Constraints on bulk viscosity in f(Q,T)f(Q,T) gravity from H(z)/Pantheon+ data

In this study, we investigate the role of bulk viscosity in $f(Q,T)$ gravity in explaining late-time cosmic acceleration. This model, an extension of symmetric teleparallel gravity, introduces viscosity into cosmic matter dynamics for a more realistic representation. Specifically, we consider the linear form of $f (Q, T) =\alpha Q + \beta T$, where $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are free model parameters. To assess the model, we derive its exact solution and use Hubble parameter $H(z)$ data and Pantheon + SNe Ia data for parameter estimation. We employ the $\chi^2$ minimization technique alongside the MCMC random sampling method to determine the best-fit parameters. Then, we analyze the behavior of key cosmological parameters, including the deceleration parameter, bulk viscous matter-dominated universe density, effective pressure, and the effective EoS parameter, accounting for the viscous type fluid. We observe a transition in the deceleration parameter from a positive (decelerating) to a negative (accelerating) phase at transition redshift $z_t$. The matter density shows the expected positive behavior, while the pressure, influenced by viscosity, exhibits negative behavior, indicative of accelerating expansion. Furthermore, we investigate the energy conditions and find that while the NEC and DEC meet positivity criteria, the SEC is violated in the present and future epochs. The $Om(z)$ diagnostic suggests that our model aligns with quintessence behavior. Finally, our $f(Q,T)$ cosmological model, incorporating bulk viscosity effects, provides a compelling explanation for late-time cosmic behavior, consistent with observational data.Comment: Physics of the Dark Universe accepted versio

Cytohesin-2/ARNO: a novel bridge between cell migration and immunoregulation in synovial fibroblasts

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor cytohesin-2 (ARNO) is a major activator of the small GTPase ARF6 that has been shown to play an important role(s) in cell adhesion, migration and cytoskeleton reorganization in various cell types and models of disease. Interestingly, dysregulated cell migration, in tandem with hyper-inflammatory responses, is one of the hallmarks associated with activated synovial fibroblasts (SFs) during chronic inflammatory joint diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. The role of ARNO in this process has previously been unexplored but we hypothesized that the pro-inflammatory milieu of inflamed joints locally induces activation of ARNO-mediated pathways in SFs, promoting an invasive cell phenotype that ultimately leads to bone and cartilage damage. Thus, we used small interference RNA to investigate the impact of ARNO on the pathological migration and inflammatory responses of murine SFs, revealing a fully functional ARNO-ARF6 pathway which can be rapidly activated by IL-1β. Such signalling promotes cell migration and formation of focal adhesions. Unexpectedly, ARNO was also shown to modulate SF-inflammatory responses, dictating their precise cytokine and chemokine expression profile. Our results uncover a novel role for ARNO in SF-dependent inflammation, that potentially links pathogenic migration with initiation of local joint inflammation, offering new approaches for targeting the fibroblast compartment in chronic arthritis and joint disease

The 'local turn' in historical perspective: two city case studies in Britain & Germany

This article addresses the ‘local turn’ of migration and integration policies in historical perspective in Newcastle upon Tyne and Bremen. It draws upon a wide range of government documentation and offers a comparative assessment of both cities’ policies from the 1960s onwards. It discusses the vertical dimension of policymaking though an exploration of the local governance of migrant integration in relation to the national level. Although Britain and Germany's post-war immigration histories and political structures have often been perceived as contrasting, this article reveals a convergence in these cities’ governments’ approaches to their own local diverse societies. These case studies question the long-term impact of overarching national constitutional structures on city-level migration policies. Findings are framed within the local governance and multi-level governance MLG debates. Points for practitioners - European cities are increasingly being recognized for the role they play in devising and implementing their own migration and integration policies. Yet very little is known about the relationship between this ‘local turn’ and multi-level governance (MLG). Practitioners can learn more about cities’ policymaking processes and the extent to which these have been influenced by national agendas, as well as about how research of a historical and cross-country and cross-city nature can inform the on-going policy debate

Teaching profession career ladder programme in Turkey: implementation, outcomes and challenges

Turkey has implemented various programmes to increase the quality of in-service training for K-12 teachers with varying success. One of the most recent state-wide implementations of these programmes is the Teaching Profession Career Ladder Programme (TPCLP) that was put into practice in 2005. This study investigates teachers' views related to the implementation of the TPCLP. A detailed account of the application process and teachers' views towards the implementation will generate suggestions to raise the effectiveness of the implementation. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Analysis of data revealed that teachers hold direct intensive criticism towards many criteria of the TPCLP, particularly the examination. Furthermore, they have mixed perspectives as to whether the programme is effective. This study shows that career ladder implementation failed to contribute to continuous professional development of teachers and the quality of the education process in K-12 schools

The effect of head roll and soft surface on Virtual SVV in healthy subjects: A normalization study

Objective: The utricle is a crucial structure for a sense of gravity, but the contribution of proprioceptive receptors is also essential. This study aimed to measure the effect of head roll and soft surface on subjective visual vertical (SVV) in healthy subjects to determine the effect of neck and plantar proprioceptive inputs.Methods: In the first experiment, 78 healthy subjects performed 0, 15, 30, and 45-degree head rolls to the left and right side while standing. Three measurements were performed in every position. In the second experiment, 40 healthy subjects performed the same head maneuvers on a 20 cm thick soft surface. The Virtual SW system (Virtual SVVTM, Interacoustics, Denmark) was utilized for all measurements.Results: The mean SVV on a hard surface was -0.99 +/- 2.34 degree at 0 degrees. The SVV deviation increased with increasing head roll angle. The head roll to the right on a hard surface resulted in significantly different SW angles than the neutral position (p0.05). There was no significant difference in left head roll positions except at 15 degrees (p>0.05). SVV deviation increased on the soft surface. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between the two surface conditions.Conclusion: The new Virtual SVV system measures SVV accurately. SVV deviation in the neutral position is similar to published results. However, under stress conditions such as with head roll and on a soft surface, every clinic has to set their normative data before comparing patients