Search Results (129)

Recent research in digital migration studies analyzes both refugee populations’ social media use and so-called integration outcomes. Against the backdrop of digitalization, we argue for understanding belonging as part of an ongoing process in physical, virtual and hybrid continuities, where material aspects cannot be divorced from imagined constructions. We take the case of Ukrainian women arriving in the Netherlands following the Russian aggression against Ukraine, in 15 semi-structured interviews from 2023. Adopting an intersectional lens, our research asks the following questions: How does social media use mediate or inform a sense of belonging? How do observations correspond to or differ from previous studies on refugees and social media, given this population’s temporary protection (TP) status? As participants leverage digital platforms differently in evolving situations, they navigate connectedness to the new community; we argue this may be linked to distinct TP status and other characteristics of difference, including educational levels and digital literacy. Conclusions indicate that an intersectional lens could be applied in understanding Ukrainian perspectives in other Member States—or beneficiaries of differing origin—to better account for how intersectional dimensions like legal status can be mutually constitutive of virtual connectedness versus material, physical rootedness or vulnerability. Full article

Plant-growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) play a central role in promoting sustainable agriculture by improving plant growth and resilience. The aim of this literature review is to survey the impacts of Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. on various agricultural and horticultural plants. The information provided in this manuscript was obtained from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical studies and observations gathered from numerous literature sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords used were the common and Latin names of various agricultural and horticultural species, fungal endophytes, plant-growth-promoting fungi, Trichoderma, Penicillium, microbial biostimulants, and biotic and abiotic stresses. Endophytic fungi refer to fungi that live in plant tissues throughout part of or the entire life cycle by starting a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with its host without any negative effects. They are also capable of producing compounds and a variety of bioactive components such as terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic components. Penicillium is extensively known for its production of secondary metabolites, its impact as a bioinoculant to help with crop productivity, and its effectiveness in sustainable crop production. The plant-growth-promotion effects of Trichoderma spp. are related to better absorption of mineral nutrients, enhanced morphological growth, better reproductive potential and yield, and better induction of disease resistance. Both Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. are effective, affordable, safe, and eco-friendly biocontrol agents for various plant species, and they can be considered economically important microorganisms for both agricultural and horticultural sciences. The present review article aims to present the most up-to-date results and findings regarding the practical applications of two important types of PGPF, namely Penicillium spp., and Trichoderma spp., in agricultural and horticultural species, considering the mechanisms of actions of these species of fungi. Full article

For almost forty years, scholars of the Bible have drawn on the conglomerate field of migration studies to illuminate historical contexts and to exegete biblical texts. This paper recognizes the rich contributions supplied across the decades by such interdisciplinary scholarship. It offers a rejoinder to this work by exploring how biblical scholars might balance the interdisciplinary scales through reciprocal contributions to migration studies. The response is structured in three movements. First, I present the biblical corpus as a migration-informed and migration-informing artifact that has influenced perceptions of and engagements with migration for more than two millennia. The second part of the paper presents three avenues biblical scholars might pursue in their approaches to migration scholars as interlocutors. Finally, my conclusion offers closing reflections on ways biblical scholars might more appropriately prepare themselves for further interdisciplinary mutuality. Full article

Human needs alter ecosystem services (ESs), which then affect human needs. Based on the human needs theory, human needs in ESs are classified into four major categories of needs. A monetization method was used to quantify the ecosystem service need value (ESNV), the ES value equivalent method was used to calculate the ES supply value (ESSV), and the correlation coefficient method was used to understand the relationships and mutual influences among human needs. Finally, the supply and demand relationships were compared to obtain the gap between the supply of and demand for ESs. Taking Hechi City, a city with a predominantly karst landscape, as an example, we found that: (1) the total area of high-value areas and generally high-value areas in Hechi City increased by 10,935.15 km², whereas the total area of low-value areas decreased by 11,094.07 km². (2) A positive correlation exists between the various demands. Spiritual needs and material needs are moderately significantly positively correlated, with a correlation coefficient of 0.54. Security needs are positively correlated with material needs, with a correlation coefficient of 0.6. (3) The ESNV and ESSV in Hechi City are slightly imbalanced. Du’an requires an external ecosystem supply of CNY 21.9192 million for living material, while Jinchengjiang has the potential to export a water supply value of CNY 22.9934 million to external ecosystems. (4) The centers of gravity of various types of supply and demand are distributed primarily within Jinchengjiang District, only the center of gravity of production material needs is in the northern part of Du’an County. The distance between the centers of gravity of the demand and supply for living materials increased by 2100.44 m, the distance between the centers of gravity of the demand and supply for oxygen security increased by 639.15 m. The results are complementary to current research on ESs from the perspective of ES demand. These findings can thus provide scientific foundational information to help decision makers understand the balance between the supply and demand of ESs in a region and promote the construction of a human-harmonious ecosystem. Full article

We investigate the cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (CNOMA) transmission through a full-duplex (FD) decode-and-forward (DaF) mode relay and propose two sub-optimal beamforming schemes for this CNOMA FD relay channel. For the optimization metric, we use the end-to-end information rate based on the mutual information from information theory. In addition to the pure CNOMA relay channel, the proposed beamforming schemes are applied to the security attack case as well, where an unauthorized eavesdropper tries to overhear the CNOMA transmission. The FD operation incurs the self-interference (SI) at the relay and the DaF mode along with CNOMA transmission forces the weakest link among the links toward three involved nodes to determine the end-to-end throughput. These facts lay the foundation for the designing and optimization of the beamforming vectors at the access point (AP) and at the relay. The first proposed sub-optimal optimization algorithm for the beamformer relies on the quadratically constrained quadratic problem (QCQP) in its central part, and this OCQP is iteratively applied with different interference level values at the near CNOMA user as the constraint term until some conditions for the design objectives are met. In addition to the first algorithm, a zero-forcing-based beamforming algorithm is proposed for a reference scheme. The proposed two algorithms are slightly modified to address the security-attacked CNOMA FD relay channel when a illegal user overhears the legitimate transmission. Simulation results are presented to advocate for the efficiency of the proposed algorithms for the CNOMA channel both with and without a security attack from an eavesdropper. Full article

Recurrence resonance (RR), in which external noise is utilized to enhance the behaviour of hidden attractors in a system, is a phenomenon often observed in biological systems and is expected to adjust between chaos and order to increase computational power. It is known that connections of neurons that are relatively dense make it possible to achieve RR and can be measured by global mutual information. Here, we used a Boltzmann machine to investigate how the manifestation of RR changes when the connection pattern between neurons is changed. When the connection strength pattern between neurons forms a partially sparse cluster structure revealing Boolean algebra or Quantum logic, an increase in mutual information and the formation of a maximum value are observed not only in the entire network but also in the subsystems of the network, making recurrence resonance detectable. It is also found that in a clustered connection distribution, the state time series of a single neuron shows $1/f$ noise. In proteinoid microspheres, clusters of amino acid compounds, the time series of localized potential changes emit pulses like neurons and transmit and receive information. Indeed, it is found that these also exhibit $1/f$ noise, and the results here also suggest RR. Full article

Large language models (LLMs) and other artificial intelligence systems are trained using extensive DIKWP resources (data, information, knowledge, wisdom, purpose). These introduce uncertainties when applied to individual users in a collective semantic space. Traditional methods often lead to introducing new concepts rather than a proper understanding based on the semantic space. When dealing with complex problems or insufficient context, the limitations in conceptual cognition become even more evident. To address this, we take pediatric consultation as a scenario, using case simulations to specifically discuss unidirectional communication impairments between doctors and infant patients and the bidirectional communication biases between doctors and infant parents. We propose a human–machine interaction model based on DIKWP artificial consciousness. For the unidirectional communication impairment, we use the example of an infant’s perspective in recognizing and distinguishing objects, simulating the cognitive process of the brain from non-existence to existence, transitioning from cognitive space to semantic space, and generating corresponding semantics for DIKWP, abstracting concepts, and labels. For the bidirectional communication bias, we use the interaction between infant parents and doctors as an example, mapping the interaction process to the DIKWP transformation space and addressing the DIKWP 3-No problem (incompleteness, inconsistency, and imprecision) for both parties. We employ a purpose-driven DIKWP transformation model to solve part of the 3-No problem. Finally, we comprehensively validate the proposed method (DIKWP-AC). We first analyze, evaluate, and compare the DIKWP transformation calculations and processing capabilities, and then compare it with seven mainstream large models. The results show that DIKWP-AC performs well. Constructing a novel cognitive model reduces the information gap in human–machine interactions, promotes mutual understanding and communication, and provides a new pathway for achieving more efficient and accurate artificial consciousness interactions. Full article

We develop a method to automatically and stably anonymize and de-anonymize face images with encoder-decoder networks and provide a robust and secure solution for identity protection. Our fundamental framework is a Neural Network (NN)-based encoder-decoder pair with a dual inferencing mechanism. We denote it as the Secure Dual Network (SDN), which can simultaneously achieve multi-attribute face de-identification and re-identification without any pre-trained/auxiliary model. In more detail, the SDN can take responsibility for successfully anonymizing the face images while generating surrogate faces, satisfying the user-defined specific conditions. Meanwhile, SDN can also execute the de-anonymization procedure and visually indistinguishably reconstruct the original ones if re-identification is required. Designing and implementing the loss functions based on information theory (IT) is one of the essential parts of our work. With the aid of the well-known IT-related quantity, Mutual Information, we successfully explained the physical meaning of our trained models. Extensive experiments justify that with pre-defined multi-attribute identity features, SDN generates user-preferred and diverse appearance anonymized faces for successfully defending against attacks from hackers and, therefore, achieves the goal of privacy protection. Moreover, it can reconstruct the original image nearly perfectly if re-identification is necessary. Full article

Based on long-term ethnographic research in Tanzania, this article contributes to existing scholarship on adaptations and modifications of the so-called gospel in African contexts. I show how the Prosperity Gospel has taken shape in an environment of intense religious/spiritual/medical competition and, not least, of widespread cultural concerns with the moral legitimacy of wealth generated through alliances with spiritual forces. However, I also argue that a deeper understanding of the ways in which the Prosperity Gospel has become contextualized can be reached by moving beyond a focus on cultural concerns with wealth and paying close attention to the exuberance of meanings attributed to money in its most concrete and tangible form, coins and banknotes, as well as to the religious/ritual practices involving money that such meanings inspire. I pursue my analysis by zooming in on two areas where cultural understandings of money as exceeding its materiality and its use value are prevalent: the use of powers of witchcraft to extract money from others and the practice of bride wealth. Whereas the first has to do with understandings of material money as imbued with spiritual powers, the second can be seen as an example of a gift economy, since money given by a groom to his parents-in-law by virtue of containing parts of his soul or his essence becomes the foundation of a relationship of mutual respect between them. In the last part of the article, I show how both understandings are entangled with Prosperity teachings and inform ritual practices involving material money. Full article

mTOR plays a crucial role in cell growth by controlling ribosome biogenesis, metabolism, autophagy, mRNA translation, and cytoskeleton organization. It is a serine/threonine kinase that is part of two distinct extensively described protein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. We have identified a rapamycin-resistant mTOR complex, called mTORC3, which is different from the canonical mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes in that it does not contain the Raptor, Rictor, or mLST8 mTORC1/2 components. mTORC3 phosphorylates mTORC1 and mTORC2 targets and contains the ETS transcription factor ETV7, which binds to mTOR and is essential for mTORC3 assembly in the cytoplasm. Tumor cells that assemble mTORC3 have a proliferative advantage and become resistant to rapamycin, indicating that inhibiting mTORC3 may have a therapeutic impact on cancer. Here, we investigate which domains or amino acid residues of ETV7 and mTOR are involved in their mutual binding. We found that the mTOR FRB and LBE sequences in the kinase domain interact with the pointed (PNT) and ETS domains of ETV7, respectively. We also found that forced expression of the mTOR FRB domain in the mTORC3-expressing, rapamycin-resistant cell line Karpas-299 out-competes mTOR for ETV7 binding and renders these cells rapamycin-sensitive in vivo. Our data provide useful information for the development of molecules that prevent the assembly of mTORC3, which may have therapeutic value in the treatment of mTORC3-positive cancer. Full article

Three-way clustering uses core region and fringe region to describe a cluster, which divide the dataset into three parts. The division helps identify the central core and outer sparse regions of a cluster. One of the main challenges in three-way clustering is the meaningful construction of the two sets. Aimed at handling high-dimensional data and improving the stability of clustering, this paper proposes a novel three-way clustering method. The proposed method uses dimensionality reduction techniques to reduce data dimensions and eliminate noise. Based on the reduced dataset, random sampling and feature extraction are performed multiple times to introduce randomness and diversity, enhancing the algorithm’s robustness. Ensemble strategies are applied on these subsets, and the k-means algorithm is utilized to obtain multiple clustering results. Based on these results, we obtain co-association frequency between different samples and fused clustering result using the single-linkage method of hierarchical clustering. In order to describe the core region and fringe region of each cluster, the similar class of each sample is defined by co-association frequency. The lower and upper approximations of each cluster are obtained based on similar class. The samples in the lower approximation of each cluster belong to the core region of the cluster. The differences between lower and upper approximations of each cluster are defined as fringe region. Therefore, a three-way explanation of each cluster is naturally formed. By employing various UC Irvine Machine Learning Repository (UCI) datasets and comparing different clustering metrics such as Normalized Mutual Information (NMI), Adjusted Rand Index (ARI), and Accuracy (ACC), the experimental results show that the proposed strategy is effective in improving the structure of clustering results. Full article

Aerial manipulators expand the application scenarios of manipulators into the air. To complete various operations, the contact force between the aerial manipulator and the target must be precisely controlled. In this study, we first established the mathematical models of the multirotor and the manipulator separately. Their mutual influence is regarded as each other’s disturbance, and the overall linkage mechanism is established through analysis. Then, a robust sliding mode control strategy is developed for accurate trajectory tracking. The controller is derived from Lyapunov theory, which can ensure the stability of the closed-loop system. To compensate for the effect of system uncertainty, an adaptive radial basis function neural network is devised to approximate the part of the controller containing the model information. In addition, an impedance controller is designed to convert force control into position control to make the manipulator contact with the target compliantly. Finally, the simulation and experimental results indicate that the proposed method can guarantee the accuracy of the contact force and has good robustness. Full article

Appropriately designed and implemented climate mitigation actions have multiple co-benefits (yet some trade-offs cannot be excluded) that result in substantial social and economic value beyond their direct impact on reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions. Despite their wider acknowledgement by the research community, decision makers and the public have incomplete information on these multiple effects. This paper has a twofold objective: First, through analytical bottom-up approaches, it assesses, in quantitative terms, the macroeconomic effects and the public health benefits attributed to a variety of mitigation actions under consideration in the context of the Greek Energy and Climate Plan. Second, it investigates, through a social survey, how citizens perceive climate change and value these multiple impacts of mitigation actions, and to what extent they are willing to pay for them and support the adoption of policy measures aiming at the green transition of the Greek economy. We show that mitigation actions bring about significant health benefits, particularly in cities, and generate significant positive macroeconomic effects, particularly if mitigation actions focus on the decarbonization of the building sector and on the exploitation of local renewable sources. We also argue that most people do not realize that climate mitigation actions can have wider benefits for society, such as tackling energy poverty, improving public health, and creating new jobs. Unwillingness to pay tends to be the prominent attitude. People who are more reluctant to cover a part of the cost of environmental protection are less likely to perceive that climate change is one of the main challenges at global and national level and support the adoption of climate mitigation policies. In this context, the national strategy for climate change should focus on effectively informing and engaging the public in climate mitigation strategies, strengthening the public trust in government institutions, promoting mutually acceptable solutions with the local communities, and providing incentives for changing citizens’ behavior towards climate-related actions. Full article

Partnerships between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and rights-holder organisations (RHOs) have become more common, important and impactful in the international development sector, and they have been driven by aligned agendas, mutual benefits and the pursuit of locally owned and inclusive development agendas. There are opportunities to broaden partnerships and coalitions to include climate change advocacy, adaptation and mitigation organisations given the increased focus on the links between WASH, resilience and climate change action. This article takes a first step in addressing the question: How can the experience of WASH, gender equality and climate organisation partnerships and coalitions in the Blue Pacific inform the WASH sector in its growing support of and investment in diverse partnerships in support of localism? We conducted a systematic scoping review to identify the literature on gender equality, WASH and climate change-related partnerships and coalitions in the Blue Pacific. Three key themes emerged from the systematic scoping review based on 23 studies published from 1996 to 2024. Firstly, partnerships and coalitions are part of a critical localism agenda, though care needs to be taken by potential partners and donors to understand and manage power dynamics between actors and organisations working within and across sectors. Secondly, a range of benefits and success factors have been documented on partnerships and coalitions in the Blue Pacific, including support for emerging leadership, leveraging policy outcomes, facilitating learning and the sharing of frameworks and tools between partners. Thirdly, like all parts of the community and governance ecosystem, gender dynamics and social norms inform and influence partnerships and coalitions. At the same time, partnerships are important for informing and driving gender equality and inclusion at the local and regional levels including within the WASH sector. This article is useful for local actors, donors and civil society organisations wishing to pursue the mutually beneficial goals of WASH, gender equality, climate change action and localisation in the Blue Pacific. Full article

Brain models present a viewpoint on the fundamental structural components of the brain and their mutual organization, generally relative to a particular concept of the brain axis. A model may be based on adult brain structure or on developmental morphogenetic aspects. Brain models usually have functional implications, depending on which functional properties derive from the postulated organization. This essay examines the present scenario about brain models, emphasizing the contrast between columnar or other longitudinal models and transverse subdivisional neuromeric models. In each case, the main functional implications and apparent problems are explored and commented. Particular attention is given to the modern molecularly based ‘prosomeric model’, which postulates a set of 20 transverse prosomeres as the developmental units that serve to construct all the cerebral parts and the particular typology of many different neuronal populations within the forebrain and the hindbrain, plus a number of additional spinal cord units. These metameric developmental units (serially repeated, but with unique molecular profiles) confer to this model remarkable functional properties based mainly on its multiplicity and modularity. Many important brain functions can be decomposed into subfunctions attended to by combined sets of neuronal elements derived from different neuromeres. Each neuromere may participate in multiple functions. Most aspects related to creation of precise order in neural connections (axonal navigation and synaptogenesis) and function is due to the influence of neuromeric anteroposterior and dorsoventral positional information. Research on neuromeric functionality aspects is increasing significantly in recent times. Full article