bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A qualitative study exploring the factors influencing maternal healthcare access and utilization among Muslim refugee women resettled in the United States
Authors: Yeo Sarah , Kim-Hines Yoonjung , Ehiri John , Magrath Priscilla , Johnson-Agbakwu Crista , Ernst Kacey , Ibrahimi Sahra , Alaofè Halimatou
Published: August 2024

Although a large number of Muslim refugees have resettled in the United States for the last decades, few studies have looked into maternal healthcare access and utilization among Muslim refugee women in the country. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the factors influencing maternal healthcare access and utilization among Muslim refugee women resettled in the United States. In-depth interviews were conducted among Afghan, Iraqi, and Syrian refugee women (n = 17) using an interview guide informed by Social Cognitive Theory and its key constructs. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, imported into MAXQDA 2020 (VERBI Software), and analyzed based on qualitative content analysis. Data analysis revealed several themes at the micro, meso, and macro-levels. Micro-level factors included women’s attitudes toward hospitals and prenatal care, as well as their life skills and language proficiency. Meso-level factors, such as cultural norms and practices, social support and network, as well as health care provider characteristics, were also identified. Macro-level factors, such as the complex healthcare system and access to insurance, also appeared to influence maternal healthcare access and utilization. This study revealed the complex contextual factors that refugee populations face. Given the population’s heterogeneity, a more nuanced understanding of refugee maternal health is required, as are more tailored programs for the most vulnerable groups of refugee women.
Validity of self-reported sleep duration in the Cancer Prevention Study– 3
Authors: Donzella Sidney M. , Masters Matthew , Phipps Amanda I. , Patel Alpa V. , Zhong Charlie
Published: August 2024

Purpose

We examined the one-year test re-test reliability and validity criterion of survey-assessed sleep duration collected from two separate questions.

Methods

The Activity Validation Sub Study included 751 participants of the Cancer Prevention Study-3 study to further investigate rest/activity cycles. Sleep duration was collected using three methods: survey, Daysimeter device, and sleep diary. Survey-assessed sleep duration was collected using 2 different questions, each with different response options (categorical and continuous). Selected participants (n = 170) were asked to wear a Daysimeter device for seven consecutive days for two non-consecutive quarters. Participants were excluded from the current study due to incomplete/implausible survey or device data or reported working night shift. We calculated reliability of pre- and post-survey sleep duration for both survey question using Spearman correlation. We used the method of triads to estimate the validity coefficient (VC) between the three sleep duration measurements in the present study and the “true” latent sleep duration measure, and bootstrapping methods to calculate the 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results

Of 119 participants included in the study (52.10% male), test-retest correlation showed strong and moderate correlations for sleep duration collected continuously and categorically, respectively. The VC for survey-assessed continuous sleep duration was 0.82 (95%CI 0.71, 0.90) for weekday and 0.68 (95%CI 0.46, 0.83) for weekend. Performance of the VC was slightly weaker for survey-assessed categorical sleep duration (weekday VC = 0.57 95%CI 0.42, 0.71; weekend VC = 0.47 95%CI 0.29, 0.62).

Conclusion

The two survey-assessed sleep duration questions used in the AVSS and CPS-3 cohorts are valid approximations of sleep duration.
Long noncoding RNA NONHSAT122636.2 attenuates myocardial inflammation and apoptosis in myocarditis
Authors: Liu Yongjiao , Zhang Li , Jia Hailin , Feng Xinxin , Ma Mengjie , Wang Jing , Han Bo
Published: August 2024

Objective

The main pathological change of myocarditis is an inflammatory injury of cardiomyocytes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely related to inflammation, and our previous study showed that differential expression of lncRNAs is associated with myocarditis. This study aimed to investigate the impact of lncRNAs on the onset of myocarditis.

Methods

RNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation in human cardiomyocytes (HCMs). The expression of inflammatory cytokines and myocardial injury markers was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and RT-qPCR. Cell viability and apoptosis were measured by the cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry. The binding force between lncRNA NONHSAT122636.2 and microRNA miRNA-2110 was detected using the dual-luciferase assay.

Results

NONHSAT122636.2 was dynamically expressed in patients with myocarditis and negatively correlated with inflammation severity. The overexpression of NONHSAT122636.2 improved inflammatory injury in LPS-stimulated HCMs. The study observed that there was a weak binding force between NONHSAT122636.2 and miR-2110.

Conclusion

NONHSAT122636.2 attenuates myocardial inflammation and apoptosis in myocarditis. Additionally, its expression decreases in the peripheral blood of children suffering from myocarditis and in patients who are diagnosed for the first time showing higher diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. This decrease is negatively correlated with the degree of inflammation. Overall, the study suggests that NONHSAT122636.2 can be exploited as a potential diagnostic biomarker for pediatric myocarditis.
A method to measure molecular hybridization
Authors: Rosencrantz Sophia , Matyash Vitali , Rosencrantz Ruben R. , Fedorych Oleh
Published: August 2024

Fluorescence-based oligonucleotide probes have a great importance in research of molecular interactions. Molecular beacons (MBs) are special case of fluorescent probes that form a stem-loop shape, bringing together a fluorophore and quencher, thus emitting fluorescence only when hybridized to a complementary target. Here we describe a new method for the quantitation of MB hybridization based on the measurement of changes in free energy instead of the fluorescence intensity. The MB energy state can be measured by micro-fluorescence detection. The approach allowed to determine hybridization energy of the MB with target nucleotide directly from fluorescence spectra and distinguish the MB in unfolded and hybridized states. Moreover, the method enabled us to discriminate between DNA duplexes with perfect complementarity or a single-nucleotide mismatch, based on the first direct experimental prove of enthalpy-entropy compensation.
Finding common ground: Understanding and engaging with science mistrust in the Great barrier reef region
Authors: Curnock Matthew I. , Nembhard Danielle , Smith Rachael , Sambrook Katie , Hobman Elizabeth V. , Mankad Aditi , Pert Petina L. , Chamberland Emilee
Published: August 2024

At a time when ambitious environmental management initiatives are required to protect and restore aquatic ecosystems, public trust in the science that underpins environmental policy and decision-making is waning. This decline in public trust coincides with a rise in misinformation, and threatens to undermine public support for, and participation in, environmental protection. Our study investigates the prevalence and predictors of mistrust in science associated with the protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and its catchments. Using survey data from 1,877 residents of the GBR region, we identify environmental values, perceptions, and attitudes that are associated with science mistrust. Our results include a typology of GBR science trust and scepticism. Science-sceptical respondents, representing 31% of our sample, were likely to perceive waterway management decisions as being unfair, felt less responsible, and were less motivated to contribute to improving waterway health than those with greater trust in science. Science-sceptical respondents also had differing perceptions of some threats to waterways, in particular climate change. However, similarities and ‘common ground’ between respondents with varying levels of trust in science included a shared recognition of the importance of waterways’ ecosystem services, and a shared perception of the relative health and problems within their regions’ waterways. Our findings can help to break down assumptions about science-sceptical groups in the GBR region and elsewhere. We offer recommendations to guide more constructive engagement that seeks to restore trust and build consensus on mutual goals and pathways to protect vital ecosystem functions and services.
The application of blood flow sound contrastive learning to predict arteriovenous graft stenosis of patients with hemodialysis
Authors: Lin Hugo Y.-H. , Shien Tiffany , Xu Juan-Wei , Kuo Yen-Jung , Chen Phang-Lang , Niu Sheng-Wen , Kuo I-Ching , Kuo Hsuan-Fu , Yang Kai-Chieh , Yeh Yi-Ren
Published: August 2024

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) presents a significant public health challenge, with hemodialysis (HD) remaining one of the most prevalent kidney replacement therapies. Ensuring the longevity and functionality of arteriovenous accesses is challenging for HD patients. Blood flow sound, which contains valuable information, has often been neglected in the past. However, machine learning offers a new approach, leveraging data non-invasively and learning autonomously to match the experience of healthcare professionas. This study aimed to devise a model for detecting arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) stenosis. A smartphone stethoscope was used to record the sound of AVG blood flow at the arterial and venous sides, with each recording lasting one minute. The sound recordings were transformed into mel spectrograms, and a 14-layer convolutional neural network (CNN) was employed to detect stenosis. The CNN comprised six convolution blocks with 3x3 kernel mapping, batch normalization, and rectified linear unit activation function. We applied contrastive learning to train the pre-training audio neural networks model with unlabeled data through self-supervised learning, followed by fine-tuning. In total, 27,406 dialysis session blood flow sounds were documented, including 180 stenosis blood flow sounds. Our proposed framework demonstrated a significant improvement (p<0.05) over training from scratch and a popular pre-trained audio neural networks (PANNs) model, achieving an accuracy of 0.9279, precision of 0.8462, and recall of 0.8077, compared to previous values of 0.8649, 0.7391, and 0.6538. This study illustrates how contrastive learning with unlabeled blood flow sound data can enhance convolutional neural networks for detecting AVG stenosis in HD patients.
Climate effects on the diversification strategy of export firms: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Junmei , Yao Lianying
Published: August 2024

Using a multi-product trade model, this study investigates the impact of temperature on firms’ diversification in the export market. Using export and meteorological data of Chinese firms from 2000 to 2016, the empirical results confirm an inverted U-shaped relationship, implying that extreme temperatures significantly reduce firms’ export product diversification. The analysis shows that extreme temperatures primarily reduce the variety of both new and existing products, with a less robust effect on product exit strategies. General trade firms are more adaptable to extreme temperatures than processing trade firms, and are likely to maintain diversified strategies. Stronger regional financial markets and higher energy consumption increase the adaptability of local firms to extreme temperatures. Firms have not yet adapted to local climatic norms. Furthermore, extreme temperatures also partly inhibit diversification of export destinations and relationships. The results of the study show that as climate change intensifies, leading to more frequent extreme temperatures, firms will face significant hurdles in pursuing diversified development strategies, pointing to increasing challenges ahead.
Optimization of culture condition for Spodoptera frugiperda by design of experiment approach and evaluation of its effect on the expression of hemagglutinin protein of influenza virus
Authors: Alizadeh Fatemeh , Aghajani Hamideh , Mahboudi Fereidoun , Talebkhan Yeganeh , Arefian Ehsan , Samavat Sepideh , Raufi Rouhollah
Published: August 2024

The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is a powerful tool in pharmaceutical biotechnology to infect insect cells and produce the recombinant proteins of interest. It has been well documented that optimizing the culture condition and its supplementation through designed experiments is critical for maximum protein production. In this study, besides physicochemical parameters including incubation temperature, cell count of infection, multiplicity of infection, and feeding percentage, potential supplementary factors such as cholesterol, polyamine, galactose, pluronic-F68, glucose, L-glutamine, and ZnSO4 were screened for Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cell culture and expression of hemagglutinin (HA) protein of Influenza virus via Placket-Burman design and then optimized through Box-Behnken approach. The optimized conditions were then applied for scale-up culture and the expressed r-HA protein was characterized. Optimization of selected parameters via the Box-Behnken approach indicated that feed percentage, cell count, and multiplicity of infection are the main parameters affecting r-HA expression level and potency compared to the previously established culture condition. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of designing experiments to select and optimize important parameters that potentially affect Sf9 cell culture, r-HA expression, and its potency in the BEVS system.
Age-dependent hypopharyngeal gland size and protein content of stingless bee workers, Tetragonula pagdeni
Authors: Straub Lars , Sittisorn Tanatip , Butdee Jinatchaya , Promsart Woranika , Rueangwong Athitta , Camenzind Domenic , Maitip Jakkrawut
Published: August 2024

Eusocial insects, such as stingless bees (Meliponini), depend on division of labour, overlapping generations, and collaborative brood care to ensure the functionality and success of their colony. Female workers transition through a range of age-specific tasks during their lifespan (i.e., age-polyethism) and play a central role in the success of a colony. These age-specific tasks (e.g., brood care or foraging) often closely coincide with key physiological changes necessary to ensure optimal performance. However, our understanding of how nutrition, age, and polyethism may affect the development of such physiological traits in stingless bees remains limited. Here we show that pollen consumption and age-polyethism govern hypopharyngeal gland (HPG) acini size and protein content in Tetragonula pagdeni. By conducting a controlled laboratory experiment we monitored the effect of pollen consumption on worker bee survival as well as assessed how a pollen diet and age affected their HPG acini width and protein content. Further, we sampled nurses and foragers from field colonies to measure the effect of age-polyethism on HPG acini width. We found that pollen consumption enhanced survival and led to increased HPG acini width and protein content and that HPG acini were as expected largest in nurse bees. Our findings highlight the beneficial effects of an adequate diet for physiological development and health in stingless bees and reveal that age-polyethism is the key factor governing HPG size in worker bees. As HPGs are imperative for collaborative brood care—an essential component of eusociality—the data provide a foundation for future studies to investigate the impact of potential environmental stressors on a critical physiological trait in stingless bees which may serve as a proxy to understand the effects at the colony level.
Association between the number of existing teeth and maintenance dialysis therapy: A cross-sectional study of adult male dentists
Authors: Kondo Minami , Ishigami Marin , Omoda Maho , Takeshita Moeno , Arimoto Nishiki , Nishimura Rumi , Maehara Tomoko , Naito Toru , Kojima Masaaki , Umemura Osami , Yokota Makoto , Hanada Nobuhiro , Wakai Kenji , Naito Mariko
Published: August 2024

Dental caries and periodontal disease are typical oral diseases frequently observed in patients with renal diseases. Tooth loss is an outcome of dental caries and periodontal disease, and the number of existing teeth is an indicator of oral health status. However, the association between the number of existing teeth and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) has not been investigated in detail. This study aimed to investigate the association between oral health status, expressed by the number of existing teeth, and ESKD. We analyzed data from the second survey of the Longitudinal Evaluation of Multi-phasic, Odontological, and Nutritional Associations in Dentists, a cohort study conducted among members of the Japan Dental Association. From August 2016 to July 2017, self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 16,128 male dentists and 8,722 responded. Among them, 7,479 men with complete data on age, number of existing teeth, and ESKD were included in the analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted, with ESKD as the dependent variable and the number of existing teeth (≥23 teeth and <23 teeth) as the independent variable. Subgroup analysis by age (<65 years and ≥65 years) was also conducted. The <23 teeth group had a significantly higher rate of ESKD than did the ≥23 teeth group. After adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking habits, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, there was no significant association between having <23 teeth and ESKD in all participants. However, the subgroup analysis revealed a significant association after adjustment for covariates in participants aged <65 years but not in those aged ≥65 years. In conclusion, having <23 teeth was associated with the risk of requiring maintenance dialysis therapy among Japanese men aged <65 years. Therefore, tooth loss may be associated with renal function decline.
Comparison of pediatric poisoning patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
Authors: An Juho , Ko Yura , Yang Heewon
Published: August 2024

Objective

To investigate the epidemiological changes in emergency department (ED), including changes in toxic substances and ED outcomes in pediatric and adolescent patients who visited the EDs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study used data from the ED-based Injury In-depth Surveillance from 2017 to 2021 in South Korea (SK). The study population comprised patients aged <19 years who visited 23 EDs because of poisoning before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. We divided the study period into pre-COVID-19 (January 2017 to February 2020) and COVID-19 periods (March 2020 to December 2021).

Results

In total, 5862 patients were included in the final analysis, with 3863 and 1999 in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods, respectively. The patients’ mean age increased from 8.3 ± 7.1 to 11.2 ± 6.9 years between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods (P < 0.001), and the number of adolescents (aged 13–18 years) significantly increased during the COVID-19 period (1653 [42.8%] vs. 1252 [62.6%]; P < 0.001). The number of intentional poisoning cases increased from 1332 (34.5%) before COVID-19 to 1174 (58.7%) during COVID-19 (P < 0.001). Specifically, pharmaceutical poisoning significantly increased during the COVID-19 period (2242 [58.0%] vs. 1443 [72.2%]; P < 0.001), with central nervous system (CNS) drug poisoning being the most common type (780 [34.8%] vs. 747 [51.8%]; P < 0.001). Among the intentional poisoning cases, pharmaceutical substance use significantly increased during the COVID-19 period (1207 [90.6%] vs. 1102 [93.9%]; P = 0.007). We used Bayesian structural time series (BSTS) forecasting models to forecast the number of ED visits during COVID-19. The total number of pediatric patients with poisoning decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when using the BSTS forecasting model, the decrease in the number of patients was not significant. Furthermore, the forecasting models showed no statistically significant increase in the number of intentional pediatric poisoning cases.

Conclusions

The previous studies suggested a decrease in the total number of patients with poisoning but an increase in intentional poisoning cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. By using similar methods to those of previous studies, our results also reached the same conclusion. However, the BSTS model, which predicts real-world time series patterns, seasonal effects, and cumulative effects, shows no significant change in pediatric poisoning patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 could accelerate the decline in recreational hunting: A natural experiment from Northern Italy
Authors: Cerri Jacopo , Musto Carmela , Ferretti Marco , Delogu Mauro , Bertolino Sandro , Martinoli Adriano , Bisi Francesco , Preatoni Damiano Giovanni , Tattoni Clara , Apollonio Marco
Published: August 2024

Although many studies highlighted the potential of COVID-19 to reshape existing models of wildlife management, empirical research on this topic has been scarce, particularly in Europe. We investigated the potential of COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate the ongoing decline in an aging population of recreational hunters in Italy. Namely, we modelled spatiotemporal trends between 2011 and 2021 in the number of recreational hunters in 50 Italian provinces with a varying incidence of COVID-19, and temporally delayed waves of infection. Compared to projections from 2011–2019 data, we detected a lower number of hunters who enrolled for the hunting season, both in 2020 (14 provinces) and in 2021 (15 provinces). The provinces with the highest incidence of COVID-19 in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions were also those experiencing the most marked decrease in hunting participation. Our findings revealed that a wildlife management system based on recreational hunting can be rapidly destabilized by epidemics and their associated public health measures, particularly when the average age of hunters is high, like in Italy. Considered the high incidence attained by COVID-19 in many European countries, where hunters are pivotal for the management of large ungulates and where they were already declining before the pandemic, our findings call for further large-scale research about the impact of COVID-19 on hunting participation.
Whole-genome scan for selection signature associated with temperature adaptation in Iranian sheep breeds
Authors: Patiabadi Zahra , Razmkabir Mohammad , EsmailizadehKoshkoiyeh Ali , Moradi Mohammad Hossein , Rashidi Amir , Mahmoudi Peyman
Published: August 2024

The present study aimed to identify the selection signature associated with temperature adaptation in Iranian sheep breeds raised in cold and hot environments. The Illumina HD ovine SNP600K BeadChip genomic arrays were utilized to analyze 114 animals from eight Iranian sheep breeds, namely Ghezel, Afshari, Shall, Sanjabi, Lori-Bakhtiari, Karakul, Kermani, and Balochi. All animals were classified into two groups: cold-weather breeds and hot-weather breeds, based on the environments to which they are adapted and the regions where they have been raised for many years. The unbiased FST (Theta) and hapFLK tests were used to identify the selection signatures. The results revealed five genomic regions on chromosomes 2, 10, 11, 13, and 14 using the FST test, and three genomic regions on chromosomes 10, 14, and 15 using the hapFLK test to be under selection in cold and hot groups. Further exploration of these genomic regions revealed that most of these regions overlapped with genes previously identified to affect cold and heat stress, nervous system function, cell division and gene expression, skin growth and development, embryo and skeletal development, adaptation to hypoxia conditions, and the immune system. These regions overlapped with QTLs that had previously been identified as being associated with various important economic traits, such as body weight, skin color, and horn characteristics. The gene ontology and gene network analyses revealed significant pathways and networks that distinguished Iranian cold and hot climates sheep breeds from each other. We identified positively selected genomic regions in Iranian sheep associated with pathways related to cell division, biological processes, cellular responses to calcium ions, metal ions and inorganic substances. This study represents the initial effort to identify selective sweeps linked to temperature adaptation in Iranian indigenous sheep breeds. It may provide valuable insights into the genomic regions involved in climate adaptation in sheep.
Risk of COVID-19 transmission on long-haul flights: During the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Park Jiyun , Yeom Gye jeong
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to determine the possibility of COVID-19 transmission through in-flight contact during flights for many patients with confirmed COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore infection prevention and control (IPC) methods for overseas infectious diseases. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on flight with a large number of confirmed case among. Delhi- Incheon flights in 2020. This flight was selected to confirm transmission through close contact with the cabin, with a total of 14 confirmed cases out of 190 passengers (including 10 flight attendants). After confirming COVID-19 test results for those entering Korea, we conducted an epidemiological investigation on confirmed patients to determine their general characteristics and epidemiological relevance. We analyzed the epidemiological relevance, occupational information, incubation period, and COVID-19 variation and genotype among confirmed patients who were in close contact with confirmed cases, and analyzed the possibility of transmission according to the distance of close contact in the flight. One confirmed patient was found to be highly likely to be infected due to close contact with the cabin. However, it occurred within two rows, not within 1 meter. In addition, considering the aerodynamics in the cabin and local incidence rate, infection in an unspecified number of local people could not be excluded. It was analyzed that the reason for reducing infection from close contact on board for a long time in a flight with a large number of confirmed cases was the effective IPC method. In order to prevent overseas infectious diseases caused by flights, autonomous IPC management of airlines and passengers is necessary in addition to national quarantine management such as symptom screening before boarding, wearing passenger masks while boarding, food and beverage restrictions, disinfection of public spaces, distancing between passengers, close contact management after boarding, and self-quarantine.
Satisfaction of basic needs mediates relationships between incremental mindsets and well-being
Authors: Cypryańska Marzena , Nezlek John B.
Published: August 2024

Research on the extent to which people believe that people can change (incremental beliefs) suggests that incrementalist beliefs are positively related to well-being, whereas entity beliefs (people cannot change) are not. One explanation for this relationship is that incremental beliefs are associated with a mastery orientation, whereas entity beliefs are not. If this is the case, then autonomous and competence motives should mediate relationships between incrementalism and well-being because these motives reflect different aspects of mastery. The present study examined the possibility that autonomous and competence motives mediate relationships between self-theories and well-being. Participants were adult community members (n = 428) who completed the Life Engagement Test (eudaimonic well-being), the Satisfaction with life Scale (hedonic well-being), the Mental Health Continuum Scale (eudaimonic, subjective, and psychological well-being), the Basic Needs Satisfaction scale (autonomy, competence, relatedness), and a measure of implicit theories of the self (incremental and entity beliefs). Regression analyses found that incremental beliefs were significantly related (positively) to all three measures of well-being, whereas entity beliefs were not significantly related to well-being. Regression analyses also found that incremental beliefs were positively related to satisfaction of autonomy and competence needs but were not related to satisfaction of relatedness needs. Entity beliefs were not related to the satisfaction of any of the three basic needs. A series of mediational analyses found that competence and autonomy motives mediated relationships between incremental beliefs and all three measures of well-being. In all but one case, satisfaction with life, the direct effects of incremental beliefs on well-being were rendered non-significant when satisfaction of autonomy and competence needs were included as mediators. The present results confirm and extend to the general domain the supposition that a mastery orientation is responsible for relationships between well-being and incremental theories of the self. They also conform the importance of the tenants of Self-Determination Theory in understanding self-theories.
O Atrito da Memória: Colonialismo, Guerra e Descolonização no Portugal Contemporâneo, Miguel Cardina (2023)
Authors: Delaunay Morgane
Published: August 2024

Review of: O Atrito da Memória: Colonialismo, Guerra e Descolonização no Portugal Contemporâneo, Miguel Cardina (2023)

Lisbon: Tinta-da-China, 213 pp.,

ISBN 978-9-89671-750-6, p/bk, €18.90
Interprofessional collaboration in family support in low-threshold open meeting places for families in Finland: professionals’ narratives
Authors: Rautaparta-Pennanen Kaija , Kekkonen Marjatta , Collin Kaija , Böök Marja Leena , Rönkä Anna
Published: August 2024

This study focuses on interprofessional collaboration in low-threshold family services. Understanding the reasons for problems in developing joint activities in the field of family support requires investigation of professionals’ perceptions and experiences of interprofessional collaboration. The data comprised five focus group interviews with professionals working in the low-threshold open meeting places for families. These professionals form part of the coordinated services provided by family centres. A narrative framework enabled in-depth analysis of the relational actions constructing interprofessional collaboration. Three story types about interprofessional collaboration in the family support were identified: (1) the Bridge Builder story unifying service silos; (2) the Everyday Encounterer story about developping relationships; and (3) the Equality Seeker story promoting equality in activities across both families and professionals. The results indicate that to increase interprofessional collaboration in family support, a dialogic partnership with administrators, working-group members, families and the community is needed.
Implementasi Program “Sinergi Meraih Prestasi” di SMP Negeri 1 Krangkeng Kabupaten Indramayu
Authors: Darmawan Asep
Published: August 2024

This study aims to describe the implementation of the Synergy to Achieve Achievement program at SMP Negeri 1 Krangkeng Kabuapaten Indramayu. The Synergy Program is one of the efforts to overcome various problems of low achievement in schools. This study used qualitative descriptive method. The results showed that the Synergy Program has provided good benefits in improving school achievement, including: (1) increasing students' abilities/competencies in reading and translating the Quran, (2) increasing student achievement in the fields of science and technology in various olympics, (3) increasing student achievement in the arts and scouts, and (4) increasing student achievement in literature and literacy. The increase in student achievement is in line with the increase in teacher achievement in various fields. The implementation of the Synergy to Achieve Achievement program in school management can improve school achievement.
Manajemen Peningkatan Mutu Lembaga Pendidikan Perguruan Diniyyah Puteri Padang Panjang
Authors: Febriyani Irma , Wahyuni Sri Intan , Arifin Zainal , Atika Atika
Published: August 2024

Diniyyah Puteri College as one of the oldest Islamic boarding schools for women, which was established in 1923, has been able to maintain its existence in the midst of the existence of new pesantren with their respective characteristics. This study examines improving the quality of female diniyyah education from early childhood to higher education. Research data obtained through in-depth interviews, active participation, and documentation. This study found that the Diniyyah Puteri College applied the concept of TQM (Plan, Do, Study, Act) in improving the quality of education. The main goal of all levels of education at the Diniyyah Puteri College is the achievement of the vision of the Diniyyah Puteri College, which is to become a center for modern Islamic education based on the Qur'an and Sunnah that produces works on the world stage.
Penerapan Model Inquiri Terbimbing dengan Aplikasi Scope untuk Meningkatkan Keterampilan Proses Sains Peserta Didik
Authors: Radianti Ita
Published: August 2024

This research aims to determine the effect of guided inquiry learning with the help of the scope application to improve students' science process skills. The form of this research is classroom action research. The research subjects were class XI IPS1 SMA Negeri 2 Sukadana. Data collection methods consist of science process observation sheets, formative tests, and RPP implementation observation sheets. The data obtained was analyzed descriptively. The research results showed that the percentage of students' science process skills was 61% and in the first cycle, 83% in the second cycle. Meanwhile, the percentage of complete learning outcomes obtained from students' formative test results also increased, namely 54% and 81.8% in the second cycle. Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that there is an increase in students' science process skills in learning through guided inquiry with the help of the scope application.
Pengaruh Pembelajaran Berbentuk Simulasi Modellus Terhadap Peningkatan Pemahaman Konsep Gerak Parabola
Authors: Febriana Nur
Published: August 2024

This study aims to explore the influence of learning using Modellus on the understanding of the concept of parabolic motion of students at SMA Negeri 1 Sanden compared to conventional learning, the influence of learning using Modellus on increasing interest in learning physics, and the angle of elevation on distance traveled using Modellus. Data collection was carried out by conducting pretest and post-test on the understanding of parabolic motion in both classes. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA analysis. The results showed that the use of learning models in the form of simulations to increase understanding of the concept of parabolic motion compared to conventional learning models.
Upaya Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Matematika Materi Bangun Ruang Menggunakan Media Kongkret pada Siswa di MIN 1 Gunungkidul
Authors: Setyowati Lilik
Published: August 2024

This study aims to identify improvements in learning outcomes of building space using concrete media. The subjects of the study were grade IV students of MIN 1 Gunugkidul in the 2023/2024 Academic Year totalling 18 students. The instruments used are tests that have been validated by experts, observations in accordance with content standards, and documentation. Data analysis techniques use qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis. The results of this study showed that there was an increase in students' scores of building space material before and after being given action with an average score of 79.6 in cycle I, and 83.2 in cycle II. The percentage of completeness is 63% in cycle I, and 87.06% in cycle II. The application of concrete media can improve mathematics learning outcomes of simple room building materials for grade IV MIN 1 Gunungkidul students.
Penerapan Metode Demontrasi untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar IPA pada Materi Teori Dasar Kemagnetan di SMP Negeri 1 Krangkeng Kabupaten Indramayu
Authors: Rumsinah N. Iin
Published: August 2024

This research aims to improve science learning outcomes on solar system materials. The research subjects are grade IX A SMP Negeri 1 Krangkeng students of Indramayu Regency for the 2021/2022 academic year with a total of 30 students. The method used is a demonstration method, so that students more easily understand and practice what they get. This study is a classroom action research, consisting of two cycles. Data was collected using test question items and student activity instrument sheets. Data validation is carried out by entering test scores into the list of scores along with the results of observations of student activities during learning. Data analysis techniques use percentage descriptive statistics. The research procedure includes the stages, namely planning, implementation, observation and reflection. The results showed that there was an increase in student learning completeness, from 65% in cycle I, increasing to 90% in cycle II.
Project Based Learning: Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik pada Materi Jenis Wiwaha Menggunakan Media Canva di SMA Negeri 1 Basarang
Authors: Anjasmari KT. Maryani
Published: August 2024

This study aims to improve the learning outcomes of students on wiwaha type material through a project based learning (PjBL) model with Canva media. This research design uses a quasi-experimental research design (pseudo-experiment). The population in this study was all grade XI students of SMAN 1 Basarang, while the sample was grade XI-1 students. Data was collected through observation and provision of test questions in the form of pre-test and post-test questions. Data analysis techniques use quantitative data analysis. From the results of the study, student learning results were obtained on the wiwaha type material after being taught using a PjBL model using Canva media, a percentage of 100% of students achieved KKM scores. The increase in student learning outcomes is in line with the increase in student activity with a percentage of 85%. Thus, the PjBL model with Canva media is able to improve student learning outcomes on wiwaha type material, also having a positive impact on student activities.
Pembelajaran Model Think Pair Square untuk Meningkatkan Motivasi dan Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik
Authors: Suryaningsih Ambar
Published: August 2024

This study aims to increase learning motivation and learning outcomes of students using a think pair square type cooperative learning model. This study is a class action research conducted in two cycles. The results showed that in the first cycle learning results were obtained with an average of 60, while the average percentage of learning motivation of 61.01% increased quite significantly in the second cycle with the acquisition of an average learning outcome value of 75 and the percentage of student learning motivation of 75.04%. It can be concluded that learning carried out with the think pair square type cooperative learning model can increase learning motivation and student learning outcomes.
Upaya Meningkatkan Kompetensi Guru dalam Menyusun Modul Ajar Melalui Pelatihan di Kelompok Kerja Guru Agama Katolik Kulon Progo
Authors: Isdiyati Isdiyati
Published: August 2024

This study aims to expose the ability of teachers in compiling teaching modules through training activities. This study used action research methods developed by Kemis and Taggart. Each cycle includes activities, namely action plans, action execution, observation, and reflection. The subjects of the study were teachers who were members of the Catholic Teachers Working Group in Kulon Progo. The results showed that there was an increase in teachers' professional competence in preparing lesson plans. In the first cycle, the average score obtained was 59.55% in the sufficient category, increasing to 91.27% in the second cycle with the very good category. Training activities can improve the competence of teachers of the Kulon Progo Catholic Teacher Working Group in compiling teaching modules.
Peningkatan Keaktifan dan Hasil Belajar Siswa Melalui Penerapan Aplikasi Canva pada Materi Pembuatan Poster di MTs Negeri 1 Yogyakarta
Authors: Dewi Widowati Rr. Ayu
Published: August 2024

This study aims to improve student activeness and learning outcomes in learning Cultural Arts poster making materials. This research using the Classroom Action Research (PTK) method was carried out in 2 cycles. The subjects of the study were students in class VIII-C MTs Negeri 1 Yogyakarta. Data is obtained from teachers (observers) and students through observation, tests, and documentation. The results showed that student activeness and learning outcomes in the learning process through the application of the Canva application have increased significantly. In the first cycle, an average class score of 81.06 was obtained with classical learning completeness of 83.87 with the category of students being quite active. In cycle II, the average grade score increased to 87.71 with classical learning completeness reaching 100% with the active student category. The application of the Canva application in learning Cultural Arts poster making materials can increase student activeness and learning outcomes.
THE GENDERED IMPACT OF CORRUPTION: WOMEN AS VICTIMS OF SEXTORTION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors:   Stellenbosch University, Hagglund Kirstin , Khan Franaaz ,   University of Johannesburg
Published: August 2024

Corruption affects people differently due to a range of factors, including gender, context, race, socio-economic status, power relations and vulnerability. Research suggests that corruption can affect women more adversely than it does men.1 This is because vulnerable groups are more susceptible to corruption, and women are often more vulnerable than men as they are viewed as easier targets. Furthermore, it follows that more vulnerable women are likely to be more adversely affected by corruption than those that are less vulnerable. The evidence generally shows that the gendered impact of corruption is related to societal gender roles, social inequality and discrimination. Thus, women's disadvantages in many areas of life result in greater vulnerability to corruption compared to men, who enjoy more power and protection, and better access to countervailing strategies. Corruption severely influences the extent to which women's rights are ensured and protected. In cases where women find themselves in a social, political, organisational or cultural context where they are more disempowered relative to men, and they are direct victims of corruption, their experiences of corruption can be more acute, and their avenues to respond to it more limited.2 In this article, the law pertaining to sextortion in South Africa is explored. The authors recommend that women must be brought into the public arena and information about public services be made widely available as this can be critical in reducing the differential impacts of corruption on them.
Fifth annual conference of the department of criminal justice and procedure and the journal of anti-corruption law: 7 September 2023
Authors: Kinnes Irvin
Published: August 2024

Background: In recent years, several investigative reporters, scholars and academic researchers have written books on corruption in South Africa. The revelations regarding corruption have been immensely and profoundly concerning. Today, these “discoveries” of corruption continue and more books, journal articles and reports continue to be written. More revelations of different types of corruption that have permeated every sector of the society.
Expression of Antigenic Determinants of the Haemagglutinin Large Subunit of Novel Influenza Virus in Insect Cells
Authors: Yousefi A. , Fotouhi Fatemeh , Hosseinzadeh S. , Kheiri M. T. , Farahmand B. , Montazeri S. , Mousavi F.
Published: August 2024

The global outbreak of novel A/H1N1 spread in human population worldwide has revealed an emergency need for producing a vaccine against this virus. Current influenza vaccines encounter problems with safety issues and weak response in high-risk population. It has been established that haemagglutinin is the most important viral antigen to which antibody responses are directed, and recombinant subunit vaccines, haemagglutinin of influenza A and B viruses, have been considered in order to facilitate vaccine production. In the present study, we have focused on construction of a recombinant baculovirus encoding the large subunit of novel influenza virus A/H1N1 haemagglutinin. The full genome of haemagglutinin was cloned into pGEM-TEasy vector and sequenced. The large subunit of the haemagglutinin gene was amplified by PCR using specific primers and cloned into pFastBacHTc donor plasmid, which was then confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing and transformed into E. coli DH10Bac competent cells. The bacmid DNA was transfected into insect cells to produce recombinant baculovirus. Expression of recombinant haemagglutinin in insect cells was determined by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. It has been shown that the recombinant haemagglutinin (rHA) obtained from the baculovirus insect cell expression system has suitable immunogenicity in human and can be considered as a candidate flu vaccine. Here we produced large amounts of the HA1 protein of novel influenza A/H1N1 (Iranian isolate) in insect cells. The immunogenicity and efficacy of the recombinant HA1 will be evaluated as a vaccine candidate and compared to the recombinant HA1 produced in a prokaryotic system.
The dynamics of changes in linguistic complexity and writing scores in timed argumentative writing among beginning-level EFL learners
Authors: Kim Minkyung , Kim YouJin , Kang Sanghee
Published: August 2024

This study investigates longitudinal changes in linguistic complexity and holistic scores in EFL timed argumentative writing among beginning-level learners using Complex Dynamic Systems Theory. It also explores relationships among linguistic complexity over time and with writing scores. Over nine months, 42 Japanese EFL learners completed six timed essays. Linguistic complexity was assessed through lexical, phraseological, and syntactic features. Findings indicate linear growth in writing scores, lexical sophistication, and noun phrase (NP) complexity, alongside stable phrasal complexity and non-linear subordination. Interrelated growth patterns included connections between lexical sophistication and phrasal complexity, and phraseological complexity and subordination. Competitive dynamics were observed between lexical diversity and NP complexity, and phraseological complexity and phrasal sophistication. Linear associations emerged between writing scores and lexical sophistication or syntactic complexity, while a non-linear relationship occurred with phraseological sophistication. This study illuminates the intricate dynamics of linguistic complexity and L2 writing scores among beginning-level learners in argumentative writing.