bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reconsidering Different Visions of Scientific Literacy and Science Education Based on the Concept of Bildung
Authors: Sjöström Jesper , Eilks Ingo 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Over the last 50 years, policy makers and STEM educators have argued for Scientific Literacy (SL). SL is a typical boundary object that everyone can agree on, but that is filled with different meanings by different stakeholders. Roberts (as published in Abell SK, Lederman NG (eds), Handbook of research on science education. Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, pp. 729–780, 2007) has identified two main orientations of SL: Vision I starts from and focuses on scientific content and scientific processes to learn about corresponding applications later, while Vision II focuses on contextualizing scientific knowledge for giving its use in life and society meaning. The tension between Vision I and II can also be related to the tension between “pipeline science – preparing future scientists” and “science for all”. Recently, a more advanced vision of SL was suggested. It is called Vision III and emphasizes philosophical values, politicization and critical global citizenship education. Such an orientation can be well justified by the Central/Northern European educational and cultural tradition called Bildung. In its most contemporary understanding, it is agency-oriented. Bildung-oriented science education aims at making the student capable of a self-determined life in his/her socio-cultural environment, participation in a democratic society, and of empathy and solidarity with others. This concept is also closely connected to more recent educational paradigms that were defined also beyond Europe, e.g. the ideas of Education for Sustainability (EfS) and transformative learning. Both concepts aim on skills development for critical-democratic participation and for shaping our society and culture in a sustainable way. The different visions of SL have consequences for the content and culture of teaching and learning of science and technology. Accepting Vision III requires awareness that our view of selecting and teaching certain content is dependent on our culture, for example our norms, values and worldviews, and on the society we are living in. Learning (cognition) must be complemented with not only meta-learning (metacognition), but also transformative learning, where things are considered from multifaceted (e.g., cultural) perspectives. The discussion in this chapter focuses on educational implications of Vision III of SL and its connection to critical-reflexive Bildung, EfS and transformative learning.
High heterotrophic CO2 emissions from a Malaysian oil palm plantation during dry-season
Authors: Matysek Magdalena , Evers Stephanie , Samuel Marshall Kana , Sjogersten Sofie 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTropical peatlands are currently being rapidly cleared and drained for the establishment of oil palm plantations, which threatens their globally significant carbon sequestration capacity. Large-scale land conversion of tropical peatlands is important in the context of greenhouse gas emission factors and sustainable land management. At present, quantification of carbon dioxide losses from tropical peatlands is limited by our understanding of the relative contribution of heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration to net peat surface CO2 emissions. In this study we separated heterotrophic and autotrophic components of peat CO2 losses from two oil palm plantations (one established in ‘2000’ and the other in 1978, then replanted in ‘2006’) using chamber-based emissions sampling along a transect from the rooting to non-rooting zones on a peatland in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia over the course of 3 months (June–August, 2014). Collar CO2 measurements were compared with soil temperature and moisture at site and also accompanied by depth profiles assessing peat C and bulk density. The soil respiration decreased exponentially with distance from the palm trunks with the sharpest decline found for the plantation with the younger palms with overall fluxes of 1341 and 988 mg CO2 m−2 h−1, respectively, at the 2000 and 2006 plantations, respectively. The mean heterotrophic flux was 909 ± SE 136 and 716 ± SE 201 mg m−2 h−1 at the 2000 and 2006 plantations, respectively. Autotrophic emissions adjacent to the palm trunks were 845 ± SE 135 and 1558 ± SE 341 mg m−2 h−1 at the 2000 and 2006 plantations, respectively. Heterotrophic CO2 flux was positively related to peat soil moisture, but not temperature. Total peat C stocks were 60 kg m−2 (down to 1 m depth) and did not vary among plantations of different ages but SOC concentrations declined significantly with depth at both plantations but the decline was sharper in the second generation 2006 plantation. The CO2 flux values reported in this study suggest a potential for very high carbon (C) loss from drained tropical peats during the dry season. This is particularly concerning given that more intense dry periods related to climate change are predicted for SE Asia. Taken together, this study highlights the need for careful management of tropical peatlands, and the vulnerability of their carbon storage capability under conditions of drainage.
The “G-Spot” Is Not a Structure Evident on Macroscopic Anatomic Dissection of the Vaginal Wall
Authors: Hoag Nathan , Keast Janet R. , O'Connell Helen E. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Background
Controversy exists in the literature regarding the presence or absence of an anatomic “G-spot.” However, few studies have examined the detailed topographic or histologic anatomy of the putative G-spot location.

Aim
To determine the anatomy of the anterior vaginal wall and present detailed, systematic, accessible findings from female cadaveric dissections to provide anatomic clarity with respect to this location.

Methods
Systematic anatomic dissections were performed on 13 female cadavers (32–97 years old, 8 fixed and 5 fresh) to characterize the gross anatomy of the anterior vaginal wall. Digital photography was used to document dissections. Dissection preserved the anterior vaginal wall, urethra, and clitoris. In 9 cadavers, the vaginal epithelial layer was reflected to expose the underlying urethral wall and associated tissues. In 4 cadavers, the vaginal wall was left intact before preservation. Once photographed, 8 specimens were transversely sectioned for macroscopic inspection and histologic examination.

Outcomes
The presence or absence of a macroscopic anatomic structure at detailed cadaveric pelvis dissection that corresponds to the previously described G-spot and gross anatomic description of the anterior vaginal wall.

Results
Deep to the lining epithelium of the anterior vaginal wall is the urethra. There is no macroscopic structure other than the urethra and vaginal wall lining in the location of the putative G-spot. Specifically, there is no apparent erectile or “spongy” tissue in the anterior vaginal wall, except where the urethra abuts the clitoris distally.

Clinical Implications
The absence of an anatomic structure corresponding to the putative G-spot helps clarify the controversy on this subject.

Strengths and Limitations
Limitations to this study include limited access to specimens immediately after death and potential for observational bias. In addition, age, medical history, and cause of death are not publishable for privacy reasons. However, it is one of the most thorough and complete anatomic evaluations documenting the anatomic detail of the anterior vaginal wall.

Conclusion
The G-spot, in its current description, is not identified as a discrete anatomic entity at macroscopic dissection of the urethra or vaginal wall. Further insights could be provided by histologic study.
Ratchet mechanism of drops climbing a vibrated oblique plate
Authors: Ding Hang , Zhu Xi , Gao Peng , Lu Xi-Yun 
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we investigate the ratchet mechanism of drops climbing a vibrated oblique plate based on three-dimensional direct numerical simulations, which for the first time reproduce the existing experiment (Brunet et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 99, 2007, 144501). With the help of numerical simulations, we identify an interesting and important wetting behaviour of the climbing drop; that is, the breaking of symmetry due to the inclination of the plate with respect to the acceleration leads to a hysteresis of the wetted area in one period of harmonic vibration. In particular, the average wetted area in the downhill stage is larger than that in the uphill stage, which is found to be responsible for the uphill net motion of the drop. A new hydrodynamic model is proposed to interpret the ratchet mechanism, taking account of the effects of the acceleration and contact angle hysteresis. The predictions of the theoretical analysis are in good agreement with the numerical results.
Grooves surrounding the micropyle decrease the inseminating dose in fish
Authors: Pereira-Santos Matheus , Shimoda Eduardo , de Andrade André Furugen Cesar , Silva Luciano Andrade , Fujimoto Takafumi , Senhorini José Augusto , Yasui George Shigueki , Nakaghi Laura Satiko Okada 
Published: December 2017

SummaryIn fish with external fertilization, sperm must reach the oocyte through the micropyle to enter the cytoplasm. Fertilization success is then influenced by characteristics of oocytes or sperm. In this study, we evaluated oocyte morphology and sperm motility parameters and their effects on the inseminating dose in a teleost fishAstyanax altiparanae. Interestingly, we found one of the lowest yet described inseminating doses in teleosts (2390 spermatozoa oocyte−1ml−1). Such a fertilization efficacy may be explained by the long duration of sperm motility (>75 s), the small oocyte diameter (695.119 µm), large micropyle diameter (7.57 µm), and the presence of grooves on the oocyte surface that guides spermatozoon to the fertilization area. Additionally, we have described for the first time a structure that combines grooves on the chorion surface and a ridge in the micropylar area.
Sociodemographic factors are associated with dietary patterns in Mexican schoolchildren
Authors: García-Chávez Claudia Gabriela , Rodríguez-Ramírez Sonia , Rivera Juan A , Monterrubio-Flores Eric , Tucker Katherine L 
Published: December 2017

AbstractObjectiveChildhood obesity has increased rapidly in Mexico, along with changes in the food environment. However, little is known about the dietary patterns (DP) of Mexican children. We aimed to characterize the DP of schoolchildren and to analyse their associations with sociodemographic factors.DesignCross-sectional analysis. Dietary and sociodemographic information was obtained, including a single 24 h recall, socio-economic status (SES), geographic region, area of residence and ethnicity. DP were defined with cluster analysis (using k-means). Multinomial logistic regression models, adjusted for the survey design, were used to assess associations between DP and sociodemographic variables.Setting2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT-2012).SubjectsSchoolchildren (n 2751) aged 5–11 years who participated in ENSANUT-2012.ResultsFour DP were identified: ‘Traditional’, ‘Industrialized’, ‘Varied’ and ‘Modern’. Reported energy intake (mean (sd)) was lowest in the ‘Traditional’ and highest in the ‘Industrialized’ DP (7037 (3707) kJ/d (1682 (886) kcal/d) v. 8427 (3753) kJ/d (2014 (897) kcal/d), respectively, P<0·05). Significant differences in fat and fibre intakes were seen across DP. Non-indigenous v. indigenous children were 22·0 times (95 % CI 5·1, 93·6) more likely to have a ‘Modern’ rather than ‘Traditional’ DP. Relative likelihood of having an ‘Industrialized’ rather than ‘Traditional’ DP was 6·2 (95 % CI 3·9, 9·9) among schoolchildren from high SES v. low SES.ConclusionsAmong Mexican schoolchildren, DP were associated with sociodemographic variables. Non-indigenous children were significantly more likely to consume a ‘Modern’ than a ‘Traditional’ DP. Children with higher SES were more likely to have an ‘Industrialized’ pattern. It is necessary to consider dietary characteristics in the different sociodemographic strata when dietary interventions are designed.
H19 lncRNA regulates keratinocyte differentiation by targeting miR-130b-3p
Authors: Li Chun-xiao , Li Hua-guo , Huang Lin-ting , Kong Yu-wei , Chen Fu-ying , Liang Jian-yin , Yu Hong , Yao Zhi-rong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAberrant differentiation of keratinocytes has been demonstrated to be associated with a number of skin diseases. A growing number of studies have showed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have an important part in gene regulation, however, the role of lncRNAs in keratinocyte differentiation remains to be largely unknown. In the present study, we demonstrated that lncRNA-H19 act as an endogenous 'sponge', which binds directly to miR-130b-3p and therefore inhibits its activity on Dsg1. MiR-130b-3p was illustrated to inhibit keratinocyte differentiation by targeting Dsg1. H19 regulates Dsg1 expression and the consequent keratinocyte differentiation through miR-130b-3p. Our study casts light on a novel regulatory model of keratinocyte differentiation, which may provide new therapeutic targets of skin diseases.
Through-needle all-optical ultrasound imaging in vivo: a preclinical swine study
Authors: Finlay Malcolm C , Mosse Charles A , Colchester Richard J , Noimark Sacha , Zhang Edward Z , Ourselin Sebastien , Beard Paul C , Schilling Richard J , Parkin Ivan P , Papakonstantinou Ioannis , Desjardins Adrien E 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHigh-frequency ultrasound imaging can provide exquisite visualizations of tissue to guide minimally invasive procedures. Here, we demonstrate that an all-optical ultrasound transducer, through which light guided by optical fibers is used to generate and receive ultrasound, is suitable for real-time invasive medical imaging in vivo. Broad-bandwidth ultrasound generation was achieved through the photoacoustic excitation of a multiwalled carbon nanotube-polydimethylsiloxane composite coating on the distal end of a 300-μm multi-mode optical fiber by a pulsed laser. The interrogation of a high-finesse Fabry–Pérot cavity on a single-mode optical fiber by a wavelength-tunable continuous-wave laser was applied for ultrasound reception. This transducer was integrated within a custom inner transseptal needle (diameter 1.08 mm; length 78 cm) that included a metallic septum to acoustically isolate the two optical fibers. The use of this needle within the beating heart of a pig provided unprecedented real-time views (50 Hz scan rate) of cardiac tissue (depth: 2.5 cm; axial resolution: 64 μm) and revealed the critical anatomical structures required to safely perform a transseptal crossing: the right and left atrial walls, the right atrial appendage, and the limbus fossae ovalis. This new paradigm will allow ultrasound imaging to be integrated into a broad range of minimally invasive devices in different clinical contexts.
Co-expression of mFat-1 and pig IGF-1 genes by recombinant plasmids in modified chitosan nanoparticles and its synergistic effect on mouse immunity
Authors: Xiong Qi , Chen Jianlin , Li Fei-Lin , Zhao Shiji , Wan Xiaoping , Yang Xiao , Li Jianglin , Luo Danyu , Wang Zezhou , Lv Xuebin , Gao Rong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo develop a cost-effective molecular regulator to improve growth metabolism and immunity of animals, a recombinant plasmid co-expressing fatty acid desaturase (mFat-1) and pig insulin growth like factor 1 (IGF-1) genes was constructed by the 2 A self-cleavage technique. After entrapment within modified chitosan nanoparticles (chitosan modified with polyethyleneglycol–polyethylenimine, CPP), the recombinant plasmid was injected intramuscularly into mice. Compared with controls, co-expression of mFat-1 and IGF-1 significantly raised the level of serum IGF-1, and increased the liver and muscle docosa hexaenoic acid (DHA) content. Th and Tc cell levels were also elevated, as were expression levels of serum IL-4 and IL-6 genes. These results demonstrate that the immunity and metabolism of an animal can be effectively improved by co-expression of mFat-1 and IGF-1 genesin vivo, which may contribute to further development of novel immunomodulators with beneficial effects on growth metabolism and immunity.
Lactation has persistent effects on a mother’s metabolism and mitochondrial function
Authors: Hyatt Hayden W. , Zhang Yufeng , Hood Wendy R. , Kavazis Andreas N. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHuman epidemiological data show that breastfeeding reduces the prevalence of numerous diseases compared to mothers that give birth but do not participate in lactation. The goal of this study was to determine if differences in metabolism, mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress underlie the protective phenotype found in lactating women. Ten-week old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n = 8 per group): 1) rats that did not reproduce (NR), 2) rats that were allowed to mate and become pregnant but did not suckle their pups after giving birth (NL), and 3) rats that were allowed to mate and become pregnant and suckled their pups for 21 days before weaning (L). All animals were sacrificed at approximately 7 months of age, a time corresponding to 15 weeks after the NL and L females gave birth. Liver mitochondrial respiration was higher in L rats when using NADH-linked substrates and these rats had lower serum glucose concentration. Additionally, the L group exhibited changes in liver, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue PPARδ protein levels that may, in part, explain the observed lower serum glucose concentration. These novel animal findings provide evidence of differences in metabolic processes that persist months after weaning.
Optimal pre-plant irrigation and fertilization can improve biomass accumulation by maintaining the root and leaf productive capacity of cotton crop
Authors: Chen Zongkui , Ma Hui , Xia Jun , Hou Fei , Shi Xiaojuan , Hao Xianzhe , Hafeez Abdul , Han Huanyong , Luo Honghai 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCotton is a major cash crop grown worldwide primarily for fiber and oil seed. As the most important cultural practices for cotton production, single pre-plant irrigation and basal fertilization for cotton plant growth and yield are well documented, but their coupling effects are poorly understood in arid regions. A 2-year outdoor pot trial was conducted to unravel the effects of pre-plant irrigation and basal fertilization on leaf area, root growth, biomass accumulation, and capacity of leaf area and root in cotton plant. Two pre-plant irrigations (i.e., W80, well-watered and W0, not watered) and two basal dressing fertilizations (F10, surface application and F30, deep application) were used in the experiments. The aboveground and reproductive biomass were highest in W80F10 after 69 days after emergence. Furthermore, W80F10 increased the root length in the 0–40 cm soil layer and the leaf area and improved the loading boll capacity of the effective root length and leaf area. The effective root length and leaf area had substantial direct effects on the aboveground and root biomass, respectively. Our data suggest that basal fertilizer surface application under adequate pre-plant irrigation is an effective strategy for optimal cotton production, which improves the coordination of water-nutrient absorption and photosynthetic areas and promotes assimilated distribution to the reproductive structures.
Effect of drowsiness on mechanical arm admittance and driving performances
Authors: Joly Antonin , Zheng Rencheng , Kaizuka Tsutomu , Nakano Kimihiko 
Published: December 2017

Drowsiness as one of the impaired driving behaviour is an important area of concern in ground transportation safety. It can coincide with skill‐demanding situations that may lead to vehicle control loss and possibly traffic accidents. Although drowsiness effects on driving performances have been widely investigated, there are few studies that propose a description of its effect on human neuromuscular state. To address this issue, this study aims to investigate the effects of drowsiness on driver neuromuscular state via the estimation of mechanical arm admittance. Mechanical arm admittance is a car dedicated parameter that gives information about arm stiffness of driver and its corresponding response in the frequency domain. Ten participants performed an experiment on a driving simulator, where they experienced steering disturbances, which aims to estimate variations of mechanical arm admittance as well as variations of driving performances between alert and drowsy states. Moreover, variation in driving performances were assessed by the variation of steering reversal rate and standard deviation of lane position. Results indicate that drowsiness increases the gain of mechanical arm admittance for arm movements <2.5 Hz and also deteriorates car steering control, increasing the steering operations amplitude and leading to larger vehicle lateral deviations.
Statin Intolerance: Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Khanna Roopali , Himanshu Dandu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractStatins are the main cornerstone in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Statins not only reduce the cardiovascular events but also significantly reduce the all-cause mortality. Due to adverse effects of statins, 20 to 30% of patients discontinue statins without consulting the physician. Most common adverse effects reported are muscle symptoms. Studies have shown that the majority of these patients can tolerate statin upon rechallenge. Alternative statin dosing, alternate-day statin, or twice-weekly statin dosing are different strategies to be given before changing to nonstatin lipid-lowering therapy. The newer nonstatin lipid-lowering drugs (ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors) can be added if the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) target level can be achieved despite the maximally tolerated statin dose. This article reviews the etiology, clinical symptoms, and management of statin intolerance.
Endoscopic and Microscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery of Craniopharyngiomas: A Systematic Review of Surgical Outcomes Over Two Decades
Authors: Zoli Matteo , Mazzatenta Diego , Gompel Jamie , Cagnazzo Federico 
Published: December 2017

Objective Few studies have compared transsphenoidal endoscopic (TE) and transsphenoidal microscopic (TM) techniques for the treatment of craniopharyngiomas.
Design We performed a systematic review of published series. The results were stratified in two time periods from 1995 to 2016.
Results A total of 48 articles and 1,186 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 60% of endoscopic cases were supradiaphragmatic, and 76% of microsurgical cases were infradiaphragmatic. Mean tumor size was 3 cm and 2.4 cm in the TE and TM series, respectively (p = 0.008). Total resection rate was similar (66%) between TE and TM. Considering the surgical outcome for different tumor locations, total resection rate was slightly higher in the TE for supradiaphragmatic lesions (59% versus 42.5%; p = 0.26). Recurrence rate was higher in the endoscopic series (21.7% versus 12%). Mortality and the overall complication rates were similar (p = 0.84). However, hydrocephalus (7.6%) and cognitive dysfunction (15.8%) were more common in TE, and meningitis (6%) and endocrinologic complications were more common in the TM series. In the past 6 years, the rate of cerebrospinal fluid leak in TE was significantly lower (13%) and was comparable between TE and TM.
Conclusion Both techniques appear comparable for infradiaphragmatic lesions; however, TE seems to yield better results for supradiaphragmatic tumors. In conclusion, more complex lesions with difficult locations can be effectively treated with endoscopic surgery.