bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metacognition analysis of five grade students in elementary school on numbers
Authors: Triwahyuningtyas Dyah , Sesanti Nyamik Rahayu
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to observe student learning activities in terms of number material metacognition. The method is a case study qualitative research. The research subjects were 30 students of the fifth-grade elementary school in Malang. Data collection techniques use tests and interviews by carrying out three stages: planning, monitoring, and evaluation. The results showed that internal and external factors caused 75% of moderate learning difficulties. Internal factors arise due to a lack of understanding of mathematical concepts, lack of thoroughness, and interest in literacy. Meanwhile, the external media used by the teacher was deemed less supportive, and the class conditions were not conducive. Thus, there is a conclusion that internal and external factors cause students’ metacognition analysis.
The effectiveness of Moodle among engineering education college students in Indonesia
Authors: Amin Muhammad , Sibuea Abdul Muin , Mustaqim Bima
Published: January 2023

The selection of learning media in accordance with the subject will greatly affect the interest and response of students in attending learning. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, learning is conducted online, many students are not serious and are not interested in attending learning. Therefore, it is necessary to have media or online lecture platforms that can attract students’ attention, so that students can follow and be interested in learning. The purpose of this study was to look into the impact of Moodle on the research methodology performances of college students in Indonesia. Its goal was to investigate college students’ reactions to Moodle as an innovative online platform. This study included 86 Indonesian college students who sat in a single intact group. Based on the quantitative data, the study used a quasi-experimental design and a one-group pretest-posttest design. A test and a questionnaire were used to collect data. According to the study’s findings, Moodle improved Indonesian students’ research methodology performance. Students were excited to use Moodle because of its simplicity, usefulness, and accessibility. Moodle’s effectiveness in other contexts should be investigated in future research. This study confirmed Moodle's dependability in broader contexts.
Rethinking strategy on developing students’ levels of geometric thinking in Sokoto state, Nigeria
Authors: Hassan Muhammad Nasiru , Abdullah Abdul Halim , Ismail Norulhuda
Published: January 2023

Geometric thinking skills remained a topical issue in mathematics education. The purpose of this research is to investigate the van Hiele levels of geometric thinking skills of the students in Sokoto state to provide a clear picture of the students’ levels for the appropriate development of learning activities, and better understanding. The study involves three mathematics teachers and 200 students (100 students each of basic and senior secondary school students). The samples of the teachers were purposely selected and students were randomly selected. There were two instruments used in the study; interviews for the mathematics teachers while a van Hiele test for geometric thinking was adopted to collect data for the students’ van Hiele levels of thinking. Thematic analysis (for teachers’ interview), descriptive, and Mann-Whitney U test for the analysis of students’ van Hiele levels of thinking was used. The result shows that all the teachers indicate that the traditional approach is the dominant method used in teaching and learning and that students in the state lack basic skills in school geometry. Also, the result indicated that the majority of students sample among Basic and Senior secondary schools in Sokoto state were operating at level 0 respectively. Furthermore, a significant difference between the two independent groups was found in favor of senior secondary school students. It is hoped that in the future, educational institutions could use the present research as a guide for the development and design of modules, learning activities based on the van Hiele levels to bridge the gap in the state.
Exploring organizational management of extrovert school leadership
Authors: Shah Syed Kamran Ali , Butt Muqaddas , Khan Ayaz Muhammad , Zeeshan Muhammad , Aziz Aatika
Published: January 2023

The study aimed at determining the personality traits of extroversion and introversion of school leadership and evaluating their organizational management in Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs). A quantitative research design along with a positivist paradigm was followed. The total population consisted of 68 school principals and 592 teachers of FGEIs in the Gujranwala, Fazaia, and Lahore Regions from which 54 principals and 381 teachers were selected using a random sampling technique. Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) was deployed to collect information about personality traits and data regarding organizational management, the researchers used a self-developed questionnaire. Pearson correlation r and t-tests were deployed for inferential stats. The results showed that extrovert school leaders perform their duties well as they hold a clear concept of the vision and mission of the organization, set up an accepted procedure to plan short-term and long-term goals, share responsibilities with all stakeholders following their skills, and ensure the smooth functioning of the school with the help of all stakeholders. In comparison, introverted school principals show less interest in the organizational management of their schools. Moreover, organizational management of school leadership has a positive correlation with the personality trait of extroversion and a significant difference can be seen in organizational management of an extrovert and an introvert school principal. It was recommended that the performance indicators and standards of school principals should be effectively communicated to school leadership. Introvert school leadership should be provided with the necessary psychological training to reduce this shortcoming of personality.
Professional elementary teachers in the digital era: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ibda Hamidulloh , Syamsi Ibnu , Rukiyati Rukiyati
Published: January 2023

Teachers of elementary school must be professional and have digital skills in Revolution 4.0, and Society 5.0 age progresses. This article includes a thorough assessment of the research on elementary school teachers’ professional competence, professional development, and digital competence. This research is needed to determine what professional elementary school teachers did and why they should be professionals in the digital age. The writing of this systematic review of literature articles was assisted by the Publish or Perish 7, Mendeley, VOSviewer, and Nvivo 12 Plus application. The search for articles in Scopus indexed journals is limited to the last 11 years (2010-2021). From the search results, there were 100 Scopus indexed articles, then articles were selected according to compatible themes into 31 selected articles. Professionals’ teacher, professional development, pedagogical content knowledge, teacher professional development, professional development program, and professional competence are among the findings of the theme/topic. The articles were analyzed according to the topics determined through the NVIVO 12 Plus. This article contributes to subsequent research and becomes a study for the theme of professional elementary school teachers and teacher competence in the digital era.
Factors affecting students’ career choices in Morocco
Authors: Amini Najia , Sefri Youssef , Radid Mohamed
Published: January 2023

In a changing socio-economic world, making a career choice has become a complex process that involves many factors. The study is recommended to develop appropriate guiding interventions for career exploration. For this purpose, using a quantitative approach, the study at hand seeks to explain the impact of social context on academic career development. The questionnaire has an internal consistency of about 0.71 and consists of two parts. The first deals with the socio-demographic factor and the second, presented as Likert-type items, contains 17 variables, which are expected to affect students’ career and academic choices. A total of 285 high school students responded to the questionnaire. The study has found that family and teachers’ support, as well as study plans and educational goals, play an important role in students’ career choices. Moreover, using the Mann-Whitney test and the Kruskal-Wallis test, some disparities have been noticed among pupils based on their gender and academic achievement.
Assessment of domain-specific prior knowledge: A development and validation of mathematical problem-solving test
Authors: Amalina Ijtihadi Kamilia , Vidákovich Tibor
Published: January 2023

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a complex problem-solving that depends on the deep structures of domain-specific prior knowledge (DSPK) in mathematics. However, there is a lack of mathematics DSPK tests measuring several mathematics topics in every problem-solving phase in conceptual and procedural knowledge. This study aims to develop a mathematical problem-solving test as a mathematics DSPK test and investigate the content and construct validity. The product of test development is a 30-multiple-choice-item test in six mathematics topics. Every topic underlined all problem-solving phases in conceptual and procedural knowledge in a science or individual context. There were six experts performed the content validity sheets which analyzed using the content validity index (CVI) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The construct validity was examined using the Rasch model from 175 data of 7th grader students in Indonesia (Mage=12.66, SD=55). The result of content validity revealed overall items were valid (CVI≥83) and reliable (α=863; rxx=513). The construct of all items indicated fit (90≤weigheted MNSQ≤1.16) and were reliable (α=74) with various levels of difficulties and six low discrimination items. The recommendation for improvement is emphasized in language aspects. The absence of knowledge of facts could be an improvement for further study.
The study of personal factors of adolescents affecting their attitudes towards the success and failure of the other
Authors: Serdakova Alexandra , Shustikova Natalia , Kishkin Nikita , Asafaylo Marina , Kravtsov Nikolay
Published: January 2023

The purpose of the research was to study personal factors that can influence the formation of attitudes towards the success and failure of the other in adolescence. The psychodiagnostics techniques used in the study included Beskova’s methodology modified by Dubovskaya and Serdakova, the methodology for diagnosing the level of empathy by Boyko, emotional intelligence test by Hall and Dembo-Rubinstein self-esteem measurement methodology modified by Prikhozhan. There is a correlation between the attitudes towards the success and failure of a peer and personality traits in adolescence. It has been shown that young men and women are frequently characterized by a positive perception of the other, sincere joy and admiration for their success, and sympathy in case of failure and success of the other. A direct correlation was revealed between the level of empathy and a positive attitude towards the success of the other, which confirms the role of the personal factor in the formation of interpersonal relations.
Factors of using e-learning in higher education and its impact on student learning
Authors: Zulherman Zulherman , Zain Farah Mohamad , Sailin Siti Nazuar
Published: January 2023

This research was conducted to evaluate the adoption of e-learning in higher education and its impact on students. The quantitative research design was used in this study, and the technology acceptance model (TAM) was used with two external variables perceived enjoyment (PEN) and perceived self-efficacy (PSE), to analyze the validity and reliability of items and to test the hypotheses. This study was conducted among 592 undergraduate students who were selected using a random sampling technique. The findings of this study have successfully proven all ten hypotheses. It was evident that the students enjoyed e-learning’s adoption, which had succeeded in increasing students’ motivation to learn, increasing students’ confidence, and expanding students’ knowledge.
Practical and social interaction justice of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ramadhani Rahmi , Armanto Dian , Syahputra Fikry Prastya , Eliawati Titim
Published: January 2023

The implementation of learning in the current situation can be carried out using online learning as part of the methodology to answer the educational challenges caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of technology in the online learning process in previous research studies has made it a major and important factor for successful learning in this emergency situation. This study aimed to investigate a philosophical perspective using the critical realism paradigm regarding the role of technology in online learning practices based on e-learning systems and justice in social interaction in aspects of learning implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a qualitative method with a critical realism approach. The results indicated that several critical arguments exist to rebalance the role of technology back to its origin, which is not a major factor, but a factor that still requires support from personal factors, personal behavior, and teacher readiness in facing technological developments. The findings of the study can be used to implement technology-based online learning while keeping practical and social justice in mind for both students and teachers.
Leadership role in promoting childhood education: Perception of practitioners in Pakistan
Authors: Shah Syed Jawad Zareen , Yousuf Muhammad Imran , Imran Muhammad , Hanif Muhammad
Published: January 2023

Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is a significant stage to develop responsible generations. Holistic child development may be possible through a plan of early childhood education (ECE) and early learning. This study is planned to explore the role of school leadership in promoting ECCE in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. This research study may play a significant role in sensitizing the educationist, practitioners, pedagogical leadership in early learning centers, and political leadership. The study was quantitative in nature. In the first step, a stratified sampling technique was used to select the districts among the three divisions of AJK. In the second step, a simple random sampling technique was used. Self-developed a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect the data. The study concluded that leadership plays a significant role in promoting ECCE. It is encouraging that educational leadership involves parents in the process of teaching-learning. Learners are happy in the school activities, and academic leadership is planning to minimize the workload of kids. It is recommended that children may be facilitated with better infrastructure.
Student’s rating of secondary school physics teachers’ classroom practice: Implications for teaching and learning
Authors: Bada Abiodun Adekunle , Jita Loyiso C.
Published: January 2023

Evaluation in secondary schools has been left in the hands of school management, administrators, and teachers. Little or no attention has been paid to the concerns of students, who happens to be another important stakeholder in the teaching-learning process. Students’ voices regarding teachers’ classroom practice can have great implications for teaching and learning. This study investigated students’ ratings of secondary schools’ physics teachers with particular reference to teachers’ use of instructional material(s), methods, and classroom management. This study adopted the descriptive survey design, which involved 1,256 physics students randomly selected from the three senatorial districts in Ondo, Nigeria. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect data for this research and the data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from this study revealed that physics teachers were rated low in their use of instructional materials and instructional methods. However, physics teachers were rated high in the area of classroom management. This study concluded that the use of good instructional materials and methods while still adopting the best classroom management is crucial to the realization of classroom objectives. The paper contributes to the scholarship on how students’ views of their teachers can have great implications for teaching and learning.
Perspectives of Malaysian academics on the preparation of fourth industrial revolution for Construction Technology Program
Authors: Mahmud Murni Fahirah , Aripin Muhamad Afzamiman , Junaifi Nur Hidayah , Noh Seth Nur Hazirah , Sultan Al Amin Mohamed
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the perspective of Construction Technology academics from Malaysia vocational colleges on implementing the aspects of the industrial revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0). It was achieved by determining the degree of leadership support for vocational colleges, implementation of IR 4.0 components by academics, readiness for both generic and IR 4.0-related technical skills. This study was conducted using a survey method (cross-sectional study) where data collection and research findings were done only once during this study was conducted by applying the questionnaire method. The sample was chosen from among 408 academics from 42 vocational schools in Malaysia using Fisher's Formula. By choosing to work with a 95% confidence level, a standard deviation of 0.5, and a confidence interval (margin of error) of ± 5%, this study requires 198 samples for a better data findings and analysis. From 198 instruments distributed, only 45 instruments managed to be collected and analyzed due to limitation during global pandemic. The findings of this study were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20 by taking the mean value of each variable studied. The results of the study showed that the average mean score for each of the overall objectives of the study was at a high level which is between the mean ranges of 3.98 - 4.38. This shows that the level of implementation and readiness from the perspectives of vocational college academics in Malaysia in the field of Construction Technology is at a high level.
Exploration and verification of fourth industrial revolution generic skills attributes for entry-level civil engineers
Authors: Mohd Kamaruzaman Fathiyah , Hamid Roszilah , Mutalib Azrul A. , Rasul Mohamad Sattar , Omar Marlissa , Mohd Zaid Mohd Fakhrul Azizie
Published: January 2023

The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) requires the workforce to be equipped with new skills when existing skills need to be upgraded or improved because they are no longer in line with technological advancement in 4IR. Thus, it is crucial to determine what the new skills or 4IR skills are that can help the future workforce obtain a job after graduation. This study aimed to explore and verify the attributes of nine 4IR generic skills (GS4IR) for entry-level civil engineers in Malaysia by using a qualitative approach. An interview session was conducted with five senior engineers in the civil engineering (CE) field and three experts (two engineers in CE and one lecturer in CE faculty) for reliability data verification. The interview data were analyzed using coding analysis and presented in a matrix table. The results show 76 items identified as attributes of nine GS4IR constructs. Next, the verification of the constructs and attributes of GS4IR was obtained from Fleiss Kappa's reliability analysis to determine the overall approval index. The results of the analysis revealed an overall Kappa coefficient value of 0.61, which indicates a good level of agreement. The findings of this study consist of 58 attributes for nine constructs of GS4IR approved after the inter-rater reliability among the experts. The findings from this study are beneficial for the development of a framework of 4IR generic skills for civil engineering graduates as guidance to instill new skills in producing future engineers.
Technology in the educational processes of basic education in Peru
Authors: Velarde César León , Vega-Infantas Maribel Liliana , Gavino-Ramos Martin Sabino , Tipe-Carrasco Jorge Luis , Acha-Jimenez John Hebert
Published: January 2023

This research project aimed to give a perspective on the implementation of technologies in basic education in Peru. How the automation of basic education processes in Peru helps students, parents, teachers, and administrative staff to reduce time, to have better educational quality, and to obtain indicators for the teacher and student. The methodology of the research is a sequence of activities that allow us to design a framework for process technologies in basic education in Peru. Based on online surveys, it was possible to obtain information from people who want a change in the processes of education, such as: having more reach to information with the help of the internet for which mobile applications or web applications are needed, the delivery of evaluations and enrolment via online, taking advantage of technology for the benefit of the student and teachers, and other processes. The research has a qualitative approach. It is also descriptive in scope with the help of other studies or tests conducted. For the creation of this article, we used surveys, scientific journals, and our own experience as practitioners. If we want to improve education, it is necessary to improve educational processes with the help of technology and the internet.
The effect of reading literacy to mathematics comprehension of elementary school students in Indonesia and Malaysia
Authors: Prabowo Anggit , Suparman Suparman , Li Chong Su , Janan Dahlia , Damayanti Tri Dessy
Published: January 2023

This article aims to measure the effects of reading literacy to mathematical comprehension of fifth grade elementary students both in Indonesia and Malaysia. This article used quasi-experiment with factorial design. Samples included 398 students that consisted of 173 elementary students in Indonesia and 216 elementary students in Malaysia. The data were taken by using three instruments: a test and three questionnaires. A test was used to assess the students’ mathematical comprehension. Meanwhile, the questionnaires were used to measure their reading literacy and motivation to study mathematics. They have been validated by two experts and estimated the reliability coefficient by using the Cronbach Alpha formula. Experts judged the instruments were valid based on the content validity. The reliability coefficient of all of the instruments was more than 0.5 so they were reliable. A descriptive statistical analysis was used to describe the data, while the analysis variant was used to examine the different mathematical comprehension levels of the students based on reading literacy and the motivation to study mathematics. The result showed that there is a difference in mathematical comprehension levels between students that have a high reading literacy level and those with a lower level. Besides that, this study also shows that there is a distinction in mathematical comprehension levels between students which have a higher motivation to study mathematics with students that have less motivation. This study concluded that reading literacy and the motivation to study mathematics have an effect toward mathematical comprehension ability of elementary students.
A gesta de Fem’Touloulou no carnaval créole da Guiana Francesa: um teatro oculto-exposto
Authors: Leal Odile Pedro , Sales Kall
Published: January 2023

A maioria daqueles que testemunharam o carnaval da Guiana Francesa concorda com o pensamento de que ele “é” teatro. Sem dúvida, eles teriam “reconhecido”, nos fluxos em movimento dos desfiles dominicais, elementos estruturais ou artísticos da prática corrente da arte dramática, oriunda do teatro convencional ocidental e, mais particularmente, do teatro europeu (o personagem, a representação, o figurino, a definição de espaço cênico, e outros). Mas, estamos realmente na presença de um teatro, tal como entendemos ainda hoje? Ou se trata de um teatro outro? Um teatro que se relacionaria com diferentes gêneros e estéticas, sem pertencer a nenhum deles, cuja influência guianense só poderia ser oculta e exposta, simultaneamente, no meio das manifestações habituais e de sua aplicação ritualística tradicional, como se vê no carnaval créole da Guiana. Um teatro não repertoriado e nem nomeado como tal, um teatro oculto-exposto.
A Crique, de Sylviane Vayaboury (primeiro capítulo)
Authors: Pozzi Jéssica de Souza
Published: January 2023

Sylviane Vayaboury nasceu em Caiena, na Guiana Francesa, em 20 de abril de 1960. Ela é filha de um pai indo-guadalupense e de uma mãe guianense, tendo vivido, em função disso, tanto nas Antilhas (Guadalupe e Martinica), quanto na Guiana Francesa, onde mora atualmente. Foi professora do magistério em Caiena e lecionou também durante os anos em que morou em Paris, onde passou por uma formação complementar no Institut Universitaire de Formation de Maîtres (IUFM), em uma classe infantil de um hospital da capital francesa. De volta ao “país natal”, em 2007 ela assume o posto de encarregada de missão documentária do Centre Régional de Documentation Pédagogique em Caiena.
A poesia negra e feminina de Lima Fabien
Authors: Braz Beatriz D’Angelo
Published: January 2023

Lima Fabien é uma poeta de origem guianense e martiniquense, que nasceu em 1964, no Senegal. Fabien mudou-se posteriormente para Metz, no noroeste da França, onde passou sua infância e adolescência. A autora com frequência define-se como uma “cidadã do mundo”, o que se deve, provavelmente, a essa vivência cheia de deslocamentos. Contudo, ainda que Fabien afirme a universalidade da poesia como meio de expressão da sensibilidade humana – que pode ser  compartilhada independentemente da raça, da origem e das fronteiras geográficas-, seu trabalho poético também busca refletir e afirmar sua expressão créole. Além de poeta, Fabien tem um significativo trabalho no teatro guianense como atriz e dramaturga na companhia Mayouri Théâtre.
Uma tradução do prefácio de Batouala. Véritable roman nègre, de René Maran
Authors: Grace Danielle , Ielpo Rodrigo Silva
Published: January 2023

A tradução aqui apresentada refere-se a um prefácio que marcou de modo muito peculiar a relação entre a arte e sociedade na França da primeira metade do século XX. Tal prefácio integra o livro Batouala. Véritable roman négre, do escritor franco-guianense René Maran, que ficou mundialmente conhecido por ser o primeiro autor negro a receber o prêmio Goncourt por esta obra em 1921.
“O teatro é primeiramente uma arma política”: entrevista com Élie Stephenson
Authors: Ielpo Rodrigo Silva , Stephenson Élie , Weigel François
Published: January 2023

Nascido em Caiena, Guiana Francesa, em 1944, Élie Stephenson é um dos grandes escritores guianenses. Autor de diversos livros, passeando entre os mais diferentes gêneros como a poesia, o romance, o conto e o teatro, sua obra traz a marca de um ativismo pleno de lirismo e coragem. Em seu teatro, a relação entre estes termos dá especial relevância ao problema do confronto entre modos de vida distintos, marcados, especialmente, pela oposição entre guianenses e metropolitanos, o que o permite criticar de forma contundente a problemática relação colonialista da França com a Guiana. Escritas, como o próprio autor declara, para o povo, suas peças funcionariam, assim, como dispositivo de desalienação e resistência à dominação francesa, dominação esta que Élie, assim como Nora, sua esposa, não cessam de denunciar. Isso explica o lugar de destaque que o crioulo da Guiana tem em sua literatura dramática. Construindo um espaço de intimidade, o uso desta língua possibilita a seu autor circunscrever um conjunto de questões que, por esta via, podem deixar o corpo individual do escritor e reverberar como singularidade pela adjunção do coro de vozes que de fato a enuncia: o povo. E se, ao contrário de sua obra poética, tão vasta quanto suas peças, seu teatro parecia fadado a não deixar o espaço do manuscrito, de uns tempos para cá, ele vem sendo editado, como prova a publicação, em 2018, do livro Œuvre Théâtrale Inédite.
O teatro guianense contemporâneo: entrevista com Odile Pedro Leal
Authors: Ribeiro Rosária Cristina Costa , Leal Odile Pedro , Barboza Karina de Oliveira
Published: January 2023

Atriz formada pelo Conservatório Nacional Superior de Bordeaux, diretora de teatro, dramaturga e diretora artística do Grand Théâtre Itinérant de Guyane (Grand T.I.G), sucessor, desde 2017, do Guyane Art Théâtre, Odile Pedro Leal também foi responsável pela missão cultural no Conselho Regional da Guiana entre 2010 e 2012. Podemos dizer que Pedro Leal é uma mulher plural, como a Guiana, como o teatro guianense. Em sua tese de doutorado, Pedro Leal desenvolve o conceito de teatro caché-montré, um teatro presente no cotidiano guianense, especialmente centrado em torno do carnaval: “O carnaval é um teatro escondido, pois dispensa o estrado ou o palco, assim como o profissionalismo do ator para sua realização, e é um teatro mostrado, pois é visivelmente encenado.” (PEDRO LEAL, 2000, p. 37).
Atipa: Romance guianense. A desconhecida Guiana crioula de Alfred Parépou
Authors: Jochimsen Paola Karyne Azevedo , Rodrigues Larissa Maria Ferreira da Silva
Published: January 2023

O presente artigo busca apresentar e comentar a tradução inédita para língua portuguesa do prefácio e do primeiro capítulo do livro Atipa. Romain guyanais (1885) de Alfred Parépou. A obra é considerada o primeiro texto escrito em crioulo guianense. Apesar de intitulado de romance, Atipa está longe das características que envolvem este gênero literário. Este livro é um testemunho da riqueza linguística, cultural e social que este pequeno país, situado na América do Sul, guardou por anos, antes do aparecimento de sua primeira tradução para o francês na década de 1960.
Reverse Atrial Remodeling in Heart Failure With Recovered Ejection Fraction
Authors: Sun Yuxi , Chen Xuefu , Zhang Yanli , Yu Yao , Zhang Xinxin , Si Jinping , Ding Zijie , Xia Yunlong , Tse Gary , Liu Ying
Published: January 2023

Background

Heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF) has been a newly recognized entity since 2020. However, the concept has primarily focused on left ventricular ejection fraction improvement, with less focus on the recovery of the left atrium. In this study, we investigated changes in left atrial (LA) echocardiographic indices in HFrecEF.

Methods and Results

An inpatient cohort with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) was identified retrospectively and followed up prospectively in a single tertiary hospital. The enrolled patients were classified into HFrecEF and persistent HFrEF groups. Alternations in LA parameters by echocardiography were calculated. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or heart failure rehospitalization. A total of 699 patients were included (HFrecEF: n=228; persistent HFrEF: n=471). Compared with persistent HFrEF, the HFrecEF group had greater reductions in LA diameter, LA transverse diameter, LA superior–inferior diameter, LA volume, and LA volume index but not in LA sphericity index. Cox regression analysis showed that the HFrecEF group experienced lower risks of prespecified end points than the persistent HFrEF group after adjusting for confounders. Additionally, 136 (59.6%) and 62 (13.0%) patients showed LA reverse remodeling (LARR) for the HFrecEF and persistent HFrEF groups, respectively. Among the HFrecEF subgroup, patients with LARR had better prognosis compared with those without LARR. Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that age and coronary heart disease were 2 independent negative predictors for LARR.

Conclusions

In HFrecEF, both left ventricular systolic function and LA structure remodeling were improved. Patients with HFrecEF with LARR had improved clinical outcomes, indicating that the evaluation of LA size provides a useful biomarker for risk stratification of heart failure.
Impaired Elastic Properties of the Ascending Aorta in Fetuses With Coarctation of the Aorta
Authors: Xu Ran , Zhou Dan , Liu Yushan , Yao Longmei , Xie Li , Liu Minghui , Zhou Qichang , Zeng Shi
Published: January 2023

Background

Abnormal aortic elastic properties are major notable vasculopathy involved in coarctation of the aorta (CoA). However, there are no reports on aortic wall elastic characteristics in fetuses with CoA.

Methods and Results

Fifty‐six fetuses with CoA and 56 normal controls were included in this prospective case–control study. The dimensions of the cardiac chamber, the size of the aorta, left ventricular myocardial performance indexes, and aortic elastic properties, including the global circumferential strain, fractional area change and mean longitudinal strain, were measured serially in utero. The global circumferential strain, fractional area change, and mean longitudinal strain in fetuses with CoA were smaller than those in the normal group at both the first and last examinations (18.50% versus 37.73% for global circumferential strain, 38.90% versus 57.55% for fractional area change, 6.61% versus 11.81% for mean longitudinal strain at first scan, 16.62% versus 42.05% for global circumferential strain, 36.54% versus 59.7% for fractional area change, 6.2% versus 11.46% for mean longitudinal strain at last scan, all
P
<0.001). There were negative correlations between aortic elastic properties and left ventricular myocardial performance indexes in fetuses with CoA (
P
<0.01). Aortic elastic properties were correlated positively with aortic isthmus size in fetuses with CoA (
P
<0.01).

Conclusions

Aortic strain and the fractional area change were decreased in fetuses with CoA. Impairments of these aortic elastic properties were associated with diminished heart function and aortic isthmus size in utero. Further large‐scale longitudinal studies are required to confirm the potential predictive value of cardiovascular morbidity (ie, hypertension) in fetuses with CoA.
Re/sponse-able Visual Ethics for Education: Editorial
Authors: White Jayne , Sutherland Dean , Tesar Marek
Published: January 2023

The special topic editors develop some preliminary ponderings on visual ethics, setting the stage for further contributions to this topic.
Three newly described species of Carex sect. Fecundae (Cyperaceae) from Central America and typification of two related names
Authors: LOIS RAÚL , ACEDO Carmen , REZNICEK ANTON A. , JIMÉNEZ-MEJÍAS PEDRO
Published: January 2023

Three new species of Carex sect. Fecundae (Cyperaceae) are described from Central America. Carex orothanatica from Costa Rica, Carex siguanabae occurring in El Salvador and Honduras, and Carex via-aquae from Costa Rica and Panama. The three new species are compared with relatives. In addition, two related names, Carex lehmanniana Boott, and C. lehmaniana var. simplex Kük., are lectotypified.
Selaginella austro-orientalis (Selaginellaceae), a new species from Southeast China
Authors: WEI HONG-JIN , CHEN BIN , FANG SHAO-LI , ZHOU XIN-MAO
Published: January 2023

Selaginella subg. Heterostachys, especially S. sect. Heterostachys and S. sect. Tetragonostachyae, represents the most taxonomically difficult subgenus of Selaginella in China. Here, Selaginella austro-orientalis, a new species in S. sect. Heterostachys from Southeast China is described and illustrated based on morphological and phylogenetic studies. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to S. heterostachys, but differs by its broadly ovate ventral leaves with slightly cuspidate apex and strobili with megasporangia only at ventral side.
Physisporinus yunnanensis sp. nov. (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from Southern China
Authors: CAI JIA , ZOU LEI , WU XI , ZHAO CHANG-LIN
Published: January 2023

A wood-inhabiting fungal species, Physisporinus yunnanensis is proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Physisporinus yunnanensis is characterized by annual, resupinate, bone-hard basidiomata with an olivaceous to black pore surface, a monomitic hyphal system, presence of hyphoid cystidia at dissepiment edge and subglobose, smooth basidiospores measuring as 4–5.5 × 3.5–5 µm, and causing a white rot. The phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU sequences showed that P. yunnanensis is sister to P. furcatus with high support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP). Both morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses confirmed the placement of the new species in Physisporinus.
Thismia andicola sp. nov. (Thismiaceae): a new species from the northern Andes in Colombia
Authors: AGUILAR-CANO JOSÉ , GUZMÁN-GUZMÁN SANTIAGO , LOPERA-TORO ALEJANDRO
Published: January 2023

Knowledge on the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia (Thismiaceae) in the neotropics is scarce, where the majority of species are known from Brazil, with 13 currently accepted species, of which seven are endemics. All the 15 known species of the genus in the Americas, except T. americana, inhabit forests below 1300 m a.s.l. Two species of Thismia are known from Colombia, T. panamensis from the Chocó biogeographical region and T. glaziovii from the Amazonian region. Here we describe a third Colombian species, T. andicola sp. nov. distinguished by having outer surface of the floral tube light blue and densely punctate with sky-blue metallic dots, inner tepals 4.6–5 mm long and stigma obovoid, covered adaxially by regularly distributed simple uniseriate multicellular trichomes. It is collected in the buffer zone of the Tamá National Park, Norte de Santander and is the first species of Thismia recorded from the Andes, and the first American species found above 2000 m a.s.l. We provide a description, drawings, photographs, distribution map, and the provisional conservation status of the new species. A key to species of Thismia sect. Ophiomeris species is also included.
Taxonomic revision of African water beetles in the genus Ochthebius Leach (1815), subgenus Aulacochthebius Kuwert (1887) (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae)
Authors: PERKINS PHILIP D.
Published: January 2023

The African species of the water beetle genus Ochthebius Leach (1815), subgenus Aulacochthebius Kuwert (1887) are revised. Nine new species are described, based on the examination and databasing of 5,911 specimens from 101 localities. Male genitalia are illustrated, and high resolution habitus images of the holotypes and specimens of previously described species are provided. Distribution maps are provided for the sixteen species now known from Africa and Madagascar, including specimens from Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar. New species of O. (Aulacochthebius) are: O. (A.) copiosus n. sp.; O. (A.) flagellissimus n. sp.; O. (A.) latissimus n. sp.; O. (A.) mpumalangicus n. sp.; O. (A.) multilineatus n. sp.; O. (A.) nigeriensis n. sp.; O. (A.) persetosus n. sp.; O. (A.) scutatus n. sp.; and O. (A.) solitarius n. sp. The morphology of O. (A.) exaratus Mulsant, including the aedeagal morphology, is presented, and consequently O. (A.) strangulatus Régimbart is removed from synonymy with O. (A.) exaratus Mulsant.
What Three Words? ‘Go’, ‘Make’, ‘Disciples’: Some Expository Notes for Dissenting Preachers
Authors: Percy Martyn
Published: January 2023

Perhaps because of the widespread decline in church membership, there is some reactionary vogueishness in stressing “making disciples” as being the main purpose of mission. This suggests a somewhat fashion-shaped ecclesiology now emerging throughout most mainstream Protestant denominations in the developed world (i.e., not mission-shaped church). These expository notes critique such emphases, and interrogate the deeper and more authentic dynamics that underpin the (so-called) ‘Great Commission’ from Matthew 28. Far from being a rallying call to the church to replicate and reproduce disciples, we argue that Jesus’ call to the church was far deeper, nuanced and revolutionary. In fact, if the church really were to “make” more disciples, it would invest in education and richer transformational pedagogy – not in ever-receding-fantastical targets pursuing greater numerical growth. Using interlocutors drawn from Evangelical and Church of England exponents, we argue that mission is bound up in a very different kind of self-gift and incarnational sacrifice to be offered for the world around us.
Community social workers as social entrepreneurs: Lessons from Israel
Authors: Nouman Hani , Cnaan Ram A
Published: January 2023

Social entrepreneurship in social work is vital to finding innovative, creative, and long-term solutions to complex and persistent social problems. Among all social workers, community social workers are the ones who are most expected to be innovative and entrepreneurial. This study explored the motivations for engaging in social entrepreneurship, as well as the action strategies adopted by community social workers who successfully implemented social innovations within the social services where they work. Research findings revealed five action strategies that have the potential to promote successful social ventures; a combination of individual and organizational characteristics motivates entrepreneurial behavior in social work.
Deindustrialisation and the politics of subordinate degrowth: The case of Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Schindler Seth , Kanai J Miguel , Diaz Bay Javier
Published: January 2023

Cities in low- and middle-income countries have experienced deindustrialisation as localised agglomerations that historically served domestic and regional markets have become exposed to highly productive global value chains as capital has been (re)allocated to primary sectors. State, corporate and social actors have responded to economic decline by embracing a range of coping and adaptation strategies, some of which are consistent with degrowth, but they are often combined with business-as-usual initiatives in pursuit of economic growth. We refer to this as subordinate degrowth because localised responses are conditioned by the subordinate position of countries and cities in the global economy. While we acknowledge its divergence from ‘pure’ ideal-type degrowth, we do not dismiss the transformative potential of incremental change. Indeed, we argue that any realistic strategy to spatialise degrowth within cities must recognise the indeterminacy and messiness of urban politics. We employ subordinate degrowth as an analytic to interpret responses to deindustrialisation and economic decline in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Our analysis attends to three meso-level blind spots that characterise much degrowth scholarship, between (1) particular and universal, (2) advanced-industrial and agrarian ideal-types and (3) past/current socio-technical regimes and ‘pure’ degrowth.
Cultural responses to the COVID-19 crisis in Greece: The first wave (March–May 2020)
Authors: Zestanakis Panagiotis
Published: January 2023

This article examines cultural responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Greece during the first wave in spring 2020 approaching such responses not only as resulting from the fear of the virus but also as outcomes of larger historical processes. Analysing media material, surveys and discourses by politicians and health specialists the article argues that although Greece had a limited number of cases, most Greeks embraced the lockdown seeing COVID-19 as a threat. The government’s communication strategy highlighted popular values such as family and downplayed the class dimensions of the pandemic. This strategy proved effective and increased the popularity of the government and health experts at that stage.
Harmonic error observation of permanent magnet synchronous motor and its angle lag compensation method
Authors: Wang Lei , Han Yukun , Zhao Guoxu
Published: January 2023

During the permanent magnet synchronous motor operation, the inherent back-EMF output voltage harmonics of the permanent magnet synchronous motor shows the high harmonic noise signal, which is not conducive to the high precision control system. The harmonic error compensation method based on feedforward compensation is adopted to solve this problem and improve the system response characteristics and control accuracy. Firstly, in this paper, the torque harmonic error of a 12-pole 18-slot permanent magnet synchronous motor is analyzed and compensated. Then, this paper compensates the lag problem, which caused by the lag phase of the space voltage vector and harmonic lag. Finally, the experimental and observational simulation analysis results show that the method proposed in this paper can effectively suppress the error caused by the signal sampling lag. And the observation accuracy of permanent magnet synchronous motor is significantly improved.
CD27-Expressing Xenoantigen-Expanded Human Regulatory T Cells Are Efficient in Suppressing Xenogeneic Immune Response
Authors: Cao Lu , Ma Xiaoqian , Zhang Juan , Yang Min , He Zhenhu , Yang Cejun , Li Sang , Rong Pengfei , Wang Wei
Published: January 2023

Clinically, xenotransplantation often leads to T-cell-mediated graft rejection. Immunosuppressive agents including polyclonal regulatory T cells (poly-Tregs) promote global immunosuppression, resulting in serious infections and malignancies in patients. Xenoantigen-expanded Tregs (xeno-Tregs) have become a promising immune therapy strategy to protect xenografts with fewer side effects. In this study, we aimed to identify an efficient and stable subset of xeno-Tregs. We enriched CD27+ xeno-Tregs using cell sorting and evaluated their suppressive functions and stability in vitro via mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), real-time polymerase chain reaction, inflammatory induction assay, and Western blotting. A STAT5 inhibitor was used to investigate the relationship between the function and stability of CD27+ xeno-Tregs and the JAK3–STAT5 signaling pathway. A humanized xenotransplanted mouse model was used to evaluate the function of CD27+ xeno-Tregs in vivo. Our results show that CD27+ xeno-Tregs express higher levels of Foxp3, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4), and Helios and lower levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) than their CD27− counterparts. In addition, CD27+ xeno-Tregs showed enhanced suppressive function in xeno-MLR at ratios of 1:4 and 1:16 of Tregs:responder cells. Under inflammatory conditions, a lower percentage of CD27+ xeno-Tregs secretes IL-17 and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). CD27+ xeno-Tregs demonstrated an upregulated JAK3–STAT5 pathway compared with that of CD27− xeno-Tregs and showed decreased Foxp3, Helios, and CTLA4 expression after addition of STAT5 inhibitor. Mice that received porcine skin grafts showed a normal tissue phenotype and less leukocyte infiltration after reconstitution with CD27+ xeno-Tregs. Taken together, these data indicate that CD27+ xeno-Tregs may suppress immune responses in a xenoantigen-specific manner, which might be related to the activation of the JAK3–STAT5 signaling pathway.
Endocarditis
Authors: Khalid Muataz
Published: January 2023

Infectious endocarditis (IE) is an inflammatory condition that affects the endocardium, the heart's inner lining, as well as the valves that separate each of the heart's four chambers. Despite a low prevalence and improvements in its management, IE remains associated with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. IE can be associated with reduced quality of life and a high risk of re-infection. It often requires prolonged intravenous antibiotic treatment. The mortality rate is high, with an estimated one-third of patients dying within a year of diagnosis. It is important to have an awareness of the key features of a patient’s history and examination findings that should prompt referral to specialist services.