bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
4-D ERT monitoring of oil spill contamination dynamics and remediation planning in southern Nigeria
Authors: Eze Stanley Uchechukwu , Ogagarue Difference Odeyovwi , Jeong Juyeon , Nam Myung Jin , Orji Omafume M. , Ofuyah Williams N.
Published: February 2025

4-D Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) was employed at the Kegbara Dere oil spill site in Ogoniland, Rivers State, southern Nigeria, to monitor the pollution dynamics of the contaminant plume, identify its preferential flow path, and determine target areas for decontamination to optimize remediation planning. Twelve survey lines were executed in a grid at four time points at the spill site. The independent inversion of 3-D datasets displayed acute variations in the apparent resistivity of the contaminants in response to precipitation, and a maximum depth of 41.8 m was imaged. A time-dependent evaluation of 3-D ERT models showed a reduction in the apparent resistivity of the contaminant plume during the rainy season compared to the dry season. This tendency is attributed to the dilution effect of rainfall, which increases the water content of the soil in the wet season. The time-lapse (TL) 3-D datasets were subjected to 4-D simultaneous inversion using a developed in-house algorithm, and the 4-D inversion results were analyzed to show the real-time position of the contaminant plume and the migration flow pathway is oriented to the southwest of the spill site. A maximum depth of 44.0 m was investigated. The 4-D inversion was able to eliminate time-related inversion artifacts to identify the preferential flow path of contaminant plumes at the spill site. This allows the environmental assessment of the target areas for cleanup and decontamination. An investigation of water specimens collected from five boreholes at the spill site revealed an average concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbon for the specimens as 739.51 µg/l, which surpassed the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) margins (50 and 600 µg/l). The summed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration in the specimens was measured at 0.70 µg/l in borehole 1 (BH1), 0.79 μg/l in borehole 2 (BH2), 0.36 μg/l in borehole 3 (BH3), 1.00 μg/l in borehole 4 (BH4), and 1.89 μg/l in borehole 5 (BH5), which are beyond the DPR target margin of 0.15 µg/l. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene compositions also displayed elevated concentrations in the specimens. The direction of groundwater flow is toward BH4, located southwest of the spill site, indicating the most at-risk receptor area for contamination. The results obtained from the geophysical and geochemical methods showed a strong correlation and have been validated as efficacious tools for environmental monitoring and pollution assessment at contaminated sites. The 4-D inversion proved beneficial for remediation planning and sustainable development, even in the presence of rainfall during the TL surveys.
Strategy Analysis of KOTAKU (Slum-Free City) Program on Housing and Environmental Problems in Kudus Regency
Authors: Saefudin Achmad , Rahmawati Rukhaini Fitri , Muharram R. Hefi Achid
Published: February 2025

This research analyzes the problem of slum settlements in Indonesia, focusing on Kudus Regency. The main issues identified include rapid population growth, limited land, and lack of basic infrastructure. The method used is secondary data analysis from various official sources and literature studies. The research results show that around 15% of residential areas in Kudus are categorized as slums, with the main problems including poor sanitation, inadequate drainage, and building density. This research concludes that an integrated approach involving collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the community is needed to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to overcome the problem of slum settlements in Kudus Regency.
Evaluating the Performance of Artificial Intelligence for Improving Readability of Online English- and Spanish-Language Orthopaedic Patient Educational Material
Authors: Reaver Carrie N. , Pereira Daniel E. , Carrillo Elisa V. , Marcos Carolena Rojas , Goldfarb Charles A.
Published: February 2025

Background:

The readability of most online patient educational materials (OPEMs) in orthopaedic surgery is above the American Medical Association/National Institutes of Health recommended reading level of sixth grade for both English- and Spanish-language content. The current project evaluates ChatGPT’s performance across English- and Spanish-language orthopaedic OPEMs when prompted to rewrite the material at a sixth-grade reading level.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional study evaluating the readability of 57 English- and 56 Spanish-language publicly available OPEMs found by querying online in both English and Spanish for 6 common orthopaedic procedures. Five distinct, validated readability tests were used to score the OPEMs before and after ChatGPT 4.0 was prompted to rewrite the OPEMs at a sixth-grade reading level. We compared the averages of each readability test, the cumulative average reading grade level, average total word count, average number of complex words (defined as ≥3 syllables), and average number of long sentences (defined as >22 words) between original content and ChatGPT-rewritten content for both languages using paired t tests.

Results:

The cumulative average reading grade level of original English- and Spanish-language OPEMs was 9.6 ± 2.6 and 9.5 ± 1.5, respectively. ChatGPT significantly lowered the reading grade level (improved comprehension) to 7.7 ± 1.9 (95% CI of difference, 1.68 to 2.15; p < 0.05) for English-language content and 8.3 ± 1.3 (95% CI, 1.17 to 1.45; p < 0.05) for Spanish-language content. English-language OPEMs saw a reduction of 2.0 ± 1.8 grade levels, whereas Spanish-language OPEMs saw a reduction of 1.5 ± 1.2 grade levels. Word count, use of complex words, and long sentences were also reduced significantly in both languages while still maintaining high accuracy and similarity compared with original content.

Conclusions:

Our study supports the potential of artificial intelligence as a low-cost, accessible tool to assist health professionals in improving the readability of orthopaedic OPEMs in both English and Spanish.

Clinical Relevance:

TK.
Three-Phase Flowback Rate Transient Analysis of Shale Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Yang Chia-Hsin , Zhang Fengyuan , Emami-Meybodi Hamid
Published: February 2025

We present a three-phase flowback rate transient analysis (RTA) of multi-fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs) in shale gas reservoirs, considering condensate dropout when the hydraulic fracture (HF) pressure drops below the dewpoint. A semi-analytical three-phase flowback model has been developed to account for the multiphase flow in the HF and two-phase water and gas flow in the matrix to analyze flowback data. Three HF flow regimes are considered—two-phase water and gas infinite-acting linear flow (IALF), two-phase water and gas boundary-dominated flow (BDF), and three-phase water, gas, and oil BDF occurring when HF pressure falls below the dewpoint. In addition, IALF is considered in the matrix domain. Pressure diffusivity equations for water, gas, and oil-phase flows are derived using the material balance approach to obtain the average HF pressure by modifying the matrix distance of investigation (DOI). New pseudo-variables for pressure and time are defined to linearize the governing equations, constructing diagnostic plots for flow regime identification and specialty plots for HF properties characterization. Diagnostic plots for each phase use the proposed semi-analytical solution. In the early flowback period, the water- and gas-phase diagnostic plots show a half-slope straight line, indicating the IALF regime, followed by a unit slope line for the BDF regime. A unit slope line represents BDF once the HF pressure reaches the dewpoint for the oil-phase diagnostic plot. Numerical simulations validate the developed flowback RTA model, showing that estimated HF permeability and half-length from the three-phase flow model closely match the set values in the numerical model with relative errors under 10%, confirming the model’s accuracy. The developed model’s applicability is examined by analyzing flowback data from an MFHW in Marcellus shale, demonstrating its utility in understanding the early stages of HF dynamics and attributes.
Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Grimontia hollisae Thermostable Direct Hemolysin with DNA Reveals First Vibrio Hemolysin with Nuclease Activity
Authors: Chang Chin-Yuan , Hsiao Po-Yun , Wang Yu-Kuo , Huang Sheng-Cih , Chou Feng-Pai , Huang Tzu-Yu , Lin Yen-Cheng , Kuo You-Min , Wu Tung-Kung
Published: February 2025

Grimontia hollisae thermostable direct hemolysin (Gh-TDH) is a pore-forming toxin that disrupts cell membrane, causing erythrocyte lysis and exhibiting cytotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, enterotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and lethality in mice. Recombinant Gh-TDH-FITC binds to hepatocyte membranes and translocates to the nucleus. This study reveals that Gh-TDH cleaves DNA with 3'–5' nuclease activity to generate a 3-mer fragment, while cleaving RNA with ~ 70% lower efficiency. The co-crystal structure of Gh-TDH bound to ssDNA unveils a unique DNA-binding configuration, where eight ssDNA strands form four duplexes, each connected to a Gh-TDH tetramer at one end and to protomers from four different tetramers at the other. Notably, the cleavage site (Tyr87-Lys88-Asp89) deviates from the canonical 3'–5' exonuclease motif (Asp-Glu-Asp-Asp). Mutagenesis identified Lys88 as a general base essential for nuclease activity. This study provides structural and functional insights of Gh-TDH on DNA-binding and cleavage mechanism. In summary, Gh-TDH is the first pore-forming toxin identified in the Vibrio genus with dual functions of hemolytic and nuclease activities.
Astrocytic Ensemble at vHip-NAc synapses Modulates Cognitive Impairments Induced by Chronic THC Exposure
Authors: Navarrete Marta , Martin-Monteagudo Cristina , Puente Nagore , Grandes Pedro , Marsicano Giovanni , Covelo Ana
Published: February 2025

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug, particularly during adolescence, and its consumption disrupts glutamate homeostasis and synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). While astrocytic cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) are known to modulate synaptic plasticity and behavior, the extent to which specific astrocytic ensembles drive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced alterations remains unclear. Here, we identify a functionally distinct accumbal astrocytic ensemble, related to ventral hippocampus-NAc (vHip->NAc) circuit, that is critical for THC-induced synaptic and behavioral impairments. Using fiber photometry, we monitored astrocytic calcium and glutamate dynamics within the NAc of wild-type and p38αMAPK−/− (Astrop38α) mice following chronic THC exposure, complemented by electrophysiological and behavioral assessments. Additionally, we employed AstroLight tool to selectively manipulate this astrocytic ensemble. Our findings reveal that: (1) THC increases astrocytic calcium activity and glutamatergic tone within the NAc; (2) the THC-induced glutamatergic alterations are absent in Astrop38α mice, implicating p38αMAPK signaling in astrocyte-mediated plasticity; (3) astrocytic glutamate release within the vHip->NAc ensemble is required for THC-induced cognitive deficits; and (4) targeted attenuation of THC-induced calcium activity in this ensemble prevents both spatial learning and synaptic plasticity impairments. These results highlight a critical role for astrocytic ensembles in shaping behavior and emphasize their potential as therapeutic targets for mitigating the cognitive consequences of THC exposure.
Promoting Neuroscience Research and Education in Limited-resource Settings: Neuroscience-in-view at the University of Rwanda.
Authors: Archibong Victor , Samson Olorunnado , Akeem Okesina , Abdullahi Mohammed , Akaninyene Ime , Micheal Ibe Usman , Gashegu Julien
Published: February 2025

Introduction: In Rwanda, the lifetime prevalence of epilepsy is 76.2 per 1,000 people, making it the leading cause of consultations, accounting for 52% of neurological cases. With a treatment gap of 92.2% and a shortage of neurologists, there is an urgent need for a multidisciplinary approach to address the neurological disease burden in Rwanda, leveraging the benefits of experimental and clinical neuroscience research and education. However, interest in experimental neuroscience is low among students and faculty due to lack of awareness, inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, and few career pathways. This study aims to raise awareness of neuroscience research and education among postgraduate and undergraduate students at the University of Rwanda.
Methodology:Twenty-five participants were split into five groups (n=5) and underwent a one-day hands-on training on neurobehavior, neurohistology, drug administration, euthanasia, dissection, transcardiac brain perfusion, brain harvesting, and fixation. Five male guinea pigs were sourced with permission from National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) for the workshop, and all participants consented to the study. Data were collected through a Google feedback form, stored in Microsoft Excel Version 21, and analyzed descriptively.
Results: Participants consisted of males (80%) and females (20%). 84% were satisfied with the workshop, 64% acquired animal handling skills, 56% expressed increased interest in neuroscience, and 48% recognized the importance of routine hematoxylin and eosin staining.
Conclusion: The hands-on training stimulated the interest of the participants in experimental neuroscience research. Additionally, the drug administration and dissection will benefit students in their clinical studies.
Effect of Bio fertilizer and Chemical Fertilizer on Vegetative Growth and Yield of Chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Calcareous Soil
Authors: Sarkawt Zorab Mohammed  , Kamil Sabir Saeed  , Azeez Arsalan
Published: February 2025

This research was conducted in the field of Bakrajo Technical Institute 2024, in the pot experiment, application of bio fertilizer and chemical fertilizer NPK 20:20:20, the randomized complete design CRD used, the studied of (0.5,1 and 1.5 gL-1) of bio fertilizer, chemical fertilizer NPK 20:20:20 and interactions between them. Results indicated that Significant result was obtained with plant height ,number of pods per plant, weight of pods per plant, 1000 weight seeds(g), harvest index, biological yield, dry matter, also, fresh and dry root weights and no significant with branch number and number of seeds per pods, otherwise, most positive correlation between growth parameters and yield, negative correlation between branch number and number of seeds per pod with other characteristics, low concentration bio fertilizer and active interaction between both fertilizers for yield and vegetative growth increased.
Problem općenitosti, nužnosti i preciznosti spoznaje sagledan u svjetlu Kantova konstruktivističkog pristupa geometriji
Authors: Laketa Saša
Published: February 2025

Spoznajni konsenzus o deduktivnoj konzistentnosti i koherentnosti konstruktivnih geometrijskih pojmova i o njihovoj naknadnoj, preciznoj, primjeni u oblasti iskustva, rezultat je, tvrdi Kant, transcendentalnog idealiteta prostora i vremena i na njemu utemeljene distinkcije između fenomenalne stvarnosti i stvarnosti po sebi. Svi predmeti mogućeg iskustva neizostavno se percipiraju u općenitim i nužnim prostorno-vremenskim relacijama i to je ujedno i uvjet mogućnosti općenite, nužne i precizne primjene geometrijskih principa u oblasti iskustva. U radu ćemo se u određenoj mjeri složiti sa stavom o općenitosti i nužnosti geometrijskih principa, ali ćemo i pokušati pokazati da Kantove postavke neopravdano nadilaze granice svojega važenja onda kada iz oblasti općenitosti i nužnosti zakorače u oblast precizne primjene geometrijskih principa unutar iskustva. Problem precizne primjene geometrijskih principa ostaje neriješen unutar Kantove transcendentalne koncepcije.
BRICS countries and the international gender equality agenda
Authors: Apolinário Júnior Laerte , Fructuoso Letícia
Published: February 2025

This article analyzes the BRICS’ stance on the issue of gender equality (SDG 5) within the 2030 Agenda, focusing on their positions in annual summits and the UN Human Rights Council between 2015 and 2022. Despite their criticism of the liberal economic order, the BRICS generally support the gender equality agenda, with an emphasis on issues such as violence prevention and human trafficking. However, China and Russia oppose topics like gender identity and sexuality, highlighting resistance to Western liberal views and a diversity of perspectives within the group regarding the promotion of Human Rights.
produção acadêmica sobre Regionalismo no Brasil
Authors: Leite Araujo André , Augusto Guimarães Ferreira Guilherme
Published: February 2025

O artigo apresenta e discute as características da produção acadêmica sobre Regionalismo nos Programas de Pós-Graduação (PPGs) do Brasil. Foram analisados os resumos das Teses de Doutorado e Dissertações de Mestrado defendidas nos PPGs da Área de Ciência Política e Relações Internacionais, no período 1987-2021. Argumentamos que o volume e as temáticas da produção acadêmica sobre Regionalismo estão atrelados à relevância que a Política Externa Brasileira dá ao tema e, especificamente, à alguma iniciativa regional, como visto com o Mercosul e a Unasul.
The change in weather types in two population centers in northwestern Iran (Urmia and Tabriz) around Lake Urmia with the Woś classification approach
Authors: Heydari Hasan , Movaghari Alireza
Published: February 2025

In order to recognize the effect of the drying up of Lake Urmia on the climate, using the Woś classification method, the types of weather of the two cities of Tabriz and Urmia, were determined during 1980–2018. Then, eight weather types in the range of hot weather types without rain to cool and very cold weather types with low cloudiness and no precipitation showed an occurrence frequency of more than 61%. The highest number of weather types with 45 types in the cold season and 26 types in the hot season was determined in Tabriz and Urmia, respectively. Then, modified Mann–Kendall (MMK) and Sen's slope estimator tests were used to determine the changing trend of the weather types. Investigations showed that, the hot weather type without precipitation and the slightly cool weather type without precipitation and of course without clouds had an increasing trend respectively, and the cold types also showed a decreasing trend in favor of cool types. The intensity of these changes is much greater in Tabriz. In addition, using the Mann–Kendall test, it was also determined that the increasing trend of hot weather in Tabriz started in 2000 at the same time as the lake began to dry up.
Comparing traditional hydrological forecasting models with CatBoost algorithm: insights from CMIP6 climate scenarios
Authors: Şebcioğlu Mutlu Şeydanur , Pala Abdulhadi , Guven Aytaç
Published: February 2025

Hydrological prediction is crucial for managing water resources, and innovations like machine learning (ML) present an opportunity to enhance predictive modeling capabilities. The aim of this study is to compare the usage of ML algorithms, such as CatBoost, with traditional techniques such as ridge regression, support vector machines (SVMs), and gene expression programming (GEP) in climate projection. In order to assess the accuracy of the best models, statistical measures such as root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) were used. The investigation found that CatBoost was superior to conventional models in the testing period, with RMSE 3.78 m3/s, MAE 2.613 m3/s, Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) 0.650, root mean square error to standard deviation ratio (RSR) 0.611 and NSE 0.626. After it was proven that the best-performing model is CatBoost, future projections according to the NorESM2-MM scenarios were calculated using this model. Climate projections are based on simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 model, utilizing shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios. The results show that SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios indicate an increasing trend between 2015 and 2100, while SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5 expect a balancing tendency. This suggests that climate change has little effect on the measuring station and its basin and that the flow is increasing positively.
Legal Form of Self-Determination in International Law
Authors: Tacik Przemysław
Published: February 2025

The paper aims to address the right of peoples to self-determination through one of the perspectives of critical legal thinking, namely the concept of the legal form. The theory of the legal form remains one of the most productive paradigms within Marxist approaches to the law. A hundred years since it was proposed in 2024 by Evgeny Pashukanis, it can be creatively developed to grasp paradoxes of self-determination. China Miéville’s influential proposal opens some avenues, but they require further deepening. As the paper demonstrates, three dimensions encompassed within the tradition of the legal form can be applied to self-determination. First, the understanding of the legal subject as imposed through procedures of interpellation. The right to self-determination contains, as its foreground, a set of ideologemes aimed at offering a people’s identity. Communities which ‘recognise’ their ‘selves’ in this interpellation can become legal subjects of self-determination. At the same time, national identity is welded with imagery of sovereignty and statal expression. Second, the concept of the legal form allows of grasping the process of exchange of recognition which develops through the right of self-determination. This process is based on internal inequality, as peoples are structurally divided between statal and non-statal ones. The right to self-determination, although posited as mediating between these two, effectively freezes its non-statal subjects before the gate to the community of states. Third, the right to self-determination demonstrates a high level of singularity in international law. Singularity is expounded as what perturbs the relations between the universal and the particular, the rule and its cases. Especially after the era of decolonisation instances in which self-determination is invoked do not form a graspable chain of cases. Instead, singularity of this right appears in its suspended applicability and practical non-enforceability.
A modalidade argumentativa polêmica na escola: reflexões e apontamentos para o ensino
Authors:   , Andrade Gabrielly Thiciane dos Santos
Published: February 2025

Este trabalho consiste em uma pesquisa realizada com professores e professoras de Língua Portuguesa de escolas públicas estaduais da rede de ensino do Rio Grande do Norte, atuantes no Ensino Médio, na cidade de Mossoró/RN, a respeito da modalidade polêmica na escola. Como objetivo geral, buscamos compreender a perspectiva docente quanto ao trabalho pedagógico com a modalidade argumentativa polêmica na escola, visando promover reflexões e apontamentos para o ensino da argumentação. Assim, com os objetivos específicos, visamos identificar concepções de professores de língua portuguesa acerca da polêmica no ensino da argumentação, analisar como professores de língua portuguesa promovem o ensino da argumentação no ensino médio, focalizando o trabalho com a modalidade polêmica, bem como elaborar uma proposta pedagógica para o ensino da modalidade argumentativa polêmica na escola. O aporte teórico fundamental desta pesquisa está centrado nos estudos da Abordagem da Argumentação no Discurso, propostos por Ruth Amossy (2014, 2017[2014]), dentre outros, por refletirem sobre as modalidades argumentativas, assim como a modalidade argumentativa polêmica presente na sociedade. A proposta metodológica deste trabalho constitui-se de uma abordagem qualitativa, de natureza aplicada, com fonte de informação primária, além do cunho exploratório e descritivo, com base nos procedimentos técnicos de estudo de caso. O corpus foi constituído por um questionário contendo 15 perguntas, divididas em blocos de acordo com os objetivos específicos. Os resultados demonstram que há uma variedade de compreensões sobre o que é a modalidade argumentativa polêmica e que se faz necessário aprofundamento e reflexão por parte dos professores sobre o ensino da argumentação e da modalidade argumentativa polêmica. Entendemos que, embora o ensino da argumentação seja explorado pelo docente conforme recomendam os documentos oficiais de Língua Portuguesa, o ensino da argumentação não se estende à modalidade argumentativa polêmica na escola, o que nos levou à elaboração de um produto pedagógico em formato de cartilha sobre o trabalho com a modalidade argumentativa polêmica na escola
Potential CRISPR-Cas9-based Antiviral Activity Against Hepatitis C Virus in Liver Cancer
Authors: Monajjemi Majid , Mollaamin Fatemeh , Alsayed Ahmad R.
Published: February 2025

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a primary global health concern, and though therapeutic options have improved, no very effective vaccine is available despite decades of research. The health and vitality of the organism are related to the result of homeostatic regulation of the internal environment. In contrast, it follows that disruption of homeostatic mechanisms leads to disease, particularly in liver cancer. Since HCV can rapidly mutate to evade the immune response, an effective HCV vaccine must rely on the identification and characterization of sites critical for broad immune protection and viral neutralization. In this work, we discussed the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) from the viewpoint of homeostasis due to its heterogeneous structure with numerous genomes and different recognized subunits containing discrete segments. However, the interplay between HCV proteins during genomic RNA replication and progeny virion assembly is not completely understood. Here, we studied the dynamics and intracellular localization of non-structural 5A protein (NS5A), a protein involved in genome replication. HCV genome can encode several proteins with about 4,000 amino acids, each containing glycoproteins (E1 and E2) and seven non-structural (NS) proteins. E1 and E2 form a heterodimer complex on the virus structure, where E2 contains a receptor binding domain (RBD) that affects entry receptors. Since DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) often involve breaks in either foreign DNA strand, it can be repaired using NHEJ or HDR pathways. By this method, through enzyme endonuclease, site-specific segments of DNA are inserted, and then DNA repair mechanisms are used to close the DNA breaks, known as genetic scissors (CRISPR/Cas9). CRISPR/Cas9 technology is precise and rapidly reprogrammable depending on the experimental setup. Therefore, specific genomic loci can be activated or interfered with by CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleic-protein (CRISPR or CREPR) interactions. This NS5A-APEX2 protein was fully visualized by fast transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results exhibited hepatitis virus (HCV) replication during conjugated membrane vesicles containing replication complexes. Most studies on NS5A dynamics highlight the increased movement of NS5A in the absence of the nucleus, which could be related to altered nucleus-dependent activity associated with microtubules and/or dynein.
The Effect of COVID-19 on Health Care Utilization Among Children with Medical Complexity: Retrospective Chart Review Study
Authors: Asan Onur , Super Ilse , Percy Stephen , Clouser Katharine N
Published: February 2025

This study examines the trends, patterns, and potential health disparities in health care utilization among children with medical complexity, before and during COVID pandemic through a retrospective chart review. Our findings show significant differences in the average number of visits per patient over the years and support the adoption of telehealth consultations, while highlighting concerns about demographic disparities.
Embodying the Ineffable: An Exploration of Switch, the First-ever Exhibition of Queer Surfing
Authors: Goodman Shai , Rheenen Derek Van
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the first ever exhibition of queer surfing, also known as Switch: An Exhibition of Queer Surfing, Against the Binary Against Hierarchy, which hosted more than 40 non-binary, trans, and queer surfers at Linda Mar beach in Pacifica, California in June 2023. Switch intended to serve as a non-traditional showcase of queer and trans wave riding, without divisions based on gender, board, or body. This paper investigates how Switch aimed to resist male hegemony in surf culture, and renegotiate the dominant values ascribed to contemporary surf culture, with its emphasis on professionalization, competitiveness, and conformity. Employing a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants and organizers of Switch to explore how they perceived the event and its larger implications. Through thematic analysis, this study found that Switch cultivated queer possibility and articulations of liberation for study participants. Switch was regarded as successful in affirming their queer and surfer identities simultaneously, presenting opportunities to envision what a queer future in surfing may look like. The findings indicate that queer surfers seek to create alternative spaces within this social practice where the vibrancy and joy of queer culture can be boldly and aesthetically surfaced.
Language Advertisement in Vanguard and Punch Newspapers: A Semantic Approach
Authors: Adebayo David Opeyemi , Obumneke Chinonso Faith , Ameen Aransi Damilare , David Bukola Jane
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the semantic features and language strategies employed in advertisements within two prominent Nigerian newspapers, Punch and Vanguard. Anchored in linguistic theories such as the Denotational, Mentalist, Sense, and Use Theories of Meaning, the research explores how lexical and semantic choices shape consumer perceptions and engagement. The study focuses on three advertisements: Wema Bank, The Alternative Bank (Punch), Blue Diamond Logistics, and Lagos Internal Revenue Service (Vanguard).Findings reveal distinct differences in language use, reflecting the newspapers' editorial styles and target audiences. Punch adopts direct, action-oriented language, appealing to a pragmatic readership by emphasising immediacy and clarity. For example, Wema Bank's "5 for 5 Promo" employs transactional terms like "daily draws" and "N135,000,000 prize," creating urgency and excitement. Similarly, The Alternative Bank uses aspirational phrases like "Be Unstoppable," encouraging empowerment and professional growth.Conversely, Vanguard employs emotive and sophisticated language, resonating with an urban, aspirational audience. Blue Diamond Logistics emphasises credibility and expertise through terms like "global logistics services" and "30-year track record," projecting reliability and international competence. The Lagos Internal Revenue Service ad promotes its eTax platform using language highlighting civic responsibility and convenience, framing tax compliance as a moral obligation.The study underscores the role of semantics in aligning advertisements with cultural and cognitive contexts, demonstrating how language constructs meaning to influence consumer behaviour. Advertisers effectively engage diverse demographics by tailoring linguistic strategies to specific audience profiles. Recommendations include a deeper exploration of cultural and regional factors in advertising language and expanding research to digital media platforms.In conclusion, the nuanced lexical and semantic choices in Punch and Vanguard advertisements exemplify the strategic interplay between language, meaning, and audience engagement in Nigerian print media.
Effect of Climate Change and Selected Macroeconomic Variables on Food Security in South Africa
Authors: Olawuyi Seyi Olalekan , Mushunje Abbyssinia
Published: February 2025

Ensuring a balanced and economically healthy environment is paramount for attaining zero hunger in Africa. This vision is threatened by climate change, a multivariate concept which impacts different sectors, most notably the agri-food sector. This study examined the effect of climate change and selected macroeconomic variables on food security in South Africa, focusing on developing relevant policy decisions to promote sustainable food systems in one of Africa's most industrialised economies. Time series data on South Africa, covering the period of 1990 to 2022, were sourced from the World Development Indicators database. The study applied the ADF unit root test to examine their stationarity properties. At the same time, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach to cointegration (ARDL) was used to investigate the long-run and short-run relationships of the selected climate and macroeconomic variables and food security in South Africa.Results from the short-run dynamics revealed that past changes (lagged values) in CO2 emissions, food import index, and particulate emission damage significantly impact food security. The error correction term indicated a strong adjustment to the long-term equilibrium, suggesting that food security responds quickly to deviations from its long-term trend. The high R-squared and adjusted R-squared values indicated that the model explains a substantial portion of the variance in food security. The model's diagnostics revealed no significant issue of autocorrelation in the residuals. At the same time, the absence of an ARCH effect indicates that the variance of the residuals is constant over time, and conditional heteroskedasticity is equally not an issue in the fitted model.
In vitro and In vivo Management of Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsidis) of Clusterbean
Authors: Prahlad  , Godara Shankar Lal , Meena Ashok Kumar , Vashisht Preeti
Published: February 2025

Bacterial Blight of clusterbean(BLB), which is brought on by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsis, is a significant disease that causes severe infestation, resulting in losses of 58-68% of seed production. In order to determine the best BLB management measures, two-year field experiments and laboratory investigations were carried out in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The experiment was carried out on the BLB-susceptible cv. RGC-986. Garlic clove extract showed the most efficacy (12.80 mm) when evaluated in lab trials against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. cyamopsis, whereas P. fluorescens bioagents revealed the highest efficacy (18.10 mm). Streptocycline, an antibiotic with strong antimicrobial activity that inhibited the pathogen and exhibited maximum growth of inhibition, 21.34 mm at 200 ppm, while Copper Oxy Chloride, a fungicide, had a maximum growth inhibiting activity as 19.60 mm at a dose of 1000 ppm. The field experiment’s findings revealed that all treatments significantly reduced disease severity and net return while also increasing seed yield when compared to the control treatment. The maximum per cent disease reduction 92.11% and 88.77% was recorded after 45 and 60 days, respectively with T7 (T1+One spray of Streptocycline (150 ppm + Copper oxy chloride 0.2%). The treatment that was least effective was seed soaking with validamycin (200 ppm), followed by streptocycline at 150 ppm and then by COC at 0.2%.
Culturable Waterborne Bacteria from Mangrove Forests and their Decolorization Potential
Authors: Munir Erman , Herdiyanti Cheche , Saleh M.N.
Published: February 2025

Mangrove forests are ecosystems with highly diverse microorganisms. We aimed to obtain bacterial isolates from mangrove water forests and determine their bacterial diversity and potential for decoloring dye waste. Bacteria were isolated from three sites in the Belawan mangrove forest of North Sumatra. Bacteria were isolated on nutrient agar media. Twenty-nine bacterial strains were isolated, purified, and molecularly identified at the species level. The isolates belonged to 8 genera consisting of 15 species: Aeromonas caviae, Aeromonas salmonicida, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter kobei, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Myroides profundi, Providencia huaxiensis, Pseudomonas balearica, Pseudomonas hydrolytica, Pseudomonas khazarica, Shigella flexneri, and Shigella sonnei. Decolorization activity screening was performed in a solid mineral salt medium (MSM) containing 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% dye waste. Based on colony diameter, the following five out of twenty-nine isolates showed a higher growth response: S. flexneri, B. cereus, A. salmonicida, K. pneumoniae, and E. cloacae. The waste decolorization ability of these five species was quantitatively determined in liquid MSM containing 50% dye waste. All isolates decolorized >15% dye after 15 days, and A. salmonicida and E. cloacae exhibited relatively better decolorization activity than that of the other three strains.
Prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Chavan Surekha Kishorkumar , Karande Geeta Satish
Published: February 2025

The study was conducted to observe the bacteriological profile of diabetic foot ulcers in patients at tertiary care hospital. The incidence and pattern of antibiotic resistance of MRSA was studied. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the tertiary care hospital from September 2017 to December 2021. Of a total of 313 DFU cases analysed, 304 cases were infected ulcers accounting for 97.13% of cases and the remaining 09 cases (2.87%) were noninfected. Of the isolates cultured from the infected ulcers, 261 (53.81%) were gram-negative organisms and 224 (46.18%) were gram-positive. Of the gram-positive organisms, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (66.9%) was most common, followed by Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (31.3%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (1.8%). Of the gram-negative organisms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 67 (25.7%) was predominant, followed by Escherichia coli 53 (20.3%), Klebsiella species (19.2%), Acinetobacter species 50 (19.2%). The drug resistance pattern of MRSA was, Ofloxacin 82.6%, ciprofloxacin (89.3%), levofloxacin (91.3%), cefoxitin (100%) with Benzyl penicillin showing highest resistance of 100%. There was a significant rise of MRSA infections in DFUs.
Fungal Blood Stream Infection: The Emerging Nosocomial Mayhem in Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Kamaljeet  , Thalquotra Mohit , Dhamal Pratiksha , Kamath Narayana
Published: February 2025

Bloodstream infections (BSI) belong to the most detrimental healthcare associated infections (HAI) that have an impact on the treatment result of patients hospitalised to intensive care units. Recently incidence of nosocomial fungal BSI is drastically increased in ICU patients. Although Candida BSI are well studied, there is an acute lack of data relevant to other fungi from underdeveloped countries. The present study aimed to evaluate the fungal bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients admitted to an ICU at a tertiary care teaching hospital. A conventional mycological methodology was used to identify the fungal infections isolated from BSI to the species level, and their antifungal susceptibility profile was examined. Risk factors pertaining to fungal BSI were analyzed. The rate of nosocomial BSI was 1.2%. The rate of central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI)/1000 central line days was 3.9. The rate of fungal BSI was 5.6%. Contributing factors are gender (Male), advancing age, increased hospital stays, and central venous catheterization were significantly associated with the development of nosocomial BSI. Candida spp. was the predominant pathogen. Fluconazole resistance was observed. resistant to fluconazole was found in 61.5% of Candida isolates. Fungal pathogens have emerged as important cause of nosocomial BSI. From this study, it can be concluded that Hitherto, fungal isolates, once rarely encountered like Non-albicans Candida spp., Trichosporon spp. are now common in invasive mycosis. These pathogens often demonstrate less susceptibility to antifungal drugs, hence are associated with poor/no response to therapy and therefore may present as mayhem to patients. Finally, this emerging mayhem necessitates the importance of being vigilant about predisposing factors, strict implementation of infection prevention and control and initiation of antifungal stewardship program.
Waking Up to Mari Ruti
Authors: Tolga Theo Yalur
Published: February 2025

Cognitive tools are allegories of the human mind. They symbolize the feelings at the moment when the appearances they illustrate become extimate and no more intimate. In the Winter 2023, after watching and listening to a couple of interviews and her intense debates of love, desire and sexuality on my personal computer, Mari Ruti was in my dream. I learned that she lost her life after a few months due to a cancer she had had for years, which I did not know when I indulged in her digital appearance. This article is a tribute to Mari Ruti of the felt experience both for the dreamer and the significant other in the light of my digital memories of Ruti, excerpts from her books and interviews.

keywords: Ethics, Desire, Dreams
Zübük: The Liberal Tyrant’s Authoritarian Spirit
Authors: Tolga Theo Yalur
Published: February 2025

During the early weeks of the Gezi Park Protests in the summer of 2013, the Turkish government banned gatherings in Taksim Square. One man, however, stood alone in front of the Ataturk Cultural Centre (AKM), one of the symptoms around the never-ending events and culture wars, with the police around, obviously "obeying" the ban on gatherings. He instantly went viral on the internet: The Standing Man (Duran Adam), reminiscent of an unknown 1950s Hollywood melodrama The Man Who Stood There, while others began to stand "alone" nearby, but not exactly in the legally described form of an assembly or public gathering. As such, only the man's name was mythified and not the other participants'.

keywords:
Quando a escola é alvo da violência extrema
Authors: Parente José Reginaldo Feijão , Guerra Betânia Moreira de Moraes , Vasconcelos Maristela Inês Osawa
Published: February 2025

Os ataques de violência extrema contra comunidades escolares é um fenômeno difícil de explicar dada a complexidade dos elementos que os determinam. Prever e controlar esses eventos bárbaros desafiam especialistas de vários campos. A pesquisa analisou as implicações ético-política-afetivas da violência extrema para educadores e educandos em cursos de licenciaturas de uma instituição de ensino superior pública. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório. Os sujeitos foram docentes e discentes de programas de formação de professores. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram as entrevistas e os Mapas Afetivos. A pesquisa evidenciou a importância de buscar explicações para o problema da violência extrema indicando que esses eventos são fortemente influenciados pelas redes sociais mobilizando significativa carga afetiva manifesta através de sentimentos de medo, insegurança, dor e vulnerabilidade. Os currículos formativos precisam considerar esse fenômeno. O enfrentamento passa por estratégias de prevenção baseadas no diálogo e no respeito à diversidade.
Surgical treatment of ectopic maxillary third molars involving maxillary sinus: A systematic literature review
Authors: Brajkovic Denis , Kiralj Aleksandar , Ilic Miroslav , Mijatov Ivana , Mijatov Sasa
Published: February 2025

Introduction. This article aims to evaluate surgical procedures for the
extraction of ectopic maxillary third molars involving the maxillary sinus.
Systematic Review. A systematic review of case reports and case series of
ectopic maxillary third molars involving the maxillary sinus was conducted
following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
Meta-Analyses Statement guidelines. Results. A total of 45 articles
reporting 79 cases of ectopic third molars met the eligibility criteria.
Among the patients, 45 were male (58%) and 34 were female (42%), with a
median age of 25.5 years. Dentigerous cysts were found in 75% of cases. The
conventional Caldwell-Luc procedure was employed in 39% of reported cases,
while the Caldwell-Luc technique with intraoral endoscopy was utilized in
15% of cases. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in 36% of cases, with
postoperative complications reported in 10%. Conclusion. Based on extensive
review of the literature, we can conclude that the Caldwell-Luc procedure
remains the preferred method for removing ectopic teeth in the maxillary
sinus, whether or not associated with dentigerous cysts. Further refinement
of intraoral endoscopy linked with the Caldwell- Luc technique should be
particularly considered as it may lead to its establishment as the gold
standard for such interventions.
Does Temporal Immediacy Impact Investors’ Judgments? It Depends on Communication Mode
Authors: Jackson Scott C. , Wang Elaine , Piercey M. David
Published: February 2025

Temporal immediacy is the perceived closeness of an event or action in time and is impacted by linguistic choices, like grammatical tense and active/passive voice. Even when two statements have similar semantic meanings, variation in temporal immediacy can convey different feelings of closeness. For example, managers can use temporal immediacy to describe good news to make it seem closer and more likely. However, it is unclear whether discussing future positive news with immediacy (i.e., the “favorable” use of temporal immediacy) will influence investors’ judgments and whether this varies with communication mode. In two experiments, we find that favorable temporal immediacy increases investment willingness in text but not audio/video communications. Our findings have implications for investors, managers, and regulators, suggesting that reliance on text communications may lead to undue influence of linguistic features, such as temporal immediacy, and that audio/video communications will reduce the perceived closeness induced by these linguistic features.

Data Availability: Please contact the authors.

JEL Classifications: M41; C91; D91; G11; G41.
Passing the Test: Ethics and Integrity in Professional Education and Exams
Authors: Keyser John D. , Smith Jason L. , Stephens Nathaniel M.
Published: February 2025

A critical component of accounting education is the ability to recognize ethical dilemmas and make ethical decisions. This case provides three vignettes involving ethical dilemmas faced by staff accountants early in their professional careers. The fictional vignettes are inspired by SEC and PCAOB enforcement actions that resulted in severe penalties for the individuals and firms involved. After completing this case, students will be better able to (1) apply critical thinking skills to a real-world scenario (i.e., cheating on professional exams) to understand ethical dilemmas, identify and evaluate alternative paths of action, and determine and defend a preferred outcome scenario; (2) demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues related to cheating on professional examinations and the related impact on the accounting profession; and (3) apply ethics-related principles from the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct to ethical dilemmas seen in the real world.

JEL Classifications: M41; M42.
Visual Analytics and Visual Audit
Authors: Zhang Lu , Lee Heejae , Liu Qi , Vasarhelyi Miklos A.
Published: February 2025

This study introduces an innovative methodology for audit data analytics (ADA) called Visual Audit, which aims to effectively integrate visual analytics (VA) into existing audit practices. Furthermore, a descriptive model called the Visual Audit Model is proposed to provide a schematic summary of the Visual Audit Methodology. To foster a shared understanding among public accounting firms and internal auditors, this research also provides comprehensive definitions of VA-based ADA (VADA) and the Mature VA Tool (MVT). These definitions aim to establish a consensus on the concept of VA and specific VA tools that can be utilized to enable democratized self-service analytics.

JEL Classifications: M42.