bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empathy and Cognitive Flexibility as Correlates of Forgiveness
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Katovsich Rebecca
Published: May 2023

Problem. For the past three decades, there has been a growing body of literature related to the topic of forgiveness. The idea that empathy, consisting of both emotional and cognitive aspects, plays an integral role in the process of forgiveness is widely supported in the literature, although there is limited empirical evidence for this claim. Beyond interest in examining the relationship between forgiveness and empathy, this research also aimed to explore the role of cognitive flexibility in the forgivenessprocess, considering both the intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions of cognitive flexibility. Method. The Enright Forgiveness Inventory, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and the NEO Personality Inventory--Revised were used as measures of forgiveness, empathy, and cognitive flexibility respectively. Only two of the five scales on the NEO were analyzed in this study; the Openness to Experience scale was used as a measure of intrapersonal cognitive flexibility and the Agreeableness scale as a measure of interpersonal cognitive flexibility. Canonical Correlation Analysis was used to determine the proportion of variance created by the correlation of the two groups of variables: (a) the subscales of the forgiveness inventory and (b) the subscales of the empathy and cognitive flexibility inventories. A total of 208 undergraduate students from a local university participated in the study. Results. The analysis resulted in one significant dimension with a canonical correlation of .33 and 11% of the variance shared between the two groups of variables. Results further indicated that Agreeable individuals tended to have more positive and less negative thoughts as well as more positive and less negative behavior toward an individual by whom they had felt hurt. In turn, the components of forgiveness as a whole were shown to predict interpersonal cognitive flexibility. Conclusions. Scores reflecting an agreeable personality style, which measured interpersonal cognitive flexibility, were shown to predict cognitive and behavioral components of forgiveness. Likewise, the components of forgiveness as a whole were shown to be a predictor of interpersonal cognitive flexibility. Not only do these findings contribute to the existing body of literature in the field of forgiveness, they also provide implications for future research and clinical practice.
An Investigation of the Perceptions of Clergy and Laity on Race-Based Organizational Segregation in the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Authors:   ,   Andrews University, Penno David
Published: May 2023

Problem The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United States maintains a racially segregated organization in a society that has intentionally dismantled segregation in most of its organizations. The church needs to evaluate its current conference organization in light of this reality. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of Seventh-day Adventist clergy and members in two conferences in the Southern Union concerning race-based organizational segregation in the church. Method This study used a mixed method and was descriptive in design. Four focus groups were conducted to explore the dimensions of the research problem. This step was followed by the development of a quantitative survey, which was administered to clergy and members of a White (“state”) conference and the other a Black (“regional”) Conference of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Conclusions The study found that members of various ethnic backgrounds and ages in the church are open to the idea of changing the race-based organizational structure in the Adventist Church. Whether they are employed by the church or not, respondents are not comfortable with the current system. They strongly see God calling the church to integration, and they believe that the success of the church’s outreach to the culture demands such a change. They are concerned about how leadership positions would be equitably distributed in an integrated church, but those surveyed see the benefits outweighing these concerns. Respondents indicated minimal support for the idea that separate conferences are necessary for the effective prosecution of the church’s mission. They also seemed to feel that segregation does affect the church’s witness but are unsure of the level of strength of that influence. The respondents indicated that leadership issues rather than worship style may be the primary cause of Caucasians leaving churches where they have become the minority. Respondents perceived a real economic benefit in merging state and regional conferences, though they were uncertain about the impact a merger of conferences would have on job opportunities for clergy. There was no indication that respondents felt a need to hold strongly to the current system. Demographics had less of an impact on responses than was expected. In particular, age was expected to have far more influence than it did. It was expected that the responses of younger members would vary significantly from those of older members, but generally this was not the case. On the other hand, non-employees consistently responded more favorably toward integration than did conference employees. Ethnic groups, particularly African-Americans and Caucasians, were much more in harmony than was expected. Though there were small degrees of difference, there was no sharp disagreement as might be expected for such a sensitive subject.
Simulation of the Process of Growing Semiconductor Single Crystals by the Czochralski Method
Authors:   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, 5, building 3, st. Professora Popova, 197376, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Suchoruchenkov Kirill , Maraeva Evgenia ,   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, 5, building 3, st. Professora Popova, 197376, Saint Petersburg, Russia, Alexandrova Olga ,   Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, 5, building 3, st. Professora Popova, 197376, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Published: May 2023

The work is devoted to the creation of a virtual instrument in the LabVIEW environment, which makes it possible to simulate the process of growing a crystal depending on technological parameters. As the technological process under consideration, we chose the method of growing single crystals by pulling them up from the spare surface of a large volume of the melt with initiation of the onset of crystallization by introducing a seed crystal (or several crystals) of a given structure and crystallographic orientation, which is in contact with the spare surface of the melt (Czochralski method). The virtual instrument is intended for use by students and teachers in full-time mode and in distance learning.
Computed multivalues of AGM reveal periodicities of inverse functions
Authors:   TeledyneLeCroy, 700 Chestnut Ridge rd., Chestnut Ridge, NY10977 USA, Lamarche Francois , Ruhland Helmut ,   Independent Researcher
Published: May 2023

The article shows how two choices are possible whenever computing the geometric mean, and the repetition of this process can in general yield 2-to-the power N different values when the choices are compounded in the first N steps of evaluation of the arithmeticgeometric mean. This happens not only in the simple AGM involved in the computation of the complete elliptic integral of the first kind, but also in analogous methods for the computation of the complete and incomplete elliptic integrals of the first and second kind.
Labor and legal status of aviation personnel in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and its peculiarities
Authors: Bershadska Yu. V.
Published: May 2023

The relevance and necessity of analyzing and thoroughly researching the issue of legal regulation of aviation personnel’s labor in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is due to the specific focus of aviation personnel’s labor activity, unlike other mass professions and specialties, the use of sources of the increased danger, the strenuous nature of work, and various external conditions under which the labor function is realized, as well as the availability of proper health conditions defined by standards and requirements, mandatory certification and admission of aviation personnel to activities in the aviation industry, the mandatory certification and admission of aviation personnel to activities in the aviation industry, and the performance by aviation personnel, along with their professional duties, of a law enforcement function aimed at ensuring and maintaining order in the State and society, and increasing the country’s defense capability. Therefore, the solution of problems arising within the framework of labor relations in the field of aviation is one of the important components of the analysis of the labor and legal status of aviation personnel in the aviation component of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system.

Based on the analysis of scientific views of scholars, it has been examined theoretical approaches to the definition of the concepts of “status”, “social status”, “legal status”, “labor legal personality”, and elements of the employee’s labor and legal status; based on the analysis of regulations, the author has examined the requirements for aviation personnel. It has been determined the peculiarities of the labor and legal status of aviation personnel in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine: aviation orientation of the labor function; compliance with the qualification requirements on a professional basis, which involves mastering knowledge in the aviation industry, practical preparedness and training of flight personnel, special requirements regarding age, health status of a person, and proper knowledge of a foreign language; mandatory certification and admission of aviation personnel to aviation activities in accordance with the aviation rules of Ukraine, availability of a duly issued certificate; regulation of the labor status of aviation personnel by both general and special rules; performance of law enforcement functions by aviation personnel in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine aimed at realization of the interests of the state extremely important for the protection of law and order and security in the state and society; special regulation of working hours, rest periods, responsibilities, and guarantees that contribute to the stability of labor relations. Considering the established features, it has beendefined the labor and legal status of aviation personnel in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
Legal support of corporate legal relations: priority in terms of imperative or discretionary nature
Authors: Zhornokui Yu. M.
Published: May 2023

Current state of legal support for corporate relations and doctrinal approaches to determining the priority of their mandatory or dispositive regulation have been analyzed. Attention has been drawn to the fact that in order to ensure unimpeded exercise of subjective corporate rights by each participant of a corporate organisation, a balance of regulatory regulation and self-regulation should be developed, which should be built from mandatory requirements to discretionary principles.

At the current stage of the corporate legislation development, there is a combination of dispositive and mandatory mechanisms of regulatory support of corporate legal relations. The regulatory framework for the establishment, operation and termination of corporations, as well as the exercise and protection of the rights of their participants (shareholders), does not allow a clear answer to the question of the priority of applying the dispositive or mandatory method to these relations. Despite the fact that corporate relations being civil are subject to the general principles of civil law, the need to ensure the stability of civil turnover and protect the rights of their participants necessitates the urgent regulation of certain aspects of corporate movement.

It has been identified a tendency to expand the scope of dispositive principles in the mechanism of legal regulation of corporate relations. It is clearly crystallised in relation to certain organisational and legal forms of corporate entities. For objective reasons, it is less evident in relation to a public joint-stock company. The development of self-regulatory elements in relation to a limited liability company could be welcomed, given its intermediate position between the classic business entity such as a joint-stock company and a general or limited partnership. However, with regard to a private joint-stock company, the possibility of strengthening the dispositive principles should be taken with caution. Despite its non-public nature, such a company remains, first and foremost, a capital association and should not be transformed into a limited liability company, and its shares should not be recognised as a surrogate for securities.

Although the corporate agreement contains provisions on the exercise (refusal to exercise) of corporate rights by participants (shareholders), they are not local, but are individual regulators that do not apply to the scope of the company's functioning and activities, which does not indicate the normative nature of such a contractual structure.
Armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine as a threat to the collective security system
Authors: Voitsikhovkyi A. V. , Bakumov O. S.
Published: May 2023

The Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine has changed the entire security environment, which will have long-term threatening consequences for the entire collective security system. The issue of forming an effective system of collective security is relevant not only for the international community, which is explained by its absolute importance in maintaining international law and order, but also for Ukraine in order to restore its state sovereignty and territorial integrity in countering Russian armed aggression. The purpose of the article is to clarify the essence of the collective security system, to analyze the activities of the most influential international security organizations (UN, NATO and OSCE) since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war and to assess their ability to end this war, to formulate problematic issues regarding the functioning of the existing collective security system, and to argue for the need to build a new collective security system with a definition of Ukraine's role and place in it. The conclusion of the study is that the modern system of collective security should be understood as a state of international relations that excludes violation of the general peace, threats to the security of states and peoples, and counteraction to acts of aggression, implemented by joint efforts of participating states at the global or regional levels. The collective security system is usually implemented through the activities of the UN, NATO and the OSCE in maintaining international law and order. However, in the context of numerous conflicts, including the Russian-Ukrainian war, there are more and more complaints about the activities of the UN, in particular the UN Security Council as the main body responsible for maintaining international peace and security. At the same time, the role of the UN should not be minimized, as the documents adopted by it are important for improving the collective security system and the international mechanism for bringing the aggressor state to justice. Despite the significant resistance of the Russian Federation, the UN, NATO and the OSCE strongly condemn Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine and continue to provide our country with comprehensive support.
Problems in the formation and implementation of the methodology for investigating homicides related to domestic violence
Authors: Stepaniuk R. L. , Husieva V. O. , Kikinchuk V. V.
Published: May 2023

The theoretical foundations for building a separate forensic methodology for investigating homicides committed in connection with domestic violence have been developed. A scientific justification for the differentiation of the relevant type of homicide in the system of forensic classification of criminal offences related to domestic violence has been proposed. Certain elements of the methodology for investigating this type of homicide and their specificity in the context of developing forensic recommendations have been identified. Characteristics of the practical implementation of the methodology for investigating homicides committed in connection with domestic violence have been provided. A systematic analysis of the elements of the mechanism of domestic homicide and domestic violence, the activities of law enforcement agencies to prevent, detect and investigate this type of homicide, as well as scientific recommendations concerning the methodological and forensic support of pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings on homicide has been carried out. Legislation regulating social relations in the field of domestic violence prevention, as well as judicial and investigative practice in criminal proceedings on homicide related to domestic violence have been studied. On this basis, it has been determined that homicide committed in connection with domestic violence is a type of domestic (household) homicide, the investigation process of which is characterised by specific features which necessitate the formation of a corresponding separate subspecies forensic methodology. The main distinguishing feature of this homicide group is predicate domestic violence, i.e. violence that systematically occurs in the family before the actual event of the homicide. An important reason for differentiating the methodology of investigating such homicides is the forensic classification of domestic violence as a separate phenomenon and criminal offences related to it. These classifications also make it possible to detail individual elements of the methodology for investigating the category of homicide under study, including typical investigative situations, versions, tactical tasks of the investigation, algorithms of investigator's actions and tactical operations. A specific aspect of the formation and practical implementation of the methodology for investigating homicides committed in connection with domestic violence is to take into account the peculiarities of the behaviour and psychology of the offender, the victim and, in some cases, witnesses of domestic violence when choosing means of evidence (investigative actions) and tactics for their conduct. This significantly affects the specification of typical investigative situations of the initial and subsequent stages of the investigation, as well as determines the specific tactics of certain procedural actions, including inspection of the scene, interrogation, involvement of experts, etc.
РЕАЛІЗАЦІЯ ПРИНЦИПІВ ЦИРКУЛЯРНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ У ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ МІЖНАРОДНИХ КОМПАНІЙ
Authors: Кондратенко Наталя , Шиловцева Надія
Published: May 2023

У статті визначено основні засади функціонування циркулярної економіки, виокремлено та розкрито принципи економіки замкнутого циклу, зокрема Refuse (відмова), Reduce (скорочення), Rethink (переосмислення), Reuse (повторне використання), Repair (ремонт для виправлення недоліків товару), Refurbish (оновлення за рахунок ремонту), Remanufacture (оновлення внаслідок модифікації) та Repurpose (переорієнтація), Recycle (рециклінг, переробка) і Recover (відновлення, повернення). Проаналізовано досвід реалізації цих принципів міжнародними компаніями, такими як IKEA, Liv:ra, Philips, PepsiCola, Coca-Cola, Burger King, Renault, Patagonia, Аdidas, EcoUp, Neste і Шпіттелау, та визначено можливості його використання в економіці України.
ФІЛОСОФСЬКО- АНТРОПОЛОГІЧНИЙ КОНТЕКСТ ТЕОРІЇ ВИХОВАННЯ ДІТЕЙ В СХІДНІЙ ТА ЗАХІДНІЙ КУЛЬТУРНИХ ТРАДИЦІЯХ: МИНУЛЕ Й СЬОГОДЕННЯ
Authors: МОЗГОВА Наталія
Published: May 2023

У статті розглядаються філософсько-антропологічні засади теорії виховання дітей у східній (японській) та західній культурних традиціях, які за своєю суттю є діаметрально протилежними. Об’єктом даного дослідження виступає розгляд класичної теорії виховання дітей в японській та в західноєвропейській культурних традиціях. Предметом – трансформація та поступове зближення цих двох протилежних культурних традицій теорії виховання дітей. Метою статті є спроба порівняти дві протилежні культурні традиції відносно теорії виховання дітей – східну та західну – в їх розумінні процесу соціалізації дитини та спроба показати їх поступове сьогоднішнє зближення. В статті зазначається, що в європейській культурній традиції максимальною свободою володіє лише повнолітня людина. В японській же культурі у максимально вільних умовах дитина перебуває у ранньому дитинстві (до 3-х років). По мірі дорослішання на неї все більше лягає тягар відповідальності, підкорюючи її жорстким нормам культу сорому. І лише у старості, після 60-и років, японець повертається у той стан, коли він знову вже нічого і нікого не соромиться. Отже дитинство і старість для японців – це зони «вільної території».
ЕТИЧНИЙ СКЛАДНИК КОМУНІКАЦІЙ У МЕРЕЖЕВОМУ ОСВІТНЬОМУ СЕРЕДОВИЩІ
Authors: КУЗНЕЦОВА Ірина , РУБАНЕЦЬ Олександра
Published: May 2023

У статті розглядаються етичні засади комунікацій у мережевому освітньому середовищі. На їх основі реалізуються різні форми навчальної, викладацької та проєктної діяльності, що сприяє формуванню особистості майбутнього фахівця. Досліджується формування етичної культури в системі комунікацій. Аналізуються особливості етичної регуляції в науковій, навчальній та проектній діяльності. Показано, що етична регуляція сприяє встановленню соціальних зв’язків між учасниками комунікації в освітній сфері. Етична регуляція перетворює комунікативний простір на соціальний простір. Соціальний комунікативний простір сприяє формуванню професійної ідентичності майбутнього фахівця. Етичний складник комунікацій створює умови для поєднання навчання і виховання. На основі етосу та кодексів етики наукових спільнот відбувається формування особистості майбутнього фахівця. Розглядається формування етичної культури в системі комунікацій, в якій здійснюються навчальна, викладацька, проєктна та інші види діяльності в освітній сфері. Етична культура формується у процесі оволодіння професійними компетентностями. Формування етичної культури особистості відбувається в соціальній комунікативній сфері. Етична культура особистості постає як інтегральна єдність, яка включає загальнолюдський вимір моралі, рівень етосу, етики науки, комунікативної етики та етики дискурсу.
ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПРОЯВУ АТРАКЦІЇ В ПІДЛІТКОВОМУ ВІЦІ
Authors: Мельничук Майя , Рева Марина
Published: May 2023

У статті надається характеристика проблеми становлення особистості у підлітковому віці, специфіки міжособистісної взаємодії підлітків, особливостей феномену атракції та її прояву до однолітків у стосунках підлітків. Охарактеризовано основні принципи та вимоги до проведення емпіричного дослідження у психології, а також подано опис методичних основ та конкретних методик психодіагностики, які використані в дослідженні проявів атракції до однолітків підлітків. Також наводиться опис результатів проведеного емпіричного дослідження особливостей вираженості різних компонентів становлення атракції підлітків, їх емпатійності, дружелюбності та симпатії до однолітків. Проаналізовано, що прояви атракції до однолітків у підлітковому віці пов’язані з емпатійністю та дружелюбністю молоді. При чому, сучасні підлітки, характеризуються зниженим рівнем емпатійності та схильності до емоційного відгуку, при вираженій доброзичливості і симпатії до оточуючих. Також, дівчата більше емпатійні та схильні до емоційного відгуку і симпатії, порівняно з хлопцями, які більше раціональні та дистанційовані у міжособистісній взаємодії. Результати проведеного емпіричного дослідження можуть бути використані у практичній роботі психолога з підлітками, спрямованій на сприяння ефективній комунікації та розвитку навичок спілкування, оптимальної взаємодії у соціумі на основі розуміння емоційних переживань партнера по взаємодії та прийняття його як цінності.
ПАТРОНАТ ЯК ОДНА З АЛЬТЕРНАТИВНИХ ФОРМ СІМЕЙНОГО ВИХОВАННЯ ДІТЕЙ-СИРІТ ТА ДІТЕЙ, ПОЗБАВЛЕНИХ БАТЬКІВСЬКОГО ПІКЛУВАННЯ
Authors: Грабовська Ганна , Хомусько Єлизавета
Published: May 2023

Патронат над дитиною – це допомога дитині та її сім’ї, яка передбачає тимчасовий догляд, виховання та реабілітацію дитини в сім’ї патронатного вихователя на період подолання нею, її батьками або іншими законними представниками складних життєвих обставин. Запровадження інституту патронату дітей виникло у зв’язку з потребою суспільства у забезпеченні виховання і догляду за дітьми, які позбавлені батьківського піклування та які опинилися у важких життєвих ситуаціях та знаходяться на межі поміщення в притулок чи інтернат. Впровадження патронатного виховання забезпечує повноцінний розвиток дитини та знаходження її в здоровому середовищі, необхідному для її зростання і формування як особистості. У даній статті досліджено теоретичне підґрунтя функціонування патронату над дітьми-сиротами та дітьми, позбавленими батьківського піклування: поняття та сутність даного інституту, його специфічні ознаки, законодавче закріплення, а також договір про патронат. Розглянуто поняття патронатного вихователя, його обов’язки та вимоги до нього. Визначено відмінні від інших форм виховання дітей – сиріт та дітей, позбавлених батьківського піклування, ознаки та сформовано його переваги, які підтверджують необідність існування та розвитку патронатного виховання в Україні. Також виокремлено найбільш значні проблеми патронату, які потребують вирішення з боку нашої держави.
The Perfect Victim: ‘Young girls’, domestic trafficking, and anti-prostitution politics in Canada
Authors: Durisin Elya M , van der Meulen Emily
Published: May 2023

This article explores debates among politicians in Ontario, Canada, regarding anti-trafficking legislation introduced in 2016 and 2017. We find that contemporary discussions in the political sphere have shifted away from concerns about the trafficking of migrant exotic dancers and toward the sexual exploitation of girls and young women, represented as idealised, inculpable victims. We suggest that this conflates the diverse experiences of girls and adult women, configures them all as child-like, and renders both groups as being in need of state protection. The new ‘perfect victim’ serves to legitimise policy approaches that criminalise sexual services, despite those laws being deemed harmful to sex workers in courts and other venues. 
Participatory and Action-Oriented Dissertations: The Challenges and Importance of Community-Engaged Graduate Research
Authors: van der Meulen Emily
Published: May 2023

Graduate students commonly experience isolation and estrangement when conducting their final research projects, which can contribute to difficulties in completion. A creative and socially beneficial way to offset academic isolation is for graduate students to engage in participatory and action-oriented research projects with local communities. Facilitating a research study with a local partner can be a richly rewarding experience. This article argues that students who enjoy working in collaborative environments and want their final research projects to lead to beneficial social change can find fulfillment in action research (AR) methodologies. Critiqued by some for its lack of tangible and practical methods and its over-reliance on ideology, others, including the author, argue that the benefits of participatory research far outweigh the challenges.

 
The Correlation Between Gravitational Constant and Distance from Matter
Authors: Soltani Abolfazl
Published: May 2023

The value of gravitational constant and Coulomb's constant have been measured after the 18th century by various methods (such as using the torsion balance, very cold atoms and atom interferometry) in the macroscopic scale namely in the distance more than one micro meter from the matter. But their amount at the vicinity of matter (r<1Å or r ˂ 1nm) has not yet been measured. It was not acceptable for me to use the current values of gravitation constant and Coulomb's constant, which their values were derived in macroscopic scale, in the microscopic and subatomic scale. This was the idea that led to writing this article. Here we show that we are able to consider a large value for the gravitational constant, G, at the vicinity of matter (r<1Å). Today physics and chemistry need to this choice.
The survival analysis of rifampicin/multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients based on the levels of inflammatory biomarkers: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yu Qi , Luo Hong , Hu Shengling , Sun Dan , Nie Qi , Yan Jisong
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The development of tuberculosis and inflammatory status are closely related. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with rifampicin/multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB).

Patients and methods

This study recruited 504 patients with RR/MDR-TB from Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital. A total of 348 RR/MDR patients from January 2017 to December 2019 were defined as training set, the rest of patients as validation set. The patients were divided into three-risk degrees according to the levels of inflammatory biomarkers (median, 85th percentile). Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test were used to assess survival differences among the groups. Cox proportion risk regression was used to identify risk factors for RR/MDR-TB mortality.

Results

In training set, cox proportion risk regression analysis showed that high age (≥60 years) [OR (95%CI):1.053(1.03188-1.077)], smoking [OR (95%CI):2.206(1.191-4.085)], and bronchiectasia [OR (95%CI):2.867(1.548-5.311)] were prognostic factors for RR/MDR-TB patients. In addition, lower survival rates were observed in high CAR group [OR (95%CI):1.464(1.275-1.681)], high CPR group[OR (95%CI):1.268(1.101-1.459)], high CLR group[OR (95%CI):1.004(1.002-1.005)], high NLR group[OR (95%CI):1.103(1.069-1.139)], high PLR group[OR (95%CI):1.003(1.002-1.004)], and high MLR group[OR (95%CI):3.471(2.188-5.508)].Furthermore, AUCs of age, smoking, bronchiectasia, CAR, CPR, CLR, NLR, PLR, and MLR for predicting mortality in RR/MDR-TB patients were 0.697(95%CI:0.618-0.775), 0.603(95%CI:0.512-0.695), 0.629(95%CI:0.538-0.721), 0.748(95%CI:0.675-0.821, P<0.05), 0.754(95%CI:0.683-0.824, P<0.05), 0.759(95%CI:0.689-0.828, P<0.05), 0.789(95%CI:0.731-0.846, P<0.05), 0.740(95%CI:0.669-0.812, P<0.05), and 0.752(95%CI:0.685-0.819, P<0.05), respectively. Importantly, the AUC of predicting mortality of combination of six inflammatory biomarkers [0.823 (95%CI:0.769-0.876)] is higher than any single inflammatory biomarkers. Additionally, the similar results are also obtained in the validation set.

Conclusion

Inflammatory biomarkers could predict the survival status of RR/MDR-TB patients. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the level of inflammatory biomarkers in clinical practice.
Desulfovibrio bacteria enhance alpha-synuclein aggregation in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Huynh Vy A. , Takala Timo M. , Murros Kari E. , Diwedi Bidhi , Saris Per E. J.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The aggregation of the neuronal protein alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) is a key feature in the pathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Alpha-syn aggregation has been suggested to be induced in the gut cells by pathogenic gut microbes such as Desulfovibrio bacteria, which has been shown to be associated with PD. This study aimed to investigate whether Desulfovibrio bacteria induce alpha-syn aggregation.

Methods

Fecal samples of ten PD patients and their healthy spouses were collected for molecular detection of Desulfovibrio species, followed by bacterial isolation. Isolated Desulfovibrio strains were used as diets to feed Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes which overexpress human alpha-syn fused with yellow fluorescence protein. Curli-producing Escherichia coli MC4100, which has been shown to facilitate alpha-syn aggregation in animal models, was used as a control bacterial strain, and E. coli LSR11, incapable of producing curli, was used as another control strain. The head sections of the worms were imaged using confocal microscopy. We also performed survival assay to determine the effect of Desulfovibrio bacteria on the survival of the nematodes.

Results and Discussion

Statistical analysis revealed that worms fed Desulfovibrio bacteria from PD patients harbored significantly more (P<0.001, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test) and larger alpha-syn aggregates (P<0.001) than worms fed Desulfovibrio bacteria from healthy individuals or worms fed E. coli strains. In addition, during similar follow-up time, worms fed Desulfovibrio strains from PD patients died in significantly higher quantities than worms fed E. coli LSR11 bacteria (P<0.01). These results suggest that Desulfovibrio bacteria contribute to PD development by inducing alpha-syn aggregation.
CTLA4 mRNA is downregulated by miR-155 in regulatory T cells, and reduced blood CTLA4 levels are associated with poor prognosis in metastatic melanoma patients
Authors: Vaddi Prasanna Kumar , Osborne Douglas Grant , Nicklawsky Andrew , Williams Nazanin K. , Menon Dinoop Ravindran , Smith Derek , Mayer Jonathan , Reid Anna , Domenico Joanne , Nguyen Giang Huong , Robinson William A. , Ziman Melanie , Gao Dexiang , Zhai Zili , Fujita Mayumi
Published: May 2023

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is an immune checkpoint expressed in regulatory T (Treg) cells and activated T lymphocytes. Despite its potential as a treatment strategy for melanoma, CTLA-4 inhibition has limited efficacy. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) melanoma database and another dataset, we found that decreased CTLA4 mRNA was associated with a poorer prognosis in metastatic melanoma. To investigate further, we measured blood CTLA4 mRNA in 273 whole-blood samples from an Australian cohort and found that it was lower in metastatic melanoma than in healthy controls and associated with worse patient survival. We confirmed these findings using Cox proportional hazards model analysis and another cohort from the US. Fractionated blood analysis revealed that Treg cells were responsible for the downregulated CTLA4 in metastatic melanoma patients, which was confirmed by further analysis of published data showing downregulated CTLA-4 surface protein expression in Treg cells of metastatic melanoma compared to healthy donors. Mechanistically, we found that secretomes from human metastatic melanoma cells downregulate CTLA4 mRNA at the post-transcriptional level through miR-155 while upregulating FOXP3 expression in human Treg cells. Functionally, we demonstrated that CTLA4 expression inhibits the proliferation and suppressive function of human Treg cells. Finally, miR-155 was found to be upregulated in Treg cells from metastatic melanoma patients compared to healthy donors. Our study provides new insights into the underlying mechanisms of reduced CTLA4 expression observed in melanoma patients, demonstrating that post-transcriptional silencing of CTLA4 by miRNA-155 in Treg cells may play a critical role. Since CTLA-4 expression is downregulated in non-responder melanoma patients to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, targeting miRNA-155 or other factors involved in regulating CTLA4 expression in Treg cells without affecting T cells could be a potential strategy to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in melanoma. Further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating CTLA4 expression in Treg cells and identify potential therapeutic targets for enhancing immune-based therapies.
Flow cytometry-based biomarker assay for in vitro identification of microalgal symbionts conferring heat tolerance on corals
Authors: Buerger Patrick , Buler Marcin , Yeap Heng L. , Edwards Owain R. , van Oppen Madeleine J. H. , Oakeshott John G. , Court Leon
Published: May 2023

Corals’ tolerance to high temperature stress largely depends on their symbiotic microalgae (Symbiodiniaceae). However, the contributing microalgal traits and their relationships to one another are largely unclear. Here we compare the in vitro cellular profiles of seven Cladocopium C1acro microalgal strains (derived from the same ancestral strain) during a four-week exposure to 27°C or 31°C. One was an unselected wild-type strain (WT), three were selected at 31°C for nine years and shown to confer thermal tolerance on the coral host (SS+) and three others were similarly selected but did not confer tolerance (SS-). Flow cytometry was used to measure the staining intensities of cells treated with dyes representing the intracellular stress indicators reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (rGSH) and mitochondrial activity, as well as cell size/shape and photosynthetic pigments. Cell densities and photosynthetic efficiency (ϕPSII, Fv/Fm) were also measured. WT showed the highest levels of intracellular ROS and mitochondrial activity, lowest rGSH and largest cell sizes at both temperatures. SS+ strains had the lowest ROS and highest rGSH values and a unique pattern of correlations among parameters at 31°C. Our results support previous reports implicating the role of microalgal ROS, mitochondria and rGSH in holobiont thermal tolerance and suggest flow cytometry is a useful screening tool for identifying microalgal strains with enhanced thermal tolerance.
Bringing in the experts: application of industry knowledge to advance catch rate standardization for northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus)
Authors: Mercer Anna J. M. , Manderson John P. , Lowman Brooke A. , Salois Sarah L. , Hyde Kimberly J. W. , Pessutti Jeffrey , Jones Andrew W. , Ruhle Robert , Bright Bill , Sawyer Troy , Lapp Meghan , Kaelin Jeff , Almeida Katie , DiDomenico Greg
Published: May 2023

Sources of fisheries information outside of fishery-independent surveys (e.g. fishery-dependent data) are especially valuable for species that support productive fisheries and lack reliable biological information, such as the northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus). Fishery-dependent data streams are available for most species, however collaboration with industry members is critical to ensure that these fishery-dependent data are collected, applied, and interpreted correctly. Despite the need for collaboration and the frequency that fishery data are used in scientific research, there is limited literature on the structure of interactions and knowledge sharing that inform the analysis and application of fishery data. Between 2019 and 2022, a group of researchers collaborated with members of the northern shortfin squid fishing industry to bring together research data sets and knowledge from harvesters and processors to better describe the fishery dynamics, distribution, life history, and oceanographic drivers of the species. The collaboration focused on developing custom standardized fishery catch per unit effort (CPUE) indices to provide indicators of population trends that accounted for the impacts of technical and economic aspects of harvesting, processing and marketing on fishing effort, selectivity and landings of northern shortfin squid. We describe the methods used to inform and interpret the CPUE analyses, focusing on novel structure of interactions we had with industry members, and suggest best practices for integrating industry knowledge into CPUE standardization. The information shared and research products produced through this science-industry research collaboration advanced understanding of northern shortfin squid population and fishery dynamics, and contributed directly to the 2022 stock assessment and management process. Given the complex and stochastic nature of the northern shortfin squid population and fishery, we found it critical to maintain open communication and trust with processors and harvesters, who have unique insight into the factors that may be driving changes in catch, landings, and productivity of the valuable resource species.
Elemental cycles in the coralline alga Neogoniolithon hauckii as a recorder of temperature variability in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Hetzinger Steffen , Grohganz Madleen , Halfar Jochen , Hathorne Ed , Ballesteros Enric , Kersting Diego K.
Published: May 2023

Coralline algae play important ecological roles throughout the photic zone of the world’s oceans. Recent studies have shown that attached-living coralline algae can contain records of past climate variability. So far, algal-based paleo-reconstructions are mainly available from mid- to high-latitudes, while in low latitude and temperate regions only few examples exist. Here, we investigate samples from the attached-living encrusting coralline algal species Neogoniolithon hauckii (Rothpletz) R.A Townsend & Huisman [= Neogoniolithon mamillosum (Hauck) Setchell & L.R. Mason, nom illeg.] from a temperate site in the Mediterranean Sea to assess its potential as an environmental recorder. The specimens were collected at different water depths (20 and 40 m) in the Columbretes Islands (Spain). Sclerochronological analysis of sectioned samples revealed seasonal growth patterns. Mg/Ca, Li/Ca, and Ba/Ca ratios were measured in the algal skeletons using laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in ultra-high resolution. We report a mean vertical extension rate of 1.1 to 1.2 mm/year (based on analysis of Mg/Ca cycles in 40 m and 20 m samples), representing the first growth rate measurement for this species. In addition, subannual banding patterns were mapped, measured, and could be linked to high frequency variability in laser-analyzed Mg/Ca ratios. Elemental ratios analyzed in Neogoniolithon hauckii were compared to in situ water temperatures measured at the water depth of sample collection. Our results show significant positive relationships between algal Mg/Ca (R=0.55) as well as Li/Ca ratios (R=0.46) and in situ measured temperature data (40 m specimen). Ba/Ca ratios show no significant correlation to temperature and may be influenced by other factors. These data suggest potential of this species for climate reconstructions in warm-temperate regions as Neogoniolithon hauckii is not only widely distributed in the Mediterranean, but also one of the few species that may be used as a temperature archive for mesophotic coralligenous assemblages that are strongly affected by the recent anthropogenic temperature rise. Further calibration studies are needed to test the element-temperature relationships on samples with longer growth records and in different settings and water depths.
Effect of the preoperative prognostic nutritional index on the long-term prognosis in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Huang Jin-Can , Pan Bing , Jiang Tao , Zhang Xin-Xue , Lyu Shao-Cheng , Lang Ren
Published: May 2023

Background

The preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is an indicator of systemic immune-nutritional condition and is a well-known prognostic biomarker in cancer patients. This study aims to reflect the correlation between the preoperative PNI and prognosis in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

Medical records of patients with BRPC after PD between Jan 2011 and Dec 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The preoperative PNI was calculated, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was obtained based on the preoperative PNI and the 1-year survival rate. Patients were divided into two groups (High-PNI and Low-PNI) following the best cut-off value of the preoperative PNI, and demographic and pathologic findings were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify risk factors in recurrence and long-term survival.

Results

The best cut-off value for the preoperative PNI was 44.6 (sensitivity: 62.46%; specificity: 83.33%; area under the curve: 0.724). Patients in the low-PNI group had significantly shorter recurrence-free survival (P=0.008) and overall survival (P=0.009). The preoperative PNI (P=0.009) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.04) were independent risk factors for tumor recurrence. The preoperative PNI (P=0.001), lymph node metastasis (P=0.04), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.04) were independent risk factors for long-term survival in patients.

Conclusion

The preoperative PNI, lymph node metastasis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy were independent risk factors for recurrence and long-term survival in patients with BRPC. The preoperative PNI might be an indicator that can predict BRPC patients’ recurrence and survival. Patients with high-PNI would benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Efficacy and adverse reaction management of oncolytic viral intervention combined with chemotherapy in patients with liver metastasis of gastrointestinal malignancy
Authors: Zhang Jie , He Qianyun , Mao Dongliang , Wang Chen , Huang Lei , Wang Mei , Zhang Jun
Published: May 2023

Background

The liver is a key target organ for colorectal and gastric cancer metastasis. One of the challenges in the treatment of colorectal and gastric cancers is the management of liver metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy, adverse effects, and coping strategies of oncolytic virus injection in patients with liver metastases of gastrointestinal malignancies.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed patients treated at Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2021 to October 2022. 47 patients with gastrointestinal cancer liver metastasis were included in the study. The data, including clinical manifestations, imaging, tumor markers, postoperative adverse reactions, psychological intervention, dietary guidance, and adverse reaction management were evaluated.

Results

Oncolytic virus injection was successful in all patients, and no drug injection-related deaths occurred. The adverse effects, such as fever, pain, bone marrow suppression, nausea, and vomiting, were mild and resolved subsequently. Based on the comprehensive intervention of nursing procedures, the postoperative adverse reactions of patients were effectively alleviated and treated. None of the 47 patients had any puncture point infections, and the pain caused by the invasive operation was relieved quickly. After 2 courses of oncolytic virus injection, postoperative liver MRI showed 5 partial remissions, 30 stable diseases, and 12 progressive diseases in target organs.

Conclusion

Interventions based on nursing procedures can ensure the smooth treatment of recombinant human adenovirus type 5 in patients with liver metastases of gastrointestinal malignant tumors. This is of great importance for clinical treatment and significantly reduces patient complications and improves the patient’s quality of life.
An overview of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: from here to where?
Authors: Yang Yongheng , Zhang Xiaolu
Published: May 2023

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) contains perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and distal cholangiocarcinoma both of which can arise at any point of the biliary tree and originate from disparate anatomical sites. Generally, the incidence of eCCA is increasing globally. Though surgical resection is the principal treatment of choice for the early stages of eCCA, optimal survival remains restricted by the high risk of recurrence when most patients are present with unresectable disease or distant metastasis. Furthermore, both intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity make it laborious to determine molecularly targeted therapies. In this review, we mainly focused on current findings in the field of eCCA, mostly including epidemiology, genomic abnormalities, molecular pathogenesis, tumor microenvironment, and other details while a summary of the biological mechanisms driving eCCA may shed light on intricate tumorigenesis and feasible treatment strategies.