Medium Change Research Articles

Abstract 4116603: Interleukin-33 from Necrotic Tunica Media Plays a Key Role in the Exacerbations of Coronary Arteritis in Kawasaki Disease

Objective: Alarmins resulting from cell death or oxidative stress have been shown to be involved in the development of Kawasaki disease (KD) vasculitis. In our previous study, we demonstrated the potential role of (IL)-33 as an alarmin in the development of KD vasculitis. Although edematous dissociation (necrotic change) of the tunica media is thought to be a major source of IL-33 in KD vasculitis, it has not yet been elucidated. Methods: We investigated the impact of IL-33 released from necrotic human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMCs) on human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) by a co-culture assay using the Transwell ® cell culture insert system. Subsequently, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of anti-IL-33 and anti-ST2 antibodies compared to the conventional therapies of KD, such as high-dose IgG or anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody. Results: Primary necrosis of HCASMCs induced significant release of IL-33. In co-cultures of necrotic HCASMCs with HCAECs, necrotic HCASMCs significantly induced the production of various proinflammatory cytokines in HCAECs. Anti-IL-33 and anti-ST2 antibodies exhibited unique inhibitory effects on the production of platelet-derived growth factor-BB or IL-12(p70) in HCAECs. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest the potential involvement of edematous dissociation of the tunica media in the development of KD vasculitis. Furthermore, the distinctive anti-inflammatory effects of the anti-IL-33/ST2 axis drugs suggest novel therapeutic options for patients with refractory KD.

TMOD-16. ZUCLOPENTHIXOL REDUCES ACTIVITY-DEPENDENT GLIOBLASTOMA PROLIFERATION

Abstract A major challenge in modeling glioblastoma in the laboratory is the complex microenvironment in which tumors evolve in humans. The varied architecture and immune privilege of the brain limits the external validity of many experiments performed in modern cell biology laboratories. Organotypic human cortical slices present an opportunity to model glioblastoma and test the effect of drugs against glioma in ex-vivo human tissue. Cortical slice cultures maintain the cellular organization of the human brain, more closely approximating glioblastoma proliferation in patients. In this study, we test the effect zuclopenthixol, a repurposed antipsychotic inhibitor of glioblastoma-induced neuronal hyperexcitability, on the proliferation of glioblastoma cells in an organotypic human cortical slice culture. Primary patient-derived glioblastoma cultures were established, and human cortical tissues were emersed in oxygenated ACSF agarose gel before preparing 250 µm thick slices. Slices were either exogenously seeded with glioblastoma cells or stained for endogenous tumor infiltration. Slices with either endogenous or exogenous seeding were then treated with zuclopenthixol or regular media change and cultured for 10 days. Proliferation was measured with Ki67 staining and quantified via automated pixel summation using the Pillow library in Python. 0.1 µM zuclopenthixol treated slices had significantly lower proliferation index in both the endogenous tumor condition (0.04 vs 0.30, P < 0.05) and the exogenous seeding condition (0.0013 vs 0.028, P = 0.033). Reduced tissue integrity was observed beginning day 8 of culture, as tissue surrounding tumor seeding sites eroded. Here, we model glioblastoma proliferation in live human tissue and quantify the anti-proliferative effect of zuclopenthixol. We show that zuclopenthixol treatment significantly reduced the proliferation index. Our experimental model allowed the optimization of organotypic human cortical slice cultures for immunofluorescence studies and live-cell imaging.

왜 영화를 트는가? - 동시대 비제도권 시네클럽 연구

This study aims to examine non-institutional cinè-clubs that screen films in the context of the increasingly individualised way of watching movies. Cinè-clubs in Korea, which have existed in various forms, have had a significant impact on the film viewing experience and the formation of cinephilia, which has been shaped by the military dictatorship, democratisation movement, and media changes of video and internet. This study analyses the activities and programming processes of non-institutional cinè-clubs in Seoul through a qualitative research methodology to discover the role and significance of cinè-clubs. Cine club operators born in the mid-90s to early 00s have embraced cinema in a variety of different ways. From this experience, their cinè-clubs represent a cross-section of contemporary cinèphilia, with activities that straddle the boundaries between legal and illegal, and programming that does not follow the canon, in the realm of the non-institutional. The university space and interaction in online communities are important conditions for the operation of these cinè-clubs. In addition, non-institutional cinè-clubs, which were formed as a result of the film movement in the 1990s, contribute to the diversity of film culture and the formation of new communities by discovering and screening films that have been marginalised by the Korean film institutions such as film festivals, film schools, and cinèmathèques. In the current stagnant Korean film culture, non-institutional cinè-clubs become a cultural space to discover lost vitality.

Gerindra Party's Legislative Election Campaign Communication Plan

The Gerindra Party's communication tactics during parliamentary elections are examined in this article. It emphasizes how the party has adjusted to the changing media environment by combining digital strategies on sites like Facebook and Twitter with more conventional techniques like town hall meetings. The study points to a knowledge gap regarding the creation and consumption of political messaging in Indonesia's ever-changing digital landscape. The study attempts to evaluate the efficacy of these tactics through a combination of media content analysis, interviews, and documentary reviews. The findings show that, despite difficulties with crisis management, Gerindra's strategy was effective in attracting a varied electorate. Political parties that are adjusting to internet communication and voter mobilization may find this study useful.

Educating for a Changing Media Landscape: Four Scenarios for Journalism Education in 2030

ABSTRACT Over the past decades, journalism schools and journalism training programmes have been trying to keep up with the constant technological and societal developments. Numerous studies have been done about what knowledge and skills should be taught and several on how they should be taught, to be more adaptive to this changing environment and media landscape. Meanwhile, also media companies are increasingly becoming educators, with their own learning academies to make journalists become lifelong learners. In this study, which was conducted in the Netherlands, we take a holistic approach to understanding the uncertain future journalism education is currently dealing with. We use the method of scenario planning to systematically analyse the current debate on journalism education. By collecting opinions and views of fifty different experts from the broad field of journalism and (journalism) education, we deducted certain and uncertain trends that led to two axes, answering the following questions: What type of journalism do we educate for and Who is in charge of the learning process? Crossing these axes, four scenarios for the future of journalism education appear. With this study, we intend to facilitate the debate on the future of journalism education.

Only reflecting the industry or critical reporting? News coverage about sustainable finance in Germany

With the increasing need to channel financial capital to reach the sustainable development goals, various actors (political, financial and NGOs) are trying to place their perspectives in the public sphere. Previous research has mainly focused on the coverage of climate change in the news media, whereas the financial aspect of transitioning our society to a net-zero future has often been overseen. This study manually content-analysed 479 news articles in Germany to find out about the main topics, actors and representation of sustainable finance (SF) in the news media. Findings show that media coverage has steadily increased since 2019, with a strong focus on European politics and political actors in Germany. Whereas differences across news outlets were identified, SF was overall mainly presented in a positive tone with advantageous characteristics, pointing out the positive performance of sustainable investments. The findings imply a predominance of neo-capitalistic representations of SF in the news that forego a more critical, differentiated and diversified discussion of the role of finance and the economy in transforming our society towards carbon-neutrality.

Die ausgetilgte Handschrift am Kreuz (Kolosser 2,14)

Abstract This article deals with a prominent emblem composition by the Stettin theologian Daniel Cramer, which is based on Colossians 2:13-14, one of the most important basic texts of the New Testament that deals with the fundamental relevance of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for salvation. This article first locates Cramer’s emblem in the context of Martin Luther’s theology and early modern Lutheranism. Furthermore, it examines the heterogeneous way in which the symbol was adapted, interpreted, and disseminated in early modern church furnishings is examined. The focus here is on the analysis of a double change of media: Firstly, it is the metaphor of the sinner’s promissory note, which is transformed in an engraving. In this change of media, however, another change of media takes place. Through God’s activity of writing with the blood of Christ as ink, the certificate of debt becomes the opposite of itself: a carte blanche.

Depression, Anxiety and Associated Factors Among Korean Adolescent Students During COVID-19.

Depression and anxiety are emotional difficulties that are common among adolescents. Adolescents suffering from depression and anxiety can exhibit problems such as antisocial behavior, aggression, and academic slump. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing adolescents' depression and anxiety during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study examined the data from an online student health survey conducted by the Ministry of Education in 2022. The survey participants were 131194 students ranging from the first grade of middle school to the third grade of high school. The influence of each variable on depression and anxiety was examined. Factors that predicted depression and anxiety were sex (female), grade level (higher), financial difficulties (existing or unknown), physical activity (higher), sleep time (shorter), media usage time (higher), family/friends relationship (worse), and change in the health status of family, friends, and oneself due to COVID-19 (worse). These results may help identify patterns of depression and anxiety among adolescents caused by COVID-19 and maximize the intervention effect.

On Pushkin, Cultural Continuity and Linguistic Features of Modern Media Discourse

The article emphasizes the enormous infl uence of the work of Alexander Pushkin on the entire national culture, literature and language. It became the source of the most signifi cant socio-historical, philosophical, aesthetic ideas for all subsequent Russian literature. Personal reader observations related to the classical heritage and language of the modern media space, as well as practical experience in training journalistic personnel, prompted the author to turn to the problem of cultural continuity, which has become relevant in recent years to our society. Attention is drawn to the fact that high school graduates who have chosen the specialty of journalist and public relations specialist have in recent years come to university with a weak background of general cultural knowledge. “Digital” youth, brought up on exams, don`t always give preference to reading original literature.The purpose of the article is to understand the modern process of cultural continuity, cultural and linguistic meanings and features of modern media discourse. Society is based on communication, and communication is impossible without a common system of concepts and values. The author expresses the idea that in the context of the new challenges of our time, society has clearly formulated a request for the preservation of national roots, national culture, domestic classics, the need to preserve the intergenerational cultural code as an urgent task that determines the dynamics of the humanities in general and journalism in particular. Based on the method of theoretical analysis, as well as using the method of content analysis, the author analyzes the specifi c results of a study of the press of the big cities in the Privolzhskiy Federal District, the state of the modern media agenda and changes that have affected the language of modern media. The author concludes that these processes refl ect the transformation of both the press and society. Also, we express an opinion on the need for attention to the issues of the mission of modern media discourse, the infl uence of media on the formation of the spiritual world of modern humanity, its worldview and civic position, which was characteristic of the best traditions of Russian culture. Keywords: Alexander Pushkin, classics, cultural continuity, language of modern media, media discourse, training of journalists

Performance Evaluation of an Object Detection Model Using Drone Imagery in Urban Areas for Semi-Automatic Artificial Intelligence Dataset Construction.

Modern image processing technologies, such as deep learning techniques, are increasingly used to detect changes in various image media (e.g., CCTV and satellite) and understand their social and scientific significance. Drone-based traffic monitoring involves the detection and classification of moving objects within a city using deep learning-based models, which requires extensive training data. Therefore, the creation of training data consumes a significant portion of the resources required to develop these models, which is a major obstacle in artificial intelligence (AI)-based urban environment management. In this study, a performance evaluation method for semi-moving object detection is proposed using an existing AI-based object detection model, which is used to construct AI training datasets. The tasks to refine the results of AI-model-based object detection are analyzed, and an efficient evaluation method is proposed for the semi-automatic construction of AI training data. Different FBeta scores are tested as metrics for performance evaluation, and it is found that the F2 score could improve the completeness of the dataset with 26.5% less effort compared to the F0.5 score and 7.1% less effort compared to the F1 score. Resource requirements for future AI model development can be reduced, enabling the efficient creation of AI training data.

Maintaining the Free Flow of Information. A Manifesto-like Intervention for Practice-Based Research in Academic Training Programs for Multimedia Journalism

With a changing media landscape in mind, this article takes a closer look at academic training standards for journalists. Focusing on multimedia production and innovative science, it analyses the impact on business models, resources and working conditions. As an interventionist appeal, it argues in favour of practice-based research and new training methods. Key demands include a greater awareness of the democratic role of journalism, ethical sensitivity and sustainable funding. By interweaving theory, practice and politics, this Manifesto-like paper aims to strengthen the profession of journalism and build a bridge between academia and practical training.

How Can Journalists Strengthen Their Fight Against Misinformation in a Changing Media Landscape?

This paper reflects on challenges and opportunities for journalistic practices in the fight against misinformation in light of recent changes in the online media landscape. On the one hand, recent innovations in technology and social media facilitate a rapid spread of disinformation placing increased pressure on journalists to fight falsehoods and (re)build trust in reliable information. On the other hand, journalists might be positively affected by the EU’s recent introduction of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to regulate online platforms and facilitate the fight against mis- and disinformation. We focus on fact-checking because it is among the most powerful journalistic tools against misinformation and a practice that is directly affected by the DSA. We discuss five concrete challenges and provide evidencebased suggestions backed by practice examples that may be applied by journalists who seek to advance the efficacy of their fact-checking efforts on social media.

Aerotolerancy of Campylobacter spp.: A Comprehensive Review.

Campylobacter spp. constitute a group of microaerophilic bacteria that includes strains that are aerotolerant and capable of surviving in aerobic conditions. Recent studies have shown that aerotolerant strains are highly prevalent in meats, animals, and clinical settings. Changes in growth media and other environmental conditions can affect the aerotolerance of Campylobacter strains and must be considered when studying their aerotolerance in vitro. Polymicrobial interactions and biofilms also play a significant role in the ability of Campylobacter to survive oxygen exposure. Continuous subculturing may foster aerotolerance, and studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between aerotolerance and virulence and between aerotolerance and the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions. Various mechanisms and genetic origins for aerotolerance have been proposed; however, most of the potential genes involved in aerotolerance require further investigation, and many candidate genes remain unidentified. Research is also needed to investigate if there are any clinical implications for Campylobacter aerotolerance. Understanding the aerotolerance of Campylobacter remains an important target for further research, and it will be an important step towards identifying potential targets for intervention against this clinically important food-borne pathogen.

Diabetes-Related Changes in Carotid Wall Properties: Role of Triglycerides.

Background/Objectives: This study compares the power of the radiofrequency (RF) signal reflected from the media layer (media power) of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the CCA stiffness between individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It also evaluates the associations of CCA media power with plasma glucose and lipid levels, as well as carotid stiffness. Methods: A total of 540 individuals, 115 with and 425 without T2DM (273 males, mean age = 64 ± 8 years) were studied using RF-based tracking of the right CCA. The following parameters were measured: CCA media thickness, luminal diameter, wall tensile stress (WTS), local pulse wave velocity (PWV), and media power. Results: Compared to the non-diabetic individuals, the T2DM patients had significantly higher CCA media thickness (652 ± 122 vs. 721 ± 138 microns, p < 0.005), luminal diameter (6.12 ± 0.78 vs. 6.86 ± 0.96 mm, p < 0.0005), media power (36.1 ± 4.8 vs. 39.3 ± 4.6, p < 0.0001), and PWV (7.65 ± 1.32 vs. 8.40 ± 1.89 m/s; p < 0.01), but comparable WTS (32.7 ± 10.4 vs. 33.1 ± 10.7 kPa; p = 0.25). In the entire population, CCA media power was independently associated with male sex, pulse pressure, current smoking, and T2DM; when T2DM was not included in the model, triglycerides emerged as an independent determinant of media power. The CCA PWV was independently associated with age, pulse pressure, media power, and T2DM. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the presence of structural changes in the arterial media of T2DM patients, leading to carotid stiffening and remodeling, aiming to preserve WTS. T2DM-related changes in arterial wall composition may be driven by high plasma triglyceride levels, which have previously been associated with both arterial stiffening and the incidence of CV events.

Does the Losing Side Lose the Democratic Faith? Partisan Media Flow and Democratic Values During the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election

ABSTRACT This study examines the relationship between partisan media consumption and changes in democratic values during the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. By integrating self-reported news consumption data with the partisan slant of news outlets, we explore how different media environments shape voters’ attitudes about democracy. Our analysis of a two-wave panel survey conducted before and after the election reveals significant changes in democratic values among general voters, including both Biden and Trump supporters. The findings also highlight the complex effects of a polarized media ecosystem on political beliefs, demonstrating that partisan media flow influences democratic values beyond the traditional winner-loser dichotomy.

Designing magnetic microcapsules for cultivation and differentiation of stem cell spheroids

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) represent an excellent cell source for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications. However, there remains a need for robust and scalable differentiation of stem cells into functional adult tissues. In this paper, we sought to address this challenge by developing magnetic microcapsules carrying hPSC spheroids. A co-axial flow-focusing microfluidic device was employed to encapsulate stem cells in core-shell microcapsules that also contained iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). These microcapsules exhibited excellent response to an external magnetic field and could be held at a specific location. As a demonstration of utility, magnetic microcapsules were used for differentiating hPSC spheroids as suspension cultures in a stirred bioreactor. Compared to standard suspension cultures, magnetic microcapsules allowed for more efficient media change and produced improved differentiation outcomes. In the future, magnetic microcapsules may enable better and more scalable differentiation of hPSCs into adult cell types and may offer benefits for cell transplantation.

‘Can women have it all?’ Transitions in media representations of Jacinda Ardern’s leadership and identity by a global newsroom

ABSTRACT The paper examines changing media representations of Jacinda Ardern, former Aotearoa New Zealand Prime Minister, from the global broadcaster, BBC News Online, across three key milestones in the politician’s career: her appointment, re-election and resignation. Our socio-semantic analysis of this representation demonstrates how the media intersect her professional identity with age, gender, social class, and later, her identity as a mother. Whilst earlier coverage of Ardern’s career praises her successfully reconciling these aspects of her personal, social and professional identities, later coverage implies that ‘having it all’ was never really possible longer term. We argue that the visibility of this discourse, and the focus on intersectional aspects of Ardern’s personal and social identities, leads to her resignation being positively evaluated as her ‘finally’ succumbing and committing to the ‘natural’ inevitabilities of heterosexual family life. The article considers what such representation means for Ardern and women politicians and leaders more broadly, and contextualises these findings in relation to existing research on media representations of women in politics and leadership. Finally, we also consider the value of a more longitudinal approach to tracking the cumulative effects of the representation of social actors and groups.

Assessing the effects of fluorine-free and PFAS-containing firefighting foams on development and behavioral responses using a zebrafish-based platform

Significant progress has been made in developing fluorine-free firefighting foams (F3) as alternatives to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-containing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) to help eliminate the health and environmental concerns linked to PFAS exposure. However, developing viable F3 options hinges on a thorough assessment of potential risks alongside the technical performance evaluations. This study showcases the capability of a zebrafish-based platform to discern the developmental and behavioral toxicities associated with exposure to one AFFF and two F3 formulations. To facilitate direct exposure to the chemicals, embryos were enzymatically dechorionated and then exposed to the diluted formulations (6–120 hours post fertilization (hpf)) at concentrations folding from 0.1% of the manufacturer-recommended working concentrations. The exposure regimen also included daily automated media changes (50%) and mortality assessments (24 and 120 hpf). At 120 hpf, a comprehensive assessment encompassing overall development, prevalence of morphological defects, and behavioral responses to acute stressors (visual, acoustic, and peripheral irritant) was conducted. Exposure to both F3s significantly increased larval mortalities to percentages exceeding 90%, whereas AFFF exposures did not cause any significant effect. Overall development, marked by total larval length, was significantly impacted following exposures to all foams. Behavioral responses to acute stressors were also significantly altered following exposures to both F3s, whereas the AFFF did not alter behavior at the concentrations tested. Our findings demonstrate toxicities associated with tested F3 formulations that encompass several endpoints and highlight the utility of the proposed platform in evaluating the developmental toxicities of current and future foam formulations.

Impacts of Adding Porous Media and Phase Change Material on Performance of Solar Water Distiller System Under Iraq Climatic Condition: An Experimental Study

ABSTRACTThis current investigation involves an experimental inspection of adding porous medium and phase change material (PCM) above the absorber surface to enhance the performance of a single slope and single basin solar water distiller system. To demonstrate the effectiveness of adding porous medium and PCM, the performance of the modified system and conventional system is compared under similar operating conditions. The system that uses porous medium and PCM is called MSS‐FPP, whereas the conventional system is called MSS‐F. Rectangular fins are fixed above the absorber plate for both models. For MSS‐FPP model, three different types of porous medium (stones, nuts, and black glass balls) are used in addition to paraffin wax filled inside circular tubes as a PCM. The data are collected in November and December 2023 in Mosul City, Iraq. The experiments are carried out under different water depths. The findings confirm that the performance of MSS‐FPP model is better than MSS‐F model by 41.32% (for water depth 3 cm) and 30.61% (for water depth 5 cm). The results also indicated that the water productivity of MSS‐FPP model is higher than MSS‐F model by 41.67% (for water depth 3 cm) and 30.65% (for water depth 5 cm). For MSS‐FPP model, the maximum water productivity and efficiency are obtained when using black glass balls as compared to nuts and stones types, where the highest water temperature and water productivity values are found equal 54°C and 1.01 kg/m2 for water depth 3 cm. The enhancement in the performance of modified solar water distiller system (MSS‐FPP) shows that using a porous medium and PCM has considerable impacts on the evaporation rate, heat exchange, and rate of heat transfer.

Social media symbiosis: Understanding the dynamics of online political persuasion in social media ecologies

Research has noted that political content on social media, both accurate and fake, may lead users to reconsider their political opinions and be persuaded. This study contributes to this topic by examining how political attitude change in social media unfolds according to users’ perceptions. Our findings, based on in-depth interviews with 30 Spanish social media users, show how the centrality of social media in citizens’ everyday life nudges them into a persuasive relationship in these ecologies. We conceptualize this dynamic relationship as social media symbiosis, an analogy that draws on the biological concept of symbiosis, and that explains the characteristics of perceived online persuasion: (1) the primacy of social media persuasion over other information sources, (2) its gradual and evolutionary nature, and (3) the persuasive relationships in which users may engage: mutualism, in which both sender and receiver reciprocally benefit and persuade each other; and parasitism, in which fake news creators harmfully persuade receivers while benefitting. Our study contributes to extant literature by theorizing about the persuasive relationship in which users perceive to engage in social media, and the rationales that facilitate it.