bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated cardiomyocyte fusion may contribute to increased arrhythmic risk in COVID-19
Authors: Clemens Daniel J. , Ye Dan , Zhou Wei , Kim C. S. John , Pease David R. , Navaratnarajah Chanakha K. , Barkhymer Alison , Tester David J. , Nelson Timothy J. , Cattaneo Roberto , Schneider Jay W. , Ackerman Michael J.
Published: March 2023

Background

SARS-CoV-2-mediated COVID-19 may cause sudden cardiac death (SCD). Factors contributing to this increased risk of potentially fatal arrhythmias include thrombosis, exaggerated immune response, and treatment with QT-prolonging drugs. However, the intrinsic arrhythmic potential of direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of the heart remains unknown.

Objective

To assess the cellular and electrophysiological effects of direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of the heart using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs).

Methods

hiPSC-CMs were transfected with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (CoV-2 S) or CoV-2 S fused to a modified Emerald fluorescence protein (CoV-2 S-mEm). Cell morphology was visualized using immunofluorescence microscopy. Action potential duration (APD) and cellular arrhythmias were measured by whole cell patch-clamp. Calcium handling was assessed using the Fluo-4 Ca2+ indicator.

Results

Transfection of hiPSC-CMs with CoV-2 S-mEm produced multinucleated giant cells (syncytia) displaying increased cellular capacitance (75±7 pF, n = 10 vs. 26±3 pF, n = 10; P<0.0001) consistent with increased cell size. The APD90 was prolonged significantly from 419±26 ms (n = 10) in untransfected hiPSC-CMs to 590±67 ms (n = 10; P<0.05) in CoV-2 S-mEm-transfected hiPSC-CMs. CoV-2 S-induced syncytia displayed delayed afterdepolarizations, erratic beating frequency, and calcium handling abnormalities including calcium sparks, large “tsunami”-like waves, and increased calcium transient amplitude. After furin protease inhibitor treatment or mutating the CoV-2 S furin cleavage site, cell-cell fusion was no longer evident and Ca2+ handling returned to normal.

Conclusion

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can directly perturb both the cardiomyocyte’s repolarization reserve and intracellular calcium handling that may confer the intrinsic, mechanistic substrate for the increased risk of SCD observed during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Exposure to dogs and cats and risk of asthma: A retrospective study
Authors: Taniguchi Yu , Kobayashi Maasa
Published: March 2023

Findings on the relationship between pet exposure and asthma in western countries are inconsistent. This retrospective study examined the association of owning a dog or cat with the onset of asthma in Japanese people. We also investigated whether there is a critical window during which exposure to dogs and cats can reduce the risk of asthma by stratifying the analysis by the age at which pet ownership began. We analyzed data collected in an internet survey conducted by the Japan Pet Food Association in 2021. Valid data were obtained from 4290 participants for analysis of dog ownership and 4308 participants for analysis of cat ownership. In these respective groups, 41.2% had owned a dog and 26.5% had owned a cat. During the follow-up period, 5.7% of dog owners and 14.8% of non-dog owners developed asthma, as did 5.6% of cat owners and 13.5% of non-cat owners. On binomial logistic regression analysis, participants who had not owned a dog had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.01 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45–2.78) of developing asthma compared to those who had owned a dog after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. The corresponding OR of asthma onset among participants who had not owned a cat was 2.24 (95%CI: 1.56–3.23). Stratified analysis showed that while younger participants who had not owned a dog had higher ORs of developing asthma, those who had not owned a cat had similar ORs of asthma onset across all age categories. These results suggest that while there may be a critical window in early life during which exposure to dogs can prevent asthma onset, the protective effect of cat exposure is constant across all ages in Japan.
Effective mitigation of the belief perseverance bias after the retraction of misinformation: Awareness training and counter-speech
Authors: Siebert Jana , Siebert Johannes Ulrich
Published: March 2023

The spread and influence of misinformation have become a matter of concern in society as misinformation can negatively impact individuals’ beliefs, opinions and, consequently, decisions. Research has shown that individuals persevere in their biased beliefs and opinions even after the retraction of misinformation. This phenomenon is known as the belief perseverance bias. However, research on mitigating the belief perseverance bias after the retraction of misinformation has been limited. Only a few debiasing techniques with limited practical applicability have been proposed, and research on comparing various techniques in terms of their effectiveness has been scarce. This paper contributes to research on mitigating the belief perseverance bias after the retraction of misinformation by proposing counter-speech and awareness-training techniques and comparing them in terms of effectiveness to the existing counter-explanation technique in an experiment with N = 251 participants. To determine changes in opinions, the extent of the belief perseverance bias and the effectiveness of the debiasing techniques in mitigating the belief perseverance bias, we measure participants’ opinions four times in the experiment by using Likert items and phi-coefficient measures. The effectiveness of the debiasing techniques is assessed by measuring the difference between the baseline opinions before exposure to misinformation and the opinions after exposure to a debiasing technique. Further, we discuss the efforts of the providers and recipients of debiasing and the practical applicability of the debiasing techniques. The CS technique, with a very large effect size, is the most effective among the three techniques. The CE and AT techniques, with medium effect sizes, are close to being equivalent in terms of their effectiveness. The CS and AT techniques are associated with less cognitive and time effort of the recipients of debiasing than the CE technique, while the AT and CE techniques require less effort from the providers of debiasing than the CS technique.
Stressors and coping strategies among single mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Wakai Himawari , Nawa Nobutoshi , Yamaoka Yui , Fujiwara Takeo
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Increased levels of stress have been reported among parents due to the factors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Although social support is known as a protective factor for the stressors, restrictions due to the pandemic could influence the provision and forms of social support. To date, few qualitative studies have examined the stressors and coping strategies in detail. In particular, the role of social support for single mothers during the pandemic remains largely unclear. The purpose of this study is to explore the stressors and coping strategies of single parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on social support as a coping strategy.

Methods

In-depth interviews with 20 single mothers were conducted in Japan between October and November 2021. Data were deductively coded using thematic coding based on codes related to stressors and coping strategies, focusing on social support as a coping strategy.

Results

Most interviewees recognized additional stressors after the COVID-19 outbreak. Five stressors were mentioned by the participants: (1) fear of infection, (2) financial concerns, (3) stress caused by interactions with their children, (4) restrictions on childcare facilities, and (5) stress related to staying at home. The major coping strategies were (1) informal social support from family, friends, and coworkers, (2) formal social support from municipalities or nonprofit organizations, and (3) self-coping strategies.

Conclusion

Single mothers in Japan recognized additional stressors after the COVID-19 outbreak. Our results support the importance of both formal and informal social support for single mothers, either in-person or online, to cope with stress during the pandemic.
Sloppiness: Fundamental study, new formalism and its application in model assessment
Authors: Jagadeesan Prem , Raman Karthik , Tangirala Arun K.
Published: March 2023

Computational modelling of biological processes poses multiple challenges in each stage of the modelling exercise. Some significant challenges include identifiability, precisely estimating parameters from limited data, informative experiments and anisotropic sensitivity in the parameter space. One of these challenges’ crucial but inconspicuous sources is the possible presence of large regions in the parameter space over which model predictions are nearly identical. This property, known as sloppiness, has been reasonably well-addressed in the past decade, studying its possible impacts and remedies. However, certain critical unanswered questions concerning sloppiness, particularly related to its quantification and practical implications in various stages of system identification, still prevail. In this work, we systematically examine sloppiness at a fundamental level and formalise two new theoretical definitions of sloppiness. Using the proposed definitions, we establish a mathematical relationship between the parameter estimates’ precision and sloppiness in linear predictors. Further, we develop a novel computational method and a visual tool to assess the goodness of a model around a point in parameter space by identifying local structural identifiability and sloppiness and finding the most sensitive and least sensitive parameters for non-infinitesimal perturbations. We demonstrate the working of our method in benchmark systems biology models of various complexities. The pharmacokinetic HIV infection model analysis identified a new set of biologically relevant parameters that can be used to control the free virus in an active HIV infection.
Butyrate suppresses atherosclerotic inflammation by regulating macrophages and polarization via GPR43/HDAC-miRNAs axis in ApoE−/− mice
Authors: Ma Huiyan , Yang Libo , Liu Yajuan , Yan Ru , Wang Rui , Zhang Peng , Bai Zhixia , Liu Yuanyuan , Ren Yi , Li Yiwei , Jiang Xin , Wang Ting , Ma Ping , Zhang Qining , Li Aifei , Guo Mixue , Zhang Xiaoxia , Jia Shaobin , Wang Hao
Published: March 2023

Chronic low-grade inflammation is regarded to an important signature of atherosclerosis (AS). Macrophage (Mψ) and related polarization have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of AS inflammation. Butyrate, a bioactive molecule produced by the intestinal flora, has been increasingly demonstrated to exhibit a vital role for regulating the inflammation in chronic metabolic diseases. However, the effectiveness and multiple anti-inflammation mechanisms of butyrate on AS still need to be further understood.ApoE−/−mice fed with high-fat diet as AS model were administered with sodium butyrate (NaB) for 14 weeks of treatment. Our results showed that the atherosclerotic lesion in the AS group was dramatically reduced after NaB intervention. Moreover, deteriorated routine parameters of AS including body weights (BWs), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) were significantly reversed by NaB administration. Abnormal elevated plasma and aorta pro-inflammatory indicators including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as reduced anti-inflammatory IL-10 in plasma were respectively rectified after NaB administration. Consistently, accumulated Mψ and associated imbalance of polarization in the arota were attenuated with NaB treatment. Importantly, we demonstrated that the suppression of Mψ and associated polarization of NaB was dependent on binding G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) and inhibiting histone deacetylase HDAC3. Moreover, we found that intestinal butyrate-producing bacteria, anti-inflammatory bacteria and intestinal tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO)-1 may contribute to this effectiveness. Intriguingly, according to transcriptome sequencing of atherosclerotic aorta, 29 elevated and 24 reduced miRNAs were found after NaB treatment, especially miR-7a-5p, suggesting that non-coding RNA may possess a potential role in the protection of NaB against AS. Correlation analysis showed that there were close complicated interactions among gut microbiota, inflammation and differential miRNAs. Collectively, this study revealed that dietary NaB may ameliorate atherosclerotic inflammation by regulating Mψ polarization via GPR43/HDAC-miRNAs axis inApoE−/−mice.
Bioactive Azadirachta indica and Melia azedarach leaves extracts with anti-SARS-CoV-2 and antibacterial activities
Authors: Hemdan Bahaa A. , Mostafa Ahmed , Elbatanony Marwa M. , El-Feky Amal M. , Paunova-Krasteva Tsvetelina , Stoitsova Stoyanka , El-Liethy Mohamed Azab , El-Taweel Gamila E. , Abu Mraheil Mobarak
Published: March 2023

The leaves of Azadirachta indica L. and Melia azedarach L., belonging to Meliaceae family, have been shown to have medicinal benefits and are extensively employed in traditional folk medicine. Herein, HPLC analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction of the total methanolic extract emphasized the enrichment of both A. indica L., and M. azedarach L. leaves extracts with phenolic and flavonoids composites, respectively. Besides, 4 limonoids and 2 flavonoids were isolated using column chromatography. By assessing the in vitro antiviral activities of both total leaves extracts against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it was found that A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. have robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities at low half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 8.451 and 6.922 μg/mL, respectively. Due to the high safety of A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. extracts with half-maximal cytotoxic concentrations (CC50) of 446.2 and 351.4 μg/ml, respectively, both displayed extraordinary selectivity indices (SI>50). A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. leaves extracts could induce antibacterial activities against both Gram-negative and positive bacterial strains. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. leaves extracts varied from 25 to 100 mg/mL within 30 min contact time towards the tested bacteria. Our findings confirm the broad-spectrum medicinal value of A. indica L. and M. azedarach L. leaves extracts. Finally, additional in vivo investigations are highly recommended to confirm the anti-COVID-19 and antimicrobial activities of both plant extracts.
Study of instability mechanisms of trucks turning right at long downhill T-junctions based on Trucksim simulation
Authors: Zhang Shibo , Liu Yishan , Li Pingfei , Wang Li , Zhou Xixi , Li Yi , Luo Yong
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of road factors on the safety speed threshold of a lorry turning right around a corner at a the bottom of a long downhill T-junction. Trucksim simulation software was chosen to construct a model for investigating the turning instability mechanism. A three-axle truck was chosen as the simulation vehicle and road adhesion coefficients of 0.2–0.75, road super-elevations of -2–8%, turning radii of 20–100 m, and vehicle overcharge of 0–100% selected for tuning. Simulation experiments were carried out for different bending conditions, investigating the effects of each influencing factor on the destabilization speed threshold using the control variable method. The vehicle’s lateral load transfer rate and lateral acceleration were indicators for determining whether a truck was unstable. The results showed that: a) the turning radius had the most significant influence on the speed threshold for cornering instability; b) the road surface adhesion coefficient and vehicle overweight had secondary effects; and c) the road height had a general influence.
Supply chain resilience in the Colombian defense sector before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative study
Authors: Cabrera Benjamin , Santa Ricardo , Tegethoff Thomas , Morante Diego , Ferrer Mario
Published: March 2023

Unforeseen events can significantly affect organizations’ supply chains and disrupt their continuous flow. Therefore, organizations need to develop a response capability that allows them to minimize the negative effect of such events and quickly recover from them, also known as resilience. This research performs a comparative analysis of the influence that risk, vulnerability, and adaptability have on the resilience capability of supply chains in Colombian defense sector organizations before and during the coronavirus outbreak. Based on a literature review, a survey was designed and applied online to collect data from respondents related to the activities of the Colombian Air Force supply chain. For the first wave, data was collected between December 2019 and January 2020. Data for the second wave was collected in August 2020. Results suggest that identifying and managing risks positively impact reducing vulnerability and increasing adaptability. Moreover, by decreasing exposure and improving adaptability, the organization positively influences supply chain resilience capability. The results also indicate that the pandemic positively affected risk and vulnerability awareness. The identification of vulnerabilities had a positive impact on the resilience capacity during the Corona Virus outbreak. This research provides relevant information for the Colombian government on developing public policies and mechanisms of service and support for defense sector organizations to strengthen their resilience capability. Likewise, the study offers valuable information to those organizations interested in improving their resilience capability and that of the sector in which they are involved.
Effects of synthetic and environmentally friendly fungicides on powdery mildew management and the phyllosphere microbiome of cucumber
Authors: Wu Ping-Hu , Chang Hao-Xun , Shen Yuan-Min
Published: March 2023

Modern agricultural practices rely on synthetic fungicides to control plant disease, but the application of these fungicides has raised concerns regarding human and environmental health for many years. As a substitute, environmentally friendly fungicides have been increasingly introduced as alternatives to synthetic fungicides. However, the impact of these environmentally friendly fungicides on plant microbiomes has received limited attention. In this study, we used amplicon sequencing to compare the bacterial and fungal microbiomes in the leaves of powdery mildew-infected cucumber after the application of two environmentally friendly fungicides (neutralized phosphorous acid (NPA) and sulfur) and one synthetic fungicide (tebuconazole). The phyllosphere α-diversity of both the bacterial and fungal microbiomes showed no significant differences among the three fungicides. For phyllosphere β-diversity, the bacterial composition exhibited no significant differences among the three fungicides, but fungal composition was altered by the synthetic fungicide tebuconazole. While all three fungicides significantly reduced disease severity and the incidence of powdery mildew, NPA and sulfur had minimal impacts on the phyllosphere fungal microbiome relative to the untreated control. Tebuconazole altered the phyllosphere fungal microbiome by reducing the abundance of fungal OTUs such as Dothideomycetes and Sordariomycetes, which included potentially beneficial endophytic fungi. These results indicated that treatments with the environmentally friendly fungicides NPA and sulfur have fewer impacts on the phyllosphere fungal microbiome while maintaining the same control efficacy as the synthetic fungicide tebuconazole.
B cells promote granulomatous inflammation during chronic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice
Authors: Chen Yong , Bharrhan Sushma , Xu Jiayong , Sharma Tarina , Wang Yanhua , Salgame Padmini , Zhang Jinghang , Nargan Kievershen , Steyn Adrie J. C. , Maglione Paul J. , Chan John
Published: March 2023

The current study reveals that in chronic TB, the B cell-deficient μMT strain, relative to wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, displays in the lungs lower levels of inflammation that are associated with decreased CD4+ T cell proliferation, diminished Th1 response, and enhanced levels of interleukin (IL)-10. The latter result raises the possibility that B cells may restrict lung expression of IL-10 in chronic TB. These observations are recapitulated in WT mice depleted for B cells using anti-CD20 antibodies. IL-10 receptor (IL-10R) blockade reverses the phenotypes of decreased inflammation and attenuated CD4+ T cell responses in B cell-depleted mice. Together, these results suggest that in chronic murine TB, B cells, by virtue of their capacity to restrict expression of the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive IL-10 in the lungs, promote the development of a robust protective Th1 response, thereby optimizing anti-TB immunity. This vigorous Th1 immunity and restricted IL-10 expression may, however, allow the development of inflammation to a level that can be detrimental to the host. Indeed, decreased lung inflammation observed in chronically infected B cell-deficient mice, which exhibit augmented lung IL-10 levels, is associated with a survival advantage relative to WT animals. Collectively, the results reveal that in chronic murine TB, B cells play a role in modulating the protective Th1 immunity and the anti-inflammatory IL-10 response, which results in augmentation of lung inflammation that can be host-detrimental. Intriguingly, in tuberculous human lungs, conspicuous B cell aggregates are present in close proximity to tissue-damaging lesions manifesting necrosis and cavitation, suggesting the possibility that in human TB, B cells may contribute to the development of exacerbated pathology that is known to promote transmission. Since transmission is a major hindrance to TB control, investigating into whether B cells can shape the development of severe pulmonic pathological responses in tuberculous individuals is warranted.
Tirap controls Mycobacterium tuberculosis phagosomal acidification
Authors: Belhaouane Imène , Pochet Amine , Chatagnon Jonathan , Hoffmann Eik , Queval Christophe J. , Deboosère Nathalie , Boidin-Wichlacz Céline , Majlessi Laleh , Sencio Valentin , Heumel Séverine , Vandeputte Alexandre , Werkmeister Elisabeth , Fievez Laurence , Bureau Fabrice , Rouillé Yves , Trottein François , Chamaillard Mathias , Brodin Priscille , Machelart Arnaud
Published: March 2023

Progression of tuberculosis is tightly linked to a disordered immune balance, resulting in inability of the host to restrict intracellular bacterial replication and its subsequent dissemination. The immune response is mainly characterized by an orchestrated recruitment of inflammatory cells secreting cytokines. This response results from the activation of innate immunity receptors that trigger downstream intracellular signaling pathways involving adaptor proteins such as the TIR-containing adaptor protein (Tirap). In humans, resistance to tuberculosis is associated with a loss-of-function in Tirap. Here, we explore how genetic deficiency in Tirap impacts resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in a mouse model and ex vivo. Interestingly, compared to wild type littermates, Tirap heterozygous mice were more resistant to Mtb infection. Upon investigation at the cellular level, we observed that mycobacteria were not able to replicate in Tirap-deficient macrophages compared to wild type counterparts. We next showed that Mtb infection induced Tirap expression which prevented phagosomal acidification and rupture. We further demonstrate that the Tirap-mediated anti-tuberculosis effect occurs through a Cish-dependent signaling pathway. Our findings provide new molecular evidence about how Mtb manipulates innate immune signaling to enable intracellular replication and survival of the pathogen, thus paving the way for host-directed approaches to treat tuberculosis.
A case for somatic practices as embodied mindfulness
Authors: Weber Rebecca
Published: March 2023

Presenting convergences between mindfulness and somatic practices, this article makes a case for somatic practices as embodied mindfulness. It discusses historical origins as well as brief comments supporting some shared value systems and qualities espoused in both practices. After giving an overview of embodied cognition theory and the Interacting Cognitive Subsystems model, I trace how developing expertise in both somatic and mindfulness practices create the same cognitive repatterning to support the argument that somatics is a field of embodied mindfulness practices.
Rhythms of homecoming: A body–soul experience of dancing the traditional rhythms of my native land, as an exiled, non-traditional southern Italian woman
Authors: Ianni Filomena
Published: March 2023

The experience presented here draws on my MA Dance and Somatic Wellbeing final study. Due to global pandemic restrictions, this was a solo and single witnessed inquiry into the resonance, in my body–soul experience, of traditional dances from my native land, centred on deepening into a ‘return’ to the homeland within. This perspective hoped to contribute to the field of somatic movement practices in relation to traditional dances as embodied inter-, intra- and trans-personal experience and in contexts removed from their place of origin. Through the emerging themes, a story unfolded, of unanticipated archetypal and imaginal phenomena, a rich, embodied and spiritual experience encompassing individual and collective rooting and transpersonal significance. These are, therefore, central to this writing and presented with extracts from journaling, video recordings and drawings by both dancer and witness, as samples of the lived material from which they arose.
Motherlines, thin places and somatic orientations: An embodied inquiry
Authors: Richardson Lena Rebecca
Published: March 2023

In this article, I explore the role of ancestrally connected sites as places of somatic orientation and potentially as sites of embodied memory. Inspired by seeking connection with my Irish great-great-great grandmother, Jane O’Brian and her lineage, I travelled to Ireland as a North American woman, undertaking a circling journey to a land of my Motherlines. In this article, I explore touchstone moments on the land in Ireland, including my serendipitous stumble to the Hill of Tara in County Meath, Ireland. The article explores, in particular, the communication between my own body and particular places on earth, undergirded by other literature that explores human-land-based connection. I draw on the methodologies of embodied inquiry and autoethnography. Echoing and contrasting with the journeys of other writer–researchers who have engaged in their own ancestral journeys, I ask questions about land-based connections, and how these connections are challenged and remembered in the process of migration and uprooting. Acknowledging the possibility of nostalgic projection by diasporic returnees I touch on the potential pitfalls of such an exploration while weaving an autoethnographic and embodied inquiry which explores land-based connections as dynamic, multi-layered and a potential site of somatic re-orientation.
The Fluid Nature of Being: Embodied Practices for Healing and Wholeness, Linda Hartley (ed.) (2022)
Authors: Carroll Roz
Published: March 2023

Review of: The Fluid Nature of Being: Embodied Practices for Healing and Wholeness, Linda Hartley (ed.) (2022)

London: Handspring Publishing 269 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-91342-6-491, p/bk., £34.95
Not talking in riddles: How can factual documentary film change understanding and attitudes towards female genital mutilation in The Gambia?
Authors: Aslett Judy
Published: March 2023

This research involved the making of a factual documentary film, My FGM Story (), in collaboration with grassroots activists and the journalist Halimatou Cessay. It evaluated the film using Participatory Ethnographic Evaluation and Research (PEER) methods in the Brikama region of The Gambia. In The Gambia, 75 per cent of girls and women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), where their clitoris and other parts of their genitalia are removed for no medical reason. The results of the research showed that factual documentary film could be an effective tool in changing perceptions about FGM. The key finding was that the most effective film should be made in a collaborative style considering the experience of the local NGOs and the nuances of the local culture and traditions.
Gentle breeze or impending storm? Mahdi Issa al-Ṣaqr’s East Winds, West Winds in its postcolonial context
Authors: Starkey Paul
Published: March 2023

It is remarkable that despite devoting two full chapters to Mahdi Issa al-Ṣaqr’s works in their book on the Iraqi novel titled The Iraqi Novel: Key Writers, Key Texts, Fabio Caiani and Catherine Cobham scarcely mention his late work Riyāḥ Sharqiyya, Riyāḥ Gharbiyya (English translation, East Winds, West Winds) at all. Clearly, this understated, carefully crafted novel deserves more attention than it has hitherto received. The present article accordingly attempts to fill this gap by presenting an account of the work in terms both of its thematic content and of the author’s fictional technique and attempts to ‘place’ it in the larger context both of the development of the Iraqi novel as a whole and of the Iraqi political situation that forms a backdrop to the events of the work.
The Paranoid Style in American Diplomacy, Brandon Wolfe-Hunnicutt (2021)
Authors: Sullivan Antony T.
Published: March 2023

Review of: The Paranoid Style in American Diplomacy, Brandon Wolfe-Hunnicutt (2021)

Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press, 309 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-50362-791-8, p/bk, $26.00
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERISTIC OF NANOSILICA FROM GEOTHERMAL SLUDGE: EFFECT OF SURFACTANT
Authors: Adiatama Aufa Rai , Susanti Ratna Frida , Astuti Widi , Petrus Himawan Tri Bayu Murti , Wanta Kevin Cleary
Published: March 2023

In the synthesis of nanoparticles, the phenomenon of agglomeration is an undesirable condition because the particles formed can be larger. The use of surfactants can prevent the occurrence of this phenomenon. In this study, the use of surfactants was studied in the synthesis of nanosilica from geothermal sludge. The method applied in the synthesis of nanosilica is the sol-gel method. A 1 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution was used to prepare the sol phase, while the gel phase was prepared at pH 5 using a 1.5 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. The surfactants used were alkyl benzene sulfonate (ABS), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The surfactant added to the precursor solution was at the critical micelle concentration (CMC), where the CMC values for each surfactant were 0.15, 0.05, 0.50, and 1.00 wt% for ABS, CTAB, SDS, and PVP, respectively. The experimental results showed that the synthesis of nanosilica without surfactant could produce the product with a purity of 98.03%. Even though the purity is already high, the resulting product experiences agglomeration and surfactants were needed to minimize the occurrence of agglomeration in the product. The surfactant that gives the best product quality is PVP, where the particle size is in the range of 2.01–3.65 nm. However, the product produced with this PVP has a low purity, 56.67%. It is because the sodium chloride (NaCl) is trapped in the surfactant template.
STRUCTURE, MECHANICAL PROPERTIES, AND OXIDATION RESISTANCE OF MN-RICH FE-MN-AL ALLOYS
Authors: Desiati Resetiana Dwi , Sutiawan Edi , Sudiro Toto , Hermanto Bambang
Published: March 2023

In this study, Mn-rich Fe-Mn-Al alloys with different Al content (Al = 0, 3, and 5 % by weight) were fabricated from ferromanganese lumps using a conventional powder metallurgy technique. The samples were compacted in 1 cm steel dies using a load of 8 tons and then sintered at 1100 °C for 2 h in a tubular furnace under a vacuum condition of around 0.5 mbar. To evaluate the effect of Al addition to Fe-Mn-Al alloy, the Archimedes principle and Vickers hardness were applied to estimate the density and hardness of the compact alloys. Moreover, the high-temperature oxidation resistance of the alloy was evaluated at 800 °C for 8 cycles. The structure of the alloy before and after oxidation was studied by means of X-Ray Diffractometer and SEM-EDS. The XRD analysis results show that the FeMn-0Al alloy is mainly composed Fe3Mn7 phase, the presence of FeAl phase at 3 wt% Al, and Al8Mn5 phase at 5 wt% Al. The density and hardness of Fe-Mn-Al alloys decreased with the increased Al content. Fe-Mn-Al alloy without Al addition exhibits poor oxidation resistance since the first cycle of the test. The results of microstructural analysis showed that although the alloy with the addition of 3 wt% Al showed less mass gain after being exposed for 8 cycles at 800 °C, the Fe-Mn-Al alloy with 5 wt% tended to be more resistant to oxidation and had no cracking defects. The structure of the oxide formed on the surface of the alloy is composed of two layers (ie; outer and inner layer) which are affected by each alloy composition.
IRON REMOVAL PROCESS FROM NICKEL PREGNANT LEACH SOLUTION USING SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Authors: Zunaidi Mochamad Afriansyah , Setiawan Iwan , Oediyani Soesaptri , Irawan Januar , Rhamdani Ahmad Rizky , Syahid Adi Noer
Published: March 2023

Indonesia is a country that has abundant mineral resources, including nickel resources in laterite ore. Nickel demand has risen significantly because of the need for nickel precursors for battery production. Nickel laterite can be processed via the hydrometallurgical route to obtain nickel precursor by leaching the laterite ore with an acid solution to produce a nickel-rich solution or Pregnant Leach Solutions (PLS). This nickel-rich solution is then processed by precipitation with a base solution to make its hydroxides known as Mixed Hydroxides Precipitate (MHP). MHP is the main product that contains nickel and cobalt for making the material for a lithium battery. PLS usually contain iron impurity, which also dissolves when the ore is leached. Therefore, the iron needs to be separated to make high-purity MHP. To solve this problem, synthetic PLS contained nickel, cobalt, and iron, and their concentration was simulated to match the general PLS composition. From the experiment, it was observed that iron could be precipitated at two stages at solution pH of 3 and 3.5 using 2.5 M NaOH solution. After that, nickel and cobalt can be precipitated at higher pH. To study the effect of pH and temperature on the yield of nickel and cobalt precipitation, precipitation at pH of 7, 8, and 9; and temperature of 70, 80, and 90 °C was conducted. The results show that the highest yield was obtained at a pH of 9 and temperature of 90 °C, with precipitation yield of nickel and cobalt at 99.03% and 98.78%, respectively.
Local gastronomic business - premise for the development of Romanian
gastronomic tourism
Authors: Toader Cosmina-Simona , Feher Andrea Ana , Orboi Manuela-Dora , Crainic Daniela , Pirvulescu Luminita
Published: March 2023

Currently, most tourist destinations in the world are establishing
strategies to develop the culinary identity of their territories and to
promote local cuisine, based on the fact that gastronomy can have a great
influence on the decisions of tourists in choosing tourist destinations.
Therefore, the gastronomic specificity of a destination can attract
tourists interested in authenticity, specificity and new experiences from a
gastronomic point of view. The gastronomic businesses are some of the most
successful businesses, and this is due to a constant demand, which is based
on ensuring the need for food. In Romania, the concept of local gastronomic
point was recently introduced. The purpose of the local gastronomic points
is the integration of gastronomy and tourism in order to support the local
economy. The local gastronomic points can be seen as an invitation to
discover the local products, prepared in the Romanian rural kitchens. The
local gastronomic points meet the gourmets, the people interested in
gastronomic experiences, eager to know and enjoy the specific dishes of the
local cuisine, the traditions and customs of the locals, the culture of
food preparation. The gastronomic heritage on the Romanian territory is
rich and varied, and represents an element of the Romanian cultural
identity. Gastronomy, as part of the national cultural profile can be an
engine in the development of the local economy, through local gastronomic
points, and involves the practice of gastronomic tourism. In this article,
the authors aim to present the current situation of local gastronomic
points in Romania and their importance in the development of gastronomic
tourism.
Measuring the effectiveness of accounting education for agricultural
students
Authors: Deák Zsuzsanna
Published: March 2023

In the context of online learning, online exams have become
increasingly popular as an efficient assessment method since long-distance
learners can easily administer exams. However, the use of online exams has
not become common in Hungary until the mandatory online education during
the first waves of the corona virus epidemic. The following research aims
to look at testing of accounting knowledge in agricultural education.
Bachelor level students at Neumann University in three different
agricultural majors were taking end of semester tests in two accounting
courses. Test results in spring of 2019 (before pandemic) and spring of
2021 (during pandemic) were compared with the purpose of analyzing
students’ performances in online tests and comparing the results with
respect to student performances in paper-based tests.
Study of chemical control options against chestnut blight disease
Authors: Cheradil Andrea , Tarcali Gabor , Csüllög Kitti , Boukhili Mariem
Published: March 2023

Cryphonectria parasitica, the causal agent of chestnut blight, is a destructive Ascomycota fungal disease infecting European chestnut (Castanea sativa) and American chestnut (Castanea dentata) trees. On susceptible host trees, necrotic lesions (cancers) are caused by the disease on the bark of the trunk and branches. The disease leads to wilting and destruction of the chestnut trees.

Protection against the pathogen is difficult. Biological control using hypovirulent strains of the pathogen is one of the best options, but its implementation requires a lot of preliminary testing, as well as compatibility between the virulent pathogen strain that infects the area and the hypovirulent strain used for treatment. Thus, this procedure is a rather complicated and slow process. Chemical control against the pathogen is not currently widespread, as its implementation is also difficult due to the large size of the trees and the nature of the forest-like plantations, and there are currently no available pesticides. At the same time, protection with chemical pesticides may be feasible in plantations in which the size of the trees allows for application (lower-sized trees or young plantations). Therefore, it is necessary to find fungicides that can be used effectively, which is the purpose of this experiment.

In vitro efficacy of four chemical pesticides [Pictor (dimoxystrobin+boscalid), Amistar Sun (azoxystrobin+difenoconazole), Score 250 EC (difenoconazole), Cuproxat FW (tribasic-cooper-sulphate)] has been tested against Cryphonectria parasitica. According to the results of this experiment Score 250 EC and Amistar Sun were the most effective fungicides, given that they inhibited fungal growth even at the lowest concentrations of the test solution.
Food security in a changing climate world
Authors: Feher Andrea , Raicov Miroslav , Brad Ioan , Toader Cosmina Simona , Sirbulescu Claudia Elena , Ben Saleh Rhida
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this article is to analyze the potential impact of
climate change on food security. Global environmental changes coupled with
socio-economic changes are a major food security issue and challenge. The
main findings show that all four key elements of food security, namely
availability, stability, use and access are significantly affected by
changes in the environment. The most vulnerable segment of the population
is those whose living conditions and livelihoods are strictly dependent on
climate change and their ability to adapt is the lowest due to household
income. This category includes children and women, poor people, the elderly
and all those who depend on agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing and
other natural resources. Climate change and its impact on demographic
patterns, urbanization, population movements, and changes in food
consumption patterns are intensifying food system risks globally.
Autumn diet of European Hare (Lepus europaeus) in the Naszály hills
Authors: Benda Regina , Zsolt Biró
Published: March 2023

The European Hare (Lepus europaeus) is an important but declining
game species in most of Europe and the availability of food is an important
limiting factor. We investigated the Autumn diet of hares in a small
orchard farm in Northern Hungary to determine what proportion of their food
was composed of fruits and protein rich fabaceous plants with the
expectation that fabaceous plants would be more important in the diet.
European Hare faecal pellets were collected on a single day, the entire
study area was systematically searched for pellets. Additionally, reference
samples were made of fruit and fabaceous plants collected on the study site
the same day.  The diet was investigated using microhistological analysis
of the epidermis fragments found in the European Hare pellets. The diet was
separated into four categories: seeds, fruits, fabaceous plants and other.
It was also investigated if the number of pellets taken from different
droppings used for the analysis would have a significant impact on the
results. The distribution was tested using the Chi2 test and was found to
be insignificant, the results suggest for a study area of such small size
the number of pellets used to investigate the diet is not important.
European hare did not consume high amounts of fruit and fabaceous plants,
each only accounted for less than five percent of their diet and fabaceous
plants were not consumed in a significantly higher amount compared to
fruits on this farm area.
Examination of age distribution, time of birth and survival in a
brown hare population
Authors: Majzinger István , Farkas Péter
Published: March 2023

Our research goal was to examine the (1) age distribution, the (2)
date of birth and the (3) survival rate of a brown hare population. Data
were collected between 2014 and 2016 in an agricultural region of Hungary.
We examined altogether 346 shot animals from the hunting bag.

(1) There was no statistical difference between the years 2014 and
2015 when examining the homogeny of the age distribution of the whole
autumn population. At the same time, age distributions between 2015-2016
and 2014-2016 can be considered to be different. The age distribution by
under one year old individuals in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 were different,
but it can be considered homogeneous between 2014 and 2016.

(2) Most of the young hares were born between March and July in all
three consecutive years, in detail: III-IV. 22%, IV-VI. 27% and VI-VII. 16%
(altogether 65%) of the whole offspring.

(3) The survival rate (lx) of the whole population was 0,55 in T1
period, and 0,45 in T2 by under 1 year olds, while in the group of 1-2
years old or older, it was 0,79 in T1 and 0,81 in T2. Examining the
survival rate of the two age groups, no significant difference can be seen
during the examined periods. Examined by age groups and sex, the survival
rate was 0,62 under 1 year old males in T1 period, while it was 0,37 in T2;
furthermore by the age group of 1-2 years old and older the survival rate
was 0,74 in T1, and 0,64 in T2. The survival among males were homogeneous
in the two years. The survival of females by under 1 year olds was 0,49 in
T1, while 0,54 in T2. By the age group of 1-2 years old and older, the
survival rate was 0,81 in T1, and 0,91 in T2. The survival of females
between the two years is homogeneous.
Factors Affecting Resilience in University Students in a Single Region
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Park Jeeyeon
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of optimism and self-esteem on resilience in university students. A total of 127 university students were surveyed on optimism, self-esteem, and resilience. The collected data were analyzed using a t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, and multilevel multiple regression analysis. The results of this study are as follows: First, university students displayed a statistically significant positive correlation between optimism, self-esteem, and resilience. Second, the factors that most significantly affected resilience in college student were self-esteem (β = .59, p < .001) and optimism (β = .25, p = .001). and these factors explained 62.5% of resilience. Through this study, we looked for approaches to enhance optimism and self-esteem and ultimately improve resilience in university students. It is hoped that this study will be used I meaningfully in follow-up research.
A kreatív ipar Budapesten: egy fejlett gazdaság hangsúlyosnak szánt ágazatának hazai kihívásai és jelenlegi állapota
Authors: Lits Levente , Mátyás-Péter Tamás , Tósoki Samu Kaplony
Published: March 2023

A 21.század egyik legsürgetőbb globális kihívása a túlfogyasztás okozta ökológiai (és egészségügyi, valamint mentálhigiéniai) válság. Habár az egyes országokban különbözik a fogyasztói kultúra, világszinten jól leírható röviden is: mindig többet és többet akarunk fogyasztani. A kérdéssel aktívan foglalkozó gondolkodók között az egyik alapkérdés, hogy a mértéktelenséget okozó fogyasztói társadalom elválaszthatatlan-e a kapitalista rendszertől? Azért fogyasztjuk túl bolygónk készleteit, mert a kapitalista termelési mód és logika előfeltételezi ezt számunkra, vagy létezik kapitalizmuson belüli fogyasztói kompromisszum, ami hatékonyan tudja visszaszorítani ökológiai károkozásunkat? Gazdasági rendszerünk profitkényszere és pozitív GDP mániája megállíthatatlanul növeli energiafelhasználásunkat és szennyezésünket, vagy a technológiai haladás idővel felment a termelés-szennyezés elválasztásának kontrafaktuális jellege alól? Dolgozatunk során nem tisztünk az alábbi kérdéseket eldönteni, azonban mindenképpen érdemes hangsúlyt fektetni arra, hogy a kreatív ipar piaci körülmények közötti működése hogyan tudja azt az esztétikai és tárgykultúrát átalakítani. Esetlegesen felhasználható alternatívát nyújtani azzal a fogyasztói logikával szemben, ami a vitás kérdések ellenére is szorosan kötődik a kapitalista termeléshez.
Hogyan mentsük meg a demokráciát a technológiától?
Authors: Lits Levente
Published: March 2023

Recenzió és kritika Francis Fukuyama, Barak Richman, and Ashish Goel: How to Save Democracy From Technology, Big Tech threatens democracy. Few have considered a practical solution: taking away the platforms’ role as gatekeepers of content. Foreign Affairs, (2021. Január/Február) című cikkéről A szerzőhármas, Francis Fukuyama, Barak Richman és Ashish Goel által írt cikk a nagy technológiai cégek piac- és politikatorzító hatásaira keres orvosságot. A nagy technológiai vállalatok monopóliumait felszámolandó olyan javaslatokat és áttekintést tesz, ami a vezető demokráciák példáin keresztül fejleszti tovább azok védelméről, demokratikus rendjének megőrzéséről kialakított gondolkodást.