bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic outcomes associated with diagnosed behavioral symptoms among patients with dementia in the United States: a health care claims database analysis
Authors: Khandker Rezaul Karim , Chekani Farid , Mirchandani Kirti , Kathe Niranjan
Published: February 2023

Background

Behavioral symptoms are common in patients with dementia. However, there is limited evidence of their economic burden. Among commercially insured patients with dementia in the United States, this study assessed the prevalence of diagnosed behavioral symptoms and whether healthcare resources utilization and costs were associated with these symptoms.

Methods

This retrospective observational study was conducted using the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters and Medicare Supplemental database from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2019. Diagnoses of dementia and behavioral symptoms were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Modification codes. To test differences in patient characteristics among those with and without diagnosed behavioral symptoms, t-tests were used for continuous variables, and chi-square tests were used for categories. Generalized linear models were used to compare healthcare resource utilization and costs between patients with and without diagnosed behavioral symptoms, adjusted for baseline characteristics.

Results

Of the 62,901 patients with dementia included in the analysis, 16.5% had diagnosed behavioral symptoms 12 months post dementia diagnosis. Patients with diagnosed behavioral symptoms used more health care resources (mean annual pharmacy visits per patient: 39.83 vs. 33.08, mean annual outpatient visits per patient: 24.20 vs. 16.94, mean annual inpatient visits per patient: 0.98 vs. 0.47, mean annual ER visits per patient: 2.45 vs. 1.21) and incurred higher cost of care than those without diagnosed behavioral symptoms (mean annual total health care costs per patients: $63,268 versus $33,383). Inpatient care was the most significant contributor to total costs (adjusted annual mean cost per patient: $28,195 versus $12,275).

Conclusion

Behavioral symptoms were significantly associated with higher healthcare resource utilization and costs among patients with dementia. Further research is warranted to address the unmet medical needs of this patient population.
Transient cognitive impairment in the acute phase of stroke – prevalence, risk factors and influence on long-term prognosis in population of patients with stroke (research study – part of the PROPOLIS study)
Authors: Droś Jakub , Kowalska Katarzyna , Pasińska Paulina , Klimkowicz-Mrowiec Aleksandra
Published: February 2023

Background

Cognitive impairment is a common complication of the acute phase of stroke, which can be transient and resolve while still in the hospital. This study evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for transient cognitive impairment and their impact on long-term prognosis in a population of acute-phase stroke patients.

Methods

Consecutive patients admitted to a stroke unit with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack were screened twice for cognitive impairment using the parallel version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment: the first time between the first and third day and the second time between the fourth and seventh day of hospitalization. If the second test score increased by two or more points, transient cognitive impairment was diagnosed. Patients were scheduled for follow-up visits three and 12 months after stroke. Outcome assessment included place of discharge, current functional status, dementia, or death.

Results

Four hundred forty-seven patients were included in the study, 234 (52.35%) were diagnosed with transient cognitive impairment. Delirium was the only independent risk factor for transient cognitive impairment (OR 2.417, 95%CI 1.096–5.333, p = 0.029). In the analysis of effects on three- and twelve-month prognosis, patients with transient cognitive impairment had a lower risk of hospital or institution stay 3 months after stroke compared with patients with permanent cognitive impairment (OR 0.396, 95%CI 0.217–0.723, p = 0.003). There was no significant effect on mortality, disability or risk of dementia.

Conclusions

Transient cognitive impairment, which often occurs in the acute phase of stroke, does not increase the risk of long-term complications.
Gastroblastoma mimics the embryonic mesenchyme of the foregut: a case report
Authors: Sugimoto Ryo , Uesugi Noriyuki , Yamada Noriyuki , Osakabe Mitsumasa , Baba Shigeaki , Yanagawa Naoki , Akiyama Yuji , Habano Wataru , Sasaki Akira , Oda Yoshinao , Sugai Tamotsu
Published: February 2023

Background

Gastroblastoma is a rare gastric tumor composed of epithelial and spindle cell components. The characteristic MALAT–GLI1 fusion gene has only been identified in 5 reported cases. We report the morphological characterization of gastroblastoma with the MALAT1–GLI1 fusion gene in a young Japanese woman.

Case presentation

A 29-year-old Japanese woman visited Iwate Medical University Hospital with upper abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a tumor in expansive lesions involving the gastric antrum. Histologically, we observed a biphasic morphology composed of epithelial and spindle cell components. The epithelial components appeared as slit-like glandular structures with tubular or rosette-like differentiation. The spindle cell components consisted of short spindle-shaped oval cells. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis revealed that the spindle cell component was positive for vimentin, CD10, CD56, GLI1, and HDAC2, and focally positive for PD-L1. The epithelial component was positive for CK AE1/AE3, CAM5.2, and CK7, and negative for CK20 and EMA. Both components were negative for KIT, CD34, DOG1, SMA, desmin, S100 protein, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, CDX2, and SS18-SSX. The MALAT-GLI1 fusion gene was detected molecularly.

Conclusions

We report the following new findings with this case: (i) gastric tumors mimic the gastrointestinal mesenchyme in the embryonic period; (ii) nuclear expression of PD-L1 and HDAC2 were observed in the spindle cell component of a gastroblastoma. We speculate that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors may offer a promising treatment option for gastroblastoma.
Short-term difference only in reported outcomes (PROMs) after anterior or posterior approach to total hip arthroplasty: a 4-year prospective multi-centre observational study
Authors: Lin D-Yin , Samson Anthony J. , Cehic Matthew G. , Brown Brigid , Kaambwa Billingsley , Wilson Christopher , Kroon Hidde M. , Jaarsma Ruurd L.
Published: February 2023

Background

The direct anterior approach (DAA) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) may demonstrate better functional recovery compared to the posterior approach (PA).

Methods

In this prospective multi-centre study, patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) and length of stay (LOS) were compared between DAA and PA THA patients. The Oxford Hip Score (OHS), EQ-5D-5L, pain and satisfaction scores were collected at four perioperative stages.

Results

337 DAA and 187 PA THAs were included. The OHS PROM was significantly better in the DAA group at 6 weeks post-operatively (OHS: 33 vs. 30,p = 0.02, EQ-5D-5L: 80 vs. 75,p = 0.03), but there were no differences at 6 months and at 1 year. EQ-5D-5L scores were similar between both groups at all time points. LOS as inpatient was significantly different, in favour of DAA [median 2 days (IQR 2–3) vs. PA 3 (IQR 2–4),p ≤ 0.0001].

Conclusions

Patients undergoing DAA THA have shorter LOS and report better short-term Oxford Hip Score PROMs at 6 weeks, but DAA did not convey long-term benefits over PA THA.
A review on the effect of garlic on diabetes, BDNF, and VEGF as a potential treatment for diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Sanie-Jahromi Fatemeh , Zia Zahra , Afarid Mehrdad
Published: February 2023

Background

Garlic is one of the favorite herbs in traditional medicine that has been reported to have many medicinal features. The aim of the current study is to review the latest documents on the effect of garlic on diabetes, VEGF, and BDNF and, finally, to review the existing studies on the effect of garlic on diabetic retinopathy.

Main text

The therapeutic effect of garlic on diabetes has been investigated in various studies. Diabetes, especially in advanced stages, is associated with complications such as diabetic retinopathy, which is caused by the alteration in the expression of molecular factors involved in angiogenesis, neurodegeneration, and inflammation in the retina. There are different in-vitro and in-vivo reports on the effect of garlic on each of these processes. Considering the present concept, we extracted the most related English articles from Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus English databases from 1980 to 2022. All in-vitro and animal studies, clinical trials, research studies, and review articles in this area were assessed and classified.

Result and conclusion

According to previous studies, garlic has been confirmed to have beneficial antidiabetic, antiangiogenesis, and neuroprotective effects. Along with the available clinical evidence, it seems that garlic can be suggested as a complementary treatment option alongside common treatments for patients with diabetic retinopathy. However, more detailed clinical studies are needed in this field.
Inhibition of alternative oxidase disrupts the development and oviposition of Biomphalaria glabrata snails
Authors: Xu Sha , Zhang Yang-Wen-Qing , Habib Mohamed R. , Li Shi-Zhu , Yuan Yi , Ke Wei Hao , Jiang Ni , Dong Huifen , Zhao Qin-Ping
Published: February 2023

Background

Biomphalaria glabrata is one of the main intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni, the most widespread species of Schistosoma. Our previous studies proved that alternative oxidase (AOX), the terminal oxidase in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, widely exists in several species of intermediate host snails of Schistosoma. Meanwhile, inhibition of AOX activity in Oncomelania hupensis snails could dramatically enhance the molluscicidal effect of niclosamide. As a hermaphroditic aquatic mollusc, the high fecundity and population density of B. glabrata increase the difficulty of snail control, which is one of the critical strategies for schistosomiasis elimination. The present study aimed to investigate the possible role of AOX in the development and fecundity of B. glabrata snail, which could be manipulated more manageable than other species of intermediate host snails of Schistosoma.

Methods

The dynamic expression of the AOX gene was investigated in different developmental stages and tissues of B. glabrata, with morphological change and oviposition behaviour observed from juvenile to adult snails. Furtherly, dsRNA-mediated knockdown of BgAOX mRNA and the AOX protein activity inhibiting was performed to investigate the effect of AOX on the development and oviposition of snails.

Results

The BgAOX gene expression profile is highly related to the development from late juveniles to adults, especially to the reproductive system of snails, with a positive correlation of 0.975 between egg production and BgAOX relative expression in ovotestis of snails. The inhibition of BgAOX at the transcriptional level and AOX activity could efficiently inhibit snail growth. However, the interference at the BgAOX protein activity level led to more severe tissue damage and more significant inhibition of oviposition than at the transcriptional level. This inhibition of growth and oviposition decreased gradually with the increase in the snail size.

Conclusions

The inhibition of AOX could efficiently disrupt the development and oviposition of B. glabrata snails, and the intervention targeting AOX at the juvenile stage is more effective for snails. This investigation explored the role of AOX in the growth and development of snails. It would benefit snail control in the future by providing a potential target while using molluscicides more efficiently.

Graphical abstract
Structural diversity of bacterial communities in two divergent sunflower rhizosphere soils
Authors: Nwachukwu Blessing Chidinma , Ayangbenro Ayansina Segun , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Farming practices on farmlands aim to improve nutrients in the fields or crops, soil quality and functions, as well as boost and sustain crop yield; however, the effect of loss of ecological diversity and degradation have impacted ecosystem functions. The beneficial rhizosphere-microorganism network and crop rotation may enhance a stable ecosystem. The use of next-generation sequencing technique will help characterize the entire bacterial species in the sunflower rhizosphere compared with the nearby bulk soils. We investigated the potential of the bacterial community structure of sunflower rhizosphere and bulk soils cultivated under different agricultural practices at two geographical locations in the North West Province of South Africa.

Methods

DNA was extracted from rhizosphere and bulk soils associated with sunflower plants from the crop rotation (rhizosphere soils from Lichtenburg (LTR) and bulk soils from Lichtenburg (LTB) and mono-cropping (rhizosphere soils from Krayburg (KRPR) and bulk soils from Krayburg (KRPB) sites, and sequenced employing 16S amplicon sequencing. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyse the sequenced dataset.

Results

Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes dominated the rhizosphere, while Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were predominant in bulk soils. Significant differences in bacterial structure at phyla and family levels and predicted functional categories between soils (P < 0.05) across the sites were revealed. The effect of physicochemical parameters was observed to influence bacterial dispersal across the sites.

Conclusion

This study provides information on the predominant bacterial community structure in sunflower soils and their predictive functional attributes at the growing stage, which suggests their future study for imminent crop production and management for enhanced agricultural yields.
General inertial proximal stochastic variance reduction gradient for nonconvex nonsmooth optimization
Authors: Sun Shuya , He Lulu
Published: February 2023

In this paper, motivated by the competitive performance of the proximal stochastic variance reduction gradient (Prox-SVRG) method, a novel general inertial Prox-SVRG (GIProx-SVRG) algorithm is proposed for solving a class of nonconvex finite sum problems. More precisely, Nesterov’s momentum trick-based extrapolation accelerated step is incorporated into the framework of Prox-SVRG method. The GIProx-SVRG algorithm possesses more general accelerated expression and thus can potentially achieve accelerated convergence speed. Moreover, based on the supermartingale convergence theory and the error bound condition, we establish a linear convergence rate for the iterate sequence generated by the GIProx-SVRG algorithm. We observe that there is no theory in which the general extrapolation technique is incorporated into the Prox-SVRG method, whereas we establish such a theory in this paper. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our method over state-of-the-art methods.
The sperm-interacting proteome in the bovine isthmus and ampulla during the periovulatory period
Authors: Mahé Coline , Lavigne Régis , Com Emmanuelle , Pineau Charles , Zlotkowska Aleksandra Maria , Tsikis Guillaume , Mermillod Pascal , Schoen Jennifer , Saint-Dizier Marie
Published: February 2023

Background

Spermatozoa interact with oviduct secretions before fertilization in vivo but the molecular players of this dialog and underlying dynamics remain largely unknown. Our objectives were to identify an exhaustive list of sperm-interacting proteins (SIPs) in the bovine oviduct fluid and to evaluate the impact of the oviduct anatomical region (isthmus vs. ampulla) and time relative to ovulation (pre-ovulatory vs. post-ovulatory) on SIPs number and abundance.

Methods

Pools of oviduct fluid (OF) from the pre-ovulatory ampulla, pre-ovulatory isthmus, post-ovulatory ampulla, and post-ovulatory isthmus in the side of ovulation were collected from the slaughterhouse. Frozen-thawed bull sperm were incubated with OF or phosphate-buffered saline (control) for 60 min at 38.5 °C. After protein extraction and digestion, sperm and OF samples were analyzed by nanoLC-MS/MS and label-free protein quantification.

Results

A quantitative comparison between proteins identified in sperm and OF samples (2333 and 2471 proteins, respectively) allowed for the identification of 245 SIPs. The highest number (187) were found in the pre-ovulatory isthmus, i.e., time and place of the sperm reservoir. In total, 41 SIPs (17%) were differentially abundant between stages in a given region or between regions at a given stage and 76 SIPs (31%) were identified in only one region × stage condition. Functional analysis of SIPs predicted roles in cell response to stress, regulation of cell motility, fertilization, and early embryo development.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive list of SIPs in the bovine oviduct and evidences dynamic spatio-temporal changes in sperm-oviduct interactions around ovulation time. Moreover, these data provide protein candidates to improve sperm conservation and in vitro fertilization media.
MetaboDirect: an analytical pipeline for the processing of FT-ICR MS-based metabolomic data
Authors: Ayala-Ortiz Christian , Graf-Grachet Nathalia , Freire-Zapata Viviana , Fudyma Jane , Hildebrand Gina , AminiTabrizi Roya , Howard-Varona Cristina , Corilo Yuri E. , Hess Nancy , Duhaime Melissa B. , Sullivan Matthew B. , Tfaily Malak M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Microbiomes are now recognized as the main drivers of ecosystem function ranging from the oceans and soils to humans and bioreactors. However, a grand challenge in microbiome science is to characterize and quantify the chemical currencies of organic matter (i.e., metabolites) that microbes respond to and alter. Critical to this has been the development of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), which has drastically increased molecular characterization of complex organic matter samples, but challenges users with hundreds of millions of data points where readily available, user-friendly, and customizable software tools are lacking.

Results

Here, we build on years of analytical experience with diverse sample types to develop MetaboDirect, an open-source, command-line-based pipeline for the analysis (e.g., chemodiversity analysis, multivariate statistics), visualization (e.g., Van Krevelen diagrams, elemental and molecular class composition plots), and presentation of direct injection high-resolution FT-ICR MS data sets after molecular formula assignment has been performed. When compared to other available FT-ICR MS software, MetaboDirect is superior in that it requires a single line of code to launch a fully automated framework for the generation and visualization of a wide range of plots, with minimal coding experience required. Among the tools evaluated, MetaboDirect is also uniquely able to automatically generate biochemical transformation networks (ab initio) based on mass differences (mass difference network-based approach) that provide an experimental assessment of metabolite connections within a given sample or a complex metabolic system, thereby providing important information about the nature of the samples and the set of microbial reactions or pathways that gave rise to them. Finally, for more experienced users, MetaboDirect allows users to customize plots, outputs, and analyses.

Conclusion

Application of MetaboDirect to FT-ICR MS-based metabolomic data sets from a marine phage-bacterial infection experiment and a Sphagnum leachate microbiome incubation experiment showcase the exploration capabilities of the pipeline that will enable the research community to evaluate and interpret their data in greater depth and in less time. It will further advance our knowledge of how microbial communities influence and are influenced by the chemical makeup of the surrounding system. The source code and User’s guide of MetaboDirect are freely available through (https://github.com/Coayala/MetaboDirect) and (https://metabodirect.readthedocs.io/en/latest/), respectively.
Forest fire and smoke detection using deep learning-based learning without forgetting
Authors: Sathishkumar Veerappampalayam Easwaramoorthy , Cho Jaehyuk , Subramanian Malliga , Naren Obuli Sai
Published: February 2023

Background

Forests are an essential natural resource to humankind, providing a myriad of direct and indirect benefits. Natural disasters like forest fires have a major impact on global warming and the continued existence of life on Earth. Automatic identification of forest fires is thus an important field to research in order to minimize disasters. Early fire detection can also help decision-makers plan mitigation methods and extinguishing tactics. This research looks at fire/smoke detection from images using AI-based computer vision techniques. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) approach that have been shown to outperform state-of-the-art methods in image classification and other computer vision tasks, but their training time can be prohibitive. Further, a pretrained CNN may underperform when there is no sufficient dataset available. To address this issue, transfer learning is exercised on pre-trained models. However, the models may lose their classification abilities on the original datasets when transfer learning is applied. To solve this problem, we use learning without forgetting (LwF), which trains the network with a new task but keeps the network’s preexisting abilities intact.

Results

In this study, we implement transfer learning on pre-trained models such as VGG16, InceptionV3, and Xception, which allow us to work with a smaller dataset and lessen the computational complexity without degrading accuracy. Of all the models, Xception excelled with 98.72% accuracy. We tested the performance of the proposed models with and without LwF. Without LwF, among all the proposed models, Xception gave an accuracy of 79.23% on a new task (BowFire dataset). While using LwF, Xception gave an accuracy of 91.41% for the BowFire dataset and 96.89% for the original dataset. We find that fine-tuning the new task with LwF performed comparatively well on the original dataset.

Conclusion

Based on the experimental findings, it is found that the proposed models outperform the current state-of-the-art methods. We also show that LwF can successfully categorize novel and unseen datasets.
Effects of Cudrania tricuspidata and Sargassum fusiforme extracts on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Rajan Priyanka , Natraj Premkumar , Kim Nak Hyoung , Kim Jae-Hoon , Choi Hyuk Joon , Han Chang-Hoon
Published: February 2023

Background

Cudrania tricuspidatais a perennial plant, andSargassum fusiformeis a brown seaweed with numerous potential benefits, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. However, the efficacies ofC. tricuspidataandS. fusiformeon hair growth have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the present study examined the effects ofC. tricuspidataandS. fusiformeextracts on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice.

Results

ImageJ demonstrated that drinking and skin application ofC. tricuspidataand/orS. fusiformeextracts significantly increased the hair growth rate in the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice compared to the control group. Histological analysis confirmed that drinking and skin application ofC. tricuspidataand/orS. fusiformeextracts for 21 days significantly increased the length of hair follicles on the dorsal skin of treated C57BL/6 mice compared to that in the control mice. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that hair growth cycle-related factors (anagen factors) such as Catenin Beta 1 (Ctnnb1) and platelet-derived growth factor (Pdgf) were upregulated (> twofold) only byC. tricuspidateextracts, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor (Vegf)andWntswere upregulated by bothC. tricuspidataorS. fusiformeapplications in treated mice (compared to the control mice). In addition, oncostatin M (Osm, a catagen-telogen factor) was downregulated (< 0.5 fold) byC. tricuspidatawhen administered via both skin and drinking mode in treated mice compared to that in control mice.

Conclusions

Our results suggest thatC. tricuspidataand/orS. fusiformeextracts show potential hair growth efficacy by upregulating anagen factor genes, includingβ-catenin,Pdgf, Vegf,andWnts, and downregulating catagen-telogen factor genes, includingOsm, in C57BL/6 mice. The findings suggest thatC. tricuspidataand/orS. fusiformeextractsarepotential drug candidates to treat alopecia.
International Survey of Pediatric Oncologists' Beliefs and Communication Practices Regarding Symptom Self-Monitoring by Childhood Cancer Survivors
Authors: Webster Sarah N. , Spunt Sheri L. , Cunningham Sarah J. , Wakefield Claire E. , Smith Stephanie M. , Alberts Nicole M. , Palesh Oxana , Simons Laura E. , Heathcote Lauren C.
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE:

Childhood cancer survivors report self-monitoring for and worrying about symptoms of disease recurrence and secondary cancers, although symptom-related worry is associated with poorer health-related quality of life. This survey captured pediatric oncologists' beliefs and communication practices regarding symptom self-monitoring for childhood cancer survivors.

METHODS:

Using a closed-loop snowball sampling technique, pediatric oncologists completed an online survey regarding the importance of symptom self-monitoring for off-therapy patients, the degree to which symptom self-monitoring was perceived to cause stress and worry, and communication practices.

RESULTS:

196 pediatric oncologists (White [78%]; female [64%]; Mage = 47 years) from every continent except Antarctica participated. Oncologists believed it is important for off-therapy patients to self-monitor for symptoms of cancer recurrence (90%) and treatment late effects (94%), although some noted that recurrence (30%) and late effects (55%) are typically detected by routine surveillance before symptoms appear. Oncologists varied in their beliefs that off-therapy patients do (31%) or do not (31%) worry unnecessarily about symptoms of recurrence. Two thirds (62%) of oncologists reported often/always discussing with off-therapy patients which symptoms could indicate cancer recurrence, whereas fewer than half (43%) often/always discussed which symptoms were unlikely to indicate recurrence. Oncologists identified a need for education regarding how to communicate around symptom self-monitoring and the potential utility of a screening tool to identify those who worry excessively.

CONCLUSION:

Despite nearly universal belief that their off-therapy patients should self-monitor for symptoms of disease recurrence and late effects, a substantial proportion of pediatric oncologists do not counsel patients on symptom self-monitoring. Since nearly one-third believe that off-therapy patients worry unnecessarily about symptoms of recurrence, improving patient education regarding which symptoms are and are not medically concerning could decrease stress and improve health-related quality of life for pediatric cancer survivors.
Perceptions of Transgender and Nonbinary Persons Toward Breast and Cervical Cancer Development, Screening, and Potential Impact on Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
Authors: Roznovjak David , Petroll Andrew E. , Lakatos Annie E.B. , Narayan Raj , Cortina Chandler S.
Published: February 2023

PURPOSE:

Approximately 1.6% of adult Americans identify as transgender (TG) or nonbinary (NB) and many take gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). Little data exist to inform breast and cervical cancer risks, gender-specific screening guidelines, and inclusive cancer treatment algorithms that consider GAHT. We aimed to assess TGNB persons' perceptions on breast and cervical cancer development, screening knowledge and practices, and attitude toward GAHT in the setting of a hormone receptor–positive breast cancer diagnosis.

METHODS:

This single-institution survey study was conducted through an LGBTQ+ focused clinic from 2021 to 2022. Noncisgender patients age ≥ 18 years who were English speaking were eligible to participate. A 5-point Likert scale was used to assess concern of developing breast (all participants) and cervical cancer (those assigned female sex at birth). Demographic and quantitative variables were examined in comparison with responses via chi-squared tests.

RESULTS:

Eighty-six participants completed the survey: 43% TG men, 24% TG women, and 20% NB persons. Most (84.9%) were age < 40 years, and 86% were non-Hispanic White. The majority were unaware of breast (77%) or cervical (60%) cancer screening recommendations for their sex assigned at birth or their gender. Approximately 35% reported concern regarding breast cancer development and of those age > 40 years; only 50% had undergone screening mammography. Of those assigned female sex at birth with an intact cervix, 47% were concerned about cervical cancer development and 46.6% had a Papanicolaou smear within the past 5 years. Nearly all (87.2%) were on GAHT, and 35.1% reported they would not consider stopping GAHT if diagnosed with a hormone receptor–positive breast cancer.

CONCLUSION:

The findings support the need for patient and provider education on screening options and large prospective cohort data to elucidate optimal gender-specific screening guidelines and treatment algorithms.

[Media: see text]
Direct Tableting on a Continuous Manufacturing Line—Impact of Mixing Parameters, Material Densities, and Drug Load on Subsequent Process Parameters and Tablet Quality
Authors: Kreiser Marius J. , Wabel Christoph , Wagner Karl G.
Published: February 2023

The continuous manufacturing (CM) of solid oral dosage forms has received increased attention in recent years and has become a leading technology in the pharmaceutical industry. A model has been developed based on process data from two design of experiments (DoEs), where the impact of the mixer process parameters, throughput (THR), hold up mass (HUM), impeller speed (IMP), and the input raw material bulk density (BDi), on the continuous process and the resulting drug product has been investigated. These statistical models revealed equations, describing process parameter interactions for optimization purposes. For the exit valve opening width (EV) at the bottom of the continuous mixer (CMT), the combination of high throughput (30 kg/h) and low impeller speed (300 rpm) resulted in optimal process conditions. Apparent bulk density of the blend (BD) within the process, fill depth (FD), and tensile strength (TS) were mainly impacted by input bulk density (BDi) of the tableting mixture, emphasizing the role of material attributes on the continuous manufacturing process. The apparent bulk density itself was, other than from the input bulk density, equally dependent from THR and IMP in opposite deflections. However, process parameters (THR and IMP) revealed a minor impact on the apparent BD compared to the input bulk density. FD was impacted mainly by THR ahead of IMP and the TS by IMP and THR to a similar extend, in opposite deflections. A simplified linear model to estimate the input bulk density revealed satisfactory prediction quality when included in the derived statistical model equations.
Ruinous Speculation, Tunnel Environments, and the Sustainable Infrastructures of the Border
Authors: Llamas-Rodriguez Juan
Published: February 2023

The US-Mexico borderlands used to host a wide range of natural and social environments, many of which have become irreversibly altered by the structures built to reinforce geopolitical boundaries. To rethink the form and purpose of these borderlands is a political objective of utmost importance, yet most future thinking about the border has remained restricted to imagining new versions of border walls euphemistically rebranded as “sustainable” alternatives. This essay analyzes the limitations of popular design projects that effectively greenwash the securitization imperative of the nation-state. It then turns to a lesser-known speculative project that reimagines the borderlands from the perspective of underground tunnels through a multimedia model. The essay draws on the insights of critical environmental media studies to illustrate the affordances of specific media forms for articulating future worlds with a greater focus on care. This analysis proposes ruinous speculation as an affirmative form of future thinking that orients toward infrastructures that enable human and nonhuman worlds to thrive and away from infrastructures that reinforce the violent hierarchies of the geopolitical divide.
Μέτρηση της ποιότητας των εκπαιδευτικών υπηρεσιών σε προγράμματα παιδαγωγικής κατάρτισης στην Ελλάδα
Authors: Αθανασιάδης Αναστάσιος
Published: February 2023

Η παρούσα διατριβή διερευνά θέματα μέτρησης της ποιότητας των εκπαιδευτικών υπηρεσιών που λαμβάνουν οι υποψήφιοι εκπαιδευτικοί κατά την απόκτηση της διδακτικής και παιδαγωγικής τους επάρκειας. Ο σκοπός της είναι διττός και αναλύεται στους ακόλουθους δύο άξονες. Αναφορικά με τον πρώτο άξονα, επιχειρεί την ανάπτυξη ενός εννοιολογικού μοντέλου και κατ’ επέκταση μιας κλίμακα μέτρησης που θα το υποστηρίζει προκειμένου να αξιολογηθεί η ποιότητα των εκπαιδευτικών υπηρεσιών σε αυτόνομα προγράμματα παιδαγωγικής κατάρτισης στην Ελλάδα. Για να γίνει αυτό, απαιτείται ο σχεδιασμός συγκεκριμένων διαστάσεων της ποιότητας των εκπαιδευτικών υπηρεσιών, οι οποίες θα ανταποκρίνονται τόσο στα ευρήματα της βιβλιογραφίας του πεδίου όσο και στα ιδιαίτερα χαρακτηριστικά του αξιολογούμενου εκπαιδευτικού πλαισίου. Αναφορικά με τον δεύτερο άξονα η διατριβή επιχειρεί να μετρήσει με τη χρήση της νέας κλίμακας μέτρησης την ποιότητα των εκπαιδευτικών υπηρεσιών σε ένα αυτόνομο πρόγραμμα παιδαγωγικής κατάρτισης στην Ελλάδα. Η συνεισφορά της διατριβής στην επιστημονική γνώση είναι επίσης διττή. Αρχικά προτείνει μία νέα εξειδικευμένη κλίμακα μέτρησης της ποιότητας των εκπαιδευτικών υπηρεσιών. Η κλίμακα EppekQual μετρά την ποιότητα των εκπαιδευτικών υπηρεσιών μέσω έξι διαστάσεων ποιότητας (Εκπαιδευτικό Προσωπικό, Οργάνωση της Διδασκαλίας, Πρόγραμμα Σπουδών, Μαθησιακά Αποτελέσματα, Διοικητικές Υπηρεσίες, Υποδομές) οι οποίες ερμηνεύονται μέσα από συνολικά 34 δείκτες. Οι δείκτες αυτοί κατανέμονται μεταξύ των έξι διαστάσεων ερμηνεύοντας διαφορετικές πτυχές της ποιότητας των εκπαιδευτικών υπηρεσιών από την οπτική των εκπαιδευομένων. Η εξειδίκευσή της σε προγράμματα παιδαγωγικής κατάρτισης για υποψήφιους εκπαιδευτικούς αποτελεί μία σημαντική προσθήκη στο επιστημονικό πεδίο της μέτρησης της ποιότητας των υπηρεσιών γενικώς και ειδικώς στο πεδίο της εκπαίδευσης. Η παρούσα μελέτη είναι η πρώτη προσπάθεια να σχεδιαστεί ένα επιστημονικό εργαλείο μέτρησης της ποιότητας σε εξειδικευμένα προγράμματα παιδαγωγικής κατάρτισης στον Ελληνικό χώρο στην βάση των αντιλήψεων των συμμετεχόντων υποψήφιων εκπαιδευτικών. Επιπλέον η διατριβή περιγράφει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο θα μπορούσαν οι διοικήσεις των αυτόνομων προγραμμάτων παιδαγωγικής κατάρτισης σε συνεργασία με τις εσωτερικές μονάδες διασφάλισης της ποιότητας των πανεπιστημίων να κατανοήσουν τις προσδοκίες και να ερμηνεύσουν τις αντιλήψεις των καταρτιζόμενων σπουδαστών, ώστε να αξιολογήσουν το επίπεδο της ικανοποίησής τους ως απόρροια του επιπέδου της ποιότητας των υπηρεσιών που προσφέρουν. Με τον τρόπο αυτό θα μπορούν να σχεδιάζουν και να προβαίνουν σε διαρθρωτικές ενέργειες που θα οδηγούν στη βελτίωση της ποιότητας των υπηρεσιών τους και συνακόλουθα στη βιωσιμότητα των εκπαιδευτικών τους προγραμμάτων.
Probability theory and mathematical statistics
Authors: Paliy Irina , Dalinger V.A. , Dobronec B.S.
Published: February 2023

The textbook is an introductory course in probability theory and mathematical statistics. Elements of combinatorics, basic concepts and theorems of probability theory, discrete random variables, continuous random variables, some limit theorems, one-dimensional and two-dimensional samples, point and interval estimation of the parameters of the general population, verification of statistical hypotheses, elements of queuing theory are considered. The presentation of the theoretical material is accompanied by a large number of detailed examples of problem solving.
For students of technical and economic areas of training and specialties, studying under bachelor's and specialty programs.
The image of the USA in the Soviet press of the "thaw" period (1956-1964)
Authors: Lopatkin Ivan , Hisamutdinova Ravilya , Trofimov Andrey , Dautova Rezida
Published: February 2023

The monograph examines the peculiarities of the coverage by the Soviet press of the period of the "thaw" of issues related to the domestic and foreign policy of the United States.
It is intended both for historians, source scientists, political scientists, sociologists, university professors, students, and for a wide range of readers interested in the problems of the history of Soviet-American relations.
Accounting (financial) statements
Authors: Ponomareva Lyudmila , Stel'mashenko Natal'ya
Published: February 2023

The textbook provides a comprehensive understanding of the content and procedure for the preparation of reporting forms included in the annual accounting statements; reveals the stages of preparatory work preceding the preparation of accounting statements; analyzes typical errors made during its formation; provides a line-by-line commentary on filling out each of its forms in accordance with current federal accounting standards.
The methodological material is illustrated with digital examples of accounting and filling out annual accounting forms.
Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation.
For students and teachers of economic universities, as well as practitioners specializing in accounting, analysis and auditing.
Social approach to the problem of disability
Authors: Pristupa Elena , Illarionova Lyudmila , Prohorova Oksana
Published: February 2023

The monograph is devoted to the coverage of issues related to the justification of the organization of social work with persons with disabilities. The socio-medical, socio-legal, psychological and pedagogical features of the provision of social services and the provision of social assistance to persons with disabilities are given.
It can be used in organizing and conducting research work with students, postgraduates, researchers and practitioners.
Greenhouse gases: utilization using biotechnological plants
Authors: ​​​​​​​Federal'noe gosudarstvennoe , Lukanin Aleksandr
Published: February 2023

The monograph shows the possibilities of using biotechnologies and wastewater treatment plants for the capture and disposal of carbon dioxide and methane. The variants of the application of physico-chemical, including flotation, wastewater treatment technologies for the capture and utilization of carbon dioxide and methane, as well as the processes of growing microalgae, for which carbon dioxide is a substrate, are analyzed. Examples are given of the use of carbon dioxide utilization in the cultivation of microalgae and methane in various areas of its application, including for the production of biomass of methane-oxidizing bacteria, as well as examples of hardware design of the processes of carbon dioxide and methane capture and utilization, for example, using special equipment.
It is intended for researchers, university teachers, postgraduates, undergraduates, bachelors, undergraduates and anyone interested in environmental issues.
Conflict-active project management for the development of information security systems of infocommunication networks
Authors: Novosel'cev Viktor , Kochedykov Sergey , Orlova Dar'ya , Plyuschik Kirill , Rossihina L. , Goncharov I.
Published: February 2023

The object of study in the monograph is the conflict "information security system of infocommunication networks of critical socio-economic infrastructure objects — an attacker (criminal element)". The subject of the research is the development of a methodology for conflict-active project management for the development of information security systems for these networks, including models for supporting project decision-making. The theoretical basis of the above is the provisions of system analysis, the theory of management and decision-making, the theory of active systems, the theory of information security, the theory of mathematical modeling and conflict.
It is intended for researchers and specialists dealing with the problems of ensuring information security of infocommunication networks of socio-economic profile objects. It will be useful for graduate students and undergraduates studying in the scientific specialty 2.3.6 "Methods and systems of information protection, information security".
How Does Network Structure Impact Socially Reinforced Diffusion?
Authors: Sassine Jad Georges , Rahmandad Hazhir
Published: February 2023

How does network structure impact the speed and reach of social contagions? The current view holds that random links facilitate “simple” contagion, but when agents require multiple reinforcements for “complex” adoption, clustered networks are better conduits of social influence. We show that in complex contagion, even low probabilities of adoption upon a single contact would activate an exponential contagion process that tilts the balance in favor of random networks. On the other hand, underappreciated but critical to the race between random and clustered networks is how long agents engage with contagion. Switching back to prior practice and the inactivation of senders and especially receivers shorten the window of engagement for convincing distant contacts and weaken the reach of diffusion on random networks. We propose a simplified framework where clustering primarily enables contagion when repetition matters and receivers lose interest quickly; otherwise, diffusion, simple or complex, is faster on random networks than clustered ones. These mechanisms can inform designing social networks, structuring groups, and seeding of ideas and innovations at a time when the increasing inflow of content from various media limits actors’ engagement with each item, whereas expanding network size and connections speeds up diffusion through distant contacts.

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2023.1658 .
Airships Rise Again
Authors: Roper Jack
Published: February 2023

The engineers returning commercial airships to our skies are close to showing the technical feasibility of their concepts
Gender and democratic resilience against autocratisation: the case of Romania’s ‘gender identity’ bill
Authors: Chiva Cristina
Published: February 2023

This article argues that, given the centrality of gender for recent processes of autocratisation, it has become imperative to understand and theorise the conditions underpinning democratic resilience against opposition to gender equality. I conceptualise democratic resilience as the outcome of critical actors’ efforts to represent marginalised groups in the face of threats to existing gender equality rights. The case study is Romania’s 2020 ‘gender identity’ bill, which would have prohibited discussion of ‘gender’ within the educational system but was eventually ruled unconstitutional. I identify two key causal mechanisms through which civil society organisations were able to shape this outcome: framing, which emphasised the bill’s non-compliance with democratic norms and constitutional principles; and learning, which prompted a reflection by the two key institutional actors, that is, the president and the Constitutional Court, as to the importance of core democratic principles for politics and society in post-communist Romania.
Initiator-free photo-cross-linkable cellulose-based resists for fabricating submicron patterns via direct laser writing
Authors: Rothammer Maximilian , Meiers Dominic T. , Maier Maximilian , von Freymann Georg , Zollfrank Cordt
Published: February 2023

Novel bifunctional cellulose diacetate derivatives were synthesized in order to achieve bio-based photoresists, which can be structured by two-photon absorption via direct laser writing (DLW) without the need to use a photoinitiator. Therefore, cellulose diacetate is functionalized with thiol moieties and olefinic or methacrylic side groups enabling thiol-conjugated cross-linking. These cellulose derivatives are also photo-cross-linkable via UV irradiation (λ=254nm and 365 nm) without using an initiator.
Sum-frequency generation in a high-quality thin film lithium niobate microdisk via cyclic quasi-phase matching
Authors: Zhu Jiefu , Sun Xuerui , Ding Tingting , Tang Yongzhi , Liu Shijie , Zheng Yuanlin , Chen Xianfeng
Published: February 2023

Whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microresonators can dramatically boost the interaction between light and matter, making them an ideal platform for studying nonlinear optics. Efficient wavelength conversion by nonlinear parametric processes is key to integrated optics in many applications, where WGM microresonators play an important role. Here, we demonstrate efficient second-harmonic generation (SHG) and sum-frequency generation (SFG) in an x-cut thin film lithium niobate microdisk with a high intrinsic quality factor over 106. The normalized conversion efficiency of cyclic quasi-phase-matched (CQPM) SHG and SFG is measured to be 1.53%/mW and 2.52×10−4/mW, respectively. Our work expands nonlinear optics applications of CQPM WGM microresonators as efficient wavelength convertors for light upconversion.
Broad Bandwidth from Frequency Shifting Solitons in Fibers
Authors: Islam M. N. , Sucha G. , Bar-Joseph I. , Wegener M. , Gordon J. P. , Chemla D. S.
Published: February 2023

We report the generation of pulses with τ≳ 100fsec duration between 1.55 and 1.85μm in a fiber pumped by a color center laser. Working in the anomalous group velocity dispersion regime of fibers, several groups [1,2] have generated short pulses with extremely broad bandwidth, which they attribute to stimulated Raman scattering. The mystery in all these experiments is that the spectral width is almost ten times the expected band width for the measured pulses, yet the pulses do not show coherence spikes. We describe a model of the spectrum as originating from modulation instability (MI)[3,4] and soliton self-frequency shift (SSFS)[5] effects, and the broad band width as being an ensemble average over solitons which frequency shift by different amounts. Cross-correlation measurements verify the lack of correlation between different parts of the output spectrum.
Optically Nonlinear Polymers in Guided Wave Electro-Optic Devices
Authors: Möhlmann G.R. , Horsthuis W.H.G. , Diemeer M.B.J. , Suyten F.M.M. , Trommel E.S. , McDonach A. , McFadyen N.
Published: February 2023

Optically nonlinear polymers are attractive materials to be applied as active media in electro-optic devices. Polymeric multilayer structures, including an optically nonlinear waveguiding core, sandwiched between cladding layers and electrodes, have been produced. Monomode waveguides have been defined in the core of such multilayer structures. After electric field poling (156 V/µm) of the polymer core, r33 values up to 28 pm/V have been measured; to our knowledge the highest reported value thus far for an off-resonance electro-optic effect in polymers. Some devices have been made and tested. It may be expected that poling at higher field strengths will increase the polymeric device efficiency.