bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring nanoarchitectonics and optical properties of PAA-ZnO@BCP wide-band-gap organic semiconductors
Authors: Mansour A. M. , Abou Hammad Ali B. , El Nahrawy Amany M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis work reports the formation of polyacrylic acid (PAA)—zinc oxide (ZnO)—bromocresol purple (BCP), (PAA-ZnO@ (0.00–0.01) BCP wide-bandgap organic semiconductors deposited onto glass substrates via a sol–gel polymerization process. These semiconductor films were deposited on glass substrates using a spin coating and then dried at 60 °C. The PAA-ZnO film appeared to be of amorphous phase, and films loaded with BCP revealed semicrystalline behavior. The surface of the films exhibited adherence and extended grains. The hydrogen bonds formed between PAA-ZnO and the BCP dye within the PAA-ZnO@BCP films was performed using FTIR-spectroscopy. The prepared nanocomposites demonstrate an indirect band transition which is affected slightly by adding ZnO and BCP dye. Optical parameters such as the absorption coefficient, the refractive index, the dielectric constant, optical conductivity, optical depth, and optical electronegativity of the prepared nanocomposites were studied as functions of incident light energy (wavelength). The PAA carbonyl group n-π* transition and BCP aromatic ring π-π* transitions were detected at about 285 (for all samples) and 432 nm (for BCP loaded samples), respectively. The superior photoluminescence characteristics observed in the BCP/PAA-Zn films excited with a wavelength of 250 nm indicated the successful loading of the BCP dye during the self-aggregation of the PAA-Zn film.
Impact of lifestyle and clinical factors on the prognosis of tennis elbow
Authors: Zhang Chan , Jia Zhongwei , Li Jiangbo , Wang Xu , Yang Shengping 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) typically responds well to conservative treatment, and few patients require surgical intervention. This study aimed to investigate the influence of lifestyle and clinical factors on the prognosis of tennis elbow. This prospective, multicenter, nested case–control study included patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis after excluding other conditions. Patients who required surgery because of inadequate improvement after 6 months of conservative treatment were defined as the case group; the remaining patients constituted the control group. Propensity score matching was performed to eliminate baseline differences. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. This study included 265 patients (53 in the case group, 212 in the control group). Multivariate analysis revealed that smoking, alcohol consumption, and frequent physical exercise were independent risk factors for surgical intervention, whereas combined treatment with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and local corticosteroid injections was a protective factor against surgery. Subgroup analysis showed that heavy drinkers had a 3.74-fold higher risk of requiring surgical treatment within 1 year than occasional drinkers. Smoking and alcohol consumption were associated with non-operative treatment failure in patients with lateral epicondylitis. Combining oral NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections is a favorable conservative treatment option.
Novel adaptation of the KCC-questionnaire for cardiomyopathy screening in a racially diverse obstetric population
Authors: Adedinsewo Demilade , Morales-Lara Andrea Carolina , Hardway Heather , Johnson Patrick W. , Young Kathleen A. , Douglass Erika J. , Florio Karen L. , Butler Tobah Yvonne S. , Rose Carl H. , Burnette David , Seccombe Kendra , Fussell Mia , Phillips Sabrina D. , Noseworthy Peter A. , Carter Rickey E. , Spertus John A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCardiomyopathy occurring during pregnancy or postpartum represents a leading cause of maternal mortality. An overlap between pregnancy-associated symptoms and symptoms of cardiomyopathy contributes to delays in diagnosis. To address the need for screening and improve the diagnosis of pregnancy-related cardiomyopathy, we sought to evaluate the association between cardiovascular symptoms, an adapted version of the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire for pregnancy (KCCQ-P) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). We conducted a single-arm prospective observational study of pregnant and postpartum participants enrolled between October 2021 and October 2022. A symptom questionnaire, KCCQ-P, and a resting echocardiogram were performed. The primary study outcome was LVSD, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%. We sub-divided those with LVEF (≥50%) into subclinical LVSD (left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) > –18), and no LVSD (GLS ≤ −18). Ninety women were included in the final analysis. The median age was 31 years (Q1: 28, Q3: 35), 37% identified as Non-Hispanic White, 30% as Non-Hispanic Black, and 23% as Hispanic or Latino. KCCQ-P total scores were markedly lower with LVSD (median: 30.2; Q1: 22.9, Q3: 61.5) vs. subclinical LVSD (median: 60.7; Q1: 47.0, Q3: 76.2) vs. no LVSD (median: 86.5; Q1: 62.5, Q3: 95.8) p < 0.001. KCCQ-P score was able to detect LVSD with an AUC of 0.848. While individual cardiovascular symptoms were not associated with LVSD, KCCQ-P scores were significantly lower in those with apparent and subclinical LVSD and may be useful as a screening tool pending additional evaluation in larger cohorts.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Grammaticality and Utterance Length in Bilingual Children
Authors: Hernandez Michelle , Ronderos Juliana , Castilla-Earls Anny Patricia 
Published: February 2024

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two measures derived from spontaneous language samples, mean length of utterance in words (MLUw) and percentage of grammatical utterances (PGU), in identifying developmental language disorder (DLD) in Spanish–English bilingual children. We examined two approaches: best language and total language.

Method:

The participants in this study included 74 Spanish–English bilingual children with (
n
= 36) and without (
n
= 38) DLD. Language samples were elicited through a story retell and story generation task using Frog wordless picture books in English and Spanish. Stories were transcribed and coded using the Systematic Analysis of Language Samples (Miller & Iglesias, 2020) to extract MLUw and PGU in both languages.

Results:
Logistic regression analyses suggested that a model that included PGU, MLUw, and age achieved the best diagnostic accuracy in predicting group membership. Both approaches, best language and total language, had fair diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusions:
In combination, PGU and MLUw seem to be useful diagnostic tools to differentiate bilingual children with and without DLD. Clinical implications and usability are discussed.
Holding this space: navigating ethical issues in citizen deliberation
Authors: Parry Lucy J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDeliberative mini-publics convene a randomly selected group of citizens to deliberate on a policy issue and generate recommendations for decision makers. A rich field of research and practice has focused on the quality of deliberation and its ideal conditions. As a result, we know what works. But we also need to know what conditions and issues prevent practice from achieving these best practices in the real world. I pursue this line of enquiry through a qualitative thematic analysis of interviews with 25 deliberative practitioners, who are responsible for the design and delivery of deliberative mini-publics. Existing research problematises practitioners’ relationship to commissioning authorities and the tension between commercial and democratic ideals. I find that, counter to previous research, practitioners have the capacity to push back against pressure from commissioners. This paper presents ethical issues encountered during the commissioning, design and implementation of mini-publics. Some practitioners believe that ethical issues can be mitigated through adapting deliberative designs, whilst others feel the limitations of their agency in a context where they are commissioned to deliver a service. These findings demonstrate the reflexivity of practitioners in the deliberative mini-publics community and advance understanding of the ethics and governance of deliberative mini-publics.
After 1788*
Authors: Simpson Jane 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Contemporary contact languages used by Indigenous people in Australia share many words and grammatical features
and structures. I trace the development of contact varieties in Australia between 1788 to 1848, arguing that their similarities
arise from the dominance of English-speakers among the invaders, their ways of talking to people who did not speak English
fluently, the transfer of people between penal settlements, and the fact that sea traffic was the fastest form of travel between
colonies. Evidence for zones of influence in which particular features appear is drawn from geographic distribution and time of
first attestation. I use four types of reports for locating features: outsiders’ reports of direct speech by Aborigines and of
outsiders’ speech to Aborigines, imitations by outsiders of Aboriginal speech, and outsiders’ comments on Aboriginal speech.
Another kind of evidence comes from the adoption of contact variety words into Aboriginal languages. This is illustrated with a
case study of words for ‘white woman’ in Aboriginal languages.
Recognition of intraglomerular histological features with deep learning in protocol transplant biopsies and their association with kidney function and prognosis
Authors: Farhat Imane , Maréchal Elise , Calmo Doris , Ansart Manon , Paindavoine Michel , Bard Patrick , Tarris Georges , Ducloux Didier , Felix Sophie Adrian , Martin Laurent , Tinel Claire , Gibier Jean-Baptiste , Funes de la Vega Mathilde , Rebibou Jean-Michel , Bamoulid Jamal , Legendre Mathieu 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Background
The Banff Classification may not adequately address protocol transplant biopsies categorized as normal in patients experiencing unexplained graft function deterioration. This study seeks to employ convolutional neural networks to automate the segmentation of glomerular cells and capillaries and assess their correlation with transplant function.

Methods
A total of 215 patients were categorized into three groups. In the Training cohort, glomerular cells and capillaries from 37 patients were manually annotated to train the networks. The Test cohort (24 patients) compared manual annotations vs automated predictions, while the Application cohort (154 protocol transplant biopsies) examined predicted factors in relation to kidney function and prognosis.

Results
In the Test cohort, the networks recognized histological structures with Precision, Recall, F-score and Intersection Over Union exceeding 0.92, 0.85, 0.89 and 0.74, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed associations between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at biopsy and relative endothelial area (r = 0.19, P = .027), endothelial cell density (r = 0.20, P = .017), mean parietal epithelial cell area (r = –0.38, P &lt; .001), parietal epithelial cell density (r = 0.29, P &lt; .001) and mesangial cell density (r = 0.22, P = .010). Multivariate analysis retained only endothelial cell density as associated with eGFR (Beta = 0.13, P = .040). Endothelial cell density (r = –0.22, P = .010) and mean podocyte area (r = 0.21, P = .016) were linked to proteinuria at biopsy. Over 44 ± 29 months, 25 patients (16%) reached the primary composite endpoint (dialysis initiation, or 30% eGFR sustained decline), with relative endothelial area, mean endothelial cell area and parietal epithelial cell density below medians linked to this endpoint [hazard ratios, respectively, of 2.63 (P = .048), 2.60 (P = .039) and 3.23 (P = .019)].

Conclusion
This study automated the measurement of intraglomerular cells and capillaries. Our results suggest that the precise segmentation of endothelial and epithelial cells may serve as a potential future marker for the risk of graft loss.
Selection of photosynthetic traits by turbulent mixing governs formation of cyanobacterial blooms in shallow eutrophic lakes
Authors: Wu Huaming , Wu Xingqiang , Rovelli Lorenzo , Lorke Andreas 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Prediction of the complex cyanobacteria-environment interactions is vital for understanding harmful bloom formation. Most previous studies on these interactions considered specific properties of cyanobacterial cells as representative for the entire population (e.g. growth rate, mortality, and photosynthetic capacity (Pmax)), and assumed that they remained spatiotemporally unchanged. Although, at the population level, the alteration of such traits can be driven by intraspecific competition, little is known about how traits and their plasticity change in response to environmental conditions and affect the bloom formation. Here we test the hypothesis that intraspecific variations in Pmax of cyanobacteria (Microcystis spp.) play an important role in its population dynamics. We coupled a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model with a trait-based phytoplankton model to simulate the effects of physical drivers (turbulence and turbidity) on the Pmax of Microcystis populations for a range of dynamic conditions typical for shallow eutrophic lakes. Our results revealed that turbulence acts as a directional selective driver for changes in Pmax. Depending on the intensity of daily-periodic turbulence, representing wind-driven mixing, a shift in population-averaged phenotypes occurred toward either low Pmax, allowing the population to capture additional light in the upper layers, or high Pmax, enhancing the efficiency of light utilization. Moreover, we observed that a high intraspecific diversity in Pmax accelerated the formation of surface scum by up to more than four times compared to a lower diversity. This study offers insights into mechanisms by which cyanobacteria populations respond to turbulence and underscores the significance of intraspecific variations in cyanobacterial bloom formation.

Highlights
Advances in the co-production of biosurfactant and other biomolecules: statistical approaches for process optimization
Authors: Kadam Vaibhav , Dhanorkar Manikprabhu , Patil Shruti , Singh Pooja 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
An efficient microbial conversion for simultaneous synthesis of multiple high-value compounds, such as biosurfactants and enzymes, is one of the most promising aspects for an economical bioprocess leading to a marked reduction in production cost. Although biosurfactant and enzyme production separately have been much explored, there are limited reports on the predictions and optimization studies on simultaneous production of biosurfactants and other industrially important enzymes, including lipase, protease, and amylase. Enzymes are suited for an integrated production process with biosurfactants as multiple common industrial processes and applications are catalysed by these molecules. However, the complexity in microbial metabolism complicates the production process. This study details the work done on biosurfactant and enzyme co-production and explores the application and scope of various statistical tools and methodologies in this area of research. The use of advanced computational tools is yet to be explored for the optimization of downstream strategies in the co-production process. Given the complexity of the co-production process and with various new methodologies based on artificial intelligence (AI) being invented, the scope of AI in shaping the biosurfactant-enzyme co-production process is immense and would lead to not only efficient and rapid optimization, but economical extraction of multiple biomolecules as well.
(003) Use of Online Pharmacy Tools May Lead to Significantly Reduced National Expenditures on Vaginal Estrogen
Authors: Loeb CA , Miller JA , Moukhtar Hammad MA , Nguyen M , Azad B , Yafi FA 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Introduction
High medication costs for vaginal estrogen may create a barrier for patients seeking treatment for numerous urinary and vaginal symptoms and lead to poor medication adherence. The Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (CPD) and GoodRx tools offer patients a method to purchase prescription medications at a discount, which may lead to improved medication adherence and decreased national expenditures on such medications.

Objective
To compare the pricing of vaginal estrogen as advertised by retail pharmacies, Medicare, and discount listings through CPD and GoodRx.

Methods
A review of publicly available data from CPD and GoodRx was performed to obtain listed retail and discounted prices for Estrace (topical), Vagifem (tablet), and Premarin (topical). GoodRx prices were obtained using prices from Costco, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart pharmacies in the most from populous zip code from each of the 3 most populous U.S. states: California, New York, and Texas. Prices were adjusted to account for dosage and prescribed quantity to estimate an average cost per dosage unit ($/adu). The Medicare Part D Drug Spending and Utilization data from 2021 were used to report the average spending per dosage unit and total expenditure for each of the listed medications. These data were compared to create an estimate of average national savings after use of CPD and/or GoodRx.

Results
Average spending per dosage unit for Estrace, Vagifem, and Premarin was lesser when discount tools were used (0.50 $/adu, 3.75 $/adu, and 4.30 $/adu respectively), compared to Medicare pricing (6.14 $/adu, 20.95 $/adu, and 10.10 $/adu respectively) or retail pricing (3.14 $/adu, 10.19 $/adu, and 5.43 $/adu respectively). When adjusted for total dosage units, use of CPD over Medicare pricing for the three medications would result in a combined annual national saving of $64.2M. Use of either CPD or GoodRx compared to retail pricing would similarly result in a combined annual national saving of $39.2M.

Conclusions
The utilization of CPD and GoodRx in the prescription of vaginal estrogen led to a substantial national average cost savings when compared to retail and Medicare pricing. CPD and GoodRx may offer a way to decrease the cost burden for patients seeking treatment for urinary and vaginal symptoms and significantly reduce national expenditures on medications.

Disclosure
Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Advisory board and speaker for Coloplast; consultant for Cynosure; advisory board and speaker for Halozyme; intellectual property with Masimo; advisory board for Promescent; consultant for Sprout; advisory board for Xialla.
(011) Implementing Virtual Intracavernosal/ Penile Injection Therapy (ICI) Training in a Prostate Cancer (PC) Supportive Care Program
Authors: Alhamam A , Zarowski C , Lui M , Yu I , Ho R , Sare D , Kennedy J , Hwang A , Sundar M , Higano C , Flannigan R 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The Sexual Health Clinic (SHC) offered by our prostate cancer (PC) supportive care program delivers sexual health care for PC patients and their partners. Over a two-year period, patients receive seven appointments in which different options for sexual satisfaction are explored, including intracavernosal/penile injection therapy (ICI). Since April 2020, sexual health clinicians have provided virtual and in-person ICI training appointments. Before each appointment, patients are instructed to review educational material, including an educational video, an ICI instruction booklet, and ICI dosing handout.

Objective
To evaluate the effectiveness of ICI training presented virtually compared to in-person by comparing clinical and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in each group.

Methods
All patients who received ICI training between January 2019 and April 2023 were included in this retrospective chart review. PROs from the SHC were obtained prospectively during service as part of usual clinical care.

Results
Over 4.3 years, 74 patients received ICI training, 54 virtually and 24 in-person. All patients were in heterosexual relationships and rated their pre-treatment erectile function as a median of 9 on a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest level of erectile function. In contrast, the median erectile function for all patients was 0 after PC treatment. At the time of attending the SHC, most patients expressed ‘resume intercourse’ as their goal of treatment. Table 1 shows that the demographics of each group are similar with respect to age, education level, ethnicity, and partner information. The use of erectile aids after PC therapy is shown in Table 2. Most patients had not attempted ICI before enrollment in the SHC and were not satisfied with other options offered by the SHC. Details of ICI treatments and response to therapy are shown in Table 3. Overall outcomes and satisfaction rates were similar between groups.

Conclusions
Overall, clinical outcomes with ICI training in the virtual format do not appear to differ from that done in person. Patient satisfaction with ICI is better than other erectile aid options in each group but is still low. In the future, we will prospectively assess ICI usage and outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months after ICI training to determine treatment adherence, complications, and long-term patient satisfaction with ICI training across the different delivery methods.

Disclosure
No.
(014) Expectations of Patients and Their Partners After Penile Rehabilitation Programs After Nerve-Sparing Prostatectomy: Are There Relevant Differences?
Authors: Bannowsky A , Osmonov D , Maerker V , Ueckert S 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Several strategies are published for postoperative erectile function rehabilitation after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (nsRP). Expectations of the partners of the patients are rarely subject of most of these rehabilitation studies.

Objective
The aim of our study was to evaluate the expectations of patients and of the partners of patients undergoing nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy and penile rehabilitation programs and possible relevant differences between the expectations.

Methods
We performed a questionnaire sent to patients and their partners of all enrolled patients of 3 different penile rehabilitation studies after nsRP with a regular dose of different PDE5-inhibitors (sildenafil/vardenafil/tadalafil). 124 patients (mean age 69 years) had been enrolled in the rehabilitation studies and their partners (mean age 66 years) were included in this study. The survey consists of different questions, e.g. if the patients and their partners believe in the rehabilitation concept and what they expect with regards to the outcome.

Results
89 patients and 78 partners of the 124 patients (72% / 63%) completed and returned the questionnaire. Before rehabilitation treatment 81 patients (91%) and 51 partners (65%) believed in the concept of rehabilitation, 55 patients (62%) but only 32 partners (41%) expected partly to fully rehabilitation of erectile function caused by the initiated penile rehabilitation program. After the end of the study treatment, 2 years after nsRP, 64% of patients and 45% of their partners are satisfied by the recovery of erectile function.

Conclusions
Despite the fact that 91% of patients within penile rehabilitation programs believe in the concepts of rehabilitation only 62% of the patients and only 41% of their partners expect partly to fully recovery of erectile function after nsRP. Satisfaction rate with erectile function recovery was reported by 64% of patients and 45% of their partners 2 years after nsRP.

Disclosure
No.