bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of diabetic foot at risk of ulcer development and its components stratification according to the international working group on the diabetic foot (IWGDF): A systematic review with metanalysis
Authors: Maldonado-Valer Tania , Pareja-Mujica Luis F. , Corcuera-Ciudad Rodrigo , Terry-Escalante Fernando Andres , Chevarría-Arriaga Mylenka Jennifer , Vasquez-Hassinger Tery , Yovera-Aldana Marlon
Published: November 2023

Aims

To determine the overall prevalence of diabetic foot at risk according to the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot stratification.

Materials and methods

We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. We included cross-sectional studies or cohorts from 1999 to March 2022. We performed a meta-analysis of proportions using a random-effects model. We assessed heterogeneity through subgroup analysis by continent and other characteristics.

Results

We included 36 studies with a total population of 11,850 people from 23 countries. The estimated overall prevalence of diabetic foot at risk was 53.2% (95% CI: 45.1–61.3), I2 = 98.7%, p < 0.001. In the analysis by subgroups, South and Central America had the highest prevalence and Africa the lowest. The factors explaining the heterogeneity were the presence of chronic kidney disease, diagnostic method for peripheral arterial disease, and quality. The estimates presented very low certainty of evidence.

Conclusions

The overall prevalence of diabetic foot at risk is high. The high heterogeneity between continents can be explained by methodological aspects and the type of population. However, using the same classification is necessary for standardization of the way of measuring the components, as well as better designed general population-based studies.
Pre-/-post-analyses of a feasibility study of a peer-based club intervention among people living with type 2 diabetes in Vietnam’s rural communities
Authors: Dang Ngoc-Anh Thi , Phong Vu Tuc , M. Gammeltoft Tine , Christian Bygbjerg Ib , W. Meyrowitsch Dan , Søndergaard Jens
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Insufficient self-management is a significant barrier for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) to achieve glycemic control and consequently reduce the risk of acute and long-term diabetes complications, negatively affecting their quality of life and increasing their risk of diabetes-related death. This pre-post study aimed to evaluate whether a peer-based club intervention might reduce glycated hemoglobin from baseline to post-intervention and enhance self-management among people living with T2D in two rural communities in Vietnam.

Methods

A pre-post study was implemented with 222 adults with T2D residing in two rural communities in Vietnam. We used a structured questionnaire, clinical examination, and glycated hemoglobin to evaluate the possible effects of a diabetes club intervention by comparing Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), Body Mass Index (BMI), Blood Pressure (BP), and diabetes-related self-management behaviors at baseline and post-intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20, applying two related sample tests (Wilcoxon and McNemar test) and a paired-sample t-test at a significance level of less than 0.05.

Results

The findings indicated that after implementation of the intervention, there were no significant statistical differences when comparing pre-and post-intervention levels of the primary outcome HbA1c, but some components of diabetes self-management showed statistically significant improvement.

Conclusions

After the peer support intervention in a Vietnamese rural community, there was no significant reduction in the primary outcome proportion of patients having an HbA1c less than 7%, but foot care knowledge and practice had improved.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05602441.
Efficiency evaluation and redundancy analysis on low carbon economic development in Guangdong Province
Authors: Wu Shuang , Yuan Xiangyu , Ni Jiangwei
Published: November 2023

Since 2020, China has been dedicated to the goal of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality" in the international community, demonstrating its commitment to energy conservation and emissions control. In 2021, in response to the guidance of the State Council, all provinces in China included the creation of a low-carbon economic system as one of their key development goals. This paper aims at investigating the low-carbon economic development efficiency and the redundancy of inefficient areas of Guangdong Province by using the three-stage DEA-Malmquist index model. Panel data of 21 cities from 2011 to 2020 in Guangdong Province were selected. Results revealed that the low-carbon economic development efficiency in the whole province rises, but the growth rate has slowed down in the past three years. Pearl River Delta area is better-developed in low-carbon economy than others. It is recommended to improve the efficiency of scale, make use of environmental advantages and develop energy-saving and emission reduction technologies.
The influence of freshwater inflow and seascape context on occurrence of juvenile spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus across a temperate estuary
Authors: Whaley Shannon D. , Shea Colin P. , Santi E. Christine , Gandy David A.
Published: November 2023

Spotted seatrout, a popular recreational sport fish in the southeastern United States, are affected by freshwater flow conditions and the availability of estuarine habitat. However, the relative influence of these factors, particularly on early life stages of seatrout, remains uncertain. We used generalized linear models to quantify relationships between the probability of encountering juvenile spotted seatrout during seine surveys and various factors, including freshwater inflow conditions, the availability and richness of estuarine habitats (seagrass, salt marsh, oyster beds) around (400-m radius) fish collection sites (seascape-scale context), as well as distance to the nearest inlet to the Gulf of Mexico (estuary-scale context) across shallow waters (< 1.5 m depth) of Apalachicola Bay, Florida. Modelling results showed a consistent positive correlation between seagrass area and the probability of encountering juvenile seatrout (all four size classes from 15mm–200mm Standard Length (SL)). The probability of encountering the two smallest juvenile seatrout size classes (15–50mm and 51–100mm SL) was also related to freshwater inflow conditions, particularly within a 3-month period prior to and including peak recruitment. Freshwater inflow may affect early life stages by influencing passive transport of eggs and larvae, planktonic food availability, and predation pressure through increases in turbidity. In contrast, encounter probabilities of the two larger size classes (101–150mm and 151–200mm) were unrelated to freshwater inflow. Inflow-related processes may be less important to the larger juveniles as they have typically settled out of the plankton into benthic habitats which provide refuge from predation and abundant benthic food sources which are not as closely tied to freshwater inflow effects. In addition, models revealed that occurrence of the larger juveniles was related to the availability of nearby habitat types such as oyster beds and salt marshes, suggesting that increased mobility as seatrout grow may allow them to use nearby habitat types as additional sources of food and refuge. These results add to a growing body of literature aimed at understanding the influence of freshwater inflow as well as seascape context on vulnerable juvenile life stages of fishery species to provide more informed strategies for freshwater inflow management and habitat conservation.
Targeted ASO-mediated Atp1a2 knockdown in astrocytes reduces SOD1 aggregation and accelerates disease onset in mutant SOD1 mice
Authors: Iyer Abhirami K. , Schoch Kathleen M. , Verbeck Anthony , Galasso Grant , Chen Hao , Smith Sarah , Oldenborg Anna , Miller Timothy M. , Karch Celeste M. , Bonni Azad
Published: November 2023

Astrocyte-specific ion pump α2-Na+/K+-ATPase plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we test the effect of Atp1a2 mRNA-specific antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to induce α2-Na+/K+-ATPase knockdown in the widely used ALS animal model, SOD1*G93A mice. Two ASOs led to efficient Atp1a2 knockdown and significantly reduced SOD1 aggregation in vivo. Although Atp1a2 ASO-treated mice displayed no off-target or systemic toxicity, the ASO-treated mice exhibited an accelerated disease onset and shorter lifespan than control mice. Transcriptomics studies reveal downregulation of genes involved in oxidative response, metabolic pathways, trans-synaptic signaling, and upregulation of genes involved in glutamate receptor signaling and complement activation, suggesting a potential role for these molecular pathways in de-coupling SOD1 aggregation from survival in Atp1a2 ASO-treated mice. Together, these results reveal a role for α2-Na+/K+-ATPase in SOD1 aggregation and highlight the critical effect of temporal modulation of genetically validated therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative diseases.
Editorial
Authors: Nabaggala Justine
Published: November 2023

This editorial provides a summary on key contributions from authors within the field of digital design and creative learning strategies that are inclusive and sustainable within various learning environments. Appreciating individual conceptualized visual ideas, online project-based learning, peer learning and assessment, Indigenous knowledge and its contribution in enhancing creativity, accessible and inclusive learning platforms in art and design, and use of technology during the creative processes by design students are core scholarly contributions discussed. Authors guide the readers’ critical reflections on how best art and design educators could uphold students’ creative identities, their involvement in assessment, technology adaptation during object-based learning and the relevance of peer involvement in learning processes. Implementation of art pedagogies that enhance individual skills competences is considered imperative when considering students’ level of engagement, ownership of knowledge and their development of self-esteem within the field of art, design and technology.
A methodology for 3D digital sketching practice in undergraduate architectural education
Authors: Agirbas Asli
Published: November 2023

Paper-based sketches used in the first stage of architectural design have started to be replaced by digital sketches. Since many universities have switched to online education during the pandemic period, digital sketches have come to the fore in this period. It is seen that the architectural forms in the digital sketches are shaped according to the computer programme used, especially in undergraduate architecture education. This situation was identified as a problem in this study. As a solution to this, it is aimed to develop a method in order to develop the form-oriented creativity of the students in the computer environment. After the experimental case study, a questionnaire was conducted with the students to evaluate this method. It has been concluded that the exercise method proposed in this study can enable students to make digital sketches more easily.
Felipe Guerrero: An encounter between the CSC and Cali’s cinematic cultures
Authors: Martín-Flórez Camilo
Published: November 2023

This article offers a critical review of Colombian Felipe Guerrero’s films and an insight into how his experiences at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome (CSC) might have nurtured and enriched his artistic work. First, I focus on Guerrero’s films Medellín (1999) and Paraíso (Paradise) (2006), which were the result of conversations with Adriano Aprà, a professor of non-fiction and experimental cinema at the CSC (Martín-Flórez 2023). Using an experimental and structural filmmaking lens, I then examine Guerrero’s most recent films, Corta (Cut) (2012) and Oscuro Animal (Dark Beast) (2016). A critical analysis allows for a deeper understanding of the filmmaking legacy of this artist, demonstrating how Guerrero’s experiences at the CSC have influenced his film artistry and ultimately contributed to the legacy of cinema in Cali (Colombia) and of practices that have been fundamental to the revitalization of contemporary Colombian cinema.
An interview with Felipe Guerrero (Colombian Centro Sperimentale di Cinema alumni) and the privilege of studying at the CSC from 1996 to 1999
Authors: Martín-Flórez Camilo
Published: November 2023

This interview showcases the experience that Colombian film director and editor Felipe Guerrero had at the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia (CSC) in Rome, where he specialized in film editing from 1996 to 1999. Guerrero is widely known for his several film and television productions from all over the world, as well as for his five credits as a film director who has been fundamental to the revitalization of contemporary Colombian and Latin American cinema (from 1999 to the present; he is currently writing his second feature-length fiction film, entitled 1948). In this interview, Felipe Guerrero speaks about the meaningful experience he had at CSC for his career as a filmmaker and underlines how honoured he was to be among the few filmmakers accepted at the CSC during the 1990s. In sum, this interview is a rare and unique insight into the memories from one of the most important contemporary Latin American filmmakers had at CSC.
Piecing together the life and career of my grandfather, Dotts Johnson: Interview with Luvada A. Harrison
Authors: Romanelli Claudia
Published: November 2023

This is an interview with Luvada A. Harrison, the granddaughter of Dotts Johnson (1913–86), who was the African American actor and jazz singer cast to portray one of the lead roles in Roberto Rossellini’s , one of the most influential films in the history of cinema. Although Rossellini’s film has been thoroughly studied, very little is known about Dotts, not only in Italy but also in the United States. This interview seeks to shed more light on the life and career of Hylan Dotts Johnson, an under-recognized African American actor who was also an accomplished singer and composer.
Con voce di Nilde, Emanuela Piovano (dir.) (2022), Italy: Kitchenfilm
Authors: Bonelli Diego
Published: November 2023

Review of: Con voce di Nilde, Emanuela Piovano (dir.) (2022), Italy: Kitchenfilm
Poesia a abater na década de 1950
Authors: Seiça Álvaro
Published: November 2023

Este artigo aborda a poesia portuguesa censurada na década de 1950, tendo em conta um estudo preliminar sobre a biblioteca de referência dos Serviços de Censura da ditadura salazarista. Desta biblioteca, resgataram-se logo em 1974 cerca de 1 000 exemplares com carimbos, selos e cortes. Contudo, estes livros foram revelados ao público apenas em 2022, na exposição inédita Obras Proibidas e Censuradas no Estado Novo, na Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal. Deste modo, a análise parte de uma seleção de 10 livros recuperados para se focar na coleção “Cancioneiro Geral” (1950-58), com a qual o Centro Bibliográfico moldou a segunda vaga neorrealista; no penúltimo livro desta coleção, A viagem com o teu rosto (1958), de Egito Gonçalves; e noutra obra que também sofreu cortes severos, Romances do mar (1955), de Bernardo Santareno. Consideram-se questões de memória literária, impacto e legado censório, investigando se houve alterações provocadas pela atuação dos Serviços de Censura, ou mesmo reescrita, nas edições posteriores de Gonçalves e Santareno durante e após a ditadura.
Modelo de previsão da deformação permanente de fundações de vias-férreas com recurso a uma rede neuronal artificial
Authors: Ramos Ana , Gomes Correia António , Calçada Rui
Published: November 2023

A previsão da deformação permanente na fundação e respetiva fiabilidade é uma das principais preocupações dos gestores das Infraestruturas Ferroviárias, pois pode influenciar os custos de manutenção da via em serviço. Este artigo propõe uma nova metodologia relativa à previsão da deformação permanente com base num estudo paramétrico realizado usando uma abordagem híbrida e que inclui o desempenho a curto e longo prazo. O estudo realizado permitiu a construção de uma base de dados robusta que foi utilizada neste estudo para prever a deformação permanente. A base de dados alimenta um modelo da rede neuronal, cujo desempenho foi avaliado com base em diferentes métricas: MAE, MSE, RMSE, desvio padrão e coeficiente de regressão. O modelo foi testado e validado com base em resultados experimentais.  Os resultados obtidos mostram que o modelo desenvolvido é rápido e eficiente para prever com precisão a deformação permanente induzida pela passagem dos comboios. O modelo tem o potencial para ser implementado num sistema computacional de apoio de decisão para manutenção e gestão de linhas ferroviárias.
Emergence of NDM-1-producing Raoultella ornithinolytica from reservoir water in Northeast Thailand
Authors: Karnmongkol Chutima , Wiriyaampaiwong Piyachat , Teerakul Mullika , Treeinthong Jukkarin , Srisamoot Nattapong , Tankrathok Anupong
Published: November 2023

Background and Aim: Antibiotic resistance is a major global health threat. The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria poses a serious challenge to the effective treatment of infections in both humans and animals. Water is a major source of human and animal exposure to bacteria, and the presence of drug-resistant bacteria in water could present a severe threat to public health and animal production. This study investigated the presence of drug-resistant bacteria in Lam Pao Dam (LPD) water in Kalasin, Thailand.

Materials and Methods: Ampicillin-resistant strains were obtained from LPD water and identified using 16s rDNA sequencing. Antibiotic resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was evaluated using 16s amplicon analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Raoultella ornithinolytica strains against antibiotics was determined.

Results: A total of 12 R. ornithinolytica, 4 Bacillus cereus, and 4 Enterococcus faecalis isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Almost all R. ornithinolytica strains harbored blaSHV and blaOXA genes, and two strains also harbored the blaNDM-1 gene. All four E. faecalis strains harbored the blaIMP gene. The most abundant species in the LPD sample was Exiguobacterium indicum, followed by E. faecalis and R. ornithinolytica. The MICs of 10 R. ornithinolytica strains against five antibiotics revealed that all strains were resistant to ampicillin but susceptible to meropenem, doripenem, ertapenem, and imipenem.

Conclusion: These findings suggest a high prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria in LPD water. This is a cause for concern, as it could spread antibiotic-resistant infections in the community.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance, carbapenemase, Raoultella ornithinolytica, waterborne pathogens.
The epidemiology of canine ear diseases in Northwest China: Analysis of data on 221 dogs from 2012 to 2016
Authors: Li J-P , Li L-Y , T F-L , Lu D-Z
Published: November 2023

Background and Aim: Ear disease is relatively important in veterinary medicine as it significantly affects the quality of life of pets. Two hundred and twenty-one cases of canine ear diseases were collected and collated at the Xi'an Teaching Hospital of Northwest A&F University from 2012 to 2016. An epidemiological analysis was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and causes of various ear diseases in various breeds of dogs in Xi'an. Materials and Methods: Data were collected and statistically analyzed by reviewing previous cases and obtaining medical history data and laboratory results. This study included the following experiments: systematic examination of the animals' skin, auricular skin scraping test, ear canal endoscopy, and examination of ear canal secretion. Results: The top three dog breeds most commonly afflicted with ear diseases in Xi'an were Toy poodles , Cocker Spaniels, and Golden Retrievers, accounting for 18.5%, 10.4%, and 9.5% of the total cases, respectively. The prevalence was the highest in August and September, with male dogs having a higher prevalence rate than female dogs. Common ear diseases were categorized as otitis externa, otitis media, otitis interna, or ear hematoma. Conclusion: This study determined the prevalence of external otitis, ear hematoma, otitis media, and inner otitis in dogs in the Xi'an area. These results can help expand the current understanding of the development and epidemiology of canine ear diseases and provide a reference for clinical diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Keywords: dog, epidemiology, otitis externa, Northwest of China.
Solid-phase extraction as promising sample preparation method for compound of emerging concerns analysis
Authors: Rakić Dušan , Antić Igor , Živančev Jelena , Buljovčić Maja , Šereš Zita , Đurišić-Mladenović Nataša
Published: November 2023

Today’s environment is under the influence of numerous substances and most of them are not covered by current national and international regulations. Substances that are classified as contaminants of emerging concern, CECs, are not regulated nor systematically controlled in the environment, and they belong to the different chemical classes such as pesticides in current use, pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), personal care products, illicit drugs, hormones, micro- and nano-plastics, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and many others. Once released CECs end up in surface water where they can be either accumulated or transported to the other environmental compartments, i.e. soil (by irrigation), underground water, or drinking water. The aim of the research was to investigate the efficiency of different selected solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges for preparation of water samples for simultaneous analysis of several CECs. For this purpose, a model mix solution of selected CECs in concentration relevant to environmental appearance was used. The selected CECs (14 PhACs, 11 pesticides in current use, and 4 PFAS) represented emerging contaminants with different properties, including polarities, and varying adverse effect on the environment and human health. Different types of sorbents were investigated: (i) commercial single-layer HLB, (ii) homemade multi-layer I: HLB plus a mix of WAX, WCX, and PPL, and (iii) multi-layer II: mix of WAX, WCX, and PPL plus HLB. The results revealed that the single-layer sorbent showed better efficiency in extraction of the analyzed CECs. Multi-layer sorbent should be further investigated to elucidate the possible reason for the poor extraction of some compounds, as development of a balanced extraction for a wider range of contaminants with different polarities, especially for non-target analysis of chemical residues, is required in order to capture the occurrence of the full profile of micropollutants.
The mechanical properties of biodegradable modified polymer packaging
Authors: Dézsi Pál Patrik , Heiner Zsuzsanna , Gulyás Gábor , Pappné Sziládi Katalin
Published: November 2023

In this research, a lactic acid-based biodegradable polymer (polylactic acid, PLA) was chemically modified and the mechanical material property changes were studied. The hardness and elastic modulus were determined with a nanoindentation instrument. The modified PLA was compared to the unmodified control group. Each group contained 5 different samples and t-test was performed to compare the mean difference of the hardness and elastic modulus between the two groups. A statistically significant result was obtained both in the hardness and elastic modulus due to the modification. The treated sample structure has become more inhomogeneous as well. The elastic modulus of the modified PLA reduced in its hardness and elastic modulus compared to the control PLA.
DEFORMED STATE AND HARDENING OF THE WORKPIECE WITH CONSTRAINED EXTRUSION OF RECTANGULAR BRACKETS. Part 1
Authors: Vorontsov A. L. , Karpov S. M.
Published: November 2023

The beginning of solving the problem of determining the deformed state of the workpiece with constrained extrusion of rectangular brackets under conditions of plane deformation in the general case of misaligned arrangement of the punch and matrix is stated. Formulas are obtained that allow for any specific value of the punch's working stroke to determine the current coordinates of material points and accumulated deformations in the area of plastic deformation located under the extruded thick wall of a rectangular bracket.
DEFORMED STATE AND HARDENING OF THE WORKPIECE WITH CONSTRAINED EXTRUSION OF RECTANGULAR BRACKETS. Part 2
Authors: Vorontsov A. L. , Karpov S. M.
Published: November 2023

The continuation of the solution of the problem of determining the deformed state of the workpiece with constrained extrusion of rectangular brackets under conditions of plane deformation in the general case of misaligned arrangement of the punch and matrix is presented. Formulas are obtained that allow for any specific value of the punch’s working stroke to determine the current coordinates of material points and accumulated deformations in the plastic deformation region located under the punch near the extruded thick wall. Formulas are derived that allow taking into account the effect of hardening of a deformable material on stresses and force parameters of extrusion, as well as the geometric results of the achieved shape change.
STAND FOR DETERMINING THE DEPENDENCE OF THE ROD WAVE VELOCITY ON THE TEMPERATURE IN METAL BARS
Authors: Strizhak V. A.
Published: November 2023

Analysis of changes in the propagation velocity of an acoustic wave is an effective method of structroscopy of various materials. At the same time, technical means are needed to implement its exact calculation. The interfering factor for accurate velocity measurement is the dependence of the acoustic wave velocity on the temperature of the object. The article presents a stand for measuring the rod wave velocity in an extended object with a length of 1 m and a diameter of up to 8 mm with a resolution of 0.14 m/s. The stand contains a heating chamber that allows heating samples in the temperature range of 20…60 ℃ with continuous measurement of the rod wave velocity. The high resolution of the velocity measurement is achieved by sounding the entire body of the sample and calculating the time interval by several reflections. The refinement of the time interval is implemented through frequency oversampling in a multiple greater direction, followed by a correlation comparison of the bottom pulses with each other. When the results are obtained, the sample temperature elongation and the velocity dispersion caused by a change in the recorded signals frequency are taken into account. The results of measuring the rod wave velocity for 60C2, 12X1MF and 12X18N10T steels are presented. Accounting for changes in the recorded signals frequency is based on the calculation of the center of mass in the frequency spectrum of the first and second bottom pulses. The velocity correction is calculated on the basis of dispersion curves in accordance with the steel grade. On the example of steel 60C2, the influence of dispersion of rod wave velocity when heated from 16 to 60 ℃ is taken into account. A change in the center of gravity of the spectrum from 24 to 28 kHz was recorded, which corresponds to a correction of –0.7 m/s.
THE USE OF DIGITAL TWINS MODELS WHILE A RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGE FORMATION IN A VIRTUAL REALITY ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Kovshov E. E. , Kuvshinnikov V. S. , Kazakov D. F.
Published: November 2023

In modern conditions, the use of digital industrial technologies for maximum automation of various production processes and the creation of unmanned technologies is the main direction of technological development of production in the key of the Industry 4.0 and NDE 4.0 paradigms with the widespread use of information and communication technologies, including virtual reality and digital twins. To implement digital non-destructive testing, service-oriented approach is proposed as an effective solution for obtaining, processing and storing data of the results of various types of testing, the basic architecture of this solution is given. The simulator’s model of the industrial radiography laboratory is considered, discrete models of objects’ digital twins are constructed while obtaining an image, for which the basic provisions and tools of set theory are used. Examples are given illustrating the correspondence of mathematical models of digital twins to their graphical counterparts, as well as the image formed on the detector as a result of modeling and performing a radiation type of non-destructive testing. It is noted that the virtualization of such a complex technical facility as an industrial radiography laboratory allows for a short period of time and at minimal cost to verify the feasibility of technical solutions and engineering hypotheses taking into account real production conditions and needs, while providing, on the one hand, variability in the implementation of technological operations, and on the other – the number increase of trained qualified specialists according to the radiation type of non-destructive testing.
Aterosklerosis pada Tikus Putih (Rattus norvegicus L.) yang Diinduksi dengan Insulin Eksogen
Authors: Suprihatin Teguh , Fazwah Widya Millatina , Tana Silvana
Published: November 2023

Insulin memiliki peran mendasar dalam pengendalian proses seluler dan fisiologis. Paparan berlebih insulin menyebabkan resistensi insulin, hiperinsulinemia, dan hiperglikemia. Penggunaan insulin pada pasien penderita DM rentan menyebabkan terjadinya  resistensi insulin yang bisa memperparah kondisi pasien.Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis pengaruh pemberian injeksi insulin eksogen terhadap tikus wistar (Rattus norvegicus L. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimental dengan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL), menggunakan 21 ekor Rattus norvegicus L. jantan berumur 21 hari yang dibagi dalam 3 kelompok perlakuan dengan 7 kali ulangan. P0 merupakan kontrol, P1 diinjeksi insulin eksogen 1,80 IU/200gBB setiap hari selama 14 hari, dan P2 diinjeksi insulin eksogen 1,80 IU/200gBB setiap hari selama 28 hari. Perlakuan diberikan selama 1 bulan. Pembedahan dilakukan setelah perlakuan berakhir untuk pembuatan preparat, kemudian dilanjutkan dengan pengukuran diameter dan lumen dari aorta dan arteri coronaria, serta ketebalan dinding aorta dan arteri coronaria. Data penelitian dianalisis menggunakan analysis of variance (ANOVA) pada taraf kepercayaan 95%. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat perbedaan tidak nyata (P>0.05) pada lebar diameter arteri coronaria dan aorta, lebar lumen arteri coronaria dan aorta, ketebalan tunika intima, media dan adventisia arteri coronaria dan aorta serta ukuran sel otot jantung. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang diperoleh dapat disimpulkan bahwa injeksi insulin eksogen tidak menimbulkan penebalan aterosklerosis pada Rattus norvegicus L.  Insulin has a fundamental role in control of cellular and physiological processes. Overexposure to insulin causes insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglycemia. This study was to analyze the effect of exogenous insulin injection to white rats (Rattus norvegicus L.). This is an experimental study with a completely randomized design, using 21 male Rattus norvegicus L. 21 days old which were divided into 3 treatment groups with 7 replications. P0 is the control groups, P1 is exogenous insulin injection 1.80 IU/200gBW/day for 14 days, and P2 is exogenous insulin injection 1.80 IU/200gBW/day for 28 days. Treatment was given for 1 month. Surgery was carried out after the treatment ended and preparations were made, then continued with measuring the diameter and the width of the lumen of aorta and coronary arteries. The thickness of the aortic and coronary arteries’s walls. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at the 95% confidence level. The results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) based on the results, exogenous insulin injection can not trigger atherosclerosis in white rats.
“New stage, new reality, new role”
Authors: Zavyalova Ksenia , Galvin Conor
Published: November 2023

Learning is being shaped/reshaped in this digital era and the pace of these changes is accelerated by the use of social media. Many teachers are spending an increased amount of time creating and distributing content via social media platforms. It is suggested that this practice can support their cognitive, affective, social and identity growth (Trust et al., 2022). At the same time, there is a growing body of literature debating the pros and cons of adopting social media in higher education (Willems et al., 2018; Hamadi et al., 2022).

Although there is a significant number of studies examining the teachers’ use of Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for professional and educational reasons (Park, 2022; Davis & Yi, 2022; Randahl et al, 2022; Greenhalgh, 2021), a scarce attention has been paid to teachers, who create visual media content for YouTube. We aimed to explore the motivations and values related to teachers’ engagement in YouTube content creation practice.

As we analysed the several theoretical lines of literature, we are settled on a comprehensive framework for interrogating the data. From the outset, we viewed the YouTube platform both as a landscape for teachers to interact and create artefacts, and an affective space appropriated by its users (Reckwitz, 2012). To this we added the concept of imagined communities (Gr?dinaru, 2016) that connects teacher through virtual sociability and sustain them as they create digital goods. Goffman’s theory of performance (1959) offered an additional layer of understanding the sense of belonging to these communities. Finally, we suggested the value creation framework by Wenger-Trayner et al (2019), which includes five dimensions of value for professional development.

In the second part of our research, we applied our framework analytically to 105 YouTube video channels identified as teacher produced content. To date, in-depth, purposive, semi-structured interviews have been conducted with 15 participants (school teachers) through Skype, Zoom and/or Facebook Messenger. Our intention is to reach about 50 over the course of the study adding higher education teachers as well.

Our initial analysis showed the three key messages: 

•    Teachers take a proactive role believing that nowadays is the time of creating and sharing new knowledge;

•    Teachers signing up for this proactive vision become a part of the imagined community of like-minded colleagues;

•    The process of video-making involves constant research for new teaching ideas and personal transformative changes.

 We believe that our study may provide some implications for tertiary education. Importantly, it explores and analyses a different image of teaching and learning, crafted in visual media, which might spark enthusiasm to embrace the video sharing platforms in higher education and enhance agency in the digital world.
Authorship Verification in software engineering education
Authors: Rios Shannon , Zhang Yu , Oliveira Eduardo
Published: November 2023

The prevalence of academic misconduct, specifically contract cheating, is a rising concern in higher education institutions globally. Among the recent advancements, Generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) has exacerbated the situation by offering authentically generated writings, making detection through traditional plagiarism tools ineffective. This paper explores the development and application of students' academic writing profiles, using a combination of word embedding (Word2Vec) and stylistic feature extraction techniques. By leveraging a Siamese neural network, our method focuses on recognising distinctive writing styles, a concept rooted in Authorship Verification (AV). Our approach's efficacy evaluates favourably against other AV methods and is tested against AI-generated texts deliberately designed to mimic student writing. The study emphasises the importance of understanding individual academic writing styles to identify outsourcing or AI-generated work effectively.
Adopting self-directed learning principles in clinical education with Pebblepad
Authors: Mccarthy Aslihan , Mcnally Clare , Bailey Denise , White Matt
Published: November 2023

Self-directed learning (SDL), alternatively known as self-regulated learning (SRL), is an umbrella term that can be broadly defined as the learner’s ability to make plans according to their individual needs and use learning resources and methods to master a knowledge or necessary skills (Van der Walt, 2016; Russell et al. 2022). It is a systematic control of motivation and tightly linked to self-awareness, agency, and the sense of being in control of the learning process (Russell et al. 2022). Despite ever increasing reference to SDL in health professions education, it is not well-studied in clinical settings (Lui & Sullivan 2021, Murad et al. 2010, Yeo and Jang 2023). In 2021-2022 we adopted some of the main principles of the SDL approach, namely goal setting, self-monitoring, self-reflection, self-evaluation, to clinical education in Bachelor of Oral Health and Doctor of Dentistry programs at the University of Melbourne by utilising a digital e-portfolio platform, Pebblepad. In this presentation, we will walk you through the iterative design process of digital clinical assessment forms. This process allowed us to refine our materials and strategies in consultation with our students, teaching and learning staff and clinical supervisors as we go. We supported our students to a) identify gaps in application of their clinical knowledge via learning analytics dashboards, b) generate goals for improvement through structured reflection and c) assess their practice through self-evaluation rubrics. We are still improving our concept to foster SDL in our programs. We take this opportunity to reflect on what went well as opposed to areas for improvement, and demonstrate the power of using different digital tools in clinical education settings. We believe “thinking outside the box” can help students become self-directed learners through collaboration, continuous improvement, and flexibility.
Manaaki Tauira Course Enhancements Program
Authors: De Silva Tracy-Anne , Rose David
Published: November 2023

This paper reports on a pilot study of a course enhancements program at Lincoln University, New Zealand, designed to enhance learner success for all students, but particularly those from minority groups. The pilot study includes two phases, each of six-months duration – course redevelopment and course delivery. During the first phase, 10 academics were selected to engage in self-reflection, complete a four-week online asynchronous course, develop an action plan for course redevelopment, attend a two-day in-person workshop to implement the action plan, and meet several times with an academic development facilitator. This blended approach resulted in academics experiencing a variety of in-person and online learning activities and approaches that could be used in their own courses, and the opportunity to collaborate and share their course redevelopment journey with other academics. This paper highlights the approach taken in the pilot study and the strategies used to bring academics on the journey.
Documenting and analyzing the relevance of Universal Design for Learning in developing inclusive provisions for culturally diverse learners in online pedagogy
Authors: Fovet Frederic
Published: November 2023

Recent profound societal transformations have led to a broad reframing of the collective understanding and use of the term ‘diversity’.  In the tertiary sector, in particular, this widening and deepening of the reflection on learner diversity has meant a move away from a simple focus on impairment; this term now also encompasses all intersectional dimensions of culture, race, Indigeneity, socioeconomics, gender and sexual orientation, and age.  The tertiary sector is urgently seeking tools to embed this emerging lens into teaching and learning practices.  The online facets of post-secondary teaching have lagged behind in this reflection, and the COVID pandemic pivot has highlighted how challenging management of change could be in online pedagogy.  Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has offered powerful promises in supplying instructors with hands-on resources to navigate this rapid transformation of online pedagogy and guarantee that online learning spaces are fully inclusive.  This paper explores and analyzes auto-ethnographic data collected by the author along the last four years, while he provided support and professional development around UDL as a consultant through the sector.  The paper presents key findings from this analysis in relation to the usefulness of UDL in the diverse online class, and invites a reflection related to their strategic implications for higher education.
How to build a learning designer
Authors: Abblitt Stephen , Davis Stephanie , D'Rozario Tanya , Ho Thien , Pariah Yovinah , Rasouli Reza
Published: November 2023

The practice and profession of learning design has grown significantly in recent years. However, there remains a scarcity of formal qualifications and training specifically designed for learning designers. This paper describes a work-in-progress initiative to co-design a training program for/with/as a team of novice learning designers. The question driving our practice-led and design-based investigation is not just what but how learning designers should learn. The team conducted research into the requisite knowledge, skills, and capabilities that make a successful learning designer, including an informal learning needs analysis. Based on this research and analysis, this paper explores the question of how learning designers should learn by discussing four guiding theoretical principles and related design components consequently ideated by the team: learner agency; becoming professional; novice/expert mentorship; and community of practice. It then turns to the question of what, describing the core curriculum and program structure through which these principles will be enacted. These questions are critical to the present and future of the profession as we collectively articulate our shared practices and identity, and what it means to be a learning designer.
The implications of generative AI for creative composition in higher education and initial teacher education
Authors: Creely Edwin , Blannin Joanne
Published: November 2023

This position paper explores the impact of generative AI on creativity and creative production in higher education, with focus also on initial teacher education. Creative outputs are an essential part of the business of higher education across different disciplinary areas, along with pedagogical and assessment practices matched to these outputs. However, the advent of generative AI has sparked a reconsideration of how we think about creativity, creative output, and the hybridity of relationships between generative AI and humans in creative endeavours. This emergent technology also has significant implications for teacher education and for the develop of new teachers who need confidence with using AI in learning contexts. We suggest that new thinking and critical dialogue are essential in developing educational futures in which generative AI is understood for its affordances, limitations, and dangers.
Modification of Al2O3 inclusions in SWRH82B steel by La/Y rare-earth element treatment
Authors: Xiong Xingqiang , Li Changrong , Chen Lu
Published: November 2023

The experimental schemes of lanthanum (La) treatment, yttrium (Y) treatment, and La/Y mixed treatment of inclusions in SWRH82B steel were used. The size distribution, number density, inter-surface distance, the degree of homogeneity, and the area density of inclusions in the test steel were determined. The results show that the rare earths have a certain refinement and homogenization effect on the inclusions, and the mixed rare earths have the best effect on the inclusions in the steel. The average size of inclusions after mixed rare-earth treatment is 1.23 μm, the average size of inclusions after rare-earth La treatment is 1.79 μm, and the average size of inclusions after rare-earth Y treatment is 1.37 μm. Thermodynamic calculations show that the affinity of rare earths to oxygen in steel is higher, and the affinity to sulfur is lower. La and oxygen–sulfur have a higher affinity, and the affinity of Y and oxygen–sulfur is lower. In addition to single inclusions, there are complex inclusions in the steel.
Recurrence and survival for patients with thyroid carcinoma in the pediatric age group in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi: retrospective analysis of a multicentre cohort
Authors: Ben Ghashir Najla , Elomami Abdulghani , Al Masoud Reham , Caponio Vito Carlo Alberto , Al Seddeeqi Eiman
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Pediatric thyroid cancer represents 2.3 % of thyroid cancers, and its long-term outcome data are sparse. There have not been studies in the UAE delineating its epidemiology, clinical and histological characteristics, and follow-up outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the clinical–pathological behavior, recurrence and survival rates in pediatrics with all types of thyroid cancer in the UAE.

Methods

Multicentre retrospective chart review analysis of pediatric patients with thyroid carcinoma from January 2010 to December 2020 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Results

Thirty-four patients were included, 85 % being females. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was the commonest type of thyroid cancer (88 %) vs. follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) (11.8 %). Almost half of our patients had a multifocal disease, 26 % had lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and 21 % had extrathyroidal extension (ETE). There were no mortalities during follow-up. 85 % of patients exhibited complete remission, while 15 % of patients showed evidence of progressive residual or recurrent disease. One patient had metastasis to lymph nodes and lungs.

Conclusions

There were similar trends of incidence, sex prevalence, and histopathological patterns as the ones observed internationally. Potential risk factors in our population include a family history of thyroid cancer and obesity. The lower rate of ETE, LVI, metastasis, and recurrence indicates a possibly less aggressive disease.
In silico protein function prediction: the rise of machine learning-based approaches
Authors: Chen Jiaxiao , Gu Zhonghui , Lai Luhua , Pei Jianfeng
Published: November 2023

Proteins function as integral actors in essential life processes, rendering the realm of protein research a fundamental domain that possesses the potential to propel advancements in pharmaceuticals and disease investigation. Within the context of protein research, an imperious demand arises to uncover protein functionalities and untangle intricate mechanistic underpinnings. Due to the exorbitant costs and limited throughput inherent in experimental investigations, computational models offer a promising alternative to accelerate protein function annotation. In recent years, protein pre-training models have exhibited noteworthy advancement across multiple prediction tasks. This advancement highlights a notable prospect for effectively tackling the intricate downstream task associated with protein function prediction. In this review, we elucidate the historical evolution and research paradigms of computational methods for predicting protein function. Subsequently, we summarize the progress in protein and molecule representation as well as feature extraction techniques. Furthermore, we assess the performance of machine learning-based algorithms across various objectives in protein function prediction, thereby offering a comprehensive perspective on the progress within this field.