bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Solution of the Navier-Stokes Problem for an Incompressible Fluid with Cauchy Condintion
Authors: Omurov Taalaibek
Published: September 2023

The main object of this work is to establish the existence and uniqueness of a solution to the 3D Navier-Stokes (NS) system for an incompressible fluid with viscosity. The nonlinearity of the NS system, as well as the need to estimate velocity and pressure for every value of the viscosity parameter [1] make them challenging to solve. In this regard, in the present work, we study the Navier-Stokes system, which describe the flow of a viscous incompressible fluid and the solution was obtained for velocity and pressure in an analytical form. In addition, the found pressure distribution law, which is described by a Poisson type equation and plays a fundamental role in the theory of Navier-Stokes systems in constructing analytic smooth (conditionally smooth) solutions.
Acidithiobacillus Ferrooxidans Applied for the Beneficiation of Platinum Group Metals-Bearing Base Metal Sulphides
Authors: Zulu Nokubonga Given , Thethwayo Bongephiwe , Madiba Mapilane
Published: September 2023

Platinum group metals (PGMs) high-grade ore tonnage from Merensky reef keeps on depreciating forcing the metallurgical industry to explore beneficiating PGMs from upper group 2 (UG2) ore which has up to 60% content of chromite and from secondary sources. The PGMs are naturally associated with base metal sulphides and the efficacy of the PGMs extraction processes is dependent on the processing of PGMs-bearing base metal sulphides. These processes include concentrating PGMs-bearing base metal sulphides through flotation, oxidation, etc. prior the metal extraction processes. The evolving mineralogy of PGMs ores has necessitated the use of multiple reagents to enhance the efficiency of the concentration process. This has led to an increased amount of inor-ganic chemicals disposal to the environment and the processing of PGMs to be less economic. Bio-technology has been investigated as a potential low cost, ecologically safe substitute for many current minerals processing methods. The metabolites produced by microorganisms have been used for many years with great success in the leaching and flotation of metals from medium and low-grade sulphide minerals. The possible application of microorganism mainly Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) in the metallurgical processing of PGMs-bearing base metal sulphides is systematically reviewed in this paper. The main emphasis is on the use of A. ferrooxidans in bio-oxidation and bioleaching, as well as their potential to substitute inorganic reagents in the flo-tation of PGMs-bearing base metal sulphides from primary and secondary sources
Clean Energy from Poplar and Plastic Mix Valorization in a Gas Turbine with CO2 Capture Process
Authors: Slavu Nela , Dinca Cristian
Published: September 2023

The scope of this paper is to use plastic waste through the gasification process for producing electricity with low carbon dioxide emissions. Worldwide, plastic production increased, reaching 367 million tons in 2020, compared with 1.5 million tons in 1950. It is known that plastic incineration generates approximately 400 million tons of CO2 annually, and consequently, new solutions for a more efficient plastics reuse in terms of emissions generated are still expected. One method is to use plastic waste in a gasifier unit and the syngas generated in a gas turbine for electricity production. The co-gasification process (plastic waste with biomass) was analysed in different ratios. Gasification was carried out with air for an equivalent ratio (ER) between 0.10-0.45. The volume concentration of CO2 in syngas ranged from 2-12%, with the highest value obtained when poplar content in the mix was 95%. In this study, the option of pre- and post-combustion integration of the chemical absorption process (CAP) was investigated. Thus, CO2 emissions have decreased by 90% compared with the case without CO2 capture. By integrating the capture process, the global efficiency has reduced with 5.5 – 6.1 percentage points in a post-combustion case, according to the plastic content in the mix.
Some Matrix-variate Models Applicable in Different Areas
Authors: Mathai A. M.
Published: September 2023

Matrix-variate Gaussian type or Wishart type distributions in the real domain are widely used in the literature. When the exponential trace has an arbitrary power and when a factor involving a determinant enters into the model or a matrix-variate gamma type or Wishart type model with exponential trace having an arbitrary power, is extremely difficult to handle. Evaluation of the normalizing constant in such a model is the most important part because when studying the properties of such a model, the method used in the evaluation of the normalizing constant will be the relevant steps in all the computations involved. One such model with a factor involving a trace and the exponential trace having an arbitrary power, in the real domain, is known in the literature as Kotz' model. No explicit evaluation of the normalizing constant in the model involving trace with an exponent and determinant with an exponent entering into the model and at the same time the exponential trace having an arbitrary exponent seems to be available in the literature. The normalizing constant widely used in the literature and interpreted as the normalizing constant in the general model and refers to as a Kotz' model does not seem to be correct. Corresponding model in the complex domain, with the correct normalizing constant, does not seem to be available in the literature. One of the main contributions in this paper is the matrix-variate distributions in the complex domain belonging to Gaussian type, gamma type, type-1 and type-2 beta type when the exponential trace has an arbitrary power. All these models are believed to be new. A second main contribution is the explicit evaluation of the the normalizing constants, in the real and complex domains especially in the complex domain, in a matrix-variate model involving a determinant and a trace as multiplicative factors and at the same time the exponential trace having an arbitrary power. Another main contribution is the introduction of matrix-variate models with exponential trace having an arbitrary exponent, in the categories of type-1 beta, type-2 beta and gamma distributions or in the family of Mathai's pathway models [1], both in the real and complex domains. Another new contribution is the logistic-based extensions of models in the real and complex domains with exponential trace having an arbitrary exponent and connecting to extended zeta functions introduced by this author recently. Some properties of such models are indicated but not derived in detail in order to limit the size of the paper. The techniques and steps used at various stages in this paper will be highly useful for people working in multivariate statistical analysis as well as people applying such models in engineering problems, communication theory, quantum physics and related areas, apart from statistical applications.
Prediction of Thermostability of Enzymes Based on the AAindex Database and Machine Learning
Authors: Li Gaolin , Jia Lili , Wang Kang , Sun Tingting , Huang Jun
Published: September 2023

The combination of wet-lab experimental data on multi-site combinatorial mutations and machine learning is an innovative method in protein engineering. In this study, we present an improved innovative sequence–activity relationship (innov'SAR) methodology based on novel descriptors and digital signal processing (DSP) to construct a predictive model. In this improved approach, 21 experimental (R)-selective amine transaminases from Aspergillus terreus (AT-ATA) were used as an input to predict higher thermostability than that predicted using the existing data. We successfully improved the determination coefficient (R2) of the model from 0.66 to 0.92. In addition, root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) were estimated and conformation analysis based on molecular dynamics simulations was performed to verify the enhanced thermal stability of the screened mutants. The improved innov'SAR algorithm enhanced the predictive accuracy, suggesting a method for modifying the stability of AT-ATA, which may help in directed evolutionary screening and open up new avenues for protein engineering.
Four New Diterpenoids from the South China Sea Soft Coral Sinularia nanolobata and DFT-Based Structure Elucidation
Authors: Yu Dan-Dan , Ke Lin-Mao , Liu Jiao , Li Song-Wei , Su Ming-Zhi , Yao Li-Gong , Luo Hui , Guo Yue-Wei
Published: September 2023

Three new cembranoids (1–3) and a new casbanoid (4), along with three known analogues (5–7), have been isolated from the soft coral Sinularia nanolobata collected off Ximao Island. The structures including the absolute configurations of new compounds were established by extensive spectro-scopic data analysis, time-dependent density functional theory/electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT-ECD) calculations and the comparison with spectroscopic data of known compounds. In in vitro bioassay, compounds 1 and 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells line with IC50 values of 37.1 and 42.4 uM, respectively.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF KANGAROO MOTHER CARE (KMC) USING METKA INFANT SLING ON INCREASED TEMPERATURE OF LOW-BIRTH WEIGHT BABIES (LBW)
Authors: Munafiah Durrotun , Hastuti Witri , Nurbaiti Nurbaiti , Novitasari Novitasari
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Weight is one indicator of newborn health. Babies born with low weight need serious treatment because in this condition the baby is easily got hypothermic. As much as 40.5 percent of infant deaths in Central Java Province in 2019 were also caused by LBW. Efforts to maintain the baby's body temperature in LBW still need to develop low-cost technology so that hypothermia does not occur.

Methods: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of kangaroo mother care (KMC) using a metka infant sling on the increasing temperature babies. This type of quantitative research was a quasi-experimental method was used a two-group pretest-posttest design. The sampling technique uses purposive sampling. The number of samples in the study was 30 respondents according to the specified criteria. The instrument used was a digital thermometer where the thermometer was only placed in the baby's armpit.

Results: The result of this research showed that there was significant effectiveness in kangaroo mother care (KMC) using metka infant sling on LBW body temperature p <0.05.

Conclusion: The conclusion was there is the effectiveness of kangaroo mother care with a metka infant sling on the temperature in LBW. Giving the kangaroo method with the metka sling is considered very effective in meeting very basic baby needs such as warmth, breast milk, protection from infection, stimulation, safety, and affection.
Finansal Performans ve Çevresel Performans İlişkisinin Bankacılık Sektörü Açısından İncelenmesi
Authors: ÇİZGİCİ AKYÜZ Gülay
Published: September 2023

2008’deki küresel krizden sonra iklim değişikliği önem kazandı ve yeni politika ve düzenlemelerin küresel anlamda uygulanması yaygınlaştı. Bu politikalarla benimsenen güçlü çevresel performansın ekonomik, sosyal ve finansal gibi değişkenler üzerindeki etkilerinin arttığı görülmektedir. Çalışmada, çevresel performansın finansal performans üzerindeki etkisinin Türkiye bankacılık sektörü açısından incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiler 1990-2019 zaman dilimi kullanılarak Toda-Yamamoto ve ARDL testileri ile sınanmıştır. Analizler sonucunda aktif karlılık ve karbondioksit emisyonlarının uzun dönemde ilişkili oldukları, karbondioksit emisyonunun aktif karlılık üzerinde pozitif etkiye sahip olduğu; karbondioksit emisyonlarından aktif karlılığa doğru pozitif ve tek yönlü bir nedensellik ilişkisi olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Türkiye Ekonomisinde Getiri Farkı ve Ekonomik Büyüme İlişkisinin Quantile-on-Quantile Regresyon Yöntemiyle İncelenmesi
Authors: ŞAHİN Göktuğ , ŞAHİN Afşin
Published: September 2023

Kısa ve uzun vadeli tahvillerin faiz oranları arasındaki farkı yansıtan getiri farkı, Getiri Eğrisi’nin eğimi takip edilerek izlenebilmektedir. Getiri farkı, barındırdığı içsel bilgi yanında iktisadi değişkenlerin gelecekteki seyri ile ilgili piyasalara sinyal verebilmektedir. Bu sinyallerden bir tanesi de gelecekte iktisadi üretimin izleyeceği döngünün yönüdür. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye özelindeki 5 yıl ve 10 yıl vadeli Hazine Tahvili faiz oranları ile 2 yıl vadeli Hazine Tahvili faiz oranları arasındaki getiri farkları hesaplanarak ekonomik büyüme üzerindeki etkileri, Ocak 2006 ile Haziran 2023 dönemini kapsayacak şekilde incelenmektedir. Quantile-on-Quantile Regresyon Yöntemi, Quantile Regresyon Yöntemi ve En Küçük Kareler Yöntemi bulguları, literatürle uyumlu olacak şekilde Getiri Eğrisi’nin eğimi ile ekonomik büyüme arasındaki pozitif ilişkiye işaret etmektedir. Quantile-on-Quantile Regresyon Yöntemi ile elde edilen bulgular, dağılımın asimetrik etkilerini diğer yöntemlere göre daha belirgin olarak ortaya koyabilmektedir. Politika yapıcıların Getiri Eğrisi’nin eğimini yakından takip etmeleri ve bunun yanında uzun vadeli faizlerin kısa vadeli faizleri aşan kısmının iktisadi büyümeyi etkileme derecesini bağımlı ve bağımsız değişkenlerin dağılımını gözeterek değerlendirmeleri önem taşımaktadır.
Character Building Values in Student Teacher’s Lesson Plans: A Content Analysis
Authors: Nurhayya Farhana , Tamela Ellis
Published: September 2023

Character-building which has become one of the major concerns in the Indonesian national educational system should be addressed by the education stakeholders in various ways, one of which is via academic documents such as curriculum, syllabus, and lesson plan. Many researchers have conducted studies regarding character-building values that are revealed in EFL teacher's lesson plans. However, they have not addressed character-building values in student teacher's lesson plans. This study aimed to investigate character-building values in student teacher’s lesson plans using content analysis. Five lesson plans designed by 15 student teachers were analyzed based on character-building values by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The findings showed that 5 character-building values were inserted in the student teacher's lesson plans such as being religious, hard work, responsible, collaborative, and communicative. The most frequent character-building values were being communicative, while the less frequent character-building values were being religious.
Investigating The Learning of Incidental Vocabulary Through Animation Movie
Authors: Kheryadi  , Permata Elpasari
Published: September 2023

This study aims to determine the process of incidental vocabulary learning through animated films, to know what conditions students learn incidental vocabulary through animated films, and to know what makes students successful in learning incidental vocabulary through movie-watching. This study uses a qualitative case study design with four 8th grade student participants and 1 English teacher at SMPN 1 Bojonegara. The researchers conducted observations and interviews to investigate all activities and conducted interviews to find more in-depth research results in their English vocabulary learning. The findings of this study indicate that some students already have several lists of vocabulary in their memory so that they can acquire familiar and newly acquired vocabulary. Watching animated films is very influential in acquiring incidental vocabulary because they unconsciously become active in exploring new vocabulary while watching them. However, students are still not interested in learning English, because they are not used to using animated films and are not used to exploring vocabulary because they are not used to doing it in everyday life.
Students’ Interest in Learning English through YouTube (A Case Study in Senior High School of Sekolah Alam Cikeas Bogor)
Authors: Shopia Khilda , Sabila Dara , Purnawati
Published: September 2023

Technology advancement, including YouTube, enables various media easily integrated into the teaching and learning process and supports the students’ digital media literacy. However, in the implementation, some teachers find difficulties in engaging the students’ interest in using YouTube to support the teaching and learning process. This study was conducted to investigate why YouTube is considered the prominent media in Sekolah Alam Cikeas to engage students’ interest in English learning. A case study was used to analyze the phenomenon while questionnaires and interviews were used in collecting the data. Likert scale was used to analyze the data by using 5 aspects. The result illustrated Strongly Agree as the dominant answer from students. YouTube can help them in learning English and it plays a useful and meaningful role in the learning process. Most of the students agree that the usage of YouTube in the classroom is appropriate and can engage students’ interest in learning English in the classroom. Besides, YouTube also can help students to train in digital media literacy. Thus, YouTube is one of the media that supports students’ interest to engage in the learning process.
The Alignment of Interpersonal Text Language Functions in Podcasts with the Standard Competence of English Language for Junior High School
Authors: Ardani Hanun Nisrina , Agustina Imas Wahyu
Published: September 2023

This study aims to analyze the alignment of the interpersonal text language functions that occurred in podcasts with the standard competence of the 2013 curriculum to teach interpersonal texts for Junior High School. This research is a descriptive qualitative study using the content analysis method. The study is based on KI (Kompetensi Inti)/KD (Kompetensi Dasar) in Kurikulum 2013 proposed by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture (2018) as the analysis framework to analyze the type of language function and expressions of interpersonal text used in the 15 podcasts. The result shows that all 15 podcasts provide 18 out of 21 language functions required in the standard competence of Interpersonal texts at the Junior High level. The language functions occurring in all podcasts cover Greeting, Leavetaking, Extending Invitations, Expressing Gratitude, Complimenting, Asking for Attention, Asking for Opinions, Expressing Opinions, and so on. It means the podcasts fulfilled 85,7% of the standard competence and can be used as teaching materials to teach interpersonal text for Junior High School students.
Investigating Students’ High-Order Thinking Skills in Storytelling at Elementary Level: A Case Study
Authors: Lidiporu Givens Rindu Magnificat Ade , Sumarni Sri
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to investigate Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in speaking activities, especially in storytelling for primary school children. Data collection methods included (1) interviews to investigate the extent of HOTS understanding, implementation, tactics, students' reactions, and the impact of storytelling activities, (2) observations, and (3) documentation. An English Club teacher and the students at the elementary level served as the research's data source. Data were validated using source and technique triangulation. The interactive analysis of the Miles and Huberman model was utilized for data analysis, comprising processes of data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that the teacher grasped the HOTS feature and used it in narrative exercises. The strategies included asking questions, allowing youngsters to work on projects, and solving difficulties. Students’ reactions toward the storytelling activities varied because their focus levels are different. HOTS components in storytelling activities such as analyzing, evaluating, and creating have a significant impact on the ability to think critically, and creatively, communicate, work together, solve issues, and boost self-confidence. Due to these diverse abilities, HOTSs help children understand the storyline better and encourage them to take risks.
The Correlation between Students’ Reading Speed and Their Reading Comprehension in Descriptive Text
Authors: Dewi Risnawati , Mulyana Agus , Nuraini Hery , Purnawati
Published: September 2023

The purpose of the research is to find out the correlation between students’ reading speed and their reading comprehension of descriptive text among the tenth-grade students of SMAN 14 Kabupaten Tangerang in the academic year 2018/2019. The population of this research is the whole students in tenth grade at SMAN 14 Kabupaten Tangerang. The writers chose 73 students as the sample of this research by using simple random sampling. In this research, the writers applied principles of the quantitative method with correlation form. The data was collected by using Reading Speed as variable X and Reading Comprehension as variable Y. The data is analyzed by using Pearson correlate and the result of it is 0.398. It means the result of r-xy (0.398) is higher than the r-table (0.329). So it can be concluded that there is a positive correlation between students’ reading speed and their reading comprehension among tenth-grade students of SMAN 14 Kabupaten Tangerang in academic years 2018/2019.
The Lexical Density and Experiential Structure of Nominal Groups of the Discussion Section of Skripsis and Research Articles
Authors: Sudrajat Muhamad Wisam , Wachidah Siti
Published: September 2023

This research aimed to see the lexical density of the discussion section of three skripsis (SK) and three research articles (RA) and the experiential structure of its nominal groups. Halliday’s lexical density measurement, which divides the number of lexical items by the number of clauses, was used. It was found that SK has a higher lexical density level than RA (8,5 compared to 6,8). The reason is that one of the SK texts repeats dozens of lexical items in one clause, giving it a high lexical density score. If the text were to be ignored, then SK’s lexical density would be lower than RA (5,7 compared to 6,8). SK was found to have fewer nominal groups than RA (236 compared to 255). RA uses classifier and qualifier, which are realized by lexical items, more than SK, while SK leads in numerative, which is often realized by function words. It is concluded that SK, which has lower lexical density, also uses a more ‘simple nominal group structure’ i.e only having one premodifier or postmodifier, and utilizes lexical items in their nominal groups less frequently than RA did.
The Seven Standards of Textuality in News Texts: A Discourse Analysis
Authors: Rahma Alya , Chelsea Julian , Agustina Imas Wahyu
Published: September 2023

The textuality of a text is important to decide whether a text could be considered a textual text or not. This study examines the textuality of some news articles about a recent trending topic that has drawn the world’s attention as it took many people’s lives: the Kanjuruhan tragedy. The data of this study were words, phrases, and sentences taken from five news articles which were then analyzed using de Beaugrande and Dressler’s theory concerning the seven standards that make a text considered acceptable or unacceptable in terms of textuality. The study revealed that those five texts have fulfilled all standards of textuality, which cover Cohesion, Coherence, Intentionality, Acceptability, Informativity, Situationality, and Intertextuality. Thus, those five articles can be considered trustworthy texts.
The Nature of Collaboration in Collaborative Editing Task: Evidence of First Language Use and Patterns of Interaction
Authors: Haloho Agnes Vebian , Lasito Lasito
Published: September 2023

This study aims to investigate the nature of collaboration in an EFL collaborative editing task, particularly the evidence of first language (L1) use and patterns of interaction that students used and formed when working with a passage editing task. The study recruited 22 students in grade eleven of SMA Xaverius, Pringsewu. The study follows the framework of Storchs’ dyadic interaction pattern (2002) and Storch and Aldosari's L1 function to code and analyze its data. The data of this study were transcripts of 11 pairs of students participating in an EFL editing task. This study found that the number of first-language use is bigger than the target language use. In percentage, the student average produced around 55,7% of words in the first language and 43,3% of words in the second language. The main function of the L1 is for grammar deliberation, followed by the deliberations over vocabulary (20,2% of all L1 turns), task management (11,1% of all L1 turns), mechanics deliberation (5% of all L1 turns), and last is generating ideas (4,5% of all L1 turns). The main interaction pattern used by the learners was the collaborative pattern (eight out of eleven pairs). The remaining pairs fit dominant/dominant, dominant/passive, and Expert/novice for each of the pair, respectively.
Unveiling the structural evolution of oxide surface in liquid water
Authors: Liu Wei-Tao , Li Xiaoqun , Brigiano Flavio S. , Pezzotti Simone , Liu Xinyi , Chen Wanlin , Chen Huiling , Li Ying , Li Hui , Shen Yuen-Ron , GAIGEOT Marie-Pierre
Published: September 2023

Aqueous interfaces of oxides are ubiquitous on our planet, playing a key role in the ecosphere1: for example, protonation/deprotonation of silicates in water dominates the weathering process that shapes the Earth landscape, and serves as the major sink in global carbon cycle2. In modern industrial applications, oxide/water interfaces also host many important reactions, such as the oxygen evolution in renewable energy schemes3. However, accurate knowledge about these interfaces still lacks at the molecular level, due to difficulties in accessing buried oxide surfaces4,5. Here we report an experimental scheme enabling in situ vibrational spectroscopy of oxide surfaces in liquid water. Application to the silicon oxide/water interface revealed surprisingly the emergence of new pathways from reactions with water. With ab initio molecular dynamics and metadynamics simulations, we uncovered a surface reconstruction, triggered by deprotonation of surface hydroxylated groups, that led to unconventional five-coordinated silicon species. The result demystifies the multimodal chemistry of aqueous silica discovered decades ago, bringing in new information that will radically modify our current understanding. Most exciting of all, our study provides new opportunities for future in-depth physical and chemical characterizations of all oxide/water interfaces.
Prednisolone Versus Colchicine for Acute Gout in Primary Care (COPAGO). Protocol for a two-arm multicentre, pragmatic, prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial of prednisolone and colchicine for non-inferiority with a parallel group design.
Authors: Truthmann Julia , Pereira Julia Freyer Martins , Richter Adrian , Schuster Franziska , Witte Amelie , Böhm Susanne , Greser Alexandra , Kamin Petra , Stracke Sylvia , Dörr Marcus , Bülow Robin , Engeli Stefan , Gágyor Ildikó , Hummers Eva , Chenot Jean-François
Published: September 2023

Background: Gout is the most common form of rheumatic disease in which monosodium urate crystals are deposited in the joints followed by acute inflammatory reactions. There are various approved drugs that can be prescribed for pain relief during an acute gout attack. However, to date, no direct comparison of efficacy of colchicine and prednisolone for the treatment of acute gout attacks has been investigated. Furthermore, the majority of previous research studies were not only conducted in tertiary centres but also excluded patients with common comorbidities due to contraindications to naproxen.
Methods: This pragmatic, prospective, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, randomized, non-inferiority trial investigates whether prednisolone (intervention) is non-inferior to treatment with colchicine (active control) in patients with acute gout. Adult patients presenting with acute gout to their general practitioners in 60 practices across 3 university sites (Greifswald, Göttingen, and Würzburg) are eligible to participate in the study. Participants in the intervention group receive 30 mg prednisolone for 5 days. Those in the control group receive low-dose colchicine (day 1: 1.5 mg; day 2-5: 1 mg). The primary outcome is the absolute level of the most severe pain on day 3 (in the last 24 hours) measured with an 11-item numerical rating scale. Day 0 is the day patients take their study medication for the first time. They are then asked to fill out a study diary the same time each day for pain quantification. Pain scores are used for comparison between the two medications. Secondary outcomes are average response to treatment, swelling, tenderness and physical function of the joint, patients' global assessment of treatment success, use of additional pain medication and non-pharmacological pain therapies. For safety reasons potential side effects and course of systolic blood pressure are assessed.
Discussion: This trial will provide evidence on the effectiveness of pain reduction and side effects of colchicine and prednisolone in acute gout in primary care.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05698680 first posted on January 26, 2023 (retrospectively registered). URL of trial registry record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05698680
Long-term Survival and Portal Vein Patency with Novel PVTT Surgery Approach in Advanced HCC Patients with Vp3/4 PVTT following Combination Therapy of TKIs and PD-1 Inhibitors
Authors: Tianyu Jiao , Tang Haowen , Zhang Wenwen , Hu Bingyang , Wan Tao , Cao Yinbiao , Zhang Ze , Wang Yafei , Cao Junning , Cui Mengqiu , Lu Shichun
Published: September 2023

Background:It is controversial whether patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) should undergo salvage surgery following the combination therapy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors. This study aimed to elucidate the efficiency and safety of salvage surgery following combination therapy, while also summarizing a novel surgical approach for Vp3/4 PVTT.Methods:Between April 2019 and December 2022, a consecutive series of unresectable HCC patients with PVTT who received salvage surgery following combination therapy were enrolled. Evaluation included perioperative and long-term follow-up outcomes. The complete removal of Vp3/4 PVTT was achieved using a novel surgical approach characterized by “longitudinal incision and transverse suturing” and “angle-to-straight conversion”.Results:Forty patients including 22 patients with Vp3 and 18 patients with Vp4 were included. Long-term follow-up showed similar rates of portal vein patency (Vp3: 95.5%, Vp4:94.4%,p=0.704), and 3-year portal vein patencyrates were 94.8%. There were no significant differences observed in combination therapy-related adverse events (p=0.253) and perioperative complications (p=0.613) between the Vp3 and Vp4 groups. The recurrence patterns were similar between the two groups (p=0.098). There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free (RFS) survival between the Vp3 and Vp4 groups (OSp=0.46, RFSp=1.00). Patients who achieved a pathological complete response had significantly better OS and RFS (OSp=0.04, RFSp=0.036).Conclusion:Salvage surgery after combination therapy demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety. The novel surgical approach for PVTT can effectively achieve complete removal of PVTT and ensured long-term portal vein patency.
Volcanic unrest as seen from the magmatic source– Reyðarártindur pluton, Iceland
Authors: Rhodes Emma , Burchardt Steffi , Greiner Sonja H M , Mattsson Tobias , Sigmundsson Freysteinn , Schmiedel Tobias , Barker Abigail K , Witcher Taylor
Published: September 2023

How the Earth’s crust accommodates magma emplacement influences the signals that can be detected by monitoring volcano seismicity and surface deformation, which are routinely used to forecast volcanic eruptions. However, we lack direct observational links between deformation caused by magma emplacement and monitoring signals. Here we use field mapping and photogrammetry to quantify deformation caused by the emplacement of at least 2.5 km3 of silicic magma in the Reyðarártindur pluton, Southeast Iceland. Our results show that magma emplacement triggered minor and local roof uplift, and that magma reservoir growth was instead largely aseismic by piecemeal floor subsidence. The distribution and orientation of fractures and faults in the reservoir roof can be explained by magmatic overpressure, suggesting that magma influx was not fully accommodated by floor subsidence. The tensile and shear fracturing would have caused detectable seismicity. Overpressure eventually culminated in eruption, as evidenced by exposed conduits that are associated with pronounced local subsidence of the roof rocks, and modelling suggests the formation of an asymmetric graben at the volcano surface. Hence, the field observations highlight processes that may take place in the roots of silicic volcanoes, not accounted for in widely used models to interpret volcano unrest at active volcanoes.
Fufang Zhenshu Tiaozhi Capsule Enhances Bone Formation and Safeguards against Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis through Innovative Mekk2-Mediated β-Catenin Deubiquitination
Authors: Hong Guoju , Wang Jiangyan , Ge Dongdong , Tang Lin , Hu Li , Ma Chenghong , Dong Qunwei , Sun Ping
Published: September 2023

Background
The homeostasis of bone is reliant on the regulation of β-catenin activity in osteoblasts. Glucocorticoids (GC) have been found to reduce β-catenin activity through Wnt pathway signaling, leading to osteoporotic pathology. On the other hand, the activation of β-catenin in osteoblasts can be mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 2 (Mekk2), which presents a promising and innovative therapeutic approach to counteract GC-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). The remarkable efficacy of Fufang Zhenshu Tiaozhi (FTZ) capsules in the treatment of GC-induced osteoporosis has been established, although the underlying mechanisms of action have yet to be determined.
Methods
In this investigation, Mekk2-/- mice were generated utilizing the CRISPR/Cas9 methodology and subjected to Alcian Blue-Alizarin Red staining and immunofluorescence for assessment. To create GIOP models, Mekk2-/- and WT mice were administered dexamethasone (DXMS) and subsequently treated with FTZ. The phenotypic variations in the mice models were analyzed by Micro-CT and histomorphology evaluations. Primary osteoblasts separated from Mekk2−/− and WT mice were subjected to FTZ or WNT3a treatments. Following this, phosphorylation levels of β-catenin and Mekk2, as well as the protein expression of Runx2, were assessed using western blotting and immunoprecipitation methods. C3H10T1/2 cells, which were transfected with TOPflash-luciferase and Renilla, were treated with FTZ and Wnt3a, and β-catenin activity was determined.
Results
The administration of FTZ in vivo successfully averted GC-induced bone loss. Notably, this protective effect was significantly undermined in Mekk2-deficient mice. Moreover, FTZ was found to effectively promote the process of osteogenic differentiation in primary osteoblasts by modulating the expression of Mekk2. It is noteworthy that the effects of FTZ on Mekk2 are mediated via a mechanism that operates independently of the Wnt signaling pathway. Furthermore, FTZ has been shown to enhance the process of β-catenin deubiquitination, thus further contributing to its beneficial effects on bone health.
Conclusions
The present study posits that FTZ exerts a remarkable safeguarding effect on bone mass in the context of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). The mechanism through which FTZ confers this benefit involves the activation of Mekk2/β-catenin signaling pathways, which represents a promising alternative strategy to counteract the deleterious effects of GIOP by augmenting osteoblastogenesis.
Health Risk Assessment of Marine Plastic Pollution in Communities along the Coastline of Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Adedokun Victoria Abimbola , Hammed Taiwo Babatunde , Lateef Suraju Adekunle
Published: September 2023

Marine plastic pollution is a major public health issue worldwide. Marine plastics release toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that cause endocrine disruption, cancers, and other adverse effects on man. However, research on these compounds in the Nigerian marine environment is limited. Using a cross-sectional design and incorporating a laboratory component, this study aimed to assess the health risks associated with marine plastic pollution in the Orimedu, Idado, and Eleko communities along the coastline of Lagos, Nigeria. Sediments and water samples were collected and analysed for concentration levels of six phthalate esters (PEs) and 23 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) after preparation. Health risk assessment was also computed using risk assessment models developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Results obtained were compared to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards for cancer risk (1.0×10− 5) and non-cancer risk (≤ 1.0). Eleko had the highest concentrations of both PEs (24.89 ± 0.01 mg/L of DIOP) and PCBs (0.06 ± 0.01 of PCB 206–2,2’,3,3’,4,4’5,5’,6-Nonachlorobiphenyl) in the water samples while in the sediment samples, Idado had the highest PE (69.00 ± 0.05 of DIOP) and Orimedu was found with the highest PCB (0.09 ± 0.03 of PCB 180– 2,2’,3,4,4’,5,5’- Heptachlorobiphenyl). Most of the PEs and PCBs were above the limits set by the WHO. As such, children and adults of the three communities, especially the Orimedu community, had a high risk for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases.
Towards eliminating friction and wear in plain bearings operating without lubrication
Authors: Kharanzhevskiy Evgeny V. , Ipatov Aleksey G. , Makarov Aleksey V. , Gil`mutdinov Faat Z.
Published: September 2023

Plain bearings, owing to their versatility and simplicity, are extensively utilized in engineering design across a variety of industries involving moving parts. Lubrication is vital to the functioning of these bearings so their usage is inhibited under dynamic load conditions or at elevated or reduced temperatures due to this dependency on lubrication. This study introduces an innovative method to significantly mitigate friction and wear in plain bearings operating without lubrication. The plain bearings were constructed from steel-bronze pairs, where the steel shafts were alloyed with bismuth oxide via short-pulse laser treatment. To incorporate the bismuth oxide into the surface layers of the steel, MnO2 was utilized as a carrier. Insights from transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy exposed a highly non-equilibrium state of matter, which is unattainable through conventional engineering methods. The tribological performance of the modified steel disks was assessed via a block-on-ring sliding test, demonstrating superior wear and friction performance without lubrication, and an ultra-low coefficient of friction. Remarkably, the modified friction pairs remained functional after 200 km of linear sliding at a load of 250 N (12.5 MPa) and a sliding speed of 9 m/s. To substantiate the technique's viability, we tested the performance of an internal combustion engine turbocharger fitted with a modified steel shaft. The turbocharger's performance validated the long-term effectiveness of the steel-bronze coupling operating without lubrication at 75,000 rpm. The simplicity and resilience of this technique for modifying steel-bronze pairs offer a ground-breaking and promising approach for a wide range of applications.
A rare case of Castleman disease presented with diffuse ground glass nodules in both lungs
Authors: Guo Xiaotong , Zhu Caixia , Zhang Fen , Chen Juan , Zhang Kedong
Published: September 2023

Castleman disease(CD), also known as giant lymphadenopathy or angiofollicular lymphadenopathy, was firstly reported by Castleman in 1954[1]. CD is a rare chronic lymphoproliferative disease, and its etiology and pathogenesis is still not completely clear. Clinically, according to the distribution of swollen lymph nodes, CD is divided into Unicentric CD (UCD) and multicentric CD (MCD). The main manifestations of UCD are single-site lymph node enlargement, lack of specific clinical manifestations and abnormal laboratory indicators. MCD mostly presents as diffuse lymphadenopathy, which is a rare polyclonal B lymphoproliferative disorder that straddles the intersections of hematology, oncology, rheumatology, and virology[2]. CD that presents with diffuse parenchymal lung disease is extremely rare. Here, we report a 48-year-old woman diagnosed with CD, which presents with diffuse nodules in both lungs.
lncRNA-ZFAS1, an emerging gate-keeper in DNA damage-dependent transcriptional regulation
Authors: Wang Yuming
Published: September 2023

Numerous long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are generated in response to external stimuli, but the scope and functions of such activity are not known. Here, we provide insight into how the transcription of lncRNAs are connected to DNA damage response by identifying a lncRNA ZFAS1, which is required for cell cycle arrest, transcription regulation and DNA repair. Mechanistically, ZFAS1 facilitates the changing hyper-phosphorylated RNAPII (hyper) isoforms around transcription initiation sites by directly targeting the regulated genes. We revealed extensive transcription shutdown and concomitant stimulated engagement of RNAPII-Ser2P are crucial for repair and cell survival upon genotoxic stress. Finally, ZFAS1knockout in mice dampened transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) and led to kidney dysplasia. Our study extends the understanding of lncRNAs in DNA damage repair (DDR) and implies a protective role of lncRNA against DDR-deficient developmental disorders.
Morphological and molecular identification for four new species of wood-inhabiting macrofungi (Basidiomycota, Hydnodontaceae) from Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, China
Authors: Luo Kaiyue , Su Jiangqing , Chen Zhuoyue , Cheng Lijun , Zhao Changlin
Published: September 2023

Four new wood-inhabiting fungi, Trechispora albofarinosa, T. rhizomorpha, T. stipitata and T. wenshanensis spp. nov., are proposed based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. Trechispora albofarinosa is characterized by the farinosa basidiomata with flocculence hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and ellipsoid, warted basidiospores. Trechispora rhizomorpha is characterized by the membranous basidiomata with odontioid hymenial surface, rhizomorphic sterile margin, barrelled basidia and subglobose to broad ellipsoid, smooth basidiospores. Trechispora stipitata is characterized by the solitary or imbricate, laterally stipitate basidiomata, fan shaped pileus, radially striatecovered the surface with appressed scales, odontioid hymenophore surface, and subglobose to broad ellipsoid, thin-walled, smooth basidiospores. Trechispora wenshanensis is characterized by a cottony basidiomata with a smooth hymenial surface, and ellipsoid, thin-walled, warted basidiospores. Sequences of ITS, nLSU, mt-SSU, GAPDH, RPB1, RPB2 markers of the studied samples were generated and phylogenetic analyses were performed with the maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogram based on the ITS+nLSU rDNA gene regions included fourteen orders within Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota), in which the new species of Trechispora were grouped within the order Trechisporales. The phylogenetic tree inferred from the ITS sequences and the topology ITS+nLSU+mt-SSU+GAPDH+RPB1+RPB2 dataset highlighted that four new species were grouped into the genus Trechispora.
Prevalence And Causes Of Social Media Usage And Addiction Status Of Pregnant Women
Authors: BOZAN Merve BAĞRICI , CANGÖL Eda
Published: September 2023

Background
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and causes of social media usage and the addiction status of pregnant.
Materials and methods
This cross-sectional study, which was conducted in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinics of a university and state hospital between December 2019 and February 2020 in a city in the west of Turkey, aims to determine the prevalence and causes of social media usage and the addiction status of pregnant women. 500 people were included in the study. The data were collected with the face-to-face interview technique in the outpatient clinics.
Results
The prevalence of the pregnant women’s social media usage was found to be 100%. The average daily social media usage was 3.5 hours, whereas the social media addiction index was X̅ = 65.58. There were 358 pregnant women (71.6%) with high social media addiction scores.
Conclusions
In the study, it was concluded that all the pregnant women used social media and that most of them had a high level of social media addiction.
Study on the anti-inflammatory activity of N-( E )-p-Coumaroyl tyrosine in vitro and vivo
Authors: chen lishi , Guo yuhai , Yu jiaxian , Liu roujia , Tang wenjing , Zhou feirong , Zhang biting , Yuan xujiang , Yu Chuqin
Published: September 2023

N-(E)-p-coumaroyl tyrosine (NPCT) is a phenolic amino acid derivative extracted from the Leguminosae Abrus Mollis Hance which has anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the inflammatory activity and mechanism of NPCT by establishing a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in vitro and an injured zebrafish tail fin in vivo. The results showed that NPCT decreased the levels of ROS, NO, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 secreted by LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, the results of in vivo studies showed that it inhibited the aggregation of neutrophils and macrophages to the tail after tail cutting stimulation. In summary, NPCT inhibited the production of NO and ROS, decreased the secretions of IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18, and reduced the aggregation of zebrafish neutrophils and macrophages. Therefore, NPCT may be developed as a potential therapeutic option for inflammatory diseases.