bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of pro-inflammatory genes by fibronectin DAMPs in three fibroblast cell lines: Role of TAK1 and MAP kinases
Authors: Maddali Pranav , Ambesi Anthony , McKeown-Longo Paula J.
Published: May 2023

Changes in the organization and structure of the fibronectin matrix are believed to contribute to dysregulated wound healing and subsequent tissue inflammation and tissue fibrosis. These changes include an increase in the EDA isoform of fibronectin as well as the mechanical unfolding of fibronectin type III domains. In previous studies using embryonic foreskin fibroblasts, we have shown that fibronectin’s EDA domain (FnEDA) and the partially unfolded first Type III domain (FnIII-1c) function as Damage Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) molecules to stimulate the induction of inflammatory cytokines by serving as agonists for Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR4). However, the role of signaling molecules downstream of TLR-4 such as TGF-β Activated Kinase 1 (TAK1) and Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) in regulating the expression of fibronectin DAMP induced inflammatory genes in specific cell types is not known. In the current study, we evaluate the molecular steps regulating the fibronectin driven induction of inflammatory genes in three human fibroblast cell lines: embryonic foreskin, adult dermal, and adult kidney. The fibronectin derived DAMPs each induce the phosphorylation and activation of TAK1 which results in the activation of two downstream signaling arms, IKK/NF-κB and MAPK. Using the specific inhibitor 5Z-(7)-Oxozeanol as well as siRNA, we show TAK1 to be a crucial signaling mediator in the release of cytokines in response to fibronectin DAMPs in all three cell types. Finally, we show that FnEDA and FnIII-1c induce several pro-inflammatory cytokines whose expression is dependent on both TAK1 and JNK MAPK and highlight cell-type specific differences in the gene-expression profiles of the fibroblast cell-lines.
Tipologi Kawasan Urban Sprawl Di Kota Ungaran, Kabupaten Semarang
Authors: Adimagistra Tiasa , Basuki Yudi
Published: May 2023

Kota-kota kecil mengalami perkembangan oleh karena pengaruh keberadaan kota besar di sekelilingnya. Salah satunya adalah Kota Ungaran. Kota Ungaran sebagai ibukota Kabupaten Semarang terletak di selatan Kota Semarang dan dilalui oleh jalan utama yang menghubungkan Kota Semarang dengan Kota Solo dan DIY. Letak geografis ini membawa pengaruh besar terhadap perkembangan Kota Ungaran. Selain itu juga masih murahnya harga lahan di kawasan Kota Ungaran menambah peluang untuk para pengembang membangun kawasan perumahan yang harganya lebih murah dibandingkan dengan perumahan di Kota Semarang. Akibatnya, kawasan perumahan dan lahan terbangun di Kota Ungaran semakin banyak dan berkembang. Jika ekspansi perkotaan terus terjadi maka akan terjadi urban sprawl yang akan berdampak negatif terhadap perkembangan dan pemanfaatan lahan pada Kota Ungaran, khususnya pada Kawasan hinterland dan mengakibatkan menurunnya kualitas permukiman jika tidak disertai dengan kontrol perencanaan. Kontrol perencanaan ini perlu disusun dan dilakukan dengan baik oleh pemerintah maupun pengembang. Oleh karena itu, untuk memberikan rekomendasi terkait penanganan urban sprawl di Kota Ungaran, penelitian mengenai tipologi kawasan urban sprawl di Kota Ungaran akan dilakukan. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pendekatan kuantitatif dengan metode skoring dan overlay dari  variabel-variabel penentu Urban Sprawl yaitu kepadatan bangunan, kepadatan penduduk, jarak ke pusat kota, dan pola pembangunan lompatan katak (leapfrog). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dari 21 Desa/Kelurahan yang ada di Kota Ungaran, terdapat 9 Desa/Kelurahan yang termasuk ke dalam wilayah yang sprawl dengan tipologi urban sprawl tertinggi adalah pada Desa Kawengen.
Daya Dukung Permukiman dan Kesesuaian Pola Ruang Kawasan Permukiman di Kecamatan Gunungpati Kota Semarang
Authors: Hermawan Adhe Dodit , Rudiarto Iwan
Published: May 2023

Peningkatan kebutuhan ruang akibat bertambahnya jumlah penduduk secara perlahan tetapi pasti akan mengubah pola ruang di suatu wilayah. Banyak kawasan permukiman baru yang terbangun di daerah pinggiran kota karena harga lahan yang relatif lebih murah meskipun sebenarnya daerah tersebut kurang sesuai untuk dikembangkan sebagai kawasan permukiman. Secara umum wilayah Kecamatan Gunungpati merupakan lahan kebun/tegalan yang berperan sebagai daerah resapan dan topografinya adalah wilayah perbukitan dengan kelerengan yang beragam. Pembangunan perumahan dan kawasan permukiman yang cukup intens di wilayah tersebut dikhawatirkan akan mengancam keseimbangan lingkungan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengkaji dan mengetahui tingkat daya dukung kawasan permukiman di Kecamatan Gunungpati serta kesesuaian kawasan permukiman tersebut terhadap arahan pola ruang kawasan permukiman di Kota Semarang. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data sekunder dilakukan dengan mengkaji/menelaah dokumen-dokumen dari instansi terkait, sedangkan data primer diperoleh melalui observasi langsung pada lokasi di wilayah studi. Analisis data dilakukan melalui analisis spasial dengan menggunakan aplikasi Sistem Informasi Geografis dan Penginderaan Jauh. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa secara umum tingkat daya dukung permukiman di Kecamatan Gunungpati tergolong cukup baik dan hanya ada satu kelurahan yang wilayahnya kurang mendukung kegiatan permukiman. Arahan pemanfaatan ruang di Kecamatan Gunungpati yang mengacu pada RTRW Kota Semarang Tahun 2011 – 2031 didominasi peruntukannya untuk kawasan budidaya dan 48,7 % dari luas kawasan budidaya tersebut diarahkan untuk penggunaan lahan kawasan permukiman. Dari total luas kawasan permukiman di Kecamatan Gunungpati pada tahun 2018, sebanyak 89,91 Ha diantaranya tidak lagi mendukung untuk dikembangkan sebagai kawasan permukiman. Ditinjau dari aspek kesesuaian terhadap rencana pola ruang kawasan permukiman, pemanfaatan lahan kawasan permukiman eksisting di Kecamatan Gunungpati memiliki tingkat kesesuaian yang cukup beragam.
Dampak Pembangunan Bandara Internasional Yogyakarta Terhadap Perubahan Penggunaan Lahan
Authors: Utami Westi , Kuna Aji , Marini Marini
Published: May 2023

Pengadaan tanah skala besar Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) membawa pengaruh terhadap aspek fisik, lingkungan, sosial, ekonomi maupun budaya.  Kajian ini bertujuan melakukan pemetaan perubahan penggunaan lahan yang terjadi akibat pembangunan bandara YIA. Metode penelitian dilakukan secara spasial, penggunaan lahan diperoleh melalui interpretasi citra melalui pendekatan NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). Data yang digunakan untuk monitoring pola perubahan penggunaan lahan ialah citra satelit Sentinel-2 Tahun 2015 dan 2019.   Hasil kajian menunjukkan perubahan penggunaan lahan di Kecamatan Temon, Pengasih, dan Wates, perubahan tertinggi terjadi pada kebun campur hingga mencapai luasan 910 Ha, sementara perubahan lahan sawah mencapai 289,44 Ha.  Tingginya alih fungsi lahan pertanian ini dapat berimplikasi terhadap transformasi matapencaharian penduduk yang sebelumnya menggantungkan hidup pada sektor agraris.  Monitoring perubahan penggunaan lahan yang dilakukan berkala harapannya menjadi dasar dalam melakukan pengendalian pertanahan dan pemanfaatan ruang.
Exceptional families of measures on Carnot groups
Authors: Franchi Bruno , Markina Irina
Published: May 2023

We study the families of measures on Carnot groups that have vanishingpp-module, which we callMp{M}_{p}-exceptional families. We found necessary and sufficient Conditions for the family of intrinsic Lipschitz surfaces passing through a common point to beMp{M}_{p}-exceptional forp≥1p\ge 1. We describe a wide class ofMp{M}_{p}-exceptional intrinsic Lipschitz surfaces forp∈(0,∞)p\in \left(0,\infty ).
Creative translanguaging in formative assessment: Chinese teachers’ perceptions and practices in the primary EFL classroom
Authors: Greenier Vincent , Liu Xiaohua , Xiao Yangyu
Published: May 2023

In Chinese primary EFL classrooms, translanguaging between English and Chinese is commonly used by teachers and students out of need for efficient communication, however, this practice has been and is still widely believed to hinder students’ English development. Although recent studies have revealed the benefits translanguaging offers for teaching and learning, little has been done to understand teachers’ perceptions and use of a translanguaging pedagogy in their formative assessment practices, which is expected to play a more important role than before in China’s primary education due to recent policy reform. To close this gap, this exploratory study conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 Chinese primary EFL teachers, who are varied in their geographical location and teaching experience. Adopting an abductive thematic analysis approach, data analysis aimed at understanding how translanguaging was used to facilitate the implementation of formative assessment. Through the lens of creativity, three essential types of translanguaging practices – translanguaging for meaning-making (through preparation and expansion), collaboration, and empowerment – were identified, which have the potential to facilitate different procedures of formative assessment by accelerating understanding and expression, stimulating critical thinking and exploration, maintaining interest and engagement, and promoting autonomy and peer learning.
A mathematical model to study the spread of COVID-19 and its control in India
Authors: Naresh Ram , Sundar Shyam , Verma Sandhya Rani , Shukla Jang Bahadur
Published: May 2023

In this article, a nonlinear mathematical model is proposed and analyzed to study the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its control. Due to sudden emergence of a peculiar kind of infection, no vaccines were available, and therefore, the nonpharmaceutical interventions such as lockdown, isolation, and hospitalization were imposed to stop spreading of the infectious disease. The proposed model consists of six dependent variables, namely, susceptible population, infective population, isolated susceptible population who are aware of the undesirable consequences of the COVID-19, quarantined population of known infectives (symptomatic), recovered class, and the coronavirus population. The model exhibits two equilibria namely, the COVID-19-free equilibrium and the COVID-19-endemic equilibrium. It is observed that if basic reproduction number

R

0

<
1

{R}_{0}\lt 1

, then the COVID-19-free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable. However, the endemic equilibrium is locally as well as nonlinearly asymptotically stable under certain conditions if

R

0

>
1

{R}_{0}\gt 1

. Model analysis shows that if safety measures are adopted by way of isolation of susceptibles and quarantine of infectives, the spread of COVID-19 disease can be kept under control.
Some identities on generalized harmonic numbers and generalized harmonic functions
Authors: Kim Dae San , Kim Hyekyung , Kim Taekyun
Published: May 2023

The harmonic numbers and generalized harmonic numbers appear frequently in many diverse areas such as combinatorial problems, many expressions involving special functions in analytic number theory, and analysis of algorithms. The aim of this article is to derive some identities involving generalized harmonic numbers and generalized harmonic functions from the beta functions

F

n

(

x

)

=
B

(

x
+
1
,
n
+
1

)

,

(

n
=
0
,
1
,
2
,

…

)

{F}_{n}\left(x)=B\left(x+1,n+1),\left(n=0,1,2,\ldots )

using elementary methods. For instance, we show that the Hurwitz zeta function

ζ

(

x
+
1
,
r

)

\zeta \left(x+1,r)

and

r
!

r\!

are expressed in terms of those numbers and functions, for every

r
=
2
,
3
,
4
,
5

r=2,3,4,5

.
Figurative language and ‘doing interculturality’ in a lingua franca
Authors: Johnson Esko
Published: May 2023

Research has shown how, in a narrative event, people give meanings to and conceptualise their experience in figurative language. The aim of this case study was to explore the figurative language which emerged in the flow of mobile students’ narrative accounts of interculturality. Pragmatic features of talk, including those specific to the lingua franca, were analysed in the participants’ use of figurative language. The data of the exploratory study derived from mobility project interviews conducted with South Korean student teachers at the beginning and end of their short-term stays in Finland. The results revealed, among other things, that metaphors of movement and force were used for ‘doing interculturality’, when the interviewees constructed themselves, others and events in figurative language in the context of the mobility project interview. Using oppositional metaphor (e.g., free-strict) as well as metonymy and hyperbole, the participants presented their views on school education, society and people in the two contexts. By exploring the narrators’ strategies for telling and their discursive construction of roles and positions, it was possible to analyse in more detail the interplay of figurative language and the narrative construction of interculturality.
Optimal ranking-based charging station selection for electric vehicles
Authors: Devi Nongmaithem Nandini , Panda Gayadhar , Thokchom Surmila
Published: May 2023

In recent times, as many people have started using an electric vehicle (EV) as it provides benefits such as low fuel economy, reduced emission, etc., the deployment of fixed electric vehicle charging stations has been a popular method for supplying EVs with charging services. The charging requirement of EVs varies from vehicle to vehicle. Various schemes have been introduced recently regarding electric vehicles’ energy trading, charging station deployments, etc. Selecting an optimal charging station for booking charging slots by electric vehicle is one of the main concerns to avoid inappropriate services. To address this challenge, we proposed an optimal charging station selection scheme to book charging slots by EV. The proposed method used a multi-criteria decision-making technique called technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) based on various parameters of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs). In this, the performance score of each EVCS is determined, and the ranking process is made according to their performance score. Then, EV selects the EVCS with the highest ranked and books the charging slot. Further, an analysis of the proposed scheme is carried out for 10 EVCSs and 3 EVs.
Deployment of gestures in the semiotic construction of scientific knowledge: a systemic functional approach to pedagogic semiosis
Authors: Ayık Zekai
Published: May 2023

A variety of semiotic resources makes the construction of scientific knowledge possible and meaning-making resources are conveyed by certain semiotic modes. Next, numerous studies have demonstrated the pedagogical importance of gestures in the demonstration of scientific knowledge in the classroom. Drawing on social semiotic systemic functional theory and legitimation code theory, this study explores the types and the role of gestures in the semiotic construction of scientific knowledge in pedagogic semiosis and their pedagogical values for the meaning-making of science content. With this aim, a gesture observation protocol (GOP) is developed to annotate and analyze data. Two science lectures, which are broadcast remotely for middle school students including gifted students, are observed. Systemic Functional Multimodal Discourse Analysis (SF-MDA) method is employed to analyze and evaluate data. Results demonstrated that the deployment of gestures that contributes to the construction of scientific knowledge is low and deployed gestures mostly do not have pedagogical value. It is recommended that teachers should be more conscious and educated about deploying gestures to present scientific knowledge efficiently.
Les « bouilleurs de graisse », un titre inédit à Malqatta
Authors: Pinon Marianne
Published: May 2023

The Malqatta Palace was built in the vicinity of modern Luqsor for the celebrations of the first sed festival of Amenhotep III. This archaeological site is renowned for its decorations but also for the thousands of jar labels found. They provide valuable information concerning the food product, the date, the origin, the stewart responsible for the area and the associated titles, the person in charge of the preparation and, thus, his specific title. One of those jobs’ designation, "responsible for fat preparation", hasn’t been read accurately so far. This article aims to provide an answer to this shortcoming. This title, which seems attested only at Malqatta and during the last years of Amenhotep III, should read
p/fs(w) ʿḏ and should be translated as "fat-boiler".
Einblicke in den
Streit zwischen Leib und Kopf
– Eine Neuedition und Textanalyse von tTurin CGT 58004 (Cat. 6238)
Authors: Biase-Dyson Camilla Di , Stock Jaqueline
Published: May 2023

This study of the Late Egyptian literary work, The Contendings between the Body and the Head, presents a new edition of the Turin writing tablet CGT 58004. Having visualised recent photos of the tablet with DStretch, a new transcription of the text can be presented, along with a new translation. A textual analysis, moreover, reveals the highly playful and metaphorical nature of the language, whereby the feminine body paints a vivid picture of her roles and responsibilities in order to challenge the primacy of the masculine head.
Zu Brugschs unveröffentlichter Bearbeitung „Ueber die libyschen Völker im 14. und 13. Jahrhundert vor Chr. Geb.“
Authors: Konrad Kirsten
Published: May 2023

In 1877 Heinrich Brugsch, the founder of the ZÄS, mentioned a publication in print concerning foreign peoples in his „Geschichte Ägyptens unter den Pharaonen“. However, the work entitled „Ueber die libyschen Völker im 14. und 13. Jahrhundert vor Chr. Geb.“ should never appear. Six sheets from the estate of Ernst Weidenbach’s great-granddaughter can now be identified as part of this once announced work.
Parliamentary casework in socio-legal perspective: a case study of complaint handling by Members of the Scottish Parliament
Authors: Gill Chris
Published: May 2023

This article is concerned with parliamentary casework, the process through which parliamentarians deal with individual problems raised by their constituents. Casework has principally been studied by political scientists, and the article makes a case for the value in adopting a socio-legal approach. In doing so, one of the article’s contributions is to propose a distinctively sociolegal framing of the issues, along with a series of research questions to define the field and guide future study. The value of a socio-legal approach is demonstrated through a case study examining the casework of Members of the Scottish Parliament. The case study findings allow for a number of substantive contributions to be made to the casework literature. These include: providing a more granular account of parliamentarians’ casework role; highlighting the critical importance of casework staff to the delivery of casework; and showing the limited connections between casework and other parliamentary roles. The major contribution of the article is to propose a model of parliamentary casework which seeks to identify its key features as a mechanism of grievance resolution, highlighting how it connects to, and is distinct from, other forms of legal and administrative redress.
Cultural patterns of disputing behaviour?
Authors: Creutzfeldt Naomi
Published: May 2023

This essay builds on my previous comparative work on Ombuds users and develops the notion of cultural patterns, and attitudes, towards disputing in Germany and the UK (Creutzfeldt & Bradford 2018, Creutzfeldt 2016). I argue that expectations of Ombuds processes are grounded in our socialization of legal or legal-adjacent processes. I explore, through the lens of legal consciousness, the role that legal culture plays in our interactions with the Ombuds in two countries. I do this through drawing on evidence from my existing empirical datasets. Then, I discuss the impact of the pandemic on the developed notion of cultural disputing behaviour in Germany and in the UK and I posit that we have to reimagine legal consciousness in the online justice space, which claims its own hegemony. For instance, an indication of the things which shape, or problems which arise out of, or are enhanced by, the digital space shaping our legal consciousness. The essay concludes by suggesting new ways of thinking about our patterns of online disputing, detached from our national cultural context, embracing an emerging digital legal consciousness with an enduring impact on our expectations from a justice system and the Ombuds process.
FAM3C/ILEI protein is elevated in psoriatic lesions and triggers psoriasiform hyperproliferation in mice
Authors: Malik Barizah , Vokic Iva , Mohr Thomas , Poppelaars Marle , Holcmann Martin , Novoszel Philipp , Timelthaler Gerald , Lendl Thomas , Krauss Dana , Elling Ulrich , Mildner Michael , Penninger Josef M , Petzelbauer Peter , Sibilia Maria , Csiszar Agnes
Published: May 2023

FAM3C/ILEI is an important cytokine for tumor progression and metastasis. However, its involvement in inflammation remains elusive. Here, we show that ILEI protein is highly expressed in psoriatic lesions. Inducible keratinocyte‐specific ILEI overexpression in mice (K5‐ILEIind) recapitulates many aspects of psoriasis following TPA challenge, primarily manifested by impaired epidermal differentiation and increased neutrophil recruitment. Mechanistically, ILEI triggers Erk and Akt signaling, which then activates STAT3 via Ser727 phosphorylation. Keratinocyte‐specific ILEI deletion ameliorates TPA‐induced skin inflammation. A transcriptomic ILEI signature obtained from the K5‐ILEIind model shows enrichment in several signaling pathways also found in psoriasis and identifies urokinase as a targetable enzyme to counteract ILEI activity. Pharmacological inhibition of urokinase in TPA‐induced K5‐ILEIind mice results in significant improvement of psoriasiform symptoms by reducing ILEI secretion. The ILEI signature distinguishes psoriasis from healthy skin with uPA ranking among the top “separator” genes. Our study identifies ILEI as a key driver in psoriasis, indicates the relevance of ILEI‐regulated genes for disease manifestation, and shows the clinical impact of ILEI and urokinase as novel potential therapeutic targets in psoriasis.
Lectura de textos digitales: ¿nuevas prácticas letradas?
Authors: Godoy Lucía
Published: May 2023

En el presente artículo se indaga sobre las prácticas de lectura digital en espacios educativos de nivel secundario. Desde el marco de los Nuevos Estudios de la Literacidad, se analizan escenas en aulas de Lengua y Literatura de segundo año nivel secundario las cuales fueron registradas durante un trabajo de campo con perspectiva etnográfica. El propósito del artículo es dar cuenta de las características de las prácticas letradas a fin de analizar cómo son los textos digitales leídos y cómo es la inclusión de las tecnologías digitales en el proceso de lectura. A partir del análisis de las escenas de lectura digital en las aulas, se propone, en primer lugar, una categorización para clasificar a los distintos tipos de textos digitales de acuerdo con sus formas de producción, circulación y permisividades (affordances). En segundo lugar, a partir de las observaciones, se plantea que es necesario ser cautos respecto de los cambios en las prácticas de lectura con tecnologías digitales, ya que no siempre que se incorporan las tecnologías digitales cabe hablar de nuevas prácticas letradas y literacidades, sino solamente de nuevos soportes. Por esta razón,  el carácter innovador de las prácticas letradas dependerá de las actividades y saberes que se expresen en las aulas.
A critical-discourse study of the representation of unaccompanied foreign minors in a sample of the Spanish press
Authors: Martínez Lirola María
Published: May 2023

The arrival of unaccompanied foreign minors (UFM) to Spain has increased in the last decades. The objective of this article is to study the discursive representation of UFM in a sample of the Spanish press to deepen the understanding of how they are portrayed The data consist of a corpus of all the news items on UFM published in the digital editions of the newspapers El País, ABC and El Mundo from January 1st 2012 to January 1st 2022. The methodology is mixed, i.e. quantitative data will be obtained using the software Antconc for concordance analysis and cluster lists. Thus, a corpus-linguistic analysis is made to observe the main linguistic patterns associated with UFM. Moreover, qualitative data will be offered by using the discursive model of social actors proposed by Van Leeuwen (2008). This model will be used to delve into the main categories employed by the Spanish press to refer to UFM, for this purpose, patterns of assimilation vs individualization and role allocation and identification are described. The study reveals that UFM are mainly associated with criminalization and exclusion. Thus, their representation is associated with social problems.
Hispanic Linguistics Instruction: How Should We Teach It?
Authors: Burgo Clara
Published: May 2023

Despite the increasing demand for Hispanic Linguistics courses in Spanish programs across US universities, there is scarce research on how to implement communicative and content-based instruction. This article introduces an overview of best practices for introductory courses on Hispanic Linguistics with a focus on problem-solving activities and collaborative learning since instructors must always have in mind the course objectives; in the same vein, they have to be able to provide a descriptive approach to Linguistics to eradicate the myths that exist about language.
Lengua y Sociedad. (2022). Revista del Instituto de Investigación de Lingüística Aplicada (CILA) de la Facultad de Letras y Ciencias Humanas y Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos
Authors: Reyes Janeth
Published: May 2023

El primer número del volumen veintiuno de la revista Lengua y Sociedad, que comprende el periodo enero-junio, contiene veinticinco artículos de investigación. Los ámbitos de estudio se orientan hacia temas relacionados con el análisis crítico del discurso, la gramática, la semántica cognitiva, la lexicografía, las ideologías, la morfología, la fonética, la pragmática, las actitudes lingüísticas y la educación intercultural bilingüe. Además, bajo una perspectiva lingüística, las investigaciones analizan el estado actual de las lenguas originarias andinas y amazónicas como el quechua, el shipibo-konibo, el nomatsigenga, el arabela (záparo) y el jaqaru.
Extraction and quantification of oxalic acid in leaves of plant species used in the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases
Authors: De Caldas Brandão Filho José Odimar , Martins Barbosa Filho José Pedro , Damasceno Sá Rafaela , Perrelli Randau Karina
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) are a group of diseases characterized by having the highest mortality and morbidity rates in the world. Despite the increase in new drug technologies, the use of medicinal plants as an aid in therapy for these diseases is a widespread reality. However, most plant species contain inorganic crystals of calcium oxalate, a product of plant metabolism, which has several functions in plant tissues. For the human species, its ingestion is associated with the arising of kidney problems such as urinary lithiasis, especially in people who have a predisposition to these conditions. Aim: To determine the amount of oxalic acid in plant species, which are used in the treatment of CNCDs. Methodology: After collection and characterization the plant species, aqueous and acidic extracts were obtained from 0.5 g of the plant drug of each species and, subsequently, were titrated with a standardized 0.02 mol.L-1 potassium permanganate solution and the concentrations of oxalic acid were expressed in g/100 g of dry vegetable drug. Result: The data obtained from the concentration of oxalic acid ranged from 4.58 ± 0.09 g/100 g to 17.21 ± 0.07 g/100 g and demonstrated that the concentrations from acid extraction are higher compared to the aqueous extraction, for all vegetables species analyzed. Methodological optimization was performed for the species that showed the highest results, Psidium guajava and Artocarpus heterophyllus. Conclusion: The data obtained can serve as input for medical decisions and for professionals who prescribe medicinal plants.
The Legacy of Soviet Monumental and Decorative Art (on the Example of Tselinograd, Republic of Kazakhstan)
Authors: Zhukenova Zhazira , Yussupova Ardak , Zhekibayeva Zhazira , Abileva Nazym , Samarkanova Farida
Published: May 2023

The development of virgin lands (also known as tselina – previously uncultivated or unexplored areas of land, which have not been affected by humans and are typically located in rural or remote regions) has not only boosted the economy but influenced the development of art in Kazakhstan, particularly in Akmolinsk (in 1961 it was renamed Tselinograd, the current name of the city is Astana). Muralists M. Antonyuk and V. Tovtin made a significant contribution to the artistic and aesthetic image of Tselinograd. The purpose of the study is to identify the role of Soviet monumental and decorative art in designing the aesthetics of urban space and to substantiate its historical and cultural value. In this study, the features of stained-glass windows, marquetry, and monumental mosaics of Tselinograd were analysed. Their value as works of art was analysed, the specificities of incorporating national character are described, and their influence on the cultural development of the city is explained. The level of skill of the artists, including the ability to “embed” the artwork in the architectural image of the building is emphasised. The uniqueness of the monumental mosaics of the Soviet period is proved. Conclusions are drawn about their role as agitation. The need to preserve the works of monumental art for future generations is emphasised. This is an important part of the historical period – thoughtless “modernisation” of residential buildings, indifference to and devaluation of the artistic and cultural heritage of the Soviet past are not acceptable.
Distance Students’ Language Learning Strategies in Asynchronous and Synchronous Environments
Authors: Chen Lijuan , Rodway Claire
Published: May 2023

Although there are many studies on distance students’ language learning strategies (LLS) use, very little is known about what distinguishes LLS use between synchronous and asynchronous environments. This preliminary mixed-methods research helps to fill this gap by investigating distance students’ LLS use in these two environments. The picture of LLS use that emerged from the data collected has clearly demonstrated that the participants’ use of LLS and technologies was environment-dependent. Our findings suggest that, although the participants were able to use a wide repertoire of LLS and technological tools to facilitate their independent and collaborative learning, the efficacy of their efforts could be further improved by practicing LLS consciously and systematically. We therefore recommend environment-dependent LLS training and the integration of such training into curricular design, in order to empower learners to take more responsibility in online language learning.
Toward Blended Language Learning Frameworks
Authors: DeMolder Jessica , Wiseman David , Graham Charles , Hill Camellia
Published: May 2023

Over the past decades, but particularly as a response to the global pandemic, online language technologies have made blended approaches increasingly practical for the language learning classroom. Despite the growing interest in blended learning generally, research has shown an overemphasis on comparative studies (Goertler, 2019), and left the field with a lack of summative research in blended language learning (BLL). For this article, therefore, we reviewed 208 peer-reviewed studies on BLL to identify predominant scholarly trends, including gaps in the literature, and to encourage further investigation in targeted areas. We specifically advocate for scholarship that addresses language proficiency outcomes, connects the domains of language learning theory and blended instruction, and centers on design-based aims. We invite educators within blended education, foreign language acquisition, and other relevant fields to work collaboratively across disciplines, using our review as a springboard to develop a more complete BLL design framework to better use the affordances of technology to advance BLL.
Effect of traditional household processing techniques on phenolic compounds, antioxidants activity and γ-aminobutyric acid of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) pods
Authors: AlGhamdi Fatima Ali , Hassan Amro B. , AlFaris Nora Abdullah , AlTamimi Jozaa Zaidan
Published: May 2023

The influence of common home processing methods was investigated on the color characteristics, phenolic component, antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] and ferric-reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] activity) and the levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in cowpea pods. The processing methods significantly increased the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and the activity of antioxidant compounds (DPPH and FRAP). The GABA content sharply decreased in pods after boiling and drying treatment. However, it significantly increased after fermentation. The fermented cowpea pods displayed the highest content of phenolics, flavonoids, GABA and anthocyanin as well as antioxidant activity. Hence, these traditional domestic preparation methods could be recommended for the food industry.
QSH WAVE PROPAGATION STUDY IN INFINITE FLEXOELECTRIC PIEZOELECTRIC MEDIUM
Authors: Wu Qi , Li Li , Wang Weihua , Liang HongMei , Li XiaoHong
Published: May 2023

The quasi-SH (QSH) wave propagating through a flexoelectric piezoelectric infinite space is investigated in this paper. With the consideration of the microstructure effects (i.e., the flexoelectric effects, strain gradient effects, and micro-inertial effects), the frequency dispersive equations of the QSH wave propagation in infinite flexoelectric piezoelectric materials are derived. The impacts of
the flexoelectric coefficient, static characteristic length, and inertial characteristic length of the microstructure
upon the dispersion curves of the QSH wave are discussed numerically. We obtained that these microstructure effects have distinct impacts upon the QSH wave velocity. In particular, the micro-inertia effects have different impacts on the dispersion characteristics of the QSH wave.
The results can provide very promising theoretical support for future applications of flexoelectric composites.
Corner problem for the boundary integral method
Authors: Sobey Rodney J.
Published: May 2023

A review of existing approaches to the accommodation of discontinuous corners in the boundary integral method highlights difficulties with corner-adjacent panel integration. An extended Laplace corner wedge is introduced to resolve these impediments, based on a bi-cubic approximation to the corner and corner-adjacent nodes. Numerical experiments demonstrate the excellent precision of the methodology.
Sodium Bicarbonate Treatment and Vascular Function in CKD: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Kendrick Jessica , You Zhiying , Andrews Emily , Farmer-Bailey Heather , Moreau Kerrie , Chonchol Michel , Steele Cortney , Wang Wei , Nowak Kristen L. , Patel Nayana
Published: May 2023

Significance Statement

Lower serum bicarbonate levels, even within the normal range, are strongly linked to risks of cardiovascular disease in CKD, possibly by modifying vascular function. In this randomized, controlled trial, treatment with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) did not improve vascular endothelial function or reduce arterial stiffness in participants with CKD stage 3b–4 with normal serum bicarbonate levels. In addition, NaHCO3 treatment did not reduce left ventricular mass index. NaHCO3 did increase plasma bicarbonate levels and urinary citrate excretion and reduce urinary ammonium excretion, indicating that the intervention was indeed effective. NaHCO3 therapy was safe with no significant changes in BP, weight, or edema. These results do not support the use of NaHCO3 for vascular dysfunction in participants with CKD.

Background

Lower serum bicarbonate levels, even within the normal range, are strongly linked to risks of cardiovascular disease in CKD, possibly by modifying vascular function. Prospective interventional trials with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) are lacking.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial examining the effect of NaHCO3 on vascular function in 109 patients with CKD stage 3b–4 (eGFR 15–44 ml/min per 1.73 m2) with normal serum bicarbonate levels (22–27 mEq/L). Participants were randomized 1:1 to NaHCO3 or placebo at a dose of 0.5 mEq/lean body weight-kg per day for 12 months. The coprimary end points were change in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and change in aortic pulse wave velocity over 12 months.

Results

Ninety patients completed this study. After 12 months, plasma bicarbonate levels increased significantly in the NaHCO3 group compared with placebo (mean [SD] difference between groups 1.35±2.1, P = 0.003). NaHCO3 treatment did not result in a significant improvement in aortic pulse wave velocity from baseline. NaHCO3 did result in a significant increase in flow-mediated dilation after 1 month; however, this effect disappeared at 6 and 12 months. NaHCO3 resulted in a significant increase in 24-hour urine citrate and pH and a significant decrease in 24-hour urine ammonia. There was no significant change in left ventricular mass index, ejection fraction, or eGFR with NaHCO3. NaHCO3 treatment was safe and well-tolerated with no significant changes in BP, antihypertensive medication, weight, plasma calcium, or potassium levels.

Conclusion

Our results do not support the use of NaHCO3 for vascular dysfunction in participants with CKD and normal serum bicarbonate levels.
Aortic Regeneration is Promoted by Intermittent Fasting in Aged Rats
Authors: TEKER Hikmet Taner , CEYLANİ Taha
Published: May 2023

Intermittent fasting (IF) plays important role in health. The regeneration that starts at the cellular level is reflected in all tissues and organs. In this study, molecular changes in the aortic tissue of 12-month-old male Wistar rats that underwent intermittent fasting for 18 hours a day for 35 days were determined by spectrochemical analysis and machine learning algoritm. While IF did not significantly affect body weights or blood glucose levels, it led to increased food and water consumption. Spectrochemical analysis revealed significant differences in the forms of DNA, specifically an increase in the A-DNA form in aortic samples. This form of DNA plays an essential role in cellular defense systems and biological processes. There was also an increase in the Amid I band, providing information about hydration status and lipid molecule interactions. Notably, a significant decrease was observed in protein phosphorylation markers, which could impact a wide range of cellular activities. IF also led to reductions in protein carbonylation, a marker of oxidative damage, and changes in the acyl chain length of fatty acids, impacting membrane fluidity. These findings suggest that IF may offer several health benefits, including improved membrane dynamics, reduced oxidative stress, and potential cellular regeneration through autophagy. Further research is needed to confirm these observations and understand their implications for human health.
Machine Learning Supported Nano-Router Localization in WNSNs
Authors: GÜLEÇ Ömer
Published: May 2023

Sensing data from the environment is a basic process for the nano-sensors on the network. This sensitive data need to be transmitted to the base station for data processing. In Wireless Nano-Sensor Networks (WNSNs), nano-routers undertake the task of gathering data from the nano-sensors and transmitting it to the nano-gateways. When the number of nano-routers is not enough on the network, the data need to be transmitted by multi-hop routing. Therefore, there should be more nano-routers placed on the network for efficient direct data transmission to avoid multi-hop routing problems such as high energy consumption and network traffic. In this paper, a machine learning-supported nano-router localization algorithm for WNSNs is proposed. The algorithm aims to predict the number of required nano-routers depending on the network size for the maximum node coverage in order to ensure direct data transmission by estimating the best virtual coordinates of these nano-routers. According to the results, the proposed algorithm successfully places required nano-routers to the best virtual coordinates on the network which increases the node coverage by up to 98.03% on average and provides high accuracy for efficient direct data transmission.
Should Infants with Blunt Traumatic Brain Injuries and Intracranial Hemorrhage Have Routine Repeat Imaging?
Authors: Engel E. Patricia , Bitter Bradon , Reyes Jared , Grundmeyer Raymond , Helmer Stephen , Haan James M
Published: May 2023

Introduction.  The practice of repeat head CT imaging in infants as a distinct population is poorly studied.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and utility of repeat head CT in the infant population. 
Methods.  A 10-year retrospective review was conducted of infants with blunt traumatic head injuries (N = 50) that presented to a trauma center. Information from the hospital trauma registry and patient medical records were extracted regarding the size and type of injury, number and results of computed tomography (CT) imaging, changes in neurological exams, and any interventions that were required.
Results.  Most patients (68%) had at least one repeat CT, with 26% showing progression of hemorrhage.  Decreased GCS was associated with having repeat CT scans.  Nearly one in four infants had a change in management associated with repeat imaging.  Repeat CT scans resulted in operative interventions in 11.8% of cases and longer ICU stays in 8.8% of cases.  Repeat CT scans were associated with increased hospital length of stay, but not with increased ventilator days, ICU length of stay, or mortality.  Worsening bleeds were associated with mortality, but not with other hospital outcomes.
Conclusions.  Changes in management following repeat CT appear to be more common in this population than in older children or adults.  Findings from this study support repeat CT imaging in infants, however, further research is needed to validate results of this study.
The obsolescence of sensibility: aesthetics and politics in ending time by Günther Anders
Authors: Balzi Carlos
Published: May 2023

Günther Anders is still an almost secret thinker, even though his work has been progressively rediscovered in the last two decades. His reflections, moreover, are contained in a dispersed and varied work. That is why the purpose of these pages is the reconstruction of an aesthetical and political notion at the same time, present throughout it, with the aim of contributing to the discovery of a reading key that allows giving a unified image of this sparse set. It is about the idea of ​​the sensible opacity of the contemporary world, which would have been camouflaged in various ways to prevent human beings from becoming aware of their situation as mere co-historical beings with the true subject of history, technique. Through the analysis of its origin in his early writings on the philosophy of particular arts (literature, music, plastic) to its generalization as a critical key to read the dangers of the contemporary world (his and ours), it is our intention to highlight the actuality of a critical and materialistic thought that, arisen in the heat of events, has left a valuable legacy to think about our own present.
ROLE OF RHIZOBACTERIA INOCULATIONS ON AGRONOMIC AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SAFFLOWER (Carthamus tinctorius L.) UNDER UNFERTILIZED CONDITIONS
Authors: TONGUÇ Muhammet , ÖNDER Sercan , MUTLUCAN Murat , ERBAŞ Sabri
Published: May 2023

Safflower is an important, but ignored oil crop species in Türkiye and it is necessary to increase seed yields to increase the cultivation of the crop. The present study was carried out to determine the effects of rhizobacteria seed inoculation on agronomic characteristics and fatty acid contents of safflower cultivars in 2019-2020 crop seasons in Isparta. Seeds of Dincer 5-18-1, Linas and Montola 2000 were inoculated with Bacillus species before sowing. Results showed that year, cultivar and applications had significant effects on 1000-seed weight, seed and oil yields. Seed weights of the rhizobacteria inoculated cultivars increased significantly and was higher (38.5 g) than uninoculated seeds (36.3 g). Seed yields were higher for both years for rhizobacteria inoculation. Seed and oil yields increased in rhizobacteria inoculated seeds by 20% and 18%, and reached to 128.8 and 34.0 kg da-1, respectively compared to uninoculated seeds (107.2 and 28.6 kg da-1). Seed inoculations increased linoleic acid and decreased oleic acid contents in Dincer 5-18-1 and Linas. Seed inoculations with rhizobacteria could be used as an easy, practical and efficient approach to improve plant growth, seed and oil yields of safflower under field conditions.
Teaching models in preuniversity Mathematics and their relation with preservice teachers ages
Authors: Roa González Julián , Díaz Palencia José Luis
Published: May 2023

This paper addresses the mathematical education received during the pre-university stage based on the teaching-learning processes experienced by 225 students from the master’s degree in Teacher Training of Secondary, Baccalaureate, and FP and the Degree of Teacher of Primary Education of the Madrid Open University (UDIMA). For collecting the required information, a computerized questionnaire designed by the authors of this work and validated by the Ethics Committee of the Madrid Open University (UDIMA), has been used. The results of our study reveal the preservice teachers' memories about mathematics during the Primary and Secondary stages. Traditional teaching models, based on the repetition of calculation procedures, are the majority compared to other active teaching models. It is observed that a progressive increase in the methodologies supported by solving complex problems, detecting a moderate influence of the legislative changes produced in Spain in 2006. The mastery of classical teaching models and the moderate work around complex problems detected in pre-university education can be major constraints when developing new competency-based legislative approaches.
La complejidad de la noción a enseñar en la valoración de la práctica preprofesional de futuros profesores de matemáticas ecuatorianos
Authors: Breda Adriana , Calle Eulalia , Font Vicenç
Published: May 2023

Las reflexiones sobre la complejidad de los objetos matemáticos, y la conexión de los componentes de esta complejidad, son frecuentes en muchos de los enfoques teóricos utilizados en el área de la Educación Matemática. Como consecuencia de estas reflexiones hay una tendencia a que la formación del profesorado de matemáticas contemple secuencias didácticas para que los profesores tengan en cuenta la complejidad del objeto matemático a enseñar. En esta línea, el primer objetivo del presente trabajo es determinar el papel que tienen las matemáticas enseñadas en la guía de valoración de la práctica preprofesional utilizada por los docentes tutores de la Carrera de Educación Matemática de la Universidad de Cuenca; mientras que el segundo objetivo es describir un proceso de instrucción cuyo objetivo es incorporar en esta guía la valoración de las matemáticas enseñadas, en particular la valoración de la incorporación de la complejidad del objeto matemático a enseñar. Los resultados muestran que la guía no valora las matemáticas enseñadas y que en las secuencias didácticas implementadas por los futuros profesores siguiendo esta guía no tienen muy en cuenta dicha complejidad.