bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educational Management In Islamic Framework: Embracing The Prophetic Traditions
Authors: Dian Dian , Oktavia Raya , Syara Bisyara Raden
Published: January 2024

This research delves into the conceptualization of educational management within the Islamic framework, specifically through an exploration of the Sunnah or teaching traditions of Prophet Muhammad. The Sunnah of the Prophet inherently encapsulates profound wisdom and pedagogical principles that can aptly serve as a guiding framework for the construction of an efficacious educational system and administration. Fundamental concepts integral to educational management, including meticulous planning, systematic organization, rigorous oversight, visionary leadership, comprehensive evaluation, as well as the underpinning principles of justice and ethics, are discernable within the Sunnah of the Prophet. By means of this inquiry, we endeavor to elucidate the nuanced integration of the Prophet’s educational traditions into the contemporary milieu of Islamic educational management. Methodologically, this study embraces a qualitative paradigm, employing a comprehensive literature review as its primary methodology. Data acquisition is meticulously executed through a systematic documentation process. A compendious corpus of pertinent literature is collected and subsequently subjected to thematic coding, culminating in a comprehensive and holistic data analysis. The findings of this study underscore the imperative necessity of fortifying the foundations of Islamic educational management for the amelioration of educational practices and institutions within the Islamic context. This endeavor necessitates a prior comprehension of the most pertinent and judicious framework for the establishment of Islamic educational management, with a distinct emphasis on its alignment with the prophetic traditions or Sunnah. The principles that the Prophet exemplified inherently embody indispensable tenets that can be posited as paramount preferences in the formulation of a cogent and effective framework for Islamic educational management
The Implications of Ajengan Ruhiat's Thought and Contributions in the Network of Intellectual Scholars in West Java
Authors: Yuda S Dendi
Published: January 2024

This research endeavors to scrutinize the persona, ideologies, and pivotal role of KH. Ruhiat in shaping the intellectual ulama network within the West Java region. Furthermore, it delves into the intricate nexus with the Cipasung Islamic Boarding School, situated in Tasikmalaya, which was founded by KH. Ruhiat. This institution has endured over time, generating a cadre of ulama figures who have made substantial contributions to the dissemination and expansion of KH. Ruhiat’s intellectual legacy. Employing a historical and qualitative framework, this study undertakes the comprehensive exploration of the profound influence and presence of ulama figures, most notably KH. Ruhiat, in the establishment of the ulama network within West Java. Methodologically, the research adopts a case study approach, focusing on the profiling of a prominent ulama figure in West Java. Data collection methods encompass meticulous documentation, astute observation, and in-depth interviews. The findings of this investigation underscore the pivotal role played by KH. Ruhiat in the resistance against Dutch colonialism and in catalyzing nationalistic consciousness among the populace. His endeavors in education and religious advocacy effectively galvanized the community towards the pursuit of Indonesian independence. Notably, KH. Ruhiat assumed a pivotal position in the formation of the ulama-intellectual network in West Java, particularly at the Cipasung Islamic Boarding School. This network was meticulously constructed through genealogical lines of descent, marriage alliances, and scholarly transmission. The architectural framework of the core and satellite boarding schools emerged as instrumental components in the establishment of this extensive network. Furthermore, matrimonial unions among the progeny of ulama, accomplished senior santri, and individuals possessing scholarly acumen emerged as efficacious mechanisms for the consolidation of the ulama-intellectual network
The Dilemma of Religious Tolerance: Levinasian Critique and Proposal
Authors: Hambali Radea Yuli. A
Published: January 2024

Religious tolerance is a critical issue in pluralistic societies such as Indonesia. Without tolerance, the expressions of beliefs can lead to fanaticism, conflict, and hostility that negatively impact social security and stability. This article addresses the dilemma of religious tolerance by exploring and connecting the concept of “the Other” in Emmanuel Levinas’ thought as an ethical subject who requires protection and respect for the individual with the discussion of tolerance indicators in the context of religious moderation. This qualitative study employs a literature review method, with data collected through literature review and analyzed descriptively using Emmanuel Levinas’ philosophical perspective. The results indicate that religious tolerance in the framework of religious moderation, as found in Emmanuel Levinas’ thought, entails the recognition and respect for the identity of the “Other”. The “Other” is an ethical subject with the right to live free from discrimination and oppression. In the framework of tolerance, the “Other” is not merely allowed to exist and differ but necessitates the growth of respect and appreciation through fair and respectful treatment of those who are different. From Levinas’s viewpoint, the practice of religious tolerance must be carried out by considering the concept of ethical relationships between individuals and “The Other.” Religious tolerance manifests ethical responsibility to recognize and respect the existence of others with different religions and beliefs. This article proposes that Levinasian philosophy can provide a useful critique and proposal for the dilemma of religious tolerance in pluralistic societies
Towards an Authentic Self: Homo Technologicus and the Digital Literacy Journey
Authors: Lubis Nurfauzy
Published: January 2024

The prevalence of imitation behavior as a manifestation of inauthenticity has become increasingly ubiquitous in contemporary society. Such imitative behavior, irrespective of its consequential impacts, has permeated various domains, including the realm of education. This phenomenon can be largely attributed to the absence of well-established technology utilization. Furthermore, it is imperative to acknowledge that the erosion of individuals’ self-concept is a contributing factor in this context. Taking a perspective aligned with Ricouer’s philosophy, this paper introduces the concept of “homo technologicus” as an authentic representation of humanity, particularly in the context of digital literacy. This research adopts a qualitative approach, elucidating the pertinent literature regarding human self-concept and its relevance to the contemporary milieu. The findings underscore the prevailing sentiment among Indonesian human resources, where individuals tend to exhibit a sense of timidity and reticence when they fail to express their true selves. This apprehension often materializes as a tendency to imitate foreign cultures, prompted by the assimilation of external influences encountered while engaging with social media. Consequently, a fundamental loss of one’s identity ensues, exemplifying a pervasive state of inauthenticity.
Mediated by the materiality of spaces
Authors: Sultana Shaila
Published: January 2024

This commentary considers how the special issue ‘Mobilising Language, Gender and Sexuality Studies’ contributes to recent developments in theories that demonstrate the importance of taking a posthumanist approach to sociolinguistics research. While the papers in the special issue show how mobile communities, including migrants, asylum seekers, sex workers and domestic workers, make sense of and participate in different activities in the world, this commentary shows that people in these communities also make sense of themselves with reference to different spaces – both real and imaginary, and both near and distant. Teasing out these aspects, the commentary suggests keeping research about posthumanism, the Global South and alternative ways of doing sociolinguistics at the core of the exploration of the complexities inherent in language practices, gender, sexuality, and individual and collective mobility, migration and resistance.
‘Language, Gender and Videogames: Using Corpora to Analyse the Representation of Gender in Fantasy Videogames’ Frazer Heritage (2021)
Authors: Dahlberg-Dodd Hannah E.
Published: January 2024

Language, Gender and Videogames: Using Corpora to Analyse the Representation of Gender in Fantasy VideogamesFrazer Heritage (2021)Springer Nature, 245pp.
The Category of Competence in the Light of the Praxial Philosophy of Musical Education by David J. Elliott
Authors:   Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Weiner Agnieszka
Published: January 2024

This paper describes the concept of the praxial philosophy of musical education by David J. Elliott. Worldwide applications of this concept are becoming increasingly apparent. It challenges the traditionally understood education through art that draws on aesthetic fundamentals. The author makes an explication of the category of competence in the praxial concept of musical education. She is inspired by the idea of the reconstructive cultural competence of a subject proposed by A. Męczkowska.
Gender Issues in Polish Education Compared with European Experiences
Authors:   Opole University, Pogorzelska Marzanna
Published: January 2024

The education system and its role in reproducing gender inequality have been discussed in different European countries for over 40 years. The research-based reports from 16 European countries delivered to European Commission within Exchange of Good Practice on Gender Equality forum created a unique opportunity to learn about the main themes, intensity and stages of development of gender and education discourse across Europe. The analysis of the situation in various countries revealed some differences and similarities in the approach to introducing gender in education between post-communist countries and countries with long-time history of gender equality debate. The areas of difference refer to social perception of gender, discrepancy between official legislation and practice, cooperation with educational authorities, textbooks contents and attitude to sexual education. The major similarities concern teachers’ awareness and attitudes, gender gap between boys and girls in scholastic achievements, segregation in vocational choice and feminization of teaching profession. The country overview allows to locate Poland on the map of this European discourse as well as to show inspiring examples coming from the countries far more developed in introducing gender sensitive mechanisms in educational practice.
On Social Construction of Sociological Knowledge . The Case of a Polish Sociology of Education
Authors:   Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Leszniewski Tomasz
Published: January 2024

The present text is an attempt to show the changes taking place in the sub-discipline of sociology of education. The theoretical frame of the discussion includes concepts of Emile Durkheim, Mary Douglas and Stephen Fuchs who emphasize the importance of social conditions for the process of knowledge institutionalization. Analyses carried out in the article aim also at identification of causes of marginalisation of the discussed sub-discipline within sociology as a whole. One of the reasons seems to be identity incohesion resulting from the fact that sociology of education is a shared field of study of both sociology and pedagogy, to mention the two main study contributors.
The Adopption for Social Networks and Lonlinesses of the Teacher Candidates
Authors:   Istanbul University, Bayraktar Duygu Mutlu , Hopcan Elif Polat ,   Istanbul University, Hopcan Sinan ,   Istanbul University
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the adoption of the social networks by teaching candidates and their loneliness. With this purpose in mind, 133 students from education faculties were involved in this study. In the study, the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Social Networks Adoption Scale were applied to the students. After using the SPSS 18.0 program, the results from the scales were deduced using the Pearson Correlation, Independent t-Test, and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). A significant relationship between students’ scores of loneliness and the usage of online social networks was revealed. The conclusion is that the loneliness scores of the students increase according to the frequency students use social networks. In addition, it can be said that the loneliness situation of students and their adoption of social networks does not change according to the universities in which they study.
Culture: Meanings and Values or a Multisensory Orgy?
Authors:   Polish Academy of Sciences, Bukraba-Rylska Izabella
Published: January 2024

The article presents a unusual take on the subject of culture not from the point of view its internal, abstract, immeasurable, yet accessible to cognition content, but from the point of view of its vehicles, or artifacts. The author of the text placed language among the most important external manifestations of culture and focused on how the relationship between language and culture works in practice. The article is divided into three parts, each focused on a different aspect of this relationship. The first one presents a series of theories on meaning and the material and immaterial manifestations of culture as discussed in the humanities. The second one is devoted to physical and corporeal meanings of language. The author presents observations in the field of semiotics which were initiated in the classical era and experimentally confirmed in twentieth-century studies. The third part of the article focuses on the issue of meaning as a biological phenomenon. The author deliberates on the meanings in language that stem from the sounds of words, articulation, and their psychological dimension.
Montesquieu’s Attempt to Establish History as Science
Authors:   University of Wroclaw, Wewiór Przemysław
Published: January 2024

The essay deals with Montesquieu’s methodology of history. My crucial assumption is that Montesquieu intends to cultivate history as science. In the 18th century this ambition meant that he wanted to use the analytical method in the field of history. His works include many examples of the successful exploitation of analysis. Since the philosopher does not consider his methods, my aim will be to extract from his works the ideas that stand behind his historical investigations. In other words, I am going to answer how history can be practiced as science (in the Enlightenment sense of this term). First of all, I am going to explain why analysis was – and still is – so efficient in a realm of natural phenomena. My point will be that it indicated to early modern scientist how they should conduct their experiments. On the other hand, experiments give advantage to scientists due to the fact that they are able to construct and control their object. To put it differently: analysis and experiments are efficient because truth and action are convertible. Now, my crucial question is: ‘Are historians capable of gaining advantage over their objects as physicists are?’ Giambattista Vico, for example, agrees. According to him, researchers can comprehend historical events because history is man-made. Some parts of Montesquieu’s works indicate that he shares Vico’s assumptions. Hence, historians are able to scrutinize past factors, and they can perform thought experiments. Such experiments are means for validating and abolishing hypotheses by using counterfactuals.
Problems of the Application of Visual Anthropology in Palestinian Gender Research
Authors:   Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Kościańczuk Marcela
Published: January 2024

The article presents the main issues connected with visual anthropology application in research studies carried out in non-European environment. The text is based on author’s research of the Palestinian society. The main topic of the research was connected with the understanding of safety and danger among Palestinian women. The article presents problems, challenges, and chances of using photo-interviews according to the postcolonial and intersectional contexts in social research.
Od koncepcji do Strategii Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego Ukrainy Ewolucja polityki bezpieczeństwa narodowego Ukrainy w latach 1991–2012
Authors: Prokop Maryana
Published: January 2024

The geopolitical situation of Ukraine and the threats of the modern world, such as international terrorism, organized crime, illegal emigration, as well as international and internal conflicts necessitate conducting an effective foreign policy and national security policy. Choosing the vector of its foreign policy, Ukraine also made a choice of the concept of its national security. The analysis of the concept of national security of Ukraine in the years 1991–2012 allows to verify the thesis put forward in the introduction of the paper that the evolution of the concept of the national security policy in a significant way mirrors the evolution of the foreign policy of Ukraine. Both the security policy and the foreign policy can be described as having multiple polarity, balancing between the Euro-Atlantic and the Euro-Asian spheres of influence.
Conflito social e políticas populistas na América Latina
Authors: SACHS JEFFREY D.
Published: January 2024

RESUMO A hipótese central deste artigo é que a alta desigualdade de renda na América Latina contribui para intensas pressões políticas para que as políticas macroeconômicas aumentem a renda dos grupos de renda mais baixa, o que, por sua vez, contribui para más escolhas de políticas e fraco desempenho econômico. O documento analisa em detalhes um tipo comum de falha política: o ciclo populista de políticas. Este tipo específico de formulação de políticas latino-americanas, caracterizado por políticas macroeconômicas excessivamente expansionistas que levam a alta inflação e graves crises de balanço de pagamentos, tem sido repetido com tanta frequência, e com características tão comuns, que revela claramente as ligações do conflito social com a economia pobre desempenho.
From Baker to Brady: Can the new plan work?
Authors: DEVLIN ROBERT
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT The Brady Plan proposes to stimulate reforms and development in countries facing problems with their external debt through debt relief and debt servicing. However, debt reduction is nothing new, as this was already an important component of the Brady Plan and its “market menu” strategy. The greatest contribution of this Plan is the willingness to support the voluntary reduction of the external debt with public resources and public institutional reform. As the Plan is conceptually correct, the difficulty is still in the lack of funds and public coordination. Without a greater commitment of public resources and a stronger institutional basis for rewards and fines that can induce banks to “voluntary” losses, the Brady Plan will only produce a modest reduction in excess external debt. Furthermore, a partial reduction in excess debt produces mixed benefits for both debtors and creditors.
Escala de Estratégias de Resolução de Conflitos Familiares: Adaptação e Evidências Psicométricas
Authors: Costa Lívia Braga de Sá , Camino Cleonice Pereira dos Santos , Pereira Cícero Roberto , Nascimento Anderson Mesquita do , Assis Natália Lins Pequeno de
Published: January 2024

Resumo Este estudo teve o objetivo de adaptar o Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory (CRSI) para o contexto brasileiro e investigar se este apresenta evidências de adequabilidade psicométrica. No Estudo 1 foi desenvolvida a versão brasileira e, posteriormente, foram analisadas evidências de validade de conteúdo por meio da análise de juízes (N = 4 avaliadores especialistas) e adequação semântica em um estudo piloto com adolescentes (N = 15). No Estudo 2, verificamos as propriedades psicométricas do CRSI em uma amostra de adolescentes (N = 276), reunindo evidências de validade de estrutura interna e precisão. Finalmente, no Estudo 3, foram investigadas evidências adicionais de estrutura interna e precisão do CRSI em uma nova amostra (N = 224). Os resultados demonstraram que o CRSI reúne evidências de validade com base no conteúdo, na estrutura interna e de precisão, podendo ser usado para avaliar as estratégias de resolução de conflitos que adolescentes brasileiros utilizam nas discordâncias com seus pais, possibilitando seu uso em pesquisas sobre esse tema.
Factors Influencing Life Satisfaction in Basic Education Teachers
Authors: Souza Luciana Karine de , Martínez Sophia Beylouni Santos , Gauer Gustavo , Bataglia Patrícia Unger Raphael , Hutz Claudio Simon
Published: January 2024

Abstract This study explored how the following aspects may influence basic education teachers’ life satisfaction: self-esteem, general self-efficacy, self-compassion, positive and negative feelings, moral competence, social support, positive relationships with a colleague, work engagement, age, professional experience (in years), time teaching in the same school, number of schools currently teaching, and approximate number of students per week. One hundred primary and high-school teachers (74 women) participated in the study (mean age 40.9; SD = 10.01). Network analysis provided a model which encompasses the six most relevant aspects that interfere in the life and work of basic education teachers: life satisfaction, self-efficacy, self-esteem, positive affects, work engagement, and giving instrumental social support. In addition, the yielded model showed that self-efficacy presented the closest relationship with life satisfaction. We discuss the results in line with previous studies on self-efficacy. Interventions directed at basic education teachers may be more effective if self-efficacy is part of the program.
Oportunidade ou necessidade? O caso da ZM S/A
Authors: Zimermann Poliana Eliza Pinotti , Lana Jailson , Batista Marcos Aurélio , Partyka Raul Beal
Published: January 2024

Resumo Este caso para ensino retrata o dilema da ZM S/A, uma indústria de autopeças, ante a ruptura de canais de vendas, que passaram de B2B para B2C, e seus potenciais conflitos. Com a crescente demanda das vendas nos canais on-line em virtude da pandemia de COVID-19, a empresa coloca em perspectiva a viabilidade de iniciar operações de venda direta (B2C), com a criação de um e-commerce próprio ou fomentando as vendas de seus distribuidores. O objetivo do caso é promover a reflexão sobre as mudanças estratégicas dos canais de vendas e os potenciais conflitos na mudança destes canais em um setor com estrutura engessada, mas que vem mudando seu formato por uma demanda do acesso digital dos consumidores. Trata-se de um caso real, que retrata o nome verdadeiro da empresa. Apenas os nomes dos personagens foram são fictícios. A construção do caso contou com fontes primárias, via entrevistas com os envolvidos, e fontes secundárias, que foram os dados setoriais. O caso pode ser aplicado nos anos finais dos cursos de graduação em Administração e em cursos de pós-graduação em Marketing Estratégico e Marketing Digital, especificamente em disciplinas que envolvem a gestão empresarial, estratégias organizacionais e de marketing, gestão de operações e inovação.
Antropomorfismo y empatía entrelazada en un santuario de animales desde la etnografía digital
Authors: Lázaro Terol Surama
Published: January 2024

Resumen Los antropomorfismos, entendidos como parte de los procesos de interpretación y de aproximación a la otredad animal, estarían presentes en la diversidad de relaciones que establecemos con otras especies. Requiere, por tanto, una comprensión situada de cómo se expresan y sus implicaciones. La empatía también involucra interpretar los estados internos del otro, siendo frecuentemente aludida en contextos antiespecistas donde se producen rupturas y reconfiguraciones en los modos de percibir y relacionarse con los demás animales. Desde la investigación etnográfica, me aproximaré a la complejidad de estos procesos siguiendo las experiencias y narrativas que se generan en un santuario de animales antiespecista. Se toma como hilo conductor del análisis la cuenta de Instagram del santuario, un ámbito de comunicación clave en su objetivo de visibilizar a los animales que viven allí, informar de sus problemas y promover otras formas de coexistencia.
Ação educativa para vigilância do crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil fundamentada na teoria da aprendizagem significativa
Authors: Vieira Daniele de Souza , Brito Paloma Karen Holanda , Bezerra Iolanda Carlli da Silva , Soares Anniely Rodrigues , Santos Luciano Marques dos , Toso Beatriz Rosana Gonçalves de Oliveira , Vaz Elenice Maria Cecchetti , Collet Neusa , Reichert Altamira Pereira da Silva
Published: January 2024

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de uma ação educativa no conhecimento de enfermeiros da Atenção Primária à Saúde, para a vigilância do crescimento e do desenvolvimento na consulta de puericultura. Método: Estudo de intervenção do tipo antes-depois realizado com 30 enfermeiros. Avaliou-se o conhecimento e a prática dos enfermeiros mediante instrumento construído e validado. Realizou-se a atividade educativa, articulando indicadores de crescimento e desenvolvimento infantil com políticas públicas da primeira infância e as práticas do enfermeiro. Utilizou-se a Teoria da Aprendizagem Significativa de David Ausubel como estratégia de ensino-aprendizagem. O mesmo instrumento foi reaplicado após um mês. Na análise, utilizou-se estatística descritiva e aplicaram-se os testes de proporção, Wilcoxon e a Teoria da Resposta ao Item com o modelo de Rasch. Resultados: Os enfermeiros acertaram mais itens do instrumento após a intervenção; houve elevação dos escores de acertos e diminuição do índice de dificuldade de resposta ao item na seção do conhecimento e da prática, pós-intervenção. Conclusão: A atividade educativa teve efeito positivo, repercutindo mudanças do conhecimento e da prática dos enfermeiros, a qual possibilitou que a consulta de puericultura se tornasse mais qualificada.
Bioactivity of Piper aduncum L. essential oil for insect pests of stored products1
Authors: Nascimento Josiane Moura do , Sousa Adalberto Hipólito de , Lopes Lucas Martins , Mendonça Jamila Farias , Santos Ana Cláudia Vieira dos
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT Determining the bioactivity of essential oils extracted from plants is crucial for the development of alternatives for controlling insect pests in stored grains. This study aimed to investigate the bioactivity of Piper aduncum L. essential oil for the control of Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Sitophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cucujidae). Bioassays were conducted to determine the oil toxicity, sublethal effects, attractiveness and flight initiation behavior. Toxicity tests were carried out to determine the lethal concentrations for 50 and 95 % of the insects (LC50 and LC95). Tests were also performed with sublethal exposures to C. ferrurineus, S. oryzae and S. zeamais, using their respective LC5 values (0.0002, 0.097 and 0.11 µL cm-2), to investigate effects on the attraction or repellency activity, as well as flight tests. C. ferrugineus showed greater LC50 (0.0005 µL cm-2) and LC95 (0.0012 µL cm-2) susceptibility, in relation to S. oryzae LC50 (0.35 µL cm-2) and LC95 (1.26 µL cm-2), and S. zeamais LC50 (0.39 µL cm-2) and LC95 (1.40 µL cm-2). The exposure to the sublethal LC5 concentration influenced the behavioral responses of attractiveness/repellency and flight activity. The oil had a neutral effect on C. ferrugineus LC5 (0.0002 µL cm-2) and an attractive effect on S. oryzae and S. zeamais LC5 (0.097 and 0.11 µL cm-2), and can be considered a potential insecticide for controlling pest weevil species of stored grains.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Peripheral Neutrophil CD64 Index in Elderly Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Jing , Wang Suhang , Cao Jie
Published: January 2024

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of hospitalization and mortality in the elderly. The peripheral blood neutrophil CD64 (nCD64) index is increasingly recognized for its association with poor pneumonia prognosis. A comprehensive investigation involving 128 elderly patients diagnosed with CAP, including 96 with non-severe CAP and 32 with severe CAP, from January 2020 to January 2021 was performed. The nCD64 index, CD4+, CD8+, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, procalcitonin (PCT), neutrophil (NEUT), and B lymphocyte count were determined using flow cytometry. Our findings reveal that patients with severe CAP exhibited significantly higher levels of nCD64 index, NEUT, WBC, CRP, and PCT. Intriguingly, lower CRP, nCD64 index, CURB-65 score, and PCT were associated with a higher survival rate. Notably, the nCD64 index demonstrated remarkable predictive efficiency for 28-d survival in CAP patients [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.907], surpassing other markers and even showing enhanced predictive power when combined with the CURB-65 score (AUC = 0.905). Furthermore, a negative association was observed between the nCD64 index and both CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratios, and B lymphocytes, highlighting its potential role in immune dysregulation. These findings underscore the critical importance of the nCD64 index in the early diagnosis, risk stratification, and prognostic evaluation of infections and immune responses in elderly CAP patients.
Malignant tumors of the small intestine: A case series
Authors: Sharon Slomovich , Mahnoor Khan , Neal Shah , Frank G Gress
Published: January 2024

Small bowel malignancies are rare, yet their incidence has been rising in the last decade. The main histological types are adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine and stromal tumors, sarcomas, and lymphomas. The clinical presentation is often nonspecific, making it a challenging diagnosis that results in delayed treatment. We report a case series of four patients who present with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms and a subsequent diagnosis of a small bowel malignancy. While advanced endoscopic techniques have improved our ability to identify these uncommon tumors, in our case series, the definitive diagnosis was delayed due to the ambiguous presentation. Larger studies are warranted for better diagnosis and treatment of small bowel malignancies.
Improving measured health-related quality of life with outpatient high-dose methotrexate regimen among oncology patients with intracranial metastases: A systematic assessment
Authors: Heun Min , Elizabeth Weil , Maggie Nelson , John Charlson , Yee Chung Cheng , Lubna N Chaudhary , John Burfeind , Janet Retseck , Deepika Sriram , Sailaja Kamaraju
Published: January 2024

Intracranial metastases including leptomeningeal disease are not uncommon in patients with metastatic solid tumor cancers, such as breast and sarcoma. Treatment options are limited with disease progression on standard-of-care therapies, and high-dose Methotrexate (MTX) is offered for patients with well-preserved performance status. However, standard high-dose MTX treatment entails a lengthy hospitalization and close monitoring which can limit Quality of Life (QoL) for patients who already have multiple provider visits. The impact of high-dose MTX on patients’ daily lives has not yet been qualitatively examined. As a quality improvement project, our team designed an outpatient high-dose protocol for patients who tolerated at least one cycle of inpatient high-dose MTX, and herein we describe the protocol and a quality survey with patients’ feedback. The purpose of this study is to explore and compare the influence of high-dose MTX treatments in two different settings – inpatient and ambulatory – on patients’ QoL. Second, we aim to identify recurrent themes defining patients’ perceived QoL and healthcare experiences. This study identified key QoL impacts that high-dose MTX treatments have on metastatic breast and sarcoma patients. Patients experienced decreased health-related burdens and improved social and psychosocial well-being associated with high-dose MTX treatment compared to standard inpatient treatment. This study provides an opportunity to identify recurrent thematic domains defining QoL in women with metastatic breast cancer.
Protocol for use with NEBNext Ultra II DNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina (E7645, E7103) v2
Authors: England Biolabs New
Published: January 2024

The NEBNext Ultra II DNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina contains enzymes and buffers required to convert a broad range of input amounts of DNA into high quality libraries for next-generation sequencing on the Illumina platform. The fast, user-friendly workflow also has minimal hands-on time. Each kit component must pass rigorous quality control standards, and for each new lot the entire set of reagents is functionally validated together by construction and sequencing of an indexed library on the Illumina sequencing platform. For larger volume requirements, customized and bulk packaging is available by purchasing through the OEM/ Bulks department at NEB. Please contact OEM@neb.com for further information. Figure 1. Workflow demonstrating the use of NEBNext Ultra II DNA Library Prep Kit for Illumina Adaptor trimming sequences: The NEBNext libraries for Illumina resemble TruSeq libraries and can be trimmed similar to TruSeq: Adaptor Read 1 AGATCGGAAGAGCACACGTCTGAACTCCAGTCA Adaptor Read 2 AGATCGGAAGAGCGTCGTGTAGGGAAAGAGTGT
Short amplicons panels (Artic-like) for RSVA and RSVB v1
Authors: Donati Flora
Published: January 2024

This SOP describes the procedure for generating cDNA from respiratory syncytial virus A or B (RSVA or RSVB) viral nucleic acid extracts and subsequently producing ~400nt amplicons tiling the viral genome in a multiplex PCR. The resulting products can be sequenced using short (Illumina) or long (Oxford Nanopore Technologies) reads approaches. The panels and files for bioinformatic analysis are available at: https://github.com/SimonLoriereLab/RSV_amplicons_panels
EMBODIMENT OF REGIONAL CULTURAL RESILIENCE THROUGH PRESERVATION OF TRADITIONS: A STUDY ON THE TUMPENG SEWU TRADITION IN KEMIREN VILLAGE, BANYUWANGI REGENCY
Authors:   Universitas Moch. Sroedji Jember, Danugroho Agus
Published: January 2024

This study aims to find out how the preservation of the Tumpeng Sewu Tradition in Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, has direct implications for regional cultural resilience. The preservation of the Tumpeng Sewu tradition in Kemiren Village, Banyuwangi Regency, is an interesting phenomenon because it has various impacts. In the midst of a global era that demands modernization, the preservation of traditions is very necessary so that they remain sustainable. However, it is also at risk of losing its local culture as a result of modernization. This is a descriptive qualitative study. The findings of this study suggest that the preservation of the Tumpeng Sewu Tradition, which employs cultural commodification, has the potential to contribute to and have an impact on a variety of sectors, particularly tourism in Banyuwangi Regency. The preservation of the Tumpeng Sewu Tradition in Kemiren Village has direct implications for regional cultural resilience. The findings of field researchers include several aspects, such as the socio-economic and daily behaviors of people who are influential as a result of the preservation of the Tumpeng Sewu Tradition in Kemiren Village.
Siwak as a Prophetic and Evidence-Based Oral Hygiene Tool: A Qualitative Study among Islamic Scholars
Authors: Mohd Dom Tuti Ningseh
Published: January 2024

Oral hygiene care and practice, siwak, which adopts Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be upon Him, hereafter, PBUH) sunnah, remains unclear. As such, this study aims to explore and critically appraise the Prophetic practice of siwak according to Islamic literature, and in the light of current clinical evidence to clarify siwak as the oral hygiene practice prescribed by the Prophet (PBUH). Semi-structured one-to-one interviews was conducted among local contemporary Islamic scholars. The questions prepared were based on literature review and focused on toothcleaning practices of the Prophet (PBUH) as well as how the siwak was prepared and kept, as reported in documented narrations. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic approach while content analysis of the referred narrations of hadith was made to provide a triangulation of the overall siwak use framework. The investigation revealed that horizontal tooth-brushing was highly recommended, and that al-Arak tree sticks are preferred to be 1) specifically prepared, 2) held steadily in the right hand, 3) used between two to five minutes depending on the goal, and 4) hygienically stored. It was also found that improper siwak practice may significantly suppress the clinical advantages. Thus, these findings substantiate future evidence-based guidelines on optimal oral hygiene care for siwak user based on authentic Islamic source.
Study of the Antioxidant Activity of Synthetic 3-hydroxyflavone Derivatives by DPPH and Hydrogen Peroxide Methods
Authors:   Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria, Khdera Hadi , Saad Sawsan ,   Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria, Moustapha Aoula ,   Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Baath University, Homs, Syria, Kandil Farouk ,   Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
Published: January 2024

Flavonoids have good efficacy as antioxidants due to their ability to scavenge free radicals within cells. In our previous study, synthetic flavonoid derivatives (A2-A13) were prepared in vitro through condensation, oxidative cyclization, alkylation and esterification reactions. The antioxidant activity of the alkyl and esterified derivatives of the flavonoid compound (A2) 3-hydroxy-2-(4-[dimethylamino]phenyl) benzo-4-pyrone was studied by two methods: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition method and inhibition of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and compared to the activity of standard antioxidant compounds, ascorbic acid and quercetin. The flavonoids (prepared samples) A2, A5, and A7 showed high activity approaching that of ascorbic acid and quercetin as well-known antioxidants. As for the compounds (A3, A6, A8, A9, A10, A11, A12, A13), which contain an -OH enol group, a benzyl group, and a chlorine group and the acetate group, its effectiveness has decreased significantly.
PRODUCTION OF GROWTH FACTORS AND DESQUAMATION OF ENDOTHELIOCYTES IN THE HEART IN ISCHEMIC CARDIOMYOPATHY
Authors: Denisenko Olga A. , Chumakova Svetlana P. , Urazova Olga I. , Gladkovskaya Margarita V. , Shipulin Vladimir M. , Andreev Sergey L. , Nevskaya Ksenia V. , Gulomzhenov Abboshon Gayrat ugli
Published: January 2024

Highlights

Dysregulation of angiogenesis may be the pathogenetic factor of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP).

 

Aim. To determine the content of growth factors and desquamated endothelial cells (DEC) in the blood from the coronary sinus and ulnar vein in association with the number of progenitor endothelial cells (PEC) in the blood from the ulnar vein in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), suffering and not suffering from ICMP.

Methods. The study included 30 patients with ICMР and 22 patients with CHD, and 18 healthy donors. The content of DEC (CD45–CD146+) was determined in blood from the cubital vein (peripheral) and coronary sinus, and the content of DEC (CD14+CD34+VEGFR2+) was determined in peripheral blood by flow cytometry (antibodies “BD Biosciences”, USA). The concentrations of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, PDGF, SDF-1, SCF, FGF-1, TGF-β1 in blood plasma from both locations were evaluated by multiplex analysis (set “Cloud-Clone Corp.”, USA).

Results. The content of DEC in peripheral blood was elevated in patients with CHD of both groups, and in patients with ICMP in sinus blood was higher than in peripheral. At the same time, in patients with CHD without cardiomyopathy, an excess of PEC and SDF-1 in the blood from the ulnar vein was established in combination with an increase in the concentration of PDGF and a decrease in the content of VEGF-B in the blood from the coronary sinus relative to the parameters of systemic blood flow. In patients with ICMP, these changes were not detected, but there was an increase in the concentration of TGF-β1 in sinus blood compared with peripheral blood. Regardless of the presence of ICMP, the concentration of SCF, FGF-1, VEGF-A in the blood from the ulnar vein corresponded to the norm and that in sinus blood; the content of VEGF-A in the coronary bloodstream exceeded its systemic level.

Conclusion. In patients with ICMP, desquamation of the coronary vascular endothelium is enhanced against the background of violations of its repair processes due to insufficient (relative to CHD without cardiomyopathy) mobilization of PEC from the bone marrow due to the absence of an excess of SDF-1 in the blood and their insufficient homing into the myocardium due to weak PDGF production in the heart.
INDUCTION OF CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS DURING BICYCLE ERGOMETRY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE
Authors: Sheleg Dmitrii Olegovich , Bogachev Robert Stefanovich , Mikhailova Larisa Viktorovna
Published: January 2024

Highlights

The frequency of arrhythmias during bicycle ergometry was compared in patients with and without coronary heart disease. Their diagnostic significance in diagnosing this disease was analyzed separately for men and women.

 

 

AbstractAim. To determine the diagnostic significance of exercise-induced cardiac arrhythmias (CAs) during bicycle ergometry (BEM) in patients with suspected coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods. For the retrospective study, 384 case histories of patients discharged from the cardiology department between 2011 and 2020 were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data of BEM and coronary angiography were studied. The correlation between the occurrence of induction of different types of CAs during BEM and the presence of coronary artery blood flow abnormalities was investigated. Indicators of the diagnostic significance of CAs in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) results, were determined separately for men and women. The statistical significance of the results was assessed.

Results. Statistically significant specificity and PPV for the induction of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) without taking into account rare single monomorphic ventricular extrasystoles (VEs) in the diagnosis of CHD in men were 83.5% and 73.1%, respectively. The same indicators for VAs, excluding all single VEs, were 95.3% and 82.6% in men.

Conclusion. The induction of VAs in men on BEM, with the exception of rare single monomorphic VEs, is diagnostically significant in the detection of CHD and allows us to qualify the result of BEM as “positive”. The induction of other CAs on BEM has not shown diagnostic significance in the detection of CHD.
Review of Geodetic and Geologic Deformation Models for 2023 U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model
Authors: Johnson Kaj M. , Hammond William C. , Weldon Ray J.
Published: January 2024

We review five deformation models generated for the 2023 update to the U.S. National Seismic Hazard Model (NSHM), which provide input fault-slip rates that drive the rate of earthquake moment release. Four of the deformation models use the Global Positioning System-derived surface velocity field and geologic slip-rate data to derive slip-rate estimates (Evans, Pollitz, Shen-Bird, and Zeng), and one model uses geologic data (the “geologic model”). The correlation between the geologic model preferred slip rates and geodetically derived slip rates is high for the Pollitz, Zeng, and Shen-Bird models, and the median of all slip-rate models has correlation coefficient of 0.88. The median geodetic model slip rates are systematically lower than the preferred geologic model rates for faults with slip rates exceeding 10 mm/yr and systematically higher on faults with slip rates less than 0.1 mm/yr. Geodetically derived slip rates tend to the low end of the geologic model range along sections of the San Andreas fault and the Garlock fault, whereas they tend to be higher across north coast California faults. The total on-fault moment rates agree well across models with all rates within 18% of the median. Estimated off-fault strain rate orientations and styles vary considerably across models and off-fault moment rates vary more than on-fault moment rates. Path integrals across the western U.S. accounting for fault-slip rate and off-fault deformation are generally consistent with Pacific-North America plate motion with the median deformation rates recovering about 98% of the plate motion with about 20% of the total plate motion accommodated by off-fault strain rate. The geologic model, which has no off-fault deformation, accounts for about 82% of plate motion with fault slip. Finally, we make a recommendation for relative weighting of the models for the NSHM as well as several recommendations for future NSHM deformation model development.
The Image of the Different, the Other, and the Enemy in Folk Art. An Analysis of Selected Examples
Authors: Kowalik Michał
Published: January 2024

In the community of the former village, many things from the world around it were a great unknown. Fears born from the fear of the unknown were often transferred to supernatural forces, people with specific physical features or diseases, as well as to newcomers from outside a given community. An important issue for the researcher is how these types of concepts were presented in folk art, and in what areas. Based on the secondary literature and practical knowledge as a folk artist, an analysis (together with the study of selected examples) is offered of the issue of broadly understood otherness in Polish folk art, both in the narrow sense referring to other people and in the broad sense including demonic beings embodying certain human features or forces of nature. Although folk art largely focuses on decorative, ritual, and religious functions, we can also find representations of, for example, the devil, a witch, or Jewish neighbours, i.e. of various categories of otherness. With the development of knowledge, images based largely on stereotypes slowly disappeared, becoming at most a part of the local folklore, treated as a relic of old times or a harmless tradition. Focusing on the issues of otherness in folk art allows for a better understanding of folk culture, which in various forms persists to this day, as well as of how certain thought and social patterns are adapted and processed by folk artists.