bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A hypothetico‐deductive theory of science and learning
Authors: Kalinowski Steven T. , Pelakh Avital 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis article presents a simple, cognitive theory of science and learning. The first section of the paper develops the theory's two main propositions: (i) A wide range of scientific activities rely heavily on one type of reasoning, hypothetical thinking, and (ii) This type of reasoning is also useful to students for learning science content. The second section of the paper presents a taxonomy of multiple‐choice questions that use hypothetical thinking and the third section of the paper tests the theory using data from a college biology course. As expected by the theory, student responses to 24 scientific reasoning questions were consistent with a one‐dimensional psychometric construct. Student responses to the scientific reasoning questions explained 36% of the variance in exam grades. Several directions for additional research are identified, including studying the psychometric structure of scientific thinking in more detail, performing randomized, controlled experiments to demonstrate a causal relationship between scientific thinking and learning, and identifying the relative contribution of other factors to success in college.
LncRNA Miat knockdown enhances pirarubicin‐mediated anticancer sensitivity in breast cancer cells
Authors: Huang Peng , Cheng Hongyuan , Ji Jiahua , Zhang Wenqing , Ma Jiulong , Wei Dexian , Ren Liqun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPirarubicin (THP) is a widely used antitumor agent in clinical practice, but its reduced sensitivity during treatment has limited its use. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of LncRNA Miat knockdown in improving THP sensitivity. We assessed the role of Miat overexpression/knockdown on THP‐mediated 4T1 anticancer activity by CCK8, TUNEL, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, Transwell, Ca2+, real time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) and Western blot. The results showed that Miat expression was higher in 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells than in HC11 mouse mammary epithelial cells, while THP decreased Miat expression in 4T1. Miat knockdown in combination with further reduced cell viability, promoted apoptosis and inhibited migration compared to THP alone. This may be related to the reduction of calcium ions in 4T1. In conclusion, Miat knockdown enhanced the sensitivity of THP to 4T1 by inhibiting calcium channels.
k‐mer‐based GWAS enhances the discovery of causal variants and candidate genes in soybean
Authors: Lemay Marc‐André , de Ronne Maxime , Bélanger Richard , Belzile François 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) are powerful statistical methods that detect associations between genotype and phenotype at genome scale. Despite their power, GWAS frequently fail to pinpoint the causal variant or the gene controlling a given trait in crop species. Assessing genetic variants other than single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could alleviate this problem. In this study, we tested the potential of structural variant (SV)‐ and k‐mer‐based GWAS in soybean by applying these methods as well as conventional SNP/indel‐based GWAS to 13 traits. We assessed the performance of each GWAS approach based on loci for which the causal genes or variants were known from previous genetic studies. We found that k‐mer‐based GWAS was the most versatile approach and the best at pinpointing causal variants or candidate genes. Moreover, k‐mer‐based analyses identified promising candidate genes for loci related to pod color, pubescence form, and resistance to Phytophthora sojae. In our dataset, SV‐based GWAS did not add value compared to k‐mer‐based GWAS and may not be worth the time and computational resources invested. Despite promising results, significant challenges remain regarding the downstream analysis of k‐mer‐based GWAS. Notably, better methods are needed to associate significant k‐mers with sequence variation. Our results suggest that coupling k‐mer‐ and SNP/indel‐based GWAS is a powerful approach for discovering candidate genes in crop species.
Skim exome capture genotyping in wheat
Authors: Wang Hongliang , Bernardo Amy , St. Amand Paul , Bai Guihua , Bowden Robert L. , Guttieri Mary J. , Jordan Katherine W. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractNext‐generation sequencing (NGS) technology advancements continue to reduce the cost of high‐throughput genome‐wide genotyping for breeding and genetics research. Skim sequencing, which surveys the entire genome at low coverage, has become feasible for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and genomic selection in various crops. However, the genome complexity of allopolyploid crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) still poses a significant challenge for genome‐wide genotyping. Targeted sequencing of the protein‐coding regions (i.e., exome) reduces sequencing costs compared to whole genome re‐sequencing and can be used for marker discovery and genotyping. We developed a method called skim exome capture (SEC) that combines the strengths of these existing technologies and produces targeted genotyping data while decreasing the cost on a per‐sample basis compared to traditional exome capture. Specifically, we fragmented genomic DNA using a tagmentation approach, then enriched those fragments for the low‐copy genic portion of the genome using commercial wheat exome baits and multiplexed the sequencing at different levels to achieve desired coverage. We demonstrated that for a library of 48 samples, ∼7–8× target coverage was sufficient for high‐quality variant detection. For higher multiplexing levels of 528 and 1056 samples per library, we achieved an average coverage of 0.76× and 0.32×, respectively. Combining these lower coverage SEC sequencing data with genotype imputation using a customized wheat practical haplotype graph database that we developed, we identified hundreds of thousands of high‐quality genic variants across the genome. The SEC method can be used for high‐resolution QTL mapping, genome‐wide association studies, genomic selection, and other downstream applications.
Characterization of adnexal lesions using photoacoustic imaging to improve sonographic O‐RADS risk assessment
Authors: Zhu Q. , Luo H. , Middleton W. D. , Itani M. , Hagemann I. S. , Hagemann A. R. , Hoegger M. J. , Thaker P. H. , Kuroki L. M. , McCourt C. K. , Mutch D. G. , Powell M. A. , Siegel C. L. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of photoacoustic imaging (PAI) on the assessment of ovarian/adnexal lesion(s) of different risk categories using the sonographic ovarian‐adnexal imaging‐reporting‐data system (O‐RADS) in women undergoing planned oophorectomy.MethodThis prospective study enrolled women with ovarian/adnexal lesion(s) suggestive of malignancy referred for oophorectomy. Participants underwent clinical ultrasound (US) examination followed by coregistered US and PAI prior to oophorectomy. Each ovarian/adnexal lesion was graded by two radiologists using the US O‐RADS scale. PAI was used to compute relative total hemoglobin concentration (rHbT) and blood oxygenation saturation (%sO2) colormaps in the region of interest. Lesions were categorized by histopathology into malignant ovarian/adnexal lesion, malignant Fallopian tube only and several benign categories, in order to assess the impact of incorporating PAI in the assessment of risk of malignancy with O‐RADS. Malignant and benign histologic groups were compared with respect to rHbT and %sO2 and logistic regression models were developed based on tumor marker CA125 alone, US‐based O‐RADS alone, PAI‐based rHbT with %sO2, and the combination of CA125, O‐RADS, rHbT and %sO2. Areas under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curve (AUC) were used to compare the diagnostic performance of the models.ResultsThere were 93 lesions identified on imaging among 68 women (mean age, 52 (range, 21–79) years). Surgical pathology revealed 14 patients with malignant ovarian/adnexal lesion, two with malignant Fallopian tube only and 52 with benign findings. rHbT was significantly higher in malignant compared with benign lesions. %sO2 was lower in malignant lesions, but the difference was not statistically significant for all benign categories. Feature analysis revealed that rHbT, CA125, O‐RADS and %sO2 were the most important predictors of malignancy. Logistic regression models revealed an AUC of 0.789 (95% CI, 0.626–0.953) for CA125 alone, AUC of 0.857 (95% CI, 0.733–0.981) for O‐RADS only, AUC of 0.883 (95% CI, 0.760–1) for CA125 and O‐RADS and an AUC of 0.900 (95% CI, 0.815–0.985) for rHbT and %sO2 in the prediction of malignancy. A model utilizing all four predictors (CA125, O‐RADS, rHbT and %sO2) achieved superior performance, with an AUC of 0.970 (95% CI, 0.932–1), sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 82%.ConclusionsIncorporating the additional information provided by PAI‐derived rHbT and %sO2 improves significantly the performance of US‐based O‐RADS in the diagnosis of adnexal lesions. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Tracheostomy is associated with decreased in‐hospital mortality during severe COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Alnemri Ahab , Ricciardelli Kaley , Wang Stephanie , Baumgartner Michael , Chao Tiffany N. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTracheostomy is often performed in patients with a prolonged course of endotracheal intubation. This study sought to examine the clinical utility of tracheostomy during severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection.Study DesignA retrospective single‐system, multicenter observational cohort study was performed on patients intubated for COVID‐19 infection. Patients who received intubation alone were compared with patients who received intubation and subsequent tracheostomy. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and hospital courses were analyzed.SettingThe University of Pennsylvania Health System from 2020 to 2021.MethodsLogistic regression analysis was performed on patient demographics and comorbidities. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were generated depending on whether patients received a tracheostomy.ResultsOf 777 intubated patients, 452 were male (58.2%) and 325 were female (41.8%) with a median age of 63 (interquartile range [IQR]: 54–73) years. One‐hundred and eighty‐five (23.8%) patients underwent tracheostomy. The mean time from intubation to tracheostomy was (17.3 ± 9.7) days. Patients who underwent tracheostomy were less likely to expire during their hospitalization than those who did not undergo tracheostomy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.31, P < 0.001), and patient age was positively associated with mortality (OR = 1.04 per year, P < 0.001). Likelihood of receiving tracheostomy was positively associated with being on extra‐corporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) (OR = 101.10, P < 0.001), immunocompromised status (OR = 3.61, P = 0.002), and current tobacco smoking (OR = 4.81, P = 0.041). Tracheostomy was also associated with a significantly longer hospital length of stay ([57.5 ± 32.2] days vs. [19.9 ± 18.1] days, P < 0.001).ConclusionsTracheostomy was associated with reduced in‐hospital mortality, despite also being associated with increased comorbidities. Tracheostomy should not be held back from patients with comorbidities for this reason alone and may even improve survival in high‐risk patients.
Photothermal interactions in a semiconducting fiber‐reinforced elastic medium with temperature‐dependent properties under dual‐phase‐lag model
Authors: Chaudhary Shilpa , Kalkal Kapil Kumar , Sheoran Sandeep Singh 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis article highlights the study of photothermoelastic interactions in a semiconducting fiber‐reinforced anisotropic medium with temperature‐dependent properties. The model is studied in the context of the photothermal transport process with dual‐phase‐lag theory of generalized thermoelasticity. The governing equations describe the interactions between elastic and plasma thermal waves. The normal mode analysis is employed to procure the exact expressions of the physical fields under investigation. A mechanical load is applied at the outer free surface of the medium to obtain the complete solution of the displacements, stresses, temperature, and carrier density distributions. Numerical results are obtained and displayed graphically with the help of MATLAB software. Some special cases of interest have been deduced from the present study and comparisons are also made among the different theories of thermoelasticity.
Introduction to Modernising European Legal Education (MELE)—Innovative Strategies to Address Urgent Cross-Cutting Challenges
Authors: Gstrein Oskar J. , Fröhlich Mareike 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis introduction provides an overview of the contents of the edited volume Modernising European Legal Education (MELE)—Innovative strategies to address urgent cross-cutting challenges. The volume contains sections on Law and Education Innovation, Law and Gender, Law and the Climate Crisis, Law and Datafication, as well as Law and COVID-19. The purpose of this volume is to share the insights of this Strategic Partnership for Higher Education funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+programme and make them available to a broad public. The volume starts with the summary of an empirical survey at 14 different European law faculties at universities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Lithuania, North Macedonia, and Spain on the status of teaching transversal competences in legal studies. Throughout the sections and individual chapters, this edited volume responds to specific aspects highlighted through the survey. Beyond that it engages with relevant topics identified in the research and educational practice of the consortium members. The rapid and profound transitions shaping societies at the beginning of the twenty-first century also come with a substantive influence on the legal profession. Reconsideration of the legal discipline is therefore needed to identify the skills and knowledge that future lawyers must be equipped with to successfully engage with this changed reality.
Racial Discrimination and COVID-19 in the European Union
Authors: Kuzminac Mina , Midžović Milica 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRepercussions of global crises can often be seen in the fact that many legal issues arise or become even more complex, while this is also true when speaking about the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Certainly, the analysis of the effects of such crisis is of great importance during the peak of the crisis, but also afterwards, in the context shaped by the (previous) crisis. In light of the mentioned, the widely present issue of discrimination in the world of work has become even more present during the crisis caused by the COVID-19, and discrimination based on race and ethnicity is no exception in this regard. From patients refusing to be treated by doctors because of their race to increased poverty rates, one may infer that impacts of the mentioned crisis have brought injustice and inequality based on race and ethnic background to the forefront of public eye all over the world, including the European Union. In that sense, the paper deals with the legal framework of importance, but also the existence and implications of racial and ethnic discrimination in practice, especially during and after the pandemic, i.e., analyzes this issue as the issue of “law and beyond”.
Mandatory Vaccination Against COVID-19 in Europe: Public Health Versus ‘Saved by the Bell’ Individual Autonomy
Authors: Ignovska Elena 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe text aims to reconcile the bioethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice) (Beauchamp TL, Childress JF in Principles of biomedical ethics, 6th edn. Oxford University Press, 2009) with the principles used by legal institutions (primarily, the European Court of Human Rights) to evaluate possible human rights infringements due to mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 (legality, necessity, proportionality and legitimate aim) (This is the so-called ‘structural approach’ that the ECtHR follows when considering interferences of the qualified right and is also stipulated in article 26 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Oviedo Convention).) by National Public Health policies of the Member States of the Council of Europe. (Even more, the idea is to bring closer the methodology of teaching/learning and researching via the HELP platform of the Council of Europe in the course on Bioethics to the law students.) The trigger is to test these principles using deductive reasoning in the pioneering Austrian case of mandatory vaccination, while inductive methodology is used to evaluate how recent similar cases (such as Vavřička and Others v. Czech Republic) contributed to support the theory that next to human rights, there are also duties. Since circumstances with the pandemic are rather turbulent and constantly changing (even as this article is being written), the time factor significantly influences the conclusions drawn. Namely, the author holds the opinion that with a carefully chosen methodology and model, any severe disease that significantly threatens the individual and public health at particular time, period or might constantly be a reason to restrict individual autonomy with scientifically proven, safe and efficient vaccines. Nevertheless, regarding Covid-19, at the current time, even if the means of coercion do not include applying direct physical force (As in the case of Vavřička or in the pioneering but suspended legislation for mandatory vaccination in Austria.), they are not proportionate to the possible infringement on one’s private life and individual consent for the sake of public health, or at least not anymore.
Transversal Competences in Legal Studies: A Summary of the Modernising European Legal Education (MELE) Project Survey Results
Authors: Zdraveva Neda 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe survey Transversal Competences in Legal Studies, carried out within the project “Modernising European Legal Education” (MELE), aimed to provide an overview of the trends in the development of the legal education in the members of the consortium. The survey focused on several different aspects of the curriculum development and its delivery. The key questions, to which the results are presented in this chapter, focus on the qualifications that are being developed as a result of the legal studies and the key transversal competences supporting those qualifications. The survey was carried out among the management and the teaching staff of the law faculties participating in the MELE project. The assessment of the level of development of specific qualifications at a certain level of studies versus the perception of the importance of the specific descriptor done by the faculty management has shown that the overall teaching goals are achieved to a significant extent but not completely. When it comes to the specific transversal competences, as assessed by the teaching staff, the development of the ones related directly to the legal profession such as competencies for legal synthesis, construction and communication of legal arguments are (still) high on scale of importance on all levels of studies. It is shown, however, that there is a discrepancy between the perceived importance of a transversal competence and the how or to which level the capacities are being developed in the course of the studies.
Civil and Procedural Law Through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Transversal View
Authors: Garrido María Amalia Blandino , Fuentes Isabel María Villar 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe commitment and responsibility to know and implement the SDGs are universal. Indeed, public authorities and civil society are called to simultaneously be active and passive subjects, protagonists to intervene and recipients of the achievements reached with all the actions that serve any of the 17 proclaimed goals. One way of countering the slow progress is through the joint and coordinated effort of researching and teaching law in universities. With this commitment, this paper aims to analyse how international and EU legislation incorporates sustainability goals related to civil and procedural law. It is based on the consideration that the contents of civil law and procedural law comprise various institutions and regulations that materialise different SDGs. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strongs Institutions have a particular impact on these areas and, more specifically, the aspects that relate to several of its targets. However, the legal implications, specifically in civil and procedural law, extend to many other objectives. This is the case of SDG 1, which aims to end poverty, SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls or SDG 10, whose motto is to Reduce inequality within and among countries, which also impacts civil and procedural aspects. Among the civil and procedural institutions that develop these objectives, we can highlight the regulations that prevent inequalities arising from poverty in access to justice, the recognition of the legal capacity of persons with disabilities or the prohibition of child, early or forced marriages.
Combining Simulations and Live-Client Clinics in Addressing Cross-Cutting Topics: The Best of Both Worlds
Authors: Brozović Juraj 
Published: August 2023

AbstractToday legal education is expected to achieve sometimes incompatible and competing goals. Contemporary global challenges also give rise to constant adaption and rethinking of teaching methods used at law schools. The learning habits of the new generations call for a student-centred approach. As shown by the example of two clinical methods used at the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, clinical legal education is perfectly capable of tackling all these challenges, thus answering both the needs of the modern society and expectations of future lawyers.