As a renewable and sustainable resource, lignocellulosic biomass serves as a crucial raw material for the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and various value-added products. This paper aims to develop and optimize a mild alkaline treatment of sawdust assisted by ultrasound, along with enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated material. The alkaline sonochemical pretreatment emerged as the optimal approach to enhance the susceptibility of cellulose to subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis to improve the yield of reducing sugars. A comparative study was performed using various ultrasonic applicators (horn and bath) and conventional assisted alkaline pretreatment. The ultrasonic-assisted pretreatment revealed a higher delignification of 68% (horn) and 57% (bath) compared with conventional pretreatment. Processes were optimized using a statistical analysis based on a 2³ factorial design. The ratios between sawdust and alkaline solution (R_SL = 0.5–1.5 g/100 mL), US amplitude (A = 20–60%), and working temperature (t = 30–50 °C) were selected as process factors. The optimal operating conditions to maximize the reducing sugar yield (138.15 mg GE/g_substrate) were found as follows: a solid/liquid ratio of R_SL,opt = 1.25 g/100 mL, US amplitude of A_opt = 60%, and pretreatment temperature of t_opt = 50 °C. The overall outcomes clearly confirmed the intensification of delignification by ultrasound-assisted alkaline pretreatment. Full article

The “Esquela Tusuy” dance is a cultural manifestation deeply rooted in the Uchumiri Peasant Community (Condesuyos, Peru), reflecting the intersection between traditional cultural practices and community identity. This ethnographic study reveals how the dance, beyond being a mere artistic expression, is a complex system of meanings that articulates social relations, economic practices of barter, and Andean spirituality, through the veneration of Pachamama and Apu Coropuna. The dance is organized around rituals that include the preparation, journey, and return of the llama herders, being a living expression of collective memory and a mechanism of social cohesion. The adopted methodology was based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews, allowing a detailed understanding of Uchumiri’s cultural dynamics. Despite contemporary challenges, “Esquela Tusuy” remains a central pillar for the affirmation of cultural identity and community resistance, underlining the importance of dance in the conservation of cultural heritage and in the articulation of local identities against national narratives. Full article

Solar wind is known to have different properties depending on its origin at the Sun. In addition to the differences in plasma and magnetic field parameters, these streams differ due to the properties of turbulent fluctuations involved in the flow. The present study addresses the changes in the turbulence properties in the magnetosheath—the transition region in front of the magnetosphere. This study is based on statistics from the simultaneous measurements of magnetic field fluctuations in the solar wind and in the magnetosheath. Both the dayside and flank magnetosheath regions are focused on to detect the evolution of the turbulent fluctuations during their flow around the magnetosphere. Turbulent cascade is shown to save its properties for fast solar wind streams. Conditions favorable for the preservation of the turbulence properties at the bow shock may correspond to the increased geoefficiency of large-scale solar wind structures. Full article

Demodex mites are acari, common ectoparasites of humans and other mammalian pilosebaceous units. Demodicosis occurs when mites overpopulate the skin, causing several skin disorders. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of demodicosis in patients with suspicious clinical features, such as cheek redness, itching, and skin sensitivity, who presented at the outpatient clinic of the Andreas Syggros Dermatology Hospital in Greece. We studied 184 individuals aged between 18 and 97 years and analyzed the content of pilosebaceous units by microscopy to determine the density of Demodex mites. Samples were evaluated as positive when Demodex spp. densities equaled or exceeded 5 mites per square cm. Sixty-six percent of the examined subjects were positive for demodicosis. The age distribution was statistically normal (p = 0.2), and the median age was 51.29 years. Seventy percent of the patients were females, and 30% were males, while 64.46% of the demodicosis-positive individuals were females, and 35.54% were males. We observed a rise in the percentage of males as the age of the patients increased. Demodicosis can be a challenging disease because it presents apart from the typical symptoms, with a variety of nonspecific symptoms mimicking other dermatological skin conditions. Therefore, it is important to investigate Demodex spp. in patients who present with common facial dermatological diseases to improve treatment results. Further studies could contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenic role of Demodex mites and how this role is affected by mite density, host sex and age. Full article

Systemic hypertension has been considered mainly as an adult health issue for a long time, but it is now being increasingly acknowledged as a significant problem also among pediatric patients. The frequency of pediatric hypertension has grown mostly because of increases in childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles, but secondary forms of hypertension play a role as well. Considering that unaddressed hypertension during childhood can result in enduring cardiovascular complications, timely identification and intervention are essential. Strategies for addressing this disease encompass not only lifestyle adjustments, but also the use of medications when needed. Lifestyle modifications entail encouraging a nutritious diet, consistent physical activity, and the maintenance of a healthy weight. Moreover, educating both children and their caregivers about monitoring blood pressure at home can aid in long-term management. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the etiologies, classification, and principles of the treatment of hypertension in pediatric patients. Full article

The limits of chip technology are constantly being pushed with the continuous development of integrated circuit manufacturing processes and equipment. Currently, chips contain several billion, and even tens of billions, of transistors, making chip testing increasingly challenging. The verification of very large-scale integrated circuits (VLSI) requires testing on specialized automatic test equipment (ATE), but their cost and size significantly limit their applicability. The current FPGA-based ATE is limited in its scalability and support for few test channels and short test vector lengths. As a result, it is only suitable for testing specific chips in small-scale circuits and cannot be used to test VLSI. This paper proposes a low-cost hardware and software solution for testing digital integrated circuits based on design for testability (DFT) on chips, which enables the functional and performance test of the chip. The solution proposed can effectively use the resources within the FPGA to provide additional test channels. Furthermore, the round-robin data transmission mode can also support test vectors of any length and it can satisfy different types of chip test projects through the dynamic configuration of each test channel. The experiment successfully tested a digital signal processor (DSP) chip with 72 scan test pins (theoretically supporting 160 test pins). Compared to our previous work, the work in this paper increases the number of test channels by four times while reducing resource utilization per channel by 37.5%, demonstrating good scalability and versatility. Full article

The relationship between anxiety symptoms and perceived quality of life among caregivers of children with autism was verified. To assess perceived quality of life, the Short Form Healthy Survey Item was used; perception of anxiety symptoms was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Eighty caregivers of children with autism participated, with 68.7% of caregivers being mothers. Of the total number of caregivers, 68.8% had a severe level of anxiety. Regarding perceived quality of life, they demonstrated greater impairment in limitation due to physical aspects, limitation due to emotional aspects, vitality, and pain. Caregivers with severe anxiety levels had a worse quality of life in the domains of pain (p = 0.012), social aspects (p < 0.001), limitation due to emotional aspects (p = 0.001), and mental health (p < 0.001). However, in the functional capacity domain, caregivers with a moderate level of anxiety had a better physical capacity score (p = 0.001). There was a negative correlation between the general anxiety score and the general physical (p = 0.029) and general emotional components of perceived quality of life (p < 0.001). It was found that caregivers of children with ASD have a high level of anxiety, which is a predictor of the perception of a worse quality of life. Full article

The condensed matter Bose system may contain effective monopole quasiparticles in its excitation spectrum. In this paper, we first accomplish the mapping of the two-band Ginzburg–Landau theory to the extended CP¹ model, and then perform the Monte Carlo simulations on the $50\times 50\times 50$ cubic lattice with periodic boundary conditions. With the numerical data of monopole density and magnetic susceptibility, we indicate that there exists a monopole–antimonopole deconfinement transition for the two-band superconducting system with the critical temperature above 70 K. We also suggest the possible detection of this new monopole plasma phase in high-$T_c$ iron-based superconductors. Full article

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antineoplastic effect of newly synthesized nanoparticles based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) alone or PLGA esterified with 2,2′-[propane-2,2-diylbis (thio)] diacetic acid (TKL), loaded with docetaxel (DTX) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as innovative site-specific therapeutic carriers. The obtained materials were characterized by FT-IR and ¹H-NMR, while the dimensional analysis of the nanoparticles obtained was performed by Dynamic Light Scattering. The encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles was evaluated, and in vitro skin permeation tests were also performed. The antitumor activity of the nanomaterial was studied in the human adenocarcinoma HCT116 cell line. In particular, viability tests in bidimensional culture, as well as in tumor spheroids, were conducted. The use of these nanocarriers could facilitate the stable and efficient delivery of DTX and DHA through the upper segments of the gastrointestinal tract to the colon. In addition, the presence of the ROS-sensitive 2,2′-[propane-2,2-diylbis (thio)] diacetic acid in their matrix should promote the site-specific release of DTX in the tumor mass, where high levels of reactive oxygen species could be found. Full article

To assess changes in choriocapillaris (CC) vascular density surrounding macular neovascularization (MNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) when transitioning from various anti-VEGF treatments to faricimab, using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). 25 eyes of 22 individuals who underwent intravitreal faricimab injections for neovascular AMD with type 1 MNV were included. OCTA images were obtained prior to (T0), after one (T1), and after three faricimab injections (T2); Noteworthy changes occurred in the first ring at T2 in comparison to T0. The percentage of CC flow deficit (FD%), FD average area (FDa), and FD number (FDn) in 5 rings (R1-R5) surrounding the dark halo around the MNV were calculated. A reduction in FD% at T2 compared to T0 (50.5 ± 10.2% at T0, 46.4 ± 10.6% at T2; p = 0.020) was seen, indicating CC reperfusion. Additionally, we observed a reduction in the average FDa (140.2 ± 172.1% at T0, 93.7 ± 101.8% at T2; p = 0.029). Our study highlights an FD% after three consecutive faricimab injections. The most pronounced effect was observed in the first ring, directly adjacent to the dark halo, suggesting a partial CC reperfusion surrounding the MNV, potentially indicating disease regression. Full article

Guilin is a famous karst area, and currently the view that the disintegration of red clay will cause soil cave collapse is increasingly recognized. In order to study the influence of the coupling effect of moisture content and void ratio on the disintegration of red clay, different moisture contents and void ratios of Guilin red clay were placed on a self-made disintegration apparatus to record the real-time disintegration amount and observe the disintegration phenomenon. Images of the structural characteristics of soil were obtained by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Additionally, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was applied to analyze the distribution of water in both natural and saturated states. The results show that the disintegration rate of red clay decreases as the initial moisture content increases, but increases with the increase of void ratio. Both moisture content and void ratio affect the structural characteristics of red clay. When the moisture content remains constant, the soil changes from a three-peak to a two-peak structure as the void ratio increases. The total area and secondary peak area of the T₂ spectrum increase, while the starting T₂ value of the main peak shifts to the right and the area decreases. Meanwhile, the starting T₂ value of the secondary peak shifts to the right and the area increases. When the void ratio remains constant, the starting T₂ value of the main peak gradually shifts to the left and the area decreases as the moisture content increases. However, the starting T₂ value of the secondary peak shifts to the right and the area decreases or first decreases and then increases. The disintegration rate does not exhibit a significant relationship with either pore volume or macropore volume. The combined water saturation shows a bilinear relationship with both the moisture content and void ratio, where it increases as the initial moisture content increases, but decreases as the void ratio increases, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9929. The disintegration rate has an exponential relationship with the combined water saturation, and it decreases as the combined water saturation increases, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9934. Full article

The Rutaceae family is one of the most studied plant families due to the large number of alkaloids isolated from them with outstanding biological properties, among them the quinoline-based alkaloids Graveoline 1 and Dubamine 2. The most common methods for the synthesis of alkaloids 1 and 2 and their derivatives involves cycloaddition reactions or metal-catalyzed coupling processes but with some limitations in scope and functionalization of the quinoline moiety. As a continuation of our current studies on the synthesis and chemical transformation of 2-aminochalcones, we are reporting here an efficient metal-free approach for the total synthesis of alkaloids 1 and 2 along with their analogues with structural diversity, through a two-step sequence involving intramolecular cyclization, oxidation/aromatization, N-methylation and oxidative C-C bond processes, starting from dihydroquinolin-4-ones as common precursors for the construction of the structures of both classes of alkaloids. Full article

Gas chromatography–ion mobility spectroscopy (GC-IMS) was used to analyze the volatile components in dried Hypsizygus marmoreus of different drying methods, including hot air drying (HAD), heat pump drying (HPD), heated freeze-drying (HFD), and unheated freeze-drying (UFD). A total of 116 signal peaks corresponding to 96 volatile compounds were identified, including 25 esters, 24 aldehydes, 23 alcohols, 13 ketones, 10 heterocyclic compounds, 8 carboxylic acids, 7 terpenes, 3 sulfur-containing compounds, 2 nitrogen-containing compounds, and 1 aromatic hydrocarbon. The total content of volatile compounds in H. marmoreus dried by the four methods, from highest to lowest, was as follows: HAD, HPD, HFD, and UFD. The main volatile compounds included carboxylic acids, alcohols, esters, and aldehydes. Comparing the peak intensities of volatile compounds in dried H. marmoreus using different drying methods, it was found that the synthesis of esters, aldehydes, and terpenes increased under hot drying methods such as HAD and HPD, while the synthesis of compounds containing sulfur and nitrogen increased under freeze-drying methods such as HFD and UFD. Nine common key characteristic flavor compounds of dried H. marmoreus were screened using relative odor activity values (ROAV > 1), including ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, acetic acid, 2-methylbutanal, propanal, methyl 2-propenyl sulfate, trimethylamine, 3-octanone, acetaldehide, and thiophene. In the odor description of volatile compounds with ROAV > 0.1, it was found that important flavor components such as trimethylamine, 3-octanone, (E)-2-octenal, and dimethyl disulfide are related to the aroma of seafood. Their ROAV order is HFD > UFD > HPD > HAD, indicating that H. marmoreus using the HFD method have the strongest seafood flavor. The research findings provide theoretical guidance for selecting drying methods and refining the processing of H. marmoreus. Full article

In recent years, legged robots have been more and more widely used on non-structured terrain, and their foot structure has an important impact on the robot’s motion performance and stability. The structural characteristics of the yak foot sole with a high outer edge and low middle, which has excellent soil fixation ability and is an excellent bionic prototype, can improve the friction between the foot and the ground. At the same time, the foot hooves can effectively alleviate the larger impact load when contacting with the ground, which is an excellent anti-slip buffer mechanism. The bionic foot end design was carried out based on the morphology of the yak sole; the bionic foot design was carried out based on the biological anatomy observation of yak foot skeletal muscles. The virtual models of the bionic foot end and the bionic foot were established and simulated using Solidworks 2022 and Abaqus 2023, and the anti-slip performance on different ground surfaces and the influence of each parameter of the bionic foot on the cushioning effect were investigated. The results show that (1) the curved shape of the yak sole has a good anti-slip performance on both soil ground and rocky ground, and the anti-slip performance is better on soil ground; (2) the curved shape of the yak sole has a larger maximum static friction than the traditional foot, and the anti-slip performance is stronger under the same pressure conditions; (3) the finger pillow–hoof ball structure of the bionic foot has the greatest influence on the buffering effect, and the buffering effect of the bionic foot is best when the tip of the bionic foot touches the ground first. Full article

Background: to examine factors associated with cardiac evaluation and associations between cardiac test abnormalities and clinical outcomes in patients with acute brain injury (ABI) due to acute ischemic stroke (AIS), spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) requiring neurocritical care. Methods: In a cohort of patients ≥18 years, we examined the utilization of electrocardiography (ECG), beta-natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin (cTnI), and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). We investigated the association between cTnI, BNP, sex-adjusted prolonged QTc interval, low ejection fraction (EF < 40%), all-cause mortality, death by neurologic criteria (DNC), transition to comfort measures only (CMO), and hospital discharge to home using univariable and multivariable analysis (adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance carrier, pre-admission cardiac disorder, ABI type, admission Glasgow Coma Scale Score, mechanical ventilation, and intracranial pressure [ICP] monitoring). Results: The final sample comprised 11,822 patients: AIS (46.7%), sICH (18.5%), SAH (14.8%), and TBI (20.0%). A total of 63% (n = 7472) received cardiac workup, which increased over nine years (p < 0.001). A cardiac investigation was associated with increased age, male sex (aOR 1.16 [1.07, 1.27]), non-white ethnicity (aOR), non-commercial insurance (aOR 1.21 [1.09, 1.33]), pre-admission cardiac disorder (aOR 1.21 [1.09, 1.34]), mechanical ventilation (aOR1.78 [1.57, 2.02]) and ICP monitoring (aOR1.68 [1.49, 1.89]). Compared to AIS, sICH (aOR 0.25 [0.22, 0.29]), SAH (aOR 0.36 [0.30, 0.43]), and TBI (aOR 0.19 [0.17, 0.24]) patients were less likely to receive cardiac investigation. Patients with troponin 25th–50th quartile (aOR 1.65 [1.10–2.47]), troponin 50th–75th quartile (aOR 1.79 [1.22–2.63]), troponin >75th quartile (aOR 2.18 [1.49–3.17]), BNP 50th-75th quartile (aOR 2.86 [1.28–6.40]), BNP >75th quartile (aOR 4.54 [2.09–9.85]), prolonged QTc (aOR 3.41 [2.28; 5.30]), and EF < 40% (aOR 2.47 [1.07; 5.14]) were more likely to be DNC. Patients with troponin 50th–75th quartile (aOR 1.77 [1.14–2.73]), troponin >75th quartile (aOR 1.81 [1.18–2.78]), and prolonged QTc (aOR 1.71 [1.39; 2.12]) were more likely to be associated with a transition to CMO. Patients with prolonged QTc (aOR 0.66 [0.58; 0.76]) were less likely to be discharged home. Conclusions: This large, single-center study demonstrates low rates of cardiac evaluations in TBI, SAH, and sICH compared to AIS. However, there are strong associations between electrocardiography, biomarkers of cardiac injury and heart failure, and echocardiography findings on clinical outcomes in patients with ABI. Findings need validation in a multicenter cohort. Full article

The proper coordination of directional overcurrent relays (DOCRs) is crucial in electrical power systems. The coordination of DOCRs in a multi-loop power system is expressed as an optimization problem. The aim of this study focuses on improving the protection system’s performance by minimizing the total operating time of DOCRs via effective coordination with main and backup DOCRs while keeping the coordination constraints within allowable limits. The coordination problem of DOCRs is solved by developing a new application strategy called Fractional Order Derivative Moth Flame Optimizer (FODMFO). This approach involves incorporating the ideas of fractional calculus (FC) into the mathematical model of the conventional moth flame algorithm to improve the characteristics of the optimizer. The FODMFO approach is then tested on the coordination problem of DOCRs in standard power systems, specifically the IEEE 3, 8, and 15 bus systems as well as in 11 benchmark functions including uni- and multimodal functions. The results obtained from the proposed method, as well as its comparison with other recently developed algorithms, demonstrate that the combination of FOD and MFO improves the overall efficiency of the optimizer by utilizing the individual strengths of these tools and identifying the globally optimal solution and minimize the total operating time of DOCRs up to an optimal value. The reliability, strength, and dependability of FODMFO are supported by a thorough statistics study using the box-plot, histograms, empirical cumulative distribution function demonstrations, and the minimal fitness evolution seen in each distinct simulation. Based on these data, it is evident that FODMFO outperforms other modern nature-inspired and conventional algorithms. Full article

Mars missions and Martian meteorites revealed how complex the Martian crust is. The occurrence of both alkaline and sub-alkaline igneous rocks of Noachian age (>3.7 Ga) in Gale crater indicates diverse magmatic processes, with sub-alkaline rocks likely formed through the partial melting of hydrous mafic rocks, as commonly observed on Earth. The orbital discovery of excavated evolved igneous rocks scattered in Noachian terrains raise questions about the petrology of the ancient Martian crust, long thought to be basaltic. A possibly evolved crust beneath a mafic cover is supported by geophysical and seismic measurements from the Insight lander that indicate the bulk crust has a lower density than expected if it were homogeneously basaltic. If localized magmatic processes could form evolved terrains, the detection of abundant intermediate to felsic Noachian crustal exposures through remote sensing suggest regional- to global-scale processes that produced evolved crustal component(s) that are now buried below mafic materials. Due to the lack of centimetric to millimetric textural imaging and compositional measurements, the petrology of such crust is ambiguous. Future orbiter, rover, and aerial missions should focus on Noachian exposed regions exhibiting evolved crustal characteristics to unfold the petrology of the Martian crust and its formation. Full article

Among natural disasters, earthquakes have a considerable impact and are among the ten deadliest, with an extreme impact on the healthcare sector. This study aimed to analyze the best practices in nursing care for earthquake victims. An in-depth analysis was carried out by using a scoping review, a method used in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR recommendations, to identify best nursing practice in these circumstances based on searches of eight databases: MEDLINE via PubMed; Cochrane Library; Embase; VHL; PDQ-Evidence; Scopus; ProQuest; and Google Scholar. Twenty-one studies were selected. The nursing practices identified were grouped into two distinct dimensions, each subdivided into four subcategories: (i) care practices: (a) immediate care, (b) intermediate care, (c) psychosocial care, and (d) ethical care; (ii) care management and coordination practices, which cover (a) care coordination, (b) victim care network organization, (c) teamwork, and (d) training. By analyzing these nursing practices during care and relief operations for earthquake victims, this study identified the various actions carried out, the nursing skills to be developed, and the reinforcement of these advanced practices through the systematization of nurses’ skills, in order to promote victims’ rehabilitation, minimize their suffering, and improve their quality of life during and after an earthquake. Full article

Southwestern China is a critical biodiversity hotspot area, and many large hydroelectric projects have been established in the valleys in the region. Tree growth in the valleys will be affected by both regional climate and reservoir impoundment. However, it remains unknown whether the radial growth of trees in the valleys has a common response pattern to the regional climate, and it is also unclear whether the response of radial growth to reservoir impoundment can be detected. In this study, we developed tree-ring width chronologies of Pinus yunnanensis Franch. collected at 11 sites with vertical and horizontal gradients to three hydroelectric reservoirs in three riverine valleys in southwestern China. We analyzed the radial growth responses to the regional climate from 1986 to 2017 by correlation with instrumental meteorological data. Tree growth responses to reservoir impoundment were investigated through spatial and temporal comparisons using the change in the Euclidean distance and difference test. We also distinguished their responses at tree-ring sites without influenced by reservoir impoundment including two sites in the valleys and seven sites at high elevations. The results showed that the climate conditions in May and the dry season before the growth season significantly limit the radial growth in the valleys, which is different to that at high-elevation areas in southwestern China. Growth variations in the valleys are related to elevations and the trees in similar slopes positions exhibit similar responses. For trees in the low slope positions, both variance and mean values of radial growth are affected by reservoir impoundment. Trees at relatively low sites (i.e., sites M2, R2, L2), rather than the trees close to the reservoirs (i.e., sites M1, R1, L1), respond more sensitively to reservoir impoundment. Full article

Green infrastructure (GI) networks comprising multiple natural and artificial habitats are important tools for the management of ecosystem services. However, even though ecosystem services are deeply linked with the state of biodiversity, many approaches to GI network planning do not explicitly consider the ecological needs of biotic communities, which are often threatened by anthropic activities even in presence of protected areas. Here, to contribute in fill this gap, we describe an easy-to-apply, biodiversity-centric approach to model an ecological network as a backbone for a GI network, based on the ecological needs of a range of representative species. For each species, ideal habitats (nodes) were identified, and crossing costs were assigned to other habitat types depending on their compatibility with the species ecology. Corridors linking the nodes were then mapped, minimizing overall habitat crossing costs. We applied the method to the Isonzo–Vipacco river area in Northern Italy, highlighting a potential ecological network where nodes and corridors occupied 27% and 11.8% of the study area, respectively. The prospective of its conflicts with anthropic activities and possible solutions for its implementation was also discussed. Our method could be applied to a variety of situations and geographic contexts, being equally useful for supporting the protection of entire biocenoses or of specific sensitive species, as well as enhancing the ecosystem services they provide. Full article

Over the past decades, Iran has been witnessing the growth of a burgeoning feminist movement. With its origins deeply rooted in the early 20th century, the Iranian feminist movement, as such, is not a uniform body: it embodies various, opposing even, political ideologies under the umbrella of feminism, reflecting the divergent social locations of its protagonists. While the movement has been criticized for its centralist, middle-class and at times apolitical tendencies, academic scholarship has yet to offer intersectional analyses that problematize historically rooted and daily materialized relations of power within the movement, particularly in relation to axes such as ethnicity (and race), religion, gender identity, sexuality, and (dis)ability. In light of this gap, the present article aims towards documenting and theorizing the intersectionality of the challenges facing Iranian feminist activists belonging to various ethnic nations and religious beliefs. Drawing on ethnographic research, it argues that minority feminists find themselves between a rock and a hard place: the rock being masculinist politics within their minoritized communities, which prioritize ethno-nationalist demands over gendered ones; the hard place being a centralist liberal feminist movement that fails to reflect the intersectionality of their experiences as non-Persian non-Shia women, thereby reproducing hierarchies of power in relation to ethnicity, religion, and class. Full article