bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailoring genetically altered Rice ASD 16 variety for enhanced stem girth through induced mutagenesis
Authors: Gowtham K , Saravanan S , Arumugachamy S , Hepziba S J , Rajinimala N , Ravichandran P , Allwin L , Esakkimuthu K
Published: December 2024

In the rice variety ASD 16, induced mutation breeding was conducted using gamma irradiation and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) treatments, resulting in the generation of 850 M1 plants subjected to screening for key morphological and physiological traits. In the subsequent M2 generation, selected putative mutants were rigorously evaluated for their major morphological, anatomical and yield-contributing characteristics. This selection process identified 110 morphological mutants, 102 physiological mutants and 69 progenies exhibiting notably enhanced stem girth and superior yield potential. Genetic analyses conducted on the progenies of the M2 generation allowed for the isolation of superior putative mutants, revealing considerable genetic variability among them. Significant positive correlations were observed between productive tillers, stem girth and grain yield. Path analysis underscored productive tillers and stem girth as primary contributors to yield, while traits such as increased plant height and early flowering displayed a negative association with grain yield. Molecular characterization identified several mutants with robust culms and advantageous agronomic traits, supporting their potential for further breeding. Anatomical analysis showed marked differences in stem diameter, vascular bundle development, sclerenchyma cell density and starch accumulation among mutants, which were positively associated with enhanced mechanical strength and yield outcomes. Validation using molecular and genetic tools confirmed the superiority of the improved ASD 16 lines in yield and yield-contributing traits, offering valuable insights into the enhancement of rice crop resilience and productivity through induced mutagenesis.
Application of santalin dye extracted from Pterocarpus santalinus (red sandalwood) as a natural colorimetric indicator for real-time monitoring of spoilage in ready-to-cook idly batter
Authors: Ranjita M , Balakrishnan M , Ramalakshmi A , Thirupathi V , Rammohan S , Fathima P R
Published: December 2024

The growing demand for natural and eco-friendly solutions in food quality monitoring has sparked significant interest in using natural dyes as sustainable alternatives to chemical dyes for detecting food freshness. In this study, a colorimetric indicator based on natural santalin dye was developed for real-time monitoring of spoilage in ready-to-cook (RTC) idly batter. Santalin, extracted from Pterocarpus santalinus (red sandalwood), is a stable red pigment renowned for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiinflammatory properties. The santalin dye was immobilised in a polyvinyl alcohol-methylcellulose matrix and applied to cellulose paper, creating a low-cost pH-sensitive colorimetric indicator label. The developed indicator label displayed a visible colour change from dark brown to lighter brown hues in response to increased carbon dioxide concentrations, corresponding with a decrease in pH from 5.3 to 4.0 and a rise in titratable acidity (TA) from 0.5% to 0.9 % during the spoilage of RTC idly batter. The colour changes were captured and converted into grayscale images for pixel intensity analysis using MATLAB. The results revealed a consistent decline in mean pixel intensity as fermentation and spoilage progressed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the santalin-based indicator. This novel, natural santalin dye-based indicator offers a promising alternative to synthetic indicators, addressing safety concerns such as chemical migration into food. It can thus serve as an "on-package sticker" for real-time monitoring of spoilage in RTC idly batter.
Sjukdom i ord och bild. Inferno av August Strindberg och August Strindbergs Inferno av Fabian Göranson
Authors: Żmuda-Trzebiatowska Magdalena
Published: December 2024

Inferno (1897) is one of the most significant works in August Strindberg’s vast oeuvre. It has been subject to many interpretations but due to its multidimensionality it defies clear classification and therefore continues to arouse the interest of researchers. In many respects it can be considered as an illness narrative because the autobiographical story of August Strindberg who suspends his writing career and gives up his family life to dedicate himself to science is indeed to a great extent a retrospective study of a deep mental crisis or even a schizophrenic episode. The hero suffers from delusions of grandeur and a persecution complex, succumbs to hallucinations and becomes entangled in religious and philosophical speculations desperately seeking a way out of his spiritual hell. Strindberg’s work inspired Swedish illustrator Fabian Göranson who published his graphic novel August Strindbergs Inferno in 2010. The aim of the article is to look at, using selected examples, descriptions of physical and spiritual torments in Strindberg’s text and compare them with the corresponding scenes created by Göranson by means of images and words.
The Graphic Representation of Tōhoku Dialect in Contemporary Japanese Prose
Authors: Jaśkiewicz Hanna
Published: December 2024

This paper investigates the language ideologies behind the graphic and graphemic representation of Tōhoku dialect in contemporary Japanese prose. Despite being negatively perceived, recent interest in this variety has prompted its inclusion in literary works. Analyzing ten novels, this research examines authors’ strategies in navigating the complexities of portraying the characteristics of Tōhoku dialect within the frame of the Japanese writing system. Emphasis is placed on the techniques used to represent non-standard phonology of this variety, such as the choice of script as well as other forms of visual representation. Based on the assumption that writers are also carriers of language ideologies (Spitzmüller 2012: 257), the ideological implications of these choices are also established. The findings indicate that while various strategies were employed, there is a tendency to choose hiragana and kanji over katakana, which emphasizes familiarity and the connection with standard Japanese, indicating the influence of the ideology of the national language. Practical factors, such as understandability for potential readers, also play an important role. Some techniques, such as the use of graphic symbols, perpetuate the stereotype about the incomprehensibility of the Tōhoku dialect.
Two Liturgical Papyri from the Bodleian Library
Authors: Mihálykó Ágnes T. , Konstantine Panegyres
Published: December 2024

Publication of two liturgical papyri from the collection of the Bodleian Library, Oxford. The first papyrus is a large fragment of a double leaf from a codex of the 5th or 6th century with a notably idiosyncratic early redaction of the anaphora of St. Mark. It belongs to and joins with P.Gen. IV 153 (re-edited here). The second papyrus is a small fragment of a single sheet assignable to perhaps the 5th or 6th century, which preserves an independent intercession in the tradition of the Liturgy of St. Mark with some differences from any other attested versions of this intercession.
The Perception of the Chinese Language by the “King’s Mathematicians” in the Age of Enlightenment
Authors: Bai Zhimin
Published: December 2024

In 17th- and 18th-century Europe, the biblical myth of the Tower of Babel was still very much alive. People wondered what this original language of mankind, lost for millennia as a result of divine punishment, might be. When, in the final years of the 17th century, Louis XIV and Colbert decided to launch a Jesuit mission, and the Jesuits were promoted to “Mathematiciens du Roi” (King’s Mathematicians), Europe, and France in particular, discovered China and, of course, its millennia-old language, based on a writing system resembling hieroglyphics and thus reminiscent of ancient Egypt, the debate between scholars, theologians and philosophers took on new momentum.
Can Government Expenditure Improve the Efficiency of Institutional Elderly-Care Service? – Take Wuhan as an Example
Authors: Rui Zhang , Huarong Zhang
Published: December 2024

Whether government expenditure in elderly-care institutions can improve the efficiency of care in elderly-care institutions is not only related to the realisation of “Care for the Elderly,” but also one of the concerns of policymakers and implementers. In order to explore the impact of government expenditure on the efficiency of care in elderly-care institutions, DEA-Tobit two-stage model is used with a sample of 50 elderly-care institutions in Wuhan. Firstly, the efficiency of institutional elderly-care service is evaluated using the DEA method. Secondly, the Tobit regression model is employed to examine the effect of government expenditure on the efficiency of institutional elderly-care service. The research finds that government direct investment has no significant effect on the efficiency of care in elderly-care institutions, while fiscal subsidies can effectively improve it. Under the condition of controlling other variables, for every 10,000 yuan increase in fiscal subsidies, the value of comprehensive technical efficiency and pure technical efficiency of elderly-care institutions increase by 0.244 and 0.181, respectively. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of care in elderly-care institutions, fiscal subsidies should be chosen more often to purchase care in elderly-care institutions, and through it to guide the social forces to enter the field of nursing services.
Towards efficient models for hydraulic conductivity in conifer wood. Part 2: estimation of variation in hydraulic conductivity within and between annual rings from anatomical data
Authors: Lundqvist Sven-Olof , Holmqvist Claes , Rosner Sabine
Published: December 2024

Hydraulic conductivity of conifer sapwood varies greatly between and within annual rings due to varying dimensions and numbers of tracheids, lumina and bordered pits, complex relationships and non-linearities. Existing laboratory methods are too tedious and expensive for large scale studies for instance of genetics, tree improvement and silvicultural practices, and their spatial resolution is not enough for information on seasonal weather effects which may reflect vulnerability to drought. The article presents a set of integrated models estimating radial variations in hydraulic conductivity at the tracheid level, at 25 µm resolution. A rationalised model was designed for the organisation of tracheids and the water transport through lumina and bordered pits. Within this, pressure drops at flow along lumina and at passages of pits are estimated and integrated to provide local estimates of lumen and xylem conductivities with same radial resolution. The estimated lumen conductivities varied from maximum 0.030 m2/(s·MPa) in earlywood to minimum 0.001 m2/(s·MPa) in latewood. Estimated pressure drops on pit passages reduce these values with about 80 and 90 % into xylem conductivities of 0.006 and 0.0001 m2/(s·MPa) in same earlywood and latewood. Sample means of modelled trunk xylem conductivities were correlated with data from laboratory analyses, resulting in R
2 > 0.50.
Investigating various interventions to improve the quality of life of children and adolescents suffering from chronic diseases – a systematic review
Authors: Roshan FatemehSadat SeyedNematollah , Rahmani Narges , Nikrouz Leila
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The transition from childhood to adulthood is an ups-and-down experience determined by increased independence, formation, and development of personal identity. Children with chronic diseases compared to their peers, face more challenges during this period that can exacerbate their symptoms and negatively affect their quality of life. This research aims to review the studies that have investigated the ways to improve the quality of life of children and adolescents with chronic diseases in Iran.

Content

In this study, a search was done in the international databases of PubMed, Scopus, web of Science, Google Scholar, and the internal databases of Magiran and SID with related keywords including children, adolescents, chronic diseases, quality of life, health, nursing interventions were carried out from 2010 to July 2024. Exclusion criteria included summaries of conference articles and foreign articles other than Persian and English.

Summary and Outlook

In the primary search, 363 articles were found. After removing duplicates and unrelated items, and finally, 36 articles (52.77 % in English, 47.22 % in Persian) were examined in line with the objectives of the present study. The results of the study indicate that non-pharmacological interventions can significantly improve the quality of life of adolescents with chronic diseases. Nursing interventions appear to have a positive and significant effect on the quality of life of children and adolescents with chronic illness.
Utilization of low-cost GNSS RTK receiver for accurate GIS mapping in urban environment
Authors: Halaj Marek , Kačmařík Michal
Published: December 2024

The main objective of the work was to evaluate positioning performance of low-cost GNSS receiver u-blox ZED-F9P with patch antenna in GIS mapping scenarios. The whole mapping kit consisted of the mentioned receiver, a smartphone and two mobile applications. Thirty testing points with different levels of sky view were temporarily set up in an urban environment. Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technique was used to estimate their position with the mentioned low-cost receiver and geodetic grade Trimble R10 receiver. Coordinates obtained from two independent measurement campaigns were compared to reference positions computed by rapid static relative technique. Both receivers provided a similar level of positioning correctness except two testing points where the geodetic grade GNSS receiver showed large errors in the first campaign. With an exclusion of these two points, both receivers delivered mean horizontal distances from the reference positions slightly exceeding 0.04 m and standard deviations oscillating around 0.05 m. In case of height estimates, mean differences from the reference values were at the level of 0.02 m for the Trimble R10 receiver and 0.07 m for the u-blox receiver, with standard deviations around 0.08 m reached by both tested devices. Secondly, areas of four polygons in the same urban environment were measured. Relative differences from reference values of areas ranged from 0.01 % to 0.46 %, with the Trimble receiver being slightly better in this task.
Health professionals’ continuing education attitudes and experiences in food and nutrition sustainability
Authors: Copperstone Claire , Camilleri Liberato
Published: December 2024

Further training opportunities in food and nutrition sustainability are considered to be generally lacking in Malta. The main aims of this descriptive pilot study were therefore to identify health professionals’ past continuing education (CE) behaviours and to provide insights for the future development of post-qualification training in food and sustainability subject areas. A cross-sectional study design was employed through the use of an anonymised survey which was disseminated online, targeting health professionals who were currently practicing in Malta. 84 respondents from various health professions returned the survey. Most had not received any previous post-qualification training in food and nutrition sustainability. Improved knowledge and competencies were listed as the main advantages for CE, with lack of time, or funding, perceived as the main challenges. This study confirms the lack of post-qualification training opportunities in food sustainability for local health professionals. Further exploratory research is encouraged to understand specifically the needs related to workplaces, benefitting professionals as well as patients, whilst incorporating ways to strengthen sustainability literacy and improving affordable and accessible further training programmes for health professionals. These lessons for practice can be extended for use within wider international settings.
Revealing the influences of organic amendment-derived dissolved organic matter on growth and nutrient accumulation in lettuce seedlings (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Sonsri Kiattisak , Phankamolsil Napaporn , Kano-Nakata Mana , Watanabe Akira
Published: December 2024

Although the application of organic amendment (OA) is a well-established agricultural practice, the effectiveness, optimal concentration, and key characteristics of OA-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) in promoting the growth and nutrient accumulation of lettuce are not fully understood. To gain a better understanding, the effect of OA-derived DOM that was prepared from rapeseed oil cake (ROC) on the growth of lettuce was examined. Lettuce seedlings (7 days old) were transplanted into a hydroponic nutrient solution with varying DOM concentrations (10, 20, and 30 mg C L–1) along with the control treatment (no DOM addition), and shoot and root growth of lettuce was recorded and nutrient accumulation in lettuce was analyzed after 14 days. Compared to the control treatment, the soil and plant analyzer development value, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, and leaf area were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in 20 mg C L–1 DOM concentration, while the maximum leaf width was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in 10 mg C L–1 DOM concentration. The root fresh weight, root dry weight, root length, root surface area, and number of lateral roots were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in 20 mg C L–1 DOM concentration than in the control treatment. DOM concentrations of 20 and/or 10 mg C L–1 also resulted in enhanced carbon, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, silicon, and boron contents in lettuce. Overall, these findings suggest that ROC-derived DOM can promote growth and nutrient accumulation in lettuce seedlings, with 20 and/or 10 mg C L–1 being suitable concentrations.
Legal Compliance and Detection Avoidance: Results on the Impact of Different Law-Enforcement Designs
Authors: Bruttel Lisa , Friehe Tim , Rehm Lennart
Published: December 2024

This paper provides experimental evidence on how various law enforcement designs impact legal compliance and detection avoidance behaviors. Our three experiments explore differences in enforcement based on two factors: whether the fine revenue is allocated to the victim or the enforcer, and whether the enforcer has an active role in influencing enforcement. While the overall results indicate that these design variations have minimal impact on behavior on average, data from our most comprehensive study reveals contrasting effects on taking rates between men and women.
Mentalization-Based Treatment for Adolescent Depression
Authors: Luyten Patrick , Malcorps Saskia , Fonagy Peter
Published: December 2024

Depression is a very common mental health problem in adolescence. Although over the past decades a number of psychological interventions for depression in adolescence have been developed and empirically evaluated, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggest that there is considerable room for improvement of their effectiveness. This is particularly true for the treatment of adolescents with “complex” depression, that is, those where depression is embedded within broader personality and relational problems, often related to a history of attachment trauma. Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) may be particularly effective in these cases, as it has a strong focus on temporary and long-term impairments in mentalizing (i.e., the capacity to understand the self and others in terms of intentional mental states), which are very typical of adolescents with depression. This article outlines a continuum of severity of depression as seen from a mentalizing perspective, ranging from the mild to moderate to the more severe end of the spectrum. This is followed by a summary of the mentalizing approach to understanding depression along the spectrum of severity, the empirical evidence supporting this approach, and a description of the basic principles of MBT for depression. We close with some thoughts about the future of MBT in the treatment of depression in adolescents.
Mentalizing the Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis Model: A Staged Intervention Framework
Authors: Debbané Martin , Salaminios George , Cascone Pablo , Armando Marco
Published: December 2024

This article seeks to further specify how the mentalization-based approach may inform clinical intervention before the onset of psychosis, that is, during the stage of clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P). We first review the concept of CHR-P, as well as the research evidence of the impact of early intervention. Next, we present evidence for the centrality of mentalizing as a process that may mitigate the risk for psychosis. We then review some of the key contributions in the psychoanalytical and phenomenological traditions concerning the centrality of core self disturbances in psychosis, and relate this to the alien self concept put forward in the mentalization framework. This leads us to expand on the structure of MBT for CHR-P, and to present a clinical vignette illustrating the process of epistemic trust at beginning of an intervention with a young person suffering from CHR-P. We summarize the links between core self disturbances, epistemic trust, and therapeutic communication in the context of CHR-P.
(Des) construcción de la identidad docente. Estudio de caso de enseñanza de inglés por videoconferencia en Uruguay
Authors: Frade Pandolfi Virginia
Published: December 2024

En el presente trabajo presentaré un análisis (que forma parte de unainvestigación mayor que constituye mi tesis de Maestría) de cómo se(des)construye la identidad docente cuando se trata de duplas detrabajo que coexisten. La investigación se centra, específicamente, en elmodelo de enseñanza de inglés como lengua extranjera a través devideoconferencia, llevado adelante por Ceibal en inglés en Uruguay. Elmencionado sistema de enseñanza consta de tres clases semanales de45 minutos cada una: la clase A la dicta una profesora remota, queenseña inglés desde cualquier punto del país o del exterior, a través delmencionado sistema de videoconferencia; mientras que las clases B y Cson dictadas por la maestra de clase, quien también está presentedurante la clase A. Esta modalidad de trabajo supone la presencia dedos docentes, coexistiendo en tiempo y, virtualmente, en lugar (una veza la semana), trabajando en duplas, aunque esto no siempre implicaque el trabajo de los docentes suceda bajo la modalidad de los llamados“pares o parejas pedagógicas”. Por lo tanto, se presentarán los rolesque el programa espera cada docente lleve adelante (específicamentedurante la clase A), así como también aquéllos hallados en lainvestigación, que no siempre coinciden con los planteados por Ceibalen inglés, hecho que puede derivar en una crisis en la práctica docente|que conlleva un desdibujamiento de las identidades y los rolesdocentes.
Eurocentrismo en la enseñanza de español a brasileños
Authors: Cristina Gautier Maria Xavier Célia , Villela Marroni Fabiane
Published: December 2024

Este artículo tiene como objetivo proponer una reflexión sobre los posibles factores que contribuyen al predominio de la variante peninsular sobre otras variantes en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje del español, como lengua extranjera, en Brasil. Se plantearon algunas cuestiones lingüísticas y culturales que se creen vinculadas a la enseñanza del español a brasileños, con el fin de comprender las razones por las que motivamos a estudiantes y profesores a identificarse con la variante peninsular en detrimento de las variantes sudamericanas. Este estudio se justifica por el interés de muchos estudiantes por aprender la lengua española en Brasil, ya sea de forma presencial o virtual a través de portales educativos. Por ello, proponemos el análisis de portales para intentar comprender las huellas imborrables de la variante peninsular, presente en las propuestas de enseñanza y aprendizaje de la lengua española. Partimos de la idea de que el aprendizaje debe satisfacer los intereses y necesidades de los estudiantes que buscan otra lengua para aplicar estos conocimientos en su vida diaria, en sus tareas, en la búsqueda de una diferencia en el mercado laboral y, así, aprovechar de este aprendizaje para su primer fin, que es la comunicación. De esta manera, se cree que las informaciones contenidas en este análisis servirán como objeto de reflexión para los profesionales que trabajan con portales educativos en la enseñanza de español a brasileños, teniendo estos profesionales la tarea de colaborar para deconstruir conceptos erróneos sobre la superioridad o en caso contrario de una cultura sobre las demás, determinando el mayor o menor prestigio en la enseñanza de una lengua.
Um terceiro professor para o terceiro espaço: uso de design thinking e o ensino de inglês no Chuí
Authors: Beatriz Mendez Torres Sandra , Oliveira Py Lorena
Published: December 2024

Este trabalho é direcionado à atividade de planejamento para a disciplina de Língua Inglesa no ensino fundamental no município de Chuí, RS – Brasil. Assim, é lançada a proposta para a criação de um projeto de intervenção no Plano de Ensino. Constata-se, para esse local, a necessidade de um complemento na prática docente, de articulação em atividades complexas, com objetivos pedagógicos que vão além do ensino do código linguístico (indispensável) e do conteúdo programático. É necessário que o professor consiga articular seu pensamento crítico com a prática, que problematize a sala de aula na construção de significado e que ultrapasse a fronteira do estudo da língua para o uso da linguagem em múltiplos contextos. Trata-se aqui de um trabalho criativo, de criar e dar sentido à exposição dos alunos e professores à língua em questão. São propostas práticas didáticas centradas no aluno, como sujeito capacitado a desenvolver habilidades para a solução de problemas de sua comunidade, organizando-os em eixos temáticos. Com esse intuito, utilizar-se-á o Design Thinking para educadores como abordagem facilitadora na projeção. Paralelamente, o arcabouço teórico escolhido permite atuar na construção dessa perspectiva, com vistas à promoção de alguma mudança naquela cultura, lugar em que o desafio principal é provocar deslocamentos na percepção da função do ensino de inglês como meio e não como fim. Dessa forma, promover-se-á o intercâmbio de experiências, valorizando suas práticas coautorais, e o desenvolvimento de algum grau de competência em inglês.
Functional Model of Integration in the System “School – University” based on the use of Technology Park Resources in the Implementation of Modern Biological Education
Authors:   Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Barmatina Irina V. , Varakuta Alena A. ,   Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Sakharov Andrey V. ,   Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Makeev Aleksandr A. ,   Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University
Published: December 2024

The article considers the problem of designing and testing a model of interaction between a secondary school and a pedagogical university in a technology park to implement modern tasks of general education of schoolchildren and improve universal pedagogical competencies of students. The study was conducted at the Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University. The purpose of the article is to describe the model of integration of schools and a pedagogical university based on the use of technology park resources to provide the education system with highly qualified personnel to form natural science literacy of schoolchildren. The authors consider the possibilities of improving the quality of the human resources of the education system to form natural science literacy of schoolchildren by managing the implementation of modern biological education based on the functional model of integration in the “school – university” system using the resources of the technology park of the pedagogical university. For modern biological education, technology parks – structural divisions of the university – are considered as an integration platform. Integration is presented by the components of the functional model of the organization (values, technologies, structure, management system, personnel, resources), on the basis of which the goals, plans, algorithms and content of work are formed for the three functions of the “school – university” system in accordance with the target groups of interaction (students, teaching staff, students), which allow organizing activities that ensure the results of the required quality for the school (the product is the result of the student’s activity, the result of the activity of the teaching staff) and for the university (the product is the result of the student’s activity, the result of the activity of the teaching staff). The model is implemented through the center for advanced training of teachers of pedagogical universities and biology teachers – a functional subdivision of the specialized department, the general management of which is carried out by the head of the specialized department.
Innovative Environment of Pedagogical University Technology Park as a Factor for Study the Cognitive Activity of Students
Authors:   Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Mishutina Olga V.
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a new result of comprehension of literary sources related to the issues and architectonics of technoparks’ environment in pedagogical universities. Based on research analysis, the author identified blank spaces in the conditions of forming the cognitive activity by means of a foreign language for chemistry and biology students of non-linguistic training profiles. Cognitive activity is pointed out as a problem area, which can be influenced by the risks present during the training of students in Natural Sciences majors and profiles. The genesis of Technoparks of Universal Pedagogical Competencies is traced through a retrospective of the typology of Science and Technology Parks in their classic sense. The research context of this paper is in new and creative paradigm of the educational environment, which noted by modern scientists. It correlates with updated approaches and the sphere of concepts rethought by the author in the pedagogical and technological field, related to the realization of learning activities in the technopark of the pedagogical institution.
Creatine promotes endometriosis progression by inducing M2 polarization of peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Chen Si-Man , Liu Yu-Kai , Ma Xiao-Qian , Wei Chun-Yan , Li Ming-Qing , Zhu Xiao-Yong
Published: December 2024

In brief

Endometriosis (EM) is a chronic inflammatory disease with unclear pathogenesis, in which peritoneal macrophages play a pivotal role. This study demonstrates that creatine (CR) induces M2 polarization of peritoneal macrophages, promoting angiogenesis, fibrogenesis and lesion progression in EM, offering new insight into potential therapeutic strategies.

EM is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the growth of endometrium-like tissues outside the uterine cavity, with an unclear pathogenesis. The analysis of single-cell sequencing data revealed the pivotal role of peritoneal macrophages in the development of EM. We noted significant CR enrichment and synthesis in peritoneal macrophages of patients with EM compared with women without EM. To further investigate the mechanisms of CR in EM, we performed RNA sequencing and in vitro experiments. We found that CR reprograms M2 polarization by enhancing matrix metalloproteinases and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which are involved in angiogenesis, fibrogenesis, cell adhesion and tissue repair. The coculture of CR-treated macrophages promoted the migration and fibrogenesis of endometrial stromal cells, as well as the angiogenesis of HUVECs in vitro. In summary, this article reveals that CR might polarize M2 macrophages, promoting the initiation, fibrosis and angiogenesis of ectopic endometrial lesions, ultimately resulting in the development of EM. These findings underscore the crucial immunomodulatory role of CR in the pathogenesis of EM, offering a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Giant Splenic Artery Aneurysm – An Analysis of the Recent Literature
Authors: Salati Sajad Ahmad , Rather Ajaz Ahmad
Published: December 2024

Objective. This article was composed to review the profile of giant splenic artery aneurysm as reported in the recent literature. Methodology. A systematic literature search was conducted through electronic databases and scientific networking sites, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using the key words and terms “giant splenic artery aneurysm”, “large splenic artery aneurysm”, and “huge splenic artery aneurysm”. Only literature in English was considered for inclusion in this study, and the time frame was fixed between 2014 and 2024. Results. 16 cases, including 9 (56.25%) females and 7 (43.75%) males, ranging in age from 35 to 84 years (mean 60.4±13.4 years). Years were included in the review. The size of aneurysm varied from 10 cm to 30.68 cm (mean 12.54±5.32 cm). Upper abdominal pain was the commonest presentation, along with shock and palpable lumps. The majority of the cases (n = 11; 68.7%) were managed by laparotomy, and an endovascular approach was adopted in 4 (25%) cases. Conclusion. Giant splenic artery aneurysm (GSAA) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Physicians need to be aware of this condition so that a diagnosis is made promptly. There is no role of conservative management, and all giant aneurysms need appropriate treatment after detection. Open surgical aneurysmectomy is the mainstay of management.
Public Speech Delivered in 1783 at the Grand Duchy of Lithuania High School at the Beginning of the Public Lectures on General History
Authors: Raila Eligijus
Published: December 2024

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After the Investigation of Travel Documents and Oral Histories
Authors: Valiūnaitė Saulė
Published: December 2024

Apie Dovilės Čypaitės-Gilės disertaciją „Žydų (e)migracija iš Lietuvos 1918–1940 metais: proceso rekonstrukcija“ ir jos gynimą / On Dovilė Čypaitė-Gilė’s Thesis „Jewish (E)migration from Lithuania 1918–1940. Reconstruction of the Process“
Digest of U-Report surveys: I–III quarter of 2024 (physical activity of young people, mine safety and menstrual hygiene awareness among adolescents, techniques of self-support, attitudes to vaccination, youth meaningfulness index, participation of young people in the processes of recovery of Ukraine, youth policy and reading interests of youth)
Authors:   NGO Ukrainian Volunteer Service 46/2, Kniaziv Ostrozkykh Str., Kyiv, 01015, Ukraine, Demchuk V. S. , Hupalo A. I. ,   NGO Ukrainian Volunteer Service 46/2, Kniaziv Ostrozkykh Str., Kyiv, 01015, Ukraine
Published: December 2024

The results of surveys of the innovative youth project U-Report in January – September 2024 are presented in digest: physical activity of young people, mine safety and menstrual hygiene awareness among adolescents, techniques of self-support, attitudes to vaccination, youth meaningfulness index, participation of young people in the processes of recovery of Ukraine, youth policy and reading interests of youth.
Камінні чавунні плити періоду Французької революції (Франш-Конте): особливості стилів
Authors: Батенко Тарас
Published: December 2024

Актуальність. Фаєрбеки з Франції періоду Великої революції мають велику культурну та історичну цінність, ілюструючи перехід від монархічних до революційних символів. Аналіз цих предметів допомагає зрозуміти вплив революційних змін на повсякденний побут та культурні практики. Крім цього, камінні чавунні плити того періоду свідчать про те, як нові політичні режими прагнули змінити старі символи й впровадити нові ідеали.
Мета статті полягає у вивченні фаєрбеків, що були виготовлені під час Французької революції (1789-1799), для аналізу змін у їхньому художньому оформленні.
Результати. Фаєрбеки періоду Французької революції стали об’єктом переслідування збоку Національного Конвенту, який зобов’язав французів знищувати будь-які символи монархічного минулого, в тому числі художні деталі на камінних чавунних плитах.Завершення епохи терору (фр. la Terreur) врятувало частину фаєрбеків з символами королівської влади й дозволило їм дожити до наших днів.
Висновки. Фаєрбеки, виготовлені до початку Французької революції, часто відображали монархічні символи, такі як флер-де-ліс і корони. З початком революції ці символи були змінені або усунені, щоб відповідати новим революційним ідеалам. Попри революційні зміни, деякі елементи традиційного дизайну, такі як форма та функціональні характеристики плит, залишалися стабільними. Це вказує на те, що, навіть під час радикальних змін, традиційні елементи продовжували мати значення. Камінні чавунні плити періоду Французької революції можуть бути визнані не тільки як об'єкти функціонального призначення, а і як важливі артефакти мистецтва та історії, що відображають трансформацію естетичних і політичних норм того часу.
Особистий бренд та роль Мохаммеда бін Салмана у контексті формування сучасного політичного ландшафту Саудівської Аравії
Authors: Дідик Оксана
Published: December 2024

Дослідження має на меті проведення критичного аналізу стратегічного формування та використання особистого бренду Мохаммеда бін Салмана (МБС) і його впливу на внутрішню та міжнародну позицію Саудівської Аравії в рамках програми Vision 2030. Актуальність цієї роботи обумовлена зростаючою роллю особистого брендингу в політичному лідерстві, особливо в сучасних автократіях, де лідери, як-от МБС, поєднують прагнення до реформ із авторитарними методами управління. Попередні дослідження розглядали різні аспекти керівництва МБС, проте саме цей аналіз унікально оцінює вплив його особистого бренду на консолідацію влади, розвиток націоналізму та ребрендинг Саудівської Аравії на глобальній арені.
Застосовуючи інноваційне поєднання теорій брендингу та політичних наукових підходів, стаття досліджує, як цілеспрямовано формується імідж МБС для різних аудиторій. Аналіз охоплює як внутрішні, так і міжнародні стратегії – від маніпуляцій медіа та використання історичних символів до просування гіпернаціоналізму та економічної диверсифікації, що є частиною Vision 2030. Результати свідчать, що бренд МБС значно сприяє зміцненню влади всередині Саудівської Аравії, стимулює національну гордість, відповідає на прагнення молоді та гармонійно поєднує модернізацію з традиційними цінностями. Попри критику з боку Заходу, його імідж сприяє утвердженню Саудівської Аравії як вагомого гравця на світовій арені.
Серед основних висновків роботи – визнання особистого бренду МБС як важливого чинника у процесі внутрішньої трансформації Саудівської Аравії та у зміні її зовнішньополітичних відносин. Дослідження надає цінні інсайти щодо впливу особистого брендингу лідера на національні зусилля з модернізації та на роль держави у глобальному контексті.
Contact de cultures : cohabitation, confrontation, choc
Authors: Malinovská Zuzana
Published: December 2024

Building on the broad meaning of the word “culture” and the ubiquity of cultural contact in contemporary societies, this article reflects on the representation of cultural contact in three French language novels: Pas Pleurer (2014) by Lydie Salvayre, Allah n’est pas obligé (2000) by Ahmadou Kurouma, and Hiver à Sokcho (2016) by Elisa Shua Dusapin. Salvayre, a renowned French writer whose mother tongue is Spanish, portrays the contact between French and Spanish cultures as a harmonious coexistence. The Ivorian novelist Kourouma, on the other hand, depicts cultural contact as a confrontation of two contrasting cultures: the central and seemingly superior French culture, and the peripheral and exotic Malinké culture. Marked by this biculturality, Kourouma makes no secret of his problematic relationship with the French language and culture and bases the structure of his novel on a confrontation of cultures. The Franco-Swiss author Elisa Shua Dusapin sees the contact between two different cultures, French and South Korean, as a devastating and threatening shock, which ultimately turns out to be enriching. The three authors reject both the hierarchisation of cultures and a black-and-white vision of the world. Their respective texts, imbued with a wide range of culturemes, are both pleasing and instructive: they transmit unconceptualized knowledge and thus justify the cultural and social significance of literature.
(Un)marked subjects and person-number marking in non-finite clauses in Mari
Authors: Burukina Irina
Published: December 2024

The present paper examines the distribution of referentially independent genitive and unmarked subjects and subject-oriented person-number inflections in non-finite clauses in Meadow Mari (Uralic), focusing on participles, event nominals, and temporal gerunds. Empirically, the study addresses existing gaps in the description of these phenomena, uncovering more general patterns as well as several microparameters. It also reveals a striking similarity between event nominals and temporal gerunds. Theoretically, the paper contributes to a better understanding of these constructions in the following ways. First, it proposes an analysis of temporal gerunds as event nominals embedded in postpositional phrases. Second, it outlines an approach to licensing overt subjects and inflections in participial clauses and event nominals. Third, building upon Dékány & Georgieva's (2020) work on Udmurt, it explores ways to unify the treatment of event nominals and participial modifiers in Mari, which share morphology; a covert N account is shown to be the most promising one.
THE EFFECT OF EASE OF DOING BUSINESS (EODB) AND CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX (CPI) ON FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) IN ASEAN
Authors: Firdaus Firdaus , Fakhruddin Imam , Fitradinata Kheqal , Hidayat Riyan
Published: December 2024

The background of this study is the instability of foreign investment in Southeast Asia due to declining corporate revenues and the Covid-19 pandemic, which has caused economic uncertainty and delayed investments by multinational companies. This study aims to examine the influence of the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in ASEAN. The research employs Structural Equation Modeling using Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS 4) software. The population in this study includes all countries in the Southeast Asian region, with a total sampling or census approach. The results indicate that the Ease of Doing Business does not affect Foreign Direct Investment. This is largely due to the low EoDB index scores in most ASEAN countries. In contrast, the Corruption Perception Index has a positive and significant effect on Foreign Direct Investment, suggesting that foreign investors have greater confidence to invest and feel that their substantial funds will be safer. The implications of this study suggest that ASEAN governments must enhance the investment climate by implementing regulatory reforms that promote the Ease of Doing Business and reduce corruption levels. These efforts are expected to improve regional competitiveness and attract more foreign investment, ultimately accelerating economic growth and infrastructure development in the region.
MAQASHID SHARIA AND CUSTOMER DECISIONS IN ISLAMIC HOUSING FINANCE: EVIDENCE FROM WEST JAVA
Authors: Ramadhan Fajri Haykal , Ismal Rifky
Published: December 2024

The purpose of this study is to analyze Maqashid Sharia, specifically dharuriyat (necessities) proxied by service quality, hajiat (complementary needs) proxied by location, and tahsiniyat (embellishments) proxied by promotion, on customer decisions within the FLPP program in Islamic banking in West Java. This study adopts a quantitative research approach. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire, with the sampling technique employed being purposive sampling. The sample size consists of 100 customers of BJB Syariah and BTN Syariah involved in the FLPP (Housing Financing Liquidity Facility) program in West Java. Data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).The study concludes that the variables dharuriyat, hajiat, and tahsiniyat significantly influence customer decisions in the FLPP program, accounting for 75.5% of the decision-making process, categorized as strong. Among these, the dharuriyat variable, represented by service quality, has the highest impact, contributing 72.5%. The findings imply that customers' decisions to secure a home through the FLPP program are primarily driven by their housing needs rather than investment motives. In contrast, the tahsiniyat variable, represented by promotion, exhibits the lowest impact at 21%. This outcome indicates that tahsiniyat elements, which enhance the aesthetic and convenience aspects of life, are not critical to fulfilling essential or complementary needs (dharuriyat and hajiat). Thus, their absence does not pose significant difficulties or threats to these core elements.
TRANSFORMING STUDENT INTO ENTREPRENEURS: THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AND E-COMMERCE
Authors: Harisandi Prasetyo , Nurhidayah Rika , Yusriani Sri , Yuningsih Nining , Tikaromah Oom , Sarjaya Sarjaya
Published: December 2024

This study aims to analyze the influence of Entrepreneurship Education and the utilization of e-commerce on students' Entrepreneurial Interest at Pelita Bangsa University in the digital era. Employing a quantitative approach with a survey method, data were collected from 100 students who had completed entrepreneurship courses and possessed experience in using e-commerce platforms. The analysis, conducted using SEM-PLS, reveals that both Entrepreneurship Education and e-commerce mastery have a significant impact on students' entrepreneurial interest. Entrepreneurship Education contributes to shaping a creative mindset and fostering entrepreneurial motivation, while e-commerce mastery facilitates easy market access, thereby enhancing students' inclination toward digital entrepreneurship. These findings align with prior research emphasizing the pivotal role of entrepreneurship education and e-commerce in fostering entrepreneurial intentions. In conclusion, the integration of entrepreneurship education with e-commerce mastery significantly boosts students' entrepreneurial interest, offering valuable insights for educational institutions to strengthen entrepreneurship programs and e-commerce training, ultimately fostering a new generation of digital entrepreneurs.
EXPLORING THE FACTORS AFFECTING PURCHASE BEHAVIOR OF ORGANIC FOOD: A STUDY ON DHAKA CITY
Authors: Miah MD Qaium , Jim Mahafizur Rahman
Published: December 2024

Organic food’s demand is expanding day by day as organic food is healthier and environmental-friendly compared to nonorganic food. The awareness of organic food also is rising in the Asia-pacific region. Consumers’ buying pattern of organic food has dramatically changed during the time. This study’s aim is to examine the predictors of purchase intention and consumer buying pattern of organic food in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data was collected from 310 organic food consumers and SEM (structural equation modeling) was used to analyze the data thorough using Smart PLS. The findings of the study showed that self-identity is the most important predictor of purchase intention of organic food in Dhaka, Bangladesh, health consciousness is the 2nd most significant predictor, and attitude is the 3rd most important predictor. Purchase intention is found to mediate the relationship between self-identity, health consciousness, and attitude with purchase behavior. The predictive role of subjective norm, moral norm, environmental concern, and the moderating role of trust and purchasing power were not proven in this study. This study provides important insights about the organic food market in Dhaka, Bangladesh.