religious practices combined with it are clarified. Further, based on the analysis of field research, the most significant differences in the interpretations of such reinterpreted values were revealed, distinguishing them from traditional Buddhism. Using examples of existing customs, the modern development of the process of integration of the Buddhist worldview into the already existing ritual culture of the Sayan Buryats is traced. The research methodology includes comparative historical and religious studies and hermeneutical approaches. The field study used the method of interview. As a result, the role of Buddhism was confirmed as a way of adaptively rethinking the heritage of traditional culture in light of the modern crisis of values, associated, among other things, with the forgetting of traditions, consumer attitudes towards the environment, nature, society and even loved ones. Turning to Buddhism in the Eastern Sayan region today, as in the past, is becoming one of the ways to overcome such negative phenomena. Buddhism in the region not only absorbed beliefs that existed at different stages of the history of ethnic Buryatia, but also adapted them to its religious practice. A Buddhist worldview of this type corresponds to the concepts of vernacular religion accepted in modern religious studies. Forming a syncretical holistic picture of the world that corresponds to local conditions and the historical period, vernacular Buddhism defines a wide range of existing values that ideologically and practically incorporate the ritual culture that has developed over centuries.