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This paper reported a novel approach to quantification of adulterated fox-derived components in meat products by drop digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). By using the F2 gene as the target gene of fox, a single primer was designed to identify the adulteration that had been added either inadvertently or deliberately during the process. In this paper, the fox meat was used as the experimental materials and a relationship was established between fox mass and copy number by extracting DNA and using DNA concentration as an intermediary. The results that across the dynamic range, the relationships between meat mass and DNA concentration were nearly linear (R2 = 0.9986), as was the relationship between DNA concentration and DNA copy number (R2 = 0.9992). Based on the DNA concentration, the following formulas were developed about the relationship between fox meat mass (Mfox) and DNA copy number (C): Mfox = 0.05C + 2.7.

Cereal vinegars are unique and diverse condiments have long been among the center of culinary traditions, and their potential health advantages are becoming more widely recognized. Cereal vinegars add a distinct flavor to salad dressings, pickles, and marinades, balancing flavors and exciting taste perceptions. Production technologies of cereal vinegars and innovations are discussed in this article which are required for manufacturing of cereal-based vinegars. We discussed complicated procedures of fermentation and aging, highlighting the methods that impart these vinegars’ particular flavors and fragrances. Further, this paper explores into the nutritional wealth kept within these condiments and investigates the wide range of micronutrients, antio xidants, and bioactive substances found in them. It provides a brief summary of the potential health benefits of cereal vinegars and also discusses potential health hazards.

AiiA can be targeted to quench N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) quorum sensing signaling molecules. In this paper, we extracted and purified AiiA protein by constructing recombinant engineering bacteria to analyze the effect of AiiA on the formation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilm. The results suggest that AiiA has a particular potential in inhibiting the formation of biofilms and extracellular polymers. The ability of AiiA to inhibit biofilm increased and then decreased, with the lowest biofilm decomposition concentration of 8 μg/mL and the optimal inhibitor concentration of 85 μg/mL (86.9% biofilm inhibition). LC-MS results showed that when the concentration of C4-HSL in Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC33847 biofilm exceeded 3.70 μg/L, the content of quorum sensing signaling molecules reached a threshold and began to activate LuxR protein to regulate the expression of related genes. These results provide relevant experimental guidance for the clinical treatment of biofilm infections and the development of novel QS inhibitors.

Foodborne pathogen contamination of fermented food is an increasingly concerned problem in food industry. The types and sources of harmful microorganisms in food are discussed in this paper. The main techniques used to detect microorganisms are summarized. In addition, strategies for controlling these harmful microorganisms are discussed. By highlighting these important aspects, this paper aims to contribute to strengthening food quality assurance and promoting safer food practices.

Resumen: Las humanidades son consideradas como algo valioso y, al mismo tiempo, como disciplinas blandas, imprecisas o propensas a la confusión. El presente trabajo expone una visión de cómo se puede abordar la educación de las humanidades médicas (HHMM) buscando el rigor. Su objetivo es presentar un texto que pueda ser de utilidad en este tipo de docencia. Para ello se presentan elementos clave recogidos en la literatura biomédica y, además, se muestra el Programa Formativo en Humanidades de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Francisco de Vitoria. En una primera parte se incluyó el contexto organizacional, los resultados de aprendizaje esperados y los contenidos curriculares. En esta segunda parte se presentan las experiencias de aprendizaje y enseñanza, las formas de evaluación de los estudiantes y las del proceso de mejora continua de la calidad. Abstract: Humanities are seen as both valuable and, at the same time, as soft, vague or prone to confusion disciplines. This paper exposes a broad view of how medical humanities education can be approached searching rigor. It aims to present a text that can be useful in this type of teaching. To this purpose, key elements from the biomedical literature are presented and, in addition, the Humanities Training Program of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is shown. The first part included the organizational context, the expected learning outcomes and the curricular contents. In this second part, the learning and teaching experiences, the forms of student assessment and those of the continuous quality improvement process are presented.

Objective: The use of non-pharmacological preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic has helped to reduce the incidence of multiple airborne or contact diseases. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the impact that all preventive measures have had on the transmission of different microorganisms, both by respiratory and contact transmission., Methods: We compared the incidence of different infectious episodes coded with the CIAP-2 code (International Classification of Primary Care second edition of the WONCA International Classification Committee) collected from the computerized history of primary care, both with respiratory tract and digestive tract involvement, in the period from March 2018 to February 2020 (pre-pandemic period) and from March 2020 to February 2022 (pandemic period). The data corresponded to the entire region, with an estimated average population for the four years of 650,000 people. The statistical treatment of the data consisted of a descriptive analysis with the calculation of absolute values and percentages. Rates were calculated and compared using data provided by the National Institute of Statistics as a denominator. The P was obtained by statistical comparison by the exact method. A comparison of rates was made., Results: The incidence in the number of CIAP-2 episodes studied, both corresponding to respiratory and gastrointestinal pathologies, comparing the period March 2018-February 2020 with the period March 2020-February 2022 decreased by 65.81%, from 534,439 cases to 182,707., Conclusions: The preventive measures applied during the pandemic produce a significant decrease in pathology involving the respiratory or the digestive tract., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

The genus Parapsammodius Verdú, Stebnicka & Galante, 2006 consists of four species distributed in the Americas and the West Indies, and only two of them are present in northern South America. Parapsammodius integer (Bates, 1887) and Parapsammodius pseudointeger Verdú, Stebnicka & Galante, 2006 have been recorded in sympatry in Ecuador, and only the former have been formally reported from Colombia. During a recent expedition in the Amazonic department of Putumayo, in Colombia, these two species were captured in sympatry using a UV light trap; the objective of this paper is to report the first sympatric record of P. integer and P. pseudointeger from Colombia, which also represent the first record of this latter species for the country. Label information of specimens studied by us and previously reported in literature, suggest that P. integer and P. pseudointeger are mostly captured by light-attraction methods and in forest or near so.

Abstract: The present paper investigated gender differences in the application of language learning strategies in English vocabulary acquisition. It aimed to discern disparities among males and females in respect language learning strategies choices and vocabulary size. Additionally, it also examined whether vocabulary acquisition correlates to the strategies applied by the learners. For that purpose, data was collected from 41 participant students of English (12 males and 29 females), by means of Oxford’s (1990) 50-item Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire and Nation’s (1999) Productive Vocabulary Level Test (PVLT). A quantitative analysis through an independent t-test of means was performed to identify the differences. Findings indicated that gender impacts the choices of language learning strategies, with females employing them slightly higher than males. It was also found that females have a relatively more knowledge of vocabulary than males. In addition, the results demonstrated that there is no statistically significant correlation between language learning strategies and vocabulary acquisition. Keywords: English, gender, L2 learners, language learning strategies, vocabulary

Abstract: This paper examines the effectiveness of translanguaging as a pedagogical strategy from the perspective of a sample of plurilingual students, enrolled in the English Department at the Algerian University Batna 2. In this mixed-methods research, the researcher employs a questionnaire and a focus group interview to gather data from 110 English as Foreign Language (EFL) students. By examining students’ perceptions of their language choice, use, and learning outcomes in a classroom where translanguaging is practiced, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how embracing multilingualism through translanguaging strategies can enhance learning in EFL contexts. The affirmative findings support the implementation of translanguaging and hold implications for pedagogical approaches and language policy development to create more inclusive and effective EFL classrooms. Keywords: EFL, multilingualism, students’ perspectives, translanguaging

Abstract: Attaining proficiency in a foreign language entails more than just learning a subject for academic grounds; it is more convenient to centralise on acquiring a communication contrivance. And as culture permeates most contexts, communication in real-world frames is seldom culture-free. This paper pores over an acute facet of culture referred to as ‘conventions’. More definitively, the end of the paper is to review one category of these conventions which is ‘idioms’. As a broader covet, the present paper scrutinises the import of teaching contexual idioms to raise EFL learners’ cultural awareness. Keywords: conventions, formulaic language, idioms, culture, cultural awareness, context.

Abstract: The world has witnessed three global industrial revolutions, and the fourth one has emerged in the burgeoning development of artificial intelligence, which overwhelmed all spheres of human life. Artificial intelligence was accompanied by many industrial achievements that directly affected the economy of nations and the social level of individuals as well. The fourth industrial revolution was marked by a radical change in lifestyles, which served as a paradigm shift in industry and production methods. After relying on the personal effort of humans for a long time, machines and factories emerged, and revolutions began to succeed and evolve successively and accelerating as years passed. In a nutshell, the industrial revolution had a major impact on the world due to artificial intelligence, This paper attempts to examine the impact of the industrial revolution on economic development and social transformation. Keywords : philosophy, development, economic revolution, industrial, artificial intelligence

Abstract: This paper research aims at treating the formula of speech acts in the poetry by Mohamed El Aid El Khalifa and that through some chosen samples as a practice. This is done through some practically selected models, as it is a rich achievement that enables us to clarify the speech act, and reveal its dimensions, function, and impact in poetic discourse. The objective remains to detect these speech acts and their role in the communicative process and their impact on the performance of the meanly and signification. And how to move from the literal meaning to the implied meaning ,and clarify their role in achieving the poet’s intention and understanding the mechanisms of interaction between him and the recipient, which achieves the process of reporting and communication. We used the descriptive analytical method. We first extracted some verses of poetry that contains some speech acts so as to be studied and described and analysed and explained. Keywords: Formula; speech acts; poetry; Mohamed El Aid El Khalifa.

Abstract: The aim of this paper was to explore how the teaching of EFL oral communication can facilitate the development of sustainable development competences among learners. To do this, the study was divided in two sections. The first section defined the pillars, goals and competences related to sustainable development. The theoretical framework, namely Vygotsky’s interactionism theory was also dealt with in the same part. Moreover, some precisions were delivered as far as the concept of oral communication is concerned. This helped understand that oral communication can be either interactional, transactional or performance type. The second section underlines that inclusion and equity, collaboration and cooperation between learners, and the use of SD-related themes in the teaching of EFL oral communication can facilitate the demonstration of sustainable development competences among learners. Keywords: sustainable development (SD), sustainable development goals (SDGs), sustainable development competences, teaching of oral communication

Abstract: The present study examines address terms in phone conversations between the employees of MTN- CI and their customers. This research aimed at finding the types of address terms and the factors that impact on the use of address terms by the stakeholders. This paper refers to the theory by E. Chaika (1982) and R. Wardhaugh (2006). The writer resorts to sociolinguistic data elicitation technique by Labov (1972) to collect the data. This method consisted in recording the phone conversations between the customers and the employees of MTN-CI in its natural context of communication. Descriptive analysis method has been used to analyse the data. The result of this study indicates that there are two types of address terms used by the employees and the customers of MTN-CI. These types of address terms are title alone (T) and title plus family name (TFN). Also, the result indicates that the use of address terms are influenced by no sociolinguistic factors (sex, age, gender, social class). It is rather influenced by the reason of the call and power relationship between the stakeholders. Keywords: address terms, customers, employees, customer service, phone conversations

Abstract: Based on the summary and review of the pedagogical application of Singing as primary Chinese teaching method in the University of N'Djamena, the Republic of Chad, this paper illustrates the problem of "what to sing and how to sing" in learning Chinese. It also demonstrates that it is feasible to use singing Chinese songs as the main teaching tool in teaching oral Chinese at the basic level by combining theoretical demonstration and case analysis. With regard to the compilation of the lyrics of Chinese songs for teaching, this paper puts forward the principle of "concise and practical, harmonious rhyme and artistic conception". For the music arrangement, the author puts forward the method of using new words to modify old songs. This paper illustrates with examples that "learning Chinese by singing" still has broad development space and requires further study. Keywords: Learning Chinese through songs; Singing as primary Chinese teaching method; Theoretical basis; Lyrics compilation; Music orchestration.

Abstract: The current paper aims to shed light on Allan Paton's masterpiece Cry, the Beloved Country. It provides a comprehensive thematic analysis of two prominent themes in his novel, including reconciliation and biblical allusion. This study investigates the ways the author employs the two themes in the development of the novel and the significance behind using them. We have opted for the descriptive method, using an analytic approach to scrutinise the multiple aspects of language use that express the two concepts. The outcomes of the analysis show that the author deliberately employs symbolism, speech acts along with actions to invigorate the themes of reconciliation and biblical references. The two themes convey messages of cooperation, love, and forgiveness between Blacks and Whites. Keywords: biblical allusion, Blacks and Whites, love and forgiveness, reconciliation, thematic analysis

Abstract: This study examines how well-prepared instructors in higher education are for online assessment. The aim is to investigate EFL teachers’ attitudes towards online assessment, examine their e-assessment literacy skills, and explore the challenges they faced when transitioning to this new mode of assessment so quickly. This study used a survey design with a small-scale questionnaire sent to twenty-four university teachers from Algeria’s four poles to assess their preparedness for the precipitate conversion to remote assessment. The data unclosed that the majority of teachers were not prepared for such a change. The paper offers practical strategies to prepare teachers for designing and developing appropriate online assessments. Keywords: attitudes, challenges, e-assessment, e-assessment literacy

Abstract: This research paper tries to examine the implementation and impact of English Language Teaching (ELT) education through the Competency-Based Approach (CBA) at the Algerian school levels. Therefore, the study is a theoretical exploration the pedagogical strategies, teacher preparedness, and student outcomes associated with CBA in the context of ELT. The research identifies the benefits and challenges of integrating CBA into the Algerian educational system. The findings suggest that while CBA offers a more holistic and student-centred learning experience, it requires substantial support and training for teachers to be effectively implemented. The paper concludes with recommendations for policy-makers and educators to enhance ELT practices within the framework of CBA, aiming to improve language proficiency and educational outcomes in Algerian schools. Keywords: Algerian Education; ELT; CBA; Pedagogical Strategies; Teacher Training.

Abstract: This paper surveys the dynamics surrounding Algerian women's leadership aspirations within a set of patriarchal culture and social pressures and challenges related to entitlement. In contemporary society, women face the challenge of navigating the tension between societal and cultural expectations placed upon them and their aspirations for reaching leadership positions that they rightfully deserve. This study aims to investigate the impact of conventional conceptions of women's social roles and the cultural discourse around them on women's capacity to engage in leadership, specifically in terms of entitlement and ambition. Through theoretical frameworks and case study of a sample of employees at Skikda University, this research contributes insights that highlight the complexities of women's leadership journeys. The findings of empirical research indicate that, in Algerian society, the culture of discrimination against women is tolerated regardless of sex, age or social class. Women have more obstacles to achieving equal opportunities in leadership positions due to deeply ingrained cultural norms and societal expectations. Algerian women acknowledge their ability to lead but also highlight the existence of discriminatory barriers. The study focuses mostly on women who choose not to take on leadership roles due to cultural bias and deeply ingrained gender stereotypes. The study's findings align with the gender theory of the school of cultural studies. However, further research is necessary to determine ways of dismantling the dominant cultural narrative around women, with the aim of removing obstacles to women's access to leadership positions. This study aims at clarifying the diverse obstacles encountered by women in general, and specifically Algerian women aspiring to leadership roles, by establishing a foundation for future research that might suggest tangible solutions that promote the inclusion of women in leadership. Keywords : Gender, leadership, entitlement, social bias, cultural discriminations.

Abstract: The current study aims to identify and investigate writing grammatical errors in the written exams, which are written by students of English at the University of M’hamed Bougara, Boumerdes. The researchers used a mixed-methods approach. This approach is both descriptive/qualitative and quantitative in nature. The data were collected from 84 student exam papers from the writing exam administered in January 2023 at the department of English at M'hamed Bougara University of Boumerdes. The data sources are the exam papers of the writing exam for both groups, and every group contains 42. The results of the study revealed that students employed 387 errors, which can be divided into eight types, which are: spelling, word usage, subject-verb agreement, articles, tense, passive and active voice, prepositions, and conjunctions. According to the findings, spelling errors were the most frequently occurring type of mistake in the learners’ corpus of both groups and they constituted 43.41%. Furthermore, the findings also demonstrated that although both groups shared high frequencies of spelling errors, word usage and article errors were more prevalent amongst second-year students, while third-year students made more subject-verb agreement errors. These findings might be due to the amount of time spent in learning a foreign language. Keywords: Errors, error analysis, writing, and foreign language

Abstract: This paper seeks to address the issue of women’s economic empowerment in Anne Brontë's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by focusing particularly on the ways in which the protagonist Helen Graham challenges Victorian patriarchal system and works hard to achieve social and financial autonomy. Building on Virginia Woolf's radical feminism which puts to the fore the 'economic power' of women in A Room of One’s Own, this study attempts to show how the heroine Helen Graham resists discrimination, gender inequalities and labours hard to reach her self-fulfilment. The study ultimately revealed that Helen Graham has gained economic independence through her boldness and hardworking in Victorian gender-based society. Keywords: women, economic empowerment, Victorian patriarchal system, self-fulfilment, boldness

Abstract: Attaining proficiency in a foreign language entails more than just learning a subject for academic grounds; it is more convenient to centralise on acquiring a communication contrivance. And as culture permeates most contexts, communication in real-world frames is seldom culture-free. This paper pores over an acute facet of culture referred to as ‘conventions’. More definitively, the end of the paper is to review one category of these conventions which is ‘idioms’. As a broader covet, the present paper scrutinises the import of teaching contexual idioms to raise EFL learners’ cultural awareness. Keywords: conventions, formulaic language, idioms, culture, cultural awareness, context.

Abstract: This paper aims to conduct a meticulous evaluation of the implications associated with deploying generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems within the scientific research milieu. It underscores the imperative to transcend the initial allure and disproportionate enthusiasm surrounding these sophisticated automated systems. Central to this discourse is an examination of the significant risks posed by the excessive and inadvertent utilization of these technologies. Such usage has the potential to detrimentally affect established scientific research methodologies and practices. Amid escalating concerns regarding cognitive and ethical issues, which are intensifying progressively across various strata, this analysis delves into the fundamental nature of research, the role of researchers, and the wider impact on the scientific community and its environment. The researcher employs an "analytical understanding" methodology to navigate the complexities of this topic. This approach involves a detailed review and examination of the scientific frameworks and the actual utilization of these systems by researchers, aiming to decode and analyze the profound transformations affecting the research landscape due to the proliferation of digital, intelligent tools, programs, and systems. The research culminates in proposing a series of vital recommendations. Keywords: Research, Threats, Thinking, Artificial Intelligence, Idea Generation.

In ancient times, authors such as Plutarch and Proclus questioned Parmenides’ abilities as a poet considering his Poem to be ‘prose in disguise’. Harsh judgments concerning Parmenides’ style are pervasive even in modern scholarship (Diels 1897, Wilamowitz 1912, Tarán 1977, Kirk & Raven 1977). This paper focuses on specific metrical and rhythmic devices used consistently in the composition of the Poem, that I will refer to, collectively, as ‘poetic dislocation’. This term encompasses the blurring and cancellation of the central caesura, the tendency to break Hermann’s bridge with varying degrees of intensity, the accumulation of enjambment in groups of verses, the use of non-traditional lexicon of the epic genre and the placement of Homeric lexicon in non-Homeric hexameter collocations. My attempt is to prove that these procedures are an integral part of Parmenides’ poetic style. I will also present an analysis of Parmenides’ versification focusing on the rhythmic patterns and the organization of caesura, especially in fr. B8.

Since antiquity, Empedocles has been considered as an example of both successful and unsuccessful communication. Aristotle credits him with vividness of images, but blames him for failure of clarity, and eventually compares his obscureness to that of oracles. Therefore, scholars in the past came to the conclusion that Empedocles deliberately employs an opaque style, like Heraclitus and his "studied ambiguity", as means for initiation. This paper challenges this assumption and asks whether and how ambiguity can work within a didactic poem. By showing how Empedocles' and Heraclitus' communicative strategies differ from one another, I shall point to the poet's role as a charismatic and spiritual guide, displaying at times a Sibyl-like attitude. Being a mediator between two separate dimensions puts Empedocles in an ambiguous position, because he delivers what the Muse and the gods made available for him to share, and so his opaqueness does not come directly from him. Ultimately, this style analysis also says something about who the ideal audience must have been.

This paper explores the prosaic deductive style developed by Melissus and Zeno. It first emphasizes the authors’ use of a systematic and reduced vocabulary solely dedicated to a priori deduction. In a second time, the paper delves into the systematic role of reductio ad absurdum in their reasoning and distinguishes several kinds of reductio employed by the authors. Through this analysis, the study shows how Melissus and Zeno not only developed and systematized certain aspects of Parmenides’ style but also introduced original features that significantly influenced the philosophical writing style.

Este trabalho centra-se na análise arqueométrica de sedimentos que estavam em contato direto com um sepultamento humano resgatado do sítio arqueológico Bulandeira dos Jacus, em São João da Varjota, Piauí, Brasil, assim como de sedimentos coletados do entorno da sepultura, visando prospectar indicadores químico-mineralógicos úteis na arqueologia. Amostras foram investigadas por pH, fluorescência de raios X, difratometria de raios X e espectroscopia Mössbauer. Os dados obtidos das medidas experimentais revelaram que o pH e os teores de fósforo dos sedimentos são indicadores arqueométricos eficazes de atividade humana no sítio arqueológico estudado, tendo demonstrado que a deposição do corpo humano no seio dos sedimentos promoveu alterações significativas nas características naturais desse ambiente particular. Encontrou-se que o pH dos sedimentos em contato com o indivíduo exumado é cerca de 30 vezes menos ácido do que os sedimentos do entorno do sepultamento, enquanto o teor de fósforo é aproximadamente 25% mais elevado do que a proporção correspondente desse elemento químico detectada nas amostras de branco analítico do entorno. ENGLISH: This paper focuses on the archaeometric analysis of sediments that were in direct contact with a human burial recovered from the Bulandeira dos Jacus archaeological site in São João da Varjota, Piauí, Brazil, as well as sediments collected from the grave surroundings, in order to prospect for chemical-mineralogical indicators useful in archaeology. Samples were investigated by pH, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffractometry, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The data obtained from the experimental measurements revealed that the pH and phosphorus contents of the sediments are effective archaeometric indicators of human activity at the archaeological site studied, and demonstrated that the deposition of the human body within the sediments promoted significant changes in the natural features of that particular environment. The pH of the sediments in contact with the exhumed individual was found to be around 30 times less acidic than the sediments surrounding the burial, while the phosphorus content was approximately 25% higher than the corresponding proportion of this chemical element detected in the analytical blank samples from the surrounding area.

This paper focuses on Frame-based Terminology (FBT), a theoretical framework based on cognitive premises that underpin the representation of specialized objects and events. It demonstrates that specialized semantic frames can be inferred from lexical schemas and semantic annotation. This research used corpus techniques to collect data for the representation of multilingual semantic frames. The research focuses on deforestation within the domain of Environmental Science. The methodology involves the encapsulation of corpus queries and semantic annotation to guide the creation of specialized frames associated with the deforestation event. Although the creation of frame-based terminological resources can be time-consuming, our results show that it is facilitated by the use, of e-tools that extract the arguments of specialized predicates, which are often immersed in complex syntactic constructions.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the use of Spanish and Korean reformulation markers against the backdrop of a contrastive / intercultural rhetoric approach (Kaplan, 1966; Hinds, 1987; Clyne, 1994; Connor, 2008, 2011). In order to carry out the analysis, following a line of previous research papers in Murillo (2007, 2012), an empirical study using Spanish and Korean journalistic corpus was performed. The results obtained demonstrate significant disparity between the use of Spanish and Korean RMs when approached from a linguistic-intercultural rhetoric perspective, more specifically as to the use of double reformulation -the repetition of the Korean markers (jeuk… jeuk… / got… got…)-, some particular rhetorical patterns of the Korean marker got, denoting its cultural idiosyncrasy, and the discourse processes, such as ‘definition’, ‘denomination’, and ‘conclusion’, utilizing the selected markers in the two languages.

In the last decades much research has been carried out on discourse as a form of social practice from the Critical Discourse Analysis perspective. The Vienna school of CDA led by Wodak and her associates has developed a discourse-historical approach to discourse which investigates the linguistic construction of national identities through a method of description and analysis which posits three categories –topics, strategies and linguistic devices– employed in the construction, perpetuation, transformation and dismantling of nations and national identities. Following this approach, the present paper aims to analyse the linguistic construction of Catalonia’s present and political future in a corpus of public discourse fragments produced by Catalan pro-independence leaders and activists during the so-called Catalan crisis. The analysis reveals that the linguistic construction of the Catalan present and political future relies on constructive, justification and dismantling strategies that seek to support self-determination and construe Catalonia as an independent Republic.

Abstract Investigations by the press have revealed that Operation Car Wash, an anti-corruption task force, received support from the FBI, the American federal agency of criminal investigation. This paper analyses the transnational connections between Brazilian and American law enforcement officers, which led to the formulation and conduction of Operation Car Wash, reconstituting its transnational dimensions, which have yet to receive much attention in the specialised literature. To accomplish this, we have mobilised the field thinking tool developed by Pierre Bourdieu and his interpreters in International Relations, enabling us to reflect on the interactions between police within a specialised social space promoter of socialisation, competition, and cooperation. Beginning with documental research, we have identified the national and international actors involved in the operation, the power relationships between them, their patterns and spaces of interaction, and potential political impacts.

Abstract This article analyses the Bolsonaro government’s foreign policy and the interests of the Brazilian internal bourgeoisie. The hypothesis is that the internal bourgeoisie supported the 2016 coup d’état and the 2018 election of Jair Bolsonaro but, over the years, they started to exhibit resistance to the government’s political practices and responded to the external pressures related to environmental policy and threats to democracy. The empirical research analysed the position papers of the internal bourgeoisie’s main employer organisations, focusing on the following agendas: i) the Mercosur-EU agreement; ii) entry into the OECD; iii) reformulation of Mercosur’s Common External Tariff (CET); and iv) environmental policy. The study concludes that there were conflicts within the internal bourgeoisie throughout the Bolsonaro administration and, in the end, there was a change in their interests that, alongside other elements, can explain Jair Bolsonaro’s 2022 electoral defeat.

University dropout is a major problem in Latin America and the Caribbean; in Colombia, around 50% of students who enter university complete their studies. This phenomenon is multi-causal; therefore, it is necessary to perform an analysis in different scenarios, in order to create strategies that help permanence and graduation. This paper presents an alternative to identify some factors that lead a student to drop out of the Universidad del Cauca, based on data science methodologies. It was found that desertion is influenced by academic factors, such as areas of knowledge, semester and average, social context such as stratum and place of origin, and individual factors such as age and gender.

Resumen: Las humanidades son consideradas como algo valioso y, al mismo tiempo, como disciplinas blandas, imprecisas o propensas a la confusión. El presente trabajo expone una visión de cómo se puede abordar la educación de las humanidades médicas (HHMM) buscando el rigor. Su objetivo es presentar un texto que pueda ser de utilidad en este tipo de docencia. Para ello se presentan elementos clave recogidos en la literatura biomédica y, además, se muestra el programa formativo en humanidades de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Francisco de Vitoria. En esta primera parte se incluirá el contexto organizacional, los resultados de aprendizaje esperados y los contenidos curriculares. En una segunda parte se presentarán las experiencias de aprendizaje y enseñanza, las formas de evaluación de los estudiantes y las del proceso de mejora continua de calidad. Abstract: Humanities are seen as both valuable and, at the same time, as soft, vague or prone to confusion disciplines. This paper exposes a broad view of how medical humanities education can be approached searching rigor. It aims to present a text that can be useful in this type of teaching. To this purpose, key elements from the biomedical literature are presented and, in addition, the humanities training program of the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is shown. This first part will include the organisational context, the expected learning outcomes and the curricular contents. A second part will present the learning and teaching experiences, the forms of student assessment and those of the continuous quality improvement process.

Abstract Objective This paper proposes a theoretical review that aims to understand the notion of adaptation according to the psychodynamic approach of Analytical Psychology, associated with the psychological construct of adaptive functioning, the latter being measurable through "conceptual, social, and practical" domains. Method Integrative literature review. Results Adaptive functioning domains may be analytically interpreted in terms of personality development, self-agency, adaptation to external and internal conditions, conscious skills, and unconscious aspects inferred from the clinical context. Conclusion The proposed theoretical construction is expected to be useful for clinical psychology and for mixed methods research, integrating results of psychological testing instruments based on adaptive functioning domains.

This paper aims to deepen knowledge of the principle of connectivity between financial and non-financial information defined in the Integrated Reporting (IR) conceptual framework. We have created a multidimensional connectivity index that is used to assess the level of connectivity in reporting. The results indicate that the levels achieved are low, suggesting that firms publishing their reports under the IR conceptual framework have not fully internalised this principle. Our results also show that coercive and normative institutional factors such as the mandatory nature of IR or the legal system, drive connectivity. Connectivity is also generally influenced by internal managerial decisions mainly related to the report's length and assurance. These findings may have practical implications for regulators and standard-setters, who should explicitly incorporate this principle into their pronouncements, providing guidelines to facilitate its practical implementation, and for preparers who should enhance the interactivity of reports.

The objective of this research is to construct a multifactorial model facilitating the assessment of the interrelation between aspects of Chinese consumers' attitudes towards luxury items and their psychological intent to acquire such goods. The paper presents a factorial model of the evaluation system, which encompasses factors such as luxury brand awareness, materialism, social comparison with peers, fashion novelty, and consumer engagement with fashion. The research findings indicate that: (1) there exists a positive correlation between the attitudes of Chinese consumers towards luxury items and their intention to acquire them; (2) Chinese consumers, overall, tend to disregard fashion innovations as a significant factor in luxury item purchasing decisions; (3) however, materialism as a motivation for conspicuous consumption and status has become a pivotal stimulating factor; (4) substantial influence is also exerted by the impact of luxury item acquisition on the owner's social status; (5) individuals possessing knowledge of fashion trends demonstrate a higher propensity to acquire luxury items. Theoretically, this study contributes to the broadening of the understanding of luxury goods consumption within the context of the Chinese market. This contribution holds value for researchers of this market, as well as those examining other regional markets, facilitating a comparative analysis of consumer behavior factors. From a practical perspective, the model is oriented towards expanding the toolkit available to managers and marketers. It enables an understanding of the psychological motives attracting Chinese consumers to the luxury goods market. This understanding, in turn, facilitates the formulation of an effective strategy for introducing new items into this market.

The economy is part of everyday life in modern societies and is a crucial determinant of social well-being. For this reason, it is important to observe how economic determinants can influence a fundamental social phenomenon: faith. This paper analyzes how economic determinants influence international pilgrimages to the Shrine of Fátima (Portugal). A data panel from 2008 to 2022 was constructed, and a panel ARDL model was estimated. The results confirm the relationship between economics and homo religiosus. The cost of transportation, national income, unemployment, globalization, and inflation influence the international pilgrimages to Fátima.

Introduction and objective Osteoporosis is a disorder that leads to a decrease in bone mass, accompanied by a disruption in bone structure, resulting in an increased risk of bone fractures. It affects a large number of people worldwide and constitutes a significant social and economic problem. It primarily affects older individuals, especially postmenopausal women. Fractures associated with osteoporosis diminish the quality of life. Osteoporosis often remains asymptomatic and is difficult to diagnose, typically identified incidentally following a low-energy fracture. Diagnosis of osteoporosis involves measuring bone mineral density using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Osteoporosis is diagnosed when bone mineral density is found to be more than 2.5 standard deviations (SD) below the mean bone mineral density of healthy young adults with peak bone mass. Modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis include lack of physical activity, calcium deficiency in the diet, and alcohol consumption. Review methods The article was based on scientific papers retrieved from the PubMed website and scientific literature. The focus was on papers from 2016 to 2024. Articles written in English were utilized. Brief description of the state of knowledge Physical activity encompasses any muscular movement that increases energy expenditure beyond the resting metabolic rate, including weight-bearing exercises, strength training, high-intensity strength exercises, and balance and mobility training. Weight-bearing exercises yield the best results in osteoporosis prevention, recommended to be performed three times a week. Summary Physical activity is a scientifically proven preventive factor against osteoporosis, reducing the frequency of falls and increasing bone mineral density. Initiating physical activity at a young age yields significant benefits for bone strength.

This paper delves into the evolution of materialism from its origins with Democritus to its development by Karl Marx. It begins with Democritus' atomism, which proposed that everything is made up of indivisible atoms, laying the groundwork for a materialist worldview. The study then explores how Epicurus expanded on these ideas, focusing on sensory experience and the pursuit of a tranquil life. Moving into the Enlightenment, the paper examines the mechanistic materialism of thinkers like Hobbes and La Mettrie, who viewed humans as complex machines governed by physical laws. Finally, it addresses Marx's dialectical and historical materialism, which combined materialist philosophy with Hegelian dialectics to explain the influence of material conditions and economic structures on society and history. This analysis highlights the enduring significance of materialist thought in understanding social and historical processes.

Francis Bacon says knowledge is power. The creation of knowledge and its dissemina-tion largely depends on the creation of literary works. The great works of Shakespeare, da Vinci, Homer, Picasso, Milton, Tagore etc. have been a treasure trove of mankind. Human beings have enjoyed the work, been inspired by the work, taken joy and eternal bliss in such works. However, the creation of knowledge is dependent on pre-existing knowledge. Creators create a work which requires hard work, imagi-nation, creativity and which is incentivised by recognition of their work. The legal order of a couth society affords protection to such a work by copyright law & fair use. Fair use allows a person to use a work by duly acknowledging and referencing the work. Issue of plagiarism and abuse of fair use was aggravated by human greed. The economic implication of copyright infringement aggravated the whole issue. Referencing turned into war. The Bluebook, the Maroonbook, the ALWD, the APA and OSCOLA citation styles engaged in some kind of a war. Reference management systems like Zotero, Endnote, Mendeley etc. just fanned the flame. Disruptive and generative artificial intelligence has created a serious challenge to academic research. In this paper, the author attempts to delve into the inter-linkage of academic writing, research, citation, copyright, referencing mechanism and plagiarism in contempo-rary society, and the aftermath of it. The author attempts to investigate the challenges of writing and the protection of works vis-a-vis referencing tools and techniques