bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using capillary electrophoresis sodium dodecyl sulfate (CE‐SDS) and liquid chromatograph mass spectrometry (LC–MS) to identify glycosylated heavy chain heterogeneity in the anti‐VEGFR‐2 monoclonal antibody
Authors: Li Meng , Zhao Xueyu , Wu Gang , Wang Wenbo , Du Jialiang , Xu Gangling , Duan Maoqin , Fu Zhihao , Yu Chuanfei , Wang Lan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe size variant, which can be measured by capillary electrophoresis sodium dodecyl sulfate (CE‐SDS), is a critical quality attribute of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The CE‐SDS size heterogeneity can hardly be identified by tandem mass spectrometry, which is an intractable obstacle of mAb development and quality control across the industry. We analyzed the purity of an anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2) mAb, an antagonist of the human VEGFR‐2, through reduced CE‐SDS and observed glycosylated heavy chain heterogeneity. The heterogeneity has potential impact on safety, efficacy, and stability of drugs for clinical use. Therefore, it should be characterized so as to evaluate its potential risk. In order to identify the heterogeneity, we used mass spectrometry to confirm that the molecular size heterogeneity was not due to peptide bond cleavage in the heavy chain. Subsequently, we employed mass‐spectrometry–glycosylation profiling and CE‐SDS analysis of various glycosidase‐treated samples, in addition to the preparation of mAb references with different glycoforms. Ultimately, we demonstrated that the heavy chain heterogeneity was induced by different levels of galactosylation modifications which will potentially impact the efficacy of antibody drugs (i.e., complement‐dependent cytotoxicity). In this study, potential risk caused by heavy chain size heterogeneity was evaluated, which addressed the obstacle of mAb development and quality control. Therefore, this study offers a feasible approach for the investigation and identification of heavy chain heterogeneity in reduced CE‐SDS, providing a novel strategy for mAb quality control and evaluation.
New policies, new behaviors: How digital taxation shapes mobile money use in Ghana
Authors: Ofosu‐Ampong Kingsley 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe transition from traditional to digital payment platforms is reshaping domestic revenue mobilization, with significant impacts on sectors like agriculture, health, business, education and economy. This transition, while presenting both challenges and opportunities, has the potential to foster economic growth and boost revenue mobilization. This paper investigates how digital taxation or electronic levy (e‐levy) has shaped mobile money (MoMo) adoption in Ghana since the introduction of e‐levy on digital financial transactions. The underlying theories supporting this study include the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Social Norm Theory (SNT), and Expectancy‐Confirmation Theory (ECT). A cross‐sectional design was employed, and data was collected from 206 participants (mobile network subscribers) through a self‐administered online survey conducted and applied a partial least square structural equation modeling technique. The findings indicate that inherent innovativeness, the structure of the tax, and social tax compliance norms significantly influence citizens' compliance attitudes towards e‐levy in the context of a developing country. Conversely, the study found that potential taxpayers' attitudes towards e‐levy do not determine their intention to pay (actual use) e‐levy. In this respect, recommendations to drive the digital taxation agenda among government revenue agencies in developing countries are (i) continuous inherent innovativeness on the part of the government, (ii) ensuring compliance attitudes towards e‐levy, (iii) proper structuring of the tax components and (iv) ensuring ease of use of the system. These findings provide governments and revenue agencies, particularly those in developing countries, with valuable insights into citizens' behavioral change towards digital taxation on MoMo transactions. An effective convergence of the determinants discussed in this research would expedite government mobilization efforts for electronic levies and promote development.
Preconception weight suppression predicts eating disorder symptoms in pregnancy
Authors: Hormes Julia M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractObjectiveDisordered eating is common in pregnancy and associated with adverse health outcomes. Weight suppression (WS), the discrepancy between highest lifetime and current weight, is a robust predictor of loss of control (LOC) and binge eating and weight gain trajectories in clinical populations. This study explored the role of preconception WS as a predictor of disordered eating and weight gain in pregnancy.MethodPregnant individuals (n = 137) reported their highest, preconception, and current weights to calculate preconception WS, actual gestational weight gain (GWG), and deviations from recommended weight gain trajectories in pregnancy. Participants also completed the Prenatal Eating Behaviours Screening (PEBS) tool, a validated measure of disordered eating specifically in pregnancy.ResultsPreconception WS was a significant predictor of PEBS total scores [F(5, 122) = 2.70, p = 0.02, R2 = 0.10] and significantly and positively correlated with individual item scores quantifying restrictive eating behaviours. Preconception WS was not predictive of deviations from recommended GWG trajectories or LOC or binge eating frequency and did not interact with pre‐pregnancy body mass index or GWG to predict eating disorder symptom severity.ConclusionsPreconception WS was predictive of disordered eating, and specifically restrictive eating behaviours in pregnancy, and should be assessed as part of screening for eating disorder risk in pregnant individuals.
Geothermally activated mixed‐in‐place walls as permanent components of a sustainable energy system: case history
Authors: Jäger Stefan , Ibuk Hursit , Beckhaus Karsten 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGeothermal activation of geotechnical construction elements facilitates the storage of renewable energy. During summer, solar energy is captured, stored underground, and subsequently utilized for winter building heating. In addition, the sustainable approach by using the mixed‐in‐place (MIP) method reduces carbon emissions and transportation burdens already during construction phase. The method‘s granular interlocking ensures efficient heat transfer to geothermal probes. Integrating geothermal activation right from the planning phase into building technology enables seamless incorporation. The synergy of geothermal activation and the MIP technique not only cultivates eco‐friendly building concepts but also mitigates environmental impact across the entirety of a building‘s lifecycle. Geothermal activation and MIP can be applied to large‐scale infrastructure projects, enhancing sustainability.
Distinct roles of Bdnf I and Bdnf IV transcript variant expression in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Bach Svitlana V. , Bauman Allison J. , Hosein Darya , Tuscher Jennifer J. , Ianov Lara , Greathouse Kelsey M. , Henderson Benjamin W. , Herskowitz Jeremy H. , Martinowich Keri , Day Jeremy J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBrain‐derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) plays a critical role in brain development, dendritic growth, synaptic plasticity, as well as learning and memory. The rodent Bdnf gene contains nine 5′ non‐coding exons (I–IXa), which are spliced to a common 3′ coding exon (IX). Transcription of individual Bdnf variants, which all encode the same BDNF protein, is initiated at unique promoters upstream of each non‐coding exon, enabling precise spatiotemporal and activity‐dependent regulation of Bdnf expression. Although prior evidence suggests that Bdnf transcripts containing exon I (Bdnf I) or exon IV (Bdnf IV) are uniquely regulated by neuronal activity, the functional significance of different Bdnf transcript variants remains unclear. To investigate functional roles of activity‐dependent Bdnf I and IV transcripts, we used a CRISPR activation system in which catalytically dead Cas9 fused to a transcriptional activator (VPR) is targeted to individual Bdnf promoters with single guide RNAs, resulting in transcript‐specific Bdnf upregulation. Bdnf I upregulation is associated with gene expression changes linked to dendritic growth, while Bdnf IV upregulation is associated with genes that regulate protein catabolism. Upregulation of Bdnf I, but not Bdnf IV, increased mushroom spine density, volume, length, and head diameter, and also produced more complex dendritic arbors in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. In contrast, upregulation of Bdnf IV, but not Bdnf I, in the rat hippocampus attenuated contextual fear expression. Our data suggest that while Bdnf I and IV are both activity‐dependent, BDNF produced from these promoters may serve unique cellular, synaptic, and behavioral functions.
The role of healthcare providers in expanding legal abortion: Qualitative insights from Argentina, Ireland, and South Korea
Authors: Juanola van Keizerswaard Lisa , de Vries Irene , Moran Nicole , Poorter Saskia , Kok Maryse , Zamberlin Nina , Kim Sunhye , Favier Mary , Chavkin Wendy 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAbortion laws are key in creating an enabling environment that facilitates the advancement of people's sexual and reproductive health and rights. Around 50 countries have liberalized their abortion laws in the last decades by adding new grounds allowing abortion. The road toward the expansion of legal abortion is a long, highly sensitive, and difficult process. The specific role of healthcare providers in influencing abortion law reforms has been scarcely studied. With the objective to better understand their (potential) roles, a qualitative study was conducted in 2021 focusing on three countries that had recently liberalized their abortion regulations: Argentina, South Korea, and Ireland. For each country, key informant interviews were conducted with actors in advocacy for legal change, the majority with healthcare providers. The study results indicate that healthcare providers can contribute to the expansion of legal abortion through their influence on public and legal debates. Healthcare providers were found to be scientifically credible and trustworthy. Their voice and argumentation counteracted anti‐rights arguments and addressed information gaps, by providing specific clinical experiences and medical information. Healthcare providers amplified women's experiences through their testimonies and had entry points within governmental bodies, which facilitated their advocacy. These healthcare providers often functioned as individual operating obstetrician/gynecologists or general practitioners who were engaged in networks of health professionals or had previous advocacy experience. In a global context of social and political contention around abortion, extending the engagement of healthcare providers in law and policy deliberation on abortion appears to be useful. This requires recognizing the diversity of roles that healthcare providers can take up, creating a safe environment in which they can operate, equipping them with skills that go beyond the medical expert role and facilitating strategic partnerships that seek complementarity between multiple stakeholders, building on the uniqueness of each stakeholder's expertise.
Respectful Abortion Care initiative: How a large‐scale virtual training for providers in India increased knowledge of the new 2021 Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act
Authors: Kumari Shantha , Sharma Kandala Aparna , Ghosh Sumita , Suman Barru Aruna , Bhardwaj Ajey , Puri Manju , Chaudhary Pushpa , Chatterjee Tapas , Dubey Sapna , Karna Priya 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn a historic move to ensure comprehensive abortion care, India amended the 1971 Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act in 2021, creating an unprecedented opportunity for accelerating safe, respectful, and rights‐based abortion services. The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI), together with World Health Organization (WHO) India and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, set up a flagship initiative “Respectful Abortion Care” (RAC) to provide training to obstetricians and gynecologists on the new Act, and also address their values and biases.MethodsVirtual training sessions were organized during the COVID‐19 pandemic to disseminate the amendments made under the MTP Act and address provider values and biases. The primary focus was on private providers as they account for more than half of all abortion services in India (52.9%). The RAC modules were systematically designed and delivered by 690 Master Trainers, trained by FOGSI and WHO.ResultsA total of 9051 FOGSI members (22%, with 50% from private clinics) completed the RAC trainings. Pretests and post‐tests were conducted for impact assessment. Significant improvement was seen on knowledge of criteria for termination of pregnancy for significant birth defects (52%–83%). The post‐training survey showed a high level of commitment to promote RAC: >95% were strongly motivated to perform or assist in abortion; 89% reported that the WHO value clarification exercises were helpful in facilitating open discussions on sensitive topics in a comfortable manner; 96% expressed a strong commitment to addressing the issue of respect and confidentiality in abortion care.ConclusionRAC was a unique initiative around the MTP Act amendment 2021 in India, which demonstrated that collaboration and leadership by professional associations can help motivate providers and lead to improved knowledge and commitment from public and private sector providers.
Assessment of unintended pregnancies, contraception, and abortion in Botswana
Authors: Rakereng Tshepo Mokganedi , Dikgole Kesaobaka Sheila , Maribe Lucy Sejo , Speciale Anna Maria , Lavelanet Antonella 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBotswana has a policy of contraception for all that is delivered through a rights‐based family planning program. The program combines a “rights‐based family planning approach” with “supportive policies for contraception,” and “a commitment to promote equitable access to modern contraception, and expand availability, method mix and uptake of modern contraceptive methods for all women and girls.” However, abortion is legally restricted up to 16 weeks of pregnancy provided that provisions of Section 160–162 of the Botswana Penal Code Amendment Act 1991 are met, and that the termination of pregnancy is carried out by a registered medical practitioner in a health facility approved for the purpose. In 2020, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Botswana, in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund and World Health Organization, conducted a strategic assessment of unintended pregnancies, contraception, unsafe abortion, and abortion services in Botswana. A consensus operational plan to address these issues was developed during a national stakeholder meeting in Gaborone, Botswana. The consensus reached was to avert unintended pregnancies, improve access to modern contraception, and open nationwide discussions around abortion in the community to enable positive change and decrease maternal morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion. This article describes the findings of the assessment and outlines the foundation for new or modified services or practices to be developed and pilot tested.
Design and implementation of an automated baby monitoring cradle
Authors: Satti Adil Ahmed , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Nabi Fizza Ghulam , Azhar Muhammad Fawaq , Ali Mehran 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEver increasing global birth rate, increased working women ratio and innovative technologies motivate the engineering society to introduce novel ideas for the baby caring. Considering this, we present hardware implementation of an automatic cradle for smart and remote monitoring. In contrast to previous implementations, we present the design insights such as swing angle, required force and torque, arc length and speed of the cradle for the first time in the literature. Furthermore, to make the cradle more comfortable and smooth swing, we introduce a novel Slider Crank Mechanism to control the cradle swing for the first time in the literature. This provides flexibility, and improved energy efficiency, while maintaining controlled and predictable reciprocating motion. The proposed solution is equipped with a number of technological features, that is, cry detection based swing, collision avoidance, WiFi based remote video monitoring, wet detection and baby health monitoring system.
The effect of bioactivity of airway epithelial cells using methacrylated gelatin scaffold loaded with exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Li Yongsen , Chen Zhike , Xia Tian , Wan Haoxin , Lu Yi , Ding Cheng , Zhang Fangbiao , Shen Ziqing , Pan Shu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe current evidence provides support for the involvement of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the regulation of airway epithelial cells. However, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms remains elusive. This study aimed to isolate and characterize BMSC‐derived exosomes (BMSC‐Exos) and epithelial cells (ECs) through primary culture. Subsequently, the impact of BMSC‐Exos on ECs was assessed in vitro, and sequencing analysis was conducted to identify potential molecular mechanisms involved in these interactions. Finally, the efficacy of BMSC‐Exos was evaluated in animal models in vivo. In this study, primary BMSCs and ECs were efficiently isolated and cultured, and high‐purity Exos were obtained. Upon uptake of BMSC‐Exos, ECs exhibited enhanced proliferation (p < .05), while migration showed no difference (p > .05). Notably, invasion demonstrated significant difference (p < .05). Sequencing analysis suggested that miR‐21‐5p may be the key molecule responsible for the effects of BMSC‐Exos, potentially mediated through the MAPK or PI3k‐Akt signaling pathway. The in vivo experiments showed that the presence of methacrylated gelatin (GelMA) loaded with BMSC‐Exos in composite scaffold significantly enhanced epithelial crawling in the patches in comparison to the pure decellularized group. In conclusion, this scheme provides a solid theoretical foundation and novel insights for the research and clinical application of tracheal replacement in the field of tissue engineering.
Social cognition in women with borderline personality disorder based on an exhaustive analysis of the Movie for Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC) categories
Authors: Coma Gonzalez Aser Alba , Vilella Elisabet , Gutiérrez‐Zotes Alfonso 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA significant number of borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms are manifested in the interpersonal context. This can be explained by the difficulties in attributing the mental states of oneself and others, which constitutes social cognition. Errors in social cognition are interrelated with the affective, cognitive, impulsive, and interpersonal areas of the person with BPD. The aims of this study was to analyze social cognition in women with BPD compared with a control group and to analyze social cognition in BPD based on BPD symptoms and its severity. To assess social cognition, we used a full range of social cognition categories provided by the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC): correct theory of mind (ToM); attribution of mental states (thoughts, emotions, or intentions); errors of mentalization; types of ToM; and attribution of mental states through perceptive or cognitive cues and through hot or cold emotions. The MASC has high ecological validity and has been validated in Spanish. The sample comprised 79 women, including 47 women with BPD and 32 healthy women. Worse social cognition performance was observed in women with BPD. More severe borderline symptoms were related to worse functioning in the correct ToM and to errors of no mentalization. Involvement of the cognitive area in borderline symptoms was associated with worse functioning in correct ToM and worse social cognition in cognitive areas as well as with hypermentalization. This is the first study that uses all the MASC categories and considers BPD heterogeneity and its severity to study social cognition.
Development and application of a 3D image analysis strategy for focused ion beam – Scanning electron microscopy tomography of porous soft materials
Authors: Prochukhan Nadezda , Rafferty Aran , Canavan Megan , Daly Dermot , Selkirk Andrew , Rameshkumar Saranya , Morris Michael A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn recent years, the potential of porous soft materials in various device technologies has increased in importance due to applications in fields, such as wearable electronics, medicine, and transient devices. However, understanding the 3‐dimensional architecture of porous soft materials at the microscale remains a challenge. Herein, we present a method to structurally analyze soft materials using Focused Ion Beam – Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB‐SEM) tomography. Two materials, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) membrane and pine wood veneer were chosen as test‐cases. FIB‐SEM was successfully used to reconstruct the true topography of these materials in 3D. Structural and physical properties were subsequently deduced from the rendered 3D models. The methodology used segmentation, coupled with optimized thresholding, image processing, and reconstruction protocols. The 3D models generated pore size distribution, pore inter‐connectivity, tortuosity, thickness, and curvature data. It was shown that FIB‐SEM tomography provides both an informative and visual depiction of structure. To evaluate and validate the FIB‐SEM reconstructions, porous properties were generated from the physical property analysis techniques, gas adsorption analysis using Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area analysis and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) analysis. In general, the data obtained from the FIB‐SEM reconstructions was well‐matched with the physical data.Research Highlights
Porous specimens of both synthetic and biological nature, a poly(methyl methacrylate) membrane and a pine veneer respectively, are reconstructed via FIB‐SEM tomography without resin‐embedding.
Different thresholding and reconstruction methods are explored whereby shadowing artifacts are present with the aid of free open‐source software.
Reconstruction data is compared to physical data: MIP, gas adsorption isotherms which are analyzed via BET and Barrett‐Joyner‐Halenda (BJH) analysis to yield a full picture of the materials.
Volunteering in China: How significant is the peer effect?
Authors: Li Fang , Ma Hongxu , Shen Suyan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study theoretically evaluated and empirically tested the peer effect of residents' volunteering behaviour in a Chinese scenario using data from the 2019 China Comprehensive Social Situation Survey (CSS). The study found that residents' volunteering behaviour had significant peer effect, with every unit increase in volunteering activities of other residents in the community enhancing the probability of residents' participation in volunteering by 21.0% to 30.0%. The results were still valid even after using community location, province dummy variables, and instrumental variables to determine reflexivity and correlation. By contrast, urban community residents were more affected by peer effect. Internet access attenuated the peer influence. Interpersonal trust and trust in charitable organizations reinforced the peer effect, whereas trust in dysfunctional government inhibited the peer influence. The study findings provide a theoretical and empirical standard for improving volunteer incentives and mechanisms as well as enhancing policy effectiveness.