bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demonstrating consensus in argumentative settings: Co-constructions in children’s peer discussions
Authors: Kreuz Judith , Luginbühl Martin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract‘Taking part’ in conversations requires different activities from the interactants depending on the kind of conversation. This article investigates co-constructions in oral peer group discussions of elementary school children from grades 2 to 6 (7–12 years old). Although dissent is the starting point of argumentations, negotiating processes in oral argumentations are often co-constructed by two or more speakers on different levels, including consensual contexts. Co-constructions presuppose that the second speakers recognize structures and expectations based on the turn of the first speaker and that they are able to complete or expand these structures. Therefore, co-constructions can be understood as an indicator for oral skills and as a key site of ‘taking part’ in small group discussions. The article will discuss two different kinds of co-constructions (morpho-syntactical and argumentative-structural) based on 60 transcripts from a bigger corpus of 180 peer discussions. The analysis will show that these co-constructions can be understood as synchronizations of thinking and acting and to what extent they are an indicator of oral skills and play an important role in cooperative learning settings. The results are relevant in school contexts when it comes to assess oral argumentation of students. For teachers, they are helpful to elicit requirements for children’s argumentation skills and to design tasks conducive to learn to argue and develop assessment tools accordingly.
MUC16: clinical targets with great potential
Authors: Zhang Xin-Yu , Hong Lian-Lian , Ling Zhi-qiang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMucin 16 (MUC16) is a membrane-bound mucin that is abnormally expressed or mutated in a variety of diseases, especially tumors, while being expressed in normal body epithelium. MUC16 and its extracellular components are often important cancer-related biomarkers. Abnormal expression of MUC16 promotes tumor progression through mesenchymal protein, PI3K/AKT pathway, JAK2/STAT3 pathway, ERK/FBW7/c-Myc, and other mechanisms, and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. In addition, MUC16 also helps tumor immune escape by inhibiting T cells and NK cells. Many drugs and trials targeting MUC16 have been developed, and MUC16 may be a new direction for future treatments. In this paper, the mechanism of action of MUC16 in the development of cancer, especially in the immune escape of tumor, is introduced in detail, indicating the potential of MUC16 in clinical treatment.
Cardioprotective effects of vaccination in hospitalized patients with COVID-19
Authors: Madrid Julian , Agarwal Prerana , Müller-Peltzer Katharina , Benning Leo , Selig Mischa , Rolauffs Bernd , Diehl Philipp , Kalbhenn Johannes , Trummer Georg , Utzolino Stefan , Wengenmayer Tobias , Busch Hans-Jörg , Stolz Daiana , Rieg Siegbert , Panning Marcus , Bamberg Fabian , Schlett Christopher L. , Askani Esther 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCOVID-19 vaccination has been shown to prevent and reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease. The aim of this study was to explore the cardioprotective effect of COVID-19 vaccination in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this retrospective, single-center cohort study, we included hospitalized COVID-19 patients with confirmed vaccination status from July 2021 to February 2022. We assessed outcomes such as acute cardiac events and cardiac biomarker levels through clinical and laboratory data. Our analysis covered 167 patients (69% male, mean age 58 years, 42% being fully vaccinated). After adjustment for confounders, vaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients displayed a reduced relative risk for acute cardiac events (RR: 0.33, 95% CI [0.07; 0.75]) and showed diminished troponin T levels (Cohen’s d: − 0.52, 95% CI [− 1.01; − 0.14]), compared to their non-vaccinated peers. Type 2 diabetes (OR: 2.99, 95% CI [1.22; 7.35]) and existing cardiac diseases (OR: 4.31, 95% CI [1.83; 10.74]) were identified as significant risk factors for the emergence of acute cardiac events. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 vaccination may confer both direct and indirect cardioprotective effects in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Strengthening growth, digestion, body composition, haemato-biochemical indices, gene expression, and resistance to Fusarium oxysporum infection and histological structure in Oreochromis niloticus by using fructooligosaccharides and β-1,3 glucan mixture
Authors: Abd El-Aziz Yasmin M. , Jaber Fatima A. , Nass Nada Mahmoud , Awlya Ohaad F. , Abusudah Wafaa F. , Qadhi Alaa H. , Redhwan Alya , Eissa El-Sayed Hemdan , Dighiesh Hagar Sedeek 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPrebiotics are fibers that promote beneficial gut bacteria and play a pivotal role in enhancing host health. This study delves into the impact of various levels of prebiotics, specifically fructooligosaccharides and β-1,3 glucan (Fβ), on the growth performance, biochemical, hematological parameters, gene expression, histological variations in the internal organs, and disease resistance to Fusarium oxysporum in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Two hundred forty Nile tilapia, initially weighing 34.0 ± 0.1 g, were distributed into four groups and given a commercial diet with varying Fβ treatments: control (0 g/kg) (C), T1 (0.5 g/kg), T2 (1.0 g/kg), and T3 (1.5 g/kg) for 70 days. The study revealed significant improvement of the biochemical, hematological, and digestive enzyme activities, as well as histological changes in hepatopancreatic, intestine, and spleen sections with the use of Fβ. Moreover, the expression of innate humoral genes significantly increased (P < 0.05) in tilapia at the 1.5 g/kg Fβ group compared to the control. Notably, challenging with F. oxysporum exhibited lower mortality rates in the three treatments supplemented with additive prebiotics (P < 0.05). Consequently, the feed additives utilized in this study emerge as a viable alternative to enhance growth performance, biochemical and hematological parameters, gene expression, histological variations in internal organs, and disease resistance in fish farming on a large scale.
Unearthing the legacy of wildfires: post fire pyrogenic carbon and soil carbon persistence across complex Pacific Northwest watersheds
Authors: Peter-Contesse Hayley , Lajtha Kate , Boettcher Aron , O’Kelley Regina , Mayedo Amy 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWildfires have the potential to dramatically alter the carbon (C) storage potential, ecological function, and the fundamental mechanisms that control the C balance of Pacific Northwest (PNW) forested ecosystems. In this study, we explored how wildfire influences processes that control soil C stabilization and the consequent soil C persistence, and the role of previous fire history in determining soil C fire response dynamics. We collected mineral soils at four depth increments from burned (low, moderate, and high soil burn severity classes) and unburned areas and surveyed coarse woody debris (CWD) in sites within the footprint of the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire and in surrounding Willamette National Forest and the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. We found few changes in overall soil C pools as a function of fire severity; we instead found that unburned sites contained high levels of pyrogenic C (PyC) that were commensurate with PyC concentrations in the high severity burn sites—pointing to the high background rate of fire in these ecosystems. An analysis of historical fire events lends additional support, where increasing fire count is loosely correlated with increasing PyC concentration. An unexpected finding was that PyC concentration was lower in low soil burn severity sites than in control sites, which we attribute to fundamental ecological differences in regions that repeatedly burn at high severity compared with those that burn at low severity. Our CWD analysis showed that high mean fire return interval (decades between fire events) was strongly correlated with low annual CWD accumulation rate; whereas areas that burn frequently had a high annual CWD accumulation rate. Within the first year postfire, trends in soil density fractions demonstrated no significant response to fire for the mineral-associated organic matter pool but slight increases in the particulate pool with increasing soil burn severity—likely a function of increased charcoal additions. Overall, our results suggest that these PNW forest soils display complex responses to wildfire with feedbacks between CWD pools that provide varying fuel loads and a mosaic fire regime across the landscape. Microclimate and historic fire events are likely important determinants of soil C persistence in these systems.
BE-WEL trial (breast: evaluation of weight and exercise for lymphoedema) testing weight control and exercise programmes for women with breast cancer related lymphoedema: a feasibility trial
Authors: Harvie Michelle , Livingstone Karen , McMulllan Debbie , Pegington Mary , Lombardelli Cheryl , Adams Judith , Farragher Maggie , Barrett Emma , Bundred Nigel 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
A combined body weight loss and upper body/arm exercise programme is a potential strategy for managing Breast cancer related lymphoedema (BCRL), but there is limited data on the best method for delivery or its potential efficacy.

Methods
Fifty-seven women with overweight/obesity and BCRL were randomised to a 12 week supervised (n = 12) or home-based combined weight loss and upper body/arm exercise programme (n = 16), a home-based upper-body arm exercise only programme (n = 17) or standard care (n = 12). Primary outcomes were uptake, retention and changes in weight and change in Relative Arm Volume Increase (RAVI) using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results
Sixteen percent of women invited joined the study and 49 completed the trial (85% retention). Reductions in weight occurred in the supervised and home-based weight control and exercise programmes; Mean (95% CI) change compared to standard care − 1.68 (− 4.36 to − 1.00), − 2.47(− 4.99 to − 0.04) Kg. Reductions in perometer assessed RAVI were seen in the supervised and home-based combined weight control and arm exercise groups and the weight stable home-based arm exercise only group: mean (95% CI) change compared to standard care − 2.4 (− 5.0 to + 0.4),− 1.8 (− 4.3 to + 0.7), − 2.5(− 4.9 to − 0.05)%.

Conclusion
Women with BCRL and overweight and obesity engaged in diet and exercise weight loss programmes. Both weight loss/arm exercise programmes led to modest changes in weight and BCRL. Comparable reductions in BCRL were reported in the weight stable group undertaking arm exercise only. The independent and combined effects of weight loss and exercise on BCRL need further study.

Trial registration
ISRCTN86789850 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN86789850, registered 2011.
Cigarette smoking and prostate cancer aggressiveness among African and European American men
Authors: Ellis Edgar T. , Fairman Brian J. , Stahr Shelbie D. , Bensen Jeannette T. , Mohler James L. , Song Lixin , Butler Eboneé N. , Su L. Joseph , Hsu Ping-Ching 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Smoking is a modifiable lifestyle factor that has not been established as a prostate cancer risk factor, nor emphasized in prostate cancer prevention. Studies have shown that African American (AA) smokers have a poorer cancer prognosis than European Americans (EAs), while having a lower prevalence of heavy smoking. We examined the relationship between cigarette smoking and prostate cancer aggressiveness and assessed racial differences in smoking habits on the probability of high-aggressive prostate cancer.

Methods
Using data from the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (n = 1,279), prostate cancer aggressiveness was defined as high or low based on Gleason scores, serum prostate-specific antigen levels, and tumor stage. Cigarette smoking was categorized as current, former, or never smokers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results
Self-reported current (OR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.30–3.06) smoking was associated with high-aggressive prostate cancer relative to never smokers. When stratified by self-reported race, the odds of having high-aggressive cancer increased among AA current (OR = 3.58; 95% CI 2.04–6.28) and former smokers (OR = 2.21; 95% CI 1.38–3.53) compared to AA never smokers, but the odds were diminished among the EA stratum (Pself-reported race x smoking status = 0.003).

Conclusion
Cigarette smoking is associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness, a relationship modulated by self-reported race. Future research is needed to investigate types of cigarettes smoked and metabolic differences that may be contributing to the racial disparities observed.
The Development, Testing, and Refinement of Eccles, Wigfield, and Colleagues’ Situated Expectancy-Value Model of Achievement Performance and Choice
Authors: Eccles Jacquelynne S. , Wigfield Allan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTo address the seven guiding questions posed for authors of articles in this special issue, we begin by discussing the development (in the late 1970s-early 1980s) of Eccles’ expectancy-value theory of achievement choice (EEVT), a theory developed to explain the cultural phenomenon of why girls were less likely to participate in STEM courses and careers. We then discuss how we tested key predictions from the theory, notably how expectancies and values relate to achievement choices and performance and how socialization practices at home and in school influence them. Next, we discuss three main refinements: addressing developmental aspects of the theory, refining construct definitions, and renaming the theory situated expectancy value theory. We discuss reasons for that change, and their implications. To illustrate the theory’s practicality, we discuss intervention projects based in the model, and what next steps should be in SEVT-based intervention research. We close with suggestions for future research, emphasizing attaining consensus on how to measure the central constructs, expanding the model to capture better motivation of diverse groups, and the challenges of testing the increasingly complex predictions stemming from the model. Throughout the manuscript, we make suggestions for early career researchers to provide guidance for their own development of theories.
Toward granular search-based automatic unit test case generation
Authors: Pecorelli Fabiano , Grano Giovanni , Palomba Fabio , Gall Harald C. , De Lucia Andrea 
Published: May 2024

AbstractUnit testing verifies the presence of faults in individual software components. Previous research has been targeting the automatic generation of unit tests through the adoption of random or search-based algorithms. Despite their effectiveness, these approaches aim at creating tests by solely optimizing metrics like code coverage, without ensuring that the resulting tests have granularities that would allow them to verify both the behavior of individual production methods and the interaction between methods of the class under test. To address this limitation, we propose a two-step systematic approach to the generation of unit tests: we first force search-based algorithms to create tests that cover individual methods of the production code, hence implementing the so-called intra-method tests; then, we relax the constraints to enable the creation of intra-class tests that target the interactions among production code methods. The assessment of our approach is conducted through a mixed-method research design that combines statistical analyses with a user study. The key results report that our approach is able to keep the same level of code and mutation coverage while providing test suites that are more structured, more understandable and aligned to the design principles of unit testing.
Two is better than one: digital siblings to improve autonomous driving testing
Authors: Biagiola Matteo , Stocco Andrea , Riccio Vincenzo , Tonella Paolo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSimulation-based testing represents an important step to ensure the reliability of autonomous driving software. In practice, when companies rely on third-party general-purpose simulators, either for in-house or outsourced testing, the generalizability of testing results to real autonomous vehicles is at stake. In this paper, we enhance simulation-based testing by introducing the notion ofdigital siblings—a multi-simulator approach that tests a given autonomous vehicle on multiple general-purpose simulators built with different technologies, that operate collectively as an ensemble in the testing process. We exemplify our approach on a case study focused on testing the lane-keeping component of an autonomous vehicle. We use two open-source simulators as digital siblings, and we empirically compare such a multi-simulator approach against a digital twin of a physical scaled autonomous vehicle on a large set of test cases. Our approach requires generating and running test cases for each individual simulator, in the form of sequences of road points. Then, test cases are migrated between simulators, using feature maps to characterize the exercised driving conditions. Finally, the joint predicted failure probability is computed, and a failure is reported only in cases of agreement among the siblings. Our empirical evaluation shows that the ensemble failure predictor by the digital siblings is superior to each individual simulator at predicting the failures of the digital twin. We discuss the findings of our case study and detail how our approach can help researchers interested in automated testing of autonomous driving software.
Floating quantifiers, specificity and focus in Lalo Yi
Authors: Hu Yaqing , Simpson Andrew 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLalo Yi presents a distribution of numeral-classifier pairs that appears to be the complete inverse of the norm found in other numeral-classifier languages. With many numerically-quantified, discourse-new referents, Lalo Yi permits only the use of a floated pattern, and it is not possible to combine numerals and classifiers with NPs as in other numeral-classifier languages. This patterning presents a clear challenge to the oft-adopted assumption that floating quantifiers are derived from non-floated forms by applications of movement (stranding), and potentially favors a base-generation/adverbial approach. A broader consideration of Lalo Yi, however, leads to the proposal that the occurrence of the floating pattern results from a combination of two occurrences of movement—DP movement to a low focus position/FocP, followed by NP-raising to a higher case position. Obligatory stranding of the DP remnant containing numeral-classifier pairs is suggested to result from the FocP being a (low) criterial position in the sense of Rizzi (in: Cheng and Corver (eds) Wh-movement: moving on, MIT Press, Cambridge, pp 97–134, 2006), requiring freezing-realization of the DP in SpecFocP but permitting sub-extraction of NP to satisfy case requirements licensed by a higher functional head. Quite generally, it is suggested that the paradigm in Lalo Yi demonstrates the grammaticalization of an optional tendency found elsewhere in numeral-classifier languages to use special forms for the specific and non-specific indefinite interpretations of numerically-quantified nominals. Additionally, the paper contributes to the growing description and typology of low focus phenomena across languages and observations of variation in the ways that focus may be realized in different languages.
Evolution of a laboratory mechanomyograph
Authors: Wedemeyer Zain , Bowdle Andrew , Jelacic Srdjan , Lopez Aidan , Silliman Willis , Michaelsen Kelly E. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMechanomyography is currently the accepted laboratory reference standard for quantitative neuromuscular blockade monitoring. Mechanomyographs are not commercially available. Previously, a mechanomyograph was built by our laboratory and used in several clinical studies. It was subsequently redesigned to improve its usability and functionality and to accommodate a wider range of hand sizes and shapes using an iterative design process. Each version of the redesigned device was initially tested for usability and functionality in the lab with the investigators as subjects without electrical stimulation. The redesigned devices were then assessed on patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia without neuromuscular blocking drugs. Since the patients were not paralyzed, the expected train-of-four ratio was 1.0. The device accuracy and precision were represented by the train-of-four ratio mean and standard deviation. If issues with the device’s useability or functionality were discovered, changes were made, and the redesign processes repeated. The final mechanomyograph design was used to collect 2,362 train-of-four ratios from 21 patients. The mean and standard deviation of the train-of-four ratios were 0.99 ± 0.030. Additionally, the final mechanomyograph design was easier to use and adjust than the original design and fit a wider range of hand sizes. The final design also reduced the frequency of adjustments and the time needed for adjustments, facilitating data collection during a surgical procedure.
Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals Fruit Secondary Metabolites Alter Bat Nutrient Absorption
Authors: Gelambi Mariana , Whitehead Susan R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe ecological interaction between fleshy fruits and frugivores is influenced by diverse mixtures of secondary metabolites that naturally occur in the fruit pulp. Although some fruit secondary metabolites have a primary role in defending the pulp against antagonistic frugivores, these metabolites also potentially affect mutualistic interactions. The physiological impact of these secondary metabolites on mutualistic frugivores remains largely unexplored. Using a mutualistic fruit bat (Carollia perspicillata), we showed that ingesting four secondary metabolites commonly found in plant tissues affects bat foraging behavior and induces changes in the fecal metabolome. Our behavioral trials showed that the metabolites tested typically deter bats. Our metabolomic surveys suggest that secondary metabolites alter, either by increasing or decreasing, the absorption of essential macronutrients. These behavioral and physiological effects vary based on the specific identity and concentration of the metabolite tested. Our results also suggest that a portion of the secondary metabolites consumed is excreted by the bat intact or slightly modified. By identifying key shifts in the fecal metabolome of a mutualistic frugivore caused by secondary metabolite consumption, this study improves our understanding of the effects of fruit chemistry on frugivore physiology.