bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Conceptual Understanding in Learning Biology through Local-ized and Contextualized Learning Activities
Authors: Montero Jomel C. , Geducos Dorie T.
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, a relatively large number of high school students have poor learning performance in Science which affects their academic performance and even the school National Achievement Test (NAT) result. This study determined the effectiveness of the localized and contextualized learning activities in improving the conceptual understanding of tenth-grade students in learning Biology for the Third Quarter of the School Year 2019-2020. The study was conducted using the pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design involving sixty (60) student-participants in a public secondary school in the Division of Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. This study employed an intact group sampling technique in selecting the participants into two groups, the control group (conventional learning material/learning activity sheets) and the treatment group (localized and contextualized learning activities). The findings of the study revealed that the post-test mean score of the treatment group is greater than the post-test result of the control group. Also, there was a significant difference in the conceptual understanding of the students in the control group and treatment group. It shows that localized and contextualized learning activities promote a better understanding of the lesson. Hence, future study is suggested to develop and produce localized and contextualized instructional materials such as modules and worksheets for other learning competencies in Science.
Parents’ Coping Mechanism in Conquering Challenges towards Distribution and Retrieval of Modules
Authors: Pentang Jupeth , Carbonilla Mary Joy B. , Kadusale Geraldine B. , Lucero Rhea G. , Pungyan May Rose D.
Published: August 2022

This research determined the challenges encountered by the parents from three schools in Palawan, Philippines, and their applied coping mechanisms concerning modular distance learning. The inquiry employed a mixed-method research design with 100 randomly sampled participants for the quantitative part and 12 purposively chosen participants for the qualitative component. Results revealed that the main challenge encountered by parents in distributing and retrieving modules is having no time to teach children at home. Nonetheless, the parents could cope with their challenges in supporting their child’s education. The result aims to promote awareness to the concerned parents on how they are going to manage challenges when it comes to the distribution and retrieval of modules, to have a positive outlook and mindset, to contribute to the smooth flow with regards to the distribution and retrieval of modules for the next school year.
Improving Student Learning Outcomes with the Application of Problem Based Learning Models in Microprocessor and Microcontroller Subjects at SMK Negeri 2 Pematangsiantar
Authors: Samosir Beslon
Published: August 2022

The objectives of this Classroom Action Research were to determine: (1) increase student activity during the learning process of Microprocessors and Microcontrollers by applying the Problem Based Learning model at SMK Negeri 2 Pematangsiantar, (2) increase student learning outcomes in Microprocessor and Microcontroller learning by applying the Problem Based Learning model at SMK Negeri 2 Pematangsiantar. This research was conducted at SMK Negeri 2 Pematangsiantar for 1 month starting from August 2019. The subjects of this study were 22 students of class X1 TAV 1. The action in this study consisted of two cycles, namely Cycle I and Cycle II. Cycle I was carried out using the Problem Based Learning model. The results of the first cycle showed that 45.63% of students were active and the mean score of vocational competence students for Microprocessor and Microcontroller was still 56.82. However, these results do not meet the action indicators, namely 75% of students get a value > 75, then second cycle II is carried out. Cycle II carried out the same application. In cycle II 84.38% of students are active, and the average value of vocational competence for Microprocessors and Microcontrollers increases to 80.27. So it can be concluded that the learning process using the Problem Based Learning model can increase the activeness and ability of students in learning vocational competencies in Audio Video Engineering. The implication is that teachers must apply innovative and creative learning models. And it is suggested that Electronics Engineering teachers can improve their teaching skills to be more communicative and active in participating in various pieces of training.
Marketing Practices Among Sari-Sari Stores in Dapitan City: Basis for Proposed Extension Program
Authors: Pagara Edelyn E.
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to determine the different marketing practices employed among sari-sari store owners in Dapitan City during the Calendar Year 2020. It used a descriptive research method utilizing a questionnaire as the principal tool for gathering data. The data were statistically treated using frequency counting, percent, weighted mean, standard deviation, and Mann-Whitney Test. The study's findings revealed that sari-sari store owners in Dapitan City had the same marketing practices focusing on process and people. Customers of the sari-sari stores had the same observation on the marketing practices of sari-sari store owners in Dapitan City, which focus on people and place. It was found that sari-sari store owners and customers had different perspectives or views on marketing practices. It was recommended that sari-sari store owners and potential sari-sari store owners attend training and seminars aiming to improve their marketing practices in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Local Government Unit of Dapitan. Further, customers are encouraged to give their feedback on the marketing practices of the sari-sari store owners, and researchers are encouraged to conduct a separate study on this matter.
Lived Experiences of Public Elementary SLM Writers: Basis for the Development of a Training Program
Authors: Galang Ruby T. , Balboa Nina Rizza , Catu Rheynalyn M. , Digneneng Cyrene S. , Francisco Angelica Nichole N. , Reyes Sherlyn T.
Published: August 2022

The study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Public Elementary SLM writers in the new normal education who were required to write modules for various subjects in the elementary level and had difficulties in crafting the modules. The researchers made use of a qualitative approach specifically, descriptive phenomenology to understand the personal experiences of the key informants. A semi-structured online interview was conducted with the eleven selected key informants from various schools. The research study used the purposive sampling technique, open-ended questions as instrument, and data collected were analyzed using Colaizzi’s 1978 phenomenological method. Findings show mastery of content, creativity, time management skills, grammar skills, information and communication technology skills, good communication skills and flexibility are the skills needed to possess as a SLM writer. While the challenges and difficulties encountered are lack of training programs for SLM writers, difficulties in making suitable activities for learners, time constraint in writing modules, overlapping responsibilities, lay-outing difficulties, running out of ideas in content delivery, less proficiency in computer literacy. Different coping practices were also identified by collaboration among colleagues, utilizing academic peripheral resources, time management through priorities, devising ways for the improvement of modules content, and SLM writer’s motivation such as children's educational success and professional development success. The evaluators, criteria and common feedback received during evaluation of SLM were identified. SLM Writers addressed the feedback through considering and taking it as constructive ones. Researchers recommended training and webinars about writing modules. Writers should be resourceful to compensate for the shortcomings of their needs and the children.
Radio: The Indigenous Peoples Media Construction of the Concept of Na-tion
Authors: Avengoza-Almadrones Rosalie J.
Published: August 2022

This study explored whether radio had an impact on the indigenous peoples or Bihug of Camarines Norte, Philippines in developing their concept of nation. Descriptive and exploratory research designs were used. Through a multi-level approach, the intensive qualitative component of the research procedure was addressed, the construction of the indigenous peoples’ concept of nation through radio listening. Thematic analysis was used to process the data gathered. The study employed Anderson’s theory on imagined communities as a social construction and Crisell’s characteristics of radio. Radio in the community of the indigenous peoples did not appear to play a primary role in the construction of their concept of nation; rather their actual encounters with people in various activities, their knowledge of places, the recognition given to their benefactors and stories from ancestors which helped in the realization of the extent of their assimilation with the lowlanders, their being Filipino, and their membership of a minority group were the main contributory factors. Although radio was not the main source, it contributed to the formation of their concept of nation as events, places, sense of belongingness, and benefactors. This study, which dealt with the role of radio in the formation of the indigenous peoples’ concept of nation in Camarines Norte, Philippines also considered other factors which may influence the construction of a concept of nation aside from radio like other mass media, and their social encounters with members of NGOs, other agencies and institutions, barangay officials and the constituents of the community where they stay.
Analysis of Relationship Between Conversational Media Applications and Social Media with Social Capital in Disaster Mitigation at the area of Bogor Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Irwan Irwan , Zusmelia Zusmelia , Siska Felia , Mazya Thita M , Elvawati Elvawati , Siahaan Kevin William Andri
Published: August 2022

The study analyzes the relationship between conversational applications (WhatsApp) and social media (Facebook and Instagram) through social capital in disaster mitigation at the Ciliwung Riverbank, Tugu Utara Village. This study used Mayfield's social media theory and Lasser's social capital theory in analyzing disaster mitigation. This study used a post-positivistic paradigm and combined two qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data collection techniques were carried out by direct observation, in-depth interviews, document studies, and distributing questionnaires through survey techniques. Qualitative data analysis used the Miles and Huberman model and quantitatively used descriptive statistics with correlation analysis. The results showed that the relationship between conversational media applications and social media with social capital was highly correlated and obtained a value above 0.75. This showed a very strong relationship before, during, and after the disaster. Users of conversational media applications and social media build social capital to help each other, build social networks and social relations, trust and cooperation to achieve common goals. The power of social capital through the application of conversational media and social media forms social interaction and social communication based on technology or digital in disaster areas.
Gut Dysbiosis Promotes Preeclampsia by Regulating Macrophages and Trophoblasts
Authors: Jin Jiajia , Gao Liaomei , Zou Xiuli , Zhang Yun , Zheng Zhijian , Zhang Xinjie , Li Jiaxuan , Tian Zhenyu , Wang Xiaowei , Gu Junfei , Zhang Cheng , Wu Tiejun , Wang Zhe , Zhang Qunye
Published: August 2022

Background:

Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and is characterized by hypertension, inflammation, and placental dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays key roles in inflammation and hypertension. However, its roles and mechanisms in preeclampsia have not been fully elucidated.

Methods:

16S rRNA gene sequencing and targeted metabolomics were conducted on stool samples from 92 preeclamptic patients and 86 normal late-pregnant women. Then, fecal microbiota transplantation and in vitro and in vivo functional experiments were performed to explore the roles and mechanisms of gut microbiota in preeclampsia development.

Results:

We revealed the gut microbiota dysbiosis in preeclamptic patients, including significant reductions in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and short-chain fatty acids. The gut microbiota of preeclamptic patients significantly exacerbated pathologies and symptoms of preeclamptic rats, whereas the gut microbiota of healthy pregnant women had significant protective effects.
Akkermansia muciniphila
, propionate, or butyrate significantly alleviated the symptoms of preeclamptic rats. Mechanistically, they significantly promoted autophagy and M2 polarization of macrophages in placental bed, thereby suppressing inflammation. Propionate also significantly promoted trophoblast invasion, thereby improved spiral arterial remodeling. Additionally, we identified a marker set consisting of
Akkermansia
,
Oscillibacter
, and short-chain fatty acids that could accurately diagnose preeclampsia.

Conclusions:

Our study revealed that gut microbiota dysbiosis is an important etiology of preeclampsia. Gut microbiota and their active metabolites have great potential for the treatment and diagnosis of preeclampsia. Our findings enrich the gut–placenta axis theory and contribute to the development of microecological products for preeclampsia.
Does the UK Home Office Care about the Rule of Law?
Authors: York Sheona
Published: August 2022

The instrumentalisation of law for the purposes of creating a ‘hostile environment’ and deterring ‘unwanted migration’ is particularly visible in the UK. The new Nationality and Borders Act 2022 contains proposals on asylum which show a rejection of international law norms and conventions, without having had the political courage to put that rejection squarely to the public. That is not new. Right from the emergence of asylum as a political issue in the 1980’s, the lukewarm official ‘welcome’ never quite hid the stance of disbelief which underlay the UK’s legal and procedural responses. A parallel process, beginning even earlier but accelerating from 2010 onwards, has taken place in UK domestic immigration law. New legislation, Immigration Rules, policies, application procedures and litigation practices show diminishing respect for rule of law principles. This article uses simple and hopefully uncontroversial definitions of international law norms and accepted common law rule of law principles against which to analyse and critique key aspects of UK immigration control. It concludes that UK policies and practice have over time displayed an increasing hostility to those norms and principles, resorting to ignorant and even brazen indifference to facts, evidence, and analysis, and widening the gap between domestic and international law in important respects.
The UN Disability Rights Convention and EU Fundamental Rights
Authors: Busuttil Nicolette
Published: August 2022

This article examines the role to be played by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in the protection of migrants with disabilities within the EU, in view of the apparent invisibility of this population within existing frameworks. It argues that the CRPD’s dual role as a core UN human rights treaty and an international agreement concluded by the EU, which occupies an “integral part” of the EU legal order, interacts with pre-existing (homegrown) sources of fundamental rights obligations within EU law to produce a ‘disability fundamental rights framework’. Accordingly, the CRPD’s substantive protection should act to determine the minimum standard of protection afforded to migrants with disabilities within the EU, without prejudicing the possibility of EU law offering more extensive protection. In so doing, this article demonstrates the emancipatory potential of a ‘disability fundamental rights framework’ vis-à-vis a specific category of (unwanted) migrants and which follows from a principled interpretation of the CRPD’s interaction with EU fundamental rights.
A Murderous Plague: State Hypermasculinity, covid-19, and Atrocity Prevention in the Philippines
Authors: Tanyag Maria
Published: August 2022

When and why do state responses to crises such as the covid-19 pandemic embody hypermasculinity? How does state hypermasculinity contribute to mortality during a pandemic? This article examines state hypermasculinity as a main atrocity risk factor and as a root cause of preventable deaths arising from failures in pandemic response. It focuses on the case of the Philippines under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte to build on feminist scholarship examining gender, crises, and the rise of ‘strongman’ leaders globally. It argues that a state’s predisposition for violence and atrocity crimes renders disease outbreaks more deadly. Significant loss of life and livelihoods during the pandemic are logical outcomes of state structures and responses that combine militarised security, paternalism, and domination of feminised ‘others’. Crucially, the implications of state hypermasculinity extend beyond pandemics as it is clearly emerging as a vector for compounded human insecurities at a time of multiple and overlapping crises.
Liberalising the Chinese Market: State-Owned Enterprise Disciplines in CAI
Authors: Su Xueji
Published: August 2022

The newly-concluded EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), characterised by a number of market liberalisation clauses, is the black sheep in the investment agreement family. This article pins down one principal investment liberalisation discipline provided in CAI – the State-owned enterprise (SOE) rule. The article concerns the capability and problems of the new SOE rule in addressing market access issues arising from the competition and incumbency of SOEs. Dedicated SOE disciplines are not an innovation of CAI. Nor does the rule seem strikingly different from state-of-the-art treaty practice. However, delving into the nuances, the article finds that, when it comes to market liberalisation, CAI blurs out the stringent, clear-cut approach the Trans-Pacific Partnership/Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership model is intended to establish. Further, because both bodies of rules leave plenty of room for interpretation, the effectiveness of the new SOE rule, in general, remains uncertain and susceptible to politicization.
Double nasal presents
Authors: Jasanoff Jay H.
Published: August 2022

Double nasal presents—presents containing both a nasal infix and a nasal suffix—are found in Greek (type λιμπάνω ‘leave’), Celtic (e.g., OIr. ro·finnadar (< *wind-n-) ‘get to know’), and Germanic (Go. du-ginnan (← *-gunnan < *gund-n-) ‘begin’). It is argued here that all such formations have a common origin. The starting point was the nasal-infix present of the root *ghed- ‘grasp’, which originally had the form *gh(n̥)néd-/*ghn̥d-´. With the reinterpretation of the root as *ghend-, the strong stem of the nasal-infix present was remade to *ghn̥d-né/ó-, and in the post-IE period the pattern was extended to other nasal-infix presents (*lin(é)kw- → *linkw-né/ó-, *u̯in(é)d- → *u̯ind-né/ó-, etc.). A corollary of the analysis is that the -a- of the Greek and Armenian presents in *-ane/o- (< *-n̥ne/o-) is epenthetic, and that the absence of a nasal in the root syllable of Arm. lkʿanem, gtanem, etc. is secondary.
Allomorphy in the Hittite common gender accusative plural
Authors: Billing Oscar
Published: August 2022

It has recently become generally accepted that Hittite possessed two non-low back vowel phonemes denoted by means of plene spelling with ⟨u⟩ and ⟨ú⟩, representing /o/ and /u/, respectively. Upon reviewing all available evidence of plene spelling in the Hittite common gender accusative plural ending it is observed that the choice of vowel sign alternates. This forces us to reckon with at least two allomorphs of the ACC.PL.C. ending, -/us/ and -/os/, which in turn demand explanations. The choice of ending appears to be largely contingent on the stem type of the nominal to which it is attached, forming a complementary distribution. For example, ablauting u-stems take -/os/ and i-stems take -/us/. Building on this observation, a diachronic scenario is formulated to account for all observable ending allomorphy. It is argued that the endings of the non-ablauting i-stems and the barytone a-stems were analogically introduced. In the i-stems, the inherited ending -/us/ of the ablauting i-stems was generalised to all i-stems, whereas the source of the ending in the a-stems remains unknown. The sound laws resulting from this analysis indicate that the vocalic outcomes of final *-(V)m# are symmetrical to those of *-(V)ms#, leading to an improved economy in Hittite historical phonology.
Deqing and Daoism: A View of Dialogue and Translation from Late Ming China
Authors: Barrett T. H.
Published: August 2022

Any dialogue conducted via mutually unintelligible languages constitutes no more than a dialogue of the deaf. Yet intelligibility in dialogue at the most basic linguistic level seems to have provoked little extended discussion in China, even though in practice getting one’s ideas across was plainly a major concern, in the late Ming period (1368-1644). Whilst Buddhists of the period had ceased in any real sense to act as translators of fresh Buddhist materials into Chinese from other languages, we do find an essayist with things to say about translation. This was Hanshan Deqing (1546–1623), a major Buddhist monk of the age. Yet his essays are not readily to be found in his Buddhist writings, but in the preface to his annotations to the Daoist classic Daode jing. It is therefore within the context of dialogue with another rival tradition that his remarks were made, and so they have a particular relevance for those with an interest in the conduct of inter-religious dialogue in the Chinese tradition.
The Pietas of Doubt:
Authors: Lobetti Tullio
Published: August 2022

Whenever disagreement arises, dialogue is often presented as a natural remedy to conciliate opposing subjects. Absence of dialogue resulting in conflict appears thus as being somehow unnatural, a behavioural trait artificially induced by a variety of cultural forces, religion in particular. In this paper I would like to argue that the opposite case might be truer. Dialogue is in fact a most unnatural and unlikely event and, for this reason, to consider it as the natural foundation for a shared universal ethics is a potentially dangerous oversight. Dialogue is heavily dependent on consciousness and language, which are not discreet natural entities, but rather complex culturally-influenced constructs. We shall then explore the problem of the constructions of meaningful dialogues in the light of considerations on the formation of consciousness, taking into account the way in which metaphysical beliefs delimit and shape our epistemological possibilities and our understanding of self and alterity.
Luke
Authors: Blomberg Craig L.
Published: August 2022

I. Howard Marshall broke fresh ground with his Luke: Historian and Theologian in 1970 when the reigning critical methodology was a form of redaction criticism that largely assumed that theology and history were mutually exclusive. Not only did Marshall contest this assumption but he stressed that a historian was as good as his sources, and Luke had good ones. A half-century later, scholarship has significantly progressed, with Marshall’s views having left an important legacy. Multiple critical tools may be combined. Theology and history can work in tandem. Redaction criticism need not be antithetical to the historical reliability of a Gospel.
Reflections on Reflections
Authors: Walton Steve
Published: August 2022

This essay responds to those of Darrell Bock, Craig Blomberg and Mark Strauss looking back on Howard Marshall’s Luke Historian and Theologian after over 50 years. It first highlights the impact of Marshall’s work on the growth in confidence among evangelicals in engaging in NT scholarship, the development of evangelical biblical theology, and (within that) a focus on the message of Luke-Acts. It then sketches four areas for future scholarship which Marshall’s work opens up: further work on the message of Acts; reflection on the place of Judaism and the Jewish people in Acts; fuller engagement with Luke’s theological contribution post-Conzelmann; and a broader and deeper understanding of salvation through a Lukan lens.
On the Terminological Issue of Describing Resurrection as ‘Physical’
Authors: Harriman K. R.
Published: August 2022

From the early centuries of the church, there has been much discussion on how best to describe Jesus’s resurrection and the expected eschatological resurrection (particularly of believers). One popular way of describing resurrection has been as ‘physical’, which in some ways corresponds with the ancient description of the resurrection ‘of the flesh’. Critics of this approach have, in fact, treated these descriptions as synonymous and have argued that ‘physical’ is not an apt adjective for describing Jesus’s or the eschatological resurrection. I argue here, particularly by reference to 1 Cor. 15, that it remains appropriate to refer to resurrection according to the Bible as ‘physical’, not as ‘bodily, but not physical’, and that it is the critics who have overcomplicated the term by making it entail what it does not entail and have thus provided obfuscation where they claimed to provide clarification.
The forgotten world of subaerial desmids (Zygnematophyceae) in the Atlantic Forest, southeast Brazil
Authors: SOPHIA MARIA DA GRAÇA , HUSZAR VERA LÚCIA DE MORAES , BICUDO CARLOS EDUARDO DE MATTOS
Published: August 2022

Although desmids (Zygnematophyceae) are widely distributed, their diversity in subaerial environments remains little known and explored. Subaerial algae live above the soil in a thin water film, directly exposed to the air. Desmids possess specific strategies to face environmental stress, such as mucilaginous sheaths that enable them to adhere to the substrate and protect the cells against desiccation. Also, zygospore production may be a strategy to survive. We conducted a taxonomic survey of the subaerial desmids in the Atlantic Forest biome (Rio de Janeiro city and other municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro). Briefly, we analyzed their strategies to resist sudden environmental changes, especially desiccation, a common condition in this environment. From 2006 through 2008, 100 samples were taken from natural and artificial vertical wet surfaces and tree bark. The material collected was identified based on morphological and metric characteristics of the vegetative and reproductive phases of the life cycle. We identified 57 species, varieties, and taxonomic formae, distributed in 12 genera, 2 orders, and 4 families. The study revealed that most subaerial algae were previously reported for Europe and North and South America. From the total taxa, 12% are reported for the first time for Brazil and 14% for South America. Even though subaerial environments are subject to stressful conditions, only three of the 57  taxa showed adaptive structures such as thick mucilage envelopes, spores, or zygospores.
Siamcapillus rubidus gen. et sp. nov. (Oculatellaceae), a novel filamentous cyanobacterium from Thailand based on molecular and morphological analyses
Authors: TAWONG WITTAYA , PONGCHAROEN PONGSANAT , NISHIMURA TOMOHIRO , SAIJUNTHA WEERACHAI
Published: August 2022

Cyanobacterial diversity has been extensively studied; however, scant knowledge exists concerning genetic data and higher accuracy for tropical cyanobacterial diversity. In particular, the existence of unnamed monophyletic genera within the Oculatellaceae requires further investigation. Here, two novel strains (NUACC13 and NUACC14) were isolated from a cyanobacterial mat covering border soil of a small freshwater pond in Phitsanulok Province, Thailand. A polyphasic approach combining genetic (16S rDNA and rpoC1 gene phylogenies, evolutionary distance and ITS secondary structures) and morphological information was applied to evaluate the taxonomic status of these novel strains. All phylogenetic analyses of 16S rDNA and rpoC1 gene sequences placed our strains within the Oculatellaceae, strongly supporting a novel monophyletic clade that did not belong to other known Oculatellaceae genera. The 16S rDNA sequence similarity  (<96.2%) values among the closest described genera also supported the novelty of our strains. The hypothetical secondary structures (D1–D1′, Box-B, V2 and V3 helices) of the ITS region confirmed the uniqueness of our strains, indicating differences from the related genera. Morphological features of the novel strains differed from the phylogenetically closest taxa by size and color of filament and vegetative cell and the presence of a frayed sheath. Considering all the results, we herein described our strains as the novel genus Siamcapillus gen. nov. in the Oculatellaceae with the type species S. rubidus sp. nov.
An evaluation of the genus Cyne (Loranthaceae) including a new species and rediscovery and neotypification of the rare C. quadriangula
Authors: NICKRENT DANIEL L. , RULE MARK GREGORY Q.
Published: August 2022

A new species of Cyne (Loranthaceae) from Bucas Grande and Dinagat Islands, Philippines is described and named C. barcelonae in honor of the Filipina botanist Julie F. Barcelona. Phylogenetic analysis using the complete nuclear ribosomal DNA cistron confirms it is sister to C. banahaensis, the only species among the six in the genus with complete descriptions of floral morphology. The species is similar to the rare C. perfoliata of Papua New Guinea by having connate-perfoliate upper leaves but differs from others in the genus by possessing palmate leaf venation, inflorescences lacking an operculum, light green corollas, and stamens with filaments. No type material for Cyne quadriangula exists, thus this taxon is only known from the original protologue. It was rediscovered on Bucas Grande Island and that collection was described and used as the neotype for the species. A revised description of the genus and key to the seven species is provided.
Deep sequencing of the epitype specimen of Synarthrophyton patena (Hooker f. & Harvey) R.A.Townsend (Hapalidiales, Rhodophyta) confirms the correct application of this name
Authors: HUGHEY JEFFERY R. , PEÑA VIVIANA , GABRIELSON PAUL W.
Published: August 2022

Synarthrophyton patena (Hooker f. & Harvey) R.A.Townsend is a discoid marine coralline red alga distributed in the southwestern Pacific Ocean (type locality: southeast North Island, New Zealand). It is the generitype of Synarthrophyton R.A.Townsend, a genus of taxonomic debate. High-throughput sequencing was performed on the herein designated epitype specimen of S. patena to characterize its genetic markers and organellar genome structure. The complete plastid genome of S. patena is 181,685 bp in length and contains 232 genes. A partial mitogenome was assembled amounting to 25,779 bp and encodes 46 genes. Both genomes show a high level of gene synteny to the organellar genomes of S. chejuense. DNA markers rbcL, psbA, and cox1 are identical or very similar to sequences deposited in GenBank and analyzed here under the same name from Australia (including Tasmania) and New Zealand. A combined phylogenetic analysis of S. patena using rbcL and psbA gene sequences fully resolved it in a clade with other S. patena, Synarthrophyton spp., and unidentified Hapalidiales. These data confirm the accurate application of the binomial S. patena, stabilize the use of the generitype, and contribute to future congeneric evolutionary and taxonomic studies in the Hapalidiaceae.
A new species of Coccomyces from oak leaves in Fodingshan National Nature Reserve in China
Authors: PU SHUN-CHANG , GUO MEI-JUN , HOU CHENG-LIN
Published: August 2022

Specimens of Coccomyces on Quercus (Cyclobalanopsis, Fagaceae) collected from Fodingshan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou Province, China, were identified as a new species and named Coccomyces fodingshanensis. A multi-gene phylogenetic analysis (ITS, LSU, mtSSU) showed that the new species is closely related to Coccomyces sinensis on Camellia species but differed by subrounded ascomata and fagaceous host.
Tersilochinae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) of Japan : two new species, a new combination and 23 new country records
Authors: KHALAIM ANDREY I.
Published: August 2022

Based on a large amount of material from Japan, two species, Allophroides watanabei sp. nov. and Tersilochus (Tersilochus) serratoides sp. nov., are described as new to science, one new combination, Probles (Euporizon) ecarinata (Khalaim, 2005), comb. nov., is proposed, and following new country records are provided: genus Allophroides Horstmann, Diaparsis (Diaparsis) egregia Khalaim, D. (Nanodiaparsis) ussuriensis Khalaim, Gelanes dentator Khalaim & Lee, G. provectus Balueva & Lee, G. simillimus Horstmann, Phradis gibbus (Holmgren), Ph. vespertinus Khalaim, Probles (Euporizon) carinator Khalaim, Pr. (E.) ecarinata (Khalaim), Pr. (E.) fulgida Khalaim & Balueva, Pr. (E.) hankaensis Khalaim, Pr. (E.) korusa Khalaim & Kim, Pr. (Microdiaparsis) caudiculata Khalaim, Pr. (M.) neoversuta (Horstmann), Pr. (Rugodiaparsis) ruficornis (Szépligeti), Tersilochus (Tersilochus) curvator Horstmann, T. (T.) gangwonus Khalaim & Lee, T. (T.) grandiculus Khalaim, T. (T.) impunctator Khalaim, T. (T.) juxtus Khalaim and T. (T.) liopleuris (Thomson). The number of known Japanese species of Tersilochinae is raised from 25 to 48, or almost double.

                Also, Probles (Euporizon) interruptor Khalaim & Lee, Tersilochus (Tersilochus) fidicinus Khalaim & Lee, and T. (T.) gangwonus Khalaim & Lee, are recorded for the first time from Russia. Males of Phradis hikosanus Khalaim and T. (T.) fidicinus Khalaim & Lee are described for the first time. Brief annotations to all occurring in Japan genera, and diagnoses, remarks on taxonomy and colour illustrations to Japanese species, are given.
Effectiveness of power training compared to strength training in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: el Hadouchi Mohamed , Kiers Henri , de Vries Ralph , Veenhof Cindy , van Dieën Jaap
Published: August 2022

Background

Research suggests that muscle power is a more critical determinant of physical functioning in older adults than muscle strength. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature on the effect of power training compared to strength training in older adults on tests for muscle power, two groups of activity-based tests under controlled conditions: generic tests and tests with an emphasis on movement speed, and finally, physical activity level in daily life.

Methods

A systematic search for randomized controlled trials comparing effects of power training to strength training in older adults was performed in PubMed, Embase, Ebsco/CINAHL, Ebsco/SPORTDiscus, Wiley/Cochrane Library and Scopus. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool, and quality of evidence was evaluated using GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool. Standardized mean differenences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for outcomes separately using a random effects model.

Results

Fifteen trials and 583 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicated a statistically significant benefit of power training on all reported outcomes (muscle power SMD: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.54 to 1.44, p < 0.001; generic activity-based tests SMD: 0.37, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.68; p = 0.02, activity-based tests emphasizing movement speed SMD: 0.43, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.62, p < 0.001). None of the included studies used physical activity level in daily life as outcome.

Conclusions

Power training offers more potential for improving muscle power and performance on activity tests in older adults compared to strength training. Future research should assess exercise parameters for power training in older adults. In addition, the validity and reliability of the tests used must be evaluated to establish a standardized test protocol. This protocol should also include measurements of physical activity in daily life.
Glutamatergic neurons in paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus regulate the recovery from isoflurane anesthesia
Authors: Bu Xiaoli , Chen Yiqiu , Lv Ping , Fu Xiaoyun , Fu Bao
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Previous studies have demonstrated that the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a key wakefulness-controlling nucleus in the thalamus. Therefore, PVT may also be involved in the process of general anesthesia. This study intends to explore the role of PVT in isoflurane anesthesia.

Methods

In the present study, we used the expression of c-Fos to observe the neuronal activity of PVT neurons under isoflurane anesthesia. We further recorded the effect of isoflurane anesthesia on the calcium signal of PVT glutamatergic neurons in real time with the help of calcium fiber photometry. We finally used chemogenetic technology to specifically regulate PVT glutamatergic neurons, and observed its effect on isoflurane anesthesia and cortical electroencephalography (EEG) in mice.

Results

We found that glutamatergic neurons of PVT exhibited high activity during wakefulness and low activity during isoflurane anesthesia. Activation of PVT glutamatergic neuronal caused an acceleration in emergence from isoflurane anesthesia accompanied with a decrease in EEG delta power (1–4 Hz). Whereas suppression of PVT glutamatergic neurons induced a delay recovery of isoflurane anesthesia, without affecting anesthesia induction.

Conclusions

Assuming a pharmacokinetic explanation for results can be excluded, these results demonstrate that the PVT is involved in regulating anesthesia emergence.
Reducing the incidence of stroke-associated pneumonia: an evidence-based practice
Authors: Liu Zhu-Yun , Wei Lin , Ye Ri-Chun , Chen Jiao , Nie Dan , Zhang Ge , Zhang Xiao-Pei
Published: August 2022

Background

Pulmonary infection is a frequent complication among stroke patients and adversely affects clinical outcomes, increases the length of hospitalization stay and costs, and aggravates the financial burden of the national medical health system. Early identification and management of high-risk patients are necessary and imperative to reduce the incidence of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP).

Aim

The evidence-based practice project evaluated the effectiveness of a standard care bundle intervention in preventing the occurrence of SAP.

Methods

The project was conducted in a neurology department of a teaching hospital. Given the variation in assessment and management standards, evidence-based practice (EBP) methodology was used to establish a process for quality improvement. A thorough literature search was conducted to identify evidence-based interventions to manage and prevent SAP. Thorough critiques of the literature and synthesis of the evidence were completed. A systematic management flow and care bundle interventions were established. The care bundle included interventions, such as the utilization of tools for SAP risk screening; dysphagia screening and rehabilitation; feeding modification, oral care, airway management, position management, and the nursing techniques of traditional Chinese medicine.

Results

A significant improvement was observed in preventing SAP in patients in the postimplementation group compared with those in the preimplementation group (14.0% vs. 37.2%, p = 0.025). In addition, significantly lower duration of hospitalization, lower rate of aspiration, and improvements in albumin and oral hygiene were found after the implementation of the care bundle.

Conclusions

Evidence-based care bundles successfully empower nurses to reduce the incidence of SAP. The management flow of SAP prevention could be promoted to other units of the neurology department in the future. The results of the project reflect positively on the capacity to implement EBP in an acute care setting for stroke. The EBP methodology can be utilized to solve other clinical problems.
Construction of immune-related signature and identification of S100A14 determining immune-suppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Wang Chengcheng , Chen Yuan , Xinpeng Yin , Xu Ruiyuan , Song Jianlu , Ruze Rexiati , Xu Qiang , Zhao Yupei
Published: August 2022

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly lethal and aggressive disease with its incidence and mortality quite discouraging. A robust prognostic signature and novel biomarkers are urgently needed for accurate stratification of the patients and optimization of clinical decision-making. Since the critical role of immune microenvironment in the progression of PC, a prognostic signature based on seven immune-related genes was established, which was validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) training set, TCGA testing set, TCGA entire set and GSE71729 set. Furthermore, S100A14 (S100 Calcium Binding Protein A14) was identified as the gene occupying the most paramount position in risk signature. According to the GSEA, CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE algorithm, S100A14 was mainly associated with lower proportion of CD8 + T cells and higher proportion of M0 macrophages in PC tissue. Meanwhile, analysis of single-cell dataset CRA001160 revealed a significant negative correlation between S100A14 expression in PC cells and CD8 + T cell infiltration, which was further confirmed by tissue microenvironment landscape imaging and machine learning-based analysis in our own PUMCH cohort. Additionally, analysis of a pan-pancreatic cancer cell line illustrated that S100A14 might inhibit CD8 + T cell activation via the upregulation of PD-L1 expression in PC cells, which was also verified by the immunohistochemical results of PUMCH cohort. Finally, tumor mutation burden analysis and immunophenoscore algorithm revealed that patients with high S100A14 expression had a higher probability of responding to immunotherapy. In conclusion, our study established an efficient immune-related prediction model and identified the potential role of S100A14 in regulating the immune microenvironment and serving as a biomarker for immunotherapy efficacy prediction.
Correlation between apelin and VEGF levels in retinopathy of prematurity: a matched case–control study
Authors: Zhang Yimin , Feng Jing , Shao Shuming , Mu Qing , Liu Jie , Zeng Chaomei , Zhang Xiaorui
Published: August 2022

Background

Although several clinical studies have analysed the relationship between the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and apelin-13 in venous blood and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), no definitive conclusions have been reached. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between apelin-13 levels and VEGF levels and ROP.

Methods

Differences in plasma apelin-13 and VEGF levels were analysed in two groups of infants born with birth weight < 1500 g and gestational age < 32 weeks at Peking University People’ s Hospital. One group comprised infants diagnosed with ROP and the other group was a control group comprising infants without ROP.

Results

Apelin-13 levels were significantly lower in the ROP group than in the control group, while VEGF levels showed the opposite result (both P < 0.001). Infants with severe ROP had lower apelin-13 levels and higher VEGF levels than with mild ROP (both P < 0.05).The receiver operating characteristic curve for apelin-13 level as the indicator of ROP showed that a cut-off value of 119.6 pg/mL yielded a sensitivity of 84.8% and a specificity of 63.6%, while for VEGF level, the cut-off value of 84.3 pg/mL exhibited a sensitivity of 84.8% and a specificity of 66.7%.

Conclusions

Plasma apelin-13 and VEGF levels at 4–6 weeks of age may play a role in assisting the diagnosis of ROP.
Population-based comparison of cancer survival outcomes in patients with and without psychiatric disorders
Authors: Benny Alexander , McLay Mary , Callaghan Russell C. , Bates Alan , Olson Robert
Published: August 2022

Background

Individuals with psychiatric disorders (PD) have a high prevalence of tobacco use. Patients with PD also potentially receive substandard care in comparison to the general population. Previous research has shown that individuals with PD have a decreased risk of receiving a tobacco related (TR) cancer diagnosis. To further assess this trend, this study assesses the survival of patients with a TR cancer with or without a PD.

Materials and methods

Our study utilized multiple databases, with methods described elsewhere,6 to identify people in British Columbia that have been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and appendicitis (our control group). From these groups, we selected individuals who also had a TR cancer. We subsequently extracted information pertaining to these patients from these databases.

Results

Thirty-nine thousand eight hundred forty-one patients with cancer were included in our study. Analyses of these patients were controlled for by age, gender, cancer type and diagnosis year. This analysis displayed shorter survival time among patients who were diagnosed with depression (HR = 1.16; p = 0.01; 95% CI: 1.04–1.29), schizophrenia (HR = 1.62; p < 0.01; 95% CI: 1.43–1.84), or bipolar disorder (HR = 1.35; p < 0.01; 95% CI: 1.12–1.64) compared to the cancer patients without a PD, all of which were statistically significant. People that were diagnosed with anxiety disorders did not have a survival time that was significantly different from our control population (HR = 1.07; p = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.96–1.19).

Conclusions

Individuals with PD, except for those with anxiety, were found to have a shorter survival time following diagnosis with a TR cancer as compared to our control group. We hypothesize several factors, which may account for this statistically significant difference: (1) delayed diagnosis, (2) poor access to care, (3) poor assessment or follow-up, or (4) physician beliefs of poor treatment adherence.
Elevated plasma levels of Krebs von den Lungen-6 and geographic appearance on high-resolution computed tomography are associated with diffuse alveolar damage in autopsy cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective study
Authors: Imai Ryosuke , Yamada Daisuke , Tomishima Yutaka , Nakamura Tomoaki , So Clara , Ro Shosei , Okafuji Kohei , Kitamura Atsushi , Jinta Torahiko , Nishimura Naoki
Published: August 2022

Background

Although diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) is a histopathological hallmark of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), its detection without lung biopsy is challenging. In patients with ARDS, the specificity of the Berlin definition to diagnose DAD as a reference standard is not adequately high, making it difficult to adequately diagnose DAD. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between DAD and clinical findings, including KL-6 and geographic appearance, in ARDS patients and to identify more specific diagnostic criteria for DAD.

Methods

Among all adult autopsy cases at a tertiary hospital in Japan between January 2006 and March 2021, patients with ARDS who met the Berlin definition criteria were included. The patients’ conditions were classified according to histopathological patterns as DAD or non-DAD, and clinical characteristics, laboratory data, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings were compared between the two groups.

Results

During the study period, 27 met the Berlin definition (median age: 79 years, 19 men), of whom 18 (67%) had DAD and 9 (33%) did not. In the non-DAD group, histopathologic findings revealed organizing pneumonia in seven patients and pulmonary hemorrhage in two patients. On HRCT at onset, patients with DAD had more geographic appearance than those without DAD (89% vs. 44%). In patients with geographic appearance and elevated KL-6 (> 500 U/mL), the sensitivity and specificity for DAD diagnosis were 56% and 100%, respectively. All three patients with no geographic appearance and normal KL-6 did not have DAD.

Conclusions

Geographic appearance on HRCT combined with KL-6 levels may predict the presence of DAD in patients with ARDS.