bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facing the Challenge of Preparing Maltese Schools and Students for a Multicultural Society: An Opportunity to Redefine Identity in the Light of “Otherness”
Authors: Wright Edward
Published: April 2024

Collaboration between the Secretariat for Catholic Education (SfCE) and the production house Cam Productions International (CPI) in organizing multiculturalism seminars for Year 10 students in all Maltese schools aims at providing opportunities for discussing, sharing and reflecting upon experiences of multiculturalism, and listening to experiences of people coming from diverse cultures. This paper will report the results of a mixed-methods research that has been carried out over the past three years to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of such an educational project, and understand how its design can be improved. Interviews with students and teachers during and after the seminars, small group discussions during the event, and focus groups organized after, were all transcribed and analysed narratively and thematically. The results point towards the students’ need to learn what multiculturalism really means and about the enriching challenges it offers, how these can be dealt with in ways that nurture self-growth in the light of “otherness”, and fruitful dialogue that enhances holistic identity. These results also highlight the need for students’ voices to be heard with respect to their experiences of multiculturalism, a first step towards the reduction of their prejudices and stereotypes. These voices could lead to increased acceptance of and greater respect for the “other” and the realization that conviviality of diverse cultures is both inevitable and necessary for holistic identity and wellbeing in today’s demographic landscape. The paper’s narrative literature review evaluates different models of multicultural education that adopt inclusive and democratic approaches, and are based on principles of democracy, equality and impartial justice. Such educational projects can increase students’ open-mindedness and openheartedness towards people from other cultures, facilitating the path towards responsible citizenship as students seek to use their positive energy and virtues for the common good of our multicultural society.
Teachers’ Perceptions of the Educational Leader’s Cultural Intelligence in International Schools: A Cross-National Comparative Case Study
Authors: Arnaud Juanita
Published: April 2024

This study examined teachers’ perceptions of their leaders’ Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in two different international schools in different geographical settings. With one international school located in Malta and the other in the Netherlands, this study discovered similarities and differences within the two schools in relation to the mentioned perception. Teachers’ perceptions of how their leader strives to cultivate the teachers’ CQ were also examined. Case study research was employed, where data were collected and analysed through mixed methods. The research tools used were questionnaires and interviews. Teachers completed questionnaires (N=38) which provided demographic information and a measure of their leader’s perceived CQ using the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS). In-depth evidence was derived from interviews (N=10) which triangulated the responses to the CQS. Quantitative and qualitative findings identified teachers’ positive perceptions of their leader’s CQ. Qualitative data also unravelled how teachers perceive their leaders to have a natural ability to navigate the international environment, fuelled by the trait of openness to new experiences. Interview data also delved into teachers’ opinions of how their CQ is being cultivated and could be further enhanced, and the rationale behind such need. The theme of guiding through modelling was also explored through the teachers’ and leaders’ viewpoints. These findings provide practical implications for educational leaders to enhance the CQ of teachers within their school, which would eventually ameliorate living in an intercultural environment.
The Promotion of Catholic Social Thought in a Maltese Secondary Church School and its Impact: A Case Study
Authors: Sammut Jonathan
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this case study is to explore how students in an all-boys Maltese Secondary Church school experience the promotion of Catholic Social Thought (CST) within their school, and to what extent this promotion impacts their values and behaviours. This study provides a platform for the voices of the school’s students and educators, which holds significance for the mission and identity of Church schools. An inductive approach to thematic analysis is used to identify the themes and patterns emerging from the research instruments. An interpretivist framework is also used, while a constructivist phenomenological approach using qualitative data is adopted. The sample is made up of 22 students from an all-boys Secondary Church school in Malta, along with a member of the school management team, the school chaplain and a seasoned educator from the same school. Overall, the opinions among the participants were all quite similar, albeit within their own distinctive perspectives and emphasis. The findings show that students experience the promotion of CST in six various ways throughout the school life — formal curriculum; extracurricular activities and school programmes; school environment, policies and practices; teacher and classroom practices and dynamics; nurturance; and role modelling. They also indicate that, while the students’ values and behaviours are being influenced by this promotion, there are also other factors from inside and outside of the school environment that have an impact on the students.
The Role of Secondary School Educational Leaders in Identifying and Responding to Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Sammut Neal
Published: April 2024

In response to an ever-increasing number of child sexual abuse (CSA) cases in Malta, this paper explores the way secondary school educational leaders are involved in identifying and responding to CSA. Additionally, it highlights the individual thoughts and feelings of secondary school educational leaders in responding to potential CSA cases. The sources of data of this mixed methods research include: 63 questionnaires completed by secondary school educational leaders occupying the role of Assistant Head of School or Head/Acting Head of School, as well as 10 semi-structured interviews conducted with secondary school educational leaders occupying the role of Head/Acting Head of School. Participants were recruited from three different school sectors: state, church, and independent. Whilst participants’ responses showed a willingness to fulfil mandatory reporting obligations and contained evidence of good practice in dealing with CSA, knowledge pertaining to CSA proved to be somewhat lacking amongst the participating educational leaders. This is likely attributed to the lack of pre-service and CoPE (Community of Professional Educators) training opportunities on all aspects of CSA available to educational professionals in all school sectors. The study reveals that dealing with CSA poses significant emotional challenges for educational leaders; however, the active involvement of different stakeholders and professionals facilitates the process of CSA referrals.
The Fun Imperative During Learning: A Neuroscientific Perspective
Authors: Pulis Angela
Published: April 2024

The search for the optimal learning environment is a journey that draws on various domains of study; neuroscience opens a window into the functioning of the brain and so provides crucial information for educators. The purpose of this desk research is twofold: firstly, to offer knowledge on the biology of the learning process that demonstrates the importance of fun during learning and secondly, to explore the practical implications of this knowledge. The review of literature offers an understanding of brain plasticity during learning, the functions of the different parts of the brain and the biochemical changes which connect learning and fun. This research is intended for practitioners, and so it attempts to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Finally, the paper proposes the idea of using a Fun Barometer to help educators gauge the climate of a learning context.
The Role of the Senior Leadership Team in Promoting Class Teachers’ Wellbeing in Primary Schools
Authors: Montebello Deborah Ann
Published: April 2024

This paper examines the present situation of class teachers in primary schools and the possible strategies that school leaders can employ to promote teachers’ wellbeing. An explanatory sequential mixed methods research design was used. The first phase involved distributing two online surveys, one for class teachers and one for SLT members, in seven Maltese primary schools. The data from the questionnaires were integrated and analysed to formulate the interview questions held with Heads of Schools (primary). Findings revealed that the support from school leaders is essential to enhance teachers’ welfare and that strategies including an open-door policy, shared decision-making, teambuilding activities, and the enforcement of curriculum time help sustain a whole-school approach toward teachers’ wellbeing. Following the research findings, the last section of this article concludes the study by tying it to practice and presenting an action plan that school leaders can use. This research also presents the ideas of this action plan in a user-friendly website1 aimed at giving the right tools to school leaders to bring about the change needed in the lives of educators.
How can Intercultural Diversity be understood? The Lecturers' Response
Authors: Spiteri Damian , Seguna Anita
Published: April 2024

Education set-ups across different age cohorts and countries often pride themselves on having students from various nations. The objective of this paper is to understand how, within a Maltese context, lecturers at sixth form level understand and consider intercultural diversity when implementing the curriculum. It also studies how lecturers’ personal experiences with race and culture inform their thinking on a meta-reflective level. Previous research has shown the importance of the use of reflection in teacher education (Davis 2006) and the use of portfolios for learning and assessment (Chetcuti et al. 2006) but little research has been carried out on teachers’ perspectives of teaching intercultural classes at a sixth form level. The study aims to fill in this lacuna in the literature by exploring what lecturers believe influences their ideas and practices of intercultural education in the classes they teach. There are clear implications of this study for policy, particularly showing that good will and having the best of intentions need to be augmented by a curriculum that is flexible enough to accommodate for students from different cultural groups if student learning is to be optimised across the board.
A Phenomenological analysis of the factors influencing the motivational climate experienced by a group of female educational leaders
Authors:   Head of School with MEYR, Cachia Schembri Janice , Bezzina Amanda
Published: April 2024

This study explored the experience of female educational leaders in their executive and personal life, identifying what motivates them and what influences their performancerelated goals, well-being, work-life balance and workplace relationships. The motivational climate experienced by these leaders is discussed through the self-determination theory perspective. Six female educational leaders participated in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was the research methodology adopted due to its idiographic nature. Findings revealed that social perceptions, personal traits, together with personal goals, contributed to their motivational drive. Coping strategies were adopted to safeguard their well-being and motivational drive in stress-related situations. Work-life balance and female multifaceted roles impact progression in leadership roles, while autonomously driven attitudes are interlinked with job engagement. This research proposes an insight into what nurtures and what hinders the motivational climate of female educational leaders, whereby policymakers can provide opportunities for those who aspire to pursue a career in leadership positions.
Understanding teacher learning in professional learning networks (PLNs): The emergence of lived learning experiences
Authors: Wang Xiong
Published: April 2024

This paper reveals the nature of teachers’ professional learning in online professional learning networks (PLNs) by narrating both my learning experiences and my understanding of the acquired theories (e.g., Gnosis, Episteme, Enactivism and Complexity Theory) from a seminar. The seminar made my learning experience the moments of wondering, discovering, struggling, and transforming, thereby resulting in my knowing about the acquired theories. These moments and the theories enabled me to reflect upon the conventional teacher professional learning and to explore the nature of teacher professional learning in PLNs such as knowledge, doing and being as a whole, learnable participatory position, emergence and understanding, true professional learning, and affordances of PLNs for teacher professional learning.
The Effectiveness of Analogy Learning as a Learning Practice Condition in Primary Physical Education
Authors: Ellul Maria , Bezzina Amanda
Published: April 2024

Analogy learning is a method of learning which encourages students to abstract new information and match it to already acquired knowledge (Richland & Simms, 2015). This study focuses on the topic of analogy learning and its effectiveness in primary Physical Education (PE) lessons. It aims to explore the perceptions of students and teachers towards the use of analogy learning in PE, as well as the benefits and limitations of this approach. The aims of the study align with the research questions which are the principal impetus for this study. The paper presents the results of a research study that was held in a girls' primary church school in Malta, with students from Grades 1, 3 and 6 participating in either an analogy group (treatment group) or a non-analogy group (control group) during PE lessons. Data was collected through close-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with students and PE stakeholders. The results showed that analogy learning can be beneficial in PE lessons, but it also has limitations. The study also highlighted the need for greater awareness about the use of analogy learning in primary PE lessons.
Financial Inclusion Policies and Performance of Nigerian Listed Deposit Money Banks
Authors: Zango Adamu Garba , Umeoji Adaora Remi
Published: April 2024

The development of modern technology for financial transactions poses exciting enquiries to both the finance sector operators and policy formulators with regard to appropriateness of previous institutional measures and availability of devices that will guarantee efficiency, effectiveness and financial stability of fiscal policies. This study evaluates the impact of financial inclusion strategies on the performance of Nigeria’s banking industry. To get the intended outcome, this study employs an ex-post facto research strategy to investigate the relationship between financial inclusion and the economic performance of the Nigerian banking industry. The data utilised in this study is sourced from various secondary sources from 2009 to 2019. The study included descriptive statistics and the Ordinary Least Square method of Regression analysis. The findings of the study suggest that the adoption of Point of Sale (PoS) terminals significantly influences the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the banking industry in Nigeria. Additionally, it revealed that financial transactions conducted through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) have a substantial impact on the Return on Equity (ROE) of the banking industry in Nigeria. On the other hand, it was determined that Mobile Money Transfer did not demonstrate a significant impact on the performance of the Nigerian banking sector. The report so suggests, among other recommendations, that the Central Bank of Nigeria should conduct a downward revision of electronic payment transaction rates in order to foster greater financial inclusion.
Growth, Yield, and Stem Quality of Tectona grandis Grown with Different Spacings at Longuza Forest Plantation, Tanzania
Authors:   Department of Ecosystems and Conservation, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Tourism, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3010, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania 67125, Samamba E , Chamshama S A O , Mwambusi J N
Published: April 2024

Spacing is a silvicultural practice that affects the growth of trees in forest plantations. However, the yield depends on growth, which is determined by spacing. In addition, spacing influences the quantity of the final crop available for harvesting, specifically in forest plantations for sawlog production. Spacing is also used as a management practice to control the quality of trees, as dense stands are expected to have trees with good stem quality. However, little has been done to address the effects of spacing on the growth, yield, and stem quality of Tectona grandis until final harvesting age. Teak plantations in Tanzania are grown at a rotation age of 20 years. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effect of spacing on the growth, yield, and stem quality of 24-year-old T. grandis in a Longuza Forest plantation in Muheza, Tanzania. Data were collected from a spacing trial using a randomized complete block design with three treatments: 2 m × 2 m, 3 × 3 m, and 4 m × 4 m, with three replications. The growth and yield parameters assessed were diameter at breast height (dbh) total tree height, and stem quality. Data were analyzed to obtain the basal area, volume, and mean annual increment. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple comparisons among treatment means were performed using Tukey's honest significant difference test (p-value = 0.05). The results showed that spacing did not significantly affect growth and yield parameters. The stem quality was significantly different in some treatments. The highest dbh and height growth were observed at 4 m× 4 m spacing. The highest values of basal area, volume, and mean annual increment were observed at a 3 m× 3 m spacing. Stem quality differed significantly between the 2 m× 2 m and 4 m× 4 m spacings. Because teak plantations in Tanzania are aimed at sawlog production, it is recommended to continue practising a spacing of 3 m× 3 m, which will ensure a higher mean annual increment with a higher volume at the stand level. In addition, a spacing of 3 m × 3 m ensured a higher percentage of trees with good stem quality.
rowth of Betung Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) and Food Crop Production Under Agroforestry Bamboo Systems
Authors:   Graduate Program of Forestry Science, Faculty of Forestry, Gadjah Mada University, Jl. Agro Bulaksumur No. 1, Yogyakarta, Indonesia 55281, Hani Aditya , Suryanto P , Murniati Murniati , Widiyatno Widiyatno
Published: April 2024

One of the main species in community forests is betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper). Optimizing land use under bamboo can be achieved by cultivating food crops. This research aimed to determine the growth of betung bamboo and the production of food crops. The experimental design used a split plot design with four cultivation patterns as the main plots: agroforestry bamboo pattern i.e. agroforestry bamboo + rice (P1), agroforestry bamboo + rice + cassava (P2), agroforestry bamboo + rice + taro (P3), and mixed food crops (rice + cassava + taro) (P4), while the subplots were rice varieties: rindang 2 (V1), protani (V2), and unsoed (V3). The observed parameters were bamboo growth, soil fertility, and food crop production. The results showed that seven-year-old betung bamboo had an average of 6.01 mature stems per clump, an average plant height of 7.23 m, and a stem diameter of 7.12 cm. The numbers of young stems and shoots per clump was 1.45 and 3.71. The highest betung bamboo growth was in the agroforestry pattern (length: 8,49 m, diameter: 7.17 cm, thickness: 1.95, total weight: 21.31 kg). The highest rice yield was observed in the P2V1 treatment (4.17 kg). The highest cassava tuber yield per plant was observed in P4 (2.12 kg). The taro tuber yield was relatively higher in the agroforestry pattern with a distance of >1 m from the bamboo clump (0.52 kg plant-1). The land equivalent ratio (LER) and area time equivalent ratio (ATER) of bamboo and food crop agroforestry have a value above 1, so it is more efficient in land.
Land Use, Built-Up, and Vegetation Index in North Halmahera Regency through Spatio-Temporal Analysis
Authors: Singgalen Y A
Published: April 2024

Monitoring land use, buildings, and vegetation index of ecotourism areas in North Halmahera can support planning space utilization in urban areas for tourist areas as the concept of land use management and urban planning. This study offers ideas for analyzing the distribution of buildings, vegetation index, and land use in the mangrove ecotourism area of North Halmahera Regency using the spatio-temporal analysis method. The spatio-temporal analysis method comprises several stages: data selection, preprocessing, data integration, spatial analysis, temporal analysis, spatio-temporal analysis, data visualization, interpretation and understanding, and data visualization. The results of this study show that changes in the livelihood strategy of local people, from farmers and fishermen to traders, also affect land use patterns, from agricultural activities to economic activities, which triggers an increase in the number of buildings for production activities to product distribution. The implications of these findings on ecotourism development programs and policies and infrastructure development in the North Halmahera Regency are to consider community livelihoods and space or land use behavior in ecotourism areas based on vegetation, soil, and building index values. Thus, the intensification of building distribution and changes in vegetation index values from 2013-2023 reflect changes in people's livelihood strategies from agrarian activities to trade and from fishermen's activities to tourism transportation service providers.
Economic Analysis of Forest Management for Timber Production and Agricultural Production in Hillside Watershed Areas of Madagascar: A Case Study of the Itasy Region
Authors:   Department of Subtropical Agro-Production Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan 903-0213, Konoshima M , Razafindrabe B H N
Published: April 2024

In hillside watersheds, forests play a crucial role in protecting against soil erosion. Not only does forest vegetation cover serve as a biological measure to prevent soil erosion, it also generates income through sustainable management practices. However, there is a scarcity of research that evaluates and compares the profitability of perennial woody crops with that of other agricultural crops by integrating biological aspects within an economic analytical framework in Central Madagascar. In this study, we address this gap by combining a biological growth model that captures complex forest dynamics with economic management data to utilize the discounted cash flow method. We applied this approach to evaluate and compare the profitability of forest management and agricultural crop production in the hillside watershed areas of Central Madagascar, which have experienced severe human-induced soil erosion. Although our results showed that timber production is a profitable option, other agricultural crops generate much higher profits, indicating that financial subsidies alone may not be enough to shift land use toward perennial woody crops. In addition, growing fruit trees such as oranges and mangoes appears to be a much more financially attractive option for local farmers than annual agricultural crop production.
Improvement of a municipal formation as an object of administrative and legal protection in the period from the formation of Russian statehood to the reforms of Peter the Great
Authors: Pomelov Kirill Pavlovich
Published: April 2024

The object of the study is such a concept as "landscaping", as well as its constituent elements at different stages of the development of the Russian state. In each of the periods of Russian history, the legislator determined in his own way what landscaping is, what measures to create a comfortable space for people's lives should be fixed in existing regulations, which bodies and organizations should be given powers of control and supervision in the sphere of public life in question, what specific powers (their nature and scope), as well as which sanctions for violations of the established requirements will be most commensurate with what has been done. In this regard, the interpretation of the concept of "landscaping", the selection of a definition that would be universal for all periods of the development of Russian statehood, is a controversial issue in modern science. Both general scientific and private scientific research methods were used in the preparation of the work. Thus, among the general scientific methods, analysis and synthesis were most widely used. Among the private scientific methods, the historical method is of key importance, since the subject of the study involves the study of different periods of the history of the Russian state, as well as the analysis of historical documents of the corresponding eras. In the course of the study, based on legislative acts of different eras, the constituent elements of the concept of "landscaping" inherent in a particular time are determined and a conclusion is formulated about the direct continuity of the development of this concept. As a result of the research, the author comes to the conclusion that in the early stages of the development of the Russian state, the era of Peter the Great is the most significant in the context of the development of landscaping as an object of administrative and legal protection. It was during this period that the elements of landscaping were isolated and legislatively fixed, as an activity that is provided by the state, administrative responsibility for many violations of the requirements for external landscaping of Russian cities was introduced for the first time, and the main vectors of further development in this area were laid and determined.
O papel da filosofia na teoria crítica de Herbert Marcuse
Authors: Oliveira Robespierre de
Published: April 2024

Herbert Marcuse (1898-1979) obteve nos anos 1960 uma popularidade para além do meio acadêmico. Filósofo de formação, participou do Instituto de Pesquisas Sociais, conhecido como “Escola de Frankfurt”, colaborando para o projeto da teoria crítica da sociedade junto com Max Horkheimer e Theodor Adorno. Os estudos sobre Marcuse sofreram uma espécie de “eclipse” nos anos 1980, mas foram retomados no final dos 1990. A organização de uma Sociedade Internacional Herbert marcuse (IHMS) e, 2002 colaborou para agregar pesquisadores e estudiosos de Marcuse e da teoria crítica. O objetivo não é tanto a mera interpretação teórica da obra de Marcuse, mas sua atualização crítica frente à realidade do tempo presente. No Brasil, desde os anos 2000, houve um aumento no interesse por Marcuse. Este livro inclui-se nesse processo e visa colaborar para o entendimento e a compreensão da teoria crítica marcusiana. Sua intenção é mostrar o caráter filosófico da obra de Marcuse e, ao mesmo tempo, o significado de filosofia pra ele. Percorre-se a questão ontológica, a perspectiva marxista e a influência psicanalítica.
A dual function of the IDA peptide in regulating cell separation and modulating plant immunity at the molecular level
Authors: Lalun Vilde Olsson , Breiden Maike , Galindo-Trigo Sergio , Smakowska-Luzan Elwira , Simon Rüdiger , Butenko Melinka A.
Published: April 2024

The abscission of floral organs and emergence of lateral roots in Arabidopsis is regulated by the peptide ligand INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION (IDA) and the receptor protein kinases HAESA (HAE) and HAESA-LIKE 2 (HSL2). During these cell separation processes, the plant induces defense-associated genes to protect against pathogen invasion. However, the molecular coordination between abscission and immunity has not been thoroughly explored. Here we show that IDA induces a release of cytosolic calcium ions (Ca
2+
) and apoplastic production of reactive oxygen species, which are signatures of early defense responses. In addition, we find that IDA promotes late defense responses by the transcriptional upregulation of genes known to be involved in immunity. When comparing the IDA induced early immune responses to known immune responses, such as those elicited by flagellin22 treatment, we observe both similarities and differences. We propose a molecular mechanism by which IDA promotes signatures of an immune response in cells destined for separation to guard them from pathogen attack.
Serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons in the dorsal raphe are differentially altered in a mouse model for parkinsonism
Authors: Boi Laura , Johansson Yvonne , Tonini Raffaella , Moratalla Rosario , Fisone Gilberto , Silberberg Gilad
Published: April 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by motor impairments caused by degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition to these symptoms, PD patients often suffer from non-motor co-morbidities including sleep and psychiatric disturbances, which are thought to depend on concomitant alterations of serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission. A primary locus of serotonergic neurons is the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), providing brain-wide serotonergic input. Here, we identified electrophysiological and morphological parameters to classify serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons in the murine DRN under control conditions and in a PD model, following striatal injection of the catecholamine toxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Electrical and morphological properties of both neuronal populations were altered by 6-OHDA. In serotonergic neurons, most changes were reversed when 6-OHDA was injected in combination with desipramine, a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, protecting the noradrenergic terminals. Our results show that the depletion of both noradrenaline and dopamine in the 6-OHDA mouse model causes changes in the DRN neural circuitry.
Associations of proton pump inhibitors with susceptibility to influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19: Evidence from a large population based cohort study
Authors: Zeng Ruijie , Ma Yuying , Zhang Lijun , Luo Dongling , Jiang Rui , Wu Huihuan , Zhuo Zewei , Yang Qi , Li Jingwei , Leung Felix W , Duan Chongyang , Sha Weihong , Chen Hao
Published: April 2024

Adverse effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have raised wide concerns. The association of PPIs with influenza is unexplored, while that with pneumonia or COVID-19 remains controversial. Our study aims to evaluate whether PPI use increases the risks of these respiratory infections. The current study included 160,923 eligible participants at baseline who completed questionnaires on medication use, which included PPI or histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA), from the UK Biobank. Cox proportional hazards regression and propensity score-matching analyses were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Comparisons with H2RA users were tested. PPI use was associated with increased risks of developing influenza (HR 1.32, 95%CI 1.12-1.56) and pneumonia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-1.59). In contrast, the risk of COVID-19 infection was not associated with regular PPI use (HR 1.08, 95%CI 0.99-1.17), while the risks of severe COVID-19 (HR 1.19. 95%CI 1.11-1.27) and mortality (HR 1.37. 95%CI 1.29-1.46) were increased. However, when compared with H2RA users, PPI users were associated with a higher risk of influenza (HR 1.74, 95%CI 1.19-2.54), but not pneumonia or COVID-19-related outcomes. In conclusion, PPI users are associated with increased risks of influenza, pneumonia, as well as COVID-19 severity and mortality compared to non-users, while the effects on pneumonia or COVID-19-related outcomes under PPI use were attenuated when compared to the use of H2RAs. Appropriate use of PPIs based on comprehensive evaluation is required.
Staphylococcus aureus counters organic acid anion-mediated inhibition of peptidoglycan cross-linking through robust alanine racemase activity
Authors: Panda Sasmita , Jayasinghe Yahani P. , Shinde Dhananjay D. , Bueno Emilio , Stastny Amanda , Bertrand Blake P. , Chaudhari Sujata S. , Kielian Tammy , Cava Felipe , Ronning Donald R. , Thomas Vinai C.
Published: April 2024

Weak organic acids are commonly found in host niches colonized by bacteria, and they can inhibit bacterial growth as the environment becomes acidic. This inhibition is often attributed to the toxicity resulting from the accumulation of high concentrations of organic anions in the cytosol, which disrupts cellular homeostasis. However, the precise cellular targets that organic anions poison and the mechanisms used to counter organic anion intoxication in bacteria have not been elucidated. Here, we utilize acetic acid, a weak organic acid abundantly found in the gut to investigate its impact on the growth of
Staphylococcus aureus
. We demonstrate that acetate anions bind to and inhibit D-alanyl-D-alanine ligase (Ddl) activity in
S. aureus
. Ddl inhibition reduces intracellular D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-Ala-D-Ala) levels, compromising staphylococcal peptidoglycan cross-linking and cell wall integrity. To overcome the effects of acetate-mediated Ddl inhibition,
S. aureus
maintains a high intracellular D-Ala pool through alanine racemase (Alr1) activity and additionally limits the flux of D-Ala to D-glutamate by controlling D-alanine aminotransferase (Dat) activity. Surprisingly, the
modus operandi
of acetate intoxication in
S. aureus
is common to multiple biologically relevant weak organic acids indicating that Ddl is a conserved target of small organic anions. These findings suggest that
S. aureus
may have evolved to maintain high intracellular D-Ala concentrations, partly to counter organic anion intoxication.Under mildly acidic conditions, weak organic acids like acetic acid accumulate to high concentrations within the cytosol as organic anions. However, the physiological consequence of organic anion accumulation is poorly defined. Here we investigate how the acetate anion impacts
S. aureus
. We show that acetate anions directly bind Ddl and inhibit its activity. The resulting decrease in intracellular D-Ala-D-Ala pools impacts peptidoglycan integrity. Since acetate is a weak inhibitor of Ddl, mechanisms that maintain a high intracellular D-Ala pools are sufficient to counter the effect of acetate-mediated Ddl inhibition in
S. aureus
.
Adaptive quality of service for packet loss reduction using OpenFlow meters
Authors: Deo Krishneel , Chaudhary Kaylash , Assaf Mansour
Published: April 2024

Quality of Service (QoS) is a mechanism used in computer networks to prioritize, classify, and treat packets differently based on certain criteria. This helps the switching devices to schedule and reorder packets if there is congestion in the network. Edge routers experience high traffic congestion as a result of traffic aggregation from the internal network devices. A router can have multiple QoS classes configured, and each class could experience traffic at various rates. However, when a QoS class is underperforming or needs more bandwidth, some bandwidth can be borrowed or leased out to another QoS class to ensure the link is utilized to maximum capacity and the highest throughput is achieved. This article proposes a bandwidth allocation and distribution algorithm that purely uses the flow statistics from the OpenFlow switches to allocate bandwidth to different QoS classes optimally based on their current requirement. The algorithm does not guarantee in advance that the packet loss will be minimized but does guarantee the initial minimum bandwidth allocation. It adjusts the flows’ rates with the aim to increase their current throughput. The algorithm uses the Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller’s flow monitoring component to query the flow statistics from the switch to first approximate the traffic flow rate and then calculate the optimal bandwidth values to assign to each QoS class. The proposed algorithms will be applied to certain switches in the path with the assumption that all the switches are OpenFlow compatible. The algorithm’s performance was compared with the Adaptive Quality of Service (AQoS) algorithm over various traffic scenarios. The results show that the proposed algorithm achieves an average of 9% performance gain compared to the AQoS algorithm.
Carotid Artery Ultrasonography as a Screening Tool for Predicting Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross-sectional Study from Hilly State of Northern India
Authors: Srikrishnan Drishti , Thakur Vijay , Makhaik Sushma , Kapila Sumala , Thakur Shruti , Jhobta Anupam , Aggarwal Neeti , Thakur Charu S
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide; therefore, early diagnosis plays a crucial role in managing patients with CAD. Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) allows non invasive visualisation of coronary arteries but has limited availability, involves radiation, and is costly. Carotid artery atherosclerosis can be assessed by Ultrasound (USG) in terms of Carotid Intima-media Thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaque assessment. These carotid USG parameters are associated with CAD and can be used to predict CAD in high-risk patients. Aim: To study the association and correlation between carotid artery atherosclerosis USG parameters (CIMT and carotid plaque) and CAD, using Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography (CTCA) as a reference. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to October 2021 in the Department of Radiodiagnosis at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. In the present study, 31 patients with suspected CAD were enrolled. All patients underwent CTCA followed by carotid artery USG within two weeks. The association and correlation between carotid artery atherosclerosis on USG and CAD on CTCA were examined. Sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated using CTCA as the reference standard. Categorical data were analysed using the Chi-square test, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.06±10.79 years. The CAD was observed in 14 (45.1%) cases, of which 13 (92.8%) had significant CAD. Nine patients had raised CIMT, of which eight had CAD. Raised CIMT and CAD showed a significant association with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 57.14%, 94.12%, 88.89%, 72.73%, and 77.42%, respectively. A positive correlation was found between CIMT values and the number of vessels with significant CAD (r= +0.67). A total of 7 patients (22.5%) had the presence of carotid plaque, of which 6 (88.57%) had significant CAD. A significant association was found between CAD and the presence of carotid plaque. Carotid plaque had sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of 50%, 100%, 100%, 70.83%, and 77.42%, respectively, in predicting CAD. A positive correlation was observed between carotid plaque burden and the number of vessels with significant CAD (r= +0.56). Conclusion: There is a significant association between carotid ultrasonography parameters (i.e., CIMT, carotid plaque) and CAD. CIMT is a more sensitive parameter than carotid plaque in predicting CAD. However, carotid plaque is more specific for predicting CAD. Carotid artery ultrasonography can be used as a screening tool for predicting CAD and should be included in the work-up of patients with suspected CAD.
Surgical Outcomes of Tympanoplasty with Various Graft Materials in Chronic Otitis Media: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Deshmukh Prasad Timbakrao , Khan Farhat Qamruddin , Gaurkar Sagar Shankarrao
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Chronic Otitis Media (COM) is a common ear disorder that predominantly affects underdeveloped countries. It is characterised by persistent middle ear discharge and a perforated Tympanic Membrane (TM). Management typically involves antibiotics and surgical techniques like tympanoplasty to eradicate infections and improve the auditory conduction system. Various graft materials are used, with temporalis fascia being preferred due to its proximity and ease of harvesting. Aim: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of tympanoplasty procedures utilising different graft materials in patients diagnosed with inactive mucosal COM. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH), Wardha, Maharashtra, India, between June 1, 2013, and May 31, 2023. A total of 165 participants with inactive mucosal COM, who had small to subtotal central perforations of the TM, were included. Tympanoplasty, performed by the same surgeon using the Zeiss surgical microscope model OPMI under general anaesthesia, was the chosen surgical procedure. All cases were executed using the postauricular approach with the underlay technique. A successful anatomical outcome was defined as an intact neoTM without residual perforation at the end of a three-month follow-up. Results: The age of participants ranged from 10 to 75 years, with a mean age of 32.45±14.06 years. The age group most frequently affected by mucosal COM was between 31-40 years, comprising 41 (24.85%) cases. Large perforations were observed in 79 (47.88%) patients, followed by moderate perforations in 65 (39.39%) patients. Normal ossicular chains were found in 163 (98.78%) patients, while ossicular erosion was noted in 2 (1.22%) patients during surgery. A total of 118 (100%) patients who came for follow-up, 84 (71.19%) who underwent temporalis fascia graft reconstruction showed successful graft uptake. Conclusion: This study found that both fascia and cartilage tympanoplasty are suitable for TM repair due to their availability.
Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles as Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents
Authors: Uba Bright O. , Okoye Ebele L. , Anyichie Janefrances C. , Dokubo Chinweike U. , Ugwuoji Emmanuel T.
Published: April 2024

In order to provide a straightforward, affordable, and environmentally friendly process for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, scientists are turning to natural ways like employing plant extract in response to rising antimicrobial resistance and the desire for novel biocidal agents. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of phyto-fabricated silver nanoparticles and antimicrobial agents against selected indoor bacterial and fungal strains isolated from the lecture and office rooms of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Nigeria. The indoor microorganisms were isolated, identified, and quantified using standard methods. To prepare and generate the aqueous extract employed in the biological synthesis of the silver nanoparticle, fresh soursop seeds were room dried, crushed, heated to boiling, and double filtered. The phyto-fabricated nanoparticles were centrifuged, dried and used for physicochemical characterization and antimicrobial assay. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transformed Infra-Red Spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The antimicrobial assay was carried out using agar well diffusion method. The results revealed that Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Vibrio, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Microsporum were identified as the predominant potential indoor bacterial and fungal pathogenic strains. The characterized biogenic nanoparticles revealed the optical, spectral and morphological features unique to silver nanoparticles. Also, the antibacterial screening revealed that the highest zone of inhibition was observed against Vibrio sp. (27.50 ± 7.5 mm) at a concentration of 30 μg/mL while standard antifungal drug (ketoconazole) had the highest zone of inhibition of 21.0 ± 1.0 mm at 3.25 μg/mL against Microsporum gypseum while standard antifungal drug (ketoconazole) and Ag-NPs had the lowest zone of inhibition of 11.0 ± 1.0 mm at 15.0 μg/mL and 7.5 μg/mL against Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus flavus, respectively. The negative control (DMSO) had no zone of inhibition on any of the potential indoor bacterial and fungal pathogenic strains. Statistically, there was significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of bacterial and fungal pathogenic strains among the means of treatment doses of A. muricata AgNPs, ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole standard antibiotics. The excellent antimicrobial inhibition of the tested indoor bacterial and fungal strains by the A. muricata fabricated silver nanoparticles even at MIC of 3.25 μg/mL could be exploited as biostatic and biocidal agents where there is contamination or public health risk of pathogenic indoor bacteria and fungi.
Revisiting the Nexus between Renewable Energy Consumption and Economic Growth in Nigeria: The VECM Approach
Authors: Bank-Ola Rebecca Folake , Adediwura Olamide Micheal , Alao-Owunna Ifeoluwa , Udofia Victoria Christian
Published: April 2024

The research investigates the effect of renewable energy consumption on economic growth as well as analyzing the dynamic relationship between both variables from 1990 to 2022. Annual secondary data covering the period between 1990 and 2022 were used in the study. Data on real gross domestic product, renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption), gross capital formation (% of GDP), labor force, total and trade (% of GDP) were sourced from World Development Indicator. The study applies Johansen co-integration test and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to examine the effect of renewable energy consumption on economic growth and other explanatory variables as well as using pairwise granger causality test to examine the causal relationship between both variables. The empirical evidence revealed long-term relationship between renewable energy consumption and economic growth. Evidence shows that there is no causality either unidirectional or bi-directional between both variables. In short run, renewable energy consumption revealed a significant positive impact on economic growth. This shows that renewable energy may stimulate economic growth, particularly as it has a greater short-term impact on economic growth than capital formation. The key policy implication drawn from the results indicate the need for investment in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure, which can help to increase the availability and affordability of renewable energy, improve workforce development in Nigeria renewable energy sector.
The use of lignosulfonic acid in the synthesis of water‐dispersible polyaniline
Authors: Taylor K. K. , Cole C. V. , Soora R. , Dilday J. C. , Hill A. M. , Berry Brian , Viswanathan Tito
Published: January 2008

Polyaniline was synthesized in the presence of lignosulfonic acid to yield a product (LIGNO‐PANI) that is water‐dispersible. Several samples ranging from 0 to 70% lignosulfonate (LS) were prepared. These samples were then evaluated for differences in dispersibility and conductivity. As the percent of LS in the samples was increased, the water‐dispersibility of the LIGNO‐PANI also increased. The particle size of the samples as well as the conductivity of the samples decreased with increasing percentages of LS in the samples. After extensive washings, however, the conductivity remained fairly constant (∼ 0.4 S/cm) regardless of the amount of LS in the samples. Additionally, elemental analysis, TGA, and IR data were used to demonstrate that the LS is grafted to polyaniline during the synthesis of LIGNO‐PANI. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008