bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing Core Competence With Project-Based Learning: Voices From Chinese High School Students Serving Visually Impaired Students
Authors: Zhou (周林莉) Linli , Li (李佳) Jia 
Published: April 2021

Highlights This study explores the experiences of project-based learning (PBL) experimentation in Chinese high schools, especially the feedback that Chinese students have for better practicing PBL in China. We conducted a case study at two Chinese high schools in an intermediate city, Suzhou, which started their first PBL practice. The two high schools were chosen because of their unique initiative to mix visually impaired students (VIS) and ordinary students in a PBL course, which focuses on “designing accessible garbage bins for VIS.” Interviews and observations were conducted. All data are anonymized. After two rounds of thematic sorting and coding of the qualitative data, we found that the PBL course helped students develop two aspects of the civic participation dimension of core competence: social responsibility and problem-solving. Students learned to empathize with VIS to understand their needs and to build a more feasible and usable garbage bin. This study provides instructional recommendations in terms of how to better utilize the pedagogy of PBL in Chinese K-12 schools, particularly to support teachers to facilitate students' development of core competence and learning of inclusion, social responsibility, and sustainability by using the PBL technique.
Predictive Classification System for Low Back Pain Based on Unsupervised Clustering
Authors: Jin Lixia , Jiang Chang , Gu Lishu , Jiang Mengying , Shi Yuanlu , Qu Qixun , Shen Na , Shi Weibin , Cao Yuanwu , Chen Zixian , Jiang Chun , Feng Zhenzhou , Shen Linghao , Jiang Xiaoxing 
Published: April 2021

Study Design: Retrospective study. Objective: Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings are believed to be associated with low back pain (LBP). This study sought to develop a new predictive classification system for low back pain. Method: Normal subjects with repeated lumbar MRI scans were retrospectively enrolled. A new classification system, based on the radiological features on MRI, was developed using an unsupervised clustering method. Results: One hundred and fifty-nine subjects were included. Three distinguishable clusters were identified with unsupervised clustering that were significantly correlated with LBP ( P = .017). The incidence of LBP was highest in cluster 3 (57.14%), nearly twice the incidence in cluster 1 (30.11%). There were obvious differences in the sagittal parameters among the 3 clusters. Cluster 3 had the smallest intervertebral height. Based on follow-up findings, 27% of subjects changed clusters. More subjects changed from cluster 1 to clusters 2 or 3 (14.5%) than changed from cluster 2 or cluster 3 to cluster 1 (5%). Participation in sport was more frequent in subjects who changed from cluster 3 to cluster 1. Conclusion: Using an unsupervised clustering method, we developed a new classification system comprising 3 clusters, which were significantly correlated with LBP. The prediction of LBP is independent of age and better than that based on individual sagittal parameters derived from MRI. A change in cluster during follow-up may partially predict lumbar degeneration. This study provides a new system for the prediction of LBP that should be useful for its diagnosis and treatment.
Arthroscopic Management of Scapulothoracic Bursitis: Clinical Outcomes and Assessment of Novel Bony Parameters on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Zeng Gerald Joseph , Puah Ken Lee , Hao Ying , Lie Denny Tjiauw Tjoen 
Published: April 2021

Background: Scapulothoracic bursitis is a significant clinical condition that limits day-to-day function. Arthroscopic scapular debridement and resection have provided satisfactory outcomes; however, techniques, approaches, and recommendations remain varied. Novel bony parameters have also gained increasing interest owing to their value in preoperative planning. Purpose: To assess midterm clinical outcomes after the arthroscopic management of scapulothoracic bursitis and to identify and measure novel bony parameters on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 8 patients underwent arthroscopic scapular debridement and bursectomy; 5 of the 8 patients underwent additional medial scapulectomy. There were 5 male (62.5%) and 3 female (37.5%) patients with a mean age of 30.1 ± 12.3 years (range, 19-58 years). Inclusion criteria for surgery were patients with symptomatic scapulothoracic bursitis for whom extensive nonoperative modalities had been utilized for at least 6 months but failed. Outcome measures included the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder rating scale, Constant Shoulder Score (CSS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. The bony parameters included scapular shape, anterior offset, costomedial angle, and medial scapular corpus angle (MSCA). Results: The follow-up duration was at least 2 years for all patients (mean follow-up, 25.0 ± 4.1 months [range, 24-35 months]). The majority of patients had a concave-shaped scapula (62.5%). The mean anterior offset was 24.3 ± 3.4 mm, and the mean costomedial angle was 132.3° ± 9.6°. Half the patients had a positive MSCA, while the other half had a negative MSCA. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the OSS, UCLA, CSS, and VAS scores from preoperatively to 2-year follow-up ( P < .001 for all). No complications were observed. Conclusion: Arthroscopic scapular debridement and resection provided satisfactory midterm clinical outcomes for the treatment of scapulothoracic bursitis.
Advantages of using graph databases to explore chromatin conformation capture experiments
Authors: D’Agostino Daniele , Liò Pietro , Aldinucci Marco , Merelli Ivan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
High-throughput sequencing Chromosome Conformation Capture (Hi-C) allows the study of DNA interactions and 3D chromosome folding at the genome-wide scale. Usually, these data are represented as matrices describing the binary contacts among the different chromosome regions. On the other hand, a graph-based representation can be advantageous to describe the complex topology achieved by the DNA in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

Methods
Here we discuss the use of a graph database for storing and analysing data achieved by performing Hi-C experiments. The main issue is the size of the produced data and, working with a graph-based representation, the consequent necessity of adequately managing a large number of edges (contacts) connecting nodes (genes), which represents the sources of information. For this, currently available graph visualisation tools and libraries fall short with Hi-C data. The use of graph databases, instead, supports both the analysis and the visualisation of the spatial pattern present in Hi-C data, in particular for comparing different experiments or for re-mapping omics data in a space-aware context efficiently. In particular, the possibility of describing graphs through statistical indicators and, even more, the capability of correlating them through statistical distributions allows highlighting similarities and differences among different Hi-C experiments, in different cell conditions or different cell types.

Results
These concepts have been implemented in NeoHiC, an open-source and user-friendly web application for the progressive visualisation and analysis of Hi-C networks based on the use of the Neo4j graph database (version 3.5).

Conclusion
With the accumulation of more experiments, the tool will provide invaluable support to compare neighbours of genes across experiments and conditions, helping in highlighting changes in functional domains and identifying new co-organised genomic compartments.
A new Bayesian piecewise linear regression model for dynamic network reconstruction
Authors: Shafiee Kamalabad Mahdi , Grzegorczyk Marco 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundLinear regression models are important tools for learning regulatory networks from gene expression time series. A conventional assumption for non-homogeneous regulatory processes on a short time scale is that the network structure stays constant across time, while the network parameters are time-dependent. The objective is then to learn the network structure along with changepoints that divide the time series into time segments. An uncoupled model learns the parameters separately for each segment, while a coupled model enforces the parameters of any segment to stay similar to those of the previous segment. In this paper, we propose a new consensus model that infers for each individual time segment whether it is coupled to (or uncoupled from) the previous segment.ResultsThe results show that the new consensus model is superior to the uncoupled and the coupled model, as well as superior to a recently proposed generalized coupled model.ConclusionsThe newly proposed model has the uncoupled and the coupled model as limiting cases, and it is able to infer the best trade-off between them from the data.
The physiological and molecular mechanisms of N transfer in Eucalyptus and Dalbergia odorifera intercropping systems using root proteomics
Authors: Yao Xianyu , Liao Liangning , Huang Yongzhen , Fan Ge , Yang Mei , Ye Shaoming 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The mixing of Eucalyptus with N2-fixing trees species (NFTs) is a frequently successful and sustainable cropping practice. In this study, we evaluated nitrogen (N) transfer and conducted a proteomic analysis of the seedlings of Eucalyptus urophylla × E. grandis (Eucalyptus) and an NFT, Dalbergia (D.) odorifera, from intercropping and monocropping systems to elucidate the physiological effects and molecular mechanisms of N transfer in mixed Eucalyptus and D. odorifera systems.

Results
N transfer occurred from D. odorifera to Eucalyptus at a rate of 14.61% in the intercropping system, which increased N uptake and growth in Eucalyptus but inhibited growth in D. odorifera. There were 285 and 288 differentially expressed proteins by greater than 1.5-fold in Eucalyptus and D. odorifera roots with intercropping vs monoculture, respectively. Introduction of D. odorifera increased the stress resistance ability of Eucalyptus, while D. odorifera stress resistance was increased by increasing levels of jasmonic acid (JA). Additionally, the differentially expressed proteins of N metabolism, such as glutamine synthetase nodule isozyme (GS), were upregulated to enhance N competition in Eucalyptus. Importantly, more proteins were involved in synthetic pathways than in metabolic pathways in Eucalyptus because of the benefit of N transfer, and the two groups of N compound transporters were found in Eucalyptus; however, more functional proteins were involved in metabolic degradation in D. odorifera; specifically, the molecular mechanism of the transfer of N from D. odorifera to Eucalyptus was explained by proteomics.

Conclusions
Our study suggests that N transfer occurred from D. odorifera to Eucalyptus and was affected by the variations in the differentially expressed proteins. We anticipate that these results can be verified in field experiments for the sustainable development of Eucalyptus plantations.
Coronary microvascular dysfunction is associated with degree of anaemia in end‐stage renal disease
Authors: Radhakrishnan Ashwin , Pickup Luke C. , Price Anna M. , Law Jonathan P. , McGee Kirsty C. , Fabritz Larissa , Senior Roxy , Steeds Richard P. , Ferro Charles J. , Townend Jonathan N. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is an adverse prognostic marker. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) is a measure of coronary microvascular function and can be assessed using Doppler echocardiography. Reduced CFVR in ESRD has been attributed to factors such as diabetes, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. The contributory role of other mediators important in the development of cardiovascular disease in ESRD has not been studied. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of CMD in a cohort of kidney transplant candidates and to look for associations of CMD with markers of anaemia, bone mineral metabolism and chronic inflammation.

Methods

Twenty-two kidney transplant candidates with ESRD were studied with myocardial contrast echocardiography, Doppler CFVR assessment and serum multiplex immunoassay analysis. Individuals with diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension or ischaemic heart disease were excluded.

Results
7/22 subjects had CMD (defined as CFVR < 2). Demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters and serum biomarkers were similar between subjects with and without CMD. Subjects with CMD had significantly lower haemoglobin than subjects without CMD (102 g/L ± 12 vs. 117 g/L ± 11, p = 0.008). There was a positive correlation between haemoglobin and CFVR (r = 0.7, p = 0.001). Similar results were seen for haematocrit. In regression analyses, haemoglobin was an independent predictor of CFVR (β = 0.041 95% confidence interval 0.012–0.071, p = 0.009) and of CFVR < 2 (odds ratio 0.85 95% confidence interval 0.74–0.98, p = 0.022).

Conclusions
Among kidney transplant candidates with ESRD, there is a high prevalence of CMD, despite the absence of traditional risk factors. Anaemia may be a potential driver of microvascular dysfunction in this population and requires further investigation.
Effect of cardiopulmonary bypass reoxygenation on myocardial dysfunction following pediatric tetralogy of Fallot repair
Authors: Yang Ji-nong , Zhang Xiao-ming , Ma Lu-yao , Lu Zhan-jie , Zheng Si-qiang , Hamzah Al-Wajih , Shao Yong-feng , Liu Hong , Liu Gao-li 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Little is known regarding the effect of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) reoxygenation on cardiac function following tetralogy of Fallot repair. We hypothesized that hyperoxic reoxygenation would be more strongly associated with myocardial dysfunction in children with tetralogy of Fallot.

Methods
We investigated the association of perfusate oxygenation (PpO2) associated with myocardial dysfunction among children aged 6–72 months who underwent complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot in 2012–2018. Patients were divided into two groups: lower PpO2 group (≤ 250 mmHg) and higher PpO2 (> 250 mmHg) group based on the highest value of PpO2 during aortic occlusion. The odd ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression models.

Results
This study included 163 patients perfused with lower PpO2 and 213 with higher PpO2, with median age at surgery 23.3 (interquartile range [IQR] 12.5–39.4) months, 164 female (43.6%), and median body mass index 15.59 (IQR 14.3–16.9) kg/m2. After adjustment for baseline, clinical and procedural variables, patients with higher PpO2 were associated with higher risk of myocardial dysfunction than those with lower PpO2 (OR 1.770; 95% CI 1.040–3.012, P = 0.035). Higher PpO2, lower SpO2, lower pulmonary annular Z-score, and longer CPB time were independent risk factors for myocardial dysfunction.

Conclusions
Association exists between higher PpO2 and myocardial dysfunction risk in patients with tetralogy of Fallot, highlighting the modulation of reoxygenation during aortic occlusion to reduce cardiovascular damage following tetralogy of Fallot repair.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials. gov number NCT03568357. June 26, 2018
Factors associated with health facility deliveries among mothers living in hospital catchment areas in Rukungiri and Kanungu districts, Uganda
Authors: Mugambe Richard K. , Yakubu Habib , Wafula Solomon T. , Ssekamatte Tonny , Kasasa Simon , Isunju John Bosco , Halage Abdullah Ali , Osuret Jimmy , Bwire Constance , Ssempebwa John C. , Wang Yuke , McGriff Joanne A. , Moe Christine L. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Health facility deliveries are generally associated with improved maternal and child health outcomes. However, in Uganda, little is known about factors that influence use of health facilities for delivery especially in rural areas. In this study, we assessed the factors associated with health facility deliveries among mothers living within the catchment areas of major health facilities in Rukungiri and Kanungu districts, Uganda.

Methods
Cross-sectional data were collected from 894 randomly-sampled mothers within the catchment of two private hospitals in Rukungiri and Kanungu districts. Data were collected on the place of delivery for the most recent child, mothers’ sociodemographic and economic characteristics, and health facility water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) status. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) for the determinants of health facility deliveries as well as factors associated with private versus public utilization of health facilities for childbirth.

Results
The majority of mothers (90.2%, 806/894) delivered in health facilities. Non-facility deliveries were attributed to faster progression of labour (77.3%, 68/88), lack of transport (31.8%, 28/88), and high cost of hospital delivery (12.5%, 11/88). Being a business-woman [APR = 1.06, 95% CI (1.01–1.11)] and belonging to the highest wealth quintile [APR = 1.09, 95% CI (1.02–1.17)] favoured facility delivery while a higher parity of 3–4 [APR = 0.93, 95% CI (0.88–0.99)] was inversely associated with health facility delivery as compared to parity of 1–2. Factors associated with delivery in a private facility compared to a public facility included availability of highly skilled health workers [APR = 1.15, 95% CI (1.05–1.26)], perceived higher quality of WASH services [APR = 1.11, 95% CI (1.04–1.17)], cost of the delivery [APR = 0.85, 95% CI (0.78–0.92)], and availability of caesarean services [APR = 1.13, 95% CI (1.08–1.19)].

Conclusion
Health facility delivery service utilization was high, and associated with engaging in business, belonging to wealthiest quintile and having higher parity. Factors associated with delivery in private facilities included health facility WASH status, cost of services, and availability of skilled workforce and caesarean services.
Screening for antenatal depression and its determinants among pregnant women in Qatar: revisiting the biopsychosocial model
Authors: Naja Sarah , Al Kubaisi Noora , Singh Rajvir , Abdalla Hiba , Bougmiza Iheb 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundScreening for antenatal depression and its determinants is highly recommended. However, there is no consensus on a standard conceptual framework to approach pregnant women in a primary health care setting. The prevalence of antenatal depression and significant determinants are unknown in Qatar, a gap that we propose to fill.MethodsAn analytical cross-sectional study with a probability sampling technique was employed. Enrolling eight-hundred participants from primary health care centers. The screening was performed through a valid and reliable screening instrument ‘Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale.’ In addition to the proposed Comprehensive Biopsychosocial Model, participants were asked about their predisposing profile, biological risk, and other suggested modifiable variables.ResultsTwenty-one percent reported minor depressive episodes (n = 167, 20.9%) at a 95% confidence interval [18.2–23.8]. Previous use of mental health medications, fear of giving birth, concern about appearance, low perceived social support, and low resilience level showed to be associated with antenatal depression. The logistic regression analyses revealed that the Comprehensive Biopsychosocial model forecast 89% of antenatal depression predictors provided Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve of 0.89 at a 95% confidence interval [0.85 to 0.92].ConclusionsAntenatal depression is common among pregnant women in Qatar, and preventive interventions must target the determinants revealed. From a clinical perspective, the use of the proposed model may aid in the standardization of the screening process.
Scale development and an educational program to reduce the stigma of schizophrenia among community pharmacists: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fujii Tomoo , Hanya Manako , Murotani Kenta , Kamei Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Stigma associated with mental disorders is rooted among many pharmacists, and represents a major barrier to patient support in community-based psychiatry. We developed an assessment scale that is specifically designed to assess the level of stigma that pharmacists may have toward schizophrenia, and then examined the effects of reducing stigma with an educational program that focuses on communication with patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (PDS) using the newly developed Stigma Scale towards Schizophrenia for Community Pharmacists (SSCP).

Methods
SSCP was developed by exploratory factor analysis with promax rotation based on responses from 822 randomly selected community pharmacists. Furthermore, a randomized controlled trial was conducted for 115 community pharmacists to clarify the effects of reducing the stigma of schizophrenia using an educational program for them with a focus on communication with PDS. Participants were individually allocated to two groups: educational lecture group (56; only attending a lecture on schizophrenia) or contact-based intervention group (59; communicating with PDS and attending the lecture). The stigma assessment using SSCP was conducted immediately before and after the educational intervention.

Results
A total of 4 factors and 27 items were extracted from the exploratory factor analysis to comprise the SSCP. Cronbach’s α of SSCP, social distance at professional pharmacy service (factor I), attitudes towards PDS (factor II), self-disclosure (factor III), and social distance in personal (factor IV) were 0.89, 0.88, 0.76, 0.62, and 0.62, respectively. Educational program-related changes of the median (interquartile range) total SSCP score from baseline were − 9.0 (− 16.0 – − 5.0) in the contact-based intervention group and − 3.0 (− 7.0–1.0) in the educational lecture group, reflecting a significant reduction of stigma levels in the contact-based intervention group. On examining the SSCP subscales, scores for factor I and factor II significantly improved. The educational program was more effective for pharmacists aged 20–39 years or with negligible experience of communicating with PDS at work and/or in private life.

Conclusions
SSCP and the educational program for community pharmacists that focuses on communication with PDS were useful for assessing and reducing, respectively, the stigma attached by these pharmacists to schizophrenia.

Trial registration
UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000043189, registered on January 30, 2021), Retrospectively registered.