bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal methane emissions and agronomic performance of Indonesia’s high-yielding rice cultivars on the north coastal rice fields of Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: Kartikawati Rina , Kurniasih Budiastuti , Putra Eka Tarwaca Susila , Hanudin Eko , Arunrat Noppol
Published: November 2024

Rice contributes significantly to methane emissions. In the north coastal region of Central Java Island, flooding irrigation for high-yielding rice cultivation is used throughout the rice-producing season to reduce the salinity effect. Information on methane emissions in coastal rice fields, particularly in salt-affected soil, is still limited. This study aimed to measure the methane emissions from different high-yielding rice varieties and examine the association with agronomic performance. The study site was in the Wedung district of Demak Regency, Central Java, and the research was carried out from November 2022 to March 2023. Eight rice cultivars—Ciherang, Inpari 32, Inpari 34, Inpari 35, Biosalin 1, Biosalin 2, Inpari Unsoed 79, and Inpari 30—were investigated. The experiment was designed as a randomized block with four replications. Methane gas samples were collected during the growing season in relation to rice stages. There were substantial differences in methane emissions among the eight rice varieties. Inpari 32, Ciherang, and Biosalin 1 had higher rice yields and lower yield-scale methane emissions than the other five rice varieties. Grain production and effective tiller number were significantly (p<0.01) and inversely linked to methane emissions. We found Inpari 32, Ciherang, and Biosalin 1 to be low-methane and high-yielding rice cultivars in salt-affected soil. These findings suggest that the use of these rice varieties by coastal farmers could help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
PENDIDIKAN KARAKTER MELALUI GENDING RARE STUDI ETNOGRAFI PADA ANAK USIA DINI DI DESA ADAT TENGANAN PEGRINGSINGAN, KABUPATEN KARANGASEM, PROVINSI BALI (2013)
Authors: SUDIANI NI NYOMAN
Published: November 2024

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to figure out how character education for early childhood carried out through gending rare, the place, time, and rhythm of gending rare is sung for character education to early childhood in Desa Adat Tenganan Pegringsingan. This study used a qualitative ethnographic research methods. The study found that the education of characters that can be educated through gending rare: individually such as: the religious character education, hard working, self-contained, responsibilities, strong, humble, honest, helpful, willing to sacrifice, and joyous; socially character education such as: character education togetherness, love of the homeland, and care for the environment.Character educationin early childhood through gending rare done at home, in the community and in schools, and parents sung during lull children, bathing the child, when the child is fed, and when of early childhood play with the peers or parents or guardians, and rhythm gending rare that play a role in character education in early childhood among others, melodious rhythm generally sung by parent, and rhythm chirpy when sung by early childhood during game play to add to the splendor.
Keywords: character education, gending rare, early childhood
PENINGKATAN KETERAMPILAN SOSIAL MELALUI BERMAIN ANGIN PUYUH
Authors: HUDA KHAIRUL
Published: November 2024

Abstract:The aims of this research is to get information and data about the effort to increase childrenâ€™s social skill in grade B kindergarten through playing of angin puyuh in TK Mujahidin, Kedoya Selatan, Jakarta Barat.Research method used action research method. This method conduced in two cycles according to Kemmis and Taggart model which consist of 4 stages (plan, action, observation, and reflection). Data collecting techniques used field notes, interview, documentation, and observation. Sample was taken from 18 children of 5-6 years old.The result of the research shows that childrenâ€™s skill through playing of angin puyuh could increase of grade B kindergarten. Analysis of data obtained from the comparison between pre-action, and cycles two score. The end result of overall analysis of data is the percentage increase of 49.3% which showed from pre-action the class average is 34.7 up to 84 at cycles two result.
Keywords: social skill, playing of angin puyuh, action research.
Early Empathy: Impact of Digital Storytelling, Traditional-Storytelling, and Gender on Early Childhood
Authors: Maranatha Jojor Renta , Wulandari Hayani , Briliany Noviarta
Published: November 2024

Stories are good media for enhancing emotional intelligence and empathy. Therefore, early childhoods know how to empathize with the figure of the story through storytelling. This research objective is to investigate the impact of digital storytelling and traditional storytelling as a learning media and gender on empathy in early childhood. This research is experimental with treatment by level 2 x 2 research design. The data collection instrument uses an observation sheet in the form of an early childhood empathy Rating Scale. The results of this research showed children who got the digital storytelling intervention had more empathy than children who got the traditional storytelling. Moreover, digital storytelling is more suitable for fostering empathy in the male gender compared with traditional storytelling. On another hand, traditional story-telling is more suitable for enhancing empathy in the female gender.
Multi-Product Quantity Discount
Authors: Liu Zuofeng
Published: November 2024

Multi-product quantity discount (MPQD) is the quantity discount for purchasing items from multiple products. To launch MPQD for products with different MPQD strategies, sellers always need to manually unify the MPQD strategies of the products in current practice. The inefficient manual approach often cannot reasonably achieve the purpose, which greatly limits the development of MPQD business. Can we develop a general algorithm to take over the manual work to reasonably calculate the discounts for purchased products while keeping the products’ MPQD strategies unchanged? This is the goal proposed and achieved in this paper for the first time.
Starting from revealing the underlying logic of MPQD, this paper constructs a theoretical framework including the basic assumptions, concepts, and principles, and based on the theoretical framework completes the development of an MPQD algorithm (MPQDA for short).
With the support of the MPQDA which breaks down the barriers to launching MPQD, sellers will be able to launch large-scale automated and complex MPQD businesses, and the manifestations of MPQD will be greatly enriched. In addition, as a convenient tool for automating and accurately coordinating the benefits of multiple parties, the MPQDA can be widely and persistently applied in the areas where the relevant business can be mapped to MPQD, such as in fission marketing, which will give rise to new business models.
Human iPSC-derived pericyte-like cells carrying the LRRK2 mutation induce a reactive phenotype and alter migration
Authors: Peltonen Sanni , Sonninen Tuuli-Maria , Niskanen Jonna , Koistinaho Jari , Ruponen Marika , Lehtonen Šárka
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND
Pericytes play a crucial role in controlling inflammation and vascular functions in the central nervous system, which are impaired in Parkinson’s disease. Still, there is a lack of studies on the impact of pericytes on neurodegenerative diseases, and their involvement in the pathology of Parkinson’s disease is unclear. Our objective was to investigate the molecular and functional differences between healthy pericytes and pericytes harboring the LRRK2 G2019S mutation, a prevalent mutation linked to Parkinson’s disease.
METHODS
This study utilized pericyte-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells obtained from Parkinson’s disease patients with the LRRK2 G2019S mutation and healthy individuals. We examined the gene expression profiles of these cells and assessed how the modifications impact their functionality.
RESULTS
We have demonstrated differences in the expression of genes related to inflammation and angiogenesis. Furthermore, we have observed that proinflammatory stimuli modify migration speed in Parkinson’s disease pericyte-like cells and enhance the secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as soluble VCAM-1 and MCP-1.
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, our findings support the notion that pericytes play a role in the inflammatory and vascular changes observed in Parkinson’s disease. Further investigation of pericytes could provide valuable insight into the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease.
The Unique Association Between Estimated Pulse Wave Velocity And The Prevalence Of Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wei Shuwu , Pan Xinyu , Xiao Yao , Wei Junping
Published: November 2024

Objective
Arteriosclerosis is the pathological basis for Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD). The estimated Pulse Wave Velocity (ePWV) is used to assess arteriosclerosis, and is considered a potential clinical surrogate for pulse wave velocity. There are no studies on ePWV in relation to DKD. Our research represents the first embark to explore the relationship between ePWV and DKD.
Methods
In this cross-sectional analysis, we collected ePWV data from a cohort of 4,296 hospitalized Chinese patients. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were employed to examine the relationship between eGDR and the prevalence of DKD, UACR ≥ 30 mg/g, and eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m².
Results
After adjusting for confounding factors, each unit increase in ePWV was associated with a 23%, 21% and 25% increase in the prevalence of DKD, UACR ≥ 30 mg/g, and eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m² in T2DM participants, respectively. A J-shaped relationship was observed between ePWV and the prevalence of DKD and eGFR < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m², and a linear association between ePWV and the prevalence of UACR ≥ 30 mg/g.
Conclusion
ePWV is independently positively correlated with the prevalence of DKD. Integrating ePWV into routine clinical evaluations enable timely interventions and personalized management approaches.
Kawasaki disease with cardiac involvement revealed by acute pancreatitis in an adult: A rare case report.
Authors: BARAKAT Leila , HABOUB Meryem , MHABER Safaa , ECHCHILALI Khadija , MOUDATIR Mina , DRIGHIL Abdenasser , AROUS Salim , BENOUNA Mohamed Ghali , HABBAL Rachida , KABLI Hassan EL
Published: November 2024

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disease primarily affecting children under 5 years of age, with very few cases reported in adults. This condition is characterized by potential coronary involvement, including aneurysms and gastrointestinal manifestations, such as pancreatitis.Case Presentation: A 21-year-old man presented with a febrile rash, fever, conjunctivitis, and acute pancreatitis. Imaging revealed coronary artery aneurysms. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins, aspirin, and corticosteroids led to significant clinical improvement.Conclusions: This case underscores the rare occurrence of Kawasaki disease in adults, particularly with both pancreatic and coronary artery involvement. The effective use of immunoglobulins and corticosteroids highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in managing this rare condition in adults.
SMOC1 colocalizes with Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology and delays Aβ aggregation
Authors: Balcomb Kaleah , Johnston Caitlin , Kavanagh Tomas , Leitner Dominique , Schneider Julie , Halliday Glenda , Wisniewski Thomas , Sunde Margaret , Drummond Eleanor
Published: November 2024

SMOC1 has emerged as one of the most significant and consistent new biomarkers of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent studies show that SMOC1 is one of the earliest changing proteins in AD, with levels in the cerebrospinal fluid increasing many years before symptom onset. Despite this clear association with disease, little is known about the role of SMOC1 in AD or its function in the brain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the distribution of SMOC1 in human AD brain tissue and to determine if SMOC1 influenced amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation. The distribution of SMOC1 in human brain tissue was assessed in 3 brain regions (temporal cortex, hippocampus, frontal cortex) using immunohistochemistry in a cohort of 73 cases encompassing advanced AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), preclinical AD and cognitively normal controls. The Aβ- and phosphorylated tau-interaction with SMOC1 was assessed in control, MCI and advanced AD human brain tissue using co-immunoprecipitation, and the influence of SMOC1 on Aβ aggregation kinetics was assessed using Thioflavin T assays and electron microscopy. SMOC1 strongly colocalized with a subpopulation of amyloid plaques in AD (43.8±2.4%), MCI (32.8±5.4%) and preclinical AD (28.3±6.4%). SMOC1 levels in the brain strongly correlated with plaque load, irrespective of disease stage. SMOC1 also colocalized with a subpopulation of phosphorylated tau aggregates in AD (9.6±2.6%). Co-immunoprecipitation studies showed that SMOC1 strongly interacted with Aβ in human MCI and AD brain tissue and with phosphorylated tau in human AD brain tissue. Thioflavin T aggregation assays showed that SMOC1 significantly delayed Aβ aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, and electron microscopy confirmed that the Aβ fibrils generated in the presence of SMOC1 had an altered morphology. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of SMOC1 in the onset and progression of AD and suggest that SMOC1 may influence pathology development in AD.
Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of hippocampal tissue in a murine model of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Vidal Rodrigo , Lopez Ignacio , Ugarte Gonzalo , Contreras Darwin , Piña Ricardo , Godoy Felipe , Rozas Carlos , Rubio David , Mantellero Carola , Constandil Luis , Escobar Jorge , Morales Bernardo
Published: November 2024

Background.Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a prevalence around 5% in children and adolescents and 2.5% in adults. Recent reports using GWAS approaches have identified several genetic risk loci for this disorder. However, the epigenetic influence of extrinsic factors during pregnancy or the exposure to environmental factors during childhood, on the onset of the disorder remains unclear. This question has been addressed mainly by analyzing fluid samples such as blood and saliva taken from ADHD patients or by postmortem analysis. The aim of this study was to determine differential patterns in DNA methylation in hippocampal samples using a murine model of ADHD to identify putative epigenetic biomarkers.Methods.We analyzed the genome-wide pattern of differentially methylated CpG sites identified after bisulfite conversion using the Illumina Infinium Mouse Methylation BeadChip in fresh hippocampal tissue samples from the prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) mouse model of ADHD and control animals.Results.Our analysis revealed 218 DMPs including genes with the highest difference between beta-values in PNE and control samples associated with growth factors signaling, such as adhesion G protein-coupled receptor B2 (ADGRB2), leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) and erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (ERBB3) involved in synaptogenesis, proliferation, and differentiation of neural stem cells. The functional gene enrichment analysis of DMPs revealed the nervous system development as the biological process with highest enrichment factor. In addition, the analysis of 113 DMR revealed several loci associated with the positive regulation of Hippo signaling in PNE samples. Notably, the SPTBN2 gene emerged as DMR in our analysis has also been described as a DMP in blood samples of children with ADHD, and NGR3 (a ligand of the ERBB3 receptor) has been described as a DMR in postmortem analysis of human brain samples.Conclusions.Our results revealing a DMP previously associated with ADHD support the validation of the PNE murine model of ADHD allowing further in vivo and ex vivo experiments required to characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the onset and persistence of the disorder. In addition, the identification of new DMPs and DMRs in the hippocampal samples of PNE animals will contribute to evaluate the epigenetic status in human samples and the identification of new putative epigenetic markers of the disorder.
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Regulate the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Fibrosis by Inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Shi Wenchao , Shang Yu , Li Zhiheng , Yu Yao , Shi Si , Liu Lijie , Luo Yakun , Chen Hong , Jin Shoude
Published: November 2024

Background
Neutrophil extracellular traps released after neutrophil activation are associated with various diseases and redefine the biological functions of neutrophils. Studies have reported a significant increase in the number of neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of patients with idiopathic pulmonary disease. However,neutrophil-mediated pathogenic mechanisms of idiopathic pulmonary disease remain unclear.
Methods
The biological functions of neutrophil extracellular traps were evaluated using proliferation,wound healing and transwell assays.The expression of different fibrosis factors was detected using western blot and immunohistochemistry staining in vivo and in vitro.
Results
Neutrophil extracellular traps promote the proliferation and migration of A549 and BEAS-2B cells by inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Based on our current transcriptome RNA sequencing analysis, ELANE (encoding the neutrophil elastase gene) was a major differentially expressed gene, and the Wnt signaling pathway was the major pathway as demonstrated through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. Neutrophil extracellular traps, through their protease neutrophil elastase interacting with β-catenin, trigger changes in the expression of markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, including E-cadherin and vimentin. Additionally, Sivelestat·Na disrupts the stability of neutrophil extracellular traps structures by inhibiting the activity of neutrophil elastase, thereby suppressing neutrophil extracellular traps-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and alleviating acute lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that the neutrophil extracellular traps/Wnt axis promotes the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the progression of pulmonary fibrosis,recommending it a target for new therapeutic strategies for early-stage pulmonary fibrosis.
Comparative Analysis of the Optic Nerve Microvasculature Between Different Optic Disc Phenotypes of Normal-Tension Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Song Min Kyung , Lee Yunhan , Shin Joong Won , Lee Jin Yeong , Hong Ji Wook , Kook Michael S.
Published: November 2024

PURPOSE: To determine whether the optic nerve head (ONH) and parapapillary choroidal vessel density (VD), measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), differ between two common optic disc phenotypes (ODPs) in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).
DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed 100 NTG patients with visual field (VF) loss confined to a single hemifield (50 eyes with focal ischemic [FI] ODP and 50 eyes with myopic glaucomatous [MG] ODP, matched for age [≤ 10 years] and visual field [VF] severity [mean deviation ≤ 1 dB]) as well as 50 healthy eyes. Using OCTA, ONH VD (ONH-VD) was evaluated on a 4.5 x 4.5 mm ONH en-face image using the whole-signal mode. The parapapillary choroidal VD (pCVD) was measured on en-face choroidal layer image within the entire β-parapapillary atrophy (β-PPA) zone using imageJ software. The ONH-VD and pCVD were compared among the three groups. The relationships between ONH-VD and pCVD outcomes and various clinical variables were assessed.
RESULTS: The average ONH-VD and pCVD were significantly lower in eyes with MG ODPs than those with FI ODPs (56.9% vs. 60.4%, 67.1% vs. 71.8%; both P < 0.05). Multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that MG ODP, lower peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and VD in the hemiretina, corresponding to hemifield VF loss, in addition to the presence of choroidal microvasculature dropout, were significantly associated with lower ONH-VD and pCVD (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The OCTA-measured ONH-VD and pCVD are significantly lower in eyes with MG ODPs rather than FI ODPs. MG ODP is independently associated with lower ONH-VD and pCVD in NTG eyes.
Prognostic Impact and Therapeutic Potential of CDC20 in Cervical Cancer: Insights from Clinical and Experimental Analyses
Authors: Xian Feng , Zhu Qi , Zhang Guojun , Bie Jun , Xu Guohui
Published: November 2024

CDC20 has been identified as an oncogene involved in the development and prognosis of various cancers, yet its role in cervical cancer remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate CDC20 expression in cervical cancer tissues and its clinical significance. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 249 cervical cancer patients diagnosed at Nanchong Central Hospital from January to December 2022. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess CDC20 expression, and statistical methods compared clinicopathological characteristics. Survival analysis employed the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression identified survival risk factors. Additionally, siRNA was used to knock down CDC20 in HeLa cells to examine its effects on proliferation, invasion, and migration. Results indicated that CDC20 expression was significantly higher in cervical cancer tissues (61.85%) compared to adjacent normal tissues (7.5%) (p < 0.05). High CDC20 expression was associated with poorer overall survival, particularly in specific subgroups (p < 0.05) and identified as an independent risk factor (p < 0.05). Silencing CDC20 inhibited cancer cell proliferation and invasion, while xenograft models demonstrated reduced tumor growth with CDC20 inhibition (p < 0.01). CDC20 may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for cervical cancer.
Neoadjuvant Chemo-Immunotherapy in Very Advanced (T4) Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Real-World Study
Authors: Jiang Ke , Fang Qi , Cao Fei , Xu Pengfei , Xie Haojun , Li Yin , Hu Ang , Li Qiuli , Wu Di , Liu Xuekui , Yang Ankui
Published: November 2024

Aims
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy in patients with very advanced (T4) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), while also exploring outcomes in the specific subgroup of T4b stage patients.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 87 initially diagnosed T4 HNSCC patients who received neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy between April 2020 and March 2023 at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The primary endpoint of this study was overall survival (OS) and the secondary endpoint was event-free survival (EFS).
Results
The overall response rate (ORR) after neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy was 75.8%, with 10.3% achieving a complete response (CR) and 69.0% achieving a partial response (PR). The 1-year and 3-year OS rates for the total cohort were 90.8% and 66.7%, while the 1-year and 3-year EFS rates were 81.3% and 56.0%, respectively. Cox regression analyses indicated that receiving 3–4 cycles of treatment, pretreatment clinical N0 stage, and favorable radiographic responses (CR and PR) were significantly associated with improved OS and EFS. Remarkably, among the 12 T4b patients, 11 (91.7%) achieved a PR while one experienced stable disease (SD). Furthermore, 8 T4b patients (66.7%) were converted to resectable status, and 5 of them underwent surgical treatment following neoadjuvant therapy. Grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 7 patients (8.0%).
Conclusion
Neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy demonstrates promising survival outcomes and manageable toxicity in very advanced T4 HNSCC patients, highlighting its potential as an effective treatment strategy for this challenging subgroup.
myoCardial work & Right ventricle Strain In Sepsis (CRiSIS): new investigations in critical care echocardiography
Authors: Sanderson Thomas , Samuels Theophilus
Published: November 2024

Background
The understanding of sepsis-related changes in myocardial function is evolving. This study aimed to determine whether myocardial work (MW) and right ventricular free wall strain (RV FWS) were associated with 30-day mortality in critically ill patients presenting with sepsis.
Methods
We conducted a single-centre prospective observational cohort pilot study to investigate MW and RV FWS in patients with sepsis. Measurements were recorded for 32 patients on days 1 and 3 of admission: 22 (69%) survivors and 10 (31%) non-survivors at 30 days. We used permutation tests, nonparametric bootstrapping and Bayesian analysis to interpret these effects.
Results
A significant difference in global work efficiency (GWE) was identified on day 3, with survivors showing higher GWE (94%, IQR 91-95%) compared to non-survivors (88.5%, IQR 85-92%; p = 0.02, BF10 = 1.44). No significant differences in interval changes in MW or RV FWS were found. Bayesian analysis supported a possible difference in global work index (GWI) and global constructive work (GCW) between survivors and non-survivors on day 1 and for GWI on day 3. GWI, GCW, and GWE strongly correlated with LVEF and GLS, while the relationship with global wasted work (GWW) was weaker.
Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate MW in critical care patients presenting with sepsis. The observed decrease in GWE in non-survivors on day 3 was mostly due to an increase in GWW, for which there are several possible mechanistic explanations that are potential targets for future research or therapeutic intervention.
Trial Registration
Prospectively and publicly registered on the ISRCTN registry (23174569) on 12/04/2021.
Hands-on Activities and Their Influence on Students’ Interest in Biology as a Subject in Technical Colleges in Lagos State
Authors: Sowunmi Kehinde , Abiodun Raji Farouk , Ashirafdeen Bello Abiola , Enoch Ajao Iyanu
Published: November 2024

This research study examines the impact of hands-on activities on students' level of interest. Specifically, we investigated whether students who have engaged in specific hands-on activities exhibit a greater interest in those activities compared to students who have not had such experiences. Additionally, we explored the relationship between the quality of hands-on experiences and the level of interest in the corresponding activities. We focused on 28 common hands-on activities in biology education, categorized as experimentation, dissection, work with microscopes, and classification. Questionnaires were completed by a total of 141 students from four trade (Catering Craft, Garment Making, Computer Craft and Graphics Art) courses in five technical colleges in Lagos state, addressing their interest in the hands-on activities, their prior experience with each activity, and the quality of their respective experiences. The results of our study indicate that engaging in hands-on activities generally tends to enhance students' interest in experimenting, working with microscopes, dissecting, and classifying. However, we observed that the influence of specific hands-on activities on students' interests varied. Among the hands-on activities considered, seven demonstrated a positive effect on interest when students had prior hands-on experience, while in one instance, practical work seemed to negatively affect students' interest. Nevertheless, for most hands-on activities, we did not find a significant impact of prior experience on interest. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between the quality of hands-on experiences and students' interest in the corresponding activities. Based on these findings, we argue in favour of designing biology lessons that incorporate hands-on activities aligned with students' interests. It is essential to investigate the effects of different hands-on activities in a nuanced and differentiated manner, as highlighted by our study's outcomes.
Precision Control of Tibial Nerve Stimulation for Bladder Regulation via Evoked Compound Action Potential Feedback Mechanisms
Authors: Park Sung-Min , Lim Young-Soo , Kim Ji Hong , Kim Junho , Hoang MinhDuc , Kang Wonok , Park Steve , Jeong Unyong , Kim Do Hwan
Published: November 2024

Optimizing stimulation protocols for peripheral neuromodulation often depends on patient feedback, which can result in inconsistent clinical outcomes. Here we present a closed-loop control system for peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) that utilizes evoked compound action potential (ECAP) feedback to regulate stimulation parameters, addressing the limitations of traditional methods. Unlike established closed-loop control techniques in the central nervous system, such as local field potential and spike analysis, a comparable approach for the peripheral nervous system remains underdeveloped. ECAPs can be consistently observed across peripheral nerves, providing a reliable measure of nerve activation. We developed a fully implantable device and neural interface for tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) that incorporates the proposed closed-loop system. This TNS system shows promise as a PNS treatment for alleviating overactive bladder symptoms. In a rat model, the system demonstrated longer micturition intervals and greater effectiveness compared to conventional motor response-based control.
Effect of an Aggressive New Race Broomrape (Orobanche Cumana L.) on Agronomical and Technological Traits of the Sunflower in Mediterranean Environments
Authors: KILIÇ Yücel , GOKSOY Abdurrahim Tanju
Published: November 2024

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is the most important edible oil crop in Turkey as 85% of the edible oil consumed is made from it. A major limiting factor in sunflower-producing countries is infestation by the parasitic plant Orobanche cumana. In all regions of Turkey where sunflower is grown, sunflower plants exhibiting various degrees of infestation by this parasite and various invasive groups of this parasite have been observed. The aim of this study was to assess the tolerance of sunflower varieties to the new aggressive parasitic race and to determine its effect on agronomical and technological traits of the sunflower. Our results over a two-year study of agronomically important traits indicate that the hybrids, HA-4 and HA-5, are fully resistant to the parasite under field conditions and had significantly higher seed yield and oil content than the standards. Therefore, new sources of genetic resistance and herbicide-resistant sunflower hybrids are required against highly invasive races for this region.
Crystalline Keteniminyl Anions
Authors: Wang Xin-Feng , Wei Rui , Liang Qiuming , Hu Chaopeng , Liu Liu Leo
Published: November 2024

The synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of keteniminyl anions [R1C = C = NR2]−, a hitherto uncharted functional group, are the primary focus of this study. Our comprehensive analyses, including NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and density functional theory calculations, have illuminated the distinct electronic characteristics of these anions. They are characterized by their nucleophilic/basic anionic carbon and π electrons, which are extensively delocalized along the PCCN chain. These anions undergo a range of facile reactions, such as protonation, alkylation, silylation, and metalation at the carbon site, leading to various ketenimine derivatives. They also participate in hydroamination reactions, yielding amino enamide functional groups. Additionally, the phosphino substituent in keteniminyl anions acts as a previously underappreciated weak π-electron acceptor when the phosphorus atom is in a pyramidalized state, thereby facilitating the stabilization of the electron-rich anionic carbon. The isolation of phosphino and thiophosphino keteniminyl anions not only represents a significant synthetic achievement but also heralds the potential for the future isolation of novel electron-rich species featuring phosphino substituents.
Hypnosis in Sexual Trauma Recovery: A Network Meta-Analysis of Anxiety, PTSD, and Relationship Quality
Authors: Hui-Ting Tsai
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the effectiveness of different hypnotherapy approaches in aiding recovery from sexual trauma, focusing on anxiety reduction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom management, and improvements in intimate relationship quality. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to compare the relative efficacy of traditional hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. Results indicate that cognitive-behavioral hypnosis provides the greatest benefit in reducing PTSD symptoms, while traditional hypnosis is most effective in alleviating anxiety and enhancing intimate relationship quality.
Editorial: Studentische Partizipation
Authors: Tremp Peter , Schiefner-Rohs Mandy , Hofhues Sandra
Published: November 2024

Studentische Partizipation ist im Trend: In vielen Papieren zur Weiterentwicklung der Hochschulen ist dieses Postulat zu finden in der Absicht, die Qualität der Bildungseinrichtung Hochschule zu erhöhen. Doch: Welches Verständnis von Hochschule, von Hochschulmanagement und Hochschulentwicklung steckt dahinter? Welches Verständnis studentischer Partizipation wird gegenwärtig an Hochschulen gelebt? Wie zeigt sich Partizipation beispielsweise bei der Entwicklung von Studienprogrammen oder der Gestaltung von Lehrveranstaltungen? Die Beiträge der vorliegenden Ausgabe erörtern ausgewählte Fragen zur studentischen Partizipation und verhandeln damit – implizit – auch Bilder und Vorstellungen von Studierenden und Hochschullehre. Sie erlauben Einblicke in Realisierungsformen und geben Anregungen, wie studentische Partizipation erhöht werden könnte.
Partizipation an Wissenschaft und ihr demokratiebildendes Potenzial
Authors: Heudorfer Anna
Published: November 2024

Dieser Beitrag folgt der These, dass Kontexte „doppelter Partizipation“, nämlich von Studierenden und hochschulexternen Akteur:innen, besonderes Potenzial aufweisen. Anhand eines Stufenmodells werden verschiedene Möglichkeiten der studentischen Partizipation in den Handlungsfeldern Lehre, Forschung und Transfer dargestellt. Wissenschaft wird aus einer praxistheoretischen Perspektive als doing verstanden, das sich verändert, wenn Wissenschaftlichkeit weniger von Lehrenden vermittelt, sondern zwischen den Beteiligten ausgehandelt wird. Dabei können Räume für Demokratiebildung entstehen, die ebendiese in die Handlungsfelder der Hochschule integrieren.
Othermothering: A Black Feminist History of Communal Early Childhood Education in America
Authors: Turner Crystasany
Published: November 2024

Historically, Black women, as care providers, educators, activists, and othermothers, have taken a stand within their homes, communities, and the nation’s classrooms to ensure the survival and empowerment of the Black community on every front. Through the lens of Black feminist thought and the power of counternarratives, this literature review delineates a historical and socio-political exploration of how Black women educators and childcare providers have positioned themselves as othermothers—nurturing and advancing the children of the Black community while navigating various systems of oppression and social stressors. In discussion, the author calls for a critical shift towards the recognition of marginalized histories, perspectives, and intellectual contributions of Black women early educators.
Desenvolvimento e avaliação de produtos educacionais na pós-graduação profissional em Ensino: metodologias e desafios emergentes
Authors: Weirich da Silva Coelho Iandra Maria
Published: November 2024

Este estudo trata sobre o desenvolvimento e avaliação de produtos educacionais. Adota uma abordagem exploratória e qualitativa para abordar a temática, a partir de dois objetivos. Por um lado, busca evidenciar critérios e desafios relacionados à avaliação de produtos educacionais, na área de Ensino. Por outro, pretende apresentar um percurso metodológico, composto por quatro fases que contemplam o planejamento, desenvolvimento, implementação e avaliação de propostas de ensino, com sugestões de técnicas de coleta, produção e análise de dados. As reflexões sublinham a relevância de evidências que demonstrem as contribuições dos produtos para os resultados de aprendizagem e para a translação do conhecimento gerado. Outro ponto destacado são os desafios relacionados à complexidade da avaliação desses produtos, que envolve múltiplos critérios, eixos e dimensões, e a necessidade de assegurar uma coerência robusta em dissertações e teses, na modalidade profissional, integrando as metodologias, de ensino, pesquisa e desenvolvimento de produtos educacionais.
Palavras-chave: Ensino; Produtos educacionais; Avaliação; Metodologia.
Evaluating the influence of advanced analytics on client management systems in UAE telecom firms
Authors: Morshed Amer
Published: November 2024

Amid rapid technological advancements, the telecommunications sector in the United Arab Emirates increasingly adopts big data analytics to optimize customer relationship management. This study investigates the effects of big data on customer satisfaction, decision-making, operational efficiency, and ethical practices. Data from 296 stakeholders, including employees, management, and customers, were analyzed using structural equation modeling with the Analysis of Moment Structures.The results demonstrate a strong positive correlation between big data integration and improved decision-making in customer relationship management (r = 0.75, p < 0.001), which significantly enhances customer satisfaction (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). Additionally, big data integration directly influences customer satisfaction (r = 0.42, p < 0.001), further validating its critical role. However, ethical data usage presents challenges, showing a negative correlation with customer satisfaction (r = –0.15, p < 0.05) and decision-making (r = –0.50, p < 0.001). Descriptive statistics indicate strong approval for big data integration (mean = 3.6) and decision-making (mean = 3.93), while ethical practices score lower (mean = 3.38), and the complexity of big data analytics remains high (mean = 4.43), revealing significant implementation barriers.
WEBSITES AS A CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION IN ADVERTISING
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Bagurkina Nadezhda A. , Rokhlina Elena K. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: November 2024

In today’s world, advertising plays a key role in how companies communicate with consumers, increase brand awareness and grow sales. The Russian online advertising and marketing segment is constantly evolving, requiring companies to change their advertising strategies and tactics. Websites are becoming an essential tool for successful advertising and communication, allowing companies to effectively expand their audience. Different types of websites have different purposes and functions, but all should be focused on the target audience, with easy navigation and fast loading. Optimising a website for maximum impact requires taking all these aspects and requirements into account.
G. ORWELL’S "ANIMAL FARM": REVOLUTION AND THE FEMALE GENDER
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kuznetsova Alisa E. , Privezentseva Ekaterina A. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: November 2024

Over the centuries, women have been represented in various ways in history, literature and culture, with differences depending on both the historical period and the territorial location of the state. A number of questions arise: what is the role of women as participants in the revolutionary events of the beginning of the last century? To what extent do the female characters depicted in George Orwell’s novel “Animal Farm” accurately reflect real-life participants in the revolutionary movements of the early 20th century? Following many scholars who have written about this issue, we raise questions about the role of women in society at the beginning of the last century, seeking to analyze her role in and influence on revolutionary events. We also set ourselves the task of studying the possibilities of the female figure and her participation in the construction of the society of the last century, depicted in the novel “Animal Farm”.
ATTRACTIVENESS OF A RUSSIAN UNIVERSITY FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS: MEDIA DISCOURSE APPROACH
Authors:   Chelyabinsk State University, Olizko Natalia S.
Published: November 2024

The modern world is characterised by globalisation and internationalisation, resulting in an increasing number of international students seeking higher education outside their home country. International students choose universities not only on the basis of their academic reputation, but also on the extent to which the university creates comfortable conditions for learning and integration of international students. Social networks, information channels and official websites of educational organisations serve as the main source of information about the university. In order to ensure competitiveness in the international education market, universities face the need to use a variety of media techniques to attract the attention of international students on these media platforms. Due to the changes in current global trends, higher education institutions in the Russian Federation are expanding the range of potential entrants, re-qualifying for Asian countries (China and India), and interacting more with students from post-Soviet countries. A theoretical study of university social media content, website and other information channels is required in order to identify the pragmatic potential of linguistic units that help information consumers to form a certain opinion about the attractiveness of the university. This research studies linguistic and extra-linguistic features of media texts aimed at attracting foreign students and expanding international co-operation.
THE PRODUCT APPROACH TO CREATING ONLINE COURSES AT UNIVERSITY
Authors:   St Petersburg State University, Bugreeva Еlena А. , Grigoriev Ivan V. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: November 2024

The article considers integration of traditional approaches to creating online courses at university and instruments and techniques used in EdTech. The author regards the product approach as a flexible iterative development in a dynamically changing environment based on business and customer requests. The author shows that some tools of the product approach can be used for creating online courses at university. The main objectives of this research are: to outline the key features and advantages and disadvantages of the product approach compared to other approaches; to compare the product approach in EdTech and the traditional approach in universities; to survey university instructors responsible for developing educational products about whether they apply some of the tools of the product approach; and to develop recommendations on how to use some of the tools to improve educational products in universities. This study uses research methods such as observation, comparative analysis, surveying, and modelling. The author’s observation caused the undertaken research; a comparative analysis showed the differences in approaches used in universities and EdTech; a survey proved the necessity of implementation of elements of the product approach to university practices; and modelling helped develop a set of recommendations for educators. The results of the research could be interesting for educators responsible for creating educational products and student studying instructional design and digital didactics.
CONCEPT “WOMAN” IN THE 21TH CENTURY NEOLIBERAL ANGLO-AMERICAN DISCOURSE
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Tsatsura Elena A.
Published: November 2024

A large number of modern Russian and foreign scientists have been working on the problem of gender in language and culture. In a number of studies, E. E. Panchenko, N. V. Palanchuk, V. V. Tikhaeva, Y. I. Alferova, A. A. Grigoryan, E. Sereda, A. S. Gerasima the topic of gender expression in English was touched upon, and some research was conducted in the field of the concept “Woman”. H. Bradley, N. Burns, T. Chanter, S. Heckman study the concept of gender and femininity in the field of sociology, political scientists and philosophy. However, over the past decade, modern neoliberal Anglo-American discourse of the media and social networks has generated multiple new meanings and interpretations in the field of gender and self-identification. It provoked a significant increase in the number of linguistic units, terms and definitions for seemingly centuries-old concepts of “Woman”, “Mother”, “Man”, etc. Terms, such as “gender fluid”, “non-binary person”, “birth giving person”, etc. have come into use not only in everyday Western life, but also into the professional, scientific jargon of sociology, psychology, pediatrics and other sciences. In many ways, this linguistic creativity was provoked by a new wave of transformations of the neoliberal discourse itself, which, under the influence of social media, became more fragmented, less structured in form, multi-interpretive and ideological in terms of content as well as manipulative in its intent. It is in the 21st century that every individual with an access to the Internet has an opportunity to broadcast their views and values to the masses, transcending cultural and social boarders. It is in this discourse environment that hundreds of definitions of gender appear, and the concepts “Sex”, “Gender”, “Woman” undergo significant changes. Furthermore, the linguistic metamorphoses of the Anglo-American discourse not only reflect, but also cause gender reforms at all levels of existence of Western society, including politics, children’s education, legislation, institutions of marriage and family. Since the linguistic aspects of neoliberal discourse have not been sufficiently studied, this research will attempt to describe the modern structure of the Anglo-American discourse of the media and social networks, as well as to characterize some key changes in the field of the concept “Woman”, including the separation of “femaleness” as its key meaning constituent, with subsequent reduction of the sign “Woman” to the state of a simulacrum.
PERSONAL PRONOUNS IN ENGLISH FICTION: GRAMMAR, STYLISTICS, PRAGMATICS
Authors:   St Petersburg State University, Udinskaya Alla G.
Published: November 2024

The unceasing interest in the study of various stylistic phenomena is due to the constant discovery of new aspects in various linguistic facts, and at the present stage of linguistic research more and more attention is paid to the interaction of expressive means of language at various levels, which increases the pragmatic effect of the utterance, and its most significant elements are brought to the fore. The pronoun can be considered one of the most ambiguous lexical and grammatical categories. Unlike nouns, the class of pronouns is closed due to the fact that it comprises a limited number of units, but the constant transition of one personal pronoun into the scope of another can affect its stylistic functions and serve as an additional means of implementing the pragmatic attitude of the utterance. This paper attempts not only to systematise the scattered information on the stylistic potential of certain pronouns and to observe the cases of stylistic convergence involving personal pronouns, but also to apply it to concrete empirical material, since personal pronouns are organically linked to artistic thinking and linguistic means acquire a stylistic function in combination with each other within a specific functional manifestation. The research was carried out on the material of two novels by contemporary English writers, Stephen Fry and Mark Haddon, who are highly recognised masters of the written word and who depict a wide range of socially significant phenomena and events in their works, using personal pronouns in all their grammatical and pragmatic diversity.