bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying distinct profiles of impulsivity for the four facets of psychopathy
Authors: West Samuel J. , Psederska Elena , Bozgunov Kiril , Nedelchev Dimitar , Vasilev Georgi , Thomson Nicholas D. , Vassileva Jasmin
Published: April 2023

Psychopathy comprises antagonistic personality traits and antisocial behaviors that are associated with critical outcomes for the individual and society (e.g., violent behavior). Since its inception, impulsivity has been theorized as a core feature of psychopathy. Research supports this assertion, yet psychopathy and impulsivity are both multifaceted constructs. As such, the associations commonly observed between psychopathy and impulsivity may obscure more nuanced profiles of impulsivity that are only observable at the facet-level. To address this gap in the literature, we collected data from a community sample using a clinical psychopathy interview along with dispositional and neurobehavioral measures of impulsivity. We regressed each of the four facets of psychopathy onto eight impulsivity variables. We followed these analyses with bootstrapped dominance analyses in order to determine which of the impulsivity variables shared the most variance with each psychopathy facet. Our analyses revealed that positive urgency was the most important aspect of impulsivity to all four facets of psychopathy. We further identified distinct profiles of impulsivity linked to each psychopathy facet–the interpersonal facet was typified by sensation seeking and temporal impulsivity. The affective and lifestyle facets were both typified by general trait impulsivity and affective impulsivity. The antisocial facet was typified by affective impulsivity and sensation seeking. Such distinct profiles of impulsivity suggest that specific behaviors linked with each facet (e.g., manipulativeness and the interpersonal facet) may be explained in part by the distinct forms of impulsivity aligned with them.
In-silico approaches for identification of compounds inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease
Authors: Zeyaullah Md. , Khan Nida , Muzammil Khursheed , AlShahrani Abdullah M. , Khan Mohammad Suhail , Alam Md. Shane , Ahmad Razi , Khan Wajihul Hasan
Published: April 2023

The world has witnessed of many pandemic waves of SARS-CoV-2. However, the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection has now declined but the novel variant and responsible cases has been observed globally. Most of the world population has received the vaccinations, but the immune response against COVID-19 is not long-lasting, which may cause new outbreaks. A highly efficient pharmaceutical molecule is desperately needed in these circumstances. In the present study, a potent natural compound that could inhibit the 3CL protease protein of SARS-CoV-2 was found with computationally intensive search. This research approach is based on physics-based principles and a machine-learning approach. Deep learning design was applied to the library of natural compounds to rank the potential candidates. This procedure screened 32,484 compounds, and the top five hits based on estimated pIC50 were selected for molecular docking and modeling. This work identified two hit compounds, CMP4 and CMP2, which exhibited strong interaction with the 3CL protease using molecular docking and simulation. These two compounds demonstrated potential interaction with the catalytic residues His41 and Cys154 of the 3CL protease. Their calculated binding free energies to MMGBSA were compared to those of the native 3CL protease inhibitor. Using steered molecular dynamics, the dissociation strength of these complexes was sequentially determined. In conclusion, CMP4 demonstrated strong comparative performance with native inhibitors and was identified as a promising hit candidate. This compound can be applied in-vitro experiment for the validation of its inhibitory activity. Additionally, these methods can be used to identify new binding sites on the enzyme and to design new compounds that target these sites.
The effects of short messages encouraging prevention behaviors early in the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pink Sophia L. , Stagnaro Michael N. , Chu James , Mernyk Joseph S. , Voelkel Jan G. , Willer Robb
Published: April 2023

Effectively addressing public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic requires persuading the mass public to change their behavior in significant ways. Many efforts to encourage behavior change–such as public service announcements, social media posts, and billboards–involve short, persuasive appeals, yet the effectiveness of these messages is unclear. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, we tested whether short messages could increase intentions to comply with public health guidelines. To identify promising messages, we conducted two pretests (n = 1,596) in which participants rated the persuasiveness of 56 unique messages: 31 based on the persuasion and social influence literatures and 25 drawn from a pool of crowdsourced messages generated by online respondents. The four top-rated messages emphasized: (1) civic responsibility to reciprocate the sacrifices of health care workers, (2) caring for the elderly and vulnerable, (3) a specific, sympathetic victim, and (4) limited health care system capacity. We then conducted three well-powered, pre-registered experiments (total n = 3,719) testing whether these four top-rated messages, and a standard public health message based on language from the CDC, increased intentions to comply with public health guidelines, such as masking in public spaces. In Study 1, we found the four messages and the standard public health message significantly outperformed a null control. In Studies 2 and 3, we compared the effects of persuasive messages to the standard public health message, finding that none consistently out-performed the standard message. This is in line with other research showing minimal persuasive effects of short messages after the very early stages of the pandemic. Across our studies, we found that (1) short messages can increase intentions to comply with public health guidelines, but (2) short messages featuring persuasive techniques from the social science literature did not substantially outperform standard public health messages.
Detecting fatigue of sport horses with biomechanical gait features using inertial sensors
Authors: Darbandi Hamed , Munsters Carolien , Parmentier Jeanne , Havinga Paul
Published: April 2023

Detection of fatigue helps prevent injuries and optimize the performance of horses. Previous studies tried to determine fatigue using physiological parameters. However, measuring the physiological parameters, e.g., plasma lactate, is invasive and can be affected by different factors. In addition, the measurement cannot be done automatically and requires a veterinarian for sample collection. This study investigated the possibility of detecting fatigue non-invasively using a minimum number of body-mounted inertial sensors. Using the inertial sensors, sixty sport horses were measured during walk and trot before and after high and low-intensity exercises. Then, biomechanical features were extracted from the output signals. A number of features were assigned as important fatigue indicators using neighborhood component analysis. Based on the fatigue indicators, machine learning models were developed for classifying strides to non-fatigue and fatigue. As an outcome, this study confirmed that biomechanical features can indicate fatigue in horses, such as stance duration, swing duration, and limb range of motion. The fatigue classification model resulted in high accuracy during both walk and trot. In conclusion, fatigue can be detected during exercise by using the output of body-mounted inertial sensors.
Reality of Schrödinger’s Cat
Authors: Okino Takahisa
Published: April 2023

The evidence that the probability interpretation is indispensable for the wave function has not been reasonably revealed since the early stages of quantum theory like the topic of Schrödinger’s cat has been discussed from various viewpoints. Recently the Schrödinger equation has reasonably derived from the diffusion equation in accordance with the causality for the Newton mechanics, regardless of the de Broglie’s hypothesis. In the derivation process, the problem of probability interpretation has been reasonably solved in relation to a wave function collapse, and moreover not only the evidence for a micro particle having a wave nature but also the evidence for validity of the de Broglie’s hypothesis itself has been theoretically revealed. Further, the other fundamental problems having been unsolved for a long time are also reasonably solved. For example, it is theoretically revealed that such a single composite particle as a cluster molecule has a wave nature when it is composed of atoms smaller than about 770 numbers.
Characteristics of the personal profile of active servicemen with dissomnic manifestations
Authors: Guk G. V.
Published: April 2023

Aim: to study specifics of psychopathogenesis and the influence of personal characteristics on the pathopsychological content of dissomnic manifestations in active servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by examining the personal profile.
Materials and methods. In total, 64 active servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with inorganic sleep disorders were included in a prospective clinical study on the basis of Military Hospital of Military Unit 3309 (Zaporizhzhia) and served as the study group; the comparison group included 40 patients who were treated at the Department of Borderline Conditions of “Regional Clinical Institution for the Provision of Psychiatric Care” of Zaporizhzhia Regional Council and had sleep disorders within neurotic mental disorders. To achieve the aim of the study, anamnestic, clinical-psychopathological, psychodiagnostic, clinical-psychophenomenological and clinical-statistical methods were used. As a psychodiagnostic tool, the Methodology for studying personality accentuations of K. Leonhard and G. Shmishek was chosen.
Results. The most common types of accentuation in active servicemen with dyssomnic manifestations were sticking (18.75 % of the contingent), dysthymic (17.19 %) and hyperthymic (9.38 %). The most frequent combined clinical types of accentuations were “dysthymic-sticking” (9.38 %), “anxious-dysthymic” (4.69 %) and “hyperthymic-demonstrative” (3.13 %).
Conclusions. As a result of the study, the characteristics of the personal profile and their influence on the pathopsychological content of dissomnic manifestations in active servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been determined. The data obtained on the relationship between the personal profile characteristics and clinical types of dyssomnia would provide an opportunity to optimize measures for the detection and psychotherapeutic correction of dissomnic manifestations in active servicemen of the Armed Forces.
Effectiveness and safety of a modified short-term regimen of antimycobacterial therapy to treat rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in elderly patients with concomitant diabetes (a clinical case)
Authors: Raznatovska O. M. , Yasinskyi R. M. , Fedorets A. V.
Published: April 2023

Aim. To analyze the effectiveness and safety of a modified short-term regimen (mSTR) of antimycobacterial therapy (AMBT) for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) in a 71-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the clinical case example of own observation.
Materials and methods. A clinical case from own observation of the patient who was treated at the clinical base of the Department of Phthisiology and Pulmonology of Zaporizhzhia State Medical University – Pulmonary Tuberculosis Department No. 2 of the Communal Non-profit Organization “Zaporizhzhia Regional Phthisio-Pulmonology Clinical Treatment and Diagnostic Center” is presented.
Results. The presented case demonstrates the high safety and efficacy of all oral mSTR, including Lfx-Bdq-Lzd-Cfz-Cs, in the elderly person with RR-TB and concomitant decompensated T2DM who was smear-negative after 4 months as a result of treatment with 9-month mSTR AMBT (Lfx, Bdq, Lzd, Cfz, Сs). Positive radiological dynamics were observed all the time and residual changes in the lungs after tuberculosis were diagnosed at the end of the treatment course. These results complement indications for the use of mSTR, including Lfx-Bdq-Lzd-Cfz-Cs, in RR-TB patients.
Conclusions. mSTR AMBT (Lfx, Bdq, Lzd, Cfz, Сs) is effective and safe in elderly patients with RR-TB and concomitant decompensated type 2 diabetes mellitus when adequate treatment of diabetes and timely correction of antimycobacterial drug side effects are undertaken.
Stem cells in the context of colon carcinogenesis (a literature review)
Authors: Shyshkin M. A.
Published: April 2023

Aim. To analyze the latest literature data on stem cells in general, intestinal stem cells in particular, as well as cancer stem cells in the context of colon carcinogenesis.
Over the past decade, a significant amount of data confirming the existence of cancer stem cells, their importance in cancer progression, resistance to current treatment regimens, and the occurrence of relapses has been accumulated. These cells are a small fraction of cancer cells that initiate tumor growth and provide tumor tissue heterogeneity. In addition, these cells are distinguished by a significant resistance to effects of various cytotoxic factors. Therefore, the possibility of isolating cancer stem cells and further targeted action are highly important for enabling a complete tumor eradication.
A study on intestinal stem cells has always been in the focus of stem cell biology researchers’ attention because intestinal stem cells are an example of an active cell population that provides regular rapid renewal of the epithelium, which is constantly exposed to toxic, bacterial, and other aggressive factors. Accordingly, colon carcinogenesis is a convenient model for studying the role of stem cells in tumorigenesis.
At the same time, there are two main current schemes of colon carcinogenesis, which are acknowledged – these are so-called “bottom-up” and “top-down” modes of transformed cell spreading. The “bottom-up” scheme was substantiated first, proving to be in good agreement with modern ideas about the structure of intestinal crypts. However, a little later, reports about the possibility of the “top-down” direction began to appear: differentiated cells located in the superficial parts of the intestinal crypts, undergoing mutations, could dedifferentiate and return to the basal parts; a pathological increase in the surface epithelial cells proliferation level was possible as well, leading to an increase in the luminal surface area, formation of grooves mimicking the intestinal crypts.
This review provides the latest data on stem cells in general, in particular on intestinal stem cells, as well as on cancer stem cells in the context of colon carcinogenesis. We also analyze the latest literature data on the possibility of isolating cancer stem cells in colon carcinomas using molecular markers, difficulties associated with this process, and issues that are still unresolved.
Conclusions. Today, there is no doubt about the existence and importance of cancer stem cells in carcinomas. Quite a lot of molecular markers of cancer stem cells have been identified and studied. It is worth noting that certain aspects of cancer stem cells can not be studied one-sidedly but require a multidimensional analysis.
The debut of Schamberg disease (a clinical case)
Authors: Matviienko S. O.
Published: April 2023

A group of pigmented purpuric dermatoses includes a list of skin diseases characterized by multiple petechial hemorrhages, purpura, and increased skin pigmentation (yellow, brown, or red patchy).
Schamberg disease is the most common representative of this group with a benign, chronic and recurrent course of idiopathic origin. The lesions are often asymptomatic or associated with mild pruritus, usually occurring on the lower extremities. The diagnosis is not a dilemma, as it is made based on clinical examinations and identification of the classical rash morphology, but is also emphasizing the role of a wide range of specialists in the evaluation and treatment of this pathological condition.
The aim of the study. To analyze a clinical case of the debut of Schamberg disease.
Results. Considering the sporadic nature and rarity of the disease, the clinical case of Schamberg disease diagnosed in a 53-year-old man who visited a pediatrician concerning his child’s illness is presented. The probable cause of the disease debut was a complex trigger effect (a long-term use of diclofenac sodium, drinking alcohol on the eve).
Conclusions. The report is aimed at drawing attention to Schamberg disease (Schamberg purpura) as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge not only for general practitioners, internal medicine specialists but also for dermatologists, phlebologists, hematologists in particular.
Relationship between enamel resistance and physical properties of saliva in drug-addicted patients
Authors: Fedun I. R. , Zubachyk V. M. , Furdychko A. I. , Han I. V. , Ilchyshyn M. P.
Published: April 2023

Aim. To investigate the relationship between the physical properties of saliva and enamel resistance and caries intensity in drug-addicted patients.
Materials and methods. The study involved 70 patients, who were divided into three groups: the main group (1) – 28 drug addicts diagnosed with caries, the comparison group (2) – 22 patients with caries of dental hard tissues without a history of drug addiction, and the control group (3) – 20 persons without carious lesions of dental hard tissues. We examined the rate of salivation, which was calculated by the formula: Rs = V / T, pH of oral fluid using litmus test strips (Kelilong Instruments, China), structural and functional stability of tooth enamel by the express method TER-test (V. R. Okushko, L. I. Kosareva, 1983), clinically assessed the rate of mineralization according to the Clinical Assessment of the Rate of Enamel Remineralization-test (T. L. Redinova, V. K. Leontiev and G. D. Ovrutsky, 1982), dental caries intensity using the DMF index; the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used to assess of the dental hard tissues.
Results. In drug-addicted patients with caries of dental hard tissues, the slowest rate of salivation and significant changes in the oral fluid pH toward acidic were observed, namely 5.5 ± 0.09 units compared with patients of other groups. In drug addicts, the average TER-test score was 9.1 ± 0.4 points and was significantly higher than that in non-drug-addicted patients with dental caries (5.4 ± 0.2 points) and people without dental caries (1.9 ± 0.2 points). The Clinical Assessment of the Rate of Enamel Remineralization-test indicators of drug-addicted patients (6.1 ± 0.3 days) were also significantly higher than those of non-addicted and control group patients. The DMF index in drug-addicted patients was 16.4 ± 0.2 points showing a very high intensity of caries with a large proportion of deep carious lesions in the dental hard tissues.
Conclusions. In drug addicts, the study results have indicated a 23 % pH shift of the oral fluid toward acidic, and a 22 % decrease in the rate of saliva secretion has also been recorded compared to the healthy individuals. These results were associated with a 79 % decrease in the tooth enamel durability and a 66 % decrease in the remineralizing capacity of the oral fluid in drug addicts as compared to the healthy individuals. The DMF index of group 1 patients differed from that of group 2 patients by 50 % and from group 3 individuals – by 98 %. Drug-addicted patients had 78 % more carious lesions in the dentin compared to non-drug-addicted patients with dental caries.
Purine metabolism state in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cherniaieva A. O. , Mykytiuk M. R. , Karachentsev Yu. I. , Pliekhova O. I. , Serhiienko L. Yu.
Published: April 2023

The aim of the study. To carry out a comprehensive analysis of the purine metabolism (PM) state and assess its features in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Materials and methods. 181 patients with type 1 DM were examined (94 women and 87 men) aged 42.5 ± 12.1 years. Indicators of the carbohydrate metabolism state, creatinine (Cr) concentration by the method of Popper, purine bases (PBs) and the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) by a photometric method, uric acid (UA) by a colorimetric method were determined in fasting venous blood. UA excretion was detected by the colorimetric method, Cr by an enzymatic method.
Renal UA clearance (RCUA), fractional UA clearance (FCUA), total UA tubular reabsorption (TTRUA) and hypoxanthine-guanine-phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) activity were calculated. The comparison group, representative in terms of age and sex, included 25 healthy volunteers.
Results. PM changes in patients with type 1 DM were orientated towards an excessively increased catabolism and insufficient reutilization of PBs. The structure of the detected disorders was as follows: hyperuricemia (HU) (13.8 %), enhanced RCUA (42.8 %), increased XO activity (35.6 %) and inhibition of HGPRT activity (53.3 %). In about 56 % of the subjects, high concentrations of PBs were found, and HU was diagnosed only in every seventh subject.
It was identified that PB concentrations were negatively correlated with the level of XO activity. RCUA and XO activity levels were revealed to be of the greatest informational value for assessing the PM state in patients with type 1 DM. RCUA was significantly associated with the level of UA excretion and HGPRT activity. Relationships of RCUA and FCUA with HbAc1 levels were established. The higher the level of HbAc1, the greater the clearance of RCUA was, especially FCUA, which led to a significant decrease in TTRUA.
Conclusions. PM in type 1 DM is characterized by a high intensity, which is realized due to a decrease in anabolism, increased oxidation and suppression of PB reutilization. Uricemia inadequately reflects the level of UA production in patients with type 1 DM. The severity of PM disorders in type 1 DM patients is associated with the carbohydrate metabolism compensation state.
Relevance of physical therapy and occupational therapy in oncological patients at the stage of palliative and hospice care
Authors: Raznatovska О. М. , Kanyhina S. M. , Shalmin O. S. , Fedorets A. V.
Published: April 2023

The aim of the work is to review modern literary sources regarding the relevance of physical therapy and occupational therapy in cancer patients at the stage of palliative and hospice care.
Results. The relevance of physical therapy and occupational therapy methods in palliative and hospice medicine for cancer patients was studied. It has been established that physical therapy and occupational therapy for oncological patients at the stage of palliative and hospice care has a high efficiency for various indicators, which ultimately leads to an improvement in the quality of life not only of patients but also of their family members who supervise. But on the other hand, physical therapy and occupational therapy are not used enough in this group of patients due to various reasons.
Conclusion. The use of physical therapy and occupational therapy are relevant for palliative oncological patients. It is necessary to introduce it into the health care system more actively, considering the high efficiency of physical therapy and occupational therapy in the practice of interdisciplinary treatment approaches of oncological patients at the stage of palliative and hospice care.
Study of the chemical composition of the freon extract of the Damask rose (Rosa damascena Mill.)
Authors: Panasenko O. I. , Odyntsova V. M. , Denysenko O. M. , Shkopynska T. Ye. , Mozul V. I. , Holovkin V. V.
Published: April 2023

Rosa damascena Mill. a rather popular variety of roses has anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and antiseptic effects.
The aim of this study was to establish the component composition of the freon extract of Damask rose grown in vitro and to substantiate the advantages of this method and the prospects for the use of phytosubstances in medical practice.
Materials and methods. The object of the study was the freon extract of Damask rose, grown by the method of clonal micropropagation in vitro. The qualitative and quantitative determination of the components of the freon extract was determined using the chromato-mass spectrometric method.
Results. According to the results of the chromato-mass-spectrometric study, 60 compounds were identified, 6 of which were in the isomeric state.
The following components prevailed by percentage: рhenylethyl alcohol – 64.070 %, citronellol – 6.090 %, nonadecane – 4.636 %, heneicosane – 2.590 %, geraniol – 1.749 %.
Conclusions. The chemical composition of the freon extract of Rosa damascena Mill., grown in vitro, was investigated for the first time using the chromato-mass-spectrometric method.
The main components of rose petals: рhenylethyl alcohol – 64.070 %, citronellol – 6.090 %, nonadecane – 4.636 %, heneicosane – 2.590 %, geraniol – 1.749 %.
Projekt rurociągu Odessa-Brody-Płock jako element zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa energetycznego Polski w myśli politycznej wybranych polskich partii politycznych w latach 2005-2015
Authors: Paszkowski Michał
Published: April 2023

Budowa bardziej zróżnicowanej struktury dostaw ropy naftowej do Polski przez lata była ważnym elementem wpływającym na realizowaną politykę energetyczną. Wiele ugrupowań politycznych podnosiło zasadność dywersyfikacji źródeł oraz kierunków dostaw tego surowca, a jednym z najważniejszych w tym obszarze projektów była budowa rurociągu łączącego polski i ukraiński system naftowy. Docelowo surowiec miał być sprowadzany z regionu Morza Kaspijskiego. Celem artykułu była analiza myśli politycznej Prawa i Sprawiedliwości, Platformy Obywatelskiej oraz Polskiego Stronnictwa Ludowego w zakresie budowy rurociągu Odessa-Brody-Płock do Polski. Rozważania zawarte w artykule pozwalają wskazać na główne argumenty formułowane przez polityków tych partii politycznych na temat problemów dostaw surowców energetycznych do Polski. Punktem wyjścia analiz była teza, że w ocenie polskich partii politycznych kooperacja z państwami Morza Kaspijskiego była kluczowym komponentem działań na rzecz dywersyfikacji źródeł oraz kierunków dostaw ropy naftowej do krajowych rafinerii. Słowa kluczowe: myśl polityczna, rurociąg Odessa-Brody-Płock, bezpieczeństwo energetyczne, partie polityczne
Adding gaseous ammonia with heat treatment to improve the mechanical properties of spruce wood
Authors: Gao Yiqin , Li Li , Chen Yao
Published: April 2023

Degradation of the mechanical properties of heat-treated wood is a significant problem that needs to be addressed. This study aimed to stabilize the mechanical strength of heat-treated spruce wood by adding gaseous ammonia during the heat treatment. Gaseous ammonia penetrates rapidly into wood and is expected to form ammonium hydroxide when combined with water in the wood. This modification strategy neutralizes the acids produced by the degradation of hemicelluloses and reduces the degradation of the wood polymer composition and cell-wall structure. The preservation of wood polymer composition and cell-wall structure increases the indentation modulus of the wood cell walls. This increases the strength of the wood cell walls, resulting in an improvement in the mechanical properties of the heat-treated wood. The heat-treated wood’s dimensional stability and equilibrium moisture content are only slightly affected by the weak alkalinity modification.
Patterns of Everyday Exchange: Big Historical Data and the Case of the Basel Advertisement Paper, 1729–1844
Authors: Engel Alexander
Published: April 2023

With concepts like the consumer revolution or the industrious revolution, the changing behaviour of private households in the 18th and early 19th centuries has become of great interest. The article suggests a new way to observe intentions and decisions, by utilizing a database of 850,000 classified ads from the Basel Avisblatt over a span of 116 years. Changes in food prices constantly altered the discretionary income of households, which forced budget-related decisions. By cross-correlating indicators of discretionary income with the changing number of different types of ads, patterns of utilizing the Avisblatt can be identified, and strategies to stabilize discretionary income deduced.
mRNA lipid nanoparticles induce immune tolerance to treat human diseases
Authors: Cao Wei , Xia Tian
Published: April 2023

Rapid developments in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine showcased the power of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems in fighting infectious diseases. In addition, mRNA therapeutics are also in development for cancer immunotherapy. Recently, mRNA therapy has been expanded to induce immune tolerance, the opposite of immune-boosting effects, to treat diseases involving enhanced immune responses including allergies and autoimmune diseases. mRNA LNPs have been used to treat peanut allergy by us and autoimmune experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by Ugur Sahin. It is expected that more and more research is going to delve into the immune tolerance field for allergies and autoimmune diseases, where effective therapies are in short supply.
Oat thermoplastic starch nanocomposite films reinforced with nanocellulose
Authors: Mohd Thani Nurfatimah , Mohamad Mazlan Mazween , Haris Nur Izzah Nabilah , Wondi Mohd Hafizz
Published: April 2023

With the urgent need to curb plastic pollution, research and development in biodegradable plastic have received a great deal of attention. Starch film is the most promising alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastic. It is biodegradable, affordable, and non-toxic to human health and the environment. Over the last decade, much attention has been paid to cellulose nanofiller-reinforcement to the starch-based polymer to produce nanocomposites. While the use of oat as nano-reinforcement is quite well known, there is still limited studies that investigate the use of nanocellulose for oat starch nanocomposite films reinforcement. There is an ample of possibility in improving the properties of oat starch films, and therefore utilizing nanocellulose reinforcement should be further investigated.
A systematic DFT study of arsenic doped iron cluster AsFe
n
(n = 1–4)
Authors: Das Shayeri , Ranjan Prabhat , Chakraborty Tanmoy
Published: April 2023

The research on metallic clusters in relevance to its far-reaching involvement in the high technology sector, solid-state physics and catalysis is an interesting and significant field of study. In this report, the investigation of arsenic doped iron cluster, AsFe
n
(n = 1–4) aided by conceptual density functional theory (CDFT) method has been performed. CDFT based global descriptors-mainly HOMO–LUMO energy gap and other parameters of these clusters are worked out. Obtained data shows that band energy gap varies in the magnitude of 1.451–3.138 eV. Uppermost magnitude of HOMO–LUMO energy gap i.e. 3.138 eV is observed for AsFe while AsFe4 show the smallest energy gap. It is noted that band gap of these systems decreases with increase in the cluster size, ‘n’. Direct association concerning both parameters HOMO–LUMO energy gap and molecular hardness of AsFe
n
clusters have been found. It indicates that among the studied compound AsFe is the most stable system whereas AsFe4 is the least stable. Dipole moment of the clusters is observed in the variation of 2.303 Debye to 3.853 Debye, signifying that the bond within the clusters is ionic in nature. The computed bond length between Fe–Fe in AsFe
n
is in agreement with the experimental data.
Phytochemical components and GC–MS analysis of Petiveria alliaceae L. fractions and volatile oils
Authors: Adesanya Enitan Omobolanle , Oyesiku Olubunkunola Oluwole , Adesanya Olumide Olatunde , Ogunlakin Akingbolabo Daniel , Odugbemi Adeshina Isaiah , Egieyeh Samuel Ayodele
Published: April 2023

Phytochemical constituents are important in the determination of plant activities. Their presence in medicinal plants gives their therapeutic values. These phytoconstituents possesses pharmacological activities that include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesics, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, antidiarrheal and several other activities. These activities can be determined by the identification of the phytochemicals present in medicinal plants. Petivera alliaceae L. is one of the medicinal plants in the family of phtytolaccaceae used traditionally as an antirheumatic, analgesics, antimicrobial, anticancer and immunomodulators. It is believed to possess rich phytoconstituents especially sulphur containing a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Although the root extracts is been explored but there are limited publication to its root fractions. Therefore, the study is aimed at screening phytochemicals present in the fractions and volatile oil of the root parts of P. alliaceae using qualitative tests and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Fresh root parts of Petivera allliaceae plant were collected and air-dried. The dried root parts was macerated in absolute methanol for 72 h. The solution was extracted and dried. The dried root methanol extract was partitioned into n-hexane (PAH) and methanol fractions (PAM), while volatile oil (PAO) was extracted using Clevenger-type hydrodistillation method. The result shows that alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids were present while cardiac glycosides, phenol, terpenoids and anthraqunione glycosides were absent in both fractions. The GC–MS analysis identified 18 compounds in PAH, 19 compounds in PAM and 28 compounds in PAO. The fractions and volatile oils of P. alliaceae roots are rich in phytochemical constituents and compounds should be isolated from the fractions and explored for their potentials.
Disaster, survival and recovery: the resettlement of Tanegashima Island following the Kikai-Akahoya ‘super-eruption’, 7.3ka cal BP
Authors: Uchiyama Junzo , Kuwahata Mitsuhiro , Kowaki Yukino , Kamijō Nobuhiko , Talipova Julia , Gibbs Kevin , Jordan Peter D. , Isaksson Sven
Published: April 2023

Archaeologists have traditionally framed the impacts of natural disasters in terms of societal collapse versus cultural resilience. The 7.3ka cal BP Kikai-Akahoya (K-Ah) ‘super-eruption’ in south-western Japan was among the largest volcanic events of the Holocene. Here, the authors deploy a multi-proxy approach to examine how K-Ah devastated Tanegashima Island. While local Jōmon populations were annihilated, surrounding communities survived and eventually returned, adjusting their subsistence base to survive in the damaged environment. The article concludes that neither ‘collapse’ nor ‘resilience’ fully capture the complex dynamics of this process and that more research is needed to understand how disasters shape cultural trajectories.
In the bosom of the Earth: a new megalithic monument at the Antequera World Heritage Site
Authors: García Sanjuán Leonardo , Wheatley David W. , Lozano Rodríguez José Antonio , Evangelista Lucy S. , González García Antonio César , Cintas-Peña Marta , Díaz-Guardamino Marta , Nieto Verónica Balsera , Montero Artús Raquel , Kanz Fabian , Rebay-Salisbury Katharina , Jiménez Espejo Francisco J. , Rivera Jiménez Timoteo
Published: April 2023

Antequera in southern Spain is widely recognised as an outstanding example of the European megalithic phenomenon. One of its most remarkable features is the evident relationship between conspicuous natural formations and human-built monuments. Here, the authors report the results of their investigation of a tomb newly discovered at the site of Piedras Blancas at the foot of La Peña de los Enamorados, a limestone massif that dominates the Antequera plain. Excavation and multidisciplinary study, including geological, architectural and archaeoastronomical investigations, have revealed a complex funerary monument that is part natural, part built, part hypogeum, part megalith. The results emphasise the centrality of La Peña in the Neolithic worldview and encourage wider investigation of prehistoric place-making.
The Scientific Questioning and Experimental Skills of Elementary School Students: The Intervention of Research-Based Learning
Authors: Khumraksa B. , Burachat P.
Published: April 2023

Research-based learning is a learning strategy that encourages the use of scientific inquiry, thereby allowing students to develop an understanding of the scientific process. The aim of this study was to design a research-based, scientific learning activity on the topic of the mass and volume of matter, to be implemented with elementary school students. The study sample consisted of 16 fourth-grade students selected by purposive sampling. This mixed methods study, performed as an embedded design, examined the pre-experimental results of this research-based learning activity on students’ scientific questioning and experimental skills. The science process skills evaluation form was used as a quantitative instrument. The quantitative data were analyzed by simple statistics including mean and standard deviation. Meanwhile, the gathering of qualitative data was accomplished through the taking of field notes. Deductive analysis was employed to highlight the patterns that emerged regarding the students’ science process skills. The findings revealed that this research-based learning design encouraged students’ scientific questioning and experimental skills, with the mean level being at the developing level. This was achieved by giving students the opportunity to engage in challenging, age-appropriate activities with explicit scientific methodology guidance provided by their teachers. Furthermore, it was found that the students were very much satisfied with this research-based learning activity. This suggests that incorporating research-based practices would serve to fulfill the educational aims of the science classroom. The science inquiry-based approach represents an area worthy of increased focus in order to encourage elementary school students to practice science process skills.
Diagnosing Mental Models of Undergraduate Student and Physics Teachers: Study Case in the Momentum and Energy Conservation Principles Using Newton's Cradle
Authors: Sarapak C. , Kearns K.
Published: April 2023

The Newton’s Cradle comprises a series of pendulums often used in physics classrooms to demonstrate the principles of conservation of momentum and kinetic energy in elastic collisions. By utilizing open-ended questions and several Newton’s cradle scenarios, this study aims to clarify how the Newton’s cradle can be used for assessing the mental models of the principles of conservation of momentum and energy. Interviews with 18 college students and five physics professors each lasted 30 to 45 minutes. Firstly, they were asked to explain how the Newton’s cradle works. Next, a scenario started with three balls with equal masses where one collides with the other two, they were asked to explain if the possible outcomes for a collision with initial momentum = mv1 + 0 + 0 and the final momentum = (-mv1/3) + (2mv1/3) + (2mv1/3). With a five-ball Newton’s Cradle, students were asked to explain the outcomes when 1) one collides with the other four, 2) two collide with the other three, 3) three collide with the other two, and 4) four collide with the last one. Their drawings and explanations dealing with the Newton’s cradle during the interviews were analyzed for their mental models and categorized into patterns. The results showed that both university students and physics teachers hold misinformed conceptions about conservation of momentum and energy and have unsound mental models in the context of Newton’s Cradle. We also found that they did not recognize that sound and heat or lack of exact alignment of the balls are factors accountable for loss of energy causing the Newton’s Cradle to depart from idealized situation. Based on the interview data, teaching principles of the conservation of momentum and energy through use of Newton’s cradle are deficient and curriculum review is suggested.
Scientific Literacy-Based Flipped Classroom Virtual Strategy for Biology Learning in the New Normal Era
Authors: Ridlo S. , Marina H. , Sapitri D. , Hadiyanti L. N. , Listyono L.
Published: April 2023

Various research results concerned with flipped classrooms reported to mandate more benefits to form a positive attitude, self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning and affect students' abilities and skills. This research, which involved three studies, aims to develop a flipped classroom strategy model for virtual biology learning. The research was conducted in three high schools and the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Semarang, at the beginning of the new normal habit of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The analysis results of study 1 were applied in designing study 2, and the results of study 2 were applied to develop the model in study 3. The results showed that the flipped strategy was proven to improve skills employing information technology to benefit learning and student participation. The flipped strategy is proven to have better effects on learning outcomes and students' self-efficacy. The strategy model, arranged with asynchronous-synchronous-asynchronous in scientific literacy-based learning syntax and practiced with flipped e-learning instructions, is an ideal flipped classroom model. It is well appreciated by validators, teachers, and students and has proven to function well.
Cognitive Conflict-Based E-Book with Real Experiment Video Analysis Integration to Enhance Conceptual Understanding of Motion Kinematics
Authors: Mufit F. , Asrizal A. , Puspitasari R. , Annisa N A.
Published: April 2023

Students find it challenging to understand motion concept or mechanics in physics learning and often experience misconceptions. There is also a lack of teaching materials that promote conceptual understanding. This study aims to produce a valid, practical, and effective e-book based on cognitive conflict to enhance conceptual understanding. This research used explanatory sequential mixed methods. The effectiveness test was carried out through an experimental method with a pretest-posttest control group design. Using the cluster random sampling, 61 science students performed as the samples. The research instruments used were interview guides, observation sheets, questionnaires, and two-level multiple-choice concept tests. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using Aiken's V formula, the percentage technique, and the Mann-Whitney hypothesis test. This study produced an e-book according to the four syntaxes of the cognitive conflict-based learning model (CCBL). Real experiment video analysis was integrated into the third syntax. The e-book is valid in content, construct, language, and graphics, with an average of 0.83 in the high category. This e-book is practical in terms of user convenience, attractiveness, and benefits, with an average of 79.6 in the strong category. This e-book is effective, with a significant effect of 0.001 0.05 on conceptual understanding and misconceptions. We concluded that the cognitive conflict-based e-book with real experiment video analysis integration is valid, practical, and effective in enhancing students' conceptual understanding of motion kinematics.
BE-RAISE: A Blended-Learning Model Based on Balinese Local Culture to Enhance Student’s Environmental Literacy
Authors: Hermawan I. M. S. , Arjaya I. B. A. , Diarta I. M.
Published: April 2023

Environmental education through strengthening environmental literacy is needed in the era of technological advances and globalization to ensure environmental sustainability in the future. This study aims to develop the BE-RAISE learning model to improve students’ environmental literacy. BE-RAISE is a blended learning model based on the Tri Hita Karana culture that the Balinese people embrace. This is research and development using the Plomp development model. The steps consist of preliminary research, prototyping phase, and assessment phase. This research involved two biology learning experts, one learning technology expert, two teachers, and 36 students. Data on the validity, practicality, student responses, and effectiveness of the BE-RAISE learning model were collected in this study. The data collection instruments used were validity and practicality sheets, student response questionnaires, and environmental literacy tests. Data analysis of validity, practicality, and student responses was carried out by descriptive analysis. Meanwhile, the learning model effectiveness was analyzed using t-paired, which had previously been tested for normality and homogeneity. The results showed that the BE-RAISE learning model was declared valid and practical, received a positive response from students, and was effective in improving environmental literacy (p0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that the BE-RAISE learning model is declared feasible to be used in the learning process to improve environmental literacy. Further research is needed to reveal the effect of the BE-RAISE learning model on environmental literacy by design using a comparison unit and to reveal its effect on students’ critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills.
Environmental Pollution from Cane Sugar Factories: A Study of Chemical Features Variations in the Wastewater
Authors: Khair A. S. E. , Elfaig A. H. I. , Yassen M. E. , Purwanto P. , Sunoko H. R.
Published: April 2023

Sugar industry processes release large amounts of wastewater and pollution concentrations. This study focuses on environmental pollution produced by a cane sugar factory (Sampling Assalaya factory) with particular emphasis on the chemical properties of wastewater as an essential feature identifying water pollution in the study area. The study aims to analyze wastewater’s chemical features and disparity based on the Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO) standards. The systemic random sampling method collected twenty samples for each parameter (pH, Total Hardness, PO4, BOD, and COD). Analyses were conducted in the laboratory according to the standard methods for examining water and wastewater (USA). Results revealed significant variations in wastewater features at different sampling sites as pH values ranged between 4.55 to 8.39 and PO4 ranged between 0.097 ppm to 670 ppm in the selected sites. Results also pointed out that Total hardness ranged between 50ppm to 470ppm, BOD ranged between 15ppm to 390ppm, whereas the COD in 80% of the tested samples exceeded the SSMO standard (150ppm). The article concluded that these levels are highly exceeding the recommended level by SSMO. The leading causes of such alarming pollutant levels are related to the effluent of the Assalaya sugar factory in the study area. To reduce such effluent pollution levels, suggestions are made for the Assalaya cane sugar factory to treat its effluent by introducing appropriate technology and methods, such as anaerobic treatment. The Assalaya sugar factory ought to keep up with the transformation to green production as an integral part of its policy to achieve sustainability.