bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomass and carbon storage in an age-sequence of Acacia mangium plantation forests in Southeastern region, Vietnam
Authors: Levan Cuong , Buimanh Hung , Oluwasanmi Tope Bolanle-Ojo , Xu Xiaoniu , Nguyenminh Thanh , Lak Chai , Nebiyou Legesse , Wang Jingjing , Buivan Thang
Published: August 2020

Aim of the study: The major objective of this study was to estimate the biomass increment and carbon (C) storage of the main ecosystem components in an age-sequence of three Acacia mangium plantation stands.Area of study: Chang Riec Historical - Cultural Forest, Southeastern region, Vietnam.Material and methods: In order to assess the biomass of different tree components, 36 trees with diameter at breast height ranging from 13.38 to 22.87 cm were harvested from the different aged stands. Biomasses of understory (shrubs and herbs), and litter were also determined. Carbon storage in the trees and understory biomass, litter, and mineral soil (0-50 cm) were determined by analyzing the C content of each compartment.Main results: The biomass in trees, understory vegetation, litter, and ecosystem increased with stand age. Soil C represented 61.99% of the total, aboveground tree biomass C made up 26.73%, belowground tree biomass C accounted for 7.01%, and litter comprised 2.96%, whereas only a small amount (1.30%) was associated with understory vegetation. The average C content of total tree (47.97%) was higher than those of understory and litter. Soil organic C stock in the top 50 cm depth in 4-, 7- and 11-year-old stands of A. mangium were 86.86, 126.88 and 140.94 Mg. C ha-1 respectively. Soil C concentration decreased continually with increasing soil depth. Total C storage of three planted forests ranged from 131.36 to 255.86 Mg. C ha-1, of which 56.09 - 67.61% of C storage was in the soil and 26.88 - 40.40% in the trees.Research highlights: These results suggest that A. mangium is a promising afforestation tree species with fast growing, high biomass accumulation and high C sequestration potential.Keywords: Acacia mangium plantations; Biomass; Ecosystem carbon storage; Age-sequence; Vietnam.
Communicative Competence Formation of Future Officers in the Process of Foreign Language Training
Authors: Kozyar Mykhaylo M. , Nanivska Lidiia L. , Romanyshyna Oksana Ya. , Romanyshyn Andriy M. , Yakimets Yurii M.
Published: August 2020

Modernization of the military system and its content has enhanced the value of the foreign language as a subject aimed at the formation of communicative competence of future officers. It mainly concerns a professional language, which is an obligatory part of the cadets' professional training. One of the main tasks of foreign language training of future officers is to form the communicative competency in the spheres of professional and situational communication as well as to learn new professional information from foreign sources. Based on the stated above, the author developed the methodology of forming communicative competence of future officers in the process of foreign language training with the active implementation of informational communicative technologies and computer means of teaching: the virtual reality, military-professional games, role play stimulators, and other software, within which a dialogue appeared. The last is regarded as an active message exchange between participants of the educational process or a user and the information system in real-time. The use of informational communicative technologies has enabled instant access to remoted module informational resources, synchronous (asynchronous) communication between subjects of the educational process. It has also provided new opportunities for testing, administration, and cooperation. The experimental usage of the author's methodology was implemented into the teaching process of the subject “Foreign language” based on the intercultural educational environment as a set of immersion, virtual, interactive, and discourse educational environments. The analysis of the obtained results and objective consideration of the dynamics of the changes in the formation of communicative competence of future officers have been done through the integrated test (targeted monitoring, a set of adapted tests application, an online survey, a questionnaire, case study, situational modelling, individual and group interviews) and methods of mathematical statistics. The conducted study has proved the efficiency of the author’s methodology implementation based on the intercultural educational environment of higher military education establishments. The proposed methodology can be successfully used in the process of foreign language training of various specialists because its main strategic orientation is to form communicative competence and abilities for intercultural communication among students (cadets).
Professional Foreign-Language Training as a Component of Higher Vocational Education
Authors: Trubitsyna Olga M. , Kanibolotska Olha , Zozulia Iryna Y. , Stadnii Alla S. , Martynenko Maryna Y.
Published: August 2020

Obtaining higher vocational education, mastering the practical aspects of the chosen profession, and later work in the specialty are the goals of everyone, who seeks to find their niche in the modern society. Taking in consideration the above, the aim of the scientific article is to study the main aspects of professional foreign-language training as a component of higher vocational education. Methods of theoretical analysis, comparison, description and observation have been used to reveal the purpose of the academic paper. The study was conducted in the article on the examples of studying Ukrainian as a foreign language and English as a foreign language. It has been established that studying Ukrainian as a foreign language is carried out when it is necessary to communicate in private life, as well as in the framework of doing business. In the course of the study it has been established that key aspects of learning English relate to the fact that English is the world’s language of doing business, the second most widely spoken language in the world, apart from the mother tongue, and one of the official languages of the world’s leading organizations, such as UN, EU, etc. It has been established that currently in Ukraine the following mastery levels of the Ukrainian language are in effect in the process of mastering this academic discipline, namely: elementary, basic, low-intermediate, high-intermediate, advanced and proficient level of knowledge of the Ukrainian language as a foreign. It has been determined that professional foreign language training of students at institutions of higher professional education in the direction of “English as a foreign language” both in Ukraine and abroad involves students gaining the following levels of English in the process of mastering the discipline, namely: Beginner, Elementary English, Intermediate English, Upper-Intermediate English, Advanced English, Proficiency English.
Development of Skills of Intercultural Communication in the Process of Studying at Higher Educational Institutions
Authors: Balanaieva Oksana V. , Salashchenko Hanna M. , Shurupova Kateryna V. , Devos Anastasiia O. , Romanchuk Alla I.
Published: August 2020

The article proves that the need for the development of intercultural communication skills in the learning process is due to external causes of globalization and internal requirements of the modern ethnocultural situation in Ukraine, as well as the needs of pedagogical science, which takes into account global development trends: anthropocentrism, search for value orientations and new worldview, the need for acquisition of intercultural interaction skills that ensure competitiveness in the global community. According to the author, the skills of intercultural communication of future specialists are characterized by the integrity of formation of personal qualities and abilities, the ability to switch from one culture-specific code to another, taking into account their differences, flexibly vary communication strategies and tactics, maintain a positive attitude; choice of verbal and non-verbal means. In this regard, the author proposed the idea of using Web 2.0 in the formation of intercultural communication skills. Experimental application of a special method of working with educational Internet resources based on Web 2.0 technologies was tested in the Practical English academic course. It was found that the use of Web 2.0 in the development of intercultural communication skills in the process of studying at higher educational institutions opens up a wide range of opportunities for educational practice: the use of free electronic resources used for educational purposes; independent creation of network content; interpersonal interactions of the subjects of the educational process. To analyse the results obtained and objectively consider the dynamics of changes in the level of development of intercultural communication skills, control and measuring materials selected were the assignments of the Level 6 Certificate of General Language Proficiency (CAE Advanced) and a test to determine the level of development of learning strategies - the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) Version 7.0. It was found that the use of educational Internet resources based on Web 2.0 technologies activates the professionally significant qualities of future specialists, the ability to carry out intercultural communication, expands the horizons of the worldview and the sphere of professional activity to the maximum possible extent, professional mobility, which is a condition and basis of professionalism and mastery. The proposed methods, techniques and technologies can be used regardless of the foreign language and have transnational significance.
Purpose and Features of Teaching Philosophical Disciplines at Tertiary Educational Institutions while Training Specialists of Various Knowledge Areas
Authors: Lavrynenko Svitlana O. , Krymets Liudmyla V. , Leshchenko Alona M. , Chaika Yana M. , Holovina Olha V.
Published: August 2020

Today there is a downward trend in the credibility of the humanities in university education including philosophy, it is evidenced by the reduction of popularity and the number of teaching hours. Nevertheless, according to students and professors, philosophy is an interesting and necessary discipline for specialists of various knowledge areas. The article is devoted to the study of the basic purpose and features of teaching philosophical disciplines at tertiary educational institutions. Training specialists in various fields in times of urgent need for total revision of the educational paradigm and principles of teaching not only in tertiary education but also throughout the entire system of Ukrainian education as a whole. In the course of the investigation, the methods of interdisciplinary approach, system analysis, social-cultural method, social-activity and concrete-historical approach have been applied. In the framework of the study conducted, the basic functions of philosophical disciplines have been identified that make them an integral part of the educational process at the tertiary educational institution, namely: a) philosophy as a system of world perception formation; b) philosophy as a methodology of scientific research; c) philosophy as the grounding of moral and ethical education; d) philosophy as the basis for critical thinking formation. In the course of investigation it was possible to identify some of the most important general formation principles of the required competences while studying philosophical disciplines, which are further necessary for the comprehensive learning of educational material at a sufficient level. Innovative principles and technologies of modern education help create the relevant matrix of pedagogical design, which makes it possible to better understand the processes and phenomena studied in different disciplines, to comprehend them, to conduct reflection. In the article it was possible to analyze the value of philosophical education for students of tertiary educational institutions of all training areas, to prove the need for such knowledge for the formation of professional, scientific, research, political and social competences of a future adult human, a responsible worker and a concerned citizen.
Professional Competences of Jurisprudence Educators
Authors: Husenko Anzhela A. , Petrunenko Iaroslav V. , Kulinich Olha O. , Tokar Liudmila V. , Herashchenko Vita V.
Published: August 2020

Nowadays, the profession of Jurisprudence educator is one of the most relevant and top requested among all specializations; however, in order to become a high-skilled Jurisprudence educator, one should possess significant professional qualities, including being professionally competent in the context of teaching. Taking into consideration the above mentioned, as well as based on the subject matter of the scientific article, the purpose of the study is to reveal the theoretical and practical features of the professional competences’formation and development of the Jurisprudence educators. Methods of analysis, synthesis, observation, description, comparison and generalization have been applied to reveal the purpose of the scientific research. It has been established that modern Jurisprudence teachers should possess the following professional competences: to be fluent in modern legislation and other legal norms; to rely on the features and qualities of leading scientists, working in this field; to be able to interconnect private and public interests and allocate responsibility to individual cases; to be well-versed in legislative practice and to act by law in unexpected situations; to encourage students to actively participate in the learning process, while avoiding delays in classes or even truancies; to expect knowledge from their studentsin a positive light; to enlist the respect and trust of students; to treat students positively and with respect, regardless of their religious, cultural, social or linguistic background; to cooperate with parents and other students’ custodial persons; to think critically and professionally; to prepare for classesto a full extent, using modern innovative teaching methods to teach material in the classroom;to take an active part in activities organized by the tertiary educational institution, local community, etc.; to be engaged in professional development, constantly improve one’s own competences. Based on the results of the conducted study of the theoretical and practical features of the professional competences’ formation and development of Jurisprudence educators it has been established that these competences begin to form and develop even at the stage, when students (future Jurisprudence educators) study at the tertiary legal educational institutions.
Embolization of an Exophytic Posterior Neck Mass Secondary to a Cutaneous Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis
Authors: Kramer Dallas E. , Kerolus Mena G. , Tan Lee A. , Patel Smita , Reddy Vijaya , Chen Michael
Published: August 2020

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) commonly metastasizes to the lung, liver, bones, and brain; however, cutaneous metastases remain rare with few reported cases. Since RCCs have the propensity to metastasize to highly vascular areas, the scalp and skin of the head and neck region are likely locations for cutaneous metastases. We report a rare case of a large, exophytic, cauliflower-like, hemorrhagic, metastatic mass of the posterior neck. This is the first reported case of a head and neck cutaneous RCC metastasis treated with endovascular embolization prior to surgical resection. Due to the increased vascularity of RCCs and risk of excessive hemorrhage during resection, adjunctive embolization of cutaneous head and neck metastasis may have a role. Essential characteristics to our treatment strategy are discussed with a review of pertinent literature.
Geen aangifte, en dan?
Authors: Salet Renze , Kremers Melvin , Terpstra Jan
Published: August 2020

In absence of a citizens’ crime report: what will the police do?

In previous observational studies among operational police officers, some officers stated that if a victim is not willing to (officially) report a crime to the police, they are not able to police these cases. This rather cynical and fatalistic statement raises several questions. What do police officers mean when they say this? What do they actually do in those cases and why? In this paper we try to answer these questions based on explorative qualitative interviews with several police officers in two police teams in the Netherlands. The results show that even though police officers recognize these statements among their colleagues, they do not agree with them and in practice police officers show a lot of effort and involvement in these cases. In fact, police officers have several possible strategies available to deal with these cases. Which strategy they opt for depends on various pragmatic, organisational and moral considerations.
De Nederlandse positie ten opzichte van godslastering in internationaal verband
Authors: Huisjes Tom
Published: August 2020

The Dutch position on blasphemy in its international context

In 2014, the Dutch government abolished its ban on blasphemy, which had laid dormant in its criminal code for decades. Similar laws have been abolished in nine other jurisdictions in the West since an international campaign to this end started in 2015. This article first describes the tension between blasphemy laws and the freedom of expression. It then examines the Dutch position on blasphemy in its international context. This article argues against bans on blasphemy and specifically against a potential reintroduction of a de facto ban on blasphemy in the Netherlands. Moreover, it argues in favour of applying political pressure to abolish bans on blasphemy around the world as well as giving diplomatic support to those affected by these laws.
Possibilities for Quality Assessment of Health Services in Therapeutic Rehabilitation
Authors: Bednarski Piotr , Kiwerski Jerzy
Published: August 2020

The main goal of therapeutic rehabilitation is to provide services that develop, maintain or restore mobility and functionality to the fullest extent possible throughout the patient’s life. This process should involve setting real goals both for the person who has mobility and functionality impairment as well as in the records of relevant therapeutic programme objectives. In evaluating this process, quality indicators can be used as ‘tools’ and they may also be used as parameters for quantitative characterization of healthcare processes and outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to systematise existing knowledge about quality in healthcare in the context of therapeutic rehabilitation, presenting a possible assessment of the level and degree of completion of goals through quality indicators.
What Teachers Think and Students Know
Authors: Broberg Maximilian , Wrammert Anna
Published: August 2020

In Sweden, media in various forms act as one of the main settings where young people encounter religion, both in schools and elsewhere. With a seemingly ever-expanding development of communication technology, researchers and politicians alike are arguing for the need to educate our citizens in media literacy. By applying the concept of multiple media literacy, this article argues for a more nuanced view of the skills needed to critically engage with various kinds of media. By analysing interview material of both teachers and students, the article concludes that increased focus within RE on how various mediums operate, and on the complex nature of social media, would likely result in a richer media literacy for students and teachers alike.Keywords: multiple media literacy; mediatization; pupil perspectives; religious studies
Trends in Orange Juice Consumption and Nutrient Adequacy in Children 2003-2016
Authors: Nicklas Theresa A. , O’Neil Carol E. , Saab Rabab , Fulgoni Victor L.
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to examine secular trends in 100% orange juice (OJ) consumption and trends in nutrient adequacy in children 2-18 years participating in the 2003-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate the usual intake. Ten deciles of OJ consumption were determined based on intakes with non-consumers in the first decile. Nutrient adequacy was determined using the percentage below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or the Adequate Intake (AI) percentage. Linear regression coefficients for changes in intake over time and across deciles of OJ were generated. Approximately 14% of the total sample consumed OJ with a mean intake of 40.0 g/d (77 KJ [0.9% of total energy intake]). Amounts of all 100% fruit juices consumed decreased by 44%, and whole fruit intake increased by approximately 32% from 2003-2016. Consumption of total energy, total carbohydrates, added sugars, and saturated fatty acids decreased. Intakes of folate, riboflavin, zinc, and vitamin C decreased from 2003-2016. The percentage of children below the EAR increased for vitamin C and zinc and decreased for vitamin A from 2003-2016. Percent of children above the AI increased for fiber. Across the deciles of OJ consumption, the percent of children with an inadequate vitamin D intake, calcium, iron, and phosphorus decreased. OJ and other 100% juices were major food sources of many nutrients consumed at levels below recommendations. One strategy to reduce inadequate intake of calcium, phosphorus, and potassium intake is to maintain or increase the consumption of OJ and other 100% juices
La educación ambiental en los límites, o la necesidad cívica y pedagógica de respuestas a una civilización que colapsa
Authors: Caride Gómez José Antonio , Meira Cartea Pablo Ángel
Published: August 2020

La Educación Ambiental está en una encrucijada: la que determina la emergencia climática como evidencia más urgente, pero no la única, de que la civilización humana está impactando contra los límites biofísicos del planeta, incrementando el sufrimiento y amenazando su propia existencia. Cabe preguntarse si la Agenda 2030 y sus Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible serán capaces de cambiar esta trayectoria y modificar la relación directa que continúa estableciéndose entre crecimiento, bienestar social y sostenibilidad ambiental.

El estado de alarma y excepción mundial generado por el COVID-19 ha irrumpido en este escenario mostrando la fragilidad estructural del capitalismo global de mercado, al menos en dos circunstancias: de un lado, la que revela su incapacidad para salvaguardar la vida humana; de otro, la que recuerda cruelmente que los seres humanos somos, como todas las especies que habitan la Tierra, inevitablemente ecodependientes. 

En esta coyuntura nos preguntamos qué Educación Ambiental es necesaria, deseable y posible, tomando conciencia de que nada -ni biológica ni socialmente- nos protege del colapso. Sin caer en el desasosiego, reivindicando su naturaleza política, pedagógica y social, pondremos énfasis en sus contribuciones cotidianas a una globalización alternativa. La aspiración, hoy como ayer, no reside en adjetivar una educación sino en transformar todas las educaciones y no solo aquellas que se refieren al “cuidado del ambiente”.

 

Este trabajo se inscribe en el marco del Proyecto RESCLIMA-2 titulado “Educación para el cambio climático en Educación Secundaria: investigación aplicada sobre representaciones y estrategias pedagógicas en la transición ecológica” (RTI2018-094074-B-I00). Financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (Agencia Estatal de Investigación) en la convocatoria 2018 del Programa Estatal de I+D+i orientada a los retos de la sociedad.
Local and global environmental education: public policies and participation in Fernando de Noronha
Authors: Battaini Vivian , Sorrentino Marcos
Published: August 2020

This article seeks to analyse factors that may foster, hinder or increase environmental social participation and environmental education (EE) on the Island of Fernando de Noronha - Pernambuco / Brazil. The role of public policies in fostering a culture of democratic procedures aimed for building sustainable societies is another aim in this study. The relationships between research and experimentation in EE are the basis for this analysis. A survey provided a better understanding of the local reality and offered opportunities for the dialogues maturation focused on the definition of principles and initiatives that can contribute to the cycle of public policies formulation and implementation for EE.  This was a qualitative research-intervention carried out with a conservationist institution, which operates in the field of EE. It dialogues with ethnographic research in the field of education and used as techniques of data collection: analysis of official documents, participant observation, music and semi-structured interviews.  The analysis of the fieldwork were enhanced by other experiences of the Laboratory of Education and Environmental Policy (Oca) of the University of São Paulo and showed the need for public policies able to provide a permanent, continuous and articulated EE with the population of each territorial group. It also indicates some possible ways for that betting on the centrality of dialogical participation which articulates initiatives through an interinstitutional pedagogical political project.
Públicos invisibles, espacios educativos improbables: el proyecto “Descarboniza! Que non é pouco...” Como educación para el cambio climático
Authors: Iglesias da Cunha Lucia , Pardellas Santiago Miguel , Gradaílle Pernas Rita
Published: August 2020

La actual situación de emergencia climática requiere articular una agenda social que acompañe e impulse la transición hacia sociedades bajas en carbono. Una transformación en la que la Educación y la Comunicación Ambiental se revelan indispensables.

En este contexto, el Grupo de Investigación en Pedagogía Social y Educación Ambiental (SEPA-Interea), de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, desarrolla –desde hace más de una década– una línea de investigación bajo el acrónimo RESCLIMA, que analiza cómo la ciudadanía percibe el Cambio Climático (CC) y qué tipo de iniciativas socioeducativas promueven la interpretación y puesta en práctica de acciones que contribuyan a configurarlo como un elemento esencial en el diseño de cualquier agenda pública. Con la voluntad de transferir este conocimiento a la sociedad, en el curso 2015-2016, da comienzo la experiencia educativa denominada “Descarboniza! Que non é pouco…”.

Esta iniciativa fue diseñada y dirigida específicamente a población adulta, al identificarla como la cohorte generacional más influyente a la hora de construir la relevancia social del CC. El proyecto –basado en una metodología de investigación-acción-participativa– evolucionó de acuerdo con las necesidades de los participantes –mayoritariamente mujeres– y a las estructuras municipales donde fue implementado –los Ayuntamientos de Santiago de Compostela y Donostia/San Sebastián–, convirtiéndose en una intervención educativa con una metodología propia en la que el género, la memoria colectiva o la gestión de las emociones han sido elementos clave que han permitido  trabajar con destinatarios alejados de la problemática climática pero con gran ascendencia sobre sus comunidades.

El resultado paradójico es que este colectivo, identificado en la mayoría de las ocasiones como vulnerable (personas mayores, mujeres rurales), se muestra más resiliente y motivado para la transición ecosocial. De ahí la necesidad de visibilizarlas y empoderarlas, pues se configuran como auténticas catalizadoras para afrontar la emergencia climática.
The right to a second chance: lessons learned from the experience of early school leavers who returned to education
Authors: Martins Filipe , Carneiro Alexandra , Campos Luísa , Ribeiro Luísa Mota , Negrão Mariana , Baptista Isabel , Matos Raquel
Published: August 2020

Based on a holistic perspective of education that articulates school pedagogy and social pedagogy, the main goal of this paper is to identify effective ways to ensure the right to education to vulnerable and marginalised young people who have dropped out of school. The research leading to this paper was part of a European research project which investigated how young people’s responses to conflict can provide opportunities for positive social engagement. This specific study explored early school leaving and school re-engagement from the point of view of a group of 20 Portuguese young early school leavers who later returned to school through Second Chance Education. Through a qualitative approach using individual in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus group, the study sought to offer a comprehensive reading of early school leaving and school re-engagement by addressing the diversity of motivations, experiences, factors and consequences associated with them, as well as the role that educational policies and school factors can play in it. The study’s findings revealed that, for many socially and economically vulnerable youngsters, mainstream schools are places of individual failure and interpersonal conflict where they don’t feel welcomed and from which they stop expecting positive outcomes. This favours a progressive disengagement from education that reinforces social marginalisation. However, the findings also showed that by engaging in second chance education projects, youngsters develop greater commitment to education and identify relevant positive changes in terms of personal and skills’ development, behavioural adjustment and establishment of life goals. According to the participants’ experiences, the holistic and individualised socio-pedagogical approach of such projects is particularly apt to respond to their needs. Community-based educational approaches, practical and participatory learning environments, and the emotional investment and support from teachers and staff are shown to be the most effective socio-educational features when trying to re-engage vulnerable young people in education.
Population-scale proteome variation in human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Mirauta Bogdan Andrei , Seaton Daniel D , Bensaddek Dalila , Brenes Alejandro , Bonder Marc Jan , Kilpinen Helena ,   HipSci Consortium, Agu Chukwuma A , Alderton Alex , Danecek Petr , Denton Rachel , Durbin Richard , Gaffney Daniel J , Goncalves Angela , Halai Reena , Harper Sarah , Kirton Christopher M , Kolb-Kokocinski Anja , Leha Andreas , McCarthy Shane A , Memari Yasin , Patel Minal , Birney Ewan , Casale Francesco Paolo , Clarke Laura , Harrison Peter W , Kilpinen Helena , Streeter Ian , Denovi Davide , Stegle Oliver , Lamond Angus I , Meleckyte Ruta , Moens Natalie , Watt Fiona M , Ouwehand Willem H , Beales Philip , Stegle Oliver , Lamond Angus I
Published: August 2020

Human disease phenotypes are driven primarily by alterations in protein expression and/or function. To date, relatively little is known about the variability of the human proteome in populations and how this relates to variability in mRNA expression and to disease loci. Here, we present the first comprehensive proteomic analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), a key cell type for disease modelling, analysing 202 iPSC lines derived from 151 donors, with integrated transcriptome and genomic sequence data from the same lines. We characterised the major genetic and non-genetic determinants of proteome variation across iPSC lines and assessed key regulatory mechanisms affecting variation in protein abundance. We identified 654 protein quantitative trait loci (pQTLs) in iPSCs, including disease-linked variants in protein-coding sequences and variants with trans regulatory effects. These include pQTL linked to GWAS variants that cannot be detected at the mRNA level, highlighting the utility of dissecting pQTL at peptide level resolution.
Cryo-EM structure of VASH1-SVBP bound to microtubules
Authors: Li Faxiang , Li Yang , Ye Xuecheng , Gao Haishan , Shi Zhubing , Luo Xuelian , Rice Luke M , Yu Hongtao
Published: August 2020

The dynamic tyrosination-detyrosination cycle of α-tubulin regulates microtubule functions. Perturbation of this cycle impairs mitosis, neural physiology, and cardiomyocyte contraction. The carboxypeptidases vasohibins 1 and 2 (VASH1 and VASH2), in complex with the small vasohibin-binding protein (SVBP), mediate α-tubulin detyrosination. These enzymes detyrosinate microtubules more efficiently than soluble αβ-tubulin heterodimers. The structural basis for this substrate preference is not understood. Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we have determined the structure of human VASH1-SVBP bound to microtubules. The acidic C-terminal tail of α-tubulin binds to a positively charged groove near the active site of VASH1. VASH1 forms multiple additional contacts with the globular domain of α-tubulin, including contacts with a second α-tubulin in an adjacent protofilament. Simultaneous engagement of two protofilaments by VASH1 can only occur within the microtubule lattice, but not with free αβ heterodimers. These lattice-specific interactions enable preferential detyrosination of microtubules by VASH1.
Discovery of surrogate agonists for visceral fat Treg cells that modulate metabolic indices in vivo
Authors: Fernandes Ricardo A , Li Chaoran , Wang Gang , Yang Xinbo , Savvides Christina S , Glassman Caleb R , Dong Shen , Luxenberg Eric , Sibener Leah V , Birnbaum Michael E , Benoist Christophe , Mathis Diane , Garcia K Christopher
Published: August 2020

T regulatory (Treg) cells play vital roles in modulating immunity and tissue homeostasis. Their actions depend on TCR recognition of peptide-MHC molecules; yet the degree of peptide specificity of Treg-cell function, and whether Treg ligands can be used to manipulate Treg cell biology are unknown. Here, we developed an Ab-peptide library that enabled unbiased screening of peptides recognized by a bona fide murine Treg cell clone isolated from the visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and identified surrogate agonist peptides, with differing affinities and signaling potencies. The VAT-Treg cells expanded in vivo by one of the surrogate agonists preserved the typical VAT-Treg transcriptional programs. Immunization with this surrogate, especially when coupled with blockade of TNFα signaling, expanded VAT-Treg cells, resulting in protection from inflammation and improved metabolic indices, including promotion of insulin sensitivity. These studies suggest that antigen-specific targeting of VAT-localized Treg cells could eventually be a strategy for improving metabolic disease.
The autophagy adaptor NDP52 and the FIP200 coiled-coil allosterically activate ULK1 complex membrane recruitment
Authors: Shi Xiaoshan , Chang Chunmei , Yokom Adam L , Jensen Liv E , Hurley James H
Published: August 2020

The selective autophagy pathways of xenophagy and mitophagy are initiated when the adaptor NDP52 recruits the ULK1 complex to autophagic cargo. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) was used to map the membrane and NDP52 binding sites of the ULK1 complex to unique regions of the coiled coil of the FIP200 subunit. Electron microscopy of the full-length ULK1 complex shows that the FIP200 coiled coil projects away from the crescent-shaped FIP200 N-terminal domain dimer. NDP52 allosterically stimulates membrane-binding by FIP200 and the ULK1 complex by promoting a more dynamic conformation of the membrane-binding portion of the FIP200 coiled coil. Giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) reconstitution confirmed that membrane recruitment by the ULK1 complex is triggered by NDP52 engagement. These data reveal how the allosteric linkage between NDP52 and the ULK1 complex could drive the first membrane recruitment event of phagophore biogenesis in xenophagy and mitophagy.
Portable Ultrasonography to Assess Adult Hepatosteatosis in Rural Ecuador
Authors: Joutovsky Boris , Ortiz Alexander , Bentley Camille , Gao Jing
Published: August 2020

Context

Hepatosteatosis (HS) is prevalent worldwide and can be measured via ultrasonographic (US) hepatic-renal (H/R) echo-intensity ratio.

Objective

To examine the incidence of HS in rural communities of the Ecuadorian Chimborazo region and to validate portable US as an effective method of disease screening in rural settings.

Methods

Sagittal right liver/kidney B-mode US was performed in individuals from 4 villages using a portable US scanner equipped with a 3.5-MHz curvilinear probe. National Institutes of Health ImageJ software was used to computerize tissue echogenicity in both renal cortex and hepatic parenchyma offline. Regions of interest of 900 pixels were used for measuring pixel intensity of the right renal cortex and hepatic parenchyma when calculating the H/R ratio. The difference in pixel intensity between liver parenchyma and renal cortex was analyzed using an unpaired t test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to test intra- and interobserver reliability for computerizing the H/R ratio.

Results

Forty patients were enrolled in the study (32 women and 8 men; mean age, 40 years). The mean (SD) H/R ratio of study patients was 3.61 (2.32), moderately higher than normal (normal, H/R <1.5). A significant difference was found in mean (SD) pixel value between hepatic parenchyma and renal cortex (52.82 [15.34] vs 19.93 [10.39]; P<.001). Thirty-four patients (85%) had an H/R ratio greater than 1.5. The intra- and interobserver reliability of computerizing H/R ratio was excellent (r=0.940; P<.01).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that HS is moderately present in persons in remote communities of Ecuador. The mean H/R ratio was greater than that in the diagnostic criteria for the disease. Portable US imaging may benefit these communities as an efficient method for the HS screening and diagnosis in rural areas.
Redes de apoio social em comunidades rurais do Maranhão: mulheres construindo o desenvolvimento local sustentável
Authors: Pinto Neuzeli Maria de Almeida , Ferreira Josilene Montelo
Published: August 2020

Este artigo examina o papel das redes de apoio social mantidas por mulheres em comunidades rurais do Maranhão, e o modo como se organizam para fins de estruturação de relações sociais familiares, autonomia e empoderamento na construção do desenvolvimento local sustentável. A pesquisa foi realizada na região da Baixada Maranhense e do Litoral Ocidental Maranhense, nas comunidades de Agrovila/Palmeirândia e Itamatatiua/Alcântara, respectivamente. Para esta análise foram utilizados os instrumentos metodológicos: diário de campo, inventário sócio-demográfico e entrevista semiestruturada. O estudo identificou que as redes de apoio social se organizam por meio de sistemas comunitários de trabalho. Essas experiências contribuem para o desenvolvimento local sustentável, para a presença das mulheres nos movimentos sociais e para o seu empoderamento. Apesar dos projetos de desenvolvimento comunitário, as famílias ainda permanecem em situações de vulnerabilidade social. A pesquisa concluiu que este trabalho pode ser útil na proposição de políticas públicas e propostas de ações comunitárias em bases democráticas e sustentáveis.
Uma discussão sobre desenvolvimento regional na perspectiva de Tania Bacelar
Authors: De Oliveira Osmar Faustino
Published: August 2020

O lento crescimento econômico que, durante muitas décadas, caracterizou o ambiente econômico nordestino foi substituído pelo forte dinamismo de numerosas atividades que se desenvolveram recentemente na região. Uma das características importantes da economia nordestina é o proeminente papel exercido, nos anos recentes, pelo setor público. É evidente que o Estado patrocinou o crescimento econômico nas diversas regiões brasileiras. No Nordeste, entretanto, pode-se afirmar que sua presença foi fundamental para explicar a amplitude e os rumos do crescimento econômico ocorrido nas últimas décadas. O presente estudo tem como objetivo discutir o desenvolvimento regional no Brasil e no Nordeste na visão da economista Tania Bacelar por meio de uma revisão de suas principais pesquisas. A autora aponta que a primeira década do século XXI abre com melhorias em políticas nacionais horizontais e setoriais, que têm rebatimento regional positivo na batalha contra as disparidades regionais. Embora as políticas públicas de desenvolvimento adotadas pelos governos Lula e Dilma tenham sido insuficientes diante da magnitude dos problemas, elas propiciaram enormes avanços sociais, principalmente, nas regiões Norte e Nordeste.
A Qualitative Study Exploring Smoking Cessation Experiences of People around London South Bank University Who have Stopped Smoking
Authors: Edet Charles Eyo , Caplan Russell
Published: August 2020

Aim: To explore, understand and interpret the lived experiences of the smoking cessation process and the meaning participants attach to their experiences of the cessation process. A qualitative exploratory study of the lived experiences of people who have stopped smoking can generate useful information that specifies the supportive factors that can be taken into consideration when planning smoking cessation interventions.

Study Design: A qualitative study design using an interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted in this study to explore the smoking cessation experiences of the participants.

Place and Duration of Study: School of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, London, UK.

Methodology: An exploratory phenomenological study was conducted with seven participants. A qualitative semi-structured interview guide was developed by the researcher after a preliminary review of significant literatures and in line with other standardised schedules. All face-to-face semi-structured interviews with participants were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. All interview transcripts were analyzed using the interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) method.

Results: Based on IPA method, ten themes emerged and these were put together into two groups. The first group of themes are the participant’s experiences of the smoking cessation process. All the participants narrated experiences of symptoms due to Nicotine withdrawal. Also, experiences of their social environment, relapse as well as loneliness and boredom, emerged as themes. The second group of themes explored how participants made sense of their smoking cessation experiences. All the participants expressed how they made sense of their feelings, understood their situation and coped with their cessation experiences which they termed a difficult process. Also, confidence, self-regulation, motivation, feelings of fear and the importance of time, emerged as themes.

Conclusion and Recommendation: According to participants, the smoking cessation process is a difficult process due to the many challenges and barriers associated with it. Therefore, the importance of self-confidence, motivation and social support cannot be overemphasized for a successful cessation. However, further research is recommended with respect to gender and the smoking cessation process.
Possible Education System Reform Measures for Restoring the Socio-Political Equilibrium in Greek Society after the Crisis (2008)
Authors: Wolhuter Charl , Walt Johannes Van Der , Kalerante Evaggelia , Eleftherakis Theodoros
Published: August 2020

The article centres on the socio-political dilemma that Greece has been experiencing due to the 2008 economic crisis and the subsequent economic reforms. These reforms, despite being widely unpopular, have had an impact on all aspects of life, including education and the education system. Although educationists and educators as such cannot do much in terms of restoring the economic and socio-political equilibrium in the country, they are able to raise a prophetic voice about what should be done. As one such voice, this article discusses, based on analysis of the situation in Greece through the lens of the social space and ethical / moral action theory, how economic and socio-political equilibrium could be restored in Greece (and in other countries similarly afflicted by emerging economic reforms). Steps such as the following are suggested and discussed: the concept of education to be revisited; a new approach to education in the form of schooling to be considered; education policy to be revised; the education system to be restructured; the curriculum to be reshaped and concrete steps to be taken to put all of the theory outlined in this article into practice.
Islamic Finance and Empowerment of Women: A Case Study of Pakistan
Authors: Shaikh Shah Nawaz , Ali Azam
Published: August 2020

United Nation set seventeen Sustainable Development Goals for all its member countries to achieve them by 2030. Pakistan is also a member of UN and is required to achieve these SDGs by 2030. Literature on SDGs pointed out that Pakistan is working on these goals especially on 05 basic goals i.e. Education, Health, Poverty, clean water &sanitary and Gender equality. One of the SDGs addresses the Gender Equality with focus on women empowerment. There found some hurdles i.e. environment, financial and religious in achieving these and other goals. Islamic financial institutions are not playing expected role in empowering people especially females to achieve these goals. This study discusses the gender gap in accordance with Sharia and analyzes the women empowerment through Islamic Finance. For this, the study provides brief discussion on Islamic thoughts on the gender gap and Women’s empowerment and examines how women can be empowered through Islamic Financial Institutions. The data for the study is qualitative in natures and acquired through survey questionnaire. The research question set for the study is ‘By how IFIs fulfill the needs in terms of equal opportunities for women, and to analyze the impact of IFIs environment on women’s empowerment, if a country establishes an IFI in its territory either for students, bank’s employees, religious women who are engaged in Madrasas or households. The findings of the analysis interpret that, women empowerment leads gender equality if regulator help IFIs to mitigate the problems and hurdles come under way. The establishment of separate IFI for women with the development of specific rules for betterment of women may help women to get jobs that also comprise the female Sharia scholars in Sharia board, consequently increased the numbers of women in banking industry.
A Society’s Resilience to Conflict: An Analysis of Its Key Determinants in Conflict-Prone Rakhine State of Myanmar
Authors: Oo Htet Paing
Published: August 2020

This study explored contributors to a society’s resilience to conflict in a multiethnic community in Rakhine State of Myanmar. It examined how a society’s resilience to conflict was related to economic and sociocultural interactions between diverse communities, presence of security forces in a community’s neighboring areas, physical isolation from outsiders, people’s rumour verification practices, presence of civil society organizations (CSOs) and community based organizations (CBOs), and efficient community leadership. A survey of 1,668 respondents in 27 conflict-unaffected and conflict-affected villages and interview with 1,200 respondents was conducted among members of diverse ethnic groups across Rakhine State. Results suggested that there was a significant and positive correlation between a society’s resilience to conflict and each of ‘economic interactions’ (P = .000), ‘sociocultural interactions’ (P = .000), ‘presence of security forces in a community’s neighboring areas’ (P = .000), and ‘efficient community leadership’ (P = .000). Despite each individual of these independent variables being weakly correlated with the dependent variable, their combined effect strongly correlated with the dependent one. On the other hand, a society’s resilience to conflict negatively correlated with each of ‘physical isolation from outsiders’ (P = .001) and ‘people’s rumour verification practices' (P = .000). However, a society’s resilience to conflict hardly correlated with ‘presence of civil society organizations (CSOs) and community based organizations (CBOs)’, with only less than 1% of respondents in both conflict resilient and vulnerable areas articulating the significant role of these organizations in preventing intercommunal conflict in their areas.