bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small GTP‐binding protein Rap1 mediates EGF and HB‐EGF signaling and modulates EGF receptor expression in HTR‐8/SVneo extravillous trophoblast cells
Authors: Yoshie Mikihiro , Ohishi Kensuke , Ishikawa Gen , Tsuru Atsuya , Kusama Kazuya , Azumi Mana , Tamura Kazuhiro 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeExtravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade the endometrium to establish a fetomaternal interaction during pregnancy. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and heparin‐binding EGF‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF) stimulate EVT invasion by binding to the EGF receptor (EGFR). We examined the role of the small GTP‐binding protein Rap1 in EGF‐ and HB‐EGF‐stimulated EVT invasion.MethodsExpression of Rap1 in the first‐trimester placenta was examined by immunohistochemistry. Effect of EGF or HB‐EGF on Rap1 activation (GTP‐Rap1) and Rap1 knockdown on invasion was assessed in EVT cell line (HTR‐8/SVneo). In addition, effect of Rap1 knockdown and Rap1GAP (a Rap1 inactivator) overexpression on the activation of EGF signaling and EGFR expression were examined.ResultsRap1 was expressed by EVTs, villous cytotrophoblasts, and syncytiotrophoblasts in the placenta. EGF and HB‐EGF activated Rap1 and promoted invasion of HTR‐8/SVneo, and these effects were inhibited by Rap1 knockdown. The EGF‐ and HB‐EGF‐induced phosphorylation of AKT, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and Src was inhibited by Rap1 knockdown. Furthermore, the knockdown of Rap1 reduced the EGFR protein level. Overexpression of Rap1GAP repressed EGF‐ and HB‐EGF‐induced Rap1 activation and reduced EGFR expression.ConclusionRap1 may function as a mediator of EGF and HB‐EGF signaling pathways and can modulate EGFR expression in EVTs during placental development.
Dynamics of viral disease outbreaks: A hundred years (1918/19–2019/20) in retrospect ‐ Loses, lessons and emerging issues
Authors: Nii‐Trebi Nicholas I. , Mughogho Thomas S. , Abdulai Anisa , Tetteh Francis , Ofosu Priscilla M. , Osei Mary‐Magdalene , Yalley Akua K. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInfectious diseases continue to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and a formidable obstacle to the development and well‐being of people worldwide. Viruses account for more than half of infectious disease outbreaks that have plagued the world. The past century (1918/19–2019/20) has witnessed some of the worst viral disease outbreaks the world has recorded, with overwhelming impact especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). The frequency of viral disease outbreak appears to be increasing. Generally, although infectious diseases have afflicted the world for centuries and humankind has had opportunities to examine the nature of their emergence and mode of spread, almost every new outbreak poses a formidable challenge to humankind, beating the existing pandemic preparedness systems, if any, and causing significant losses. These underscore inadequacy in our understanding of the dynamics and preparedness against viral disease outbreaks that lead to epidemics and pandemics. Despite these challenges, the past 100 years of increasing frequencies of viral disease outbreaks have engendered significant improvements in response to epidemics and pandemics, and offered lessons to inform preparedness. Hence, the increasing frequency of emergence of viral outbreaks and the challenges these outbreaks pose to humankind, call for the continued search for effective ways to tackle viral disease outbreaks in real time. Through a PRISMA‐based approach, this systematic review examines the outbreak of viral diseases in retrospect to decipher the outbreak patterns, losses inflicted on humanity and highlights lessons these offer for meaningful preparation against future viral disease outbreaks and pandemics.
Developing an instrument to examine students' analogical modeling competence: An example of electricity
Authors: Lin Jing‐Wen , Chao Hsiu‐Yi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractScience education reforms advocate modeling as a core practice in which analogy is a significant form and analogical modeling is a creative process for scientific explanation and discovery. This study adopts the self‐generated analogical modeling approach involving electricity, which considers all the modeling subprocesses and includes two subtopics (circuits and energy) with incompatible ontological presuppositions as a conceptual space to develop an analogical modeling competence (AMC) instrument. Two constructs, phenomenon‐related abductive premises (Phenomenon‐AbPr) and analogical modeling processes (AMP), that describe the increasing sophistication of students' AMC (i.e., Level 0 experience to Level 4 high‐order relation) are considered. The procedures utilize a construct‐based approach of developing an assessment to validate the underlying constructs and subtopics to develop the mapping between the target and the analogical models, design items, and determine outcome spaces. Data were collected from 294 Grade 6 students to examine their AMC. The item response theory technique based on the Rasch partial credit model was used to validate the two‐phase model. Student results revealed that the infit and outfit mean square values were between 0.75 and 1.33, indicating acceptable item fit. Results revealed that students scored highest on the open series circuit and lowest on electric energy in the Phenomenon‐AbPr phase. Most students demonstrated relational mapping in the analogical model validation (Level 3) stage, which performed best in the AMP phase. However, they struggled to transfer factors during the analogical model application and deployment (Level 0). Implications for science assessment and teaching are discussed.
Sustainable food consumption and Sustainable Development Goal 12: Conceptual challenges for monitoring and implementation
Authors: Mensah Kristina , Wieck Christine , Rudloff Bettina 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn recent years, policy initiatives have been developed to promote sustainability. Although sustainable food production is an integral part of many national agricultural policies, this is not the case for sustainable food consumption. This article systematically reviews key elements of sustainable food consumption and evaluates how they align with existing policy indicators, specifically SDG 12, within the context of the agricultural policy of the European Union. Through a cross‐referencing approach, this article identifies gaps and possible improvements in policy indicator frameworks to better capture elements of sustainable food consumption. We find that SDG 12 targets are not suitable to assess progress to sustainable food consumption. While targets are closely linked to environmental and economic issues, they are insufficient to monitor sustainable food consumption. Our findings suggest the necessity for enhanced or modified policy indicators that encompass the key elements of sustainable food consumption as well as a comprehensive definition of the latter to effectively design and evaluate polices on this matter.
The importance of green competencies in advancing organizational sustainability: The empirical perspective
Authors: Gadomska‐Lila Katarzyna , Sudolska Agata , Łapińska Justyna 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study addresses an existing research gap on individual green competences (GC) and their application in business settings, and discusses the concept GC in the context of a firm's organizational sustainability (OS). Namely, the study aims to examine the importance of organization members' (managers' and employees') GC for advancing a firm's OS. The theoretical grounding is exemplified by the empirical study based on individual interviews with managers. Study results explain how managers understand GC and how they see GC's role in enhancing companies' OS, as well as what are crucial barriers encountered in this process. The results show that GC, from a managerial perspective, are seen through the lens of people's pro‐environmental awareness and knowledge followed by behaviors related to environmental protection. They indicate the economic, environmental, and social benefits of GC development, required for a firm's competitive advantage. The research contributes to the studies on GC being a significant antecedent of achieving the desired business results in terms of OS.
Shrinkage estimators of the spatial relative risk function
Authors: Hazelton Martin L. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe spatial relative risk function describes differences in the geographical distribution of two types of points, such as locations of cases and controls in an epidemiological study. It is defined as the ratio of the two underlying densities. Estimation of spatial relative risk is typically done using kernel estimates of these densities, but this procedure is often challenging in practice because of the high degree of spatial inhomogeneity in the distributions. This makes it difficult to obtain estimates of the relative risk that are stable in areas of sparse data while retaining necessary detail elsewhere, and consequently difficult to distinguish true risk hotspots from stochastic bumps in the risk function. We study shrinkage estimators of the spatial relative risk function to address these problems. In particular, we propose a new lasso‐type estimator that shrinks a standard kernel estimator of the log‐relative risk function towards zero. The shrinkage tuning parameter can be adjusted to help quantify the degree of evidence for the existence of risk hotspots, or selected to optimize a cross‐validation criterion. The performance of the lasso estimator is encouraging both on a simulation study and on real‐world examples.
Bone Homeostasis Modulating Orthopedic Adhesive for the Closed‐Loop Management of Osteoporotic Fractures
Authors: Liu Can , Liu Weilu , Qi Baoyu , Fan Lei , Liu Shencai , Yang Qinfeng , Yang Yusheng , Yang Shuofei , Zhang Yili , Wei Xu , Zhu Liguo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPatients with osteoporotic fractures often require effective fixation and subsequent bone repair. However, currently available materials are often limited functionally, failing to improve this cohort's outcomes. Herein, kaempferol‐loaded mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs)‐doped orthopedic adhesives are prepared to assist osteoporotic fracture fixation and restore dysregulated bone homeostasis, including promoting osteoblast formation while inhibiting osteoclastic bone‐resorbing activity to synergistically promote osteoporotic fracture healing. The injectability, reversible adhesiveness and malleable properties endowed the orthopedic adhesives with high flexibility and hemostatic performance to adapt to complex clinical scenarios. Moreover, Ca2+ and SiO44− ions released from MBGNs can accelerate osteogenesis via the PI3K/AKT pathway, while kaempferol mediated osteoclastogenesis inhibition and can slow down the bone resorption process through NF‐κB pathway, which regulated bone regeneration and remodeling. Importantly, implementing the orthopedic adhesive is validated as an effective closed‐loop management approach in restoring the dysregulated bone homeostasis of osteoporotic fractures.
Is history repeating itself? A black woman faculty member's journey in a higher education and student affairs graduate preparation program
Authors: Garrett Stacey D. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe author provides a look into her experiences as a Black woman faculty member in a higher education and student affairs graduate preparation program using existing literature, scholarly personal narrative, and Black feminist thought. Author concludes with a vision for change and a message for Black women seeking to thrive in academia.
Entwicklung einer Orthoverbundfahrbahnplatte für Straßenbrücken
Authors: Stroetmann Richard , Wisnewski Joachim , Lewerenz Camilla , Mansperger Tobias 
Published: August 2023

AbstractStark angestiegene Verkehrsbelastungen führten zu umfangreichen Ermüdungsschäden an existierenden orthotropen Stahlfahrbahnplatten. Stahlbetonbrücken und herkömmliche Verbundbrücken sind zwar weniger ermüdungsanfällig, aber erheblich schwerer. Die sog. Orthoverbundfahrbahnplatte ist eine vergleichsweise leichte und robuste alternative Bauweise, die die Vorteile der zuvor genannten Bauweisen beibehält, deren Nachteile jedoch beseitigt. Im Rahmen des AiF‐FOSTA‐Forschungsprojekts P 1265 wird die Konstruktion des Brückendecks unter Verwendung von Dübelleisten als Verbundmittel mit hoher Tragfähigkeit und Ermüdungsfestigkeit entwickelt. Dabei wird das Prinzip des Flächenverbunds mit Beanspruchung der Leisten in Längs‐ und Querrichtung genutzt. Es wurden umfangreiche experimentelle und strukturmechanische Untersuchungen durchgeführt, im Rahmen derer insbesondere die Tragwirkung und Ermüdungsfestigkeit der Orthoverbundfahrbahnplatte unter lokaler Lasteinleitung sowie der Dübelleisten bei Beanspruchung in Querrichtung analysiert wurden. Der folgende Beitrag geht auf die Motivation zum Forschungsvorhaben ein und gibt eine Übersicht über die durchgeführten Untersuchungen. Darüber hinaus wird ein Pilotprojekt vorgestellt, das zur Anwendung der Bauweise ausgeführt wurde.
Melatonin alleviates 3,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobenzene induced colon injury by relieving oxidative stress
Authors: Zhang Jintao , Li Shanshan , Xia Yu , Luo Dongliu , Wang Xixi , Li Shiping , Li Shu 
Published: August 2023

Abstract3,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) is widely distributed, non‐degradable and bioaccumulative, which can affect the function of tissues and organs of the living organisms. Melatonin (MT) is a sort of indole neurohormone that is mainly secreted by the pineal gland. Numerous studies have shown that MT can alleviate intestinal injury through various mechanisms such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐apoptosis. For the above reasons, the aim of this study is to explore the mechanism of intestinal injury in mice after exposure to PCB126 as well as the antagonistic effect of MT. Mice were respectively fed PCB126 (0.326 mg/kg) and/or MT (10 mg/kg) in vivo. In vitro, colonic epithelial cells (MCEC) were treated with PCB126 (150 μM) and/or MT (2 mM). We found that the microscopic structure of colon tissue was impaired after exposure to PCB126. The levels of oxidative stress, the protein and mRNA levels of expression of inflammatory related factors were significantly increased and the expression levels of intestinal tight junction protein were decreased. Notably, MT can promote Nrf2/HO‐1 expression level and reduce the colonic injury caused by PCB126. Further in vitro treatment with reactive oxygen species inhibitors (NAC) showed that it significantly alleviated PCB126‐induced in MCEC cell damage. In summary, the above results suggested that MT alleviates PCB126‐induced colon inflammation by inhibiting the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and up‐regulating the expression level of intestinal tight junction protein. Our results contribute to the further comprehension of the intestinal toxicity effects of PCB126 and the significant role of MT in preserving the mechanisms of intestinal injury.
A molecular survey of Chlamydia spp. infection in commercial poultry and detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in a commercial turkey flock in Iran
Authors: Hashemian Seyed Mohammad Mahdi , Madani Seyed Ahmad , Allymehr Manoochehr , Talebi Alireza 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundChlamydiaceae are a group of gram‐negative intracellular bacteria which can infect a wide variety of hosts. Some chlamydial agents are capable of crossing the host barrier and though they are potentially a risk to very different species. They also pose a zoonotic risk for human and different chlamydial agents are linked to several medical maladies.ObjectivesIn this study, the presence of chlamydial agents in different commercial poultry flocks in Iran was investigated.MethodsSwab and tissue samples were collected from 435 birds in 24 different commercial poultry flocks. These samples were examined using a Chlamydiaceae‐specific real‐time PCR assay targeting 23S rRNA gene. Positive samples then were subjected to intergenic spacer rRNA (IGS) gene and major outer membrane protein gene (ompA) PCRs. Finally, positive PCR products were sequenced and analysed.ResultsOnly one flock of commercial turkey became positive. Partial DNA sequencing of IGS gene revealed that all positive samples from the infected flock were Chlamydia pneumoniae and were identical to previously studied isolates from koala (LPCoLN) and frog (DC9). Further investigations showed slight dissimilarity in ompA gene of C. pneumoniae from different hosts. The detected turkey isolates were located in a different clade of phylogenetic tree, close to Western barred bandicoot and koala isolates.ConclusionC. pneumoniae has passed the cross‐species barrier in the past and therefor it could potentially be zoonotic. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of C. pneumoniae infection in commercial turkey.
Factors associated with the implementation of a comprehensive tobacco cessation benefit among California Medicaid managed care plans
Authors: Yoeun Sara W. , Cummins Sharon E. , McMenamin Sara B. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAlthough tobacco control efforts have been successful at reducing the rate of tobacco use in the general population, rates of use among low‐income populations persist. As a leader in tobacco control efforts, the U.S. state of California recently issued regulations regarding comprehensive tobacco cessation service requirements for state Medicaid plans (i.e., Medi‐Cal MCPs) providing health care to low‐income Californians. This research aims to evaluate the potential factors associated with the adoption of a comprehensive tobacco control program among Medi‐Cal's MCPs. In 2018, UC San Diego researchers distributed a survey to a listserv of 25 Medi‐Cal MCP health educators, for a response rate of 96%. The survey was comprised of questions related to All Plan Letter (APL) implementation of tobacco cessation services and policies. Health educators were also recruited to participate in a semi‐structured interview upon survey completion. Two years postrelease of the APL, Medi‐Cal's MCPs demonstrate low implementation of tobacco cessation services and related policies, with only one MCP (5%) fully implementing all 10 core provisions. Five consistent patterns were identified as being associated with implementation: larger MCP enrollment and staffing, lower median household income, noncapitated provider payment, participation in county tobacco control meetings, and high‐quality scores for preventive care and treatment of chronic disease. Small‐sized MCPs have been slow in fully implementing tobacco cessation services. State policymakers and tobacco control stakeholders may consider providing support to small‐sized MCPs to aid in their continued adoption of comprehensive tobacco cessation services. DHCS should also consider releasing guidance on how to engage in activities to ensure APL compliance.
Introduction to a Practical Guide on Conducting Qualitative Research in Parliaments
Authors: Berthet Valentine , Gaweda Barbara , Kantola Johanna , Miller Cherry , Ahrens Petra , Elomäki Anna 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe first chapter introduces the focus and goals of the volume, by explaining its hands-on approach to research and outlining its qualitative interpretive methodological nature. The aim is to provide concrete tips on how to overcome fieldwork obstacles as well as serve as invaluable background or context material for anyone who aims to research the European Parliament, with useful pointers for anyone who wants to work on political institutions and do qualitative interviews. Attention is drawn to the utility of the volume for researchers who examine highly divisive subjects like equality policies or the ways of dealing with radical-right actors in qualitative research when holding opposing views. Instead of merely analysing research results, the book is an honest account of how they were obtained.
Interpreting the Data
Authors: Berthet Valentine , Gaweda Barbara , Kantola Johanna , Miller Cherry , Ahrens Petra , Elomäki Anna 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOnce the data (or part of it) is coded it becomes possible to move on to the next step, which is to interpret the data in view of answering research questions. Interpreting the data is a crucial step in the qualitative research process—it is core to qualitative data analysis. Hence, the volume dedicates a whole chapter to it. This Chapter presents key methodological steps and strategies to interpret the data for the purpose of individual studies for peer-reviewed articles. It covers practical steps such as exporting code reports from Atlas.ti and reviewing them in a collaborative fashion. It also includes methodological steps, such as the review of epistemological reflections pertaining to interpreting qualitative data. The chapter further digs into the specificities of interpreting frames and discourses from coded qualitative data, but also interpreting formal and informal practices from ‘text’ and, finally, extracting information about the parliamentary policy processes. The chapter provides a guide to conducting qualitative analysis driven by research questions that are inherently constructivist, interpretivist and/or post-structuralist. In particular, we explore how qualitative data can be interpreted in a way that sheds light on the power dynamics, genderedness and informality of parliamentary work.
Ecocide, a New Legal Figure Under Construction
Authors: Baeza Jesús Verdú 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEcocide is a profoundly innovative legal figure that has arisen in the context of extremely serious international environmental degradation, particularly in the context of climate change. It can be an extraordinarily useful tool for preventing and punishing major environmental violations. In a certain way, civil society, mainly NGOs and universities have a key role to play in defining the future of this figure, with an enormous potential for transforming the law.
The Digital Divide
Authors: Krüger Maleika 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe empirical evidence provided in Section 2.2 showed widespread ownership and use of modern technological equipment in Germany and Switzerland. While it might be tempting to think of the resulting media preferences and media use as a personal preference and an individual choice, data from media studies have repeatedly shown the influence of two social factors: gender and socio-economic background. The following chapter will introduce the theory of social (media) habitus and the concept of doing gender to explain how social disparity lines create a digital divide and still influence these media preferences and media habits.
Data
Authors: Krüger Maleika 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis dissertation was part of the project Measuring English Writing at Secondary Level (MEWS). The MEWS project was co-founded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) and the German Research Foundation (DFG). The study aimed to be the first large scale study in Germany and the German speaking part of Switzerland that focused especially on English writing skills in upper secondary education.