bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bankacılık Sektöründe Dijital Dönüşümün Verimliliğe Olan Etkileri: TRB2 Bölgesinde Nitel Bir Çalışma
Authors: GÜNGÖR KARYAĞDI Nazan
Published: August 2022

Özet
Teknolojik alt yapı ve fırsatlardan ileri düzeyde yararlanmayı amaç edinmiş bankalar, son yıllarda önem kazanan dijital dönüşüm gibi kavramlar çerçevesinde sunulan yenilikleri sık sık uygulamaya başlamışlardır. 5-G teknolojisi, akıllı telefonlar, yapay zekâ, robotlar, büyük veri, blockchain teknolojisi, fintech, arttırılmış gerçeklik gibi teknolojik gelişmeler bu yeniliklerden bazılarıdır. Gerek işlem hızı bakımından gerek maliyetler açısından çeşitli avantajlar elde etmeye başlayan bankalar, tüm dünyada artan rekabetten dolayı müşteri memnuniyetini en üst düzeye çıkarmayı hedeflemiş ve bu kapsamda bütün çalışmalarına dijital bankacılık çerçevesinde yön vermeye başlamışlardır. Bu çalışmanın amacı “dijital dönüşüm” kavramı, bankacılık sektöründeki dijital dönüşümün avantaj ve dezavantajlarının belirlenmesi ve verimliliğe olan etkilerinin nitel araştırma yöntemiyle incelenmesidir. Bu kapsamda, TRB2 bölgesi içerisinde yer alan Bitlis, Hakkâri, Muş ve Van illerinde hem kamu hem özel bankalarda çalışan personellerle görüşmeler yapılmış ve çalışmaya katkı sağlanması amaçlanmıştır. Görüşmeler sonucunda elde edilen veriler analiz edilmiş ve araştırmanın amacı doğrultusunda çeşitli sonuçlara ulaşılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre, dijital bankacılığın hem avantajları hem de dezavantajları mevcuttur. Maliyet, zaman, sürdürülebilir çevre, banka işlemleri, müşteriler açısından avantajları söz konusu iken; güvenlik, işsizlik, banka işlemleri ve müşteriler açısından ise dezavantajları olduğu görülmektedir. Müşteriler, banka işlemleri ve banka çalışanları bakımından ortaya çıkan avantajların aynı zamanda verimliliğe katkısı olduğu yönünde sonuçlara da ulaşılmıştır. Dezavantajların verimliliğe olan etkisinde ise, müşteri kaybı, rekabet ortamı, güvenlik, banka çalışanlarında istihdama bağlı olarak ortaya çıkan işsizlik kaygısı gibi unsurların yer aldığı görülmektedir.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Banka, Dijital Dönüşüm, Avantaj, Dezavantaj ve Verimlilik
PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM TERHADAP TENAGA KERJA YANG IJAZAH NYA DIJADIKAN JAMINAN OLEH PERUSAHAAN PEMBERI KERJA (STUDI PENELITIAN DI DISNAKER KOTA CIREBON)
Authors: ADITYA RIZKY NAAFI , MARLINA TINA
Published: August 2022

Dalam pelaksanaan pembangunan nasional, tenaga kerja mempunyai peranan dan kedudukan yang sangat penting sebagai pelaku dan tujuan pembangunan. Untuk dapat bekerja pada perusahaan, seseorang menempuh pendidikan terlebih dahulu untuk mendapatkan ijazah sebagai bukti bahwa dirinya telah selesai menempuh pendidikan. Pada beberapa perusahaan ada yang menerapkan sistem penahanan terhadap ijazah asli pekerja. Peraturan perusahaan itu dibuat secara sepihak oleh pengusaha secara tertulis yang memuat ketentuan tentang syarat kerja dan tata tertib perusahaan. Hal ini mengakibatkan adanya kekosongan hukum terkait boleh atau tidaknya dilakukan penahanan ijazah. Kekosongan hukum yang terjadi terhadap penahanan ijazah asli pekerja perlu adanya pengaturan terkait sehingga dapat menjadi payung hukum demi melindungi hak dan kepentingan pekerja maupun pengusaha agar sama-sama tidak ada yang merasa dirugikan dalam melaksanakan hubungan kerja. Identifikasi masalah dalam penelitian ini adalah bagaimanakah perlindungan hukum terhadap tenaga kerja yang ijazah nya dijadikan jaminan oleh perusahaan dan Bagaimanakah peran dan upaya disnaker terhadap ijazah tenaga kerja yang dijaminkan oleh perusahaan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah yuridis normatif. Penelitian yuridis normatif merupakan penelitian hukum yang dilakukan dengan cara meneliti pustaka atau data sekunder. Dari hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa belum adanya aturan atau regulasi hukum yang mengatur tentang permasalah jaminan ijazah dan disnaker dalam hal ini berperan sebagai mediator terhadap perselisihan antara tenaga kerja/pekerja dengan perusahaan pemberi kerja dengan adanya proses mediasi disnaker dapat melihat permasalahan yang sebenarnya. Dan perlu adanya aturan yang jelas mengenai penahanan ijazah yang dilakukan perusahaan, karena pada saat ini tidak ada aturan yang secara eksplisit mengatur tentang itu. Dan juga Dinas tenaga kerja perlu melakukan sosialisasi kepada perusahaan-perusahaan agar tidak melakukan penahanan ijazah karena itu merupakan pelanggaran HAM dan tidak ada dalam UU Nomor 13 tahun 2003 tentang Ketenagakerjaan.
REPOSISI KEBIJAKAN PEMULIHAN LINGKUNGAN HIDUP TERHADAP PENAMBANGAN ILEGAL GALIAN C
Authors: Ariadica Anggie Aqila , Sutrisno Endang
Published: August 2022

Pembangunan memiliki banyak ekses dalam kehidupan diantaranya mengandung risiko degradasi kualitas lingkungan hidup. Dibutuhkan kebijakan untuk menjaga keseimbangan antara pembangunan dengan kelestarian lingkungan hidup. Kegiatan penambangan Galian C yang telah berlangsung lama telah menegasikan kelestarian lingkungan hidup, peran kebijakan Pemerintah Daerah melalui green policy menjadi alternatif yang dibutuhkan untuk mengatasi problem tersebut. Riset ini menggunakan pendekatan doktrinal dalam upaya memahami serta mengkaji ketentuan hukum Undang-Undang Nomor 32 Tahun 2009 tentang Perlindungan dan Pengelolaan Lingkungan Hidup, sebagai pijakan dasar untuk menempatan kembali kebijakan yang telah ada pada posisi keberpihakan terhadap upaya perlindungan serta pelestarian lingkungan. Degradasi lingkungan akibat kegiatan penambangan yang dilakukan secara terus-menerus tanpa henti, membutuhkan upaya-upaya pemulihan lingkungan hidup ntuk mengembalikan fungsi lahan dalam perspektif sustainable development. Reposisi kebijakan menjadi sebuah keniscayaan yang harus dilakukan Pemerintah Daerah dengan memanfaatkan kembali lahan bekas Galian C untuk mengembangkan perekonomian masyarakat sekitar kawasan, misalnya untuk destinasi wisata. Tatanan norma hukum telah memberikan alternatif peluang pengembangan kawasan tersebut melalui ketentuan Undang- Undang Nomor 4 Tahun 2009 tentang Pertambangan Mineral dan Batubara. Konstruksi kebijakan harus dikembalikan kepada formulasi ketaatan pada asas pemulihan lingkungan melalui kegiatan pascatambang lahan bekas Galian C, berbasis penguatan pemulihan nilai- nilai ekonomi kerakyatan masyarakat kawasan.
PERLINDUNGAN HUKUM TERHADAP PENERIMA BILYET GIRO KOSONG SEBAGAI ALAT PEMBAYARAN DALAM TRANSAKSI JUAL BELI
Authors: Marcelino Farkhan , Kartina Ratu Mawar
Published: August 2022

Pesatnya perkembangan dunia perekonomian dan perdagangan pada masa sekarang ini menyebabkan sebagian besar masyarakat lebih cenderung mengambil langkah langkah yang bersifat praktis seperti cek dan bilyet giro. Dapat kita lihat dengan adanya bilyet giro pihak-pihak dapat melakukan bermacam-macam transaksi, lalu timbul hak dan kewajiban para pihak itu antara satu sama lain. Akan tetapi sangat disayangkan dalam praktek sehari-hari terutama dalam jual beli jual beli menggunakan bilyet giro sebagai alat pembayaran masih dapat dimanfaatkan oleh orang-orang yang tidak bertanggung jawab, dalam penggunaan bilyet giro ini sebagai alat pembayaran masih sering terjadi dengan adanya bilyet giro kosong. Adapun permasalahannya adalah bagaimanakah bentuk wanprestasi terhadap penarik bilyet giro kosong dan cara penyelesaiannya serta bagaimana perlindungan hukum yang diberikan terhadap penerima bilyet giro kosong. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode pendekatan yuridis normatif. Spesifikasi penelitian yang digunakan bersifat deskriptif analisis. Jenis data yang akan digunakan dalam penelitian ini terdiri dari bahan hukum primer, sekunder, dan tersier. Bentuk wanprestasi terhadap penarik bilyet giro kosong yaitu tidak dapat menerima pembayaran barang yang telah diperjanjikan. Cara penyelesaiannya apabila terjadi suatu pembayaran dengan menggunakan secara kekeluargaan atau melalui jalur hukum. Perlindungan hukum yang diberikan terhadap penerima bilyet giro kosong saat ini yang dilakukan oleh bank hanya memberikan memperingatkan nasabah yang bersangkutan dengan surat peringatan sedangkan mengenai perlindungan terhadap pemegang tidak diberikan penjelasan yang dapat melindungi setiap penerima/pemegang bilyet giro. Seyogyanya pemerintah dan OJK mengeluarkan suatu peraturan yang dapat melindungi penerima bilyet giro kosong agar penerima bilyet giro kosong untuk mendapatkan haknya sebagai penerima bilyet giro yang sepatutnya ia terima dan tetap memiliki kepercayaan untuk menggunakan bilyet giro.
Penerapan Cessie Dalam Penyelesaian Hutang Pada Perbankan Syariah
Authors: Nofriza Nofriza
Published: August 2022

Cessie merupakan konseppenyelesaian utang piutang yang diatur dalam Buku III Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata. Cessie merupakan pengalihan hak atas kebendaan bergerak tak berwujud (intangible goods) yang biasanya berupa piutang atas nama kepada pihak ketiga, dimana seseorang menjual hak tagihnya kepada pihak lain. Dalam KUHPerdata tidak dikenal istilah cessie, namun pada Pasal 613 Ayat [1] Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata (KUH Perdata) disebutkan bahwa penyerahan akan piutang-piutang atas nama dan kebendaan tak bertubuh lainnya, dilakukan dengan jalan membuat sebuah akta otentik atau akta di bawah tangan, dengan mana hak-hak atas kebendaan itu dilimpahkan kepada orang lain.Metode penelitian ini termasuk dalam bentuk penelitian yuridis normatif yaitu penelitian yang menekankan pada penggunaan norma-norma hukum secara tertulis. Dalam penelitian ini membahas mengenaikonsep penerapan cessie penyelesaian hutang piutang yang berlaku pada Perbankan Syariah di Indonesia. Kesimpulannya adalah Mengingat sistem pengalihan hak milik yang berlaku di Indonesia, berupa sistem kausal, maka sah tidaknya perjanjian cessie tergantung dari sah tidaknya hubungan hukum yang menjadi dasar adanya pengalihan hak atau alas haknya.
TINJAUAN YURIDIS SANKSI TERHADAP PELANGGARAN PEMASANGAN SALURAN AIR MINUM PADA PERUSAHAAN DAERAH AIR MINUM (PDAM) KABUPATEN KUNINGAN (Studi pada Kantor PDAM Kabupaten Kuningan)
Authors: Dahlan Krisna Muhamad , Mariana Montisa
Published: August 2022

Pelanggaran pemasangan kembali saluran air minum yang telah diputus karena menunggak pembayan rekening PDAM akibat tidak mempunyai dana untuk membayarnya maka konsumen melakukan Pelanggaran pemasangan air minum di Kabupaten Kuningan karena sebagian besar Penduduk Kabupaten Kuningan memakai air dari PDAM tetapi tingkat penghasilannya rendah, maka dari itu sering ditemukan konsumen melakukan pelanggaran pemasangan kembali saluran air minumnya yang telah dicabut karena konsumen tersebut awalnya menunggak pembayaran rekening air minum PDAM. Rumusan masalah dalam penelitian ini ialah bagaimana Pelanggaran yang dilakukan oleh konsumen Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum PDAM di Kabupaten Kuningan, dan bagaimana penerapan sanksi yang diberikan kepada konsumen yang melakukan pelanggaran pemasangan air minum PDAM di Kabupaten Kuningan. Metode yang digunakan didalam penelitian ini ialah metode pendekatan, yuridis sosiologis, yaitu penulisan yang mengkaji suatu permasalahan dengan berdasarkan keilmuan hukum ataupun studi kepustakaan yang kemudian dihubungkan dengan memperhatikan peraturan daerah yang berlaku. Berdasarkan penelitian ini diperoleh hasil bahwa untuk efek jera konsumen yang menunggak pembayaran dan melakukan Pelanggaran pemasangan saluran air minum akan dikenakan sanksi 50% dari tunggakan yang belum konsumen bayarkan kepada PDAM dan ditambah biaya pemasangan meter air (Berdasarkan SK Direksi PDAM Kabupaten Kuningan nomor: 870/ SK-25-PDAM/201tentang Sanksi Terhadap Pemasangan Saluran Air Minum secara Illegal), selain hal tersebutfaktor yang menyebabkan konsumen melakukan pelanggaran pemasangan air PDAM Kabupaten Kuningan ialah faktor ekonomi dan lingkungan. Pelaku tidak bisa membayar setiap bulannya kepada Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum PDAM Kabupaten Kuningan tetapi si pelaku masih membutuhkan air dan lingkungan yang mendorong pelanggaran tersebut. Oleh karena itu pelaku berani melakukan pelanggaran tersebut agar bisa mendapatkan air bersih dan pelaku dikenakan sanksi denda yang tercantum didalam Peraturan Bupati Nomor 6 Tahun 2010 tentang Tata Cara Pengenaan Sanksi Pelayanan Air Minum Kabupaten Kuningan.
PENEGAKAN HUKUM TERHADAP KEGIATAN PARKIR LIAR DI KOTA CIREBON
Authors: Rahmawati Dessy Ismi , Dimyati Agus
Published: August 2022

Maraknya kegiatan parkir liar yang terjadi di Kota Cirebon menyebabkan keadaan menjadi semrawut dan mengakibatkan kemacetan. Dalam hal ini mengabaikan UU No. 22 Tahun 2009 serta Perda Kota Cirebon No. 2 Tahun 2008 Tentang Perubahan Atas Perda No. 8 Tahun 2001. Adapun yang menjadi identifikasi masalah dalam penelitian adalah sebagai berikut: 1.Bagaimana keberadaan kegiatan parkir liar di Kota Cirebon? 2.Bagaimana penegakan hukum oleh pemerintah Kota Cirebon terhadap kegiatan parkir liar? Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui dan menelaah keberadaan kegiatan parkir liar di Kota Cirebon serta penegakan hukum oleh pemerintah Kota Cirebon. Penelitian ini bermanfaat baik secara teoritis maupun praktis. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian hukum Yuridis Empiris yaitu metode penelitian yang didasarkan fakta-fakta lapangan atau kenyataan yang ada. Data yang diperoleh dalam penelitian ini dianalisis secara kualitatif dan disajikan secara deskriptif, sehingga diharapkan dapat diperoleh gambaran yang jelas dan konkrit terhadap objek penelitian. Keberadaan kegiatan parkir liar terjadi di jalan Siliwangi, Jalan Wahidin, Jalan Cipto, Jalan Karanggetas, Jalan Pekiringan, Jalan Pasuketan, dan jalan lainnya tersebut penyebab utamanya dikarenakan di jalan-jalan tersebut terdapat tempat makan ataupun pertokoan yang tidak memiliki lahan parkir yang memadai bahkan banyak pertokoan yang tidak memiliki lahan parkir sehingga para konsumen memarkirkan kendaraannya di badan jalan. Dengan demikian, Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa masih banyak ditemukan kegiatan parkir liar di Kota Cirebon terutama terdapat kegiatan parkir di tempat yang terdapat rambu larangan parkir, lalu pengawasan/operasi penindakan dari UPTD Parkir Dishub hanya pada waktu situasional saja. Penegakan Hukum yang dilakukan oleh Dishub masih lemah dan belum tegas sesuai dengan aturan yang berlaku. Pihak UPTD Parkir Dishub seharusnya secara rutin melakukan pengawasan dan memberikan penindakan kepada masyarakat yang melakukan kegiatan parkir liar dan petugas parkir pun seharusnya diikutsertakan dalam pengawasan terhadap kegiatan parkir liar sehingga dapat terkontrol secara maksimal yang melakukan kegiatan parkir liar seharusnya didenda maksimal sesuai yang tercantum dalam aturan dan dapat meminimalisir keberadaan kegiatan parkir liar di Kota Cirebon.
Advances in Atomic Force Microscopy for the Electromechanical Characterization of Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Nanomaterials
Authors: Kim Kwanlae
Published: September 2022

Given the social demand for self-powering wearable electronics, it is necessary to develop composite materials that exhibit both good flexibility and excellent piezoelectric performances. Intensive research on synthesis methods and devising characterization techniques for piezoelectric nanomaterials in various forms has been conducted. In particular, characterization techniques for piezoelectric nanomaterials require different approaches from those for conventional bulk materials. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based characterization techniques work based on the local physical interactions between the AFM tip and sample surfaces, making them an irreplaceable tool for studying the electromechanical properties of piezoelectric nanomaterials. Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM), conductive AFM (C-AFM), and lateral force microscopy (LFM) are three representative AFM-based techniques used to characterize the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of nanomaterials. Coupled with the appearance of diverse novel nanomaterials such nanowires, free-standing nanorods, and electrospun nanofibers, AFM-based characterization techniques are becoming freer from artifacts and the need for quantitative measurements. PFM was initially developed to image the microstructures of piezoelectric materials, and well-calibrated techniques designed to realize quantitative measurements have been applied to nanomaterials. In contrast, C-AFM and LFM were initially used to measure the conductivity of diverse materials and the nanotribology of material surfaces. Over the last decade, they have proved their versatility and can now be used to evaluate the direct piezoelectric effect and the mechanical properties of piezoelectric nanomaterials. In these cases, systematic understanding with regard to the measurement principles is required for accurate measurements and analyses. In the present review article, we discuss earlier work in which AFM-based electromechanical characterization techniques were applied to nanomaterials to evaluate piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. Also discussed is the importance of gaining a comprehensive understanding of the resulting signals.
Effects of Electron Irradiation on the Properties of ZnO/Au/ZnO Films Deposited on Poly-Imide Substrates
Authors: Jang Jin-Kyu , Park Yun-Je , Lee Yeon-Hak , Choi Jae-Wook , Kim Hyun-Jin , Heo Sung-Bo , Kong Young-Min , Kim Daeil
Published: September 2022

Transparent and conductive ZnO 50 nm/Au 8 nm/ZnO 50 nm tri-layer films were deposited on poly-imide films by radio frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering at room temperature, and then the effect of electron irradiation on the crystallization, electrical resistivity and optical properties of the films was considered with X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectrometer, Atomic force microscope and Hall measurement system. All the films were deposited at a fixed sputtering power, Ar gas flow rate, and distance between target and substrate, while the post-deposition electron irradiation energy was varied from 300 to 900 eV. The electron irradiated films exhibited a flatter surface than the as deposited films that were not electron irradiated, and the XRD patterns also revealed that the electron irradiated films had larger grain sizes than that of as deposited films. The films electron irradiated at 900 eV also showed a higher visible transmittance of 79.8% and a lower sheet resistance of 56.0 Ω/□. Post-deposition films electron irradiated at 900 eV showed a higher figure of merit of 1.86×10-3 Ω-1 than that of the as deposited film of 1.29×10-3 Ω-1. The optical band gap was also enhanced by electron irradiation. The films electron irradiated at 900 eV showed a higher optical band gap of 4.07 eV.
Some Disabled are More Deserving: The Case of US and Turkish Disability Policies
Authors: Biyiklioglu AHMET TARIK
Published: September 2022

Despite their dissimilar institutional features such as their welfare regimes, policy legacies, political systems, political regimes, or citizenship regimes, both Türkiye and the US offer surprisingly generous benefits to their disabled veterans compared to disabled civilians. Disabled civilians get lower benefits when buying assistive technology (AT), whereas the cost of expensive and advanced AT is fully covered for disabled veterans in both countries. I employ Most Different Systems Design (MDSD) to explore the reasons for this inequality, whereas both Turkey and the US have dissimilar institutional features many of which may potentially be prime candidates for explaining differences in disability policies. I argue that in both countries, it is the informal institution of glorified militarism that has been an overarching informal institution effectively shaping the disability policies and actors’ decision making, in which both countries attribute military-related issues a higher normative position.
Strategies to Scaffold Students’ Inquiry Learning in Science
Authors:   Department of Applied Research in Education and Social Science, UCL University College, Odense, Denmark, Petersen Morten Rask
Published: August 2022

Inquiry-based science education (IBSE) has made a massive entry in science education classes. Students work with their competence development through inquiry. Such an approach calls for new strategies from the teachers to help students learn through inquiry. This study takes a descriptive approach to teachers’ understanding and usage of such strategies. Through classroom observations, video analysis, and teacher interviews, three cases are identified to hold teacher practice against a theoretical framework on scaffolding strategies where focus is on the means and intentions of scaffolding. The findings show that teachers use different scaffolding strategies according to the students’ level of inquiry understanding, and that scaffolding takes place in short sequences, but the findings also show that the teachers themselves are not aware of such differentiated usage of strategies. This calls for a both better understanding of teachers’ usage of scaffolding strategies and for professional development in being aware of how to use such strategies for best practice with students.
The Comparison of Distance Physics Education Applications and Practices and Determining the Problems
Authors:   Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Higher Vocational School of Ulubey, Opticianry Programme, Uşak University, Uşak, Turkey, Kumaş Ahmet , Kan Sabri ,   Department of Physics, Maarif Schools of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Published: August 2022

In this research, we studied distance education practices in high schools which were closed by the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MNE) due to the COVID 19 pandemic and evaluated comparatively within the scope of the physics course. In this context, a comparative evaluation has been made by examining live lecture applications on television (EBA TV), remote live lessons (EBA live lessons), and another internet application (Zoom). The research covered a 13-week period starting with the interruption of the face-to-face education on March 16, 2020, until June 12, 2020. This research included six physics teachers, 15 science teachers, 20 parents of high school students, and 1.275 students in three different Anatolian high schools and four middle schools in Trabzon. In this study, we used the scanning model. The collected data were analyzed by calculating weekly average follow-up values and percentage values. At the end of this research, it was determined that the viewership of the physics lessons on EBA TV in the 1st weeks of distance education was 89% and that the viewership of EBA TV decreased considerably as the process continued. On the other hand, in online education applications and practices, it is seen that there were important problems arising from the lack of technological appliances, family situations, assessment, and evaluation. As a result of this study, we present proposed solutions for these problems.
Effects of Blending Virtual and Real Laboratory Experimentation on Pre-Service Physics Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Physics Electricity and Magnetism Laboratories
Authors:   Department of Science and Mathematics Education, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mihret Zemenu , Alemu Mekbib ,   Department of Science and Mathematics Education, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Assefa Shimeles ,   Department of Science and Mathematics Education, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Published: August 2022

This study examined the effect of blended laboratory experiments on pre-service physics teachers’(PSPTs’) attitudes toward physics laboratories. The research design was a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test comparing groups. Participants were 63 2nd-year PSPTs’ enrolled in a physics diploma program from three colleges of teacher education. The treatment groups performed blended and virtual laboratory experiments, whereas the comparison group conducted real laboratory experiments. Data were collected before and after intervention using a 34-item adapted attitude toward physics laboratory questionnaire with a Cronbach alpha value of 0.765. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey post hoc comparisons. The findings revealed a statistically significant difference in mean post-test results between the treatment and comparison group. The Tukey HSD post hoc analysis revealed that the difference in mean between blended and real was statistically significant, but not on other combinations. Descriptive statistics showed slight attitudinal improvement from pre-test to post-test. This improvement was statistically significant for blended and virtual groups but not in real groups. Blending physics laboratory experiments can be used to enhance attitudes toward physics laboratories. Based on the conclusions, recommendations are made.
Science Teachers’ Perceptions of Integration of M-Learning into Class Instructions in Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors:   Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, Bello Ganiyu , Alabi Hafsat Imam ,   Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria, Bello Zakariyau A. ,   Department of Integrated Science, School ofSciences, Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Nigeria, Bello Ilias A. ,   Department of Information and Communication Technology, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, Nigeria, Sulaiman Musa Mohammed ,   Department of Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Published: September 2022

The mandate of the education system is for the advancement of knowledge, socioeconomic transformation, employment generation, and so forth. Literature is awash with arguments in favour of M-learning in the realization of the core mandate of the education system. This study, therefore, examines the perceptions of the science teachers on integration of M-Learning into science class instructions in Kwara State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-nine science teachers from 34 public and 27 private senior secondary schools participated in the study. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the schools and the teachers, respectively. A researcher-designed questionnaire titled, “Teachers’ Perceptions of M-learning” (TPML) with a reliability coefficient of 0.85, was used for gathering data. Data were analyzed using the t-test statistical tool, and findings from the study revealed that the participating teachers had high perceptions of M-learning and were at the preparation stage of integrating it into class lessons. It was concluded that teachers had favorable perceptions of M-learning and were in vantage position to use M-learning to leverage students’ achievement. It is, therefore, recommended that science teachers should progress from the preparation stage to the action stage of integrating M-learning into science teaching.
Editorial
Authors:   College of Education, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, Sexton Steven S.
Published: September 2022

Editorial volume 33, issue 3, 2022
Identification and verification of the pyroptosis-related prognostic signature and its associated regulatory axis in bladder cancer
Authors: Tu Yaofen , Ding Xiaodi , Mao Zujie
Published: August 2022

Background: Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell death triggered by certain inflammasomes. Accumulating studies have shown the involvement of pyroptosis in the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis and prognosis of cancer. The prognostic value of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) and their association with immune infiltration in bladder cancer have not yet been elucidated.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive analysis of the prognostic value and immune infiltrates of PRGs in bladder cancer using the TCGA dataset. qRT-PCR was also performed to verify our result.

Results: Among 33 PRGs, 14 PRGs were upregulated or downregulated in bladder cancer tissue versus normal tissue. We also summarized copy number variations and somatic mutations of PRGs in bladder cancer. By using consensus clustering analysis of PRGs with prognostic significance, we divided the bladder cancer cohort into two subtypes significantly by different prognosis and immune infiltration. Using the LASSO Cox regression analysis, a prognostic signature including six PRGs was constructed for bladder cancer and the patients could be classified into a low- or high-risk group. Interestingly, this prognostic signature had a favorable performance for predicting the prognosis of bladder cancer patients. Moreover, further analysis demonstrated a significant difference in gender, tumor grade, clinical stage, TNM stage, immunoScore, and immune cell infiltration between the high- and low-risk groups in bladder cancer. We also identified an lncRNA SNHG14/miR-20a-5p/CASP8 regulatory axis in bladder cancer by constructing a ceRNA network.

Conclusion: We identified a PRG-associated prognostic signature associated with the prognosis and immune infiltrates for bladder cancer and targeting pyroptosis may be an alternative approach for therapy. Further vivo and vitro experiments are necessary to verify these results.
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing provides prognostic warning by identifying mixed infections in nocardiosis
Authors: Jiao Mengfan , Ma Xiaoxu , Li Yaoguang , Wang Huifen , Liu Ying , Guo Wenhu , Lv Jun
Published: August 2022

Nocardia is an opportunistic pathogen that mainly involves immunosuppressed patients and causes a high mortality rate. As an emerging approach to detect infectious pathogens, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was reported in the detection of Nocardia. However, there is no evidence demonstrating the effect of mNGS on the prognosis of Nocardia infection. In this retrospective study, we included 18 nocardiosis patients. Nocardia species were detected by mNGS from their clinical samples. All the patients were diagnosed with nocardiosis by clinical experts through a comprehensive evaluation. Of these 18 patients, fever is the most frequent initial symptom. Compared to traditional culture methods, mNGS provides a faster turnaround time (TAT) and higher sensitivity. Pulmonary nocardiosis was the most common clinical presentation in the study. mNGS detected 13 types of Nocardia species, of which Nocardia abscessus and Nocardia cyriacigeorgica were the most common species. The study’s most noteworthy discovery is that mNGS outperforms culture at detecting mixed infections (more than one pathogen detected in one clinical specimen, including bacteria, fungi, and excluding virus), and number of infectious species was an independent risk factor for nocardiosis patients’ prognostics after adjusting age, ICU days, gender and underlying diseases (adjusted HR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.98, p = 0.011). As a result, we believe that by detecting mixed infections (more than one pathogenic species), mNGS can provide a clinical risk warning for the prognosis of nocardiosis.
Deep sedation vs. general anesthesia for transcatheter tricuspid valve repair
Authors: Haurand Jean Marc , Kavsur Refik , Ochs Laurin , Tanaka Tetsu , Iliadis Christos , Sugiura Atsushi , Kelm Malte , Nickenig Georg , Baldus Stephan , Westenfeld Ralf , Becher Marc Ulrich , Pfister Roman , Horn Patrick
Published: August 2022

Background

Transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVr) is routinely performed under general anesthesia (GA). This study aimed to investigate whether TTVr procedures can be performed effectively and safely without GA but using deep sedation (DS).

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 104 patients from three centers who underwent TTVr between 2020 and 2021. The primary performance endpoints were technical success and severity of TR assessed at the time of discharge. The safety outcome was a composite of in-hospital complications, including occurrence of death, conversion to surgery, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, major vascular complications, or occurrence of pneumonia.

Results

Sixty-four procedures were performed in GA and 40 procedures were performed in DS. The groups did not differ in age, EuroScore II, TR severity, ventricular function, or hemodynamic parameters. Technical success was achieved in 92.5% of the patients in the DS group and in 93.6% of the patients in the GA group (p = 0.805). In none of the patients intraprocedural conversion from DS to GA was required. There was no difference in total duration of the procedure, and number of devices implanted. The degree of TR was ≤2+ in 77.5% of the patients in the DS group and in 74.2% of the patients in the GA group (p = 0.705). The composite safety endpoint did not differ between the groups (2.5 vs. 6.3%, p = 0.384). The total duration of hospital stay was shorter in patients who underwent TTVr in DS compared to those who underwent TTVr in GA (6 [5, 9] days vs. 8 [6, 11] days; p = 0.011).

Conclusion

Performing TTVr in DS was effective with similar procedural results, and was safe with similar low complication rates compared to GA.
Sequential feature selection for power system event classification utilizing wide-area PMU data
Authors: Rafferty Mark , Liu Xueqin , Rafferty John , Xie Lei , Laverty David , McLoone Seán
Published: August 2022

The increasing penetration of intermittent, non-synchronous generation has led to a reduction in total power system inertia. Low inertia systems are more sensitive to sudden changes and more susceptible to secondary issues that can result in large-scale events. Due to the short time frames involved, automatic methods for power system event detection and diagnosis are required. Wide-area monitoring systems (WAMS) can provide the data required to detect and diagnose events. However, due to the increasing quantity of data, it is almost impossible for power system operators to manually process raw data. The important information is required to be extracted and presented to system operators for real/near-time decision-making and control. This study demonstrates an approach for the wide-area classification of many power system events. A mixture of sequential feature selection and linear discriminant analysis (LAD) is adopted to reduce the dimensionality of PMU data. Successful event classification is obtained by employing quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) on wide-area synchronized frequency, phase angle, and voltage measurements. The reliability of the proposed method is evaluated using simulated case studies and benchmarked against other classification methods.
Simulation of hydraulic power matching–based risk and economic evaluation among cascade hydropower stations in spot transactions
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Ma Guang-Wen , Huang Wei-Bin , Tao Chun-Hua , Yang Bing-Quan , Xue Yu-Lin
Published: September 2022

The electricity market is evolving rapidly from pre-bid to spot markets, where the transactions between producers and consumers have become crucial and are vulnerable to safety risks. In addition, the new modes of transaction are also becoming popular and are said to have some risks. To reveal the impact of the new electricity transaction mode—spot market—on the safety risk and generation benefit, this article presents a simulation method connecting the transaction results and operation process. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, an actual cascade hydropower station (CHS) in the Dadu River basin, Southwestern China, which comprises eight hydropower stations, is selected. Hydraulic power matching among the CHSs is discriminated from four aspects with multiple indicators combined with the reality of a hydropower-dominated market in Sichuan, China. The dispatching decision-making process of hydropower generators is described with a multi-objective optimization model and then solved with a fast search strategy based on the classical output calculation method in hydrology. The security risks and economic damage hidden in the day-ahead market on a certain day are discovered and analyzed. The technology proposed provides support for bidding decisions in spot transactions and satisfies the reality during the transition period of electricity reform.
Comparative chloroplast genome analyses of 23 species in Swertia L. (Gentianaceae) with implications for its phylogeny
Authors: Yang Lucun , Li Jingjing , Zhou Guoying
Published: August 2022

Swertia L. is a large genus in the family Gentianaceae. Different chloroplast gene segments have been used to study systematic evolutionary relationships between species of Swertia L. However, as gene fragment–based phylogenies lack sufficient resolution, the systematic evolutionary relationships between Swertia L. species have remained unclear. We sequenced and annotated the complete chloroplast genomes of four Swertia species, namely, S. bifolia, S. tetraptera, S. franchetian, and S. przewalskii, using next generation sequencing and the plastid genome annotator tool. The chloroplast genome sequences of 19 additional species of Swertia L. were downloaded from the NCBI database and also assessed. We found that all 23 Swertia L. species had a similar genetic structure, that is, a ring tetrad structure, but with some clear differences. The chloroplast genomes of the 23 Swertia L. species were 149036–153691 bp long, averaging 152385 bp; the genomes contained 134 functional genes: 38 tRNA, eight rRNA, and 88 protein-encoding genes. A comparative analysis showed that chloroplasts genome of Swertia was conserved in terms of genome structure, codon preference, and repeat sequences, but it differed in terms of genome sizes, gene contents, and SC/IR boundary. Using Swertia wolfangiana as a reference, we found clear divergences in most of the non-coding and intergenic regions of the complete chloroplast genomes of these species; we also found that rpoC1, ccsA, ndhI, ndhA, and rps15 protein-coding genes had large variations. These highly variable hotspots will be useful for future phylogenetic and population genetic studies. Phylogenetic analysis with high bootstrap support showed that Swertia L. was not monophyletic. The classification of subgen. Swertia and subgen. Ophelia was supported by molecular data, which also partly supported the division of sect. Ophelia, sect. Platynema, sect. Poephila, sect. Swertia, and sect. Macranthos. However, the systematic positions of other groups and species require further exploration. The Swertia L formed at 29.60 Ma. Speciation of 10 species occurred in succession after 12 Ma and 13 species occurred in succession after 2.5 Ma. Our analysis provides insight into the unresolved evolutionary relationships of Swertia L. species.
Shared genetic architecture between the two neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma
Authors: Zheng Chunwen , Liu Shunming , Zhang Xiayin , Hu Yunyan , Shang Xianwen , Zhu Zhuoting , Huang Yu , Wu Guanrong , Xiao Yu , Du Zijing , Liang Yingying , Chen Daiyu , Zang Siwen , Hu Yijun , He Mingguang , Zhang Xueli , Yu Honghua
Published: September 2022

Background

Considered as the representatives of neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and glaucoma are complex progressive neuropathies affected by both genetic and environmental risk factors and cause irreversible damages. Current research indicates that there are common features between AD and glaucoma in terms of epidemiology and pathophysiology. However, the understandings and explanations of their comorbidity and potential genetic overlaps are still limited and insufficient.

Method

Genetic pleiotropy analysis was performed using large genome-wide association studies summary statistics of AD and glaucoma, with an independent cohort of glaucoma for replication. Conditional and conjunctional false discovery rate methods were applied to identify the shared loci. Biological function and network analysis, as well as the expression level analysis were performed to investigate the significance of the shared genes.

Results

A significant positive genetic correlation between AD and glaucoma was identified, indicating that there were significant polygenetic overlaps. Forty-nine shared loci were identified and mapped to 11 shared protein-coding genes. Functional genomic analyses of the shared genes indicate their modulation of critical physiological processes in human cells, including those occurring in the mitochondria, nucleus, and cellular membranes. Most of the shared genes indicated a potential modulation of metabolic processes in human cells and tissues. Furthermore, human protein–protein interaction network analyses revealed that some of the shared genes, especially MTCH2, NDUFS3, and PTPMT1, as well as SPI1 and MYBPC3, may function concordantly. The modulation of their expressions may be related to metabolic dysfunction and pathogenic processes.

Conclusion

Our study identified a shared genetic architecture between AD and glaucoma, which may explain their shared features in epidemiology and pathophysiology. The potential involvement of these shared genes in molecular and cellular processes reflects the “inter-organ crosstalk” between AD and glaucoma. These results may serve as a genetic basis for the development of innovative and effective therapeutics for AD, glaucoma, and other neurodegenerative diseases.
When is an illusion not an illusion? An alternative view of the illusion concept
Authors: Rogers Brian
Published: August 2022

What is an “illusion”? I would like to argue that (A) there is no coherent and meaningful definition of the word “illusion” and (B) the majority of the things we have previously labelled as “illusions” can be better categorised into three classes of perceptual effects: (i) those that should not be regarded as illusory according to any definition; (ii) those that are simply consequences of “how our perceptual systems work” and (iii) those that are a consequence of using artificial or impoverished stimulus situations.
Clinical vitamin D levels are associated with insular volume and inferior temporal gyrus white matter surface area in community-dwelling individuals with knee pain
Authors: Strath Larissa J. , Hernandez Pedro Valdes , Nodarse Chavier Laffitte , Johnson Alisa J. , Edberg Jeffrey D. , Fillingim Roger B. , Cruz-Almeida Yenisel
Published: August 2022

Context

Vitamin D is an essential, fat soluble micronutrient long-known for its effects on calcium homeostasis and bone health. With advances in technology, it is being discovered that Vitamin D exerts its effects beyond the musculoskeletal system. Vitamin D has since been noted in nervous system health and functioning, and is becoming a target of interest in brain health, aging, and chronic pain outcomes.

Objectives

We and others have previously shown that deficient Vitamin D status is associated with greater pain severity across a variety of conditions, however the reason as to why this relationship exists is still being understood. Here, we sought to examine associations between Vitamin D status and brain structure in those with chronic knee pain.

Methods

Structural MRI imaging techniques and whole brain analyses were employed and serum Vitamin D were collected on 140 participants with chronic pain. Covariates included age, sex, race and site, as these data were collected at two separate institutions. ANOVAs using the clinical cut points for Vitamin D status (deficient, insufficient, and optimal) as well as continuous regression-based Vitamin D effects were employed to observe differences in brain volume. P-value was set to 0.017 after correction for multiple comparisons.

Results

We discovered that individuals in our sample (age = 50+; 63.6% female; 52.1% Non-Hispanic Black) who were either clinically deficient (<20 ng/mL) or insufficient (20–30 ng/mL) in serum Vitamin D had significant differences in the gray matter of the left circular insular cortex, left inferior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, as well as decreased white matter surface area in the right inferior temporal gyrus compared to those considered to have optimal levels (>30 ng/mL) of serum Vitamin D.

Conclusion

Evidence from these data suggests that Vitamin D, or lack thereof, may be associated with pain outcomes by mediating changes in regions of the brain known to process and interpret pain. More research understanding this phenomenon as well as the effects of Vitamin D supplementation is warranted.
No evidence for association between late pregnancy maternal cortisol and gray matter volume in a healthy community sample of young adolescents
Authors: Tyborowska Anna , Gruber Katharina , Beijers Roseriet , Kühn Simone , Roelofs Karin , de Weerth Carolina
Published: August 2022

A compelling amount of animal and human research has shown that perceived maternal stress during pregnancy can affect the neurodevelopment of the offspring. Prenatal maternal cortisol is frequently proposed as the biological key mechanism underlying this link; however, literature that investigates the effects of prenatal cortisol on subsequent neurodevelopment in humans is scarce. By using longitudinal data from a relatively large community sample of mother–child dyads (N = 73), this pre-registered study prospectively examined the role of maternal prenatal cortisol concentrations on subsequent individual differences in gray matter volume (GMV) and hippocampal subfield volumes at the onset of puberty of the offspring (12 years of age). Two markers of cortisol, that is, evening cortisol and circadian decline over the day, were used as indicators of maternal physiological stress during the last trimester of pregnancy. The results indicate that prenatal maternal cortisol levels were not associated with GMV or hippocampal subfield volumes of the children. These findings suggest that late pregnancy maternal cortisol may not be related to the structural development of the offspring’s brain, at least not in healthy community samples and at the onset of puberty. When examining the influence of prenatal stress on offspring neurodevelopment, future investigations should delineate gestational timing effects of the cortisol exposure, cortisol assessment method, and impact of additional biomarkers, as these were not investigated in this study.
Biomolecules resveratrol + coenzyme Q10 recover the cell state of human mesenchymal stem cells after 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced damage and improve proliferation and neural differentiation
Authors: Hernández-Pérez Oscar R. , Juárez-Navarro Karen J. , Diaz Nestor F. , Padilla-Camberos Eduardo , Beltran-Garcia Miguel J. , Cardenas-Castrejon Dalila , Corona-Perez Héctor , Hernández-Jiménez Claudia , Díaz-Martínez Néstor E.
Published: August 2022

Neurodegenerative disorders are a critical affection with a high incidence around the world. Currently, there are no effective treatments to solve this problem. However, the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and antioxidants in neurodegenerative diseases has shown to be a promising tool due to their multiple therapeutic effects. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of a combination of resveratrol (RSV) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the proliferation and differentiation of MSC and the protector effects in induced damage. To characterize the MSCs, we performed flow cytometry, protocols of cellular differentiation, and immunocytochemistry analysis. The impact of RSV + CoQ10 in proliferation was evaluated by supplementing 2.5 and 10 μM of RSV + CoQ10 in a cellular kinetic for 14 days. Cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase levels (LDH) were also analyzed. The protective effect of RSV + CoQ10 was assessed by supplementing the treatment to damaged MSCs by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+); cellular viability, LDH, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated.. MSCs expressed the surface markers CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 and showed multipotential ability. The combination of RSV + CoQ10 increased the proliferation potential and cell viability and decreased LDH levels. In addition, it reverted the effect of MPP+-induced damage in MSCs to enhance cell viability and decrease LDH and ROS. Finally, RSV + CoQ10 promoted the differentiation of neural progenitors. The combination of RSV + CoQ10 represents a potential treatment to improve MSCs capacities and protect against neurodegenerative damage.