bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A reflective study on adopting inquiry-based science teaching methods
Authors: Aidoo Benjamin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis paper is based on a reflection of my interest in science, views about science, science teacher education, and science teaching experiences. Using the self-study, I explored how my training in science education has influenced my interest in teaching science using inquiry-based learning. Anutoethnography approach was systematically used to describe and analyze my experiences through the transformation to identify my professional learning identity. Multiple data sources from academic learning, teaching experiences, workshops, and documents from lesson plans and curricula documents enabled me to understand my professional practice and build professional identity. The findings showed that teachers professional learning positively impacts their beliefs about IBL. Teachers with positive attitudes toward adopting IBL approach as facilitators are supported by their previous learning experiences. Teachers experiences in adopting IBL are influenced by their professional growth through their learning experiences and involvement in a collaborating learning community. in addition, teacher-reflective learning enables them to develop new PCK that allows them to use prior experiences to adopt strategies that could motivate students to engage in learning activities that enhance their thinking to solve problems in their inquiry lessons. Further, classroom discussions and reflections with students impact their understanding of concepts for knowledge construction. These findings suggest that engaging students in inquiry learning can be an effective way for teachers to develop their competencies to teach science, especially when responding to students questions. The findings highlight the need for integrating IBSE in teacher education programs focusing on the development of pedagogy, content and knowledge. Such development for teacher preparation could support the future teachers, in-service teachers for IBL induction and PCK for ongoing reflections for improvement in their science classroom practices.
Clinicolaboratory characteristics and 1-year survival among group 1 pulmonary hypertension in a university hospital
Authors: Ahmed Mostafa K. , Tohamy Ali M. , Ali Mostafa H. , Seedik Mohamed I. , Wafy Safa M. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a life-threatening disorder of the pulmonary vascular system that can lead to right-sided heart failure, respiratory failure, and death. Still, more knowledge is needed to understand this complex disease. The study objective is to evaluate the clinicolaboratory characteristics of group 1 pulmonary hypertension patients and their survival in the Assiut University pulmonary hypertension unit throughout the study time.

Patients and methods
Consecutive patients were referred to the Assiut University Chest Department Pulmonary Hypertension unit in collaboration with the cardiology department for diagnosis and management. Patients were diagnosed as group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH) included in the study. Patient demographic data, clinical presentation, electrocardiography, laboratory data, and invasive and noninvasive hemodynamics at presentation were recorded. The patients were followed through the study time to identify their survival.

Results
Out of 40 patients referred to the pulmonary hypertension unit throughout the study period, 29 patients have group 1 PH and were included. Their mean age was 44.10 ± 15.14 years, most of them were females (86.2%), 44.8% of patients presented with WHO functional class II, 48.3% of patients with FC III, and 6.9% of patients with FC IV. The mean 6 min walking distance was 256.97 ± 89.46 m. Pulmonary artery catheterization hemodynamic parameters were mean pulmonary artery pressure 52.48 ± 18.24 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance 13.32 ± 7.31 WU, cardiac index 2.32 ± 0.83 L/min/m2, and mixed venous oxygen saturation 59.6 ± 7%. The mean follow-up duration is 12.6 ± 8.8 months, and their survival at the end of study time was 82.35%. Serum uric acid, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and age are predictors of disease progression and mortality.

Conclusion
Group 1 pulmonary hypertension is an uncommon complex disease with a difficult early diagnosis. Its clinical presentation varies from insidious breathlessness, syncope, palpitation, and obvious right heart failure. Some factors as serum uric acid, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and age are associated with prognosis. One-year survival was 82.35%.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT0479145.
Endocrine Controls of Skin Aging
Authors: Böhm Markus , Stegemann Agatha , Paus Ralf , Kleszczyński Konrad , Maity Pallab , Wlaschek Meinhard , Scharffetter-Kochanek Karin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Skin is the largest organ of the human body and undergoes both intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic aging. While intrinsic skin aging is driven by genetic and epigenetic factors, extrinsic aging is mediated by external threats such as UV irradiation or fine particular matters, the sum of which is referred to as exposome. The clinical manifestations and biochemical changes are different between intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging, albeit overlapping features exist, eg, increased generation of reactive oxygen species, extracellular matrix degradation, telomere shortening, increased lipid peroxidation, or DNA damage. As skin is a prominent target for many hormones, the molecular and biochemical processes underlying intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging are under tight control of classical neuroendocrine axes. However, skin is also an endocrine organ itself, including the hair follicle, a fully functional neuroendocrine “miniorgan.” Here we review pivotal hormones controlling human skin aging focusing on IGF-1, a key fibroblast-derived orchestrator of skin aging, of GH, estrogens, retinoids, and melatonin. The emerging roles of additional endocrine players, ie, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a central player of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; members of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis; oxytocin, endocannabinoids, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulators, are also reviewed. Until now, only a limited number of these hormones, mainly topical retinoids and estrogens, have found their way into clinical practice as anti-skin aging compounds. Further research into the biological properties of endocrine players or its derivatives may offer the development of novel senotherapeutics for the treatment and prevention of skin aging.
The role of lin-12 notch in C. elegans anchor cell proliferation
Authors: Hajnal Alex , Deng Ting , Lattmann Evelyn 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
The gonadal anchor cell (AC) is an essential organizer for the development of the egg-laying organ in the C. elegans hermaphrodite. Recent work has investigated the mechanisms that control the quiescent state the AC adopts while fulfilling its functions. In this context, the transcription factors EGL-43 and NHR-67 are required to maintain the G1 cell cycle arrest of the AC and prevent proliferation. While NHR-67 acts primarily by up-regulating the CDK inhibitor CKI-1, the role of EGL-43 in this process has been subject to debate. Deng et al. (2020) reported that inhibition of the notch receptor lin-12 by RNAi partially suppressed the AC proliferation phenotype caused by egl-43 RNAi. By contrast, Martinez et al. (2022) found that down-regulation of LIN-12 NOTCH via the auxin-inducible degradation system did not reduce AC proliferation. To resolve this issue, we performed egl-43 RNAi in the background of a lin-12 null allele and observed a similar suppression of AC proliferation as reported previously by Deng et al. (2020). Hence, AC proliferation caused by the downregulation of egl-43 partially depends on LIN-12 NOTCH signaling.
Acute Effect of High-Intensity Interval Exercise on Blood Pressure in Females Living with Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension
Authors: Tremblay Renaud , Marcotte-Chénard Alexis , Deslauriers Lara , Boulay Pierre , Boisvert François-Michel , Geraldes Pedro , Gayda Mathieu , Christou Demetra D. , Little Jonathan P. , Mampuya Warner , Riesco Eléonor 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT

Background: The acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on blood pressure (BP) may depend on the exercise protocol performed. Purpose: To compare the acute effect of high and low-volume HIIT on post-exercise and ambulatory BP in untrained older females diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension (HTN). Methods: Fifteen females (69 [65 ─ 74] years) completed a crossover study with three experimental conditions: 1) REST (35 min in sitting position); 2) HIIT10 (10 × 1 min at 90% heart rate max [HRmax]), and 3) HIIT4 (4 × 4 min at 90% HRmax). After each experimental condition, BP was measured under controlled (4 hours) and in subsequent free-living conditions (20 hours). Results: In the controlled post-condition 4-hour period, no significant interaction (time × condition) was observed for all BP parameters (p ≥ 0.082). Similarly, during the subsequent 20-hour free-living ambulatory monitoring (diurnal and nocturnal), no differences between conditions were detected (p ≥ 0.094). A significant reduction in nighttime pulse pressure was observed in both HIIT4 and HIIT10 compared to REST (46 [44 ─ 50], 45 [42 ─ 53] vs. 50 [45 ─ 57] mmHg, respectively; p ≤ 0.018) with no differences between HIIT conditions (p = 0.316). Changes in nocturnal systolic BP approached but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.068). Conclusions: This study suggests that in untrained older females living with T2D and HTN, the HIIT10 and HIIT4 protocols have very limited to no acute effect on post-exercise and ambulatory BP. The fact that the vast majority of participants had well-controlled office and ambulatory BP values as well as low cardiorespiratory fitness could explain these findings.
Sleep Deprivation Elevates Resting and Exercise Blood Pressures and Augments Pressor Response at Exercise Onset
Authors: Hori Amane , Su Xin , Sagasaki Shota , Saito Ryuji , Suijo Kenichi , Miyata Seiko , Hasegawa Daisuke , Mizuno Masaki , Hotta Norio 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT

Purpose
Sleep deprivation and elevated blood pressure (BP) increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the effects of sleep deprivation on BP response, especially at exercise onset remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate the effects of experimental sleep deprivation (ESD) on resting and exercise BPs, including that at exercise onset, and investigate whether a night-time nap during ESD changes the ESD-altered BP.

Methods
Twelve healthy young men underwent 2-min submaximal isometric elbow flexion (IEF) exercise to measure BP after 7 days of normal sleep (control trial), 24-h ESD (ESD trial), and ESD with a 2-h night-time nap (ESD + NAP trial), which were randomly performed.

Results
ESD significantly elevated the mean arterial pressure (MAP) at rest (85.8 ± 8.0 to 93.3 ± 5.1 mmHg, P = 0.003) and at the last minute of IEF (116.9 ± 13.0 to 126.2 ± 11.8 mmHg, P = 0.003) compared with that observed in the control trial. At IEF onset (the initial 15 s), ESD significantly elevated the MAP (88.7 ± 12.6 to 103.1 ± 8.8 mmHg, P < 0.001) and augmented the MAP responsiveness from baseline, compared with that observed in the control trial (Δ2.9 ± 11.4 to Δ9.8 ± 6.6 mmHg, P = 0.017). The MAP responsiveness in the ESD + NAP trial (Δ7.3 ± 5.2 mmHg) was not significantly different from that in the control trial (P = 0.165) and the ESD trial (P = 0.129).

Conclusions
ESD significantly elevated both resting BP and the BP during submaximal isometric exercise and significantly augmented the initial pressor response to the exercise. A 2-h night-time nap during ESD appears to be insufficient to completely attenuate ESD-induced augmented pressor responses.
A compassionate approach
Authors: Allen Kirstie 
Published: December 2024

Kirstie Allen details what compassionate leadership entails, and how to develop it within the dental team. Aim To present compassionate leadership as an approach to improving workplace culture and service user experience of dental care for all levels of practitioners. Objective Define compassionate leadership as a concept within healthcare and dentistry. Discuss the benefits for staff and service users of a compassionate approach to leadership. Understand how to embody compassionate leadership within practice. Identify how compassionate approaches can support safeguarding and emotional labour.
Growth, structure, spectroscopic, and laser properties of Ho-doped yttrium gallium garnet crystal
Authors: Slimi Sami , Yu Haohai , Zhang Huaijin , Kränkel Christian , Loiko Pavel , Solé Rosa Maria , Aguiló Magdalena , Díaz Francesc , Chen Weidong , Griebner Uwe , Petrov Valentin , Mateos Xavier 
Published: December 2024

We report on the growth of a 2.86 at.% Ho:YGG crystal using the optical floating zone technique in an oxygen-rich environment, followed by the study of its structure, optical spectroscopy and first demonstration of continuous-wave laser operation at 2.1 µm. The crystal structure refined through the Rietveld method reaffirms the cubic symmetry (sp. gr. Ia3¯d, a = 12.2796(9) Å). The absorption, stimulated-emission (SE), and gain cross-sections for the 5I8 ↔ 5I7 Ho3+ transition were determined from the spectroscopic studies. The SE cross-section, σSE, amounts to 9.5 × 10−21 cm2 at 2084 nm, and the luminescence lifetime of the 5I7 state is 8.94 ms. Among the Ho-doped garnets, Ho:YGG is characterized by smoother gain cross sections and a long luminescence lifetime. Laser operation of the Ho:YGG crystal is showcased using a 1908 nm Tm-fiber laser as a pump source. The in-band pumped Ho:YGG laser delivers 976 mW at 2085 and 2109 nm with a slope efficiency of 50.1%.
Challenges and motivating factors for integrating geostatistical models in targeted schistosomiasis control: A qualitative case study in Northwestern Tanzania
Authors: Mathewson Jake D. , van der Spek Linda , Matungwa Dunstan J. , Samson Anna , Coleman Harry L. S. , Rood Ente J. J. 
Published: December 2024

Introduction
To address problems of over- and under-treatment with preventive chemotherapy resulting in ongoing transmission of schistosomiasis, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends targeted mass drug administration (MDA) interventions at a sub-district level. In Tanzania, the lack of sub-district (ward) prevalence data has inhibited a transition to targeted treatment. Model-based prevalence estimation combined with routine surveillance data can be used to overcome this gap. We created a geostatistical model to estimate parasitological prevalence in the wards of the Lake Zone regions of Tanzania to investigate opportunities for enabling targeted MDA for schistosomiasis. With no precedent on how outputs from a geostatistical model could be used to inform decision-making in Tanzania, this qualitative study explores perceptions on what may challenge and motivate program staff in Tanzania’s national schistosomiasis control program to integrate the models into routine planning to guide disease control interventions.

Methods
Seven semi-structured, key informant interviews were conducted in 2022 examining perceived programmatic challenges and motivations of integrating the geostatistical model into current programming through various thematic areas: information systems, financing, services and operational capacity, policy and planning, and coordination. Key informants included decision-making staff in the Ministry of Health’s neglected tropical diseases (NTD) control program, WHO NTD staff, schistosomiasis MDA implementing partners, academic experts studying the control of schistosomiasis, and central-level NTD coordinators.

Results
Informants unanimously acknowledged that the geostatistical model could be useful in guiding targeted interventions, and found several factors that may motivate programmatic uptake including providing a financially feasible method to comprehensive prevalence estimates, facilitation of essential implementation tasks like site selection for MDA and screening, as well as annual calculation of treatments required for requesting medicine. Key challenges to integration were seen in limitation of existing modeling expertise, sensitization, and most importantly in the lack of WHO recommendations surrounding model use, as national disease control strategies and policies are built around WHO guidelines.

Conclusions
Geostatistical models like the one presented can feasibly be integrated in decision-making for targeted interventions based on domestic capacity, financial availability and readiness. However, the lack of WHO guidance on the use of these tools calls for action to translate the potential of such models into recommendations that encourage routine integration from national programs. Overcoming this key inhibiting factor will be a crucial first step toward the integration of such models.
Community pharmacies: Key players in point-of-care diagnostics for STI screening in Africa
Authors: Kiragga Agnes N. , Onzia Annet , Nakate Vivian , Bagaya Irene , Natuha Evelyn , Mande Emmanuel , Kataike Olivia , Parkes-Ratanshi Rosalind , Hamill Matthew M. , Manabe Yukari C. 
Published: December 2024

Background
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) rank in the top 5 disease categories for which adults in developing countries seek healthcare services. Community pharmacies offer clients convenience, proximity, extended opening hours, privacy, and efficiency, which could make them desirable locations for HIV and STI screening and treatment. We examined the feasibility of using point-of-care (POC) STI tests for screening HIV and other STIs at community pharmacies.

Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study of persons seeking medication and other services at 18 purposively selected community pharmacies in Kampala, Uganda. Study participants comprised two broad categories: i) Symptomatic persons aged 18 years who presented with at least one STI sign or symptom and were purchasing treatment for themselves; ii) persons presenting with no STI symptom who had come to purchase any other medication, including family planning services such as emergency contraception. POC tests were used to test HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), and Syphilis. Test results were returned on-site or via telephone within 48 to 72 hours. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of STIs.

Results
Of the 450 participants enrolled, 235 (52.2%) were symptomatic, 215 (47.8%) were asymptomatic, and 280 (62.2%) were females. STI testing was feasible, with an acceptability rate of 99.8%. 135 (30%) of participants had at least one STI; HIV prevalence was 39 (8.7%), Syphilis prevalence was 14 (3.1%), 50 (11.1%) tested positive for Ng, 39 (8.7%) were positive for Ct while. The prevalence of Tv was 25 (8.9%) (tested among women). A total of 107 (23.8%) participants had used an antibiotic in the preceding month.

Conclusion
Our research underscores the potentially pivotal role of community pharmacies in deploying POC diagnostics for STIs and antimicrobial stewardship by decreasing unnecessary antibiotic dispensation across Africa.
Dual harm among patients in the Ontario forensic mental health system
Authors: Kaggwa Mark Mohan , Erb Bailea , Prat Sébastien , Davids Arianna , Bradford John , Chaimowitz Gary Andrew , Olagunju Andrew Toyin 
Published: December 2024

Background
Dual harm involves the unfortunate experience of harm to self and others/objects. Safeguarding individuals in forensic psychiatric settings against all forms of harm to self and others is sacrosanct. While understanding dual harm is crucial in the care and rehabilitation of patients in forensic psychiatric settings, only a few studies have explored this phenomenon. This study examined dual harm and its associated clinical and sociodemographic factors among forensic patients in Ontario, Canada.

Methods
In this retrospective study, we used data from the Ontario Review Board (ORB) (n = 1240; mean age 42.54±3.32 years, and 85.73% male). We defined dual harm as the co-occurrence of self-harming behaviour in the last 12 months and violent behaviour towards others or objects (such as verbal, physical, or sexual aggression). We analysed the data in relation to clinical and sociodemographic factors.

Results
Of 1240 patients, 43 (3.55%) had engaged in dual harm. Most of them had engaged in dual harm related to verbal aggression (3.15%), followed by dual harm related to aggression towards objects (2.97%), dual harm related to aggression towards others (2.73%), and dual harm related to sexual aggression was the rarest (1.32%). Only 12 patients had engaged in all types of dual harm. Having a previous history of dual harm and a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental disorder increased the chance of perpetrating/engaging in dual harm. However, increasing age and a higher education decreased the chance of dual harm. These factors were similar for different types of dual harm, except for dual harm related to sexual aggression, which was the only subtype associated with having a personality disorder diagnosis. Again, the experience of violence increased the chance of self-harm.

Conclusion
Dual harm is present among forensic patients in Ontario, and self-harm is prevalent among individuals with various forms of aggression, especially when the violence was perpetrated towards objects. Strategies to manage the risk of self-harm among aggressive patients should be put in place to mitigate dual harm and the associated complications, especially among individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Assessing the value of deep neural networks for postoperative complication prediction in pancreaticoduodenectomy patients
Authors: Bonde Mikkel , Bonde Alexander , Kaafarani Haytham , Millarch Andreas , Sillesen Martin 
Published: December 2024

Introduction
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with a high risk of postoperative complications (PoCs) and risk prediction of these is therefore critical for optimal treatment planning. We hypothesize that novel deep learning network approaches through transfer learning may be superior to legacy approaches for PoC risk prediction in the PDAC surgical setting.

Methods
Data from the US National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) 2002–2018 were used, with a total of 5,881,881 million patients, including 31,728 PD patients. Modelling approaches comprised of a model trained on a general surgery patient cohort and then tested on a PD specific cohort (general model), a transfer learning model trained on the general surgery patients with subsequent transfer and retraining on a PD-specific patient cohort (transfer learning model), a model trained and tested exclusively on the PD-specific patient cohort (direct model), and a benchmark random forest model trained on the PD patient cohort (RF model). The models were subsequently compared against the American College of Surgeons (ACS) surgical risk calculator (SRC) in terms of predicting mortality and morbidity risk.

Results
Both the general model and transfer learning model outperformed the RF model in 14 and 16 out of 19 prediction tasks, respectively. Additionally, both models outperformed the direct model on 17 out of the 19 tasks. The transfer learning model also outperformed the general model on 11 out of the 19 prediction tasks. The transfer learning model outperformed the ACS-SRC regarding mortality and all the models outperformed the ACS-SRC regarding the morbidity prediction with the general model achieving the highest Receiver Operator Area Under the Curve (ROC-AUC) of 0.668 compared to the 0.524 of the ACS SRC.

Conclusion
DNNs deployed using a transfer learning approach may be of value for PoC risk prediction in the PD setting.