bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The spiral of leadership in the teaching of creative writing in New Zealand
Authors: Pittaway Gail
Published: December 2021

Judith Ross’s (2007) business-based model identifies four characteristics of successful

creative leadership. Four academic leaders in creative writing programmes in the New

Zealand tertiary sector have demonstrated some or all of these four qualities of

leadership in creative writing: Robert Neale, Bill Manhire, Albert Wendt and Witi

Ihimaera. Each has shown vision, leadership and innovation in teaching and writing;

and each has generated a wave of writing and creative writing research in successive

generations of students, participating in—and perpetuating—the spiral of leadership.
Writing to understand ourselves: an organisational history of the Australian Association of Writing Programs 1996-2010
Authors: Brien Donna Lee
Published: December 2021

In 2008, the Australian Association of Writing Programs Committee of Management endorsed a proposal that a published history should mark the fifteenth anniversary of the Association. This article outlines the theoretical and methodological framing decided upon, the process to be employed, and the information gathering still to be completed, in order to produce a useful and appealing history of the AAWP. Such planning is essential because writing authorised organisational histories can be an unadventurous and reactionary activity, resulting in dull hagiographies of little interest or enduring value. Recent thinking on organisational history writing has, however, suggested that such histories can be an important and proactive moment in ongoing processes of institution building for the organisation so chronicled. This is at least in part because the processes involved in organisational history research and writing can prompt an action learning cycle of discovery, reflection, learning and future improvement for those involved.
‘Loose thinking’: Writing an eisegesis
Authors: Rendle-Short Francesca
Published: December 2021

This paper explores the idea of writing an eisegesis as part of a creativedoctorate. Not that its more commonly named cousin, the exegesis , is not sucha bad way to describe, in general terms, what is being written when writing ‘theother bit’ of a creative writing higher degree dissertation, but it has itslimitations. Eisegesis allows for a more subjective exploration of text, for playand uncertainty - ‘faulty interpretation’ - which in turn can lead the creativeresearcher to a more expansive way of approaching and writing the companionvolume necessary to the fulfillment of a higher degree by research. In this essayI will expand on the idea of writing

eisegetically through the prism of my ownexperience of writing a doctoral dissertation, by harnessing visual images andassociation and the ‘irresistible field’ of play.
Living on the Edge: Creative Writers in Higher Education
Authors: Kroll Jeri
Published: December 2021

The writing discipline in the 21st century is a territory with contested boundaries. This paper focuses on creative writing for simplicity and considers how we might write across and beyond boundaries between genres, between disciplines and between audiences. It postulates that exploiting a concept of writing research as fluid and multifaceted enriches the discipline’s study and practice at all levels. Research is about understanding what established pathways have been followed or what new methods, tools and entry points researchers have discovered to negotiate their way through unexplored terrain. Using Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of rhizomes as well as principles from action research and practice-led research as jumping off points, it suggests that rather than making absolute statements, writing research

can also be about ‘surveying, mapping, even realms that are yet to come’ (Deleuze and Guattari 1987: 4-5). This paper goes on to examine WH Auden’s poem ‘Musée desBeaux Arts’ (composed 1938) to demonstrate this approach. Then it introduces Heinz Insu Fenkl’s theory of ‘interstitial’ works (Fenkl 2003: 1) and considers how it relates to fluid conceptions of research in the 21st century that can reinvigorate writing as well as teaching. It concludes that writer-teachers do not need to offer students rigid templates; they can encourage them to see research methodologies as if they were travel guides, enabling them to explore new frontiers themselves.
Public thinking, public feeling: research tools for Creative Writing
Authors: Muecke Stephen
Published: December 2021

The numbers, over the last three decades, show a massive increase in creative writing courses, numbers of staff, and output of theses and published works. Other creative arts are progressing in parallel. Confining my discussion to the case of the writer, I want to signal changes in the kinds of institutional affiliations and pathways that make writing public, where the links lie between industry, educational institutions, festivals and writers’ guilds.

More significant for the university sector are the kinds of shifts that have occurred in the establishment of a discipline of creative writing that seek to validate its theoretical framework for the purposes of teaching and research. In teaching, it has becoming clear that the technical vocabulary used for the critique and appreciation of literary works does not effectively speak to creative practice pedagogy. In research, as evidenced in the ERA process, the solid theoretical, methodological and national benefit vocabulary has yet to be seen that would make writing a novel a viable central part of an ARC Discovery application.

To flesh this out, I sketch the framework for the kinds of social ‘contexts’ that create the different publics addressed and created by literary texts. This is a different version of the social from traditional sociological ones; mine is organised around flows and coagulations of thoughts and feelings, following in some respects the recent work of Bruno Latour. I attempt to apply his framework, and that of Kathleen Stewart, to creative writing with a reading of Helen Garner, and show how literature draws on, and reproduces, structures of thought and feeling in specific ways. This necessitates the argument that fictional texts, in using language in a different fashion from works of reference, sustain their existence by being suspended in an ecology of heterogeneous allies.
Impact of Perceived Organizational Support, Servant Leadership, Creative Self-Efficacy, and Conscientiousness on Job Boredom Via Job Crafting: A Study on Banking Sector of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Marri Muhammad Yousuf , Jamshaid Rabia , Aqdas Ramaisa
Published: December 2021

The feeling of job boredom can impede employees’ performances but it can be improved through engaging them in job crafting activities. It is important to understand the concept of job boredom because it can lead to many negative consequences at the work place. The study attempted to investigate the impact of perceived organizational support, servant leadership, creative self-efficacy, and conscientiousness on job boredom through the mediating effect of job crafting. Data has been collected from 450 employees of Punjab and Sindh working in banking sector of Pakistan through questionnaires. The data is analyzed with the help of SPSS 22 and Smart PLS 3. The findings reveal that there is significant and positive impact of perceived organizational support, servant leadership, creative self-efficacy, and conscientiousness on job crafting. Additionally, job crafting has significant and negative impact on job boredom. However, job crafting also significantly mediate between perceived organizational support, servant leadership, creative self-efficacy, conscientiousness, and job boredom. Moreover, the study also suggests that future researchers can explore other outcomes of job crafting through which job boredom can be mitigated.
List of Contents of an archival unit Library of the Cistersian monastery in Przemęt
Authors: Seidel Karol
Published: December 2021

In 1833 the Prussian authorities issued a cabinet order announcing the liquidation of all monastic congregations in the Grand Duchy of Poznan, which resul-ted in the dissolution of the Cistercian abbey in Przemęt in 1836. The archival unit contains correspondence of the Regency with other bodies of state administration and institutions of the Catholic Church in Poznan in the matter of the Cistercian library in Przemęt just before and after the suppression.
Economics and Marketing of Olive in Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Akhtar Shoaib , Sumrah Muhammad Ashraf , Faisal Muhammad , Jan Muhamad , Anser Muahmmad Ramzan , Iqbal Muhammad Azhar , Nawaz Hasnain , Rafique Muhammad
Published: December 2021

The recent re-emergence of agrarian crises in Punjab has again drawn the attention of policymakers towards the viability of alternative crops. In this context, the study attempts production and marketing of one of the alternatives and viable crops (i.e., Olive) considered for the farmers in Punjab, Pakistan. The study was carried out in the Pothwar region of Punjab, and a total of 100 farmers were interviewed from four districts of Pothwar. The study results revealed that olive is a profitable crop since the benefit-cost ratio, net present value, and internal rate of return at a 10% rate of discount were 2.20, Rs. 263,338.00, and 31%, respectively. The findings also revealed that the channel with the least number of intermediaries was more efficient than the channels with more intermediaries. The study suggested that to take advantage of this new crop, controlled marketplaces with improved marketing facilities are needed to allow farmers to minimize their transport costs and achieve better prices for their products. Besides, linking fresh produce with agro-processing industries can go a long way in ensuring the returns from this crop.
COVID-19 in Pakistan: How to Spark the Economic Recovery-Analysis from Previous Natural Disasters
Authors: Anwar Usama , Nawaz Abdul Rehman , Mujaddad Hafiz Ghulam
Published: December 2021

COVID-19 is reshaping the future of the globe by having an unprecedented impact on people's social, political, and economic lives. This pandemic is being characterized by health crisis as well as economic crisis. Pertaining to the negative demand & supply shocks and the decrease in revenues, profits, and investment due to COVID-19, many business and economic institutions are paying heed to subdue the post-pandemic economic recession. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis also hit the economy of Pakistan rigorously. Due to persistent lockdown and de-escalated economic activities, the country faced a sharp decline in tax revenues, investment, and business growth. Pakistan has faced several economic downturns due to natural disasters: particularly the flood in 2010 and the earthquake in 2005, as they caused the loss of numerous lives, infrastructure, businesses, and irrigation land. The present study reviews the response and effectiveness of government and different institutions in previous natural disasters. This analysis provides policy recommendations to deal with the current crisis. The study concludes that Pakistan failed to get the full output of its recovery plans due to lack of preparedness & coordination, lack of understanding, insufficient knowledge & planning, the ineffective role of central management, and other institutional or management issues. It further recommends that Pakistan should act more effectively against natural disasters and restore its previous economic pace by eliminating the gaps in its economic and disaster management policies.
Paulo e a integração
Authors: Mazzarolo Isidoro
Published: December 2021

Paulo é um homem versátil, aberto e decidido em tudo o que diz e faz. Ele pode ser definido como teólogo, filósofo, político e místico. Neste artigo propomos alguns tópicos de reflexão em torno da importância do seu pensamento como contributos concretos na integração da espiritualidade e da sociedade.
Leitura bíblica sob a ótica da mulher
Authors: Guimarães Simone Furquim , De Lucas Luisa
Published: December 2021

Este texto é resultado da experiência de reflexão bíblica sobre as mulheres do Primeiro Testamento, organizado pela Itepa Faculdades, através da plataforma Google meet. O curso, que teve a duração de quinze encontros, foi conduzido seguindo a metodologia da leitura popular da Bíblia na ótica de gênero. O presente texto possui como objetivo partilhar impressões, e constatar através das manifestações, depoimentos e escritos das mulheres envolvidas no curso, o progressivo processo de empoderamento pessoal e do grupo. Reafirmamos nossa fidelidade a Deus que através da Palavra se fez carne “segundo as Escrituras” para salvar/libertar todas as pessoas que estão nas periferias, no ocultamente, ‘sem palavra’, excluídas da sociedade e que na sua grande maioria, são mulheres sem voz e sem vez.
A santidade laical à luz da Exortação Apostólica Gaudete et Exsultate
Authors: De Carli Vitoria Andreatta
Published: December 2021

O presente artigo tem como ponto de partida a pergunta: O que signigica para o fiel cristão leigo ser santo? O texto pretende identificar alguns dos principais traços da santidade a que estão chamados os fiéis cristãos leigos à luz da Exortação Apostólica Gaudete et Exsultate sobre o chamado à santidade no mundo atual, assim como, trazer luz a mensagem que o Pontífice quer lançar hoje para a Igreja no que tange ao verdadeiro significado da vida cristã. A Exortação, na esteira do Vaticano II, procede à revalorização da vocação cristã com uma adequada compreensão do carácter teológico da secularidade, tornando a mensagem cristã significativa e com real incidência na vida dos fiéis cristãos e em especial, dos leigos que encontram na sua relação com o mundo (secularidade) a característica própria e específica no Povo de Deus. O método proposto neste trabalho será o bibliográfico-analítico.
Lunturnya Sikap Nasionalisme Generasi Milenial Terhadap Pendidikan Pancasila Dan Kewarganegaraan
Authors: Widiastuti Novia Eka
Published: December 2021

Tujuan dari penelitian jurnal ini yaitu untuk mengetahui penyebab lunturnya sikap nasionalisme generasi milenial sekaligus mengetahui bagaimana cara-cara yang dapat membangkitkan sikap nasionalisme generasi millennial melalui pendidikan Pancasila dan kewarganegaraan, serta peran-peran dari lingkungan keluarga,maupun pemerintah dalam membangkitkan jiwa nasionalisme. Metode yang digunakan pada penelitian ini yaitu menggunakan study kepustakaan yang merujuk pada sumber-sumber jurnal, buku serta internet. hasil dari penelitian ini yaitu penyebab lunturnya sikap nasionalisme generasi millennial disebabkan oleh 2 faktor, diantaranya factor internal dan factor eksternal. Factor internal disebabkan karena ada rasa kecewa dari dalam diri seperti rasa kecewa terhadap kinerja pemerintah, kemudian factor eksternal disebabkan karena berkembangnya arus globalisasi yang menyebabkan banyak perubahan.  Cara menumbuhkan sikpa nasionalisme generasi milenial dapat di lakukan dengan membiasakan memakai produk-produk dalam negri dan juga memberikan wawasan mengenai pentingnya memiliki jiwa nasionalisme dan juga membekali dengan memberikan materi tentang sikap nasionalisme dan juga bela negara melalui pendidikan Pancasila dan kewarganegaraan.
Harmonisasi Agama dan Etnis Dalam Komunitas Sunda Wiwitan
Authors: Febriany Dewi Rachma , Hidayat Rakhmat
Published: December 2021

Paper ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan faktor apa saja yang menyebabkan Sunda Wiwitan masih bertahan di tengah masyarakat Islam di Kampung Adat Urug dan mendeskripsikan relasi atau hubungan antara agama Islam dan etnis Sunda Wiwitan di Kampung Adat Urug. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan data penelitian diperoleh melalui observasi, wawancara dan studi pustaka. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa Sunda Wiwitan di Kampung Adat Urug, ini berbeda dengan Sunda Wiwitan di daerah lain. Masyarakat Kampung Adat Urug seluruhnya memeluk agama Islam, namun tetap mempertahankan etnis Sunda Wiwitan. Harmonisasi antara agama dan etnis dapat menyatu dengan baik dalam kehidupan sehari-hari,maupun pada setiap rangkaian kegiatan upacara adat yang mengandung makna dari agama Islam juga tidak menghilangkan unsur adat istiadat dan tradisi Sunda Wiwitan.
Partisipasi Masyarakat dalam Pemberdayaan Kampung Anggur Plumbungan
Authors: Munawaroh Siti , Hendrastomo Grendi
Published: December 2021

Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui partisipasi masyarakat dalam pemberdayaan Kampung Anggur Plumbungan dan mengetahui dorongan masyarakat untuk berpartisipasi dalam pemberdayaan tersebut. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Informan pada penelitian ini berjumlah 8 yang dipilih menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Teknik pengumpulan data yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini adalah observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa partisipasi masyarakat dalam pemberdayaan Kampung Anggur Plumbungan dapat dilihat dari tahapan, bentuk, jenjang kesukarelaan dan tingkatannya. Adapun dari tahapannya mulai dari tahap perencanaan melalui rapat dan studi banding, tahap pelaksanaan berupa pelatihan, budidaya anggur, festival, dan gotong royong, tahap pemanfaatan hasil baik segi ekonomi, sosial, dan SDM, serta tahap evaluasi yang dilakukan setiap kegiatan selesai. Partisipasi masyarakat terwujud dalam bentuk pemikiran, tenaga, uang, barang, dan jasa. Dilihat dari tahapan dan bentuknya, partisipasi masyarakat diklasifikasikan ke dua jenjang kesukarelaan yaitu partisipasi spontan dan partisipasi tertekan oleh aturan. Dorongan masyarakat untuk berpartisipasi dalam pemberdayaan Kampung Anggur Plumbungan berasal dari dalam dan dari luar. Kebutuhan ekonomi, adanya rasa ingin tahu, adanya harapan untuk menjadikan kampungnya lebih baik dan maju merupakan dorongan dari dalam. Sedangkan faktor media, adanya rasa keterpaksaan, ikut-ikutan dengan dorongan solidaritas, dan adanya peran tokoh masyarakat merupakan pendorong secara ekternal.
ARID1A-mutated cervical cancer depends on the activation of YAP signaling
Authors: Gao Fei , Li Peiling , Kong Xianchao , Song Tiefang , Han Qi , Zhou Suiyang
Published: December 2021

Background: Cervical cancer is a prevalent female malignancy with poor survival rates. ARID1A is frequently mutated or deleted in a variety of tumors and YAP signaling is widely activated in human malignancies. Nevertheless, the mechanism of YAP signaling in ARID1A-mutated cervical cancer remains unknown. Methods: The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The expression of ARID1A, YAP1 and CTGF were evaluated by western blot. The cell proliferation was detected by colony formation. Results: The bioinformatics analysis suggested that mutation of ARID1A was associated with the activation of YAP1 signaling. In addition, knockdown of YAP1 inhibited ARID1A-mutated cervical cancer cells growth. Verteporfin is an inhibition of YAP1 signaling. Interestingly, knockdown of ARID1A decreased ARID1A-wildtype cervical cancer cells resistance to verteporfin. Meanwhile, overexpression of ARID1A increased ARID1A-mutated cervical cancer cells resistance to verteporfin. Similarly, blocking YAP1 signaling inhibited the tumor formation caused by ARID1A-mutated cervical cancer cells in vivo. Conclusion: Inhibition of YAP1 signaling suppresses ARID1A-mutated-induced tumorigenesis of cervical cancer, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer.
Incorporating structural features to improve the prediction and understanding of pathogenic amino acid substitutions
Authors: Xiong Yao , Zhou Jing-Bo , An Ke , Han Wei , Wang Tao , Ye Zhi-Qiang , Wu Yun-Dong
Published: December 2021

Background: The wide application of gene sequencing has accumulated numerous amino acid substitutions (AAS) with unknown significance, posing significant challenges to predicting and understanding their pathogenicity. While various prediction methods have been proposed, most are sequence-based and lack insights for molecular mechanisms from the perspective of protein structures. Moreover, prediction performance must be improved. Methods: Herein, we trained a random forest (RF) prediction model, namely AAS3D-RF, underscoring sequence and three-dimensional (3D) structure-based features to explore the relationship between diseases and AASs. Results: AAS3D-RF was trained on more than 14,000 AASs with 21 selected features, and obtained accuracy (ACC) between 0.811 and 0.839 and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) between 0.591 and 0.684 on two independent testing datasets, superior to seven existing tools. In addition, AAS3D-RF possesses unique structure-based features, context-dependent substitution score (CDSS) and environment-dependent residue contact energy (ERCE), which could be applied to interpret whether pathogenic AASs would introduce incompatibilities to the protein structural microenvironments. Conclusion: AAS3D-RF serves as a valuable tool for both predicting and understanding pathogenic AASs.
Influence of short-term cooling on the performance of superelastic and thermally-treated rotary NiTi files tested in dynamic cyclic fatigue model
Authors: AbuMostafa Ammar , Alfadaghem Mohammed
Published: December 2021

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of various short-term cooling durations on the performance of both superelastic and thermally treated nickel titanium (NiTi) files, tested in a dynamic cyclic fatigue model. Methodology: Superelastic RaCe (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) and thermally treated RaCe EVO (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) files of the same size and taper (25, 0.06) (n = 45 each) were tested using a dynamic cyclic fatigue model, where the number of cycles to failure (Nf) was measured at simulated body temperature. In each group, the samples were tested as received, after 5 seconds of cooling treatment, and after 15 seconds of cooling treatment (n = 15 each). Fractured file surfaces were investigated via scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA with Scheffe’s post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: Significant differences in the Nf between the tested groups were found (p < 0.05) at each testing condition, where RaCe Evo files showed overall improved cyclic fatigue resistance. Only the RaCe groups at 5 second cooling showed significantly higher Nf than the control subgroup (p < 0.05). RaCe EVO group, showed no significant difference between the 3 subgroups (p > 0.05). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images revealed typical features of cyclic fatigue behavior in both groups. Conclusions: Short-term cooling application for 5 seconds on superelastic NiTi files showed an enhanced cyclic fatigue resistance.
Initiation of oogenesis and meiosis in the fetal ovary depends on Dennd1a-mediated production of Wnt5a and retinoic acid from the somatic niches
Authors: Shi Jingjing , Niu Qun , Gao Qing , Fu Jiang , Ma Jinlong
Published: December 2021

Background: The DENN (differentially expressed in neoplastic versus normal cells) domain containing 1A (Dennd1a), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the small GTPase Rab35, is essential for mouse embryogenesis. Disruption of Dennd1a impairs the migration and differentiation of fetal germ cells. In the present study, we further elucidated the role of Dennd1a in oogenesis and meiosis in the fetal ovary. Results: Ablation of Dennd1a disrupted the mRNA expression of Sohlh2, Figla, Stra8, and Rec8 in the ovary of Dennd1a-/- mutants at E13.5. Using ex vivo culture of E12.5 female gonads and adenoviral Dennd1a shRNA infection, we demonstrated that transcription of Sohlh2, Figla, Stra8 and Rec8 were not activated in the fetal ovary lacking Dennd1a. Dennd1a in the somatic cells might stimulate Sohlh2 expression at early stage of oocyte differentiation via regulating Wnt5a synthesis. On the other hand, meiotic initiation of the fetal germ cells required Dennd1a-mediated RA production from the somatic cells, which induced the expression of Stra8 and Rec8. Conclusions: Dennd1a could be involved in multiple signal pathways in the somatic cells that are critical for various processes of oogenesis and meiosis in the fetal ovary.
Maternal mindful eating as a target for improving metabolic outcomes in pregnant women with obesity
Authors: Lindsay Karen L , Most Jasper , Buehler Kerrie , Kebbe Maryam , Altazan Abby D , Redman Leanne M
Published: December 2021

Background: Maternal diet and eating behaviors have the potential to influence the metabolic milieu in pregnancies complicated by obesity, with implications for the developmental programming of offspring obesity. Emerging evidence suggests that mindfulness during eating may influence metabolic health in non-pregnant populations, but its effects in the context of pregnancy is less well understood. This study explored the individual and combined effects of mindful eating and diet quality on metabolic outcomes among pregnant women with obesity. Methods: In 46 pregnant women (body mas index >30 kg/m2) enrolled in the MomEE observational study, mindful eating (Mindful Eating Questionnaire, MEQ) and energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (DII, from 7 days of food photography) was assessed at two time points and the mean pregnancy values computed. Rate of gestational weight gain (GWG) and fat mass gain per week were determined from measured weight and body composition using a three-compartment method, respectively, at each assessment. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and ghrelin concentrations were determined from fasting blood samples in late gestation (35–37 weeks). Linear regression was used to examine the association of the MEQ and its subscales (where higher values indicate more mindful eating) with metabolic outcomes, adjusting for covariates: maternal age, pregravid body mass index, race, parity, DII. The effects of the MEQ*DII interaction was also tested. Results: Total MEQ scores were not associated with rate of weight or fat mass gain, although greater distracted eating behavior was associated with greater adiposity gain (weight and fat mass). Mindful eating was inversely associated with insulin resistance, although this was attenuated to non-significance after additional adjustment for GWG. Total MEQ and the external eating subscale was significantly inversely associated with fasted ghrelin, such that less tendency to eat under the influence of external cues was associated with lower ghrelin concentrations. After false discovery rate adjustment for multiple testing, only the association of the total MEQ and external eating subscale with ghrelin levels trended towards significance. The DII was not associated with MEQ scores or outcome variables, nor did it moderate the effect of MEQ on any of the outcomes. Conclusion: This study generates early evidence to suggest that mindful eating holds potential as a tool to improve metabolic health outcomes in pregnant women with obesity, although further research is required on this topic. Prenatal lifestyle interventions should consider including mindfulness during eating to determine its efficacy for reducing adverse pregnancy and offspring health outcomes associated with maternal obesity.
Genome-wide signatures in flax pinpoint to adaptive evolution along its ecological gradient
Authors: Sertse Demissew , You Frank M. , Cloutier Sylvie
Published: December 2021

Background: Flax is one of the eight founder crops of agriculture. It is believed to have been domesticated as a long-day plant that has since spread to survive in a wide range of eco-geographic regions extending from the warm Indian subcontinent to the low latitude east African highlands and to the cool and high-latitude Eurasia. Understanding the genetic basis underlying its adaptation and selection events throughout its dispersion is essential to develop cultivars adapted to local environmental conditions. Methods: Here we detected genetic signatures of local adaptation and selection events of flax based on 385 accessions from all major flax growing regions of the world using genome scan methods and three genomic datasets: (1) a genome-wide dataset of more than 275K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), (2) a filtered dataset of 23K SNPs with minor allele frequency >10% and, (3) a 34K exon-derived SNP dataset. Results: Principal component (PC) and fixation index (FS⁢T)-based genome scans yielded consistent outlier SNP loci on chromosomes 1, 8, 9 and 12. Additional loci on chromosomes 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 14 were detected using both the PC and FS⁢T methods in two of the three datasets. A genome-environment association (GEA) analysis using the 23K dataset and the first PC of cropping season temperature, day-length and latitude identified significant SNPs on chromosomes 3, 7, 9 and 13. Conclusions: Most of the loci detected by the three methods harbored relevant genes for local adaptation, including some that play roles in day-length, light and other biotic and abiotic stresses responses. Such genetic signatures may help to select pre-breeding materials potentially adapted to specific growing niches prior to field performance trials. Given the current low genotyping cost and freely available environmental data, the genome scans along with GEA can readily provide opportunity to sort out materials suitable to various environmental conditions from large set of germplasm in gene banks and/or in situ, thereby assisting the breeding and genetic conservation efforts.
Sex-specific differences in the gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in an adolescent valproic acid-induced rat autism model
Authors: Gu You-Yu , Han Ying , Liang Jing-Jing , Cui Ya-Nan , Zhang Bi , Zhang Ying , Zhang Shao-Bin , Qin Jiong
Published: December 2021

Background: Alterations in the microbiota-gut-brain axis are associated with the onset of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Numerous studies have reported that the gut microbiota (GM) is significantly altered in individuals with ASD and animal models of ASD. However, few studies have focused on sex-specific differences in the GM and fecal metabolites of ASD. Methods: In this study, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics in parallel on fecal samples from a valproic acid (VPA)-induced rat model of autism (VPA rats). Based on these data, we analyzed differentially abundant metabolites in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database to reveal the possible mechanism of ASD. Data derived from male and female rats were analyzed separately. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between characteristic genera and characteristic fecal metabolites in VPA rats of both sexes. Results: The results showed that VPA rats of both sexes presented remarkable alterations in the GM and fecal metabolites. Sex-specific differences were noticeably detected. We identified 51 annotated differentially abundant fecal metabolites and 1 differentially enriched KEGG pathway between the male VPA and male control groups. Ruminococcus_2, Candidatus_Soleaferrea, Desulfovibrio, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Intestinimonas, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group, [Eubacterium]_brachy_group and [Bacteroides]_pectinophilus_group were the characteristic genera of male VPA rats. Between the female VPA and female control groups, 124 annotated differentially abundant fecal metabolites were identified without differentially enriched KEGG pathways. Ruminiclostridium, Acetatifactor, Desulfovibrio, [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group and Candidatus_Saccharimonas were the characteristic genera of female VPA rats. Correlation analysis revealed a tight relationship between the GM and fecal metabolites in VPA rats of both sexes. Conclusions: In conclusion, alterations in the GM and fecal metabolites in VPA rats showed sex-specific differences. The therapy for ASD might be different between sexes in the future.
Comparison and evaluation of acid reflux esophagitis animal models
Authors: Tang Yanping , Liu Lei , Liu Xi , Li Shuhong , Liu Simiao , Wang Rui
Published: December 2021

Objective: Reflux esophagitis animal models represent an important component in the preclinical study of digestive system drugs, and the aim of this study was to determine the best modeling method. Methods: Female Wistar rats were used to establish reflux esophagitis models by employing the following methods: improved chemical burn, external pyloric clamp plus anterior gastric ligation, cardiomyotomy plus semipyloric ligation, cardiomyotomy plus internal pyloric ligation, cardiomyotomy plus external pyloric ligation, and cardioplasty plus pyloric ligation plus gastrojejunal Roux-en-Y anastomosis. The body weight, lower esophageal pH and esophageal mucosal injury of the rats were observed. Results: The model formation rate was 83% based on cardiomyotomy plus external pyloric ligation. On the 3rd day after the operation, lower esophageal mucosa congestion occurred, and the model was successfully established. On the 7th day, mucosal hyperemia and erosion were observed in the most serious lesions, indicating optimal model conditions. On the 14th day, the lower esophageal mucosa remained congested, suggesting that the model was useful from the 3rd to the 14th day. The method caused less trauma to the animals. The ligation diameter was uniform, and the model was more stable. Conclusion: Cardiomyotomy plus external pyloric ligation is the best method.
Potential links between COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis and bronchiectasis as detected by high resolution computed tomography
Authors: Baratella Elisa , Roman-Pognuz Erik , Zerbato Verena , Minelli Pierluca , Cavallaro Marco Francesco Maria , Cova Maria Assunta , Luzzati Roberto , Lucangelo Umberto , Sanson Gianfranco , Friso Federica , Bussani Rossana , Pinamonti Maurizio , Busetti Marina , Salton Francesco , Confalonieri Marco , Ruaro Barbara , Di
						Bella Stefano
Published: December 2021

Purpose: The aim of this observational study was to highlight high resolution CT scan characteristics of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) with a focus on the detection of de-novo appeared or evolved bronchiectasis. Methods: From March 2020 to May 2021, we enrolled 350 consecutive mechanically ventilated ICU patients with COVID-19. Patients with CAPA and at least one chest CT scan performed within 15 days from the diagnosis were included. Two radiologists were asked to identify typical and atypical signs of COVID-19 pneumonia. Bronchiectasis locations were described and a modified Reiff score was calculated, as severity score. A total of 19 CAPA patients (median age 71.0, Interquartile range (IQR) 62.5–75.0; male 16, 84.2%) were included. Results: According to the 2020 ECMM/ISHAM criteria, 18 patients had probable CAPA and one had proven CAPA. The median time between hospital admission and CT scan was 21 days (IQR 14.5–25.0). The incidence of bronchiectasis in the study population was 57.9% (n = 11). Tubular bronchiectasis was detected in 10 patients and were scored as follows: three patients had a score of 1, three patients had a score of score 2, one patient had a score of 5 and four patients had a score of 6. Eight patients had a previous CT scan (performed at hospital admission), among them: 5 patients developed de-novo bronchiectasis, while 2 patients demonstrated a volumetric increase of bronchiectasis. At the 6-months follow-up, the mortality rate for patients with CAPA was >60%. Conclusion: the radiologic detection of de-novo appearance or volumetric increase of bronchiectasis in COVID-19 should lead clinicians to search for fungal superinfections.
Puerarin—an isoflavone with beneficial effects on bone health
Authors: Kulczyński Bartosz , Gramza-Michałowska Anna , Suliburska Joanna , Sidor Andrzej
Published: December 2021

Puerarin is a compound from the group of isoflavones, naturally occurring in plants of the genus Pueraria, whose representatives include, among others, Pueraria lobata and Pueraria mirifica. Relatively many scientific studies on the biological activity of puerarin have been conducted so far. It seems that most attention was paid to the effect of puerarin on bone health. However, until now, no published studies have been collected and discussed in that regard. Based on the available data obtained from in vitro studies and on the animal model, it can be clearly shown that puerarin is an effective compound in inhibiting bone resorption and improving bone structure. Consumption of puerarin may be associated with the prevention of bone mass loss and thus can reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. However, it is necessary to conduct human intervention studies to confirm the effectiveness of such action.
Advances in the knowledge of adaptive mechanisms mediating abiotic stress responses in Camellia sinensis
Authors: Sun Yujun , Zhou Juan , Guo Jiansheng
Published: December 2021

Abiotic stresses are wide-ranging environmental factors that adversely affect the yield and quality of tea plants (Camellia sinensis). As perennial woody economic plants, various environmental factors affect its growth and development. To survive under stress conditions, plants adapt to or withstand these adverse external environments by regulating their growth and morphological structure. Recently, there have been knowledges regarding the significant progress in the mechanisms of abiotic stresses (including cold and heat, drought, salt and heavy metal stresses) tolerance in tea plants. Many evidences suggest that several phytohormones are in response to various environmental stresses, and regulate plant stress adaptation. However, the regulatory mechanisms of plant abiotic stress responses and resistance remain unclear. In this review, we mainly summarize the studies on the adaptive physiological and molecular mechanisms of tea plants under abiotic stress, and discuss the direction for tea plant resistance and breeding strategies.
The need for a multi-level drug targeting strategy to curb the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kontoghiorghes George J. , Fetta Stella , Kontoghiorghe Christina N.
Published: December 2021

Thousands of drugs, nutraceuticals and their combinations can be used to select candidate therapeutics for targeting SARS-CoV-2 and its symptoms in order to curb COVID-19. A comprehensive, multi-level strategy against COVID-19 should include drug targeting of biomolecules and biochemical pathways involved in the prevention and proliferation of the infection, and the fatal or serious symptoms following infection. Several drugs are routinely used in the treatment of different categories of seriously ill COVID-19 patients including tocilizumab, remdesivir and dexamethasone. The current risk/benefit assessment supports the emergency testing and approval of more drugs. The process for new drug selection could be based on the identification of one drug for one target, or of a multi-potent drug for many targets and drug combinations for one or more targets, that can cause a substantial reduction in the high mortality rate of COVID-19. Several drugs have been identified that can fit this potential role by targeting different stages of COVID-19 including baricitinib, molnupiravir and PF-07321332/ritonavir and also the combination of deferiprone with N-acetylcysteine for inhibiting the vicious circle of oxidative stress toxicity and endothelial cell damage. Most of these drugs are expected to be effective against all the SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron (B.1.1.529) and also the associated COVID-19 complications.
Speech depression recognition based on attentional residual network
Authors: Lu Xiaoyong , Shi Daimin , Liu Yang , Yuan Jingyi
Published: December 2021

Background: Depressive disorder is a common affective disorder, also known as depression, which is characterized by sadness, loss of interest, feelings of guilt or low self-worth and poor concentration. As speech is easy to obtain non-offensively with low-cost, many researchers explore the possibility of depression prediction through speech. Adopting speech signals to recognize depression has important practical significance. Aiming at the problem of the complex structure of the deep neural network method used in the recognition of speech depression and the traditional machine learning methods need to manually extract the features and the low recognition rate. Methods: This paper proposes a model that combines residual thinking and attention mechanism. First, depression corpus is designed based on the classic psychological experimental paradigm self-reference effect (SRE), and the speech dataset is labeled; then the attention module is introduced into the residual, and the channel attention is used to learn the features of the channel dimension, the spatial attention feedback the features of the spatial dimension, and the combination of the two to obtain the attention residual unit; finally the stacking unit constructs a speech depression recognition model based on the attention residual network. Results: Experimental results show that compared with traditional machine learning methods, this model obtains better results in the recognition of depression, which can meet the need for actual recognition application of depression. Conclusions: In this study, we not only predict whether person is depressed, but also estimate the severity of depression. In the designed corpus, the depression binary classification of an individual is given based on the severity of depression which is measured using BDI-II scores. Experimental results show that spontaneous speech can obtain better results than automatic speech, and the classification of speech features corresponding to negative questions is better than other tasks under negative emotions. Besides, the recognition accuracy rate of both male and female subjects is higher than that under other emotions.
Spine surgery and fat embolism syndrome. Defining the boundaries of medical accountability by hospital autopsy
Authors: Radaelli Davide , Zanon Martina , Concato Monica , Fattorini Paolo , Alfieri Letizia , Marino Raffaella , Neri Margherita , Cipolloni Luigi , D’Errico Stefano
Published: December 2021

Background: Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES) is a clinical condition characterized by neurological, respiratory, hematological and cutaneous manifestations. Fatal FES has been described as a rare complication during or after spinal elective surgery. The investigation of the cause of death in fatalities related with spine surgery should be mandatory to exclude or confirm fat embolism; a detailed methodological approach to the body in these cases suggests to provide a cautious dissection of surgical site and collection of samples to detect embolized fat globules in vessels. Methods: Two fatal cases of fat embolism syndrome after posterior spinal fusion are presented. Conclusions: A complete post mortem examination by means of histochemical and immunohistochemical analysis explained the cause of death and prevented medical malpractice litigation.
ANALISA PERBEDAAN KINERJA TURBIN ANGIN TIPE SAVONIUS DENGAN SAVONIUS HELIUS
Authors: Prasetyo Yuli , Multazam Teuku
Published: December 2021

Kemajuan teknologi telah sampai pada penggunaan energi alternatif sebagai pengganti sumber energi utama. Pemanfaatan sumber energi terbarukan antara lain energi angin sebagai energi alternatif yang dipakai untuk membangkitkan energi listrik. Oleh karena itu, pada penelitian ini dirancang sebuah prototipe turbin angin dengan poros vertikal (Vetical Axis Wind Turbine) tipe Savonius dan Savonius Helius sebagai solusi pemenuhan listrik dengan pemanfaatan energi alternatif terbarukan. Tahap penelitian meliputi perencanaan, pembuatan prototipe, dan pengujian prototipe. Proses pengujian prototipe dilakukan dengan menggunakan variasi kecepatan angin sebesar 2 m/s, 3 m/s, 4 m/s, 5 m/s dan membandingkan kecepatan putaran (Rpm) antara tipe Savonius dengan tipe Savonius Helius. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa turbin angin tipe Savonius memiliki kecepatan putaran tertinggi sebesar 229,2 Rpm pada kecepatan angin 5,9 m/s dan tidak dapat berputar pada kecepatan angin 2 m/s. Sedangkan tipe Savonius Helius dengan variasi sudut per-blade 22,5° menunjukkan kecepatan putaran tertinggi sebesar 222,4 Rpm pada kecepatan angin 5,9 m/s dan paling rendah sebesar 47,8 Rpm pada kecepatan angin 2,0 m/s. Berdasarkan hasil tersebut, dapat disimpulkan bahwa turbin angin tipe Savonius Helius dengan variasi sudut per-blade 22,5° mampu menghasilkan kecepatan putaran yang relatif tinggi dan dapat berputar pada kecepatan angin yang rendah.
ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS ERROR ACCORDING TO NEWMAN IN SOLVING MATHEMATICS PROBLEMS OF ALGEBRA IN THE FORM OF STORY IN SECOND GRADE OF SMPN 1 BANDA ACEH
Authors: Yunus Johan , Zaura Bintang , Yuhasriati Y
Published: December 2021

One of the material in mathematics lesson is algebra operation. Algebraic materials require the students to master the concept of algebra that becomes the basis for learning the next material. However, students still make mistakes in solving problems related to algebra operations. Includes the problem solving form of the story problem that adds difficulties for students. The purpose of this study is to find out what the mistakes and causes of mistakes made by students of class VIII SMP Negeri 1 Banda Aceh in solving the story based on Newman procedures. The approach used is a qualitative approach with the type of research is descriptive. Data collection using tests and interviews. The research involves students VIII-1, amounting to 27 students. Subjects of interview research taken 3 of 27 students class VIII-1, with the criteria of students who do a lot errors. Each subject was interviewed related to the results of his work on the algebra operation about story problem. The validity test of the data was done by triangulation technique. The results of the research indicate that the type of mistakes made by the students of grade VIII-1 SMP Negeri 01 Banda Aceh in solving the algebraic story problem are misunderstanding, transforming mistakes, processing skill mistakes, and the error of writing the final answer. Misunderstanding caused by the students forgetting and rushing in doing the problem. The problem of transformation is caused by the weakness of the student’s ability to change the story into algebra and wrong in using the approach. The error of process skill is caused wrongly in calculating algebraic operations. While the error of writing the final answer caused the students did not make conclusions and did not write the final outcome of the settlement. The implication of this study is the need for further research to reduce the students in making the same mistakes. Further research is also needed on the work that students can do to overcome the mistakes made by students as can be seen in this study.
STRATEGI KEPALA SEKOLAH DALAM MENINGKATKAN DISIPLIN KERJA GURU MAS 17 BAMBONG, KABUPATEN PIDIE
Authors: Fajri Heri
Published: December 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan program kepala  sekolah untuk meningkatkan disiplin kerja guru, kebijakan kepala sekolah untuk meningkatkan disiplin kerja guru, serta kendala kepala  sekolah dalam meningkatkan  disiplin kerja pada guru MAS 17 Bambong, Kabupaten Pidie. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif analisis. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah wawancara, observasi, dan studi dokumentasi. yang menjadi subjek penelitian yaitu kepala sekolah dan guru. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa program peningkatan disiplin kerja guru bersasaran untuk tercapainya proses pembelajaran dengan optimal, sehingga pada akhirnya mutu sekolah dapat diitingkatkan. Penyusunan program diarahkan agar proses pembelajaran berjalan dengan baik, efektif, dan menyenangkan, dan berorientasi kepada pencapaian tujuan sekolah. Kebijakan kepala sekolah untuk meningkatkan komitmen kedisiplinan guru dengan menerapkan kepemimpinan yang bersifat situasional bagi guru-guru yang komitmen kerjanya biasa, tetapi sikap mereka lebih patuh dalam melaksanakan tugasnya, kepala sekolah menerapkan kepemimpinan konsultatif dan partisipatif. Kepala sekolah selalu berdiskusi untuk mendapatkan cara yang disetujui oleh guru-guru. Kendala dalam meningkatkan disiplin kerja guru  antara lain masih ada guru yang datang terlambat ke sekolah, masih ada guru yang tidak menyiapkan perangkat pembelajaran dengan lengkap, tidak menggunakan media dalam melaksanakan pembelajaran.