Social media has significantly reshaped traditional concepts of free media, steering it toward greater independence. After decades of control by ministries of communication and gatekeepers over audio-visual content, these institutions have gradually lost their influence, leading to a more decentralized media landscape. In this new environment, social media platforms have become powerful tools, shaping social and political narratives by controlling information dissemination, often aligning with their policies. Artificial intelligence's rise has amplified algorithms' role, particularly during geopolitical wars and conflicts. For instance, during the latest Israeli war in Gaza that erupted in October 2023, thousands of accounts supporting the Palestinian cause were banned, raising concerns about freedom of expression due to algorithms' ability to manipulate public opinion. In response, users have adopted various tactics, such as employing encryption and content modification techniques to evade algorithmic censorship. Despite the widespread use of these tactics across the Arab world, no research has systematically explored their effectiveness in countering algorithms, especially in crisis-prone regions. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the most common encryption techniques used by users during the Gaza war, particularly in resistance axis countries. This study will utilize a mixed-methods approach to analyse a sample of 80 social media posts sourced from X, TikTok, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The analysis will identify the most effective methods for circumventing AI-based censorship and highlight the sophisticated strategies used to protect freedom of expression in the digital age. Keywords: Algorithmic censorship, Gaza conflict, data encryption, social media bias, crisis communication strategies.

Abstract The experiment was carried out in the plastichouses at the Agricultural Research and Experiment Station of the Faculty of Agriculture / Kirkuk University for the season 2024-2025 to study the effect of nutrient solution and culture media on the growth and yield characteristics of Lactuca sativa L . using hydroponic technique, where the experiment included two factors: The first is the nutrient solutions, which included two types of solutions: Standard nutrient solution (Cooper) and nutrient solution (Zeina), and the second factor is the agricultural media, which included three media: Perlite, free medium, and gravel under the NFT hydroponic system. The experiment was designed using a split plot design within a randomized complete block design (RCBD), where the solutions were placed in the main plot and the planting media in the sub-plot. The results of the study indicated that the Zeina nutrient solution treatment significantly affected the average leaf area of the plant, which amounted to (75.02 cm 2 . Plant −1 ) compared to the standard solution, except for plant height, which did not show any significant effect between it and the standard solution treatment. This treatment also showed significant superiority in all yield traits and a significant increase in total and marketed head weight and total and marketed yield with an increase of (576.50 g. Plant 1- , 506.01g. Plant 1- , 691.80 kg. house −1 ,607.20 kg. house −1 ) respectively. The results of the perlite culture medium treatment showed significant superiority in vegetative growth traits by recording an increase in plant height and leaf area (16.017cm, 76.67cm 2 . Plant 1- ) The results of the quotient indicated the superiority of the perlite medium over the rest of the medium treatments in terms of total and marketable head weight and total and marketable yield, with an increase of: (579.93 g. Plant 1- , 509.25g. Plant 1- , 695.92 kg. house −1 , 611.11 kg. house −1 ) Respectively, the results of the interference between the experimental factors showed a significant superiority of the interference treatment between Zeina nutrient solution and perlite culture medium in vegetative growth traits with the highest values of leaf area (78.16cm 2 . Plant 1- ) The results of the interference between the Zeina nutrient solution and the perlite medium showed the significant superiority of the yield traits, as it recorded an increase in total head weight, marketing head weight, total and marketing yield, with a value of compared to the rest of the treatments (586.65g. Plant 1- , 513.45 gm. Plant 1- , 703.98 kg. house −1 , 616.14 kg. house −1 ) for each trait respectively compared to the rest of the overlap coefficients.

Synthesis of the different technologies for SF6 free medium voltage switchgear

A consortium of Aspergillus species biodegrades polypropylene plastic.

ABSTRACT This article underscores the multiple threats – physical, psychological, digital, and institutional – that Romanian journalists confront. The study is based on an online survey of 365 journalists conducted between 2022 and 2023, as well as comparative assessments by UNESCO and the Committee for the Protection of Journalists. It shows that severe verbal abuse and psychological intimidation are widespread, often accompanied by digital attacks such as hacking and doxing. More than 61% of respondents cite impunity as a major problem and point to the government’s failures in accountability and legal protection. Women journalists are at increased risk of sexual harassment, reflecting the persistent global gender inequality in press freedom. In addition, organisational structures, economic uncertainty and the remaining challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbate these dangers, prompting some professionals to self-censor, change fields of work or relocate. The findings highlight serious institutional deficiencies, and the intertwining of professional, economic and political factors required for an independent press, emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive action. The situation in Romania shows that inadequate protection not only jeopardises the well-being of individual journalists but also threatens the core democratic principles that underpin free media.

PEMRA is the regulatory body that is important in regulating and controlling the electronic media arena in Pakistan. It was founded based on the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, whose main aim is to enhance the quality of information, learning, and entertainment using a free, fair, and responsible media. PEMRA has the role of issuing licenses, content monitoring, and legal and ethical compliance. It also intervenes to prevent hate speech, fake news, and content that can damage national interest or the morality of people. Although it is of regulatory significance, PEMRA has been targeted by critics on its impartiality as well as its perceived censorship of dissenting voices, which has led to the issue of press freedom. However, PEMRA remains one of the key players in informing the way media is discussed in Pakistan because of its efforts to focus on freedom of expression and responsible journalism. This paper examines the legal environment of PEMRA and the tools it has to implement law enforcement, and the difficulty in regulating a fast-changing world of media. Top of Form Bottom of Form

Abstract The indivisibility of all human rights is a fundamental principle of contemporary human rights interpretation and advocacy. It is asserted most commonly by theorists who assert that both socio-economic rights (ESR) and civil-political rights (CPR) are intrinsic to human dignity and must be treated on the same footing as any other right without a priori hierarchy. One dominant strand of this argument is the contention that ESR help deepen and sustain democratic rights like free speech, free media and the vote, while democratic rights in turn reciprocate by boosting the cause of social minima like education, health, housing and food. However, the empirical reality and contemporary relevance of the mutually-supporting relationship of ESR and democratic rights are called into question by two factors. The first is the fact of democratic recession in the Global South and its seeming erosion in the West. The second is the evident success of some autocratic regimes in building extensive social housing, eradicating hunger and improving access to healthcare. These trends partially undermine arguments premised on predictable causal relationships between democracy and ESR realisation. We need a more refined understanding of how non-democratic political regimes, institutions and ideology interact to produce different levels of commitment and capacity to realize ESR. There are at least three plausible responses this reality gives rise to, namely (i) to alter nothing about the way we think about indivisibility, (ii) to abandon the concept of indivisibility, or (iii) to revise the concept for a more multivalent world.

Public libraries are increasingly challenged to serve ageing and homebound populations who face barriers to physical access. This case study explores the Home Library Visit Service provided by Lambeth Libraries in South London, which offers free book and media delivery to residents unable to visit the library due to age, disability, or chronic illness. Drawing on on-site observation during a work placement and informal staff interviews, the study investigates how the service supports both informational access and emotional wellbeing. It identifies key features such as personalised book selection, continuity of service through assigned librarians, and meaningful relationships formed between staff and users. While the service demonstrates strong inclusivity and user satisfaction, it also faces challenges including limited staffing, low public awareness, and a lack of formalised policies and emotional support structures. Based on these findings, the study recommends the introduction of structured feedback mechanisms, formal service documentation, and better support for staff wellbeing. It concludes that Lambeths human-centred approach offers a sustainable and adaptable model for inclusive public library outreach, with potential implications for other regions, particularly where home-based services are still emerging or underdeveloped.

Thermus scotoductus K1 is a metabolically versatile thermophile capable of adapting to nutrient limitations. This study investigates how carbon source (glucose) influences growth rate, ATPase activity (F-Type reported for thermophiles), and potassium distribution in the strain. It is well known that potassium ions (K⁺) are essential for microbial bioenergetics, enzymatic regulation, growth, etc. To assess these effects, the strain was cultivated aerobically in Thermus media without and with 2 g/L glucose in 65°C at pH 8.5. The specific growth rate was 0.24 h⁻¹, increasing to 0.33 h⁻¹ with 2 g/L glucose. Meanwhile, viability shown to have slight effect in contrast with carbon-free grown media: CFU/ml rising from 1.91 × 10⁷ to 2.07 × 10⁷ in presence of glucose. Thus, the results obtained from assays, provided by cell pellets with similar viability. Total ATPase activity was measured in membrane vesicles under the same growth parameters. 164 nM Pi/min/mg protein total ATPase activity was calculated in membrane vesicles obtained from cells grown in carbon-free media, whereas the activity was increased slightly with K⁺ (0.1M) addition. Grown in presence of glucose, K⁺ addition slightly reduced enzyme activity from 183.95 nM to 162.85 nM. This assumed altered ion sensitivity for the strain in bioenergy conservation processes. This hypothesis was supported by measuring total extra- and intracellular K⁺ concentration after 20-22 h of growth, where the ratio was 16.8:1 in carbon free media, and 19.3:1 grown in glucose. Thus K⁺, essential for vital cellular processes, are replaced by other ions in living organisms under extreme conditions. These findings replenish carbon source-dependent modulation of energy conservation in T. scotoductus K1. Such mechanisms in thermophiles are fundamental to discover and understand energy adaptation systems in bacteria at high temperatures.

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the mechanisms underpinning vascular smooth muscle contraction, which are critical targets for cardiovascular disease treatment, is essential for developing novel therapeutic agents. Recently, the role of mitochondrial fission as a key modulatory event in the vascular contractile process has been questioned. Therefore, the present study, conducted on ex vivo rat aorta rings, aimed to elucidate its role. As mitochondrial dynamics is a Ca2+‐dependent process, experiments were performed using preparations incubated in a Ca2+‐free medium, depleted of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content, and stimulated by Ba2+. Contractile responses evoked by Ba2+, either alone or in the presence of phenylephrine or (S)‐(−)‐Bay K 8644, occurred without mitochondrial fission. Furthermore, hallmarks of mitochondrial fusion were observed in rings stimulated by Ba2+ alone. The Drp1 inhibitors mdivi‐1 and dynasore antagonized Ba2+‐induced contraction, whereas the dynasore analogue dyngo‐4a and the dynamin stimulator ryngo 1–23 synergized with Ba2+‐induced contraction. All tested compounds, except mdivi‐1, induced mitochondrial fission, with particularly pronounced effects observed with dynasore. Similar results were obtained in rings stimulated by Ba2+ in the presence of either phenylephrine or (S)‐(−)‐Bay K 8644. In conclusion, these findings indicate that rat aorta contraction can occur independently of mitochondrial fission. Moreover, Ba2+, used in place of Ca2+ as a vasoconstricting agent, provides a valuable experimental framework for identifying off‐target effects of dynamin modulators.

The study was conducted in the Micropropagation laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kufa, from November 2023 to March 2024 to study the in vitro effects of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) in sour orange (Citrus aurantium) seed germination and seedlings growth using growth chamber seed culture. Mature sour orange seeds were cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented PEG 6000 at concentrations of 0, 0.5, or 1 % and 3 concentrations of melatonin (0, 0.5 or 1 mg L-1) for 45 days to study water stress effect on seed germination percentage, seedling length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight. Results showed that water stress adversely affected these traits: seed germination percentage, seedling height, fresh and dry weight and root length, alongside the increase in PEG concentration compared to PEG 6000 free medium after 45 days of the seed culture. The nutrient medium supplemented with melatonin reduced the negative effect of water stress as it improved seed germination rate, seedling height, shoot fresh and dry weight and root length, as the concentration exceeded 1 mg L-1. All the study indicators were significantly affected by the interaction treatments of PEG and melatonin, especially in the absence of PEG. Particularly, the interaction of 0 % PEG plus 1 mg L-1 melatonin produced the highest values ​​in all plant growth traits studied, while the interaction treatment at 1 % PEG with 1 mg L-1 melatonin gave lower values in the traits abovementioned.

With increasing fake news, more governments are looking to enact laws to counter the spread of falsehoods online. Such moves however, have been met with much criticism, for their potential censorship of oppositional voices and threats to free speech and media freedom. For such a law to be successfully implemented, this paper argues that it must first be viewed as legitimate. The author delves into the concept of “legislative legitimacy”, binding it to three key aspects of perceived trustworthiness of the authorities, procedural justice, and shared values between the authorities and the people. It then studies how a government may build this legitimacy by focusing on Singapore, a country that enacted its anti-fake news law in 2019, which has been deemed as one of the world’s most comprehensive. A critical discourse analysis of 172 news articles reveals key strategies undertaken in the Singapore context at the discursive, material and ideological levels – pertaining to consistent government messaging in discursive terms, transparency in the material make-up and individual implementations of the law, and an ideological alignment with the people to maintain peace and stability in Singapore – presenting learning points on the legitimacy-building process of such policy interventions against fake news.

Diphtheria is an infectious disease causing severe illness, particularly in children, which can be prevented by vaccination with diphtheria toxoid, a detoxified derivative form of diphtheria toxin. The present study aimed to overcome the limitations of traditional animal-derived medium and to enhance diphtheria toxin production by refining the various process parameters and iron concentration of semi-synthetic medium. The iron concentration in the medium was investigated in the range of 0.05 to 0.6µg/mL, and an ideal concentration was found to be 0.4µg/mL, where 221 ± 7.6 Lf/mL of DT was obtained. Response Surface Methodology was used to further optimize physical parameters such as pH, temperature, agitation speed, and concentration of inoculum. A central composite design comprising 30 experimental runs identified the best conditions as pH 7.2, temperature 35°C, agitation speed 150rpm, and 5.8% inoculum concentration yielding a maximum DT yield of 245 ± 5 Lf/mL. To validate scalability, a 5L stirred-tank bioreactor was used to assess the influence of aeration and agitation on biomass and diphtheria toxin production were studied. At 600rpm and 0.25 VVM, a maximum of 266 Lf/mL of diphtheria toxin was obtained. The biomass and toxin yields were adversely affected by higher aeration and agitation. This study highlights the significance of optimizing process parameters and establishing a scalable strategy for efficient production of diphtheria toxin using animal component-free medium.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells distinguished by their ability to self-renew, their potential for multilineage differentiation, and their strong immunomodulatory characteristics. The recent in vitro expansion of MSCs primarily relies on culture media that is supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). Although FBS is effective in enhancing the proliferation of MSCs and ensuring their survival, its use poses several notable challenges, particularly in clinical environments. Methods: This study seeks to fill this important gap by conducting a comprehensive comparison of various commercially available animal source-serum free media formulations against traditional FBS-supplemented media for the expansion of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs). The morphology and density of the cells were examined using an inverted microscope. The cell surface of UC-MSCs was analysed through flow cytometry. The evaluation of cytokines released by UC-MSCs was carried out using ELISA. Result: The conditioned medium obtained from UC-MSCs cultured in HPL shows increased levels of exosomes and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the UC-MSCs cultured in HPL-supplemented medium maintained a normal morphology and exhibited expression of UC-MSC surface markers exceeding 95%. Additionally, HPL enhanced the proliferation of UC-MSCs to eight times the cell number on the day of seeding. Conclusion: Media enriched with HPL presents considerable potential for future applications within the pharmaceutical sector.

ABSTRACT As platforms increasingly shape online dialogue, their role in ensuring access to reliable information poses challenges to free speech and media freedom. The spread of disinformation, algorithm-driven content, and declining trust in institutions have forced platforms to adopt moderation tools, often in partnership with professional fact-checkers. Meta’s decision to replace fact-checkers with the crowdsourced tool ‘Community Notes’ raises significant legal and normative concerns under the EU’s DSA. This paper critically examines whether Community Notes qualifies as a lawful and effective alternative under Articles 34–35 of the DSA, which require major platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks through proportionate, risk-specific measures. It compares the transparency and ethical grounding of professional fact-checking with the opacity of crowdsourced moderation. The paper argues that Meta must show how Community Notes fits within its risk assessments, reporting obligations and demonstrate it reduces disinformation without compromising legal safeguards, journalistic standards, or access to credible information.

This study critically explores stakeholders perceptions of the Media Authority Act 2013 and its influence on the state of freedom of expression in South Sudan. Despite constitutional and legal provisions that ostensibly protect media rights, concerns persist regarding the actual realisation of these freedoms in practice. The research was conducted to investigate the impact of the Media Authority Act on journalistic practices, regulatory autonomy, and public discourse, with a particular focus on how legal frameworks either promote or hinder freedom of expression. This study addresses a pressing issue in South Sudans democratic development, where media freedom is often caught between state control and civil societys demand for openness and accountability. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating qualitative data from 25 semi-structured interviews with journalists, civil society actors, media regulators, and government representatives, as well as quantitative data from surveys administered to 80 media practitioners across Juba, Wau, and Malakal. The analysis was guided by theories of media regulation and freedom of expression, particularly drawing from liberal democratic and critical legal theory. Findings reveal that while the Media Authority Act 2013 is framed as a regulatory mechanism to ensure professionalism and accountability in media operations, its implementation is often marred by political interference, vague legislative language, and inconsistent enforcement. Stakeholders reported a general lack of institutional independence, widespread fear of censorship, and restrictions on critical reporting, particularly on political and security issues. These challenges have led to self-censorship among journalists, limiting the medias ability to serve as a watchdog of government activity. This study concludes that although the Media Authority Act has the potential to support a more structured media environment, its current application undermines the very freedoms it purports to safeguard. Reforming the Act to align with international human rights standards, coupled with building the institutional capacity and independence of regulatory bodies, is essential for fostering a free, pluralistic, and democratic media space in South Sudan. The research contributes to ongoing discussions on media freedom in post-conflict states and provides practical policy recommendations for promoting freedom of expression within fragile governance contexts.

The mass media plays a strategic role in overseeing government operations and informing the public, particularly in the context of uncovering corruption cases. This study aims to analyze the media's role in uncovering and shaping public opinion regarding corruption cases in Indonesia. Through a qualitative approach using case studies of several media reports related to major corruption cases, it was found that the media acts as a social watchdog, a driver of public opinion, and a catalyst for law enforcement action. However, the media also faces challenges such as interference from political interests and limited access to information. The study's findings indicate that the existence of free and independent media is crucial for strengthening transparency and public accountability. Therefore, strengthening journalistic professionalism and ethics is key to increasing the effectiveness of the media's role in eradicating corruption.

Epilepsy is a common chronic nervous system disease that threatens human health. However, the role of FOXC1 and its relations with pyroptosis have not been fully studied in epilepsy. Sprague-Dawley rats were obtained for constructing temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) models. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with Mg2+-free medium for inducing invitro cell models. H&E, TIMM, and Nissl staining were employed for histological evaluation. Flow cytometry was used for measuring cell pyroptosis. ELISA was implemented for detecting the levels of inflammatory cytokines. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed to determine the expression and distribution of genes. ChIP, RIP, MeRIP, and dual-luciferase reporter analysis were performed to investigate the intermolecular interactions. The mRNA and protein level expression of genes were examined using RT-qPCR and western blotting. FOXC1 was lowly expressed in hippocampus tissue of TLE rats, and overexpression of FOXC1 alleviated neuronal damage. Overexpression of FOXC1 downregulated the levels of NLRP3, caspase 1, as well as IL-1β and IL-18 by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in Mg2+-free-stimulated SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, FOXC1 bound to the promoter of NLRP3 and inhibited NLRP3 transcription. FOXC1 was found to be regulated by the METTL3/YTHDF1 axis-mediated m6A methylation. Overexpression of METTL3 attenuated Mg2+-free-induced neuronal injury and pyroptosis through YTHDF1-dependent regulation of FOXC1. Collectively, these data confirmed that FOXC1 suppressed neuronal injury and pyroptosis in epilepsy by transcriptionally inhibiting NLRP3, which might be correlated to METTL3/YTHDF1 axis-mediated m6A methylation.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a highly pathogenic agent that adversely impacts swine populations, leading to considerable economic losses within the Chinese pig industry. Furthermore, the potential for PRV to transmit across species from pigs to other hosts has attracted significant attention. In light of this, it is essential to identify efficacious antiviral agents for the treatment of PRV infection. In this study, we investigated the antiviral properties of Diltiazem HCl (DTZ) against PRV infection in susceptible cell lines. Our results demonstrated that DTZ significantly inhibited PRV infection in both PK15 and Vero cells. Moreover, this chemical compound exhibited antiviral activity against both variant and classical strains of PRV, as well as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Time-of-addition assays showed that DTZ exerted its inhibitory effect through specific interference with the virus replication process. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis via RNA sequencing indicated that the calcium signaling pathway might be involved in the antiviral properties of DTZ against PRV infection. Specifically, treatment with EGTA or calcium ion (Ca2+)-free medium inhibited PRV infection; this inhibitory effect was substantially mitigated upon the reintroduction of CaCl2. In summary, DTZ effectively suppressed PRV infection in vitro, demonstrating its potential as an antiviral agent against PRV infections.

ABSTRACTChimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR‐T) therapies have demonstrated clinical efficacy in treating haematological malignancies, resulting in multiple regulatory approvals. However, there is a need for robust manufacturing platforms and the use of GMP‐aligned reagents to meet the clinical and commercial demands. This study investigates the impact of serum/xeno‐free medium (SXFM) and cytokine supplementation on CAR‐T cell production in static and agitated culture systems, using 24‐well plate G‐Rex vessels and 500 mL stirred tank bioreactors (STRs), respectively. Under static conditions, SXFM media supported CAR‐T cell expansion with growth kinetics comparable to foetal bovine serum, FBS‐based RPMI, irrespective of the cytokine supplementation (IL‐2 or the combination of IL‐7 and IL‐15). In contrast, when the expansion was conducted using STRs, several differences were observed with SXFM. Particularly, when supplemented with IL‐2 SXFM, it increased transduction efficiency, supporting accelerated proliferation relative to FBS‐containing RPMI. Additionally, SXFM maintained a higher CD4:CD8 ratio at harvest, a feature associated with improved clinical outcomes. No significant differences were observed in the CAR‐T cell populations' differentiation status or activation and exhaustion profiles across the conditions. These results suggest that SXFM enables CAR‐T cell manufacturing in STRs, improving key quality attributes such as transduction efficiency, growth kinetics, and CD4:CD8 ratio compared to FBS‐supplemented medium.