bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Open questions on lower urinary tract infections: Results of a Delphi consensus study
Authors: Iacovelli Valerio , Ficarra Vincenzo , Maestroni Umberto Vittorio , Tutolo Manuela , Finazzi Agrò Enrico 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveThis is a Delphi study that aims to explore expert consensus regarding open questions in current literature evidence on lower urinary tract infections (UTIs). This manuscript deals with adults and analyzed the most recent guidelines and meta‐analysis on the topic.MethodsA panel of leading urologists and urogynaecologists participated in a consensus‐forming project using a Delphi method to reach consensus on gray zone issues on recurrent lower UTIns (rUTIs), asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) in pregnant women, and catheter‐associated UTIs (CAUTI) in adults. All the panelists were invited to participate the four phases consensus. Consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement. An ordinal scale (0–10) was used. A systematic literature review was analyzed for diagnostic workup and prevention of rUTIs, AB, and CAUTI.ResultsIn total, 37 experts participated. All panelists participated in the four phases of the consensus process. Consensus was reached if ≥75% of the experts agreed on the proposed topic. Online meetings and a face‐to‐face consensus meeting was held in Milan in March 2023. Formal consensus was achieved for 12/13 items.ConclusionsThis manuscript is a Delphi survey of experts that showed interest on some debated points on rUTIs, AB in pregnancy, and prevention of CAUTI. There is still little data on nonantibiotic prevention of UTIs and CAUTI; quite old studies have been reported on AB in pregnancy. The emerging problem of antibiotic resistance is relevant and nonantibiotic prophylaxis may play a role in its prevention.
Photoluminescence lifetime stability studies of β‐diketonate europium complexes based phenanthroline derivatives in poly(methyl methacrylate) films
Authors: Essahili Othmane , Ouafi Mouad , Ilsouk Mohamed , Lakbita Omar , Duhayon Carine , Mahi Lhassane , Moudam Omar 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this work, five phenanthroline derivatives substituted with different methyl groups have been selected to synthesize β‐diketonate‐based europium complexes to check the influence of the substitutions on the degradation effect of those complexes in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films. The photophysical properties of Eu(III) complexes, including absorbance, excitation, and emission have been carefully investigated in solution, solid‐state, and doped in PMMA film. In all these states, the complexes exhibit an impressive red emission at 614 nm with a high photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 85 %. The films have been exposed under outdoor, indoor, and dark storage stability lifetime conditions for 1200 hours. The photoluminescence measurements recorded every 400, 800, and 1200 hours demonstrated that the film containing europium complex with phenanthroline ligand substituted by a high number of methyl groups (Eu(TTA)3L5) showed good photoluminescent stability in indoor and dark conditions, and exhibited better resistance to degradation in outdoor conditions compared to other complexes. This study has proved that phenanthroline ligands could be tuned chemically leading to better stability of those types of complexes in films which can be end‐used for future stable optoelectronic devices such as luminescent solar concentrators.
Correlation between sampling site and prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) in patients with oral cancer referred to Shiraz, Iran
Authors: Habibi Latifa , Farzi Rana , Pirbonyeh Neda , Edalat Fahime , Letafati Arash , Moattari Afagh 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionCancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity in which there is a poor prognosis. Viruses, including human papillomavirus (HPV) play an important role in the etiology of this cancer.MethodsThis case–control study enrolled 100 individuals with diagnosed oral cancer in the case group and an equivalent number of 100 healthy individuals in the control group. Over the course of 1 year, samples were collected from Khalili Hospital in Shiraz, Iran. Tissue specimens were procured from diverse oral regions, with specimens from the healthy group exclusively sourced from the tonsillar area. Patient inclusion criteria involved manifestations like oral swelling, facial pain, tongue abnormalities, tongue paralysis, and tumors or swellings in the inner lip, gums, or chin. A questionnaire facilitated the collection of demographic data, covering variables such as age and gender. The subjects had a mean age of 53.66 ± 1.38 years, with a gender distribution of 70 individuals (34%) female and 130 (65%) males. Tissue specimens underwent molecular analysis using Nested‐PCR to detect HPV presence.ResultsAnalysis unveiled HPV identification in two cases within the control group and 14 cases within the case group, revealing a statistically significant disparity (p value = 0.008) which may be correlated to incidence of OSCC within the case group. Further exploration disclosed a predilection for HPV localization in the tongue, followed by the laryngeal region. A significant association was established between the sampling site and HPV incidence (p = 0.004).ConclusionThis investigation unveiled a compelling connection between the site of sampling and HPV infection, a phenomenon pronounced particularly among individuals grappling with oral cancer. This underscores potential relationship between the site of sampling and HPV infection within the context of oral carcinoma. The findings of this study underscore HPV's role as a significant risk factor in the initiation of oral cancer in individuals. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that additional factors, including age and gender, also contribute to this intricate process.
Exercising bureaucratic discretion through selective bridging: A response to institutional complexity in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Shibaab , Burns Prue , Wolfram Cox Julie , Alam Quamrul 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe attempt to reconcile top‐down and bottom‐up perspectives on bureaucratic discretion to understand how actors ‘caught in the middle’, such as middle level public managers, negotiate conflicting demands to exercise discretion in the Bangladesh public administration. To do this, we employ the institutional logics framework, a theoretical lens that conceptualises how regulative, cultural forces bear down on actors, and also acknowledges actor agency. Based on 32 interviews with current and former public servants and local public administration experts, supported by secondary documentary analysis, we identify a new way in which discretion may be enacted in institutionally complex settings, offering a way to reconcile top‐down and bottom‐up perspectives. We term this response selective bridging—a sense‐making approach to exploit the complementarities of competing institutional forces from the top to exercise discretion for bottom‐up needs.
The impact of right‐to‐work laws on long hours and work schedules
Authors: Gihleb Rania , Giuntella Osea , Tan Jian Qi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractUnions play a crucial role in determining wages and employment outcomes. However, union bargaining power may also have important effects on non‐pecuniary working conditions. We study the effects of right‐to‐work laws, which removed agency shop protection and weakened union powers on long hours and non‐standard work schedules that may adversely affect workers’ health and safety. We exploit variation in the timing of enactment across U.S. states and compare workers in bordering counties across adopting states and states that did not adopt the laws yet. Using the stacked approach to difference‐in‐differences estimates proposed by Cengiz et al. (2019), we find evidence that right‐to‐work laws increased the share of workers working long hours by 6%, while there is little evidence of an impact on hourly wages. The effects on long hours are larger in more unionized sectors (i.e., construction, manufacturing, and transportation). While the likelihood of working non‐standard hours increases for particular sectors (education and public administration), there is no evidence of a significant increase in the overall sample.
Self‐service bans and gasoline prices: The effect of allowing consumers to pump their own gas
Authors: Melo Vitor 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMost of the world's population lives in countries that ban the self‐service sale of gasoline. Causal effects of this regulation can hardly be assessed in these countries due to a lack of policy changes, but a recent quasi‐experiment in the state of Oregon allows us to analyze the impact of the ban. From 1992 to 2017, the state of Oregon was one of two U.S. states that banned self‐service at gasoline stations. Oregon adjusted regulations at the start of 2018 to allow self‐service at gasoline stations in counties with populations below 40,000 individuals. I examine the repeal of this self‐service ban and its effects on gasoline prices. I apply a difference‐in‐differences design using high frequency data of gasoline prices and find that repealing the self‐service ban reduced gasoline prices by 4.4 cents per gallon in affected Oregon counties. This effect represents approximately $90 in expected annual savings for a household with three licensed drivers.
Computational and experimental study on the resistance welding process of a glass fiber‐reinforced epoxy‐based composite with thermoplastic interlayer adherent
Authors: Liang Yunhao , Shi Yu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this work, resistance welding of a glass fiber‐reinforced epoxy composite (GFRC) was studied with numerical optimization and experimental validation. A steel mesh and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) films were used as the heating element and adherent interlayers, respectively. A transient heat transfer module was implemented to conduct the parametric optimization study, with variables of electricity power, clamping distance and weld time. The optimal welding condition was then confirmed as 20 W, 0.4 mm and 30 s, with a melting degree of 95.2%. A thermal meter and a thermal camera validated the simulated temperature results. Welding quality was experimentally characterized by single lap shear tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest lap shear strength of 3.8 ± 0.3 MPa was captured on the specimen welded with the optimized condition. This was 76% that of the benchmark made with the adhesive bonding method but it was over 200 times faster.Highlights
Resistance welding of GFRC with PMMA films and a steel mesh is studied with FEA.
Simulation results are quantitatively validated with experimental methods.
Optimal welding conditions are confirmed in association with welding tests.
Investigation of commercially available resins for the automated flow synthesis of difficult or long peptide sequences
Authors: Lee Michael A. , Brown Joseph S. , Loas Andrei , Pentelute Bradley L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSolid‐phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) is widely used to produce peptides. Since its invention, the solid support has enabled the elongation of the synthetic peptide chain. As technologies have evolved, the length of peptide chains accessible with SPPS has grown to that of single‐domain proteins. Resins for SPPS have advanced to improve synthesis capabilities as well. The functionalization of solid supports with polyethylene glycol (PEG) is commonly employed in a range of commercially available resins to aid in the ability to synthesize long or difficult sequences. A notable example of a widely used PEG‐based solid support is ChemMatrix® resin; however, this and several similar resins have recently been discontinued. Here, we demonstrate and compare the capabilities of OctaGel™, ProTide®, and TentaGel XV® resins in synthesizing sequences ranging from peptides to single domain proteins using automated fast‐flow peptide synthesis. Our studies indicate that each resin performs well for routine peptide synthesis by automated flow, whereas TentaGel XV resin showed the best performance for synthesis of difficult or long peptide sequences when comparing quality using yield, purity, and real‐time UV absorbance monitoring during synthesis.
Student profiles of physical activity, screen time, sleep quality and dietary habits and their association with mental health and school satisfaction: An exploratory study
Authors: Webster Collin A. , Mîndrila Diana , Murphy Anthony D. , Banićević Ivana , Perić Dušan , Stankić Dragan , Banićević Željko 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe interrelated nature of mental health and indicators of school success in children and adolescents has been under‐investigated from a person‐centered perspective. In this exploratory study, we examined patterns of health behavior in relation to mental health and school satisfaction. A convenience sample of 315 students (Mage = 11.39; SD = 2.045) from two British schools in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates participated in an online survey that included self‐report measures of physical activity, screen time, sleep quality, dietary habits, mental health, and school satisfaction. Based on latent profile analysis, we identified four distinct health behavior profiles: high, low, average, and poor sleep and diet. Significant variation across profiles was evident for mental health subscores, age, and gender, although the results for gender were due to a high number of participants identifying as “other” or preferring not to say their gender. Profile membership was significantly associated with mental health and school satisfaction with students in the high health behavior profile reporting the highest scores on these outcomes. This study presents novel findings about students' health behaviors and school satisfaction and provides impetus for continuing research in this area of inquiry from a person‐centered perspective.
A moderated mediation analysis on the relationship between metacognition and mathematical resilience of gifted students
Authors: Turgut Sedat , Uğurlu Mahir 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study examined the mediator role of mathematics motivation and the moderator role of mathematics anxiety (MA) in the relationship between metacognition (MC) and mathematical resilience (MR). The participants are 202 gifted students. Data were collected through the “Metacognitive Awareness Scale,” “MR Scale,” “Revised MA Rating Scale,” and “Mathematics Motivation Scale.” Regression analysis based on the bootstrap technique was used to test the hypothetical model, including mediation, moderation, and moderated mediation relations. The study results showed that MC indirectly positively affects MR through mathematical motivation. MA has a moderator effect on the positive effect of mathematics motivation on MR. The positive effect of mathematics motivation on MR decreases as MA increases. MA has a moderating effect on the indirect effect of MC on MR through mathematics motivation. The positive effect of MC on MR decreases as math anxiety increases.
Proteomics of urinary small extracellular vesicles in early diagnosis of kidney diseases in children‐expectations and limitations
Authors: Korecka Klaudia , Gawin Marta , Pastuszka Agnieszka , Partyka Mirosław , Koszutski Tomasz , Pietrowska Monika , Hyla‐Klekot Lidia 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe primary function of the kidneys is to maintain systemic homeostasis (disruption of renal structure and function results in multilevel impairment of body function). Kidney diseases are characterized by a chronic, progressive course and may result in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Evaluation of the composition of the proteome of urinary small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) as a so‐called liquid biopsy is a promising new research direction. Knowing the composition of sEV could allow localization of cellular changes in specific sections of the nephron or the interstitial tissue before fixed changes, detectable only at an advanced stage of the disease, occur. Research is currently underway on the role of sEVs in the diagnosis and monitoring of many disease entities. Reports in the literature on the subject include: diabetic nephropathy, focal glomerulosclerosis in the course of glomerulopathies, renal fibrosis of various etiologies. Studies on pediatric patients are still few, involving piloting if small groups of patients without validation studies. Here, we review the literature addressing the use of sEV for diagnosis of the most common urinary disorders in children. We evaluate the clinical utility and define limitations of markers present in sEV as potential liquid biopsy.
Coffee breeding in a time of crisis: F1 hybrids in Central America since 1990
Authors: McCook Stuart , Montero‐Mora Andrea 
Published: January 2024

Social Impact StatementCentral America is renowned for producing some of the world's finest coffee, prized for its quality and flavor. With coffee being a major export crop for many countries, the region's economic, social, and cultural well‐being is closely linked to the success of its coffee industry. Coffee breeding supports the industry's long‐term sustainability and competitiveness by developing new varieties that are more productive, disease‐resistant, climate resilient, and adapted to the coffee producer's realities. Ongoing efforts in coffee breeding have significant implications for the livelihoods of thousands of coffee farmers and their families, the economies of Central American countries, and the preservation of the region's rich coffee tradition and culture.Summary

The central objective is to understand how coffee breeding programs have evolved to help coffee farmers adapt to the rapidly changing economic, political, institutional, and environmental conditions since 1990. Before then, coffee breeders focused primarily on productivity, developing dwarf varieties bred for intensive monoculture production. Since 1990, breeders have shifted their work to address climate change, new diseases and pests, a growing industry interest in cup quality, and unprecedented price volatility. Much of the breeding work has shifted from public institutions to international technical assistance agencies, international non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), and private companies. Their new programs focus on developing F1 coffees designed for agroforestry production and, which, can be developed quickly in response to changing conditions. This case study also complicates narratives about the place of hybrid coffees in agricultural modernization during the 20th and 21st centuries.
Analyze documents produced over the past 30 years by key breeding organizations, governments, trade organizations, to assess the evolution of breeding programs in historical context, and the progress of the new coffees in the field.
Some F1 hybrids have shown considerable promise, but challenges surrounding their propagation, distribution, and cost—as well as their suitability for the specialty coffee market—have so far prevented farmers from adopting them on a large scale.
The switch to F1 coffee breeding represents a deep strategic shift in coffee breeding in Central America, more attuned to the needs of coffee farmers. While the F1 coffees can help farmers address many of the farmers' technical challenges, cost and logistical issues remain a challenge.
Cytogenetics of maize in Mexico as a field of transnational exchange: The case of Takeo Ángel Kato Yamakake
Authors: Rojas Diana Alejandra Méndez 
Published: January 2024

Societal Impact StatementMaize is one of the most consumed grains worldwide. Its production and international trade are expected to continue increasing because of its use as animal fodder and direct human food. Although maize's history spans millennia, in the last century it underwent significant changes due to genetic engineering, particularly during the Green Revolution. Due to maize's importance for current food security and energy production, it is fundamental to understand this engineering process to assess the implications of current styles of maize production for local and global landscapes, scientific institutions, and transnational networks of agricultural science.Summary

This article aims to explain how Mexican agricultural expertise contributed to the development of cytogenetics as a specialized field in the study of the diversity of maize within the framework of the Green Revolution. To this end, the article follows the work of Mexican agronomist Takeo Ángel Kato Yamakake within the activities of the Inter‐American Maize Improvement Program (IMIP), formally established in 1960. By reconstructing the debate on the genetic implications of chromosomal structure and function, this study contributes to the historiography devoted to the role played by local experts in the classification, experimentation, and conservation of maize.
The article is based on sources from Mexico and the United States, an interview with Kato, and the consultation of the database “Rockefeller Fellows. Individual Mobility Awards at Rockefeller‐endowed Organizations, 1914‐1970.”
Kato's trajectory provides an overview of agronomy in Mexico and shows the relevance of transnational exchange in the establishment of plant cytogenetics. Kato's academic activity features collaborations with key figures such as Edwin Wellhausen, Albert Longley, Barbara McClintock, W. Gallinat, Czeslawa Prywer, and Almiro Blumenschein.
A Green Revolution era quest to unravel the origin of maize as a way of perfecting its genetic manipulation fueled the interest in establishing cytogenetics in Mexico. However, the irruption of the molecular approach made the study of the position of chromosomal knobs less of a priority. Despite this, classical cytogenetics, under Kato's leadership, remains a field that contributed to the knowledge of the vegetal genome, even when the IMIP disappeared and the logic of the Green Revolution lost its centrality.
Impact of habitual physical activity and exercise capacity on quality of life in adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Welsner Matthias , Gruber Wolfgang , Blosch Christopher , Olivier Margarete , Mellies Uwe , Dillenhoefer Stefanie , Brinkmann Folke , Koerner‐Rettberg Cordula , Sutharsan Sivagurunathan , Taube Christian , Stehling Florian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe influence of habitual physical activity and exercise capacity on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) is poorly characterized. This study investigated the influence of habitual physical activity, exercise capacity, lung function, and body mass index (BMI) on HRQoL in adolescent and adult pwCF.MethodSubjects were fitted with an accelerometer to determine habitual physical activity (steps/day), including time spent at different intensities, for up to 4 weeks. Then bicycle ergometry (maximal exercise capacity; Wpeak), lung function (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s, ppFEV1), BMI, and response to the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire‐Revised (CFQ‐R) were determined.ResultsSixty‐five pwCF participated in the study. Physically active pwCF had significantly higher ppFEV1 (p < .001) and exercise capacity (p < .001) than inactive pwCF, and had significantly higher scores on the CFQ‐R physical (p = .006), emotional (p = .015), role (p = .008), health (p = .006), and weight (p = .004) subscales. On multiple linear regression analysis, ppFEV1 and, to a lesser extent, exercise capacity, were the most important determinants of HRQoL in pwCF. Time spent in moderate‐to‐vigorous intensity physical activity did not influence any of the CFQ‐R subscales, whereas time spent in vigorous‐intensity influenced CFQ‐R scores for role (p = .007), body (p = .001), health (p = .009), and weight (p = .01).ConclusionHRQoL in adolescent and adult pwCF was influenced by several factors. Avoiding sedentary behavior and spending time in vigorous‐intensity levels positively influenced HRQoL, whereas the total number of steps per day played only a minor role in determining HRQoL. Both ppFEV1 and exercise capacity markedly influenced HRQoL.