bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“The End of Thinking Occurred”: Storytelling and Windigo Justice in the Round House (2012)
Authors: Mizan-Rahman Mohammad
Published: January 2025

Published in 2012, The Round House, the latest novel of Louise Erdrich (Chippewa ), has received much critical attention in academia. All the major events of this novel revolve around Joe’s family. Joe’s mother Geraldine becomes the victim of rape which leads her husband Bazil to look for justice; however, justice is first delayed and then denied by legislatures. Joe, a thirteen-year protagonist, eventually ensures justice through hunting a white-windigo. Erdrich’s text deals with many important literary issues and devices like religious views, especially the church’s role and the church’s hostility towards women’s bodies, supernaturalism, medical ethics, law and justice, Indian and Non-Indian identity. The Round House is included even in the curricula of Law and Medical disciplines for its subject matters—a high accolade. In the first part, this article will deal with three political aspects of storytelling: i) as a process of decolonization; iii) in terms of land tenure; and iv) as ceremony and healing. In the second part, I will explain how storytelling as a cultural tool formulates the concept and execution of justice. Here in this part, I will first discuss the way Erdrich’s novel reflects an Indigenous experience of justice—how justice excludes and how justice excludes through inclusion. The analysis of three important characters—Joe, his mother, and his father—and their envisioning of legal and windigo justice will therefore be brought into the discussion.
Ferroelectric and Non-Linear Optical Nanofibers by Electrospinning: From Inorganics to Molecular Crystals
Authors: Baptista Rosa M. F. , de Matos Gomes Etelvina , Belsley Michael , Almeida Bernardo
Published: January 2025

In recent decades, substantial progress has been made in embedding molecules, nanocrystals, and nanograins into nanofibers, resulting in a new class of hybrid functional materials with exceptional physical properties. Among these materials, functional nanofibers exhibiting ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, multiferroic, and nonlinear optical characteristics, have attracted considerable attention and undergone substantial improvements. This review critically examines these developments, focusing on strategies for incorporating diverse compounds into nanofibers and their impact on enhancing their physical properties, particularly ferroelectric behavior and nonlinear optical conversion. These developments have transformative potential across electronics, photonics, biomaterials, and energy harvesting. By synthesizing recent advancements in the design and application of nano-fiber embedded materials, this review seeks to highlight their potential impact on both scientific research, technological innovation and the development of next-generation devices.
Investigating the Role of Public Relations Campaigns in Environment Awareness Among University Students
Authors: Al Adwan Muhammad Noor , Hegazy Asmaa , Mamdouh Aesha , EL HAJJI Mohmad , Alketbi Bakhita , Fayez Hossam
Published: January 2025

Environmental challenges are increasing, requiring global attention. In this regard, the role of PR and communication campaigns remains influential. This research also investigates the effect of Public Relations (PR) campaigns and environmental education, attitudes toward environmental sustainability, and behavioral intentions among university students in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Theoretically supported by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), structured questionnaires are used for data gathering. Data analyzed by using Partial Least Square- Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed the positive effect of PR campaigns on providing environmental education and awareness among Emirati and Egypt students. Results also showed a positive effect of PR campaigns on the students’ attitudes towards environmental sustainability. Finally, the effects of PR campaigns on the behavioral intention of the Emirati and Egypt students also remained positive. Overall, the results imply that PR campaigns play a significant role in improving environmental education, shaping positive attitudes toward environmental sustainability, and affecting behavioral intentions among university students in the UAE and Egypt. These results emphasize the significance of PR initiatives in encouraging environmental awareness and promoting pro-environmental behaviors within educational settings. Also, the results highlight the effectiveness of PR campaigns in creating trust between organizations and the public while encouraging social responsibility. Finally, study implications and limitations are discussed.
Integrating AI-Driven Emotional Intelligence in Language Learning Platforms to Improve English Speaking Skills Through Real-Time Adaptive Feedback
Authors: Tajik Aliakbar
Published: January 2025

This groundbreaking study introduces the first-ever integration of emotional intelligence (EI) with artificial intelligence in English-speaking instruction through an emotionally adaptive language learning system. Through a mixed-method design, the research examined this innovative approach’s impact on speaking proficiency among 40 high school students (aged 15-18) from Varamin County, Iran. The experimental group (n=20) engaged with the novel “Amazon Alexa-Speak” Speaking Assessment System, featuring AI-driven EI-based real-time feedback; in contrast, the control group (n=20) received conventional instruction over six sessions following a pretest to ensure group homogeneity. The study employed a concurrent mixed method design, collecting quantitative data through the “Amazon Alexa-Speak” Speaking Assessment System and the researcher-made perception questionnaire; qualitative data came from researcher-made classroom observation checklists and researcher-made semi-structured interviews (n=20), focusing on emotional state monitoring and anxiety reduction patterns. Statistical analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between EI and speaking performance (p < 0.05, η2 = 0.42), with the experimental group showing substantially enhanced proficiency (F(1,38) = 24.63, p < 0.05). The system’s emotional state detection algorithm demonstrated 94% accuracy in identifying and responding to learners’ affective states. This study presents a paradigm shift in language education technology by introducing the first system that simultaneously addresses cognitive and emotional aspects of language acquisition. The findings have significant implications for the global language learning market, particularly in addressing speaking anxiety and emotional barriers in language learning. This technology’s scalability and cross-cultural applicability make it a potentially transformative solution for language education worldwide, opening new avenues for emotionally intelligent educational technology development.
Natural Capital: The Quest for Sustainability
Authors: Scandizzo Pasquale  Lucio
Published: January 2025

This paper analyzes the problem of social accounting of natural resources, focusing on growth and sustainability. The paper re-examines the welfare economic foundations of social accounting by using the economic framework of neoclassical growth theory and shows that the dynamics and measurement of natural capital can be integrated within a general dynamic model of the economy, with a view to measuring sustainability both within and out of optimal (first best) conditions. Two novel results are presented with respect to the existing literature. First, it is shown that externalities and market distortions reduce final demand for goods and services, thus constraining the economy to lower paths of growth. As a consequence, non-optimality of growth may be due both to failed alignment between demand and supply for each point of the growth trajectory and to the choice of a sub-optimal rate of growth. Second, shadow prices of both physical and natural capital can be specified and estimated considering of both second-best conditions. The combination of these two conditions implies a steady state whose sustainability depends on the balance between consumption and ecosystem use for physical capital and between regeneration and extraction for natural capital.
Hypertension and Well-Being of African Migrants in South Africa
Authors: Ejoke Ufuoma Patience , Du Plessis Edwin Devon
Published: January 2025

This chapter examines the risk factors for hypertension among migrants in South Africa, a critical public health concern. We explore the connection between acculturation, lifestyle changes, obesity, diet, urbanization, and socioeconomic status in contributing to hypertension risk. Our analysis highlights the unique challenges faced by African migrants, including acculturative stress, limited healthcare access, and lifestyle changes. The findings have significant implications for health promotion, disease prevention, and policy development. We emphasize the need for targeted interventions and updated immigration policies prioritizing hypertension awareness, screening, and management among migrant populations.
Characterization of Heterogeneus Polysaccharides from Clinopodium bolivianum (Benth.) with Neutralizing Activity Against HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Hernández Estefania , Bermejo Paulina , Abad María José , Beltrán Manuela , Alcami José , Prieto Alicia , Guerra José Antonio , Bedoya Luis Miguel
Published: January 2025

Medicinal plants are widely used in bolivian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases. We have selected one, Clinopodium bolivianum (Benth.) Kuntze, known as “Khoa”, to investigate its potential anti-HIV activity, since traditionally it has been used to treat other viral infectious diseases. We have carried out an antiviral bioassay-guided fractionation of different extracts of C. bolivianum. An antiviral crude polysaccharide was obtained, SBAS, rich in glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, xylose, rhamnose and only traces of galacturonic acid. SBAS exhibited antiviral activity with a mechanism of action unrelated to the mannose-lectin DC-SIGN receptors but with a strong viral neutralization activity. In summary, a purified polysaccharide from C. bolivianum have been identified as the main compound responsible of its antiviral activity. SBAs proved to be a neutralizing agent with high antiviral capacity in vitro, so it could be part of new microbicide formulations to prevent HIV transmission.
An Optimal Beneficiary Profile to Ensure Focused Interventions for Older Adults
Authors: Drăghici Rozeta , Bălan Dorina Claudia , Găiculescu Ioana , Rusu Alexandra , Stan Andrada Elena , Stan Polixenia
Published: January 2025

Our objective was to create a specific profile focusing on the characteristics of a possible optimal beneficiary of a newly developed program that is meant to increase the social inclusion and the participation in social life of older adults. The profile was built based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis that identified the extent to which participants (65+ from Bucharest) had the ability to improve their self-awareness competence through yoga classes adapted to their needs. The quantitative analysis (50 subjects) identified the level of impairment of the participants’ quality of life; it also measured their willingness to participate in a yoga program based on their pathologies at a mental and/or somatic level. To identify the participants needs and impediments, the Clinical Assessment Scales for the Elderly (CASE-SF) and the Quality-of-Life Assessment Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. The qualitative analysis included organizing four focus-groups (17 subjects), aiming to identify the reasons for participating in a yoga program. The results showed that a diagnosed somatic impairment was correlated with an increased in their willingness to participate in yoga classes while an affective-cognitive pathology was associated with a decreased willingness to participate in such a program. The profile provides answers related to the specifics of the beneficiary based on their motivation, limits, and personality traits.
Role of Adenogenesis Factors in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis
Authors: Signorile Pietro G. , Baldi Alfonso , Viceconte Rosa , Boccellino Mariarosaria
Published: January 2025

Endometriosis is a pathological condition characterized by the presence of the endometrial tissue, including epithelial and stromal components, outside the uterine cavity. It affects nearby 10% of women of reproductive age and is responsible for infertility, chronic pain and the weakening of the quality of life. Various pathogenetic mechanisms have been suggested, such as retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, embryological defects, stem cell involvement, and alterations in epigenetic regulation. However, the essential pathogenesis of endometriosis remains insufficiently comprehended. Individuating the exact mechanism of the growth and development of endometriosis is essential for valuable cure. This review reports the foremost pathogenetic theories of endometriosis based on recent investigations with a major emphasis on the potential role of uterine adenogenesis factors.
Evaluation of Hydraulic and Irrigation Performances of Drip Systems in Nectarine Orchards in The Mediterranean Region
Authors: Baydar Alper , Bozkurt Çolak Yeşim , Küçükyumuk Cenk , Dalkılıç Burak
Published: January 2025

This study focused on evaluating the performance of the drip irrigation systems in-stalled in 18 different nectarines (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) orchards in the Tarsus Plain in the Mediterranean region from 2017 through 2018. The performance of drip systems was evaluated based on parameters like average emitter discharge (Qavg), Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CU), distribution uniformity (DU), emis-sion uniformity (EU), and system application efficiency (Ea). The results indicated that CU varied between 81-98%; DU changed from 82 to 97%; EU 61-92%; absolute emis-sion uniformity (EUa) ranged between 93-98%; statistical uniformity (Us) changed from 85 to 97%; application efficiency of low-quarter (AELQ) varied between 45-97%; potential application efficiency of low-quarter (PELQ) ranged between 55-83%; system application efficiency (Ea) changed from 56 to 96%; storage efficiency (Es) fluctuated between 45-97%; pressure variation (Pv) 17-81% and emitter flow variations (qv) of 2-36% were determined. Although CU, DU, and EU values were acceptable, the varia-tions in emitter flow rates and pressure were not acceptable. Results revealed that the lower performances might be attributed to clogging and/or lack of system design and application practices by the farmers. It is recommended that the farmers get appropri-ate training on the operation and management of drip irrigation systems.
Perceived Benefits of Nature in Diverse Populations
Authors: Hart Joy L. , Walker Kandi L. , Stopforth Cameron K. , Simpson Anna , Bhatnagar Aruni , Keith Rachel J
Published: January 2025

The relationship between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and health effects of green spaces has been studied suggesting that certain groups, such as men, may get more health benefits from nature exposure. However, the link between perceived benefits of nature and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics remains a gap in literature. We used a subsample (n=711, 2018-2019) from an environmental cardiovascular risk cohort to investigate the perceived benefits of nature. Participants completed an 11-item survey about their perceptions of the benefit of nature at in person visits. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics including income, education, race, biologic sex at birth and age were self-reported. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associations between perceived benefits of nature and demographic and socioeconomic factors; odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Both unadjusted and fully adjusted models for race, age, sex, and education are reported. Our results suggest that participants who identified as male, a member of a minoritized population, and/or completing less education perceived nature as less beneficial. Although additional research is needed to better understand contributors to these perceptions, access to convenient, safe, and multiuse green spaces may be important in encouraging time in nature and shifting perceptions of the benefits of greenness.
Social Housing in South Africa's Urban Landscape: Addressing Land Access and Sustainability Challenges in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban
Authors: Makalima Mzuchumile , Sokhetye Anathi Mihlali
Published: January 2025

Access to affordable, adequate, and sustainable housing is still an urgent challenge facing South Africa's urban areas. Social housing plays a crucial role in addressing the problem by offering low- and moderate-income household subsidies for rental accommodations. However, there are significant systemic barriers which have hindered its progress thus far, ranging from land accessibility issues to governance inefficiencies and sustainability. This paper presents a quantitative assessment of social housing projects in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, three of the most important metropolitan areas in South Africa. The research covers three main dimensions: access to land, governance efficiency, and sustainability practices. It emerges from the findings that expensive land, delays in bureaucracy, and zoning restrictions are some of the major factors impeding social housing development. Governance structures, while different, have some deficits in coordination and stakeholder engagement, impacting housing delivery. In addition, sustainability practices, such as green technologies and energy-efficient designs, are promising but unevenly implemented in the three cities. Comparative analysis reveals that while Johannesburg has embraced transit-oriented development, Cape Town faces significant resistance to social housing in well-located areas. Durban's community-driven housing models offer valuable insights into participatory approaches but suffer from financial and technical constraints. This research, therefore, points to the need for integrated policies that align land management, governance reforms, and sustainability investments. By using data-driven insights, this research adds to the conversation on equitable urban housing solutions in South Africa. Policymakers and urban planners must approach this with a holistic approach to foster collaboration between government entities, private stakeholders, and communities toward the creation of an inclusive and resilient urban environment.
Digital Transformation and Customer Loyalty in Insurance: The

Mediating Roles of Trust, Satisfaction, and Personalization

Authors: Abdollahi Zamharir Mohammad
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on customer loyalty in the global
insurance industry, focusing on the mediating roles of trust, satisfaction, and personalization.
Using data from 2000 customers worldwide, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) reveals
that digital transformation significantly enhances loyalty, mediated by trust, satisfaction, and
personalization. The findings suggest that insurers should prioritize digital capabilities,
transparency, and system reliability to foster loyalty This study examines the impact of digital
transformation on customer loyalty in the global insurance industry, focusing on the
mediating roles of trust, satisfaction, and personalization. Data were collected through an
online questionnaire from 2000 customers of insurance companies worldwide and analyzed
using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicate that digital transformation
directly and indirectly (through trust, satisfaction, and personalization) enhances customer
loyalty. Trust is defined as the customer's belief that the insurance company uses digital
technologies for their benefit, while satisfaction refers to the degree to which customer
expectations from digital services are met. Personalization is defined as the ability of
companies to deliver customized services based on individual customer needs. The study
highlights that insurance companies must focus on improving digital capabilities, increasing
transparency, and ensuring system reliability to foster trust, satisfaction, and personalization,
ultimately enhancing customer loyalty. These findings contribute to the existing literature on
digital transformation and customer loyalty, offering practical insights for global insurance
companies. However, the study has some limitations, including the reliance on self-reported data
and the cross-sectional design. Despite its contributions, this study has limitations, including reliance
on self-reported data and a cross-sectional design. Future research should explore longitudinal
effects and cross-industry comparisons.
Exosome Uptake from Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Alters T Cell Cytokine Expression and Modulates Protein Profiles in Exosome Biogenesis
Authors: Padinharayil Hafiza , Varghese Jinsu , Varghese Pulikkottil Raphael , Wilson Cornelia M , George Alex
Published: January 2025

Despite advances in immunotherapy, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) clinical success is limited, possibly due to substantial immunological alterations in advanced cancer pa-tients. This study examines the immunomodulatory effects of exosomes derived from lung adeno-carcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on T cells. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from A549 (lung adenocarcinoma), SKMES1 (lung squamous cell carcinoma), and Jurkat-E6.1 (T cells). Exosome size and morphology were analysed by NTA and TEM, respectively, while western blotting confirmed exosome markers. Exosome quantity was measured by the BCA assay. Exosome uptake was assessed, followed by resazurin assay, RNA isolation, quantification, cDNA prepara-tion, RT-PCR, nano LC-MS, and bioinformatic analysis, before and after treating Jurkat-E6.1 cells with exosomes from A549 and SKMES1. Results: Cancer-derived exosomes were efficiently in-ternalized by immune cells, reducing T-cell viability. Real-time PCR showed increased expression of TGFB, GZMB, and BAX, alongside decreased IL2, indicating an immunosuppressive effect. IL10 was increased more in ADC-treated cells than in SCC-treated cells. Higher levels of KI67 and BCL2 suggested a compensatory T-cell response. Proteomic analysis revealed 39 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in ADC-treated T cells and 276 in SCC-treated T cells, with 19 shared DAPs. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of these DAPs highlighted processes such as exosome biogenesis, metabolic pathways, and regulatory functions, with ADC exosomes influencing NAD metabolism, ECM binding, and oxidoreductase activity, while SCC exosomes affected mRNA stability, amino acid metabolism, and cadherin binding. Shared DAPs (19) were mostly linked to nucleic acid metabo-lism. The cytoplasmic colocalization suggested the presence of these proteins in the cellular and extracellular lumen, indicating further release of these proteins in the vesicles by T cells. Conclusion: Lung cancer-derived exosomes regulate T-cell activities through immunoregulatory signaling without cell-cell contacts. The molecular interactions between exosomes and immune cells can re-veal novel tumor immune regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic targets.
Analyzing the Successful Incompetent to be-Executed Cases in the United States: A First Pass
Authors: Su I-An , Blume John H. , Ceci Stephen J.
Published: January 2025

More than three decades ago, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that individuals who are not competent (alternatively referred to by the Court as insane) at the time of their scheduled execution cannot be put to death. Despite the years that have passed since the Court’s decision and the literal life or death stakes involved, competency for execution (CFE) remains underexplored in the psychological and legal literature. A number of important legal and ethical issues that arise when a person on death row maintains they are not competent to be executed are still unresolved even after landmark Supreme Court cases such as Ford v. Wainwright (1986), Panetti v. Quarterman (2007), and Madison v. Alabama (2019). In this first-of-its-kind descriptive study, we analyze the demographic and case characteristics of the 28 successful Ford-Panetti claimants—individuals in the United States who have been found to be incompetent to be executed. Our findings reveal some similarities but also some significant differences between these claimants and the general death row population: the successful claimants are exclusively male (in keeping with the general prison population on death row), significantly older, and underrepresented among White and Latinx inmates (i.e., Black claimants are more successful than their White and Latinx counterparts at evading execution). Nearly all (96%) suffer from schizophrenia, with 79% experiencing psychiatric comorbidity, yet only 54% received any significant treatment before or after the criminal offense. The claimants’ cases also involve a higher proportion of child victims, family members, and strangers, as well as more multiple-victim cases (not indiscriminate) and fewer intraracial homicides. Fewer victims are male, and more are female. However, the cases do not align with typical male-on-male violent crimes or femicide patterns, such as those involving sexual or domestic violence. Additionally, psycho-legal deficiencies are prevalent, including a low rate of mental health evidence (61%) presented at trials and some cases lacking psychiatric involvement in CFE evaluations. Temporal influence and drastic state variations on CFE evaluation are also noted. Although the small sample size limits generalizability, this small-scale descriptive study offers a number of important insights into the complexities of CFE decisions and lays the groundwork for future research and policy development.
Characteristics of Escherichia albertii Strains Isolated from Industrial Quails of the Russia
Authors: Teymurazov Marat G. , Kartsev Nikolay N. , Abaimova Alena A. , Tazina Olga I. , Skryabin Yuriy P. , Khokhlova Olga E.
Published: January 2025

Background: Escherichia albertii is a lactose-negative escherichia that causes gastritis and enteritis in humans. Analysis of possible sources of infection points out that poultry may be a significant reservoir for this pathogen. The question of whether E. albertii can cause infections in poultry is still unanswered. Our article describes the isolation of E. albertii, for the first time in Russia, from the intestines of birds on a quail farm and characterization of obtained cultures. Methods: We isolated different bacteria from pathological poultry material using bacteriological methods and ruled out them as probable causes for enteritis. Biochemical identification of E. albertii and antibiotic sensitivity were performed using a Vitek-2 Compact instrument. Bacterial identification was done using the MALDI-TOF Biotyper instrument (Bruker, Germany). E. albertii-specific genes, virulence factor genes and microcin genes were determined real-time PCR. Results: Concluded that E. albertii isolated from sites of intestinal inflammation are a potential cause of enteritis and high poultry mortality – up to 15% of total livestock for 10- to 20-days quails. One of the E. albertii culture differed from the main group of Escherichia by its biochemical properties, and subsequent PCR analysis showed a lack of the intimin gene (eae). However, we have to perform model experiments, which we will conduct later, to prove that the bird is not just a reservoir for the pathogen but is also sick itself. Conclusions: We describing the first occasion of infection caused by E. albertii in industrial quails. During the study it was found that according to the molecular-genetic and phenotypic properties of isolated strains in quails there were at least 2 clonal groups of E. albertii differing in antibiotic resistance, biochemical indices and presence of the eae (intimin) gene.
Malignant Mesenchymal Tumors of the Breast: Current Challenges and New Perspectives
Authors: De Lauretis Flavia , Sanchez Alejandro Martin , Accetta Cristina , Carnassale Beatrice , D'Archi Sabatino , Di Leone Alba , Franco Antonio , Gagliardi Federica , Magno Stefano , Mason Elena Jane , Moschella Francesca , Scardina Lorenzo , Silenzi Marta , Bucaro Angela , Pirrottina Chiara V. , D'Alessandris Nicoletta , Mulè Antonino , Santoro Angela , Marazzi Fabio , Masiello Valeria , Fabi Alessandra , Orlandi Armando , Palazzo Antonella , Paris Ida , Masetti Riccardo , Franceschini Gianluca
Published: January 2025

Mesenchymal tumors of the breast represent a rare and diverse group of neoplasms, accounting for 0.5% of all breast tumors. These tumors originate from the mesenchymal tissues of the breast and encompass a variety of histological subtypes. Malignant mesenchymal tumors are particularly aggressive, characterized by a high propensity for local recurrence and an overall poor prognosis. The rarity of these cases has hindered the development of robust clinical studies, resulting in a lack of standardized diagnostic and treatment guidelines and considerable variability in clinical management. This review offers a comprehensive synthesis of the current understanding of breast mesenchymal tumors, with a primary focus on malignant variants, including phyllodes tumors and breast sarcomas. It explores the diagnostic challenges, evaluates existing therapeutic approaches, and highlights the central role of surgical management while examining the evolving roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in improving patient outcomes.
A BIM-based Framework for Lifecycle, Cost, and Circularity Data Integration in Environmental Impact Assessment
Authors: Pibal Sophia Silvia , Bittner Rene , Kovacic Iva
Published: January 2025

The AEC’s resource consumption and environmental impact necessitate a shift towards sustainable, circular practices. Building Information Modeling, powered by information technology, serves as a key enabler in this transition, offering lifecycle data management capabilities from design to deconstruction. However, current BIM models lack embedded lifecycle and circularity data, limiting their effectiveness for sustainability integration. This study addresses this gap by proposing a BIM Object Library Framework that embeds lifecycle, cost, and circularity data into objects and aims at enabling informed, sustainability-driven decision-making. Through a proof of concept, the research demonstrates how embedding LCA and CE metrics into BIM objects enhances environmental and circular impact assessments. The framework aligns with standards such as ISO 14040 and EN 15804, EU Level(s) and United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Limitations such as data integration complexity and the need for specialized expertise occurred. However, this framework provides a scalable foundation for future research, including automating data integration, enhancing metric calculations, developing interactive circularity dashboards to improve as a decision-support tool. This study advances circular BIM adoption, integrating sustainability principles into digital design workflows from the object level, while serving as a centralized repository for sustainability-driven decision-making.
Relationship Debt and Its Impact on Employee Burnout in Private Western Technology Companies
Authors: Lundgren Johanna H
Published: January 2025

Employee burnout is a critical issue in Private Western Technology Companies (PWTCs), exacerbated by high-pressure environments. This paper introduces Relationship Debt (RD)—the accumulation of unresolved conflicts, unmet expectations, and workplace stressors that erode job satisfaction and productivity. Drawing on the Conservation of Resources Theory, Psychological Contract Theory, Equity Theory, Organisational Justice Theory, and Social Identity Theory, this study conceptualises RD as a cyclical and self-reinforcing phenomenon. Findings highlight RD as a significant yet underexplored contributor to burnout, necessitating targeted interventions. This research underscores the need for organisational policies that enhance psychological safety, fair resource distribution, and proactive conflict resolution. By framing RD as a measurable workplace phenomenon, this study provides a foundation for improving workplace relationships, burnout prevention, and organisational effectiveness.
EFR3A, an Intriguing Gene, and Protein with a Scaffolding Function
Authors: Trybus Magdalena , Hryniewicz-Jankowska Anita , Czogalla Aleksander , Sikorski Aleksander F.
Published: January 2025

EFR3 (Eighty-Five Requiring 3) protein and its homologs are rather poorly understood eukaryotic plasma membrane peripheral proteins. They belong to the armadillo-like family of superhelical proteins. In higher vertebrates two paralog genes, A and B were found, each expressing at least 2-3 protein isoforms. EFR3s are involved in several physiological functions, mostly including phosphatidyl inositide phosphates, e.g. phototransduction (insects), GPCRs, and insulin receptors regulated processes (mammals). Mutations in the EFR3A were linked to several types of human disorders, i.e. neurological, cardiovascular, and several tumors. Structural data on the atomic level indicate the extended superhelical rod-like structure of the first two-thirds of the molecule with a typical armadillo repeat motif (ARM) in the N-terminal part and a triple helical motif in its C-terminal part. EFR3s' best-known molecular function is anchoring the giant phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase A complex to the plasma membrane crucial for cell signaling, also linked directly to the KRAS mutant oncogenic function. Another function connected to the newly uncovered interaction of EFR3A with flotillin-2 may be the participation of the former in the organization and regulation of the membrane raft domain. This review presents EFR3A as an intriguing subject of future studies.
Unscheduled Bleeding in Postmenopausal Women on Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Single-Centre Analysis of Endometrial Cancer Risk
Authors: Abdelaziz Mohamed Abdelwanis Mohamed , Mohamed Ahmed , Olaleye Ayodele , Hesham Nesma , Tasnim Nazifa , Ogundiran Oluwafemi , Sandison Lorna , Juliana Anita
Published: January 2025

Background: Unscheduled bleeding in postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) raises concerns about endometrial pathology and requires careful evaluation to exclude malignancy. The relationship between HRT regimens and endometrial safety remains a significant clinical consideration, particularly in the context of unscheduled bleeding.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence of endometrial cancer and identify specific risk factors among postmenopausal women experiencing unscheduled bleeding while on HRT. Secondary objectives included evaluating the correlation between different HRT regimens and endometrial pathology and assessing the relationship between endometrial thickness and histopathological findings.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals, examining records of postmenopausal women who presented with unscheduled bleeding while on HRT between September 2023 and February 2024. Comprehensive data collection included patient demographics, HRT regimens, endometrial thickness measurements, and histopathological outcomes. Statistical analysis employed standard descriptive methods, with specific attention to risk factor correlation.
Results: A total of 1,399 patients presented with postmenopausal bleeding during the study period, of whom 343 met the inclusion criteria of HRT-related unscheduled bleeding. In this study cohort (mean age 56.2±7.4 years), nine abnormal cases (2.6%) were identified: four malignancies (1.2%), four cases of endometrial hyperplasia without atypia (1.2%), and one complex atypical hyperplasia (0.3%). Higher BMI (33.1±7.7 vs 29.2±6.1, p=0.04) and increased endometrial thickness (10.6±2.9mm vs 7.9±4.3mm, p=0.02) showed significant association with abnormal outcomes. Sequential HRT demonstrated higher risk (Risk Ratio=4.44) compared to continuous combined therapy, while obesity (BMI≥30) carried a 3.73-fold increased risk of abnormal findings. The majority of patients (72.6%) were using continuous combined HRT, with lower rates of adverse findings in this group.
Conclusion: The findings indicate an endometrial cancer incidence of 1.2% among HRT users with unscheduled bleeding, with a total abnormal pathology rate of 2.6%. Specific risk factors including BMI≥30, sequential HRT use, and endometrial thickness >10mm warrant heightened surveillance. These results support the development of risk-stratified approaches to managing postmenopausal bleeding in HRT users. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these risk factors and evaluate the impact of risk-based management strategies on clinical outcomes.
Mediterranean Blue Flowers with a Scent of Cannabis
Authors: Hanus Lumir O , Maslov Leonid N. , Savidov Nick , Terent’ev Alexander O. , Dembitsky Valery M
Published: January 2025

The aromatic herb Plectranthus neochilus with a cannabis smell, widely used in folk medicine, has become the subject of a study of its essential oils of flowers and leaves. GC-MS analysis revealed a unique composition, the oils of flowers, the main component of which is 2-methyl-1-butene, its concentration exceeds 87 percent. On the one hand, this is very unusual data, although, on the other hand, it is known that 2-methyl-1-butene can be a product of thermal decomposition of 1,1-dimethyl-cyclopropane. However from a microbiological point of view, 2-methyl-1-butene can be a product of bacterial reduction of isoprene by a mixture of Comamonas sp. and Acetobacterium wieringae bacteria. This issue is extremely interesting and requires further careful study, although a preliminary discussion is given in the discussion of this phenomenon. Analysis of the oil from the leaves showed that the main products are α-thujene and α-pinene, the content of which exceeds 75 percent. According to a detailed analysis of the species Plectranthus, it was found that this species is a producer of volatile metabolites containing cyclopropane and cyclobutane rings. It is assumed that the compounds of essential oils containing cyclopropane and cyclobutane rings may be the main biologically active substances in this species or genus of plants. Data on the biological activity of the main identified compounds of this aromatic plant are presented..
miR-204-5p Preserves Kidney Function by Protecting Nephrin from Enzymatic Degradation in a Nephrotoxic Serum Animal Model
Authors: Haddad George , Blaine Judith
Published: January 2025

Nephrin is an essential constituent of the slit-diaphragm of the kidney filtering unit. Loss of nephrin expression leads to protein leakage into the urine, one of the hallmarks of kidney damage. Autoantibodies against nephrin have been reported in patients with minimal change disease and recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Understanding the mechanism of nephrin loss may help improve or lead to the development of a novel treatment strategies.
In this study we demonstrated the important function of miR-204-5p expression on the protection of nephrin from anti-nephrin antibodies present in nephrotoxic serum (NTS). In addition, we identified that the aspartyl protease cathepsin D is one enzyme that may be involved in nephrin enzymatic degradation and that cathepsin D is a direct target of miR-204-5p gene regulation. The regulation of miR-204-5p expression was determined to be regulated by the long non-coding RNA Josd1-ps. In an NTS in vivo animal model, treatment with the pan aspartic proteases inhibitor Pepstatin A ameliorated the renal damage. Finally, we showed that the expression of miR-204-5p had a nephrin protecting function in vitro. Developing a method of delivery of miR-204-5p specifically to podocytes in vivo may provide a novel method of nephroprotection against nephrin autoantibodies.
The Triad of Blood Brain Barrier Integrity: Endothelial Cells, Astrocytes, and Pericytes in Perinatal Stroke Pathophysiology
Authors: Martínez Tania Garcia , Gornatti Denise Gala , Ortiz Marina , Cañellas Guillem , Heine-Suñer Damià , Vives-Bauzà Cristófol
Published: January 2025

Pediatric stroke, a significant cause of long-term neurological deficits in children, often arises from disruptions within neurovascular unit (NVU) components. The NVU, a dynamic ensemble of astrocytes, endothelial cells, pericytes, and microglia, is vital for maintaining cerebral homeostasis and regulating vascular brain development. Its structural integrity, particularly at the blood-brain barrier (BBB), depends on intercellular junctions and the basement membrane, which together restrict paracellular transport and shield the brain from systemic insults. Dysfunction in this intricate system is increasingly linked to pediatric stroke and related cerebrovascular conditions.
Mutations disrupting endothelial cell adhesion or pericyte-endothelial interactions can compromise BBB stability, leading to pathological outcomes such as intraventricular hemorrhage in the germinal matrix, a hallmark of vascular brain immaturity. Additionally, inflammation, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and autophagy are key cellular processes influencing brain damage and repair. Excessive activation of these mechanisms can exacerbate NVU injury, whereas targeted therapeutic modulation offers potential pathways to mitigate damage and support recovery.
This review explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying NVU dysfunction, BBB disruption, and subsequent brain injury in pediatric stroke. Understanding the interplay between genetic mutations, environmental stressors, and NVU dynamics provides new insights into stroke pathogenesis. The susceptibility of the germinal matrix to vascular rupture further emphasizes the critical role of NVU integrity in early brain development. Targeting inflammatory pathways and cell death mechanisms presents promising strategies to preserve NVU function and improve outcomes for affected neonates.
Phenological Stages of the Species Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don. According to the Extended Bbch Scale
Authors: Gandia-Ventura Ignacio , Velazquez Marti Borja , Lopez-Cortes Isabel
Published: January 2025

The jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don.) is a species with a prominent role in urban gardening and to which new uses are increasingly being found, such as timber production or the production of antioxidant compounds for the medical industry. In this article we study the environmental conditions of the western Mediterranean, such as temperature, in order to make a phenological description of the species due to the growing interest in its cultivation and to find out how these conditions affect its development. Its phenology has been classified based on the extended BBCH, establishing ten stages and assigning them a digit. These describe bud dormancy, bud burst and leaf growth, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit set, fruit ripening and leaf senescence. Within each of the seven stages, sub-stages are defined with a second digit. All the phenological stages observed have been described, assigning photographs to those most representative of the annual cycle of the species. In order to know how each phenological stage has developed according to temperature, the thermal integral has been calculated from the thermal data obtained. Knowledge of the phenology of the species allows us to know its adaptation and the viability of its cultivation in the latitudes studied, as well as its possible response to other geoclimatic environments.
Current Research Trends in GBM: Focus on the RTKs
Authors: Barcan Edmond Nicolae , Duta Carmen , Staicu Georgiana-Adeline , Artene Stefan-Alexandru , Alexandru Oana , Costachi Alexandra , Pîrvu Andreea Silvia , Tache Daniela Elise , Stoian Irina Anna-Maria , Popescu Stefana Oana , Tataranu Ligia Gabriela , Dricu Anica
Published: January 2025

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor characterized by its molecular complexity and resistance to conventional treatments, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Despite these challenges, advancements in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) research, combined with multi-omics approaches, hold promise for improving patient outcomes and survivability. RTKs, are central to GBM progression, influencing cell proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis. However, the complexity of RTK signaling necessitates a broader, integrative perspective, which has been enabled by the emergence of -omics sciences. Multi-omics technologies—including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—offer unprecedented insights into the molecular landscape of GBM and its RTK-driven pathways. Genomic studies reveal mutations and amplifications in RTK-related genes, while transcriptomics uncovers alterations in gene expression patterns, providing a clearer picture of how these aberrations drive tumor behavior. Proteomics further delineates changes in protein expression and post-translational modifications linked to RTK signaling, highlighting novel therapeutic vulnerabilities. Metabolomics complements these findings by identifying RTK-associated metabolic reprogramming, such as shifts in glycolysis and lipid metabolism, which sustain tumor growth and therapy resistance. The integration of these multi-omics layers enables a comprehensive understanding of RTK biology in GBM. For example, studies have linked metabolic alterations with RTK activity, offering new biomarkers for tumor classification and therapeutic targeting. Additionally, single-cell transcriptomics has unveiled intratumoral heterogeneity, a critical factor in therapy resistance. This article highlights the transformative potential of multi-omics in unraveling the complexity of RTK signaling in GBM. By combining these approaches, researchers are paving the way for precision medicine strategies that may significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy, providing new hope for patients facing this devastating disease.
Concentrating Foraminifera from Sand: Viability of Perchloroethylene for Home-Made Density Separation
Authors: Brizio Cesare
Published: January 2025

The drawbacks of density separation techniques and the dangers inherent in the usage of organic high-density liquids are well-known since a few decades. Among those who face the challenge of separating Foraminifera from sand, avocational micropaleontologists and citizen scientists may not be able to obtain non-toxic alternatives for density separation, such as Polytungstates, nor to afford their relevant price. While the highly dangerous Carbon Tetrachloride is virtually unavailable for non-professional users, other “heavy liquids” traditionally used for density separation including Trichloroethylene (density above 1.6 g/cm3) and Perchloroethylene – usually sold as stain removers – can be easily purchased, pose less relevant dangers and, with appropriate caution, may be used in a domestic environment. Combined with an easily obtainable separatory funnel and with very basic equipment such as beakers and filter paper, Perchloroethylene can bring the advantages of density separation within the capabilities of non-professional scientists. This short, non-quantitative report documents how density separation may be performed at home at a total cost of around 100 Euro, and can provide an incomparably more efficient alternative to hand picking by wet brush.