bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spondylolysis in ancient Nubian skeletal populations
Authors: Tipper Samantha , Wilson Penelope , Roberts Charlotte A. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractA comprehensive study of spinal health in ancient Nubia has not been achieved to date. This study is a component of a larger survey of spinal health. It presents a comparative analysis of spondylolysis, with the aim of providing an insight into the quality of life, environmental and socio‐political stresses faced by individuals in ancient Nubia. This study provides bioarchaeological data from 515 adult individuals with preserved lumbar vertebrae (where spondylolysis is most commonly observed) from five populations that date from the Meroitic to the Medieval period (350 BC–1500 AD). Contextual data from settlements and cemeteries were used to interpret the data. The results demonstrated an overall crude prevalence of 6.6% for spondylolysis (individuals affected with vertebrae preserved) and an overall true prevalence of 1.2% (number of lumbar vertebrae affected). The data also revealed a number of possible trends, for example, that males were most affected, that there was an increase in prevalence over time, with the highest prevalence rates observed in the Medieval period, and that there was a higher prevalence rate among the populations from Mis Island compared with the other populations. It is possible that activities such as farming, building or rowing as well as socio‐political changes could have contributed to the prevalence of spondylolysis seen in this study.
Pediatric renal malignancy diagnosis is associated with significant burden of care for families
Authors: Leraas Harold , Thompson Sam , Sandoe Emma , Robles Joanna , Wagner Lars , Scales Charles , Gow Kenneth W. , Ehrlich Peter F. , Greenup Rachel , Tracy Elisabeth 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackground and objectivesNew childhood cancer diagnoses require timely, complex care coordination and cause considerable logistic burden for families. We used renal tumors as a model to examine healthcare utilization and cost following new solid tumor diagnosis.MethodsChildren (ages 0–21) with International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes for renal malignancy and subsequent nephrectomy were identified from North Carolina Medicaid claims data (2014–2020). We stratified patients by duration of follow‐up, then quantified healthcare utilization and billing totals.ResultsEighty‐one children met study criteria. Median age at diagnosis was 3 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 1–5). Median family monthly earned income was $0. One month following diagnosis, children cumulatively spent a median of 16 days receiving medical care (IQR: 10–20), 28 days at 3 months (IQR: 21–43), and 50.5 days at 1 year (IQR: 35–94.5). Children cumulatively spent a median 12 days as inpatients during the first 3 months (IQR: 7–17) and 13.5 days at 1 year (IQR: 8.5–37). Children cumulatively completed a median 12 outpatient encounters at 3 months (IQR: 7–17) and 26 at 1 year (IQR: 12–36). At 1 year, median Medicaid claim reimbursements for children with renal malignancy was $50,041 (IQR: $36,670–$80,734).ConclusionIn examining healthcare utilization in children with renal tumor diagnoses, the substantial number of days spent in medical facilities greatly impacts the burden of care on families, especially for those with limited financial resources. Awareness of this logistic strain on families and careful planning to consolidate patient visits may improve the navigability of pediatric cancer regimens for families, particularly those with limited resources.
Outcomes following intolerance to calcineurin inhibitor‐based graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis in children after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Wu Diana , Li Ying , Bi Yu , Lannom Trevor M. , Ward Deborah A. , Qudeimat Amr , Madden Renee M. , Sharma Akshay , Epperly Rebecca , Mamcarz Ewelina , Talleur Aimee , Naik Swati , Selukar Subodh , Triplett Brandon , Srinivasan Ashok 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCalcineurin inhibitors (CNI), cyclosporine and tacrolimus, are commonly used for pharmacologic prophylaxis of graft‐versus‐host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Unfortunately, their use is associated with significant toxicities. While intolerance to CNI is well defined, there is very little information on how they impact outcomes after HCT in children. Our retrospective study in a cohort of 82 children shows a high intolerance rate of 39% in this population associated with lower event‐free survival and a higher transplant‐related mortality.
Identifying druggable targets from active constituents of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. for non‐small cell lung cancer using network pharmacology and validation through molecular docking
Authors: Nath Rajat , Baishya Somorita , Nath Deepa , Nahar Lutfun , Sarker Satyajit D. , Choudhury Manabendra Dutta , Talukdar Anupam Das 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionAzadirachta indica A. Juss. is a well‐known medicinal plant that has been used traditionally to cure various ailments in every corner of the globe. There are many in vitro and in vivo experimental evidences in connection with the bioactivity of the extracts of this plant. Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer and contributes to the most cancer related deaths. The mode of action of anticancer components of this plant is still to be established explicitly.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to identify druggable targets of active constituents of A. indica A. Juss. for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using network pharmacology and validation of activity through molecular docking analysis.MethodologyTargets of all the active phytochemicals from A. indica were predicted and genes related to NSCLC were retrieved. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of the overlapping genes were prepared. Various databases and servers were employed to analyse the disease pathway enrichment analysis of the clustered genes. Validation of the gene/protein activity was achieved by performing molecular docking, and ADMET profiling of selected phytocompounds was performed.ResultGene networking revealed three key target genes as EGFR, BRAF and PIK3CA against NSCLC by the active components of A. indica. Molecular docking and ADMET analysis further validated that desacetylnimbin, nimbandiol, nimbin, nimbinene, nimbolide, salannin and vepinin are the best suited anti‐ NSCLC among all the phytocompounds present in this plant.ConclusionThe present study has provided a better understanding of the pharmacological effects of active components from A. indica and its potential therapeutic effect on NSCLC.
Susceptibility to polarization type potential induced degradation in commercial bifacial p‐PERC PV modules
Authors: Mahmood Farrukh ibne , Li Fang , Hacke Peter , Molto Cécile , Colvin Dylan , Seigneur Hubert , TamizhMani Govindasamy 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPotential induced degradation (PID) is a reliability issue affecting photovoltaic (PV) modules, mainly when PV strings operate under high voltages in hot/humid conditions. Polarization‐type PID (PID‐p) has been known to decrease module performance quickly. PID‐p can be reduced or recovered under the light in some cases, but this effect, as expected, would be less pronounced on the rear side of bifacial PV modules receiving lower irradiance. As bifacial PV modules are projected to dominate the PV market within the next 10 years, it is crucial to understand the PID‐p issue in bifacial modules better. In this study, we performed indoor PID testing to induce PID‐p on 14 commercial bifacial p‐PERC modules with three different module constructions from three manufacturers. Four rounds (+ve and −ve polarities for front and rear sides) of PID testing are done at 25°C, 54% relative humidity (RH) for 168 h using the aluminum foil method. Each module side (front cell side and back cell side) is tested individually under both negative and positive voltage bias. The results show that the highest degradation of 32% in maximum power (Pmax) at standard test conditions (1000 W/m2) and 51% at low irradiance (200 W/m2) has been observed in some cases. Recovery under sunlight is also done, and outcomes show a near‐complete recovery in Pmax. This study presents an extensive experimental methodology and a detailed analysis to systematically and simultaneously/sequentially evaluate multiple construction types of bifacial modules to the PID‐p susceptibility and recovery.
Insight into the role of the Bateman domain at the molecular and physiological levels through engineered IMP dehydrogenases
Authors: Gedeon Antoine , Ayoub Nour , Brûlé Sébastien , Raynal Bertrand , Karimova Gouzel , Gelin Muriel , Mechaly Ariel , Haouz Ahmed , Labesse Gilles , Munier‐Lehmann Hélène 
Published: June 2023

AbstractInosine 5′‐monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is an ubiquitous enzyme that catalyzes the NAD+‐dependent oxidation of inosine 5′‐monophosphate into xanthosine 5′‐monophosphate. This enzyme is formed of two distinct domains, a core domain where the catalytic reaction occurs, and a less‐conserved Bateman domain. Our previous studies gave rise to the classification of bacterial IMPDHs into two classes, according to their oligomeric and kinetic properties. MgATP is a common effector but cause to different effects when it binds within the Bateman domain: it is either an allosteric activator for Class I IMPDHs or a modulator of the oligomeric state for Class II IMPDHs. To get insight into the role of the Bateman domain in the dissimilar properties of the two classes, deleted variants of the Bateman domain and chimeras issued from the interchange of the Bateman domain between the three selected IMPDHs have been generated and characterized using an integrative structural biology approach. Biochemical, biophysical, structural, and physiological studies of these variants unveil the Bateman domain as being the carrier of the molecular behaviors of both classes.
Vibration control of a thin rectangular plate subjected to moving masses using an adaptive sliding mode control method
Authors: Pi Yangjun , Yu Rui , Li Changjun , Yang Bo , Luo Jun 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis study investigates the vibration control of a plate subjected to moving masses. The plate model reflects the dynamic behavior more accurately than the beam model which is usually used in the existing literature. However, the vibration control of plates subjected to moving masses is also more challenging as more degrees of freedom need to be taken into account. In addition, the measurement of system status and uncertainty problems in practical application is another nodus. In this paper, combining an adaptive sliding‐mode control (ASMC) strategy and a modal coordinate reconstruction (MCR) method, the MCR‐ASMC method is proposed. The MCR method is employed to capture the plate dynamic behavior for feedback to the ASMC. The ASMC strategy realizes vibration control through the adaptive updating of parameters. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and excellent control performance in vibration suppression of moving mass problems.
Interaction of home and host countries' institutional conditions: An analysis of greenfield projects by Latin American firms
Authors: Alcaraz Jorge , Mazé Dominique , Buitrago R. Ricardo E. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractStudying firms from emerging economies has been receiving more attention in recent decades. However, the host‐ and home‐country perspectives have allowed understanding, to a significant extent, of the firms' expansion abroad. We argue the necessity of investigating the interaction of home and host‐country institutional conditions to advance the understanding of the internationalization strategies of firms from emerging economies. Employing a sample of 1387 firms from 17 Latin American countries, we examine how their operations expanded from 2003 to 2019 by undertaking 2636 cross‐border greenfield projects in 94 host countries. Results indicate that the interaction of home and host countries' weak institutional conditions drives the decision‐making process for the internationalization of Latin American firms.
Social research to understand farmer and agricultural stakeholder attitudes towards bovine tuberculosis vaccination of cattle
Authors: Maye Damian , Chivers Charlotte‐Anne , Enticott Gareth , Lenormand Théo , Tomlinson Sarah 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis social research study employed a behavioural insights framework, Easy, Attractive, Social, Timely (‘EAST’), to identify cues that may influence farmer and stakeholder attitudes towards the deployment of CattleBCG vaccine.MethodsThe EAST framework was employed to develop policy scenarios consisting of several cues likely to affect vaccine uptake. These scenarios consisted of a government‐led approach, an individual farmer‐led approach, and a third approach, also farmer‐led but organised collectively. The government approach was mandatory, while the farmer‐led approaches were both voluntary. The scenarios were tested during farmer participatory workshops (n = 8) and stakeholder interviews (n = 35).ResultsOverall, the EAST framework provided a useful approach for gathering behavioural insights around attitudes towards cattle vaccination. We found an overall receptiveness towards the idea of vaccinating cattle against bovine tuberculosis, particularly where clear, transparent messaging around the likely efficacy is mobilised, where clarity around potential implications for trading is provided, and where vaccine doses are provided free of charge and administered by veterinarians and veterinary technicians. In general, these factors were a pre‐requisite to a mandatory (government‐led) national approach, which was the preferred deployment mechanism among farmers and stakeholders. However, these conditions would also likely facilitate a voluntary vaccination programme.LimitationsTrust in those involved in delivering a vaccine programme and trust in the vaccine itself represent a crucial aspect of farmer and stakeholder attitudes towards cattle vaccination; however, this aspect was not covered by the EAST framework.ConclusionEAST provided a novel framework for examining attitudes towards cattle vaccination with CattleBCG, although we recommend incorporating a ‘trust’ component in future iterations.
A unidirectional drug‐release Janus membrane based on hydrogen bonding barrier effect for preventing postoperative adhesion and promoting tissue repair
Authors: Wang Qian , He Min , Zhao Weifeng , Zhao Changsheng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBarrier membranes incorporated with anti‐adhesion drugs have been widely used for preventing postoperative adhesion. However, the bidirectional release of drugs may interfere with internal tissue healing. Herein, a unidirectional Janus membrane composed of two functional layers is prepared by sequential electrospinning. The outer layer is designed as random polycaprolactone fibers incorporated with tannic acid/Fe3+ particles to prevent tissue adhesion, while the inner layer is designed as oriented gelatin fibers to promote tissue repair. Hydrogen bonding was employed to act as a barrier for preventing the diffusion of the tannic acid to the inner side, and thus the release of tannic acid occurs in a unidirectional manner. As a result, asymmetric biological performances of the Janus membrane are achieved. The outer face can provide anti‐inflammatory capability to the membrane and inhibit the viability of fibroblasts, while the inner face can promote the proliferation and differentiation of tendon stem cells. Tendon injured model confirms the prominent inflammation modulation, adhesion prevention, and repair promotion capabilities of the Janus membrane in vivo. This study provides a new strategy to develop advanced functional barrier membranes for postoperative adhesion prevention and internal tissue repair promotion.
Effect of uterine torsion intrapartum on concentrations of placental estrogens and progesterone in cattle
Authors: Sendag Sait , Sickinger Marlene , Arslan Talha , Schuler Gerhard , Wehrend Axel 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe current study investigates how uterine torsion influences placental oestrogens and progesterone blood concentrations in intrapartum cows. Our research tests the hypothesis that intrapartum uterine torsion impairs the ability of the placenta to synthesize steroids and may also suppress the release of synthesized steroids into the maternal circulation.MethodsThe study included a total number of 37 intrapartum dairy cows of various breeds and ages. These animals were transported to our clinic by their owners. Furthermore, general and obstetrical examinations of all these animals were performed in our clinic. The uterine torsion (UT) group consisted of 20 animals. The presence of UT was verified during clinical general examinations by vaginal and transrectal examination. The comparison (C) group included 17 animals whose birth was undisturbed or could be terminated with moderate obstetrical assistance. The clinical examination of group C animals showed no problems with their general health and genital organs. Blood samples were collected immediately after the initial obstetrical examination from 37 cows for radioimmunological measurement of estradiol‐17β (E2), free total estrogen (FTE), conjugated total estrogen (CTE), and progesterone (P4).ResultsIn terms of P4, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. For all estrogen parameters, however, concentrations were significantly lower in the UT group than in the C group. In the correlation analysis, there was a significant correlation between the P4 and the FTE in the C group. Furthermore, the positive correlation between all estrogen parameters in the UT group was significant. In group C, significant positive correlations were found apart from the correlation between E2 and CTE.ConclusionsThe results are consistent with the hypothesis and suggest that in UT animals processes dependent on estrogens or other placental hormones may be impaired during the peri‐ or postpartum period.
The Relationship Among Students’ Attitude Towards Peer Feedback, Peer Feedback Performance, and Uptake
Authors: Kerman Nafiseh Taghizadeh , Banihashem Seyyed Kazem , Noroozi Omid 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn this study, the relationship among students’ attitude towards peer feedback, peer feedback performance, and uptake in an online learning environment was investigated. This study was conducted at Wageningen University and Research and 135 undergraduate students participated. A module called “Argumentative Essay Writing” was designed and students were asked to follow this module in the course in three consecutive weeks. Each week students performed one task in which in the first week, students wrote an argumentative essay. In the second week, students provided two sets of peer feedback on their peers’ essays and in the third week, students revised their essays based on the received feedback. At the end of the module, students were asked to fill out the survey about their attitude towards peer feedback. The results showed that in general students' attitude towards peer feedback did not predict their peer feedback performance and uptake. However, a relationship was found between the perceived usefulness of peer feedback and peer feedback uptake where perceived usefulness of peer feedback could predict uptake of peer feedback. It was found that there is a relationship between the quality of received peer feedback and students’ attitude towards peer feedback. The justification and constructive features of the received peer feedback were found to predict students’ perceived fairness and trustworthiness of peer feedback. The constructive feature of the received peer feedback predicted students’ perceived usefulness of peer feedback. These results provide evidence for understanding how students’ attitude towards peer feedback and their peer feedback performance and uptake in online learning environments can influence each other. We discuss these results and provide agenda for future work.
Comparing Expert and Peer Assessment of Pedagogical Design in Integrated STEAM Education
Authors: Vakkou Kyriaki Α. , Hovardas Tasos , Xenofontos Nikoletta , Zacharia Zacharias C. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe objective of this exploratory study was to implement peer assessment for pedagogical design in integrated STEAM education and to compare expert and peer feedback, in this regard. We engaged pre-service teachers registered in an undergraduate programme for primary education in a formative/reciprocal peer assessment arrangement, where they had the chance to act as both peer assessors and peer assessees. Although global measures of validity (correlations between total scores of expert and peer assessors) and reliability (correlations between total scores of different peer assessors for the same pedagogical scenario) were satisfactory, there were assessment criteria for which peer assessment failed to be valid and/or reliable and which should deserve more attention in future training sessions. We found peer over-scoring across all assessment criteria. There were also indications of participant preference of expert feedback over peer feedback, where the later included fewer justifications of quantitative scores and suggestions for change.
Constructing Computer-Mediated Feedback in Virtual Reality for Improving Peer Learning: A Synthesis of the Literature in Presentation Research
Authors: van Ginkel Stan , Sichterman Bo 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWhile feedback is frequently emphasized as a crucial principle of presentation courses in higher education, previous studies revealed that teachers outperform peers in terms of impact on students’ development of oral presentation competence. Further, presentation research showed that the lack of quality of peer feedback can be considered as an essential argumentation for the identified differences in effect. Follow-up field experiments demonstrated that Virtual Reality (VR) can be considered as a valuable alternative feedback source for developing public speaking skills, since this technology is able to simulate real-life presentation situations as well as to deliver feedback from the VR system to the individual learner. Recent technological developments allowed to convert quantitative information from VR systems into qualitative feedback messages that directly relate to the standards for high-quality feedback. If students are able to individually interpret the feedback messages without the intervention of a human feedback source, it could enrich the quality of feedback in peer and self-learning and further increase students’ oral presentation competence development. This chapter provides a synthesis of the literature in presentation research with the aim to construct a research agenda on computer-mediated feedback in VR for peer learning in this field. Further, two recent VR experiments in presentation research are discussed with the aim to effectively construct feedback messages in VR for improving peer learning.