bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ELECTIONS AS A WAY OF LEGITIMATING POLITICAL AUTHORITY IN CONDITIONS OF INSTABILITY
Authors: Bahinskyi A. , Severynchyk O. , Kolomiiets V.
Published: June 2023

The article examines the phenomenon of the legitimacy of political power, its signs and factors that can influence it. The election process as an element of political activity is considered in detail, the contribution of elections to democratic governance is analyzed. Examples of how elections work and how this affects the legitimation of power in unstable societies and the role of international actors in this process are presented, it is about elections as one of the most widespread systems of power legitimation. In today's world, many countries face various forms of political instability, such as mass protests, economic crises, wars and conflicts, corruption and political violence. In these conditions, elections become an important means of legitimizing political power, as they allow citizens to choose their representatives and determine the direction of the country's development. Elections are also a mechanism for changing power and developing democracy in the country. In addition, elections in conditions of instability can become the object of manipulation and abuse by political forces, which can undermine citizens' trust in the electoral process and the legitimacy of political power. Elections can be viewed as a struggle of ideologies, as a process of replacing structural elements, and as a communication process. Participation in elections can have a positive effect on voters' self-esteem and self-esteem, as well as satisfy their need for a sense of belonging to a political community. Regardless of the voting results, participation in elections is a manifestation of the human desire for personal fulfillment. Voting is a mechanism that allows the people to delegate their powers to elected officials who govern the country within the framework of their political agenda. In general, elections can be an effective way of legitimizing political power in conditions of instability, but only on the condition that they take place in accordance with the principles of democracy and transparency, and are not subject to manipulation by the interests of individual political groups.
Censing in the funeral and memorial rites (vernacular religiosity of the Russian-Komi-Permyak borderland)
Authors: Korolyova S.Yu. , Brukhanova M.A. , Kolegova O.A.
Published: June 2023

Church censing ritual — fumigation with incense or its substitutes — is widespread in folk culture. It plays a particularly important role in funeral and memorial rites, where the fumigation is usually carried out in order to ritually purify people, space and objects that have been in contact with the deceased. However, the significance of this ritual is not equal in different local ethnical traditions: in some communities, it is simply recommended, while in others it is of a prime importance. The accessibility of this ritual action for people also varies. In some traditions, only religious specialists (the priest and his assistants) can perform this ritual, in other traditions, anyone can do it. The article is concerned with vernacular forms of censing. The culture of Yurlians — Russians living in a different ethnic (Komi-Permyak) environment, and the culture of the northern (Kochevsky) Komi-Permyaks neighboring them, are among the traditions with a developed mythological semantics of censing. The main research data are materials collected during the fieldwork carried out in 2013–2017 and 2022 in the Northern Prikamye, in the Rus-sian-Komi-Permyak borderland. The study is based on the structural and functional analysis of the rituals. It has been revealed that the locations of censing in the structure of traditional funeral and memorial rites partially coin-cides with church prescriptions, however, vernacular fumigation with incense is of more intense character; around it, a kind of “mythology of censing” develops, and dialectal ritual terminology is formed. Сensing fulfills not only typi-cal cleansing and apotropaic functions, but it also acts as a way of mediation between the living and the dead — it “wakes up” the souls, invites them to a ritual meal, guarantees the availability of food, etc. Special folklore formulas addressed to beings-intermediaries between the living and the dead (angels, wind, etc.) provide the realization of this function. Individualized versions may arise from the ritual, which adapts to the new life realities.
European Court of Human Rights Caselaw on the Right of the Same-Sex Couples to Marry
Authors: Radonjić Aleksa
Published: June 2023

ECtHR has established case law by which national authorities are obliged to ‎legally recognize and regulate same-sex partnerships. However, they are not‎ obliged to give the right to marry to same-sex partners taking into account‎ dominant moral beliefs in society. This paper aims to test such an approach‎ from the perspective of four theories of justice. The aim is to see if the consistent ‎application of precepts and principles of these theories of justice to this ‎case law makes such an approach of the ECtHR just from the viewpoint of any‎ of these theories of justice. This way what may seem as intuitively just or unjust‎ is tested against concrete and particular standards of justice.‎
La trastienda de los inicios en la investigación social: elementos característicos.
Authors: De Gracia Palomera Daniel
Published: June 2023

Esta investigación, enmarcada en la corriente de la trastienda histórico-biográfica de la investigación social, tiene la intención de identificar y analizar elementos clave en los itinerarios del oficio de la investigación social. A partir de un análisis comparativo distante inspirado por Valles (2009) y Glaser y Strauss (1973) de 34 entrevistas a investigadores e investigadoras sociales y 14 entrevistas de archivo a artistas visuales, se han logrado identificar siete elementos clave en el acceso y las etapas tempranas de los itinerarios en el oficio de la investigación social: la  formación no orientada a la práctica profesional,  la docencia como elemento de importancia, la combinación del desarrollo profesional con empleos en otros sectores, la importancia del apoyo familiar, la importancia de las redes de contactos, las becas, premios y concursos como corrientes que aceleran trayectorias y el dilema entre probar el ámbito privado o mantener continuar en la academia.
Uso de la harina del pez diablo (Pterygoplichthys spp.) en la fertilización orgánica del tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Authors:   nstituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tecnológico Nacional de México, km 1080 Carretera Panamericana, A.P. 599, 29050 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México., Ruíz-Aguilar María Yesenia , Montes-Molina Joaquín Adolfo ,   nstituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tecnológico Nacional de México, km 1080 Carretera Panamericana, A.P. 599, 29050 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México., Castañon-González José Humberto ,   nstituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tecnológico Nacional de México, km 1080 Carretera Panamericana, A.P. 599, 29050 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México., Gutiérrez-Miceli Federico Antonio ,   nstituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tecnológico Nacional de México, km 1080 Carretera Panamericana, A.P. 599, 29050 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México., Hernández-Guzmán Mario ,   entro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, Colonia San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360 Ciudad de México, México., López-López Henry ,   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Calzada Antonio Narro 1923, Buenavista, 25315 Saltillo, Coahuila, México, Ruíz-Valdiviezo Víctor Manuel ,   nstituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tecnológico Nacional de México, km 1080 Carretera Panamericana, A.P. 599, 29050 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México., Villalobos-Maldonado Juan José ,   nstituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tecnológico Nacional de México, km 1080 Carretera Panamericana, A.P. 599, 29050 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México.
Published: June 2023

Se ha reportado al pez diablo (Pterygoplichthys spp.) como especie invasora en diversos ecosistemas del estado de Chiapas, México. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de los tiempos de aplicación de la harina del pez diablo (HPD) como fuente de fertilización orgánica en el cultivo de Solanum lycopersicum L. var. Río Grande en condiciones de invernadero. En el experimento se utilizó suelo sin harina (SHPD), suelo y harina 15 días antes del trasplante (HPD15) y suelo con harina al momento del trasplante (HPD0). Se identificó que la HPD presentó un elevado contenido en proteínas, cenizas, fósforo y potasio (46.22, 31.13, 3.43 y 2.3 %, respectivamente). La altura de la planta mostró un aumento del 13 % a los 126 días después del trasplante con HPD15, así como un aumento del 52 % en el grosor del tallo en comparación con SHPD. El peso seco del follaje aumentó 5.8 veces en HPD0 y 1.8 veces para la longitud de la raíz en HPD15. Además, HPD15 pudo aumentar el contenido de clorofila en las hojas de tomate hasta en un 39.8 %. Los frutos de HPD15 fueron los únicos que lograron madurez fisiológica y comercial, cumpliendo con los criterios de consumo en el diámetro polar y ecuatorial, y contenido de licopeno (5.7 y 5.2 cm, y 0.017 mg/g de peso fresco de fruto, respectivamente). Los resultados obtenidos a partir de la harina de pez diablo, muestran que se puede utilizar como abono orgánico en la producción agrícola.
Investigation the Effect of Design Parameters on Air Tightness with Examples of Balikesir Houses
Authors: Ünlütürk Mustafa Serhan , Göksal Özbalta Türkan
Published: June 2023

Energy savings have been a major driver for improving building airtightness in the last period. Air infiltration has an important influence on energy efficiency and significantly influences the indoor air quality and pollutant distribution in residential buildings. Pressure difference lead to air permeability through the building envelope via cracks and un-controlled air leaks, which increase not only energy consumption, also cause noise from the outside and entering particles harmful to human health. Therefore, the issue of airtightness of the building envelope has been included in the standards and regulations. Building airtightness is influenced by various design parameters such as window/wall ratio, type of joinery, size of usage area, wall material and the insulation application also the quality of workmanship. In this study, the airtightness performance of 43 different residentials in Balıkesir was deter-mined by the BlowerDoor test measurement and in the context of airtightness the architectural design parameters impact was investigated. The air exchange rate (n50) values of 43 residences were obtained between 1.94 - 49.02 h-1 and compared with the existing standards. In addition, “usage area” was determined as the most effective parameter, followed by the size of the usage area, the transparency rate of the facades, the wall material type and the insulation status.
NUMBER AND ETHNIC COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION OF THE KOLONTAI DISTRICT OF THE KHARKIV DISTRICT (ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS OF THE 1926 POPULATION CENSUS)
Authors: Sklyar Vоlоdumur Mukolayovuch
Published: June 2023

Based on the analysis of statistical materials of the 1926 census, a study of the population and ethnic composition of the population of the Kolontaiv district of the Kharkiv district was conducted. The number and ethnic composition of the population of each of the 10 village councils of this district have been determined. The population in 1926 of each of the 31 settlements of the district, the average population of one village council, one rural settlement and one rural household were determined. It has been proved that the key feature of the population of Kolontaiv district and all its 10 village councils remained its ethnic homogeneity - absolute dominance in the number of Ukrainians against the background of minimal territorial representation of ethnic minorities dispersed.
TRAUMATIC MEMORY OF CHERNOBYL (IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVES)
Authors: Telukha Svitlana
Published: June 2023

This article focuses on the traumatic memory of technogenic disasters in human history in the XX and early XXI. The article uses the method of oral history, which is based on the biographical testimonies of people who were at the epicenter of the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant. The article notes that trauma and its study are becoming more common today in the scientific interests of researchers in various sciences, namely the concept of trauma - continues to expand its meaning and focus of research. Thus, according to Barbara Mishtal: "Traumatic memory is a memory whose origins lie in a certain horrific experience; it is often particularly pronounced, obsessive, uncontrollable, persistent, and somatic. ” Oral historical evidence of the Chernobyl accident and the Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant gives us enough examples to confirm the thesis that there is an injury in their narratives. Trauma has a clear manifestation and not always clear and conscious speech. Negative experiences have certain signals that indicate the presence of trauma in the narrative. Noteworthy is the classification of Gadi Benezer, who formulated certain markers - signals of trauma, according to which we can trace the presence or absence of trauma in the narrative. These signals are: self-awareness of trauma; trauma as a hidden event; prolonged silence during the recording of the interview; explosion of emotions; emotional alienation; stupor; repetition of traumatic memories repeatedly; immersion in the events of the past, mentioning one event or picture, insult several times during the conversation; acquittal of the narrator; inability to tell; voice changes; body language. The classification used makes it possible to identify the presence of trauma in oral histories and to be able to analyze the trauma, investigate it, find mechanisms and ways to overcome it.
PUBLIC GOVERNANCE - A SYSTEMIC PUBLIC PHENOMENON
Authors: Gayevaya Oleksandra , Garyaeva Ganna , Lysenko Iryna
Published: June 2023

In the article it is investigated how the formation of civil society in the country is taken place, what scientific rethinking is needed to determine the place of power in public administration. The way of formation of public administration, political system, state institutions from the period of the Old Russian state to the present is traced.The originations of problems of theory and practice of social management and policy of the Ancient world in the formation of states in the world are analyzed. The value of the state as a philosophical and legal theory and practice of organization of political power and management of society is pointed out. It is elucidated the advocating of ideasof the rule of law, the requirements to observe legal justice, the contractual concepts of the state. The essence of management in which the primary component is the person, its conscious activity is exposed. Two approaches to understanding of the content of public administration are highlighted: "American" and "European". Different viewsof scientists on the definition of "public administration" are analyzed. The stages of evolution of the managerial (managerial) school are considered and the term "social management" is noted. Different approaches to this "mechanism of influence" on society are highlighted. It is defined two approaches to management: "managerialism"and the theory of "scientific management of society". The meaning of the term "administration" is exposed and its interpretation from different points of view. It is pointed out the consideration of this concept in foreign practice, and, accordingly, in Ukraine. The concept of "public administration" is highlighted, and the "mechanism" of its  action is indicated. It is determined the subjects of public administration such as: executive authorities, their staff, officials and office workers; executive bodies and officials of local self-government, officials and officials of  executive bodies of local self-government. The characteristic features of the post-Soviet public administration transformation into public administration are highlighted
EDUTIONMENT AS A WAY TO INCREASE STUDENTS 'MOTIVATION IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES
Authors: Bats Anastasiia
Published: June 2023

Taking into account the contradictory views on edutainment, the prospects of modern educational methods were considered, theoretical and practical substantiation of opinions was made, considerable attention was paid to the specifics of the target audience Generation Z, which is motivated to implement edutainment in the educational process. One of the key features of Generation Z is the naturalness of their existence in the digital space, immersion in the world of gadgets, Internet addiction, clip thinking, inability to focus on one object for a long time, fragmentation and inconsistency of their knowledge. The existing problem of inefficient academic success in the training of Generation Z members by increasing motivation can be solved by a modern educational system. The essence of the hybrid term education + entertainment is a systematic combination of education and entertainment. Entertainment of such education consists in curiosity and expressiveness of the form, in such education the educational component is included in the entertaining mode of the presented information. The purpose of such education is to deliver both knowledge and aesthetic pleasure. Edutainment is dynamic, flexible, practical, accessible, helps to meet the information and cognitive needs of the students. Edutainment has been the subject of numerous studies and sparks discussions about the appropriateness of the entertainment component in the educational process. However, modern practice shows the effectiveness of the basic provisions of edutainment, the tools of which include gaming, communication, creative, computer (information) technology, problem-based learning technology and others. Based on the purpose of the work – to determine the effectiveness of the introduction of edutainment in the educational process to increase the motivation of Generation Z – analyzed the requirements for teachers who work in the system and the principles of edutainment, the necessary educational conditions, experience in implementing edutainment on practice. Thus, mastering the education system demonstrates numerous advantages over traditional approaches to teaching Generation Z.
Kelayakan finansial usaha sapi sonok di Desa Panaongan, Kabupaten Sumenep
Authors: Saleh Fitriana , Sunyigono Andrie Kisroh
Published: June 2023

Pulau Madura merupakan wilayah padat ternak yang memiliki komoditas sapi lokal dengan kualitas baik. Sapi madura mempunyai nilai sosial budaya yang tinggi sehingga dijadikan sapi karapan dan kontes sapi sonok. Kecamatan Pasongsongan salah satu sentra penghasil ternak sapi sonok dan disebut dengan istilah Lu Ganteng Pa yaitu wilayah sentra pembibitan sapi unggul Madura oleh Dinas Ketahanan Pangan dan Peternakan (DKKP). Desa Panaongan merupakan salah satu penghasil ternak sapi sonok terbanyak di Kecamatan Pasongsongan. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik peternak, budidaya sapi sonok dan kelayakan finansial usaha sapi sonok di Desa Panaongan. Metode penentuan sampel menggunakan sampel jenuh (sensus) sebanyak 20 peternak. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yaitu pendekatan kuantitatif dengan menggunakan analisis kelayakan ditinjau dari nilai R/C Ratio. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan mayoritas peternak di Desa Panaongan berada pada tingkat umur produktif, tingkat pendidikan SD, dan memiliki pengalaman 5-14 tahun. Budidaya yang dilakukan masih tergolong tradisional. Usaha sapi sonok di Desa Panaongan tidak mengalami keuntungan maupun kerugian disebabkan karena penerimaan yang diterima oleh peternak sama dengan biaya yang dikeluarkan. Rekomendasi yang dapat diberikan adalah adanya upaya pengolahan kotoran sapi untuk dijadikan pupuk organik agar dapat menambah pendapatan peternak.
Pengaruh Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Creative Problem Solving terhadap Hasil Belajar Siswa di SMKN 1 Soppeng
Authors: Arfandi Anas , Wulandari Sri , Nasir Malik Muhammad , Agung Muhammad , Mappalotteng Abdul Muis
Published: June 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penerapan model pembelajaran Creative Problem Solving terhadap hasil belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran Pemrograman Dasar SMKN 1 Soppeng. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan yaitu penelitian eksperimen. Desain eksperimen yang digunakan yaitu One group pretest-posttest design dengan jumlah sampel 30 siswa. Pengambilan data melalui tes hasil belajar dan angket. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis dengan menggunakan analisis statistik deskriptif dan analisis statistik inferensial. Hasil penelitian adalah terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan pada penerapan model pembelajaran Creative Problem Solving terhadap hasil belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran Pemrograman Dasar SMKN 1 Soppeng dengan tingkat kepercayaan 95%, dibuktikan dengan nilai t hitung 11.907 t tabel 2.045. Dimana yang berpengaruh secara signifikan yaitu pada materi pokok menu interaksi antar muka pada aplikasi. Berdasarkan hal tersebut dapat disimpulkan bahwa penerapan model pembelajaran Creative Problem Solving berpengaruh terhadap hasil belajar siswa pada mata pelajaran Pemrograman Dasar SMKN 1 Soppeng.
Sistem Pendukung Keputusan untuk Menentukan Pemilihan Guru Berprestasi menggunakan Metode Promethee pada SMAN 1 Tegalombo Kabupaten Pacitan
Authors: Raharjo Andy Triyanto Pujo , Triatma Windi Eka , Litanianda Yovi
Published: June 2023

Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri (SMAN) 1 Tegalombo Kabupaten Pacitan dalam meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan melalui beberapa program peningkatan mutu, diantaranya pada aspek kurikulum, sarana/prasarana serta memiliki jumlah guru yang berkualitas. Melalui sistem penilaian guru berprestasi diharapkan para guru termotivasi sehingga memiliki ketersediaan guru berkualitas dalam pengembangan diri dan kompetensinya. Survey yang diambil dari SMAN 1 Tegalombo Kabupaten Pacitan,diketahui bahwa proses penilaian guru berprestasi masih dilaksanakan menggunakan cara manual berdasarkan subyektifitas, hal ini memungkinkan guru berprestasi yang dipilih tidak sesuai dengan standart yang diharapkan dan tidak mendapatkan hasil kandidat terbaik. Dengan menggunakan Sistem Pendukung Keputusan diharapkan memberikan hasil yang terbaik dan mempermudah proses seleksi pemilihan guru berprestasi oleh Kepala Sekolah. Data pemilihan guru berprestasi yang digunakan adalah daftar penilaian pelaksanaan pekerjaan yang berisi nilai orientasi pelayanan, inisiatif kerja, komitmen, kerjasama dan ide baru. Metode yang ingin digunakan untuk mengatasi permasalahan dalam mengambil keputusan pada pemilihan guru berprestasi ini yaitu metode Prometheee. Hasil dari penelitian terdahulu menunjukan bahwa metode Prometheee memiliki keunggulan dalam proses pengambilan keputusan yaitu berupa keluaran dalam bentuk perangkingan yang valid.
Access, Interest and Equity Considerations for Virtual Global Health Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Quantitative Analysis of a Mixed Methods Study.
Authors: Umphrey Lisa , Beck Alyssa , Zhou Shuo , Kagoya Enid Kawala , Paasi George , Coria Alexandra , Evert Jessica , Haque Marina , Rule Amy , Lamb Molly
Published: June 2023

Background:Global health activities reduce health disparities by promoting medical education, professional development, and resource sharing between high- and low- to middle-income countries. Virtual global health activities facilitated continuity and bidirectionality in global health during the COVID-19 pandemic, but while virtual engagement holds potential for promoting equity within partnerships, research on equitable access to and interest in virtual global health activities is limited.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional, online, mixed-methods survey from January to February 2022 examining access to virtual activities before and during the pandemic across resource settings. Eligible participants were participants or facilitators of global health activities. Closed- and open-ended questions elicited participants’ access to and interest in virtual global health engagement.Results:We analyzed surveys from 265 respondents representing 45 countries (high-income 57.0% vs. low- to middle-income 43.0%). High-income country respondents had significantly more access to global health funding through their own organization and more flexibility for using funds. More respondents from low- to middle-income countries versus high-income countries reported loss of more types of in-person access due to the pandemic at their own institutions, while more respondents from high-income countries versus low- to middle-income countries reported loss of in-person activities at another institution. While all respondents reported an increase in access to virtual global health activities during the pandemic, more respondents from low- to middle-income countries versus high-income countries gained virtual access more often through another organization. There were significant differences and trends between respondent groups in different resource environments in terms of accessibility to and interest in different virtual global health activities, both during and after the pandemic. Qualitative results are presented in another manuscript.Conclusions:Our results highlight the need to examine accessibility to virtual global health activities within partnerships between high- and low- to middle-income countries. While virtual activities may bridge existing gaps in global health education and partnerships, further study on priorities and agenda setting for such initiatives, with special attention to power dynamics and structural barriers, are necessary to ensure meaningful virtual global health engagement moving forward.
Obesity-dependent increase in RalA activity disrupts mitochondrial dynamics in white adipocytes
Authors: xia Wenmin , Veeragandham Preethi , Cao Yu , Xu Yayun , Rhyne Torrey , Qian Jiaxin , Hung Chao-Wei , Zhao Peng , Jones Ying , Gao Hui , Liddle Christopher , Yu Ruth , Downes Michael , Evans Ronald , Ryden Mikael , Wabitsch Martin , Reilly Shannon , Huang Jianfeng , Saltiel Alan
Published: June 2023

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a characteristic trait of human and rodent obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. Here we report that mitochondria undergo fragmentation and reduced oxidative capacity specifically in inguinal white adipose tissue after feeding mice high fat diet (HFD) by a process dependent on the small GTPase RalA. RalA expression and activity are increased in white adipocytes from mice fed HFD. Targeted deletion of Rala in white adipocytes prevents the obesity-induced fragmentation of mitochondria and produces mice resistant to HFD-induced weight gain via increased fatty acid oxidation. As a result, these mice also exhibit improved glucose tolerance and liver function. In vitro mechanistic studies revealed that RalA suppresses mitochondrial oxidative function in adipocytes by increasing fission through reversing the protein kinase A-catalyzed inhibitory Ser637phosphorylation of the mitochondrial fission protein Drp1. Active RalA recruits protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Aa) to specifically dephosphorylate this inhibitory site on Drp1, activating the protein, thus increasing mitochondrial fission. Adipose tissue expression of the human homolog of Drp1, DNML1, is positively correlated with obesity and insulin resistance in patients. Thus, chronic activation of RalA plays a key role in repressing energy expenditure in obese adipose tissue by shifting the balance of mitochondrial dynamics towards excessive fission, contributing to weight gain and related metabolic dysfunction.
Mitochondria Targeted AuCu@Ce6-TPP nanoparticles Alleviating Cancer Hypoxia for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: You Zhu , Li Jiangsheng , Zhai Shiyi , Zhao Junxuan , Lu Kuangda
Published: June 2023

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has advanced rapidly in the treatment of cancer due to its low resistance and reduced adverse effects. However, hypoxia is one of the most significant obstacles that limit the therapeutic effect and clinical transformation of this noninvasive treatment. Numerous studies have been conducted on alleviating hypoxia to improve antitumor effect, but comprehensive nanosystems that simultaneously overcome hypoxia and other severely limitation of PDT are seldom reported. Here we report a multifunctional nanosystem AuCu@Ce6-TPP (ACCT) that alleviates hypoxia and targets mitochondria to enhance PDT of cancer. Mercaptoethyl-triphenylphosphonium and mercapto chlorin e6 were conjugated to AuCu nanoparticles and thus Ce6 photosensitized 1O2 can cause direct damage to mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial apoptosis Copper can catalyze hydrogen peroxide degradation to alleviate hypoxia, whereas gold can consume glutathione to elevate the oxidative stress. ACCT-sensitized PDT leads to tumor growth inhibition rate of 92.8% on 4T1 tumor-bearing mice model. This work therefore demonstrates a potential solution to enhance PDT on hypoxic tumors.
A study of factors influencing college students' behavior in participating in digital training
Authors: HUANG CONG , WEN GE , LIU MING DONG
Published: June 2023

The participation of university students in digital training will not only improve their digital literacy and career development, but will also support the smooth implementation of the Digital China Strategy.Based on TAM and TPB theories,the survey data of university students in Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shanghai were used to analyse their willingness and behaviour to participate in training, and structural equation modelling was used to study their influencing factors.The results show that university students' willingness to participate in training and their training behaviour are generally positive, with mean values of 3.05 and 3.06 respectively; university students' willingness to participate in digital training has a significant positive impact on their participation behaviour.Subjective norms,behavioural attitudes, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have a significant positive impact on university students' willingness to participate in digital learning, with subjective norms having the greatest impact on willingness to participate, followed by perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness.Subjective norms have the greatest influence on intention to attend training, followed by perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, while behavioural attitudes have the least influence.Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the training needs of university students and promote their career development; the administration should pay attention to the formulation of relevant policies to guide them and create a training environment; universities and related educational institutions should enrich the training content.Multi-dimensional and multi-subject promotion of university students' willingness to participate in digital training and guiding them to actively engage in training behaviour.
A composite purification method for ultra-low iron content zirconium sulfate solution
Authors: zhao lang , song kun , deng minghong , hu meilong , Xin Yuntao
Published: June 2023

It is critical to remove Fe removal from the titanium dioxide coating solution. In this study, we combined potassium ferricyanide precipitation with ultrafiltration for deep Fe removal. The effects of the potassium ferrocyanide dosage, reaction temperature, reaction time, stirring speed, and ultrafiltration membrane specifications on Fe removal were systematically studied. Furthermore, the experimental conditions were optimized to achieve the lowest Fe content of 8.1 mg/L in the solution. The size distribution and zeta potential of the precipitate particles were determined, and the results revealed that the effective diameter of the particles was 16.581 μm and the zeta potential of the surface groups was negative. A cationic flocculant was added to eliminate the static repulsion between precipitate particles and promote their growth. The Fe content reached 3.8 mg/L after 0.1 mL of flocculant solution was added to the solution. Lastly, the Fe removal mechanism was determined.
Cross-lagged Analysis of Rumination and Social Anxiety Among China College Students
Authors: Wu Peibo , Cao Keyan , Feng Wenjing , Lv Shuai
Published: June 2023

Background
Social anxiety, widely prevalent amongst Chinese college students, poses a significant barrier to their holistic psychological and physiological development. Despite numerous cross-sectional studies examining the relationship between rumination and social anxiety, a gap remains in understanding their interplay over time. This longitudinal study aimed to explore and analyze the intricate interrelation between these two factors, with the ultimate goal of informing the development of effective mental health education interventions for university students.
Methods
Using the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) and the Interaction Anxiousness Scale (IAS), a two-stage longitudinal follow-up study of 392 college students from three universities in Henan Province was conducted over a six-month period (October 2022 to March 2023), using a cross-lagged model (The cross-lagged model was used to explore the correlation between rumination and social anxiety. The results of the correlation analysis showed that rumination was positively associated with social anxiety at both time points (r = 0.18,0.12, p < 0.01).
Results
Cross-lagged regression analyses revealed that the predictive effect of the first measure (T1) rumination on the second measure (T2) rumination was statistically significant (β = 0.32, p < 0.01). the predictive effect of T1 social anxiety on T2 social anxiety was statistically significant (β = 0.65, p < 0.01), the predictive effect of T1 rumination on T2 social anxiety was statistically significance (β = 0.33, p < 0.01) and the prediction of T1 social anxiety on T2 rumination was statistically significant (β = 0.28, p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Rumination and social anxiety in college students are mutually predictive of each other, and interventions by educators in either area of ruminant thinking and social anxiety will interrupt the vicious cycle between ruminant thinking and social anxiety.
Identification and validation of ferroptosis related genes in prostate cancer cells under erastin exposure
Authors: Wu Fan , Huang Fei , Jiang Nili , Su Jinfeng , Yao Siyi , Liang Boying , Li Wen , Yan Tengyue , Zhou Sufang , Zhou Qingniao
Published: June 2023

Few studies are focusing on the mechanism of erastin acts on prostate cancer(PCa) cells, and essential ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) that can be PCa treatment targets are rarely known. In the current study, in vitro assays were performed to evaluate the ferroptotic levels of PCa cells under erastin treatment. RNA-seq was used to measure the expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in erastin-induced PCa cells. A series of bioinformatic analyses were applied to analyze the pathways, module, transcription factors, and expression levels of DEGs. Erastin inhibited the expression of ferroptosis marker SLC7A11 and cell survivability in both PCa cells. After treatment with erastin, the concentration level of MDA and Fe2+ significantly increased, whereas GSH and GSSG significantly decreased in PCa cells. A total of 295 overlapping DEGs were screened and identified in two cells under erastin exposure and significantly enriched for association with some pathways. The expression levels of four hub FRGs, including TMEFF2, CLU, NRXN3, and UNC5B, were significantly different in PCa and normal tissues. TMEFF2 was the gene co-expressed with SLC7A11 and GPX4. In both PCa cells, the expression levels of SLC7A11 and cell growth were inhibited after the knockdown of TMEFF2. The concentration of Fe2+ significantly increased in two TMEFF2 downregulated cells. In conclusion, FRGs and their correlations with ferroptosis in PCa were identified and validated. Our results showed that these FRGs play a crucial role in PCa, and offered the potential therapeutic target genes for the investigation and treatment of PCa.
Identification of ferroptosis-related diagnostic biomarkers in ischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ma Guizhou , Zhou Linjie , Xu Ronghe , Wang Ying , Cai Zhixiong
Published: June 2023

Background:
Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), the frequently observed secondary cardiomyopathy, is a major factor leading to global mortality. Ferroptosis is a type of iron-dependent programmed cell death different from apoptosis or additional programmed cell death types, identified as the major cell death type of cardiomyocytes. Consequently, the present study focused on the identification of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and determining their value in diagnosing ICM, thus, assisting in detecting and treating ICM.
Methods:
This study collected gene expression profiles for ventricular myocardium specimens in ICM cases and normal participants from the gene expression omnibus database. First, ferroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (FRDEGs) were detected in ICM. Then, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network related to FRDEGs was constructed through PPI network analysis, followed by the identification of the key network and hub genes whose expression was analyzed and assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and verified in the external validation set. Finally, hub genes were subject to single-gene GSEA pathway enrichment, targeted drug prediction, construction of miRNA as well as transcription factor regulatory network.
Results:
A total of 1396 DEGs were detected, among which 711 showed up-regulation, whereas 685 displayed down-regulation in patients with ICM compared with healthy controls. After overlapping with FRGs, 39 FRDEGs were obtained. Based on the gene Ontology function together with the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis, the aforementioned genes were mostly associated with starvation, cellular extracellular stimulus, and cellular starvation responses, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors signaling pathway, human cytomegalovirus infection, and hepatitis C. Eight hub genes were obtained from the PPI network related to FRDEGs. Hub gene expression was down-regulated in the ICM. ROC curves showed that the area under the curve of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), CCAAT enhancer binding protein gamma, X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit alpha was greater than 0.7. After verification in the external dataset, XBP1, ATF4, and STAT3 were screened as the diagnostic genes for ICM.
Conclusion:
This study provided the first bioinformatics analysis of FRGs and their diagnostic value in ICM. The XBP1, STAT3, and ATF4 were identified as potential diagnostic genes of ICM. Thus, these genes may provide novel markers or targets to diagnose and treat ICM.
Acaridical activity of plant extracts to control Date palm fruit dust mite Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) (Acari Tetranchidae)
Authors: Ali Hazim M. , Fhaid Khalid A. , Awad Khairullah M.
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to determine the variables that influence the mortality rate of Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) (Acari Tetranchidae) dust mites and to explore potential control options for this pest. The important variables that were examined at included plant species, extraction method, concentration, and time. The findings indicated noteworthy impacts of these variables on the mortality rates of dust mites. The mortality rates of dust mites were significantly affected by the type of plant species (p < 0.01). The highest mortality rates were observed with Cymbopogon citratus, whereas there was no significant variation between Vitexm agnus-castus and Melilotus officinalis. The extraction method was Influential (p < 0.01), with ethanol extract performing better than aqueous and hexane extracts in terms of efficacy. Aqueous extraction had a lower efficacy than hexane extraction. The concentration of plant extract considerably affected the mortality rates of dust mites (p < 0.01). increased concentrations led to significantly increased mortality rates, demonstrating a concentration-dependent impact. Dust mite mortality rates were also affected by exposure duration (p 0.01). When the exposure period was increased, the mortality rate increased considerably. Significant differences in mortality rates have been observed for each time period (6, 12, 24, and 48 hours). These findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate plant species, utilizing effective extraction methods, optimizing concentration levels, and considering exposure duration for designing efficient dust mite control strategies. Cymbopogon citratus, especially when extracted with ethanol and applied at higher concentrations, has the potential to be a natural dust mite control treatment.
Comparison of effectiveness and safety of Da Vinci robot’s “3+1” and “4+1” modes of treatment for colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Huaiwen , Wu Yuanhao , Huang Ping , Chen Weijia , Wang Zhenfen , Wang Yuna
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of the Da Vinci Surgical Robot System (DSRS) “3 + 1” and “4 + 1” models for colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodsA total of 107 patients with CRC admitted to our hospital from February 2021 to May 2022 were selected for the retrospective analysis. Of these, 57 patients underwent the DSRS “4 + 1” model (control group), while the rest 50 underwent the DSRS “3 + 1” model (research group). The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, number of lymph nodes detected, time of first postoperative urinary catheter removal, time of first feeding, time of first venting and hospitalization were compared between the two groups. The changes of white blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels before and after surgery were detected, and patients’ adverse effects and treatment costs between surgery and hospital discharge were counted. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess the psychological state of the patients.ResultsThere was no difference in operative time, intraoperative bleeding, and number of lymph nodes detected between both groups (P > 0.05), while time to first postoperative urinary catheter removal, time to first feeding, time to first venting, length of stay (LOS), postoperative inflammatory factor levels, incidence of adverse events, and treatment costs were all lower in the research group than in the control group (P < 0.05). SAS and SDS scores decreased after treatment in both groups, but the decrease was more obvious in the research group (P < 0.05).ConclusionBoth DSRS “4 + 1” and “3 + 1” modes have better treatment effects for CRC. But the “3 + 1” mode has higher safety and lower treatment cost, which can significantly improve the postoperative recovery process of patients and is more worthy to be promoted in clinical practice.
Inhibition of neddylation causes early developmental arrestment in mouse embryo because of the zygotic genome activation failure
Authors: Yang Guangping , Hu Saifei , Chen Jianhua , Chen Liangliang , Miao Hui , Li Na , Luo Hui , He Yanni , Qian Yun , Miao Congxiu , Feng Ruizhi
Published: June 2023

Background
Maternal protein degradation in mammalian preimplantation embryos has yet to be fully understood. One major pathway is the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Recently, new forms of ubiquitination such as neddylation have been found to play important roles in a wide variety of biological processes, including reproduction. However, the molecular mechanism of neddylation in the early embryonic development of mammals is mostly unknown.
Methods
The zygotes were collected through in vitro fertilization and the expression of marker genes during embryonic development and zygotic genome activation (ZGA) was monitored after 24,48,72,96 hours of culture with MLN4924 (specific inhibition of neddylation) using real-time quantitative PCR. Single-cell RNA sequencing and quantitative PCR were applied to monitor and validate the changes in the downstream transcriptome. We utilized immunofluorescence and Western blotting to detect the expression and localization of proteins in mouse embryos.
Results
Blocking neddylation in mouse zygotes led to a statistically significant decrease in the cleavage rate to the 2-cell stage. Transcriptional profiling showed genes differentially expressed in pathways involving cell fate determination, cell differentiation, and cytoskeletal proteins. The expressions of zygotic ZGA markers were significantly reducejiand, indicating a significant downstream alteration in relevant pathways leading to the 2-cell stage arrest phenotype. A decrease in the level of RNA polymerase II in the nucleus was detected, showing impaired gene transcription in the embryo. We also identified a decrease in methyltransferase expression and concomitant reduction in histone H3K4 trimethylation, which may be the molecular mechanism of early embryonic developmental arrest caused by neddylation inhibition. Reduction of Yap1 was detected, suggesting aberrant downstream reactions of the Hippo signaling pathway. It also addressed the problem of the neddylation inhibition caused early embryonic arrest. Our study shed light upon new forms of ubiquitination regulating mammalian embryonic development and may contribute to further investigation of female infertility pathology.
Conclusions
Our data suggest that blocking neddylation leads to ZGA failure, possibly due to a decrease in H3K4me3 caused by a decrease in methyltransferase (KMT2D).
Diagnostic value of CA125, HE4, systemic immune‑inflammatory index (SII), fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio(FAR), and prognostic nutritional index(PNI) in the Preoperative Investigation of ovarian Masses
Authors: Song Liyun , Qi Jie , Zhao Jing , Bai Suning , Wu Qi , Xu Ren
Published: June 2023

Background
The aim of this study was to ascertain the diagnostic accuracy of Carbohydrate Antigen 125(CA125), Human Epididymis Protein 4(HE4), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and their combinations for ovarian cancer (OC) in order to discover an optimal combined diagnostic index for early diagnosis of OC. A thorough investigation was conducted to ascertain the correlation between these markers and the pathological characteristics of OC, thereby furnishing a foundation for the early identification and treatment of this disorder.
Methods
170 patients with documented OC and benign ovarian tumors (BOTs) treated at Hebei General Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022 were included in this retrospective study. The formula for serum inflammation related markers was: FAR = fibrinogen(g/L)/ albumin(g/L); PNI = albumin (g/L) + 5 × lymphocyte counts (109/L); SII = platelet count (109/L) × neutrophil count (109/L)/ lymphocyte count (109/L). Data analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS statistics version V26.0 software, MedCalc Statistical Software version 19.4.0 software, and R Environment for Statistical Computing software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing).
Results
The isolated CA125 tested showed the best application value to differentiate BOTs from OC when the defined variables were compared separately. The combination of CA125, HE4, FAR, SII, and PNI displayed a greater area under the ROC curve (AUC) than any one of them or other combinations of the five variables. Compared to CA125 alone, the combination of CA125, HE4, FAR, SII, and PNI showed a slight gain in sensitivity (83.91%), negative predictive value (NPV) (83.91%), accuracy (85.88%), and a decrease in negative likelihood ratio (LR) (0.180%). Higher preoperative CA125, HE4, SII, and FAR levels and lower PNI levels predicted a higher probability of advanced OC progression and lymph node metastasis. FAR had a better application value than other inflammation-related markers (PNI and SII).
Conclusions
The study suggested that preoperative serum SII, PNI, and FAR might potentially be clinically valuable markers in patients with OC. FAR had a better application value than other inflammation-related markers (PNI and SII). As we delve deeper into the inflammatory mechanisms associated with tumors, we may discover more effective combinations of tumor and inflammatory biomarkers.