bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting the mTOR Pathway for the Prevention of ER-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Mazumdar Abhijit , Tahaney William M. , Hill Jamal L. , Zhang Yun , Ramachandran Sumankalai , Kawedia Jitesh , Qian Jing , Contreras Alejandro , Savage Michelle I. , Vornik Lana A. , Sei Shizuko , Mohammed Altaf , Brown Powel H.
Published: August 2022

Prevention of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer is now possible using anti-estrogen drugs; however, this treatment is ineffective against ER-negative breast cancers. In this study, we hypothesized that inhibition of mTOR will suppress the growth of ER-negative and triple-negative breast cancers. To test the hypothesis, we used five ER-negative breast cancer models: MMTV-erbB2, C3 (1)/SV40TAg, p53-null mammary gland-transplant, p53-mutant mammary gland-transplant, and BRCA1co/co; MMTV-Cre+/+; p53+/– mouse models to determine whether the mTOR inhibitor everolimus is effective in preventing growth of ER-negative mammary tumors. Our study demonstrates that everolimus treatment significantly delays mammary tumor formation with varying degree in all five ER-negative mouse models. Everolimus treatment reduces the proliferation, with reduced phosphorylation of S6 kinase, and induces apoptosis of mammary tumor cells. In some of the p53-mutant mammary gland-transplant mice and C3 (1)/SV40Ag mice, everolimus completely prevents mammary tumor formation. Everolimus treatment also reduces proliferation of normal mammary gland cells. Our results support testing everolimus in clinical trials for the prevention of ER-negative breast cancer in women at high risk of ER-negative breast cancer.

Prevention Relevance:

Our results show that everolimus delays mammary tumor formation in multiple mouse models, suggesting that mTOR inhibitors will be useful for the prevention of ER-negative and triple-negative breast cancer in humans.

See related Spotlight, p. 787
Pharmacologic Inhibition of NT5C2 Reverses Genetic and Nongenetic Drivers of 6-MP Resistance in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Reglero Clara , Dieck Chelsea L. , Zask Arie , Forouhar Farhad , Laurent Anouchka P. , Lin Wen-Hsuan W. , Albero Robert , Miller Hannah I. , Ma Cindy , Gastier-Foster Julie M. , Loh Mignon L. , Tong Liang , Stockwell Brent R. , Palomero Teresa , Ferrando Adolfo A.
Published: August 2022

Low-intensity maintenance therapy with 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) limits the occurrence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) relapse and is central to the success of multiagent chemotherapy protocols. Activating mutations in the 5′-nucleotidase cytosolic II (NT5C2) gene drive resistance to 6-MP in over 35% of early relapse ALL cases. Here we identify CRCD2 as a first-in-class small-molecule NT5C2 nucleotidase inhibitor broadly active against leukemias bearing highly prevalent relapse-associated mutant forms of NT5C2 in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, CRCD2 treatment also enhanced the cytotoxic activity of 6-MP in NT5C2 wild-type leukemias, leading to the identification of NT5C2 Ser502 phosphorylation as a novel NT5C2-mediated mechanism of 6-MP resistance in this disease. These results uncover an unanticipated role of nongenetic NT5C2 activation as a driver of 6-MP resistance in ALL and demonstrate the potential of NT5C2 inhibitor therapy for enhancing the efficacy of thiopurine maintenance therapy and overcoming resistance at relapse.

Significance:

Relapse-associated NT5C2 mutations directly contribute to relapse in ALL by driving resistance to chemotherapy with 6-MP. Pharmacologic inhibition of NT5C2 with CRCD2, a first-in-class nucleotidase inhibitor, enhances the cytotoxic effects of 6-MP and effectively reverses thiopurine resistance mediated by genetic and nongenetic mechanisms of NT5C2 activation in ALL.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2483
Right Colon Clear Cell Carcinoma of Müllerian Type
Authors: Khefacha Fahd , Triki Wissem , Ayed Karim , Abbassi Imed , Baccar Abdelmajid , Baraket Oussema , Bouchoucha Sami
Published: August 2022

Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is usually seen in tissues originating from the paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts such as the kidneys, the ovaries, the cervix and the vagina. The pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. The diagnostic hallmark is the clear cytoplasm. Primitive CCC of the colon is a very rare entity. There are two types of CCC of the colon; the intestinal type and the Müllerien type. The differential diagnosis arises mainly with secondary metastases of renal or ovarian origin. Immunohistochemistry allows retaining the primitive character. The treatment is not yet consensual. It depends on the type of tumor and its stage. The treatment is based on surgery and possibly chemotherapy. We report the case of a 75-year-old female patient who underwent surgery for a tumor of the ascending colon. Microscopic examination concluded an extensively necrotic carcinomatous growth which infiltrated all the layers of the intestinal wall and the peritoneum. The tumor was made of clusters and spans of clear cells which were separated by thin conjunctivo-vascular septa. The tumor cells were round to polygonal with a clear, optically empty, pseudo-vegetative (physaliferous) cytoplasm. Immunohistochemistry study showed a positive staining with CK7 and a negative staining with CK20, CDX2, PAX8, P63, CD10, chromogranin, and synaptophysin. We performed a Medical Literature databases (Pubmed and Google Scholar) research. Only forty-two cases were reported in English literature. The main age is 55.7 (25–89). The sex ratio is one, but female cases were younger (52 vs. 61). The rectum is the most involved site. The left colon location is more frequent than the right one. The Müllerian type was found only at the level of the left colon and rectum. There was no CCC in the right colon of Müllerien type. The case we report herein is the first right colon CCC which is positive in CK7 staining.
Laparoscopic Surgery for Intestinal Obstruction Caused by an Internal Paracecal Hernia
Authors: Son Tran Que , Hoc Tran Hieu , Thanh Tung Tran , Long Vu Duc , Dat Nguyen Tien , Dinh Ngo Quang , Huong Tran Thu
Published: August 2022

Paracecal hernia is rarely associated with ischemia and has seldom been reported in the few published studies in the review literature. We present a case of incarcerated paracecal hernia with intestinal obstruction that was effectively treated with laparoscopic intervention. A 64-year-old woman who had not previously undergone any intestinal surgery arrived complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting at our hospital. Abdominal computed tomography suggested intestinal obstruction. A laparoscopic emergency procedure demonstrated an incarcerated small bowel loop in the paracecal region. The confined small bowel was removed from the paracecal area. On the fourth postoperative day, the patient was discharged. This case is unusual because the patient presented with small bowel strangulation, leading to intestinal obstruction. Laparoscopic surgery is beneficial for diagnosing internal hernias and curing small-bowel obstructions caused by paracecal hernias.
Irreversible Bilateral Cicatricial Keratoconjunctivitis after Dupilumab Therapy
Authors: Nguyen Minh T. , Tsukikawa Mai , Lomazow Whitney , Lee Michele
Published: August 2022

This report highlights a case of irreversible bilateral cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis related to dupilumab therapy for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis (AD). After 38 years of AD, the patient began dupilumab therapy and achieved disease control. Two years into treatment, his ophthalmic examination was significant for bilateral cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis with severe foreshortening of the inferior conjunctival fornices, symblepharon, and ankyloblepharon, which persisted even after topical steroid eye drops and discontinuation of dupilumab. Treating dermatologists should be aware of this potential irreversible adverse effect, and we recommend that patients are monitored for ocular complications while on dupilumab therapy.
Rifabutin-Induced SIADH and Leucopenia in a Renal Transplant Recipient with Genitourinary Tract Tuberculosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Mohamed Maha , Athar Muhammad Waseem , Mamoojee Yaasir , Brown Alison , Dowen Frances , Macfarlane Jim
Published: August 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) infection of the genitourinary tract (GU TB) is rare in renal transplant recipients, with only a few published case series. GU TB is difficult to diagnose with or without immunosuppression but must always be suspected in any patient with unexplained sterile pyuria. As GU TB is associated with graft rejection, prompt diagnosis and treatment are vital. Treatment is challenging, as rifampicin, the most effective drug used to treat tuberculosis, is a significant inducer of cytochrome P-450 3A metabolism, with the potential to cause significant reductions in the serum levels of calcineurin inhibitors. For this reason, rifabutin, a weaker cytochrome P-450 3A inducer, with similar efficacy against TB, is sometimes used as an alternative to rifampicin in transplant recipients. We present a renal transplant patient diagnosed with GU TB, treated with a regime containing rifabutin, who subsequently developed profound hyponatremia and leucopenia. Serum and urine biochemistry was consistent with a diagnosis of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Both SIADH and leucopenia resolved with rifabutin cessation. This is the first report of biochemically proven, idiosyncratic SIADH and leucopenia associated with the use of rifabutin in the treatment of GU TB in a renal transplant recipient.
Liver Abscess due to Streptococcus intermedius Bacteremia and Its Association with Colonic Carcinoma: Is Bacteremia with Streptococcus intermedius an Alert for Colonic Carcinoma?
Authors: Ota Ikuo , Takahashi Hitoshi , Ono Megumi , Yamamoto Seiki , Kogita Akihiro , Tsuda Hiroshi , Funai Sadao , Shigeoka Hironori , Hiraide Atsushi
Published: August 2022

Liver abscess caused by some kinds of Streptococcus group such as Streptococcus bovis group has been recognized to associate with colorectal cancer. Streptococcus milleri group with liver abscess has not been received much attention in this point of view. Here, we report the case of a 63-year-old man who developed liver abscess with S. intermedius, which belongs to the S. milleri group. We confirmed that this case was accompanied by cecal carcinoma by colonoscopy. The tumor was a pathological lead point of intussusception of cecum. On the 26th day, open right hemicolectomy was performed. In this case, bacterial endophthalmitis was a complication due to bacteremia. The patient underwent ophthalmic surgery on the 98th day. Research investigating 16S rRNA of the mucosal colon microbiome reported that the S. intermedius gene was upregulated in patients with colorectal carcinoma. It is recommended that liver abscess with S. intermedius bacteremia should alert the clinician about the risks of carcinoma of the colon and abscess formation in distant organs. We here list the case reports of liver abscess caused by Streptococcus other than S. bovis group, which was associated with colonic carcinoma, and suggest the need for further research about S. milleri group.
Administration of Valproic Acid Improves the Survival of Patients with Glioma Treated with Postoperative Radiotherapy
Authors: Wang Guanghui , Guan Shanghui , Yang Xiuting , Sun Shoujia , Huang Bin , Li Xingang
Published: August 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of valproic acid (VPA) on survival and prognosis of patients with glioma who underwent postoperative radiotherapy. Methods: We obtained the case data with brain glioma who underwent postoperative radiotherapy from January 2012 to December 2019. This cohort was heterogeneous. We conducted single-factor analysis and multiple-factors analysis of the basic features, pathological classification, therapies of all 185 patients using Kaplan-Meier survival curve, log-rank survival significance test, and Cox regression analysis model. Results: By the end of the last follow-up, 94 patients had died and 96 had recurred in all 185 cases. The median follow-up time of this study was 47 months. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) times were 34 and 27 months, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 86.49%, 48.11%, and 14.60%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS rates were 80.00%, 43.78%, and 12.97%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that age, pathological grade, and VPA administration were all associated with patients’ prognosis (p < 0.05). A Cox multivariate analysis revealed that being 47 years or older, having a high pathological grade (WHO grades III and IV), and not taking VPA were all adverse prognostic factors for OS and PFS in patients with glioma. Conclusion: Age, pathological grade, and VPA administration are the influencing factors for the prognosis of glioma patients with postoperative radiotherapy. Patients with glioma who received VPA had a more favorable prognosis and a lower recurrence rate.
Antiinflammatorische Therapie bei Perikarditis mit Pleuraergüssen: Denkanstoß für die Behandlung einer nicht spezifischen Pleuritis
Authors: Keymel Stefanie
Published: August 2022

Background: Pleural effusions can occur due to acute pericarditis and can necessitate intervention. We sought to add to the evidence base by performing a retrospective review of patients presenting to the advanced cardiac imaging unit with pericarditis and pleural effusion to determine laterality, trends in pleural fluid analyses, and the need for pleural intervention. Local ethical (Caldicott) approval was obtained for this study. Methodology: Descriptive statistical methodology was applied with continuous data presented as mean (standard deviation, SD; range) and categorical variables as frequencies or percentages. Results: In 60 patients with pericarditis, 24 (39%) had pleural effusions on contemporaneous imaging. The mean age of the study population was 63.3 years (range: 20–83), and 17 patients were males. Diagnoses were viral (five), rheumatological (one), amyloidosis (one), listeria (one), and the rest idiopathic (17). Four effusions were only left-sided, one right-sided, and 20 bilateral. Ten pleural taps were performed, one for a unilateral effusion and nine for one side being bigger than the other. The mean pH was 7.46 (7.33–7.6), mean lactate dehydrogenase was 210 (74–393 U/L), mean fluid protein was 36.1 (19–56 g/L) (four effusions exudative/three transudative), mean glucose was 5.8 (4.8–6.8 mmol/L), and all cytologies were negative. Five patients underwent large volume aspirations for symptom control. Three indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) were placed for treatment refractory effusions. There was one pleural space infection in six months related to an IPC. There were three deaths at 12 months, with none related to pericarditis. Conclusions: Pleural effusions associated with pericarditis are usually small, bilateral, and exudative. Treatment refractory cases require pleural intervention, with aspirations, drains, and IPCs being viable options. Further prospective studies are warranted.
An automated approach for eggplant disease recognition using transfer learning
Authors: Saad Izazul Haque , Islam Md. Mazharul , Himel Isa Khan , Mia Md. Jueal
Published: August 2022

In Bangladesh, eggplant is a widely grown crop that is vital to the country’s food security. The vegetable is consumed on a regular basis by the majority of people. Since Bangladesh’s economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, eggplant growing might help the country’s economy and productivity flourish more efficiently. It provides several health benefits, including reducing cancer risk, blood sugar control, heart health, eye health, and others. Although eggplant is a valuable crop, it is subject to severe diseases that reduce its productivity. It’s hard to detect those diseases manually and needs a lot of time and hard work. So, we introduce an agricultural and medical expert system based on machine vision that analyzes a picture acquired with a smartphone or portable device and classifies diseases to assist farmers in resolving the issue. We studied and used a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based transfer learning approach for identifying eggplant diseases in this paper. We have used various transfer learning models such as DenseNet201, Xception, and ResNet152V2. DenseNet201 had the highest accuracy of these models with 99.06%.
Comparison of different sparse dictionaries for compressive sampling
Authors: M. Devendrappa Deepak , P. Karthik , N. Ananth Deepak , Kumar P. Arun
Published: August 2022

Compressive sampling/compressed sensing (CS) is building on the observation that most of the signals in nature are sparse or compressible concerning some transform domain. And by converse, the same can be reconstructed with high accuracy by making use of far fewer samples than what is required by violating Shannon-Nyquist theorem. Some of the transform techniques like discrete cosine transform, fast fourier transforms discrete wavelet transform, discrete fourier transforms. In this paper, novel CS techniques like FFTCoSAMP, DCTCoSaMP, and DWTCoSaMP are introduced and compared on different sparse transforms for CS in magnetic resonance (MR) images based on sparse signal sequences/dictionaries by means of transform techniques with respect to objective quality assessment algorithms like PSNR, SSIM and RMSE, where CoSaMP stands for compressive sampling matching pursuit. DWTCoSaMP is giving the PSNR values of 37.16 (DB4), 38.12 (Coif3), 38.5 (Sym8), for DCTCoSaMP and FFTCoSaMP, it’s 36.33 and 36.01 respectively. For DWTCoSaMP, SSIM value is 0.81, and for DCTCoSaMP and FFTCoSaMP, it’s 0.73 and 0.7 respectively. And finally, for DWTCoSaMP, RMSE value is 0.66, and for DCTCoSaMP and FFTCoSaMP, it’s 0.53 and 0.41 respectively. DWTCoSaMP reveals the best than rest of the methods and traditional CS techniques by the detailed comparison and analysis.
Mainstreaming environmental education in the teacher education curriculum in the Philippines
Authors: Bercasio Rebecca Rosario Orona , Remolacio Lara Kim Quiopa
Published: August 2022

In the Philippines, environmental education (EE) is a mandate, and at the higher education level, the teacher education programs can serve as a context for EE. During the first semester of the 2016-2017 school year, this pilot study tested teacher education lessons integrated with environmental concepts and principles using EE materials developed by the department of environment and natural resources (DENR) among the 2,420 third year teacher education students in eight institutions of the national network of normal schools (3NS). Data were collected using a validated researcher-made test on environmental concepts and principles. Qualitative data were collected through class observations, focus group conversations, interviews, and authentic student outputs, the capstone projects. The t-test between the pre-test and post-test means (4,838) showed a substantial improvement in the EE test at a level of 0.05 significance across all ten disciplines in eight institutions. The EE mainstreaming in the teacher education curriculum using DENR EE materials and researcher-made and searched EE materials was found effective in enhancing the students' level of competence in terms of environmental concepts and principles. Institutionalization of the mainstreaming of EE in the teacher education curriculum and the cross-cutting inclusion of EE in higher education programs through national policy is strongly recommended.
English as a foreign language students’ mindfulness, academic motivation, and academic performance
Authors: Ulivia Ayu , Petrus Ismail , Suganda Lingga Agustina
Published: August 2022

Previous studies found that academic motivation has a role in affecting academic performance. Along with that, the experts lately investigate mindfulness as one of the cognitive aspects related to student’s performance. This study aimed to find out the correlations among mindfulness, academic motivation, and academic performance in the context of English as a foreign language (EFL) student in Indonesia. Using a quantitative correlation design, this study involved 170 students from English education study program in a university in Indonesia. Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), and grade point average (GPA) official data were used as data collection instruments. Furthermore, to measure the correlation and contribution between the variables, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and regression analyses were conducted. The result of this study showed that most students had low mindfulness scale, high AMS with a dominant extrinsic motivation type, and very satisfactory GPA. However, there was no correlation among mindfulness, academic motivation, and academic performance. Moreover, it was found that only amotivation subscale has negative significant correlation with academic performance.
The effects of parental autonomy on the creation of STEM career interests
Authors: Razali Fazilah , Md Rami Ahmad Aizuddin , Aziz Faiq
Published: August 2022

This research paper focuses on the effects of the parent autonomy factor that supports the needs of students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning and builds the interest of students in STEM careers. This was a quantitative research study that employed the parent authority questionnaire (PAQ). Based on the research objective, the questions in the PAQ were altered to evaluate the effects of parents on student interest in STEM careers and adapted to the purpose of the study. The PAQ comprises a scale of 1-10 ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Research respondents included 419 upper secondary students from national schools in Malaysia, and the research used a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The research determined parents’ autonomy towards the development of students’ STEM career interest and the data was analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results found that the autonomy of parents significantly affected upper secondary students in the development of STEM careers of students. The research question was answered by proving that the autonomy of parents is directly significant (p<001). Results showed that parents explicitly offer meaningful impacts and valuable values to motivate students of the science stream at the secondary level to ensure that their STEM career interests are well nurtured. The findings from this research provide useful insight into the learners, and lead to the value of autonomy of parents in promoting a curriculum design that suits the needs of students in the future.
Personal leadership competencies of Malaysian Matriculation College middle leaders
Authors: Beram Sukor , Awang Marinah , Ismail Ramlee , Noor Norzalina , Gengtharan Kumaran , M. Fuad Dayang Rafidah Syariff
Published: August 2022

This study obtained expert consensus on the constructs of personal leadership competencies for Malaysia Matriculation College middle leaders using the approach of the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM). A list of instruments containing the proposed construct and all the elements was given to 30 experts from various fields and backgrounds. This study's finding indicates that most of the experts agree with the proposed constructs and elements of the personal leadership competencies. The threshold values for all the 14 elements tested met the requirements of d≤0.2. All the expert agreements achieved the targeted percentage, which is between 75% and 100%. The Alpha-cut value also met the requirement needed between 0.878 and 0.950, which is the threshold of 0.5 (α-cut≥0.5). Through FDM, the defuzzification process was carried out to rearrange all the elements based on the experts' ranking agreed. This study successfully presented a new construct by considering the crucial elements in middle leaders' competencies in the Malaysian context.
The spatial thinking process of the field-dependent students in reconstructing the geometrical concept
Authors: Bintoro Henry Suryo , Sukestiyarno Yohanes Leonardus , Mulyono Mulyono , Walid Walid
Published: August 2022

Reconstructing geometrical concepts requires a spatial thinking process, so the spatial thinking process will be correct and complete. The phenomena of cognitive style differences cause different perceptions and thinking activities to solve geometric problems. This qualitative-explorative research describes the spatial thinking process of students with field-dependent cognitive styles in reconstructing the concept of spatial geometry based on the theory of Action-Process-Object-Schema (APOS). The research subjects were 27 students and obtained five students with field-dependent cognitive styles. The researchers used a purposive sampling technique from the subjects with a certain consideration. The researchers selected a student that met the three elements of spatial thinking and the five indicators of spatial ability. This research collected the data with interviews, documentation, and group embedded figure test (GEFT). The analyzing techniques used data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and concluding. The spatial thinking process of the field-dependent students had a spatial category with three indications: i) Inaccuracy in the elements of representational thinking; ii) The inaccuracy of spatial perception indicators; and iii) Not using de-encapsulation mental mechanisms.
Teachers’ readiness in the implementation of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Safitri Islamiani , Chastanti Ika , Rohana Rohana , Hasibuan Lily Rohanita , Irmayanti Irmayanti , Sujarwo Sujarwo , Nasution Hamni Fadlilah
Published: August 2022

This research investigated teachers’ readiness in implementing online learning during COVID-19 pandemic. This was quantitative research with a description analysis approach. The data collection technique used a structured questionnaire. It involved 78 senior high school teachers as respondents spread across nine sub-districts in Labuhanbatu Regency, Indonesia. The results revealed that the implementation of online learning has not been maximized. There are several factors that influence science teachers in running online learning, including the readiness of teachers to use various platforms as online learning media has not varied, the quality of the internet network is poor in some areas, some students do not have a smartphone/computer and have difficulty in buying internet data packages. The results of this study are expected to be used as an evaluation material to improve the online learning system to make it more effective and efficient.
Digital principal instructional leadership in new normal era
Authors: Nurabadi Ahmad , Suhariadi Fendy , Mardiyanta Antun , Triwiyanto Teguh , Adha Maulana Amirul
Published: August 2022

The needs for new knowledge and skill are driven by several factors and two most general are indefinite nature of SARS-CoV-2 and the need for alternative ways for students’ instruction during pandemic era. The two factors require principal to take their role differently. This study aimed to describe model of digital principal instructional leadership in new normal era. This was a quantitative study by using structural relation model, involved 290 teachers as sample of this study. Data were analyzed by using structural equation model (SEM) of AMOS 24.0. The study findings provided solid evidence that model of digital principal instructional leadership in new normal era is supported by field data. They also showed that respondents identify three crucial factors influencing the success of digital principal instructional leadership in new era. They are supporting online learning, proactive reducing issues of learning from home, and leading and managing virtual schools. Instructional leader should have adaptive capacity and flexibility to learn and develop during crisis. They should be able to give more effective response to overcome future challenges faced by the school institution.
The role of democratic parenting, school climate, and internal locus of control as predictors of academic optimism
Authors: Ratnawati Vivi , Utomo Hanggara Budi , Ningsih Risaniatin , Setyaputri Nora Yuniar
Published: August 2022

This study examined the relationship between democratic parenting, school climate, and internal locus of control with academic optimism. This was a correlational study involving 335 students of state junior high schools who were selected using cluster random sampling technique. The data were collected by using scales of democratic parenting, school climate, internal locus of control, and academic optimism. Multiple regression technique was used to analyze the data on statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) 20. The results showed a positive and significant relationship between democratic parenting and academic optimism, school climate and academic optimism, internal locus of control and academic optimism. Besides, the result also showed that democratic parenting, school climate, internal locus of control simultaneously affected academic optimism among students. Furthermore, counseling and guidance teachers, homeroom teachers, and parents to work together to grow and improve students' academic optimism, so the students can actualize their character optimally and develop effectively.
E-learning readiness of teachers in the new normal education: The case of national high schools in Eastern Samar
Authors: Gaganao Rovinson Deladia , Discar Rey Naranja , Fabillar Ilyich Nicolai Lenin
Published: August 2022

Online learning readiness assessment allows for the comprehensive planning of online learning strategies. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the readiness of 207 national high school instructors in the southern part of Eastern Samar for online learning in the new normal education. The study used a descriptive-comparative research plan and a survey questionnaire for data collection. The study found that teachers were ready to implement e-learning. Specifically, teachers are ready in terms of technical skills, attitude toward online learning, as well as time management and time commitment, but only somewhat prepared in terms of experience with online learning and teaching. It is recommended that teachers participate in different training, workshops, and seminars related to e-learning to gain more online learning and teaching experience and fully prepare for e-learning implementation.
Perception of professional skills acquired in online learning among electronic engineering students
Authors: Alvarado-Bravo Nestor , Trujillo-Perez Salvador , Aldana-Trejo Florcita , Antón-De Los Santos Juan , Anton-De Los Santos Marco , Paredes-Soria Alejandro , Chaccara-Contreras Vidalina , Villanueva-Acosta Víctor , Huarcaya-Godoy Madison , Rodríguez-Zevallos Katherine
Published: August 2022

The article aims to analyze the perception of professional skills acquired in online learning among electronic engineering students. The research method is qualitative, with a descriptive approach, since it focuses on analyzing the statistics of the students' perception (frequency of satisfaction levels). Initially, the reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach's Alpha, obtaining a consistency coefficient of 0.967 and 0.932, in the academic semesters 2020-I and 2020-II, respectively. The data collected by means of a virtual questionnaire were processed in the SPSS software transformed into the Likert scale. The results obtained show a high perception among electronic engineering students in reference to the professional skills they have acquired. There is an increase in satisfaction from 66.78% (2020-I) to 74.26% (2020-II) between the first and second academic semester, despite the abrupt and unexpected change in the teaching-learning modality, in the second semester achieved a greater adaptation of this process. However, the online learning method should continue to be improved so that students perceive with greater satisfaction that they possess the skills to solve problems and cases related to the specialty) and the skills to master practical professional skills.
Science teacher as classroom manager in online classes
Authors: Hermoso Margaritta L. , Erlano, Jr. Jaime C. , Gonzaga Dhafney I. , Lepasana Michael Clyde S. , Lumen Neña Jane C. , Sanchez Joje Mar P.
Published: August 2022

Exploratory sequential mixed research was conducted to characterize science teachers' experiences as classroom managers in their online classes. There were 15 science teachers from elementary and secondary schools in Cebu, Philippines, participated in the phenomenological study, and 30 teachers responded to the developed tool on their management and its effect on students’ performance. Thematic analysis of the interview results unveiled a series of stages, including a different start of the school year and reintegration of online management skills that eventually led to autonomy in online classes and satisfying academic outcomes. Further exploration of the quantitative aspect of the study revealed that they have very good management, which has led to a good effect on students' performance. The different innovations in classroom management strategies by science teachers led to effective online classes. Training on proactive management and positive feedbacking are recommended.
Self-efficacy and user behavioral intention to use online consultation management system
Authors: Mohamad Rosman Mohamad Rahimi , Abdul Aziz Mohammad Azhan , Osman Mohd Akmal Faiz , Razlan Noor Masliana
Published: August 2022

A consultation is an act of discussing a certain issue between two or more parties. Consultation is considered very important especially in the context of higher education. The Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has shifted the education paradigm into digital dependency, including consultation management between students and academicians. However, a lack of studies has been conducted on the roles of self-efficacy towards user behavioral intention to use online consultation management systems in the aftermath of a pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and user behavioral intention to use an online consultation management system. In terms of respondents, 270 students were selected based on convenience sampling. Findings were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26 and SmartPLS version 3.2.8. Hence, this research revealed that proposed hypotheses were all supported. Self-efficacy has a positive and significant relationship with perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. On the other hand, both perceived usefulness and ease of use were found positively influence attitude towards using online consultation management system.
No more Pygmalion: Teachers’ expectations, mattering and self-efficacy in the online classroom
Authors: Tung Jun Ren , Hee Jin Chin , Prihadi Kususanto Ditto
Published: August 2022

Studies before the outbreak reported that lecturers' and teachers’ expectancy were observable to the students from their classroom behavior and, in turn, affect the students' educational self-efficacy (ES). Our study was conducted to investigate whether the aforementioned finding still holds in the compulsory online learning environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online learning was not the only implication of the social distancing policy during the pandemic, any form of social interactions among university students was affected up to the point that they rely more on social media to obtain social feedback that eventually altered the way they evaluate themselves. Because this phenomenon might lead to the way students develop the sense that they matter to their society societal mattering (SM) we hypothesized that SM would be a stronger predictor of ES than the students’ perception of the educators’ expectancy. Nevertheless, the data we collected from 361 purposively recruited students from universities in Indonesia and Malaysia indicated that their perceptions of teachers’ expectancy were no longer a significant predictor of ES when the social mattering was controlled for. Further implications, limitations, and suggestions are discussed.
Online teaching in China during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Yuebo Li , Halili Siti Hajar , Razak Rafiza Abdul
Published: August 2022

This study was undertaken to understand the overall impact of China's online education practices at all levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study of remote learning was an opportunity to better understand the long-term impact and adoption of structural and pedagogical practices in the post- pandemic period. The main research subjects were teachers and administrators in K-12 primary, vocational colleges and universities. The adult learning andragogy model was utilized as a framework for understanding the conditions under which students and faculty learned and taught in a remote learning environment. Statistical analysis of survey data indicated the research subjects had expectations for a change in teaching methods into the future. Future research is needed to carry out an in-depth analysis of how to build a model for online education. As a result of this study, it was determined that the continuous evaluation of online education would help in shaping best practice for teaching and learning in a remote environment within China’s educational system.
Ethical environments in university and plagiarism evidence from Indonesia
Authors: SeTin SeTin , Setiawan Santy , Debbianita Debbianita
Published: August 2022

Accountant educators are among those who are blamed for scandals in practice because the journey of ethical learning is believed to begin in the college. Therefore, this study investigated the perceptions of accountant educators about the ethical environment in colleges and plagiarism behavior. More specifically, this study compared the perceptions of accountant educators in: i) State and private universities; ii) A-accredited universities and B-accredited universities, and examined the relationship between ethical environment and plagiarism. Comparative analysis (t test and one-way ANOVA) and regression analysis methods are used for data analysis. Based on the responses of 147 accountant educators, it was found that accountant educators who work at state universities and at A-accredited universities perceive an ethical environment significantly stronger than accountant educators who work at private universities and at B-accredited universities. Average of the respondents perceived plagiarism behavior as unethical. There were differences in the perception of the ethical environment in terms of gender and academic position, and there were significant differences in plagiarism behavior in terms of type and institutional accreditation, working period, and academic position. The findings also showed that the perception of the ethical environment has a negative effect on plagiarism behavior.
When to Be Critical? Performance and Evolvability in Different Regimes of Neural Ising Agents
Authors: Khajehabdollahi Sina , Prosi Jan , Giannakakis Emmanouil , Martius Georg , Levina Anna
Published: August 2022

It has long been hypothesized that operating close to the critical state is beneficial for natural and artificial evolutionary systems. We put this hypothesis to test in a system of evolving foraging agents controlled by neural networks that can adapt the agents’ dynamical regime throughout evolution. Surprisingly, we find that all populations that discover solutions evolve to be subcritical. By a resilience analysis, we find that there are still benefits of starting the evolution in the critical regime. Namely, initially critical agents maintain their fitness level under environmental changes (for example, in the lifespan) and degrade gracefully when their genome is perturbed. At the same time, initially subcritical agents, even when evolved to the same fitness, are often inadequate to withstand the changes in the lifespan and degrade catastrophically with genetic perturbations. Furthermore, we find the optimal distance to criticality depends on the task complexity. To test it we introduce a hard task and a simple task: For the hard task, agents evolve closer to criticality, whereas more subcritical solutions are found for the simple task. We verify that our results are independent of the selected evolutionary mechanisms by testing them on two principally different approaches: a genetic algorithm and an evolutionary strategy. In summary, our study suggests that although optimal behaviour in the simple task is obtained in a subcritical regime, initializing near criticality is important to be efficient at finding optimal solutions for new tasks of unknown complexity.
An improved practical approach to forecasting exceptional growth in research
Authors: Boyack Kevin W. , Klavans Richard
Published: August 2022

The accurate forecasting of exceptional growth in research areas has been an extremely difficult problem to solve. In a previous study we introduced an approach to forecasting which research clusters in a global model of the scientific literature would have an annual growth rate of 8% annually over a 3-year period. In this study we (a) introduce a much more robust method of creating and updating global models of research, (b) introduce new indicators based on author publication patterns, (c) test a much larger set (81) of indicators to forecast exceptional growth, and (d) expand the forecast horizon from 3 to 4 years. Forecast accuracy increased dramatically (threat score increased from 20 to 32) from our previous study. Most of this gain is surprisingly due to the advances in model robustness rather than the indicators used for forecasting. We also provide evidence that most indicators (including popular network indicators) do not improve the ability to forecast growth in research above the baseline provided by indicators associated with the vitality of a research cluster.
Addition to “The Phylogenetics of Teleosauroidea (Crocodylomorpha; Thalattosuchia) and Implications for Their Ecology and Evolution”
Authors: Johnson Michela M. , Young Mark T. , Brignon Arnaud , Brusatte Stephen L.
Published: August 2022

Johnson et al. (2020a) provided a comprehensive overview of Teleosauroidea, a diverse group of Mesozoic crocodylomorphs that lived in freshwater-to-marine ecosystems across the world.  Johnson et al. (2020a) performed numerous phylogenetic analyses on Teleosauroidea and used them to establish a new taxonomic framework for this long-neglected clade. However, therein the numerous new teleosauroid clades were not properly registered in accordance with the International Code of Phylogenetic Nomenclature (PhyloCode). Herein we correct this error. We also replace the clade name Aeolodontinae with Aeolodontini, to ensure we do not inadvertently create two different names for this clade under the PhyloCode and the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
Towards a rational nomenclature of cultivated plants: proposal of taxonomic reassessment of Cicer reticulatum (Fabaceae) and Spinacia turkestanica (Chenopodiaceae)
Authors: DEL GUACCHIO E. , CAPUTO P.
Published: August 2022

N/A
Two new species of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) from Alta Verapaz and Quiché, Guatemala
Authors: VÁZQUEZ-GARCÍA J. ANTONIO , TRIBOUILLIER-NAVAS ERICK , ARCHILA FREDY , AGUILAR RUDY EDUARDO , SHALISKO VIACHESLAV
Published: August 2022

Two new species of Magnolia from Guatemala are described and illustrated, one belonging to Magnolia sect. Magnolia, M. weerakitana from Alta Verapaz Department, and the other to Magnolia sect. Talauma, M. quichensis, from Quiché Department. Magnolia lacandonica is first recorded for the flora of Guatemala. In this contribution, the number of native species of the genus for Guatemala increased from 15 to 18 species, occupying fourth place in the diversity of species of the genus in the Neotropics. We provide a map for magnolias for the Departments and an updated key to Guatemalan magnolias. The status of the two new species is proposed as endangered (EN) and as critically endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria.
Dynamics of Diurnal Precipitation Differences and Their Spatial Variations in China
Authors: Deng Haijun , Pepin N. C. , Chen Yaning , Guo Bin , Zhang Shuhua , Zhang Yuqing , Chen Xingwei , Gao Lu , Meibing Liu , Ying Chen
Published: August 2022

Systematic analyses of the daytime and nocturnal precipitation changes provide a better understand of the impact of global warming on the environment. In this study, the daytime and nocturnal precipitation across China from 1990 to 2019 was analyzed using observational data from 698 meteorological stations. Both daytime and nocturnal precipitation have increased in the western parts of China (including the Continental basin, headwaters of the Yangtze River basin, and Yellow River basin), whereas the trends in the eastern part are more complex. Climatological differences between daytime and nocturnal precipitation in summer were more significant than in other seasons. We developed a Z index to quantify the diurnal differences of precipitation. The annual mean Z index of China is about −2%, and its long-term change on an annual basis increased at a rate of 0.06% yr−1 (p < 0.1). The mean Z-index values during the year and seasons (except for summer) are negative and show an increasing trend. The intensity of the diurnal differences of precipitation has been decreasing in China since 1990. Topographic exposure and distance from the coast also influence the daytime and nocturnal precipitation changes. The Z index of the first-category stations (distance from the coast ≤ 100 km) was positively correlated with the distance from the coast (r = 0.39; p < 0.001) in summer, which may result from the superposition of the summer monsoon and sea-breeze effects.

Significance Statement

The diurnal cycle of precipitation is an important indicator for diagnosing the impact of global warming on the environment. There is a slight annual difference between daytime and nocturnal precipitation in China. The nocturnal precipitation maximum is in winter, spring, and autumn and the opposite occurs in summer. We define a precipitation index to quantifying the intensity of the diurnal differences of precipitation. The mean precipitation index is negative annually and seasonally (except for summer), with an increasing trend indicating that the intensity of the diurnal differences of precipitation has decreased in China from 1990 to 2019. These results are valuable for understanding the impact of recent warming on the diurnal differences of precipitation in China.
Examining Attitudes to Psilocybin: Should Candidates for Medical Psilocybin be Required to Pass a Contextual Suitability Test?
Authors: Molumby Mark , Gaynor Keith , Guerin Suzanne , McNamara Róisín
Published: August 2022

Due to increasing evidence of efficacy in treating mental health disorders, psilocybin may become a legal medicinal drug. This study tested the validity of Carhart-Harris and Nutt’s (2017) model of extra-pharmacological (EP) factors. It examined whether such factors should be considered in any psychological suitability test for medicinally prescribed psilocybin. Two hundred nineteen participants (101 self-identified females, 109 males, seven nonbinary people, and two who preferred not to say), in an age range of 18 to 68 years, completed three online measures of personality— Set, Setting, and Intention—and the Attitudes Toward Psilocybin (ATP) scale. The sample was equally divided between those who had used psychedelics (52.1%) and those who had no previous psychedelic use (47.5%). A series of stepwise linear regressions were run to examine whether EP factors predicted ATP scores. The ATP scale was tested for reliability, construct validity, and determinant validity and was deemed an appropriate measure. A model consisting of a positive Set, Openness to Experience, and lower Extraversion significantly predicted ATP scores. These findings supported the EP model and suggested that a suitability test may be a useful tool when determining whether a prescription of psilocybin is an appropriate course of treatment.