bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing First-Cycle Primary School English Language Teachers’ Speaking Proficiency
Authors: Baisa Girma , Worabu Rufael Disaasaa , Belachew Teshale Tefera 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the speaking proficiency of English teachers in the first-cycle primary school, utilizing a convergent mixed design methodology. Employing a sophisticated probability sampling technique, fifteen and ten English teachers from primary schools in East Wollega Zone were randomly selected for Oral Proficiency Tests (OPT) and classroom observations, respectively. Descriptive statistics analysis revealed a significant deficiency in the speaking proficiency of English teachers, with the combined mean of speaking proficiency components (M=2.65) falling below the required standard. Independent sample t-tests indicated poor proficiency levels in OPT outcomes for both male and female teachers, with p-values surpassing .05 for all components except pronunciation. This comprehensive assessment, combining quantitative and qualitative investigations, illuminated consistently below-average in speaking proficiency components among English teachers. The findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions and professional development initiatives to enhance the speaking proficiency of English language teachers at the primary education level. The research significantly contributes valuable insights by pinpointing specific areas of deficiency in English teachers' speaking proficiency and emphasizing the urgency of addressing these shortcomings through tailored interventions. The identification of pronunciation as a potential area for improvement underscores the intricate nature of language proficiency. In conclusion, these findings serve as a pivotal foundation for future research endeavors and policy considerations directed at enhancing the overall quality of English language instruction during the early stages of education. The identified proficiency gaps underscore the necessity for focused efforts to uplift the capabilities of English teachers, thereby contributing to a more effective language learning environment at the primary education level.
Population Genomics and Genetic Diversity of the Invasive Chrysanthemum Lace Bug (Corythucha Marmorata) Across Its Invasive Range in Japan
Authors: Contreras-Negrete Gonzalo , Meza-Lázaro Rubi N. , Benites Pilar , Becerra-Lira Víctor E. , Sakata Yuzu , Ohgushi Takayuki , Craig Timothy P. , Itami Johanne , Zaldívar-Riverón Alejandro , Lopez Antonio Hernandez 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The escalating global movement of alien species, facilitated by increased trade and travel, poses a pressing need to comprehend their invasive potential and the consequent ecological and economic ramifications. Despite a growing body of evidence on rapid evolutionary shifts in invasive species, comprehensive insights into the genetic variability underlying these adaptations are constrained by limited genomic resources. Understanding the role of genetic variation in the success or failure of biological invaders is crucial,. This study focuses on the chrysanthemum lace bug, Corythucha marmorata, as a model 2system to investigate the interplay of genetic variation, local adaptation, and invasion dynamics. Our analysis reveals a low genetic structure among countries, with significant genetic differentiation observed within populations. The scarcity of private alleles suggests a limited number of independent sources for the invader populations. Furthermore, the prevalence of a single genetic cluster indicates potential novel-selection pressures, potentially influenced by the host plant. The lace bug's specialization on goldenrod is emphasized despite reports of exploiting various hosts.
Comparative efficacy of erector spinae plane and quadratus lumborum blocks in managing postoperative pain for total abdominal hysterectomy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: BARAN Onur , ŞAHİN Ayhan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background: Effective postoperative pain management after total abdominal hysterectomy is crucial for patient recovery and satisfaction. This study compared the efficacy of the erector spinae plane block and quadratus lumborum block in reducing postoperative opioid consumption and pain in patients with total abdominal hysterectomy.
Methods: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 90 patients undergoing total abdominal hysterectomy were divided into three groups: ESPB, QLB, and control. The primary outcome was postoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes included pain scores assessed by the visual analog scale at predetermined times and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Statistical significance was determined using analysis of variance, the Mann–Whitney U test, and the Kruskal–Wallis test.
Results: The ESPB and QLB groups showed a significant reduction in postoperative opioid consumption compared with the control group (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Pain scores were significantly lower in the ESPB and QLB groups than in the control group at 2, 6, and 24 h postoperatively (p < 0.001 at each time point). The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower in the ESPB and QLB groups than that in the control group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.029). No significant differences were observed in opioid consumption or pain scores between the two groups.
Conclusions: Both the erector spinae plane and quadratus lumborum blocks effectively reduced postoperative opioid consumption and pain in patientswith total abdominal hysterectomy. These techniques offer a promising approach for postoperative pain management, potentially reducing the need for opioids.
IRB Number: 2022.206.11.07
Clinical Trial Registry Number: NCT05675657
Illuminating the functions of the understudied Fructosamine-3-kinase (FN3K) using a multi-omics approach reveals new links to lipid, carbon, and co-factor metabolic pathways
Authors: Kannan Natarajan , Shrestha Safal , Taujale Rahil , Katiyar Samiksha 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Fructosamine-3-kinases (FN3Ks) are a conserved family of repair enzymes that phosphorylate reactive sugars attached to lysine residues in peptides and proteins. Although FN3Ks are present across the tree of life and share detectable sequence similarity to eukaryotic protein kinases, the biological processes regulated by these kinases are largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we leveraged the FN3K CRISPR Knock-Out (KO) cell line alongside an integrative multi-omics study combining transcriptomics, metabolomics, and interactomics to place these enzymes in a pathway context. The integrative analyses revealed the enrichment of pathways related to oxidative stress response, lipid biosynthesis (cholesterol and fatty acids), carbon and co-factor metabolism. Moreover, enrichment of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) binding proteins and localization of human FN3K (HsFN3K) to mitochondria suggests potential links between FN3Ks and NAD-mediated energy metabolism and redox balance. We report specific binding of HsFN3K to NAD compounds in a metal and concentration-dependent manner and provide insight into their binding mode using modeling and experimental site-directed mutagenesis. By identifying a potential link between FN3Ks, redox regulation, and NAD-dependent metabolic processes, our studies provide a framework for targeting these understudied kinases in diabetic complications and metabolic disorders where redox balance is altered.
Catheter ablation as a potential treatment alternative for atrial fibrillation among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ping Yang , Guoqiang Wang , Tiantian Ai , Mingbao Song , Xuejun Yu , Xiaoying Liao 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is a useful alternative to drug-induced rhythm control. However, the efficacy of this procedure in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the outcomes of the radiofrequency catheter ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation in patients with HFpEF.
Methods
The retrospective cohort study included 144 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50% who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation for the first time. We compared clinical outcomes, including freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence at 12 months, symptom severity decrease measured using the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) score, and all-cause hospitalizations between patients with HFpEF and those without HF.
Results
Among the 144 patients, 43 (29.9%) had HFpEF and 101 (70.1%) did not have HF. At the 12-month follow-up, significant difference was found in the recurrence rate of atrial arrhythmia between the two groups (41.9%, HFpEF group vs. 13.9%, non-HF group; P < 0.001). Nonetheless, no significant difference was noted in the decrease in symptom severity, evaluated using the reduction in EHRA scores, between the two groups (-1.30 ± 0.60 vs. -1.42 ± 0.55; P = 0.273). Similarly, no significant difference was observed in all-cause hospitalizations between the two groups (9.3% vs. 4.0%; P = 0.239). After adjusting for HFpEF, atrial fibrillation type, age group (age ≥ 75 vs. <75 years), atrial fibrillation duration, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and left atrial diameter, a significant association was noted between HFpEF and increased probability of atrial fibrillation recurrence (hazard ratio: 2.56; 95% confidence interval: 1.17–5.61; P = 0.018).
Conclusions
Despite the significantly lower incidence of arrhythmia-free survival within 12 months of follow-up in patients with HFpEF than in those without HF, catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation significantly reduced symptom severity. The study findings suggest catheter ablation as a potential treatment alternative for atrial fibrillation in patients with HFpEF.
Python algorithm for Calculation of Total Phenolic Compounds in Vegetable Oils with Smartphone Image analysis
Authors: Vucane Sanita , Cinkmanis Ingmars , Sabovics Martins 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In this research, a Python algorithm was developed that calculated one of the total concentrations of phenol in vegetable oils using the RGB colour system. The algorithm converts data obtained in the RGB colour system into absorbance values using NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib and SciPy libraries. It allows for complex data calculations and analyses that are particularly accurate and more efficient than traditional methods such as MS Excel. Algorithm development is divided into six stages: library import, user data input and processing, absorbance calculations, linear regression and calibration curve drawing, data analysis and saving results in Excel format. The algorithm offers flexible use in both local Python development environments and online platforms such as Kaggle (https://www.kaggle.com/). It can also be used in the analyses of other plant extracts or chemical substances, where interpretations of RGB colour system data are used as a basis. This algorithm opens up new possibilities in scientific data analysis by taking advantage of modern technology and programming language.
Influence of GLUT2 rs8192675, MATE1 rs2289669, and OCT2 rs316019 Genetic Polymorphism on Metformin Efficacy and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Raza Muhammad Kashif , Aamir Aziz-ul-Hasan , Mansour Lamjed , Khan Zahid , Shahwar Durr-e- , Ali Aktar , Imran Muhammad 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Metformin, being the gold standard drug of choice in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) shows differential therapeutic response in patients due to gene polymorphism. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of GLUT2 rs8192675, MATE1 rs2289669, and OCT2 rs316019 being hotspot single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on metformin efficacy and glycemic control in T2DM. In current research work, 417 subjects were enrolled, of which 200 were healthy control, and 217 newly diagnosed T2DM patients, involving 60 metformin non-responding and 157 metformin responding individuals. The patients were subjected to three months of metformin monotherapy and their initial and final HbA1c, BMI, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles were determined. Genotyping was performed through real-time PCR with melt curve analysis followed by agarose gel electrophoresis and Sanger sequencing. GLUT2 rs8192675 CC genotype (OR 0.24, CI 95% 0.06–0.84, p = 0.02) and MATE1 rs2289669 A allele (OR 0.14, CI 95% 0.05–0.33, p < 0.0001) were significantly associated with metformin response and glucose-lowering effect. No significant association ( p > 0.05) was observed for OCT2 rs316019. GLUT2 rs8192675 CC genotype and MATE1 rs2289669 A allele are significantly associated with low glucose and HbA1c levels, positively altering metformin efficacy in newly diagnosed T2DM responsive individuals.
Physical map of QTLs for some agronomic traits across many environments, identification of related candidate genes, and development of KASP markers with emphasis on terminal heat stress tolerance in common wheat
Authors: Kumar Sourabh , Kumar Sachin , Sharma Hemant , Singh Vivudh Pratap , Rawale Kanwardeep Singh , Kahlon Kaviraj Singh , Gupta Vikas , Bhatt Sunil Kumar , Vairamani Ramanathan , Gill Kulvinder Singh , Balyan Harindra Singh 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

To understand the genetic architecture of important agronomic traits under heat stress, we used a doubled-haploid (DH) mapping population (177 lines) derived from a heat sensitive cultivar (PBW343) and a heat tolerant genotype (KSG1203). This population was evaluated for 11 agronomic traits under timely (optimum), late (mild heat stress), and very late sown (heat stress) environments over two locations and three years totalling 15 environments. Best linear unbiased estimates for each trait and a sequencing based genotyping (SBG) SNP genetic map comprising 5,710 markers were used for composite interval mapping of QTLs. The identified 66 QTLs were integrated into a physical map (5,710 SNPs; 14,263.4 Mb) of wheat. The 66 QTLs (20 novel QTLs) each explained 5.3–24.9% of the phenotypic variation. Thirteen stable QTLs each with high PVE were recommended for marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS) for optimum and heat stress environments. Selected QTLs were validated by their presence in high yielding DH lines. Three QTLs for 1000-grain weight were co-localized with known genes TaERF3-3B, TaFER-5B, and TaZIM-A1; a QTL for grain yield was co-localized with TaCol-B5, and gene TaVRT-2 was associated with traits related with some of the QTLs for spike traits. Specific known genes for several traits including thermostability, enhanced grain yield etc. were co-located with the QTLs. Furthermore, 61 differentially expressed candidate genes for heat tolerance in plants that encode 28 different proteins were identified. KASP markers for three major/stable QTLs were developed for MARS focussing on the development of heat tolerant wheat varieties and germplasm.
Benthic response to the strong Silurian climatic fluctuations – implications from Gotland (Sweden)
Authors: Claussen Anna Lene , Munnecke Axel 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Climatically the Silurian was a most unstable period, as it is shows several strong d13C excursion, with the Lau excursion being the strongest short-lived positive d13C excursion of the entire Phanerozoic. The causes of these excursions are still debated. In order to determine how benthic communities responded to these climatic perturbations, a microfacies analysis of carbonate rocks from the Silurian (Late Telychian to the uppermost Ludfordian) of the Gotland was carried out. Reef development was strongly enhanced during periods with carbon isotope excursions, compared to time intervals without. In times of very high d13C values (≥ 3‰) bryozoans and microbes become more abundant and, in some areas, form reefs (Bryostromatolites), while corals and stromatoporoids were the main reef builders in periods of lower isotope ratios (0–3‰). In addition, a significant increase of phosphatic components, gypsum pseudomorphs and the microproblematicum Palaeomicrocodium is observed in times of increased isotope ratios. A model is proposed explaining the changes in the benthic communities over time. It is based on previously published models which assume climatic shifts from humid to arid climate but adds phosphorous in sea water as an important factor for the development of the benthic communities.
The Firefly Sparkle: The Earliest Stages of the Assembly of A Milky Way-type Galaxy in a 600 Myr Old Universe
Authors: Mowla Lamiya , Iyer Kartheik , Asada Yoshihisa , Desprez Guillaume , Tan Vivian Yun Yan , Martis Nicholas , Sarrouh Ghassan , Strait Victoria , Abraham Roberto , Bradac Marusa , Brammer Gabriel , Matharu Jasleen , Muzzin Adam , Ravindranath Swara , Willott Chris , Sawicki Marcin , Estrada-Carpenter Vince , Noirot Gael , Rihtaršič Gregor , Zabl Johannes , Jahan Nusrath , Pacifici Camilla 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The most distant galaxies detected by JWST are assembling in a Universe that is less than 5% of its present age. At these times, the progenitors of galaxies like the Milky Way are expected to be about 10,000 times less massive than they are now, with masses quite comparable to that of massive globular clusters seen in the local Universe. Composed today primarily of old stars and correlating with the properties of their parent dark matter halos, the first globular clusters are thought to have formed during the earliest stages of galaxy assembly. In this article we explore
the connection between globular clusters and galaxy assembly by showing JWST observations of a galaxy at zspec = 8.304 ± 0.001, strongly lensed by a massive foreground cluster of galaxies, exhibiting a network of massive star clusters (the ‘Firefly Sparkle’) cocooned in a diffuse arc. The Fire-fly Sparkle exhibits the hallmarks expected of a future Milky Way-type galaxy captured during its earliest and most gas-rich stage of formation. The mass distribution of the galaxy seems to be concentrated in ten distinct clusters (∼ 49 − 57% of the total mass), with individual cluster masses (M∗,cluster ∼ 105.3 − 105.8M⊙) that straddle the boundary between low-mass galaxies and high-mass globular clusters. The cluster ages suggest that they are gravitationally bound with star formation histories showing a recent starburst possibly triggered by the interaction with a companion galaxy at the same redshift at a projected distance of ∼2 kpc away from the Firefly Sparkle. The central star cluster shows nebular-dominated spectra consistent with high temperatures (Te ∼ 40, 000K) and a top-heavy initial mass functon(0.78 < α < 2.0), the product of formation in a very metal poor environment. Combined with abundance matching that suggests that this is likely to be a progenitor of galaxies like our own, the Firefly Sparkle provides an unprecedented case study of a Milky Way-like galaxy in the earliest stages of its assembly in only a 600 million year old
Universe
The Association between Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index and Cognitive Impairment in the American Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study (NHANES 2011-2014)
Authors: Yang Hang , Wang Xiaoying , Zhou Ye , Zhang Shenyingjie , Gao Zhenzhen 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Oxidative stress is involved in the development and progression of cognitive impairment. However, the association between composite dietary antioxidant index (CDAI) and cognitive impairment remains unknown.
Objective
This cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between CDAI and cognitive impairment among the American elderly.
Methods
The public data was available from the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2014. Participants aged ≥ 60 years were eligible for cognitive function, including word learning and recall modules from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD), the animal fluency test (AFT), and the digit symbol substitution test (DSST). A composite cognition score was created to evaluate global cognition. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic spline, stratified and sensitivity analysis were conducted.
Results
CDAI was negatively associated with cognitive impairment. For each standard deviation increase in CDAI, the risk of cognitive impairment decreased by 6% for DSST (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.9, 0.97), 7% for AFT (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.9, 0.96), 4% for CERAD (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.99), and 7% for global cognition (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.9, 0.96) after adjusting for multiple potential confounders. This significant negative relationship remained consistent when comparing individuals in the highest CDAI tertile with those in the lowest CDAI tertile. Furthermore, a non-linear relationship was observed between CDAI and cognitive impairment on AFT (P for non-linearity = 0.009) and global cognition (P for non-linearity = 0.006).These negative correlations between CDAI and cognitive impairment were observed across the stratified age, gender, poverty-to-income ratio, body mass index, hypertension, and diabetes. However, the interaction test revealed significance for education on DSST (P for interaction = 0.04). Moreover, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and carotenoids were independently associated with cognitive impairment in this study. The sensitivity analysis for participants with complete covariates yielded a similar finding.
Conclusion
These findings suggested a negative and non-linear association between the CDAI and the risk of cognitive impairment among the American elderly. The results have significant implications for public health initiatives to prevent and limit the progression of cognitive impairment through dietary interventions.