This article examines the phenomenon of corridos tumbados in Mexico through the lens of necropolitics, arguing that their censorship and criminalization constitute a state strategy to displace attention from structural violence toward cultural expressions. Drawing on Mbembe's necropolitical framework and Žižek's conceptualization of violence, the study analyzes representative lyrics to demonstrate how this musical genre functions as a subaltern expression of marginalized youth rather than a cause of violence. The analysis reveals that state repression of corridos tumbados operates as symbolic control over precarious populations, legitimizing governmental authority while obscuring its role in producing conditions of exclusion, inequality, and organized crime

Mosquitoes are the main vectors of arboviruses, which infect millions of people every year. These viruses depend on host factors, such as the proprotein convertase furin, for replication. While the interactions between arboviruses and furin have been widely studied in mammals, little is known about furin homologs and their role in virus replication in mosquitoes. We performed a comparative analysis of the sequences and predicted structures of human and other dipteran furin with their mosquito homologs. We used RT-qPCR to determine the mRNA expression of the identified furin genes. We synthesized the FITC-labeled furin inhibitor MI-1190 to analyze the uptake in C6/36 cells, larvae, and female mosquitoes. Then, we tested the toxicity of peptidomimetic furin inhibitors (MI-1148, MI-1554, and MI-1851) in vitro through cellular ATP quantification and in vivo by adding the inhibitor to the breeding water of larvae and microinjection of females. Finally, we evaluated their antiviral efficiency by quantifying the relative fluorescence generated by the viral reporter expression in cell culture and female mosquitoes. We identified two furin encoding genes (FLP1 and two FLP2 transcripts) and confirmed their mRNA expression in all developmental stages of Aedes albopictus and two of its cell lines. The inhibitor MI-1190 was successfully taken up in C6/36 cells, as well as by early larval stages and adult female mosquitoes. The three selected inhibitors significantly curtailed the spread of Semliki Forest virus in cell culture, thereby demonstrating their antiviral efficacy in mosquito cells. However, the antiviral effect observed in vitro did not translate in vivo, where the effect of furin inhibitor MI-1851 showed only a minor impact. Identifying and characterizing host factors from mosquitoes as antiviral targets is a complementary step towards developing new strategies to combat arbovirus transmission and address the ongoing global health challenge.

This study examined the role of digital documentation of indigenous languages in sustaining cultural heritage within academic libraries in Cross River State. The primary aim was to assess how metadata creation and digital recording practices contribute to the long-term preservation, accessibility, and usability of indigenous language resources. Employing a descriptive survey design, the study targeted 800 librarians and paraprofessional staff across six academic libraries, selecting a sample of 200 respondents through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, with 192 valid responses achieved (96% response rate). Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The findings revealed that metadata creation significantly improves the discoverability, retrieval, and preservation of indigenous language resources. Digital recording practices, including audio and video documentation, were also identified as vital for capturing oral traditions and cultural expressions. Regression analysis demonstrated that both metadata creation and digital recording substantially predict cultural heritage sustainability. Consequently, the study concludes that digital documentation is integral to sustaining indigenous language heritage in academic libraries. It recommends investment in staff training, acquisition of digital recording equipment, the development of policies integrating metadata and recording practices, and the active involvement of indigenous communities in documentation initiatives.

Mithila folk art is considered a unique confluence of tradition, spirituality and nature. It is historically a traditional folk art of Mithila region of Bihar, also known as Madhubani Art. Initially this art was created on mud walls, along with the use of natural mediums like Bamboo (Brush), natural colours like Yellow (turmeric), Blue (Indigo), Red (Safflower) White (rice) etc. In which religious, cultural and symbolic themes were included. But with the change of time, new experiments can now be seen in subject, medium and techniques. Through the use of various digital tools and the influence of social media are opening new avenues for creative entrepreneurship and cultural expression in Mithila today. It serves as a bridge between traditional values and modern techniques. So that Mithila art remains relevant in the modern context while staying connected to its roots. This research paper focuses on the inclusion of modern techniques and themes in Mithila folk Art.

This research paper discusses First Indian on the Moon (1993) by Sherman Alexie, with the elements of mimicry and ambivalence on the creation of Indigenous identity. Being a hybrid literary text that incorporates poetry, narrative prose and some characteristics of oral storytelling, the text represents the nuances of the Indigenous cultural expression in the profile of a postcolonial setting. Though the works of Alexie have been talked extensively in context of identity, trauma, and reservation life, there is a gap in understanding how the postcolonial concepts of mimicry and ambivalence are manifested in the formation of Indigenous identity as relates to the current work. Thus, this paper aims at examining how these concepts operate in the text to mediate over cultural identity and question the pre-eminent colonial discourses. The study follows a qualitative approach to research, which entails a close examination of the texts and thematic analysis. The analytical terms based on the postcolonial views which inform the study include the formulated ideas of mimicry and ambivalence by Homi K. Bhabha. The analysis explores the ways in which the text interacts with Euro-American literary traditions and renews them both in terms of Indigenous thinking and narration practices. The results suggest that the mimicry in the text functions as a strategic act where hegemonic forms of culture are reproduced but twisted to allow the Indigenous voices to interfere with the established literary and institutional practice. Meanwhile, the ambivalence represents the tension and contradictions that Indigenous people may face as they move between colonization and cultural preservation. Through these dynamics, it becomes evident that Indigenous identity in the text is non-fixed but fluid, and a hybrid and is in a state of constant negotiation. This paper concludes that First Indian on the Moon is a creation of Indigenous identity based on the dialectical nature of mimicry and ambivalence, the identity is performative, resilient and historical. The research adds to Indigenous literary studies and postcolonial theory by highlighting these processes and proving that the cultural offensive through literary hybridity to survive, resist, and make official self is the strategy focused on survival and self-representation.

At present, little is known about the behavioral mechanisms underlying "individuals" use of digital cultural and creative products (DCCPs). To fill this research gap, this study investigates the key determinants influencing users' use intention, with a particular focus on how external stimuli affect users' behavioral intentions through their psychological and emotional states. This study adopts the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model and takes the Forbidden City 365 app as a case to explore the key experiential factors influencing users' use intention of digital cultural and creative products, using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) as the analytical method. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey, yielding 403 valid responses. Media richness significantly enhances users' perceived cultural value and satisfaction; design aesthetics exerts a significant positive impact on perceived cultural value, satisfaction, and cultural identity; and high culture effectively strengthens satisfaction and cultural identity. Meanwhile, perceived cultural value, satisfaction, and cultural identity, as key mediating mechanisms, all exert significant positive predictive effects on users' use intention. The findings support the proposed theoretical hypotheses. They suggest that the development of DCCPs should emphasize in-depth cultural expression, diversified media presentation, and optimized aesthetic design. Such an approach can achieve the dual goals of effective cultural communication and enhanced user experience.

ABSTRACT Living heritage remains a crucial part of South Africa’s identity and collective memory. Living heritage in the context of the current study refers to oral traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, cultural expressions, and community practices. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of public programming initiatives in promoting living heritage archives through social media in South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative research approach informed by an interpretivism worldview. Semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis were used to collect data at the National Heritage Council in South Africa. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically guided by research objectives. The study revealed that the public programming initiatives employed by the NHC have not effectively promoted living heritage archives on social media platforms. The study recommends a framework for the promotion of living heritage archives through social media. This will help provide a foundation and insight into how heritage institutions may implement their public programming initiatives toward effective awareness and usage of the living heritage archives.

In this paper I propose a novel interpretation of Darwin’s aesthetic theory that takes its occasion in his reading of the work of Stendhal. Leveraging Lorraine Daston’s concept of “local natures,” I argue that we can fruitfully understand Darwin’s work relative to a long European tradition of speculations regarding the power of climate and environment to shape living forms, psychology, and cultural expression. After exploring the relevant outlines of this tradition during the eighteenth century, I provide an exploration of Darwin’s early aesthetic theories, appraising the role played by the category of the “beau ideal,” and how Darwin tied together a broad range of resources through a hereditary theory of mind that was, in turn, opened to the logic of local nature theory. Moving outwards from transmutational theories of mind to those of physical forms, I ultimately claim that sexual selection does not represent the totality of Darwin’s aesthetics, and that we must rebalance our views by taking seriously the role of local nature theory in his thought, as well as nonselective mechanisms of evolution. Appreciated in this manner, Darwin’s thought takes on an unfamiliar complexion, destabilizing some of the fundamental frameworks and categories we use to understand cultural and aesthetic products. In a conceptual world of hereditary mental properties, where environments slowly shape the forms of beings within them, what does a natural history of aesthetics look like?

There are diverse strategies for addressing the lexical-semantic problems in translation. Yet, no studies have scrutinised the strategies for dealing with the lexical-semantic problem in cross-cultural translation. This paper considered the strategies employed to overcome the lexical semantic problem in the context of informative translation among the Luo and Luugoli communities in the conflcuence areas in Kenya. Thus, the paper considered the lexical-semantic challenges encountered in cross-cultural translation, focusing on the complex issues that arise when transferring meaning across languages with different semantic orientations and cultural backgrounds. For instance, polysemy, homonymy, synonymy, idioms, metaphors, and culture-specific concepts tend to be problematic for translators. In this regard, crosscultural stranslation adds a significant layer to the already complex lexical-semantic problem. Hence, interrogating the practical strategies for resolving the lexical-semantic ambiguities during translation while preserving the semantic equivalence between source and target texts is deemed acutely essential. This is done in light of the understanding that language and culture are so closely intertwined yet markedly different, and that language is usually seen as a verbal expression of culture. Based on the analysis of literature, the lexical-semantic changes experienced during translation have been suggested. It is argued that borrowed items present lexical-semantic problems during translation. As a result, translation strategies are required to resolve the lexical semantic problems during translation to enhance cross-cultural communication

Although the issue of legal protection for Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) has been widely examined, studies that specifically investigate the forms and obstacles of legal protection for Seren Taun Ciptamulya as a TCE belonging to the Masyarakat Hukum Adat Kasepuhan Ciptamulya in Sukabumi Regency remain limited. This study aims to analyze the forms of legal protection for Seren Taun Ciptamulya implemented by the Regional Government of Sukabumi Regency and to identify the obstacles encountered in its implementation. A normative-empirical approach with a descriptive-analytical design was employed, involving two key informants, namely the customary leader of Kasepuhan Ciptamulya and the Head of the Culture and Tourism Office of Sukabumi Regency, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through literature study of legislation and relevant scholarship, as well as in-depth interviews, and were analyzed qualitatively. The findings show that legal protection for Seren Taun Ciptamulya is manifested in two main forms: preventive protection through a multi-level regulatory framework comprising the Copyright Law, the Law on Cultural Advancement, government regulations related to communal intellectual property (KIK), and regional regulations; and repressive protection through copyright dispute resolution mechanisms. However, implementation of this protection still faces three principal obstacles: (1) legal substance issues, particularly delays in the formulation of implementing regulations; (2) legal structure issues, including suboptimal coordination between the regional government and the customary community; and (3) legal culture issues, reflected in shifting values and declining commitment among younger generations to safeguarding tradition. The study concludes that synergy between legal substance, structure, and culture is a key prerequisite for effective protection of TCEs, and recommends strengthening coordination between regional government and customary communities as well as accelerating the inventory of TCEs as the basis for participatory and sustainable policy formulation. The implications of this research include theoretical contributions to the development of communal intellectual property law and practical guidance for local governments in designing more responsive protection models for TCEs that are attuned to socio-cultural dynamics, while also opening opportunities for comparative studies with sui generis protection schemes in other countries and with respect to the management of TCE commercialization.

This study examines the role of TikTok social media as a means of preserving the Tari Persembahan, one of the traditional dances of Melayu Riau, in building local cultural identity among students at SMK Hasanah Pekanbaru. The background of this study is based on the increasing use of TikTok among teenagers, which not only functions as a medium of entertainment but also as a space for cultural expression and creative participation among the younger generation. This phenomenon opens up strategic opportunities for the use of digital media in efforts to preserve traditional arts and culture, which are beginning to experience a decline in interest. This study uses a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques in the form of in-depth interviews, documentation, and literature studies. The research informants consisted of female students who were active in traditional dance extracurricular activities and arts and culture teachers who acted as mentors. The data was analyzed thematically to identify patterns of perception, motivation, involvement, and challenges in the use of TikTok as a medium for cultural preservation. The results show that TikTok is able to increase students' interest and involvement in the Tari Persembahan through the presentation of visual content that is attractive, easily accessible, and relevant to the daily lives of teenagers. Although student involvement in content production is still limited, high enthusiasm is evident when students are directly involved in making dance videos. The role of teachers has proven to be crucial in guiding the technical aspects of dance while instilling the cultural values contained in each movement. This study concludes that the structured use of TikTok in extracurricular cultural arts activities can be an adaptive cultural preservation strategy in the digital age. These findings emphasize the importance of digital literacy and educator guidance in ensuring that social media not only functions as entertainment but also as a means of strengthening the cultural identity of the younger generation.

Differential astrocyte activation by Taenia solium antigens: Specific induction of IL-10 and IL-1β by Excretory/Secretory (ES) products.

Dysregulation of YAP, the terminal effector of the Hippo pathway, contributes to cancer progression and drug resistance. Its role in glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive brain cancer, remains incompletely understood. Single-cell RNA sequencing data from a published GBM dataset were reanalyzed to assess YAP expression across cell populations. YAP was silenced via shRNA in GBM cell lines (U-251 MG, U-87 MG) and patient-derived GBM cells. Resveratrol (RV), a natural blood-brain barrier-permeable compound, was evaluated for growth inhibition and YAP-targeted effects. Functional assays measured proliferation, spheroid formation, migration, invasion, and drug sensitivity. YAP and its cofactor TEAD were highly upregulated in GBM cells compared with normal brain and stromal cells. YAP depletion by shRNA suppressed proliferation, spheroid formation, migration, and invasion. RV treatment similarly inhibited YAP expression, reducing proliferation and viability in monolayer and 3D spheroid cultures, and impairing migration and invasion via epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibition. RV-mediated YAP suppression also enhanced sensitivity to temozolomide (TMZ) and carmustine (BCNU), increasing their cytotoxicity in GBM cells. RV acts as a novel YAP inhibitor in GBM, impairing malignant phenotypes and potentiating the effects of standard chemotherapy. These findings support RV as a potential adjunct in YAP-targeted GBM therapy, warranting further invivo validation for clinical translation.

Sedekah gunung is a ritual activity performed for the first time on February 10, 2002, by Sitras Anjilin and members of Padepokan Tjipta Boedaja and other participants. The purpose of this research is to reveal aspects of aesthetic expression and spirituality through the perspective of theocentrism. Aspects of aesthetic expression, in this case, are based on an artistic examination of the kidung tradisi sedekah gunung in the form of tembang macapat and meditasi gerak or solah bawa in the Sedekah Gunung ritual. At the same time, spirituality is in the form of the meaning of rituals based on Eastern beliefs, in this case, the civility inherent in the cultural expression of Sedekah Gunung. This research uses a qualitative research approach. In addition, this research uses a fieldwork approach through interview methods accompanied by observations to fulfill research needs, transcript, and processing data to compile data into a systematic and coherent data report. The results show that the aesthetic expression and spirituality of sedekah gunung are embedded in the perspective of theocentrism because there is a relationship between humans, nature, and Gusti (God). The solah bawa movement shows that the human form is connected to the form of nature and becomes an integral unity through eight natural practices called hasto broto. Meanwhile, the kidung tradisi sedekah gunung shows the connection between humans, nature, and Gusti through the verses sung.

In traditional craft, ceramic art plays a vital role in cultural expression and aesthetics. However, growing demand for personalized designs challenges conventional methods. This paper investigates the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into ceramic art to enhance creative capabilities and address these limitations. Utilizing AI techniques, such as style transfer, generative adversarial networks, and user behavior analysis, how computational models can support personalized creation while preserving cultural authenticity is explored. An intelligent design framework is proposed, combining user-centered data, generative algorithms, and cultural sensitivity. Through case studies, AI's effectiveness in pattern generation, style control, and collaborative design is demonstrated, showing its potential to expand creativity and improve user engagement. Results indicate that AI not only boosts design efficiency but also enriches the emotional and cultural value of ceramic works. This study offers theoretical insights and practical strategies for the digital transformation of traditional ceramic art in the AI era.

Crowder’s Say What Now?! New-muh-tol-O-Gs of This and That is a dynamic, multi-dimensional exploration of Spirit as it intersects with theology, cosmology, biology, sociology, musicology, pedagogy, play, and selfhood. Using call-and-response poetry, Crowder animates Spirit as simultaneously transcendent and immanent, revealing divinity in joy and pain, everyday movement, cultural expression, embodied experience, and relational connection. Each section reflects on human complexity—our embodied vulnerability, social entanglements, and the interplay of heritage, creativity, and pedagogy—while affirming the sacred in ordinary moments, music, play, and scholarship. Crowder’s work emphasizes the mutuality of Spirit and Spirited Ones, illustrating how divine presence informs ethics, social engagement, care for creation, and personal flourishing. Through inventive language, rhythm, and cultural referents, the collection enacts a theology of abundance, resilience, and improvisational grace, calling readers to recognize Spirit in themselves and the world, while celebrating the emergent, evolving, and participatory nature of life, learning, and creative practice.

Language is one of the instrumental components for the expression of culture. It facilitates communication between individuals and groups. Language plays a significant role in the developmental processes of any country. This paper is on the Morphological Analysis of Àgàtú Personal Names. Naming is universal and has become inseparable with human culture and language. Personal names in Àgàtú, just like in other languages of the world, are not just means of identifications but possess morphological properties worthy of scholarly attention. Data for this paper were elicited from the list of secondary school registers and the nominal roll register of the council ward under Àgàtú LGA. The descriptive method of data analysis was used. The analysis is divided into two basic groups. The first has to do with the internal structure of Àgàtú personal names (APNs)as simple, compound, and complex words, and the second group dwells on the morphological processes like derivation, clipping and other word formation strategies productive in the APNs. Àgàtú personal names could be mono-morphemic and bimorphemic. This study reveals that Àgàtú attests to compound and complex formation in APNs’ noun + noun, noun + adjective in order to form compound and complex personal names. Some personal names are derived via prefixation processes. Morphological processes such as Derivation, Clipping, Nominalization and Borrowing. This study analysed and described the morphological properties imbedded in APNs. The study found out that, beyond serving as means of identification, personal names in Àgàtú possess morphological properties that can be systematically analysed.

Traditional ethnic minority sports culture is an essential part of China’s excellent traditional culture, which embodies and spiritual cores of various ethnic groups. Amidst the backdrop of cultural diversification and the evolution of communication media, the inheritance of this culture faces challenges such as a generational audience gap and outdated forms of expression. This study employs a literature review, questionnaire surveys, and in-depth interviews to investigate the youth demographic. The findings reveal that young people have a shallow understanding but high recognition and strong willingness to participate in relation to traditional ethnic minority sports culture. Focusing on young-oriented expression, this research proposes strategies involving content reshaping, channel synergy, and scenario construction. These strategies aim to help traditional ethnic minority sports culture transcend generational barriers and achieve effective intergenerational communication and inheritance.

Middle English Literature encompasses the body of written works produced in the English language from the Norman Conquest (1066) through to the end of the Wars of the Roses (1485). This era is marked by a significant transformation in language, culture, and literary expression. The shift from Old English to Middle English saw a gradual revival of English as a respected literary medium after centuries of French and Latin dominance. The literature produced in this period reflects social hierarchies, religious devotion, cultural conflicts, and emerging notions of individualism.

In this paper, Jonah’s Gourd Vine by Zora Neale Hurston will be explored as a cultural and literary expression of the meaning of faith, identity and African American folk cultures within the rural south. The life of John Pearson by Hurston demonstrates that spiritual authority cannot exist without the human imperfection and that religious leadership is hardly filled with divine perfection. Because it is an unsacred act, vernacular and oral storytelling, and symbolisms of the Bible, are employed here to relay the message that faith is the source of friction of the community and individuals. In the context of quintessential African American culture, aiming at questioning Hurston in the study of the sacred and the profanity, as a means to build identity, as well as being a means to build social justice, it remains as a collective entity.