bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dance of Orientalisms and waves of catastrophes: culturalism and pragmatism in imperial approaches to Islam and the Middle East
Authors: Arat-Koc Sedef
Published: September 2023

This article focuses on a seeming contradiction between ‘Islamophobic’ and ‘Islamophilic’ approaches in contemporary Western policies and discourses on the Middle East. While Islamophobia continues to shape some domestic policies of Western states and provide ideological justification for the wars they wage abroad, ‘Islamophilic’ tendencies in foreign policy have also emerged, especially in responses to the ‘Arab Spring’. Not clearly noted in Western public discourse, this represents a historical continuation of Western support for Islamism common during the Cold War, but is also a shift from the Islamophobic discourse of the post-cold war period, especially since 9/11. While Islamophobic and Islamophilic discourses may appear to be opposites, the paper argues that they represent two sides of the Orientalist logic, continuing to reduce understanding of Middle Eastern societies and politics to a culturalist dimension. Unlike traditional Orientalism, they treat Middle Eastern people as political subjects, but approach them as defined by their culture and religion. They define ‘moderate’ Islamism as the typical (and preferred) politics of the people of the region. Focusing on specific recent developments, the paper suggests that, rather than paving the way to more peaceful relations with the region or to internal peace and stability there, the Islamophilic shift in Western policy may rather lead to new waves of catastrophes by further destabilising and fragmenting the region, threatening to evoke new waves of Islamophobia in the West. 
In the Privacy of our own Home: Foreign Domestic Workers as Solution to the Crisis in the Domestic Sphere in Canada
Authors: Arat-Koc Sedef
Published: September 2023

Despite marked increases in the participation of women in the labour force, neither the availability and quality of socialized child care arrangements nor the division of housework between men and women appear to have changed radically. The structure, demands and pressures of the labour market in Canada allow for less flexibility in the accommodation of family needs and responsibilities than is the case in several European countries. Under these circumstances, housework and child care remain private burdens to be shouldered mainly by women, who must either work double and triple days or find substitutes. 
Sivas’ta 1960 sonrası alternatif konut sunumları bağlamında sosyal konutlar
Authors: KOÇ Pınar , TUZTAŞI Uğur
Published: September 2023

Bu metin, Sivas ölçeğinde modernizm uzantılı olarak 1960’lardan sonra kentsel ölçeğe dahil edilen alternatif konut sunumlarını analiz etmektedir. Çalışmada konut sunumlarının modern konut düzenekleriyle olan bağıntıları gözetilerek, üretim biçimindeki öznelliğinin ortaya çıkarılması amaçlanmıştır. Bu bağlamda modern konut tipolojisinin kentsel dokudaki tarihsel izleği ve konut tipolojisinin 1960’lara kadar uzantıları tipolojik çeşitlilik ve değişkenlik bağlamında değerlendirilmiştir. Gözlem ve belgelemeye dayanan bir alan çalışmasından oluşan çalışmada örneklem olarak; Belediye Sosyal Konutları, Dedebalı Mahallesi Konutları ile 94 Evler olarak bilinen konut sunumları değerlendirilmiştir. Değerlendirmede konut sunumları planimetrik kuruluş, kentsel mekân ilişkileri gibi tasarım prensipleri bağlamında analiz edilmiş olup ayrıca konut sunumlarındaki geleneksel barınma pratiğinden devşirilen mekânsal öğelere ilişkin saptamalar yapılmıştır. Sonuçta, 1960 sonrasının ürünü olan bu pratikler, hem ülke genelindeki sosyal konut örneklerine benzer mekânsal donatıları, hem de yerel konut morfolojisinden aktarımları içermesi bağlamında özgün konut sunumlarıdır.
User satisfaction of residential open and green spaces: Neigbourhood or mass housing?
Authors: BAHADIR Beyza , KART AKTAŞ Nilüfer
Published: September 2023

Neighborhoods and mass housings are important human living environments. Especially in residential open and green spaces, people spend time and interact with each other. The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze user satisfaction of green spaces in line with quality criteria on mass housing and neighborhood scales. Mass housing and neighborhood samples have been identified to ensure comparison in two sample groups. Within the scope of the study, total 768 surveys were conducted to determine the satisfactions, opinions and suggestions of the users regarding open and green spaces in the neighborhood and mass housing examples. In this context, frequency analysis, independent groups T-test and One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi square tests were used based on the groups. Green spaces enhance the quality of life with the opportunities and the benefits they provide to societies. As a result of the study, it is observed that the quality of life and user satisfaction in green spaces are higher in mass housing.
Bir simge yapının mimari tarihçesi: Yapımından günümüze Karaköy Camisi
Authors: ERKMEN Alev , YILMAZ Sultan
Published: September 2023

Karaköy Camisi, İstanbul Beyoğlu’nda Karaköy Meydanı’nda Ziraat Bankası binasının kuzeyindeki yapı adasının batı ucunda konumlanmaktaydı. Sokak kotunda iki katlı dükkânların üzerinde yükselen merkezi mekânlı, küçük ölçekli bir semt camisiydi. Merzifonlu Kara Mustafa Paşa Vakfı’na bağlı olarak ilk defa on yedinci yüzyılda inşa edilen cami on dokuzuncu yüzyıl sonlarında harap olup kullanılamaz hale gelince Sultan II. Abdülhamid (h.d. 1876-1909) tarafından yeniden yaptırılmasına karar verildi. Sultan, bu iş için 1893’te İstanbul’a gelen ve saray mimarı olarak kentte geçirdiği on beş senede İstanbul mimarlık üretimine önemli katkılarda bulunan İtalyan mimar Raimondo D’Aronco’yu görevlendirdi. Esasında Karaköy Camisi için hazırlanmış ve Udine arşivinde saklanan üç farklı proje önerisi1 daha vardır. D’Aronconun projesi bu öneriler arasından seçilmiştir. 1903-1909 yıllarında Art Nouveau üslubuyla inşa edilen cami güçlü bir plastik etkiye sahipti. Meydana doğru öne çıkan bir konumda bulunduğundan kullanımda olduğu yıllarda çekilen pek çok Karaköy fotoğrafında görülebilmektedir. İstanbul’da 1956-1960 yılları arasında gerçekleştirilen imar faaliyetlerinden Karaköy Camisi de etkilendi. Karaköy Meydanı’nı genişletme gerekçesiyle 1958’de caminin Kınalıada’da yeniden inşa edilmek üzere taşınmasına karar verildi. Bu maksatla sökülen cami parçaları kayboldu ve yeniden yapım gerçekleştirilmedi. Yıkımının üzerinden elli iki yıl geçtikten sonra İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi’nin 2010’da onayladığı Koruma Amaçlı Uygulama İmar Planına göre Karaköy Camisi’nin rekonstrüksiyonunu öngören yasal düzenlemeler yapıldı.Mimarlık tarihinde önemli bir yapı olmasına karşın Karaköy Camisi’nin bir monografisi yoktur. Bu çalışma günümüzde ulaşılan tarihsel belgelere dayanarak bu önemli yapının tarihçesini sunmayı amaçlamaktadır.
Analisa Model Pembelajaran Anak Usia Dini Pada Masa Antroposen
Authors: Herlina Marliani
Published: September 2023

Selama abad terakhir, cara hidup manusia telah mulai melampaui batas-batas biofisik Bumi dengan cara yang mengkhawatirkan. Pengaruh biofisik bumi lebih dramatis dan tahan lama daripada sebelumnya. Banyak peneliti yang berpendapat bahwa umat manusia sudah menciptakan zaman geologi baru, yang mereka sebut Antroposen. Pendidikan, bahkan pada anak usia dini, sering dihadirkan sebagai obat untuk masalah yang kompleks ini. Namun, bagaimana orang bisa mempersiapkan anak kecil untuk menghadapinya dengan perubahan yang luar biasa seperti itu. Tujuan utama dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendefinisikan dan menguraikan misi pendidikan anak usia dini di zaman Antroposen. Metode penelitian ini menggunakan tinjauan literatur yang komprehensif, yang telah mencoba menemukan jawaban tentang bagaimana Antroposen dapat ditangani di pendidikan anak usia dini. Kami telah mencari jawaban dalam literatur ilmu alam, dokumen kebijakan, artikel penelitian pendidikan dan filsafat, dan mendiskusikan berbagai sudut pandang yang telah kami identifikasi. Kami berpendapat bahwa Antroposen menuntut pendidikan baru yang lebih otentik; perubahan menuju pendekatan yang lebih holistik, transformatif, dan berorientasi pada keberlanjutan. Pada saat yang sama, anak-anak seperti biasa memiliki hak atas masa kanak-kanak yang aman, positif, dan membesarkan hati.
Analisa MBPH: Nasi Sumsum sebagai Pangan Ekonomi bagi Masyarakat Tangerang Selatan
Authors: Aropria Saulina Panjaitan  , Suryani Purnama  , Lista Meria
Published: September 2023

Maraknya penggunaan model dalam pembelajaran sejarah di negara modern telah mempengaruhi pendidikan di Indonesia. seperti mengikuti Gaya pembelajaran modern di kelas tanpa memperhatikan latar belakang sosial budaya mahasiswa. Namun, penggunaan sebenarnya dari ini tidak membuat proses pembelajaran berjalan lancar seperti yang dibayangkan dan diharapkan. Meskipun telah ada Banyak penelitian yang dilakukan oleh para ilmuwan dan pemerhati pendidikan menyatakan bahwa penggunaan model dalam sejarah sangat efektif dalam membangun suasana belajar yang lebih bermakna. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis keefektifan Model Pembelajaran Berpikir Sejarah (MPBH) dalam rangka pembentukan pemahaman tentang bahan dasar nasi sum-sum ebagai makanan penyelamat masyarakat Tangerang selatan. Mata pelajaran yang akan dipelajari mahasiswa, yaitu mata kuliah sejarah sosial. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa belajar melalui MPBH mendorong siswa untuk memahami masa lampau, mengurai bagian-bagian cerita sejarah, dan menemukan maknanya berlatih mengembangkan kemampuan berpikir. Sehingga pembelajaran sejarah mampu mengembangkan pemikiran yang mengedepankan prinsip. Oleh karena itu, MPBH sangat efektif dalam pembelajaran perilaku akademik mahasiswa budaya dalam mempelajari sejarah sosial tentang hal ini. Materi yang akan dipelajari adalah mata kuliah sejarah sosial
Strategi Pendidikan Dasar untuk Menghadapi Tantangan Era Kurikulum Digital dengan Studi Empiris
Authors: Setyowati Widhy , Jason Moscato  , Chioke Embre
Published: September 2023

Perkembangan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi telah membawa perubahan paradigma dalam dunia pendidikan. Era kurikulum digital menuntut adanya adaptasi dan strategi yang tepat dalam menyikapi tantangan baru dalam proses pembelajaran di tingkat pendidikan dasar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dan mengidentifikasi strategi pendidikan dasar yang efektif dalam menghadapi perubahan kurikulum digital, dengan menggunakan pendekatan studi empiris. Penelitian ini mengadopsi metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi empiris. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi kelas, wawancara dengan guru dan siswa, serta studi dokumentasi terkait implementasi kurikulum digital di sekolah-sekolah dasar. Partisipan penelitian terdiri dari guru-guru dan siswa-siswa dari beberapa sekolah dasar yang telah mengimplementasikan kurikulum digital dalam proses pembelajaran.Penelitian ini memberikan kontribusi penting dalam merumuskan strategi pendidikan dasar yang efektif untuk menghadapi tantangan era kurikulum digital. Hasil temuan ini diharapkan dapat menjadi referensi bagi pihak-pihak terkait dalam memperbaiki sistem pendidikan dasar dan menyongsong masa depan pendidikan yang lebih inovatif dan adaptif dengan perkembangan teknologi
Teologi Islam Moderat Berbasis Intellectual Humility Kiai Sholeh Bahruddin: Perspektif Psikologi Positif
Authors: Zuhri Achmad Muhibin
Published: September 2023

This study explores moderate Islamic theology with a focus on applying the concept of intellectual humility by Kiai Haji Sholeh Bahruddin. Intellectual humility is a humble attitude that acknowledges human knowledge's limitations. The purpose of this study is to explore how the principle of intellectual humility can influence Kiai Haji Sholeh Bahruddin's view of religion and society, as well as its positive impact from a positive psychology perspective. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a phenomenological approach. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with Kiai Haji Sholeh Bahruddin, as well as analysis of documents related to his views on moderate Islamic theology. Data analysis was carried out in the following steps: first, identifying the beliefs and values of moderate Islamic theology as applied by Kiai Haji Sholeh Bahruddin; second, describing how intellectual humility is reflected in the approach and views of Kiai Haji Sholeh Bahruddin; third, analyze the positive impact of the application of intellectual humility in forming an inter-religious dialogue, tolerance, and harmonious relations in society. The results of this study reveal that Kiai Haji Sholeh Bahruddin applies intellectual humility in his interpretation and communication of Islamic teachings, which opens up space for more open interreligious dialogue and acceptance of different views. This research aims to support the importance of a moderate approach to religion and show that intellectual humility can be an important instrument in building an inclusive and harmonious society.
Klasifikasi Massa Batuan menggunakan Geological Strenght Index (GSI) di Desa Nupabomba Kecamatan Tanantovea Palu Sulawesi Tengah
Authors: Janat Nunik Rezkiarti , Ninasafitri Ninasafitri
Published: September 2023

Klasifikasi massa batuan digunakan untuk mengidentifikasi karakteristik massa batuan di setiap lereng, dimana lereng-lereng yang terlihat rawan longsor. Sebelum melakukan identifikasi awal untuk bidang longsor, penting mengentahui klasifikasi massa batuan di daerah penelitian. Desa Nupabomba merupakan jalan trans yang terhubung ke seluruh wilayah Sulawesi tengah. Formasi batuan didaerah penelitian terdiri dari formasi molass dengan formasi metamorf. Terdiri dari batu pasir, batu lempung , batu sabak, gneiss dan sekis yang sudah lapuk. Nilai klasifikasi massa batuan berdasarkan GSI diperloeh untuk stasiun 1 dengan bobot 25 yang berarti kondisi massa batuannya dalam keadaan buruk/fair. Sedangkan untuk stasiun 2 diperoleh bobot GSI sebesar 45 yang dinyatakan dalam keadaan sedang. Diperlukan penyelidikan lebih lanjut untuk mengetahui tingkat kestabilan lereng di daerah penelitian berdasarkan data GSI.
Investigasi Tanah Berdasarkan Data Sondir dan Data Geolistrik Pada Gedung Aula UNSULBAR
Authors: Okviyani Nur , Ridhayani Irma , Suryani Herni , Sainuddin Sainuddin , Adriani Adriani , Amirullah Amirullah
Published: September 2023

Penelusuran tanah untuk pondasi di Indonesia umumnya memakai Conus Penetration Test (CPT) atau Sounding / Uji Sondir yang berfungsi untuk mengetahui letak kedalaman tanah keras namun terdapat metode lain untuk mengetahui lapisan tanah dibawah permukaan yaitu metode geolistrik. Tujuan penelitian ini mengkorelasikan nilai tekanan konus dengan hasil pemodelan struktur bawah permukaan tanah untuk menentukan kedalaman tanah massif. Metode penyelidikan tanah menggunakan pengujian langsung menggunakan uji sondir dan alat geolistrik konfigurasi wenner-schlumberger. Hasil uji sondir pada lokasi penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kedalaman tanah keras pada titik uji 1 berhenti kedalaman 3.20 m dengan nilai qc sebesar 200 kg/cm2, titik uji 2 berhenti pada kedalaman 3.60 m dengan nilai qc sebesar 250 kg/cm2 dan pada titik uji 3 berhenti hingga kedalaman 5.80 m dengan nilai qc sebesar 250 kg/cm2 sedangkan nilai resistivitas dari hasil geolistrik menunjukkan dominan resistivitas rendah 0- 28 ohm.m dan lebih dari 28 ohm.m pada kedalaman 5 m menerus hingga kedalaman 50 m. Korelasi antara nilai resistivitas dan tahanan konus menunjukan keterdapatan tanah padat dengan resistivitas 28 ohm.m dan nilai tahanan konus 100 kg/cm2 pada kedalaman 5 m.Kata kunci: Investigasi Tanah, CPT, Resistivitas
Interview: Maggie Shepherd
Authors: Shepherd Maggie
Published: September 2023

Maggie Shepherd | Associate Director for Nursing Research; Consultant Nurse, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; and Honorary Clinical Professor of Monogenic Diabetes, University of Exeter, UK
The Right to Work – How A Human Rights Treaty Reduce The Informal Economy
Authors: Gahagan Christopher
Published: September 2023

International treaties such as CEDAW have been shown to have significant effects on women’s political and health outcomes. However, we know little about CEDAW’s effect on economic outcomes. I argue that ratification reduces informal economic activity by reducing barriers for women in the formal sector. Using matching and difference-in-differences, I show ratification reduced informality by nearly half a percent of GDP globally, with heterogeneous impacts of nearly 1% of GDP on different subsamples. Additionally, I show the mechanism by which ratification works through is the elimination of formal barriers to work for women. This work contributes to research in multiple fields such as international organizations, human rights, and the informal economy literature by explicitly linking a human rights treaty to the size of a country’s informal economy. Thus, shedding light on the effects of international human rights treaties on economic outcomes and generating new insights and avenues for future research.
The Use of CD200 in the Differential Diagnosis of B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders
Authors: Al-Zubaidi Hanaan Kareem , Hughes Stephen Fôn
Published: September 2023

Background: B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders (B-LPDs) are a group of heterogenous disorders characterised by the accumulation of B-cells in peripheral blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen. They have a variable disease course and outcome and many share similar features making differential diagnosis challenging. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is fundamental in particular for determining treatment options. Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of B-LPDs. However, overlapping immunophenotyping patterns exist and the use of novel monoclonal antibodies has become increasingly important in immunophenotyping analysis. More recently differential expression of CD200 has been reported in various B-LPDs and that CD200 may improve the differentiation between chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). In this study CD200 expression is evaluated in different B-LPDs.

Methods: A total of 100 samples were collected and analysed by immunophenotyping flow cytometry over a period of 1 year (2017–2018), by a panel of monoclonal antibodies including CD200. The percentage of CD200 and its expression intensity was evaluated and compared between different groups of B-LPDs.

Results: All of the 50 cases of CLL expressed CD200 with moderate to bright intensity, 6 MCL cases lacked the expression of CD200. Furthermore, all 5 cases of hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) expressed CD200. Out of all B-LPDs evaluated, CD200 expression in HCL cases was noted to be the brightest. The other 39 cases were not found to be B-LPDs.

Conclusion: CD200 has an important role in differentiating CLL from MCL, HCL has a consistent bright expression of CD200. By adding CD200 to the combinations of markers in routine testing panel, Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry can be an effective tool in the diagnosis of B-LPDs especially in cases with atypical immunophenotyping pattern. Our result support that CD200 can be added to routine testing panel as it is useful in differentiating them.
Hyperactive KRAS/MAPK signaling disrupts normal lymphatic vessel architecture and function
Authors: Fernandes Lorenzo M. , Tresemer Jeffrey , Zhang Jing , Rios Jonathan J. , Scallan Joshua P. , Dellinger Michael T.
Published: September 2023

Complex lymphatic anomalies (CLAs) are sporadically occurring diseases caused by the maldevelopment of lymphatic vessels. We and others recently reported that somatic activating mutations in KRAS can cause CLAs. However, the mechanisms by which activating KRAS mutations cause CLAs are poorly understood. Here, we show that KRASG12D expression in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) during embryonic development impairs the formation of lymphovenous valves and causes the enlargement of lymphatic vessels. We demonstrate that KRASG12D expression in primary human LECs induces cell spindling, proliferation, and migration. It also increases AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and decreases the expression of genes that regulate the maturation of lymphatic vessels. We show that MEK1/2 inhibition with the FDA-approved drug trametinib suppresses KRASG12D-induced morphological changes, proliferation, and migration. Trametinib also decreases ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increases the expression of genes that regulate the maturation of lymphatic vessels. We also show that trametinib and Cre-mediated expression of a dominant-negative form of MEK1 (Map2k1K97M) suppresses KRASG12D-induced lymphatic vessel hyperplasia in embryos. Last, we demonstrate that conditional knockout of wild-type Kras in LECs does not affect the formation or function of lymphatic vessels. Together, our data indicate that KRAS/MAPK signaling must be tightly regulated during embryonic development for the proper development of lymphatic vessels and further support the testing of MEK1/2 inhibitors for treating CLAs.
Synthesis, in silico and in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of substituted arylidene-based quinazolin-4(3H)-one motifs
Authors: Oduselu Gbolahan O. , Aderohunmu Damilola V. , Ajani Olayinka O. , Elebiju Oluwadunni F. , Ogunnupebi Temitope A. , Adebiyi Ezekiel
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives have attracted considerable attention in the pharmacological profiling of therapeutic drug targets. The present article reveals the development of arylidene-based quinazolin-4(3H)-one motifs as potential antimicrobial drug candidates.

Methods: The synthetic pathway was initiated through thermal cyclization of acetic anhydride on anthranilic acid to produce 2-methyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazan-4-one 1, which (upon condensation with hydrazine hydrate) gave 3-amino-2-methylquinazolin-4(3H)-one 2. The reaction of intermediate 2 at its amino side arm with various benzaldehyde derivatives furnished the final products, in the form of substituted benzylidene-based quinazolin-4(3H)-one motifs 3a–l, and with thiophene-2-carbaldehyde to afford 3 m. The purified targeted products 3a–m were effectively characterized for structural authentication using physicochemical parameters, microanalytical data, and spectroscopic methods, including IR, UV, and 1H- and 13C-NMR, as well as mass spectral data. The substituted arylidene-based quinazolin-4(3H)-one motifs 3a–m were screened for both in silico and in vitro antimicrobial properties against selected bacteria and fungi. The in silico studies carried out consisted of predicted ADMET screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. Furthermore, in vitro experimental validation was performed using the agar diffusion method, and the standard antibacterial and antifungal drugs used were gentamicin and ketoconazole, respectively.

Results and discussion: Most of the compounds possessed good binding affinities according to the molecular docking studies, while MD simulation revealed their levels of structural stability in the protein–ligand complexes. 2-methyl-3-((thiophen-2-ylmethylene)amino) quinazolin-4(3H)-one 3 m emerged as both the most active antibacterial agent (with an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 1.95 μg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus and the most active antifungal agent (with an MIC value of 3.90 μg/mL) against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Rhizopus nigricans.
Learning from West African storytellers
Authors: Bakare Ayomide , Ciancarini Paolo , Farina Mirko , Kruglov Artem , Okonicha Ozioma , Smirnova Marina , Succi Giancarlo
Published: September 2023

Several research works propose non-textual alternatives to textual documentation and similar forms of representing information in software development. This is because of the problems that stem from writing these documents, which range from incomprehensible requirements to ambiguous user stories. The various proposals of researchers often contain some trace of oral or visual communication. In this paper, we study the implications of eliminating textual communication and substituting unnecessary writing by extracting the values of West African oral storytellers. Traditional West African communities did not make use of writing for thousands of years and yet their legends, customs, beliefs, and knowledge were effectively transmitted across several generations. How did they manage to accomplish this? What can we learn from their storytellers? How can these lessons be applied to software products? These are all questions that this paper attempts to answer. Perhaps if we fully understand how they operated, then we can target our written communication to the activities where it is needed instead of spreading writing across plenty of tasks as it is currently. To achieve this, we performed an analysis of the two domains: West African oral storytelling and software development and found similarities, then selected some key elements from oral storytelling and explained how they can have relevance in software development. The theme directly encompasses diversity and inclusion by bringing into software engineering a perspective of a region where its literacy research is scarcely being explored. The study found that traditional oral storytelling can provide insights into effective communication and audience engagement, and identified four ways in which software development can be compared to oral storytelling. The study also found that certain elements of storytelling, such as audience relationship, story structure, parables and proverbs, and community relaxation and support, can be applied to writing tasks in software development.
Enhanced recovery in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and MTHFR 677 TT genotype after taking high-dose folic acid supplements during mid-late pregnancy: an open-label interventional study
Authors: Ying Jun , Zhang Jie , Li Piyu , Liu Lu , Li Yan , Lau Winnie W.Y. , Chu Qiao , Wu Benqing , Wang Xiaonan , Zhang Hui
Published: September 2023

Objective

To explore the relationship between folic acid supplementation and the recovery rate of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women with methylenetetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) 677 TT genotypes in mid-late pregnancy.

Methods

9, 096 pregnant women were recruited with their MTHFR gene genotyped. 5,111 women underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and 2,097 were confirmed with GDM. The association between MTHFR genotypes and GDM risk was estimated using logistic and log-binomial regression, with age and parity set as the covariates to control their confounding effects. Further assessment of GDM risk on glucose levels was done using the ANCOVA model. As an open-label intervention study, 53 GDM patients with TT genotype were prescribed 800μg/day of folic acid as the high-dose group, while 201 GDM patients were given 400μg/day as the standard-dose group at their 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. A rate ratio (RR) of GDM recovery was estimated at each available time point for both groups. The time-to-GDM persistence events were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox-regression model. The trend of glucose levels over time was estimated using the linear model.

Results

MTHFR 677 TT genotype has no significant association with the glucose levels and GDM risk, with an adjusted OR of 1.105 (95% CI 0.853, 1.431; p=0.452) and an adjusted PR of 1.050 (95% CI 0.906, 1.216; p=0.518) compared to the wildtype CC group. Patients in the high-dose group (n=38; 15 drop-outs; 40.69 days (95% CI 33.22, 48.15)) recovered from GDM approximately 27 days faster than those in the standard-dose group (n=133; 68 drop-outs; 68.09 days (95% CI 63.08, 73.11)). Concomitantly, the RR of GDM recovery rose and reached 1.247 (95% CI 1.026, 1.515) at 100 days of treatment with the standard-dose group as reference.

Conclusion

High-dose folic acid supplement intake in mid-late pregnancy is associated with faster GDM relief in patients with MTHFR 677 TT genotype compared to the standard dose, which would be served as a novel and low-cost alternative therapy for the treatment of GDM.
Statin treatment is not associated with an increased risk of adrenal insufficiency in real-world setting
Authors: Maumus-Robert Sandy , Jarne-Munoz Ana , Pariente Antoine , Duroux Thomas , Duranteau Lise , Bezin Julien
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Statins could reduce the synthesis of steroid hormones, thereby could cause adrenal insufficiency. We investigated this risk in a large nationwide database.

Methods

We conducted a nested case-control study using a cohort of individuals affiliated to the French health insurance system in 2010, ≥18y and without adrenal insufficiency history. Each case had a first event of adrenal insufficiency between 2015 and 2017 and was matched to up to ten controls on age, sex, and prior treatment with corticosteroids. Statin exposure was measured over the five years preceding the index date, considering a six-month censoring lag-time. Association was estimated using a conditional logistic regression adjusted for confounders included in a disease risk score. Analyses were stratified on age, sex and corticosteroid history of use.

Results

4 492 cases of adrenal insufficiency were compared with 44 798 controls (median age 66y, 58% women), of which 39% vs. 33% were exposed to statins, respectively. No association between statin use and adrenal insufficiency was found when adjusting the model for confounders (adjusted odds ratio 0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.90-1.05). These results were consistent regardless of the exposure definition and stratifications considered.

Conclusion

Statin-related adrenal insufficiency risk, if any, seems to be very limited and does not compromise the benefit of statin treatment.
Low carbon and environmental preservation of residential buildings: MOESOM
Authors: Liang Nan , Yu Mengxuan
Published: September 2023

Introduction: The crucial transition toward carbon neutrality is developing and adopting low-carbon buildings and communities to achieve the recycling and reuse of resources and to minimize the damage to the natural environment by humans. Energy saving for residential buildings is essential for enhancing cost-effectiveness and redundant energy drain. Considering the increasing attention to energy conservation and the accessibility of sustainable energy sources, common energy-saving solutions expose inherent inadequacies limiting their effectiveness. The ineffectual use of traditional energy sources can result in waste, greater operating costs, and excessive energy consumption in residential structures.

Methods: Hence, a Multi-Objective Energy-Saving Optimization Method (MOESOM) has been proposed to optimize energy use and conservation in residential buildings in southern Anhui, China. The proposed approach examines lower operational costs and carbon emissions by using green energy sources and encouraging effective energy consumption habits. The suggested Multi-Objective Energy-Saving Optimization Method technique offers insight into energy saving by utilizing green energy sources and confining energy uses. The multi-objective turns around energy saving and resource usage for decreasing operational costs and averting carbon emissions. Thus, the suggested technique is verified utilizing the Osprey Optimization Algorithm (OOA); the detailed goal is recognized utilizing the multiple objectives described. Based on the progress of low-carbon emissions and energy saving, the number of iterations for augmenting Osprey agents is identified. This agent-based optimization is executed if the novel augmented agent fulfills any of the trailing progression. The emission control level and energy-saving factor are assessed considering the variance between new and old agent progression. This encourages the various objectives to be fulfilled under similar criteria balancing their outcomes.

Results and discussion: The output from different Osprey agents is induced for consecutive objectives and optimization factors. Then, the system ensures 8.97% energy savings and 8.04% high objectives compared to the other methods.
Effect of land use on carbon-, nitrogen- and silica soil stocks in the South African bushveld
Authors: Bal K. D. , Louw V. , Struyf E. , Sara J. R. , Le Roux J. , Ayisi K. K. , Schoelynck J.
Published: September 2023

Anthropogenic land use alters soil properties and influences biological transformations in the root zone, thereby affecting the distribution and supply of soil nutrients. It is generally acknowledged that human land-use activities such as intensive cattle farming and cultivation of citrus products lead to a homogenization of soil nutrients. This research aims at investigating the heterogeneity in soil nutrient stocks and BSi stocks (a beneficial plant element) within the Savannah biome of South Africa. In this study, C-N-Si stocks and their ratios were quantified in the soil of five different land use types, common in South Africa. The five different land use types are i) bush savannahs, ii) mopane-dominated woodlands, iii) annually burned land, iv) communal grazing land and v) citrus orchards. Empirical research however could not fully validate this hypothesis. In particular fire management and game farming (natural land use type) led to more variability in nutrient pools, with occasional occurrences of C-N-Si hotspots. Our results suggest that when ecosystem analysis of soil nutrient and carbon stocks is handled as a homogeneous unit potentially large mistakes are made, even in anthropogenic landscapes previously hypothesized with uniform nutrient distributions.
Spatial proteomics identifies a spectrum of immune dysregulation in acquired bone marrow failure syndromes
Authors: Koldej Rachel M. , Prabahran Ashvind , Tan Chin Wee , Ludford-Menting Mandy , Morgan Huw , Holzwart Nicholas , Davis Melissa J. , Ritchie David S.
Published: September 2023

Poor graft function (PGF), manifested by multilineage cytopenias and complete donor chimerism post-allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT), and acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) are immune-mediated acquired bone marrow (BM) failure syndromes with a similar clinical presentation. In this study, we used spatial proteomics to compare the immunobiology of the BM microenvironment and identify common mechanisms of immune dysregulation under these conditions. Archival BM trephines from patients exhibited downregulation of the immunoregulatory protein VISTA and the M2 macrophage marker and suppressor of T-cell activation ARG1 with increased expression of the immune checkpoint B7-H3 compared to normal controls. Increased CD163 and CD14 expression suggested monocyte/macrophage skewing, which, combined with dysregulation of STING and VISTA, is indicative of an environment of reduced immunoregulation resulting in the profound suppression of hematopoiesis in these two conditions. There were no changes in the immune microenvironment between paired diagnostic AA and secondary MDS/AML samples suggesting that leukaemic clones develop in the impaired immune microenvironment of AA without the need for further alterations. Of the eight proteins with dysregulated expression shared by diagnostic AA and PGF, the diagnostic AA samples had a greater fold change in expression than PGF, suggesting that these diseases represent a spectrum of immune dysregulation. Unexpectedly, analysis of samples from patients with good graft function post-alloSCT demonstrated significant changes in the immune microenvironment compared to normal controls, with downregulation of CD44, STING, VISTA, and ARG1, suggesting that recovery of multilineage haematopoiesis post-alloSCT does not reflect recovery of immune function and may prime patients for the development of PGF upon further inflammatory insult. The demonstrable similarities in the immunopathology of AA and PGF will allow the design of clinical interventions that include both patient cohorts to accelerate therapeutic discovery and translation.
Identification of IL-27 as a novel regulator of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II expression, antigen presentation, and processing in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Diegelmann Julia , Brand Stephan
Published: September 2023

Antigen presentation via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II receptors plays a fundamental role in T cell-mediated adaptive immunity. A dysregulation of this fine-tuned recognition might result in the development of autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases that are characterized by chronic relapsing inflammation of the intestinal tract and a damaged intestinal epithelial barrier. While MHCII receptors are usually expressed by professional antigen presenting cells (APC) only, there is increasing evidence that non-immune cells such as intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) might express MHCII upon stimulation with IFN-γ and thus act as non-professional APC. However, little is known about other factors regulating intestinal epithelial MHC expression. Here, we identify IL-27 as an inducer of different MHCI and MHCII receptor subtypes and the invariant chain (CD74/li) in IEC via the STAT1/IRF1/CIITA axis. CIITA, MHCII, and CD74 expression was significantly increased in IEC from Crohn’s disease (CD) patients with active disease compared to controls or CD patients in remission. IEC phagocytosed and digested external antigens and apoptotic cells. IL-27 strongly stimulated antigen processing via the immunoproteasome in a IRF1-dependent manner. In co-culture experiments, antigen-primed IEC strongly enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 secretion, dependent on direct cell-cell contact. IL-27 pretreatment of IEC significantly increased CD4+ T cell proliferation and reduced IL-2 levels in lymphocytes in coculture. In summary, we identified IL-27 as a novel regulator of IEC antigen processing and presentation via MHCI and MHCII receptors, underscoring the importance of IEC as non-professional APC.
Alleviating psoriatic skin inflammation through augmentation of Treg cells via CTLA-4 signaling peptide
Authors: Lee Woo-Sung , Nam Kyung-Ho , Kim Jong Hoon , Kim Won-Ju , Kim Jeong Eun , Shin Eui-Cheol , Kim Gil-Ran , Choi Je-Min
Published: September 2023

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperplasia of keratinocytes and immune cell infiltration. The IL-17-producing T cells play a key role in psoriasis pathogenesis, while regulatory T (Treg) cells are diminished during psoriatic inflammation. Current psoriasis treatments largely focus on IL-17 and IL-23, however, few studies have explored therapeutic drugs targeting an increase of Treg cells to control immune homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of a cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) signaling peptide (dNP2-ctCTLA-4) in Th17, Tc17, γδ T cells, Treg cells in vitro and a mouse model of psoriasis. Treatment with dNP2-ctCTLA-4 peptide showed a significant reduction of psoriatic skin inflammation with increased Treg cell proportion and reduced IL-17 production by T cells, indicating a potential role in modulating psoriatic skin disease. We compared dNP2-ctCTLA-4 with CTLA-4-Ig and found that only dNP2-ctCTLA-4 ameliorated the psoriasis progression, with increased Treg cells and inhibited IL-17 production from γδ T cells. In vitro experiments using a T cell-antigen presenting cell co-culture system demonstrated the distinct mechanisms of dNP2-ctCTLA-4 compared to CTLA-4-Ig in the induction of Treg cells. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of dNP2-ctCTLA-4 peptide in psoriasis by augmenting Treg/Teff ratio, offering a new approach to modulating the disease.
Brain volumetric changes in menopausal women and its association with cognitive function: a structured review
Authors: Ramli Nur Zuliani , Yahaya Mohamad Fairuz , Mohd Fahami Nur Azlina , Abdul Manan Hanani , Singh Meharvan , Damanhuri Hanafi Ahmad
Published: September 2023

The menopausal transition has been proposed to put women at risk for undesirable neurological symptoms, including cognitive decline. Previous studies suggest that alterations in the hormonal milieu modulate brain structures associated with cognitive function. This structured review provides an overview of the relevant studies that have utilized MRI to report volumetric differences in the brain following menopause, and its correlations with the evaluated cognitive functions. We performed an electronic literature search using Medline (Ovid) and Scopus to identify studies that assessed the influence of menopause on brain structure with MRI. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Brain volumetric differences have been reported most frequently in the frontal and temporal cortices as well as the hippocampus. These regions are important for higher cognitive tasks and memory. Additionally, the deficit in verbal and visuospatial memory in postmenopausal women has been associated with smaller regional brain volumes. Nevertheless, the limited number of eligible studies and cross-sectional study designs warrant further research to draw more robust conclusions.
Study on human-SRL synchronized walking based on coupled impedance
Authors: Liu Zihao , Xiang Kui , He Wutong , Gao Xiang , Peng Yaling , Pang Muye
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Supernumerary robotic limbs (SRL) is a novel category of wearable robotics. Unlike prostheses (compensation for human limbs) and exoskeletons (augmentation of human limbs), SRL focuses on expanding human limbs and enhancing human activities, perception, and operation through the mutual collaboration of mechanical limbs and human limbs. The SRL of lower limbs are attached to the human waist, synchronized with the human walking in the forward direction, and can carry weight independently in the vertical direction.

Methods

In order to enhance the synchronization performance of the human-machine system during walking and minimize interference with human gait, it is essential to investigate the coupling dynamics within the human-SRL system. To facilitate our research, this paper focuses on relatively ideal working conditions: level road surfaces, no additional weight-bearing on the SRL, and humans walking in a straight line without any turns. We build upon the passive dynamic walking theory and utilize the human-SRL system model established by MIT to develop a coupling system model. Through numerical simulations, we identify the optimal values for the stiffness and damping coefficients of the human-machine connection. Additionally, we have designed the wheel-legged SRL structure and constructed the SRL control system for experimental validation.

Results

It is found that a better synchronization of the human-machine walking process can be achieved by configuring suitable spring and damping units in the human-machine connection part.

Discussion

In this study, we explored the concept of SRL and its potential benefits for enhancing human motion, conducting simulations and experiments based on the coupled dynamics of human-SRL systems. The results indicate that by equipping the human-machine connection component with suitable spring and damping units, synchronization during the walking process can be improved.
Frailty in cerebellar ischemic stroke—The significance of temporal muscle thickness
Authors: Dubinski Daniel , Won Sae-Yeon , Mattes Isabell , Trnovec Svorad , Behmanesh Bedjan , Cantré Daniel , Baumgarten Peter , Dinc Nazife , Konczalla Juergen , Wittstock Matthias , Freiman Thomas M. , Gessler Florian
Published: September 2023

While comprising only 2% of all ischemic strokes, cerebellar strokes are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality due to their subtle initial presentation and the morbidity of posterior fossa swelling. Furthermore, low temporal muscle thickness (TMT) has recently been identified as a prognostic imaging parameter to assess patient frailty and outcome. We analyzed radiological and clinical data sets of 282 patients with cerebellar ischemic stroke. Our analysis showed a significant association between low TMT, reduced NIHSS and mRS at discharge (p = 0.035, p = 0.004), and reduced mRS at 12 months (p = 0.001). TMT may be used as a prognostic imaging marker and objective tool to assess outcomes in patients with cerebellar ischemic stroke.
Effectiveness of orange almond potato cookie vs. orange potato cookie supplementation on nutritional wellbeing of the Indonesian stunted preschool-aged children during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Fatmah Fatmah , Utomo Suyud W.
Published: September 2023

Background

Preschool-aged children who experience stunting due to insufficient consumption of macro- and micronutrients exhibit weakened immune systems, rendering them susceptible to contracting COVID-19 during the ongoing epidemic. Therefore, it is imperative to implement interventions aimed at enhancing the nutritional status of preschool-aged children by providing them with nutrient-rich food supplements as a preventive measure against illness transmission. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of incorporating potato almond orange cookies into the diet on the nutritional status of preschool-aged children who are experiencing stunting.

Methods

A non-randomized pre-post intervention study was done on 42 individuals aged 12–58 months during 4 weeks. The intervention group was provided with almond potato cookies, while the control group was given orange potato cookies. During the study period, educational sessions on balanced nutrition in preschool-aged children with stunting and COVID-19 were provided to the mothers of both groups. The data analysis involved conducting univariate and bivariate analyses, namely utilizing the independent t-test.

Results

The intervention group exhibited the most significant enhancements in -for-Age Z-score. The mean -for-Age Z-score of the intervention group increased by 0.51 (from −3.15 to −2.64), whereas the control group saw a smaller gain of 0.25 (from −2.69 to −2.44). This increase was influenced by the mother’s age; mother’s education; father’s occupation; family size; good sanitation facilities; healthy home environment; and fat, calcium, and zinc intake from the cookies (p < 0.05). From the perspective of knowledge about balanced nutrition and COVID-19, there was no significant difference in the -for-Age Z-score in the intervention group.

Conclusion

The ingestion of orange almond potato cookies has the potential to enhance the nutritional wellbeing of children in the preschool age group who are experiencing stunted growth.
Application of ERAS concept in clinical nursing of patients with advanced cancer pain of gynecological malignant tumors
Authors: Liao Haijing , Lei Yuanxiu
Published: September 2023

Gynecological malignant tumors refer to malignant tumors of organs and tissues centered on the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Among gynecological tumors, endometrial cancer is the most malignant, accounting for more than 80% of malignant tumors in the female reproductive tract. Common symptoms are vaginal bleeding and pain. This article aims to explore the application and analysis of the concept of ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) in the clinical care of patients with advanced cancer pain from gynecological malignancies. ERAS aims to reduce complications, shorten hospitalization time, reduce medical costs, and enable patients to recover quickly by adopting a series of perioperative management measures for patients. This article analyzes the pain caused by late-stage cancer, proposes an ERAS multimodal analgesia method, and uses image fusion technology to detect cancer patients. This article finally conducts an experimental exploration of the clinical nursing of the ERAS concept in the treatment of advanced cancer pain in gynecological malignancies. The results of this study showed that in terms of pain impact score, before treatment, the score of group M was 39.07 and the score of group N was 38.92, and the difference was not statistically significant. The score after ERAS concept treatment was 58.14, and the score after traditional treatment was 43.79, with a significant difference. Research shows that the pain impact score after treatment is significantly better than before treatment, and the improvement effect of ERAS concept treatment is more obvious.