bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crosstalk between lactic acid and immune regulation and its value in the diagnosis and treatment of liver failure
Authors: Lin Yong , Yan Gengjie , Wang Minggang , Zhang Kan , Shu Faming , Liu Meiyan , Long Fuli , Mao Dewen
Published: September 2023

Liver failure is a common clinical syndrome of severe liver diseases, which belongs to one of the critical medical conditions. Immune response plays a leading role in the pathogenesis of liver failure. Lactic acid as a target for the treatment and prediction of liver failure has not attracted enough attention. Since the emergence of the concept of “histone lactation,” lactic acid has shown great promise in immune response and escape. Therefore, targeted lactic acid may be a reliable agent to solve immune and energy metabolism disorders in liver failure. Based on the relationship between lactic acid and immune response, the cross-talk between lactic acid metabolism, its compounds, and immune regulation and its significance in the diagnosis and treatment of liver failure were expounded in this article to provide new ideas for understanding and treating liver failure.
Clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of gastric pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yang-Kun , Ma Li , Wang Zhi-Qiang , Wang Yue , Li Ping , Jiang Bo , Wang Su-Nan
Published: September 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of gastric pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) gene testing were conducted for seven cases of gastric pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma. In histomorphological terms, all seven cases involved pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma, accounting for more than 10% of the entire tumor, with pleomorphic spindle cells and giant cells mixed with various histomorphological structures of adenocarcinoma with high, intermediate, and low differentiation. There was large heterogeneity in the HER2 protein expression and HER2 gene amplification in the gastric pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma, and both levels of HER2 were focal in three cases, accounting for 42.9% (3/7). The mismatch repair gene proteins MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, and MSH6 were positive. Routine immunohistochemical markers, i.e., pan-cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, villin, caudal-type homeobox 2, E-cadherin, and p53, were positive in the gastric pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma, while vimentin, calponin, smooth muscle actin, nestin, S-100, cluster of differentiation (CD) 99, desmin, and CD34 were focally expressed in both the spindle and the giant cells, with Ki-67-positive cells accounting for 70–80%. Gastric pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma presents multiple histomorphological features and is easily confused with various tumors. Clarifying the histopathological features of this type of tumor is important for differential diagnosis and precise treatment.
Effect of fermentation of Danisco mixed lactic acid bacteria and single Bifidobacterium lactis HCS04-001 on metabolites of soy yogurt
Authors: Xinyue Xu , Huaitian Cui , Jiaxin Xu , Zhiheng Yuan , Jun Li , Jun Liu , Liu He , Danshi Zhu
Published: September 2023

In this study, the effects of Danisco mixed lactic acid bacteria and single Bifidobacterium lactis HCS04-001 fermentation on metabolites in soy yogurt were investigated. The main volatile metabolites in sample D fermented by Danisco mixed lactic acid bacteria were aldehydes, followed by alcohols and ketones. In contrast, the main flavor substances in sample SQ fermented by single Bifidobacterium lactis HCS04-001 were alcohols followed by aldehydes. L-Arginine, S-Adenosylhomocysteine, Glutamyltyrosine, Gly-Trp, Ser-Trp, Ile-Ser-Leu, Pro-Val-Leu etc. and D-Ornithine, Citrulline, Glutamylproline, organic acid were the main non-volatile differential metabolites that distinguished the soy yogurt samples. Arginine biosynthesis and glutathione metabolism were important pathways leading to differences in metabolic profiles. This study provides detailed insight into the metabolic properties of commercial Danisco mixed lactic acid bacteria and single Bifidobacterium lactis HCS04-001 fermentations, which will contribute to the development of soy yogurt with good nutritional and sensory qualities.
Construction pit deformation measurement technology based on neural network algorithm
Authors: Wu Yong , Zhou Xiaoli
Published: September 2023

The current technology of foundation pit deformation measurement is inefficient, and its accuracy is not ideal. Therefore, an intelligent prediction model of foundation pit deformation based on back propagation neural network (BPNN) is proposed to predict the foundation pit deformation intelligently, with high accuracy and efficiency, so as to improve the safety of the project. Firstly, to address the shortcomings of BPNNs, which rely on the initial parameter settings and tend to fall into local optimum and unstable performance, this study adopts the modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) to optimise the parameters of BPNNs and constructs a pit deformation prediction model based on the MPSO–BP algorithm to achieve predictive measurements of pit deformation. After training and testing the data samples, the results show that the prediction accuracy of the MPSO–BP pit deformation prediction model is 99.76%, which is 2.25% higher than that of the particle swarm optimization–back propagation (PSO–BP) pit deformation prediction model and 3.01% higher than that of the BP pit deformation prediction model. The aforementioned results show that the MPSO–BP pit deformation prediction model proposed in this study can effectively predict the pit deformation variables of construction projects and provide data support for the protective measures of the staff, which is helpful for the cause of construction projects in China.
Effect of lightweight expanded clay aggregate as partial replacement of coarse aggregate on the mechanical properties of fire-exposed concrete
Authors: Abdullah Alaa H. , Mohammed Shatha D.
Published: September 2023

As aggregate material typically comprises 65–75% of concrete volume and has a significant effect on its mechanical properties, aggregate type considerably affects concrete behavior at high temperatures. In this study, 80 concrete cylinders and 60 cubes were cast to investigate the residual strength of normal concrete that contains lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) with different volumetric replacement ratios (0, 10, 20, and 30%) of the coarse aggregate. After the fire flame exposure effect of steady-state temperatures (300, 400, 500, and 600°C), and a sudden cooling process, the mechanical tests (compressive strength, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity; Ec), as well as mass loss and thermal conductivity, were carried out on the specimens. The results indicate that increasing the LECA content in the mixture leads to better strength retention after exposure to fire. After exposure to a steady-state temperature of 600°C, the amount of decrease in mass, residual compressive and tensile strengths, and the residual amount of Ec were 7.61, 7.5, 7.16, and 6.24%; 57.1, 66.8, 69.8, and 72.0%; 22.4, 32.7, 41.8, and 48.6%;, and 16.0, 22.3, 23.4, and 24.3%, respectively, for the considered volumetric replacement ratios of 0, 10, 20, and 30%. Also, the values of the thermal conductivity were 1.4889, 1.1667, 1.0912, and 1.0410 W/m K, respectively.
Congestion control analysis of optical packet switch for optical data center applications
Authors: Shukla Utkarsh , Singh Archana , Singhal Neeraj
Published: September 2023

Optical data centers serve as the backbone of modern networking, facilitating seamless connectivity for users across the globe. The connection between users and the optical data centers is established through various network topologies, which play a critical role in determining the traffic characteristics. The design and implementation of these network topologies, along with the assortment of applications hosted on optical data centers, significantly influence the flow of data within the network. The advent of cloud computing has further revolutionized optical data center operations, leading to the coexistence of a wide range of applications on different optical data center switches. As a result, the traffic characteristics observed on each optical data center switch vary significantly. This diversity in traffic patterns necessitates a comprehensive understanding of how data arrival is managed and handled by the networking infrastructure. In this paper, we explore the concept of a random traffic model for data arrival on Top of Rack (ToR) switches, which represent a crucial component of optical data center networking. In the modeling, small world model is considered. The effect of buffering and packet priorities is observed on traffic shaping. Finally, to evaluate the effectiveness of the traffic shaping techniques, we measure the packet loss performance of ToR switches and found to be as low as 10−4 even at the higher loads. Blocking performance provides valuable insights into how effectively the optical data center network manages incoming data and avoids congestion or bottlenecks.
Down-regulated Wnt7a and GPR124 in early-onset preeclampsia placentas reduce invasion and migration of trophoblast cells
Authors: Shen Yan , Cui Qingyu , Xiao Li , Wang Lifeng , Li Qianqian , Zhang Ruihong , Chen Zhaowen , Niu Jianmin
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease specific to pregnancy that causes 9–10 % of maternal deaths. Early-onset PE (<34 weeks’ gestation) is the most dangerous category of PE. Wnt7a and GPR124 (G protein-coupled receptor 124) are widely expressed in the human reproductive process. Especially during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis, Wnt7a plays a crucial role. However, few studies have examined the association between Wnt7a-GPR124 and early-onset PE. The aim of this study was to examine the significance of Wnt7a and GPR124 in early-onset PE as well as Wnt7a’s role in trophoblast cells.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC), real-time PCR, and western blotting (WB) were used to investigate Wnt7a and GPR124 expression in normal and early-onset PE placentas. Additionally, FACS, Transwell, and CCK-8 assays were used to diagnose Wnt7a involvement in migration, invasion, and proliferation.

Results

In the early-onset PE group, Wnt7a and GPR124 expression was significantly lower than in the normal group, especially in the area of syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). A negative correlation was found between Wnt7a RNA and GPR124 expression (r=−0.42, p<0.01). However, the Wnt7a RNA expression level was positive correlated with PE severity. In further cellular functional experiments, knockdown of Wnt7a inhibits HTR8/SVeno cells invasion and migration but has little effect on proliferation and apoptosis.

Conclusions

Through the Wnt pathway, Wnt7a regulates trophoblast cell invasion and migration, and may contribute to early-onset preeclampsia pathogenesis. A molecular level study of Wnt7a will be needed to find downstream proteins and mechanisms of interaction.
Physical and chemical properties of beads glasses
Authors: Zarkooshi Ahmad Abdulhasan , Kaleli Murat , Tuncel Nina , Akkurt Iskender
Published: September 2023

The chemical and physical characterization of glass beads in different sizes with diameters 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm and 6 mm, respectively, have been studied in this paper. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis exhibited that the structure of glass bead is amorphous, and the diffraction peaks for annealing sample 400 °C and 600 °C, respectively, are seen at 2θ values ranged (26.165°–29.47°). The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and chemical composition measurement by Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) system have been conducted; they exhibited that all the samples have the same smooth surface, and the chemical composition analysis showed that the weight percentage of oxygen and silicon were dominant elements in the main structure of glass beads as well as some other elements like Ca, Mg, and Na were observed.
Gigantic blue shift of two-photon–induced photoluminescence of interpenetrated metal–organic framework (MOF)
Authors: Chen Zhihui , Xu Defeng , Zhu Menglong , Wang Yueting , Feng Junfan , Shu Chuancun , Xiao Si , Meng Jianqiao , He Jun
Published: September 2023

As an important means of modern science and technology, multiphoton fluorescence plays an essential role in high-resolution imaging, photochemistry, micro- and nano-processing and clinical diagnosis. Multiphoton fluorescence usually shares the same radiative channel as its intrinsic fluorescence. Under multiphoton excitation, except for red shift fluorescence caused by the reabsorption effect, gigantic blue shift of multiphoton fluorescence is rarely reported. In this work, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with 7-fold and 8-fold interpenetration are successfully synthesized. The synthesized 8-fold interpenetrated MOFs show unexpectedly giant blue-shifted (∼40 nm) two-photon–induced fluorescence compared with its fluorescence emission. Specific optical selection rules lead to different final transition states in one-photon absorption and two-photon absorption. The density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) simulations show that, under two-photon excitation, electrons and holes can be more delocalized, and intermolecular interactions mainly govern the emission process of 8-fold interpenetrated MOFs. Highly excited electronic states of the interpenetrated MOFs are effectively excited and emitted under two-photon excitation, thus generating the inevitable blue-shifted two-photon–induced fluorescence emission. Our work provides a guide for exploring the excitation mechanism of fluorescent MOFs and offers an access to a tunable all-optical single-crystal device.
The crystal structure of catena-[diaqua-(4-acetylphenoxyacetato-κ
2
O,O)-bis(4-acetylphenoxyacetato-κ
3
O,O:O)-dihydrate-lanthanum(III)]–4,4′-bipyridine (2/1), C35H35NO14La
Authors: Ying Liu , Xi-Hai Yan , Yuan-Fang Wang , Xi-Shi Tai
Published: September 2023

C35H35NO14La, triclinic,

P
‾

$\overline{P}$

1 (no. 2), a = 9.06760(10) Å, b = 13.6139(2) Å, c = 15.5964(2) Å, α = 115.2310(10)∘, ß = 97.4010(10)∘, γ = 95.4830(10)∘, V = 1702.65(4) Å3, Z = 2, R

gt
(F) = 0.0431, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1059, T = 296.13(10) K.
Nonlinear dynamic responses of ballasted railway tracks using concrete sleepers incorporated with reinforced fibres and pre-treated crumb rubber
Authors: Raj Anand , Ngamkhanong Chayut , Prasittisopin Lapyote , Kaewunruen Sakdirat
Published: September 2023

Damages on railway sleepers due to heavy impact loads induced by the movement of trains can be reduced by improving their impact resistance. Fibre-reinforced/pre-treated crumb rubber concrete sleepers (RCSs) have the potential to display significant impact resistance to withstand a high-magnitude impact load. The ideal proportions of pre-treated crumb rubber, steel fibres, and polypropylene fibres (PFs) can be identified based on the minimum cost-to-impact energy ratio after conducting a drop weight impact test on prisms. The numerical model developed to assess the behaviour of ballasted tracks has been validated using both simulation results and field measurements. Numerical studies have been conducted on ballasted rail tracks with steel and PF-reinforced/pre-treated RCSs using LS-DYNA software. Dynamic strain rate-dependent material parameters are introduced in the numerical simulations. The nonlinear effect of higher train speeds on dynamic track responses has been highlighted in this article. Although the static load-carrying capacity and modulus of elasticity of rubber concrete are low, their dynamic performance controls the track displacements from exceeding permissible limits. The outcome of this study will provide new insights into the effects of railway concrete sleepers incorporated with reinforced fibres and pre-treated crumb rubber on railway track performance in order to ensure safety and reliability before it is put into services.
Long non-coding RNA, FOXP4-AS1, acts as a novel biomarker of cancers
Authors: Yu Liang , Lu Juan
Published: September 2023

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a recently discovered class of non-coding RNAs with a length of more than 200 nucleotides. Dysregulation of lncRNAs has been implicated in the development and progression of various human diseases and has pivotal functions in diverse biological processes, like cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion. LncRNAs are increasingly being identified as potential targets for clinical applications based on their functional mechanisms, which are gradually being elucidated. One such disease-related lncRNA is the forkhead box P4-AS1 (FOXP4-AS1), which is abnormally expressed in multiple human diseases, including cancer and non-cancerous diseases. Moreover, FOXP4-AS1’s expression is linked with the clinical characteristics of patients. Mechanistically, FOXP4-AS1 mediates several cellular processes mainly through its target genes. Therefore, FOXP4-AS1 has been extensively investigated for its diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential. In this review, we discuss the expression patterns, major role, and molecular mechanisms of FOXP4-AS1, along with its association with clinical features and potential applications in clinical settings.
Salzburgs tränenreiche Urgeschichte – Bernstein als Medium sozialer und kultureller Interaktion
Authors: Wendling Holger
Published: September 2023

Bernstein besitzt als fossiles Baumharz aufgrund seiner spezifischen physischen Eigenschaften eine Aura, die ihn bis heute gleichermaßen als Schmuckstein und magisch-religiöses Amulett begehrt machte. Die überregionale, im antiken Sinne ‚globale‘ Verbreitung des baltischen Succinits findet ihren Niederschlag auch in den Ostalpen. Besonders der zentrale Kommunikationskorridor entlang der Salzach und des anschließenden Tauerntransits besticht während aller Epochen durch eine hohe Dichte von Bernsteinobjekten. Die Region dient deshalb als Modellfall zur Untersuchung zeitlich variabler Aspekte der Aneignung, Nutzung, ideellen Bedeutung und Verbreitung des Bernsteins.

Neben sehr seltenen bronzezeitlichen Objekten und einer häufigeren Verwendung in der frühen Eisenzeit ist der Dürrnberg bei Hallein neben dem benachbarten Salzrevier von Hallstatt einer der europäischen Schwerpunkte der Bernsteinnutzung während der Späthallstatt- und Frühlatènezeit. Hier liefern neue quantitative und qualitative Analysen Indizien für sich wandelnde Muster in Trageweise, Nutzung und symbolisch-magischer Bedeutung von Bernsteinschmuck. In der jüngeren Latènezeit kommt es regional und in weiteren Bereichen Europas zu einem graduellen Rückgang der Bernsteinnutzung. Er setzt sich in der römischen Kaiserzeit im Gebiet des municipium Claudium Iuvavum fort, bevor ein letztes Aufleben des Bernsteinschmucks im Frühmittelalter einsetzte.

In diachroner Perspektive werden zeitspezifische Muster in der Verwendung und Integration des fremdartigen Rohstoffes in die indigene materielle Kultur und magische Vorstellungswelt deutlich. Bernstein erscheint allerdings nicht nur als ‚Beiprodukt‘ rein ökonomischer Kommunikation entlang transregionaler Handels- und Verkehrsbeziehungen der sogenannten ‚Bernsteinstraßen‘. Vielmehr zeigen qualitative und quantitative Analysen, dass der Bernstein zu unterschiedlichen Zeiten bewusst als Medium sozialer Kommunikation gewählt oder verworfen sowie inhaltlich mit konkreten Bedeutungen belegt wurde. In Prozessen intentioneller kultureller Aneignung offenbart das exotische Material damit die differenzierte Entscheidungs- und Handlungskompetenz indigener Gemeinschaften der mitteleuropäischen Ur- und Frühgeschichte.
Some remarks on studies of Prehistoric craft production from the perspective of Gottfried Semper’s ideas
Authors: Palaguta Ilia
Published: September 2023

The approach developed by Gottfried Semper in the mid-19th century seems to be quite productive for studying the evolution of forms and decoration of objects of material culture. Based on the relationship between the properties of materials and technologies, it formed the basis of modern design practices. The use of this approach makes it possible to explain many phenomena, particularly, the emergence of skeuomorphic forms of ornament (so-called ‘technical ornament’), and also to expand our understanding of materials and technologies that have not reached our time. The reconstruction of non-preserved elements of culture can be complemented by studies on their visual representation in fine art. The principle of development of material culture can also be represented as a movement from the archetype to the material embodiment of ideas, which is possible at the corresponding level of technological development.
The potential effect of walking on quantitative sensory testing, pain catastrophizing, and perceived stress: an exploratory study
Authors: Rasmussen Anna Houmøller , Petersen Lærke Kjeldgaard , Kaasgaard Sperling Mette , Bertelsen Maria Møller , Rathleff Michael Skovdal , Petersen Kristian Kjær-Staal
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Studies suggest that a range of pain mechanisms, such as poor quality of sleep, perceived stress, pain catastrophizing or pain sensitivity, are likely to enhance clinical pain. Animal studies suggest that these pain mechanisms can be modulated by increasing physical activity, but human data are needed to support this hypothesis. This exploratory study aimed to investigate the changes in pain mechanisms after a simple self-directed walking program of 8-weeks. Additionally, this exploratory study investigated the interaction between changes over time in assessments of poor quality of sleep, perceived stress, pain catastrophizing or pain sensitivity and how these changes interacted with each other.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 30 healthy subjects who were assessed at baseline and 4- and 8-weeks after initiating the walking program (30 min walking/day for 8 weeks). Self-report outcomes included: Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Pressure pain thresholds, temporal summation of pain and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) were assessed using cuff algometry.

Results

Twenty-four subjects completed all the visits (age: 42.2, SD: 14.9, 16 females). PCS and PSS significantly decreased at the 8-week’s visit compared to baseline (p<0.05). No significant differences were seen for an improvement in quality of sleep (p=0.071) and pain sensitivity (p>0.075) when comparing the 8-week’s visit to the baseline visit. Changes in pain mechanisms comparing baseline and 8-weeks data were calculated and regression analyses found that an improvement in PCS was associated with an improvement in CPM (R2=0.197, p=0.017) and that a higher adherence to the walking program was associated with a larger improvement in PCS (R2=0.216, p=0.013).

Conclusions

The current exploratory study indicates that a simple self-directed walking program of 8-weeks can improve pain catastrophizing thoughts, perceived stress. Higher adherence to the walking program were associated with an improvement in pain catastrophizing and an improvement in pain catastrophizing was associated with an increase in conditioned pain modulation.
ROTA DE INTEGRAÇÃO LATINO AMERICANA: A IMPORTÂNCIA DA GOVERNANÇA CORPORATIVA NO DESENVOLVIMENTO EMPRESARIAL SUL-MATO-GROSSENSE
Authors: Bastos Beatriz Silva , Salazar Milena Barbosa , Shiota Hanae Caroline Quintana , Dorsa Arlinda Cantero
Published: September 2023

É importante destacar que há a necessidade imperiosa de as empresas atuarem de forma responsável e cidadã, não se limitando apenas aos cuidados previstos com relação às licenças previstas em órgãos regulatórios para  seu funcionamento, como também em se preocupar com todos os agentes que estiverem envolvidos ou interessados nas atividades. Sobre esta temática, este artigo discute a importância da governança corporativa no desenvolvimento empresarial sul-mato-grossense com vistas à implantação da Rota Bioceânica. Para tanto, objetiva-se um panorama sobre conhecimento em governança corporativa a fim de influenciar os mais diversos agentes na adoção das melhores práticas, contribuindo para o desempenho sustentável das organizações e, consequentemente, para uma sociedade melhor; e, que possam servir de subsídios teóricos para a implantação da Rota. Neste contexto, esta pesquisa em andamento aborda a esfera de atuação das organizações no mundo atual, sendo relevante destacar o aumento significativo dos desafios sociais e ambientais sejam eles globais, regionais ou locais. Desta forma, pretende-se realizar uma pesquisa exploratória, bibliográfica e documental a partir de uma abordagem qualitativa do material encontrado. Importante salientar que esta pesquisa relaciona-se ao Observatório interdisciplinar ligado à Universidade Católica Dom Bosco e à Rede de Pesquisas de Universidades – UniRila e tem como focalização oferecer um espaço de estudo, pesquisa, organização, difusão de conhecimentos e aplicação dos mais distintos temas a fim de oferecer substratos às ações de interesse público e privado, com vistas à implantação da Rota Bioceânica. Como resultados preliminares, é de suma importância que o estado do MS esteja preparado para uma gestão corporativa  e assim possibilitar a estimulação do comércio regional, o aprofundamento das relações de integração entre os quatro países e o fomento do turismo cultural.
APONTAMENTOS TEÓRICOS PARA A CONSTRUÇÃO DE COLETIVOS MULTITUDINÁRIOS
Authors: Cavalcanti Eliane Cristina Tenório , Silva Andrea Costa da
Published: September 2023

O presente artigo tem como objetivo compreender como os coletivos de estudantes universitários se organizam a partir de estratégias, lutas, resistências e produção biopolítica. De cunho teórico, iremos recorrer principalmente aos conceitos de multidão, comum e trabalho imaterial elaborados por Antonio Negri e Michael Hardt. Tais pressupostos teóricos nos ajudam a entender a configuração e organização desses novos agrupamentos. Pretendemos abordar a potência dos modos de atuação descentralizados e autogestionados evidenciada pela cooperação e produção coletiva, possibilitando assim um ambiente de convivência plural e democrático.
Abolishing the Captivity of a Tyrannized Woman: Evidence of Bion's Concept of the Contact-Barrier as Manifested in Dreams
Authors: Roitman Yaakov
Published: September 2023

Bion's notion of the contact-barrier formulates a semipermeable membrane responsible for preserving the distinction between the conscious and the unconscious. However, the question of how a newly established contact-barrier manifests itself in dreams remains unanswered. The author proposes that one such manifestation occurs when a patient sees themself asleep in a dream. A case of a severely traumatized woman who had difficulty thinking and being close to others is used to explore these clinical ideas. The author, in response to his reveries in a session, introduced a playful dream-like dialogue between a playwright and his reader. The nature of the communication, in functioning as a barrier, served to protect the patient from a tyrannizing reality: the therapist's sexuality. This intersubjective barrier helped the patient to contact dissociated and damaged parts of herself, and it also facilitated her ability to dream a sense of her own boundaries, femininity, and sexuality.
Selected Determinants of the Quality of Life of Patients with Degenerative Changes of the Spine
Authors: Krzemińska Sylwia , Nowak Agnieszka , Borodzicz Adriana , Bąk Ewelina , Kostka Anna
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Degenerative spinal disease is considered one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in Poland and worldwide. Sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, and spinal overload contribute to this state of affairs. The chronic nature of the disease, along with pain and functional limitations of the musculoskeletal system, impact the quality of life.

Aim. To determine the level of life quality and factors influencing the quality of life in patients with degenerative spinal changes.

Material and Methods. The study involved 107 individuals aged between 55 and 65 years. Standardized research tools were utilized, including the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Activities of Daily Living scale (ADL), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQoL-BREF) questionnaire.

Results. The level of illness acceptance in the study population was 26.52 points (SD=6.61). All respondents experienced pain symptoms, with an average pain intensity of 7.02 (SD=1.13). The average self-assessed quality of life among the participants was 3.5 points (SD=0.76), while the average self-assessed health rating was 2.54 points (SD=0.7). Spinal disability affected all patients in the lumbar region, whereas no disability was reported in the cervical region by 27.10% of the respondents.

Conclusions. Patients with degenerative spinal changes have a relatively good quality of life and a moderate level of illness acceptance. Age, marital status, occupational activity, body mass, pain intensity, and degree of disability all influence the quality of life. (JNNN 2023;12(1):44–52)
Food Restriction Level and Reinforcement Schedule Differentially Influence Behavior during Acquisition and Devaluation Procedures in Mice
Authors: Chevée Maxime , Kim Courtney J. , Crow Nevin , Follman Emma G. , Leonard Michael Z. , Calipari Erin S.
Published: September 2023

Behavioral strategies are often classified based on whether reinforcer value controls reinforcement. Value-sensitive behaviors, in which animals update their actions when reinforcer value is changed, are classified as goal-directed; conversely, value-insensitive actions, where behavior remains consistent when the reinforcer is removed or devalued, are considered habitual. Basic reinforcement schedules can help to bias behavior toward either process: random ratio (RR) schedules are thought to promote the formation of goal-directed behaviors while random intervals (RIs) promote habitual control. However, how the schedule-specific features of these tasks interact with other factors that influence learning to control behavior has not been well characterized. Using male and female mice, we asked how distinct food restriction levels, a strategy often used to increase task engagement, interact with RR and RI schedules to control performance during task acquisition and devaluation procedures. We determined that food restriction level has a stronger effect on the behavior of mice following RR schedules compared with RI schedules, and that it promotes a decrease in response rate during devaluation procedures that is best explained by the effects of extinction rather than devaluation. Surprisingly, food restriction accelerated the decrease in response rates observed following devaluation across sequential extinction sessions, but not within a single session. Our results support the idea that the relationships between schedules and behavioral control strategies are not clear-cut and suggest that an animal’s engagement in a task must be accounted for, together with the structure of reinforcement schedules, to appropriately interpret the cognitive underpinnings of behavior.
Structural Fingerprinting of the Frontal Aslant Tract: Predicting Cognitive Control Capacity and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms
Authors: Wang Danni , Fan Qing , Xiao Xiang , He Hongjian , Yang Yihong , Li Yao
Published: September 2023

White matter of the human brain is influenced by common genetic variations and shaped by neural activity-dependent experiences. Variations in microstructure of cerebral white matter across individuals and even across fiber tracts might underlie differences in cognitive capacity and vulnerabilities to mental disorders. The frontoparietal and cingulo-opercular networks of the brain constitute the central system supporting cognitive functions, and functional connectivity of these networks has been used to distinguish individuals known as “functional fingerprinting.” The frontal aslant tract (FAT) that passes through the two networks has been implicated in executive functions. However, whether FAT can be used as a “structural fingerprint” to distinguish individuals and predict an individual's cognitive function and dysfunction is unknown. Here we investigated the fingerprinting property of FAT microstructural profiles using three independent diffusion MRI datasets with repeated scans on human participants including both females and males. We found that diffusion and geometric profiles of FAT can be used to distinguish individuals with a high accuracy. Next, we demonstrated that fractional anisotropy in different FAT segments predicted distinct cognitive functions, including working memory, inhibitory control, and relational reasoning. Finally, we assessed the contribution of altered FAT microstructural profiles to cognitive dysfunction in unmedicated patients with obsessive-compulsive disorders. We found that the altered microstructure in FAT was associated with the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Collectively, our findings suggest that the microstructural profiles of FAT can identify individuals with a high accuracy and may serve as an imaging marker for predicting an individual's cognitive capacity and disease severity.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe frontoparietal network and cingulo-opercular network of the brain constitute a dual-network architecture for human cognitive functions, and functional connectivity of these two networks can be used as a “functional fingerprint” to distinguish individuals. However, the structural underpinnings of these networks subserving individual heterogeneities in their functional connectivity and cognitive ability remain unknown. We show here that the frontal aslant tract (FAT) that passes through the two networks distinguishes individuals with a high accuracy. Further, we demonstrate that the diffusion profiles of FAT predict distinct cognitive functions in healthy subjects and are associated with the clinical symptoms in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorders. Our findings suggest that the FAT may serve as a unique structural fingerprint underlying individual cognitive capability.
Methane venting from uncontrolled production storage tanks at conventional oil wells—Temporal variability, root causes, and implications for measurement
Authors: Festa-Bianchet Simon A. , Milani Zachary R. , Johnson Matthew R.
Published: September 2023

Uncontrolled oil production storage tanks are important but poorly understood sources of methane (CH4) emissions in the upstream oil and gas sector. This study reports and analyzes directly measured, temporally varying CH4 emission rates, total gas vent rates, and vent gas CH4 fractions from storage tanks at eight active upstream oil production sites in Alberta, Canada. Using a built-for-purpose optical mass flux meter (VentX) supplemented by an ultrasonic flow meter and quantitative optical gas imaging camera where possible, mean vent rates (whole gas) among tanks in the study ranged from 37 to 598 m3/d; however, at some individual tanks, instantaneous flow rates could vary significantly from 0 to over 4,000 m3/d for minutes at a time, while unsteady CH4 volume fractions varied by up to 41% absolute. Root cause analysis revealed the limits of estimating vented emissions from oil production volumes using an assumed gas–oil ratio, especially in cases where produced gas from wells fully or partially bypasses separators. The analysis of the acquired data also demonstrated how 1-h duration vent measurements recommended in some regulations are insufficient to reliably estimate emissions from unsteady tanks. These two factors are the likely reason for significantly underreported vent rates in the present sample and are thought to be a key cause of the mismeasurement/underestimation of tank venting that has driven persistent gaps between bottom-up inventories and top-down measurements. Finally, detailed statistical analyses were completed to suggest minimum sampling durations and instrumentation requirements for direct measurements of tanks and minimum sample sizes for discrete (“snapshot”) surveys of both individual tanks and multitank surveys under different scenarios. Results show that caution is warranted when interpreting snapshot measurements of individual tanks, but aggregate emissions of multiple tanks should be accurately measurable with readily achievable sample sizes. These results are expected to be especially valuable to ongoing efforts seeking to develop robust protocols for gas certification and measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) of CH4 emissions in the oil and gas sector.
Got PIDD1? Natural killer cells clear polyploid cells to ensure a balanced genome
Authors: Brown‐Suedel Alexandra N , Bouchier‐Hayes Lisa
Published: September 2023

Removal of polyploid cells is essential to preventing cancer and restricting tumor growth. A new study published in The EMBO Journal shows assembly of the NEMO‐PIDDosome on extra centrioles. Activation of this protein complex leads to NF‐κB activation that, in turn, induces NK cell‐mediated cell clearance.
Materijalna baština antifašizma u južnoj Istri kao temelj razvoja memorijalnog turizma
Authors: Vojnović Nikola
Published: September 2023

U radu se analiziraju prostorni raspored i mogućnosti antifašističke materijalne baštine za razvoj memorijalnog turizma u općinama i gradovima Južne Istre. U prvoj polovici 20. stoljeća antifašistička borba u Istri bila je ključni dio nekoliko političkih prekretnica. Te povijesne prekretnice imale su dalekosežne posljedice i najvećim dijelom bile su obilježene oružanim sukobima, pojedinačnim i masovnim ljudskim žrtvama i terorom nad stanovništvom. Motiv putovanja u memorijalnom turizmu ovdje je obilazak mjesta gdje su se ovi tragični događaji dogodili i komemoracija žrtvama. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi geografski raspored antifašističke materijalne baštine u Južnoj Istri i njezinu pogodnost za razvoj memorijalnog turizma. Dodatni cilj bio je predložiti tematske rute memorijalnog turizma u općinama i gradovima Južne Istre. Korištene su metode analize povijesnih istraživanja, terenskog rada, sudioničkog promatranja, prostorne i GIS analize. Istraživanje je pokazalo da šest južno istarskih općina i dva grada imaju 167 dobro očuvanih i obilježenih materijalnih spomenika antifašizma. Najveći broj spomenika nalazi se u središnjem dijelu grada Pule. Glavni doprinos ovog članka bio je prevrednovanje materijalne baštine antifašizma kao potencijalnog resursa za razvoj memorijalnog turizma kao inovacije u turističkoj ponudi Istre.
Zaljubljenik u domovinu i geografiju – kratki prikaz znanstvenih, nastavnih i institucijskih doprinosa professora emeritusa Damira Magaša u prigodi 70. obljetnice života
Authors: Faričić Josip
Published: September 2023

Damir Magaš rođen je u Metkoviću 15. siječnja 1953.
The Manifestation of EFL Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and TPACK with their Teaching Performance
Authors: Putry Ainur Rosyidah Azmie , Astuti Puji , Sakhiyya Zulfa
Published: September 2023

Teachers play very important roles on students learning, especially during the pandemic situation where emergency online learning has replaced the traditional classroom learning. Some factors can influence teachers’ performance such as teachers’ self-efficacy and TPACK (technological pedagogical content knowledge) framework. Here, the teacher participants have perception of their capabilities to accomplish the task by integrating content, pedagogy, and technology. This paper addresses the issue by employing a qualitative case study to investigate the manifestation of teacher participants’ self-efficacy and TPACK, as well as the relation between the two with teaching performance. Three EFL teachers at SMA 2 Demak are purposefully selected as the subjects of the research. The findings reveal that (1) the dominant source of self-efficacy in teacher A is psychological and emotional arousal but in teacher B and teacher C is mastery experience. (2) based on the statistical measurement, the score of teacher A’s self-efficacy was 65.0% and 63.9% in the TPACK framework. The score of self-efficacy in teacher B was 85.0% and 68.5% in TPACK framework. In teacher C, the score of both terms was 83.3%. (3) some factors of teacher participants’ self-efficacy affected the successful level of teaching performance. In a nutshell, self-efficacy fosters teachers’ motivation, develops teachers’ TPACK, and influences the successful level of teaching performance to implement TPACK framework. The present research provided a valuable knowledge about the importance of self-efficacy and TPACK framework and suggestion to construct some developmental programs to encourage student teachers in preparing better teaching learning process in the future.
The Use of Subtitled Video Animation To Improve Students Vocabulary At Ban Erawan School Thailand
Authors: Fitri Diana , Ma’rifah Ulfatul
Published: September 2023

The purpose of this research is to examine how students utilize animated video subtitles to increase their English vocabulary and reading comprehension. This study used a quantitative experimental design using class VI research participants. The participants in this research were all Ban Erawan School pupils, a total of 32 persons. The three steps of data collecting are pre-test, treatment, and post-test. The data from this research will be evaluated to see whether the experimental and control groups yield substantially different outcomes. The experimental class received animated movies with captions, but the control class did not. Initially, pupils in both grades received a pre-test. The experimental class was then given therapy, and the pupils completed the post-test. The study of the collected data results in the following conclusions: 1) Animated video media with subtitles has a considerable influence on pupils' English vocabulary and reading development. 2) Students' reading of animated films with subtitles receives a substantial score, precisely 0.05. 3) The difference in the average value of vocabulary learning outcomes for experimental class students is 77.18, whereas the control class is 55.62. while the results of learning to read experimental class students as much as 71.87 for the control class as much as 62.81. The conclusion that animated video media with subtitles has a significant increase in the vocabulary mastery of elementary school students is reached based on the data examination conducted.
Comparing the Effectiveness of Multitask Role-play and Traditional Technique in Teaching Speaking to Students with Different Self-Confident Levels
Authors: Nurhayati Siti , Hartono Rudi , H Rahayu Puji
Published: September 2023

In English education, speaking skills are very crucial developed, because it plays essential roles in communication. Based on the research at SMP Al Falah, multiple problems might have taken place concerning the teaching and learning of speaking skills. One was the traditional technique that made the learning process run monotonously and boring. Besides that, many students still needed help, such as they answered with many lexico-grammatical mistakes and ideas required to speak up. They also needed to be more confident. Therefore, this research applied to multitask role play, it is the role-play technique combined with activities or tasks which allow the students to get exposed to authentic models from youtube, communicate with each other, and solve a problem or complete a task. In this case, the writers figured out that this role play used authentic materials as models that can be taken from the internet, such as the videos from "you tube' and information gap activities as further skills practice. This research aims to explain how significant the students' achievement is taught by using multitask role play and traditional techniques with different self-confidence levels in teaching speaking skills. This research design was a quasi-experimental design with a 2x2 factorial design involving the eighth-grade students SMP Al Falah, Cirebon. In collecting the data, the writers used a speaking test to get students' scores and questionnaires. The data was analyzed using ANOVA to answer the main hypotheses. The results show that implementing Multitask Role play is more effective than Traditional technique with scores of 0.000 for MTRP and 0.073 for TT. It was because of the multitask role play focused on students-center, used accurate models from youtube, PPT to explain the materials, and let students create the dialog using their own words by making the information gap. It is inversely proportional to the Traditional technique which is still teacher-center, explained the materials monotonously with textbook, and only asked students to memorize the delivered dialog. Based on the findings, the writers believe that this study can be a reference for the study of English education and language education development in teaching speaking skills. One of them is how to apply role play technique combined with another activity.
The Effectiveness of Online Problem-Based Learning in Improving Students' Reading Comprehension with Different Learning Styles
Authors: Muriyah Muriyah , Wahyuni Sri , Saleh Mursid
Published: September 2023

Reading is a fundamental skill for conveying information. Nowadays, various information is easily accessible quickly from many sources worldwide, so reading comprehension skills and mastering technology have been crucial for the challenges. Educators need a strategy to improve these skills. This study aims to measure the effectiveness of Problem-Based Learning through Google Classroom in improving the reading comprehension of students with different learning styles. This study used a quasi-experimental with a 2×4 factorial design on the tenth-grade students at SMAN 1 Sindang, Indramayu. The VARK questionnaire and reading comprehension test were carried out by one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and two-way ANOVA with Tukey's. The study exposed the result of Problem-Based Learning through Google Classroom and the influence of the student's different learning styles on the reading comprehension learning outcomes. This research indicated that the strategy was effective, but the student's different learning styles did not affect their learning outcome. Thus, there was no interaction between the teaching strategy and students' learning styles in improving their reading comprehension learning outcomes. This study offered a new perception of the importance of considering student's learning styles in organizing the appropriate materials, learning activities, and assessments to improve reading comprehension. The contribution of this study to the ELT in advance was a new awareness of the effectiveness of multi-mode digital settings in fulfilling the student's needs. Thus, it is confirmed that recent education is designed to accommodate students anywhere and anytime.