bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Standing Herbivory Is Not Affected by Tree Sex or Conspecific Density in a Dioecious Understory Tropical Tree Species
Authors: Genth Leah , Metz Margaret R. , Valencia Renato , Queenborough Simon A. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTLeaves are critical to plant photosynthesis and the loss of leaf area can have negative consequences for an individual's performance and fitness. Variation in plant defenses plays a large role in protecting their leaves from attack by insect herbivores. However, trade‐offs in allocation among growth, reproduction, and defense may limit the availability of resources for any one aspect of a plant's life‐history strategy, which would lead to greater herbivory in those plants that allocate more resources to growth or reproduction than to defense. Patterns of sex‐biased herbivory in dioecious plants are well documented yet are known to vary in the direction (female or male) of their bias. A greater concentration of conspecifics may also increase herbivore attack through negative density dependence. In order to test the hypothesis that sex‐biased herbivory varies as a function of conspecific density, we measured standing herbivory on 2350 leaves on 302 trees of the dioecious understory tree Iryanthera hostmannii (Myristicaceae) situated in a large forest dynamics plot in a lowland tropical rain forest in Ecuador. We found no difference in standing herbivory between the 169 male and 133 female trees, nor for focal trees surrounded by higher densities of conspecifics. The slow‐growing, shade‐tolerant growth patterns of I. hostmannii may contribute to suppressed differential expression of secondary sex characters in leaf defenses, leading to similar levels of herbivory between males and females. Considering the factors that most strongly affect herbivory in dioecious species is important in understanding the evolution of sex‐related traits more broadly.
Reasoning to Justify Eating Animals Varies With Age
Authors: McGuire Luke , Bagus Tina , Carter Alexander G. , Fry Emma , Faber Nadira S. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe present study examined the justifications used by children, adolescents, and adults to justify eating animals. Children (n = 100, Mage = 9.82, SD = 0.77, female n = 49) as compared to adolescents (n = 76, Mage = 14.0, SD = 1.62, female n = 36) and adults (n = 113, Mage = 44.1, SD = 14.4, female n = 54) were more ambivalent or opposed to eating animals, and they showed a distinct reasoning pattern. Children relied less on arguments about meat eating being natural or with to humane slaughter practices. These findings align with recent theoretical perspectives that reasoning may be used to counter cognitive dissonance arising from knowledge of food production systems.
Trajectories of the Late Positive Potential Across Childhood and Adolescence: A 9‐Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Calentino Alison E. , Hager Nathan M. , Adams Elise M. , Szenczy Aline K. , Dickey Lindsay , Kujawa Autumn , Hajcak Greg , Nelson Brady D. , Klein Daniel N. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe late positive potential (LPP), an event‐related potential reflecting affective processing, may exhibit developmental shifts in magnitude and scalp location. In the present longitudinal study, 501 youth (47.3% female; 89.4% White; 12.0% Hispanic) completed the emotion interrupt task to elicit the LPP to neutral, positive, and negative images at approximately 9, 12, 15, and 18 years old (data collected 2010–2022). Multilevel growth models indicated an initial decrease in the occipital LPP and an increase in the parietal and central LPP during late childhood, with rates of change leveling off across adolescence. Trial condition (i.e., valence) significantly impacted trajectories only when the LPP was measured over occipital sites. Results provide novel evidence of stability and change in the LPP across development.
Improving Online and E‐Learning Education Through Train‐the‐Trainer Model: A Case Study of European Innovation Project ECOLHE
Authors: Rathod Paresh , Kämppi Pasi 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe quality of online and e‐learning is crucial for ensuring that students in European higher education have access to high‐quality education and are prepared for the future workforce. The Train‐the‐Trainer (TTT) model and implementation approach can play a crucial role in improving the quality of online and e‐learning by providing educators with the skills and knowledge they need to design, deliver and evaluate practical online and e‐learning courses. This paper is part of the EU innovation project Empower Competencies for Onlife Learning in Higher Education (ECOLHE) and utilised a mixed‐methods case study. The project has designed, developed and implemented a TTT approach and executed a TTT programme for online learning as pedagogical development practices. The pilot study, conducted as part of the ECOLHE project, evaluated the impact of the TTT and presented the findings. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of TTT in improving educators' competencies and the overall quality of online education for students' development. The paper argues that these findings can be developed into best practices for the TTT programme. The TTT approach can potentially create a larger pool of highly skilled educators across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and increase the education offering capacity. This can lead to significant improvements in online and e‐learning experiences, ultimately empowering students for success. The paper emphasises the importance of ongoing professional development for educators in online learning practices. The TTT approach empowers educators to create online learning environments that facilitate student development and progress by fostering these competencies within a real‐world context. The ECOLHE project focused on online learning only, in future, similar studies exploring TTT programmes in other educational formats could yield valuable insights for educators and policy makers across the board. The wider implementation of ‘Train‐the‐Trainer’ approach can improve online education and digital transformation across the EHEA.
The Relationship Between Teachers' Planning and Content Delivery Using the Five‐Stage Lesson Plan Structure: An Analysis of Age, Gender, Experience and Academic Qualifications in Kenya
Authors: Saoke Victor Okoth , Ndwiga Zachary N. , Githaiga Pauline W. , Gitonga Ciriaka Muriithi , Kubai Kaberia Isaac , Nzomo Christine Mueni , Mulonzi Brian Munyao , Ngicho Dickens Okach 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTEffective instruction is vital for quality education in Kenya, with learners' success mainly dependent on structured methods like the five‐stage lesson plan (5‐SLP). Nonetheless, the effectiveness of instruction may differ depending on the demographic and professional attributes of the teachers. Although the value of planning for content delivery is well acknowledged, there is limited information on how teachers' characteristics (age, gender, experience and academic qualification) influence their planning and content delivery. Thus, this study examined the relationship between teachers' planning and content delivery through the 5SLP, focusing on their characteristics. A sample of 226 CRE teachers was analysed using an observation checklist and a semi‐structured questionnaire. The impact of gender, age, experience and academic qualification on teachers' planning and content delivery was investigated in the study using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and tests of between‐subjects effects. Results indicated that age significantly affects both planning and content delivery (p = 0.003, p = 0.002, p = 0.000), while gender, experience and educational qualifications did not show a substantial impact. Nevertheless, significant combined effects were observed between age and gender (p = 0.010), gender and experience (p = 0.045), age and experience (p = 0.004) and age and academic qualification (p = 0.016). Furthermore, tests of between‐subjects effects indicated significant interactions among age, academic qualifications and experience (p = 0.039, p = 0.016, p = 0.004) affecting content delivery. The study findings recommended a policy on the need for customised training programmes that consider these complex interactions to enhance instructional effectiveness. Generally, the study contributes to understanding how demographics influence educational practices, offering valuable insights for improving teacher preparation and professional development.
Factors Influencing Academic Staff Satisfaction and Retention in Higher Education: A Literature Review
Authors: Mather Marcel Fladimar , Bam Nokwanda Edith 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThis review of the literature aims to synthesise and analyse previous studies to provide important information on factors that affect academic staff retention and staff satisfaction in higher education institutions (HEI). The review included 21 studies published between 2014 and 2024, conducted in 13 different countries. Thematic analysis of the 21 included papers revealed four major themes, each with three sub‐themes. These themes highlight the relevance of development programmes within HEIs to meet individual needs, stimulate professional progress, and improve overall academic performance. Furthermore, the review emphasises the importance of creating a supportive work environment, encouraging work‐life balance, and providing equitable salary and recognition to academic personnel. Addressing these characteristics can help HEIs increase staff satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and ultimately contribute to the institution's performance and reputation.
Serious Game‐Based Learning: Its Impact on Happiness, Motivation, Self‐Compassion, and Vocabulary Development in EFL Learners
Authors: Liu Xianlin , Alotaibi Khalid Abdullah , Hashemifardnia Arash 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTIn recent years, the integration of digital technologies into language learning has gained significant attention, particularly in the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education. However, there remains a gap in understanding the broader affective and cognitive benefits of serious game‐based learning (SGBL) in this field. The present study addressed this gap by examining the impact of SGBL on EFL learners' happiness, motivation, self‐compassion (SC), and vocabulary development. A quasi‐experimental design was employed with two groups comprising a total of 425 intermediate‐level participants (both male and female). The participants were selected through stratified random sampling technique and divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The EG engaged in SGBL, while the CG received traditional instruction. Over a period of 12 weeks, pretest and posttest measured the participants' levels of happiness, motivation, SC, and vocabulary acquisition. Results indicated that the EG significantly outperformed the CG in all measured domains, suggesting that SGBL is an effective approach for enhancing both affective and linguistic outcomes in EFL contexts. The findings contribute to the growing body of research on the integration of digital games in EFL education and highlight their potential for fostering holistic learner development.
Evolution in the prescription and cost of non‐intravenous rescue benzodiazepines for the treatment of seizure emergencies
Authors: Sánchez Fernández Iván , Amengual‐Gual Marta , Barcia Aguilar Cristina , Khan Taha Fathima , Gaínza‐Lein Marina , Torres Alcy , Rinat Jonas , Douglass Laurie 
Published: February 2025

AbstractObjectiveThe proportion of patients with epilepsy who have a non‐intravenous rescue benzodiazepine (non‐IV‐rBZD) available for seizure emergencies is unknown. This study aims to describe prescription patterns from 2006 to 2022, factors associated with prescription, and the impact of recently introduced intranasal benzodiazepines on prescription and cost.MethodsRetrospective analysis of the MarketScan Database, a claims database of privately insured patients in the United States.ResultsAmong 213 384 patients (53% female, median (p25‐p75) age: 33 (17–50) years) with epilepsy taking long‐term anti‐seizure medications with follow‐up of 2.62 (1.54–4.73) years, only 30 371 patients (14.2%) had at least one non‐IV‐rBZD prescription. The proportion of patients with at least one non‐IV‐rBZD prescription was higher among: (1) younger patients (61.4% in the 0–5 year age group, 44.2% in the 6–12 year age group, 23.9% in the 13–21 year age group, 4.8% in the 22–35 year age group, 1.8% in the 36–50 year age group, 1.3% in the 51–60 year age group, and 1.0% in the older than 60 years age group); (2) patients with refractory epilepsy (24.3% vs 10.9% in non‐refractory epilepsy); and (3) patients with more emergency department visits or hospital admissions for epilepsy (7.1% among patients with 0, 19.2% among patients with 1–3, and 31.1% among patients with more than 3). Multivariate analysis confirmed young age, refractory epilepsy, and emergency department visits or hospitalizations for epilepsy as strong independent predictors of having at least one non‐IV‐rBZD prescription. Prescriptions for intranasal midazolam and intranasal diazepam have increased rapidly; they had moderately increased the overall proportion of patients with a non‐IV‐rBZD prescription, whereas the inflation‐adjusted cost of non‐IV‐rBZDs has markedly increased.SignificanceThe vast majority of patients with epilepsy have not filled a prescription for non‐IV‐rBZDs. Seizure emergency readiness can be markedly improved, especially among adults. The cost of non‐IV‐rBZDs has increased with intranasal rescue medications.
Comprehending the interaction between urban function and morphology at traffic analysis zones scale: The case study from Hangzhou
Authors: Shen Wencang , Hu Qiyu , Zhang Zhengfeng , Niu Lu 
Published: February 2025

AbstractUrbanisation is transitioning from disorderly sprawl to compact intensification, accompanied by functional differentiation and morphological changes spatially. This study addresses the relationship between urban functions and morphologies at the block scale in Hangzhou. Leveraging geo‐big data, we adopt a points of interest (POI) weighting method to map four essential urban functions—residential, commercial, public service, and industrial—at the traffic analysis zones (TAZ) scale. Additionally, we estimate morphological indices using building footprint data and building volume data. Our investigation reveals intriguing patterns: residential, commercial, and public service functions exhibit a central concentration trend diminishing towards the periphery, whereas industrial functions demonstrate a multi‐hotspot distribution. Morphological indices like patch density and mean volume diminishing towards the periphery, while mean patch size and patch shape index, presenting a pronounced peripheral and multi‐hotspot distribution trend. Significantly, nuanced associations between urban functions and morphologies were elucidated. Residential zones tend to display dense and small patches, while commercial areas showcase larger patches, volumes, and complex shapes. Furthermore, construction intensity‐based heterogeneity analysis unveils dynamics in the relationship between functions and morphologies, particularly pronounced in high‐density areas. These findings underscore the importance of integrating morphological considerations into urban planning, offering a fresh perspective for functional zoning planning.
Silencing long non‐coding RNA linc00689 suppresses the growth and invasion of osteosarcoma cells by targeting miR‐129‐5p/NUSAP1
Authors: Zhang Ling , Song Jingtao , Xu Xin , Sun Donghong , Huang Huiting , Chen Yang , Zhang Tao 
Published: February 2025

AbstractLong non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play a critical role in the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma. Recently, long intergenic non‐protein coding RNA 689 (linc00689) has been shown to be involved in glioma. However, the precise role of linc00689 in osteosarcoma is unknown. In this study, our data demonstrated that silencing linc00689 by siRNA markedly suppressed the proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MG63 and SAOS‐2 cells. Bioinformatics analysis and dual‐luciferase reporter assay revealed that linc00689 could bind to miR‐129‐5p. Moreover, NUSAP1 was a target of miR‐129‐5p and positively regulated by linc00689. Further, NUSAP1 overexpression enhanced MG63 cell behaviour and abolished the inhibitory effects of linc00689 knockdown on the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of MG63 cells. In conclusion, linc00689 exerts an oncogenic role in the progression of osteosarcoma, which works via the miR‐129‐5p/NUSAP1 axis.
Performance Assessment of F2:3 Testcrosses of Maize (Zea mays L.) for Physiological Traits Vis‐a‐Vis Grain Yield Under Heat Stress and Drought Conditions
Authors: Basavarajeshwari H. , Kuchanur P. H. , Zaidi P. H. , Vinayan M. T. , Patil Ayyanagouda , Patil R. P. , Nidagundi J. M. , Arunkumar B. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTHeat and drought stresses negatively affect maize grain yields. Identification and deployment of high‐yielding and stress‐tolerant maize hybrids adapted to stress‐prone agro‐ecologies is important for improving smallholding farmers' food security and livelihoods. The adaptation level among maize genotypes under heat and drought stresses is strongly affected by morphological and physiological aspects. The physiological traits, Normalised Difference Vegetative Index (NDVI), Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) values, and morphological trait, leaf rolling, can be used as important secondary traits for the identification of the stress‐tolerant genotypes, in addition to grain yield. In this view, the present study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Bheemarayangudi, and the Main Agricultural Research Station, Raichur, under heat stress (Summer‐2020 & 2021) and drought (Rabi‐2021‐22) conditions. NDVI values ranged from 0.23–0.44 in bi‐parental population 1 (BIP1) and 0.25–0.57 in bi‐parental population 2 (BIP2) under drought conditions. The range of SPAD values was less under drought conditions, as 9.2–22.3 in BIP1 and 10.6–24.8 in BIP2, compared to heat stress, as it ranged from 12.0–24.7 in BIP1 to 14.1–31.4 in BIP2. It may be due to a decrease in mean chlorophyll content values under drought stress conditions. The entry ZH201138 showed delayed leaf rolling and recorded a lower leaf rolling score of 2, registering a higher grain yield of 1.81 t ha−1 under drought stress condition. SPAD values registered a significant positive correlation with yield under heat stress (r = 0.77 and 0.68) and under drought stress condition (r = 0.49 and 0.83). NDVI showed a significant positive correlation with the grain yield (r = 0.63 and 0.63) under drought stress condition. Leaf rolling was negatively correlated with the grain yield. Therefore, it was concluded that NDVI and SPAD could be used as secondary traits to identify genotypes tolerant to both heat and drought stress, while the entries that showed delayed leaf rolling could be considered tolerant to drought stress.
miR‐92a aggravates metabolic syndrome via KLF2/miR‐483 axis
Authors: Zhao Zhe , Ma Chaofeng , Wang Longzhi , Xia Yuhang , Li Jun , Yang Wei , Pang Juan , Ding Hui , Wang Haifeng , Bai Liang , Shang Fenqing , Zhang Feng 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo exam the role of miR‐92a/KLF2/miR‐483 in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome.MethodsIn this study, the serum of healthy controls and patients with metabolic syndrome were collected to detect the circulating level of miR‐92a and miR‐483. In vitro cultured HUVECs, overexpression or suppression of miR‐92a, miR‐483 or KLF2 to determine the relationship among miR‐92a, KLF2 and miR‐483. Ang II, ox‐LDL, or high glucose treatment were used to mimic the metabolic syndrome. HUVECs or HepG2 cells were treated with Telmisartan, Atorvastatin, or metformin, the miR‐483 and its target gene expression was detected. In animal experiment, ob/ob mice were chose to confirm the changes of miR‐92a, KLF2, and miR‐483.ResultsCompared with the healthy controls, the level of miR‐92a was significantly increased, while miR‐483 level was remarkably decreased in the patients with metabolic syndrome. In vitro cultured HUVECS, overexpression of miR‐92a significantly reduced the expression of miR‐483, but overexpression of miR‐483 had no effect on miR‐92a. Overexpression of KLF2 could downregulate miR‐483 level, while inhibition of KLF2 had the opposite effect. When HUVECs and HepG2 were stimulated with Ang II, ox‐LDL and high glucose, the expression of miR‐483 was significantly decreased and its target genes was increased. Anti‐miR‐92a could reverse the effect. Furthermore, Telmisartan, Atorvastatin, and Metformin significantly increased miR‐483 expression and decreased its target gene expression, which could be reversed by miR‐92a mimic. The level of miR‐92a was significantly increased in HepG2 cells, which were treated with exosomes derived from endothelial cells with miR‐92a overexpression. ob/ob mice showed the similar effects.ConclusionsEndothelial dysfunction and fatty liver are critically involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. MicroRNAs can mediate the cellular communication between vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and distal cell. Serum miR‐92a level was higher in metabolic syndrome patients than controls. KLF2 is the target gene of miR‐92a, which can increase the production of miR‐483, miR‐483 acts on its target genes CTGF, ET‐1, and β‐catenin to protect cell function. EC miR‐92a is secreted out of cells into the blood, circulates through the blood to the liver, and continues to exert its biological effects after being absorbed by hepatocytes. LNA‐miR‐92a administration reversed endothelial cell damage and fatty liver caused by metabolic syndrome by affecting the KLF2/miR‐483 pathway.