bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in Racial Disparities in Healthcare Expenditures Among Senior Medicare Fee-for-service Enrollees in 2007–2020
Authors: Baik Seo H. , Baye Fitsum , McDonald Clement J. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDespite the universal healthcare coverages, racial disparities in healthcare expenditures among senior Medicare beneficiaries exist. A few studies explored how racial disparities in healthcare expenditures changed over past decades and how it affected differently across 4 minoritized races, by type of Medicare and poverty levels. We conducted a longitudinal study of 21 healthcare expenditures from senior Medicare fee-for-service enrollees to determine overall and secular trends in racial disparities in healthcare expenditures between 2007 and 2020, during which the Affordable Care Act (ACA) came into full force and the COVID-19 pandemic had begun. We found important disparities in healthcare expenditures across 4 minoritized races compared to Whites, even after adjusting for possible confounders for such disparities. Disparities between Hispanics/Asians and Whites were much greater than disparities between Blacks and Whites, in all Parts A, B, and D expenditures. This reality has not been sufficiently emphasized in the literature. Importantly, Black-White disparities in total Part B expenditure gradually worsened between 2007 and 2020, and Hispanic-White and Asian-White disparities worsened greatly during that time window. Health planners need to focus on these large disparities and develop methods to shrink them.
Pharmacological interventions for the management of cystinuria: a systematic review
Authors: Bhatt Nirmal Prasad , Deshpande Aniruddh Vijay , Starkey Malcolm Ronald 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Cystinuria is a rare genetic kidney stone disease, with no cure. Current treatments involve lowering urinary cystine levels and increasing cystine solubility. This systematic review evaluates the available literature regarding non-surgical interventions for cystinuria.

Methods
Key electronic databases were searched for studies that described the clinical management of cystinuria with high diuresis, alkalinizing agents and thiol-based drugs that were published between 2000 and 2022. Observational studies were included if they contained clinical investigation with at least one previous or current episode of cystine stones, urine cystine levels > 250 mg/L and patients being managed with urinary dilution, alkalinizing agents or other pharmacological agents. All included studies were assessed for study design, patient characteristics and outcomes. A qualitative and critical analysis was performed whereby study quality was assessed using Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Two authors performed the quality assessment and excluded the studies with a low MINORS score.

Results
Fourteen studies met the review inclusion and quality criteria. Of the fourteen studies, two reported treatment using alkalinizing agents, six reported treatment using thiol-based drugs, and six reported combination treatment using alkalinizing agents and thiol-based drugs. These studies indicated that first-line therapies, including high fluid intake and urinary alkalinization, increased urine volume to > 3 L/day and urinary pH > 7.0, and were associated with reduced urinary cystine levels and cystine stone formation. Second-line therapy with cystine-binding thiol drugs, such as tiopronin and D-penicillamine, reduced urinary cystine levels, cystine crystal volume and increased cystine solubility, resulting in decreased cystine stone formation and stone recurrence rate. Further, combined intervention with alkalinizing agents and thiol-based drugs synergistically reduced stone recurrence.

Conclusion
Cystinuria treatment may require a combined approach of high diuresis, alkalinization and pharmacological interventions with regular monitoring of urinary pH, cystine levels, cystine crystal volume and solubility. However, poor adherence to treatment is relatively frequent, hence the pressing urgency for improved therapies and treatments.

Graphical abstract
Conservative Hypomethylation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Secretome Restored the Follicular Development in Cisplatin-Induced Premature Ovarian Failure Mice
Authors: Nabil Salama Amira , Badr Eman Abd El-Fatah , Holah Nanis Shawky , El Barbary Ahmed A. , Hessien Mohamed 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPremature ovarian failure (POF) is one of the main causes of infertility in women under the age of 40 years. Recently, epigenetic reprogramming, particularly DNA hypomethylation, has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Thus, it is crucial to elucidate how far global hypomethylation of MSCs genome can maintain their pluripotency and viability and improve their therapeutic effect in chemotherapy-induced POF mice. Herein, the genomic DNA of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) was hypomethylated by the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (5-Aza-dC), and the degree of global hypomethylation was assessed by methylation-sensitive HepII/MspI restriction analysis. Next, mildly hypomethylated cells and their secretome were independently transplanted (or infused) in POF mice, established via cisplatin-mediated gonadotoxicity. We found that conservative global hypomethylation of BM-MSCs genome with low doses of 5-Aza-dC (≤0.5 μM) has maintained cell viability and MSCs-specific clusters of differentiation (CD). Engraftment of mildly hypomethylated cells in POF mice, or infusion of their secretome, improved the concentrations of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Furthermore, mice restored their normal body weight, ovarian size, and ovarian follicle count. This was associated with improved follicular development, where the populations of healthy primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary follicles were significantly ameliorated, relative to mice transplanted with normally methylated cells. This observational study suggests that transplantation of mildly hypomethylated BM-MSCs cells and their secretome can restore the structural and functional integrity of the damaged ovaries in POF mice. Also, it presents conservative hypomethylation of BM-MSCs and their secretome as a promising alternative to MSCs transplantation.
Graphical Abstract

Transplantation of partially hypomethylated BM-MSCs improved the follicular count and integrity in the POF mouse model. Gonadotoxic drug (cisplatin) was used to establish the POF mouse model. In parallel, BM-MSCs were isolated, authenticated, and then incubated with the DNMTs inhibitor (5-Aza-dC). Partially hypomethylated cells and their secretome were independently transplanted into the POF mice, and both the follicular count, ovarian histology, and the serum levels of the fertility-related hormones (E2, AMH, and FSH) were assessed 1 week after transplantation or infusion. Hypomethylated BM-MSCs and their secretome increased the follicular count, increased the number of healthy follicles, and restricted apoptosis of the granulose cells. Also, the hormonal profile was improved compared to their corresponding level in mice transplanted with normally methylated cells.
Revolutionizing Education: Advanced Machine Learning Techniques for Precision Recommendation of Top-Quality Instructional Materials
Authors: Xu Xiaoliang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe integration of educational technology in the modern classroom has transformed the way students learn yet challenges in providing high-quality materials persist. To address this, we propose a novel support vector-based long short-term memory (LSTM) recommendation model. Our model combines support vector machines (SVM) and LSTM networks to enhance accuracy. The SVM analyzes material content, identifying key features for topic relevance. Meanwhile, the LSTM assesses word sequences to predict material relevance to the topic. We conducted experiments on a diverse instructional dataset, demonstrating superior performance in accuracy and relevance compared to existing models. Our model adapts to new data and continuously improves based on user feedback. Therefore, our Support Vector-based LSTM recommendation model can revolutionize instructional material recommendations. Its accuracy and relevance enhance student engagement and learning outcomes, optimizing the educational experience.
Exams-related stress and the pattern of substance use and misuse among Palestinian medical and health sciences students
Authors: Khalifah Wafa , Abu-Yusef Mohamad , Abed-Elhadi Ahmad , Barq Ameed , Yassen Mohamad , Hanani Ahmad , Abu Hassan Ahmad , Abuawad Mohammad , Damiri Basma 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSubstance use among school students is a public health concern. Exam-related anxiety is one of the main motives for drug use. This research aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of psychostimulant and antidepressants use and misuse among medical and health sciences students at two large representative medical schools in West Bank Palestine. The results of a cross-sectional study, that surveyed 984 Palestinian medical and health sciences students revealed how educational experiences and newfound independence affect substance use behaviors among Palestinian medical and health sciences students. In total, 7.7% of the students reported using illicit drugs. Hallucinogens were the most commonly used drugs (2.9%), followed by central nervous system (CNS) stimulants (2.4%) and CNS depressants (1.4%), while 4.4% were using nonprescribed antidepressants, with Fluoxetine being the most used. Most drug users (72.4%) started using before they enrolled in university, and 39.5% did not realize the potential harm of these drugs. Medical students tend to use these substances less frequently than their non-medical peers. The study indicated that exam-related stress was a crucial factor in the prevalence of drug use and misuse. Peer pressure, academic, psychological, and family pressures were other primary reasons behind drug use. The study’s results indicated that the misuse of antidepressant medications and other licit and illicit substances is highly prevalent among Palestinian medical and non-medical students. The results also underscore the importance of raising awareness about drug use and providing students with accurate information about the safe use of these substances.
Hygro-photo-thermoelastic solid cylinder under moisture and thermal diffusivity with Moore-Gibson-Thompson theory
Authors: Singh Kulvinder , Kaur Iqbal , Craciun Eduard-Marius 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA new model for the simulation of moisture and thermal diffusivity in a semiconducting solid cylinder according to the Moore-Gibson-Thompson-Photo-Thermal (MGTPT) theory of thermoelasticity has recently been presented. The purpose of this study is to investigate the photo-thermoelasticity of an infinite semiconducting solid cylinder rotating with the boundary surface being subjected to a laser pulse with variable heat flux. For this purpose, the mathematical model is solved by using the Laplace transform technique in the transformed domain. The numerical inversion of the mathematical model yields all the physical parameters in the physical domain, such as displacement components, thermal stresses, and carrier densities. To clearly illustrate the effects of reference moisture, a graphic representation of all these parameters is generated by using the MATLAB software. The results of this study will be useful in further enhancing the behavior of semiconductors under these dynamic loading conditions and hence, improve their performance in various applications.Thus, the model provides an effective way to model the moisture and thermal diffusivities of the solid cylinder to better understand phenomena occurring in a broad range of semiconductor devices and more effectively design them.
Theoretical modeling and transmission characteristics analysis of a novel double-roller hourglass worm drive based on enveloping principle
Authors: Gao Song , Wang Xiaolin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTraditional planar double-enveloping hourglass worm pairs have the characteristics such as the strong bearing capacity, high transmission efficiency and long life-span. However, the high relative sliding velocity and the serious agglutination or abrasion may also occur at the contact point on tooth surfaces. In this paper, a novel type of double-roller hourglass worm pair is proposed and analyzed, wherein, the worm part adopts from the planar double-enveloping worm pair, the corresponding meshing tooth surface of worm gear is replaced by two rows of cylinder rollers for reducing friction and enhancing meshing efficiency. That is, the original meshing tooth surfaces in worm gear are replaced by the common tangent plane of rollers to form a special type of meshing drive, the original line-contact form between tooth surfaces was changed to point-contact so that the sliding friction was transformed into rolling friction, and the meshing efficiency can be greatly improved. The theoretical model of double-roller hourglass worm pair was established based on spatial enveloping principle, the meshing equation and tooth surface equations were derived. The solid models of worm and gear were established and assembled. The parameters of enveloping surface angle, roller radius and friction coefficient, which affecting relative motion velocity at meshing contact point and efficiency during the whole transmission process was analyzed and discussed systematically. The results showed that comparing to the traditional worm pair, the roller’s rotation greatly reduced the relative sliding velocity and improved meshing efficiency at the contact point in this double-roller hourglass worm pair.
Challenges and countermeasures of the ‘Maritime Silk Road’ in the context of green development
Authors: Yang Zhenjiao , Si Yukun , Jiang Tao 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn the context of green development and implementation of the strategies of carbon neutrality and carbon peaking, the concept of energy conservation, and the environmental protection advocated by the construction of the Maritime Silk Road is in line with global development planning and layout. Over the years, China’s national rejuvenation has presented struggles, and the construction of the Maritime Silk Road lasted for a long time. In this paper, we discuss the dilemmas and difficulties associated with the construction of the Maritime Silk Road based on the background of green development and provide corresponding solution strategies by combining the development conditions at home and abroad. These strategies can further deepen China’s reform and opening up strategy and strengthen its relationship with the world. They can also strengthen the connection between China and the world, stand at the head of the times, and lead worldwide development. This paper initially focuses on the theoretical basis of the development of maritime silk governance, that is, the concept of green development, analyzes the necessity and feasibility of the Maritime Silk Road strategy proposed, and proposes means of coping with the Maritime Silk Road’s difficulties by analyzing the challenges and deep-seated causes it encounters in the context of green development. To date, China’s reform and opening up presents an inconvenience, and the domestic and international situations show increasing complexity. Against the background of unprecedented changes in the past hundred years, the construction of the Maritime Silk Road can further realize the effective cooperation between countries and countries and between regions and regions. Moreover, by building a community of humans, we can jointly deal with development problems, which have a vital role in the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. In the context of carbon neutrality and carbon peaking, green development has become the key direction of development for all countries worldwide. In addition, the concepts of environmental protection and energy saving are gradually being put into practice, which is extremely important to protect the natural environment and build a better home for mankind. In the context of green development, the construction of the Maritime Silk Road will further realize economic linkage between countries and jointly promote sustainable development. Scholars can assess the challenges that impede its construction at various levels and explore strategies for resolving these dilemmas based on changing domestic and foreign situations by analyzing the importance of the Maritime Silk Road strategy and the favorable conditions for its implementation, in order to truly promote the development of the Maritime Silk Road and provide assistance in creating a favorable environment for international relations and trade.
Los nadies y las nadies: The Effect of Peacebuilding on Political Behavior in Colombia
Authors: Gelvez Juan David , Johnson Marcus 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTHow do peacebuilding institutions affect political behavior? This article studies the historic victory of the Colombian left in the 2022 presidential elections in light of the implementation of local peacebuilding programs through the 2016 Peace Accords. Using a quasi-experimental design, we show that the Development Plans with a Territorial Focus (PDET), a central component of the 2016 Peace Accords between the government and the FARC, increased the vote share for the leftist coalition, Pacto Histórico, in the 2022 elections by increasing voter turnout in PDET regions. In a departure from existing literature, we find that the explanatory effect of violence on vote share is significantly reduced when we include an indicator for PDET implementation and additional covariates. While there is a substantial body of work examining the effects of conflict violence and the presence of armed actors on elections, there has been relatively little focus on how the peacebuilding has affected vote choice and political behavior. We see our project as a bridge to fill this gap in the literature.
TESTING THE USE OF XAD RESIN TO REMOVE SYNTHETIC CONTAMINATION FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL BONE PRIOR TO RADIOCARBON DATING
Authors: van der Sluis L G , Zazzo A , Tombret O , Thil F , Pétillon J-M 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTMuseum collections are extremely valuable sources of material for ongoing research, although the conservation history of some objects is not always recorded, which can be problematic for chemical analyses. While most contamination is removed using the acid-base-acid treatment, this may not be the case for cross-linked contamination. The XAD resin protocol was implemented at the radiocarbon (14C) laboratory in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, and the setup was tested using known age bone samples and a consolidated Palaeolithic bone. Known age samples were consolidated with shellac or Paraloid, aged for a month, treated with or without the XAD resin and14C dated. Bone blank results showed that XAD resin was able to remove shellac, which was not the case for the ABA-only method. Results from VIRI I were more variable and VIRI F was possibly too young to show the effects of the consolidants. Two14C dates on the Palaeolithic bone after XAD treatment are statistically the same, while a sample without XAD treatment was significantly older, suggesting that the contaminant was not fully removed by the ABA-only treatment. This study demonstrates the potential of the XAD treatment to clean heritage bone samples stored in museums prior to geochemical analyses.
Nostalgia in European Party Politics: A Text-Based Measurement Approach
Authors: Müller Stefan , Proksch Sven-Oliver 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTraditional research on political parties pays little attention to the temporal focus of communication. It usually concentrates on promises, issue attention, and policy positions. This lack of scholarly attention is surprising, given that voters respond to nostalgic rhetoric and may even adjust issue positions when policy is framed in nostalgic terms. This article presents a novel dataset, PolNos, which contains six text-based measures of nostalgic rhetoric in 1,648 party manifestos across 24 European democracies from 1946 to 2018. The measures combine dictionaries, word embeddings, sentiment approaches, and supervised machine learning. Our analysis yields a consistent result: nostalgia is most prevalent in manifestos of culturally conservative parties, notably Christian democratic, nationalist, and radical right parties. However, substantial variation remains regarding regional differences and whether nostalgia concerns the economy or culture. We discuss the implications and use of our dataset for studying political parties, party competition, and elections.
Online pattern recognition of lower limb movements based on sEMG signals and its application in real-time rehabilitation training
Authors: Ye Ye , Zhu Ming-xia , Ou Chang-wei , Wang Bing-zhu , Wang Lu , Xie Neng-gang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAn online pattern recognition method of lower limb movements is proposed based on the personalized surface electromyography (sEMG) signals, and the corresponding experimental researches are performed in the rehabilitation training. Further, a wireless wearable acquisition instrument is used. Based on this instrument, a host computer for the personal online recognition and real-time control of rehabilitation training is developed. Three time-domain features and two features in the nonlinear dynamics are selected as the joint set of the characteristic values for the sEMG signals. Then a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to optimize the feature channels, and a k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm and the extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm are combined to classify and recognize individual sample data. Based on the multi-pose lower limb rehabilitation robot, the real-time motion recognition and the corresponding rehabilitation training are carried out by using the online personalized classifier. The experimental results of eight subjects indicate that it takes only 6 min to build an online personalized classifier for the four types of the lower limb movements. The recognition between switches of different rehabilitation training movements is timely and accurate, with an average recognition accuracy of more than 95%. These results demonstrate that this system has a strong practicability.
The Change of Heart, Moral Character and Moral Reform
Authors: Damstra Conrad 
Published: November 2023

AbstractI examine Kant’s claim in part one ofReligion within the Boundaries of Mere Reasonthat moral reform requires both a ‘change of heart’ and gradual reformation of one’s sense (R,6: 47). I argue that Kant’s conception of moral reform is neither fundamentally obscure nor is it as vulnerable to serious objections as several commentators have suggested. I defend Kant by explaining how he can maintain both that we can choose our moral disposition via an intelligible choice and that we become good through a continuous struggle. I then provide an interpretation of how moral reform occurs in the phenomenal realm.