bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What Kind of Weapon Is Education? Teleological Violence, Local Integration, and Refugee Education in Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Poole Amanda , Riggan Jennifer 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Why does education damage refugees? To understand this, we need to ask how education frames refugees’ thinking about their future, specifically related to questions of waiting in the camp or migrating through dangerous, irregular channels. Between 2016 and 2019, Ethiopia was at the forefront of trends in migration policy that prioritized education as part of a global strategy to prevent irregular, northward migration. However, despite increased educational opportunities, refugees rejected schooling as they weighed the decision to migrate onwards, citing a sharp disconnect between aspirations connected to schooling and the constraints on professional and personal progress that they face in hosting states. Drawing on long-term, multi-sited, ethnographic research on temporal violence, and temporal agency among Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, we develop the concept of teleological violence to describe the harm generated by this disconnect, as risky secondary migration may come to seem like the only path toward a desired future.
Identifying irregular activity sequences: an application to passive household monitoring
Authors: Gillam Jess , Killick Rebecca , Taylor Simon , Heal Jack , Norwood Ben 
Published: May 2023

AbstractApproximately one in five people will live to see their 100th birthday due to advancements in modern medicine and other factors. Over 65’s constitute 42% of elective admissions and 43% of emergency admissions to hospitals. Increasingly, people are turning to technology to help improve health and care of the elderly. There is mixed evidence of the success of wearables in older populations with a key barrier being adoption. In contrast, passive sensors such as infra-red motion and plug sensors have had more success. These passive sensors give us a sequence of categorical “trigger” events throughout the day. This paper proposes a method for detecting subtle changes in sequences while taking account of the natural day-to-day variability and differing numbers of “trigger” events per day.
PIN structures shed light on their mechanism of auxin efflux
Authors: Joshi Chitra , Napier Richard 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPolar auxin transport is a quintessential feature of higher plant physiology and it has been known for many years that some of the primary drivers of polar auxin transport are the PIN-formed (PIN) auxin efflux proteins. Formative research established many key biochemical features of the transport system and discovered inhibitors such as 1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), but the mechanism of action of PINs has remained elusive. This changed in 2022 with the publication of high-resolution structures of the membrane-spanning domains of three PIN proteins. The atomic structures and associated activity assays reveal that PINs use an elevator mechanism to transport auxin anions out of the cell. NPA was shown to be a competitive inhibitor that traps PINs in their inward-open conformation. The secrets of the hydrophilic cytoplasmic loop of PIN proteins remain to be discovered.
Addressing uncertainties in correlative imaging of exogenous particles with the tissue microanatomy with synchronous imaging strategies
Authors: Morrell Alexander P , Martin Richard A , Roberts Helen M , Castillo-Michel Hiram , Mosselmans J Frederick W , Geraki Kalotina , Warfield Adrian T , Lingor Paul , Qayyum Wasif , Graf Daniel , Febbraio Maria , Addison Owen 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Exposure to exogenous particles is of increasing concern to human health. Characterizing the concentrations, chemical species, distribution, and involvement of the stimulus with the tissue microanatomy is essential in understanding the associated biological response. However, no single imaging technique can interrogate all these features at once, which confounds and limits correlative analyses. Developments of synchronous imaging strategies, allowing multiple features to be identified simultaneously, are essential to assess spatial relationships between these key features with greater confidence. Here, we present data to first highlight complications of correlative analysis between the tissue microanatomy and elemental composition associated with imaging serial tissue sections. This is achieved by assessing both the cellular and elemental distributions in three-dimensional space using optical microscopy on serial sections and confocal X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy on bulk samples, respectively. We propose a new imaging strategy using lanthanide-tagged antibodies with X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Using simulations, a series of lanthanide tags were identified as candidate labels for scenarios where tissue sections are imaged. The feasibility and value of the proposed approach are shown where an exposure of Ti was identified concurrently with CD45 positive cells at sub-cellular resolutions. Significant heterogeneity in the distribution of exogenous particles and cells can be present between immediately adjacent serial sections showing a clear need of synchronous imaging methods. The proposed approach enables elemental compositions to be correlated with the tissue microanatomy in a highly multiplexed and non-destructive manner at high spatial resolutions with the opportunity for subsequent guided analysis.
Accurate quantification of DNA using on-site PCR (osPCR) by characterizing DNA amplification at single-molecule resolution
Authors: Ding Ruihua , Liu Liying , Zhang Jiali , Lv Pengxiao , Zhou Lin , Zhang Tinglu , Li Shenwei , Zhao Ran , Yang Zhuo , Xiong Peng , Chen Hu , Wang Wei , Wang Hualiang , Tian Zhengan , Liu Bo , Chen Chang 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Despite the need in various applications, accurate quantification of nucleic acids still remains a challenge. The widely-used qPCR has reduced accuracy at ultralow template concentration and is susceptible to nonspecific amplifications. The more recently developed dPCR is costly and cannot handle high-concentration samples. We combine the strengths of qPCR and dPCR by performing PCR in silicon-based microfluidic chips and demonstrate high quantification accuracy in a large concentration range. Importantly, at low template concentration, we observe on-site PCR (osPCR), where only certain sites of the channel show amplification. The sites have almost identical ct values, showing osPCR is a quasi-single molecule phenomenon. Using osPCR, we can measure both the ct values and the absolute concentration of templates in the same reaction. Additionally, osPCR enables identification of each template molecule, allowing removal of nonspecific amplification during quantification and greatly improving quantification accuracy. We develop sectioning algorithm that improves the signal amplitude and demonstrate improved detection of COVID in patient samples.
Individual and Conjoint Factors Associated With Beliefs About the Harmfulness of Nicotine Replacement Therapies Relative to Combustible Cigarettes Among People Who Smoke: Findings From the 2020 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey
Authors: Yong Hua-Hie , Karmakar Chandan , Motin Mohammod Abdul , Borland Ron , Cummings K Michael , Gravely Shannon , Fong Geoffrey T 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Introduction
This study examined individual and conjoint factors associated with beliefs about the harmfulness of nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) relative to combustible cigarettes (CCs).

Aims and Methods
Data analyzed came from 8642 adults (≥18 years) who smoked daily/weekly and participated in the 2020 ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey in Australia (n = 1213), Canada (n = 2633), England (n = 3057), and United States (n = 1739). Respondents were asked: “Compared to smoking cigarettes, how harmful do you think nicotine replacement products are?” Responses were dichotomized into “much less” versus otherwise for analysis using multivariable logistic regression models, complemented by decision-tree analysis to identify conjoint factors.

Results
Percentages believing that NRTs are much less harmful than CCs were 29.7% (95% CI = 26.2% to 33.5%) in Australia, 27.4% (95% CI = 25.1% to 29.8%) in England, 26.4% (95% CI = 24.4% to 28.4%) in Canada, and 21.7% (95% CI = 19.2% to 24.3%) in the United States. Across all countries, believing nicotine is not at all/slightly harmful to health (aOR = 1.53–2.27), endorsing nicotine vaping products (NVPs) as less harmful than CCs (much less harmful: aOR = 7.24–14.27; somewhat less harmful: aOR = 1.97–3.23), and possessing higher knowledge of smoking harms (aOR = 1.23–1.88) were individual factors associated with increased odds of believing NRTs are much less harmful than CCs. With some country variations, these nicotine-related measures also interacted with each other and sociodemographic variables to serve as conjoint factors associated with the likelihood of accurate NRT relative harm belief.

Conclusions
Many people who regularly smoke cigarettes are unaware that NRTs are much less harmful than cigarettes. Additionally, beliefs about NRTs relative harmfulness appear to be influenced by both individual and conjoint factors.

Implications
This study demonstrates that despite past efforts to educate people who smoke about the harms of NRTs relative to CCs, misperceptions around the relative harmfulness of NRTs remain substantial. In all four studied countries, subgroups of people who smoke regularly who are misinformed about the relative harmfulness of NRTs, and who may be reluctant to use NRTs for smoking cessation can be reliably identified for corrective interventions based on their understanding of the harms related to nicotine, NVPs and smoking along with sociodemographic markers. The identified subgroup information can be used to prioritize and inform the development of effective interventions to specifically address the gaps in knowledge and understanding of the various subgroups identified. Our results suggest these may need to be tailored for each country.
Comparative Genomic Landscape of Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder Among Patients of East and South Asian Genomic Ancestry
Authors: Peak Taylor , Spiess Philippe E , Li Roger , Grivas Petros , Necchi Andrea , Pavlick Dean , Huang Richard S P , Lin Douglas , Danziger Natalie , Jacob Joseph M , Bratslavsky Gennady , Ross Jeffrey S 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background
Despite the low rate of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) in patients of South Asian (SAS) and East Asian (EAS) descent, they make up a significant portion of the cases worldwide. Nevertheless, these patients are largely under-represented in clinical trials. We queried whether UCB arising in patients with SAS and EAS ancestry would have unique genomic features compared to the global cohort.

Methods
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was obtained for 8728 patients with advanced UCB. DNA was extracted and comprehensive genomic profiling was performed. Ancestry was classified using a proprietary calculation algorithm. Genomic alterations (GAs) were determined using a 324-gene hybrid-capture-based method which also calculates tumor mutational burden (TMB) and determines microsatellite status (MSI).

Results
Of the cohort, 7447 (85.3%) were EUR, 541 (6.2%) were AFR, 461 (5.3%) were of AMR, 74 (0.85%) were SAS, and 205 (2.3%) were EAS. When compared with EUR, TERT GAs were less frequent in SAS (58.1% vs. 73.6%; P = .06). When compared with non-SAS, SAS had less frequent GAs in FGFR3 (9.5% vs. 18.5%, P = .25). TERT promoter mutations were significantly less frequent in EAS compared to non-EAS (54.1% vs. 72.9%; P &lt; .001). When compared with the non-EAS, PIK3CA alterations were significantly less common in EAS (12.7% vs. 22.1%, P = .005). The mean TMB was significantly lower in EAS vs. non-EAS (8.53 vs. 10.02; P = .05).

Conclusions
The results from this comprehensive genomic analysis of UCB provide important insight into the possible differences in the genomic landscape in a population level. These hypothesis-generating findings require external validation and should support the inclusion of more diverse patient populations in clinical trials.
Treatment of giant cell arteritis with ultra-short glucocorticoids and tocilizumab: the role of imaging in a prospective observational study
Authors: Muratore Francesco , Marvisi Chiara , Cassone Giulia , Boiardi Luigi , Mancuso Pamela , Besutti Giulia , Spaggiari Lucia , Casali Massimiliano , Croci Stefania , Versari Annibale , Giorgi Rossi Paolo , Catanoso Mariagrazia , Costantini Massimo , Galli Elena , Salvarani Carlo 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To assess the impact of tocilizumab (TCZ) monotherapy after ultra-short-pulse glucocorticoids (GCs) on clinical manifestations, and vessel inflammation and damage in large vessel-GCA (LV-GCA).

Methods
In this prospective observational study, we enrolled patients with active LV-GCA. All patients received 500 mg per day i.v. methylprednisolone for three consecutive days and weekly s.c. TCZ injections from day 4 until week 52. PET/CT was performed on all patients at baseline and at weeks 24 and 52. The primary end points were the reduction in the PET vascular activity score (PETVAS) at weeks 24 and 52 compared with baseline, and the proportion of patients with relapse-free remission at weeks 24 and 52. The secondary end point was the proportion of patients with new aortic dilation at weeks 24 and 52.

Results
A total of 18 patients were included (72% female, mean age 68.5 years). Compared with the baseline value, a significant reduction in the PETVAS was observed at weeks 24 and 52, mean (95% CI) reductions –8.6 (–11.5 to –5.7) and –10.4 (–13.6 to –7.2), P = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. The proportion of patients with relapse-free remission at weeks 24 and 52 was 10/18 (56%, 95% CI 31–78) and 8/17 (47%, 95% CI 23–72), respectively. At weeks 24 and 52, no patient had shown new aortic dilation. However, 4 patients who had shown aortic dilation at baseline showed a significant increase in aortic diameter (≥5 mm) at week 52.

Conclusion
TCZ monotherapy after ultra-short-pulse GCs controlled the clinical symptoms of GCA and reduced vascular inflammation.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05394909.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in mixtures show additive effects on transcriptomic points of departure in human liver spheroids
Authors: Addicks Gregory C , Rowan-Carroll Andrea , Reardon Anthony J F , Leingartner Karen , Williams Andrew , Meier Matthew J , Moffat Ivy , Carrier Richard , Lorusso Luigi , Wetmore Barbara A , Yauk Carole L , Atlas Ella 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a wide range of chemicals that are used in a variety of consumer and industrial products leading to direct human exposure. Many PFAS are chemically nonreactive and persistent in the environment, resulting in additional exposure from water, soil, and dietary intake. While some PFAS have documented negative health effects, data on simultaneous exposures to multiple PFAS (PFAS mixtures) are inadequate for making informed decisions for risk assessment. The current study leverages data from previous work in our group using Templated Oligo-Sequencing (TempO-Seq) for high-throughput transcriptomic analysis of PFAS-exposed primary human liver cell spheroids; herein, we determine the transcriptomic potency of PFAS in mixtures. Gene expression data from single PFAS and mixture exposures of liver cell spheroids were subject to benchmark concentration (BMC) analysis. We used the 25th lowest gene BMC as the point of departure to compare the potencies of single PFAS to PFAS mixtures of varying complexity and composition. Specifically, the empirical potency of 8 PFAS mixtures were compared to predicted mixture potencies calculated using the principal of concentration addition (ie, dose addition) in which mixture component potencies are summed by proportion to predict mixture potency. In this study, for most mixtures, empirical mixture potencies were comparable to potencies calculated through concentration addition. This work supports that the effects of PFAS mixtures on gene expression largely follow the concentration addition predicted response and suggests that effects of these individual PFAS in mixtures are not strongly synergistic or antagonistic.
The Effects of Community Health Worker Visits and Primary Care Subsidies on Health Behavior and Health Outcomes for Children in Urban Mali
Authors: Dean Mark , Sautmann Anja 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Subsidized primary care and community health worker (CHW) visits are important demand-side policies in the effort to achieve universal health care for children aged under 5. Causal evidence on the interaction between these policies is still sparse. This paper reports the effects on diarrhea prevention, curative care, and incidence as well as anthropometrics for 1,649 children from a randomized controlled trial in Bamako that cross-randomized CHW visits and access to free health care. CHW visits improve prevention and subsidies increase the use of curative care for acute illness, with some indication of positive interaction effects. There is no evidence of moral hazard, such as reduced preventive care among families receiving the subsidy. Although there are no significant improvements in malnutrition, diarrhea incidence is reduced by over 70 percent in the group that receives both subsidies and CHWs. Positive effects are concentrated among children under age 2.
Duration of Surgery and Intraoperative Blood Pressure Management Are Modifiable Risk Factors for Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders After Spine Surgery
Authors: Müller Jonas , Nowak Stephan , Weidemeier Martin , Vogelgesang Antje , Ruhnau Johanna , von Sarnowski Bettina , Saar Angelika , Veser Yannick , Behr Frederik , Gross Stefan , Rathmann Eiko , Schmidt Sein , Rehberg Sebastian , Usichenko Taras , Hahnenkamp Klaus , Ehler Johannes , Flöel Agnes , Schroeder Henry W.S. , Müller Jan-Uwe , Fleischmann Robert 
Published: May 2023

Study Design.
Prospective quasi-experimental observational study.

Objective.
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether duration of surgery is a modifiable risk factor for postoperative delirium (POD) after spine surgery and explore further modifiable risk factors. In addition, we sought to investigate the association between POD and postoperative cognitive dysfunction and persistent neurocognitive disorders.

Summary of Background Data.
Advances in spine surgery enable technically safe interventions in elderly patients with disabling spine disease. The occurrence of POD and delayed neurocognitive complications (e.g. postoperative cognitive dysfunction/persistent neurocognitive disorder) remain a concern since these contribute to inferior functional outcomes and long-term care dependency after spine surgery.

Materials and Methods.
This prospective single-center study recruited patients aged 60 years or above and scheduled for elective spine surgery between February 2018 and March 2020. Functional (Barthel Index, BI) and cognitive outcomes [Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) test battery; telephone Montréal Cognitive Assessment] were assessed at baseline, three (V3), and 12 months postoperatively. The primary hypothesis was that the duration of surgery predicts POD. Multivariable predictive models of POD included surgical and anesthesiological parameters.

Results.
Twenty-two percent of patients developed POD (n=22/99). In a multivariable model, duration of surgery [ORadj=1.61/h (95% CI, 1.20–2.30)], age [ORadj=1.22/yr (95% CI, 1.10–1.36)], and baseline deviations of intraoperative systolic blood pressure [25th percentile: ORadj=0.94/mm Hg (95% CI, 0.89–0.99); 90th percentile: ORadj=1.07/mm Hg (95% CI, 1.01–1.14)] were significantly associated with POD. Postoperative cognitive scores generally improved (V3, ΔCERAD total z-score: 0.22±0.63). However, this positive group effect was counteracted by POD [beta: −0.87 (95% CI, −1.31 to 0.42)], older age [beta: −0.03/yr (95% CI, −0.05 to 0.01)], and lack of functional improvement [ΔBI; beta: −0.04/point (95% CI, −0.06 to 0.02)]. Cognitive scores at twelve months remained inferior in the POD group, adjusted for baseline cognition/age.

Conclusions.
This study identified distinct neurocognitive effects after spine surgery, which are influenced by perioperative risk factors. Potential cognitive benefits are counteracted by POD, rendering its prevention critical in an aging population.
The Prevalent New-user Design for Studies With no Active Comparator: The Example of Statins and Cancer
Authors: Suissa Samy , Dell’Aniello Sophie , Renoux Christel 
Published: May 2023

Background:
Observational studies evaluating the effect of a drug versus “non-use” are challenging, mainly when defining cohort entry for non-users. The approach using successive monthly cohorts to emulate the randomized trial can be perceived as somewhat opaque and complex. Alternatively, the prevalent new-user design can provide a potentially simpler more transparent emulation. This design is illustrated in the context of statins and cancer incidence.

Methods:
We used the Clinical Practice Research Datalink to identify a cohort of subjects with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <5 mmol/L. We used a prevalent new-user design, matching each statin initiator to a non-user from the same time-based exposure set on time-conditional propensity scores with all subjects followed for 10 years for cancer incidence. We estimated the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) of cancer incidence with statin use versus non-use using a Cox proportional hazards model, and the results were compared with those using the method of successive monthly cohorts.

Results:
The study cohort included 182,073 statin initiators and 182,073 matched non-users. The hazard ratio of any cancer after statin initiation versus non-use was 1.01 (95% CI = 0.98, 1.04), compared with 1.04 (95% CI = 1.02, 1.06) under the successive monthly cohorts approach. We estimated similar effects for specific cancers.

Conclusion:
Using the prevalent new-user design to emulate a randomized trial when compared to “non-use” led to results comparable with the more complex successive monthly cohorts approach. The prevalent new-user design emulates the trial in a potentially more intuitive and palpable manner, providing simpler data presentations in line with those portrayed in a classical trial while producing comparable results.