bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole genome sequencing analysis identifies rare, large-effect non-coding variants and regions associated with circulating protein levels
Authors: Hawkes Gareth , Chundru Kartik , Jackson Leigh , Patel Kashyap A. , Murray Anna , Wood Andrew R , Wright Caroline F , Weedon Michael N , Frayling Timothy M , Beaumont Robin N
Published: November 2023

The role of non-coding rare variation in common phenotypes is largely unknown, due to a lack of whole-genome sequence data, and the difficulty of categorising non-coding variants into biologically meaningful regulatory units. To begin addressing these challenges, we performed acisassociation analysis using whole-genome sequence data, consisting of 391 million variants and 1,450 circulating protein levels in ∼20,000 UK Biobank participants. We identified 777 independent rare non-coding single variants associated with circulating protein levels (P<1×10-9), after conditioning on protein-coding and common associated variants. Rare non-coding aggregate testing identified 108 conditionally independent regulatory regions. Unlike protein-coding variation, rare non-coding genetic variation was almost as likely to increase as decrease protein levels. The regions we identified overlapped predicted tissue-specific enhancers more than promoters, suggesting they represent tissue-specific regulatory regions. Our results have important implications for the identification, and role, of rare non-coding variation associated with common human phenotypes.
A Cellular Basis for Mapping Behavioural Structure
Authors: El-Gaby Mohamady , Harris Adam Loyd , Whittington James C. R. , Dorrell William , Bhomick Arya , Walton Mark E. , Akam Thomas , Behrens Tim E. J.
Published: November 2023

To flexibly adapt to new situations, our brains must understand the regularities in the world, but also in our own patterns of behaviour. A wealth of findings is beginning to reveal the algorithms we use to map the outside world1–6. In contrast, the biological algorithms that map the complex structured behaviours we compose to reach our goals remain enigmatic. Here we reveal a neuronal implementation of an algorithm for mapping abstract behavioural structure and transferring it to new scenarios. We trained mice on many tasks which shared a common structure organising a sequence of goals, but differed in the specific goal locations. Animals discovered the underlying task structure, enabling zero-shot inferences on the first trial of new tasks. The activity of most neurons in the medial Frontal cortex tiled progress-to-goal, akin to how place cells map physical space. These “goal-progress cells” generalised, stretching and compressing their tiling to accommodate different goal distances. In contrast, progress along the overall sequence of goals was not encoded explicitly. Instead a subset of goal-progress cells was further tuned such that individual neurons fired with a fixed task-lag from a particular behavioural step. Together these cells implemented an algorithm that instantaneously encoded the entire sequence of future behavioural steps, and whose dynamics automatically retrieved the appropriate action at each step. These dynamics mirrored the abstract task structure both on-task and during offline sleep. Our findings suggest that goal-progress cells in the medial frontal cortex may be elemental building blocks of schemata that can be sculpted to represent complex behavioural structures.
RudLOV—a new optically synchronized cargo transport method reveals unexpected effect of dynasore
Authors: Tago Tatsuya , Ogawa Takumi , Goto Yumi , Toyooka Kiminori , Tojima Takuro , Nakano Akihiko , Satoh Takunori , Satoh Akiko K.
Published: November 2023

Live imaging of secretory cargoes is a powerful method for understanding the mechanisms of membrane trafficking. Inducing the synchronous release of cargoes from an organelle is a key for enhancing microscopic observation. We developed an optical cargo-releasing method named as retention using dark state of LOV2 (RudLOV), which enables exceptional spatial, temporal, and quantity control during cargo release. A limited amount of cargo-release using RudLOV successfully visualized cargo cisternal-movement and cargo-specific exit sites on the Golgi/trans-Golgi network. Moreover, by controlling the timing of cargo-release using RudLOV, we revealed the canonical and non-canonical effects of the well-known dynamin inhibitor dynasore, which inhibits early-Golgi but not late-Golgi transport and exit from thetrans-Golgi network where dynamin-2 is active. Accumulation of COPI vesicles at thecis-side of the Golgi stacks in dynasore-treated cells suggests that dynasore targets COPI-uncoating/tethering/fusion machinery in the early-Golgi cisternae or endoplasmic reticulum but not in the late-Golgi cisternae. These results provide insight into the cisternal maturation of Golgi stacks.
Loss of TREM2 exacerbates parenchymal amyloid pathology but diminishes CAA in Tg-SwDI mice
Authors: Zhong Rui , Xu Yingzheng , Williams Jesse W. , Li Ling
Published: November 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and it is the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified TREM2 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2) as one of the major risk factors for AD. TREM2 is a surface receptor expressed on microglia and largely mediates microglial functions and immune homeostasis in the brain. The functions of TREM2 in AD pathogenesis, including in the formation of the key pathology parenchymal amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, have been investigated by introducingTrem2deficiency in AD mouse models. However, the role of TREM2 in cerebrovascular amyloidosis, in particular cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) remains unexplored. CAA features Aβ deposition along the cerebral vessels, signifying an intersection between AD and vascular dysfunction. Using a well-characterized CAA-prone, transgenic mouse model of AD, Tg-SwDI (SwDI), we found that loss of TREM2 led to a marked increase in overall Aβ load in the brain, but a dramatic decrease in CAA in microvessel-rich regions, along with reduced microglial association with CAA. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that in the absence ofTrem2, microglia were activated but trapped in transition to the fully reactive state. Like microglia, perivascular macrophages were activated with upregulation of cell junction related pathways inTrem2-deficient SwDI mice. In addition, vascular mural cells and astrocytes exhibited distinct responses toTrem2deficiency, contributing to the pathological changes in the brain ofTrem2-null SwDI mice. Our study provides the first evidence that TREM2 differentially modulates parenchymal and vascular Aβ pathologies, which may have significant implications for both TREM2- and Aβ-targeting therapies for AD.
Protein Engineering with Lightweight Graph Denoising Neural Networks
Authors: Zhou Bingxin , Zheng Lirong , Wu Banghao , Tan Yang , Lv Outongyi , Yi Kai , Fan Guisheng , Hong Liang
Published: November 2023

Protein engineering faces challenges in finding optimal mutants from the massive pool of candidate mutants. In this study, we introduce a deep learning-based data-efficient fitness prediction tool to steer protein engineering. Our methodology establishes a lightweight graph neural network scheme for protein structures, which efficiently analyzes the microenvironment of amino acids in wild-type proteins and reconstructs the distribution of the amino acid sequences that are more likely to pass natural selection. This distribution serves as a general guidance for scoring proteins toward arbitrary properties on any order of mutations. Our proposed solution undergoes extensive wet-lab experimental validation spanning diverse physicochemical properties of various proteins, including fluorescence intensity, antigen-antibody affinity, thermostability, and DNA cleavage activity. More than40%of ProtLGN-designed single-site mutants outperform their wild-type counterparts across all studied proteins and targeted properties. More importantly, our model can bypass the negative epistatic effect to combine single mutation sites and form deep mutants with up to 7 mutation sites in a single round, whose physicochemical properties are significantly improved. This observation provides compelling evidence of the structure-based model’s potential to guide deep mutations in protein engineering. Overall, our approach emerges as a versatile tool for protein engineering, benefiting both the computational and bioengineering communities.
Molecular dynamics simulation analysis of structural dynamic cross correlation induced by odorant hydrogen-bonding in mouse eugenol olfactory receptor*
Authors: Okamoto Chisato , Ando Koji
Published: November 2023

Structural fluctuations and dynamic cross-correlations in the mouse eugenol olfactory receptor (Olfr73) were studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to characterize the dynamic response of the protein upon ligand binding. The initial structure was generated by the artificial intelligence tool AlfaFold2 due to the current lack of experimental data. We focused on the hydrogen (H) bond of the odorant eugenol to Ser113, Asn207, and Tyr260 of the receptor protein, the importance of which has been suggested by previous experimental studies. The H-bond was not observed in docking simulations, but in subsequent MD simulations the H-bond to Ser113 was formed in 2–4 ns. The lifetime of the H-bond was in the range of 1–20 ns. On the trajectory with the most stable (20 ns) H-bond, the structural fluctuation of theα-carbon atoms of the receptor main chain was studied by calculating the root mean square fluctuations, the dynamic cross-correlation map, and the time-dependent dynamic cross-correlation. The analysis suggested a correlation transfer pathway Ser113 → Phe182 → (Leu259 or Tyr260) → Tyr291 induced by the ligand binding with a time scale of 4–6 ns.
TIM‐3 expression induces resistance to PD‐1 inhibitor in G‐CSF‐producing lung spindle cell carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Hayashi Fumiko , Akagi Kazumasa , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Matsutake Toyoshi , Kawahara Hiromi , Sekine Ichiro , Gyotoku Hiroshi , Takemoto Shinnosuke , Soda Hiroshi , Ashizawa Kazuto , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: November 2023

Lung spindle cell carcinoma is an aggressive subtype of pleomorphic lung cancer resistant to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1) inhibitors have been reported to have clinical effects in patients with spindle cell carcinoma; however, the resistance mechanism to PD‐1 inhibitors is yet to be fully elucidated. Herein, we report the case of an 88‐year‐old man with G‐CSF‐producing spindle cell carcinoma who acquired resistance to PD‐1/PD‐ligand 1 (L1) inhibitor in an early setting after a remarkable response. A histopathological review of the resistant specimen revealed a low count of CD8+ T cells and a predominant presence of M2 and TIM‐3+ macrophages, indicating the presence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Our findings suggest a novel resistance mechanism to PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors in G‐CSF‐producing spindle cell carcinoma.
Identification of ancestral gnathostome Gli3 enhancers with activity in mammals
Authors: Ali Shahid , Abrar Muhammad , Hussain Irfan , Batool Fatima , Raza Rabail Zehra , Khatoon Hizran , Zoia Matteo , Visel Axel , Shubin Neil H. , Osterwalder Marco , Abbasi Amir Ali
Published: November 2023

Abnormal expression of the transcriptional regulator and hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway effector Gli3 is known to trigger congenital disease, most frequently affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and the limbs. Accurate delineation of the genomic cis‐regulatory landscape controlling Gli3 transcription during embryonic development is critical for the interpretation of noncoding variants associated with congenital defects. Here, we employed a comparative genomic analysis on fish species with a slow rate of molecular evolution to identify seven previously unknown conserved noncoding elements (CNEs) in Gli3 intronic intervals (CNE15–21). Transgenic assays in zebrafish revealed that most of these elements drive activities in Gli3 expressing tissues, predominantly the fins, CNS, and the heart. Intersection of these CNEs with human disease associated SNPs identified CNE15 as a putative mammalian craniofacial enhancer, with conserved activity in vertebrates and potentially affected by mutation associated with human craniofacial morphology. Finally, comparative functional dissection of an appendage‐specific CNE conserved in slowly evolving fish (elephant shark), but not in teleost (CNE14/hs1586) indicates co‐option of limb specificity from other tissues prior to the divergence of amniotes and lobe‐finned fish. These results uncover a novel subset of intronic Gli3 enhancers that arose in the common ancestor of gnathostomes and whose sequence components were likely gradually modified in other species during the process of evolutionary diversification.
Reliability and validity of a parent‐reported screening tool for disordered eating in children and young people with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Harrington Megan P. , Satherley Rose‐Marie , John Mary , O'Donnell Nicola , Read Rebecca , Wakelin Katherine , Jones Christina J.
Published: November 2023

Background

There is a high prevalence and complex overlap between type 1 diabetes (T1D) and disordered eating. However, screening for disordered eating in children and young people (CYP) with T1D is not routinely conducted, with reluctance reported by both professionals and parents. This study aimed to validate a parent‐reported version of a validated disordered eating screening tool for CYP with T1D (the Diabetes Eating Problems Survey‐Revised; DEPS‐R).

Methods

The existing DEPS‐R was adapted for parental use. Eighty‐nine parents of CYP with T1D aged 11–14 years completed the parent‐reported DEPS‐R and other questionnaires related to demographics, child eating behaviours and parental well‐being. CYP of parents were invited to participate, with 51 CYP completing the validated CYP‐reported DEPS‐R for comparison.

Results

The parent‐reported DEPS‐R demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.89). Moderate to good inter‐rater reliability was found between the parent‐reported DEPS‐R and CYP‐reported DEPS‐R (ICC 0.746, 95% CI = 0.554–0.855, p < 0.001), indicating good convergent validity. Construct validity with hypothesised variables, including specific eating behaviours, diabetes‐related distress, well‐being, CYP BMI, gender and parental worry about CYP disordered eating, suggested validity of the measure. However, some hypothesised variables did not significantly correlate with the parent‐reported DEPS‐R as expected.

Conclusions

The parent‐reported DEPS‐R has demonstrated good reliability and validity, and it may provide clinical benefit by increasing screening and early detection of disordered eating in CYP with T1D. Whilst novel and providing stepped increase in our knowledge, these findings would benefit from further validation (e.g. in a larger sample and responsiveness).
Actualization of interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons
Authors: Zhexembinova Aizhan , Kokazhayeva Amangul , Babaev Doolotbai , Shiyapov Kadrzhan , Sekenova Aizhan
Published: November 2023

The relevance of the published research on the actualization of interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons is due to the need for conceptual clarification of what is included in the concept of an academic discipline, and, consequently, interdisciplinary integration. Currently, there is no uniformly consistent interdisciplinary terminology, moreover, interdisciplinary boundaries are often difficult to overcome. In pedagogical practice, intersubject is only rhetorically praised, but its practical implementation is often very difficult. This publication aims at studying the role and potential of the actualization of interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons. Mathematics is widely recognized as central to human development. However, there are not enough research concerning teaching mathematics in various contexts of educational systems. The object of the study is interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons within the framework of holistic learning concepts. Consideration of interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons gives researchers the key to education of the XXI century. Nevertheless, few studies are published concerning the proposed object that can serve as a basis for practice in the actualization of interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons. Qualitative critical phenomenology was used as a research methodology, since the logic of the actualization of interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons reflects a system of historically determined values transmitted by institutionalized models of behaviour, thinking and speech. The application of critical phenomenology allowed us to come to an understanding of how the social and pedagogical aspects of the actualization of interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons affect the ways in which students construct reality. Critical phenomenology has made it possible to identify various approaches to the study of the actualization of interdisciplinary integration at mathematics lessons, to study the impact of social interactions in the construction of interdisciplinary discourse by students, the possible impact that interdisciplinary discourse can have on learning. Since the research was of a qualitative nature, it was inevitably influenced by the interpretative methodological paradigm, which recognizes that individual life experience is formed by context, and ideas about knowledge are socially constructed.
Risk management committee and bank performance: Evidence from the adoption of the Dodd–Frank Act
Authors: Jiang Liangliang , Ji Mingming
Published: November 2023

We test the effect of the establishment of a risk management committee on bank risk, bank loan performance and bank profitability. The Dodd–Frank Act of 2010 provides us with quasi‐experimental variation on risk management committee establishment that facilitates identification. We identify the risk management committee effect using an instrumental variable model based on the difference‐in‐differences design. We find that the establishment of a risk committee has effectively reduced bank risks. In addition, risk committee member independence, more risk committee meetings and more risk committee members are all instrumental to bank risk reduction. We also find evidence that the risk reduction effect from the risk management committee is more pronounced among asset‐diversified banks. Finally, the establishment of a risk committee helps with loan quality improvement and firm profitability increment, which sheds light on the bright side of stringent bank regulation.
Comparative cross‐sectional study of socio‐psychological orthodontic needs and oral habits in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: da Silva Gustavo Correia Basto , Firmino Ramon Targino , Souto Nóbrega Waleska Fernanda , Nogueira Ana Beatriz Dantas , d’Ávila Sérgio
Published: November 2023

Objective

This cross‐sectional study analyzed the socio‐psychological need for orthodontic treatment in children and adolescents with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its association with deleterious oral habits.

Methods

Children/adolescents aged 6–14 years old, with and without ASD, and their respective caregivers were included. Caregivers completed a questionnaire addressing children and adolescents' deleterious oral habits. To assess the socio‐psychological need for orthodontic treatment, we utilized the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needs (IOTN). Caregivers and an orthodontist independently used the standardized IOTN aesthetic attractiveness scale containing ten intraoral photographs and compared them with the most similar condition of the child/adolescent. Data collection occurred at two universities in northeastern Brazil and at an ASD referral center. Statistical analyses encompassed descriptive statistics, Shapiro‐Wilk, Kruskal‐Wallis, Mann‐Whitney, and Chi‐squared tests with linear trend (α5%).

Results

The study involved 144 participants, evenly divided into two groups (ASD and non‐ASN). The ASD group showed higher average IOTN‐AC scores as evaluated by both professionals (mean score = 4.78 [± 2.34], p = .182) and caregivers (mean score = 4.31 [± 2.71], p = .992). Caregivers reported notably elevated IOTN‐AC scores in cases where onychophagy was absent (p = .049).

Conclusions

Patients with ASD are indicated as having a relatively higher socio‐psychological need for orthodontic treatment.
Marine biomaterials in biomedical nano/micro-systems
Authors: Wang Yanan , Chen Long , Wang Yuanzheng , Wang Xinyuan , Qian Deyao , Yan Jiahui , Sun Zeyu , Cui Pengfei , Yu Liangmin , Wu Jun , He Zhiyu
Published: November 2023

Marine resources in unique marine environments provide abundant, cost-effective natural biomaterials with distinct structures, compositions, and biological activities compared to terrestrial species. These marine-derived raw materials, including polysaccharides, natural protein components, fatty acids, and marine minerals, etc., have shown great potential in preparing, stabilizing, or modifying multifunctional nano-/micro-systems and are widely applied in drug delivery, theragnostic, tissue engineering, etc. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the most current marine biomaterial-based nano-/micro-systems developed over the past three years, primarily focusing on therapeutic delivery studies and highlighting their potential to cure a variety of diseases. Specifically, we first provided a detailed introduction to the physicochemical characteristics and biological activities of natural marine biocomponents in their raw state. Furthermore, the assembly processes, potential functionalities of each building block, and a thorough evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of advanced marine biomaterial-based systems and their effects on molecular pathophysiological processes were fully elucidated. Finally, a list of unresolved issues and pivotal challenges of marine-derived biomaterials applications, such as standardized distinction of raw materials, long-term biosafety in vivo, the feasibility of scale-up, etc., was presented. This review is expected to serve as a roadmap for fundamental research and facilitate the rational design of marine biomaterials for diverse emerging applications.

Graphical Abstract
Identification of Critical Urban Clusters for Placating Urban Heat Island Effects over Fast-Growing Tropical City Regions: Estimating the Contribution of Different City Sizes in Escalating UHI Intensity
Authors: Dutta Kanaya , Basu Debolina , Agrawal Sonam
Published: November 2023

The incessant rise of artificial surfaces has increased the temperatures of cities, distressing urban health and sustainability. Fast-growing tropical cities particularly call for an understanding of this phenomenon, known as the urban heat island (UHI). The present study was conducted to detect UHI dynamics over the National Capital Region of India. Stretching over more than 32 000 km2, this region consists of urban centers of varying sizes. Landsat thermal bands were processed to extract temperature patterns between 1999 and 2019. Urban climate change was prominent, as a 2349-km2expansion in UHI area was spotted. Urban clusters of different sizes were demarcated by applying the k-nearest neighbor algorithm on the normalized difference building index maps. This empirical analysis helped to form a logarithmic relation between city size and UHI intensity. Observed results set a framework to assess the thermal environment of numerous urban centers from any tropical country. UHI intensity values for various city sizes were computed, as they were crucial to decide the outdoor comfort zones based on the base temperature conditions of other cities. Further, the critical zones in each urban cluster were identified using the vegetation index, and scopes of landscaping were suggested based on the observed building morphologies of different local climate zones.
An Integrated Approach for Wildfire Photography Telemetry using WRF Numerical Forecast Products
Authors: Tan Ling , Ma Xuelan
Published: November 2023

Forest fire detection using machine vision has recently emerged as a hot research topic. However, the complexity of background information in smoke images often results in deep learning models losing crucial details while capturing smoke image features. To address this, we present a
detection algorithm called Multichannel Smoke YOLOv5s (MCSYOLOv5s). This algorithm comprises a smoke flame detection module, multichannel YOLOv5s (MC‐YOLOv5s), and a smoke cloud classification module, Smoke Classification Network (SCN). MC‐YOLOv5s uses a generative confrontation
structure to design a dual‐channel feature extraction network and adopts a new feature cross-fusion mechanism to enhance the smoke feature extraction ability of classic YOLOv5s. The SCN module combines Weather Research and Forecasting numerical forecast results to classify smoke and
clouds to reduce false positives caused by clouds. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed forest fire monitoring method, MCS‐YOLOv5s, achieves higher detection accuracy of 95.17%, surpassing all comparative algorithms. Moreover, it effectively reduces false alarms
caused by clouds.
Le syndrome de Langenbeck: quelles répercussions sur la cinétique mandibulaire ?
Authors: Thonnart François , Systermans Simon , Lejuste Patrice , Gilon Yves
Published: November 2023

Le syndrome de Langenbeck ou hyperplasie des processus coronoïdes mandibulaires est une maladie rare caractérisée par une augmentation de volume des processus coronoïdes. Cette hyperplasie entraîne un conflit osseux limitant l’ouverture buccale. Ce syndrome doit être connu des cliniciens car il entre dans le diagnostic différentiel des limitations d’ouverture buccale. Nous présentons un cas traité avec succès dans notre service. Une prise en charge efficace comporte un versant chirurgical et kinésithérapeutique, qui sont discutés dans notre publication.
Music Culture Integration Strategy and City Tagline Innovation As A Push Factor For Ambon To Become A World Music City
Authors: Ubjaan Jusak , Lourens Samson , Renyut Selvia F. G. , Jacobs Samie L
Published: November 2023

Positioning Ambon as a music city is not without reason; the people of Ambon already have socio-cultural values from music. Music, as one of the sub-sectors of the creative economy, is a source of economic development that can be enjoyed by all groups and is quite eye-catching. On the other hand, city tagline innovation is a tourism revitalization tool that aims to re-image a city. This study aimed to examine the strategy of local music culture and the city tagline innovation policy as a driving factor for Ambon to become the World Music City. This research used explanatory research with qualitative and quantitative approaches. Validity and reliability tests were conducted before the research instruments were used to collect data. The number of respondents was 74 people. Data analysis uses Generalized Structured Component Analysis. The results of the descriptive analysis show the music culture variable with an average score of 4.01, city tagline innovation of 4.15 and Ambon music city of 4.01. The results of hypothesis testing (H1 ) show that exogenous variables significantly affect endogenous variables with a direct coefficient of 0.342 and a critical ratio value of 2.49 *. The hypothesis test (H2 ) shows that exogenous variables significantly affect endogenous variables with a direct coefficient of 0.336 and a critical ratio of 4.09 *. It is recommended that the city government continue to develop supporting facilities such as educational institutions, performance halls, recording studios, development of traditional musical instruments and regular music events.
How Social Values Affect Welfare Attitudes? A Cross-National Comparison
Authors: Lee Eun Kyung
Published: November 2023

This preliminary study examines how social values explain the cross-national differences in welfare attitudes, grounded in Inglehart and Baker’s (2000) social value theory. By employing secondary data collected by World Values Survey [WVS], this preliminary study empirically tested two hypotheses: (H1) Nations that emphasize the secular-rational values have more pro-welfare attitudes than the nations encouraging the traditional values; and (H2) Nations that promote the values of self-expression have more pro-welfare attitudes than nations that foster survival values. Results of the study demonstrated social values significantly affects public’s welfare attitude, controlling economic and ideological factors. People in societies which promote the value of self-expression, such as respect for diversity and political participation, are more likely to support more expansive social welfare policies.
The top Bulgarian contributions to sunflower breeding
Authors: Hristova-Cherbadzhi Miroslava
Published: November 2023

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a fundamental oil-yielding culture for Bulgaria and the world and thus, special attention is paid to it. Various selection methods have been used over the years and as a result of successful breeding programs new sunflower forms, lines (В/А and R) and hybrids (oil and confectionery type) were created in Bulgaria. Some of these new forms have new plant architectonic, different vegetation periods, seeds with different sizes and coloration, high combining ability, resistance to diseases, the parasite Broomrape and some herbicides, high seed oil and fatty acid content, genes for restoration of fertility (Rf genes), and different types of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS).
Biofilm tolerance, resistance and infections increasing threat of public health
Authors: Yang Shanshan , Li Xinfei , Cang Weihe , Mu Delun , Ji Shuaiqi , An Yuejia , Wu Rina , Wu Junrui
Published: November 2023

Microbial biofilms can cause chronic infection. In the clinical setting, the biofilm-related infections usually persist and reoccur; the main reason is the increased antibiotic resistance of biofilms. Traditional antibiotic therapy is not effective and might increase the threat of antibiotic resistance to public health. Therefore, it is urgent to study the tolerance and resistance mechanism of biofilms to antibiotics and find effective therapies for biofilm-related infections. The tolerance mechanism and host reaction of biofilm to antibiotics are reviewed, and bacterial biofilm related diseases formed by human pathogens are discussed thoroughly. The review also explored the role of biofilms in the development of bacterial resistance mechanisms and proposed therapeutic intervention strategies for biofilm related diseases.
More than a principal: Ubuntu at the heart of successful school leadership in the Western Cape
Authors: Kramer Michael
Published: November 2023

School leadership matters. After teachers and teaching, school leadership is the most important determinant of learner achievement in school. Despite this, there is still uncertainty regarding what successful school leadership is and what successful school leaders do in non-Western contexts. In this mixed methods study I explored successful high school leadership in South Africa. Specifically, a questionnaire was administered to 38 principals from academically high-achieving schools from a range of socioeconomic contexts throughout the Western Cape, and 14 principals were interviewed. An integrated analysis reveals the paradox of uniqueness and universality of successful school leadership in South Africa, outlining that while there is no single best approach, various similarities exist between successful school leaders and established international literature. I found that successful principals adapt to their context, amalgamate transformational, instructional and distributed leadership styles, set direction, develop people, constantly realign the school with teaching and learning, and, importantly, strive to make a difference in the lives of others. It is about leading with Ubuntu. By highlighting these characteristics and practices, I offer theoretical, practical and personal advice to current and aspiring school leaders, academics and policy makers.
“Gênero epistêmico”, de Gianna Pomata
Authors: Almeida Tiago
Published: November 2023

A primeira parte do artigo faz uma introdução conceitual e historiográfica à noção de “gênero epistêmico” na obra de Gianna Pomata. Essa noção ganhou considerável atenção e interesse nos últimos anos, não apenas em relação à história da ciência e da medicina, mas também entre os historiadores no campo da teoria da história e história da historiografia. Em linhas gerais, podemos dizer que a noção de gênero epistêmico é uma ferramenta para a história cultural do conhecimento. Para Pomata, o desaparecimento, a emergência e a transformação de um gênero epistêmico revelam profundas mudanças nos modos coletivos de pensamento. Atenção específica no artigo é dada ao manifesto, agora um gênero socialmente reconhecido nos debates contemporâneos em teoria da história, e ao que ele revela sobre a economia moral dos historiadores. Defendo que a transformação do manifesto – cuja história podemos retraçar às lutas revolucionárias modernas e às vanguardas artísticas contemporâneas – em um gênero epistêmico pode ser lida como um sinal da introdução da sua dinâmica político-temporal na produção do conhecimento histórico.
Temporalização no Supremo Tribunal Federal
Authors: Castelo Branco Cooper Carolina
Published: November 2023

Este artigo visa abordar a relação entre história e justiça a partir do debate recente sobre a Lei da Anistia de 1979 na ocasião da Arguição de Preceito Fundamental 153 ajuizada pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal em 2010. Levando em consideração o contexto da justiça de transição e das mudanças na disciplina histórica na segunda metade do século XX, particularmente o fortalecimento das discussões sobre o tempo na história, o trabalho faz uma análise das práticas de temporalização utilizadas pelos ministros da corte. Ao observar as diversas construções temporais que surgem a partir da utilização da história e das ferramentas de historicização, se observa que os ministros situam a anistia encerrada no passado e viva no presente, ao mesmo tempo, para justificar a impossibilidade de reinterpretar a lei. Ao fim, o trabalho traz reflexões sobre os desafios do fazer histórico em contextos onde a argumentação histórica e a temporalização são ferramentas operacionalizadas por outros atores políticos.
Queerchronotopia
Authors: Medeiros Bruno
Published: November 2023

This paper joins the debate of a still-expanding literature on queer temporalities that, among other things, raises the question of a queer-specific construction of time. This specific temporality is what I call queerchronotopia. By setting the description of the historical worldview (as described by Reinhart Koselleck, Sepp Gumbrecht, and François Hartog) against queer methodologies developed by scholars like Paul B. Preciado and Jack J. Halberstam, this article claims that, since the last decades of the nineteenth century, definitions and embodiments of queerness and a queer-specific temporality are constantly revised in light of the temporal shift between two paradigmatic social constructions of time—the historical worldview and “our broad present”. First, we summarize how homosexuality goes from an ahistorical aberration at the end of the 19th century to the emergence of the historical homos at the beginning of the gay liberation movement in the 1970s. Second, we try to demonstrate how the appearance of identity temporalities as an aftereffect of identity politics in the 1970s unveils some of the fractures in the temporal experience anchored in the historical worldview. Lastly, we discuss how the latent “broad present” that had already shown some of its aspects in the aftermath of the gay liberation movement and civil rights era in the United States became more evident in the 1980s when the AIDS epidemic becomes increasingly intertwined with a concern with the health of the planet. Without dismissing the pessimist tone that has permeated the academic and intellectual discussions about the future of the planet and the catastrophic threats to human and nonhuman entities living in the Anthropocene, this article concludes by suggesting that the queer community and its activism, particularly in response to the AIDS epidemic, could teach us some lessons about how to live “with the trouble” in our present.
Efeitos da água tratada magneticamente sobre os parâmetros de produtividade em bovinos de corte
Authors: Silva Allan Leon Casemiro da , Gabriel Camila Pires Cremasco , Putti Fernando Ferrari , Chacur Marcelo George Mungai , Gabriel Filho Luís Roberto Almeida , Andrade Isamara  Batata
Published: November 2023

Assim como qualquer tecnologia que buscar aumentar a produtividade na pecuária de corte, a suplementação alimentar, corretas técnicas de manejo e o melhoramento genético do rebanho de bovinos de corte, devem estar integradas a outras tecnologias para a obtenção de índices superiores de produtividade quantitativa e qualitativamente. Assim o presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar os efeitos da técnica de manejo com o uso da água tratada magneticamente nos parâmetros de produtividade, em especial na bioquímica sanguínea dos animais, peso final e qualidade do acabamento da carcaça. Para tanto utilizou-se da abordagem estatística, por meio de uma análise descritiva de dados e da elaboração de uma análise de variância (ANOVA) e correlação de pelo teste G. O uso de ATM, não influenciou a melhoria dos índices bioquímicos do sangue dos animais para as variáveis K, iCa, Cl e colesterol, para a variável Na, o grupo ATM obteve um menor índice de concentração no sangue que o grupo de controle. O peso final da carcaça e o acabamento de gordura, também não sofreram influência do consumo de água tratada magneticamente, o que contrapõe resultados de outros estudos.
Design Theory for Societal Digital Transformation: The Case of Digital Global Health
Authors: Braa Jørn ,   University of Oslo, Sahay Sundeep ,   University of Oslo, Monteiro Eric ,   Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Published: November 2023

With societal challenges, including but not limited to human development, equity, social justice, and
climate change, societal-level digital transformation (SDT) is of imminent relevance and theoretical
interest. While building on local-level efforts, societal-level transformation is a nonlinear extension
of the local level. Unfortunately, academic discourse on digital transformation has largely left SDT
unaccounted for. Drawing on more than 25 years of intensive, interventionist research engagement
with the digital transformation of public healthcare information management and delivery in more
than 80 countries in the Global South, we contribute to theorizing SDT in the form of a design theory
consisting of six interconnected design principles. These design principles articulate the interplay
and tensions of accommodating over time increased diversity and flexibility in digital solutions,
while simultaneously connecting local, national, and regional/ global efforts.
A Study of Ocular Manifestations in Children with Developmental Delay
Authors: Kumar Manish , Maitreya Amit , Dhasmana Renu , Wasim Sanober
Published: November 2023

Background and Objective: The study was conducted to determine the occurrence and types of ophthalmologic abnormalities in children with developmental delay. Methods: children with developmental delay between age group of 6 months to 16 years visiting Himalayan hospital were studied for presence and types of ocular manifestations over a period of 1year. Results: Among 54 children, ocular manifestation was noted in 48 (88.89%) children. Among various ocular manifestations refractive error was commonest seen in 29 out of 54(53.70%) cases of which hypermetropia was most common. Second most common manifestations was esotropia 11 out of 54 (20.37%) followed by exotropia 7 out of (12.96%). In 12 out of 54 (22.22%) subjects temporal disc pallor was present. Conclusion: In developmentally delayed children, visual handicap plays an important role in overall morbidity. early assessment and correction of visual problems will provide such children greater chances of achieving their true potential and will prevent unnecessary visual impairment
Role of Social Media In Business Management Students’ Communication Skills
Authors: Rueda Roger B. , Moralista Rome B.
Published: November 2023

This study explores the role of social media in business management students' communication skills. Specifically, the study aims to answer ten research questions related to social media use, benefits and challenges, perceptions, improvements, engagement, workplace attitudes, communication patterns and behaviours, training strategies, and academic performance. Quantitative and qualitative methods, such as surveys, interviews, and social media analysis, were utilized to gather data from business management students. The findings suggest that social media is widely used by business management students for communication purposes, with a preference for certain platforms. Business management students recognize the benefits of social media but also acknowledge challenges such as privacy and security concerns. The use of social media in communication positively influences engagement among students, but improvements in multimedia content creation and knowledge of privacy and security settings are needed. The survey findings suggest that business management students can benefit from several recommendations to effectively use social media for professional purposes. They should prioritize engaging in conversations, invest in multimedia content creation and promotions, increase their knowledge of privacy settings, improve their proficiency in social media analytics, participate in online courses, and seek opportunities to collaborate. By following these recommendations, students can leverage social media in their professional lives, enhance their communication skills, and adapt to changes in the business environment.
Preliminary research: Identification of Difficulty in Chemical Learning Based On Teacher and Student Perspectives
Authors: Risvayani Risvayani , Permanasari A , Musthafa I
Published: November 2023

The purpose of education is to create a society which has the scientific literacy skills. So that goal is reached it is necessary teach and develop competencies that support skills. This study is a preliminary study in the identification of the problems perspectives by teachers and high school students in learning chemistry. The method used in this study is a survey method using a questionnaire. Respondents consisted of 10 teachers and 22 students senior high school in Bandung. From the results of the survey the problems perspectives by the students, interest and motivation in learning chemistry students is still low. It can be seen from the student questionnaire (question 1,2,3, and 4). In addition to low literacy student chemistry can be concluded from the results of the questionnaire related to the learning habits of students in applying chemistry in everyday life, 59, 1% sometimes, 27.3% often, 9.1% and 4.5% always never. From the survey results the authors focus on three main issues in teaching chemistry ie, level of difficulty of the material, the selection of teaching and learning context model of chemistry in everyday life is not always delivered on the learning process. Teacher as a key component in education need to be equipped with a good understanding and skills to implement learning that can develop chemistry student literacy. Knowledge is always evolving as the development time, teachers are required to continually update the scientific study. Difficulties experienced teachers is the failure to trigger the birth of learning in students and led to the view that chemistry is a difficult lesson. Based on the results of the survey above, learning will be more meaningful if using social-scientific issues that are relevant to the material being taught in order to achieve educational goals.
Assessment Guidance of Wudhu at Elementary School Students A Study in Elementary school Pesanggrahan 10 Pesanggrahan Sub District South Jakarta
Authors: Mulianah Sri
Published: November 2023

This research is aimed to make an assessment guidance of a proper and objective wudhu ability of the student to be used by religious teachers in elementary school which use competency standard curriculum of religious study. The population are 392 students and the samples are 60 students by stratified random sampling. The instrument of this assessment guidance which is developed in assessment scale where the wudhu ability of the student by using rating scale from 0, 1 and 2 for each scale interval has a different description ability. Teachers’/assessors choose and give the proper rating scale with the wudhu ability performed by students.This assessment guidance has been analyzed the content and construction validity by seventeen experts. The result of the analysis shows this assessment instrument of the wudhu ability is valid for try-out need. Based on its validity by using a formula of product moment on the significant level, 1 % in the table r is 0.325. The result of all items of Rukun which are stated valid and all item of Sunnah which are stated valid. The conclusion is that the wudhu assessment guidance could be standardized as it has its condition and standard of a valid and good instrument building.
Covid-19 Korkusunun Aşılanmaya ve Ölüm Anksiyetesine Etkisi
Authors: KOLCU Merve , BÜLBÜL Elif
Published: November 2023

Amaç: Bu araştırmanın amacı, Covid-19 korkusunun aşılanmaya ve ölüm anksiyetesine etkisinin belirlenmesidir.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Tanımlayıcı tipte olan bu araştırma, Eylül-Aralık 2021 tarihleri arasında yürütülmüştür. Veriler, Google Forms çevirimiçi anket uygulaması kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Veriler anket formu, Ölüm Anksiyetesi Ölçeği ve Covid-19 Korkusu Ölçeği ile toplanmıştır. Verilerin istatistiksel analizinde t-testi, tek yönlü varyans analizi, Pearson Korelasyon analizi ve çoklu lojistik regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır.
Bulgular: Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 37,39 ± 12,31 yıldır. Bireylerin %83,4’ünün Covid-19 aşısı olduğu ve aşı olanların %77,8’inin birinci doz aşısını tamamladığı belirlenmiştir. Covid-19 Korkusu Ölçeği ile Ölüm Anksiyetesi Ölçeği toplam puanı arasında pozitif (r=0,604, p<0,001), Covid-19 Korkusu Ölçeği Toplam puanı ile Covid-19 aşılanma durumu arasında negatif yönde istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı bir ilişki olduğu görülmüştür (r=-1,163, p<0,001). Covid-19 Korkusu Ölçeği toplam puan düzeyindeki değişim %37 oranında ölüm anksiyetesi ve Covid-19 aşılanma durumu tarafından açıklandığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır (R2= 0,374).
Sonuç: Bu çalışma sonucunda, Covid-19 korkusunun ve ölüm anksiyetesinin orta seviyede ve Covid-19 aşısı olanların Covid-19 korkusunun daha yüksek olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.