bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Who benefits and who doesn't in virtual reality learning: An experimental study comparing two types of school
Authors: Šikl Radovan , Brücknerová Karla , Švedová Hana , Děchtěrenko Filip , Ugwitz Pavel , Chmelík Jiří , Pokorná Hana , Juřík Vojtěch 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionMedia comparison studies examining the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality in education have yielded inconclusive findings, leaving the question of its impact on learning compared to conventional media unanswered. To address this issue, our study employs a novel approach that combines media comparison with an investigation on the influence of broader educational context.MethodsIn the experiment, 262 students from two distinct types of lower secondary schools—comprehensive school and multi‐year gymnasium (a selective academic school)—participated. The students received a lesson on topography and contour line interpretation, using either an immersive virtual environment or a PowerPoint slideshow. A transfer test was carried out before, immediately after, and 1 month after the lesson to measure knowledge application.ResultsThe impact of the media (immersive virtual reality vs. PowerPoint slideshow) on learning outcomes was found to be minimal, with no clear advantage of one over the other in any experimental condition. In contrast, a significant influence on learning gains was observed due to school type. Multi‐year gymnasium students consistently outperformed comprehensive school students in the pre‐test and demonstrated greater learning gains, regardless of the learning media.ConclusionThe present study employs an innovative approach by integrating a comparative analysis of different media types with an investigation into the impact of learner characteristics. By including students from distinct types of schools, the study provides insights into the differential effects of immersive virtual reality in varied educational contexts.
GDF11: An emerging therapeutic target for liver diseases and fibrosis
Authors: Habibi Pardis , Falamarzi Kimia , Ebrahimi Niloofar Dehdari , Zarei Mohammad , Malekpour Mahdi , Azarpira Negar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGrowth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), also known as bone morphogenetic protein 11 (BMP11), has been identified as a key player in various biological processes, including embryonic development, aging, metabolic disorders and cancers. GDF11 has also emerged as a critical component in liver development, injury and fibrosis. However, the effects of GDF11 on liver physiology and pathology have been a subject of debate among researchers due to conflicting reported outcomes. While some studies suggest that GDF11 has anti‐aging properties, others have documented its senescence‐inducing effects. Similarly, while GDF11 has been implicated in exacerbating liver injury, it has also been shown to have the potential to reduce liver fibrosis. In this narrative review, we present a comprehensive report of recent evidence elucidating the diverse roles of GDF11 in liver development, hepatic injury, regeneration and associated diseases such as non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We also explore the therapeutic potential of GDF11 in managing various liver pathologies.
Calycosin alleviates titanium particle‐induced osteolysis by modulating macrophage polarization and subsequent osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Jiang Hui , Wang Yang , Tang Zhao , Peng Xianjiang , Li Chan , Dang Yangjie , Ma Rui 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPeriprosthetic osteolysis (PPO) caused by wear particles is one of the leading causes of implant failure after arthroplasty. Macrophage polarization imbalance and subsequent osteogenic inhibition play a crucial role in PPO. Calycosin (CA) is a compound with anti‐inflammatory and osteoprotective properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CA on titanium (Ti) particle‐induced osteolysis, Ti particle‐induced macrophage polarization and subsequent osteogenic deficits, and explore the associated signalling pathways in a Ti particle‐stimulated calvarial osteolysis mouse model using micro‐CT, ELISA, qRT‐PCR, immunofluorescence and western blot techniques. The results showed that CA alleviated inflammation, osteogenic inhibition and osteolysis in the Ti particle‐induced calvarial osteolysis mouse model in vivo. In vitro experiments showed that CA suppressed Ti‐induced M1 macrophage polarization, promoted M2 macrophage polarization and ultimately enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells. In addition, CA alleviated osteogenic deficits by regulating macrophage polarization homeostasis via the NF‐κB signalling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. All these findings suggest that CA may prove to be an effective therapeutic agent for wear particle‐induced osteolysis.
CPA4 as a biomarker promotes the proliferation, migration and metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Kongjia , Ding Yixin , Liu Yunbo , Ma Mingyu , Wang Ji , Kou Zengshun , Liu Shuo , Jiang Bo , Hou Sichuan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractClear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a commonly occurring and highly aggressive urological malignancy characterized by a significant mortality rate. Current therapeutic options for advanced ccRCC are limited, necessitating the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Carboxypeptidase A4 (CPA4) is a zinc‐containing metallocarboxypeptidase with implications in various cancer types, but its role in ccRCC remains unexplored. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were utilized in order to investigate the differential expression patterns of CPA4. The expression of CPA4 in ccRCC patients was further verified using immunohistochemical (IHC) examination of 24 clinical specimens. A network of protein–protein interactions (PPI) was established, incorporating CPA4 and its genes that were expressed differentially. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted to anticipate the contribution of CPA4 in the development of ccRCC. To validate our earlier study, we conducted real‐time PCR and cell functional tests on ccRCC cell lines. Our findings revealed that CPA4 is overexpressed in ccRCC, and the higher the expression of CPA4, the worse the clinical outcomes such as TNM stage, pathological stage, histological grade, etc. Moreover, patients with high CPA4 expression had worse overall survival, disease‐specific survival and progress‐free interval than patients with low expression. The PPI network analysis highlighted potential interactions contributing to ccRCC progression. Functional enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of CPA4 in the regulation of key pathways associated with ccRCC development. Additionally, immune infiltration analysis suggested a potential link between CPA4 expression and immune response in the tumour microenvironment. Finally, cell functional studies in ccRCC cell lines shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the role of CPA4 in promoting ccRCC formation. Overall, our study unveils CPA4 as a promising biomarker with prognostic potential in ccRCC. The identified interactions and pathways provide valuable insights into its implications in ccRCC development and offer a foundation for future research on targeted therapies. Further investigation of CPA4's involvement in immune responses may contribute to the development of immunotherapeutic strategies for ccRCC treatment.
O‐GlcNAc regulates anti‐fibrotic genes in lung fibroblasts through EZH2
Authors: Wu Qiuming P. , Vang Shia , Zhou Jennifer Q. , Krick Stefanie , Barnes Jarrod W. , Sanders Yan Y. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEpigenetic modifications are involved in fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and contribute to the silencing of anti‐fibrotic genes. H3K27me3, a key repressive histone mark, is catalysed by the methyltransferase enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), which is regulated by the post‐translational modification, O‐linked N‐Acetylglucosamine (O‐GlcNAc). In this study, we explored the effects of O‐GlcNAc and EZH2 on the expression of antifibrotic genes, cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox2) and Heme Oxygenase (Homx1). The expression of Cox2 and Hmox1 was examined in primary IPF or non‐IPF lung fibroblasts with or without EZH2 inhibitor EZP6438, O‐GlcNAc transferase (OGT) inhibitor (OSMI‐1) or O‐GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitor (thiamet G). Non‐IPF cells were also subjected to TGF‐β1 with or without OGT inhibition. The reduced expression of Cox2 and Hmox1 in IPF lung fibroblasts is restored by OGT inhibition. In non‐IPF fibroblasts, TGF‐β1 treatment reduces Cox2 and Hmox1 expression, which was restored by OGT inhibition. ChIP assays demonstrated that the association of H3K27me3 is reduced at the Cox2 and Hmox1 promoter regions following OGT or EZH2 inhibition. EZH2 levels and stability were decreased by reducing O‐GlcNAc. Our study provided a novel mechanism of O‐GlcNAc modification in regulating anti‐fibrotic genes in lung fibroblasts and in the pathogenesis of IPF.
GPX4‐mediated bone ferroptosis under mechanical stress decreased bone formation via the YAP‐TEAD signalling pathway
Authors: Mengjia Wang , Jun Ji , Xin Zhang , Jiahao Zhang , Jie Guo 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFracture of the alveolar bone resorption is a common complication in orthodontic treatment, which mainly caused by extreme mechanical loading. However, the ferroptosis with orthodontic tooth movement(OTM) relationship has not been thoroughly described. We here analysed whether ferroptosis is involved in OTM‐associated alveolar bone loss. Mouse osteoblasts (MC‐3T3) and knockdown glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) MC‐3T3 were stimulated with compressive force loading and ferrostatin‐1 (Fer‐1, a ferroptosis inhibitor), and the changes in lipid peroxidation morphology, expression of ferroptosis‐related factors and osteogenesis levels were detected. After establishing the rat experimental OTM model, the changes in ferroptosis‐related factors and osteogenesis levels were reevaluated in the same manner. Ferroptosis was involved in mechanical stress regulating osteoblast remodelling, and Fer‐1 and erastin affected osteoblasts under compression force loading. Fer‐1 regulated ferroptosis and autophagy in MC‐3T3 and promoted bone proliferation. GPX4‐dependent ferroptosis stimulated the YAP (homologous oncoproteins Yes‐associated protein) pathway, and GPX4 promoted ferroptosis via the YAP‐TEAD (transcriptional enhanced associate domain) signal pathway under mechanical compression force. The in vivo experiment results were consistent with the in vitro experiment results. Ferroptosis transpires during the motion of orthodontic teeth, with compression force side occurring earlier than stretch side within 4 h. GPX4 plays an important role in alveolar bone loss, while Fer‐1 can inhibit the compression force‐side alveolar bone loss. GPX4's Hippo‐YAP pathway is activated by the lack of compression force in the lateral alveolar bone.
Emigration of post‐spawned twaite shad Alosa fallax, an anadromous and iteroparous fish, in a highly fragmented river
Authors: Yeldham Mark I. A. , Britton J. Robert , Crundwell Charles , Davies Peter , Dodd Jamie R. , Nunn Andrew D. , Velterop Randolph , Bolland Jonathan D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAnthropogenic barriers are widely known to negatively impact the spawning migrations of anadromous fishes, by delaying or preventing passage upstream. Although the impacts of barriers on emigrating post‐spawned adults are less well studied, they could potentially impact the fitness and subsequent return rates of iteroparous species. In this study, passive acoustic telemetry was used to track the emigrations of 53 twaite shad Alosa fallax in the River Severn basin in their first spawning migration a year after being tagged, giving insights into their emigration movements and the impacts of anthropogenic weirs on these movements. A. fallax began their emigrations after spending varying amounts of time and migrating various distances within the river, with late‐emigrating individuals moving fastest and most directly. Emigrations became faster and more direct the further downstream individuals were from their furthest upstream extent. Downstream passage delays at weirs increased emigration times by a median of 61%, with environmental conditions (i.e., temperature, flow, and tidal influence on river level) having little influence on downstream passage at weirs with no modifications to facilitate fish passage. As weir‐induced emigration delays are suggested to deplete energy reserves (when energy levels are already depleted post‐spawning), limit spawning opportunities (by preventing access to downstream spawning habitat), and expose individuals to increased predation risk and suboptimal conditions (e.g., high temperatures), these delays can potentially diminish the benefits of iteroparity. The evidence presented here suggests that more consideration should be given to the potential impacts of anthropogenic barriers on the emigrations of iteroparous species when assessing river connectivity or undertaking barrier mitigation.
Committed Actors, Institutional Complexity, and Pathways to Compromise: The Emergence of Islamic Banking in Germany
Authors: Gümüşay Ali Aslan , Meyer Renate E. , Höllerer Markus A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe formation of the first Islamic bank in Germany in 2015 came with considerable tensions at the interface of the religious logic, on the one hand, and the state logic, on the other. With the Islamic religious logic being novel to the German field of banking and finance, innovative templates were established to deal effectively with the resulting tensions and conflicts. Drawing on qualitative data, we investigate how the bank, with its strong commitment to Islam, navigated such novel institutional complexity and the challenges stemming from the jurisdictional overlap. We identify four distinct compromise mechanisms in this institutionally complex situation, in which a committed actor prioritizes one logic over another: explaining, convincing, conceding and suspending. Importantly, as options, these mechanisms are situated in a cascading order of preference for the focal actor. More generally, our research posits that in any encounter between institutional logics in which the specific instantiation of a logic stems from a foreign interinstitutional system, the resulting novel institutional complexity may necessitate the development of innovative templates which, at the same time, may imply ‘stretching’ an institutional logic and, in consequence, impact the compatibility of its jurisdictional claims.
Fus3 is a pathogenicity factor of Botryosphaeria dothidea on kiwifruit
Authors: Shin Yong Ho , Deising Holger B. , Jeun Yong Chull 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe ascomycete fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea is the causal agent of postharvest rot in kiwifruit. Production and spreading of conidia, differentiation of infection hyphae and invasion of intact fruit surfaces are required to cause fruit rot disease. In several pathogenic fungi, the homologue of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) gene Fus3 has been identified as a pathogenicity factor. To investigate the role of the Fus3 homologue in B. dothidea, the gene was deleted and the resulting ∆fus3 mutants were characterized. On artificial media, strong growth defects of ∆fus3 strains were observed, mycelia were non‐pigmented, and mutants were unable to conidiate. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the wild‐type strain differentiated thick hyphae on the surface of kiwifruits, and nose‐down growth of hyphae indicated tight attachment to the fruit. In contrast, hyphae of ∆fus3 strains mutants were thinner and did not firmly attach to the fruit surface. Importantly, pathogenicity test revealed that ∆fus3 strains were unable to cause disease symptoms on intact kiwifruits. These results shown here identify Fus3 of B. dothidea as a novel pathogenicity factor of the ripe rot pathogen on kiwifruit.
Too much incentive to innovate? CEO stock option exercise and myopic R&D management
Authors: Wang Xinchun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractInnovation is a key driver of firm success. To encourage innovation, firms often offer equity‐based compensation, such as stock options, to better align CEOs' personal interests with shareholder value. Drawing on agency theory, we argue that stock options may not always benefit a firm by encouraging innovation. Instead, we demonstrate that CEOs intending to exercise their stock options have the incentive to be myopic in R&D management so that they can temporarily boost the stock price and, thus, increase their personal wealth. Using a unique multi‐source dataset of 335 Standard & Poor 500 companies from 2007 to 2015, we find evidence supporting this argument. Moreover, the findings suggest that factors that can affect the perceived pressure to promote innovation by CEOs might reshape the association between stock option exercise and myopic R&D management. For example, power resulting from CEO duality decreases the perceived pressure to promote innovation, which increases the likelihood of CEOs engaging in myopic R&D management when exercising their stock options. However, when shareholders present a long investment horizon or when firms have high innovativeness, CEOs perceive more pressure to promote innovation and thus are less likely to opt for myopic R&D management while exercising stock options. The findings provide important insights for better understanding and controlling managerial myopia in innovation management.
Spatial phylogenetics of grasses in the Southern Cone provides insights into ecology and evolution of the family in South America
Authors: Aagesen Lone , Salariato Diego L. , Scataglini María A. , Acosta Juan M. , Denham Silvia S. , Delfini Carolina 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this study, we explored the distributions of grass genera in the Southern Cone (SC) of South America, applying several phylogenetic diversity (PD) metrics and randomization tests. Grasses appear to have been present in South America since their early evolution as tropical understory species more than 60 Ma. During the course of evolution, grasses have adapted to all terrestrial biomes and become one of the most successful plant families on earth. At present, the SC contains nearly all terrestrial biomes and a wide range of humid to arid ecoregions. Analyzing 126.514 point occurrences and four plastid markers for 148 genera (91% of the native grass genera), we found that tropical humid regions hold the highest PD, with no observed bias in branch lengths. These results indicate that niche conservatism dominates the diversity pattern of grasses in the SC. We found significantly low PD in the Dry Chaco and in the Patagonian Steppe, which suggest ecological filtering in both warm and cold arid regions. The Patagonian Steppe also holds significantly longer branches than expected by chance, as the native grass flora is mainly composed of distantly related Pooideae genera with a northern hemisphere origin. Short branches are found in the Uruguayan Savanna, suggesting that these grasslands could be a cradle for grass diversity within the SC. The dated phylogeny supported the current view of a relatively recent evolution of the family within the SC, with most diversification taking place from the middle Miocene and onwards.
When voting no is not enough: Legislative brawling and obstruction in Korea
Authors: Jeong Gyung‐Ho 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlthough legislative brawling is a common occurrence—with 365 cases reported across the world between 1990 and 2018—we have a limited understanding of why members of representative bodies engage in violence. Does the lack of institutionalization or the violent nature of some legislators cause such behavior? This article argues that legislators with intense policy preferences engage in costly actions, such as brawling, as a means of signaling their policy commitment. To validate this claim, this article examines legislators' participation in legislative brawling and filibusters in Korea before and after the adoption of a filibuster procedure. I find that extreme members engaged in brawling before the adoption of procedural reform, while they engaged in filibusters after the adoption. This transformation of brawlers into filibusterers suggests that legislative brawling does not necessarily indicate a violent nature of some legislators but rather a desire by legislators to signal their policy commitments.
The impact of COVID‐19 on school nursing: A qualitative survey of stressors faced by school nurses
Authors: White Benjamin , Hetzel Annie , Willgerodt Mayumi , Durkee‐Neuman Elizabeth , Nguyen Lan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundAs students returned to school, school nurses were responsible for infection control, communication, and the preparation of supplies and facilities. School nurses in the Pacific Northwest US demonstrated a higher prevalence of mental health symptoms in the years since the pandemic began, suggesting that their experience may have been unique.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the stressors of school nurses in the Pacific Northwest at two time points.DesignThis study is a qualitative, descriptive analysis of anonymous survey responses collected in June of 2021 (n = 333) and between October and December 2021 (n = 284).SampleSelf‐identifying school nurses working in K‐12 schools in Washington State were invited to participate.MeasurementsParticipants completed open‐ended survey questions designed to elicit their experiences during the pandemic.ResultsFour themes emerged from the data: (1) isolation from administration and the school community, (2) COVID‐19‐related workload, (3) disorganized and inconsistent communication, and (4) concern for students, themselves, and others.ConclusionsSchool nurses played a vital public health role during the pandemic. However, their effectiveness may not have been fully utilized and sometimes undermined. Lastly, our findings highlight the difficulties encountered in implementing the changing scientific and public health guidance during the pandemic.