bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twofold Muhajirs at the Crossroads of Three Cultures: Turkish Georgians in Bergneustadt, Germany
Authors:   Ilia State University, Okrostsvaridze Nino
Published: December 2022

The contemporary world has been facing legal or illegal migrancy, based on social, economic, political, and religious determination. The number of migrants is growing every day. Mostly they are moving from the East to the West or Europe. Movement is not only physical activity, but it is displacement of culture, traditions and customs from one ethnical space to another one. During migration people take with them part of the total culture. On the new soil they encounter new reality, which could be the reason of dual existence, dissatisfaction. Our research addresses issue of migration of Turkish Georgians in 1960s, from Turkey (Village Hayriye) to Germany (Bergneustadt). Three different cultural elements: - Georgian, Turkish and German, influence their mode of life and affect everyday perception of reality. During the Russo-Turkish War in 1877-78, Achara and other historical provinces of Georgia were attached to the Russian Empire. One part of the Georgian population came under Russian rule; the other part emigrated as “Muhajirs” to Ottoman Turkey. As a result of living in culturally different countries (Russia, Ottoman Empire), the life ways of the Georgian Muslim communities began to diverge. In 1960s due to high levels of unemployment in Turkey and the need for inexpensive labour in the expanding economies of Europe, Turkey concluded bilateral agreement to supply workers to Germany. Approximately one million Turks crossed the border up to 1974, hoping to get rich fast. Twofold Muhajirs at the crossroads of three cultures, without (home) land, the real and permanent one, strangers in foreign and “native” land, torn apart by two sorts of memories, try to make a new beginning, to fit in with new “motherland” (Germany) and at this time to maintain ethnic culture, space and identity.
Abgar Legend: Text and Iconography
Authors:   Ilia State University, Karaulashvili Irma
Published: December 2022

The present paper continues to explore the interrelation of texts and images pertaining to the Edessan acheiropoietos image of Christ that I began to explore in my article “The Abgar Legend Illustrated: Interrelation of the Narrative Cycles and Iconography in the Byzantine, Georgian and Latin Traditions,” in Interactions: Artistic Interchange between the Eastern and Western Worlds in the Medieval Period. A Colloquium organized by the Index of Christian Art, Department of Art and Archeology, Princeton University, April 8-9, 2004. C. Hourihane, ed. Princeton & Pensylvania: University Press, 2007, 220-243. An attempt to interpret representation of the Mandylion on Deir al-Surini fresco (Egypt) in the light of representation of images of Christ/ Mandylia from the Georgian churches of Tsromi and Telovani, as well as the miniature from the Georgin Alaverdi Four Gospels, allowed me to conclude that before the tenth century a Syriac iconographic tradition depicting the Edessan image, different from its Byzantine counterpart, had existed. Moreover, their placement in the sanctuary, above the altar and the decorative details of the cloth on the Deir es-Suriani fresco allow us to speak about a “liturgical” mode of depiction of the Mandylion; that is to say, about the symbolical placement of the liturgical covering (i.e. the Cloth, or, in this case, as the tablecloth) above the altar with the bread of blessing (i.e. the image of Christ) on it. The scrutiny of various texts and images pertaining to the Mandylion led me to the conclusion that legends about the miraculous, or semi-miraculous emergence of acheiropoietos images came into being, most plausibly, in order to justify the mode of representations of the cult objects, as elements of the Byzantine church decoration – not only of the materials on which the image is depicted, that is to say, cloth and wood, but also the types of representations used in the church decoration, i.e. the icon and the fresco, and the mode of representing the images themselves, i.e., the face (reps. bust) and the full-length figure.
IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN HAK MENGUASAI NEGARA DALAM PENGELOLAAN SUMBER DAYA AGRARIA DALAM PERSPEKTIF HAK ASASI MANUSIA
Authors: Akhmadi Yusran  , Deden Koswara
Published: December 2022

Pengelolaan sumber daya agraria sesungguhnya harus disandarkan pada nilai-nilai kepentingan bersama demi kepentingan umum tetapi juga harus responsif pada hak-hak dasar rakyat. Kepentingan umum yang dikedepankan dalam penggunaaan tanah berada dalam domainnya Negara/Pemerintah. Hak menguasai Negara yang tertuang tegas dalam instrunen hukum dasar (Undang Undang Dasar Negara RI Tahun 1945) harus terjabarkan dengan baik dalam berbagai kebijakan Pemerintah. Dalam perpektif Hak Asasi Manusia (HAM) pada dasarnya ada hak-hak yang merupakan hak dasar yang harus terperhatikan. Instrumen hukum hingga putusan kelembangaan Negara yang merupakan kebijakan Negara pada dasarnya telah cukup mengamanatkan bahwa dalam pengelolaan sumber daya agraria dengan asas demi kepentingan umum namun juga harus terhubung dengan persoalan HAM. Instrumen hukum perundang-undangan harus responsif akan HAM.
manajemen laba terhadap kinerja keuangan dengan pengungkapan CSR sebagai variabel moderasi
Authors: Rosmawati
Published: December 2022

Setiap kompetisi tidak menutup kemungkinan adanya praktik memanipulasi data yang dilakukan manajer (manajemen laba). Maka perlunya suatu penelitian untuk mengetahui dampak manajemen laba dan Corporate Social Responsibility terhadap kinerja perusahaan tersebut. Tujuan Penelitian ini adalah untuk mengukur pengaruh variabel independen (bebas), dependen (terikat), dan dimoderasi yang dilakukan dalam pengujian menggunakan program SPSS for Windows 20.

Hasil regresi yang diperoleh pada  model pertama memperoleh signifikansi sebesar 0,125 (tidak signifikan) sedangkan pengungkapan CSR memperoleh tingkat signifikansi 0,002 (signifkan) dan untuk model ke tiga variabel interaksi (DAC*csri) menunjukan nilai signifikansi 0,743 artinya tidak signifikan. Hasil ini menunjukan bahwa variabel terukur dalam hal ini variabel pengungkapan CSR tidak dapat memoderasi pengaruh variabel manajemen laba melainkan dapat diberlakukan sebagai variabel predictor (independen).
THREECLE MODEL: PENERAPAN KEPEMIMPINAN DI PRIMEBIZ HOTEL SURABAYA
Authors: Anshori Mohamad Yusak
Published: December 2022

Primebiz Hotel Surabaya (PBS) is service company (hotel) which its service quality is determined by its human resources. The quality of its human resource much be influenced by hotel leader. Leadership has an important role in the company since leadership will influence the management style, corporate culture, working environment, and values of the company. To resolve human resources management problems, it uses threecle (three circle) model. This model was shaped from the practical management that has been implemented at Primebiz Hotel Surabaya (PBS).  In this study, various leadership models are elaborated and discussed at the PBS. The result of the implementation of this model much support the hotel management in making decision and increasing the efficiency as well as the effectiveness in the hotel operation. Implementing this model, it means increasing wisdom and fairness in making decision, especially related with the human resources issues.
THE SEMANTIC AND GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE OF UKRAINIAN PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS WITH THE COMPONENTS ЗІРКА AND ЗОРЯ
Authors: PRADID Yu. F.
Published: December 2022

The article considers the semantic and grammar structure of the phraseological units with zirka (star) and zoria (dawning) component. An overall survey of the scientific articles of the Ukrainian scholars is carried out. They studied the peculiarities of some phraseological macro- and microsystems. The microsystem of the phraseological units with zirka component is stated to be less common comparatively (46 units only) but it is very diversified in its semantic and grammar peculiarities. The analysis of the phraseological units semantics with zirka and zoria component gives grounds to assert that most PU of this microsystem mean various period relations: do zori (before the dawning) ῾very early’, do zori svitovoy (till dawn) ῾opbefore sunrise’, vid zori do zori (from dawn to dawn) ῾from early morning till late at night’, do samoi zori (until dawning) ῾till late at night, do samoy zori (till dawning) ῾till morning’ and others. The phraseological units with zirka and zoria component mean also action: byty zoriu (beat the dawn) ῾to give a sign to go to bed or to get up’ (mostly among military men), distavaty (znimaty) zori (zirky) [z neba] (to get (remove) the stars (stars) [from the sky]) ῾to do something unusual, supernatural, impossible’; reshetom u vodi zirky lovyty (to catch stars in water with a sieve) ῾waste time’; concepts: providna zirka (leading star) ῾important landmark’; shchastlyva zirka / zoria (lucky star) ῾success, luck’; zirka pershoi velychyny (first magnitude star) ῾celebrity’ (about a person who has become famous in some field of knowledge, activity, etc.)’; spacious relations, i.e. a place in the space: do zir (till the stars) ῾very high’; na tykhi vody na yasni zori (on quiet waters on clear stars) ῾return/ come back, to travel about the native lands’. As the researchers say, the phraseological units with the component zirka have the following syntactic structures as: a word-combination with a subordinate relation: providna zoria (leading dawn), byty zoriu (beat dawn), zaimatysia na zoriu (begin to dawn), or with compositional relation: ni svit ni zoria (at the crack of dawn); a simple sentence: zoria dogoraye (the dawn burns out), na svit ne zorilo (the light did not dawn), zirka (zoria) ziishla (the star (dawn) rose); a combination of words: do zori (till the dawning) chut’ zoria (hardly dawn), vid zori do zori (from dawn to dusk); a comparative sentence: yak vovk na zoriakh (like a wolf in dawn) means ῾to understand’; yak zirok (zir) na nebi (as stars (dawn) in the sky). Polysemy and variants are of the main features among the PUs with zirka and zoria component, which are inconsistently displayed in phraseological dictionaries of the Ukrainian language. Attention is drawn to the punctuation rules of some phraseological units in this microsystem. This microsystem peculiarities are advised to be compared with other phraseological microsystems.
Between field observations, notes and knowledge
Authors: Lukin Karina
Published: December 2022

This article discusses M. A. Castrén’s (1803‒1852) ethnographic notes and lectures on Samoyed peoples as part of the development of ethnography and Arctic research in the early 19th-century Russian Empire. Castrén produced several types of texts based on his two Russian expeditions, including travel narratives, letters, linguistic transcriptions and ethnographic notes. In addition, he gave lectures about the peoples he studied. The article describes the types of data Castrén collected, the way he organized it and subsequently presented to academic audiences. The academic and societal background of Castrén’s ethnography illustrated in the article, relates him to A. J. Sjögren and to the Imperial Russian and European development of ethnography. It is argued that the tensions between nationalistic aims and broader academic discussions that split Russian discussions over ethnography represented a fruitful context for imperial subjects, such as Castrén.
Kuckuck in den Glaubensvorstellungen der Saamen
Authors: Bartens Hans-Hermann
Published: December 2022

The desire to be able to look into the future and thus be prepared for what it holds, can be achieved, according to folk beliefs, by observing animals, including birds. The Saami materials scrutinized for this work mention approximately sixty different bird species which have some kind of function as an omen. The most important among them is the cuckoo, both as far as the number of mentions is concerned as well as its diffusion throughout the Saami area, which, however, does not appear to extend to the easternmost traditional areas. This observation also applies to the other bird species. As birds also hold this function in Scandinavian and Finnish tradition, the postulate that we are dealing with a shared tradition seems justified. A systematic comparison of the distinct traditions is not the aim of this paper. Nevertheless, the comparisons made reveal common features among which, however, aspects specific to the Saami area can be discerned.
The cuckoo has traditionally been one of the most feared birds. Its relationship with humans was mostly unidirectional: the cuckoo is in command while man is exposed to the magical powers of the bird. Folklore holds information on how to undo this harmful influence; in addition to warnings, there are concrete recommendations on how to counter it. There are also tales of humans simply being exposed to such influence. The harm done usually affected daily chores, but especially in the northern Saami region it could impact on a personʼs very life. Nonetheless, there are also examples of a positive relationship between bird and man such as the cuckoo’s tree. In this specific tradition, the cuckoo is again in charge, but there is genuine interaction between man and the animal.
DESKRIPSI PERAN GURU BIMBINGAN DAN KONSELING DALAM MENGATASI MASALAH KEDISIPLINAN SISWA
Authors: Saputra Kiki , Fitriani Wahidah
Published: December 2022

Abstrak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peran guru bimbingan dan konseling dalam mengatasi masalah kedisiplinan siswa SMK N 01 Pasaman dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan bahwa peran guru bimbingan dan konseling dalam mengatasi masalah kedisiplinan siswa dilakukan dengan beberapa cara, antara lain pemberian peringatan kepada siswa, pemberian bimbingan secara individu, pemberian bimbingan secara kelompok, pemanggilan orangtua siswa, pembiasaan kedisiplinan di dalam intrakurikuler maupun ekstrakurikuler.Abstract. This study aims to determine the role of guidance and counseling teachers in overcoming student discipline problems at SMK N 01 Pasaman by using a descriptive qualitative approach. The results showed that the role of guidance and counseling teachers in overcoming student discipline problems was carried out in several ways, including giving warnings to students, providing individual guidance, providing group guidance, calling students' parents, habituation of discipline in intracurricular and extracurricular activities.
PENGARUH BIAYA PENDIDIKAN TERHADAP MUTU SEKOLAH DI SEKOLAH MENENGAH PERTAMA SWASTA
Authors: Chairyani Dea , Rahman K.A , Muazza Muazza
Published: December 2022

Abstract: This study aims to determine the effect of education costs on school quality in private Junior High Schools. This research was conducted in one of the Junior High Schools in Jambi City. The method used is a qualitative approach with data collection techniques, namely observation and interviews. Based on the results of observations and interviews that have been carried out, it was found that there was a direct positive influence between the cost of education on the school quality. High school fees are very influential in carrying out activities carried out in schools to improve the quality of the school. The implication of this research is that efforts to improve the quality of schools can be done through education costs.Keywords: Cost and School Quality.
KONSELING KELOMPOK MENGGUNAKAN TEKNIK MODELING SEBAGAI LAYANAN PADA SISWA YANG MEMILIKI PERILAKU MEMBOLOS
Authors: Mustakim Ichwanul
Published: December 2022

Abstract: The habit of truancy will have a negative impact. Modeling technique is one of the techniques to reduce truancy behavior by observing socially to engage in a target behavior. This technique is carried out so that student truancy behavior can be reduced. This research is quantitative in the form of a quasi-experimental design with the design used in this study, namely: non-equevalent control group design. There were two research groups, namely: the experimental group and the control group which were both carried out pretest and posttest. the results of the treatment that have been given, it appears that there is a change in behavior in the truant class to be lower. Thus, it can be stated that modeling techniques can reduce truancy behavior in class XI students in high school.Keywords: truancy behavior, modeling technique, group counselingAbstrak: Kebiasaan membolos akan berdampak negative. Teknik Modeling merupakan salah satu Teknik untuk mengurangi perilaku membolos yaitu dengan pengamatan secara sosial untuk terlibat dalam sebuah perilaku target. Dilakukan Teknik tersebut agar perilaku membolos siswa dapat berkurang. Penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif dalam bentuk quasi exprimental design dengan desain yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu: non-equevalent control group design. Terdapat dua kelompok penelitian yaitu: kelompok eksperimen dan kelompok kontrol yang sama-sama dilakukan pretest dan posttest. hasil perlakuan yang telah diberikan, terlihat ada perubahan perilaku pada kelas membolos menjadi lebih rendah, Dengan demikian dapat dinyatakan bahwa teknik teknik modeling dapat mengurangi perilaku membolos siswa kelas XI di SMA.Kata Kunci: Perilaku Membolos, Teknik Modeling, konseling kelompok
Propuesta para elaboración de bases concentradas a partir de cebolla excedente de la producción panameña
Authors: Rohim-Domínguez Carolle , Ayala-Valdés Adrián , Luzcando-González Ana , Broce Kathia , Cedeño Cristel
Published: December 2022

En la búsqueda de mejorar diferentes aspectos de vida; acceder a alimentos sanos y cada vez más naturales, así como conformar sistemas de comercio alternativos, se hace necesario para el desarrollo sostenible. Durante el periodo agrícola 2020-2021, la producción de cebolla nacional alcanzó los 484,255 quintales, un aumento de 54.3% comparado con el periodo anterior (2019-2020), según cifras de la Dirección de Agricultura del Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario en Panamá. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo elaborar una propuesta viable de un producto innovador, bases concentradas, utilizando la cebolla de producción panameña. Para el desarrollo de estas bases concentradas se realizó la formulación, el diseño del proceso, determinación de parámetros fisicoquímicos, elaboración del etiquetado nutricional y análisis sensorial. Los resultados muestran que las bases concentradas preferidas por el panel sensorial fueron la base concentrada de cebolla ahumada y ajo y la base concentrada de sofrito panameño. En cuanto a los parámetros fisicoquímicos se encuentra diferencia en los resultados de pH, Aw, ° Brix y viscosidad esto para la base concentrada de cebolla ahumada y ajo y la base concentrada de sofrito panameño, esto debido a la inclusión de pasta de tomate y achiote a la base concentrada de sofrito panameño.  En conclusión, la utilización de la cebolla como ingrediente principal logró resaltar a nivel sensorial, esto debido a la utilización de transformaciones asociadas al proceso de ahumado.
Diseño de una Micro-Red óptima mediante el uso del recurso solar fotovoltaico en la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana – Campus Sur, utilizando el software HOMER PRO
Authors: González Ernesto , Gualotuña Daniel , Quinteros Flores Jaime Francisco
Published: December 2022

Bajo el contexto de una dependencia por el consumo de combustibles fósiles, causantes del calentamiento global, el mundo requiere energía limpia y sostenible. En los últimos años se han realizado grandes avances en el ámbito de la energía renovable y sostenible. Por lo que el desarrollo energético sostenible resulta ser fundamental para satisfacer la creciente demanda de energía, preservando a la vez la calidad medioambiental, así como los recursos naturales necesarios en el presente y para el futuro. Así mismo, para lograr esta sostenibilidad es necesario realizar una transición energética centrada en el uso de energías renovables. Las edificaciones energéticamente sostenibles tienen un papel crucial para minimizar el impacto ambiental, ya que, haciendo uso de la tecnología solar fotovoltaica, por ejemplo, son capaces de generar gran parte o la totalidad de la energía que el edificio demanda. Este documento tiene como objetivo el diseño de una microrred óptima que hace uso del recurso solar en el software Homer pro, para otorgar sostenibilidad energética a uno de los bloques de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana - Campus Sur. Para ello se hace uso de datos de irradiancia solar propia del sector, así como los datos de demanda energética del determinado bloque. Los resultados conseguidos dejan en claro que la opción de incorporar paneles solares y un banco de baterías a la microrred resulta ser la alternativa menos costosa y la que, al mismo tiempo otorga un mayor grado de sostenibilidad a la edificación.
Situación actual de la aplicación y potenciales usos de la visión artificial en la entomología agrícola en Panamá
Authors: Atencio Randy , Cruz Edmanuel
Published: December 2022

Variables como el cambio climático, las sequías, los huracanes, la deforestación y el uso indiscriminado de plaguicidas desencadenan constantemente la presencia de insectos plagas en el país, así como de potenciales plagas invasoras que encuentran las condiciones necesarias para establecerse y causar daños en los cultivos sensibles del país. La entomología agrícola se centra en el estudio de los insectos asociados a las plantas relacionadas con la agricultura, tanto los perjudiciales como los beneficiosos, dando cada vez más importancia al medio ambiente y apoyándose en los avances biotecnológicos disponibles para conservar y aumentar la biodiversidad en las zonas agrícolas. Por otra parte, hay una serie de nuevas tecnologías que pueden utilizarse en la entomología agrícola, como la visión artificial. La visión por ordenador o visión artificial es el área de investigación en torno a cómo los ordenadores ven y entienden las imágenes digitales y/o videos.  Este estudio pretende dar un enfoque de la situación actual y potenciales usos de la visión por ordenador en la entomología agrícola y examinar de manera puntual cómo puede aplicarse en Panamá. Se evalúa los retos y las técnicas de visión por ordenador e inteligencia artificial aplicadas a la entomología mediante la selección de bibliografía actual publicada sobre la temática. Asimismo, este trabajo pretende identificar las lagunas y las oportunidades con vistas a convertirse en una referencia actualizada para futuros trabajos. Se analizaron varias referencias bibliográficas, de los cuales se extrajo la información contenida y se expone la aplicabilidad de las distintas técnicas en Panamá.
Identification of pectolytic bacterial species isolated during plant bacteriosis in the Republic of Belarus
Authors: Chengyue Shao , Gorovik Yuri N. , Sidorova Swetlana G. , Evtushenkov Anatoli N.
Published: December 2022

During 2019 –2020, we selected 75 samples of potatoes, carrots, turnips, cabbage, onions, both in the field and from storage. Bacteria of the genus Pectobacterium were isolated from 60 samples. Strains of Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were also isolated. The dominant species causing soft rot and black leg of potato were Pectobacterium carotovorum, P. parmentieri, P. atrosepticum and P. brasiliense. Bacterium P. carotovorum was isolated from other vegetable crops. In samples of carrots and potatoes, strains of bacteria of the genus Bacillus were often isolated from storage. For the first time in Belarus, we found the bacterium P. brasiliense on potato plants. The results obtained on the identification and spread of soft rot bacteria in Belarus will help plan the risks associated with infections caused by these pathogens.
Liminality Affect and Flesh
Authors: Letiche Hugo , Letiche Terrence , Moriceau Jean-Luc
Published: December 2022

Liminality is an anthropological concept that has been influential in contemporary social studies. This article is written from an organisation culture and studies perspective wherein liminality has been seen: (i) as something that must be controlled, (ii) as a utopian call to creativity, and (iii) as a dystopian entrapment. Liminality has to do with whether the study of practice has been excessively cognitive whereby the human is reduced to concepts of control, efficiency and profit; and whereby the soma (Gr.) of the physical body is marginalised as mind, spirit, and ideation are prioritised. Thus, what of sarx (Gr.) or the flesh of existence (see Merleau-Ponty, Klossowski)? In this article we explore liminality evaluating its relationship to bodily-ness / bodyless-ness, affect and text. We start with a discussion of liminality as originated by the anthropologists van Gennep and Turner, and as pushed aside by Weick, but lionised as creativity by Kostera, and denounced as stagnation by Szakolczai. This is followed by an auto-ethnographic case study. The case study points to the unheimisch2of liminality which we examine via Pierre Klossowski’s manifoldness. Realising that text about liminality and its embodiment easily becomes paradoxical (unembodied and affectless), we present a non-textual (i.e., not written) visual reaction to the case; again, in the spirit of Klossowski; and we conclude with reflections co-inspired by Maurice Merlau-Ponty on the physical affectivity of liminality.
Tracing the Innovation – Decision Process for Adopting Microchip Implants: Reflections and Experiences of Estonian Employees
Authors: Siibak Andra , Otsus Marleen
Published: December 2022

Relying on the diffusion of innovations theory by Everett Rogers (1962 [2003]), the current paper traces the five steps of the innovation-decision process for adopting microchip implants in a workplace. Semi-structured individual interviews with microchipped employees (n=14) from six different organisations in Estonia were carried out to explore their opinions and experiences with adopting the use of microchip implants in their workplaces.

Our analysis indicates that social reinforcement from their colleagues played an important role in the formation of the attitudes and beliefs of our interviewees about microchip implants. In fact, a strong element of homophily existed within the social system both on the organisational and interpersonal levels. Our findings suggest that the employees who decided to get microchip implants were considered to be more loyal and dedicated, as well as more in sync with the overall goals and values of the organisation; the employees who rejected the innovation were viewed as less motivated and not as invested in their organisations. All our interviewees stressed that they were voluntary adopters of the innovation and wholeheartedly believed in the value of trade-offs between convenience and privacy.
Lifeworld and Science
Authors: Wiltsche Harald
Published: December 2022

To say that we—and with “we” I mean humanity as a whole—have big challenges ahead of us would be a massive understatement. The earth’s climate crossed several crucial tipping points this year. Our lives are still overshadowed by a pandemic whose societal repercussions we do not even begin to fathom. And we are at the brink of a new era in which our biggest evolutionary advantage so far—our intellect—will be outrivaled massively by machines. I take it for granted that the only realistic chance to deal with these challenges is science and the technology we build on the basis of scientifc insight. Of course, I am not saying that science alone will be able to save the day. But just like it took a scientifcally engineered vaccine to turn things around with COVID-19, we will need more than thoughts and prayers to preserve a su¡ciently stable biosphere for our children and grandchildren...
Placental stem cells-derived exosomes stimulate cutaneous wound regeneration via engrailed-1 inhibition
Authors: Zhang Yan , Shi Liyan , Li Xiuying , Liu Yang , Zhang Guokun , Wang Yimin
Published: December 2022

Introduction: Skin wounds generally heal by scarring, a fibrotic process mediated by the Engrailed-1 (EN1) fibroblast lineage. Scar is detrimental to tissue structure and function, but perfect healing in clinical settings remains to be explored. Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation can reduce scarring

Methods: Here, we investigated the effects of placental MSCs (pMSCs) and exosomes derived from pMSCs (pMSC-exos) on wound healing using a full-thickness rat model.

Results: The results showed that placental MSCs significantly accelerated the wound healing rate. Moreover, placental MSCs improved the quality of wound healing, including regenerating cutaneous appendages (hair follicles and sebaceous glands), decreasing collagen I and increasing collagen III, and improving collagen pattern (basket-wave-like) in the healed skin. placental MSCs treatment also increased the regeneration of blood vessels. Importantly, all these listed effects of placental MSCs were comparable to those of exosomes derived from pMSCs, but significantly stronger than those of adipose MSC-derived exosomes (aMSC-exos). Further studies showed that the effects of placental MSCs and exosomes derived from pMSCs on wound regeneration may be mainly achieved via the down-regulation of the Yes-associated protein signaling pathway, thus inhibiting the activation of EN1.

Discussion: In summary, placental MSCs could effectively stimulate wound regeneration, and their effect could be achieved through their exosomes. This suggests that exosomes derived from pMSCs treatment could be used as a novel cell-free approach to induce wound regeneration in clinical settings.
Using apple watch ECG data for heart rate variability monitoring and stress prediction: A pilot study
Authors: Velmovitsky Pedro Elkind , Alencar Paulo , Leatherdale Scott T. , Cowan Donald , Morita Plinio Pelegrini
Published: December 2022

Stress is an increasingly prevalent mental health condition that can have serious effects on human health. The development of stress prediction tools would greatly benefit public health by allowing policy initiatives and early stress-reducing interventions. The advent of mobile health technologies including smartphones and smartwatches has made it possible to collect objective, real-time, and continuous health data. We sought to pilot the collection of heart rate variability data from the Apple Watch electrocardiograph (ECG) sensor and apply machine learning techniques to develop a stress prediction tool. Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) were used to model stress based on ECG measurements and stress questionnaire data collected from 33 study participants. Data were stratified into socio-demographic classes to further explore our prediction model. Overall, the RF model performed slightly better than SVM, with results having an accuracy within the low end of state-of-the-art. Our models showed specificity in their capacity to assess “no stress” states but were less successful at capturing “stress” states. Overall, the results presented here suggest that, with further development and refinement, Apple Watch ECG sensor data could be used to develop a stress prediction tool. A wearable device capable of continuous, real-time stress monitoring would enable individuals to respond early to changes in their mental health. Furthermore, large-scale data collection from such devices would inform public health initiatives and policies.
The experience of adults with visual disabilities in two Brazilian science museums: An exploratory and qualitative study
Authors: Fernandes Mariana Pereira , Norberto Rocha Jessica
Published: December 2022

In this exploratory and qualitative study, we investigate the experience of two groups of adults with visual disabilities in two science museums in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Data collection was performed by recording their visits through a subjective camera placed on the head of one of the visitors. The analysis used three accessibility indicators and barriers as codes. The data reveals that: (a) physical accessibility—related to the internal architectural aspects—was well developed; although other elements of this indicator need improvement; (b) attitudinal accessibility was present, mostly due to the work and guidance of the museums’ educators; (c) communicational accessibility was rare in the museums, either due to a lack of diversified equipment, media or resources both for internal and external communication; (d) barriers do exist, mainly because one or more element is missing from the accessibility indicators. This study indicates that the two science museums offer accessibility strategies from the perspective of people with visual disabilities and can provide interactions, learning and science communication for this audience in different levels. However, some barriers in both institutions still need to be improved. Based on our data, results and discussions, museums and their professionals can be inspired, learn and plan an organizational change toward accessibility. Lastly, museums need to be able to learn from people with disabilities.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Teachers’ Creativity of Online Teaching Classrooms in the Saudi EFL Context
Authors: Al-khresheh Mohammad H.
Published: December 2022

The worldwide coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has engendered substantial changes for teachers and students. During this epidemic, teachers have been trying to adapt to unforeseen conditions and teaching in remarkable ways to meet the objectives of their virtual lessons. Accordingly, teachers’ creativity has been significantly affected by this severe condition. Therefore, this study aimed to explore to what extent teachers were able to enhance creativity in their classes during the pandemic from their students’ perceptions in the Saudi context of English as a foregin language. Moreover, the study sought to determine whether these perceptions diverged significantly due to students’ gender and university level and teachers’ gender. To this end, a 62-item English Language Teacher Creativity Scale with seven multi-dimensions was carried out on a group of 500 male and female university students chosen by a snowball sampling method. Results from this descriptive quantitative study showed a moderate level of creativity in the teaching styles of EFL teachers. The unexpected pandemic has affected teachers’ preparedness and limited their capacity to develop creative online teaching methods. Results have also shown no significant differences between the perceptions of students and the level of their teachers’ creativity due to students’ gender, university level, and teacher’s gender. Based on these results, limitations and recommendations were provided.
Numerical evaluation of thermal and hydrodynamic effects caused by heat production well on geothermal Phlegraean Fields
Authors: Sepede Gennaro , Alimonti Claudio , Gómez-Lopera Salvador Ángel , Ataieyan Atousa
Published: December 2022

This study describes the geothermal response of the Phlegraean Fields as well as the impact of changes in its thermal and hydrodynamic properties brought on by a deep borehole heat exchanger (DBHE). For this purpose, we have developed a specialized model based on the Galerkin Method (GM) and the iterative Newton–Raphson algorithm to perform a transient simulation of heat transfer with fluid flow in porous media by solving the related system of coupled non-linear differential equations. A two-dimensional domain characterized with an anisotropic saturated porous media and a non-uniform grid is simulated. Extreme characteristics, such as non-uniformity in the distribution of the thermal source, are implemented as well as the fluid flow boundary conditions. While simulating the undisturbed geothermal reservoir and reaching the steady temperature, stream function, and velocity components, a DBHE is placed into the domain to evaluate its impact on the thermal and fluid flow fields. This research aims to identify and investigate the variables involved in the Phlegraean Fields and provide a numerical approach to accurately simulate the thermodynamic and hydrodynamic effects induced in a reservoir by a DBHE. The results show a maximum temperature change of 107.3°C in 200 years of service in the study area and a 65-year time limit is set for sustainable geothermal energy production.
Evaluation of geographically weighted logistic model and mixed effect model in forest fire prediction in northeast China
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Yang Song , Wang Guangyu , Wang Weiwei , Xia Hongtao , Sun Shuaichao , Guo Futao
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Forest fires seriously threaten the safety of forest resources and human beings. Establishing an accurate forest fire forecasting model is crucial for forest fire management.

Methods

We used different meteorological and vegetation factors as predictors to construct forest fire prediction models for different fire prevention periods in Heilongjiang Province in northeast China. The logistic regression (LR) model, mixed-effect logistic (mixed LR) model, and geographically weighted logistic regression (GWLR) model were developed and evaluated respectively.

Results

The results showed that (1) the validation accuracies of the LR model were 77.25 and 81.76% in spring and autumn fire prevention periods, respectively. Compared with the LR model, both the mixed LR and GWLR models had significantly improved the fit and validated results, and the GWLR model performed best with an increase of 6.27 and 10.98%, respectively. (2) The three models were ranked as LR model < mixed LR model < GWLR model in predicting forest fire occurrence of Heilongjiang Province. The medium-and high-risk areas of forest fire predicted by the GWLR model were distributed in western and eastern parts of Heilongjiang Province in spring, and western part in autumn, which was consistent with the observed data. (3) Driving factors had strong temporal and spatial heterogeneities; different factors had different effects on forest fire occurrence in different time periods. The relationship between driving factors and forest fire occurrence varied from positive to negative correlations, whether it’s spring or autumn fire prevention period.

Discussion

The GWLR model has advantages in explaining the spatial variation of different factors and can provide more reliable forest fire predictions.
Case report: A de novo RASopathy-causing SHOC2 variant in a Chinese girl with noonan syndrome-like with loose anagen hair
Authors: Wang Qingming , Cheng Shuangxi , Fu Youqing , Yuan Haiming
Published: December 2022

Pathogenic variants in the RASopathy-causing SHOC2 gene have been suggested to cause Noonan syndrome-like with loose anagen hair (NS/LAH). This condition is characterized by facial features resembling Noonan syndrome (NS), short stature, growth hormone deficiency (GHD), cognitive deficits, cardiac defects, and ectodermal abnormalities, including easily pluckable, sparse, thin, slow-growing hair, hyperpigmented skin and hypernasal voice. The mutation spectrum of SHOC2 is narrow, and only 8 pathogenic variants have been identified. Here, we report a 5-year-3-month-old Chinese female who displays characteristics typical of NS and has normal neurodevelopment. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed a de novo variant (c.1231A>G, p.Thr411Ala) in SHOC2. This variant has been recently reported in one subject in the literature who displayed facial features typical of NS and also presented with significant speech delays, moderate intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, bilateral sensorineural deafness and renal dysplasia. The differential phenotypes between these subjects deserve to be further investigated. Next, we reviewed the clinical pictures of NS/LAH and noticed that a recurrent SHOC2 Ser2Gly variant was more likely to result in delayed neurodevelopment and short stature, compared to other SHOC2 variants. And growth hormone (GH) therapy could improve height prognosis. It was noticed that the slight sleep problems and friendly and relatively mature personality observed in our patient may be a novel phenotype of NS/LAH. Our study reconfirms the pathogenic nature of the SHOC2 Thr411Ala variant. It also provides insights into the genotype-phenotype relationship in NS/LAH and a foundation for its genetic counseling, diagnosis and treatment.
TP53-related signature for predicting prognosis and tumor microenvironment characteristics in bladder cancer: A multi-omics study
Authors: Tao Yuting , Li Xia , Zhang Yushan , He Liangyu , Lu Qinchen , Wang Yaobang , Pan Lixin , Wang Zhenxing , Feng Chao , Xie Yuanliang , Lai Zhiyong , Li Tianyu , Tang Zhong , Wang Qiuyan , Wang Xi
Published: December 2022

Background: The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is frequently mutated or inactivated in bladder cancer (BLCA), which is implicated in the pathogenesis of tumor. However, the cellular mechanisms of TP53 mutations are complicated, yet well-defined, but their clinical prognostic value in the management of BLCA remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the role of TP53 mutation in regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME), elucidate the effects of TP53 activity on BLCA prognosis and immunotherapy response.

Methods: A TP53-related signature based on TP53-induced and TP53-repressed genes was used to construct a TP53 activity-related score and classifier. The abundance of different immune cell types was determined using CIBERSORT to estimate immune cell infiltration. Moreover, the heterogeneity of the tumor immune microenvironment between the high and low TP53 score groups was further evaluated using single-cell mass cytometry (CyTOF) and imaging mass cytometry (IMC). Moreover, pathway enrichment analysis was performed to explore the differential biological functions between tumor epithelial cells with high and low TP53 activity scores. Finally, the receptor–ligand interactions between immune cells and tumor epithelial cells harboring distinct TP53 activity were analyzed by single-cell RNA-sequencing.

Results: The TP53 activity-related gene signature differentiated well between TP53 functional retention and inactivation in BLCA. BLCA patients with low TP53 scores had worse survival prognosis, more TP53 mutations, higher grade, and stronger lymph node metastasis than those with high TP53 scores. Additionally, CyTOF and IMC analyses revealed that BLCA patients with low TP53 scores exhibited a potent immunosuppressive TME. Consistently, single-cell sequencing results showed that tumor epithelial cells with low TP53 scores were significantly associated with high cell proliferation and stemness abilities and strongly interacted with immunosuppressive receptor–ligand pairs.

Conclusion: BLCA patients with low TP53 scores have a worse prognosis and a more immunosuppressive TME. This TP53 activity-related signature can serve as a potential prognostic signature for predicting the immune response, which may facilitate the development of new strategies for immunotherapy in BLCA.
Exploring biomarkers for prognosis and neoadjuvant chemosensitivity in rectal cancer: Multi-omics and ctDNA sequencing collaboration
Authors: Jiang Xiu-Feng , Zhang Bo-Miao , Du Fen-Qi , Guo Jun-Nan , Wang Dan , Li Yi-En , Deng Shen-Hui , Cui Bin-Bin , Liu Yan-Long
Published: December 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to identified the key genes and sequencing metrics for predicting prognosis and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) in rectal cancer (RC) based on genomic DNA sequencing in samples with different origin and multi-omics association database.

Methods

We collected 16 RC patients and obtained DNA sequencing data from cancer tissues and plasma cell-free DNA before and after nCT. Various gene variations were analyzed, including single nucleotide variants (SNV), copy number variation (CNV), tumor mutation burden (TMB), copy number instability (CNI) and mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH). We also identified genes by which CNV level can differentiate the response to nCT. The Cancer Genome Atlas database and the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium database were used to further evaluate the specific role of therapeutic relevant genes and screen out the key genes in multi-omics levels. After the intersection of the screened genes from differential expression analysis, survival analysis and principal components analysis dimensionality reduction cluster analysis, the key genes were finally identified.

Results

The genes CNV level of principal component genes in baseline blood and cancer tissues could significantly distinguish the two groups of patients. The CNV of HSP90AA1, EGFR, SRC, MTOR, etc. were relatively gained in the better group compared with the poor group in baseline blood. The CNI and TMB was significantly different between the two groups. The increased expression of HSP90AA1, EGFR, and SRC was associated with increased sensitivity to multiple chemotherapeutic drugs. The nCT predictive score obtained by therapeutic relevant genes could be a potential prognostic indicator, and the combination with TMB could further refine prognostic prediction for patients. After a series of analysis in multi-omics association database, EGFR and HSP90AA1 with significant differences in multiple aspects were identified as the key predictive genes related to prognosis and the sensitivity of nCT.

Discussion

This work revealed that effective combined application and analysis in multi-omics data are critical to search for predictive biomarkers. The key genes EGFR and HSP90AA1 could serve as an effective biomarker to predict prognose and neoadjuvant chemosensitivity.
Myeloid-derived suppressor cell: A crucial player in autoimmune diseases
Authors: Xu Dandan , Li Cheng , Xu Yushan , Huang Mingyue , Cui Dawei , Xie Jue
Published: December 2022

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are identified as a highly heterogeneous group of immature cells derived from bone marrow and play critical immunosuppressive functions in autoimmune diseases. Accumulating evidence indicates that the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases was closely related to genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications, with the latter more common. Epigenetic modifications, which involve DNA methylation, covalent histone modification, and non-coding RNA-mediated regulation, refer to inheritable and potentially reversible changes in DNA and chromatin that regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Recently, numerous reports have shown that epigenetic modifications in MDSCs play important roles in the differentiation and development of MDSCs and their suppressive functions. The molecular mechanisms of differentiation and development of MDSCs and their regulatory roles in the initiation and progression of autoimmune diseases have been extensively studied, but the exact function of MDSCs remains controversial. Therefore, the biological and epigenetic regulation of MDSCs in autoimmune diseases still needs to be further characterized. This review provides a detailed summary of the current research on the regulatory roles of DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in the development and immunosuppressive activity of MDSCs, and further summarizes the distinct role of MDSCs in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, in order to provide help for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases from the perspective of epigenetic regulation of MDSCs.