bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STRATEGI PENINGKATAN MUTU PESERTA DIDIK MELALUI LAYANAN KONSELING
Authors: Hartono Elvia Baby Shahbana
Published: March 2024

School counseling services have a very important role in order to improve the quality of school students to understand about themselves and also recognize their potential. This research was conducted at SD Plus Al-Kautsar Malang using qualitative approach with qualitative descriptive research and a total quality management analysis technique, Flow Chart. Data collection using observation, interviews and documentation. Sources of data obtained from the Principal, Head of Student Affairs and guidance and counseling teachers (BK). The results showed that the improvement in the quality of counseling services was done by increasing the number of counseling staff in schools and then conducted special training for guidance and counseling (BK) teachers because the number of students ranged from more than 500 people so counseling counselors needed approximately 3 counselors, ideally the ratio of guidance and counseling teachers for 1 teacher serving approximately 100-150 students only. School counseling services are considered beneficial for students and parents, because they provide additional support for students in the academic, personal and social fields and careers to improve student achievement. Likewise, parents can collaborate with school counselors to find out problems and forms of problem solving both in the field of learning and potential outside the field of learning.

 

Keywords: counseling Services, total quality management, flow chart
The Conflict Management
Authors: Ulya  Amelia
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Conflict management is a skill owned by individuals in an organization to improve performance. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) conflicts at schools and (2) conflict control at schools. The method used is a qualitative-case-study approach and literature review research. The data collection techniques used are (1) observation, (2) interviews, (3) documentation, and (4) literature review. The subjects of this study were the principal, deputy headmaster, educators, educational staff, counseling guidance teachers and students. The results of this study are (1) conflicts in education come from interpersonal, interpersonal, intra-group, intergroup, Intra-organization, and inter-organization. (2) Appropriate communication and conflict management approaches are needed to create positive impact and minimize negative impact

Keyword: Management, Conflict, School.

 

PENGELOLAAN KONFLIK

Ulya Amelia

Abstrak : Pengelolaan konflik adalah keterampilan yang harus dimiliki oleh individu dalam organisasi untuk meningkatkan kinerja. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui (1) konflik yang terjadi di sekolah dan (2) pengendalian konflik yang dilakukan di sekolah. Metode yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kalitatif studi kasus dan penelitian kajian pustaka. Teknik pengumpulan data adalah (1) observasi, (2) wawancara, (3) dokumentasi, dan (4) kajian pustaka. Subjek penelitian ini adalah kepala sekolah, wakil kepala sekolah, pendidik, tenaga pendidk, guru bimbingan konseling dan siswa. Hasil penelitian ini adalah (1) konflik yang muncul dalah pendidikan berupa interpersonal, interpersonal, intra group, intergroup. Intra organisasi, dan inter organisasi. (2) perlunya komunikasi dan pendekatan pengelolaan konflik yang tepat untuk menciptakan dampak positif dan meminimalisir dampak negatif.

Kata Kunci: manajemen, konflik, sekolah.
MODEL PENDIDIKAN MORAL ANAK JALANAN DI SURAKARTA
Authors: Zaman Badrus
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this study was to determine the model of moral education given by the PPAP Seroja institution to street children in Surakarta, as well as what factors influenced the difficulty of implementing moral education in the PPAP Seroja Surakarta institution. This research is field research (Field Research) that is research conducted directly with the object of research and conducted data collection in the field. This type of research is a descriptive qualitative study conducted at PPAP Seroja Surakarta in 2019, data collected through the method of observation, documentation, and interviews. The analysis was performed using interactive analysis. The conclusions of the study are as follows: the moral education model applied in the PPAP Seroja Surakarta institution using the lecture model, counseling model, model, skills model, and model outing class. Whereas the factors that hinder the implementation of moral education on the moral development of street children in PPAP Seroja Surakarta are the factors of street children who are still lack of interest in street children and tend to be lazy in following moral education, in addition to the factors of mentors who are less competent in delivering moral education material. because the methods used tend to be monotonous so that street children get bored easily, the lack of supporting infrastructure and a less supportive family environment, and less motivation to give street children a moral education.
The Stress Management Teacher
Authors: Syafa Syafaatul hidayati
Published: March 2024

This article discusses teacher stress management which can be interpreted as the ability of a teacher to use available resources effectively to overcome various disorders and also mental and emotional disorders in him as a response or response. In this case there are three categories of potential sources of stress: environmental, organizational, and personal. the ability of each person to deal with stress varies from one to another. This is due to differences in perception, work experience, social support, and relevant personalities; Stress experienced by someone is characterized by symptoms, among others, as follows. Physiological, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. and efforts to overcome problems at work that can be a burden and even give them a sense of panic, which is to do things with relaxation and always think positively. The effort to overcome problems in work that can be a burden and even give a sense of panic to that is to do everything with relaxed and always think positive.
Strategy To Increase Technological Sophistication To Increase Helmet Productivity With Technometric Methods And 5W1H
Authors: Aziz Rafly Zulkarnain , Wahyuni Hana Catur
Published: March 2024

Strategy by utilizing technological advances is one way in the process of continuous improvement. UMKM Helmet for Children’s Sidoarjo is an industry engaged in the production of helmets are one of the main equipment that is safe for motorcycle riders. The helmet product produced by the Sidoarjo Children’s Helmet UMKM has been markeed to several cities. The success of the actor’s or personal performance is strongly influenced by aspects of technological sophistication to support businesses in obtaining a accurate data. One strategy that can be used to win the market is to take advantage of technological advances to make continuous improvements. In the production process that has increased, oftentimes market demand has decreased by 40% which usually can deliver 100 addresses every day, down to 60 addresses every day. So it is necessary to conduct a technology assessment in the helmet production process to determine the value of each technology component index. The technometric approach will aassess the level of sophistication of each technology component, namely technoware, humanware, infoware, and orgaware then formulate aproposwd strategy using 5w1h analysis. The results of this study produce a value for the level of sophistication of the technological component, namely technoware is worth 0,645, humanware is worth 0,796, infoware is worth 0,696, orgaware is worth 0,851 and a TCC value is 0,715. From the results of the collection and processing, results are obtained that will become suggestions for improvement and can become the concern and evaluation of UMKM in increasing productivity.

Highlights :

Importance of Technological Assessment: Evaluating technological components (technoware, humanware, infoware, orgaware) is crucial for understanding strengths and weaknesses.

Utilizing Technometric Approach: Technometric analysis provides a quantifiable measure of technological sophistication, aiding in strategy formulation.

Emphasis on Productivity Enhancement: Recommendations from the assessment facilitate targeted improvements, enhancing UMKM productivity and market competitiveness.

Keywords - Technological Sophistication, Technological Components, Technometrics, 5W1H.
Classification of Meme Sentiment Analysis On Kaggle.com Sites To Use Support Vector Machine Algorithm
Authors: Rizaldi Dedy , Astutik Ika Ratna Indra , Rosid Mochamad Alfan
Published: March 2024

Meme is currently one of the media that is often used to convey a message or opinion on a topic that is currently hot in the community, and is widely discussed on social media. Apart from being a means of humor, memes are also commonly used as a medium to convey satire, even 'ridicule' to a party. This encourages curiosity to capture and classify memes circulating on social media, including through public data available on the Kaggle. This study aims to classify memes into three classes of sentiment, namely positive, neutral, and negative. In this case, the researcher uses Support Vector Machine algorithm with Radial Basis Function kernel because it can produce the highest accuracy compared to other kernels. The dataset downloaded through the Kaggle website is in the form of memes that have been labeled and accompanied by Optical Character Recognition (OCR) results consisting of a total of 6,992 meme data. By using Support Vector Machine algorithm, the classification results are obtained at 73.75% while using Naïve Bayes algorithm to obtain an accuracy of 61.24%. This proves that the application of Support Vector Machine algorithm in document classification is able to produce a fairly high accuracy when compared to the Naïve Bayes algorithm
Study of the Effect of Drying and Wetting Cycles and Water Content on the Shear Characteristics of Tailing Sands
Authors: Tian Yakun , Zhang Zhijun , Wang Min , Wu Lingling , Hu Lin , Gui Rong
Published: March 2024

The mechanical characteristics of tailing sands have an important impact on the safety and stability of the tailing dams. Fully understanding the effect of drying and wetting cycles (DWC) and water content on the characteristics of tailing sands is urgently needed. In this study, direct shear tests were first carried out to analyze the effect of DWC and water content on the macroscopic mechanical characteristics of tailing sands. Then, the mesoscopic mechanical behavior of tailing sands with different water contents under the action of DWC was studied by using PFC2D particle flow software. The results showed that the effect of DWC on the shear properties of tailing sands is more pronounced than water content. The cohesive force and the internal friction angle increase first and then decrease with the increasing water content. With the increasing number of DWC, the cohesive force and the internal friction angle all decreased to varying degrees. The results of the mesoscopic mechanical analysis indicated that after experiencing the DWC, the force chain of the sample gradually thickens to form a coarse force chain network area, and the number of cracks inside the sample is significantly larger than that of the sample that has not experienced the DWC. The results of this study are of great significance for understanding the macroscopic and mesoscopic shear failure mechanism of tailing sands under the effects of DWCs and water content.
Cultivating psychological readiness for major incident attendance through high-fidelity simulation: A scoping literature review.
Authors: Newton Jon , Critchley Anya
Published: March 2024

Objective: This scoping review aimed to identify studies in which major incident high-fidelity simulation (HFS) had been utilised to improve critical thinking skills, emotional preparedness and mental resilience amongst undergraduate and/or postgraduate learners; and collate this information to help improve teaching and learning practices.
Background: Major incidents present challenging and unpredictable working environments for emergency service personnel, therefore training those with a response role is vital. NHS England’s Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Framework specifies training recommendations for responder organisations, yet limited guidance exists to define the educational quality of the discussion-based learning, table-top scenarios and live-play exercises advocated. High-Fidelity Simulation (HFS) has gained recognition as an effective method for advancing clinical acumen, yet few studies have attempted to validate its capability for cultivating psychological readiness.
Methods: A database search was conducted using AMED, CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Trip(pro); and we screened the results for relevance. Studies scoring 2- or less on the Harbour and Miller (2001) Framework were excluded; and Cochrane recommendations were utilised for data extraction and results independently assessed by two reviewers.
Findings: Using PRISMA scoping review guidelines, 2,459 articles were screened for relevance and a total of 6 studies were deemed suitable for inclusion. Results from the reviewed literature were analysed to ascertain if advancements in critical thinking, emotional preparedness and/or mental resilience were apparent. HFS was universally found to enhance critical thinking and decision-making skills; but none of the studies robustly appraised developments in emotional preparedness or mental resilience.
Conclusion: A sparsity of high-ranking evidence exists to guide teaching and learning developments in major incident HFS; alongside a research-knowledge gap for cultivating emotional preparedness and mental resilience. However, a causal relationship between major incident HFS and advancing critical thinking skills amongst learners training to work in disaster environments was identified.
Effect of perioperative blood transfusion on complications following emergency non-trauma laparotomy in Mulago hospital: A prospective cohort study.
Authors: Egbe Flavius Ebaisem , Mbiine Ronald , Okello Michael , Iranya Richard Newton , Okeny Paul
Published: March 2024

Background:
Blood transfusion may be required in the management of patients undergoing emergency non-trauma laparotomy. However, several retrospective cohort studies involving patients undergoing laparotomy for benign and malignant indications have identified blood transfusion as a significant predictor of postoperative infections and mortality. Still, no study has explored such an association in our setting. We aimed to determine the effect of perioperative blood transfusion on the 30-day risk of surgical site infections and mortality among patients undergoing emergency non-trauma laparotomy in a large urban tertiary hospital in a low-resource setting.
Methods:
In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 160 consecutive adult patients admitted to the general surgery wards 48 hours after emergency non-trauma laparotomy. We grouped them based on transfusion exposure status. Independent variables, including perioperative blood transfusion and confounders, were recorded on entry, while dependent variables, including the presence or absence of surgical site infection and mortality, were obtained over a 30-day follow-up period. The data were analysed using EPI INFO version 7, SPSS version 29, and Stata version 14; p<0.05 indicated statistical significance.
Results:
All 160 participants recruited, 28 (17.5%) transfused (exposed) and 132 (82.5%) not transfused (non-exposed), were included in the final analysis. Transfusion exposure (RR, 7.81; 95% CI, 2.58 – 23.63; p=0.0003) and preoperative leucocytosis/leukopenia (RR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.04 – 4.65; p=0.040) were identified as independent risk factors for SSI after multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders including preoperative anaemia, young-to-middle-aged adults, cloudy/purulent/feculent exudate, gut perforation diagnosis, female sex, and registrar-led surgical team. Furthermore, transfusion exposure (HR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.11 – 10.25; p=0.033) and old age ≥60 years (HR, 5.50; 95% CI, 1.67 – 18.11; p=0.005) were identified as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality after multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for confounders including high ASA score, immunodeficiency, cloudy/purulent/feculent exudate, bowel obstruction and high-risk procedure for bowel leak.
Conclusion:
Among patients undergoing emergency non-trauma laparotomy, perioperative blood transfusion compared with no perioperative blood transfusion increased the 30-day risk of SSI by 7.81 and the 30-day mortality risk by 3.36. A restrictive transfusion strategy and a more extensive multicentre prospective cohort study are recommended.
Modeling of Water Level Trends and Characterizing Potential Influencing Factors in Lake Baringo in Kenya
Authors: Kimtai Doreen Jelagat , Makokha Godfrey Ouma , Sichangi Arthur Wafula
Published: March 2024

Water plays a significant role in every sector of the ecosystem. The fluctuation of the water levels in lakes is influenced by natural and man-made factors within the water catchment. Lake Baringo, having no visible outlet, has been rising drastically, causing panic among native communities and businesses on the shores of the lake. Using GIS and Remote Sensing, this study intends to analyze the changes in water lakes using the Automatic water extraction index (AWEI), determine the causes of the fluctuation using Land use land cover, land surface temperature, soil erosion, and siltation in the lake basin and the lake respectively, precipitation, and later predict of the water level for the year 2030 using the MOLUSCE tool. The tool utilizes an artificial neural network and cellular automata to analyze land use and land cover conveniently. It was found that the lake's water level has been increasing drastically over the years, and the leading causes of the fluctuations were increased rainfall and human activities within the water basin. There are visible increased human activities within the water basin, such as agriculture, deforestation, settlement, and urbanization. It was also found that there will be a further increase in water level in 2030. With all the above results, it is recommended that better policies be made for the effective conservation of the water basin, and a plan should be drawn to re-delineate the new riparian buffer.
Hypoxia-mediated SUMOylation of FADD exacerbates endothelial cell injury via the RIPK1-RIPK3-MLKL sig-naling axis
Authors: Yu Chao , Yang Liming , Wen Yilin , Yuan Zhiyi , Zhao Dezhang , Weng Ping , Li Yueyue , Chen Qingyang , Zhang Wanping , Hu Hui
Published: March 2024

Vascular endothelial cells are the predominant cell type in the cardiovascular system, and endothelial dysfunction and death fol-lowing hypoxic injury lead to vascular lesions and play an essential role in the progression of cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanisms and specific interventions of vascular endothelial cell injury under hypoxia remain unclear. Here, we reported that hypox-ia induces the development of necroptosis and exacerbates in-flammatory injury in vascular endothelial cells in vivo and in vitro. We identified FADD as a critical regulator of hypoxia-mediated necroptosis, and the knockdown of FADD effectively reversed hy-poxia-induced necroptosis. Mechanistically, hypoxia affected pro-tein conformation through SUMOylation of FADD and competitively inhibited its ubiquitination, leading to an increase in protein half-life and protein level of FADD. On the other hand, SUMOylation in-creased the interaction between FADD and RIPK1 and induced the formation of the FADD-RIPK1-RIPK3 complex, thereby promoting necroptosis in vascular endothelial cells. The SUMOylation inhibi-tor ginkgolic acid (GA) notably reduced hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial injury and inflammatory responses in male mice. Take together, our research has uncovered a new process by which SUMOylation of FADD controls the occurrence of hypoxia-induced necroptosis in endothelial cells, which could identify new therapeu-tic targets for hypoxia-induced diseases.
Intensified global volcanism during Late Pleistocene glacial strength shift
Authors: Longman Jack , Gernon Thomas , Hincks Thea , Panitz Sina , Palmer Martin
Published: March 2024

Reduced ice volume during interglacials is thought to amplify volcanic activity because ice-mass removal depressurises magma chambers1. While this process has been detected on regional2 and perhaps semi-global scales3, a lack of globally representative tephra production records leaves the global relationship between glacial-interglacial cycles and volcanism uncertain. Here, we interrogate this relationship by using a database of visible tephra layers in marine sediments4 and applying statistical sampling techniques to develop a globally representative tephra production record spanning the past million years. We find that explosive volcanism intensified globally at about 420 to 400 thousand years ago (ka), coinciding with Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 – the warmest interglacial of the past million years when sea level was approximately 10 m above present5, and Greenland was largely ice-free6. We propose that positive feedbacks between icesheet ablation and increased volcanic carbon dioxide (CO2) outgassing may explain this warmth, and in turn, the Mid-Brunhes transition which heralded warmer interglacials7. Concurrently, we observe a shift to more organised volcanic cycles, characterised by higher intensity peaks, mirroring eccentricity forcing seen in ice volume records. More pronounced ice-volcano feedbacks may explain the stronger interglacials of the past 400,000 years, a crucial period of hominin evolution8.
The Magnitude and Risk Factors for Concurrent Anthropometric and Nutritional Deficiency Among Children Aged 6 to 59 Months in Liberia: A Multi-Level Analysis.
Authors: Gar Edward Gartay , Askandir Iddriss , Turzin Justice Kwadwo
Published: March 2024

Objective
This study aimed to investigate the magnitude and risk factors associated with concurrent anthropometric and nutritional deficiencies among children aged 6 to 59 months in Liberia.
Methods
Using data from the 2019 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS), a multilevel analysis was conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the problem. The prevalence of concurrent anthropometric and nutritional deficiencies, with a specific focus on stunting, wasting and anemia, was examined to assess the extent of the issue among children in Liberia. This study employed four different regression models, namely, panel mixed-effect Poisson regression, panel mixed-effect logistic regression, Poisson regression and conditional fixed-effect regression.
Results
The study's random and fixed effects showed important factors affecting nutritional deficits. Unobserved factors unique to each cluster affect nutritional outcomes, emphasizing the necessity for personalized interventions. Demographic and child factors matter, with 24–35-month-olds being more sensitive and females having lower incidence rates. Nutritional results also depend on maternal age and socioeconomic level. Vitamin A supplementation and immunization may protect mothers, although breastfeeding, maternal occupation, and hygiene vary. The results of this study have important implications for policy and program development in Liberia. Targeted interventions are needed to address the identified risk factors and reduce the prevalence of concurrent anthropometric and nutritional deficiencies. These interventions should be tailored to meet the specific needs of different subgroups within the population, considering factors such as age, sex, birth order, maternal education, household wealth status, and access to safe drinking water.
Conclusion
By implementing effective interventions that promote proper nutrition and growth, policymakers and stakeholders can work toward improving the health and well-being of children in Liberia and reducing the burden of concurrent anthropometric and nutritional deficiencies. We therefore recommend that policymakers and practitioners in Liberia emphasize cluster-specific interventions to promote child health due to high cluster-level variability.
Infected rectus sheath hematoma detected by CT
Authors: Tadrous Marco , Darweesh Ahmed Abdelmonem
Published: March 2024

Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is a rarely encountered condition, the development of which can be influenced by various factors. We report a case of an unusual presentation of a massive spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma in a 63-year-old patient with an underlying bleeding tendency linked to liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism. The hematoma is complicated by infection, as indicated by the patient’s clinical presentation and the air-fluid level observed on CT scan. The patient's deteriorating condition prompted the surgical team to opt for percutaneous drainage as a therapeutic intervention, aiming to alleviate the infection within the hematoma.
Frailty and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: a single center study
Authors: Rogani Sara , Calsolaro Valeria , Coppini Giulia , Lemmi Bianca , Taverni Irene , Bianchi Elena , Bianco Maria Giovanna , Pullia Rosanna , Carlo Ludovica Di , Okoye Chukwuma , Virdis Agostino , Monzani Fabio
Published: March 2024

Background Dementia is a devastating neurodegenerative disease widely spread, representing a huge health, social and economic burden. During the dementia time-course, Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) may arise, greatly impacting on the management and outcomes of the disease. Considering that dementia mainly affects the older population, the possible link to frailty should be considered.Methods Aim of this single centre, longitudinal study was to evaluate the correlation between frailty and BPSD in a population of older patients with dementia. BPSD were classified in three clusters: “mood/apathy” (depression, apathy, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances), “psychosis” (delusions, hallucinations and anxiety) and “hyperactivity” (agitation, elation, motor aberrant behavior, irritability, disinhibition). Using the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), patients were categorized as “severely frail”, “mild/moderately frail” and “robust” (CFS ≥ 7, 4–6 and ≤ 3, respectively).Results Two-hundreds and nine patients (mean age 83.24 ± 4.98 years) with a clinical diagnosis of dementia were enrolled. Among the “severely frail” the percentage of BPSD was higher compared to the other two groups in the three clusters. A positive correlation between frailty and “hyperactivity” cluster, at baseline and follow up visits (p < 0.001, p = 0.022, p = 0.028 respectively) was found. This result was confirmed with the network analysis, showing that frailty, expressed by CFS, relates to agitation and motor aberrant activity.Conclusions Frailty may help identifying patients at the highest risk for developing BPDS thus, targeting intervention in the earliest phases of the disease. In-depth studies in larger cohorts of patients are needed to confirm and extend these results.
Investigating the Validity of the Hue-Heat Effect: A Study on Thermal Sensitivity
Authors: Battistel Laura , Callegher Claudio Zandonella , Zampini Massimiliano , Parin Riccardo
Published: March 2024

In this study, we aimed to investigate the validity of the hue-heat effect on the body thermal sensitivity. Previous research on thermal comfort has proposed associations between red and warmth, and blue with cold. However, inconsistencies in confirming this effect have arisen, with studies often relying on subjective scales for thermal comfort assessment, introducing potential confounding variables. To overcome these limitations, we conducted a study focusing on the hue-heat effect within the domain of thermal sensitivity, providing a more objective measurement of thermal perception. Participants (n = 26) were required to compare the perceived temperatures inside different climate chambers lighted by either red or blue lights following two different paradigms. In the congruent paradigm, the warmest chamber was lighted by red lights, while the coldest chamber had blue lights. On the contrary, the incongruent condition featured the warmest chamber with blue lights and the coldest chamber with red lights, thereby violating the hue-heat effect. The Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) analysis revealed comparable performance in both conditions (R2 conditional = 51%), challenging the hypothesis that congruence between colour and temperature enhances thermal perception. Notably, some participants aligned with our hypothesis, while others exhibited opposing behaviour. Furthermore, we compared the present results with our previous data without the added stimuli of the lights. Surprisingly, the sensitivity observed in this experiment was even lower than the one measured in our previous study (p-value = 7.87*10-6), suggesting that the colour of the lights might have increased participants’ cognitive load, leading to a decline in their performance.
Shaping the tripartite symbiosis: are termite microbiome functions directed by the environmentally acquired fungal cultivar?
Authors: Murphy Robert , Sinotte Veronica , Cuesta-Maté Ana , Hamilton-Renelies Justinn , Strube Mikael Lenz , Poulsen Michael
Published: March 2024

Microbiome assembly critically impacts the ability of hosts to access beneficial symbiont functions. Fungus-farming termites have coevolved with a fungal symbiont for plant biomass degradation and complex gut microbiomes that complement termite and fungal metabolism. A large subset of the bacterial community residing within termite guts are inherited (vertically transmitted) from the parental colony, while the fungal symbiont is, in most termite species, acquired from the environment (horizontally transmitted). It has remained unknown how the gut microbiota sustains incipient colonies prior to the acquisition of the fungal cultivar, and how, if at all, microbial functions are modulated by fungus garden establishment. Here we test this by determining the composition and predicted functions of the gut microbiome using metabarcoding and shotgun metagenomics, respectively. We focus our functional predictions on bacterial carbohydrate-active enzyme and nitrogen cycling genes and verify compositional patterns of the former through enzyme activity assays. Our findings reveal that the vast majority of microbial functions are encoded in the inherited microbiome, and that the establishment of fungal gardens incurs only minor modulations of predicted bacterial capacities for CAZy and N-metabolism. While we cannot rule out that other symbiont functions are obtained post-fungus garden establishment, our findings suggest that farming termite hosts are equipped with a near-complete set of gut microbiome functions at the earliest stages of colony life, likely contributing to the high extent of specificity and coevolution observed between termite hosts, gut microbiomes, and the fungal cultivar.
Experimental Study on Light Radiation Characteristics of Tantalum Wire Electric Explosion
Authors: ZHAO Qi-feng , ZHANG De-zhi , MA Ze-long , DONG Peng-ju , YAO Wei-bo , XU Chang , Wu Ke , Sui Ya-Guang , XU Hai-Bin , wang DENG-WANG
Published: March 2024

To investigate the light radiation process of metal wire electric explosion under various working conditions, a synchronous testing system was established using high-speed cameras, photocell tubes and other instruments to study the ultra-fine tantalum wire electric explosion process. The light radiation characteristics of tantalum wire electric explosion were analyzed under different input voltage, quantity, and length conditions. Results indicate that increasing the input voltage from 15kV to 21kV leads to an increase in relative light intensity emitted by the tantalum wire at measurement point 4 from 0.13V to 3.62V with an extension of luminescence process from 4.23ms to 8.42ms and the light saturation time decreases from 150 µs to 20.85 µs; Increasing the number of tantalum wires does not significantly affect luminescence time or saturation time but decreases light intensity at measuring point 4 when increased from two to twelve; When the length of tantalum wire increases from 54.5cm to 68cm, the light intensity generated during the explosion process decreases, the luminescence process changes from 307µs to 921µs, and the light saturation time extends from 23.52µs to 40µs. These experimental findings provide robust data support for further exploration into synchronous detonation technology for light-initiated explosive.
End-expiratory lung volumes as a potential indicator for COVID-19 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective study
Authors: Hao Shengyu , Wei Yilin , Wang Yuxian , Muhetaer Yaxiaerjiang , Zhou Chujun , Qiong Songjie , Jiang Pan , Zhong Ming
Published: March 2024

Background
End-expiratory lung volume (EELV) has been observed to decrease in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Yet, research investigating EELV in patients with COVID-19 associated ARDS (CARDS) remains limited. It is unclear EELV serve as a potential metric for monitoring disease progression and identifying patients with ARDS at increased risk of adverse outcomes.
Study Design and Methods:
This retrospective study included mechanically ventilated patients with CARDS during the initial phase of epidemic control in Shanghai. EELV was measured within 48 hours post-intubation, followed by regular assessments every 3–4 days. Chest CT scans, performed within a 24-hour window around each EELV measurement, were analyzed using AI software. Differences in patient demographics, clinical data, respiratory mechanics, EELV, and chest CT findings were assessed using linear mixed models (LMM).
Results
Out of the 38 enrolled patients, 26.3% survived until discharge from the ICU. In the survivor group, EELV, EELV/PBW and EELV/preFRC were significantly higher than those in the non-survivor group (survivor group vs non-survivor group: EELV: 1455 vs 1162 ml, P = 0.049; EELV/PBW: 24.1 vs 18.5 ml/kg, P = 0.011; EELV/preFRC: 0.45 vs 0.34, P = 0.005). Follow-up assessments showed a sustained elevation of EELV/PBW and EELV/preFRC among the survivors. Additionally, EELV exhibited a positive correlation with total lung volume and residual lung volume, while demonstrating a negative correlation with lesion volume determined through chest CT scans analyzed using AI software.
Conclusion
EELV is a useful indicator for assessing disease severity and monitoring the prognosis of patients with CARDS.
ISN-tractor: a python library for the fast and scalable computation of biologically meaningful Individual-Specific Networks
Authors: Lalli Giada , Li Zuqi , Melograna Federico , Collier James , Moreau Yves , Raimondi Daniele , Steen Kristel Van
Published: March 2024

Individual-Specific Networks (ISNs) are a tool used in computational biology to infer individual-specific relationships between biological entities from omics data. ISNs provide insights into how the interactions among these entities affect their respective functions. To address the scarcity of solutions for efficiently computing ISNs on large biological datasets, we present ISN-tractor, a data-agnostic, highly optimized Python library to build and analyse ISNs. ISN-tractor demonstrates superior scalability and efficiency in generating Individual-Specific Networks (ISNs) when compared to existing methods such as LionessR, both time and memory usage, allowing ISNs to be used on large datasets. We show how ISN-tractor can be applied to real-life datasets, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and HapMap, showcasing its versatility. It can be used to build ISNs on different types of data (expression, proteomics, genotype arrays) and it can detect distinct patterns of gene interactions within and across cancer types. We also show how Filtration Curves provided valuable insights into ISN characteristics, revealing topological distinctions among individuals with different clinical outcomes. Additionally, ISN-tractor can effectively cluster populations based on genetic relationships, as demonstrated with Principal Component Analysis on HapMap data.
Optimization of protoplast isolation and transient expression systems for lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and other important dicotyledon vegetables
Authors: Xiang Lei , Li Rui-Xin , Zheng Qing-Jun , Huang Zan-Tang , Yu Peng-Fei , Shi Zhuo-Xing , Li Yan-Wen , Zhao Hai-Ming , Cai Quan-Ying , Hou Xue-Wen , Mo Ce-Hui , Li Qing-X
Published: March 2024

Plant protoplasts-based platform shows high totipotency, sensitivity, and versatility, and thus promotes botanical advances. However, an efficient protoplasts-based platform remains a challenge for many economically significant dicotyledon vegetables such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). In the present study, a highly efficient protocol was optimized and developed for isolation of protoplasts from various tissues (leaf, shoot apex, and root tips) of different lettuce subtypes (romaine, loose-leaf, and head lettuces) by optimizing the major factors affecting protoplast yield. It provided the protoplasts yield up to 1.95× 107 /g (fw) and viable cells > 85%, which are 3–10 times higher than that of previous report. This protocol was also successfully applied to other dicotyledon plants for efficient isolation of protoplasts from their leaves and shoot apices, including Arabidopsis thaliana, celery cabbage (brassica pekinensis), and bok choy (Brassica parachinensis). Furthermore, the optimized polyethylene glycol-mediated transient expression system (TES) based on the lettuce shoot apex showed a high transfection efficiency (> 80%), achieving protein subcellular localization of four typical plasma membrane genes and their induced expression function investigations in lettuce. The optimized protoplast isolation protocol and TES provide a versatile technique for functional analyses of genes in lettuces and other important dicotyledon vegetables.
Midwives’ perceptions regarding clinical support by nursing managers in a Tshwane hospital
Authors: Jantjies Nomdikazi Dinah , Zenani Nombulelo , Serapelwane Maserapelo
Published: March 2024

Background
Despite the benefits of support on the quality of maternal care, there is a general lack of support, which proved to have a less desired effect on the level of quality care within maternal units. To ensure the midwives operate to a high standard to ensure quality and patient safety in maternal care, support from the nursing managers creates a positive psychological environment to cope and manage themselves in the complex nature of the maternity unit. The study aimed to explore and describe midwives' perceptions regarding clinical support by nursing managers in a Tshwane hospital. The study described recommendations regarding the kind of clinical support required by midwives from the nursing managers in rendering maternal care.
Methods
The study used Qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual research design to achieve the aim and objectives. The study used purposive sampling to select participants with insight and experience on the phenomenon. Before conducting the research, the researcher sought ethical permission from the NuMIQ research focus area and the North-West University Health Research Ethics Committee. Unstructured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted to collect data. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Four themes emerged from the findings of this study, namely challenges related to lack of resources, emotional distress, lack of support, and recommended measures for support.
Conclusion
Quality and patient safety in maternity care is dependent on comprehensive clinical support for the midwives. Therefore, clinical support from the nursing managers enables the midwives to mitigate the challenges experienced in maternity units. Moreover, clinical support from nursing managers limits emotional distress and physical burnout that contributes to poor mental health and lack of job satisfaction in midwives. Those factors predispose the attrition rate of midwives and lead to the occurrence of adverse events in maternal care, which affects the well-being of patients in the maternity units. Therefore, there is a need for midwives to receive clinical support from nursing managers.
Effect of sea ice loss on Earth's energy budget depends on its spatial pattern
Authors: Zhou Chen , Wang Qingming , Tan Ivy , Zhang Lujun , Zelinka Mark , Wang Minghuai , Bloch-Johnson Jonah
Published: March 2024

The global mean sea ice concentration (SIC) is decreasing under global warming, but the effect of SIC reduction on Earth’s energy budget remains uncertain. Here we show that SIC-induced radiation anomalies at the top of the atmosphere are sensitive to the location of SIC reduction in each season, and therefore the impact of SIC reductions on Earth’s energy balance depends on their spatial pattern. SIC-induced radiation anomalies warm the Earth system under CO2-induced long-term global warming, but the SIC-induced radiation anomalies during specific historical periods could counterintuitively even cool the Earth system if the SIC reduction occurs with certain spatial patterns. Idealized experiments indicate that SIC-induced surface warming is greater in the Arctic regions, resulting in a more negative Planck feedback. Global low cloud fraction responses to Arctic and Antarctic SIC reduction are also distinct, leading to more negative SIC-cloud feedback in some Arctic regions. As a result, SIC reduction in some Arctic regions induces negative Planck and cloud feedbacks that overwhelm the positive sea ice albedo feedback, resulting in a net cooling radiative effect on the planet, while the radiative effect of SIC reduction over most Antarctic regions warms the earth.
Fast fabrication of “all-in-one” injectable hydrogels as antibiotic alternatives for enhanced bacterial inhibition and accelerating wound healing
Authors: Xin Juan , Yang Zhangyou , Zhang Shurong , Sun Lili , Wang Xin , Tang Yang , Xiao Yan , Huang Honglin , Li Wei
Published: March 2024

Skin wound infection has become a notable medical threat. Herein, the polysaccharide-based injectable hydrogels with multifunctionality were developed by a simple and fast gelation process not only to inactivate bacteria but also to accelerate bacteria-infected wound healing. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) loaded PCN-224 metal-organic frameworks nanoparticles were introduced into the polymer matrix formed by the dynamic and reversible coordinate bonds between Ag+ with carboxyl and amino or hydroxyl groups on carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), multiple hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions in the polymer to fabricate SNP@PCN@Gel hydrogels. SNP@PCN@Gel displayed interconnected porous structure, excellent self-healing capacity, low cytotoxicity, good blood compatibility, and robust antibacterial activity. SNP@PCN@Gel could produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), showed rapid generation of NO along with Fe2+ and long-term sustained release of Ag+, thereby effectively killing bacteria by synergistic photothermal (hyperthermia), photodynamic (ROS), chemodynamic (Fenton reaction), gas (NO) and ion (Ag+ and -NH3+ in CMCS) therapy. Remarkably, the hydrogels significantly promoted granulation tissue formation, reepithelization, collagen deposition and angiogenesis as well as wound contraction in bacteria-infected wound healing. Taken together, the strategy represented a general method to engineer the unprecedented photoactivatable “all-in-one” hydrogels with enhanced antibacterial activity and paved a new way for development of antibiotic alternatives and wound dressing.
Comparison of bundled rib implants and titanium mesh implants in thoracic spinal tuberculosis surgery
Authors: Jin Yanghui , Wang Yifan , Shi Shiyuan , Hu Shengping , Zhang Lijuan , Zhong Ying , Feng Junkai
Published: March 2024

Objective: This study aimed to compare bundled multifracture rib implants and titanium mesh implants for thoracic spinal tuberculosis using the transverse costal approach.
Methods: Patients with thoracic spinal tuberculosis were divided into two groups. Both groups underwent surgery via the transverse costal approach. After removal of the necrotic tissue from the tuberculosis lesion, group A received titanium mesh bone grafts and group B received bundled rib bone grafts. Bone grafting time, blood loss during surgery, Cobb angle correction after surgery, loss of Cobb angle after the last follow-up, and bone graft fusion time were compared between the two groups.
Results: Thirty-eight patients (n = 19 per group) were included in this study. The follow-up duration was 24–42 months. The mean operative time was significantly longer in group A than in group B (154.63 ± 15.48 min vs. 130.95 ± 25.51 min, t = 3.460, P = 0.001). Implant fusion time, intraoperative bleeding volume, and preoperative Cobb angle were not significantly different between the two groups (7.11 ± 0.46 months vs. 7.16 ± 0.60 months, P > 0.05; 556.68 ± 116.76 ml vs. 518.63 ± 108.48 ml, P > 0.05; 36.47° ± 7.57° and 37.63° ± 6.45°, P > 0.05, respectively). After treatment, spinal nerve function recovered at least partially in both groups. The Oswestry dysfunction indices were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Compared with the titanium mesh implant, the bundled rib implant is more convenient, has easy bone block implantation procedure, and requires shorter time for bone grafting. No differences in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bone graft fusion time, and spinal nerve function recovery were detected. Furthermore, stabilization function is achieved earlier with the bundled rip implant after thoracic spinal tuberculosis lesion removal, supporting the use of this implant.