bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DCE-CT parameters as new functional imaging biomarkers at baseline and during immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with lung cancer – a feasibility study
Authors: Andersen Michael Brun , Drljevic-Nielsen Aska , Ehlers Jeanette Haar , Thorup Kennet Sønderstgaard , Baandrup Anders Ohlhues , Palne Majbritt , Rasmussen Finn 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
With the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, the need for new functional imaging techniques and early response assessments has increased to account for new response patterns and the high cost of treatment. The present study was designed to assess the prognostic impact of dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) on survival outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Methods
Thirty-three patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors were prospectively enrolled for DCE-CT as part of their follow-up. A single target lesion at baseline and subsequent follow-up examinations were enclosed in the DCE-CT. Blood volume deconvolution (BVdecon), blood flow deconvolution (BFdecon), blood flow maximum slope (BFMax slope) and permeability were assessed using overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as endpoints in Kaplan Meier and Cox regression analyses.

Results
High baseline Blood Volume (BVdecon) (> 12.97 ml × 100 g−1) was associated with a favorable OS (26.7 vs 7.9 months; p = 0.050) and PFS (14.6 vs 2.5 months; p = 0.050). At early follow-up on day seven a higher relative increase in BFdecon (> 24.50% for OS and > 12.04% for PFS) was associated with an unfavorable OS (8.7 months vs 23.1 months; p < 0.025) and PFS (2.5 vs 13.7 months; p < 0.018). The relative change in BFdecon (categorical) on day seven was a predictor of OS (HR 0.26, CI95: 0.06 to 0.93 p = 0.039) and PFS (HR 0.27, CI95: 0.09 to 0.85 p = 0.026).

Conclusion
DCE-CT-identified parameters may serve as potential prognostic biomarkers at baseline and during early treatment in patients with NSCLC treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Self-assembled rectorite films with remarkable mechanical performance: preparation, structural characterization, and properties
Authors: Atanasova Maria T. , Focke Walter W. , Loots Theodor 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCohesive flexible rectorite clay films with good mechanical performance were prepared by a simple casting method through the self-assembly of exfoliated natural clay from aqueous dispersions. The multi-layered microstructure of the films consisted of continuous layers of aligned clay platelets parallel to the casting surface. Layers overlap randomly in the lateral direction (plane) and join vertically in an irregular manner by edge-to-face cross-linkages (bridging) to form coherent multi-layered nanostructured films with platelet-void microstructure. The films with the highest mechanical properties had thicknesses below 30 µm. Overall films from rectorite clay with monovalent interlayer content exhibited a higher experimental tensile strength ranging up to 44 MPa and Young’s modulus up to 56 GPa. The corresponding experimental values for films with divalent interlayer cations were 23 MPa for strength and 25 GPa for modulus. The highest experimental values for strength and modulus for neat Na–Ca–rectorite films were 25 MPa and 50 GPa respectively. These two mechanical property values of the best rectorite-based clay films compare favorably with values featured by polymer films typically used for packaging applications.
Sentiment-semantic word vectors: A new method to estimate management sentiment
Authors: Phan Tri Minh 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis paper introduces a novel method to extract the sentiment embedded in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD &A) section of 10-K filings. The proposed method outperforms traditional approaches in terms of sentiment classification accuracy. Utilizing this method, the MD &A sentiment is found to be a strong negative predictor of future stock returns, demonstrating consistency in both in-sample and out-of-sample settings. By contrast, if traditional sentiment extraction methods are used, the MD &A sentiment exhibits no predictive ability for stock markets. Additionally, the MD &A sentiment is associated with dividend-related macroeconomic channels regarding future stock return prediction.
The Glass Ceiling in Global Health: Perspectives of Female and Male Anesthesiologists
Authors: Matejic Bojana , Nelson Brett D. , Collins Lisa , Milenovic Miodrag S. 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:
Gender equity is essential for improving health outcomes globally. Despite comprising 75% of the global health workforce and dominating academic global health programs, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions in global health organizations. Our study aimed to identify potential gender differences in the beliefs and attitudes regarding barriers that women anesthesiologists encounter in pursuing careers and leadership roles in global health and to identify recommendations for improving gender equity in global health.

METHODS:
We conducted a cross-sectional online survey focusing on career leadership opportunities and challenges uniquely faced by women clinicians in global health. We obtained permission from the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists to distribute our questionnaire to their leadership committee members during 2 months (May–July 2022).

RESULTS:
The questionnaire was distributed to 164 study participants with 67 individuals (44.8% female) based in 38 different countries completing the survey (response rate 40.9%). Overall, 47.8% of the participants aspired to a leadership position in global health and 58.2% agreed women face unique barriers to global health leadership (70.0% of women compared to 48.6% of men; P = .081). Female gender (odds ratio [OR], 19.22, P = .004) and divorced marital status (OR, 746.26, P = .004) were positively associated and African ethnicity (OR, 0.002, P = .017) was negatively associated with the perception of gender bias in their career growth. The main challenges included balancing work and family responsibilities, lack of female mentors or role models, gender-based discrimination, and limited opportunities for career advancement. Men acknowledged these challenges but reported personally experiencing them to a lesser extent, particularly concerning lack of opportunities (P = .005), inadequate pay (P = .000), and lack of training (P = .000).

CONCLUSIONS:
Gender disparities exist in the pursuit of global health careers. This study underscored that more women than men perceive barriers in pursuing leadership roles in global health and that men generally encounter these obstacles to a lesser extent. Female representation in leadership positions could be supported through evidence-informed policies that promote work-life balance, improve mentorship, offer equal opportunities for career advancement and adequate pay, and combat gender-based discrimination.
Optimal Ratcheting of Dividends with Capital Injection
Authors: Wang Wenyuan , Xu Ran , Yan Kaixin 
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we investigate the optimal dividend problem with capital injection and ratcheting constraint with nondecreasing dividend payout rate. Capital injections are introduced in order to eliminate the possibility of bankruptcy. Under the Cramér–Lundberg risk model, the problem is formulated as a two-dimensional stochastic control problem. By applying the viscosity theory, we show that the value function is the unique viscosity solution to the associated Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. In order to obtain analytical results, we further study the problem with finite ratcheting constraint, where the dividend rate takes only a finite number of available values. We show that the value function under general ratcheting can be approximated arbitrarily closely by the one with finite ratcheting. Finally, we derive the expressions of value function when the threshold-type finite ratcheting dividend strategy with capital injection is applied, and we show the optimality of such a strategy under certain conditions of concavity. Numerical examples under various scenarios are provided at the end. Funding W. Wang was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 12171405, 12271066, and 11661074] and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China [Grant 20720220044]. R. Xu was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 12201506 and 12371468], the Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China [Grant 21KJB110024], and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Research Development Funding [Grant RDF-20-01-02].
Recurrent multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving the female genitalia: A case report
Authors: Yuan Chun-Yan , Zhang Zhi-Rong , Guo Ming-Fang , Zhang Na 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a histiocytic proliferative disease caused by clonal proliferation of Langerhans cells, which is currently defined as an inflammatory myeloid tumor. It is rare in adults, with an incidence of 1–2 per million, and is highly heterogeneous in clinical presentation, with unpredictable disease progression and outcome.
CASE SUMMARY
A 52-year-old postmenopausal female patient presented to the gynecology department in July 2023 with bilateral vulvar masses. She was diagnosed with recurrent multisystem LCH. The patient had previously been diagnosed with a single-system and single-focal LCH in October 2021 due to a right maxillofacial mass, which resolved after surgical treatment. A chemotherapy regimen was developed after multidisciplinary consultation. Six cycles of chemotherapy resulted in partial remission, and maintenance chemotherapy is currently being administered.
CONCLUSION
Recurrent LCH involving the bilateral vulva has been poorly reported. Comprehensive imaging and pathological evaluation is important for diagnosis. The model of joint multidisciplinary specialist diagnosis and treatment is worthy of clinical application.
Toripalimab in combination with chemotherapy effectively suppresses local recurrence and metastatic sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Gao Ming-Zhu , Wang Nian-Fei , Wang Jin-You , Ma Li , Yang Yu-Cai 
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND
Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) is a rare variant of renal cell carcinoma associated with an unfavorable prognosis. The efficacy of conventional chemotherapy and targeted therapies are limited, whereas the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitor has introduced new avenues for managing advanced SRCC.
CASE SUMMARY
A 77-year-old female patient was referred to our hospital following the incidental detection of a right kidney tumor without specific symptoms. The tumor was successfully resected, and subsequent pathological examination confirmed SRCC. She experienced both local recurrence and distant metastasis eight months after the initial laparoscopic resection. Following six cycles of toripalimab combined with pirarubicin chemotherapy, the patient achieved a partial response. Subsequently, the patient attained an almost-complete continuous response to toripalimab monotherapy maintenance for an additional six cycles. She has not experienced disease progression for 15 months, and her overall survival has reached 24 months thus far.
CONCLUSION
Combination therapy with programmed death 1 antibodies and cytotoxic agents may be a recommended first-line treatment approach for SRCC.
Cost-utility analysis of primary HPV testing through home-based self-sampling in comparison to visual inspection using acetic acid for cervical cancer screening in East district, Sikkim, India, 2023
Authors: Hariprasad Roopa , Bagepally Bhavani Shankara , Kumar Sajith , Pradhan Sangeeta , Gurung Deepsikka , Tamang Harki , Sharma Arpana , Bhatnagar Tarun 
Published: August 2024

Introduction
Primary Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing offers higher sensitivity and specificity over Visual Inspection using Acetic acid (VIA) in cervical cancer screening. Self-sampling is a promising strategy to boost participation and reduce disparities. However, concerns about the initial costs hinder HPV testing adoption in low and middle-income countries. This study assesses the cost-utility of home-based HPV self-sampling versus VIA for cervical cancer screening in India.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in East district, Sikkim, India, comparing the costs and utility outcomes of population-based cervical cancer screening through VIA and primary HPV screening through self-sampling. Cost-related data were collected from April 2021 to March 2022 using the bottom-up micro-costing method, while utility measures were collected prospectively using the EuroQoL-5D-5L questionnaire. The utility values were converted into quality-adjusted life days (QALDs) for an 8-day period. The willingness to pay threshold (WTP) was based on per capita GDP for 2022. If the calculated Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) value is lower than the WTP threshold, it signifies that the intervention is cost-effective.

Results
The study included 95 women in each group of cervical cancer screening with VIA & HPV self-sampling. For eight days, the QALD was found to be 7.977 for the VIA group and 8.0 for the HPV group. The unit cost per woman screened by VIA and HPV self-testing was ₹1,597 (US$ 19.2) and ₹1,271(US$ 15.3), respectively. The ICER was ₹-14,459 (US$ -173.6), which was much below the WTP threshold for eight QALDs, i.e. ₹ 4,193 (US$ 50.4).

Conclusion
The findings support HPV self-sampling as a cost-effective alternative to VIA. This informs policymakers and healthcare providers for better resource allocation in cervical cancer screening in Sikkim.
Evaluation of adapted parent training for challenging behaviour in pre-school children with moderate to severe intellectual developmental disabilities: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Royston Rachel , Absoud Michael , Ambler Gareth , Barnes Jacqueline , Hunter Rachael , Kyriakopoulos Marinos , Ondruskova Tamara , Oulton Kate , Paliokosta Eleni , Panca Monica , Sharma Aditya , Slonim Vicky , Summerson Una , Sutcliffe Alastair , Thomas Megan , Qu Chen , Hassiotis Angela 
Published: August 2024

Objectives
There is limited evidence on the effectiveness of parenting interventions to improve disruptive behaviour in children with intellectual developmental disabilities. This clinical trial evaluated whether an adapted group parenting intervention for preschool children with intellectual developmental disabilities who display challenging behaviour is superior to treatment as usual in England.

Study design
261 children aged 30–59 months with moderate to severe intellectual developmental disabilities and challenging behaviour were randomised to either the intervention (Stepping Stones Triple P) and treatment as usual or treatment as usual alone. The primary outcome was the parent-rated Child Behaviour Checklist at 52 weeks after randomisation. A health economic evaluation was also completed.

Results
We found no significant difference between arms on the primary outcome (mean difference -4.23; 95% CI: -9.99 to 1.53; p = 0.147). However, a subgroup analysis suggests the intervention was effective for participants randomised before the COVID-19 pandemic (mean difference -7.12; 95% CI: -13.44 to -0.81; p = 0.046). Furthermore, a complier average causal effects analysis (mean difference -11.53; 95% CI: -26.97 to 3.91; p = 0.143) suggests the intervention requires participants to receive a sufficient intervention dose. The intervention generated statistically significant cost savings (-£1,057.88; 95% CI -£3,218.6 to -£46.67) but the mean point estimate in Quality Adjusted Life Years was similar in both groups.

Conclusion
This study did not find an effect of the intervention on reducing challenging behaviour, but this may have been influenced by problems with engagement. The intervention could be considered by services as an early intervention if families are supported to attend, especially given its low cost.
Code-switching queer controversy: Pre-K-8 educators’ perceptions of LGBT-inclusive policy framing
Authors: Wargo Jon M. , Katz Alex 
Published: August 2024

This paper uses sensemaking theory and frame analysis to examine how a non-system actor’s framing for advancing LGBT inclusion, what they called code-switching, was taken up. Drawing on qualitative interview data generated as part of a larger mixed-methods study, this article examines the material and ideological affordances and constraints of elementary educators implementing the Inclusive Curriculum Law in Illinois (House Bill 246), a law promoting LGBT representation in history textbooks and curriculum. Findings highlight how the impetus to code-switch created a disconnect between policy and perceived practice, which in turn complicated organizational efforts to transform inclusive instruction. As our analyses illustrate, problem framing—refracted here through a non-system agent—not only shaped the direction of proposed solutions but also played a critical role in coordinating individual action and sensemaking.
Roman Pollak i jego perspektywa nauki w II Rzeczypospolitej
Authors: Jeszke Jaromir 
Published: August 2024

The article presents an analysis of the views on science held by Roman Pollak, a prominent literary historian of the interwar period. The source material consists of Pollak’s texts published in “Nauka Polska. Jej potrzeby, organizacja i rozwój” (Polish science. Its needs, organisation and development) issued by the Józef Mianowski Fund and his longer article Nauka na Powszechnej Wystawie Krajowej (Science at the Polish General Exhibition) written around the inauguration of the Polish General Exhibition in Poznan in 1929. The article presents a portrait of a scholar who strongly emphasised the role of creative processes in science, was significantly influenced by the centralising reforms of science in Italy in the interwar period and who projected a vision of the humanities focused on synthetic analyses serving as the core of studies in a given area.
Variations on the Weak Bounded Negativity Conjecture
Authors: Ciliberto Ciro , Fontanari Claudio 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
We present two applications of Hao’s proof of the Weak Bounded Negativity Conjecture. First, we address the so-called Weighted Bounded Negativity Conjecture and we prove that all but finitely many reduced and irreducible curves C on the blow-up of ℙ2 at n points satisfy the inequality

$\begin{array}{}
\displaystyle
C^2 \ge \min \bigl\{-\frac{1}{12} n (C.L +27), -2 \bigr\},
\end{array}$

where L is the pull-back of a line. Next, we turn to the widely open conjecture that the canonical degree C.KX
of an integral curve on a smooth projective surface X is bounded from above by an expression of the form A(g − 1) + B, where g is the geometric genus of C and A, B are constants depending only on X. We prove that this conjecture holds with A = − 1 under the assumptions h
0(X, −KX
) = 0 and h
0(X, 2KX
+ C) = 0.
Inequalities for f
*-vectors of lattice polytopes
Authors: Beck Matthias , Deligeorgaki Danai , Hlavacek Max , Valencia-Porras Jerónimo 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The Ehrhart polynomial ehr
P
(n) of a lattice polytope P counts the number of integer points in the n-th dilate of P. The f
*-vector of P, introduced by Felix Breuer in 2012, is the vector of coefficients of ehr
P
(n) with respect to the binomial coefficient basis

$\begin{array}{}
\bigl\{\binom{n-1}{0},\binom{n-1}{1},\dots,\binom{n-1}{d}\bigr\},
\end{array}$

where d = dim P. Similarly to h/h
*-vectors, the f
*-vector of P coincides with the f-vector of its unimodular triangulations (if they exist). We present several inequalities that hold among the coefficients of f
*-vectors of lattice polytopes. These inequalities resemble striking similarities with existing inequalities for the coefficients of f-vectors of simplicial polytopes; e.g., the first half of the f
*-coefficients increases and the last quarter decreases. Even though f
*-vectors of polytopes are not always unimodal, there are several families of polytopes that carry the unimodality property. We also show that for any polytope with a given Ehrhart h
*-vector, there is a polytope with the same h
*-vector whose f
*-vector is unimodal.
Poisson Structures on moduli spaces of Higgs bundles over stacky curves
Authors: Kydonakis Georgios , Sun Hao , Zhao Lutian 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
We demonstrate the construction of Poisson structures via Lie algebroids on moduli spaces of twisted stable Higgs bundles over stacky curves. The construction provides new examples of Poisson structures on such moduli spaces. Special attention is paid to moduli spaces of parabolic Higgs bundles over a root stack.
Generalized Shioda–Inose structures of order 3
Authors: Garbagnati Alice , Prieto-Montañez Yulieth 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
A Shioda–Inose structure is a geometric construction which associates to an Abelian surface a projective K3 surface in such a way that their transcendental lattices are isometric. This geometric construction was described by Morrison by considering special symplectic involutions on the K3 surfaces. After Morrison several authors provided explicit examples. The aim of this paper is to generalize Morrison’s results and some of the known examples to an analogous geometric construction involving not involutions, but order 3 automorphisms. Therefore, we define generalized Shioda–Inose structures of order 3, we identify the K3 surfaces and the Abelian surfaces which appear in these structures and we provide explicit examples.
Fractional-linear integrals of geodesic flows on surfaces and Nakai’s geodesic 4-webs
Authors: Agafonov Sergey I. , Alves Thaís G. P. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
We prove that if the geodesic flow on a surface has an integral which is fractional-linear in momenta, then the dimension of the space of such integrals is either 3 or 5, the latter case corresponding to constant gaussian curvature. We give also a geometric criterion for the existence of fractional-linear integrals: such an integral exists if and only if the surface carries a geodesic 4-web with constant cross-ratio of the four directions tangent to the web leaves.
Smoking in Ulysses
Authors: Elwer Joshua 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Ulysses is widely accepted to be a book about everyday existence. Set on a single day, the novel portrays numerous mundane acts through its characters, and of these, smoking is included. Multiple characters smoke on June 16, 1904. Interestingly, typically as a social act, smoking is heavily involved in dialogues between characters. When Joyce’s characters smoke, what does it reveal about their discursive habits and, moreover, about their identities? This study will begin by arguing that smoking assists in kickstarting conversations between characters in Ulysses and in expressing identities. In such a dialogic novel as Ulysses, there are many instances of smoking and dialogue being intertwined. Beyond simply beginning dialogues, smoking is also involved in maintaining dialogues. For example, in the “Telemachus” episode – the opening of Ulysses – Haines and Stephen share a morning smoke, and this scene helps set the stage for the relevance of smoking throughout the novel. This article argues that, as a quotidian practice, Joyce’s use of smoking with his characters sheds light on, not just the poetics of smoking, but how we humans converse with others through objects on a daily basis.