bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perspectives of stakeholders of the deworming program in rural Rwanda
Authors: Rwamwejo Fernand , Ndatinya Grace Iliza , Mkata Madalitso Ireen , Blauman Amy , Regnier Denis , Lackner Sarah Cruz
Published: August 2023

Background

Worm infections are among the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases worldwide. Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths infections, most common worm infections affecting Rwandan school-aged children, are addressed by the national deworming program since 2014. To date, no published studies have assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the key implementers of the national deworming program conducted at village and school level in Rwanda. This study aimed to assess key stakeholders’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perspectives about the decentralized national deworming program.

Methods/Principal findings

We carried out a quantitative, cross-sectional study with complementary in-depth interviews in two districts of Rwanda in June 2021. From the 852 surveyed community health workers and teachers, 54.1% had a knowledge score considered good (≥80%). The mean knowledge score was 78.04%. From the multivariate analysis, lack of training was shown to increase the odds of having poor knowledge (OR 0.487, 95% CI: 0.328–0.722, p <0.001). The in-depths interviews revealed poor water access and hesitance from caregivers as perceived challenges to the success of the deworming program.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate the importance of training community health workers and schoolteachers on worm infections as they are the key implementers of the deworming program. This would enhance their capacity to provide health education and sensitization on misconceptions and misinformation towards deworming. Moreover, research is needed to assess the impact of poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities on the prevalence of worm infections in Rwanda.
Integrated brain and plasma dual-channel metabolomics to explore the treatment effects of Alpinia oxyphyllaFructus on Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Sun Zhi , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Mengya , Zhou Shengnan , Cheng Wenbo , Xue Lianping , Zhou Peipei , Li Xiaojing , Zhang Zhibo , Zuo Lihua
Published: August 2023

Alpinia oxyphyllaFructus, called Yizhi in Chinese, is the dried fruit of Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat dementia and memory defects of Alzheimer’s disease for many years. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we used a rat Alzheimer’s disease model on intrahippocampal injection of aggregated Aβ1–42to study the effects ofAlpinia oxyphyllaFructus. A brain and plasma dual-channel metabolomics approach combined with multivariate statistical analysis was further performed to determine the effects ofAlpinia oxyphyllaFructus on Alzheimer’s disease animals. As a result, in the Morris water maze test,Alpinia oxyphyllaFructus had a clear ability to ameliorate the impaired learning and memory of Alzheimer’s disease rats. 11 differential biomarkers were detected in AD rats’ brains. The compounds mainly included amino acids and phospholipids; afterAlpinia oxyphyllaFructus administration, 9 regulated biomarkers were detected compared with the AD model group. In the plasma of AD rats, 29 differential biomarkers, primarily amino acids, phospholipids and fatty acids, were identified; After administration, 23 regulated biomarkers were detected. The metabolic pathways of regulated metabolites suggest thatAlpinia oxyphyllaFructus ameliorates memory and learning deficits in AD rats principally by regulating amino acid metabolism, lipids metabolism, and energy metabolism. In conclusion, our results confirm and enhance our current understanding of the therapeutic effects ofAlpinia oxyphyllaFructus on Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, our work provides new insight into the potential intervention mechanism ofAlpinia oxyphyllaFructus for Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
Genome-wide analysis highlights genetic admixture in exotic germplasm resources of Eucalyptus and unexpected ancestral genomic composition of interspecific hybrids
Authors: de Oliveira Danyllo Amaral , da Silva Paulo Henrique Muller , Novaes Evandro , Grattapaglia Dario
Published: August 2023

Eucalyptus is an economically important genus comprising more than 890 species in different subgenera and sections. Approximately twenty species of subgenus Symphyomyrtus account for 95% of the world’s planted eucalypts. Discrimination of closely related eucalypt taxa is challenging, consistent with their recent phylogenetic divergence and occasional hybridization in nature. Admixture, misclassification or mislabeling of Eucalyptus germplasm resources maintained as exotics have been suggested, although no reports are available. Moreover, hybrids with increased productivity and traits complementarity are planted worldwide, but little is known about their actual genomic ancestry. In this study we examined a set of 440 trees of 16 different Eucalyptus species and 44 interspecific hybrids of multi-species origin conserved in germplasm banks in Brazil. We used genome-wide SNP data to evaluate the agreement between the alleged phylogenetic classification of species and provenances as registered in their historical records, and their observed genetic clustering derived from SNP data. Genetic structure analyses correctly assigned each of the 16 species to a different cluster although the PCA positioning of E. longirostrata was inconsistent with its current taxonomy. Admixture was present for closely related species’ materials derived from local germplasm banks, indicating unintended hybridization following germplasm introduction. Provenances could be discriminated for some species, indicating that SNP-based discrimination was directly proportional to geographical distance, consistent with an isolation-by-distance model. SNP-based genomic ancestry analysis showed that the majority of the hybrids displayed realized genomic composition deviating from the expected ones based on their pedigree records, consistent with admixture in their parents and pervasive genome-wide directional selection toward the fast-growing E. grandis genome. SNP data in support of tree breeding provide precise germplasm identity verification, and allow breeders to objectively recognize the actual ancestral origin of superior hybrids to more realistically guide the program toward the development of the desired genetic combinations.
Innovative teaching learning process (case-based learning, seminar and team-based learning) and performance of the students in obstetrics and gynecology clerkship
Authors: Miskeen Elhadi
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Case-based learning (CBL), seminar (SM), and team-based learning (TBL) are a modality of teaching at the University of Bisha college of Medicine (UBCOM). This research aims to ensure that the innovative teaching methods adopted in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) clerkship are organized and formulated for the desired performance in the final examination.

Methods:

This study is a desk review considering the OBGYN clerkship course conducted in UBCOM for the first time in the college for 16 students—the course application by different innovative teaching methods. T-Test One-Sample Statistics statistically calculated the association between continuous CBL, TBL, and SM assessment with the final student performance.

Results and discussion:

The teaching-learning process in SM is significantly associated with the student's final performance in SM. 95% CI of difference was between 73.47 to 79.07. Std. Statistically, it is significant with a value (0.000). Regarding the CBL as a teaching, the learning process is significantly associated with the student's final performance—95% CI of difference between 77.58 to 84.7. Statistically, significant with a value of 0.000. The teaching-learning process is significantly associated with the student's final performance in TBL. The 95% CI of difference was between 81.3293 to 90.4520. Statistically, significant with a value of 0.000.

Conclusion:

The modalities of the teaching process in UBCOM (SM, CBL, TBL) are all significantly associated with the student's final performance. Hence, the teaching and learning process is well organized and formulated for the desired version of the students enrolled in UBCOM
Production of tomato cultivated in different nutritive solutions
Authors: Turchiello Marcos Antônio , Lúcio Alessandro Dal'Col , Godoi Rodrigo , Ribeiro Ana Lúcia de Paula , Fontana André
Published: August 2023

The objective this paper is determine the highest performance of fresh mass and number of fruits in tomato crops using different nutrient solution. An absolute hybrid with a semi-determined growth was used. It was grown in a protected environment using a fertigated substrate inside plastic bags containing ten liters of solution. The experiment was completely randomized with four levels of fertilization and five replications. Two experiments were carried out in two cultivation cycles (spring 2018 and autumn 2019) by performing an analysis of variance and Scott & Knott test and estimating the parameters of nonlinear logistic model and its critical points for both variables in each treatment. The mean fruit mass per plant was 3.70 kg for the spring experiment and 3.80 kg for the autumn experiment. The mean number of fruits per plant was 10.50 and 10.70 fruits for spring and autumn, respectively. There are significant differences between the treatments KO46, KO45 and KO56 compared to KO69 for fruit mass in the autumn experiment. For the other variables and cultivation cycles, the treatments did not show statistical differences. The logistic growth model fitted the weight and number of tomato fruits according to days after transplanting the seedlings and evidenced production cycle data, highlighting the main differences between the nutrient solutions. The nutritional solutions KO46, KO45 and KO56 are recommended for growing Gaúcho tomatoes in substrate. The nutrient solution KO56 has the best performance because it has a higher K availability, meets the balance of loads and antagonism between nutrients, provides equal response of means mass and number of fruits, and has a lower N:K ratio and balance of K over Ca and Mg, thus favoring fruit production, precocity, and development.
Shading and controlled-release fertilizer in the production of Oenocarpus bataua Mart. Seedlings
Authors: Araújo James Maciel de , Rodrigues Maria Júlia da Silva , Capistrano Márcia da Costa , Andrade Neto Romeu de Carvalho , Mattar Eduardo Pacca Luna , Lunz Aureny Maria Pereira
Published: August 2023

When associated an adequate shading and nutrition the seedlings to reach characteristics that allow them tosurvive in the field and increase production. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the production of Oenocarpusbataua seedlings in response to different shade environments and controlled-release fertilizer doses. Thestudy was carried out from at the Embrapa nursery located in the municipality of Rio Branco, Acre state. Theexperimental design was complete randomized blocks with three replications and six plants per plot. Thetreatments were distributed according to a 4 x 5 factorial scheme, i.e., four shade environments (20%, 30%, 50%and 75%) and five CRF doses (0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 kg m–3) mixed with the substrate. Biometric, biomass andquality variables were evaluated at 305 days after transplanting. The ANOVA was applied for the qualitativefactor and regression analysis was performed for the quantitative factor, both at 5% probability. The treatmentswere grouped by analyzing canonical variables, a multivariate statistical and realized the Pearson’s correlationbetween variables was determined through correlation networks. The shading environment and the controlledreleasefertilizer positively influenced the growth and quality of Oenocarpus bataua seedlings. The seedlings ofOenocarpus bataua have better biometric characteristics produced in a nursery with 50% shading. Oenocarpusbataua seedlings show better quality when 3.88 kg m-3 of controlled release fertilizer are used.
Tipo de semeadura e controle de plantas espontâneas no cultivo orgânico de cenoura
Authors: Pinto Geazí Penha , Ferreira Regina Lúcia Felix , Araújo Neto Sebastião Elviro de , Souza Luís Gustavo de Souza e , Uchôa Thays Lemos , Machado Lucas , Silva Nilciléia Mendes da
Published: August 2023

A interferência de plantas espontâneas é um grande problema na olericultura, sendo necessárias técnicas viáveis para controle. Assim o objetivo deste trabalho avaliar o uso de coberturas de solo e tipos de semeadura na produtividade de cenoura orgânica. O experimento foi realizado no Acre, entre julho e setembro de 2018, utilizando-se a cultivar Brasília Irecê. Instalado no delineamento em blocos casualizados, em parcelas subdivididas 4 x 3, com quatro métodos de controle de plantas espontâneas: solo nu; cobertura morta vegetal; cobertura plástica “mulching” e solarização; e três tipos de semeadura: semeadura direta, semeadura indireta e sementes pré-germinadas. As avaliações foram realizadas aos 81 dias. A maior produtividade comercial orgânica foi obtida em solo com cobertura plástica mulching, em semeadura direta (44,87 t ha-1) e pré-germinada (44,39 t ha-1). Enquanto a solarização e a cobertura morta vegetal foram eficientes na produtividade comercial convencional. A supressão de plantas espontânea foi maior em solo protegido com cobertura, morta vegetal e plástica “mulching”. O uso de cobertura plástica “mulching”, aliada à semeadura direta e pré-germinada, eleva a produtividade de cenoura orgânica.
Framing teacher identity in an era of accountability: Media and teachers’ narratives in Chile
Authors: Cabalin Cristian , Andrada Pablo
Published: August 2023

This article presents the main results of a research project that aims to analyze teachers’ perceptions of media discourses and how those discourses influence their teacher identity. Based on focus groups with teachers from public, charter, and private schools in the Metropolitan Region of Chile, this study shows that teachers’ identities are results of their experiences, the audit culture context, and media discourses. However, in order to combat negative media discourse representations, teachers need to re-frame the conversation by becoming aware of media discourses and creating counternarratives to reposition themselves in society.
Preservice teacher professional identity: Influence of the teacher educator and the teacher education model
Authors: Cuadra-Martínez David , Castro-Carrasco Pablo , Oyanadel-Véliz Cristián , González-Palta Ingrid , Živković Predrag , Sandoval-Díaz José , Pérez-Zapata Daniel
Published: August 2023

The objective of this study is to estimate the association between the following variables: teacher professional identity, the teacher education model adopted, the type of teacher educator, and academic progression of teacher education students. A purposive and convenience sampling process was used to recruit 662 preservice teachers attending teacher education programs at three Chilean universities. A sociodemographic survey and teacher professional identity scale were administered to these preservice students. Data were analysed using Spearman correlation, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regression. Results how different types of teacher educator profiles and teacher education models positively correlate with professional identity; furthermore, levels of professional identity were found to differ in connection with students’ level (year) within their teacher education program. It was also found that the profile of teacher trainers, who are also schoolteachers, and the critical-intellectual educational model are predictors of teacher professional identity. In the discussion, these results are analysed based on the literature.
Notas analíticas sobre el concepto de posición docente
Authors: Southwell Myriam
Published: August 2023

En los recorridos realizados en torno a la investigación ha surgido una pregunta recurrente sobre cuáles son las condiciones de posibilidad de un trabajo comprometido y democratizador del vínculo educacional. Así, he venido desarrollando el concepto de posición docente, en relación a la productividad de las diferentes acciones docentes desarrolladas en el marco de la interpelación de diversos discursos sociales y educativos. El artículo parte de retomar valiosas indagaciones sobre las regulaciones del trabajo docente en los estudios de pedagogía, historia, política y sociología de la educación en los últimos años. También busca incorporar otras dimensiones para seguir aproximándonos a esa pregunta—siempre abierta— sobre ¿qué produce esa implicación—o la falta de ella—de las y los docentes en el trabajo de habilitar, acompañar y sostener la formación? Quisiera ofrecer aquí un recorrido específicamente teórico que busca aproximar una respuesta complementaria referida a cómo las acciones docentes se encuentran enmarcadas en discursos sociales y educativos que habilitan unas y otras tomas de posición.
Jerusalem Rock: The Myth of Existence and The Universal Discourse
Authors: Yacoub Jalila
Published: August 2023

This research paper is concerned with the myth, in what is circulated of creation news and the longing for immortality. The person tries to deny the impotence by entering into the world of reason and the desire for knowledge or by restricting his presence in the temples. These meanings are the backgrounds of writing myths in literature for realistic knowledge and truth in relation to the place, its steadfastness as symbol of existence and continuity. If the myth is part of a person's confusion about death then it remains one of the reasons for resurrection and inspiration for knowledge through fortune-telling and the mediators of the unseen worlds in the world of matter. It is the case of the "Rock of Jerusalem" novel in the literary genre as established by the Palestinian writer Marwan al-Allan; multiple voices are in narration announcing the promised return, which limits the concept of time and its three dimensions, so they become shadows in faith or mother, God and the Holy Spirit? The concept of triangulation has an axis, which is the sacred rock. Anxiety is one of the mirrors of history, wars of survival in the biography of “Salem”, the axis or the deviation to the centrality of civilization in the landmark when nature is transformed into culture or the vision in the fortune-telling becomes a reality seen as a will of gods, glory of the knowers, or a response to the distinction of the Ego and its supremacy in action and existence.
The Influence of Social Media on Developing English Reading Skills of Saudi Universities Students
Authors: Al-Mukhallafi Turki Rabah
Published: August 2023

Social media has definitely become an integral part of our lives especially among university students. This technology has a wide impressive effect on how people learn and communicate with each other. However, the application of social media to learning especially for English department Saudi university students, is not fully explored. Therefore, the current study aims at mapping whether social media affects students’ reading competence positively or negatively. The study also seeks to find out if there are any significant differences in the students’ competence in reading as a result of using social media with NBU students due to gender, social media, reading skills and geographical distribution. The current study used quantitative methods using a survey instrument to gather descriptive data regarding the perceptions of (n=900) randomly chosen Saudi university students. Questionnaires with Likert scale questions were used in the study. The questionnaire was divided into two main parts. The first part began with two general questions about the number of years by which social media was used to perform general tasks and to perform specific English tasks. The second part was concerned with attitudes towards using social media, impact that social media has on reading competence. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to obtain accurate results. Analysis of the collected data showed that the majority of the participants believed strongly in the pedagogical values and benefits of using social media as an ELT tool in their classrooms especially in improving reading skills. The findings also indicate that social networking websites and applications (e.g.Facebook, Youtube , Twitter, Skype) have a positive impact on learning English as a foreign language.
Contextual Considerations for Communicative Language Teaching Adoption: A Case Study of China
Authors: Alharbi Samar
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a summary of the main argument raised by Liao (2004) regarding the adoption of communicative language teaching (CLT) in the Chinese context. The author discusses the critical argument made by other researchers regarding CLT and emphasises the significance of considering the teaching context. The conclusion section of the research article is also summarized, highlighting the challenges associated with implementing CLT in China and the proposed solutions. The paper suggests that CLT, being a Western approach, may not be suitable for adoption in China due to the lack of contextual consideration. It further examines the difficulties faced by teachers in conducting a needs analysis and implementing the proposed context approach. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for further research and training to improve CLT practices in Chinese classrooms and raises broader questions about the applicability of these solutions in other teaching contexts, such as Saudi Arabia. The research paper addresses important issues related to CLT adoption as an education policy decision and offers potential insights for improving language teaching practices.
Student Affairs Professionals’ Perspectives on Leading Student Development in the 21st Century University: An Inquiry Driven Exploration
Authors: Holmes Barbara , Parker DeJuanna , Holmes Courtney
Published: August 2023

As higher education prepares to respond to post-pandemic university student challenges, the role of student affairs professionals becomes more critical. Student affairs professionals undergird the student experience from admission to graduation and must be prepared to address the new needs of enrolled students. The researchers used paticipatory action research methods to collect and analyze narrative data. The following themes emerged from the study: 1) The Value of Professional Development , 2) Importance of Inter-departmental Relationships, 3) Relevance of Shared Vision and Goals, 4) Enhancement of the Student Experience through Impassioned Action, and 5) Leadership Growth through Informed Reflection.
Information-Theoretically Secure and Highly Efficient Search and Row Retrieval
Authors: Sharma Shantanu , Li Yin , Mehrotra Sharad , Panwar Nisha , Kumari Komal , Roychoudhury Swagnik
Published: August 2023

Information-theoretic or unconditional security provides the highest level of security --- independent of the computational capability of an adversary. Secret-sharing techniques achieve information-theoretic security by splitting a secret into multiple parts (called
shares
) and storing the shares across non-colluding servers. However, secret-sharing-based solutions suffer from high overheads due to multiple communication rounds among servers and/or information leakage due to access-patterns (
i.e.
, the identity of rows satisfying a query) and volume (
i.e.
, the number of rows satisfying a query).

We propose
S
2
, an information-theoretically secure approach that uses both additive and multiplicative secret-sharing, to efficiently support a large class of selection queries involving conjunctive, disjunctive, and range conditions. Two major contributions of
S
2
are: (
i
) a new search algorithm using additive shares based on fingerprints, which were developed for string-matching over cleartext; and (
ii
) two row retrieval algorithms: one is based on multiplicative shares and another is based on additive shares.
S
2
does not require communication among servers storing shares and does not reveal any information to an adversary based on access-patterns and volume.
NVM: Is it Not Very Meaningful for Databases?
Authors: Koutsoukos Dimitrios , Bhartia Raghav , Friedman Michal , Klimovic Ana , Alonso Gustavo
Published: August 2023

Persistent or Non Volatile Memory (PMEM) offers expanded memory capacity and faster access to persistent storage. However, there is no comprehensive empirical analysis of existing database engines under different PMEM modes, to understand how databases can benefit from the various hardware configurations. To this end, we analyze multiple different engines under common benchmarks with PMEM in AppDirect mode and Memory mode. Our results show that PMEM in Memory mode does not offer any clear performance advantage despite the larger volatile memory capacity. Also, using PMEM as persistent storage usually speeds up query execution, but with some caveats as the I/O path is not fully optimized and therefore does not always justify the additional cost. We show this to be the case through a comprehensive evaluation of different engines and database configurations under different workloads.
A Case for Graphics-Driven Query Processing
Authors: Doraiswamy Harish , Kalagi Vikas , Ramachandra Karthik , Haritsa Jayant R.
Published: August 2023

Over the past decade, the database research community has directed considerable attention towards harnessing the power of GPUs in query processing engines. The proposed techniques have primarily focused on devising customized low-level mechanisms that utilize the raw hardware parallelism provided abundantly by GPU compute kernels.

In this paper, we advocate a radically different approach - instead of dealing directly with hardware idiosyncrasies, to leverage the well-established
graphics pipeline architecture
baked into the GPU hardware. A variety of advantages accrue from this high-level abstraction: (a) Extracting the power of GPUs is outsourced to highly-optimized graphics drivers, thereby providing hardware-consciousness for free; (b) Query processing becomes agnostic to changes in GPU architectures (e.g. integrated vs discrete) and vendors, requiring only a change of drivers; (c) Contemporary graphics APIs also support a compute element, facilitating query operator designs that seamlessly straddle the compute and graphics worlds.

As a proof of concept of the above vision, we implement here the workhorse Join and GroupBy operators using core graphics primitives. These implementations, based on the Vulkan API, have been evaluated over large benchmark databases on vanilla hybrid computing platforms. The experimental results indicate both substantive performance benefits (typically, around 2X faster) over existing approaches, as well as auto-tuned portability to new hardware platforms.
Arzelà’s bounded convergence theorem
Authors: Sarić Amar
Published: August 2023

This article presents a proof of the bounded convergence theorem for Riemann integrals. An effort has been made to keep the exposition concise and self-contained.
Control of distributed-parameter systems using normal forms: an introduction
Authors: Gehring Nicole , Irscheid Abdurrahman , Deutscher Joachim , Woittennek Frank , Rudolph Joachim
Published: August 2023

This paper gives an overview of the control of distributed-parameter systems using normal forms. Considering linear controllable PDE-ODE systems of hyperbolic type, two methods derive tracking controllers by mapping the system into a form that is advantageous for the control design, analogous to the finite-dimensional case. A flatness-based controller makes use of the hyperbolic controller canonical form that follows from a parametrization of the system’s solutions. A backstepping design exploits the strict-feedback form of the system to recursively stabilize and transform the subsystems.
HP1 induces ferroptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells through NRF2 pathway in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhou Chuanqiang , Wu Min , Liu Gaolun , Zhou Li
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ferroptosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the mechanism of its regulatory genes. HK-2 cells were cultured with high glucose and mice were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to establish DN models. GSE111154 was analyzed to identify the abnormal expression of genes associated with DN. Cell injury was evaluated through CCK-8 assay and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole/phenylindole double staining. The levels of iron, glutathione, malondialdehyde, urinary albumin, and urinary creatinine were determined by ELISA. Furthermore, western blot and RT-qPCR were used to detect protein and mRNA levels, respectively. Our data showed that heterochromatin protein 1 is an abnormally elevated gene related to DN and is further elevated by ferroptosis activators. Inhibition of HP1 significantly inhibited ferroptosis but promoted cell viability. In addition, nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor2 (NRF2) was decreased in DN cell model, but increased under the action of ferroptosis activators. NRF2 silencing reversed the protective effects of HP1 inhibition on HK-2 cells. Additionally, HP1 silencing also alleviated kidney damage in DN mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that inhibiting HP1 inhibits ferroptosis via NRF2 pathway, thereby protecting renal tubular epithelial cells from damage.
Using repeated antibody testing to minimize bias in estimates of prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Santacatterina Michele , Burke Brian , Gunaratne Mihili , Weintraub William S. , Espeland Mark A. , Correa Adolfo , Friedman-Klabanoff DeAnna , Gibbs Michael , Herrington David , Miller Kristen E. , Sanders John W. , Seals Austin L. , Uschner Diane , Wierzba Thomas F. , Mongraw-Chaffin Morgana
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The prevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, at any given time remains controversial, and is an essential piece in understanding the dynamics of the epidemic. Cross-sectional studies and single time point testing approaches continue to struggle with appropriate adjustment methods for the high false positive rates in low prevalence settings or high false negative rates in high prevalence settings, and post-hoc adjustment at the group level does not fully address this issue for incidence even at the population level.

Methods

In this study, we use seroprevalence as an illustrative example of the benefits of using a case definition using a combined parallel and serial testing framework to confirm antibody-positive status. In a simulation study, we show that our proposed approach reduces bias and improves positive and negative predictive value across the range of prevalence compared with cross-sectional testing even with gold standard tests and post-hoc adjustment. Using data from the North Carolina COVID-19 Community Research Partnership, we applied the proposed case definition to the estimation of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and incidence early in the pandemic.

Results

The proposed approach is not always feasible given the cost and time required to administer repeated tests; however, it reduces bias in both low and high prevalence settings and addresses misclassification at the individual level. This approach can be applied to almost all testing contexts and platforms.

Conclusions

This systematic approach offers better estimation of both prevalence and incidence, which is important to improve understanding and facilitate controlling the pandemic.
Crosstalk between cholesterol and PIP2 in the regulation of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels
Authors: Delgado-Ramírez Mayra , López-Serrano Ana Laura , Sánchez-Armass Sergio , Meza Ulises , Rodríguez-Menchaca Aldo A.
Published: August 2023

The activity of neuronal Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels is critically dependent on PIP2 and finely modulated by cholesterol. Here, we report the crosstalk between cholesterol and PIP2 in the regulation of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels. Our results show that currents passing through Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels in cholesterol-depleted cells, by acute application of methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), were less sensitive to PIP2 dephosphorylation strategies than those of control cells, suggesting that cholesterol depletion enhances the Kv7.2/Kv7.3–PIP2 interaction. In contrast, the sensitivity of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels to acute membrane cholesterol depletion by MβCD was not altered in mutant channels with different apparent affinities for PIP2.
The Late Palaeolithic in Toruń Basin in the light of the latest research in Brzoza, Site 50
Authors: Bielińska-Majewska Beata
Published: August 2023

This paper

The data from the article was presented by the author during 16th SKAM Lithic Workshop (“Fossil Directeur”. A Phenomenon over Time and Space), 21–23 October 2019, Nitra, Slovak Republic, presentation: The Late Palaeolithic in Toruń Basin in the light of the latest research in Brzoza, site 50 (poster session).

presents the preliminary findings related to the excavations in Brzoza site 50, commune Wielka Nieszawka, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship (Poland). The Late Palaeolithic site complex in Brzoza – until the end of 1990s known as Toruń-Rudak – is located it Toruń Basin (Poland), in the grounds of a military shooting range on the left bank of Vistula south of the city. According to the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Monuments Conservator the whole complex was defined as one, site no. 50.

Rescue excavations in Brzoza in years 2015–2018 were conducted by the District Museum in Toruń. In total 276 m2 were excavated, resulting in documentation of over 11 000 flint products. The research was funded from the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivode budget via the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship Monuments Conservator and the District Museum in Toruń. The research consisted of archaeological exploration at the remains of the dune embankment, to locate and document undisturbed (in situ) cultural features (flint concentrations). In order to capture the stratigraphic situation in the vicinity of the planned research excavations and to locate the cultural layer with the flint materials linked to the Late Palaeolithic surveys were conducted by means of drillings. The following specialist examinations and consultations were carried out: geological and geomorphological documentation; analyzes of the geographical environment and pedostratigraphy of the research area; from selected profiles soil samples were taken for TL and OSL method analyses. Against the background of other well-known sites with tanged points in northern Poland, the area under study stands out both in terms of the number of flint products obtained and the documented flint concentrations. It must be emphasized that the context of new flint concentrations discovered in Brzoza in the years 2015–2018 is different than that of earlier investigations. Flint products were discovered in a preserved planigraphic and stratigraphic layout; not on a secondary deposit, as was the case, among others in the 1970s. New concentrations discovered in 2015–2018 are related to the Late Palaeolithic technocomplex with tanged points. Amongst flint tools there are elements typologically characteristic to Ahrensburg and Swiderian culture, and individual finds that can be associated with Bromme assemblages. At the present stage of research the acquired flint materials can be linked to the Late Palaeolithic communities present in the area presumably in the younger Dryas. Brzoza site complex occupies an important place in the research of the Late Palaeolithic of northern Poland.
Color match evaluation using instrumental method for three single-shade resin composites before and after in-office bleaching
Authors: Cilingir Aylin , Kariper Engin
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an office bleaching agent on the color of various single-shade resin composites. Three single-shade resin composites were tested in this study. Thirty disk-shaped specimens were prepared with a diameter of 10 mm and a height of 1 mm, and they were divided into three groups (n = 10). After color measurements, 40% hydrogen peroxide containing bleaching agent gel was applied to all the specimens. Baseline and final color measurements were performed using a clinical spectrophotometer. Statistical analyses were performed. All bleached specimens had clinically incomprehensible color changes (ΔE < 3.3). Comparisons for single-shade composites revealed no statistically significant color difference between groups. With the limitation of this study in mind, color changes in single-shade resin-composites after office bleaching were found to be clinically acceptable. It may be appropriate to use single-shade composites that shorten the in-chair clinical time by facilitating shade selection.
Hoisting the Mexican Death Totem: Macario (dir. Gavaldón, 1960) and the Projection of mexicanidad
Authors: García Blizzard Mónica
Published: August 2023

Though commercially successful at home and widely recognized abroad, Roberto Gavaldón’s 1960 film Macario has been underexamined by critics and scholars due to its effortful artistic pretensions, strategies for exalting popular nationalist culture, connections to foreign cultural products, and place within Mexican film history’s narrative of post–golden age decline. In alignment with recent scholarship questioning the role of tastemakers and their verdicts on popular Mexican cinema, this article draws on Andrew Higson’s theorization of national films as strategic interventions within the heterogenous and even contradictory symbolic field of national-identity discourses. Through film analysis and informed by Claudio Lomnitz’s understanding of Mexico’s three national totems, this study demonstrates how Gavaldón’s Macario promotes popular death culture by embedding it within key preexisting discourses tied to Mexican identity. In so doing, this article illuminates Macario’s significance within Mexican cinema history as the most prominent filmic contributor to the hoisting of Mexican death culture as the symbol of mexicanidad. Moreover, this study posits Gavaldón’s film as an indispensable precursor for understanding how Mexican death culture today operates matter of factly as metonym for the nation in audiovisual mediums consumed globally.
Revisiting PIMRS and Curriculum Instruction Management: Evaluation of Principalship in Banda Aceh
Authors: Nurviani Rahima , Abdullah Mohamad Ridhuan
Published: August 2023

This research explored how the principals in Banda Aceh XYZ Schools manage the curriculum and instruction and its relatedness to Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) (Halinger, 1985). This research has 3 research questions and to answer them, a cross-sectional survey, adapted from PIMRS was used and administered to 186 teachers from local schools there. Research findings indicate that principals of Banda Aceh XYZ school played moderate roles (µ =3.78) in managing curriculum and instruction, and no statistical difference between male and female teachers’ perceptions of principals’ roles in managing curriculum and instruction. The results pointed to the importance of having workshops and policy discussions to improve teaching and parallel understanding of curriculum and instruction for teachers and administrators.

Abstrak

Penelitian ini mengupas bagaimana kepala sekolah di Sekolah-Sekolah XYZ di Banda Aceh mengatur kurikulum dan pengajaran serta keterkaitannya dengan Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS) (Hallinger, 1985). Penelitian ini menjawab tiga pertanyaan penelitian dengan mengadaptasi PIMRS dalam survei terhadap 186 orang guru di sekolah lokal. Hasil penelitian mengidentifikasikan bahwa kepala-kepala sekolah XYZ di Banda Aceh berperan moderat (sedang) (µ =3.78) dalam mengatur kurikulum dan pengajaran, dan tidak ditemukan perbedaan signifikan antara pendapat guru laki-laki dan perempuan dalam hal peran kepala sekolah mengatur kurikulum dan pengajaran. Selain itu hasil penelitian juga menunjukkan pentingnya pelatihan dan pembahasan kebijakan untuk meningkatkan pengajaran dan pemahaman menyeluruh terhadap kurikulum dan pengajaran bagi guru dan admistrator sekolah.
The Effectiveness of Google Classroom in the Flipped Class-room Model for English Subjects in Vocational School
Authors: Larasati Devi , Haryono Haryono
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Google classroom as an e-learning-based learning medium in the Flipped Classroom model to improve student learning outcomes in English subjects at Ibu Kartini Vocational High School, Semarang City. The research method used in this study was quantitative approach, a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group design model. The sample selection of this research is simple random sampling technique. The tool used to collect data in this study was a test with 50 multiple choice questions. The data analysis technique used is the independent sample t-test and the N-gain score test. The results of the hypothesis test showed that there was a significant difference in learning outcomes between the experimental class and the control class. It means that the use of Google classroom as an e-learning-based learning medium in the Flipped Classroom model proved effective in improving students' learning outcomes.

Abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui sejauh mana keefektifan Google classroom sebagai media pembelajaran berbasis e-learning dalam model Flipped Classroom untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran bahasa inggris di SMK Ibu Kartini kota Semarang. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan metode penelitian eksperimen. Desain penelitian ini menggunakan pola quasi experimental design dengan model non-equivalent control group design. Pemilihan sampel penelitian ini dengan teknik simple random sampling. Alat yang digunakan untuk mengumpulkan data pada penelitian ini adalah Tes dengan soal pilihan ganda sebanyak 50 butir soal. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan yaitu uji independent sampel t-test dan uji N-gain score. Hasil uji hipotesis menunjukkan adanya perbedaan yang signifikan hasil belajar antara kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa pemanfaatan Google classroom sebagai media pembelajaran berbasis e-learning dalam model Flipped Classroom terbukti efektif meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran bahasa Inggris.
The Management Process of the Emergency Curriculum and Its Influential Factors: Insight from the Field
Authors: Suksesi Shella , Subkhan Edi
Published: August 2023

This study aims to identify the problems that arose amid the implementation of the emergency curriculum endorsed by the government among teachers and students. The emergency curriculum is a top-down curricular intervention as a means to overcome the problems caused by the Covid-19 outbreak. The research has been conducted in one senior high school in the center of Semarang City, involving several interviewees by employing a qualitative approach. The results showed that there are varieties of teachers’ understanding of emergency curriculum as well as their resistance and acceptance. During the planning stage, the role of teacher association based on the subject matter (MGMP), district of education office, and school principal are central. Afterward, in the organizing and implementation stages of the emergency curriculum technical and non-technical barriers from the students cause learning problems, e.g. poor internet infrastructure, lack of digital literacy skills, and teachers’ misunderstanding of the basic concept of emergency curriculum. However, until the end of the process management (assessment stage) there is no significant problems can be found. In this regard, all students have met the minimum required standard of achievement.

Abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi masalah yang muncul di tengah penerapan kurikulum darurat yang disahkan oleh pemerintah di kalangan guru dan siswa. Kurikulum darurat merupakan intervensi kurikuler dari atas ke bawah sebagai sarana untuk mengatasi masalah yang disebabkan oleh wabah Covid-19. Penelitian ini dilakukan di salah satu SMA di pusat Kota Semarang, melibatkan beberapa narasumber dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat variasi pemahaman guru terhadap kurikulum darurat, juga resistensi dan penerimaan mereka. Pada tahap perencanaan, peran Musyawarah Guru Mata Pelajaran (MGMP), Dinas Pendidikan, dan kepala sekolah sangat penting. Setelah itu, pada tahap pengorganisasian dan implementasi kurikulum darurat, hambatan teknis dan non-teknis dari siswa menyebabkan masalah pembelajaran, misalnya infrastruktur internet yang buruk, kurangnya keterampilan literasi digital, dan kesalahpahaman guru terhadap konsep dasar kurikulum darurat. Walau demikian, hingga akhir proses pengelolaan (tahap penilaian) tidak ditemukan masalah yang berarti. Dalam hal ini, semua siswa telah memenuhi standar pencapaian minimum yang disyaratkan (KKM).
Do There Any Higher Order Thinking Skills in the Cambridge Primary Mathematics Textbook?
Authors: Rochmatillah Fafii
Published: August 2023

The poor results of national and international assessments make the national curriculum get criticism. Meanwhile, the Cambridge curriculum gets popular because of its quality. Textbooks as curriculum manifestations affect student learning. This study describes Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) and the dominance of its level in the Cambridge Primary Mathematics 4 textbooks which are Teacher's Resources and Learner's Book. This study uses a directed qualitative content analysis method. This research shows that all HOTS levels (analyze, evaluate, and create) are spread across four major themes (number, measure, data handling, and geometry) Teacher's Resource and Learner's Book. Theoretically, HOTS in the Teacher's Resource and Learner's Book can teach critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication because the learning content of HOTS in this book uses a student-centered approach and the teacher actively provides scaffolding using open-ended questions, discussions, and group activities. HOTS level creating is dominant in Teacher's Resource and analysis is dominant in Learner's Book.

Abstrak

Hasil assesmen nasional dan internasional yang konsisten buruk membuat kurikulum nasional menuai kritik. Sementara itu, kurikulum Cambridge diminati sejumlah kalangan karena dianggap lebih berkualitas. Buku teks sebagai manifestasi kurikulum berpengaruh terhadap pembelajaran siswa. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu mendeskripsikan Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) dan dominasi levelnya dalam buku teks Cambridge Primary Mathematics 4 yang terdiri dari Teacher’s Resources dan Learner’s Book. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analisis isi kualitatif terarah. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ketiga level HOTS (menganalisis, mengevaluasi, dan mencipta) tersebar dalam keempat tema besar (number, measure, handling data, dan geometry) Teacher’s Resource dan Learner’s Book. Secara teoretis, HOTS dalam Teacher’s Resource dan Learner’s Book dapat membelajarkan critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, dan communication karena pembelajaran muatan HOTS dalam buku ini terpusat pada siswa dan guru aktif memberikan scaffolding menggunakan pertanyaan open-ended, diskusi, serta aktivitas berkelompok. HOTS dalam Teacher’s Resource didominasi oleh level mencipta, sedangkan Learner’s Book didominasi level menganalisis.