bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of serum NFL, T-tau, p-tau181, p-tau217, Aβ40 and Aβ42 for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Kahouadji Samy , Pereira Bruno , Sapin Vincent , Valentin Audrey , Bonnet Agathe , Dionet Elsa , Durif Julie , Lahaye Clément , Boisgard Stéphane , Moisset Xavier , Bouvier Damien
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To assess the variations and diagnostic performance of serum biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

In this monocentric prospective study, neurofilament light (NFL), T-tau, p-tau181, p-tau217, Aβ40, and Aβ42 were measured in serum collected from orthopedic patients (control group, n=114) and patients in the neurology department (n=69) previously diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD, n=52), parkinsonian syndromes (n=10), and other etiologies of neurodegeneration (non-AD, n=7).

Results

In the control group, serum NFL, T-tau, p-tau181, p-tau217, and Aβ40 significantly increased with age, independently of sex. NFL (p=0.0078), p-tau217 (p<0.001) were significantly increased with neurodegeneration when compared to controls, with only p-tau217 significant in the multivariate analysis (p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis accounting for age highlighted a significant increase of p-tau217 (p<0.001) in the AD subgroup. NFL was significantly increased in the non-AD patients (p<0.001), and in the parkinsonian syndromes subgroup (p=0.016) when compared to negative controls. Serum p-tau181 and p-tau217 were significantly correlated with CSF p-tau181 (Spearman’s coefficients of 0.43 and 0.48 respectively, n=40). Areas under the ROC curves for the identification of patients with neurodegenerative diseases were 0.62 (0.54–0.70) for NFL, 0.62 (0.54–0.71) for T-tau, 0.83 (0.76–0.89) for p-tau217, and 0.66 (0.58–0.74) for Aβ40.

Conclusions

Serum biomarkers can help identify patients with neurodegenerative disease and may be a valuable tool for care and orientation. Phosphorylated tau p-tau217 is a promising blood biomarker for AD and NFL for other etiologies.
Scoring and Consequential Validity Evidence of Computer- and Paper-Based Writing Tests in Times of Change
Authors: Guapacha-Chamorro María , Chaves-Varón Orlando
Published: September 2024

Little is known about how the assessment modality, i. e., computer-based (CB) and paper-based (PB) tests, affects language teachers’ scorings, perceptions, and preferences and, therefore, the validity and fairness of classroom writing assessments. The present mixed-methods study used Shaw and Weir’s (2007) sociocognitive writing test validation framework to examine the scoring and consequential validity evidence of CB and PB writing tests in EFL classroom assessment in higher education. Original handwritten and word-processed texts of 38 EFL university students were transcribed to their opposite format and assessed by three language lecturers (N = 456 texts, 152 per teacher) to examine the scoring validity of CB and PB tests. The teachers’ perceptions of text quality and preferences for assessment modality accounted for the consequential validity evidence of both tests. Findings revealed that the assessment modality impacted teachers’ scorings, perceptions, and preferences. The teachers awarded higher scores to original and transcribed handwritten texts, particularly text organization and language use. The teachers’ perceptions of text quality differed from their ratings, and physical, psychological, and experiential characteristics influenced their preferences for assessment modality. The results have implications for the validity and fairness of CB and PB writing tests and teachers’ assessment practices.
Constitutional Reform in a Fragile and Conflict-Affected Environment? Outlook on Constitutional Reform Processes in Ethiopia
Authors: Van der Beken Christophe , Wondimu Tilahun Tefera , Ayele Zemelak Ayitenew
Published: September 2024

The Ethiopian Federal Constitution currently in force has hitherto been formally unreformed. This does not mean that there has been no societal pressure to reform; rather, the opposite is true. Since the time of its adoption, the Constitution has been a controversial document, and it has been subjected to substantial criticism both from within academic circles and from a wide range of political parties and other societal elites. Due to a lack of democratic space in the process of its development, the Federal Constitution has suffered from a legitimacy deficit, which has prevented the document from constituting the basis for a widely shared national identity or standard for common citizenship. These legitimacy problems have not benefited from the fact that the many identity-related tensions and conflicts that have ravaged the country and have prevented durable peace, stability, and sustainable socio-economic development are directly linked to the Constitution by its detractors. It seems that only a constitutional reform could offer a way out. Rather than focusing on the substance of constitutional reform, this paper concentrates on the process that should create a conducive environment for such substantive options to be debated and decided on. While the deep ethnic polarization and manifold public security problems currently afflicting Ethiopian society make such reform necessary, they simultaneously create a very challenging environment for a constitutional reform process to be adequately implemented and administered. In this regard, the paper argues that, apart from the necessity of securitization measures, the design of the constitutional reform process, which needs to be participatory and inclusive, can have a positive impact on both these security problems and on the development and drafting of a constitutional document that provides a widely agreed-upon and, hence, legitimate foundation for durable peace, stability, and sustainable socio-economic development.
On decidability of the product of subgroups membership problem for nilpotent groups
Authors: Roman’kov Vitaly
Published: September 2024

The product of subgroups membership problem for a finitely generated group 𝐺 is the decision problem, where, given two or more finitely generated subgroups

K
i

K_{i}

,

i
=

1
,
…
,
m

i=1,\ldots,m

, of 𝐺 and a group element 𝑔, it is asked whether

g
∈

∏

i
=
1

m

K
i

g\in\prod_{i=1}^{m}K_{i}

.
In this paper, we prove that, for any finitely generated nilpotent group 𝑁 of class two, the product of two subgroups membership problem is decidable.
Note that this problem is equivalent to the problem of determining the non-emptiness of the intersection of two cosets of finitely generated subgroups.
We also show that, for a sufficiently large direct power

H
n

\mathbb{H}^{n}

of the Heisenberg group ℍ, there exists a product

K
=

∏

i
=
1

4

K
i

K=\prod_{i=1}^{4}K_{i}

of four finitely generated subgroups for which the membership problem is algorithmically undecidable.
The proof of the last assertion is based on the undecidability of Hilbert’s 10th problem and interpretation of Diophantine equations in nilpotent groups.
The question of decidability of the membership problem for a product of three finitely generated subgroups in a nilpotent group of class two remains open.
A rare case of skeletal dysplasia: biallelic variant in ACAN gene
Authors: Arslan Gülçin , Hazan Filiz , Tabanlı Gülin , Kırkgöz Tarık , Özkan Behzat
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Spondylo-epimetaphyseal dysplasia-aggregan (SEMD-ACAN) is a rare form of osteo-chondrodysplasia that includes vertebral, epiphyseal and metaphyseal dysplasia. It occurs as a result of loss-of-function mutations in the ACAN gene, which encodes aggregan protein, which is the basic component of the extracellular matrix in cartilage. It results in disproportionately short stature and skeletal abnormalities. Here, we aimed to present the fourth SEMD-ACAN report in the literature.

Case presentation

A 9-year-old girl was admitted to our clinic with growth retardation. She was born from a first-degree cousin marriage with severe short stature (41 cm; −3.54 SDS). Her mother also had severe short stature. Her height was 110 cm (−4.6 SDS); she had midface hypoplasia, low-set ears, short neck, short limbs, and central obesity. Biochemical and hormonal tests were normal. Skeletal survey showed moderate platyspondylia, thoracolumbar scoliosis, lumbar lordosis, bilateral femoro-acetabular narrowing, and advanced bone age (10 years). The patient’s brother was 100 cm (−3.97 SDS). He had similar but milder clinical findings. Biallelic ACAN variation (c.512C>T; p. Ala171Val) was detected in two siblings by next-generation sequencing. The parents were heterozygous carriers. Before, the heterozygous form of this variant has been reported in a 15-year-old boy with short stature, advanced bone age, and dysmorphic features.

Conclusions

SEMD-ACAN is a rare genetic condition that affects bone growth and development and can cause physical and developmental abnormalities. This article highlights the importance of considering genetic testing in characteristic symptoms associated with SEMD-ACAN, such as severe growth retardation and skeletal abnormalities.
High-elevation sheep and goat provisioning on the Tibetan Plateau, 3000–2200 BP
Authors: Zhang Zhengwei , Lü Hongliang , Wangdue Shargan , Chen Xinzhou , Tang Li , Xu Hailun , Song Jixiang , Vaiglova Petra , Liu Xinyi
Published: September 2024

High-elevation environments present harsh challenges for the pursuit of agropastoral subsistence strategies and relatively little is known about the mechanisms early communities employed to adapt to such locations successfully. This article presents the sequential carbon and oxygen analysis of archaeological caprine teeth from Bangga (c. 3000–2200 BP), which is approximately 3750masl on the Tibetan Plateau. Made visible through this method, intra-tooth variation in isotopic composition allows insights into herding strategies that possibly included the provisioning of livestock with groundwater and agricultural fodder and summer grazing in saline or marsh environments. Such intensive provisioning differs markedly from lower-elevation agropastoralism.
Transcriptional Patterns in Stages of Alzheimer's Disease Are Cell-Type–Specific and Partially Converge with the Effects of Alcohol Use Disorder in Humans
Authors: Joshi Arpita , Giorgi Federico Manuel , Sanna Pietro Paolo
Published: September 2024

Advances in single-cell technologies have led to the discovery and characterization of new brain cell types, which in turn lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we present a detailed analysis of single-nucleus (sn)RNA-seq data for three stages of AD from middle temporal gyrus and compare it with snRNA-seq data from the prefrontal cortices from individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). We observed a significant decrease in both inhibitory and excitatory neurons, in general agreement with previous reports. We observed several cell-type–specific gene expressions and pathway dysregulations that delineate AD stages. Endothelial and vascular leptomeningeal cells showed the greatest degree of gene expression changes. Cell-type–specific evidence of neurodegeneration was seen in multiple neuronal cell types particularly in somatostatin and Layer 5 extratelencephalic neurons, among others. Evidence of inflammatory responses was seen in non-neuronal cells, particularly in intermediate and advanced AD. We observed common perturbations in AD and AUD, particularly in pathways, like transcription, translation, apoptosis, autophagy, calcium signaling, neuroinflammation, and phosphorylation, that imply shared transcriptional pathogenic mechanisms and support the role of excessive alcohol intake in AD progression. Major AUD gene markers form and perturb a network of genes significantly associated with intermediate and advanced AD. Master regulator analysis from AUD gene markers revealed significant correlation with advanced AD of transcription factors that have implications in intellectual disability, neuroinflammation, and other neurodegenerative conditions, further suggesting a shared nexus of transcriptional changes between AD and AUD.
Morphological characteristic of purple long yard bean cultivars and their tolerance to drought stress
Authors: Lestari M W , Kuswanto K , Wardiyati T , Widoretno W
Published: September 2024

The cultivation of purple long yard bean which tolerance to drought stress and have high productivity can improve farming in arid area. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of the tolerance purple long yard beans to drought stress based on morphologic characters, to get the hypothesis method of tolerance and to obtain tolerance cultivars to the drought stress. Eight cultivars of purple long yard beans, i.e. UBPHU1-41, UBPHU1-130, UBPU3-153, UBPU1-202, UBPU2-222, UBPU1-365, Brawijaya 4 and Bagong 2, were tested in two environmental conditions, 100% field capacity and 50% field capacity. The results showed that drought stress in purple long yard bean affected all morphological characters observed, except for root length and flowering time. Estimation of tolerance to drought stress using the Principles Component Analysis (PCA) showed that the shoot fresh weight could be an indicator of purple pod bean tolerance to drought stress. However, the test using Stress Susceptibility Index (SSI) was not able to classify the purple long yard bean tolerance to drought stress. The results of analysis using PCA followed by discriminant analysis and clustering dendrogram showed that the UBPU1-41, UBPU1-130, UBPU2-222, UBPU1-365, UB4 and Bagong 2 cultivars were medium cultivars that are tolerant to drought stress. Therefore, they can be planted in semiarid regions.
Content Analysis of Bioenergetics’ Conceptual Presentation in Senior High School Biology Textbooks
Authors: Alforque Jonemel M. , Jovero Marijul B. , Bodanio Cenando , Ecle Niño , Picardal Jay P.
Published: September 2024

Factors that bring about a low mastery level of bioenergetics, a core concept in biology, include relatively poor teaching-learning experience and low-quality textbooks, among others. To determine which textbook and teaching components have affected the low learning mastery of the topics in bioenergetics, the researchers analyzed the textbooks’ quality of content, language, layout, and figures, and the teachers’ experience, contentment, and challenges while teaching the topic, and effects to the learners. Using a sequential explanatory mixed method research design, ten (10) textbooks, and seven (7) teacher participants were purposively selected following a set of criteria. Descriptive and principal component analyses revealed that the textbooks' quality depends on two components: (1) competent and coherent visuals and content, and (2) consistency of style in the varied forms of assessment. Narrative analysis and Quasi-Statistics analysis revealed that teachers are not contented with the textbooks as they are inadequate to teach the subject matter. The lack of good learning materials, coupled with low competence to introduce the topics, resulted in the low mastery level of the learners. The researchers propose that periodic textbook assessment, retooling of teachers’ skills, and deepening teachers’ understanding are necessary to improve learners’ performance in bioenergetics. Finally, this paper is instrumental in providing educators, resources and curriculum developers, and researchers a feasible and practical path to improve textbook quality and address pedagogical gaps.
Social Criticsm of Discrimination in the Song Le Poète Noir by Kery James
Authors: Aryaswara Mochamad Reza , Laksman-Huntley Myrna
Published: September 2024

La question de la discrimination sociale à l’égard des minorités reste une question délicate et encore difficile à résoudre. Dans cette optique, la France est l’un des pays à haut niveau de discrimination raciale (RFI, 2023) Kery James, rappeur, soulève souvent des questions de racisme dans ses chansons, comme dans « Le Poète Noir » qui critique implicitement la discrimination raciale contre les minorités. Dans ce cas, la musique peut être un moyen de transmettre une critique des problèmes sociaux qui se produisent dans la société, y compris le problème de la discrimination raciale. Cette recherche vise à montrer la résistance du discours sur la discrimination sociale à travers le choix de la diction et l’utilisation de styles linguistiques comme moyen de focalisation des minorités discriminées dans les paroles de la chanson « Le Poète Noir » de Kery James. Grâce à une méthode qualitative avec une technique d’étude de la littérature, cette recherche utilise la théorie structurelle de la poésie de Schmitt & Viala (1982), la théorie de Leech de l’analyse composantielle du sens (1982) et la théorie de l’activité de discrimination de Baron & Byrne (1997). Il a été constaté que l’existence d’une critique sociale de la discrimination est démontrée par l’utilisation dominante de l’allitération, de l’assonance et de la métaphore dans la chanson pour soutenir le sens de la souffrance et de la lutte comme une forme de critique des actes de discrimination raciale.
SALT TRANSFER IN FROZEN METHANE HYDRATE-CONTAINING SEDIMENTS DURING THEIR INTERACTION WITH SALT SOLUTIONS
Authors: ЧУВИЛИН Е.М. , ЕКИМОВА В.В. , ДАВЛЕТШИНА Д.А. , БУХАНОВ Б.А. , КРИВОХАТ Е.О.
Published: September 2024

Работа посвящена экспериментальному моделированию взаимодействия мерзлых гидратонасыщенных песчаных пород с солевыми растворами при отрицательных температурах. Показано, что миграция ионов солей в мерзлых гидратосодержащих породах происходит более интенсивно, чем в мерзлых негидратосодержащих. Выявлено, что одним из основных факторов, определяющих интенсивность миграции ионов солей в мерзлых песчаных породах, содержащих газовые гидраты, в отличие от мерзлых негидратосодержащих песков, является давление. С увеличением давления и понижением температуры интенсивность солепереноса в мерзлых гидратосодержащих песках снижается, при этом сохранность порового гидрата повышается. На основе экспериментальных данных впервые получены параметры солепереноса в мерзлом гидратосодержащем песке (плотность солевого потока, коэффициент диффузии) в зависимости от газового давления и температуры окружающей среды.

This study is devoted to experimental modeling of the interaction of frozen hydrate-saturated sandy sediments with salt solutions at subzero temperatures. It is shown that the migration of salt ions in frozen hydrate-containing sands is more active than in frozen hydrate-free sands. Gas pressure proves to be one of the main factors controlling the intensity of migration of salt ions in frozen sands containing gas hydrates in contrast to frozen hydrate-free sands. With an increase in gas pressure and a decrease in temperature, the intensity of salt transfer in frozen hydrate-containing sands decreases, while the preservation of pore hydrates increases. Based on experimental data, the parameters of salt transfer in frozen hydrate-containing sand (salt flux density, diffusion coefficient) depending on gas pressure and ambient temperature have been obtained for the first time.
Effect of frailty, activity of daily living, instrumental activity of daily living and age on cognition of community-dwelling elderly people: a cross-sectional study
Authors:  Scheicher Marcos Eduardo , Camargo da Cruz Thaina Gabriele , Nascimento Livia Maria do , Silva Juliana Fernanda de Lima e , Silva Letícia Prado , Bigatão Inácio Beatriz
Published: September 2024

Ageing is the main indicator of cognitive impairment and can affect activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and frailty. The objective of this study was to verify the interference of IADLs, ADLs, frailty status and age on the cognition of community-dwelling elderly people. Were used the follow tools: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa); Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS); Lawton scale and Barthel scale. All subjects included were community residents, aged 60 and over, both sexes. To evaluate the effect of age group and frailty status on cognition was used ANCOVA with Bonferroni post-test. Correlations were made using the Pearson test. Values of p <0.05 were accepted as significant. A relationship was observed between all independent variables and cognition (p <0.0001) and was observed an effect of age and frailty on cognition (p <0.001). There is an association between frailty, age, IADL and ADL with the cognition, and were found that the age group and frailty status interfere on cognitive impairment.
Intestinal occlusion secondary to De Garengeot’s hernia resolved by laparoscopy
Authors: Carlos Emmanuel Xicohténcatl Xicohténcatl , Natalie Signoret Limiñana , Pedroza Eduardo Navarro , Daniel Garcia Cabrera , Elias Gallardo Navarro
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Femoral hernias constitute a minority of abdominal wall hernias and an entrapment of the appendix in the femoral hernia is called Garengeot's hernia. Case report: A 93-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department of our hospital presenting abdominal pain accompanied by intestinal occlusion. She underwent laparoscopy for a diagnosis of femoral hernia with inflamed cecal appendix inside, with an adequate postoperative period. Discussion: The incidence of De Garengeot hernia is approximately 0.1-5% of reported femoral hernias and 0.1% of acute appendicitis. Conclusion: Despite this uncommon pathology, emergency surgical treatment is generally required, and the laparoscopic approach is the best option as long as the patient's condition and the surgeon's experience allow it.
Yeasts of Pichia (Pichiaceae) dominate the mycobiome of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae during urban composting
Authors: Vallejo-Arróliga Mónica , Rojas-Jimenez Keilor
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Hermetia illucens is a fly found worldwide in tropical and temperate regions that feeds on decaying organic matter in its larval stage, which makes them useful to accelerate composing processes. Bacterial component on the larval guts that helps to degrade organic matter is well studied, however fungal communities information is more scarse, specially in tropical regions. Objective: To determine fungal communities in the gut of H. illucens larvae naturally occurring during urban composting processes in a tropical region. Methods: ITS sequencing was employed to characterize fungal communities present in H. illucens larval gut. Results: The analysis of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) unveiled a notable dominance of Saccharomycetales, being yeasts of the genus Pichia the most abundant. Other relatively abundant yeasts were Candida and Galactomyces and the genus Archaeospora from Archaeosporales. The last two groups not being reported in H. illucens before. Conclusions: Yeasts of the genus Pichia are the most abundant group, this result is in concordance with previous studies which suggest a stable insect-yeast relation. The description of previously unreported fungal groups highlights the importance of continuing to explore the mycobiome dynamics of this larva. This study offers insight into the mycobiome of naturally occurring H. illucens larvae in a tropical region.
Influencia del comportamiento y hábitat en el atropellamiento de fauna silvestre: el caso de los vertebrados de vías periurbanas en los Andes colombianos
Authors: Obando-Tobón Juan Manuel , Delgado-V. Carlos A , Urrego-Giraldo Ligia Estela , Saravia-Ruiz Paula , Tapias-M Julián , Arias-Alzate Andrés
Published: September 2024

Introducción: El desarrollo y expansión urbana han generado la pérdida y transformación de los ecosistemas andinos. Sin embargo, alrededor de las grandes ciudades colombianas aún se encuentran relictos boscosos que mantienen gran riqueza de biodiversidad, la cual es amenazada por la infraestructura vial. El énfasis de los trabajos de Ecología de Carreteras en el Neotrópico ha estado centrado en el efecto del atropellamiento de fauna desde el punto de vista taxonómico y funcional. Objetivo: Evaluar, ecológica y espacialmente, el atropellamiento de la fauna en carreteras ubicadas en zonas de interés para la expansión urbana del norte de los Andes colombianos. Métodos: Se evaluaron la tasa de mortalidad de vertebrados, las zonas críticas de atropellamientos por grupo taxonómico y grupos funcionales. Esto se realizó por medio de análisis de ecología espacial, específicamente análisis de densidad de Kernel y análisis de estadística espacial de puntos calientes. Adicionalmente, se identificó las características del paisaje asociadas al atropellamiento y se evaluó el papel de las vías como factor de resistencia y permeabilidad. Resultados: Se encontraron 279 animales atropellados de 64 especies que representan el 28 % de las 273 especies vertebradas presentes en las áreas protegidas en inmediaciones de las carreteras estudiadas. Se estimó una tasa promedio entre 42 y 170 individuos atropellados por año. Se detectaron patrones diferenciales en la densidad de atropellamiento por grupos taxonómicos y funcionales, donde las especies nocturnas y el tipo de gremio trófico son los más vulnerables. Asimismo, se encontró que los tramos de las vías en cercanía a coberturas boscosas presentan mayor riqueza de especies atropelladas y con mayores requerimientos ecológicos. Estos tramos representan una resistencia importante al movimiento de las especies de la zona. Conclusiones: El atropellamiento presenta patrones espaciales heterogéneos, no solo a nivel taxonómico, sino también a nivel funcional, lo cual representa un deterioro para los ecosistemas protegidos en zonas periurbanas.
Project Spotlight: Skanska selects Finfrock for third project
Authors:   Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
Published: September 2024

Finfrock Design-Manufacture- Construct signed its third design-build contract with Skanska USA Building Inc. for the delivery of a $9.5 million, 955-car parking structure to serve H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Center in Tampa, Fla.
Putting nature at the heart of infrastructure using biodiversity net gain – key insights
Authors: Fraser Sally , Born Katie , Hobbs Matt , Steele Lynsey , Westerman Nicholas
Published: September 2024

Infrastructure projects have played a role in the current global biodiversity crisis, such as by changing land use and contributing to human-induced climate change. If done well, delivering biodiversity net gain (BNG) on infrastructure projects will contribute to nature recovery by shifting mindsets away from mitigation and compensation, towards betterment from the outset. BNG is an approach to development and land management that aims to leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was before. The legal requirement for BNG was introduced in England earlier this year. Although the legislation is new, Jacobs has been delivering BNG on infrastructure design projects for several years, enabling the development of a multi-disciplinary approach and innovative tools for assessment. This paper shares some key insights into the opportunities and practical challenges that infrastructure planning, environmental engineering and sustainability teams may encounter with the BNG requirements. Using case studies from the water and transportation sectors, it discusses how consenting and project delivery risks can be resolved and how BNG can encourage more collaborative, strategic thinking and act as a golden thread to the delivery of wider sustainability benefits.
Framework para Aplicação da Metodologia Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas na Educação a Distância e Híbrida
Authors:   Universidade Federal Fluminense, Medeiros Francisco , de Oliveira Alves Márcia
Published: September 2024

Nas últimas décadas, houve um aumento significativo nos estudos sobre metodologias ativas na comunidade acadêmica, incluindo a Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas (ABP), que é utilizada tanto no ensino presencial quanto no ensino a distância. Diante dessa realidade, a pesquisa objetivou desenvolver um framework participativo para a aplicação da ABP na educação a distância e híbrida (EaDH). O estudo foi dividido em duas etapas, sendo a primeira uma revisão sistemática da literatura para entender como a ABP é aplicada na EaDH, os ambientes virtuais de aprendizagem (AVA) e as ferramentas utilizadas. Constatou-se que a maioria das pesquisas e experiências de ABP não está vinculada a um AVA e que há poucas iniciativas específicas para a aplicação da metodologia no planejamento, execução e avaliação da ABP. Na segunda etapa, foram realizadas oficinas, grupos focais e provas de conceito para identificar os requisitos necessários para o desenvolvimento do framework
proposto nos AVAs Moodle e Google Classroom. O framework proposto tem como objetivo orientar professores e tutores na EaDH por meio de uma sequência lógica de atividades e ferramentas para a aplicação da ABP. Essa proposta contribui para uma aplicação mais formal e sistematizada da metodologia, auxiliando os professores frente aos desafios da prática pedagógica. Portanto, a pesquisa apresenta uma contribuição significativa para o campo da EaDH, fornecendo um framework para a aplicação da ABP que pode ser adaptado em diferentes contextos de ensino e aprendizagem.
Teacher Perceptions on the Possibility of Integrating History and Citizenship in the Lesotho Curriculum: A Case of Three Secondary Schools
Authors: SengaiI W , Ntlama N
Published: September 2024

One of the key contemporary needs in education is to promote nationalism and national cohesion. Challenges confronting most developing countries include political instability, violence, voter apathy, and youth disintegration. Many regard the teaching of citizenship as a possible panacea to remedy these problems. Scholars have applauded the role of citizenship education in inculcating crucial values such as active citizenship, tolerance, and social cohesion. The Lesotho curriculum uses social science subjects, especially history, to address these challenges. Pursuant to repeated calls for the integration of history with citizenship in Lesotho schools in order to enhance history's thrust in achieving the task, this qualitative study adopted the case study design to purposively sample six history teachers, two from each of three secondary schools in the Maseru district. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis of the Education Sector Plan 2005-2015 and Education Sector Strategic Plan 2016-2026, Curriculum and Assessment Policy (CAP) 2009, Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE), and the Grade 8 Social Science Syllabus were relied upon for the collection of data. Our findings from this study show that teachers believe that the integration of history and citizenship can instil values of active citizenship, patriotism, political stability, and economic development to mention but a few. We therefore concluded that there are possibilities of integrating history with citizenship instead of leaving them as subjects independent from each other. We recommend that the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) should consider the integration ofhistory and citizenship into the curriculum.
Nf1 loxP site verification v1
Authors: Couasnay Greig , Elefteriou Florent
Published: September 2024

We have found that ourNf1flox mouse colonies contained mice that had lost one of the two loxP sites inserted into theNf1gene (Parada laboratory,PMID:11297510, JAX# 017639), leading to loss of DNA recombination upon Cre-recombinase activity and loss of previously identified skeletal phenotypes. This is likely to occur in other Nf1flox mouse colonies. We describe here a strategy to verify conservation of the loxP sites within theNf1allele and to sequence the loxP1 and loxP2 sites for detecting potential mutations or deletions. This may be done if the expression ofNf1(qPCR) is not reduced in CreTg/+;Nf1 flox/floxtissues of interest.
Multiplex Nested PCR for Vibrio Cholera v1
Authors: Fitz Shannon , Shaw Alex , Abraham Dilip , Owusu michael
Published: September 2024

Primers targeting various regions of the V. Cholera genome were obtained from the literature or designed, and optimized for a multiplex nested PCR assay. The following primers were extracted from Hoshino et al., 1998: O1_rfbFor_Inner (modified here by Dr Alex Shaw), O1_rfbRev_Inner, O139_rfbFor_Inner, O139_rfbRev_Outer. The following primers were obtained from Theron et al., 2000: ctxA Inner Rev, ctxA_rev. The following primers were obtained from Nandi et al., 2000: ctxA_For, ompW_For, ompW_Rev, ompW_Inner_Rev. The following primers were designed by Dr Alex Shaw and are unpublished: ToxR_For_Outer, Tox_Rev_Outer, ToxR_For_Inner, O1_rfbFor_Outer, O1_rfbRev_Outer, O139_rfbFor_Outer, O139_rfbRev_Outer.
Record visually-evoked eye movements in head-fixed adult mice using a hemispherical projection system v1
Authors: C. Harris Scott , B. Creed Rose , Nelson Alexandra
Published: September 2024

This protocol describes how to record visually-evoked eye movements in head-fixed adult mice using a hemispherical projection system.
Run experiment v1
Authors: Khairullin Ilias
Published: September 2024

test
RSV Illumina Whole Genome Sequencing v1
Authors: Mathers Katharine , Barge Madhuri , Jasim Seema , Falconer Kerry , Fernandes Goncalo , Maloney Daniel , Templeton Kate
Published: September 2024

This is the Illumina sequencing protocol used with ARTIC RSV primers to sequence RSV samples in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, which has been utilised in this virological post (https://virological.org/t/preliminary-results-from-two-novel-artic-style-amplicon-based-sequencing-approaches-for-rsv-a-and-rsv-b/918). Primer scheme details can be found on the ARTIC RSV github page (https://github.com/artic-network/artic-rsv). This protocol is used for routine RSV sequencing here, but these RSV primers have been developed to slot in to any existing amplicon sequencing protocols used in your lab, and have been used successfully in a range of different labs (publication in preparation).
A Comprehensive Guide to Quality Assessment and Data Submission for Genomic Surveillance of Enteric Pathogens v4
Authors: Timme Ruth , Allard Marc , Strain Errol , Lusk Pfefer Tina , Hope Bias Candace , Sanchez Maria
Published: September 2024

This document outlines the steps necessary to assemble and submit the standard data package required for contributing to the global genomic surveillance of enteric pathogens. Although targeted to GenomeTrakr laboratories and collaborators, these protocols are broadly applicable for enteric pathogens collected for different purposes. There are five protocols included in this chapter: (1) quality control (QC) assessment for the genome sequence data, (2) validation for the contextual data, (3) data submission for the standard pathogen package or Pathogen Data Object Model (DOM) to the public repository, (4) viewing and querying data at NCBI, and (5) data curation for maintaining relevance of public data. The data are available through one of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Consortium (INSDC) members, with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) being the primary focus of this document. NCBI Pathogen Detection is a custom dashboard at NCBI that provides easy access to pathogen data plus results for a standard suite of automated cluster and genotyping analyses important for informing public health and regulatory decision-making. ------ Although originally published as a Chapter in Methods and Protocols, Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens, the protocol has since been adapted and split into five separate protocols all of which are contained in this collection.
AAV production and purification v1
Authors: Michael Coughlin Gerard
Published: September 2024

We recently developed adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsids to facilitate efficient and noninvasive gene transfer to the central and peripheral nervous systems. However, a detailed protocol for generating and systemically delivering novel AAV variants was not previously available. In this protocol, we describe how to produce and intravenously administer AAVs to adult mice to specifically label and/or genetically manipulate cells in the nervous system and organs, including the heart. The procedure comprises three separate stages: AAV production, intravenous delivery, and evaluation of transgene expression. The protocol spans 8 d, excluding the time required to assess gene expression, and can be readily adopted by researchers with basic molecular biology, cell culture, and animal work experience. We provide guidelines for experimental design and choice of the capsid, cargo, and viral dose appropriate for the experimental aims. The procedures outlined here are adaptable to diverse biomedical applications, from anatomical and functional mapping to gene expression, silencing, and editing. *IMPORTANT* This protocol is based on Challis et al., Nat Protoc 14: 379, published in 2019. Since that publication, we have made a number of modifications to the protocol to increase throughput or yield. With these modifications, we routinely achieve yields of >5e12 vg per 150 cm dish, with a well packaging capsid (e.g. AAV9, AAV-PHP.eB, and AAV.CAP-B10). In Challis et al., Nat Protoc 14: 379, a Type 70 Ti rotor is used for ultracentrifugation of the AAV through a density gradient (steps 32-36). This rotor can hold 8 tubes, allowing for simultaneous purification of 8 separate AAV variants, at 1-10 plates (150 mm plates) per variant. To increase throughput, we also provide a smaller scale purification workflow with a Type 70.1 Ti rotor, which can allow for purification of 12 separate AAV variants, at 1-3 plates (150 mm plates) per variant. Significant modifications to the referenced protocol are indicated by *MODIFICATION*. Read and understand the original protocol, before following a modified protocol. Following the original protocol should also yield expected results.
Rodent Gait Analysis Using Linear Track Protocol v1
Authors: B. Creed Rose , Nelson Alexandra
Published: September 2024

This protocol is used to evaluate quantitative aspects of mouse locomotor behavior (gait).
Hepatitis E and Enterovirus Multiplex Nested RT-PCR v1
Authors: Fitz Shannon , Shaw Alex , Abraham Dilip , Owusu michael
Published: September 2024

For multiplex, nested amplification of Hepatitis E (HEV) and Enterovirus (EV) samples. Primer sets and target amplicon size Outer HEV: HEV_38_f and HEV_39_r (538 bps) HEV_38_f: GARGCYATGGTBGAGAARG HEV_39_r: GCCATRTTCCARACRGTRTTCC Inner HEV: HEV_37_f and HEV_27_r (306 bps) HEV_37_f: GGTTYCGYGCYATTGARAARG HEV_27_r: TCRCCRGARTGYTTCTTCC Outer EV: For1_5NCR and Rev7_5NCR (535 bps) For1_5NCR: CGGTACCYTTGTRCGCCTG Rev7_5NCR: ATTGTCACCATAAGCAGCC Inner EV: For2_5NCR and Rev6_5NCR (388 bps) For2_5NCR: CAAGCACTTCTGTTWCCC Rev6_5NCR: CCAAAGTAGTCGGTTCCGC
Combating Repeated Lies: The Impact of Fact-Checking on Persistent Falsehoods by Politicians
Authors: Larraz Irene , Salaverría Ramón , Serrano-Puche Javier
Published: September 2024

The rise of repeated false claims within political discourse is undermining fact-checking efforts. By reiterating similar statements that perpetuate previous falsehoods, political actors shift from misinformation to deliberate disinformation and even propagandistic tactics. Through an analysis of 1,204 political fact-checks conducted by the Spanish fact-checking organization Newtral, this study quantifies and characterizes the prevalence of repeated false claims in political discourse, revealing that a substantial 24.8% of false statements are repeated, with each being repeated an average of four times. By delving into the nature and types of claims most susceptible to recurrence, the study identifies five primary patterns employed by political actors: nuanced variations, data manipulation, multilateral attacks, discourse qualification, and cumulative repetition. These tactics blur the lines between deception and self-correction. The annotated database of these repeated false statements can serve as a valuable resource for exploratory qualitative analysis as well as claim-matching research in automated fact-checking.
Positive experience in treating patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy caused by a nonsense mutation: family clinical case
Authors: Kraeva L. S. , Fadeeva E. V.
Published: September 2024

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe genetic disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene (DMD), which lead to a significant decrease or complete absence of the protein of the same name in muscle fibers. The disease manifests itself in boys from the age of 2–5 years in the form of progressive muscular weakness, cardiomyopathy and respiratory failure. As a result of progression, patients lose the ability to move by adolescence and die in the third decade from cardiopulmonary complications. However, timely pathogenetic therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy can prolong the life of patients and improve its quality. In this regard, early diagnosis of the disease and early initiation of pathogenetic therapy are very important.

The article describes two clinical cases of the disease in siblings with onset at 2 years of age and different ages of diagnosis. Pathogenetic therapy in the first case made it possible to prolong the patient’s outpatient stay and improve the quality of life, and early diagnosis and initiation of pathogenetic therapy in the second case avoided disease progression and contributed to the development of new motor skills. The presented clinical case demonstrates the need for early diagnosis of the disease even before the onset of clinical manifestations.
Scratch-collapse test in reflex cervical-elbow syndrome
Authors: Nikolaev S. G.
Published: September 2024

The scratch-collapse test was proposed in 2008 to detect the level of compression of the ulnar and median nerves in tunnel lesions. Further study of this phenomenon has shown that weakness of the shoulder external rotators occurs in nerve lesions at other levels as well. The scratch-collapse test was studied in 155 patients (mean age 45 years) with unilateral reflex cervical-elbow syndrome, with complaints of different localization. The scratch-collapse test was positive in all patients on the affected side. The localization of the trigger zone depended on the patient’s complaints and was established experimentally. Short-term kneading of the trapezius muscle or voluntary contraction of the forearm muscles on the side of the lesion was used to prove the reflex nature of the cervico-elbow syndrome, resulting in complete recovery of triceps or extensor strength of the first and third finger. In the course of the study, suppression of the scratch-collapse test in reflex cervico-elbow syndrome with proprioceptive stimulation was found. In confirmed carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes, the phenomenon of suppression of the scratch-collapse test was also observed in response to proprioceptive stimulation. The scratch-collapse test and reflex cervical-elbow syndrome have a common mechanism of occurrence, which is based on the protective reaction of the body in the form of a nociceptive shortening reflex. The scratch-collapse test at skin irritation over the site of nerve injury can be considered as a subthreshold physiologic nociceptive reflex. Based on the theory of prognostic action of the nociceptive system, cervicolumbar reflex syndrome is a pathologic nociceptive reflex. Scratchcollapse test suppression phenomenon and recovery of muscle strength in reflexive cervical-elbow syndrome after shortterm kneading of the trapezius muscle are the result of activation of the antinociceptive system in response to proprioceptive stimulation. This suppression phenomenon can be used for the treatment of reflex cervical lockjaw syndrome.
Effectiveness of an object moving depending on its orientation in the environment: a kinematic analysis of motor planning and execution
Authors: Vyazmin A. O. , Ragimova A. A. , Si G. L. , Behera S. , Shevtsov O. I. , Feurra M.
Published: September 2024

Background. Grasping objects with the hand is one of the most common movements in everyday life. It requires training involving the cognitive processes of goal selection and motor planning.

Aim. To investigate the effect of object rotation on motor planning using an experiment where participants moved abstract objects that sometimes required rotation, and movement was assessed using a kinematic analysis system. We hypothesized that reaction times and movements would be longer for tasks with rotation.

Materials and methods. Sixteen subjects participated in the study (11 females and 5 males), mean age – 23.375 ± 2.277 years. Participants were required to perform a task of moving 4 abstract objects onto corresponding platforms with their right hand, while periodically rotating the object by 90°, 180°, or 270°. The motion tracking system monitored the movement of trackers located on the subject’s right thumb and index finger, on the subject’s right wrist, and on the object and the subject’s special glasses.

Results. To assess the effect of object rotation on motor planning, the data were grouped according to the angle of rotation. A one-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures was used. The results showed statistically significant differences:

total movement time as a function of turning angle: F(3.45) = 5.014, p = 0.004;

time to reach the grasping target: F(3.45) = 61.79, p = 0.001;

object motion time: F(3.45) = 14.641, p = 0.001;

time to reach maximum capture aperture: F(3.45) = 8.559, p = 0.001.

Conclusion. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that object rotation during movement affects both the preparation and execution of the movement itself. The planning and executing the movement with the object rotated 180° was easier and faster than with 90° and 270° rotations. The testing allows distinguishing the stages of planning and preparation of the movement from the execution of the movement itself. Using this approach in patients with central nervous system lesions helps to assess and monitor the state of motor function, which is important for monitoring the recovery process.
Prebiotic Chemistry and Sepiolite: A Density Functional Theory Approach
Authors: Karataş Deniz
Published: September 2024

In this study, the molecular interactions of sepiolite, a biocompatibility clay mineral with known as biomaterial, and purine and pyrimidine molecules forming the bases of DNA and RNA molecules were modeled by Density Functional Theory. In addition to the geometry optimization, interaction energy, bond critical point, and electrostatic potential calculations revealed that essential molecules for our source of life interact with the basal surface of the clay. For example, the best interaction energies between bases / sepiolite were found to be -127.47, -121.35 kJ / mol for guanine and cytosine, respectively. Looking at the modeling results, one of the most important factors affecting the interaction energies is H-bond. In order to reveal this, bond critical points analyze were performed and it was computed that a large amount of intermolecular interaction energies came from H-bonds. For example, it has been calculated that close to 70% of the total energy in the guanine/TOT model is from H-bonds. Besides, this value of the cytosine/TOT model was found to be around 72%. The most effective indexes in these two models are 145 and 135, and the H-bond energies were recorded as -22.41 and 31.41 kJ/mol, respectively. Considering all the analyzes run, it can be concluded that the basal surfaces of the sepiolite are a suitable host for the nitrogenous bases, which are the main sources of life.
Buckling Analysis of FG Timoshenko Beam Based on Physical Neutral Surface Position
Authors: Demirhan Pınar Aydan
Published: September 2024

The paper investigates the buckling analysis of functionally graded Timoshenko beams with different boundary conditions. The study focuses on the static and dynamic behavior of FG beams and plates. The critical buckling loads are investigated concerning the slenderness ratio, power law index, and boundary conditions. The method involves defining the effective properties of the FG beam using the rule of mixture, assuming the reference surface is the physical neutral surface. Numerical results are presented, showing the variation of the non-dimensional neutral surface position with the power law index for different material property ratios. The study concludes by discussing the influence of the slenderness ratio, power law index, and boundary conditions on the critical buckling load of FG Timoshenko beams.