bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Development of Preservice Teachers’ Visions of Equity through Science and Mathematics Integration
Authors: Gilbert Andrew , Suh Jennifer , Choudhry Fahima 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This paper details an integrated inquiry-based mathematics and science method course for preservice teachers designed around STEM problem-based learning. It documents how problem-based learning (PBL) activities supported PSTs’ envisioning of equitable approaches for diverse children. The overarching research question was: How did preservice teacher learning and lesson design experiences within integrated STEM inquiry translate to their vision of equity-based STEM practice? The data included PSTs course reflections, STEM PBL 5E units, and reflections as they watched recordings of their teaching their units. This facilitated mapping the development of PSTs’ vision for equitable teaching across the field mediated experiences in teaching and learning STEM. Our findings revealed how visions of equitable STEM practices emerged from the PST's own experience as being a learner in an integrated STEM environment and from being a teacher who planned and enacted an equity focused STEM unit in a diverse classroom context. The dual teacher-learner experience of the mediated field experience was critically important to provide experiencing and witnessing the high level of motivation during the meaning-making process and provided evidence that rigorous math and science learning is possible in diverse contexts.
Yes We Can: Promoting Gender Equality from University to Primary Education Teaching through the Design of Knowledge Models
Authors: de Villarreal Maider Pérez , Scotton Paolo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractGender equality and women’s empowerment are important issues that still need to be addressed, despite some progress in recent years. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to tackle various global challenges, including the 4th (Quality Education) and 5th (Gender Equality) goals that were used to frame an activity in a science education subject in a primary education teaching degree. Previous research has found a decrease in girls’ interest in STEM and STEM-related jobs in primary and secondary education. To encourage girls in primary education towards STEM-related professions, an activity was organized in a science subject at a university in Navarre, Spain. The goal of this activity was to identify inspiring women scientists who could serve as role models for university and primary school students. A knowledge model, which is a concise and graphical representation of knowledge through concept maps, was created using the methodology of knowledge model design (Cañas et al. Revista De Informática Educativa 13:145–158, 2000) to showcase all the women scientists selected by the students. This final model is publicly accessible and can be shared with any educational center interested in promoting gender diversity in STEM fields. The results showed that the students learned meaningfully as they inquired about women scientists in professions that are typically considered more suitable for men. As these students are trainee primary school teachers, they can become part of an educational network that empowers girls by developing STEM-related activities that promote gender equality.
Infinite-Volume States with Irreducible Localization Sets for Gradient Models on Trees
Authors: Abbondandolo Alberto , Henning Florian , Külske Christof , Majer Pietro 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe consider general classes of gradient models on regular trees with spin values in a countable Abelian group S such as $${\mathbb {Z}}$$
Z
or $${\mathbb {Z}}_q$$

Z
q

. This includes unbounded spin models like the p-SOS model and finite-alphabet clock models. Under a strong coupling (low temperature) condition on the interaction, we prove the existence of families of distinct homogeneous tree-indexed Markov chain Gibbs states $$\mu _A$$

μ
A

whose single-site marginals concentrate on a given finite subset $$A\subset S$$

A
⊂
S

of spin values. The existence of such states is a new and robust phenomenon which is of particular relevance for infinite spin models. These states are extremal in the set of homogeneous Gibbs states, and in particular cannot be decomposed into homogeneous Markov-chain Gibbs states with a single-valued concentration center. Whether they are also extremal in the set of all Gibbs states remains an open, challenging question. As a further application of the method we obtain the existence of new types of gradient Gibbs states with $${\mathbb {Z}}$$
Z
-valued spins, whose single-site marginals do not localize, but whose correlation structure depends on the finite set A, where we provide explicit expressions for the correlation between the height-increments along disjoint edges.
Root growth and belowground interactions in spring wheat /faba bean intercrops
Authors: Hadir Sofia , Döring Thomas F. , Justes Eric , Demie Dereje T. , Paul Madhuri , Legner Nicole , Kemper Roman , Gaiser Thomas , Weedon Odette , Ewert Frank , Seidel Sabine J. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background and aims
Intercrops offer multiple advantages over sole crops. The aim of our study was to characterize root growth and interactions in spring wheat/faba bean intercrops to better understand belowground interactions that govern resource capture.

Materials and methods
A field experiment was conducted with one faba bean cultivar and two spring wheat cultivars sown at three sowing densities, defining three intercropping designs. Destructive root coring was conducted (0–100 cm) in the intercrops and sole crops at two development stages. FTIR spectroscopy was used to discriminate the species’ root masses. The plant-plant interaction index was calculated to represent the belowground interactions.

Results
A negative impact of intercropping on total root mass was observed in the treatment with high sowing density in both stages. For the fully and partial replacement design treatments, plant-plant facilitation was more pronounced than competition in all layers. Competition dominated root growth in the treatment with high sowing density in both stages. Lower sowing densities encouraged deep root growth of wheat (both cultivars) in intercropping. The early root growth in depth and in density of one spring wheat cultivar impacted negatively faba bean root growth. Intercropping resulted in a grain yield advantage in both fully and only one partial replacement design treatment.

Conclusion
In the intercrops, total root mass and plant-plant interactions were affected more by sowing density than by the spring wheat cultivar. Understanding the effect of sowing density on root growth in intercropping can help to support the design of sustainable intercropping systems.
Multi-purpose pickup and delivery problem for combined passenger and freight transport
Authors: Hatzenbühler Jonas , Jenelius Erik , Gidófalvi Győző , Cats Oded 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRecent advances in the development of modular transport vehicles allow deploying multi-purpose vehicles, which enable alternate transport of different demand types. In this study, we propose a novel variant of the pickup and delivery problem, the multi-purpose pickup and delivery problem, where multi-purpose vehicles are assigned to serve a multi-commodity flow. We solve a series of use case scenarios using an exact optimization algorithm and an adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm. We compare the performance of a multi-purpose vehicle fleet to a mixed fleet of single-purpose vehicles. Depending on cost parameters, our findings suggest that in certain scenarios, the total costs can be reduced by an average of 13% when multi-purpose vehicles are deployed, while at the same time reducing total vehicle trip duration and total distance traveled by on average 33% and 16%, respectively. The required fleet size can be reduced by 35% on average when operating multi-purpose vehicles. The results can be used by practitioners and policymakers to determine if the combined service of passenger and freight demand flows with multi-purpose vehicles in a given system will yield benefits compared to existing transport operations.
Software-based remote memory attestation using quantum entanglement
Authors: Laeuchli Jesse , Trujillo-Rasua Rolando 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSoftware-based remote memory attestation is a method for determining the state of a remote device without relying on secure hardware. In classical computing devices, the method is vulnerable to proxy and authentication attacks, because an infected device has no means of preventing the leak of its cryptographic secrets. In this paper, we demonstrate how these attacks can be mitigated by making use of quantum effects, while remaining within the class of software-based methods. In particular, we make use of entanglement and the inability of an attacker to clone qubits. Our proposed protocol is lightweight and can be implemented by near-term Quantum Computing techniques. The resulting protocol has the unique feature of resisting collusion between two dishonest devices, one of which has unbounded computational resources.
On matching and periodicity for $$(N,\alpha )$$-expansions
Authors: Kraaikamp Cor , Langeveld Niels 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRecently a new class of continued fraction algorithms, the $$(N,\alpha $$

(
N
,
α

)-expansions, was introduced in Kraaikamp and Langeveld (J Math Anal Appl 454(1):106–126, 2017) for each $$N\in \mathbb {N}$$

N
∈
N

, $$N\ge 2$$

N
≥
2

and $$\alpha \in (0,\sqrt{N}-1]$$

α
∈
(
0
,

N

-
1
]

. Each of these continued fraction algorithms has only finitely many possible digits. These $$(N,\alpha )$$

(
N
,
α
)

-expansions ‘behave’ very different from many other (classical) continued fraction algorithms; see also Chen and Kraaikamp (Matching of orbits of certain n-expansions with a finite set of digits (2022). To appear in Tohoku Math. J arXiv:2209.08882), de Jonge and Kraaikamp (Integers 23:17, 2023), de Jonge et al. (Monatsh Math 198(1):79–119, 2022), Nakada (Tokyo J Math 4(2):399–426, 1981) for examples and results. In this paper we will show that when all digits in the digit set are co-prime with N, which occurs in specified intervals of the parameter space, something extraordinary happens. Rational numbers and certain quadratic irrationals will not have a periodic expansion. Furthermore, there are no matching intervals in these regions. This contrasts sharply with the regular continued fraction and more classical parameterised continued fraction algorithms, for which often matching is shown to hold for almost every parameter. On the other hand, for $$\alpha $$
α
small enough, all rationals have an eventually periodic expansion with period 1. This happens for all $$\alpha $$
α
when $$N=2$$

N
=
2

. We also find infinitely many matching intervals for $$N=2$$

N
=
2

, as well as rationals that are not contained in any matching interval.
Mean Girls in Disguise? Associations Between Vulnerable Narcissism and Perpetration of Bullying Among Women
Authors: Green Ava , Hart Claire M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe literature on bullying perpetration is underpinned by gendered undertones, commonly portraying men as bullies given men’s greater tendency to exhibit stereotypically masculine and overtly grandiose features of narcissism. Due to the lack of gender-sensitive inventories employed, the association between narcissism and bullying perpetration among women remains understudied. Using an all-women sample (N = 314), the current study explored grandiose narcissism (overtly immodest and domineering) and vulnerable narcissism (hypersensitive and neurotic), the latter being more prevalent among women, in relation to bullying peers. Correlation analyses showed that vulnerable narcissism was positively associated with verbal, physical, and indirect bullying. At the subscale level, contingent self-esteem, devaluing, and entitlement rage were positively associated with all three types of bullying. Grandiose narcissism was positively associated with physical and verbal bullying, as was grandiose fantasy at the subscale level, and exploitativeness was positively associated with all three types of bullying. When grandiose and vulnerable narcissism were simultaneously entered into a regression model, only vulnerable narcissism emerged as a positive predictor of physical and verbal bullying. At the subscale level, devaluing positively predicted verbal and indirect bullying, whereas hiding the self negatively predicted indirect bullying. Expressions of vulnerable narcissism, more so than grandiose narcissism, may be relevant for bullying perpetration among women. Implications for anti-bullying interventions are discussed.
The dark side of apnea: altered 24-hour melatonin secretion in obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) is disease severity dependent
Authors: Karel Peter , Schilperoord Mirella , Reichman Loes J. A. , Krabbe Johannes G. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Melatonin aids in the synchronization of the circadian rhythm to the external environment. Few studies have tried to elucidate the relationship between melatonin and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). These often include few patients, do not differentiate between OSAS severity and/or do not analyse a 24-h melatonin profile. This study set out to investigate disease severity dependent differences in 24-h salivary melatonin secretion of OSAS patients compared to a reference population in a retrospective design.

Methods
24-h salivary melatonin profiles of 169 OSAS patients were analysed (55 light, 66 moderate, 48 severe) as well as 91 reference patients. Several aspects of the melatonin curve were analysed and stratified according to OSAS severity. Parameters included: dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), time of returning below DLMO (DLMOoff), peak melatonin concentration and time, and total melatonin exposure.

Results
Significant effects were corrected for confounding by age and sex using linear regression. Our analysis shows that, compared to reference and in a disease dependent manner, OSAS patients have a significantly lower 24-h melatonin curve, lower melatonin peak concentration, lower total melatonin exposure and a smaller proportion of patients reach DLMO. The differences in peak melatonin production and total melatonin exposure were resistant to confounding by age and/or sex.

Conclusion
This study describes clear OSAS severity dependent abnormalities in melatonin production in OSAS patients, independent of sex and/or age. Future research should indicate whether oral melatonin supplementation has beneficial effects in OSAS patients with attenuated endogenous melatonin production.
Making Predictions Using Poorly Identified Mathematical Models
Authors: Simpson Matthew J. , Maclaren Oliver J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMany commonly used mathematical models in the field of mathematical biology involve challenges of parameter non-identifiability. Practical non-identifiability, where the quality and quantity of data does not provide sufficiently precise parameter estimates is often encountered, even with relatively simple models. In particular, the situation where some parameters are identifiable and others are not is often encountered. In this work we apply a recent likelihood-based workflow, called Profile-Wise Analysis (PWA), to non-identifiable models for the first time. The PWA workflow addresses identifiability, parameter estimation, and prediction in a unified framework that is simple to implement and interpret. Previous implementations of the workflow have dealt with idealised identifiable problems only. In this study we illustrate how the PWA workflow can be applied to both structurally non-identifiable and practically non-identifiable models in the context of simple population growth models. Dealing with simple mathematical models allows us to present the PWA workflow in a didactic, self-contained document that can be studied together with relatively straightforward Julia code provided on GitHub. Working with simple mathematical models allows the PWA workflow prediction intervals to be compared with gold standard full likelihood prediction intervals. Together, our examples illustrate how the PWA workflow provides us with a systematic way of dealing with non-identifiability, especially compared to other approaches, such as seeking ad hoc parameter combinations, or simply setting parameter values to some arbitrary default value. Importantly, we show that the PWA workflow provides insight into the commonly-encountered situation where some parameters are identifiable and others are not, allowing us to explore how uncertainty in some parameters, and combinations of parameters, regardless of their identifiability status, influences model predictions in a way that is insightful and interpretable.
Influence of Plastic Deformation and Hydroxyapatite Coating on Structure, Mechanical, Corrosion, Antibacterial and Cell Viability Properties of Zinc Based Biodegradable Alloys
Authors: Aksakal B. , Isın Ege , Aslan N. , Cihangir S. , Sezek S. , Yilmazer Yasemin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractZinc (Zn)-based biodegradable alloys have been at the forefront of absorbable biomaterial research in recent years due to their high biocompatibility and corrosion rates. The arc melting process was used to produce the Zn–1Cu–1Ag biodegradable alloy. The influence of different plastic deformation rates on the microstructure of the material was examined after the cold rolling at deformation rates of 47% and 61%. The undeformed and deformed alloys have been hydroxyapatite-coated using the electrophoretic deposition process to improve its surface, corrosion, and bioactivity properties. Optical, XRD, SEM, and EDS examinations were used to analyze the samples’ uncoated, coated, and rolled-unrolled forms. The nucleation of the (Ag, Cu)Zn4 secondary phase was formed during the rolling process. Hardness and compression tests were used to determine the mechanical properties of cast and rolled alloys, and in vitro corrosion tests were carried out in simulated body fluid. Antimicrobial and cell viability tests are executed to demonstrate the biocompatibility of the deformed and HA-coated Zn–1Cu–1Ag alloy. The mechanical properties were improved after the rolling process, with the highest results found in 47% of the rolled samples exhibiting a compressive strength of 412.65 ± 0.5 MPa and 61% of the rolled samples exhibiting a hardness value of 88.1 ± 0.5 HV. The samples that were rolled (61%) and coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) exhibited the highest level of corrosion resistance. The antimicrobial tests revealed that the rolled and HA coated Zn1Cu1Ag groups exhibited greater inhibition rates (47 and 61%) compared to the other groups when tested against E. coli. The HA-coated groups exhibited good cell viability ratios, with the maximum viability seen in the rolled and HA-coated group at 47%.
Graphical Abstract
A thermodynamic perspective on electrode poisoning in solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Huang Kevin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA critical challenge to the commercialization of clean and high-efficiency solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is the insufficient stack lifespan caused by a variety of degradation mechanisms, which are associated with cell components and chemical feedstocks. Cell components related degradation refers to thermal/chemical/electrochemical deterioration of cell materials under operating conditions, whereas the latter regards impurities in feedstocks of oxidant (air) and reductant (fuel). This article provides a thermodynamic perspective on the understanding of the impurities-induced degradation mechanisms in SOFCs. The discussion focuses on using thermodynamic analysis to elucidate poisoning mechanisms in cathodes by impurity species such as Cr, CO2, H2O, and SO2 and in the anode by species such as S (or H2S), SiO2, and P2 (or PH3). The author hopes the presented fundamental insights can provide a theoretical foundation for searching for better technical solutions to address the critical degradation challenges.
Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 2 is a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer and promotes its progression by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Liu Yonggang , Liang Jiyun , Li Xi , Huang Junyong , Huang Jiangyuan , Wang Jiale 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 2 (IFITM2) is involved in repressing viral infection. This study aim to investigate the expression of IFITM2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and explore its effect on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Methods
We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for IFITM2 expression in colorectal cancer and used western blots to detect IFITM2 protein in specimens and cell lines of colorectal cancers. To assess the association between IFITM2 and clinical features, both univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis were conducted. Kaplan–Meier plots were used in the TCGA database to assess IFITM2 gene expression's prognostic significance. Silencing IFITM2 in SW480 and HCT116 cells was achieved by transient transfection with siRNA. Proliferation of CRCs was examined using Cell Counting Kit-8. The effect of IFITM2 on the migration and invasion of CRC cells was studied using wound healing and transwell assays. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to examine IFITM2-associated pathways and Western blotting was used to confirm it.

Results
IFITM2 was over-expressed in the CRC tissues and cells, with high IFITM2 expression related to the tumor N, M, and pathologic stages. The presence of IFITM2 significantly impacted patient survival in CRC. The proliferation of SW480 and HCT116 cells was suppressed when IFITM2 was silenced, resulting in weakened migration and invasion of CRC cells. GSEA analysis showed that IFITM2 was positively related to the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway, and western blot results confirmed that IFITM2 activated it.

Conclusions
IFITM2 was over-expressed in CRC and modulated the PI3K/AKT pathway to promote CRC cells proliferation and metastasis.
Mustelid mugshots: photographing facial masks of European polecats (Mustela putorius) for individual recognition and density estimation using camera traps
Authors: Hofmeester Tim R. , Erath Nadine , Mos Jeroen , Thurfjell Henrik 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSmall carnivores play an important role in ecosystems, but their often hidden lifestyle makes them generally hard to observe. Camera-trapping methodology shows great promise as a standardized monitoring tool for small carnivores. The European polecat (Mustela putorius) is a species of conservation concern, listed on the Annex V of the EU Council’s Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Because of this, EU member states have to report the status of their polecat populations regularly. However, standardized methods to estimate the population size of polecat populations are currently lacking. We present a tube-based camera-trapping system, the Polecam, designed to obtain photographs of the facial masks of individual polecats. We tested the system in four study areas in southern Sweden during Spring and Autumn 2021. We obtained 52 observations of polecats, out of which we were able to identify 38 (73%) to individual. From these observations, we estimated area and season specific estimates of density for five season-area combinations using a multi-session spatial capture-recapture model. Density estimates ranged from 0.84 to 2.7 individuals/1000 ha, similar to the estimates from similar landscapes in other countries in Europe. We also obtained observations of six other species of small carnivores, suggesting that the Polecam could be used for multi-species monitoring, as well as density estimation of European polecats.