bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Barriers to Correct Pronoun Usage in Healthcare Settings
Authors: Makara Jodie , Cain Roman , Glock Lucas , Ioerger Michael , Holliday Scott 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Using correct pronouns is an impactful way to establish affirming environments for transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) patients. However, physicians often report struggling with this.
Objective
This study set out to conduct an initial root cause analysis of factors contributing to medical students and physicians failing to use TGNB patients’ correct pronouns.
Methods
A 10-item Qualtrics survey was sent to medical students, residents, and physicians practicing in Central Ohio. Participants were asked to describe perceived challenges or barriers colleagues have regarding correctly using TGNB patients’ correct pronouns. A directed content analysis of participant responses was performed utilizing a fishbone diagram root cause analysis tool as a basis for conceptualizing and categorizing barriers. All coding was completed by independent reviewers utilizing a consensus reconciliation methodology.
Results
Of 928 survey respondents, 763 met the study inclusion criteria, of which 453 provided analyzable responses. Of these 453, attendings with five or more years of practice (32.5%) and medical students (27.4%) made up the two largest demographic categories. 1.7% of respondents identified as transgender, nonbinary, and/or genderqueer, and 64% identified as heterosexual/straight. Five core barrier categories were identified: documentation, patient care, environment, knowledge, and individuals. Sub-categories were also identified, including lack of documentation, discomfort, medical culture, lack of standardization, prejudice, and assumptions.
Conclusion
The study identifies important barriers to medical professionals correctly using TGNB patients’ pronouns. The root cause analysis conducted as part of this study demonstrates the necessity of multi-pronged, system-level interventions to support ensuring TGNB patients are addressed using the correct pronouns.
Morphology of fracture profiles and toughness: competition between inter and transgranular fracture in two dimensional brittle solids
Authors: Paul Retam , Parameswaran Venkitanarayanan , Basu Sumit 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Two dimensional intergranular brittle cracks propagating through a microstructured material produce fracture profiles which, at scales larger than the microstructural length scale, are anti-persistent and close to directed random walks with Hurst exponent ∼ 0.5. The extent of intergranularity is controlled by the ratio of the toughness of the grain boundaries to that of the grain interior. However, experiments suggest that even when transgranular crack propagation is possible, the fracture profile is still close to a random walk. In this work, generating fracture profiles in a material with an idealised honeycomb microstructure using a phase field based model of crack propagation, we show that the competition between inter and transgranular fracture manifests in a manner that is more nuanced than what the experiments suggest. While the fracture profile is indeed always anti-persistent, transgranularity resulting from toughening the grains leads to profiles that can have roughness exponents much lower than 0.5. Moreover, in such cases, the overall toughness of the specimen scales with the Hurst exponent. On the other hand, transgranularity resulting from weakening the grain boundaries, without changing the toughness of the grain interior, always lead to fracture profiles close to the random walk.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2020) MSC code1 · MSC code2 · more
Effect of raw material ratio on properties of phosphogypsum- blast furnace slag cold bonded aggregate
Authors: Wang Shengqing , Tuo Biyang , Wang Jianli , Shi Xiulong , Guo Jidong , Zhang Xujun 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

In order to solve the serious environmental problems caused by the storage of phosphogypsum (PG) and alleviate the consumption of natural aggregates such as sand and gravel. PG, blast furnace slag and cement were prepared into round particles of 5–13 mm by disc granulator. The effects of different raw material ratios on the properties of phosphogypsum-slag cold bonded aggregate were studied. Additionally, the physical characteristics and mechanical strength of PBCA were examined across different proportions of PG and blast furnace slag. By elevating the PG content from 60–90%, there was a notable decline in the bulk density of PBCA from 1021 kg/m3 to 953 kg/m3 after 28 d. Additionally, the cylinder compressive strength of PBCA decreased significantly from 16.22 MPa to 1.96 MPa when subjected to dry conditions. Furthermore, the water absorption rate witnessed a notable increase from 6.01–13.41%. MIP analysis showed that with the increase of PG content, the internal pore size of PBCA gradually increased, and the proportion of pores larger than 200 nm increased.
Electroacupuncture may alleviate inflammatory pain by inhibiting the expression of P2RY14 in the primary somatosensory cortex
Authors: Hou Shuai , Zhou Ruizhu , He Liuxuan , Chen Cuiyuan , Zhao Xiaoxiao , Yang Sha , Yin Haiyan , Yu Shuguang 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been successfully used to treat painful conditions. However, its analgesic mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we established a Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammatory pain model. After CFA injection, P2RY14 was upregulated in primary somatosensory cortex of hindlimb (S1HL). EA, not sham EA, alleviated the nociceptive thermal hyperalgesia and reduced the upregulation of P2RY14 of CFA mice. Injection of P2RY14 agonist uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) into bilateral S1HL reversed EA-induced analgesia. Our results demonstrate that EA-induced analgesia of CFA-induced pain can be achieved by downregulation of P2RY14 in the S1HL.
Wealth Gradient in Drinking Water Quality in African Countries
Authors: Soori Bhowmik Sujey 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

This paper examines the wealth gradient in having enhanced drinking water at point of use and compares that gradient between rainy and dry seasons. Pooling nationally representative survey data from 14 African countries, I show that households in the richest quintile are associated with a 21.2 percentage point increase in the probability of having enhanced drinking water at point of use compared to the poorest households in the dry season and I show a differential wealth gradient in the rainy season. However, due to substantial variation across countries, this estimate is close to zero and is statistically insignificant when including country fixed effects. I study a household’s endogenous decision to treat the water or choose a better source to examine the mechanisms driving the wealth gradient: I show the wealth gradient is driven by households in the fourth and fifth quintile being more likely to use better water sources compared to households in the poorer wealth quintiles, consistent with and without the country fixed effects. In contrast, the estimate for the decision to treat the water is not consistent with and without the country fixed effects. These results highlight the importance of targeted interventions to address disparities in drinking water quality African countries, particularly in poorer households.
JEL codes: Q2, Q25, Q5, Q53
Metagenomic analysis of colonic tissue and stool microbiome in patients with colorectal cancer in a South Asian population
Authors: Gamage Bawantha Dilshan , Ranasinghe Diyanath , Sahankumari AGP , Malavige Gathsaurie Neelika 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The gut microbiome is thought to play an important role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, as the gut microbiome varies widely based on diet, we sought to investigate the gut microbiome changes in patients with CRC in a South Asian population.
Methods
The gut microbiome was assessed by 16s metagenomic sequencing targeting the V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA in stool samples (n = 112) and colonic tissue (n = 36) in 112 individuals. The cohort comprised of individuals with CRC (n = 24), premalignant lesions (n = 10), healthy individuals (n = 50) and in those with diabetes (n = 28).
Results
Overall, the relative abundances of genus Fusobacterium (p < 0.001), Acinetobacter (p < 0.001), Escherichia-Shigella (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in gut tissue, while Romboutsia (p < 0.01) and Prevotella (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in stool samples. Bacteroides and Fusobacterium were the most abundant genera found in stool samples in patients with CRC. Patients with pre-malignant lesions had significantly high abundances of Christensenellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Mollicutes and Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.001) compared to patients with CRC, and healthy individuals. Romboutsia was significantly more abundant (p < 0.01) in stool samples in healthy individuals compared to those with CRC and diabetes.
Conclusion
Despite marked differences in the Sri Lankan diet compared to the typical Western diet, Bacteroides and Fusobacterium species were the most abundant in those with CRC, with Prevotella species, being most abundant in many individuals. We believe these results pave the way for possible dietary interventions for prevention of CRC in the South Asian population.
Gut microbiota mediating the effect of chronic kidney disease on cognitive dysfunction: a mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhou Lv , Wang Zhitian , Wang Mengxue , Li Xiao-li , Ren Qingguo 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cognitive dysfunction is still debated, and the mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction caused by CKD are still not fully understood.
Methods
This study aimed to explore the potential genetic causality between CKD and cognitive dysfunction using two-sample Mendelian randomization. Furthermore, mediated Mendelian randomization was used to investigate potential genetic mechanisms.
Results
Our study utilizes a two-step Mendelian randomization approach to establish a causal link between chronic kidney disease and cognitive dysfunction, with the gut microbiome playing a pivotal mediating role. The study underscores the intricate relationship between renal function markers—particularly creatinine, which paradoxically correlates positively with cognitive performance—and cognitive health, while also pointing to the modifiable nature of specific gut microbes, such as the Eubacterium fissicatena group, as potential influencers of cognitive decline. Additionally, methanogens' presence in diseases and their dual role in inflammation suggest a complex impact on health that warrants deeper investigation.
Conclusions
The study found a causal link between CKD and cognitive dysfunction, with the gut microbiome acting as a mediator.
A new solution in recovering video to video by hash method
Authors: Gharahsouflou Aboulfazl , Maihami Vafa , Khamforoosh Keyhan 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Every day, with the advancement of visual equipment, large amounts of data generated in the form of films and videos and uploaded to the Internet. Extracting the desired video from an image has become an important challenge, and so, many specialists and experts have tried to provide various solutions, each with its strengths and weaknesses. A content-based video retrieval system consists of three basic steps: key frame extraction, important features extraction and similarity comparison. Hashing is one of the methods used for retrieving data, which is mostly used to retrieve images. In this paper, we propose a new framework using the hashing method to solve the video retrieval problem, which takes advantage of a multidimensional (3D) CNN to obtain the spatial and temporal features of the video. In the proposed method, the features extracted from each key form are transferred using the Hashing function to a binary space by the pre-trained network to receive the compressed binary codes of the video. We have done some test on the two video datasets THUMOS'14 and UCF-101, and the results show that the in proposed method than the existing methods, the value of mAP in the THUMOS'14 dataset increased 0.61% and 0.62%. in UCF-101 dataset.
Returns of parental education on children’s development by cultural inheritance and ethnic background
Authors: Jahromi Maria , Bayarjargal Ariun-Erdene 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Parents’ education and the time they spend with their children are crucial for child development and human capital formation. We examine the returns of parental education on children’s cognitive devel- opment and academic performance, and how these effects vary by ethnicity. Using longitudinal data, random e↵ects models and Augmented Value Added models, we identify persistent test score gaps by ethnicity and by parental education which feed into later education and labor market outcomes. The gaps remain after controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and ability. Asian children outperform due to larger time investments, selection into better schools and parenting styles. Indigenous children tend to underperform due to a complex interplay of lower financial resources, lower time investments and parenting styles. On average, parental education facilitates the intergenerational transmission of human capital across ethnic groups in similar ways. However, quintile regressions identify diminished returns to parental education for Indigenous children at the upper end of the test score distribution. Our results have policy implications with respect to structural barriers and equity in the education system.
JEL classifications: I24, I26, J15, J18
Psychometric properties of the Korean version of the pre-sleep arousal scale in electronic cigarette or heated tobacco product users
Authors: Kim Namhee , Lee Bo Gyeong 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
The pre-sleep arousal scale (PSAS) is one of the tools that is commonly used to evaluate sleep quality. In the current work, we examined the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the PSAS.
Methods
We performed a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data that was collected from 286 adults aged 19 to 70 years old who used electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or heated tobacco products (HTPs). For psychometric evaluation of the PSAS, the original PSAS was translated into Korean (K-PSAS). Construct validity was confirmed by explorative factor analysis, and the association between the K-PSAS and other convergent measures (e.g., insomnia sleep index, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and hospital anxiety and depression scale) was also evaluated. The K-PSAS scores were also in terms of good or bad sleepers. Reliability was examined based on the corrected item-total correlation coefficient and Cronbach's α.
Results
The K-PSAS-16 was extracted into two factors consisting of the same items as the original PSAS. Item 13 had a low corrected item-total correlation coefficient of -0.10. The factor loadings of item 13 were analysed as -0.10 for somatic arousal and − 0.05 for cognitive arousal. The correlation coefficient between K-PSAS-15 excluding item 13 and other convergent measures ranged from 0.43 to 0.70. Compared to good sleepers, bad sleepers showed significantly higher K-PSAS-15 overall scores as well as significantly higher score on all items. The Cronbach's α of the K-PSAS-15 was found to be 0.91, while somatic arousal and cognitive arousal were 0.87 and 0.90, respectively.
Conclusion
The K-PSAS-15 is a meaningful tool that can be used to measure the pre-sleep arousal level of e-cigarette or HTP users in Korea.
A comprehensive analysis and optimization of coal-biomass mixed fuel for sustainable power generation
Authors: Datta Arghya , Gajera Bhautik , Saikia Manmit , Patra Tapas , Sarma Anil Kumar 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Forest biomass in India remains grossly underutilized for bioenergy due to infrastructure, technological limitations, and competing land uses. Meghalaya, a state rich in forest cover, faces a similar issue. Additionally, with low-quality coal reserves available in Meghalaya, co-combustion with abundant forest biomass in thermal plants presents a practical solution for achieving energy independence in the state. A feasibility study explored the co-combustion of Meghalayan coal with pinewood charcoal, pine cone, and pine needle to increase calorific value while minimizing ash, sulphur, and chloride content. A multi-objective genetic algorithm utilising an artificial neural network and a response surface methodology model was developed to identify optimal mixture compositions corresponding to specified output criteria. By maximizing pine needle and pine cone usage while minimizing pinewood charcoal, an optimal mixture comprising 50% coal, 10% pinewood charcoal, 23.49% pine cone, and 16.52% pine needle was obtained. The optimal mixture yielded a maximum calorific value of 3873.70 kcal/kg, with minimum chloride (236.39 mg/kg), ash (32.05%), and sulphur (3444.7 mg/kg) content.
WITHDRAWN: Surface hydrophobization of pulp paper and nanofibrillated cellulose(CNF) films using blocked diisocyanates
Authors: de Souza Gustavo , de Carvalho Antonio José Felix , Kramer Ricardo Klaus 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Cellulose fibers and cellulose nanofibrillated (CNF) stand at the forefront of sustainable material innovation, thanks to their unique structural properties that pave the way to produce remarkable all-cellulose products. Despite their promising attributes, challenges such as high hydrophilicity and lower durability in wet conditions highlight the need for simple and cost-effective hydrophobization techniques. In this study, we explore the potential of a novel two-step hydrophobization process of pulp paper and CNF films using blocked isocyanate chemistry. 4,4-Methylenebis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) was employed along with phenol and linear chain alcohols to produce blocked diisocyanates adducts. Alkylic groups with chain lengths varied from 3 to 18 carbons was produced and characterized through FT-IR, Liquid 1H-NMR and TGA. The hydrophobization process involved dipping samples of pulp paper and CNF films in the adduct solution for a few seconds followed by heating at 170 °C. The resultant hydrophobized papers and films were analyzed employing FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and water contact angle (WCA). The analyses revealed that the effectiveness of the hydrophobization was intricately linked to the length of the adduct moiety and the inherent roughness of the cellulose surfaces. Hydrophobized pulp paper exhibited WCAs ranging from 109° to 144° reaching near superhydrophobic state in comparison to WCA 0° observed for the hydrophilic ones. Similarly, hydrophobized CNF films showed WCAs between 93° and 114°, significantly higher than the 50° of the pristine CNF films. Once both cellulose surfaces were treated with the same adducts, the difference in WCA values from pulp paper to CNF films is attributed to surface roughness: pulp paper, with a rougher surface of 75 nm, had higher WCAs, whereas the CNF films, with a smoother surface near 20 nm, had lower WCAs. This study not only sheds light on the critical role of chemical modification in enhancing the water resistance of cellulose-based materials but also opens new avenues for the development of cellulose products with enhanced durability and sustainability.
miRNAs and indicators of mineral metabolism in the population of dialysis patients
Authors: Rind A. R. , Essaian A. M. , Zaraiskii M. I. 
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of death in patients on renal replacement dialysis therapy. The vast majority of patients with CKD 5D have left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which is a predisposing factor to diastolic dysfunction, heart failure (HF), arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. In recent years, a significant role in the development of cardiovascular pathology in CKD has been attributed to disturbances in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. Mineral bone correction may have a beneficial effect on LVH.Aim. To evaluate the associations between indices of mineral-bone metabolism and cardiac echocardiography parameters in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) with hemo- and peritoneal dialysis, receiving and not receiving phosphate binders.Materials and methods. The study included 75 patients, of whom 53 received treatment with program hemodialysis (HD), 22 with peritoneal dialysis (PD). The control group consisted of 28 healthy volunteers. 43 patients were treated with phosphate binders. Of all patients receiving treatment aimed at correcting hyperphosphatemia, 22 received sevelamer carbonate: 86% of patients took sevelamer carbonate at a dose of 4800 mg/day and 14% at a dose of 2400 mg/day. All biochemical parameters were determined on an automatic biochemical analyzer; FGF-23 was also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the level of intact PTH was determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Instrumental studies included echocardiography.Results. In patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVMM in the group of patients on hemodialysis 206.6 [120.0; 300.0], in the group on peritoneal dialysis 176.2 [134.0; 204.0]) the level of FGF-23 was significantly increased (p = 0.005). In the group of patients receiving sevelamer carbonate, there was a decrease in the incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy, lower levels of FGF-23 (12.4 ± 5.9), in contrast to the group that did not receive this drug (23 ± 7.3; p = 0.003 ) and PTH (110 ± 27 ng/ml, in the group that did not receive the drug – 340 ± 15; p = 0.01).Conclusions. The use of phosphate binders, in particular sevelamer carbonate, is associated with a decrease in left ventricular hypertrophy and lower levels of FGF-23.