bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early administration of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors after induction of diabetes in a rat model may prevent erectile dysfunction
Authors: Ismail E. A. , Younis S. E. , Ismail I. Y. , El‐Wazir Y. M. , El‐Sakka A. I. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe possible role of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) in prevention of negative effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on erectile function is not well settled.ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of early administration of vardenafil on erectile function, cavernosal structure, and genes expression in a rat model of DM.Materials and methodsThis experimental study was carried out at Suez Canal University's research laboratory. This study was conducted on a total of 60 adult male Albino Wistar rats, aged 60–80 days and weighing an average of 200 g. Rats were equally divided into six groups of 10 rats each: Group I (sham); Group II (DM with no treatment); Groups III, IV, V, and VI received vardenafil started at day 1, week 4, week 8, and week 12 after induction of DM, respectively. Functional study assessment of all groups was performed before euthanization, and then tissues were harvested for histopathological, ultrastructural, and molecular examinations.ResultsThere was a significant difference of intracavernosal pressure between early (94 ± 2.18) and late (40.5 ± 1.94) treatment groups (p = 0.011). Histopathological and ultrastructural changes of DM with no treatment and late treatment groups showed distorted cavernous architecture and extensive fibrosis. There was significant difference of smooth muscle to collagen ratio between early and late treatment groups (p = 0.035). There was significant upregulation of nNOS(p = 0.021) and iNOS (p = 0.047) in early vs. late treatment group. The difference was insignificant in eNOS (p = 0.386) or TGF‐β1(p = 0.149).Discussion and conclusionEarly treated rats with vardenafil had preserved erection and normal cavernosal structure, ultrastructure and gene expression of iNOS, nNOS, eNOS, and TGF‐β1. Quantification of gene expression would improve our knowledge regarding cytokines expression and molecular background of DM‐associated ED. Clinical application of this result may encourage early administration of PDE5I to prevent deleterious effects of DM on erectile function in newly diagnosed DM patients with probable uncontrolled blood glucose.
From Urban Resilience to Abolitionist Climate Justice in Washington, DC
Authors: Ranganathan Malini , Bratman Eve 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWhat would abolitionism mean for climate justice? “Resilience” is proposed by experts as a solution to climate change vulnerability. But this prescription tends to focus on adaptation to future external threats, subtly validating embedded processes of racial capitalism that have historically dehumanised and endangered residents and their environments in the first place. This article focuses on majority Black areas said to be vulnerable to extreme weather events and targeted for expert‐driven resilience enhancements in America's capital city, Washington, DC. Drawing on key insights from Black radical, feminist, and antiracist humanist thought, we reimagine resilience through an abolitionist framework. Using archival analysis, oral histories, a neighbourhood‐level survey, and interviews conducted between 2015 and 2018, we argue that abolitionist climate justice entails a centring of DC's historical environmental and housing‐related racisms, the intersectional drivers of precarity and trauma experienced by residents beyond those narrowly associated with “climate”; and an ethics of care and healing practiced by those deemed most at risk to climate change.
Review of research on mobile‐assisted language learning in familiar, authentic environments
Authors: Shadiev Rustam , Liu Taoying , Hwang Wu‐Yuin 
Published: June 2019

AbstractFamiliarity with learning contexts is important in the field of mobile‐assisted language learning (MALL). Several review studies on MALL have been published to date. However, scholars have not covered certain aspects of familiar contexts in their reviews, such as which learning/instructional methodologies support learning in familiar contexts or what the affordances of familiar contexts are for language learning. To address this gap, the authors in this study reviewed research articles related to MALL in familiar, authentic environments published in the past 10 years. The reviewed articles were from journals published in the Social Science Citation Index between 2009 and 2018. The main aim of this study was to review the published articles to understand (1) pedagogical approaches, (2) data collection, (3) locations, (4) affordances of authentic environments and (5) issues in MALL research. The results revealed that the most frequent items in reviewed articles were task‐based learning and communicative language teaching (pedagogical approaches); questionnaires, pretest and posttests and interviews (data collection); the local community and campus (locations); daily encounters, language learning and cognitive load (affordances of authentic environments); and small sample sizes and short‐term interventions (issues in MALL research). Based on the results, the authors in this study made several suggestions and provided implications for educators and researchers in the field about MALL in familiar, authentic environments.
Course‐level modeling of preservice teacher learning of technology integration
Authors: Jung Jiyoon , Ottenbreit‐Leftwich Anne 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe introduce an analytic approach to examine preservice teachers' technology integration learning as a process mapped against their technology‐related course experience in a technology integration course. The approach assumes that (1) the preservice teachers have common course learning experience; (2) their data are collected pre‐ and post‐course and paired; (3) the sample size is large enough to generate a structural covariance model; (4) the measurement is contextualized to the course characteristics around the types of technology tasks/tools used in the course and whether or not they were explicitly taught. The approach was applied to 368 preservice teachers' paired data to illustrate how the approach addresses the methodological issue of construct validity in TPACK measures, highlights the importance of technology integration course experience, and provides useful insights into a particular technology integration learning to its stakeholders.
Farm‐level determinants of product conversion: Organic milk production
Authors: Skolrud Tristan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe investigate the role of technology in the decision of dairy farmers to convert to organic production methods. We measure the characteristics of the production technology using data from the USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey and a recently developed functional form that allows for a global approximation to the unknown distance function without compromising approximation at the data boundaries. Conventional dairies with lower technical efficiency, higher returns to scale, and the ability to easily substitute away from restricted inputs are more likely to convert to organic production. Findings suggest further consolidation in the conventional industry as low‐performing farms exits for the organic industry.
Meta‐analysis of human connection to nature and proenvironmental behavior
Authors: Whitburn Julie , Linklater Wayne , Abrahamse Wokje 
Published: June 2019

AbstractUnderstanding what drives environmentally protective or destructive behavior is important to the design and implementation of effective public policies to encourage people's engagement in proenvironmental behavior (PEB). Research shows that a connection to nature is associated with greater engagement in PEB. However, the variety of instruments and methods used in these studies poses a major barrier to integrating research findings. We conducted a meta‐analysis of the relationship between connection to nature and PEB. We identified studies through a systematic review of the literature and used Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis software to analyze the results from 37 samples (n = 13,237) and to test for moderators. A random‐effects model demonstrated a positive and significant association between connection to nature and PEB (r = 0.42, 95% CI 0.36, 0.47, p < 0.001). People who are more connected to nature reported greater engagement in PEB. Standard tests indicated little effect of publication bias in the sample. There was significant heterogeneity among the samples. Univariate categorical analyses showed that the scales used to measure connection to nature and PEB were significant moderators and explained the majority of the between‐study variance. The geographic location of a study, age of participants, and the percentage of females in a study were not significant moderators. We found that a deeper connection to nature may partially explain why some people behave more proenvironmentally than others and that the relationship is ubiquitous. Facilitating a stronger connection to nature may result in greater engagement in PEB and conservation, although more longitudinal studies with randomized experiments are required to demonstrate causation.
MALAT1 accelerates the development and progression of renal cell carcinoma by decreasing the expression of miR‐203 and promoting the expression of BIRC5
Authors: Zhang Haimin , Li Wei , Gu Wenyu , Yan Yang , Yao Xudong , Zheng Junhua 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the roles of the lncRNA MALAT1 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression.MethodsqRT‐PCR was used for the assessment of BIRC5, miRNA‐203 and MALAT1 expression. Furthermore, the targeted relationships between miR‐203 and BIRC5, as well as MALAT1 and miR‐203, were predicted by the miRanda/starBase database and verified by dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay. The effects of MALAT1, miRNA‐203 and BIRC5 on cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis, cell invasion and cell migration were studied by using CCK‐8, flow cytometry, transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. In addition, the effects of MALAT1 on RCC tumorigenesis were evaluated in vivo by nude mouse tumorigenesis.ResultsThe expression levels of BIRC5 and MALAT1 were higher in RCC tissues and cell lines than in adjacent normal tissues and a normal renal cortex proximal tubule epithelial cell line. In contrast, the expression of miRNA‐203 in RCC tissues and cell lines was higher than that in adjacent normal tissues and a normal renal cortex proximal tubule epithelial cell line. BIRC5 and MALAT1 promoted cell proliferation yet decreased the percentage of RCC cells at G0/G1 phase.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that MALAT1 functions as a miR‐203 decoy to increase BIRC5 expression in RCC.
Comparison of glycemic control after pancreas transplantation for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic recipients at a high volume center
Authors: Andacoglu Oya M. , Himmler Amber , Geng Xue , Ahn Jaeil , Ghasemian Seyed , Cooper Matthew , Abrams Peter 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe number of pancreas transplants (PTX) in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has increased in response to excellent outcomes in appropriately selected patients. Not all pancreas transplant centers share an enthusiasm for performing PTX for T2DM out of concern for increased complication rates. This study aims to clarify the characteristics of T2DM recipients with successful outcomes to clarify which candidates are more suitable for PTX as means of maximizing access to this highly effective therapy for Type 2 patients.Methods & ResultsAt MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute, 50 patients underwent pancreas transplant between 2013 and 2016. Based on patient characteristics, 38 (78%) were categorized as T1DM, and 11 (22%) were considered T2DM. One case was excluded due to early graft loss. The estimated age of diabetes onset was significantly different between T1DM and T2DM cohorts (13 years vs. 29 years, P < .001). T2DM patients had significantly higher preoperative C‐peptide levels (4.11 vs. 0.05, P < .001). Preoperative HbA1c, preoperative Body Mass Index (BMI), number of diabetic complications, and hemodialysis status were similar between both groups. At 2‐year follow‐up, there was no statistical difference in glycemic control between the two groups (T1DM vs. T2DM). Infectious complications and readmission rates were similar. Other trends that did not meet statistical significance included T1DM group with a slightly higher mortality and re‐intervention rate. The T2DM group demonstrated higher BMI, higher rejection rates, and higher short‐term postoperative insulin requirements. Graft survival was 95% and 82% for T1 and T2DM at 2 years post‐transplant, respectively.ConclusionSuccessful PTX in T1DM and T2DM recipient groups resulted in comparable glycemic control at 2‐year post‐transplant follow‐up. T2DM group had a trend toward higher BMI as well as higher rates of rejection, temporary insulin requirement and graft failure, although none of these trends reached statistical significance. These results suggest that strict classification of T1 and T2DM by itself may not be relevant to achieving excellent outcomes in pancreas transplantation and, therefore, patient selection for PTX should not be based primarily on this classification.
‘MusiMath’ and ‘Academic Music’ – Two music‐based intervention programs for fractions learning in fourth grade students
Authors: Azaryahu Libby , Courey Susan Joan , Elkoshi Rivka , Adi‐Japha Esther 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMusic and mathematics require abstract thinking and using symbolic notations. Controversy exists regarding transfer from musical training to math achievements. The current study examined the effect of two integrated intervention programs representing holistic versus acoustic approaches, on fraction knowledge. Three classes of fourth graders attended 12 lessons on fractions: One class attended the ‘MusiMath’ holistic program (n = 30) focusing on rhythm within the melody. Another class attended the ‘Academic Music’ acoustic program (Courey et al., Educ Stud Math 81:251, 2012) (n = 25) which uses rhythm only. The third class received regular fraction lessons (comparison group, n = 22). Students in both music programs learned to write musical notes and perform rhythmic patterns through clapping and drumming as part of their fraction lessons. They worked toward adding musical notes to produce a number (fraction), and created addition/subtraction problems with musical notes. The music programs used a 4/4 time signature with whole, half, quarter and eighth notes. In the math lessons, the students learned the analogy between musical durations and fractions, but also practiced fractions other than . Music and math were assessed before, immediately following, and 3‐ and 6‐months post‐intervention. Pre‐ to post‐intervention analyses indicated that only the ‘MusiMath’ group showed greater transfer to intervention‐trained and untrained fractions than the comparison group. The ‘Academic Music’ group showed a trend on trained fractions. Although both music groups outperformed the comparison group 3‐ and 6‐months post‐intervention on trained fractions, only the ‘MusiMath’ group demonstrated greater gains in untrained fractions. Gains were more evident in trained than in untrained fractions. A video abstract of this article can be viewed at https://youtu.be/uJ_KWWDO624
Initiation and growth behaviour of small internal fatigue cracks in Ti‐6Al‐4V via synchrotron radiation microcomputed tomography
Authors: Yoshinaka Fumiyoshi , Nakamura Takashi , Takeuchi Akihisa , Uesugi Masayuki , Uesugi Kentaro 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSmall internal fatigue cracks initiated in Ti‐6Al‐4V in the very high cycle regime were detected by synchrotron radiation microcomputed tomography (SR‐μCT) at SPring‐8 in Japan. The initiation and growth behaviours of the cracks were nondestructively observed, and the da/dN‐ΔK relationship was measured and compared with that obtained in a high vacuum environment. SR‐μCT revealed that more than 20 cracks were initiated in one specimen. The crack initiation life varied widely from 20% to 70% of the average fatigue life and had little influence on the growth behaviour that followed. The initiation site size of each internal crack detected in one specimen was comparable with the size of the fracture origins obtained in ordinary fatigue tests. These results suggest that the surrounding microstructures around the initiation site are likely a dominant factor on the internal fracture rather than the potential initiation site itself. The internal crack growth rates were lower than 10−10 m/cycle, and extremely slow rates ranging from 10−13 to 10−11 m/cycle were measured in a lower ΔK regime below 5 MPa√m. The internal crack growth rate closely matched that of surface cracks in a high vacuum, and the reason for the very long life of internal fatigue fractures was believed to result from the vacuum‐like environment inside the internal cracks.
Bycatch, discards and survival rates in the small‐scale cuttlefish trap fishery on sandy bottoms off the Algarve coast (southern Portugal)
Authors: Vasconcelos Paulo , Pereira Fábio , Moreno Ana , Gaspar Miguel B. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study reports a detailed description of the bycatch, discards and survival rates in the cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) trap fishery off the Algarve coast (southern Portugal). A total of 86 fishing surveys involving 6,311 cuttlefish traps were performed between May and September from 2009 to 2014. Bycatch species were caught in 1,037 traps (bycatch catchability rate of 16.4%), comprising 1576 individuals with an overall weight of 268.3 kg. During the study period, bycatch CPUEs were 12.5 ind./50 traps and 2.1 kg/50 traps, with bycatch rates of 21.1% by number and 15.9% by weight. Thirty‐four species (89.5% of bycatch taxa) were discarded at sea, corresponding to discard rates of 19.5% by number and 11.1% by weight. The short‐snouted seahorse, Hippocampus hippocampus (L.), was the third most abundant bycatch species (11.6% No.; 0.4% kg) and the second most discarded (12.6% No.; 0.6% kg), being invariably discarded live and undamaged owing its conservation status. This markedly seasonal small‐scale trap fishery constitutes a locally important socio‐economic activity during spring and summer, characterised by low bycatch and discard rates, complemented by high survival rates of discards.
Comparing correlative and bioenergetics‐based habitat suitability models for drift‐feeding fishes
Authors: Naman Sean M. , Rosenfeld Jordan S. , Neuswanger Jason R. , Enders Eva C. , Eaton Brett C. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Quantitative habitat suitability models (HSMs) are frequently used to inform the conservation and management of lotic organisms, often in the context of instream flow management. Correlative statistical models relating hydraulic variables to habitat preferences (habitat suitability curves based on use:availability ratios) are the most common form of HSM, but face significant criticism on the grounds that habitat preference may not reflect the fitness consequences of habitat use. Consequently, there has been a drive to develop mechanistic approaches that link habitat to direct correlates of fitness.

Bioenergetic foraging models relating hydraulic conditions to energy balance are particularly well‐developed for drift‐feeding fishes (e.g. salmonids) and show promise as a more mechanistic approach to modelling suitability. However, these models are rarely validated empirically or quantitatively compared with correlative HSMs. We addressed these gaps by comparing the ability of a bioenergetics‐based HSM and two correlative HSMs (a traditional suitability index and a resource selection function) to predict density and growth of stream salmonids (juvenile steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and coastal cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki).

Suitability estimates differed between the approaches, with both correlative models predicting higher suitability relative to the bioenergetic model at shallow depths and low to intermediate velocities, but lower suitability as depth increased. The bioenergetic model explained over 90% of variation in trout growth, compared to c. 50% for the correlative model. The bioenergetic model was also better at predicting fish density; however, the improvement was less striking and a high proportion of variation remained unexplained by either method.

Differences in suitability estimates between approaches probably reflect biotic interactions (e.g. territorial displacement or predation risk) that decouple realised habitat use from energetics‐based estimates of habitat quality. Results highlight fundamental differences between correlative HSMs, based on observed habitat use, and mechanistic HSMs, based on the physiology and behaviour of the focal taxa. They also suggest that mechanistic bioenergetics‐based models provide more rigorous estimates of habitat suitability for drift‐feeding stream fishes. The bioenergetics approach is readily accessible to instream flow practitioners because model predictions are expressed in terms of traditional habitat suitability curves.
Chitinase 3‐like 1 deficiency ameliorates liver fibrosis by promoting hepatic macrophage apoptosis
Authors: Higashiyama Masaaki , Tomita Kengo , Sugihara Nao , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Furuhashi Hirotaka , Nishikawa Makoto , Inaba Kenichi , Wada Akinori , Horiuchi Kazuki , Hanawa Yoshinori , Shibuya Naoki , Kurihara Chie , Okada Yoshikiyo , Nishii Shin , Mizoguchi Akinori , Hozumi Hideaki , Watanabe Chikako , Komoto Shunsuke , Yamamoto Junji , Seki Shuhji , Miura Soichiro , Hokari Ryota 
Published: June 2019

AimChitinase 3‐like 1 (CHI3L1), an 18‐glycosyl hydrolase‐related molecule, is a member of the enzymatically inactive chitinase‐like protein family. Serum levels of CHI3L1 are strongly correlated with hepatic fibrosis progression during many liver diseases. Therefore, this protein could be involved in the development of hepatic fibrosis pathology; however, its role has not been elucidated. We aimed to elucidate its role in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis.MethodsChitinase 3‐like 1‐deficient (Chi3l1−/−) mice were given carbon tetrachloride twice per week for 4 weeks or fed a methionine choline‐deficient diet for 12 weeks to generate mouse liver fibrosis models. Human fibrotic liver tissues were also examined immunohistochemically.ResultsIn human and mouse fibrotic livers, CHI3L1 expression was mainly localized to hepatic macrophages, and the intrahepatic accumulation of CHI3L1+ macrophages was significantly enhanced compared to that in control livers. In the two mouse models, hepatic fibrosis was significantly ameliorated in Chi3l1−/− mice compared to that in wild‐type mice, which was dependent on hepatic macrophages. The accumulation and activation of hepatic macrophages was also significantly suppressed in Chi3l1−/− mice compared to that in wild‐type mice. Furthermore, apoptotic hepatic macrophages were significantly increased in Chi3l1−/− mice. Chitinase 3‐like 1 was found to inhibit hepatic macrophage apoptosis by suppressing Fas expression and activating Akt signaling in an autocrine manner, which resulted in hepatic macrophage accumulation and activation, exaggerating liver fibrosis.ConclusionsChitinase 3‐like 1 exacerbates liver fibrosis progression by suppressing apoptosis in hepatic macrophages. Therefore, this might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.