bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clock-offset measurement over a 50 km nonreciprocal fiber link with linear optical sampling
Authors: Meng Fei , Wu Yunfeng , Song Yanrong , Tang Bo , Zhang Zhigang
Published: December 2024

We demonstrated a sub-100 picosecond level transmission stability clock-offset measurement via a 50 km nonreciprocal fiber link with a dual comb LOS technique. This experiment result supports the remote high precision time and frequency transmission and synchronization of two or more combs over practical commercial optical communication system fiber links, which conformed to the DWDM international standards system. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first similar demonstration have been reported.
Separable roles of the DNA damage response kinase Mec1ATR and its activator Rad24RAD17 during meiotic recombination
Authors: Crawford Margaret R. , Harper Jon A. , Cooper Tim J. , Marsolier-Kergoat Marie-Claude , Llorente Bertrand , Neale Matthew J.
Published: December 2024

During meiosis, programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are formed by the topoisomerase-like enzyme, Spo11, activating the DNA damage response (DDR) kinase Mec1ATR via the checkpoint clamp loader, Rad24RAD17. At single loci, loss of Mec1 and Rad24 activity alters DSB formation and recombination outcome, but their genome-wide roles have not been examined in detail. Here, we utilise two strategies—deletion of the mismatch repair protein, Msh2, and control of meiotic prophase length via regulation of the Ndt80 transcription factor—to help characterise the roles Mec1 and Rad24 play in meiotic recombination by enabling genome-wide mapping of meiotic progeny. In line with previous studies, we observe severely impacted spore viability and a reduction in the frequency of recombination upon deletion of RAD24—driven by a shortened prophase. By contrast, loss of Mec1 function increases recombination frequency, consistent with its role in DSB trans-interference, and has less effect on spore viability. Despite these differences, complex multi-chromatid events initiated by closely spaced DSBs—rare in wild-type cells—occur more frequently in the absence of either Rad24 or Mec1, suggesting a loss of spatial regulation at the level of DSB formation in both. Mec1 and Rad24 also have important roles in the spatial regulation of crossovers (COs). Upon loss of either Mec1 or Rad24, CO distributions become more random—suggesting reductions in the global manifestation of interference. Such effects are similar to, but less extreme than, the phenotype of ‘ZMM’ mutants such as zip3Δ, and may be driven by reductions in the proportion of interfering COs. Collectively, in addition to shared roles in CO regulation, our results highlight separable roles for Rad24 as a pro-CO factor, and for Mec1 as a regulator of recombination frequency, the loss of which helps to suppress any broader defects in CO regulation caused by abrogation of the DDR.
Cbf11 and Mga2 function together to activate transcription of lipid metabolism genes and promote mitotic fidelity in fission yeast
Authors: Marešová Anna , Grulyová Michaela , Hradilová Miluše , Zemlianski Viacheslav , Princová Jarmila , Převorovský Martin
Published: December 2024

Within a eukaryotic cell, both lipid homeostasis and faithful cell cycle progression are meticulously orchestrated. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe provides a powerful platform to study the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing these fundamental processes. In S. pombe, the Cbf11 and Mga2 proteins are transcriptional activators of non-sterol lipid metabolism genes, with Cbf11 also known as a cell cycle regulator. Despite sharing a common set of target genes, little was known about their functional relationship. This study reveals that Cbf11 and Mga2 function together in the same regulatory pathway, critical for both lipid metabolism and mitotic fidelity. Deletion of either gene results in a similar array of defects, including slow growth, dysregulated lipid homeostasis, impaired cell cycle progression (cut phenotype), abnormal cell morphology, perturbed transcriptomic and proteomic profiles, and compromised response to the stressors camptothecin and thiabendazole. Remarkably, the double deletion mutant does not exhibit a more severe phenotype compared to the single mutants. In addition, ChIP-nexus analysis reveals that both Cbf11 and Mga2 bind to nearly identical positions within the promoter regions of target genes. Interestingly, Mga2 binding appears to be dependent on the presence of Cbf11 and Cbf11 likely acts as a tether to DNA, while Mga2 is needed to activate the target genes. In addition, the study explores the distribution of Cbf11 and Mga2 homologs across fungi. The presence of both Cbf11 and Mga2 homologs in Basidiomycota contrasts with Ascomycota, which mostly lack Cbf11 but retain Mga2. This suggests an evolutionary rewiring of the regulatory circuitry governing lipid metabolism and mitotic fidelity. In conclusion, this study offers compelling support for Cbf11 and Mga2 functioning jointly to regulate lipid metabolism and mitotic fidelity in fission yeast.
Outcomes of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare in Rwanda and validation of the Universal Vital Assessment (UVA) mortality risk score
Authors: Gashame Dona Fabiola , Boateng Kwame A. Akuamoah , Twagirumukiza Jean Damascene , de Dieu Mahoro Jean , Moore Christopher C. , Twagirumugabe Theogene
Published: December 2024

There are few data regarding clinical outcomes from COVD-19 from low-income countries (LICs) including Rwanda. Accordingly, we aimed to determine 1) outcomes of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 in Rwanda, and 2) the ability of the Universal Vital Assessment (UVA) score to predict mortality in patients with COVID-19 compared to sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and quick (qSOFA) scores. We conducted a retrospective study of patients aged ≥18 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB), Rwanda, April 2021-January 2022. For each participant, we calculated UVA, SOFA, and qSOFA risk scores and determined their area under the receive operating characteristic curve (AUC). We used logistic regression to determine predictors of mortality. Of the 150 patients included, 83 (55%) were female and the median (IQR) age was 61 (43–73) years. The median (IQR) length of hospital stay was 6 (3–10) days. Respiratory failure occurred in 69 (46%) including 34 (23%) who had ARDS. The case fatality rate was 44%. Factors independently associated with mortality included acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47–43.22, p = 0.016), severe COVID-19 (aOR 3.42, 95% CI 1.06–11.01, p = 0.039), and a UVA score >4 (aOR 7.15, 95% CI 1.56–32.79, p = 0.011). The AUCs for UVA, qSOFA, and SOFA scores were 0.86 (95% CI 0.79–0.92), 0.81 (95% CI 0.74–0.88), and 0.84 (95% CI 0.78–0.91), respectively, which were not statistically significantly different from each other. At a UVA score cut-off of 4, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for mortality were 0.58, 0.93, 0.86, and 0.74, respectively. Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in CHUB had high mortality, which was accurately predicted by the UVA score. Calculation of the UVA score in patients with COVID-19 in LICs may assist clinicians with triage and other management decisions.
Recognition of Conus species using a combined approach of supervised learning and deep learning-based feature extraction
Authors: Qasmi Noshaba , Bibi Rimsha , Rashid Sajid
Published: December 2024

Cone snails are venomous marine gastropods comprising more than 950 species widely distributed across different habitats. Their conical shells are remarkably similar to those of other invertebrates in terms of color, pattern, and size. For these reasons, assigning taxonomic signatures to cone snail shells is a challenging task. In this report, we propose an ensemble learning strategy based on the combination of Random Forest (RF) and XGBoost (XGB) methods. We used 47,600 cone shell images of uniform size (224 x 224 pixels), which were split into an 80:20 train-test ratio. Prior to performing subsequent operations, these images were subjected to pre-processing and transformation. After applying a deep learning approach (Visual Geometry Group with a 16-layer deep model architecture) for feature extraction, model specificity was further assessed by including multiple related and unrelated seashell images. Both classifiers demonstrated comparable recognition ability on random test samples. The evaluation results suggested that RF outperformed XGB due to its high accuracy in recognizing Conus species, with an average precision of 95.78%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.99, indicating the model’s optimal performance. The learning and validation curves also demonstrated a robust fit, with the training score reaching 1 and the validation score gradually increasing to 95 as more data was provided. These values indicate a well-trained model that generalizes effectively to validation data without significant overfitting. The gradual improvement in the validation score curve is crucial for ensuring model reliability and minimizing the risk of overfitting. Our findings revealed an interactive visualization. The performance of our proposed model suggests its potential for use with datasets of other mollusks, and optimal results may be achieved for their categorization and taxonomical characterization.
Time as a significant factor in the release of potassium from lithium heparin plasma and serum
Authors: Reuter Tom , Müller Michael , Stelter Felix , Durner Jürgen , Kramer Jan
Published: December 2024

Objectives

In most countries the majority of patients are in outpatient care. In difference to hospitalized patients, their blood samples often take hours after collection to centrifugation. The study investigates the release of potassium and the development of pseudohyperkalemia in lithium heparin (Li-Hep) and serum blood collection tubes over time.

Methods

From 201 donors 4 serum and 4 Li-Hep blood collection tubes were taken each. After 0.5, 4, 6 and 8h whole blood was centrifuged, and potassium levels were determined. To simulate the preanalytic conditions, the samples with a storage time >0.5h were shaken on a standard shaker for 1h and stored at 4–8°C for the remaining time.

Results

Over time, significant more potassium was released before centrifugation from the Li-Hep plasma than from serum (1.21 vs 0.94 mmol/L). After 6h, the two groups were no longer highly statistically significantly different (potassium mean: 5.01 mmol/L in serum group, 4.92 mmol/L in Li-Hep group). In the Li-Hep group 164 donors developed a pseudohyperkalemia after 8h, compared to 76 in the serum group.

Significance

The decision as to which material is best suited should not only be based on which value comes closest to the physiological situation immediately after blood collection. The subsequent preanalytic circumstances must also be considered. Serum tubes appear to be at least as suitable for potassium determination as Li-Hep tubes. In terms of patient blood management, serum provides the possibility of performing a wider range of analyses in the outpatient setting.
stilPCR increases the effective sequencing length of Illumina targeted next-generation sequencing
Authors: Limberis Jason D. , Nagel Roland J. , Chakravorty Soumitesh , Block Dena , Dewell Scott , Nalyvayko Alina , Howard Zach , Theron Grant , Venter Rouxjeane , Metcalfe John Z.
Published: December 2024

Identifying pathogens, resistance-conferring mutations, and strain types through targeted amplicon sequencing is an important tool. However, due to the limitations of short read sequencing, many applications require the division of limited clinical samples. Here, we present stilPCR (single-tube Illumina long read PCR), which allows the generation of hemi-nested amplicons in a single tube, with Illumina indexes and adapters, effectively increasing the Illumina read length without increasing the input requirements of reagents or sample. We have successfully utilized stilPCR on clinical sputum from tuberculosis patients to detect drug resistance mutations.
Thinking outside the shoulder: A systematic review and metanalysis of kinetic chain characteristics in non-athletes with shoulder pain
Authors: Fonseca Fialho Hilmaynne Renaly , Gava Vander , Fonseca Romário Nóbrega Santos , Kamonseki Danilo Harudy , Barbosa Germanna Medeiros
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The kinetic chain is important in the proximal-distal energy transfer along body segments. Although biomechanical impairments in components of the kinetic chain have already been reported in athletes with shoulder pain, such investigations in non-athlete individuals have not yet been synthesized.

Objective

To systematically review the literature and analyze the quality of evidence on the characteristics of the kinetic chain of non-athletes with shoulder pain compared to asymptomatic individuals.

Methods

Studies published until February 2024 (without language restrictions) that quantitatively assessed outcomes related to the kinetic chain of non-athlete individuals were searched in five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, EMBASE, and SCOPUS). The risk of bias and quality of evidence were analyzed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach, respectively. To summarize the findings, meta-analyses with random-effects models were performed.

Results

Six cross-sectional studies (n = 562 [282 with shoulder pain], mean age = 48.7 ± 8.1 years) with low risk of bias were included in this review. Very low-quality evidence suggests that individuals with shoulder pain may present a lower active range of motion and muscular endurance/strength in the cervical spine, thoracolumbar region, and hip, as well as deficits in neuromuscular control of the lower extremities. Findings related to thoracic spine posture were conflicting and no differences were found in cervical spine isometric muscular strength between individuals with and without shoulder pain.

Conclusion

Individuals with shoulder pain may present alterations in active mobility, muscular endurance, and neuromuscular control in kinetic chain segments. These findings suggest that broader physical assessments considering components of the kinetic chain may be clinically relevant in this population. However, based on the very low quality of evidence, the findings of this review should be interpreted with caution.
Exploring the antimicrobial potential of pomegranate peel extracts (PPEs): Extraction techniques and bacterial susceptibility
Authors: Abutayeh Reem Fawaz , Ayyash Manal A. K. , Alwany Ruaa A. , Abuodeh Alaa , Jaber Kamel , Al-Najjar Mohammad A. A.
Published: December 2024

Antimicrobial resistance is increasing globally and is one of the major public health concerns. This highlights the need to search for new antimicrobial agents. Natural fruit by-products are a rich source of bioactive compounds. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit is particularly rich in phenolic bioactive phytochemicals. These compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Furthermore, they exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial effects. Bioactive phytochemicals are found mainly in peel (exocarp and mesocarp), which constitutes about 50% of the whole fresh fruit. This study utilized pomegranate of Jordanian origin to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different Pomegranate peel extracts (PPEs) alone and/or in combination with antibacterial agents against four bacterial strains. Different solvents and extraction methods were employed to obtain the PPEs. A key focus was to explore the enhancement of antibacterial activity against gentamicin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) when microwaved aqueous extracts are combined with gentamicin. The antibacterial activity of PPEs varied depending on the extraction method and the solvent used. Notably, the aqueous macerate and microwave-assisted extract showed high potency and similar activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and P. aeruginosa (MICs 12.5, 25, and 25 μg/μL, respectively for both aqueous extracts). In contrast, Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) was more susceptible to the inhibitory activity of organic PPEs with a MIC of 25 μg/μL recorded with the use of ethanolic solvents. Bacterial antagonistic activity was observed against gentamicin-resistant P. aeruginosa, particularly when lower concentrations (3.125, 1.562, 0.781, and 0.39 μg/μL) of microwaved aqueous PPEs were evaluated in combination with different concentrations of gentamicin. In conclusion, pomegranate peels, a natural and safe by-product, demonstrate promising antimicrobial potential. Furthermore, combining PPEs with conventional antibiotics shows promise in addressing antibiotic resistance, highlighting their potential role in treating infectious diseases.
Identification of cuproptosis-related genes in septic shock based on bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Zhao Jintong , Zhang Meng , Wang Ying , He Feifei , Zhang Qiang
Published: December 2024

Background

Septic shock is a life-threatening condition characterized by a failure of organ systems and a high mortality rate. Cuproptosis is a new form of cell death that is triggered by copper overload. However, the relationship between cuproptosis-related genes and septic shock remains unclear.

Methods

The GSE26440 dataset from the GEO database was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between control and septic shock samples. Additionally, hub genes related to the progression of septic shock and cuproptosis were screened by Venn analysis. RT-qPCR was utilized to validate the expression of hub genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes from septic shock patients and healthy controls. Next, functional analysis and immune cells infiltration were performed.

Results

SLC31A1 and MTF1 levels were obviously elevated and LIAS and LIPT1 levels were downregulated in septic shock samples, compared to normal controls. The diagnostic values of the four genes were confirmed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Additionally, SLC31A1 and MTF1 showed a positive correlation with natural killer cells and LIAS and LIPT1 exhibited a positive correlation with CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, compared to low-level groups, MAPK signaling was activated in the high-SLC31A1 level group, VEGF signaling was activated in the high-MTF1 level group and lipoic acid metabolism was activated in high-LIAS and high-LIPT1 level groups.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that SLC31A1, MTF1, LIAS, and LIPT1 are dysregulated in septic shock samples, and these genes exhibit potential diagnostic efficacy in septic shock, suggesting that these genes may be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of septic shock.
Genotype x environment interaction in cassava multi-environment trials via analytic factor
Authors: Filho Juraci Souza Sampaio , Oliveira Isadora Cristina Martins , Pastina Maria Marta , Campos Marcos de Souza , de Oliveira Eder Jorge
Published: December 2024

The variability in genetic variance and covariance due to genotype × environment interaction (G×E) can hinder genotype selection accuracy, especially for complex traits. This study analyzed G×E interactions in cassava to identify stable, high-performing genotypes and predict agronomic performance in untested environments using factor analytic multiplicative mixed models (FAMM) within multi-environment trials (METs). We evaluated 22 cassava genotypes for fresh root yield (FRY), dry root yield (DRY), shoot yield (ShY), and dry matter content (DMC) across 55 Brazilian environments. FAMM was applied to estimate genetic values and environmental loads, revealing significant genetic variance, especially for FRY (0.16–0.92) and broad-sense heritability (H^²) above 0.70 in advanced yield trials. In joint analyses, analytic factor FA4 explained over 88% of genetic variation for all traits despite high G×E and data imbalance. Positive genetic correlations were found between environments for ShY and DRY (0.99 and 1.0, respectively), while FRY and DMC showed negative correlations (-0.82 and -0.95). Latent regression analysis identified hybrids adaptable to a range of environments, as well as genotypes suited to specific conditions. Moderate correlations between environmental covariables (rainfall, altitude, solar radiation) and FA model loadings suggest these factors contribute to high G×E interactions, notably for FRY. The FAMM model provided a robust approach to G×E analysis in cassava, yielding practical insights for breeding programs.
The impact of household digital transformation on household energy efficiency: Empirical evidence from Chinese households
Authors: Lin Suxu , He Lin , Lin Xin , Li Weicheng
Published: December 2024

Carbon emissions from household consumption are an important part of global energy consumption, and household digital transformation is vital for realizing green and low−carbon development. Using data from the 2019 China Household Finance Survey, this study empirically examines the effect of household digital transformation on household energy efficiency. The results show that household digital transformation significantly improves household energy efficiency across all quantiles. This effect varies by consumption type, with the most pronounced improvements in food, housing, and other consumption categories. The impact is stronger for households with elderly members. Per capita household income and education level serve as important mediating and moderating mechanisms, respectively. Unlike previous macro-level studies, this research provides micro-evidence on the impact of household digital transformation on energy efficiency, explores the underlying mechanisms through income and education effects, and examines heterogeneous impacts across different consumption types and household characteristics. These findings offer important policy implications for leveraging digital transformation to enhance household energy efficiency and promote sustainable development.
Emerging mutation in SARS-CoV-2 facilitates escape from NK cell recognition and associates with enhanced viral fitness
Authors: Bilev Eleni , Wild Nicole , Momayyezi Pouria , Sala Benedetta Maria , Sun Renhua , Sandalova Tatyana , Marquardt Nicole , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Achour Adnane , Hammer Quirin
Published: December 2024

In addition to adaptive immunity, natural killer (NK) cells of the innate immune system contribute to the control of viral infections. The HLA-E-restricted SARS-CoV-2 Nsp13232-240 epitope VMPLSAPTL renders infected cells susceptible to NK cells by preventing binding to the inhibitory receptor NKG2A. Here, we report that a recently emerged methionine to isoleucine substitution at position 2 (pM2I) of Nsp13232-240 impairs binding of the mutated epitope to HLA-E and diminishes HLA-E/peptide complex stability. Structural analyses revealed altered occupancy of the HLA-E B-pocket as the underlying cause for reduced presentation and stability of the mutated epitope. Functionally, the reduced presentation of the mutated epitope correlated with elevated binding to NKG2A as well as with increased NK cell inhibition. Moreover, the pM2I mutation associated with enhanced estimated viral fitness and was transmitted to descendants of the SARS-CoV-2 BQ.1 variant. Interestingly, the mutated epitope resembles sequences of related peptides found in endemic common cold-causing human coronaviruses. Altogether, these findings indicate compromised peptide presentation as a viral adaptation to evade NK cell-mediated immunosurveillance by enabling enhanced presentation of self-peptide and restoring NKG2A-dependent inhibition of NK cells.
Fatal Lassa fever in cynomolgus monkeys is associated with systemic viral dissemination and inflammation
Authors: Hortion Jimmy , Perthame Emeline , Lafoux Blaise , Soyer Laura , Reynard Stéphanie , Journeaux Alexandra , Germain Clara , Lopez-Maestre Hélène , Pietrosemoli Natalia , Baillet Nicolas , Croze Séverine , Rey Catherine , Legras-Lachuer Catherine , Baize Sylvain
Published: December 2024

The pathogenesis of Lassa fever has not yet been fully deciphered, particularly as concerns the mechanisms determining whether acute infection is controlled or leads to catastrophic illness and death. Using a cynomolgus monkey model of Lassa virus (LASV) infection reproducing the different outcomes of the disease, we performed histological and transcriptomic studies to investigate the dynamics of LASV infection and the immune mechanisms associated with survival or death. Lymphoid organs are an early major reservoir for replicating virus during Lassa fever, with LASV entering through the cortical sinus of draining lymph nodes regardless of disease outcome. However, subsequent viral tropism varies considerably with disease severity, with viral dissemination limited almost entirely to lymphoid organs and immune cells during nonfatal Lassa fever. By contrast, the systemic dissemination of LASV to all organs and diverse cell types, leading to infiltrations with macrophages and neutrophils and an excessive inflammatory response, is associated with a fatal outcome. These results provide new insight into early viral dynamics and the host response to LASV infection according to disease outcome.
Engaging youth students in community issues: The efficacy of a citizenship education programme in Kenya
Authors: Cherono Lilian , Macharia Caroline
Published: December 2024

This article explores the implementation and impact of a local democracy programme as a citizenship education framework in Kenya. Focusing on the pedagogical approach of ‘Transmission, Transaction and Reflection’ in Kenya, it examines how secondary students engage with local democratic governance and societal issues by creating and distributing reports in their newsletters. The study reveals the benefits and challenges of integrating citizenship education into the curriculum, highlighting the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, and demonstrates that experiential learning activities, such as student-led reporting, can significantly enhance students’ understanding of democratic values and active citizenship. It underscores the necessity of bridging the theoretical–practical divide to effectively prepare students for their roles as engaged, empowered and ethical citizens. These valuable insights into pedagogical strategies can foster more inclusive and participatory citizenship education in Kenya and similar African contexts.
‘It’s better to just listen’: Three dichotomies regarding young citizens’ democratic self-confidence
Authors: Stald Gitte , Balle Mette Løye
Published: December 2024

This article focuses on the challenges of being young, well-informed, democratic citizens and distrusting one’s ability to develop democratic self-confidence. This notion is framed by intersecting conditions based on norms of democratic citizenship, information practices and democratic values. Empirically, the article draws on interviews with 16–24-year-old Danes. Three dichotomies frame the article’s contribution: (1) The informants are interested and well-informed. However, lacking confidence in their abilities to gain and understand enough information for engaged citizenship affects their democratic self-confidence. (2) The informants demonstrate trust concerning democracy and democratic engagement. Still, the lack of democratic self-confidence affects their actual and perceived democratic participation. (3) The third dichotomy demonstrates that informants orientate globally through online spaces, but democratic deliberation preferably takes place in offline, private safe gardens. These contextual factors impact the direction of potential democratic innovation. If young citizens are to be innovative agents in a democratic society, new fora and formats for civic engagement must evolve.
How do young people understand the meaning of the assassination of Heydrich?
Authors: Starý Karel , Stará Jana , Laufková Veronika
Published: December 2024

Within the national research on school education results, students completing compulsory schooling were asked about the meaning of the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. Some of the students understood the meaning well, but a detailed analysis of the responses revealed that a considerable number were unable to understand the meaning of the act of the resistance movement even if they were provided with the basic facts. The answers reflected superficial presentism when the historical event was interpreted without regard to the historical context. Radical views also emerged that questioned and relativized the importance of national resistance.
Service children and barriers to higher education in the United Kingdom: How can service children be better supported in accessing university?
Authors: Swain Spencer , Ritchie Lewis
Published: December 2024

Children from military families are underrepresented within higher education institutions in the UK despite achieving the necessary grades to attend. The article builds upon existing quantitative research that has sought to numerically document the lack of progression of service children into higher education and employs a qualitative methodology implemented through semi-structured interviews and thematic data analysis to unpack the lived experience of service children. Emergent themes from the study document how a lack of pastoral support offered to service children within the education system causes many to lack the reflexive insight needed to make informed choices about what careers to pursue post-18. It is suggested that this lack of reflexivity needs to be rectified if service children are to feel confident applying to university, something we argue should be addressed by implementing a pastoral support system for service children in schools.
The Confucian knight-errant: A traditional Chinese masculine ideal in the wuxia film
Authors: Zhou Yining
Published: December 2024

While wuxia film criticism has extensively examined the macho-masculine archetype in the kung fu subgenre, there is a noticeable oversight regarding another vital type of masculinity: the scholar-type or Confucian knight-errant. Despite its divergence from the rugged gunfighter in Hollywood action genres such as the western, Confucian masculinity as a timeless ideal across Chinese genres also finds appreciation within the wuxia genre – a genre known for its dynamic action and a world akin to westerns’ supposedly merciless Social Darwinist frontier. Through a comparative lens on the iconic figure of the American cowboy, this article first identifies some crucial features of gender discourse in Chinese traditional culture through an interpretation of the two paradigms of complementary opposites – the yin/yang dichotomy and the wen/wu (‘cultural/military attainments’) dyad. Then, it explains how this traditional Chinese cultural ideal aligns with the wuxia genre’s thematic requirements, with a detailed analysis of two celluloid epitomes of the Confucian knight-errant in wuxia epics: Xiao Shaozi in King Hu’s Longmen kezhan (Dragon Gate Inn) (1967) and Chen Jialuo in Ann Hui’s Shujian enchou lu (The Romance of Book and Sword) (1987).
Ethico-onto-epistem-ology and traumatic memories in Rivers Solomon’s The Deep and Sorrowland
Authors: Calvo-Pascual Mónica
Published: December 2024

Karen Barad’s theory of agential realism and her notion of ethico-onto-epistemology, based on the inseparability of ethics, being and knowledge, disclaim any immanent distinction between the human and the nonhuman, the mind and the body, and discourse and matter. The approach to reality as discursively-materially constituted brings together critical posthumanism, agential realism and new materialism, which comprise Rosi Braidotti’s affirmative ethics and Barad’s ethics of knowing – in line with their respective ethics of becoming and ethics of entanglement. Bearing these premises in mind, this article presents an analysis of trans-species, trans-corporeal ethico-onto-epistem-ology in Rivers Solomon’s latest Afrofuturist works, The Deep (2019) and Sorrowland (2021) as the posthumanist means that enable characters to cope with their ancestors’ traumatic memories. The Deep portrays the wajinru as a new species emerging from the entangled intra-action of relata (the unborn children of pregnant Black women thrown overboard slave ships) and their medium (the ocean). Simultaneously, the history of the oppressed is presented as discursive-material and embodied in the figure of ‘the historian’, who hosts the memories of all their ancestors liberating the other wajinru from their traumatic history. In Sorrowland, with a marked posthumanist neo-materialist stance, memories adopt a quasi-gothic haunting quality but are indeed the trans-corporeal result of scientific experimentation on an African American sect for the US government’s military interests. The protagonist’s symbiosis with wild nature appears as the novel’s brand of ethical entanglement in the face of racial exploitation.
Beyond SF: Reading the posthuman in crime fiction
Authors: Abizanda-Cardona María
Published: December 2024

Science fiction (SF)’s capacity to imagine alternative futures, embodiments and forms of agency is a crucial resource for the ethical project of critical posthumanism. In the twenty-first century, however, science-fictionality has surpassed its traditional generic boundaries to become a tool for comprehending and intervening in our changing reality, made concrete in different media and styles. This has translated into a rise of recombinant genre fiction, whereby themes and scenarios related to technoscience are addressed by genres other than SF. One illustrative instance of this tendency is the burgeoning body of works that integrate the conventions of SF and crime fiction, which have been steadily on the rise for the past five years in anglophone literary markets. Aiming to open up new avenues for the study of this critically unexplored corpus, this article sets out to assemble a critical apparatus for examining the representation of posthumanity in these hybrid texts. Drawing from an approach to crime fiction as a vector for dialectically exploring social and ethical questions, this article will argue that the constituent elements of the genre, namely its close interrelation with technological breakthroughs, its ambivalent engagement with the legacy of Enlightenment humanism and its affinity with interrogations of the exploitative workings of neo-liberalism, make crime fiction a productive locus for challenging dominant conceptions of the posthuman, as well as for articulating alternative visions indexed to critical posthumanist thought.
Repensando o ensino de Língua Inglesa através do streaming:
Authors: Santos da Silva Sanio , Flores Kupske Felipe
Published: December 2024

O Netflix e outras plataformas de streaming têm ganhado cada vez mais espaço na rotina das pessoas. Entretanto, poucos professores de inglês consideram essa ferramenta quando planejam aulas. Certamente, existem limitações, sobretudo em escolas regulares, mas narrativas audiovisuais refletem a forma que diálogos acontecem na vida real, aspectos culturais, sotaques de diferentes comunidades, e suas temáticas podem despertar o interesse de alunos (Magasic, 2017). A partir dessa perspectiva, educadores devem se interessar em empregar vídeos em sala de aula. Assim, este trabalho foi desenvolvido a partir da questão: como é possível elaborar uma atividade, a partir de uma série da Netflix, que valorize traços identitários e conduza alunos a produzir sentido com essa experiência? O objetivo geral é relatar atividades conduzidas a partir da apreciação de episódios da série One Day At a Time, em uma turma de nível básico 2 do PROFICI – Programa de Proficiência em Língua Estrangeira para Estudantes e Servidores da UFBA. A justificativa do trabalho está relacionada à necessidade de alinhar a atuação de professores de inglês às tendências contemporâneas de ensino e, ademais, apresentar e discutir acerca de uma atividade que favorece o acesso a materiais diversificados e autênticos em língua inglesa.
TV Manchete Fortaleza
Authors: De Souza José Jullian Gomes
Published: December 2024

O estudo investiga a trajetória da TV Manchete Fortaleza (1984-1999), como parte da história e memória da mídia televisiva regional cearense. A partir da redistribuição das concessões da Rede Tupi, a emissora fundada pela família Bloch chegou ao Ceará no Canal 2, com sede em Fortaleza. O quadro metodológico parte da pesquisa qualitativa, estudo de caso sobre a Rede Manchete no Ceará, pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e histórica, além do uso de arquivos televisivos para a recuperação de informações sobre a história da emissora cearense. Para o contexto midiático local a presença de uma emissora própria do Grupo Manchete contribuiu para a interligação entre o regional e o nacional, bem como para a história da mídia televisiva no estado. Pois, ainda que grande parte da programação fosse somente retransmitida, a TV Manchete Fortaleza também produziu conteúdos locais.
Gróf Zichy Béla hitbizományi uradalmának fejlődése (1887-1914)
Authors: Kaposi Zoltán
Published: December 2024

The study deals with the economic development of the entailed manor of Lengyeltóti owned by Count Béla Zichy. According to the current literature entailed estates were running with low efficiency. However, based on my preliminary findings it appears that there were a few innovative entailed large-scale agricultural plants in Somogy County. The main question is whether it was possible to implement modernisation within the legal framework of an entail. I have used archival sources, statistics, press sources, literature and genealogic sources. I have established that the Manor of Lengyeltóti successfully dealt with all the external economic hardships (decrease in crop prices and wine blight). It implemented many innovations and through its initiations it contributed to the national agricultural development. The manor enjoyed successes in the field of intensive livestock farming and growing animal fodder plants and industrial crops. Its significant achievements included converting water-meadows to lands, engaging in railway development and the large-scale peat extraction within the industrial system of the manor. Its initiative participation in the tourism of Lake Balaton still has its effects felt today. This obviously required an owner with broad vision and proper management. Our study shows that not the legal category of the estate (entailed of free) was the decisive factor; in the ages of capitalism an owner of an entail could became a successful agriculture entrepreneur.
Inserção e indução profissional dos professores iniciantes/principiantes: estratégias formativas e papel dos coordenadores pedagógicos
Authors: Nascimento Maria das Graças Chagas de Arruda , Silva Yrlla Ribeiro de Oliveira Carneiro da , Costa Samara Andrade da
Published: December 2024

O presente texto aborda a discussão sobre o processo de indução profissional de professores que iniciam a vida profissional. O artigo tem por objetivo discutir, a partir das perspectivas de coordenadoras pedagógicas, o processo de apoio e acompanhamento de professores que ingressaram na Rede Municipal de Ensino do Rio de Janeiro em 2021, para atuarem nos Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental. Apresenta parte dos resultados encontrados em pesquisa que teve por objetivo analisar ações de formação desencadeadas pela escola, com indícios de indução profissional, no contexto da Rede Pública Municipal de Ensino do Rio de Janeiro. Busca-se investigar a existência de ações e estratégias intencionais voltadas para o acompanhamento e a formação de professores no âmbito das escolas e como os coordenadores pedagógicos estão envolvidos nessas ações. As análises estão sustentadas em estudos desenvolvidos por Cruz, Farias e Hobold (2020), Vaillant e Marcelo García (2012), Imbernón (2006, 2016) e Nascimento et al. (2014, 2021). Sobre os procedimentos metodológicos, foram utilizados a consulta documental, questionários e entrevistas com coordenadores pedagógicos da rede. Os resultados permitiram identificar a existência de uma política parcialmente efetivada e de ações pontuais de algumas escolas e seus respectivos coordenadores com vistas ao acolhimento dos professores iniciantes. Contudo verificou-se que existe ainda um longo caminho a percorrer na direção da efetivação de uma política de indução profissional docente.
Os desafios para uma gestão democrática nas escolas públicas brasileiras.
Authors: Nunes Silva Brito Eugênio , Vilácio Pereira da Silva Magno , Marlene de Souza Margarete , Rocha Tameirão Cinthya
Published: December 2024

Conforme legislação brasileira, a gestão democrática nas escolas públicas brasileiras baseia-se no princípio democrático, isso implica abrir espaço para discussão, aspecto fundamental para fortalecimento das relações sociais em uma sociedade multicultural. Compreende-se que, a construção da gestão democrática na escola abre espaço para a discussão e reflexão nas comunidades interna e externa à escola influenciando o desenvolvimento participativo em projetos da escola, pois busca a qualidade e a democracia no ensino. Este artigo tem como objetivo principal discutir os desafios que impedem a concretização de uma gestão democrática, a partir de uma revisão da literatura. Como problema norteador dessa pesquisa buscou-se compreender a gestão democrática escolar e os empecilhos existentes que impedem a concretização de uma abertura de espaço para a discussão e instauração de um processo democrático em que as comunidades interna e externa à escola participem do processo de construção dos projetos, de forma a buscar pela qualidade e democracia no ensino. Alguns artigos presentes na literatura que discutem sobre o tema, colaboraram para as discussões levantadas nesta pesquisa demonstrando a importância de uma gestão escolar democrática, com a construção do projeto político pedagógico idealizado de forma democrática e que se apoie no desenvolvimento de uma consciência crítica, que envolva as pessoas da comunidade interna e externa à escola.  A pesquisa realizada aponta que ainda coexistem distintos modelos de gestão, ou mesmo que a gestão democrática, como um processo, ainda pode ser encontrada em distintos estágios dentre as escolas e realidades observadas.
Aspectos históricos sobre a profissionalização docente na educação infantil
Authors: Agrellos Aline Aparecida Fraga , Sales Giza Guimarães P. , Lima Elieuza Aparecida , Castro Rosane Michelli de
Published: December 2024

A construção da profissionalização docente para os professores que atuam na educação infantil não ocorreu, historicamente, da mesma forma como para os demais professores que atuam nos diversos segmentos da educação básica. Alicerçado em uma contextualização histórica e cultural, este texto busca trazer luz a respeito da compreensão sobre a formação docente e o processo de constituição de sua identidade profissional, segundo a análise da percepção de um grupo de docentes, investigando a constituição de um campo profissional que foi se consolidando a partir do surgimento das primeiras instituições destinadas a cuidar das crianças de zero a seis anos de idade no Brasil. Os procedimentos metodológicos envolvem um grupo de professoras iniciantes e também professoras experientes, atuantes na educação infantil de uma escola privada no entorno do Distrito Federal. Dessa forma, o estudo busca evidenciar as especificidades que envolvem a identidade profissional dos docentes que atuam nesse segmento, que se formam e se constituem na teoria e na prática, e como essa profissionalidade se concretiza na sala de aula, bem como nos cursos de formação. A relevância e pertinência da temática fazem com que a investigação desses aspectos seja fundamental para uma reflexão crítica sobre a formação docente e sobre a compreensão do perfil profissional do professor/a da educação infantil.
As relações com os saberes não consensuais na educação física escolar: com a palavra os/as estudantes
Authors: Venâncio Luciana , Neto Luiz Sanches
Published: December 2024

O objetivo deste artigo é explicitar as relações com os saberes não consensuais atribuídas aos modos e às razões de estar, permanecer e desejar aprender com e nas aulas de educação física. A principal escolha metodológica consiste em grupos focais para valorizar as interações dos/as estudantes de uma escola pública municipal na periferia de São Paulo. A partir de suas vozes, foram cotejadas as relações não consensuais com os saberes, ressaltando as principais dissonâncias que se afastaram do consenso. Ao discutir a especificidade de cada relação com o saber nas aulas de educação física, quatro aspectos foram destacados: a possibilidade dos saberes provocarem medo ou insegurança, a não dependência dos saberes do/a professor/a, a necessidade de internalizar os conhecimentos ao invés de memorizar os conteúdos, e a possibilidade de manipulação de alguns objetos sem a exigência de dominá-los. Os temas identificados nessas relações dizem respeito à sensibilidade, aos limites dos saberes docentes, à avaliação, à obrigação, aos objetos e aos materiais. À guisa de conclusão, os/as alunos/as precisam ser tratados/as como sujeitos/as concretos à medida que se revelam diante dos próprios saberes não consensuais. Essa perspectiva pode revelar pistas sobre o que vale a pena fazer parte do currículo escolar tanto na educação física como em outras áreas.
Relação com o saber, tempos de escola e temporalidades de vida
Authors: Souza Maria Celeste Reis Fernandes de
Published: December 2024

Este artigo se insere no debate sobre a educação integral, em tempo integral, no Brasil, e se propõe a refletir sobre tempos os de escola e as temporalidades de vida com as lentes teóricas da relação com o saber, na proposição feita por Bernard Charlot. Subsidia essas reflexões o material empírico produzido por meio de entrevistas com estudantes do 9º ano do ensino fundamental, da Escola em Tempo Integral (ETI) de Governador Valadares (GV), Minas Gerais. Analisa-se, assim, o tempo cronológico e as tensões que se estabelecem a partir dos sentidos do aprender e do modo como estudantes vivenciam a experiência singular do tempo. Os resultados problematizam o tempo modular de 50 minutos, seu uso para atividades como a cópia, e expõem desencontros entre tempos de aprendizagem e normatividade dos componentes curriculares. Afirma-se a importância de se compreender a pluralidade de tempos presente na expressão tempo integral, e conclui-se pela defesa da ampliação da jornada escolar, em retração, no cenário brasileiro, a partir do ano de 2016. Espera-se com as discussões apresentadas neste texto, contribuir para o fortalecimento da educação integral, em tempo integral, que se estabelece como uma das prioridades do Ministério da Educação a partir do ano de 2023.