bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of the Sexual Networks of Men Who Have Sex With Men in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver: Insights from Canada's 2022 Mpox Outbreak
Authors: Xiu Fanyu , Flores Anato Jorge Luis , Cox Joseph , Grace Daniel , Hart Trevor A , Skakoon-Sparling Shayna , Dvorakova Milada , Knight Jesse , Wang Linwei , Gatalo Oliver , Campbell Evan , Zhang Terri , Sbihi Hind , Irvine Michael A , Mishra Sharmistha , Maheu-Giroux Mathieu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
The 2022–2023 global mpox outbreak disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). We investigated differences in GBM's sexual partner distributions across Canada's 3 largest cities and over time, and how they shaped transmission.

Methods
The Engage Cohort Study (2017–2023) recruited GBM via respondent-driven sampling in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver (n = 2449). We compared reported sexual partner distributions across cities and periods: before COVID-19 (2017–2019), pandemic (2020–2021), and after lifting of restrictions (2021–2023). We used Bayesian regression and poststratification to model partner distributions. We estimated mpox's basic reproduction number (R0) using a risk-stratified compartmental model.

Results
Pre–COVID-19 pandemic distributions were comparable: fitted average partners (past 6 months) were 10.4 (95% credible interval: 9.4–11.5) in Montréal, 13.1 (11.3–15.1) in Toronto, and 10.7 (9.5–12.1) in Vancouver. Sexual activity decreased during the pandemic and increased after lifting of restrictions, but remained below prepandemic levels. Based on reported cases, we estimated R0 of 2.4 to 2.7 and similar cumulative incidences (0.7%–0.9%) across cities.

Conclusions
Similar sexual partner distributions may explain comparable R0 and cumulative incidence across cities. With potential for further recovery in sexual activity, mpox vaccination and surveillance strategies should be maintained.
Communities of Practice in World Politics: Advancing a Research Agenda
Authors: Adler Emanuel , Bremberg Niklas , Sondarjee Maïka 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis special forum focuses on international communities of practice (CoP) as a concept and an object of inquiry in International Relations (IR). The Introduction discusses the concept’s origins and how it has entered the field of IR. It addresses why and how CoPs matter to IR scholars by looking at how structure, agency, processes, institutions, and knowledge manifest themselves in communities. This special forum’s main contributions are: (1) capturing the political and economic effects of shared knowledge creation and diffusion through practices; (2) identifying the sources of knowledge production and learning, as well as the normative and political contestation within and between CoPs; (3) studying the social processes that originate at the boundaries between CoPs; (4) examining how people and processes generate, transform, and communicate knowledge; and (5) exploring how CoPs cultivate global governance’s norms, values, and practices from the bottom up. The Introduction also helps distinguish CoP from other relational concepts in IR such as networks, fields, regimes, and epistemic or security communities. It ends by way of situating the contributions to the special forum and outlining a research agenda on CoPs in world politics.
Uncertain Readiness: Process Design and Complexity Management in Peace Negotiations
Authors: Arévalo Julián 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The reasons behind the development and outcomes of peace negotiations remain a subject of debate among scholars and practitioners. Structural conflict conditions of the conflict are often emphasized as key explanatory variables. However, this approach often neglects the actual intricacies of peace talks once they are in place and, instead, correlates negotiation outcomes with variables that are not actively part of them. Drawing on conflict resolution theory and the theory of complexity, the article proposes a theory for understanding the dynamics of peace negotiations. The main argument is that in a complex environment like one of peace talks, decisions on process design can be a key determinant of the effort devoted by the parties, and thus, of the negotiations unfolding. One contribution of this approach is the recognition of the potential of a negotiation to transform the relationship between the parties from one of conflict to one of cooperation in a joint effort to work toward a negotiated solution, provided that the complexity of the negotiation and the uncertainties associated to it are properly managed. Negotiation process design can provide some of the tools to do so. Similarly, this approach makes it possible to understand the existence of negotiations in which the parties are interested in keeping the dialogue open, regardless of some conditions of the conflict, for instance, alleged lack of ripeness. As an example, the paper studies the case of the Colombian government's parallel peace negotiations with the FARC and the ELN in the period 2010–2018, which shows the possible role of process design variables in the different paths of these two negotiations.
Perspectives of community-based organizations on digital health equity interventions: a key informant interview study
Authors: Kim Katherine K , Backonja Uba 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundHealth and healthcare are increasingly dependent on internet and digital solutions. Medically underserved communities that experience health disparities are often those who are burdened by digital disparities. While digital equity and digital health equity are national priorities, there is limited evidence about how community-based organizations (CBOs) consider and develop interventions.MethodsWe conducted key informant interviews in 2022 purposively recruiting from health and welfare organizations engaged in digital equity work. Nineteen individuals from 13 organizations serving rural and/or urban communities from the local to national level participated in semi-structured interviews via Zoom regarding their perspectives on digital health equity interventions. Directed content analysis of verbatim interview transcripts was conducted to identify themes.ResultsThemes emerged at individual, organizational, and societal levels. Individual level themes included potential benefits from digital health equity, internet access challenges, and the need for access to devices and digital literacy. Organizational level themes included leveraging community assets, promising organizational practices and challenges. For the societal level, the shifting complexity of the digital equity ecosystem, policy issues, and data for needs assessment and evaluation were described. Several example case studies describing these themes were provided.Discussion and conclusionDigital health equity interventions are complex, multi-level endeavors. Clear elucidation of the individual, organizational, and societal level factors that may impact digital health equity interventions are necessary to understanding if and how CBOs participate in such initiatives. This study presents unique perspectives directly from CBOs driving programs in this new arena of digital health equity.
Critical insecurities? The European Union’s strategy for a stable supply of minerals
Authors: Crochet Victor , Zhou Weihuan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The green transition is creating exponential needs for critical minerals. As demand currently exceeds supply for many of these minerals, governments worldwide are devising strategies to secure stable procurements of the minerals they lack as well as to ensure that they reap the benefits of their own natural wealth. The European Union (EU) is in a difficult position in this regard due to limited domestic reserves and, thus, serves as an ideal case study to explore developments in international economic law on this issue. Internally, the EU has been reforming its financing mechanisms, developing risk management tools, and enhancing recycling. Externally, the EU has been using international trade tools to focus on access to supply rather than traditional market access issues while also developing new investment rules to open doors and protect its foreign investors in extractive industries. Both internal and external actions are being coordinated with allies through new cooperative mechanisms. However, challenges abound. These strategies will face resistance from resource-abundant economies in view of their growing demand for policy space to protect their own mineral sector. Such strategies are also inherently competitive and, hence, might lead to growing tensions among resource-seeking economies themselves.
Effectiveness of opioid switching for dyspnea and its predictors in cancer patients: a single-center retrospective observational study
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Tanaka Shion , Matsuura Katsuhiko , Yamamoto Seiji , Urano Kimihiko , Okita Junya , Kato Eisuke , Odagiri Takuya , Deguchi Yuko 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Morphine is the most used opioid for dyspnea, but other opioids such as oxycodone and fentanyl are increasingly used, and opioid switching to these is sometimes undertaken. No studies have verified the effectiveness of opioid switching for relief of dyspnea. We retrospectively investigated the effectiveness of opioid switching for dyspnea and its predictors.

Methods
All patients with opioid switching for dyspnea during hospitalization at Komaki City Hospital from January 2019 to August 2022 were included. Opioid switching was defined as a change to another opioid, and the assessment period for evaluating the effectiveness and adverse events of opioid switching was set as 1 week. Patients with Numeric Rating Scale or Japanese version of the Support Team Assessment Schedule reduction for dyspnea of at least 1, or with clear improvement based on medical records, were considered valid. Mitigating factors for dyspnea were identified using logistic regression analysis.

Results
Of the 976 patients with opioid switching, 57 patients had opioid switching for relief of dyspnea. Of these, opioid switching was effective in 21 patients (36.8%). In a multivariate analysis, older patients (odds ratio: 5.52, 95% CI: 1.50–20.20, P &lt; 0.01), short prognosis for post-opioid switching (odds ratio: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.04–0.87, P = 0.03) and cachexia (odds ratio: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02–0.64, P &lt; 0.01) were significantly associated with opioid switching effects for dyspnea. There were no serious adverse events after opioid switching.

Conclusion
This study indicates that opioid switching for dyspnea may have some effect. Furthermore, opioid switching for dyspnea may be more effective in older patients and less effective in terminally ill patients or in those with cachexia.
Mirtazapine versus megestrol acetate in treatment of anorexia-cachexia in advanced cancer patients: a randomized, double-blind trial
Authors: Chowdhury Iftekhar Hossain , Rahman Md Sayedur , Chowdhury Md Najmul Kabir , Afroze Yeasmin Jahan , Tabassum Masuma , Marnush Muhammad , Zerin Nusrat 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objective
Cancer-related anorexia-cachexia comprises one of the most common syndromes of advanced cancer patients. The management of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia is a great challenge in clinical practice. There are no definite practice guidelines yet for the prevention and treatment of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia. This study is considered to find out whether there is any role of mirtazapine in the improvement of anorexia in cancer patients.

Methods
A total of 80 cancer-anorexia patients were enrolled. Patients in the trial arm received the standard chemotherapy medication plus one tablet of mirtazapine 15 mg daily at night orally for 8 weeks starting from the day of an initial assessment. The control arm received the standard chemotherapy medication plus one tablet of megestrol acetate 160 mg daily orally for 8 weeks starting from the day of an initial assessment. Each patient was assessed by validated versions of Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy Anorexia/Cachexia Sub Scale v 4 questionnaires.

Results
After 4 and 8 weeks each patient was evaluated again using the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy Anorexia/Cachexia Sub Scale tool. The quality of life of each patient was assessed by European Organization for Research and Treatment QLQ-C30 v 3.0. After 4 to 8 weeks of treatment, the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy Anorexia/Cachexia Sub Scale score in cancer anorexia patients in the mirtazapine improved anorexia significantly. However, the improvement after 4 to 8 weeks was not statistically significant when it was compared with the megestrol acetate (P &gt; 0.05).

Conclusions
Therefore, the findings of this study reveal that mirtazapine might be a potential alternative to megestrol acetate, as it has shown potential efficacy as like as megestrol acetate.
Using PIT tags to infer bat reproductive status and parturition date: busy nights during lactation
Authors: Fontaine Amélie , Simard Anouk , Simard Valérie , Broders Hugh G , Elliott Kyle H 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Passive integrated transponders (PIT tags) can aid in the collection of important demographic data for species for which other methods, such as GPS technology, are not suitable. PIT tags can be particularly suitable to monitor small and cryptic species like bats and permit inference on their behavioral ecology. Literature for several species of bats states that females change their nightly activity patterns—going out and in of the roost only once per night during gestation compared to several times during lactation. Hence, we tested whether PIT tag detection patterns could be used to infer reproductive status and parturition date of female bats. From 2017 to 2021, we recorded detections of PIT-tagged little brown (Myotis lucifugus) and northern long-eared bats (M. septentrionalis) at the entrance of 2 maternity roosts in Québec and Newfoundland, Canada. We also used the maternity roost in Québec as a case study to further evaluate the potential of this method to link behavior and demography and investigated factors affecting parturition date. We were able to infer reproductive status for 63% to 97% of tagged individuals detected during both the gestation and the lactation periods, and parturition date for 61% to 95% of reproductive individuals, depending on the year and roost. Early spring arrival at the roost and warm spring mean temperature at night were associated with earlier parturition dates. Herein, we highlight that PIT tag systems may be useful to detect changes in activity patterns of female bats and infer individual reproductive parameters, which is on the long-term less stressful for bats and easier for researchers. We demonstrate that this approach is useful to investigate intrinsic and extrinsic factors of reproductive parameters, improving our understanding of bat population dynamics resulting in more informed population management decisions.
Preference for group-based social hierarchy and the reluctance to accept women as equals in law enforcement
Authors: Davis Jill A , Hassan Shahidul 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
While many public organizations have made notable strides to improve the representation of women at all ranks, women remain severely underrepresented in law enforcement organizations. Research shows that a critical barrier to women’s integration into law enforcement is the common perception among policemen that women are unsuited for police work. This study draws on Social Dominance Theory (SDT) to illuminate the values and beliefs underlying policemen’s negative perceptions. Using multi-wave survey data and Ordinary Least Squares Regression analyses, we examine the association between social dominance orientation (SDO), an individual difference variable that captures preference for group-based social hierarchy, and officers’ assessment of women’s suitability for law enforcement. In line with existing evidence, our analyses show that compared to policewomen, policemen report significantly more negative assessments of women’s suitability for law enforcement. We also find that higher SDO officers report more negative assessments of women in law enforcement, and officers’ diversity value partially mediates this relationship. These novel findings suggest that officers who desire to protect existing power dynamics are more likely to resist organizational diversity efforts and hold more negative views about women’s suitability for law enforcement.
Understanding the impacts of chronic pain on autistic adolescents and effective pain management: a reflexive thematic analysis adolescent–maternal dyadic study
Authors: Jordan Abbie , Parchment Amelia , Gauntlett-Gilbert Jeremy , Jones Abigail , Donaghy Bethany , Wainwright Elaine , Connell Hannah , Walden Joseline , Moore David J 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Objective
Sensory elements are core features in chronic pain and autism, yet knowledge of the pain experience in autistic adolescents is limited. Little is known regarding how autistic adolescents experience chronic pain, manage their pain and perceive psychological treatment for their chronic pain.

Methods
Ten autistic adolescents (6 female, 3 male, and 1 self-identified as agender) with chronic pain and their mothers (n = 10) participated in semistructured interviews concerning their perceptions of living with chronic pain. Participants were recruited from U.K. pain management services. According to preference, interviews were conducted individually (n = 10) or dyadically (n = 10 participants across 5 dyads). Data were analyzed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis.

Results
Two themes were generated. Theme 1, “overstimulated and striving for control” described how adolescents’ experience of heightened sensitivity enhanced adolescents’ levels of anxiety and subsequent pain, illustrating a reciprocal relationship between anxiety, pain, and sensory elements. Theme 2, “not everyone fits the mold” captured how autistic adolescents positioned themselves as distinct from others due to the unique nature of being autistic and living with pain. This sense of difference negatively impacted adolescents’ ability to engage with and benefit from the standard treatment for chronic pain.

Conclusions
Findings suggest that autistic adolescents living with pain experience pain and face barriers to effective pain treatment. Our results identify the need for educational resources to facilitate clinicians to better understand the experience of autistic adolescents living with pain. In turn, such understanding may improve treatment and outcomes in this population.
Understanding poetry using natural language processing tools: a survey
Authors: De Sisto Mirella , Hernández-Lorenzo Laura , De la Rosa Javier , Ros Salvador , González-Blanco Elena 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Analyzing poetry with automatic tools has great potential for improving verse-related research. Over the last few decades, this field has expanded notably and a large number of tools aiming at analyzing various aspects of poetry have been developed. However, the concrete connection between these tools and traditional scholars investigating poetry and metrics is often missing. The purpose of this article is to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive survey of the automatic poetry analysis tools available for European languages. The tools are described and classified according to the language for which they are primarily developed, and to their functionalities and purpose. Particular attention is given to those that have open-source code or provide an online version with the same functionality. Combining more traditional research with these tools has clear advantages: it provides the opportunity to address theoretical questions with the support of large amounts of data; also, it allows for the development of new and diversified approaches.
Novel Method for the Preparation of Lamellas From Porous and Brittle Materials for In Situ TEM Heating/Biasing
Authors: Zorro Fátima , Carbo-Argibay Enrique , Ferreira Paulo J 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
A novel method for the preparation of lamellas made from porous and brittle compressed green powder using a focused ion beam (FIB) is described. One of the main purposes for the development of this methodology is to use this type of samples in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) chips for in situ transmission electron microscopy heating/biasing experiments, concomitant with maintaining the mechanical integrity and the absence of contamination of samples. This is accomplished through a modification of the standard FIB procedure for the preparation of lamellas, the adaptation of conventional chips, as well as the specific transfer of the lamella onto the chips. This method is versatile enough to be implemented in most commercially available FIB systems and MEMS chips.
The Potential of Subsampling and Inpainting for Fast Low-Dose Cryo FIB-SEM Imaging
Authors: Nicholls Daniel , Kobylynska Maryna , Broad Zoë , Wells Jack , Robinson Alex , McGrouther Damien , Moshtaghpour Amirafshar , Kirkland Angus I , Fleck Roland A , Browning Nigel D 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Traditional image acquisition for cryo focused ion-beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) tomography often sees thousands of images being captured over a period of many hours, with immense data sets being produced. When imaging beam sensitive materials, these images are often compromised by additional constraints related to beam damage and the devitrification of the material during imaging, which renders data acquisition both costly and unreliable. Subsampling and inpainting are proposed as solutions for both of these aspects, allowing fast and low-dose imaging to take place in the Focused ion-beam scanning electron microscopy FIB-SEM without an appreciable loss in image quality. In this work, experimental data are presented which validate subsampling and inpainting as a useful tool for convenient and reliable data acquisition in a FIB-SEM, with new methods of handling three-dimensional data being employed in the context of dictionary learning and inpainting algorithms using a newly developed microscope control software and data recovery algorithm.
Nanocurcumin: A Promising Therapeutic Candidate for Experimental Trichinellosis
Authors: Abdel-Hakeem Sara Salah , Abdel-Samiee Mahmoud Abdel-Zaher , Youssef Mohamed Salah Eldin , Abd-Elsadek Shimaa Hamdi , Abd-Elrahman Salwa Mahmoud , Abdel-Hakeem Sally Salah 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In our pursuit of an alternative drug against Trichinella spiralis, we assessed the effectiveness of nanocurcumin in alleviating pathogenesis, parasitological factors, MMP-9 levels, and its expression in the enteral and parenteral phases of infection. The nanocurcumin particles, with a spherical shape and a size of 100 ± 20 nm, were used in the study. Eighty mice were divided into four groups: the control group, the untreated infected group, the nanocurcumin-treated group, and the albendazole-treated group. The nanocurcumin-treated group exhibited a statistically significant increase in the percentage of lymphocytes, along with a reduction in neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils compared to the untreated, infected group. Both the nanocurcumin (87.2 and 97.3%) and the albendazole-treated groups (99.8 and 98.2%) showed a significant reduction in the mean number of intestinal worms and encysted larvae, respectively. The treated groups exhibited normal intestinal villi, suppression of the inflammatory process, and fewer instances of degenerated larvae in the diaphragm and muscle compared to the untreated, infected group. Immunohistochemistry and ELISA analyses revealed a significant downregulation of MMP-9 levels in the intestines and muscles of the treated groups. Our data demonstrate that nanocurcumin contains highly versatile molecules capable of modulating biological activity against inflammation and its pathway markers.