bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex difference in mitral valve prolapse regurgitant volume is resolved by normalization of regurgitant volume to left ventricular end-diastolic volume
Authors: House Chad M. , Moriarty Katie A. , Nelson William B. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWomen with primary mitral insufficiency have a smaller regurgitant volume at the same regurgitant fraction than men. We hypothesized that normalizing regurgitant volume with left ventricular end-diastolic volume or allometric scaling would eliminate the difference in regurgitant volume between women and men. The study cohort consisted of 101 patients with mitral valve prolapse undergoing cardiac MRI. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were performed to assess differences between sexes. Of the 101 patients, 46 (46%) were women. Women had a significantly smaller left and right ventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and stroke volume. While there was no difference in regurgitant fraction between women and men (34 ± 13% vs. 35 ± 14%; p = 0.71), women had a significantly smaller regurgitant volume (36 ± 18 ml vs. 49 ± 26 ml; p = 0.005). The slope-intercept relationship between regurgitant fraction and regurgitant volume revealed unique slopes and y-intercept values for men and women (p-value < 0.0001). Normalizing regurgitant volume to left ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVol/LVEDV), body surface area1.5 (RVol/BSA1.5) and height2.7 (RVol/height2.7) all had essentially identical slope-intercept relationships with regurgitant fraction for men and women, but RVol/LVEDV had the smallest effect size. In mitral insufficiency secondary to mitral valve prolapse women have a significantly smaller regurgitant volume than men despite no difference in regurgitant fraction. The significant difference in regurgitant volume between women and men is secondary to women having a smaller left ventricular end-diastolic volume.
Peer-assisted learning augmented by peer counseling to foster academic and personal development in flipped classroom
Authors: Avcı Mehmet 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn recent decades, under the influence of technological advancements, evolving student demographics, and shifting societal demands, the landscape of higher education has undergone significant transformations. Among numerous learning approaches, Flipped Learning (FL) has gained particular prominence due to its ability to enhance students’ performance through active engagement and self-directed learning. Another teaching and learning linked to indicators of students’ academic achievements is Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL). However, previous research on PAL remains scarce. To fill this gap in the literature, the effects of the integration of Peer Counseling (PC) activity into PAL on both academic and personal development within the flipped classroom setting over time were investigated in the present study. The study participants were counseling students (n = 91), including 60 students in the PAL-integrated flipped classroom and 31 in traditional classroom used as the control group. The results revealed that, over a 14-week period, PAL-integrated flipped classroom led to improvement in students’ Solution-Focused Thinking (SFT) skills, self-efficacy, and effective counselor characteristics, with medium to large effect sizes. The results also indicated the positive effect of PC on students’ counseling performance and achievement scores. These findings offer important implications for creating a collaborative learning environment. The paper concludes with a discussion of challenges typically associated with the implementation of flipped classroom in higher education.
Between Understanding and Control: Science as a Cultural Product
Authors: Santo Flavio Del 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSince the early days of humankind, people have been asking questions about Nature of two kinds: why did that happen? And how can that be used? In a broad sense, science was born that day. We show indeed that science has two complementary and interdependent souls that aim, respectively, to how to understand and how to control Nature. Through a broad historical analysis, this essay aims to (1) give an account of the development of science as an oscillation and an interplay between its two intrinsic natures, (2) demonstrate that this happened already in ancient times starting from the 6th century BC, and (3) the fact that in different periods one of the two natures was largely favored over the other is a consequence of science being a cultural product of the different social-historical contexts.
How to Assess Mathematics Teachers’ TPACK? A Comparison Between Self-Reports and Knowledge Tests
Authors: Kadluba Alina , Obersteiner Andreas 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Teachers need technology-related knowledge to effectively use technology in the classroom. Previous studies have often used self-reports to assess such knowledge. However, it is questionable whether self-reports are valid measures for this purpose. This study investigates how mathematics teachers’ self-reports correlate with their scores in a paper–pencil knowledge test regarding TPCK (technological pedagogical content knowledge), CK (content knowledge), pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), and technological knowledge (TK). Participants were

$$N = 173$$

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173

pre- and in-service mathematics teachers. To assess self-reports, we adapted an existing survey from the literature. We also compiled a knowledge test based on items from existing test instruments. To increase comparability between the two instruments, both the self-report and the paper–pencil knowledge test addressed the specific topic of fractions. The four subscales in both instruments had sufficient reliability. The correlations between the self-reports and the paper–pencil test scores were low or very low for all subscales

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23

, suggesting that the two instruments captured different underlying constructs. While paper–pencil tests seem more suitable for assessing knowledge, self-reports may be influenced more strongly by participants’ personal traits such as self-efficacy. Our findings raise concerns about the validity of self-reports as measures of teachers’ professional knowledge, and the comparability of studies that use distinct assessment instruments. We recommend that researchers should be more cautious when interpreting self-reports as knowledge and rely more strongly on externally assessed tests.
Study of thermally induced interactions between active substances from the sartans class and various excipients
Authors: Cernușcă Bianca-Denisa , Bradu Ionela-Amalia , Pahomi Alexandru , Okolisan Dorinel , Budiul Mihaela Maria , Vlase Gabriela , Vlase Titus 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSartans, also known as angiotensin receptor blockers, comprise a category of antihypertensive medications designed to inhibit the actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) in the body, ultimately reducing blood pressure levels. This class of compounds is derived from 2-(1-benzyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-acetic acid, with its origin characterized by an imidazole core that underwent various substitutions at specific positions within the heterocyclic nucleus. We investigated the behavior of Losartan, Valsartan and Irbesartan and their compatibility with various excipients used in pharmaceutical tablet formulations by FTIR spectroscopic studies, thermal behavior by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The aim of the study was to determine the excipients to be used in pharmaceutical formulations containing drugs from the class of sartans as active ingredients. Our study concludes by recommending precautionary measures in elaborating new solid formulations containing lactose in the case of Losartan.
Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of biocomposites based on PLA/PHBV and spent coffee grounds
Authors: Novak Jan , Behalek Lubos , Hlozek Jiri , Boruvka Martin , Brdlik Pavel , Lenfeld Petr 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study deals with the modification of a predominantly amorphous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by blending it with a semi-crystalline biopolymer, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV), which has a high crystallinity. The blends with different concentrations of PLA and PHBV were compounded with spent coffee grounds (SCGs) and processed by injection moulding. The structural, thermal and mechanical properties of the produced samples were investigated. Particular attention was paid to the effect of the presence of SCG and the concentration of PHBV in the blend on the crystallization kinetics and the heat deflection temperature (HDT). For equimolar blends, only a slight increase in HDT (about 5 °C) was observed, but the addition of PHBV suppressed the cold crystallization of PLA, which otherwise negatively affects the dimensional stability of injection moulded parts. A similar effect, but to a lesser extent, was achieved by adding SCG to the PLA matrix. Thus, it is clear that the material structures of PLA/PHBV blends and composites help to minimize additional shrinkage of the parts and increase their dimensional stability. Due to the co-continuous structure of the symmetric PLA/PHBV blends and the increase in the degree of crystallinity from 36 to 47% by annealing the produced samples, the heat deflection temperature increased from 65 up to 90 °C.
Development of dual-effect AW/Ag/CHI bioactive and antibacterial coating for orthopedic implant surfaces
Authors: Türk Serbülent , Yılmaz Eren , Semerci Alican Bahadır , Kırkbınar Mine , İbrahimoğlu Erhan , Çalışkan Fatih 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTitanium implants, which are widely used in orthopedic implant applications, require surface treatments due to their low osteoinduction properties and the risk of postoperative infection. In this study, apatite wollastonite (AW)-based coatings with chitosan (CHI) and silver (Ag) added were applied to the titanium surface using dip coating and drop casting techniques. The obtained coating surfaces were characterized by FESEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, and TGA–DSC. Biomineralization behaviors were examined by immersing the resulting coatings in simulated body fluid with pH 7.2–7.4. The antibacterial activities of the coatings obtained using S. aureus and E. coli bacterial colonies were examined. Following the successful coating of AW nanoparticles on the Ag and CHI implant substrate, the Ca/P ratio of the coated surface was obtained as 1.4–1.92% after the biomineralization process performed at 37° for 7 days. Ag particles were successfully distributed homogeneously with a 40–50-nm diameter in Ag-doped coatings. It was concluded that the successfully produced composite coating with bioactive and antibacterial properties is a suitable candidate material for metallic implant surfaces.
Graphical abstract
Measuring wellbeing in the Global Flourishing Study: insights from a cross-national analysis of cognitive interviews from 22 countries
Authors: Cowden Richard G. , Skinstad Deborah , Lomas Tim , Johnson Byron R. , VanderWeele Tyler J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPrior research suggests that cross-national cognitive interviewing can provide preliminarily insights into the extent to which survey items that will be employed in large-scale global research might be understood similarly or differently across countries. Against the backdrop of the recently launched Global Flourishing Study, we used multinational cognitive interview data from 116 individuals (M = 41.4 years, SD = 14.9, female = 50.9%) in 22 countries to explore similarities and differences in item difficulty and comprehension of five of the Global Flourishing Study survey items that are related to personal wellbeing. Interviewer observations indicated that most participants (≥ 90%) did not experience a lot of difficulty responding to each of the items. Focusing on a specific comprehension probe that was common across the five items (i.e., “In your own words, what is this question asking?”), we applied the constant comparative analytic method to generate an overarching theme for each item that captured the common core or essence of how participants across the countries interpreted the items. However, there was some variability—both between and within countries—in how responses to the probe in the different countries related to the overarching theme for each item. Given the richness of the Global Flourishing Study as a possible data resource, including its broad representativeness of the global population and availability as an open access dataset, these findings will be useful to researchers who are interested in using data from the Global Flourishing Study to study human wellbeing in different parts of the world.
A novel AP2/ERF transcription factor, NtERF10, positively regulates plant height in tobacco
Authors: Xu Li , Xu Yong , Jiang Jia-rui , Cheng Chang-xin , Yang Wen-wu , Deng Le-le , Mi Qi-li , Zeng Wan-li , Li Jing , Gao Qian , Xiang Hai-ying , Li Xue-mei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractEthylene response factors have been shown to be involved in the effects of plant developmental processes and to regulate stress tolerance. The aim of this study was to recognize the regulatory mechanisms of ethylene response factors on tobacco plant height. In this study, a gene-edited mutant (ERF10-KO) and wild type (WT) were utilized as experimental materials. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of NtERF10 gene editing on plant height in tobacco. Here, through the analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 2051 genes were upregulated and 1965 genes were downregulated. We characterized the different ERF10-KO and WT plant heights and identified key genes for photosynthesis, the plant hormone signal transduction pathway and the terpene biosynthesis pathway. NtERF10 was found to affect the growth and development of tobacco by regulating the expression levels of the PSAA, PSBA, GLY17 and GGP3 genes. Amino acid metabolism was analyzed by combining analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs). In addition, we found that members of the bHLH, NAC, MYB, and WRKY transcription factor families have vital roles in regulating plant height. This study not only provides important insights into the positive regulation of the ethylene response factor NtERF10 on plant height during plant growth and development but also provides new research ideas for tobacco molecular breeding.
Analysis of the 72-h ultramarathon using a predictive XG Boost model
Authors: Knechtle Beat , Villiger Elias , Weiss Katja , Valero David , Gajda Robert , Scheer Volker , de Lira Claudio Andre Barbosa , Braschler Lorin , Nikolaidis Pantelis T. , Vancini Rodrigo Luiz , Cuk Ivan , Rosemann Thomas , Thuany Mabliny 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Ultramarathon running enjoys unwavering popularity. This includes the 72-h run, the longest time-limited ultramarathon based on hours and not days, yet this specific race format remains understudied. In particular, we are still determining where the fastest 72-h ultra-marathoners originate or where the fastest races are held. The aim of the present study was to investigate the origins of the best performers and the locations of the fastest races.

Methods
A machine learning model based on the XG Boost algorithm was built to predict running speed based on the athlete´s gender, age group, country of origin, the country where the race was held, the kind of race course (road, trail, track), and the elevation (flat, hilly). Model explainability tools were then used to investigate how each independent variable would influence the predicted running speed.

Results
A total of 2,857 race records from 1,870 unique runners from 36 different countries participating in 55 races held in 22 countries between 1989 and 2022 were analyzed. Athletes from the USA account for more than 2/3 of the sample size. Also, more than 3/4 of the participants competed in USA-based races. Athletes from Ireland, Japan, and Ukraine were the fastest. In respect of the fastest races, they were held in Ukraine, The Netherlands, and Japan. The model rated the country of event as the most important predictor followed by the race characteristics of elevation and race course, athlete country of origin, age group, and gender. On average, men were 0.33 km/h faster than women. The fastest running speeds were achieved by runners in age group 45–49 years.

Conclusions
The country of the event was found to be the most important predictor in the 72-h run. Despite the dominance of runners from USA and the predominance of courses in the USA in terms of participation, athletes from Ireland, Japan, and Ukraine achieved the fastest times, while Ukraine, The Netherlands, and Japan were found to host the fastest courses.
Conflict Detection in Language Processing: Using Affect Control Theory to Predict Neural Correlates of Affective Incongruency in Social Interactions
Authors: Schauenburg Gesche , Aryani Arash , Hsu Chun-Ting , Schröder Tobias , Conrad Markus , von Scheve Christian , Jacobs Arthur M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAffect control theory (ACT) is a sociological theory of meaning processing in social interactions. Meaning, according to ACT, derives from cultural institutions and situational affordances, having denotative (declarative) as well as connotative (affective) properties. Mathematical formalizations of ACT allow predictions of affective incongruency (in the terminology of ACT, deflection), which arises from conflicting institutional and situational meanings in a given interaction context. Although ACT is theoretically consistent, its propositions regarding cognitive and affective processing have rarely been tested. The present study fills this gap by investigating the neural processing of affective incongruency in linguistic descriptions of social interactions. Following a neurosociological paradigm, the study draws on neurocognitive evidence on the effects of words’ affective content on word processing as well as on a previous electroencephalography study that investigated processing of affective incongruency using event-related brain potentials. We hypothesized that affective incongruency is associated with activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain area known for conflict processing. To test this hypothesis, we replicated the electroencephalography study using functional magnetic resonance imaging: We visually presented sentences describing social interactions to 23 participants in a silent reading task while measuring differences in the hemodynamic response in two conditions of affective congruency. Results show expected increases in neural activity for affectively incongruent sentences in the left ACC, supporting the assumption that affective language content influences meaning-making at very early semantic processing stages. The results also add to the emerging neuroscientific evidence for ACT’s mathematical model of impression formation.
Effect of Stainless Steel Substrate Preparation on the Adhesion Strength and Morphology of Electrophoretically Deposited Sodium Alginate Coatings
Authors: Fiołek Aleksandra , Cudak Tomasz , Kowalski Kazimierz , Moskalewicz Tomasz 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn this study, the influence of various mechanical and chemical surface treatments on the adhesion strength and surface properties of sodium alginate coatings electrophoretically deposited (EPD) on 316L stainless steel substrates was investigated. XPS and TEM results revealed the presence of oxide layers containing elements from the substrates, with thicknesses varying from 1 to 45 nm, depending on the treatment used. Most substrates exhibited high roughness and hydrophilic properties (CA with water 62.8–82.6 deg). Sodium alginate coatings with uniform morphology were deposited with the same process parameters, i.e., 5 V and 300 s. The surface topography of the coatings was closely related to that of the substrate on which they were deposited. All coatings exhibited higher hydrophilicity (CA with water 29.5–49.7 deg) compared to the substrates (CA with water 62.8–82.6 deg). The coatings on the etched and anodized substrates demonstrated the highest adhesion strength (class 4B), attributed to the very low oxide layer thickness and the specific substrate surface topography. Mechanical interlocking was identified as the primary adhesion mechanism for these coatings. This work provides insight into optimizing surface treatments for improved adhesion of sodium alginate coatings to stainless steel substrates widely used for temporary bone implants. The results obtained will also be helpful in providing high adhesion of sodium alginate-based composite coatings to steel substrates.
Reduction of surgical complications via 3D models during robotic assisted radical prostatectomy: review of current evidence and meta-analysis
Authors: Sarhan Kenaan , Khan Nawal , Prezzi Davide , Antonelli Michela , Hyde Eoin , MacAskill Findlay , Bunton Christopher , Byrne Nick , Diaz-Pinto Andres , Stabile Armando , Briganti Alberto , Gandaglia Giorgio , Raison Nicholas , Montorsi Francesco , Ourselin Sebastien , Dasgupta Prokar , Granados Alejandro 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe use of 3-dimensional (3D) technology has become increasingly popular across different surgical specialities to improve surgical outcomes. 3D technology has the potential to be applied to robotic assisted radical prostatectomy to visualise the patient’s prostate anatomy to be used as a preoperative and peri operative surgical guide. This literature review aims to analyse all relevant pre-existing research on this topic. Following PRISMA guidelines, a search was carried out on PubMed, Medline, and Scopus. A total of seven studies were included in this literature review; two of which used printed-3D models and the remaining five using virtual augmented reality (AR) 3D models. Results displayed variation with select studies presenting that the use of 3D models enhances surgical outcomes and reduces complications whilst others displayed conflicting evidence. The use of 3D modelling within surgery has potential to improve various areas. This includes the potential surgical outcomes, including complication rates, due to improved planning and education.
Real-world accuracy of robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty and its impact on expedited recovery
Authors: Wong Wai Kit , Abu Bakar Sajak Azliana , Chua Hwa Sen 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDespite total knee arthroplasty (TKA) being the gold standard for end-stage knee osteoarthritis, 20% of patients remain dissatisfied. Robotic-assisted arthroplasty promises unparalleled control of the accuracy of bone cuts, implant positioning, control of gap balance, and resultant hip–knee–ankle (HKA) axis. Patients underwent clinical and radiological assessments, including knee CT scans and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), preoperatively. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months post-operatively, with imaging repeated at 6 weeks. A total of 155 patients underwent robotic-assisted TKA and have completed 3 months of follow-up. Mean pre-operative HKA axis was 7.39 ± 5.52 degrees varus, improving to 1.34 ± 2.22 degrees varus post-operatively. Restoration of HKA axis was 0.76 ± 1.9 degrees from intra-operative planning (p < 0.0005). Implant placement accuracy in the coronal plane was 0.08 ± 1.36 degrees (p = 0.458) for the femoral component and 0.71 ± 1.3 degrees (p < 0.0005) for the tibial component. Rotational alignment mean deviation was 0.39 ± 1.49 degrees (p = 0.001). Most patients (98.1%) had ≤ 2 mm difference in extension–flexion gaps. PROM scores showed improvement and exceeded pre-operative scores by 6 weeks post-surgery. Robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty provides precise control over traditionally subjective factors, demonstrating excellent early post-operative outcomes.Level of evidence Prospective observational study—II.