bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of nitro-butoxyl- and butyl-esters of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs compared with parent compounds on the contractility of digital arterial smooth muscle from the fallow deer (Dama dama)
Authors: Callingham Brian A. , Khan M. Akram , Milton Anthony S. , Rainsford K. D. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a major cause of upper gastro-intestinal (GI) ulceration and bleeding as well as cardiovascular (CV) diseases (e.g., myocardial infarction and stroke). A feature common to both these adverse events is a variety of vascular reactions. One approach to overcome these side effects has been the development of nitric-oxide (NO)-donating NSAIDs. The NO is considered to overcome some of these vascular reactions caused by NSAIDs. Unfortunately, the NO-NSAIDs developed so far have not had the expected benefits compared with NSAIDs alone.

Objectives
Using in vitro preparations it is hoped to gain insight into the vascular and smooth muscle reactions induced by NO-NSAIDs compared with NSAIDs as a basis for improving the protective responses attributed to the NO-donating properties of these drugs.

Methods
A range of NO-NSAIDs was synthesized based on the esterification of NSAIDs with the nitro-butoxylate as a prototype of an NO-donor. These compounds, as well as NO-donor agents and NSAIDS, were examined for their possible effects on isolated segments of digital arteries of fallow deer, which provide a robust model for determining the effects of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor activities, in comparison with those of standard pharmacological agents.

Results
The NO-NSAIDs were found to antagonise the smooth muscle contractions produced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT). However, while almost all their parent NSAIDs had little or no effect, with the exception of the R-(−)-isomers of both ibuprofen and flurbiprofen, which caused vasodilatation, all the NO-NSAIDs tested antagonised the increase in tension produced by 5-HT.

Conclusions
R-(−)-ibuprofen and R-(−)-flurbiprofen, along with the nitro-butoxyl esters of the NSAIDs examined, produce relaxation of segments of deer digital artery smooth muscle in vitro. The evidence presented suggests that their mechanism involves the release of NO or its products.
Brief Report: Preferred Processing of Social Stimuli in Autism: A Perception Task
Authors: Meermeier A. , Jording M. , Alayoubi Y. , Vogel David H. V. , Vogeley K. , Tepest R. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this study we investigate whether persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perceive social images differently than control participants (CON) in a graded perception task in which stimuli emerged from noise before dissipating into noise again. We presented either social stimuli (humans) or non-social stimuli (objects or animals). ASD were slower to recognize images during their emergence, but as fast as CON when indicating the dissipation of the image irrespective of its content. Social stimuli were recognized faster and remained discernable longer in both diagnostic groups. Thus, ASD participants show a largely intact preference for the processing of social images. An exploratory analysis of response subsets reveals subtle differences between groups that could be investigated in future studies.
Professional Growth of Novice and Experienced STEM Teachers
Authors: Akiri Effrat , Dori Yehudit Judy 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe first years of teaching are crucial for novice teachers’ integration into and retainment in the education system. The support they receive from experienced teachers impacts their professional development. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers require specialized support from domain-specific mentors. In this study, we examined how a three-level mentoring support system contributes to STEM novice teachers’ professional growth (PG) and to their mentors. The support system levels are individual mentoring, group mentoring, and mentoring networks. Based on the framework of teachers’ professional development, there are three PG dimensions: personal, professional, and social. Our research goal was to analyze teachers’ professional growth by the various mentoring level and dimension combinations. The study, conducted using a mixed methods approach, included 123 novice and 78 experienced STEM teachers. We examined the novice teachers’ perceptions of their teaching efficacy, the mentoring factors, correlations between the professional growth dimensions, and the contribution of each support level to the growth dimensions. We found that experienced teachers perceive novice teachers’ efficacy as lower than that perceived by the novice teachers. We identified gaps between the mentoring factors described by novice and experienced teachers and a strong correlation between the growth dimensions. All three mentoring support levels facilitate substantive personal, professional, and social growth. Individual mentoring contributes the most to all three growth dimensions, followed by mentoring networks. The contribution of this research is its elucidation of the intertwined support levels, which provide scaffolds for the novice teachers and facilitate the growth of the experienced teachers.
Feminist approach to geriatric care: comprehensive geriatric assessment, diversity and intersectionality
Authors: Weßel Merle 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDespite being a collection of holistic assessment tools, the comprehensive geriatric assessment primarily focuses on the social category of age during the assessment and disregards for example gender. This article critically reviews the standardized testing process of the comprehensive geriatric assessment in regard to diversity-sensitivity. I show that the focus on age as social category during the assessment process might potentially hinder positive outcomes for people with diverse backgrounds of older patients in relation to other social categories, such as race, gender or socio-economic background and their influence on the health of the patient as well as the assessment and its outcomes. I suggest that the feminist perspective of intersectionality with its multicategorical approach can enhance the diversity-sensitivity of the comprehensive geriatric assessment, and thus improve the treatment of older patients and their quality of life. By suggesting an intersectional-based approach, this article contributes to debates about justice and diversity in medical philosophy and advocates for the normative value of diversity in geriatric medicine.
Ant nests as a microbial hot spots in a long-term heavy metal-contaminated soils
Authors: Klimek Beata , Poliwka-Modliborek Hanna , Grześ Irena M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractInteractions between soil fauna and soil microorganisms are not fully recognized, especially in extreme environments, such as long-term metal-polluted soils. The purpose of the study was to assess how the presence of Lasius niger ants affected soil microbial characteristics in a long-term metal-polluted area (Upper Silesia in Poland). Paired soil samples were taken from bulk soil and from ant nests and analysed for a range of soil physicochemical properties, including metal content (zinc, cadmium, and lead). Microbial analysis included soil microbial activity (soil respiration rate), microbial biomass (substrate-induced respiration rate), and bacteria catabolic properties (Biolog® ECO plates). Soil collected from ant nests was drier and was characterized by a lower content of organic matter, carbon and nitrogen contents, and also lower metal content than bulk soil. Soil microbial respiration rate was positively related to soil pH (p = 0.01) and negatively to water-soluble metal content, integrated into TIws index (p = 0.01). Soil microbial biomass was negatively related to TIws index (p = 0.04). Neither soil microbial activity and biomass nor bacteria catabolic activity and diversity indices differed between bulk soil and ant nests. Taken together, ant activity reduced soil contamination by metals in a microscale which support microbial community activity and biomass but did not affect Biolog® culturable bacteria.
Grice and Kant on Maxims and Categories
Authors: Schamberger Christoph , Bülow Lars 
Published: September 2021

AbstractApart from a passing reference to Kant, Grice never explains in his writings how he came to discover his conversational maxims. He simply proclaims them without justification. Yet regardless of how his ingenious invention really came about, one might wonder how the conversational maxims can be detected and distinguished from other sorts of maxims. We argue that the conversational maxims can be identified by the use of a transcendental argument in the spirit of Kant. To this end, we introduce Grice’s account of conversational maxims and categories and compare it briefly with Kant’s thoughts on categories. Subsequently, we pursue a thought experiment concerning what would happen if speakers constantly broke one or another of the maxims. It seems that it would not be possible for children to recognize a significant number of lexical meanings under such circumstances. Hence, the conversational maxims are rules whose occasional application is a necessary condition of language and conversation.
Stories of water: preschool children’s engagement with water purification
Authors: Elkin Postila Teresa 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis article aims to investigate environmental education in preschools by taking Donna Haraway’s call of staying with the trouble together with preschool children seriously, here-and-now, in explorations of dirty water and water purification. This posthumanist inspired research project draws theoretically and methodologically on the writings of Haraway, Anna L. Tsing and Isabelle Stengers. The empirical data consist of three stories from a multidisciplinary intervention research project in the Stockholm region in Sweden, collected from collaboratively produced data such as films, photographs, drawings, and notes from the project. The study can be seen as an invitation to preschools to engage in the debate on climate change and to create a togetherness around environmental concerns, not only in the future, but also here-and-now in the preschool.
Isogeometric analysis based on geometric reconstruction models
Authors: Wang Yingjun , Gao Liang , Qu Jinping , Xia Zhaohui , Deng Xiaowei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn isogeometric analysis (IGA), the boundary representation of computer-aided design (CAD) and the tensor-product non-uniform rational B-spline structure make the analysis of three-dimensional (3D) problems with irregular geometries difficult. In this paper, an IGA method for complex models is presented by reconstructing analysis-suitable models. The CAD model is represented by boundary polygons or point cloud and is embedded into a regular background grid, and a model reconstruction method is proposed to obtain the level set function of the approximate model, which can be directly used in IGA. Three 3D examples are used to test the proposed method, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method can deal with complex engineering parts reconstructed by boundary polygons or point clouds.
A comparison of two dissimilarity functions for mixed-type predictor variables in the $$\delta $$-machine
Authors: Yuan Beibei , Heiser Willem , de Rooij Mark 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe$$\delta $$δ-machine is a statistical learning tool for classification based on dissimilarities or distances between profiles of the observations to profiles of a representation set, which was proposed by Yuan et al. (J Claasif 36(3): 442–470, 2019). So far, the$$\delta $$δ-machine was restricted to continuous predictor variables only. In this article, we extend the$$\delta $$δ-machine to handle continuous, ordinal, nominal, and binary predictor variables. We utilized a tailored dissimilarity function for mixed type variables which was defined by Gower. This measure has properties of a Manhattan distance. We develop, in a similar vein, a Euclidean dissimilarity function for mixed type variables. In simulation studies we compare the performance of the two dissimilarity functions and we compare the predictive performance of the$$\delta $$δ-machine to logistic regression models. We generated data according to two population distributions where the type of predictor variables, the distribution of categorical variables, and the number of predictor variables was varied. The performance of the$$\delta $$δ-machine using the two dissimilarity functions and different types of representation set was investigated. The simulation studies showed that the adjusted Euclidean dissimilarity function performed better than the adjusted Gower dissimilarity function; that the$$\delta $$δ-machine outperformed logistic regression; and that for constructing the representation set,K-medoids clustering achieved fewer active exemplars than the one usingK-means clustering while maintaining the accuracy. We also applied the$$\delta $$δ-machine to an empirical example, discussed its interpretation in detail, and compared the classification performance with five other classification methods. The results showed that the$$\delta $$δ-machine has a good balance between accuracy and interpretability.
Associations between alcohol consumption and anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors
Authors: Révész Dóra , Bours Martijn J. L. , Wegdam Johannes A. , Keulen Eric T. P. , Breukink Stéphanie O. , Slooter Gerrit D. , Vogelaar F. Jeroen , Weijenberg Matty P. , Mols Floortje 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). It is currently poorly understood, however, how alcohol and different alcoholic beverage types are related to psychosocial outcomes in CRC survivors.

Methods
We used data of N = 910 CRC survivors from the pooled EnCoRe and PROCORE cohorts and harmonized them into five time points: at diagnosis and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-diagnosis. Generalized estimated equation models were used to examine longitudinal associations of alcohol consumption, including consumption of beer, wine, and liquor, with anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while correcting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors.

Results
Survivors were on average 67 years and 37% was female. In the first 2 years post-diagnosis, survivors who consumed more alcoholic drinks/week reported lower anxiety and depressive symptoms and better HRQoL on all domains and symptom scales. This was the case for moderate and heavy amounts of alcohol and mostly for consuming beer and wine, but not for liquor. Associations were more often significant for men and for younger persons (< 67 years at baseline).

Conclusions
Generally, alcohol consumption was observed to be longitudinally related to less anxiety and depression and better HRQoL in CRC survivors.

Implications for Cancer Survivors
Although alcohol consumption is generally unfavorable due to increased risk of carcinogenesis and worse prognosis after CRC, it seems to be associated with better psychosocial outcomes in the first 2 years after diagnosis and treatment. More research is needed to gain knowledge about reasons for drinking and causality.
The many elusive pollinators in the genus Amorphophallus
Authors: Claudel Cyrille 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe genusAmorphophallusencompasses some 230 species and is one of the largest genera of the Araceae family. Most species release scents, smelling of carrion, faeces, dung and similar nauseating odours for pollinator attraction and are therefore considered to have evolved a deceptive pollination syndrome. Some of the most iconic members of the genus, such as theA.titanumandA.gigas, are considered to be carrion mimics. Copro-necrophagous insects, beetles and flies in particular, are attracted by these scents and are therefore assumed to act as pollinators. However, many reports and observations onAmorphophalluspollinators are anecdotal in nature or do not distinguish between legitimate pollinators and non-pollinating visitors. Moreover, some published observations are not readily accessible as they are many decades old. Therefore, the available data and information about insect visitors and/or pollinators in the genusAmorphophallusis compiled, reviewed and discussed.
The shape of you: do individuals associate particular geometric shapes with identity?
Authors: Manippa Valerio , Tommasi Luca 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFor more than a century, psychologists have been interested in how visual information can arouse emotions. Several studies have shown that rounded shapes evoke positive feelings due to their link with happy/baby-like expressions, compared with sharp angular shapes, usually associated with anger and threatening objects having negative valence. However, to date, no-one has investigated the preference to associate simple geometric shapes to personal identities, including one’s own, that of a close acquainted, or that of a stranger. Through 2 online surveys we asked participants to associate a geometric shape, chosen among a circle, a square and a triangle, to each of three identities, namely “you” (the self), “your best friend” or “a stranger”. We hypothesized that the circle would be more associated with the self, the square with the friend and the triangle with the stranger. Moreover, we investigated whether these associations are modulated by 3 personality traits: aggressivity, social fear and empathy. As predicted, we found that participants associate more often the circle with the self, both the circle and the square with the best friend, whereas they matched angular shapes (both the triangle and the square) to the stranger. On the other hand, the possibility that personality traits can modulate such associations was not confirmed. The study of how people associate geometric figures with the self or with other identities giving them an implicit socio-affective connotation, is interesting for all the disciplines interested in the automatic affective processes activated by visual stimuli.
Increase of serum uric acid levels associated with APOE ε2 haplotype: a clinico-genetic investigation and in vivo approach
Authors: Ogura Masatsune , Toyoda Yu , Sakiyama Masayuki , Kawamura Yusuke , Nakayama Akiyoshi , Yamanashi Yoshihide , Takada Tappei , Shimizu Seiko , Higashino Toshihide , Nakajima Mayuko , Naito Mariko , Hishida Asahi , Kawai Sayo , Okada Rieko , Sasaki Makoto , Ayaori Makoto , Suzuki Hiroshi , Takata Koki , Ikewaki Katsunori , Harada-Shiba Mariko , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Matsuo Hirotaka 
Published: September 2021

AbstractElevated serum uric acid (SUA)—hyperuricemia—is caused by overproduction of urate or by its decreased renal and/or intestinal excretion. This disease, which is increasing in prevalence worldwide, is associated with both gout and metabolic diseases. Several studies have reported relationships between apolipoprotein E (APOE) haplotypes and SUA levels in humans; however, their results remain inconsistent. This prompted us to investigate the relationship between APOE polymorphisms and SUA levels. Our subjects were 5,272 Japanese men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed the ε2 haplotype of APOE to be independently associated with higher SUA in men (N = 1,726) and postmenopausal women (N = 1,753), but not in premenopausal women (N = 1,793). In contrast, the ε4 haplotype was little related to SUA levels in each group. Moreover, to examine the effect of Apoe deficiency on SUA levels, we conducted animal experiments using Apoe knockout mice, which mimics ε2/ε2 carriers. We found that SUA levels in Apoe knockout mice were significantly higher than those in wild-type mice, which is consistent with the SUA-raising effect of the ε2 haplotype observed in our clinico-genetic analyses. Further analyses suggested that renal rather than intestinal underexcretion of urate could be involved in Apoe deficiency-related SUA increase. In conclusion, we successfully demonstrated that the ε2 haplotype, but not the ε4 haplotype, increases SUA levels. These findings will improve our understanding of genetic factors affecting SUA levels.
In situ reduced MXene/AuNPs composite toward enhanced charging/discharging and specific capacitance
Authors: Zheng Zixiang , Wu Wei , Yang Tao , Wang Enhui , Du Zhentao , Hou Xinmei , Liang Tongxiang , Wang Hailong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this work, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated Ti3C2Txnanosheets (MXene/AuNPs composite) are fabricated through a self-reduction reaction of Ti3C2Txnanosheets with HAuCl4aqueous solution. The obtained composite is characterized as AuNPs with the diameter of about 23 nm uniformly dispersing on Ti3C2Txnanosheets without aggregation. The composite (MXene decorated on 4.8 wt% AuNPs) is further employed to construct supercapacitor for the first time with a higher specific capacitance of 278 F·g−1at 5 mV·s−1than that of pure Ti3C2Txand 95% of cyclic stability after 10,000 cycles. Furthermore, MXene/AuNPs composite symmetric supercapacitor with filter paper as separator and H2SO4as electrolyte, is assembled. The supercapacitor exhibits a high volumetric energy density of 8.82 Wh·L−1at a power density of 264.6 W·L−1and ultrafast-charging/discharging performance. It exhibits as a promising candidate applied in integrated and flexible supercapacitors.
Design and preparation of an ultra-high temperature ceramic by in-situ introduction of Zr2[Al(Si)]4C5 into ZrB2-SiC: Investigation on the mechanical properties and oxidation behavior
Authors: Yu Lei , Liu Hui , Fu Yaohui , Hu Weijiang , Wang Zhefei , Liu Quan , Wei Bo , Yang Jian , Qiu Tai 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNovel ZrB2-matrix composites were designed and prepared byin-situintroducing SiC and Zr2[Al(Si)]4C5simultaneously for the first time. The obtained composites were dense and showed good mechanical properties, especially the strength and toughness, 706 MPa and 7.33 MPa·m1/2, respectively, coupled with high hardness of 21.3 GPa, and stiffness of 452 GPa. SiC and Zr2[Al(Si)]4C5constituted a reinforcing system with synergistic effects including grain refinement, grain pull-out as well as crack branching, bridging, and deflection. Besides, the oxidation results of the composites showed that the oxidation kinetics followed the parabolic law at 1600 °C, and the oxidation rate constants increased with the increase of Zr2[Al(Si)]4C5content. The formation and evolution model of the oxidation structure was also investigated, and the oxide scale of the composite exhibited a three-layer structure.