Dual Nature Research Articles

Hyperlipidemia interferes with the behavior of variant NKT cells

Abstract Background NKT cells significantly influence atherosclerosis development. However, inconsistent findings on the function of the NKT cells and the invariant subset in atherosclerosis remains a challenge. Moreover, there is no clarity on the role and phenotype of the variant (vNKT) subset in atherosclerosis. Purpose To understand the role of the vNKT subsets in HFD-induced atherosclerosis. Methods We extracted the data for meta-analysis to understand the role of the whole NKT and iNKT cells in atherosclerosis. PRISMA guidelines were followed for the meta-analysis. In addition, C57BL/6 mice (WT) were fed with HFD for 20 weeks from 6-8 weeks of age. vNKTs were identified as CD3+NK1.1+CD1d-tetramer- within the CD3+NK1.1+ NKT cell population in both liver and spleen by flow cytometry. Intracellular cyotkines staining was performed. Statistical differences inthe means of two groups are calculated by two-tailed Student’s t-test with nonparametric Mann-Whitney tests. P-value<0.05 was considered significant. All data represented as mean±SEM. Results The NKT cell numbers increased significantly in the spleen, lymph nodes, blood, and liver in the HFD-fed mice fed from 1.5 to 24 weeks in Apoe-/-, Ldlr-/- in comparison to wild-type mice (SMD, 2.51 [95% CI, 1.42, 3.61]). Contrary to this, the iNKT cell numbers and the iNKT TCR gene expression levels, decreased significantly in the HFD-fed mice (SMD, -2.04 [95% CI, -3.34, -0.75]). The reduction in iNKT cell numbers is also supported by the clinical data from the AMI patients when compared to healthy controls [SMD = -1.81, 95% CI = -2.89, -0.74] (Figure 1). In HFD-fed C57BL/6 hyperlipidemic mice, significantly increased levels of total cholesterol (HFD vs Chow; 226.5±29.66 vs 118.5±10.56 mg/dL, n=4) and LDLc (44.56±11.96 vs 16.69±1.13 mg%, n=4) was observed. The number of vNKTs in the liver was significantly increased by 46% (HFD vs Chow 28.35±2.28 vs 19.41±1.36, n=6-7) (Figure 2A). However, the CD8+ vNKTs were significantly decreased by 68.6% in the liver (4.72±0.99 vs 15.06±0.96) and the CD4+ vNKTs decreased more than two times in the HFD-fed WT liver (7.39±0.76 vs 18.28±0.36) (Figure 2B). Also, the intracellular IFN-γ+ vNKT cells doubled in their numbers in the HFD-fed spleen (14.31±1.39 vs 6.367±0.87) compared to the chow-fed mice (Figure 2C). Conclusion(s) Meta-analysis revealed dual nature of the NKT cells and its invariant subsets in atherosclerosis, since the whole NKTs increase whereas the iNKTs decrease in number. The vNKT subset actively participates in immune modulation in the HFD-induced hyperlipidemia by increasing their number, as well as by differentially regulating CD8 and CD4 co-receptors between chow and HFD. HFD induced a pro-inflammatory nature in the splenic vNKTs but not in liver vNKTs, that in turn may aggravate other immune cells. This data confirms the dual nature of the NKT subsets and reveals a crucial systemic involvement of vNKT cells in the progression of dyslipidemia.

Gig Economy: Is It a Trap or Stepping Stone for the Informal Sector?

The informal sector and technology have complex interactions, shaping economic activity, job trends, and social outcomes, especially with the rise of the “gig economy”, in which individuals work on an as-needed basis through online platforms. This article explores several theoretical frameworks, such as modernization theory, dependence theory, structuralist approaches, and post-structuralist viewpoints, and investigates how different frameworks explain the effects of technology on informal economic activity. This article also reviews for comprehending the correlation between the informal sector and technology. Besides that, this article explores the dual nature of the gig economy, examining whether it serves as a trap that perpetuates the vulnerabilities of the informal sector or as a stepping stone toward more excellent economic stability and mobility. Although the gig economy provides opportunities for income generation, skill development, and flexible working conditions, it also presents substantial challenges, such as job insecurity, a lack of benefits, and potential exploitation. This paper also addresses the implications for policy and future research directions by the sustainable development goal (SDG) of fostering sustainable, inclusive, and long-term economic growth, as well as full and productive employment and decent work for all.

“Livonia is just all racism”: locating black families’ racial and spatial experiences, school choices, and educational agency in metropolitan Detroit

ABSTRACT Focusing on the metropolitan Detroit region, this paper examines how seven Black families’ racial and spatial subjectivities influenced their suburban school and community choices, and more broadly their acts of educational agency. Using a critical phenomenological approach, key findings show that families’ lived experiences of race and racism in the region, along with the increased presence and support of Black students, families, and educators in select suburban schools influenced their choices and efforts to make suburban schools aligned with their educational and communal priorities, revealing the dual nature in which Black families navigate unjust U.S. education landscapes. Implications address the ongoing challenges Black families encounter in U.S. regional education landscapes and the need for more just approaches that honor Black families’ educational agency and placemaking in local contexts.

Plato’s Theory of Mimesis in the Cratylus: from Ideal Language to Ordinary Language

This article reinterprets the theory of mimesis in the Cratylus, exploring how language functions as an image that imitates its objects. Contrary to prevailing studies contending that Socrates fails to reconcile naturalism and conventionalism, this article argues that Socrates proposes a form of naturalism that acknowledges the role of convention. This naturalism reveals that human language has a dual nature by demonstrating the relation between images and originals. Through instrumentalism and sound-symbolism, Socrates envisions language as an ideal instrument for imitating the Forms of things, whereas the difference between images and originals leads to inevitable falsehood in the establishment and use of ordinary language. The real purpose of the theory of mimesis is to defend the possibility of knowledge and language by opposing the sophists’ doctrine of flux.

Советский социализм: о природе и уроках проекта

Abstract. This article explores the prerequisites, content, and outcomes of the Soviet project. The term refers to the predominance of arbitrary organization of social reality over its naturally-historical self-determination. Unlike the utopian denial of existing social being, the project is viewed as a technological compensation for the mediating disruptions and interruptions in evolutionary trends. The Soviet period of national history is examined as the largest known endeavor to create a new society, vividly illustrating the inherent internal dialectics that underscore the stability and viability of a constructed consciousness of existence. However, this dual nature imposes a strict limit on such a construction: the act of historical arbitrariness is incapable of transcending the nearest state of stable equilibrium within the social system, where the objective laws of social development reclaim their unlimited authority. Moreover, the earlier inability to impose self-restraint leads arbitrariness to its own negation.

Non-Classical Heat Transfer and Recent Progress

Abstract Heat transfer in solids has traditionally been described by Fourier's law, which assumes local equilibrium and a diffusive transport regime. However, advancements in nanotechnology and the development of novel materials have revealed non-classical heat transfer phenomena that extend beyond this traditional framework. These phenomena, which can be broadly categorized into those governed by kinetic theory and those extending beyond it, include ballistic transport, phonon hydrodynamics, coherent phonon transport, Anderson localization, and glass-like heat transfer, among others. Recent theoretical and experimental studies have focused on characterizing these non-classical behaviors using methods such as the Boltzmann transport equation, molecular dynamics, and advanced spectroscopy techniques. In particular, the dual nature of phonons, exhibiting both particle-like and wave-like characteristics, is fundamental to understanding these phenomena. This review summarizes state-of-the-art findings in the field, highlighting the importance of integrating both particle and wave models to fully capture the complexities of heat transfer in modern materials. The emergence of new research areas, such as chiral and topological phonons, further underscores the potential for advancing phonon engineering. These developments open up exciting opportunities for designing materials with tailored thermal properties and new device mechanisms, potentially leading to applications in thermal management, energy technologies, and quantum science.

Digital Communication Technology is not the Only Cause of Rapid Spread of Misinformation in Society

While achieving technological development in media communication, it is important to recognize the dual nature of technological advancement. This rapid development has led to a great threat of spreading misinformation, where ideas are no longer geographically restricted and spread globally at an unprecedented rate (Wang et al., 2019). Statistics from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) 2021 show that 62% of Internet users have seen untrue or suspicious content online Georgiev (2024). Many people believe that digital communication technologies are the only reason for the accelerated spread of misinformation. On the contrary, I believe that this view ignores the more complex political motivations, social, cultural, and psychological underpinnings. While technology itself is an important agent in the process of spreading misinformation, other factors are also integral. Therefore, I do not agree that the cause lies solely in digital communication technology, and this paper will illustrate how technological and social factors interact with each other through examples.

DNA damage caused by chemotherapy has duality, and traditional Chinese medicine may be a better choice to reduce its toxicity

BackgroundDNA damage induced by chemotherapy has duality. It affects the efficacy of chemotherapy and constrains its application. An increasing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is highly effective in reducing side-effects induced by chemotherapy due to its natural, non-toxic and many sourced from food. Recent advancements have demonstrated survival rates are improved attributable to effective chemotherapy. DNA damage is the principal mechanism underlying chemotherapy. However, not all instances of DNA damage are beneficial. Chemotherapy induces DNA damage in normal cells, leading to side effects. It affects the efficacy of chemotherapy and constrains its application.ObjectivesThis review aims to summarize the dual nature of DNA damage induced by chemotherapy and explore how TCM can mitigate chemotherapy-induced side effects.ResultsThe review summarized the latest research progress in DNA damage caused by chemotherapy and the effect of alleviating side effects by TCM. It focused on advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy, the mechanism of drugs and providing insights for rational and effective clinical treatment and serving as a basis for experiment. In this review, we described the mechanisms of DNA damage, associated chemotherapeutics, and their toxicity. Furthermore, we explored Chinese herb that can alleviate chemotherapy-induced side-effects.ConclusionWe highlight key mechanisms of DNA damage caused by chemotherapeutics and discuss specific TCM herbs that have shown potential in reducing these side effects. It can provide reference for clinical and basic research.

Tradition and innovation: The dual nature of institutional thinking and its implications for modern governance

Institutional thinking, a concept that underscores the importance of internal perspectives and the enduring purposes of institutions, plays a critical role in maintaining societal stability and ethical governance. This paper explores the dual nature of institutional thinking, highlighting its positive aspects and inherent dangers. Through an examination of economic, political, and philosophical forces, the paper identifies modern challenges that undermine long-term commitments and ethical values within institutions. By drawing on historical and contemporary examples, including slavery, Nazism, and discriminatory practices, the discussion provides a comprehensive understanding of how institutional thinking can both promote human well-being and perpetuate systemic issues. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need to reaffirm institutional values, promote long-term thinking, and balance individual rights with collective responsibilities to harness the positive aspects of institutional thinking while mitigating its risks.

Modeling of the metal–insulator transition temperature in alio-valently doped VO2 through symbolic regression

The correlated semiconductor vanadium dioxide (VO2) exhibits an insulator–metal transition (IMT) near room temperature, which is of interest in various device applications. Precise IMT temperature control is crucial to determine the use cases across technologies such as thermochromic windows, actuators for robots or neuronal oscillators. Doping the cation or anion sites can modulate the IMT by several tens of degrees and control hysteresis. However, modeling the effects of control parameters (e.g., doping concentration, type of dopants) is challenging due to complex experimental procedures and limited data, hindering the use of traditional data-driven machine learning approaches. Symbolic regression (SR) can bridge this gap by identifying nonlinear expressions connecting key input parameters to target properties, even with small data sets. In this work, we develop SR models to capture the IMT trends in VO2 influenced by different dopant parameters. Using experimental data from the literature, our study reveals a dual nature of the IMT temperature with varying tungsten (W) doping concentrations. The symbolic model captures data trends and accounts for experimental variability, providing a complementary approach to first-principles calculations. Our feature-driven analysis across a broader class of dopants informs selectivity and provides qualitative insights into tuning phase transition properties valuable for neuromorphic computing and thermochromic windows.

Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in traumatic brain injury: a review.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, characterized by a complex interplay of primary and secondary injury mechanisms. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, play a crucial role in the inflammatory response following TBI. To review the current understanding of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in TBI, exploring its dual nature as a protective and detrimental process. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Relevant studies investigating the role of microglia in TBI were included. In the early stages of TBI, microglia exhibit a protective response, releasing cytokines and chemokines to promote neuronal survival and tissue repair. However, prolonged or excessive microglial activation can lead to neurotoxicity and exacerbate secondary injury. Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation involves complex signaling pathways, including Toll-like receptors, purinergic receptors, and the complement system. Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation in TBI is a double-edged sword. While acute microglial activation can promote repair, chronic or excessive inflammation contributes to neuronal damage and functional deficits. Understanding the temporal and molecular dynamics of microglial responses is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies to modulate neuroinflammation and improve outcomes after TBI.

Navigating the Dual Nature of Deepfakes: Ethical, Legal, and Technological Perspectives on Generative Artificial Intelligence AI) Technology

The rapid development of deepfake technology has opened up a range of groundbreaking opportunities while also introducing significant ethical challenges. This paper explores the complex impacts of deepfakes by drawing from fields such as computer science, ethics, media studies, and law. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we examine the technological foundations, uses, and societal effects of deepfakes. Our analysis includes case studies, expert interviews, and a thorough review of existing literature to highlight the dual nature of deepfakes—showcasing their potential benefits in entertainment and education, while also addressing the risks of misinformation and privacy violations. This study emphasizes the urgent need for improved detection methods, ethical guidelines, and strong legal frameworks to address the issues created by deepfakes. It calls for enhanced digital literacy and global cooperation to ensure that the advantages of generative AI are harnessed responsibly, while its inherent risks are minimized. The findings underscore the importance of effective detection strategies, ethical considerations, and legislative reforms to ensure deepfake technology is used in ways that benefit society.

Navigating the body’s double nature in a sedentary environment: Swedish primary school children’s use of physical activity during the school day

ABSTRACT The structuring of time and space in schools influences when children’s bodies should be active and when they should be still. The growing interest in physical activity interventions in schools today highlights a pattern where schools act as sites meant to regulate and educate children’s bodies according to adult-centric interests. Drawing on existential phenomenology, particularly the dual nature of the body as both object and subject, this article examines how children themselves use physical activity in school. Sixty-three children aged 8 – 13 in Sweden participated in semi-structured focus groups where they discussed the significance of movement for them in the school environment. Reflexive thematic analysis in an ‘experiential mode’ was used to understand how the children related to their bodies in terms of objectivity and subjectivity, creating different types of incentives for movement. This is illustrated through two themes: ‘Physical activity for a healthy body (The body as object)’, which shows how children use physical activity based on instrumental motives, and ‘The sentient body (The body as subject)’, where the feeling body is presented in two states: both as trapped and as liberated. The children used movement as a way to balance the structuring of time and place imposed by their school environment, which generated various subjective corporeal states. Thus, the analysis shows that the school environment produces subjective bodies that children understand in objective terms influenced by contemporary health discourses, which in turn shapes their use of movement.

There is Hope in the Incarnation—Challenging the Bibliological Docetism of Today’s Evangelicalism

The authors argue that the future existence of evangelicalism as an ecclesial tradition depends on its ability and courage to re-imagine the dual nature, human and divine, of the Bible as written revelation and, consequently, to renew the way that this community engages with it. Such an endeavour requires a new way of understanding and engaging with the Bible that can be built around the model of the Incarnation. As mainline Protestants, who ministered for many years in evangelical ecclesial communities and who have conducted extensive doctoral and post-doctoral research in patristic and contemporary theological studies, the authors are convinced that if evangelicalism is to survive and flourish in the complexities of the contemporary world, it requires a new hermeneutic. It should move away from a dominating docetic view of the Scripture, which overemphasises its divine nature, to the detriment, and sometimes the total neglect, of its human authorship, to give a full account of its dual nature, equally divine and human.

Gender stereotypes in the German language: synchronic-diachronic perspective

The article examines the peculiarities of objectification of the universal opposition «man – woman» in the German language based on lexicographic sources from different chronological periods. German language is interesting for studying this opposition because of its expanded nature, which is particularly evident within the «woman» component: «Mann – Frau / Weib». The analysis of interpretations of the concepts «man» and «woman» in German dictionaries reveals the processes of gender stereotyping reflected in them during different periods of language development. This allows us to understand the development of ideas about these concepts in a specific linguistic culture. The leading characteristics of men and women, as reflected in the semantics of key lexemes such as Mann, Frau and Weib, as well as adjectives derived from these words, are determined. Their cultural and historical context is explored. It is found that during the XVIII and XIX centuries, the concepts of «man» and «woman» consistently reflected the processes of gender stereotyping. However, gender stereotypes regarding women were more varied and complex. Starting in the XX century and especially in the XXI century, stereotypes have been presented to a lesser degree, with a noted neutralization of social oppositions within the considered opposition. It is observed that the opposition between man and woman in German initially had a dual nature, both socially and naturally. It is concluded that at present, in lexicographic sources, naturally oriented traits are the leading features of objectification in the «man-woman» opposition. The issue of the level of accuracy with which different concepts are reflected in explanatory dictionaries of the German language has been identified.

The survey on the dual nature of xAI challenges in intrusion detection and their potential for AI innovation

In the rapidly evolving domain of cybersecurity, the imperative for intrusion detection systems is undeniable; yet, it is increasingly clear that to meet the ever-growing challenges posed by sophisticated threats, intrusion detection itself stands in need of the transformative capabilities offered by the explainable artificial intelligence (xAI). As this concept is still developing, it poses an array of challenges that need addressing. This paper discusses 25 of such challenges of varying research interest, encountered in the domain of xAI, identified in the course of a targeted study. While these challenges may appear as obstacles, they concurrently present as significant research opportunities. These analysed challenges encompass a wide spectrum of concerns spanning the intersection of xAI and cybersecurity. The paper underscores the critical role of xAI in addressing opacity issues within machine learning algorithms and sets the stage for further research and innovation in the quest for transparent and interpretable artificial intelligence that humans are able to trust. In addition to this, by reframing these challenges as opportunities, this study seeks to inspire and guide researchers towards realizing the full potential of xAI in cybersecurity.

Administration as usual? Revolving doors and the quiet regulation of political ethics

ABSTRACT Ethics policies have emerged as a key aspect of the European (post)-Regulatory State. Such policies are designed to create ‘noise’, allowing media and public discourse to mobilise around the ethical lapses of those in power. The regulation of revolving doors (RD), i.e., movements in and out of government positions, is an ethics policy. However, unlike other ethics policies, RD regulation does not make transparency its central feature but constitutes what we call ‘quiet regulation’. Drawing on qualitative document analysis and interviews, we study the quiet regulation of RD for EU Commissioners. We demonstrate that quiet regulation has a dual nature: its public façade relies on independence, judicialised procedures and transparency. Conversely, its day-to-day operation is characterised by self-regulation, soft law and informality. In this way, RD regulation achieves two contradictory aims: functioning as a legitimate ethics policy while simultaneously avoiding the moral outcry that often surrounds ethics policies and the politicisation of RD, thereby normalising RD as ‘administration as usual’.

5G network performance using novel MIMO mixed FSO/MMW communication systems under pointing errors effect: test analysis using image transmission

Abstract Millimeter waves (MMW) enable high data rates over short distances; free-space optical (FSO) provides high-capacity optical wireless transmissions; and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) maximizes antenna utilization. These are the three leading technologies that work harmoniously to deliver 5G’s superior performance. This collaborative effort results in 5G’s ability to offer high connection capacities, low latency, and rapid speeds, creating new opportunities for industrial and internet of things applications. In this paper, the proposed system combines FSO links and MMW radio frequency (RF) links to enhance the performance of mixed FSO/RF systems. FSO experiences turbulence and pointing errors (PE), while MMW undergoes fading. Using both FSO and MMW provides diversity against channel fading. Furthermore, both the FSO and MMW links utilize MIMO technology to combat fading through spatial diversity. The FSO link is modeled with a Gamma-Gamma Turbulence model and PE. The MMW link is modeled with Rayleigh fading. By combining these two types of links with MIMO, the system can achieve improved performance compared to using either FSO or MMW alone. The dual nature of the system provides robustness against different types of channels fading effects. Overall, the goal is to enhance performance by capitalizing on the complementary channel characteristics of optical and RF links and exploiting MIMO’s spatial diversity benefits. In the present work, closed-form formulas accounting for the influence of PE are generated for the bit error rate (BER). This article also explores the MIMO mixed FSO/MMW system with multiple modulation techniques under various turbulence situations. The suggested system is ultimately verified by transmitting images with suitable fixed BER.

The Dual Nature of AI in Information Dissemination: Ethical Considerations.

Infodemics pose significant dangers to public health and to the societal fabric, as the spread of misinformation can have far-reaching consequences. While artificial intelligence (AI) systems have the potential to craft compelling and valuable information campaigns with positive repercussions for public health and democracy, concerns have arisen regarding the potential use of AI systems to generate convincing disinformation. The consequences of this dual nature of AI, capable of both illuminating and obscuring the information landscape, are complex and multifaceted. We contend that the rapid integration of AI into society demands a comprehensive understanding of its ethical implications and the development of strategies to harness its potential for the greater good while mitigating harm. Thus, in this paper we explore the ethical dimensions of AI's role in information dissemination and impact on public health, arguing that potential strategies to deal with AI and disinformation encompass generating regulated and transparent data sets used to train AI models, regulating content outputs, and promoting information literacy.

Our Current Attitude towards Science Determines the Future of Our Planet

Abstract This article examines the intertwined relationship between modern scientific advancement and its potential to shape the future of Earth’s ecological and societal well-being. While scientific innovations have brought about unprecedented developments, they also present new challenges, particularly regarding sustainability and ecological balance. By tracing humanity’s historical relationship with nature and the rise of specialized sciences, the article reflects on the dual nature of technological progress. It calls for a balanced approach, one that prioritizes wisdom alongside knowledge to avoid irreversible harm to the planet. Through philosophical reflections, the article emphasizes the need for responsible innovation, urging researchers to consider the long-term consequences of their work for Earth’s future.