bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS OF LIQUEFACTION POTENT ANALYSIS OF LIQUEFACTION POTENTIAL USING THE ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS METHOD IN BANTUL DISTRICT, YOGYAKARTA PROVINCE, INDONESIA
Authors: Nurhaci Dian Susri
Published: December 2024

Abstract â€” The earthquake that struck the Bantul district of Yogyakarta on May 27, 2006, with a Richter scale value of 6.3, caused sandboils in various areas in Bantul Regency. These symptoms are referred to as liquefaction events, and the phenomenon is fascinating to research. These symptoms are referred to as liquefaction events, and the phenomenon is intriguing to researchers. Liquefaction in Bantul Regency is induced by the area's Young Volcanic Deposits of Merapi Volcano and shallow groundwater table, which can result in saturated soil during an earthquake. The research was conducted to assess the potential hazards of liquefaction. The data used in this research includes geological maps, groundwater depth maps, fault distance maps, river distance maps, and slope maps. The method used is the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the weight of each parameter utilized, employing Geographic Information System software to overlay maps based on the obtained weight values, allowing the liquefaction threat potential map to be classified into high, medium, and low threats. According to the findings of this study, the lowland area between the Bedog and Opak rivers has a high liquefaction potential due to the presence of Young Volcanic Deposits of Merapi Volcano going back to the Quaternary epoch and a relatively shallow groundwater table. In contrast, the hilly terrain west of the Bedog River and east of the Opak River has a low liquefaction potential due to Tertiary sedimentary rocks and a deeper groundwater table
LITERATURE REVIEW ON CO-FIRING OF SUB BITUMINOUS COAL AND BIOMASS FOR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION MITIGATION
Authors: Nasution Rizki Khoiriah
Published: December 2024

The overuse of fossil fuels has led to global warming and air pollution due to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2. The toxic effects of coal combustion can be reduced by mixing coal with biomass, which is called the co-firing method. This study aims to analyze the use of co-firing using various types of biomass based on previous studies. The results show that different biomass blending ratios affect the emission reduction significantly. Mixing palm kernel shell biomass at a ratio of 10% biomass and 90% coal reduced emissions by 20%, while mixing mesua ferrea tree biomass and sawdust at a ratio of 75% coal and 25% biomass reduced emissions by 45%. The use of empty fruit bunch biomass at a ratio of 30% biomass and 70% coal can reduce CO2 emissions by 72.14%. Overall, co-firing proved effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating the transition to renewable energy, although its effectiveness depends on the type of biomass and the blending ratio.
Advances in Therapy to Address Proteinuria in Patients with Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy
Authors: Roberts Eleanor
Published: December 2024

As the majority of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) progress to kidney function loss, it is important to treat this primary glomerulonephritis in a way that will prevent or slow such progression. In a presentation delivered at the 2024 Nephro Update Europe congress, Jörg Latus, from Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, discussed the relevance of assessing proteinuria levels in patients with IgAN and how this is recognised in the 2024 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) guidelines, currently in draft form. Since the 2021 KDIGO guidelines, therapy choices for IgAN advances have widened and include those specifically developed for IgAN, such as the dual endothelin and angiotensin II receptor antagonist sparsentan and modified-release budesonide (MRB), as well as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), which have a broader role in chronic kidney disease treatment. Latus discussed some of the pivotal trials that led to these medications being approved for use in patients with IgAN, along with real-world data for sparsentan. Also discussed were trials for other IgAN pathogenesis-targeting medications, future approval of which is hoped to open the choice of treatments for patients with IgAN at risk of progressive kidney function loss such that more individualised therapy regimens can be provided.
Precolonial Remains: Michèle Rakotoson and the Neo-Andevo Narrative
Authors: Andrianarivo Franck H.
Published: December 2024

Set against the prelude to the 1896 French conquest, Michèle Rakotoson’s novel Ambatomanga, le silence et la douleur (2021) stages opposite perspectives on Madagascar’s colonization, notably those of Félicien Le Guen – an officer deployed to Madagascar – and Tavao, a Malagasy ‘ andevo’ (slave). I argue that in attempting to archive the traumatic experience of invasion and its lingering remains on the future postcolony in distress, Rakotoson creates what I call a ‘Neo-Andevo narrative’, a neo-slave narrative recontextualized around the cultural and historical specificities of the Malagasy experience of fanandevozana (enslavement). Through carving a space for the ‘ andevo,’ Rakotoson breaks off the tabooed topic of enslavement, which is still in pursuit of sustainable historicity on her island. I demonstrate how she resurrects her island’s precolonial and colonial past to expose the afterlife of slavery in the present, simultaneously expanding knowledge of African diasporas and Blackness from a uniquely Malagasy perspective.
Red Threads: a ‘Left-Melancholic’ Walk Through Paris in Joseph Andras’s Au loin le ciel du sud (2021)
Authors: Lyons Patrick
Published: December 2024

Since 2016, Joseph Andras has published a suite of lyrically dense, formally meticulous, literary-political experiments. In his Au loin le ciel du sud (2021), he focuses on Hô Chi Minh, a man who lived long enough to become a chief of state, having thwarted first the French and then the United States. This article argues that  by using Hô Chi Minh as its guiding star, Au loin le ciel du sud takes its readers on a ‘left melancholic’ tour of Paris, one whose particular epistemological posture stirs to life sedimented layers of radical social history at each stop, and in doing so, begins to cultivate a reading subject who in turn becomes their living repository. As I will demonstrate, the formal strategies that enable such a literary project  rise into focus when compared with another generic tradition, the post-1968 variant of the French detective novel, the néo-polar. In the terms considered by this special issue, the formal resemblance between Au loin le ciel du sud and the néo-polar links Andras’s book to a longer literary tradition of social critique, and the history of the ‘social novel’ more generally.
Becoming Édouard Louis and the Transmedial Social Novel
Authors: Bourdeau Loïc , Verstraet Charly
Published: December 2024

This article considers Édouard Louis’s extensive literary œuvre from En finir avec Eddy Bellegueule (2014) to his latest novel, Monique s’évade (2024), in conjunction with his interactions in the public sphere. It first explores how the space of the novel becomes as much a space of exploration of the various processes of domination that shaped his and his family’s lives as it is a space of self-reinvention. In particular, it is Louis’s transformation practice that guides this article. Indeed, this article looks at the ways in which Louis engages in processes of branding, be it the act of making a product or the act of marking something or someone, in turn building one coherent cultural figure commited to social justice and making audible and visible vulnerable lived experiences. Not only an écrivain engagé, Louis has also become a theatre performer and a political activist who deploys and controls his narrative in literature and beyond.
The main pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis: interrelationships and pathogenetic significance
Authors: Lapkina N. A. , Baranov A. A. , Vorontsova I. M. , Konovalov K. M. , Chizhov P. A. , Lebedev O. V. , Buydina T. A.
Published: December 2024

Imbalance in the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

  The aim of the study. To determine the concentration and frequency of increase in serum of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with RA in the advanced stage of the disease, assessment of the relationship between them, clinical and laboratory activity of the disease and autoantibodies.

   Materials and methods. We examined 154 RA patients (41 men and 113) women, of average age (56.0 [50.0; 64.0] years), disease duration (9.4 [3.0; 13.0] years), seropositive 129 (83.8 %) for IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) and/or 106 (68.8 %) antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (ACCP) with moderate to high (DAS 28-ESR – 5.40 [4.65; 6.00]) disease activity. The concentration of interleukin (IL), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (INF-γ), soluble CD 40 ligand (sCD 40L) in serum was determined by multiplex technology.

   Results. In RA patients, the concentration of IL-6, IL-23, IL-31, IL-33 and INF-γ was significantly higher, and TNF-α values were significantly lower than in controls. The levels of IL-1β, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-25 and sCD 40L were not different from donors. IL-10 values were significantly higher than donors, and IL-4 values were not different from controls. In RA, the frequency of IL-33 elevation was 87.0 %, IL-6 51.6 %, IL-31 48.1 %, IL-17F 46.1 %, IL-23 42.9 % and INF-γ 39.0 %, IL-17A 29.9 %, IL-1β 26.6 %, TNF-α 23.4 %, IL-25 11.7 % and sCD 40L 3.2 % of patients. IL-33 hyperproduction was significantly predominant over other cytokines (p < 0.001). Elevated values of IL-10 were found in 16.2 % and IL-4 in 12.3 % of patients. Hyperproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, except IL-25 and sCD 40L, significantly prevailed over IL-4 and IL-10. Correlations of proinflammatory cytokines among themselves and with IL-4 and IL-10 were found. High values of IL-33 were associated only with IL-31. IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly correlated with each other. IL-6 concentration was found to be associated with DAS 28-ESR, CDAI and SDAI; IL-25 and sCD 40L were associated with CDAI and SDAI; IL-17A and IL-33 were associated with SDAI; IL-4 and IL-10, with CDAI and SDAI; IL-31 and IL-33, with CRP; TNF-α and INF-γ, with CRP; IL-17A, and IgM RF and ACCP; IL-31 and INF-γ, with IgM RF. IL-4 and IL10 were positively correlated with IgM RF, and IL-4 was negatively correlated with ADCP.

   Conclusions. In RA patients in the advanced stage of the disease, there is an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, with a predominance of IL-33 production. Despite the presence of interrelationships between cytokines, there are significant differences between them in associations with clinical indices, laboratory indicators of disease activity and autoantibodies.
Response of newly developed cotton strains for quantitative traits of upland cotton
Authors: Soomro Abdul Wahab
Published: December 2024

The study was conducted to assess the twenty-eight advance strains for yield and fiber traits. Significant difference was observed in all the genotypes for yield and fiber traits. On the basis of yield and its components, the advance strains CRIS-753, CRIS-797 and CRIS-697 found best for higher number of bolls and also given maximum seed cotton yield. Whereas there fiber traits results are low, therefore, it is suggested that such varieties could be tested at different zones for the study and improvement in fiber traits. For the character staple length only two advance strains CRIS-795 and CRIS-753 could produce acceptable staple length above from the standard. The correlation results suggested that boll weight has positive association with seed cotton yield and ginning outturn, if boll weight will be increased ultimately yield and GOT in term of lint % in boll will be increased. Positive association of bolls plant-1 was noted with seed cotton yield, if the number of bolls will be increased or decreased, similarly seed cotton yield will also be increased or decreased. Regarding the fiber traits, staple length shown positive association with fiber strength and micronaire and fiber strength also shown positive association of micronaire value, it suggests that due to increase or decrease of one trait could effect on other trait
Application of UAV and satellite technologies for assessing phytophthora root rot severity in avocado orchards
Authors: Duncan S. , McLeod A. , Poblete-Echeverria C.
Published: December 2024

Avocado production faces a substantial global threat in the form of Phytophthora root rot (PRR). When trees succumb to PRR, their canopy health deteriorates, leading to adverse impacts on production. To effectively implement remedial strategies, infected trees need to be identified, evaluated, and located within the field. The current commercially accepted method for determining PRR severity in canopies consists of a visual estimation using the ‘Ciba-Geigy’ rating scale. This rating scale incorporates a numerical severity ranking system based on a visual approach conducted by trained personnel. However, tracking tree health using visual ratings is a time-consuming process, fraught with practical challenges arising from gradual visual changes, spatial variation, and dimensions of the orchards. To address these limitations, the integration of remote sensor-based methods is proposed as a viable alternative to the visual severity ranking. A field experiment was conducted in two avocado blocks to investigate the effect of spatial resolution, phenological stages, and canopy conditions on the mapping of PRR severity. The results of this study showed that canopy management practices revealed a pronounced influence in the determination of the severity ranking using remote sensing (RS) methods and that these methods can be used as an alternative to visual estimations. Additionally, the spatial resolution of the images emerged as a significant factor, improving the estimation of severity when more detailed spatial data were incorporated into the analysis. In the most favorable scenario, an R2 determination coefficient of 0.80 was achieved. In summary, RS approaches can provide valuable information to mitigate the effect of PRR in avocado production. However, the image characteristics and particular canopy conditions need to be carefully considered in order to deliver a reliable method that can be used for informed decision-making. Nonetheless, the results were promising and could open doors to further investigate RS methods as a subjective and efficient means of PRR severity rankings.
Practical application of real-time sub-seasonal monsoon onset forecasting and monitoring for decision-making
Authors: Thompson Elisabeth M. , Wainwright Caroline M. , Hirons Linda C. , Woolnough Steven J.
Published: December 2024

Skilful monsoon onset forecasts are highly sought after in West Africa, due to the importance of monsoon onset for supporting agriculture, disease prevalence and energy provision. With the sub-seasonal timescale bridging the gap between weather and seasonal forecasts, sub-seasonal forecasts have the potential to provide useful decision-making information about the onset of the monsoon rainfall. This study explores sub-seasonal monsoon onset forecasts over Ghana using the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) operational ensemble prediction systems. Three commonly used methods for defining monsoon onset are compared, and the benefits, challenges, and potential of real-time, sub-seasonal onset forecasting using these methods are examined. Monsoon onset forecasting at sub-seasonal timescales, and associated decision-making with shorter-term information can be challenging due to the typically single occurrence of rainfall onset within a season. Sub-seasonal forecasts of monsoon onset are shown to be particularly useful for confirming onset occurrence, at least 1–2 weeks earlier than when observations are used. Earlier confirmation of monsoon onset provided by sub-seasonal forecasts, has the potential for earlier decision-making and action that would positively impact sectors such as agriculture.
Automated diagnosis of respiratory diseases from lung ultrasound videos ensuring XAI: an innovative hybrid model approach
Authors: Abian Arefin Ittesafun , Khan Raiaan Mohaimenul Azam , Karim Asif , Azam Sami , Fahad Nur Mohammad , Shafiabady Niusha , Yeo Kheng Cher , De Boer Friso
Published: December 2024

Introduction

An automated computerized approach can aid radiologists in the early diagnosis of lung disease from video modalities. This study focuses on the difficulties associated with identifying and categorizing respiratory diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, and pneumonia.

Methods

We propose a novel method that combines three dimensional (3D) models, model explainability (XAI), and a Decision Support System (DSS) that utilizes lung ultrasound (LUS) videos. The objective of the study is to improve the quality of video frames, boost the diversity of the dataset, maintain the sequence of frames, and create a hybrid 3D model [Three-Dimensional Time Distributed Convolutional Neural Network-Long short-term memory (TD-CNNLSTM-LungNet)] for precise classification. The proposed methodology involves applying morphological opening and contour detection to improve frame quality, utilizing geometrical augmentation for dataset balance, introducing a graph-based approach for frame sequencing, and implementing a hybrid 3D model combining time-distributed CNN and LSTM networks utilizing vast ablation study. Model explainability is ensured through heatmap generation, region of interest segmentation, and Probability Density Function (PDF) graphs illustrating feature distribution.

Results

Our model TD-CNN-LSTM-LungNet attained a remarkable accuracy of 96.57% in classifying LUS videos into pneumonia, COVID-19, normal, and other lung disease classes, which is above compared to ten traditional transfer learning models experimented with in this study. The eleven-ablation case study reduced training costs and redundancy. K-fold cross-validation and accuracy-loss curves demonstrated model generalization. The DSS, incorporating Layer Class Activation Mapping (LayerCAM) and heatmaps, improved interpretability and reliability, and PDF graphs facilitated precise decision-making by identifying feature boundaries. The DSS facilitates clinical marker analysis, and the validation by using the proposed algorithms highlights its impact on a reliable diagnosis outcome.

Discussion

Our proposed methodology could assist radiologists in accurately detecting and comprehending the patterns of respiratory disorders.
The relationship between inflammatory factors and heart failure: evidence based on bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Huang Xuanchun , Hu Lanshuo , Li Jun , Tao Shiyi , Xue Tiantian
Published: December 2024

Objective

Inflammatory factors play a crucial role in the onset and progression of heart failure. To further explore the causal relationship between inflammatory factors and heart failure, we employed bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal links between 91 inflammatory cytokines and heart failure.

Methods

We conducted our study using the bidirectional Mendelian randomization approach. Data on 91 inflammatory factors were sourced from large-scale public genome-wide association study databases, while heart failure data were obtained from the FINNGEN database. The relationships between inflammatory factors and heart failure were evaluated using five methods: MR-Egger regression model, Inverse Variance Weighted method, Simple mode model, Weighted mode model, and Weighted median. Results were subjected to FDR multiple testing correction, and significant findings were discussed in detail. To enhance the robustness of our findings, various sensitivity analyses were conducted, including MR Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO and Cochran Q test.

Results

Our forward Mendelian randomization study indicated that, of the 91 inflammatory factors examined, seven showed a causal relationship with heart failure. Four of these factors were significantly causally related to the incidence of heart failure: CXCL9 and IFN-γ as promotive factors, and LIFR and UPA as potential protective factors. Three inflammatory factors had a potential causal relationship with heart failure, with DNER as a potential protective factor, and MMP-1 and CD6 as potential promotive factors. Reverse Mendelian randomization suggested that the onset of heart failure might potentially influence the levels of four inflammatory factors, with ARTN and FGF5 decreasing after the onset of heart failure, and SLAM and MMP-10 increasing. Additionally, reliability tests of this Mendelian randomization, including MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO tests, revealed no evidence of pleiotropy, and Cochran's Q test also confirmed the reliability of our results.

Conclusion

We identified CXCL9, IFN-γ, LIFR, and UPA as potential inflammatory factors associated with heart failure through forward Mendelian randomization. These findings suggest potential targets but require further validation.
The causal relationship between 233 metabolites and coronary atherosclerosis: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Zheng Xiaoyu , Yan Zian , Guo Lijun , Zheng Yuan , Zhang Dawu , Ma Xiaochang
Published: December 2024

Objective

To investigate the causal relationship between 233 newly reported metabolites and coronary atherosclerosis through Mendelian randomization analysis.

Methods

Five different methods were used to perform Mendelian randomization analysis on the 233 metabolites and coronary atherosclerosis, with inverse variance weighting as the primary result, supplemented by other methods.

Results

The analysis identified that certain metabolites increase the susceptibility risk of coronary atherosclerosis, including: Total fatty acids (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.28–1.53, P < 0.001), Saturated fatty acids (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.30–1.60, P < 0.001), Serum total triglyceride levels (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.22–1.46, P < 0.001), Conjugated linoleic acid (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.04–1.30, P = 0.007). Conversely, certain metabolites were found to reduce the occurrence of coronary atherosclerosis, such as: Cholesteryl esters to total lipids ratio in medium HDL (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.67–0.78, P < 0.001), Cholesteryl esters to total lipids ratio in large HDL (OR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.58–0.71, P < 0.001), Total cholesterol to total lipids ratio in medium HDL (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.65–0.77, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

There is a close relationship between metabolites and the occurrence of coronary atherosclerosis. This study conducted Mendelian randomization analysis on the causal relationship between 233 metabolites and coronary atherosclerosis, providing potential new insights for the treatment of this disease.
Spatio-temporal variation in snow cover area and its fragmentation in Northeast China
Authors: Gu Jiakai , Ma Yanmin , Zhang Lijuan , Huang Yutao , Zhang Wenshuai , Zhang Fan , Liu Jie , Li Chunyang
Published: December 2024

Under the backdrop of climate warming and changes in snow cover area, the spatial fragmentation characteristics of snow cover need to be studied in depth. In this study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal change patterns of the snow cover area and explored the changing characteristics of its spatial fragmentation in Northeast China from 1980 to 2019 using the “China AVHRR Daily Cloudless 5 km Snow Area Product Dataset.” The findings indicate that the mean stable snow cover area in Northeast China from 1980 to 2019 was 79.41 × 104 km2 (±14.47 × 104 km2), with no significant changes observed since the 1980s. However, compared to the 1980s, mountainous areas such as the Changbai Mountain and Lesser Khingan Mountain regions were identified as the main areas of snow cover recession. The mean patch size (MPS), largest pach index (LPI) and patch size coefficient of variation (PSCV) for spatial fragmentation from 1980 to 2019 showed the following rates of change of −1.06 × 104 km2/10 a (p < 0.05), −1.04%/10 a (p > 0.05), and 71.6%/10 a (p < 0.05), respectively. The spatial continuity of snow fragmentation in Northeast China has significantly increased, with fragmentation showing significant growth. From 2010 to 2019, the spatial fragmentation of snow cover in Northeast China increased by 50% compared to the 1980–1989 period. This paper suggests that the increase in temperature is the major factor leading to the fragmentation of snow cover. The main contribution of this paper is the analysis of the change characteristics of the spatial fragmentation in regional snow cover.
Influences of the geogrid-reinforced soil platform on the performance of pile-supported embankment
Authors: Zhao Zhihui , Zheng Leiming
Published: December 2024

Geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments have seen widespread adoption worldwide in recent years due to their cost-effectiveness and construction efficiency. In this system, the conventional pile cap is replaced by the geogrid-reinforced soil platform (GRSP), which enhances horizontal load transfer to stabilize the embankment. This study investigates the influences of GRSP on the behavior of pile-supported embankments through field testing and numerical computation. The measured results of field testing indicate that a well-compacted GRSP reduces the lateral displacement of the embankment and changes the development of pressures acting on pile and soil. Numerical analysis demonstrates that both soil arching and tensioned membrane effects effectively transfer loads from the soil to the piles, with the tensioned membrane effect typically being more prominent. The characteristics of the GRSP have a significant impact on both effects, with elastic modulus, tensile stiffness, and friction angle being the three most crucial parameters for reducing embankment settlement.
Analyzing teachers’ competencies in career guidance: a systematic review
Authors: Joho Corinne , Mok Sog Yee , Hoffelner Christine , Düggeli Albert
Published: December 2024

While it is recognized that teachers play a vital role in supporting students in the career-planning process, their competencies in school-based career guidance remain underexplored. Understanding these competencies is important for enhancing the effectiveness of the career guidance provided by teachers. The aim of this systematic review was to collate the empirical evidence regarding teachers’ competencies in career guidance, to situate these findings within the context of a professional-competence model, and to identify significant gaps in the research. We conducted a systematic literature search in six different databases, targeting studies that focused on secondary-school teachers involved in career guidance. From an initial pool of 4,768 studies, 31 remained for a further analysis after we double coded 15 percent of the studies. This study shows that while secondary-school teachers generally hold positive attitudes toward career guidance in schools, they recognize shortcomings in their own knowledge and skill sets and express a need for further training. In contrast to teachers’ knowledge and attitudes, other aspects of professional competence, such as motivational orientations and self-regulation skills, received less attention in the analyzed papers. Finally, this review highlights a notable lack of theoretical modeling regarding teachers’ competencies in career guidance.
Challenges posed to leadership: systematic review based on the relationships between curricular autonomy and teachers’ well-being
Authors: Lima Louise , de Oliveira Martins Alcina , Estrela Elsa , Duarte Rosa Serradas
Published: December 2024

Introduction

This study is part of a cross-cutting and interdisciplinary funded research project involving researchers from different areas - education, sociology and psychology, which aims to contribute to deepening existing knowledge about the relationship between autonomy and curricular flexibility and teacher involvement and well-being. The study presented in this article is justified by the gap found in a Systematic Literature Review carried out in the context of the aforementioned research project. This research aims to understand the challenges posed to leadership based on the relationship between Portuguese educational policies within the scope of Autonomy and Curricular Flexibility developed since 2016 and teacher well-being. To this end, the research is based on the following question: What challenges do leaders face in promoting a school culture in a context of innovation and inclusion?

Methods

This article focuses on a systematic review of reports, recommendations, opinions and independent studies produced in the context of the development of autonomy and curricular flexibility policies in Portugal, published between 2015 and 2023. The selection of documents took into account the websites of the Ministry of Education in Portugal, the National Education Council, all the Teachers’ Unions in Portugal and Transnational Organizations.

Results

The results show that leadership practices based on a collaborative approach and policies that favor teacher autonomy were associated with improved teacher well-being and the development of inclusive pedagogical practices. However, bureaucratization and work overload continue to be significant challenges in teachers’ daily lives. It was also found that the practices of pedagogical leaders can promote innovation and inclusion, requiring continuous institutional support.

Discussion

The results point to the fact that fostering an inclusive and innovative school culture requires leaders to adopt policies that value teacher well-being and promote opportunities for ongoing training. These results are in line with previous research that also points to the importance of a collaborative and supportive environment. The study is a starting point for further research into the relationship between curricular autonomy and teacher well-being.
Mapping the current status and outlook of research on noonan syndrome over the last 26 years: a bibliometric and visual analysis
Authors: Cui Zhengjiu , Wang Yuanyuan , Luo Fei , Diao Juanjuan , Yuan Bin
Published: December 2024

Background

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a rare group of autosomal genetic disorders. In recent years, with the exploration and development of molecular diagnostic techniques, more and more researchers have begun to pay attention to NS. However, there is still a lack of reports on the bibliometric analysis of NS worldwide. This study aims to assess the current research status and development trend of NS, to explore the research hotspots and emerging topics, and to point out the direction for future scientific research.

Methods

Web of Science Core Collection was selected as the search database for bibliometric analysis of NS-related publications from 1998 to 2023. Statistical and visual analysis of the number of publications, countries, institutions, authors, journals, keywords, and references were analyzed using Citespace, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, and BibliometrixR.

Results

A total of 2041 articles were included in this study. The United States had the highest number of publications, and Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Italy, was the institution with the highest number of publications. TARTAGLIA M was the scientist with the highest number of publications and citations. Among the journals, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART A has the highest output, and Nature Genetics is the most frequently cited. The reference with the highest outburst intensity is Roberts AE, LANCET, 2013. the cluster diagram divides all the keywords into seven categories, with the most vigorous outburst being “of function mutations.”

Conclusion

Research hotspots in the field of NS focus on the correspondence between NS genotype and phenotype and the precise diagnosis of NS. Future research efforts will explore more deeply from the perspective of long-term intervention strategies for NS. There is an urgent need to rely on significant research countries, institutions, journals, and authors to lead the construction of a more robust global collaborative network that will enhance research efficacy.
The significance of long chain non-coding RNA signature genes in the diagnosis and management of sepsis patients, and the development of a prediction model
Authors: Bai Yong , Gao Jing , Yan Yuwen , Zhao Xu
Published: December 2024

Background

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction condition produced by dysregulation of the host response to infection. It is now characterized by a high clinical morbidity and mortality rate, endangering patients’ lives and health. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of Long chain non-coding RNA (LncRNA) RP3_508I15.21, RP11_295G20.2, and LDLRAD4_AS1 in the diagnosis of adult sepsis patients and to develop a Nomogram prediction model.

Methods

We screened adult sepsis microarray datasets GSE57065 and GSE95233 from the GEO database and performed differentially expressed genes (DEGs), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and machine learning methods to find the genes by random forest (Random Forest), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and support vector machine (SVM), respectively, with GSE95233 as the training set and GSE57065 as the validation set. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), boxplot statistical analysis, and ROC analysis by Random Forest, Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) machine learning methods were used to identify characteristic genes and build the Nomogram Prediction model.

Results

GSE95233 yielded a total of 1069 genes, 102 of which were sepsis-related and 22 of which were non-sepsis controls. GSE57065 yielded a total of 899 genes, with 467 up-regulated and 432 down-regulated, including 82 sepsis-related genes and 25 non-sepsis control genes. WGCNA analysis excluded outlier samples, leaving 2,029 genes for relationship analysis between sepsis- and non-sepsis patient-associated LncRNA network representation modules, as well as Wein plots of differential genes versus genes in key modules of weighted co-expression network analysis to analyze gene intersections. Machine Learning found the sepsis-related characteristic LncRNAs RP3-508I15.21, RP11-295G20.2, LDLRAD4-AS1, and CTD-2542L18.1. The datasets GSE95233 and GSE57065 were analyzed using Boxplot against the screened genes listed above, respectively. The p-value between the sepsis and non-sepsis groups was less than 0.05, indicating that anomalies were statistically significant. CTD-2542L18.1 in dataset GSE57065 had an AUC value of 0.638, which was less than 0.7 and did not indicate diagnostic significance, but RP3-508I15.21, RP11-295G20.2, and LDLRAD4-AS1 had AUC values more than 0.7 after ROC analysis. All four sepsis-associated LncRNA ROC analyses in dataset GSE95233 exhibited AUC values more than 0.7, indicating diagnostic significance.

Conclusion

LncRNAs RP3_508I15.21, RP11_295G20.2, and LDLRAD4_AS1 have some utility in the diagnosis and treatment of adult sepsis patients, as well as some reference importance in guiding the diagnosis and treatment of clinical sepsis.
m6A methylation profiling as a prognostic marker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: insights from MeRIP-Seq and RNA-Seq
Authors: Chen Xiaochuan , Xu Wenqian , Pan Junping , Yang Hanxuan , Li Yi , Chen Xin , Sun Yingming , Liu Qinying , Qiu Sufang
Published: December 2024

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of malignant tumors commonly found in Southeast Asia and China, with insidious onset and clinical symptoms. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification significantly contributes to tumorigenesis and progression by altering RNA secondary structure and influencing RNA-protein binding at the transcriptome level. However, the mechanism and role of abnormal m6A modification in nasopharyngeal carcinoma remain unclear.

Methods

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma tissues from 3 patients and non-cancerous nasopharyngeal tissues from 3 individuals, all from Fujian Cancer Hospital, were sequenced for m6A methylation. These were combined with transcriptome sequencing data from 192 nasopharyngeal cancer tissues. Genes linked to prognosis were discovered using differential analysis and univariate Cox regression. Subsequently, a prognostic model associated with m6A was developed through the application of LASSO regression analysis. The model’s accuracy was verified using both internal transcriptome databases and external databases. An extensive evaluation of the tumor’s immune microenvironment and signaling pathways was performed, analyzing both transcriptomic and single-cell data.

Results

The m6A methylation sequencing analysis revealed 194 genes with varying expression levels, many of which are predominantly associated with immune pathways. By integrating transcriptome sequencing data, 19 m6A-modified genes were found to be upregulated in tumor tissues, leading to the development of a three-gene (EME1, WNT4, SHISA2) risk prognosis model. The group with lower risk exhibited notable enrichment in pathways related to immunity, displaying traits like enhanced survival rates, stronger immune profiles, and increased responsiveness to immunotherapy when compared to the higher-risk group. Single-cell analysis revealed that malignant cells exhibited the highest risk score levels compared to immune cells, with a high-risk score indicating worse biological behavior. The three hub genes demonstrated significant correlation with m6A modification regulators, and MeRIP-RT-PCR confirmed the occurrence of m6A methylation in these genes within nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Conclusions

A prognostic model for nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk based on m6A modification genes was developed, and its prognostic value was confirmed through self-assessment data. The study highlighted the crucial impact of m6A modification on the immune landscape of nasopharyngeal cancer.
The potential of cellular homing behavior in tumor immunotherapy: from basic discoveries to clinical applications of immune, mesenchymal stem, and cancer cell homing
Authors: Li Dongtao , Yang Yixuan , Zheng Guangda , Meng Linghan , Shang Lu , Ren Juanxia , Wang Lingyun , Bao Yanju
Published: December 2024

The efficacy of immunotherapy, a pivotal approach in the arsenal of cancer treatment strategies, is contingent on the capacity of effector cells to localize at the tumor site. The navigational capacity of these cells is intricately linked to the homing behaviors of specific cell types. Recent studies have focused on leveraging immune cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) homing for targeted tumor therapy and incorporating cancer cell homing properties into anti-tumor strategies. However, research and development of immunotherapy based on cancer cell homing remain in their preliminary stages. Enhancing the homing efficiency of effector cells is essential; therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms and addressing immune resistance within the tumor microenvironment and challenges associated with in vivo therapeutic agent delivery are essential. This review firstly delineates the discovery and clinical translation of the three principal cell-homing behaviors. Secondly, we endeavor to conduct an in-depth analysis of existing research on the homing of immune and stem cells in cancer therapy, with the aim of identifying and understanding of the common applications, potential benefits, barriers, and critical success factors of cellular homing therapies. Finally, based on the understanding of the key factors of cellular homing therapies, we provide an overview and outlook on the enormous potential of harnessing cancer cells’ self-homing to treat tumors. Although immunotherapy based on cell-homing behavior warrants further research, it remains a highly competitive treatment modality that can be combined with existing classic anti-cancer therapies. In general, combining the homing properties of cells to optimize their clinical effects is also one of the future research directions in the field of cell transplantation.
The association between sex hormones and prevalence of OA in US adults
Authors: Tian Xiaoyuan , Zhang Bocheng
Published: December 2024

Background

Age and gender are commonly recognized as risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA), implying a potential association between sex hormones and OA pathogenesis. However, the precise role of sex hormones in OA remains elusive. Meanwhile, testosterone to estradiol (TT/E2) ratio is a new biomarker of sex hormone milieu. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between sex hormones, specifically TT/E2 ratio, and the prevalence of OA among adults in the United States.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional study, and the data sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2016 cycles. This study primarily focuses on individuals aged 50 and above, employing multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between sex hormones and OA.

Results

We included 2,615 participants (972 females). No significant association was observed between testosterone or estradiol levels and OA prevalence when analyzed separately. However, the TT/E2 ratio exhibited a robust inverse association with OA, particularly in females (adjusted OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41–0.91, p = 0.02). A nonlinear relationship was observed in females, with a threshold effect indicating reduced OA risk when the TT/E2 ratio exceeded 0.3.

Conclusion

The TT/E2 ratio was inversely associated with OA risk, with a stronger and more consistent effect observed in females. These findings suggest the TT/E2 ratio as a potential biomarker for OA risk stratification, particularly in postmenopausal females. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the causal role of the TT/E2 ratio in OA.
Renal health benefits and therapeutic effects of parsley (Petroselinum crispum): a review
Authors: Alobaidi Sami
Published: December 2024

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) has been used in traditional medicine for its diverse health benefits, and recent research highlights its potential in promoting renal health due to its bioactive compounds. This review focuses on evaluating the renal health benefits and therapeutic effects of parsley, addressing the growing interest in natural interventions for kidney-related conditions. It aims to consolidate existing evidence while identifying research gaps to support parsley’s integration into renal health management. A systematic review of scientific databases was conducted, identifying relevant studies on parsley’s biochemical properties, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, and essential oils, which contribute to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and nephroprotective effects. Animal studies demonstrated reductions in oxidative stress, improvements in metabolic biomarkers, and enhanced renal function, while limited human studies revealed modest improvements in urinary composition and renal health markers. However, parsley’s safety profile, particularly at high doses, requires further investigation, including potential herb-drug interactions and safety during pregnancy. This review highlights parsley’s therapeutic potential as a natural agent for renal health and underscores the need for robust clinical trials, long-term safety evaluations, and standardized methodologies to validate its clinical significance.
Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease in structural and functional MRI
Authors: Maity Rudrani , Raja Sankari Vellupillai Mariappan , Snekhalatha Umapathy , Velu Shubashini , Alahmadi Tahani Jaser , Alhababi Zaid Ali , Alkahtani Hend Khalid
Published: December 2024

Objectives

To implement state-of-the-art deep learning architectures such as Deep-Residual-U-Net and DeepLabV3+ for precise segmentation of hippocampus and ventricles, in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Integrate VGG-16 with Random Forest (VGG-16-RF) and VGG-16 with Support Vector Machine (VGG-16-SVM) to enhance the binary classification accuracy of Alzheimer’s disease, comparing their performance against traditional classifiers.

Method

OpenNeuro and Harvard’s Data verse provides Alzheimer’s coronal functional MRI data. Ventricles and hippocampus are segmented using a Deep-Residual-UNet and Deep labV3+ system. The functional features were extracted from each segmented component and classified using SVM, Adaboost, Logistic regression, and VGG 16, DenseNet-169, VGG-16-RF, and VGG-16-SVM classifier.

Results

This research proposes a precise and efficient deep-learning architecture like DeepLab V3+ and Deep Residual U-NET for hippocampus and ventricle segmentation in detection of AD. DeepLab V3+ has produced a good segmentation accuracy of 94.62% with Jaccard co-efficient of 85.5% and dice co-efficient of 84.75%. Among the three ML classifiers used, SVM has provided a good accuracy of 93%. Among some DL techniques, VGG-16-RF classifier has given better accuracy of 96.87%.

Conclusion

The novelty of this work lies in the seamless integration of advanced segmentation techniques with hybrid classifiers, offering a robust and scalable framework for early AD detection. The proposed study demonstrates a significant advancement in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease by integrating state-of-the-art deep learning models and comprehensive functional connectivity analysis. This early detection capability is crucial for timely intervention and better management of the disease in neurodegenerative disorder diagnostics.
Endophytic fungi: nature’s solution for antimicrobial resistance and sustainable agriculture
Authors: Nazir Asiya , Puthuveettil Abdul R. , Hussain Fathima Hasnain Nadeem , Hamed Khalid E. , Munawar Nayla
Published: December 2024

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has underlined the need for a sustained supply of novel antimicrobial agents. Endophyte microorganism that reside within plant tissues as symbionts have been the source of potential antimicrobial substances. However, many novel and potent antimicrobials are yet to be discovered from these endophytes. The present study investigates the potential of endophytic fungi as a source of novel bioactive chemicals with antibacterial capabilities. These fungi synthesize secondary metabolites such as polyketides and peptides via polyketide synthase (PKS) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) pathways. Notable substances, like prenylated indole alkaloids and fumaric acid, have shown promising antibacterial and antifungal properties against multidrug-resistant infectious agents. This review also emphasizes the symbiotic link between endophytes and their host plants, which is critical for secondary metabolite production. The study focuses on the significance of isolation methods for endophytes and proposes their use in for sustainable agriculture, bioremediation, and medicine. Future research combining endophytic biodiversity analysis with next-generation sequencing (NGS) and nanotechnology could provide novel techniques for combating AMR and contributing to sustainability across multiple industries.