bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Backward pumped distributed Raman amplifier: enhanced gain
Authors: Mustafa Fathy M. , Kholidy Hisham A. , Sayed Ahmed F. , Aly Moustafa H. , Elmisery F. A. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe backward Raman amplifier (RA) can considered as one of the best solutions for optical communication, especially in Wavelength Division Multiplexing technology. They reduce the nonlinear effects, have low noise figure and a wide frequency range. The work in this paper aims to reduce the attenuation of optical signal due to its propagation optical fiber and increase both amplifier gain and output signal power. Two backward Raman models are proposed. Proposal one model consists of two cascaded RAs and the other (proposal two) consists of three cascaded RAs. Three backward pump power levels 200, 400, and 600 mW are used to simulate the models with the three types of fibers: single-mode fiber, Truewave, and Freelight, at an amplifier length of 100 km. Proposal two achieves a maximum gain of 31 dB at 600 mW pump power 600 mW using Truewave optical fiber, with 27.7 dBm maximum output signal power. This proposal is evaluated showing 11.15% gain enhancement and 200 mW saved power when compared to previously published work.
Enacting teacher evaluation in Norwegian compulsory education: teachers’ perceptions of possibilities and constraints
Authors: Gloppen Silje Kristin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis article reports from a case study investigating enactment of teacher evaluation (TE) policies in two lower secondary schools in a large Norwegian municipality. The aim of the study was to explore teachers’ perceptions of TE, and to unpack how new policy initiatives were shaped by translations, mediations, and negotiations in a national context characterised by relatively low-stakes accountability. The analysis was informed by municipal and local school documents, in situ observations, and semi-structured in-depth interviews with seven teachers, focusing on the interplay between material, interpretative, and discursive elements. Findings indicate that TE practices reflect traditional approaches to teachers’ professional development based on classroom observations (COs) and peer counselling, marked by symmetrical relationships, reflexive collaboration, and collective knowledge-sharing. However, a non-hierarchical collective-oriented culture seems to be disrupted by result management and standards that define ‘the good teacher’ or ‘the good lesson’ combined with individual COs. Teachers raise concerns that market discourses which treat pupils as ‘customers’ and teachers as ‘providers of results’ may encourage strategic behaviours to comply with expectations and preserve one’s good reputation. Implications for policy and practice are discussed with regard to how TE as a discursive strategy contributes to the ‘making’ of particular teacher subjectivities.
The Gendered Consequences of COVID-19 for Internal Migration
Authors: Mueller Valerie , Páez-Bernal Camila , Gray Clark , Grépin Karen 
Published: June 2023

AbstractScant evidence exists to identify the effects of the pandemic on migrant women and the unique barriers on employment they endure. We merge longitudinal data from mobile phone surveys with subnational data on COVID cases to examine whether women were left more immobile and vulnerable to health risks, relative to men, during the pandemic in Kenya and Nigeria. Each survey interviewed approximately 2000 men and women over three rounds (November 2020–January 2021, March–April 2021, November 2021–January 2022). Linear regression analysis reveals internal migrants are no more vulnerable to knowing someone in their network with COVID. Rather, rural migrant women in Kenya and Nigeria were less vulnerable to transmission through their network, perhaps related to the possible wealth accumulation from migration or acquired knowledge of averting health risks from previous destinations. Per capita exposure to COVID cases hinders the inter-regional migration of women in both countries. Exposure to an additional COVID case per 10,000 people resulted in a decline in women’s interregional migration by 6 and 2 percentage points in Kenya and Nigeria, respectively.
Comparative analysis of the USA’s Washington Ferries and road transport carbon emissions using the Trozzi and Vaccaro and Greatest Integer functions
Authors: Mersin Kadir , Yıldırım Metin , Alola Andrew Adewale 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCountries’ sectors are currently under great scrutiny for their response to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission profile and the general effect of the sectoral activities on the environment. As in the agenda of all sectors, environmental concerns and investigations are of high importance in shipping and maritime transport. Amidst the rising forms of globalization, the need for sustainable transportation is constantly increasing. However, the machines that are the cornerstone of transportation largely depend on fossil fuels, thus resulting in environmental degradation. Notably, environmental-related degradation has continued to account for global warming, climate change, and ocean acidification. Shipping is considered the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per ton per mile of transported unit load when compared against road transportation. In this study, six ferry lines (FLs) of Washington State Ferries were calculated to compare ship-generated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions with those from road transportation as if the carried vehicles had used the highway instead of transport by FL. While making these calculations, the Greatest Integer function (GIF) and Trozzi and Vaccaro function (TVF) were utilized. From the examined three scenarios, i.e., all passengers travel by car instead of ferry as scenario 1, all ferries carry both cars and passengers as scenario 2, and all car-free passengers travel by bus instead of ferry as scenario 3, the outlined results are as follows: (i) none of the cars were carried by the ferry, and car-free passengers preferred traveling by their own cars as observed in scenario 1; (ii) hypothetical scenarios (1 to 3) in which the road vehicles carried on FLs had instead used the highway, and the total potential CO2emissions of these road vehicles were calculated as 2,638,858.138, 704,958.2998, and 1,394,148.577 tonnes per year, respectively. Policy-wise, this study revealed the management strategies for CO2emissions reduction for two transport modes, shipping and road transportation, under current conditions.
Fostering multiple document comprehension: motivational factors and its relationship with the use of self-study materials
Authors: Zink Theresa , Hahnel Carolin , Kroehne Ulf , Deribo Tobias , Mahlow Nina , Artelt Cordula , Goldhammer Frank , Naumann Johannes , Schoor Cornelia 
Published: June 2023

AbstractMultiple document comprehension (MDC) is an essential skill for university students, making it beneficial to improve it. We assume that the value assigned to MDC is important to foster MDC since it can be a predictor for behavioral choices, such as working with self-study material. Using self-study material is typical for university learning, but it requires the motivation to improve a skill such as MDC. We define motivation to improve MDC in terms of expectancy, value, and cost to improve MDC. We expect that it is a driving force for working with self-study material on MDC, while it might also depend on the perceived value of MDC. Therefore, this study examined whether the perceived value of MDC predicts the motivation to improve MDC, which is also expected to predict the use of self-study material. A total of 278 students of different majors participated in a MDC assessment and received the opportunity to train their MDC skill with self-study material. The engagement in using the self-study material was measured by the total time and the number of page transitions on the self-study material. The results indicated that the perceived value of MDC partially predicted motivation to improve MDC. However, further analysis revealed mainly no significant effects of the perceived value of MDC and the motivation to improve MDC on the engagement in using the self-study material. However, the log data indicated that the engagement in using the self-study material was not as high as expected.
Abortion, Brain Death, and Coercion
Authors: Nair-Collins Michael 
Published: June 2023

AbstractA “universalist” policy on brain death holds that brain death is death, and neurologic criteria for death determination are rightly applied to all, without exemptions or opt outs. This essay argues that advocates of a universalist brain death policy defend the same sort of coercive control of end-of-life decision-making as “pro-life” advocates seek to achieve for reproductive decision-making, and both are grounded in an illiberal political philosophy. Those who recognize the serious flaws of this kind of public policy with respect to abortion must apply the same logic to brain death.
SLC26A11 Inhibition Reduces Oncotic Neuronal Death and Attenuates Stroke Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Wei Shunhui , Chen Bo , Low See Wee , Poore Charlene Priscilla , Gao Yahui , Nilius Bernd , Liao Ping 
Published: June 2023

AbstractNeuronal swelling is a pathological feature of stroke which contributes to the formation of cytotoxic edema. Under hypoxic condition, aberrant accumulation of sodium and chloride ions inside neurons increases osmotic pressure, leading to cell volume increase. Sodium entry pathway in neurons has been studied extensively. Here, we determine whether SLC26A11 is the major chloride entry pathway under hypoxia and could be the target for protection against ischemic stroke. In this study, electrophysiological properties of chloride current in primary cultured neurons were characterized using low chloride solution, 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid, and SLC26A11-specific siRNA under physiological conditions or ATP-depleted conditions. In vivo effect of SLC26A11 was evaluated on a rat stroke reperfusion model. We found that SLC26A11 mRNA in primary cultured neurons was upregulated as early as 6 h after oxygen glucose deprivation, and later, the protein level was elevated accordingly. Blockade of SLC26A11 activity could reduce chloride entry and attenuate hypoxia-induced neuronal swelling. In the animal stroke model, SLC26A11 upregulation was mainly located in surviving neurons close to the infarct core. SLC26A11 inhibition ameliorates infarct formation and improves functional recovery. These findings demonstrate that SLC26A11 is a major pathway for chloride entry in stroke, contributing to neuronal swelling. Inhibition of SLC26A11 could be a novel therapeutic strategy for stroke.
The Transcriptional Landscape of Pericytes in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Buizza Carolina , Enström Andreas , Carlsson Robert , Paul Gesine 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe current treatment options for ischemic stroke aim to achieve reperfusion but are time critical. Novel therapeutic approaches that can be given beyond the limited time window of 3–4.5 h are still an unmet need to be addressed to improve stroke outcomes. The lack of oxygen and glucose in the area of ischemic injury initiates a pathological cascade leading to blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, inflammation, and neuronal cell death, a process that may be intercepted to limit stroke progression. Pericytes located at the blood/brain interface are one of the first responders to hypoxia in stroke and therefore a potential target cell for early stroke interventions. Using single-cell RNA sequencing in a mouse model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, we investigated the temporal differences in transcriptomic signatures in pericytes at 1, 12, and 24 h after stroke. Our results reveal a stroke-specific subcluster of pericytes that is present at 12 and 24 h and characterized by the upregulation of genes mainly related to cytokine signaling and immune response. This study identifies temporal transcriptional changes in the acute phase of ischemic stroke that reflect the early response of pericytes to the ischemic insult and its secondary consequences and may constitute potential future therapeutic targets.
Revisiting marine services pricing in South Africa’s ports
Authors: Mthembu Sphiwe Eugene , Chasomeris Mihalis 
Published: June 2023

AbstractTransnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is the landlord and sole provider of marine services in South Africa’s eight commercial ports. Historically, TNPA set port prices for marine (nautical) services below full cost recovery. Price regulation has improved the situation, but substantial reforms are still required. This paper revisits marine services pricing in South Africa’s ports. The methodology employed content analysis to analyse 99 stakeholders’ submissions to the Ports Regulator of South Africa from financial years 2013/2014 to 2021/2022. The results are discussed under four categories of themes: concerns about the above-inflation price increase, suggestions on alternative marine services pricing models, concerns about marine services provision and productivity, and the disputed cross-subsidization between ports and port user groups. Despite above-inflation price increases for marine services, tariffs remain 44% below the global benchmarked mean, whilst revenues from cargo owners subsidise port tenants and shipping lines. The relatively low prices for marine services may exacerbate the sub-optimal levels of investment and maintenance in marine services. The study recommends that marine services pricing reforms incorporate the user-pays principle, be founded on activity-based costing, and adopt a dual-till model. Activity-based costing is considered the international best practice, and it is the preferable approach recommended by several port users in South Africa.
The numeric understanding measures: Developing and validating adaptive and nonadaptive numeracy scales
Authors: Silverstein Michael C. , Bjälkebring Pär , Shoots-Reinhard Brittany , Peters Ellen 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Numeracy—the ability to understand and use numeric information—is linked to good decision-making. Several problems exist with current numeracy measures, however. Depending on the participant sample, some existing measures are too easy or too hard; also, established measures often contain items well-known to participants. The current article aimed to develop new numeric understanding measures (NUMs) including a 1-item (1-NUM), 4-item (4-NUM), and 4-item adaptive measure (A-NUM). In a calibration study, 2 participant samples (n = 226 and 264 from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk [MTurk]) each responded to half of 84 novel numeracy items. We calibrated items using 2-parameter logistic item response theory (IRT) models. Based on item parameters, we developed the 3 new numeracy measures. In a subsequent validation study, 600 MTurk participants completed the new numeracy measures, the adaptive Berlin Numeracy Test, and the Weller Rasch-Based Numeracy Test, in randomized order. To establish predictive and convergent validities, participants also completed judgment and decision tasks, Raven’s progressive matrices, a vocabulary test, and demographics. Confirmatory factor analyses suggested that the 1-NUM, 4-NUM, and A-NUM load onto the same factor as existing measures. The NUM scales also showed similar association patterns to subjective numeracy and cognitive ability measures as established measures. Finally, they effectively predicted classic numeracy effects. In fact, based on power analyses, the A-NUM and 4-NUM appeared to confer more power to detect effects than existing measures. Thus, using IRT, we developed 3 brief numeracy measures, using novel items and without sacrificing construct scope. The measures can be downloaded as Qualtrics files (https://osf.io/pcegz/).
Quantifying Morphological Changes and Sediment Transport Pathways on Comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko
Authors: Barrington M. N. , Birch S. P. D. , Jindal A. , Hayes A. G. , Corlies P. , Vincent J.‐B. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractComets are active geological worlds with primitive surfaces that have been shaped to varying degrees by sublimation‐driven sediment transport and mass wasting processes. Rosetta's rendezvous with comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko (67P) in 2014 provided data with the necessary spatial and temporal resolutions to observe many evolutionary processes on micro‐gravity worlds. Rosetta's observations have thus far revealed that many changes to the surface occurred within 67P's smooth terrains, vast sedimentary deposits that blanket a significant fraction of the nucleus. Understanding the global context of these changes, and therefore the sediment transport pathways that govern the evolution of 67P's surface, requires a thorough description of their changing morphologies and an evaluation of existing global‐scale spatial and temporal trends. Accordingly, we present a time‐resolved synthesis of erosion and deposition activity on comet 67P as it passed through its 13 August 2015 perihelion from September 2014 to August 2016. Our mapping results indicate that, around perihelion, sediment is globally redistributed inter‐regionally from 67P's more active south to the north. Equally important, however, are local, topographically influenced sediment transport processes, with large volumes of sediment moving intra‐regionally over sub‐kilometer distances. We also show evidence for regions of near‐zero net erosion/deposition between approximately 30°N–60°N latitude, which may act as terminal sedimentary sinks, with the remobilization of these materials hindered by multiple factors. Our work therefore provides the most complete mapping of sediment transport processes and pathways across 67P, a critical step toward understanding the global landscape evolution of both 67P and other comets.
Predicting Carbonate Chemistry on the Northwest Atlantic Shelf Using Neural Networks
Authors: Lima Ivan D. , Wang Zhaohui A. , Cameron Louise P. , Grabowski Jonathan H. , Rheuban Jennie E. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe Northwest Atlantic Shelf (NAS) region has experienced accelerated warming, heatwaves, and is susceptible to ocean acidification, yet also suffers from a paucity of carbonate chemistry observations, particularly at depth. We address this critical data gap by developing three different neural network models to predict dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA) in the NAS region from more readily available hydrographic and satellite data. The models predicted DIC withr2between 0.913–0.963 and root mean square errors (RMSE) between 15.4–23.7 (μmol kg−1) and TA withr2between 0.986–0.983 and RMSE between 9.0–10.4 (μmol kg−1) on an unseen test data set that was not used in training the models. Cross‐validation analysis revealed that all models were insensitive to the choice of training data and had good generalization performance on unseen data. Uncertainty in DIC and TA were low (coefficients of variation 0.1%–1%). Compared with other predictive models of carbonate system variables in this region, a larger and more diverse data set with full seasonal coverage and a more sophisticated model architecture resulted in a robust predictive model with higher accuracy and precision across all seasons. We used one of the models to generate a reconstructed seasonal distribution of carbonate chemistry fields based on DIC and TA predictions that shows a clear seasonal progression and large spatial gradients consistent with observations. The distinct models will allow for a range of applications based on the predictor variables available and will be useful to understand and address ocean sustainability challenges.
Advances in neonatal cell therapies: Proceedings of the First Neonatal Cell Therapies Symposium (2022)
Authors: Malhotra Atul , Thebaud Bernard , Paton Madison C. B. , Fleiss Bobbi , Papagianis Paris , Baker Elizabeth , Bennet Laura , Yawno Tamara , Elwood Ngaire , Campbell Belinda , Chand Kirat , Zhou Lindsay , Penny Tayla , Nguyen Timothy , Pepe Salvatore , Gunn Alistair J. , McDonald Courtney A. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Despite considerable advances, there is a need to improve the outcomes of newborn infants, especially related to prematurity, encephalopathy and other conditions. In principle, cell therapies have the potential to protect, repair, or sometimes regenerate vital tissues; and improve or sustain organ function. In this review, we present highlights from the First Neonatal Cell Therapies Symposium (2022). Cells tested in preclinical and clinical studies include mesenchymal stromal cells from various sources, umbilical cord blood and cord tissue derived cells, and placental tissue and membrane derived cells. Overall, most preclinical studies suggest potential for benefit, but many of the cells tested were not adequately defined, and the optimal cell type, timing, frequency, cell dose or the most effective protocols for the targeted conditions is not known. There is as yet no clinical evidence for benefit, but several early phase clinical trials are now assessing safety in newborn babies. We discuss parental perspectives on their involvement in these trials, and lessons learnt from previous translational work of promising neonatal therapies. Finally, we make a call to the many research groups around the world working in this exciting yet complex field, to work together to make substantial and timely progress to address the knowledge gaps and move the field forward.

Impact

Survival of preterm and sick newborn infants is improving, but they continue to be at high risk of many systemic and organ-specific complications.

Cell therapies show promising results in preclinical models of various neonatal conditions and early phase clinical trials have been completed or underway.

Progress on the potential utility of cell therapies for neonatal conditions, parental perspectives and translational aspects are discussed in this paper.
Chromatin accessibility uncovers KRAS-driven FOSL2 promoting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression through up-regulation of CCL28
Authors: Zhang Shujun , Li Peilong , Li Juan , Gao Jie , Qi Qiuchen , Dong Guoying , Liu Xiaoyan , Jiao Qinlian , Wang Yunshan , Du Lutao , Zhan Hanxiang , Xu Shuo , Wang Chuanxin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
The epigenetic mechanisms involved in the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to identify key transcription factors (TFs) through multiomics sequencing to investigate the molecular mechanisms of TFs that play critical roles in PDAC.

Methods
To characterise the epigenetic landscape of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of PDAC with or without KRAS and/or TP53 mutations, we employed ATAC-seq, H3K27ac ChIP-seq, and RNA-seq. The effect of Fos-like antigen 2 (FOSL2) on survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate Cox regression analysis for PDAC patients. To study the potential targets of FOSL2, we performed Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation (CUT&Tag). To explore the functions and underlying mechanisms of FOSL2 in PDAC progression, we employed several assays, including CCK8, transwell migration and invasion, RT-qPCR, Western blotting analysis, IHC, ChIP-qPCR, dual-luciferase reporter, and xenograft models.

Results
Our findings indicated that epigenetic changes played a role in immunosuppressed signalling during PDAC progression. Moreover, we identified FOSL2 as a critical regulator that was up-regulated in PDAC and associated with poor prognosis in patients. FOSL2 promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Importantly, our research revealed that FOSL2 acted as a downstream target of the KRAS/MAPK pathway and recruited regulatory T (Treg) cells by transcriptionally activating C-C motif chemokine ligand 28 (CCL28). This discovery highlighted the role of an immunosuppressed regulatory axis involving KRAS/MAPK-FOSL2-CCL28-Treg cells in the development of PDAC.

Conclusion
Our study uncovered that KRAS-driven FOSL2 promoted PDAC progression by transcriptionally activating CCL28, revealing an immunosuppressive role for FOSL2 in PDAC.