bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic effect of metformin use on risk of cancers: Evidence from Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Chen Yao , Bai Bingjun , Ye Shuchang , Gao Xing , Ying Kangkang , Pan Hongming , Xie Binbin
Published: July 2023

Background Increasing number of studies reported the positive effect of metformin on the prevention and treatment of cancers. However, the genetic causal effect of metformin utilization on the risk of common cancers was not completely demonstrated.Methods Two-sample Mendelian Randomization (two-sample MR) analysis was conducted to uncover the genetically predicted causal association between metformin use and 26 kinds of cancers. Besides, two-step Mendelian Randomization (two-step MR) assessment was applied to clarify the mediators which mediated the causal effect of metformin on certain cancer. We utilized five robust analytical methods, in which the inverse variance weighting (IVW) method served as the major one. Sensitivity, pleiotropy, and heterogeneity were assessed. The genetic statistics of exposure, outcomes, and mediators were downloaded from publicly available datasets, including the Open Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS), FinnGen consortium (FinnGen), and UK Biobank (UKB).Results Among 26 kinds of common cancers, HER-positive breast cancer was presented with a significant causal relationship with metformin use (Beta: -4.0982; OR: 0.0166 (95%CI: 0.0008, 0.3376); P-value: 0.0077), which indicated metformin could prevent people from HER-positive breast cancer. Other cancers only showed modest associations with metformin use. Potential mediators were included in two-step MR, among which total testosterone levels (mediating effect: 24.52%) displayed significant mediating roles. Leave-one-out, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO analyses produced consistent outcomes.Conclusion Metformin use exhibited a genetically protective effect on HER-positive breast cancer, which was partially mediated by total testosterone levels.
LncRNA WAC-AS1 promotes osteosarcoma metastasis and stemness by sponging miR-5047 to upregulate SOX2
Authors: Yang Zhining , Liu Zhaoyong , Lu Weiqing , Guo Huancheng , Chen Jianzhou , Zhang Ying
Published: July 2023

Cancer stemness and osteosarcoma (OS) malignant progression are closely associated. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this association have not been fully demonstrated. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an intriguing class of widely prevalent endogenous RNAs involved in OS progression, the vast majority of which have not been characterized functionally. Here, we identified tumor promoter lncRNA WAC-AS1 to be highly expressed in OS tumors and associated with worse survival. Further analysis revealed that WAC-AS1 increased tumorsphere formation of OS cells and promoted metastasis, as confirmed by cell proliferation, transwell and wound healing assays. MiR-5047 was identified as a downstream target of WAC-AS1. Subsequently, based on bioinformatics analysis, RIP assay and luciferase reporter assay, SOX2 mRNA was verified as a target of miR-5047. WAC-AS1 enhanced OS cell proliferation and stemness via acting as a ceRNA by binding to miR-5047, thereby increasing SOX2 expression. In addition, SOX2 bound to the promoter region of WAC-AS1 and promoted its transcription, thereby forming a positive feedback loop to regulate OS malignancy. Taken together, our findings show WAC-AS1 is a tumor promoter and a key regulator of OS cell stemness and metastasis via a miR-5047/SOX2 axis.
Chromosome 3
Authors: Panicker Saurav , Ramalingam Satish
Published: July 2023

Myriad genes in the genome have been implicated in cancer. However, a focused compilation of genes from the same chromosome would provide a valuable detailed yet succinct catalog for researchers, advantageous in quickly understanding the leading roles played by these genes in cancer. This chapter fulfills the above aim of furnishing a pocket dictionary- like a concise yet meticulous explanation of many genes from Chromosome 3, describing these genes’ functional essentialities in various cancers. Such a judicious collection of genes from a single chromosome is probably the first of its kind. The multiple inputs in this chapter from Chromosome 3 include oncogenes (BCL6, RAF1), tumor suppressor genes (SRGAP3, FHIT), transcription factors (FOXP1, MITF), fusion genes (MECOM), and many other types. With approximately 1085 genes spanning 198 million base pairs, Chromosome 3 constitutes 6.5% of the total DNA.
Chromosome 4
Authors: Menon Anindita , Gor Ravi , Panicker Saurav , Ramalingam Satish
Published: July 2023

Chromosome 4 represents around 6 percent of the total DNA in the cell with 191 million DNA base pairs. Genetic changes in chromosome 4, such as somatic mutation, and chromosomal rearrangement like translocation, gene deletion, etc., have been reported to develop several types of cancer. This includes leukemias, multiple myeloma, oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, etc. In this chapter, we have listed genes residing in chromosome 4, which further frequently support cancer development, progression, and metastasis.
Chromosome 6
Authors: Singh Shivani , Panicker Saurav , Ramalingam Satish
Published: July 2023

Chromosome 6 is among the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans and it spans about 170 million base pairs. Several cancer genes have been identified to have a role in cancer development. Cancer is also a genetic disease caused due to changes in the genes that control cell function, such as cell division and cell growth. Most of these cancer genes either act as tumor suppressors or possess an oncogenic potential. Oncogenes like ROS1, MYB, HMGA1, etc., induce tumorigenesis by playing a role in DNA repair, replication, transcriptional regulation, and mRNA splicing. When these genes are highly expressed, they result in the transformation of normal cells to malignant cells; on the other side, tumor suppressor genes like IGF2R, AIM1, IRF4, etc., reduce tumorigenicity and invasive potential. Thus, reduced expression of these genes due to loss of heterozygosity, deletion or any epigenetic modifications can induce tumor formation. Also, some genes can either suppress or induce tumor formation given the cellular location and condition, such as CCN2, TNF, etc. Along with these, different types of structural abnormalities can be observed on chromosome 6, such as chromosomal translocation, deletion, duplication, and inversion. These abnormalities on both p and q arms have been known to contribute to the growth and spread of cancer by impacting the expression of cancer genes. Aberrant expression of the genes can also be influenced by fusions, missense mutations, non-missense mutations, silent mutations, frame-shift deletions, and insertion at the molecular level. Some genes can maintain stem-cell-like properties by regulating the expression of cell surface markers like Oct4, Nanog, Sox4, etc. This chapter explains important cancer genes, genetic mutations, and gene variations that can influence the risk of having cancer and induces cancer formation.
Chromosome 9
Authors: Thirugnanam Thilaga , Chandrapraksh Yamini , Ramadurai Sivasankari , Mitra Abhishek , Gor Ravi , Panicker Saurav , Ramalingam Satish
Published: July 2023

Chromosome 9 represents approximately 4.5 percent of the total DNA in cells, and it’s a submetacentric type of chromosome. Chromosomal abnormalities in chromosome 9 have been reported in different kinds of cancer, for example, deletion of the long-q arm, a fusion of ABL1 with BCR results in the ABL1-BCR fusion gene, etc. Bladder cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia, etc., are several cancer types resulting from genetic changes in the genes present in chromosome 9. Dysregulation of the tumor suppressor genes or activation of the oncogene from chromosome 9 has supported the normal cell’s transformation. Here, we have listed a few top genes reappearing themselves as causative agent for cancer development in cancer and types of cancer.
Factors Influencing Preferences of Patients With Rheumatic Diseases Regarding Telehealth Channels for Support With Medication Use: Qualitative Study
Authors: Haegens Lex L , Huiskes Victor J B , van der Ven Jeffrey , van den Bemt Bart J F , Bekker Charlotte L
Published: July 2023

Background

Patients with rheumatic diseases are known to experience drug-related problems at various times during their treatment. As these problems can negatively influence patients’ health, they should be prevented or resolved as soon as possible, for which patients might benefit from additional support. Telehealth has the potential to continuously provide information and offers the possibility to easily contact a health care provider in order to support patients with medication use. Knowledge of factors influencing the patient’s preference for telehealth channels can improve the actual use of telehealth channels.

Objective

This study aims to identify factors that influence the preferences of patients with rheumatic diseases regarding telehealth channels for support with medication use.

Methods

A qualitative study with face-to-face interviews was performed among patients with an inflammatory rheumatic disease in the Netherlands. A total of 4 telehealth channels were used: a frequently asked questions page, a digital human, an app for SMS text messaging with health care providers, and an app for video-calling with health care providers. Using a semistructured interview guide based on domains of the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behavior (COM-B) model, participants were questioned about (1) their general opinion on the 4 telehealth channels, (2) factors influencing preference for individual telehealth channels, and (3) factors influencing preference for individual telehealth channels in relation to the other available channels. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and categorically analyzed.

Results

A total of 15 patients were interviewed (female: n=8, 53%; male: n=7, 47%; mean age 55, SD 16.8 years; median treatment duration of 41, IQR 12-106 months). The following 3 categories of factors influencing patient preference regarding telehealth channels were identified: (1) problem-related factors included problems needing a visual check, problems specifically related to the patient, and urgency of the problem; (2) patient-related factors included personal communication preference and patient characteristics; and (3) channel-related factors included familiarity with the telehealth channel, direct communication with a health care provider, methods of searching, and conversation history.

Conclusions

Preference for telehealth channels is influenced by factors related to the problem experienced, the patient experiencing the problem, and telehealth channel characteristics. As the preference for telehealth channels varies between these categories, multiple telehealth channels should be offered to enable patients to tailor the support with their medication use to their needs.
MOTIVASI KERJA PUSTAKAWAN LULUSAN NON ILMU PERPUSTAKAAN DI DINAS PERPUSTAKAAN DAN KEARSIPAN KABUPATEN TAKALAR
Authors: Trysnawati Ayu , Asmiranda Alda
Published: July 2023

Abstract

This article examines the work motivation of non-library science graduate librarians at the Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Takalar. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that drive the work motivation of non-library science graduate librarians and to find out the obstacles faced by non-library science graduate librarians at the Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Takalar in increasing work motivation. The type of research used is descriptive with qualitative methods. The results showed that the motivating factors for librarian motivation in working at the Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Takalar were salary, job security, social conditions, awards and opportunities to work. While the obstacles faced by non-library science graduate librarians in increasing work motivation are obstacles to dealing with users, obstacles to working as a librarian, obstacles to technology, and constraints to library collections.

 

 

Abstrak

 

Artikel penelitian ini mengkaji tentang motivasi kerja pustakawan lulusan non ilmu perpustakaan di Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Takalar. Tujuan dari penelitian ini yaitu untuk mengetahui faktor yang mendorong motivasi kerja pustakawan lulusan non ilmu perpustakaan dan mengeahui kendala yang dihadapi pustakawan lulusan non ilmu perpustakaan Di Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Takalar dalam meningkatkan motivasi kerja. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif dengan metode kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa faktor pendorong motivasi pustakawan dalam bekerja di Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Takalar yaitu adanya gaji, keamanan kerja, kondisi sosial,penghargaan dan kesempatan untuk bekerja. Sedangkan kendala yang dihadapi pustakawan lulusan non ilmu perpustakaan dalam meningkatkan motivasi kerja adalah kendala menghadapi pemustaka, kendala bekerja sebagai seorang pustakawan, kendala terhadap teknologi, dan kendala terhadap koleksi perpustakaan.

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Karmidi Martoatmodjo. 2006. Materi Pokok Pelayanan Bahan Pustaka, Jakarta: Universitas Terbuka

Suwarno, Wiji. 2007. Dasar-dasar Ilmu Perpustakaan: Sebuah pendekatan Praktis. Yogyakarta: Ar-Ruzz.

Sutarno, NS. 2004. Manajemen Perpustakaan: Suatu Pendekatan Praktik. Jakarta:Sagung Seto.

Sulistyo-Basuki. 2006. .Metode   Penelitian. Jakarta:   Wedatama  Widya Sastra.

Sugiyono. 2010. Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif Kualitatif R & D. Bandung: Alfabeta.

Undang-undang Republik Indonesia Nomor .43 Tahun 2007 Tentang Perpustakaan: Jakarta.
MUQADDIMAH IBNU KHALDUN: STUDY OF ISLAMIC HISTORIOGRAPHY
Authors: Abd. Rahim Ahmad Habib Akramullah , Susmihara  , Yani Ahmad
Published: July 2023

Nama lengkap seorang Ibnu Khaldun adalah Abd al-Rahman bin Muhammad bin Mohammad bin Hasan bin Jabar bin Mohammad bin Ibrahim bin Abd al-Rahman bin Khaldun. Kemudian ia dilahirkan tepatnya daerah Tunisia, wilayah di Afrika Utara, sekitar pada tahun 732 H atau 1332 M, ia merupakan keluarga pendatang dari daerah Andalusia, wilayah di Spanyol Selatan, yang sekarang pindah ke daerah Tunisia sekitar pertengahan abad VII H. Asal mula keluarga seorang Ibnu Khaldun yang sebenarnya dari daerah Hadramaut, di wilayah Yaman selatan. Ibnu Khaldun memulai pendidikannya pada usia umur 18 tahun  antara 1332 sampai 1350 M. Seperti halnya yang dilakukan kaum muslim pada waktu itu, ayah Ibn Khaldun adalah sosok guru pertama yang telah mendidiknya secara tradisional mengajarkan nilai-nilal dasar agama Islam. Semasa ia tinggal di daerah Tunisia sampai tahun 751 H, Ibnu Khaldun sangat tekun belajar dan giat membaca serta ia setiap saat menghadiri majelis gurunya yaitu, Muhammad Ibrahim Al-Abili. Pada saat itu Ibn Khaldun sudah beranjak usia 20 tahun. Dan waktu itu Ibn Khaldun dipanggil oleh Abu Muhammad Ibn Tarafkin salah seorang penguasa yang berada di daerah Tunisia untuk memangku jabatan sebagai sekretaris penguasa Sultan Abu Ishaq Ibn Abu Yahya Al-Hafsi. Ibn Khaldun ini merupakan salah satu seorang aktivis dan pemikir politik yang lahir di daerah Tunisa tahun 1332 dan ia meninggal di Mesir tahun 1406. Sebelum beliau wafat ia telah banyak menghabiskan sebagian umurnya dalam pertarungan dan petualangan politik dalam berbagai bentuknya, pada kurun waktu dan di sebagian dunia dimana ia hidup. Selain ia seorang aktivis politik, ia juga seorang ahli pemikir dan sangat mengamati ilmu pengetahuan yang ia memiliki dan ia seorang analisis yang amat tajam. Ia menuliskan hasil pengamatannya itu dalam sebuah buku yang terdiri dari beberapa jilid tentang sejarah, sebuah buku yang di namakannya “Ibar” yaitu buku yang menjadi suri teladan yang dapat diambil manusia dari sejarah. Bagian pertama dari buku itu dinamakannya “Muqaddimah”, yang artinya “Pendahuluan. Karya yang dilihat dari judulnya Al-Ibar wa Diwan Al-Mubtada wa Al-Khabar fi, Ayyam Al- Arab wa al-Ajam wa Al-Barbar, wa Man Asharahum min Dzawi Al- Sulthan Al-Akbar, dan terdiri beberapa beberapa jilid.
Reception of The 'Maulid Nabi' Hadith in the Pangkep Community South Sulawesi (Study of Baku Tradition in Balang Caddi Island)
Authors: HS Muhammad Alwi , Parninsih Iin
Published: July 2023

This article discusses the reception of hadith as the basis for the Baku tradition in the celebration of the Prophet's Birthday by the people of Balang Caddi Island. It based on the thesis that in human reception of religious texts there is an informative and performative side. In this context, the hadith of love for the Prophet can be seen from an informative and performative perspective. From an informative point of view, the hadith about the love of the Prophet implies that those who love the Prophet Muhammad will be with the Prophet in Heaven. Meanwhile, from a performative perspective, the community implement the Maulid tradition as was done by the people of Balang Caddi Island. This performative side constantly undergo transmission and transformation from one place and time to another. To understand it, the author makes analytical observations, namely observing and experiencing the celebration of the Baku tradition. The result of this research is that the Birthday of the Prophet among the people of Balang Caddi Island is an effort to maintain the transmission of the values ​​of love to Allah and the Prophet Muhammad in the form of the Baku tradition. As a form of transformation, the Baku tradition in the Prophet's Birthday among the Community includes the Prophet's Birthday night at the Darul Dakwah Wal Irsyad School, and the Prophet's Birthday at the Darus Sa'adah Mosque, as well as the Pabagang context related to the time and form of the Prophet's Birthday celebration.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Garment Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Md Abid Hasan , Muhammad Kamal Hossain , Rony Chandra Shil , Sajia Azmi , Rubayiat Binte Jahangir , Nursad Jahan Sultana
Published: July 2023

Background: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is particularly high among garment workers, which poses a serious occupational health hazard. This issue is not taken seriously as an important issue in low-income countries like Bangladesh. Aim: Determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions (MSDs) among garment workers in nine body regions and explore the relationship between MSDs and the general characteristics of the participants. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study including 383 garment workers was done. A structured questionnaire (Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal) was used. Results: The most common form of pain in the last year was lower back pain. Nine anatomical locations were studied, and workers most commonly experienced problems with their lower back (45.4%), upper back (36.6%), and knees (33.2%). Workers reported having more trouble in the knee (31.9%), upper back (35.0%), and lower back (43.9%) regions over the past seven days. In the past year and the last seven days, shoulder injuries were the least common. Conclusion: MSDs are widespread among garment industry employees. The back condition is the most commonly affected. The development of MSD is directly correlated with age and work experience.
Evaluasi Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Melalui Pengelolaan Peternakan Sapi Perah di Kampung Susu Lawu Kelurahan Sarangan Kacamatan Plaosan Kabupaten Magetan
Authors: Sholichah Nihayatus , Oktoliya Charity
Published: July 2023

Community empowerment through the management of dairy cattle is one of the flagship programs of the Magetan Regency Government which aims to improving the economy of the people of Kampung Susu Lawu who incidentally are dairy farmers so that farmers can spread their wings in marketing the livestock products they have managed through this empowerment after that. This paper means to reveal and analyze data: 1) the process of community empowerment through the management of dairy farms in the Susu Lawu village, Sarangan sub-district, Plaosan sub-district, Magetan district, and 2) community empowerment evaluation through the management of dairy farms in the Susu Lawu village, Sarangan sub-district, Plaosan sub-district. magnet district. This paper was conducted using a qualitative case study approach. Data collection techniques used are: (1) observation, (2) interviews, and (3) documentation. This paper had result that indicate if: (1) The process of Community Empowerment through the management of dairy farms in the Susu Lawu Village, Sarangan Sub-district, Plaosan District, Magetan Regency is generally quite mature in terms of planning by selecting activities based on the priority needs of community groups. In general, its implementation can support the success of the Empowerment Program through the management of dairy farms and improve the community's economy. (2) Evaluation through the management of dairy farms in the Susu Lawu Village, Sarangan Sub-district, Plaosan District, Magetan Regency is quite successful in developing skills and increasing the income of community groups.
Perkembangan Demokrasi di Indonesia
Authors: Nurbaity Siti , Fandana Reza
Published: July 2023

Artikel ini membahas perkembangan demokrasi di Indonesia dari masa ke masa, dengan fokus pada Masa Awal Kemerdekaan (1945-1959), Masa Orde Lama (1966-1998), dan Era Reformasi (1998-Sekarang). Dalam latar belakang, artikel ini menjelaskan tantangan dan upaya awal dalam membangun fondasi demokrasi di Indonesia setelah meraih kemerdekaan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kajian literatur dengan mengumpulkan data dari berbagai sumber terpercaya seperti buku, jurnal, dan dokumen sejarah yang relevan. Hasil dan pembahasan artikel ini memaparkan perkembangan demokrasi di setiap masa yang dibahas. Pada Masa Awal Kemerdekaan, Indonesia menghadapi tantangan dalam membangun sistem politik yang inklusif, namun juga mengalami konflik politik yang mempengaruhi proses demokratisasi. Masa Orde Lama ditandai oleh pemerintahan otoriter yang membatasi kebebasan politik dan partisipasi publik, meskipun terdapat kemajuan ekonomi. Era Reformasi menjadi titik balik penting dengan jatuhnya Orde Baru, memberikan kesempatan untuk reformasi politik yang lebih terbuka dan inklusif, dengan pengakuan hak asasi manusia, kebebasan berpendapat, dan partisipasi yang lebih luas. Kesimpulan dari artikel ini adalah bahwa perkembangan demokrasi di Indonesia menunjukkan perjalanan yang kompleks. Meskipun menghadapi tantangan dan kendala, upaya untuk memperkuat demokrasi terus berlangsung. Perkembangan demokrasi di Indonesia adalah hasil dari partisipasi aktif masyarakat dalam proses politik, perjuangan untuk melindungi hak-hak mereka, dan semangat untuk mencapai keadilan sosial. Artikel ini menyimpulkan bahwa perkembangan demokrasi di Indonesia merupakan refleksi dari upaya berkelanjutan dalam membangun sistem politik yang inklusif dan demokratis di negara ini.
Practices of monks in the Pochaiv monastery printing house of the 18th century
Authors: Almes Ivan
Published: July 2023

The paper studies the practices of monks in the Pochaiv Basilian monastery printing house in the 18th century. It was one of the typical Ukrainian monastery typographies of the premodern time. Monks-professional, together with other non-monks’ staff (engravers, foundries, etc.), ensured the functioning of the mentioned printing house. Research on the visitation descriptions of the 1730s and 1770s has found that up to seven monks worked in the typography. The cited archival sources traced the dynamics of monks’ practices in the printing house of that time. In the 1730s, young 20 years old Basilians operated the Pochaiv typography under the chief elder hieromonk called prefect. They all worked without any payment because of some obedience within the monastery community life. In the 1770s, learners of the local monastery printing house still provided most of its activities. These Basilians started their monastery life in Pochaiv and learned printing crafts there. Because the type of monastery printing house strictly regulated its activities without non-monastic practices, monks had to learn printing affairs and be effective in typography without breaking clausura rules. That was impossible if they left monasteries (disobeyed clausura) and had lessons in craftsman, for instance, in Lviv. If Basilians with local primary schooling carried out almost all technical issues in the typography, then more educated and skilled monks censored and corrected editions there. They also started monks’ life in the local Pochaiv monastery but later graduated from philosophical and theological studies within Ruthenian Basilian province or, less often, in Rome. The paper concludes that monks-professionals fixed out a successful Pochaiv printing house that was approved not only by high-quality editions but by a simple fact – 40% of all monastery incomes in some decades from the typography.
Keywords: Pochaiv monastery, Basilians, monastery printing house, prefect of typography
The rescue of Jewish women by the Sisters of the Studite Rule during the Holocaust
Authors: Skira Yurij
Published: July 2023

The story of the rescue of Jewish women by the Sisters of the Studite Rule belongs to the lesser known pages of the Holocaust history in Ukraine. The issue involves many other female orders and congregations of the Greek Catholic Church as well. The subject, considered from this perspective, is paradoxical – in fact the activity of the Studite nuns provides a most promising area of research because of its source base and contemporary references in the works of Ukrainian historians. The reason for this is that the rescued were primarily adults who left testimonies. Even though other congregations were larger in number and had better material resources, they hid children of a very young age who remembered very little. This is why we have a paucity of recollections.
Mother Yosyfa (Witer), the Abbess of the Sviato-Pokrovskyi (Holy Protection) monastery, played a leading role in providing Jewish women with a place to hide. By the authority granted to her, she utilized virtually all the affiliated houses to shelter Jews. She also personally played an active role in developing plans for hiding Jews and in this way implementing the vision of Metropolitan Andrew Sheptytskyi and personally supervised the care of those entrusted to her. It is noted that the Abbess was notable for her deep empathy for the victims’ situation and for her attempts to support them.
It is stated that the most vivid recollections were left by Faina Lacher (who later joined the Sisters of the Studite Rule and became Schema-nun Maria), Neham Kagane and Lili Stern-Pohlmann. They left detailed descriptions of their pre-war lives, life in the ghetto, escape from the ghetto and final rescue in their memoirs. It is emphasized that the fact that they left written accounts and testimonies in their lifetimes іs of great importance, as it allows to approach their stories from a historic perspective.
In summary, we may claim that the subject of the Greek Catholic Church’s female congregation’s hiding of Jewish women during the Holocaust warrants further research. It is a complex subject that requires thorough archival investigation coupled with modern Holocaust research methodology. But it is very necessary. It will offer a broader look at the response of the Greek Catholic Church to the needs of the Holocaust victims.
Keywords: The Sisters of the Studite Rule, Jews, women, the Holocaust, hiding
Features of functioning of Theravada Buddhism in Ukraine
Authors: Barkovskyi Mykyta
Published: July 2023

The topicality of the study is defined by the increased interest of a certain part of the population of Ukraine in the philosophy and religions of the East. One of the evidence can be the appearance and spread of dozens of Buddhist communities on the Ukrainian territory during the time of independence. Such a large number of Buddhist schools in Ukraine is explained by the consequences of the atheist era with the anti-religious policy of the Soviet authorities, which for a long time prohibited the preaching and practice of almost any religion. As a result, after the collapse of the USSR, there was an information surge, which gave rise to the formation of new religious communities, the spread of various literature and films on Buddhist themes. On the other hand, the spread of Eastern religious practices was a search for forms which were fundamentally different from traditional religious ones of improvement and spiritual rebirth. This article deals with the features formation of one of the Buddhist schools in Ukraine, namely Theravada. It proposes the concept for the functioning of Ukrainian Buddhist communities such as: the Ajan Hubert Foundation; “Vipassana Meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin”, monks Bhante Narada, Bhante Ratanasila, Bhante Saranasila, Bhante Thithidhammo. Their current form and activities, their role in the social and further development prospects are examined. Selected Buddhist texts, the basics of Theravada teaching school traditions in Ukraine, main practices, and their origins are also analyzed. The significance of retreats is defined as a cross-cultural dimension, where Buddhism of the Theravada tradition goes beyond its traditional ethno-confessional region and forms a connection between the Buddhist tradition and modern Ukrainian reality.
Keywords: Theravada in Ukraine, retreat, dhamma, vipassana, Tipitaka, Satipatthana-sutta, Metta-sutta, Abhidhamma-pitaka
Comparison of methods for determining Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis zoospore viability
Authors: Chew A , West M , Brannelly LA
Published: July 2023

The emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) threatens hundreds of amphibian species globally. During laboratory-based experiments it is often essential to quantify live Bd cells, but a comparison of the effectiveness of methods for counting and assessing the viability of the infectious zoospore life stage has not been done. A direct comparison of staining methods that assess viability will ensure that the most accurate and efficient method is used. Here, we compared the use of 2 relatively cheap common stains, trypan blue and methylene blue, and assessed their accuracy and precision for estimating the viability of Bd zoospores during both manual counting and colorimetric assays. We stained known proportions of killed Bd zoospores (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00) with each stain and estimated the proportion of stained (dead) and unstained (viable) cells in each sample using both manual counting and colorimetric assays. Trypan blue was found to be a much more effective stain than methylene blue for both microscopy and colorimetric assays. Additionally, counting zoospores via microscopy was both a more accurate and precise technique. We recommend using manual counts via microscopy using the trypan blue stain for assessing Bd zoospore viability.
Minor Literature as a Vital Component of World Literature: Lu Xun’s Translation of Bulgarian Literature via German Sources
Authors: MA Xiaolu
Published: July 2023

At the turn of the twentieth century, many Chinese translators departed from the mainstream approach to world literature advocated by Western powers and turned their attention to what Chinese theorists call the “literature of weak and small nations.” China’s marginalized position in the international political and economic order of the time prompted the pursuit of a discourse to address imperialism and national identity, as well as problems of social injustice and oppression. This article draws on Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s interpretation of “minor literature” to analyze Lu Xun’s interest in the literature of weak and small nations, which developed against the backdrop of the European formation of a canonical genealogy of world literature ( Weltliteratur). By introducing Chinese readers to relevant literary history and translating selected works of fiction, Lu Xun formed an imagined community of letters joining China to the weak and small nations — despite his heavy reliance on German sources that took a markedly canonical stance. This article focuses on Lu Xun’s translation and interpretation of two short stories by Ivan Vazov, Bulgaria’s pre-eminent modern writer, to explore how the literature of weak and small nations assisted Lu Xun in negotiating not only with Western cultural hegemony but also with Chinese tradition and nationalism.
Other Worlds: A Genealogy from Lu Yao’s Capitalist Realism to Maoni’s Internet Literature
Authors: SUHER Dylan
Published: July 2023

This article elaborates on a genealogy linking the internet literature writer Maoni’s work to the Reform-era writer Lu Yao’s realist epic Ordinary World ( Pingfan de shijie). Most of the works on the popular Qidian platform on which Maoni publishes are shaped by fan-culture-derived (“fannish”) technologies aimed at maximizing reader engagement, which results in a textual community that blurs the lines between writer and reader. The aesthetic that emerges from this community, as illustrated by Maoni’s novel Joy of Life ( Qing yu nian), is one that emphasizes characters over narrative, stresses the delineation of an expansive fictional universe (“world-building”), and frequently cites tropes and intertexts familiar to the novel’s readers. Maoni’s textual community borrows not only from Western fantasy, Japanese ACGN (Anime, Comics, Games, Novels) culture, and pre-modern Chinese literature but also from Lu Yao and the socialist literature that shaped Lu Yao — an influence on Maoni’s internet fiction that remains understudied. Following Maoni’s lead, this article revisits Ordinary World and the institutions that produced it to identify the elements that could be reinscribed as fannish. This genealogy illustrates how configurations of writer, reader, and text with roots in the socialist and early Reform eras are reappropriated by internet literature for radically different ends. It suggests that scholars of internet literature, rather than placing undue stress on a technology-powered rupture with the past, should consider the points of congruence between socialist and postsocialist media ecologies.
Community dynamics and co-occurrence relationships of pelagic ciliates and their potential prey at a coastal and an offshore station in the ultra-oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Romano Filomena , Pitta Paraskevi , John Uwe
Published: July 2023

Ciliates have been recognized as one of the major components of the microbial food web, especially in ultra-oligotrophic waters, such as the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, where nutrients are scarce and the microbial community is dominated by pico- and nano-sized organisms. For this reason, ciliates play an important role in these ecosystems since they are the main planktonic grazers. Regardless the importance of these organisms, little is known about the community structure of heterotrophic and mixotrophic ciliates and how they are associated to their potential prey. In this study, we used 18S V4 rRNA gene metabarcoding to analyze ciliate community dynamics and how the relationship with potential prey changes according to different seasons and depths. Samples were collected seasonally at two stations of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (HCB: coastal, M3A: offshore) from the surface and deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) layers. The ciliate community structure varied across depths in HCB and across seasons in M3A, and the network analysis showed that in both stations, mixotrophic oligotrichs were positively associated with diatoms and showed few negative associations with ASVs annotated as marine Stramenopiles (MAST). On the other hand, heterotrophic tintinnids showed negative relationships in both HCB and M3A stations, mostly with Ochrophyta and Chlorophyta. These results showed, in first place that, although the two stations are close to each other, the ciliate dynamics differed between them. Moreover, mixotrophic and heterotrophic ciliates may have different ecological niches since mixotrophic ciliates may be more selective compared to heterotrophic species regarding their prey. These findings are the first glimpse into an understanding of the dynamics between heterotrophic and mixotrophic ciliates and their role in microbial assemblages and dynamics of ultra-oligotrophic environments.
Analysis of clinical characteristics of 617 patients with benign airway stenosis
Authors: Wei Jinmei , Qin Shujuan , Li Wentao , Chen Yan , Feng Tingmei , Wei Yuhui , Tan Sen , Liu Guangnan
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Benign airway stenosis (BAS), namely airway narrowing caused by a variety of benign lesions, can lead to varying degrees of breathing difficulties and even death due to asphyxia. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of BAS, including etiology, treatment and pathology, by analyzing the clinical data of BAS patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using the clinical data of 617 BAS cases from January 2017 to December 2022. The pathological characteristics of the tissues were assessed by hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and Masson’s staining. Besides, protein expression levels were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

A total of 617 patients were included (333 females [53.97%] and 284 males [46.03%]), with an average age of 48.93 ± 18.30 (range 14–87). Tuberculosis (n = 306, 49.59%) and trauma (n = 179, 29.02%) were the two leading etiologies of BAS, followed by airway foreign bodies (FB, n = 74, 11.99%), external compression (n = 25, 4.05%) and other etiologies (n = 33, 5.35%). Among 306 tuberculous tracheobronchial stenosis (TBTS) cases, most were females (n = 215, 70.26%), and TBTS mainly occurred in the left main bronchus (n = 97, 31.70%), followed by the right middle bronchus (n = 70 cases, 22.88%). The majority of TBTS patients (n = 259, 84.64%) were treated by interventional therapy. The condition of 179 BAS patients was ascribed to trauma, such as tracheal intubation (n = 92, 51.40%), tracheotomy (n = 69, 38.56%), injury (n = 15, 8.38%) and surgery (n = 3, 1.68%), which mostly took place in the trachea (n = 173, 96.65%). TAS patients mainly received interventional therapy (n = 168, 93.85%) and stent implantation (n = 47, 26.26%). The granulation tissues of BAS primarily featured inflammation, proliferation and fibrosis. IHC indicated the up-regulated expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I protein (COL-I) and vimentin, and the down-regulated expression of E-cadherin, which indicated fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Conclusion

Tuberculosis was the main etiology, and trauma was the secondary etiology. The granulation tissues of BAS were characterized by inflammation, fibrosis and probably EMT. Comprehensive interventional therapy is an effective method of treating BAS.
Case report: Cheek acupuncture exhibits an immediate effect in relieving severe pain associated with nerve compression or damage of central nervous system and its potential mechanism of action
Authors: Wang Yongzhou , Yang Lu , Wu Yongzheng
Published: July 2023

Peripheral nerve compression or permanent damage of central nervous system (CNS) can trigger severe neuralgia to patients. Analgesic medicine or even surgery to remove nerve compression is commonly used for pain relief. But these treatments either are ineffective, have side-effect or can cause subsequent complications. Acupuncture, a technique that has been widely used in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, is an alternative to relieve pain, although the mechanism of action is not fully understood. In this study, two patients who had symptoms of severe neuralgia associated with peripheral nerve compression or permanent damage/dysfunction of CNS and analgesic medicines are ineffective, underwent cheek acupuncture, a new technique established recent years by the author with the features of painless, standardization, simplicity, and precision. An immediate analgesic effect of the cheek acupuncture was observed without any side effects, and clinical remission was achieved after several sessions of treatments. It suggests that this new approach is an efficient alternative for pain relief induced by nerve impairment. The authors proposed a biological holographic model of triplet homunculi existing at the level of the local cheek, spinal cord, and cerebral cortex, to explain the immediate and accurate analgesic effect of the cheek acupuncture. These homunculi have the same structure, and synchronized sensations and actions that are mediated by afferent and efferent neurons, as the integrated human body. Therefore, the nociception and needling signals are sensed, transmitted, analyzed, and manipulated cooperatively and simultaneously among these homunculi with the subsequent pain relief in the body.
Contribution of smallholder farmers to food security and opportunities for resilient farming systems
Authors: Kapari Mpho , Hlophe-Ginindza Samkelisiwe , Nhamo Luxon , Mpandeli Sylvester
Published: July 2023

Climate change poses challenges that negatively affect smallholder farmers’ contribution to food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, countries from this region have the responsibility to reduce green gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate in the agricultural sector through such measures as climate-smart agriculture (CSA). This systematic review provides an overview of the CSA adoption challenges faced by smallholder farmers towards ensuring food security as well as recommendations to upscale CSA practices uptake. The review focuses on smallholder farmers of sub-Saharan Africa. Data collection for formal systematic reviews followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines. Information was gathered from peer-reviewed articles with no limit to the year of publication. A total of 58 papers from the Web of Science and Scopus databases were included in the analysis. Results reveal that more research efforts need to be exerted towards the very vulnerable Southern Africa. The adoption of innovative agricultural practices should focus on rainwater harvesting and mulching while other CSA practices such as crop diversification and crop rotation show a high number of practices. However, major challenges facing smallholder farmers are financial availability, access to information and farm size. These hinder stallholder farmers’ ability to contribute to food security. As such, authors have recommended policy intervention, knowledge dissemination and capacity building as possible measures to get smallholder farmers on the right path to sustainable food production and CSA practices uptake.
SpreaderCal: An MS Excel-Based Computer Program for Spreader Calibration
Authors: Barbosa Roberto
Published: July 2023

A Microsoft Excel-based software was developed to help Extension professionals with spreader calibration. Small, turf-used ground spreaders as well as spinner-type spreaders used in row crop agriculture can be calibrated using this software. Spreaders used in aerial application of urea and seed rice can also be calibrated. The software calculates the most commonly sought information during a calibration such as: total swath, optimized swath according to coefficient of variation (CV), and application rate.
Embryo Research: Is It Permissible to Use Frozen Embryos?
Authors: REEM Jong-Sik
Published: July 2023

My critical discussion of using frozen embryo will focus on whether they might legitimately be treated differently from other kinds of embryos. I will try to show in the first section of the paper that the fact that they are surplus embryos cannot be a justifiable reason for using frozen embryos. In defending this point, I will adopt the strategy of approaching the problem by considering the following ideas; the freezing of the embryos, the creation of the embryos through IVF, and permitting IVF technology. I shall then proceed to the question of moral status of the embryo (frozen embryo), arguing that frozen embryos cannot be treated as entities whose legal and moral status are something like property or material possessions. If the main arguments in this paper are successful, then the following consideration might be said to hold: thawing frozen embryos cannot bridge the gaps between two extremists, liberal and conservative.
PODCASTS IMPACTS IN TEACHING SPEAKING SKILLS TO JORDANIAN EFL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Authors: Alshawabkah Abdel Fattah Kamel , Abdullah Ahmad Taufik Hidayah
Published: July 2023

English plays a vital role in ensuring flawless communication and interaction amongst people. This study aims to investigate the speaking enhancement throughout podcasting use as a teaching method. Besides, it focuses on how this podcasting enhances speaking of English language. In this study, the researcher focuses on university students in Jordan. In order to achieve such aims, this study employed quasi-experimental design. The findings concluded based on the lecturers’ observation during implementing speaking test that EFL students committed several speaking errors and these errors are found to be caused due to lack of vocabulary, pronunciation difficulties, grammar differences, listening difficulties, tenses, morphological error categories, and preposition use. It also found that students are positively affected by the use of technology-based teaching approach (podcast), additionally, it is concluded that technology-based approach positively affected students’ speaking skill. This study recommends that teachers and students should focus when improving speaking skills on the use of technology tools. In addition, it is recommended to conduct further studies focusing on the causes of speaking difficulties.
Pregnant Mothers Perception About Covid-19 to Compliance with the Use of Mask at Mungkid Magelang Health Center
Authors: Atiqoh Salis , Rohmayanti Rohmayanti , Wijayanti Kartika
Published: July 2023

Pregnant women are a susceptible group to covid-19 infection due to pregnant women, in general, are vulnerable to respiratory infection. One of the prevention measures is the use of masks which will help to protect against and limit the spread of Covid-19. This study contributes to identifying the relationship between perception and mask use adherence among pregnant women in Mungkin Public Health, Magelang. A cross-sectional study with 87 pregnant women was selected using the random sampling technique in Mungkin Health Center, Magelang. The questionnaire used was a perception questionnaire about Covid-19 with a validity test of r > 0.3 and a validity test of 0.721. The compliance questionnaire had a validity value of r table 0.3 and a validity test of 0.723, and the data were analyzed using the Spearman statistical test. The majority of respondents were aged 20–35 years, working (65.5%), with gestational age in the second trimester (63.2%), and in secondary education (82.8%). Most of the respondents have a moderate perception regarding mask use during Covid-19 (56.3%), and 23% have a good perception. Regarding adherence to mask use, 62 (71%) respondents have moderate adherence, and 18 (20%) have poor adherence. There is a statistically significant relationship between perception and mask use adherence among pregnant women in Magelang (p = 0.000). Since there is an association between perception and mask use adherence, interventions to promote mask use are needed among pregnant women.