bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blended and more: instructors organize sensemaking opportunities for mathematical equations in different ways when teaching the same scientific phenomenon
Authors: Zhao Fang Fang , Chau Linh , Schuchardt Anita 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Many students solving quantitative problems in science struggle to apply mathematical instruction they have received to novel problems. The few students who succeed often draw on both their mathematical understanding of the equation and their scientific understanding of the phenomenon. Understanding the sensemaking opportunities provided during instruction is necessary to develop strategies for improving student outcomes. However, few studies have examined the types of sensemaking opportunities provided during instruction of mathematical equations in science classrooms and whether they are organized in ways that facilitate integration of mathematical and scientific understanding. This study uses a multiple case study approach to examine the sensemaking opportunities provided by four different instructors when teaching the same biological phenomenon, population growth. Two questions are addressed: (1) What types of sensemaking opportunities are provided by instructors, and (2) How are those sensemaking opportunities organized? The Sci-Math Sensemaking Framework, previously developed by the authors, was used to identify the types of sensemaking. Types and organization of sensemaking opportunities were compared across the four instructors.

Results
The instructors provided different opportunities for sensemaking of equations, even though they were covering the same scientific phenomenon. Sensemaking opportunities were organized in three ways, blended (previously described in studies of student problem solving as integration of mathematics and science resources), and two novel patterns, coordinated and adjacent. In coordinated sensemaking, two types of sensemaking in the same dimension (either mathematics or science) are explicitly connected. In adjacent sensemaking, two different sensemaking opportunities are provided within the same activity but not explicitly connected. Adjacent sensemaking was observed in three instructors’ lessons, but only two instructors provided opportunities for students to engage in blended sensemaking.

Conclusions
Instructors provide different types of sensemaking opportunities when teaching the same biological phenomenon, making different resources available to students. The organization of sensemaking also differed with only two instructors providing blended sensemaking opportunities. This result may explain why few students engage in the successful strategy of integrating mathematics and science resources when solving quantitative problems. Documentation of these instructional differences in types and organization of sensemaking provides guidance for future studies investigating the effect of instruction on student sensemaking.
Do root modules still exist after they die?
Authors: Li Jihong , You Chengming , Zhang Li , Li Han , Tan Bo , Liu Yang , Wang Lixia , Liu Sining , Xu Zhenfeng 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The terminal branch orders of plant root systems are increasingly known as an ephemeral module. This concept is crucial to recognize belowground processes. However, it is unknown if root modules still exist after they die?

Methods
The decomposition patterns of the first five root orders were observed for 3 years using a branch-order classification, a litter-bag method and sequential sampling in a common subalpine tree species (Picea asperata) of southwestern China.

Results
Two root modules were observed during the 3-year incubation. Among the first five branch orders, the first three order roots exhibited temporal patterns of mass loss, nutrients and stoichiometry distinct from their woody mother roots throughout the experimental period. This study, for the first time, reported the decomposition pattern of each individual root order and found a similar decomposition dynamic among ephemeral root branches in a forest tree species.

Conclusions
Results from this study suggest that root modules may also exist after death, while more data are needed for confirmation. The findings may further advance our understanding of architecture-associated functional heterogeneity in the fine-root system and also improve our ability to predict belowground processes.
Evaluation and Validation of a Joint Stress Test to Induce Activity-Related Knee Joint Discomfort — a Prospective Case-Control Study
Authors: Schön Christiane , Reule Claudia , Knaub Katharina , Micka Antje , Wilhelm Manfred , Alt Wilfried , Menzel Daniel 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The assessment of improvement or maintenance of joint health in healthy subjects is a great challenge. The aim of the study was the evaluation of a joint stress test to assess joint discomfort in subjects with activity-related knee joint discomfort (ArJD).

Results
Forty-five subjects were recruited to perform the single-leg-step-down (SLSD) test (15 subjects per group). Subjects with ArJD of the knee (age 22–62 years) were compared to healthy subjects (age 24–59 years) with no knee joint discomfort during daily life sporting activity and to subjects with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis of the knee joint (OA, Kellgren score 2–3, age 42–64 years). The subjects performed the SLSD test with two different protocols: (I) standardization for knee joint discomfort; (II) standardization for load on the knee joint. In addition, range of motion (ROM), reach test, acute pain at rest and after a single-leg squat and knee injury, and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) were assessed.
In OA and ArJD subjects, knee joint discomfort could be reproducibly induced in a short time interval of less than 10 min (200 steps). In healthy subjects, no pain was recorded. A clear differentiation between study groups was observed with the SLSD test (maximal step number) as well as KOOS questionnaire, ROM, and reach test. In addition, a moderate to good intra-class correlation was shown for the investigated outcomes.

Conclusions
These results suggest the SLSD test is a reliable tool for the assessment of knee joint health function in ArJD and OA subjects to study the improvements in their activities. Further, this model can be used as a stress model in intervention studies to study the impact of stress on knee joint health function.
Studies on the anthelmintic potentials of the roots of Asparagus racemosus willd. (Asparagaceae)
Authors: Soren Amar Deep , Yadav Arun Kumar 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The Santhal tribe in Assam, India use the roots of Asparagus racemosus (Asparagaceae) as a deworming remedy. The study aimed to investigate the anthelmintic credentials of this plant, using two representative groups of helminth parasites.

Methods
The in vitro testing was conducted against Hymenolepis diminuta (cestode) and Syphacia obvelata (nematode). Parasites were exposed to 10, 20 and 30 mg/ml concentrations of plant extract, and efficacy was adjudged on the basis of parasites paralysis and mortality. In vivo efficacy was examined using H. diminuta-rat and S. obvelata-mice models where animals were administered 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg doses of extract.

Results
In vitro assay, against H. diminuta revealed that at 30 mg/ml concentration the extract showed almost a comparable efficacy with that of reference drug praziquantel (PZQ) (1 mg/ml). The in vitro efficacy of extract against S. obvelata was however lower than H. diminuta. In vivo studies against H. diminuta at 500 mg/kg revealed 53.88 and 24 % reduction in eggs per gram (EPG) and worm counts respectively. Against S. obvelata the extract showed 26.61 and 30.93 % reduction for the same.

Conclusions
The findings of this study present suggest that the roots of A. racemosus are effective against intestinal helminthic infections and justifies its use as an anthelmintic in the traditional medicine of the Santhals.
An analysis on the divergence of Chironomid spp. based on the study of 18S rRNA and polytene chromosome organization in the species revealing the role of environment on speciation
Authors: Dey Sanjay Kumar , Bhaduri Swapna , Midya Trilochan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Nine species of Chironomus evolved throughout the world were measured for their divergence with regard to their DNA sequences concerning 18S rRNA since it is conserved for a specific species. With the advancement of the field of molecular evolution, cytogenetics requires further correlation between molecular architecture and morphological features of a species to compare amongst others to decipher their role in speciation. Therefore, divergence of DNA sequences of the Chironomus were compared with differences in the polytene chromosome features of most of the species under this investigation to evaluate underlying correlation among them, if any, to finally establish a novel method of molecular classification broadly applicable in cytogenetics studies.

Results
When Chironomus javanus Kieffer was considered as a reference organism, an in silico pair-wise alignment of sequences for the 18S rRNA gene regions of the other eight different species of the same genus exhibited nucleotide sequence homology ranging from 67 to 98%. This divergence of the species under consideration might be due to environmental impact causing alteration of nitrogenous bases probably due to mismatch pairing in DNA replication. This may be suggested as a cause of evolution of species in nature. A concomitant study on the polytene chromosome band patterns of majority of these species belonging to this series also indicated a divergence ranging from 10% to 30%.

Conclusions
Sequence analysis based on 18S rRNA of nine species of Chironomus under this investigation shows a similarity in the polytene chromosome organization in most of the Chironomid species of the series. Hence, molecular divergence in the species is consistent with cytological difference among Chironomid species. Therefore, molecular data based on 18S rRNA and cytological characters based on the polytene chromosome features of the Chironomid species may be useful for their taxonomical recognition. Moreover, variations concerning two aspects of this study may be correlated to their environmental distinctions.
Surface functionalization of thermoset composite for infrared hybrid welding
Authors: Perrin Henri , Mertz Grégory , Senoussaoui Noha-Lys , Borghini Loïc , Klein Sébastien , Vaudemont Régis 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFusion assembly is a highly promising technique for joining thermoplastic composite to thermoset composites, enabling the use of both the most affordable composite material and process for each substructure. However, some major challenges need to be addressed such as functionalizing the thermoset composite surface through co-curing with an appropriate thermoplastic interlayer or realizing a fast and robust welding process that meets all quality and mechanical requirements. In this paper, we investigated the potential of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and its amorphous (PEEK A) and semicristalline (PEEK SC) states as interlayer materials, co-cured onto thermoset composites. A surface preparation involving the atmospheric plasma process demonstrated that both PEEK state materials can be used as interlayer with favorable adhesion properties. The influence of the plasma treatment on surface properties and morphology was also experimentally characterized.
Impact of solar radiation on chemical structure and micromechanical properties of cellulose-based humidity-sensing material Cottonid
Authors: Scholz R. , Langhansl M. , Hemmerich M. , Meyer J. , Zollfrank C. , Walther F. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRenewable and environmentally responsive materials are an energy- and resource-efficient approach in terms of civil engineering applications, e.g. as so-called smart building skins. To evaluate the influence of different environmental stimuli, like humidity or solar radiation, on the long-term actuation behavior and mechanical robustness of these materials, it is necessary to precisely characterize the magnitude and range of stimuli that trigger reactions and the resulting kinetics of a material, respectively, with suitable testing equipment and techniques. The overall aim is to correlate actuation potential and mechanical properties with process- or application-oriented parameters in terms of demand-oriented stimuli-responsive element production. In this study, the impact of solar radiation as environmental trigger on the cellulose-based humidity-sensing material Cottonid, which is a promising candidate for adaptive and autonomously moving elements, was investigated. For simulating solar radiation in the lab, specimens were exposed to short-wavelength blue light as well as a standardized artificial solar irradiation (CIE Solar ID65) in long-term aging experiments. Photodegradation behavior was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared as well as electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements to assess changes in Cottonid’s chemical composition. Subsequently, changes in micromechanical properties on the respective specimens’ surface were investigated with roughness measurements and ultra-micro-hardness tests to characterize variations in stiffness distribution in comparison to the initial condition. Also, thermal effects during long-term aging were considered and contrasted to pure radiative effects. In addition, to investigate the influence of process-related parameters on Cottonid’s humidity-driven deformation behavior, actuation tests were performed in an alternating climate chamber using a customized specimen holder, instrumented with digital image correlation (DIC). DIC was used for precise actuation strain measurements to comparatively evaluate different influences on the material’s sorption behavior. The infrared absorbance spectra of different aging states of irradiated Cottonid indicate oxidative stress on the surface compared to unaged samples. These findings differ under pure thermal loads. EPR spectra could corroborate these findings as radicals were detected, which were attributed to oxidation processes. Instrumented actuation experiments revealed the influence of processing-related parameters on the sorption behavior of the tested and structurally optimized Cottonid variant. Experimental data supports the definition of an optimal process window for stimuli-responsive element production. Based on these results, tailor-made functional materials shall be generated in the future where stimuli-responsiveness can be adjusted through the manufacturing process.
The Fungi-specific histone Acetyltransferase Rtt109 mediates morphogenesis, Aflatoxin synthesis and pathogenicity in Aspergillus flavus by acetylating H3K9
Authors: Sun Ruilin , Wen Meifang , Wu Lianghuan , Lan Huahui , Yuan Jun , Wang Shihua 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAspergillus flavusis a common saprophytic filamentous fungus that produces the highly toxic natural compound aflatoxin during its growth process. Synthesis of the aflatoxins, which can contaminate food crops causing huge losses to the agricultural economy, is often regulated by epigenetic modification, such as the histone acetyltransferase. In this study, we usedAspergillus flavusas an experimental model to construct the acetyltransferase genertt109knockout strain (△rtt109) and its complementary strain (△rtt109·com) by homologous recombination. The growth of △rtt109was significantly suppressed compared to the wild type (WT) strain and the △rtt109·com strain. The sclerotium of △rtt109grew smaller, and the amount of sclerotia generated by △rtt109was significantly reduced. The number of conidiums of △rtt109was significantly reduced, especially on the yeast extract sucrose (YES) solid medium. The amount of aflatoxins synthesized by △rtt109in the PDB liquid medium was significantly decreased We also found that the △rtt109strain was extremely sensitive to DNA damage stress. Through the maize seed infection experiment, we found that the growth of △rtt109on the surface of affected corn was largely reduced, and the amount of aerial mycelium decreased significantly, which was consistent with the results on the artificial medium. We further found that H3K9 was the acetylated target of Rtt109 inA. flavus. In conclusion, Rtt109 participated in the growth, conidium formation, sclerotia generation, aflatoxin synthesis, environmental stress response, regulation of infection ofA. flavus.The results from this study ofrtt109showed data for acetylation in the regulation of life processes and provided a new thought regarding the prevention and control ofA. flavushazards.
Mean blastomere diameter may predict clinical pregnancy in long agonist protocol intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with single embryo transfer
Authors: Guven Suleyman , Alanya Tosun Sebnem , Guvendag Guven Emine Seda 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mean blastomere diameter (MBD) on pregnancy rates in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cases undergoing the long agonist cycle protocol. A total of 84 cases were evaluated within the scope of this observational prospective study. All cases were normoresponders, under 35 years old, with the long agonist protocol applied and single embryo (grade I or II) transfer performed. On the third day after ICSI, each embryo selected for transfer was subjected to measurement of the mean blastomere diameter (MBD) at ×25 magnification.

Results
The mean female age was 30.14 ± 3.32 years, and the total clinical pregnancy rate was 33.3%. In the group that got pregnant, MBD was found to be statistically significantly higher than in the nonpregnant group. In terms of predicting clinical pregnancy, when the MBD value of 49.73 μm was accepted as the best cutoff value, the sensitivity was calculated as 75% and specificity as 53.6%. Clinical pregnancy rate was 18.9% in cases below this value, whereas clinical pregnancy rate was 44.7% in cases with this value and above. In other words, when the MBD value rose above 49.73 μm from a value below 49.73 μm, the clinical pregnancy rate increased by an average of 2.3 times.

Conclusions
With MBD measurement, it is possible to select the embryo with the best implantation capability in microinjection cycles with the long luteal agonist protocol.
Patient and Physician Attitudes Toward Telemedicine in Cancer Clinics Following the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Wehrle Chase J. , Lee Sang W. , Devarakonda Aditya K. , Arora Tania K. 
Published: April 2021

PURPOSECOVID-19 has infected more than 94 million people worldwide and caused more than 2 million deaths. Patients with cancer are at significantly increased risk compared with the general population. Telemedicine represents a common strategy to prevent viral spread. We sought to evaluate patient with cancer and physician perceptions of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODSA 16-question survey was e-mailed to 1,843 active e-mails of patients presenting to one of the six cancer clinics at a comprehensive cancer care center from January 1, 2020, to June 1, 2020. A six-question survey was e-mailed to attending physicians of those clinics. Specialties included Medical Oncology, Hematology-Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Urological Oncology, and Gynecologic Oncology.RESULTSThree hundred seventy-four patients (20.3%) and 14 physicians (66.7%) responded. Most (68.2%) currently prefer in-person visits, and 80.4% prefer in-person visits following pandemic resolution. More than half (52.2%) of patients preferring virtual visits do so because of convenience. Most (63.1%) patients with cancer are comfortable with a complete physical examination. Surgical patients are more likely to prefer a complete examination ( P = .0476). Physicians prefer in-person visits (64.2%) and believe that virtual visits maybe or probably do not provide comparable care (64.2%). 71.4% believe that virtual visits help prevent the spread of infectious disease.CONCLUSIONGiven preferences for in-person visits, cancer care teams should be prepared to continue providing in-person visits for many of their patients. The discrepancy between patient and provider concern for spread of infectious disease represents an area where patients may benefit from increased education. Providers should feel comfortable performing physical examinations at their own discretion.
Effect of Leptin Therapy on Survival in Generalized and Partial Lipodystrophy: A Matched Cohort Analysis
Authors: Cook Keziah , Ali Omer , Akinci Baris , Foss de Freitas Maria Cristina , Montenegro Renan Magalhães , Fernandes Virginia Oliveira , Gupta Deepshekhar , Lou Kai-Jye , Tuttle Edward , Oral Elif A , Brown Rebecca J 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Context
Data quantifying the impact of metreleptin therapy on survival in non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related generalized lipodystrophy (GL) and partial lipodystrophy (PL) are unavailable.

Objective
This study aimed to estimate the treatment effect of metreleptin on survival in patients with GL and PL.

Design/Setting/Patients
Demographic and clinical characteristics were used to match metreleptin-treated and metreleptin-naïve patients with GL and PL. Differences in mortality risk were estimated between matched cohorts of metreleptin-treated and metreleptin-naïve patient cohorts using Cox proportional hazard models. Sensitivity analyses assessed the impact of study assumptions and the robustness of results.

Outcome Measures
This study assessed time-to-mortality and risk of mortality.

Results
The analysis evaluated 103 metreleptin-naïve patients with characteristics matched to 103 metreleptin-treated patients at treatment initiation. Even after matching, some metabolic and organ abnormalities were more prevalent in the metreleptin-treated cohort due to bias toward treating more severely affected patients. A Cox proportional hazards model associated metreleptin therapy with an estimated 65% decrease in mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.348, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.134–0.900; P = 0.029) even though the actual number of events were relatively small. Results were robust across a broad range of alternate methodological assumptions. Kaplan–Meier estimates of time-to-mortality for the metreleptin-treated and the matched metreleptin-naïve cohorts were comparable.

Conclusions
Metreleptin therapy was associated with a reduction in mortality risk in patients with lipodystrophy syndromes despite greater disease severity in treated patients, supporting the view that metreleptin can have a positive disease-modifying impact. Confirmatory studies in additional real-world and clinical datasets are warranted.