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The equations take into account structural and geometrical parameters (sizes and a configuration of the synapse, geometrical properties of the neuron membrane, local changes of concentrations and potential) and determine changes of concentrations and the potential on the membrane and in hemispheres for discrete areas of the cytoplasm and the adjacent membrane part. Their investigation demonstrated that the equations may form the basis of sufficiently complete neuron description with due allowance for the fundamental physico‐chemical laws of motion and for the structural properties of separate parts of the nerve‐cell.

The system of integrated equations was simplified for the stationary conditions of ion movement velocity. Several values of the synapse diameters have been chosen for the calculation. For each synapse diameter several values of exciting and inhibiting potentials have been taken. Graphic dependences of a change of the monosynaptic potential with respect to the length of the membrane are constructed. Calculation results enable one to coordinate on a sound basis the known experimental electrophysiological data of values of monosynaptic potentials with structural parameters of the membrane and synapses.

The definition of the term “family” around the Western world is more heterogeneous than ever before and so are its roles and the social expectations of it. However, prisoners’ families (specifically parents and siblings) are expected to support their incarcerated son/brother as they are perceived responsible for his choices and as having the closest relationship with him. Based on a study of parents and siblings of incarcerated men in Israel, this chapter’s goal is to shed light on families’ choice to support their incarcerated son or brother and the struggles this choice entails. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 17 parents and 10 siblings of incarcerated men in Israel showed that nuclear family members may experience various struggles throughout the legal proceedings, including family hardships, negative social experiences, and negative experiences with formal institutions – all leading to social self-exclusion. Looking through the intersectionality lens, the findings show that when accumulating hardships that prisoners’ families experience encounter perceived harsh institutional systems of oppression, preordained marginalization can be deepened as families operate in opposition.

Family life can be seriously disrupted when a mother is imprisoned. The separation changes and often reduces the type, frequency and quality of contact that can be achieved between family members, and especially for children when their mothers were their primary carers and living with them before her imprisonment. In England and Wales, prisoners are permitted contact with children and families through prison visits, telephone contact and letter-writing through the post, and in some prisons via email. Despite the recent policy interest in supporting prisoners' family ties, research has highlighted the challenges that families and prisoners face using these communicative mechanisms. Building on this, the chapter contributes new knowledge by shifting the lens to explore how family members construct and adjust their practices to promote mother–child contact during maternal imprisonment.

The empirical study draws on semistructured interviews with mothers in prison and family members (caregivers) to children of female prisoners. Guided by a ‘family practices’ theoretical framework (Morgan, 2011), the findings show innovative adjustments, a willingness to make sacrifices and alternative routes to improve contact utilised by mothers and caregivers to prioritise mother–child contact. We see the strength, resilience and autonomy shown by family members to promote their relationships in spite of communicative barriers. There are important lessons to be learned from the families' lived experience for policy and practice, which, without due and genuine consideration, might further hinder opportunities for mother–child contact during maternal imprisonment.

Kefir is a traditional fermented dairy beverage that has numerous health benefits due to the presence of bacteria and yeasts in an exopolysaccharide matrix. This study aims to isolate and identify beneficial microorganisms and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of kefir beverage against two important food-borne pathogens including Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes.

Microorganisms were identified by the polymerase chain reaction with specific primers, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion method.

The following microorganisms were identified as natural inhabitants of the kefir grains: Leuconostoc lactis, Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis, Streptococcus cremoris, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus helveticus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium langum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia fermentas. Also, the results obtained from the disk diffusion method showed the inhibitory effect of kefir milk on Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes with an inhibitory average diameter of 8.3 ± 4–9.1 ± 2.8 and 3.4 ± 3–6.6 ± 3 mm, respectively.

The results of this study showed that Iranian traditional kefir beverage contained different species of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts and has antimicrobial activity against two important food-borne pathogens, Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes, which the highest inhibitory effect was observed against Salmonella Typhimurium.

A tangible representation of the housing market hotness, namely, the index derived via Carrilo 2013’s concept, is widely used but difficult to construct, as it requires listing data of a geography which is not only inaccessible but also cumbersome to summarize. The purpose of this paper is to serve as a methodological extension of Carrilo 2013, presenting a process by which the seller’s bargaining power index can be easily constructed using open-source data.

The seller’s bargaining power index was first constructed using the open-source data by Zillow Research. Then, results verification approach including visualization, Pearson correlation test, Granger causality test and linear regression were used with the goal to generate empirical evidence and verify if the constructed index conforms with established relationships derived in past work, thereby substantiate accuracy of the constructed index.

Monthly seller’s bargaining power index was constructed for US as a whole and 250 metropolitan statistical areas through an automated process. The constructed index conforms with established evidence in terms of seasonality, trend and magnitude. The index also forms positive correlation with building permit/housing value/housing value increase rate, and negative correlation with inventory. It requires the explanatory power of multiple linear features to simulate the parameter. Seller’s bargaining power index at a national level can serve as a general indicator of economic strength, in parallel to number of building permit, housing starts and real gross domestic product. Quantitatively, the housing market of the USA is as “hot” during the COVID-19 pandemic as it was in the years before 2008. A healthy housing market appears to be one in which 75%−80% of the deals are in favor of the seller (take-it-or-leave-it). When said percentage reaches 90%, the market should be considered to be in a “bubble.”

This paper provides an easy pathway for future studies to simulate housing market hotness, and bring upon the benefit of convenience at low cost and in monthly frequency rather than quarterly or annually.

The purpose of this paper is to examine how illegal settlers and poor families struggle for basic necessities through land invasions, covert practices and illegal sabotage, examining how fundamental rights to subsistence and dignity are superior to private property claims.

The paper combines two qualitative research projects that examined property rights in Kyrgyzstan, conducting semi‐structured interviews with poor groups, elites and state officials. One project was conducted between 2009‐2010, examining two illegal settlements and a squatted building in the capital Bishkek, and the other project took place between 2007‐2008 in four villages in Osh region.

It was found that illegal settlers and poor families deliberate upon the moral aspects of land and property, though sometimes their judgements are distorted by nationalist feelings and racialised identities. Poor and propertyless groups struggle for basic necessities, lacking access to social rights and facing class contempt and state coercion.

The authors criticise de Soto's ideas on legalising squatters' holdings, suggesting that his property rights approach to land offers a flawed moral vision for society and a mis‐understanding of illegal settlements.

International donors need to re‐think development strategies for increasing growth and reducing poverty, and for Kyrgyzstan to abandon the national residential registration system (propiska).

The authors' moral responsibilities approach on property recognises the importance of land and valuable resources for human capabilities, the competing obligations of the state and the role of moral propriety and sentiments in shaping responsibilities towards vulnerable and poor groups.

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between prospective teachers’ cultural profiles and service quality expectations in a pedagogical training program in Greece.

Using the EppekQual scale and an alternative Hofstede’s cultural scale, 113 prospective teachers in a Greek training program were surveyed. The study uses descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression, validating measurements through confirmatory factor analysis.

Prospective teachers exhibit a low-power orientation and a preference for feminine values. Rejecting hierarchy correlates with quality expectations, especially in the curriculum dimension, emphasizing student-centric education. A positive correlation with acceptance/avoidance of uncertainty is observed, notably in learning outcomes and administrative services. The cultural aversion to ambiguity shapes individuals’ prioritization of all quality dimensions. A realistic long-term perspective correlates positively with expectations in learning outcomes, aligning with Greek culture’s emphasis on security. Contrary to expectations, a predilection for feminine values positively impacts service quality expectations, particularly in curriculum, learning outcomes and academic staff dimensions. The hypothesis related to individualism/collectivism is not substantiated, indicating a negative association with the curriculum dimension.

Tailoring program designs to embrace student-centric and collaborative learning environments is recommended. Acknowledging cultural aversions to uncertainty, program flexibility and clarity are essential. Integrating career planning and mentorship aligns with realistic long-term perspectives. The need for a balanced approach to personal and intellectual development is also suggested.

This study uncovers specific cultural dimensions that shape quality expectations within a Greek teacher training context.

This paper aims to show how a range of new and emerging applications are driving technological innovations in gas sensing.

Following a short introduction, this paper first considers developments relating to the needs of the military and security sectors. Wearable gas sensors, energy harvesting and self-powered gas sensors are then discussed. The role of gas sensors in mobile phones is then considered, together with details of new developments in sensors for carbon-dioxide, particulates and formaldehyde. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

This paper shows that a technologically diverse range of gas sensors is being investigated and developed in response to a number of new and emerging requirements and applications. The gas sensors respond to numerous inorganic and organic gases and vapours over a wide range of application-specific concentrations and are based on a multitude of often innovative sensing techniques, technologies and materials.

This paper provides technical details of a selection of gas sensor research activities and product developments that reflect the needs of a range of new and emerging applications.

The purpose of this paper is to examine how innovative leadership (INL) drives innovation performance (INP) in banks.

This study develops and investigates a research model by assessing the viewpoints of 260 chief executive officers (CEOs) from the branches of 21 quality-certified banks, leveraging the Smart partial least squares technique.

INL had a positive and significant impact on INP. Total quality management (TQM) partially and significantly mediated the association between INL and INP. Technological turbulence, government regulation (GOV), market dynamism (MKD) and industry competitiveness (CMP) positively and significantly moderated the INL–TQM association.

INP causal linkages and variations may be better understood with longitudinal investigations, hence the need for further studies in this area. External influences may affect industries or contexts differently, requiring further research into various industries.

In an industry with fast-paced and ever-changing industrial technology, strict government laws, a higher level of MKD and increased competition, firms must hire or groom innovative CEOs to promote the adoption of new and creative quality enhancement strategies that meet clients’ short- and long-term needs.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to show how TQM can serve as a pathway for innovative leaders to follow. It is an inaugural attempt to explain the specific environmental dynamics that are necessary for the INL–TQM association to thrive.