bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boosting cordycepin production through plant-based oils for vegetarian consumption
Authors: Yuttavanichakul Watcharin , Kanthong Nipaporn , Pungsungvorn Nuntaporn
Published: November 2023

Cordyceps fungi, including species such as Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris, are known for producing bioactive chemicals, notably cordycepin. Traditional cordyceps cultivation in Thailand relies on silkworm pupae as a substrate in solid-state fermentation, posing challenges in catering to vegetarian consumers. This study aimed to develop a solid-state fermentation process for cordyceps cultivation using vegetable oils, thus modifying the cereals medium and eliminating the need for silkworm pupae while enhancing bioactive chemical production and promoting cordyceps growth. The findings demonstrate that C. militaris can successfully grow and produce adenosine and cordycepin when the culture medium is modified with plant oils. Plant oils, including olive, soybean, peanut, palm, sesame, coconut, and sunflower oil, proved effective for cultivating C. militaris on PDA. Notably, adding a 3% mixture of palm oil in PDA resulted in the most significant promotion of C. militaris mycelium, with a diameter of 5.93 cm. Consequently, the modified cereals medium, incorporating palm oil, was adopted for solid-state fermentation of C. militaris. The results demonstrate that C. militaris can be successfully cultured to produce fruiting bodies comparable and total yields to those obtained using traditional cereals and silkworm pupa medium. Furthermore, there is a notable increase in adenosine and cordycepin production, indicating the potential of this method to enhance C. militaris yield and bioactive chemical output. This research highlights the feasibility of incorporating plant oils as substitutes or additives to silkworm pupae, improving productivity and enabling the production of C. militaris suitable for vegetarian consumption.
KÛHİSTAN MUHTEŞEMLERİ ve KÛHİSTANDAKİ NİZARİ İSMÂİLLÎ KALELERİN İŞLEVİ
Authors: Atıcı Arayancan Ayse
Published: November 2023

Nizari İsmâilîleri Alamût ve Rûdbar dışında imam adına yaptıkları davet ile öğretilerini farklı bölgelere yaymak ve yapılanmak için yeni Darü’l Hicreler oluşturdular. Coğrafi, sosyo-ekonomik ve mezhepsel açıdan Rûdbar ile benzerlik gösteren Horasan bölgesinde Kûhistan’ı seçip, Davet’ül Cedide adını verdikleri yeni daveti yaymaya başladılar. Nitekim kısa sürede Muninabad, Kain, Tun, Bircend kaleleri olmak üzere Kûhistan’da çok sayıda kalenin kontrolünü ele geçirip, kendilerine yeni bir karargah oluşturmayı başardılar.

Alamût merkezden 1092-1956 yılları arasında Kuhistan’daki kalelerin yönetimi için muhteşem ya da reis adı verilen yerel valiler atandı. Bu yöneticiler Kûhistan bölgesindeki kalelerin güvenliği, yerel bölgedeki siyasi sorunları çözme, İsmâilî inancı hakkında sosyal-kültürel faaliyetler yapma, yerel yönetim bölgelerinde ticaret ağını kontrol etme gibi birçok görevleri bulunmaktaydı.

Bu makalede, Kuhistan bölgesinde bulunan kalelerin işlevleri incelenerek, kaleler hakkında somut veriler ortaya konulmaya çalışılacaktır. Ayrıca Kuhistan bölgesinde yöneticilik yapan Reis Muzaffareddin(1202-1221/22), Muhteşem Şihâbeddin Mansûr-ı Ebû’l-feth (1222-1224), Muhteşem Şemdü’d-din Hasan-ı İhtiyâr (1224-1128 ), Nasıreddin Abdurrahim bin Ebû Mansur (1228-1257) gibi muhteşemlerin kendi dönemlerindeki siyasi, askeri, kültürel ve öğretisel faaliyetleri incelenecektir. Bunlara ek olarak muhteşemlerin kalelerin işleyişi, üstlendikleri çeşitli görevler, sorumluluklar, Alamût merkeze olan bağlılıkları, inançsal değişimlere verdikleri tepki yada kabulleniş, değişen otoritelere karşı yaptıkları askeri savunma, hûccet ve imama duyulan bağlılıkları gibi öznel konular üzerinde durulacaktır.
KOSOVA’NIN GİLAN İLİNDE TEKKE VE TÜRBE GELENEĞİNİN İZLERİ
Authors: Hüdaverdi Esin , Sülçevsi Nebahat
Published: November 2023

Bu makale çerçevesinde Gilan ili ve çevresinde inşa edilmiş olan tekkeler ve türbeler konu edilecektir. Bu kapsamda, öncelikle yayımlanmış kaynaklarla ve beraberinde anket ve mülâkat neticesinde elde edilen verilerle bölgede günümüze ulaşabilen tekkeler tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler neticesinde varlığına dair belge ve bilgiler bulunan tekkelerden bazılarının günümüze orijinal haliyle ulaşabildiği, bazılarının ise yeniden inşa edildiği tespit edilmiştir. Binaların fiziksel durumlarına dair bilgiler verildikten sonra, bu tekkelerin tarikatlar arasındaki dağılımı incelenerek aynı zamanda ziyaret sırasında gerçekleştirilen ritüellerin tespiti, ziyaret amaçları, ziyaret zamanları ve menkıbelerin derlenmesi bu çalışmanın ana hatlarını oluşturmaktadır. Türbe, tekke gibi çeşitli adlarla anılan kutsal mekânlar ve kutsal ziyaret yerleri birer maddi kültür unsuru olmanın yanında kültürel bir mirastır. 17. yüzyılda Kosova'yı ziyaret eden Evliya Çelebi, Bektaşî tekkelerinin mevcut olduğunu belirtmektedir. Bazı kaynaklar ise Halvetîlik’in Kosova’da en yaygın tarikatlardan biri olduğunu göstermektedir. Kosova'da Mevlevîlik, Bektaşîlik, Kâdirîlik, Sâ’dilik, Rufaîlik, Halvetîlik ve Melamîlik gibi birçok tarikat bulunmaktadır. Gilan’da ise daha çok Sâ’di, Halvetî ve Rufaî tarikatları gelişme göstermiştir. Yapılan araştırma neticesinde Gilan ve yöresinde on bir türbe ve farklı tarikatlara bağlı yedi tekke tespit edilmiştir.
AL-RIJS DAN HUKUMNYA PERSPEKTIF Q.S. AL-MAIDAH: 90-93
Authors: Noor Fikri Ali , Muna Rif'atul
Published: November 2023

Pemaknaan kata rijs hanya pada najis termasuk menyempitkan makna, mengingat kata rijs tidak hanya memiliki satu makna. Penyempitan makna dapat berakibat pada penyempitan hukum, terutama hukum yang berkaitan dengan khamar dan turunannya. Pemaknaan kata rijs sebagai najis secara fisik dapat menghasilkan produk hukum yang keliru. Selain itu, kurangnya kesadaran masyarakat dalam melihat komposisi dan label sertifikasi halal pada suatu bahan makanan atau minuman apakah tercampur dengan bahan haram dan najis (rijs) atau tidak. Sehingga diperlukan kajian yang lebih mendalam mengenai makna rijs. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kedudukan hukum al-rijs perspektif Q.S. Al-Maidah ayat 90-93 dan hikmah syariat pengharamannya, mengurai perbedaan pendapat ulama mengenai hukum al-rijs dan pendapat yang paling kuat, korelasi dan relevansi antara khamar sebagai induk kejahatan yang diawali al-rijs dengan maisir, anshȃb dan azlȃm, status kenajisan alkohol yang tercampur dalam makanan atau minuman serta jenis obat-obatan yang tergolong dalam al-rijs, solusi dan cara melindungi diri dari al-rijs. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi pustaka yang berasal dari buku, jurnal ilmiah, website dan lainnya.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kata rijs bisa berwujud materi dan non materi. Al-rijs berwujud materi artinya; kotor, najis dan busuk. Al-rijs berbentuk non materi berupa sifat, karakter dan perbuatan buruk yang tidak disukai Allah sehingga dapat mendatangkan siksa dan azab. Secara materi kata rijs bisa bermakna najis jika berkaitan dengan makhluk bernyawa. Jika berkaitan dengan material non hewani seperti alkohol, rijs bermakna haram yang harus dijauhi, namun tidak najis secara fisik. Sehingga bisa dikatakan bahwa “Setiap yang najis pasti haram, tapi tidak semua yang haram pasti najis.”
STIMULASI AL-QUR’AN DALAM MENINGKATKAN IMUNITAS SPIRITUAL PERSEPEKTIF QS. AR-RA’D: 28
Authors: Shodiq Ahmad Mohammad , Noor Ali Fikri , Darsih
Published: November 2023

Various mental illnesses appear and increase from year to year, even more so with the test of the Covid-19 outbreak which never ends. This certainly has an impact on society, both in terms of economic, health, social and so on, and especially on the psychological side. The number of problems that arise, causing a variety of stress (multiple stressors) in society. It is feared that it will trigger increased anxiety and depression in society.This study aims to determine remembrance as a stimulant that can increase spiritual immunity in the form of peace of mind. It is also a preventive tool for preventing mental disorders (heart) caused by life's problems, by inviting back to the Qur'an and Sunnah as a guide to the life of a Muslim. This is the Qur'an that guides to the truth with all His care and care. By using the literature study research method, the author analyzes the study of the interpretation of Qs. Ar-Ra'd verse 28 from various points of view of the commentators, both classical and contemporary, with a focus on the study that remembrance is a stimulus to gain spiritual immunity in the form of peace of mind. The results of the research analysis show that by always remembering Allah SWT, both by interacting with the Qur'an and establishing prayers, it will increase spiritual immunity. An indicator of increasing spiritual immunity is the presence of peace of mind. The more the quality of remembrance increases, the more the quality of peace of mind increases. And this is one of the preventive medicines from the Qur'an to prevent the birth of mental illness in the form of anxiety and depression, where many of its emergence begins with the seeds of heart disease such as hasad, envy, emotion, riya, stubbornness, and others.
MENELAAH TAFSIR QS. AN-NISA:114 (STUDI TENTANG DAKWAH PERSONAL/FARDIYAH)
Authors: Suhartini
Published: November 2023

Currently, some people have the wrong mindset of da'wah, that da'wah is only limited to advice and warnings, dhikr and jihad, tabligh and bayan only. They limit their big and broad meaning. As a result, the influence of da'wah weakens and cannot enforce Islam throughout the earth. Learn QS. An-Nisa: 114 by using the Tafsir of the Qur'an bil Qur'n to correct this erroneous understanding. Learn QS. Al-Nisa:114 teaches how da'wah covers various aspects of human life for the establishment of Dienul Islam. Da'wah which includes various aspects is carried out personally without neglecting da'wah in tabligh to the public. Qs.An-Nisa:114 teaches da'i to establish close relationships with the object of their da'wah so that aspects that cannot be touched by tabligh da'wah can be done such as economic improvement, ishlah (fixing conflicts between individuals or groups). This Ayah also teaches da'i not to be busy preaching to the community but also to pay attention to themselves and their families so that the order of community and state life can be upheld with Islamic values.
Histopatholoical Changes Associated with Sub-lethal Ammonia Toxicity in Fingerlings of the Indian Major Carps
Authors: Das P. C. , Ayyappan S. , Jena J. K. , Das B. K.
Published: November 2023

Histopathological changes associated with ammonia toxicity were studied in fingerlings of Catla catla, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala. The fingerlings of each species were exposed to increased sub-lethal concentrations, viz., 1, 2, 4, 8, 11.8 and 16 mg/l] of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and the toxic effects were studied through histology of gill, liver, kidney, brain and muscle. Mild to severe histopathological changes, almost identical in all the three species, were discernible with the increasing ammonia concentrations. Changes in gill included hypertrophy, engrossment of cartilage cells, hyperplasia of the primary and secondary lamellae, engrossment of blood vessels with leukocytes and loss of pillar cells. Early degenerative changes in liver were observed in all the species exposed to 1-8 mg/l TAN while complete distortion of the cellular architecture of hepatocytes, severe vacuolations and intracellular oedema and dilation of central vein were observed in 11.8 and 16 mg/1 TAN. Histological changes in kidney was observed in the fingerlings in lower concentrations (2-8 mg/l) of TAN exposure which included mainly necrosis of renal tubules, glomerulonephritis and appearance of haemopoietic tissues. Large scale degeneration of renal tubules, moderate to massive infiltration of macrophages and mononuclear cells into lumen of the renal tubules and engrossed blood vessels were observed in 11.8 and 16 mg/! TAN. Remarkable changes in the brain and muscle were recorded at 8 mg/l and higher TAN concentrations while no appreciable changes were noticed in lower concentrations of TAN.
Effect of Salinity on the Growth and Nitrogen Fixation of Azotobacter chroococcum
Authors: Ninawe A. S. , Paul Raj R.
Published: November 2023

The present paper discusses the influence of salinity on the growth and nitrogen fixing capacity of Azotobacter chroococcum in prawn-cum-paddy culture system. The study on thirteen strains of Azotobacter reveals that the salinity levels above 45% and below 5% in general result in reduced growth of A. chroococcum. Nitrogen fixation was observed in all the strains at salinity levels from 20 to 40%.
Effect of Varying Levels of Diet Ary Protein on the Growth Performance of Channa striatus Fry Under Different Culture Conditions
Authors: Mohanty Saroj Syamala , Samantarayl Kasturi
Published: November 2023

Six practical diets varying in protein level from 35 to 60% were prepared using fishmeal as the major source of protein and fed to fry of Channa striatus for eight weeks at 10% body weight The optimum dietary protein requirement was found to be 50% under simulated natural conditions and 55% under controlled conditions. The effect of varying levels of dietary protein on growth performance and carcass composition of the fry is discussed.
Les « contre-espaces » dans La Tournée d’automne et Les Yeux bleus de Mistassini de Jacques Poulin : des refuges pour résister au vieillissement
Authors: Auvray Marie-Lise
Published: November 2023

Chez Poulin, l’individu est créateur de son propre espace de vie, oscillant entre espaces utopiques – « des pays sans lieu et des histoires sans chronologie » –, hétérotopiques – « des utopies qui ont un lieu précis et réel » (Foucault 23) –, et non utopiques. Les espaces utopiques et hétérotopiques, autrement nommés « contre-espaces » sont résistance : « des lieux qui s’opposent à tous les autres, qui sont destinés en quelque sorte à les effacer, à les neutraliser ou à les purifier » (Foucault 24). In fine, le rapport à la réalité est propre à soi, mais, selon Poulin, l’équilibre est essentiel.Cet article tend à montrer comment les personnages du Chauffeur dans La tournée d’automne et de Jack dans Les Yeux bleus de Mistassini trouvent leur propre équilibre grâce à des « contre-espaces », et échappent par là même au drame du corps vieillissant. Ainsi, en incarnant pour les personnages un refuge au service d’une réflexion sur eux-mêmes, leur rapport à l’autre et sur la vie, ces « contre-espaces » pouliniens participent-ils de leur quête identitaire et de leur résistance à la peur de l’effacement de soi.
A Faith-Inspired Way of Working
Authors: Goodwin Ellen
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be much more than a health emergency, with
serious social, political and economic consequences. The diverse challenges for
people and communities, specifically in low- and middle-income and fragile
contexts, have necessitated multi-sectoral responses from international
humanitarian and development actors. For many international faith-inspired
organisations (IFIOs), these responses included a faith dimension. Drawing on
interviews with staff working in IFIOs during the pandemic, this paper will
argue that the COVID-19 pandemic saw many, although not all, IFIOs engage with
local faith actors and local communities of faith more quickly, and in
increasingly diverse and meaningful ways, than during previous comparable public
health crises. This shift in willingness to engage with faith and religion at
the local level has been reflected, to some extent, by the broader humanitarian
sphere. The COVID-19 pandemic therefore marks an important step towards more
faith-literate humanitarian responses, with many IFIOs at the forefront of this
progress.
Methodology for assessing the risks of fulfilling government contracts using machine learning tools
Authors: Nikitin Petr Vladimirovich , Andriyanov Nikita Andreevich , Gorokhova Rimma Ivanovna , Bakhtina Elena Yur'evna , Dolgov Vitalii Igorevich , Korovin Dmitrii Igorevich
Published: November 2023

The subject of the research is the development of a software package for intelligent forecasting of the execution of government contracts using machine learning methods and analysis of unstructured information. The object of the study is the process of control and decision-making in the field of public procurement, including the selection of contractors, the execution of contracts and the assessment of the timing and cost of their implementation. Special attention in the study is paid to the development and application of interpreted machine learning methods to solve the problems of assessing the risks of choosing an unscrupulous contractor, the risks of non-fulfillment of the contract on time and forecasting the likely timing and cost of contract implementation. The authors consider in detail such aspects as a unique set of data that was collected from various information systems. They have also developed automated data collection and update systems that can be installed on customers' servers. The methods of machine learning, analysis of unstructured information and interpreted methods were used in the work. Interpreted machine learning models were built to assess the risk of choosing an unscrupulous contractor, assess the risk of non-fulfillment of the contract on time, as well as assess the likely timing and cost of contract implementation. A unique set of data was collected in the work, including more than 83 thousand data on more than 190 features from various systems, such as the Unified Information System (UIS) Public Procurement Register, the Register of Unscrupulous Suppliers (RNP) EIS and SPARK Information System. Automated data collection and updating systems have been developed that can be deployed on customer servers. In the course of the study, software packages were developed for intelligent forecasting of the execution of government contracts, which provide an opportunity to conduct a more accurate risk analysis using unstructured information analysis methods, machine learning models and interpreted methods. This makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of monitoring the implementation of government contracts and reduce the likelihood of corruption and violations. The study demonstrates the importance and applicability of machine learning methods and models in the field of public contracts and provides new opportunities for improving control and decision-making processes in the field of public procurement.
ACC neural ensemble dynamics are structured by strategy prevalence
Authors: Proskurin Mikhail , Manakov Maxim , Karpova Alla
Published: November 2023

Medial frontal cortical areas are thought to play a critical role in the brain’s ability to flexibly deploy strategies that are effective in complex settings, yet the underlying circuit computations remain unclear. Here, by examining neural ensemble activity in male rats that sample different strategies in a self-guided search for latent task structure, we observe robust tracking during strategy execution of a summary statistic for that strategy in recent behavioral history by the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), especially by an area homologous to primate area 32D. Using the simplest summary statistic – strategy prevalence in the last 20 choices – we find that its encoding in the ACC during strategy execution is wide-scale, independent of reward delivery, and persists through a substantial ensemble reorganization that accompanies changes in global context. We further demonstrate that the tracking of reward by the ACC ensemble is also strategy-specific, but that reward prevalence is insufficient to explain the observed activity modulation during strategy execution. Our findings argue that ACC ensemble dynamics is structured by a summary statistic of recent behavioral choices, raising the possibility that ACC plays a role in estimating – through statistical learning – which actions promote the occurrence of events in the environment.
Cell autonomous role of leucine-rich repeat kinase in protection of dopaminergic neuron survival
Authors: Kang Jongkyun , Huang Guodong , Ma Long , Tong Youren , Chen Phoenix , Shen Jie
Published: November 2023

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is the leading neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). However, whether LRRK2 mutations cause PD and degeneration of DA neurons
via
a toxic gain-of-function or a loss-of-function mechanism is unresolved and has pivotal implications in LRRK2 based PD therapy. In this study, we investigate whether LRRK2 and its functional homologue LRRK1 play an essential, intrinsic role in DA neuron survival through the development of DA neuron-specific
LRRK
conditional double knockout (cDKO) mice. We first generated and characterized floxed
LRRK1
and
LRRK2
mice and then confirmed that germline deletions of the floxed
LRRK1
and
LRRK2
alleles result in null alleles, as evidenced by the absence of
LRRK1
and
LRRK2
mRNA and protein in the respective homozygous deleted mutant mice. We further examined the specificity of Cre-mediated recombination driven by the
dopamine transporter
-
Cre
(
DAT-Cre
) knockin (KI) allele using a GFP reporter line and confirmed that
DAT-Cre
-mediated recombination is restricted to DA neurons in the SNpc. Crossing these validated floxed
LRRK1
and
LRRK2
mice with
DAT-Cre
KI mice, we then generated DA neuron-restricted
LRRK
cDKO mice and further showed reduced levels of LRRK1 and LRRK2 in dissected ventral midbrains of
LRRK
cDKO mice. While DA neuron-restricted
LRRK
cDKO mice of both sexes exhibit normal mortality and body weight, they develop age-dependent loss of DA neurons in the SNpc, as demonstrated by the progressive reduction of DA neurons in the SNpc of cDKO mice at 20 and 24 months of age. Moreover, DA neurodegeneration is accompanied with increases of apoptosis and elevated microgliosis in the SNpc of
LRRK
cDKO mice. These findings provide unequivocal evidence for the importance of LRRK in DA neurons and raise the possibility that LRRK2 mutations may impair its protection of DA neurons, leading to the loss of DA neurons in Parkinson’s disease.
Kunstfaglig metodikk og sosial innovasjon i demensomsorgen
Authors: Gjærum Rikke Gürgens , Mittner Lilli , Plucker Elina , Tranum Vélasquez Ingrid
Published: November 2023

I denne artikkelen belyser vi hvordan kunstfaglig metodikk på en demensavdeling kan bidra til sosial innovasjon. Vi beskriver hvordan en slik metodikk har potensiale til å bidra til et bærekraftig samfunn der mennesker som lever med demens blir likeverdige medborgere. Artikkelen bygger på et åtteårig kunstintervensjonsprosjekt ved et sykehjem i en by i Nord-Norge. Vi presenterer våre funn langs fire idealtypiske konstruksjoner: beboerperspektivet, kunstnerperspektivet, helsearbeiderperspektivet og lederperspektivet. Vi finner at samskaping på sykehjem er utfordrende fordi en må rigge estetiske møter på tvers av avdelinger, fag, roller og rutiner. Det utfordrende i det samskapende arbeidet handler særlig om: 1) at alle som blir involvert må gå utover sin komfort sone 2) at stell og estetiske opplevelser ikke gjelder som likeverdig i hverdagen på sykehjemmet 3) at kunnskapen om poetisk-sanselige møtesteder ikke er internalisert i staben og 4) at det er lite rom for å utvikle felles forståelse og språk om estetisk praksis. Disse funnene peker på at kunstfaglig metodikk i form av samskapende estetiske prosesser trenger mer oppmerksomhet i sosial innovasjon i eldreomsorgen.
Psychodrama & eudaimonic well-being – potentials in playful and aesthetic experiences
Authors: Skar Siri , Torrissen Wenche
Published: November 2023

This article explores how psychodrama might contribute to promote well-being and thus support goal nr. 3 in UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The study utilises a case-study design, examining the individual case study of “Fiona” who was a participant in a non-clinical psychodrama group. Fiona’s experiences from participating in this group are investigated through a thematic based analysis to address the following question: How might engagement in psychodrama practice promote eudaimonic well-being? In this study we broadly define eudaimonic well-being as human flourishing and as a movement towards growth, self-realization, development of one’s best self and meaningful purpose in one’s life. Our inquiry uses the theory-guided dimensions of eudaimonic well-being developed by Carol Ryff as an analytical lens. The results reveal that participating in the psychodrama group supported Fiona’s eudaimonic well-being mostly according to the following dimensions: autonomy, personal growth, positive relations with others, and self-acceptance. When analysing how dimensions of eudaimonic well-being were promoted, we found three main themes: playfulness, visual symbolism and psychodramatic role-playing techniques. The study thus shows that engagement in psychodrama is well suited to nurture human growth and development as an element of promoting good health and well-being.
 
Cover image: Drawing by "Fiona" (anonymous). Published with permission.
Humorous Approaches to Environmental Issues
Authors: Constantinescu Mihaela-Viorica
Published: November 2023

This article highlights the civic role of humour as revealed by the analysis of two Romanian online satirical publications (Times New Roman and Cațavencii). The analysis will emphasise different humorous strategies and the crisis narratives deployed by the journalists, in accordance with the profile of the publication. While a ludic frame is preferred for the Times New Roman authors, the authors from Cațavencii use aggressive humour or articles with humorous insertion in order to make accusations against public or private power structures. Satirical publications are not only meant to entertain the public, but also to raise awareness to critical issues such as the environmental aspects (for example, climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, etc.). The analysis will also tackle the appraisal of humorous articles by the public and the risk entailed by the lens of humour on the public’s perception of the topic: illegal logging in Romania.
Pure Embryonal Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Entity
Authors: Jaiswal Neha , Sajjanar Anita , Mishra Vaishnavi
Published: November 2023

Malignancy of the testes constitutes only one percent of all male cancers. Most testicular malignancies are Germ Cell Tumours (GCTs), which are broadly categorised into seminomatous and non-seminomatous types. Non-seminomatous GCTs are further classified into several subtypes based on their histopathological features. This case report presents a case of Pure Embryonal Cell Carcinoma (PECC) of the testes in a 32-year-old male. The diagnostic work-up involved a detailed medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests, including a scrotal ultrasound and Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scan. These tests helped identify a testicular mass without metastasis. Additionally, serum tumour markers such as Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase were elevated, further confirming the presence of testicular malignancy. The management of the patient included surgery and chemotherapy. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed, resulting in a diagnosis of pure embryonal carcinoma. This case highlights the significance of timely diagnosis and prompt management in improving the prognosis of patients with PECC.
Determining the Growing Potential of Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata under Various Water Regimes
Authors: Zubair Muhammad , Rehman Zainab , Hussain Syed Bilal , Azhar Muhammad Fraooq
Published: November 2023

Pakistan is the among the most populated countries of the world with predominantly arid climate facing different challenges like food insecurity, energy crises, poor health system, poverty, small forest area cover, and significant effects of global warming and climate change. However, there is still a large area with scanty vegetation. Research on devising cultivation techniques for growing more economically profitable plants in these areas will not only improve the ecological environment but also the people’s living standards. Jatropha curcas (JC) and Pongamia pinnata (PP) are two economically important species (bioenergy plants) with potential to grow on dry tropical arid land. Therefore, this study was carried out to check the hypothesis “JC and PP are the suitable species to grow in the dry tropical arid land of Pakistan due to their drought tolerance ability”. The experiment was carried out at the nursery of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. One year old seedlings of both plants were used in the experiment. The design involves two plants of the same species in each row, four treatments, and three replications. The levels of drought were T1 (100% water), T2 (75% water), T3 (50% water), and T4 (25% water). A generalized linear model was applied to check the variation among species and within the treatments of the same species. There is a significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) in growth among species and within the treatments of the same species. JC showed better growth as compared to PP in water stress conditions but PP grow as well. The growth parameters of JC showed a positive response in T2 (75% water) and T3 (50% water) drought levels while the growth parameters of PP showed a positive response in treatments T1 (100% water) and T2 (75% water)as compared to other drought levels. In the case of the fresh and dry weight of JC and PP, significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) was also found among species and within the treatments. Both JC and PP are recommended to grow in the dry tropical regions of Pakistan but JC is declared as the prime specie as compared to PP.
Effects of Salinity Stress on Growth Parameters of Soybeans (Glycine max) Cultivated in Obubra Local Government Area, of Cross River State Nigeria
Authors: Aboh Andrew Ashieta , Ikwa Eyong, Oduba
Published: November 2023

Soybean (Glycine max) is a strategic crop plant grown to obtain edible oil and forage. High sensitivity is one of the biggest problems with soybean crop. A pot experiment was conducted in the screen house at the Cross River University of Technology, Obubra Campus to investigate the effects of different salt concentrations on the growth parameters of three different varieties of soybeans (Glycine max). The experiment was laid in complete randomized design (CRD) with twenty replicates for each variety. Growth parameters which include germination percentage, plant height, number of leaves and number of branches per plant were measured, and data collected was subjected to statistical analysis using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were compared using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT). The results showed that salinity stress led to a significant reduction in percentage of germination, plant height, number of leaves, and number of branches per plant over control. At 30mM NaCl which was the highest level of saline water TGX 1987-10F had a better germination percentage as compared to other varieties, which might be because of some salt tolerant genes. Plant height reduced significantly under salinity stress as compared with the control, but TGX 1835-10F at 30mM which was the highest saline treatment showed a better salt tolerance level as compared with other varieties. Number of leaves per plant, as the salinity levels increases it affected the number of leaves. There was a drastic reduction in the number of leaves with increasing salinity levels as compared with the control. TGX 1987-10F had the highest number of leaves and it was closely followed by TGX 1835-10E while 1448-2E was the least and there were significantly different from the ones at different salinity levels. The result revealed highly significant differences (p=0.05) in the varieties, with TGX 1987-10F as the best variety appropriate for saline regions. It is therefore recommended that, TGX 1987-10F should be cultivated in saline regions since it showed a better tolerance level as compared to other varieties.
Counting Spanning Trees in The Ladders
Authors: Wang Gujun , Xiao Min , Zhu Feng
Published: November 2023

Aims: In order to study the rule of entropy in different graph transformations, this paper introduces and further generalizes the ladder graph from different perspectives, including pinwheel ladders and 3-dimensional ladders. Then the problem of entropy comes down to the calculation of spanning trees in these graphs.
Place and Duration of Study: School of Mathematical Sciences, Jiangsu University, between January 2023 and October 2023. 
Methodology: A method by seeking similar terms was generalized to help study the essential principle in these graphs. By similarity diagonalization and computer aided calculation, the exact expressions for the number of spanning trees in these graphs are obtained.
Antityphoid and Antioxidant Activities of Leaf Extracts of Dracaena deisteliana Eng. (Dracaenaceae)
Authors: Feudjio Huguette Bocanestine Laure , Goka Marie Stéphanie Chekem , Djenguemtar Josias , Kamsu Gabriel Tchuente , Sokoudjou Jean Baptiste , Famen Louis-Claire Ndel , Kodjio Norbert , Gatsing Donatien
Published: November 2023

Salmonellosis is a major public health problem in developing countries where it is endemic. The genus Salmonella express the oxyR gene that codes for several proteins that allow them to resist free radicals. To investigate the antioxidant activity in vitro (aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts in vivo (of the 55% hydroethanolic extract)) of Dracaena deisteliana leaves in albino’s rats of Wistar strain previously infected with the Salmonella Typhi ATCC 6539 strain. The in vitro antioxidant activity of these extracts was determined by studying their anti-radical power with DPPH●, then their iron-reducing power and determining their flavonoids and total phenols content. The in vivo antioxidant activity was determined in plasma and tissues of albino’s rats of wistar strain aged between 8 and 10 weeks previously infected with Salmonella typhi ATCC 6539. These infected rats concurrently received daily doses of Dracaena deisteliana extract (10, 20 and 51.84 mg/kg) and ciprofloxacin (14 mg/kg) as positive control, for 15 days. At the end of the treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and blood, liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen testis and ovaris were collected for evaluation of antioxidants parameters, which included malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, catalase and peroxidase, as well as biological responses. Regarding the in vitro antioxidant tests, the 55% hydroethanolic extract had the best IC50 (11.99 μg/ml). The iron reducing power of this extract was higher than the other extracts at 200 μg/ml. The highest levels of flavonoids and total phenols were obtained respectively with this extract. This extract (10, 20 and 51.84 mg/kg) cured the infected rats between the 8th and 12th day of treatment. The extract also significantly reduced blood malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, and significantly increased the activity of catalase and peroxidase in the infected rats. The results suggest that leaves extract of Dracaena deisteliana contains antisalmonella and antioxidant substances, which could be used for the treatment of typhoid fever and reduces the state of oxidative stress caused by Salmonella. Typhi during rat’s infection.
Exploration of Clinical Practice Teaching Management in Orthopedics from the Perspective of TQM
Authors: Endong Shi , Shengmin Liu , Xunkai Hou , Kaipan Qu , Shaolin Ji , Cuizhi Gu
Published: November 2023

Orthopedics is a discipline with particularity and complexity, and clinical practice teaching in orthopedics is an important link in cultivating orthopedic doctors. With the improvement of medical quality and safety awareness, how to improve the educational quality, teaching effectiveness, and management level of orthopedic clinical practice teaching has become an urgent problem to be solved in the current orthopedic education field. Our orthopedics department has integrated TQM (Total Quality Management) into the management of clinical practice teaching in orthopedics, formulated a comprehensive teaching quality management system for orthopedics, and embarked on a new path for clinical medical talent cultivation.
Impacts of Tai Chi on Empathy Levels in Healthcare Professionals: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Dillon Jessica L. , Gorman Ashlynn G. , Williams Kylie N. , Herlache-Pretzer Ellen , Webster Stacey
Published: November 2023

Background: Healthcare professionals may struggle with empathy, which can affect patient care. It is possible that Tai Chi, which includes physical activity and mindfulness, could potentially impact empathy levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Tai Chi on empathy levels in healthcare professionals, using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire.

Materials and Methods: Five females 18-60 years of age who were employed as healthcare workers in the United States for at least six months were asked to complete asynchronous virtual Tai Chi sessions for 30 minutes, two times a week, for 5 weeks. Each Tai Chi virtual session included safety reminders, a warm-up, a cool-down, and different Tai Chi moves integrated into a sequence of movements. The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire was utilized to assess the participants’ empathy levels pre-and post-intervention. Participants completed weekly progress logs to track engagement.

Results: Based on the weekly progress logs, participants completed an average of 8 asynchronous virtual Tai Chi sessions over 5 weeks. Participants demonstrated an average increase of 4.2 points on the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire pre- to post-intervention (mean pretest TEQ score = 48.2; mean posttest TEQ score = 52.4). The participants’ average scores on the TEQ posttest averaged 3.47 points above the typical female score range.

Conclusion: Results suggest the potential value of Tai Chi for enhancing empathy levels in healthcare professionals. Future studies should integrate larger sample sizes, and qualitative approaches to data collection focused on participants' perspectives regarding their displayed empathy levels. Another suggestion is synchronous Tai Chi sessions, which could increase participant accountability.
Endophytic Bacteria-based Biostimulant Improved Rice (Oryzae sativa L.) Growth and Production in Mali
Authors: Nantoumé Djeneba , Kassogué Adounigna , Dao Sognan , Dicko Amadou Hamadoun , Ouattara Djeneba , Mallé Ibrahima , Doumbia Bakaye , Fané Rokiatou , Faradjia Fatoumata Alhadji , Diarra Ousmane , Coulibalily Moctar , Dembelé Christiane , Hamadoun Amadou , Babana Amadou Hamadoun
Published: November 2023

Aims: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is usually the staple food of more than half of the world's population, and in particular that of Mali. Mali is among the largest producers of rice in West Africa. But also given the in-population growth and in consumption, Mali is forced to resort to imports to cover its rice needs, thus 45% of the rice sold on the national market comes from imports. For self-sufficiency in rice, the aim of this research is to formulate a biostimulant with high capacity to improve rice growth and production in Mali.

Study Design: This experimental research involving a Malian local rice cultivar named Kogoni and biostimulant endophyte bacteria isolated from rice in Mali.

Pace and Duration of Study: This research was carried out in greenhouse at LaboREM-Biotech and in the field at the Office of irrigated perimeters of Baguineda (OPIB) for 3 years.

Study Design: To achieve this objective: endophyte bacteria with high plant growth promotion activities were selected from bacterial collection of LaboREM, biostimulants composed with selected endophytes were formulated, formulated biostimulants were tested in greenhouses and fields to prove their capacities to improve rice growth and production.

Results: A total of five isolates, including 3 from Xoo and 2 from Xoc, were isolated in Niono from two varieties of rice: Kogoni91-1 and Adny11. No isolate characteristic of Xanthomonas oryzae was observed on samples from Baguineda. The three selected rice endophytes were tested in vitro to assess their effectiveness in controlling Xoo and Xoc. Following this test, 100% of the endophytes showed significant antimicrobial activity against Xoo and Xoc with an inhibition diameter varying between 6 and 28.5 mm. endo Ad9 was selected for its strong ability to inhibit the growth of both pathogens at the same time.
When having photographs of events influences the visual perspective of autobiographical memories
Authors: King Chloe I. , Panjwani Azra A. , St. Jacques Peggy L.
Published: November 2023

Photographs are frequently taken to preserve memories of events from the personal past, but they can also bias how we remember. For example, photographs often capture events from a novel visual perspective (e.g., seeing ourselves in the image). Here, we examined how the presence of the self in photographs influences autobiographical memories. Participants provided subjective ratings for specific autobiographical memories, and then, following the retrieval phase, they were asked to indicate whether they had photographs for these memories and the nature of these images. Across three studies (N = 378), we found that autobiographical memories that participants reported the presence of photographs containing the self were more likely to be remembered from an observer‐like perspective than memories with photographs in which the self was not visible. These findings have important implications for understanding how the growing number of photographs taken in everyday life biases the perspective of our memories.
Enhanced Antibacterial and Wound Healing Using a Metal‐Organic Cluster Inspired by Artificial Photosynthesis
Authors: Zhu Long , Huo Antian , Sun Yangqian , Chen Yanzhao , Cao Chongjiang , Zheng Yueqin , Guo Weiwei
Published: November 2023

Bacterial infection poses a constant threat to human health. It is crucial to develop cost‐effective and multifunctional solutions to combat bacteria. In this study, inspiration has been taken from artificial photosynthesis and a hydrogel containing a photocatalytic metal‐organic cluster (MOC) has been creatively formulated for wound healing and antibacterial purposes. Complete photocatalytic cycles have been achieved by combining the oxidative Ti‐center and the reductive Cu‐center, in which reactive oxygen species (1O2 and ·OH) have been generated. The MOC has the capability to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) at a concentration of 40 µg mL−1. In addition, the hydrogel formulation (H‐MOC) has been applied to wounds infected with S. aureus, resulting in improved healing efficiency. This work presents an innovative approach to utilizing photocatalytic biomaterials as non‐antibiotic medications.
Advancements of Intense Terahertz Field Focusing on Metallic Nanoarchitectures for Monitoring Hidden Interatomic Gas‐Matter Interactions
Authors: Lee Jinwoo , Lee Jongsu , Lee Geon , Kim Dai‐Sik , Ryu Yong‐Sang , Seo Minah
Published: November 2023

With the advancements of nanotechnology, innovative photonic designs coupled with functional materials provide a unique way to acquire, share, and respond effectively to information. It is found that the simple deposition of a 30 nm‐thick palladium nanofilm on a terahertz (THz) metasurface chip with a 14 nm‐wide effective nanogap of asymmetric materials and geometries allows the tracking of both interatomic and interfacial gas–matter interactions, including gas adsorption, hydrogenation (or dehydrogenation), metal phase changes, and unique water‐forming reactions. Combinatorial analyses by simulation and experimental measurements demonstrate the distinct nanostructures, which leads to significant light‐matter interactions and corresponding THz absorption in a real‐time, highly repeatable, and reliable manner. The complex lattice dynamics and intrinsic properties of metals influenced by hydrogen gas exposure are also thoroughly examined using systematically controlled ternary gas mixture devices that mimic normal temperature and pressure. Furthermore, the novel degrees of freedom are utilized to analyze various physical phenomena, and thus, analytical methods that enable the tracking of unknown hidden stages of water‐forming reactions resulting in water growth are introduced. A single exposure of the wave spectrum emphasizes the robustness of the proposed THz nanoscopic probe, bridging the gap between fundamental laboratory research and industry.
Homologous Targeting and Adhesion Abilities of Cellular Microvesicles for Enhanced Intravesical Therapy of Bladder Cancer
Authors: Qi Fan , Wang Lulu , Bi Luopeng , Han Xiaoqing , Yan Jiao , Song Pangpan , Wan Xingbo , Wang Yanjing , Kang Yaqing , Ding Xiaobo , Wang Yanbo , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: November 2023

Bladder cancer is one of the most common clinical malignant tumors with a high recurrence rate after surgery. To improve the therapeutic effect, intravesical instillation of chemotherapeutic drugs is usually applied after surgery. However, due to the unique microenvironment in the bladder, the drug concentration is usually rapidly reduced with urinary excretion, leading to low accumulation in bladder cancer and poor therapeutic effect. Cellular microvesicles (MVs) have parental cell‐specific characteristics and hold homologous targeting and adhesion abilities to their parent cells, achieving efficient cell uptake in their parent cells. In this study, pirarubicin (THP), a clinically approved intravesical chemotherapeutic drug, is encapsulated into bladder cancer cell‐derived MVs to form THPMVs, which have high targeting and adhesion abilities to bladder cancer and facilitate intravesical therapy of bladder cancer. The results show THPMVs compared with free THP exhibited higher cellular uptake in MB49 bladder cancer cells and cause more significant apoptotic cells. After intravesical instillation into a bladder cancer mouse model, THPMVs can significantly accumulate in bladder cancer tissues, and cause an obvious reduction in bladder weights and volumes, exhibiting promising therapeutic effects. Homologous targeting and adhesion abilities of THPMVs greatly contribute to the intravesical therapy of bladder cancer.
Structure‐Based Discovery of A Small Molecule Inhibitor of Histone Deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) that Significantly Reduces Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathology
Authors: Mondal Prasenjit , Bai Ping , Gomm Ashley , Bakiasi Grisilda , Lin Chih‐Chung Jerry , Wang Yanli , Choi Se Hoon , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Wang Changning , Zhang Can
Published: November 2023

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is one of the key histone deacetylases (HDACs) that regulates various cellular functions including clearance of misfolded protein and immunological responses. Considerable evidence suggests that HDAC6 is closely related to amyloid and tau pathology, the two primary hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is still unclear whether HDAC6 expression changes with amyloid deposition in AD during disease progression or HDAC6 may be regulating amyloid phagocytosis or neuroinflammation or other neuropathological changes in AD. In this work, the pathological accumulation of HDAC6 in AD brains over age as well as the relationship of its regulatory activity ‐ with amyloid pathogenesis and pathophysiological alterations is aimed to be enlightened using the newly developed HDAC6 inhibitor (HDAC6i) PB118 in microglia BV2 cell and 3D‐AD human neural culture model. Results suggest that the structure‐based rational design led to biologically compelling HDAC6i PB118 with multiple mechanisms that clear Aβ deposits by upregulating phagocytosis, improve tubulin/microtubule network by enhancing acetyl α‐tubulin levels, regulate different cytokines and chemokines responsible for inflammation, and significantly reduce phospho‐tau (p‐tau) levels associated with AD. These findings indicate that HDAC6 plays key roles in the pathophysiology of AD and potentially serves as a suitable pharmacological target through chemical biology‐based drug discovery in AD.