bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contraception prescribing in England during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Begum Tanha , Cullen Emer , Moffat Malcolm , Rankin Judith 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundNational lockdowns in England due to COVID-19 resulted in rapid shifts in healthcare provision, including in primary care where most contraceptive prescriptions are issued. This study aimed to investigate contraception prescribing trends in primary care during the pandemic and the impact of socioeconomic deprivation.MethodsPrescribing data were accessed from the English Prescribing Dataset for the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (1 March 2020–28 February 2021) and the year prior (1 March 2019–29 February 2020). Data were analysed by geographical region (London, Midlands and East of England, North of England, South of England) and contraceptive type (progestogen-only pill (POP), combined oral contraception (COC), emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) and contraceptive injections). Differences in prescribing rates were calculated using Poisson regression. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) scores for each Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in the North East and North Cumbria (NENC).ResultsContraception prescribing rates decreased overall during the COVID-19 pandemic in England (Poisson regression coefficient (β)=−0.035), with a statistically significant (p<0.01) decrease in all four regions. Prescriptions decreased for COC (β=−0.978), contraceptive injections (β=−0.161) and EHC (β=−0.2005), while POP (β=0.050) prescribing rates increased. There was a weak positive correlation between IMD and prescribing rates in NENC (p>0.05).ConclusionsContraception provision was impacted by COVID-19 with an overall decrease in prescribing rates. The deprivation results suggest that this may not be a significant contributing factor to this decrease. Further research is recommended to better understand these changes, and to ensure that services respond appropriately to population needs.
Risk perception and surveillance uptake in individuals at increased risk for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Nguyen Denis , Gilad Ophir , Drogan Christine M , Eilers Zoe , Liao Chuanhong , Kupfer Sonia S 
Published: October 2023

Background
Surveillance for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is recommended for high-risk individuals with genetic variants in PDAC-associated genes and/or family history. Surveillance uptake and adherence may depend on the perception of PDAC risk and cancer worry. We aimed to determine PDAC risk perception in at-risk individuals and assess factors associated with PDAC surveillance uptake.

Methods
At-risk individuals identified from a prospective academic registry were sent a survey electronically. PDAC risk perception, cancer worry and surveillance uptake were surveyed. Factors associated with increased risk perception and surveillance were assessed. Five-year PDAC risk was calculated using the PancPRO risk assessment model, and correlation with subjective risk assessment was assessed.

Results
The overall survey response rate was 34% (279/816). The median perceived PDAC risk was twofold (IQR 1–4) above respondents’ estimates of general population risk. Factors significantly associated with higher perceived PDAC risk included non-Hispanic white race, post-graduate education level, PDAC-affected first-degree relative, genetic variants and lack of personal cancer history. Cancer worry had a very weak correlation across PDAC risk estimates (r=0.16). No correlation between perceived PDAC risk and 5-year calculated PDAC risk was found. Older age, having a first-degree relative with PDAC, meeting with a medical provider about PDAC cancer risk and awareness of surveillance modalities were significant predictors of undergoing PDAC surveillance.

Conclusions
Individuals at risk for PDAC do not report risk perception that correlates with calculated risk. This presents an opportunity for counselling of at-risk patients to individualise management and improve surveillance uptake for eligible individuals.
Intraoperative angiography in neurosurgery: temporal trend, access site, and operative indication considerations from a 6-year institutional experience
Authors: Tudor Thilan , Sussman Jonathan , Sioutas Georgios S , Salem Mohamed M , Muhammad Najib , Romeo Dominic , Corral Tarbay Antonio , Kim Yohan , Ng Jinggang , Rhodes Isaiah J , Gajjar Avi , Hurst Robert W , Pukenas Bryan , Bagley Linda , Choudhri Omar A , Zager Eric L , Srinivasan Visish M , Jankowitz Brian T , Burkhardt Jan-Karl 
Published: October 2023

BackgroundHistorically, the transfemoral approach (TFA) has been the most common access site for cerebral intraoperative angiography (IOA). However, in line with trends in cardiac interventional vascular access preferences, the transradial approach (TRA) and transulnar approach (TUA) have been gaining popularity owing to favorable safety and patient satisfaction outcomes.ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of TRA/TUA and TFA for cerebral and spinal IOA at an institutional level over a 6-year period.MethodsBetween July 2016 and December 2022, 317 angiograms were included in our analysis, comprising 60 TRA, 10 TUA, 243 TFA, and 4 transpopliteal approach cases. Fluoroscopy time, contrast dose, reference air kerma, and dose–area products per target vessel catheterized were primary endpoints. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to evaluate predictors of elevated contrast dose and radiation exposure and to assess time trends in access site selection.ResultsContrast dose and radiation exposure metrics per vessel catheterized were not significantly different between access site groups when controlling for patient position, operative region, 3D rotational angiography use, and different operators. Access site was not a significant independent predictor of elevated radiation exposure or contrast dose. There was a significant relationship between case number and operative indication over the study period (P<0.001), with a decrease in the proportion of cases for aneurysm treatment offset by increases in total cases for the management of arteriovenous malformation, AVF, and moyamoya disease.ConclusionsTRA and TUA are safe and effective access site options for neurointerventional procedures that are increasingly used for IOA.
Geometric phase in Taub-NUT spacetime
Authors: Chakraborty Chandrachur , Mukhopadhyay Banibrata 
Published: October 2023

AbstractConstructing the Hamiltonian in the $$\eta $$
η
-representation, we explore the geometric phase in the Taub-NUT spacetime, which is spherically symmetric and stationary. The geometric phase around a non-rotating Taub-NUT spacetime reveals both the gravitational analog of Aharonov–Bohm effect and Pancharatnam–Berry phase, similar to the rotating Kerr background. On the other hand, only the latter emerges in the spherically symmetric Schwarzschild geometry as well as in the axisymmetric magnetized Schwarzschild geometry. With this result, we argue that the Aharonov–Bohm effect and Pancharatnam–Berry phase both can emerge in the stationary spacetime, whereas only the latter emerges in the static spacetime. We outline plausible measurements of these effects/phases, mostly for primordial black holes.
P-wave Sommerfeld enhancement near threshold: a simplified approach
Authors: de Lima Carlos H. , Tonero Alberto , Vasquez Andres , Rosenfeld Rogerio 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe calculation of P-wave Sommerfeld enhancement in processes with unstable particles in the final state is known to be divergent. In a complete description, where resonant (on-shell unstable particles) and non-resonant contributions are included, it has been shown that results are finite. For most beyond the Standard Model applications, these complete calculations are not readily available. In this work, we are interested in the near-threshold region and we consider only the resonant contribution. In this case, we provide a simplified prescription to compute the P-wave Sommerfeld enhancement in the narrow-width approximation of the unstable particle that directly eliminates divergences. We show that we can define a finite resonant contribution without the inclusion of the non-resonant processes in a way similar to the usual S-wave Sommerfeld enhancement.
Towards Practical Secure Neural Network Inference: The Journey So Far and the Road Ahead
Authors: Mann Zoltán Ádám , Weinert Christian , Chabal Daphnee , Bos Joppe W. 
Published: October 2023

Neural networks (NNs) have become one of the most important tools for artificial intelligence. Well-designed and trained NNs can perform inference (e.g., make decisions or predictions) on unseen inputs with high accuracy. Using NNs often involves sensitive data: Depending on the specific use case, the input to the NN and/or the internals of the NN (e.g., the weights and biases) may be sensitive. Thus, there is a need for techniques for performing NN inference securely, ensuring that sensitive data remain secret.
In the past few years, several approaches have been proposed for secure neural network inference. These approaches achieve better and better results in terms of efficiency, security, accuracy, and applicability, thus making big progress toward practical secure neural network inference. The proposed approaches make use of many different techniques, such as homomorphic encryption and secure multi-party computation. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the main approaches proposed so far, their different properties, and the techniques used. In addition, remaining challenges toward large-scale deployments are identified.
Epiretinal Amniotic Membrane Influences the Cellular Behavior of Profibrotic Dedifferentiated Cells of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy In Vitro
Authors: Hillenmayer Anna , Strehle Laura D. , Hilterhaus Christina , Ohlmann Andreas , Wertheimer Christian M. , Wolf Armin 
Published: October 2023

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) as a rare fibrotic ocular disease is the main reason for failure of retinal detachment surgery and a reduced prognosis following surgery. Amniotic membrane (AM) is a versatile surgical tool for tissue stabilization, antifibrotic properties, and regeneration. Initial clinical case studies now demonstrated intravitreal tolerance as well as good anatomical and functional results for degenerative retinal diseases. Due to its diverse wound healing properties, AM could have promoting, suppressive, or no effects on PVR. To illuminate the potential of epiretinal AM transplantation in complex retinal detachment cases, we investigated its influence on human primary PVR (hPVR) cells in vitro. In our cell culture study, hPVR cells were isolated from surgically removed PVR membranes. Following incubation with AM for 48 h, AM-incubated hPVR showed significantly reduced proliferation (BrdU-ELISA;

p
<
0.001

), migration (Boyden chamber, scratch assay;

p

= 0.003 and

p
<
0.001

), and cell adhesion (

p

= 0.005). Collagen contraction was nearly unaffected (

p

= 0.04), and toxicity (histone-complexed DNA ELISA, WST-1 assay, and life/dead staining) was excluded. Next, immunofluorescence showed a myofibroblastic phenotype with reduced expression of fibrosis markers in AM-incubated cells, which was confirmed by Western blot analysis. In the proteomics assay, AM significantly regulated proteins by a more than 2-fold increase in expression which were related to the cytoskeleton, lipid metabolism, cell-matrix contraction, and protein folding. In conclusion, this in vitro work suggests no induction of fibrosis and other key steps in the pathogenesis of PVR through AM but rather inhibiting properties of profibrotic cell behavior, making it a possible candidate for suppression of PVR. Further clinical studies are necessary to evaluate the therapeutic relevance.
Exogenous Sequences in Tumors and Immune Cells (Exotic): A Tool for Estimating the Microbe Abundances in Tumor RNA-seq Data
Authors: Hoyd Rebecca , Wheeler Caroline E. , Liu YunZhou , Jagjit Singh Malvenderjit S. , Muniak Mitchell , Jin Ning , Denko Nicholas C. , Carbone David P. , Mo Xiaokui , Spakowicz Daniel J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe microbiome affects cancer, from carcinogenesis to response to treatments. New evidence suggests that microbes are also present in many tumors, though the scope of how they affect tumor biology and clinical outcomes is in its early stages. A broad survey of tumor microbiome samples across several independent datasets is needed to identify robust correlations for follow-up testing. We created a tool called {exotic} for “exogenous sequences in tumors and immune cells” to carefully identify the tumor microbiome within RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) datasets. We applied it to samples collected through the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN) and The Cancer Genome Atlas. We showed how the processing removes contaminants and batch effects to yield microbe abundances consistent with non–high-throughput sequencing–based approaches and DNA-amplicon–based measurements of a subset of the same tumors. We sought to establish clinical relevance by correlating the microbe abundances with various clinical and tumor measurements, such as age and tumor hypoxia. This process leveraged the two datasets and raised up only the concordant (significant and in the same direction) associations. We observed associations with survival and clinical variables that are cancer specific and relatively few associations with immune composition. Finally, we explored potential mechanisms by which microbes and tumors may interact using a network-based approach. Alistipes, a common gut commensal, showed the highest network degree centrality and was associated with genes related to metabolism and inflammation. The {exotic} tool can support the discovery of microbes in tumors in a way that leverages the many existing and growing RNA-seq datasets.Significance:The intrinsic tumor microbiome holds great potential for its ability to predict various aspects of cancer biology and as a target for rational manipulation. Here, we describe a tool to quantify microbes from within tumor RNA-seq and apply it to two independent datasets. We show new associations with clinical variables that justify biomarker uses and more experimentation into the mechanisms by which tumor microbiomes affect cancer outcomes.
Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Inclisiran in Patients With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Results From the ORION-5 Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Raal Frederick , Durst Ronen , Bi Ran , Talloczy Zsolt , Maheux Pierre , Lesogor Anastasia , Kastelein John J.P. ,   on behalf of the ORION-5 Study Investigators
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disease characterized by extremely high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a high risk of premature cardiovascular events. The proof-of-concept study ORION-2 (A Study of Inclisiran in Participants With Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia) showed that inclisiran, a small interfering RNA that prevents production of the hepatic PCSK9 protein (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9), could lead to durable reductions in LDL-C levels when added to statins and ezetimibe in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

METHODS:
ORION-5 was a phase 3, 2-part, multicenter study in 56 patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and elevated LDL-C levels despite maximum tolerated doses of LDL-C–lowering therapies with or without lipoprotein apheresis. Patients eligible for part 1 (double-blind, 6 months) were randomized 2:1 to receive either 300 mg of inclisiran sodium (equivalent to 284 mg of inclisiran) or placebo. Placebo-treated patients from part 1 were transitioned to inclisiran in part 2 (open-label, 18 months). The primary end point was the percentage change in LDL-C levels from baseline to day 150.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the patients was 42.7 years, and 60.7% were women. The mean baseline LDL-C levels were 294.0 mg/dL and 356.7 mg/dL in the inclisiran and placebo groups, respectively. The placebo-corrected percentage change in LDL-C level from baseline to day 150 was −1.68% (95% CI, −29.19% to 25.83%;
P
=0.90), and the difference was not statistically significant between the inclisiran and placebo groups. The placebo-corrected percentage change in PCSK9 levels from baseline to day 150 was −60.6% with inclisiran treatment (
P
<0.0001); this was sustained throughout the study, confirming the effect of inclisiran on its biological target of PCSK9. No statistically significant differences between the inclisiran and placebo groups were observed in the levels of other lipids and lipoproteins (apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol, and non−high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Adverse events and serious adverse events did not differ between the inclisiran and placebo groups throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONS:
Inclisiran treatment did not reduce LDL-C levels in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia despite substantial lowering of PCSK9 levels. Inclisiran was well-tolerated, and the safety findings were consistent with previously reported studies and the overall safety profile.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03851705.
Remote Ischemic Conditioning and Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Versus Without Large Artery Atherosclerosis
Authors: Cui Yu , Yuan Zhi-Mei , Liu Quan-Ying , Wang Ying-Jia , Chen Hui-Sheng 
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:
RICAMIS trial (The Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Acute Moderate Ischemic Stroke) has demonstrated efficacy of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in acute ischemic stroke. We conducted a post hoc analysis of RICAMIS to investigate whether large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) subtype contributed to the outcomes.

METHODS:
This is a post hoc analysis of the RICAMIS trial. Patients randomized to RIC group and Control group in full analysis set of RICAMIS were classified into LAA and non-LAA subtypes. The primary outcome was excellent functional outcome at 90 days, defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1. Compared with patients receiving usual care, we investigated the association of RIC effect with outcomes in stroke subtypes and the interaction between RIC effect and stroke subtypes. The primary analysis was adjusted analysis.

RESULTS:

Among 1773 patients, 516 were assigned to LAA subtype (229 in the RIC group and 287 in the control group) and 1257 to non-LAA subtype (633 in the RIC group and 624 in the control group). Median age was 65 years, and 34.2% were women. A higher proportion of primary outcome was found to be associated with RIC treatment in LAA subtype (adjusted risk difference, 11.4% [95% CI, 3.6%–19.2%];
P
=0.004), but not in non-LAA subtype (adjusted risk difference, 4.1% [95% CI, −1.1% to 9.3%];
P
=0.12). There was no significant interaction between RIC effect and stroke subtypes (
P
=0.12).

CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with LAA subtype may benefit from RIC after stroke with respect to excellent functional outcome at 90 days.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03740971.
The Works of Alan Richardson as a Prototype Public Theology
Authors: Root Terence George 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Public theology today is a discipline engaging with an ever-growing array of publics, seeking to view their various social, political and cultural issues through a theological lens. In this article I will argue that the discipline has often failed to pay attention to earlier work which can claim to be antecedent of the genre. To evidence this claim I will describe and contextualise the work of Alan Richardson in mid twentieth-century Britain as a pragmatic endeavour responding to a developing public antipathy towards Christian beliefs and adherence which can be viewed as a prototype public theology. I will suggest that engaging with Richardson’s work perceived as an antecedent of public theology will add praxis to contemporary debates focused on theory, definitions and purposes.
Parapsychology, Hallucinations, Collective Delusions, and Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Appearances
Authors: Smith Stephen H. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
After a brief outline of Glenn Siniscalchi’s apology for the traditional approach to the post-resurrection appearances, I examine his particular view that any attempt to compare the appearances of Jesus with the various apparitions discussed by parapsychologists is doomed to failure. Siniscalchi states, correctly, that the only category of apparitions worthy of consideration at all is the ‘post-mortem apparition’. However, some of the suggested differences between these and the appearances of Jesus seem somewhat banal, and are not as significant as they are made out to be. My suggestion is that some form of hypothesis coupling hallucinations with collective delusions would explain both individual and collective post-resurrection appearances, and serve as a viable alternative to the traditional evangelical view.
When Is a Belief Formed in an Epistemically Circular Way?
Authors: Stewart Todd M. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
While there has been a great deal of discussion of whether and when beliefs formed in an epistemically circular manner can be justified, there has been almost no discussion of exactly which beliefs are formed in a circular manner. These discussions have tended to focus on an extremely limited number of intuitively-identified paradigm examples concerning attempts to establish the reliability of a method of belief formation. Here, I seek to answer a prior analytical question about the nature of epistemic circularity by developing a criterion which sorts epistemically circular beliefs from non-epistemically circular beliefs.
Simulating the Transition from Shallow to Deep Convection across Scales: The Role of Congestus Clouds
Authors: Champouillon Aude , Rio Catherine , Couvreux Fleur 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
An idealized case of gradual oceanic transition from shallow to deep convection is simulated at three different horizontal resolutions: one that resolves most of the turbulent eddies, one typical of cloud-resolving models, and one typical of general circulation models. The former serves as a reference and allows the identification of clouds as individual objects, distinguishing shallow cumulus, congestus, and cumulonimbus. At coarser resolutions, parameterizations of convection are included and assessed, with a particular focus on congestus clouds and precipitation associated with shallow convective clouds. Congestus clouds are found to contribute the most to turbulent transport during the transition, while occupying a volume comparable to shallow cumulus and cumulonimbus. Kilometer-scale horizontal resolutions prove to be insufficient to resolve congestus, and parameterization schemes of shallow and deep convection are not necessarily appropriate to represent those intermediate clouds. The representation of rainfall in the shallow convection scheme plays a key role in the transition. Sensitivity experiments show that enhanced rainfall inhibits convection in single-column simulations, while it favors resolved convection and spatial heterogeneities in three-dimensional simulations with kilometer-scale resolution. Results highlight the need for an appropriate parameterization of congestus in both kilometer-scale and large-scale models. The case study and the methods presented here are proposed as a useful framework to evaluate models and their parameterizations in a shallow-to-deep convection transition context.