bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In-Season Estimation of Wheat Response to Nitrogen Using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
Authors: Ali Ali M. , Ibrahim Sherif M. , Salem Emad M. M. , El-Sadek Ashraf N. , Salem Haytham M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractApplying fertilizer nitrogen (N) only when a crop response is predicted may enhance use efficiency and profitability while protecting the environment. The crop response index at harvest (RI-harvest, the ratio of the maximum grain yield and that of the plot in question) indicates the actual crop response to applied fertilizer N, although it is calculated after harvest. The objective of this study was to predict RI-harvest of wheat using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) response index (RI-NDVI, defined as the ratio of the NDVI in an N-sufficient plot and that in the field in question) captured at Feekes 6 stage. Field experiments were carried out across seven site-years (2017/18 to 2020/21) on wheat. In the first three seasons, the relationships between RI-harvest and RI-NDVI were established by applying a range of fertilizer N levels (0–320 kg N ha− 1), whereas the fourth season was used for validation. The results indicated that RI-NDVI could explain 79% of the variation in RI-harvest using the linear relationship: RI-harvest = 7.077 × RI-NDVI – 6.4885. This model was satisfactorly validated in the fourth season using an independent data set in which a range of fertilizer N doses was applied before the Feekes 6 growth stage. Validation was also carried out by applying a fertilizer N dose corresponding to the predicted RI-harvest. In comparison to the general recommendation, the application of appropriate prescriptive fertilizer N dose along with a fertilizer N dose based on the predicted RI-harvest resulted in an 11% increase in fertilizer N recovery efficiency. It suggests that estimation of in-season RI-NDVI is a viable method for identifying fields that are likely to respond to additional fertilizer N.
Improving Development of Drug Treatments for Pregnant Women and the Fetus
Authors: David Anna L. , Ahmadzia Homa , Ashcroft Richard , Bucci-Rechtweg Christina , Spencer Rebecca N. , Thornton Steve 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe exclusion of pregnant populations, women of reproductive age, and the fetus from clinical trials of therapeutics is a major global public health issue. It is also a problem of inequity in medicines development, as pregnancy is a protected characteristic. The current regulatory requirements for drugs in pregnancy are being analyzed by a number of agencies worldwide. There has been considerable investment in developing expertise in pregnancy clinical trials (for the pregnant person and the fetus) such as the Obstetric-Fetal Pharmacology Research Centers funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Progress has also been made in how to define and grade clinical trial safety in pregnant women, the fetus, and neonate. Innovative methods to model human pregnancy physiology and pharmacology using computer simulations are also gaining interest. Novel ways to assess fetal well-being and placental function using magnetic resonance imaging, computerized cardiotocography, serum circulating fetoplacental proteins, and mRNA may permit better assessment of the safety and efficacy of interventions in the mother and fetus. The core outcomes in women’s and newborn health initiative is facilitating the consistent reporting of data from pregnancy trials. Electronic medical records integrated with pharmacy services should improve the strength of pharmacoepidemiologic and pharmacovigilance studies. Incentives such as investigational plans and orphan disease designation have been taken up for obstetric, fetal, and neonatal diseases. This review describes the progress that is being made to better understand the extent of the problem and to develop applicable solutions.
Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Vulvodynia Pain Scores
Authors: Phipps D , Southworth E , Welch K , Carey E 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Vulvodynia is a chronic vulvar pain disorder that has a significant impact on physical and mental health. As with other chronic pain disorders, vulvodynia appears to have a link with childhood exposure to physical and sexual abuse and poor family support.

Objective
To assess the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and vulvodynia pain scores using the standardized McGill Pain Scale.

Methods
This study is a retrospective review of intake questionnaire data for patients presenting to a multispecialty vulvar diseases clinic. Demographic information, ACEs-related questions and McGill pain scale portions of the intake questionnaire were included. Exclusion criteria included age less than 18, cancer diagnosis, or presenting postoperatively in initial consultation. A control group was randomly selected using 2:1 age-matching from patients within our database without a coexisting diagnosis of vulvodynia. The primary outcome, McGill pain score, was calculated as the sum across all 20 pain elements. Group differences across demographic characteristics, ACE responses, and McGill scores were assessed using simple linear regressions for continuous measures, and logistic regressions for binary measures.

Results
A total of 1,245 patients, 415 vulvodynia and 830 age-matched controls were analyzed. Patients with vulvodynia differed significantly across self-reported race/ethnicity, marital status, and income level. Overall, patients with a diagnosis of vulvodynia had higher median McGill pain scores compared to controls (22.0 vs 20.0, p&lt;0.001). Among patients with vulvodynia, patients who reported ACEs exposure had higher McGill pain scores compared to patients without disclosed ACEs exposure (26.0 vs 22.0, p&lt;0.001). Similarly, among patients in the control group, patients who reported ACE exposure had higher McGill pain scores compared to those without (24.0 vs 17.0, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions
Our findings indicate a relationship between exposure to ACEs and increased pain in patients with vulvodynia and controls. These findings suggest exposure to ACEs alone may contribute to increased perception of pain and result in higher McGill Pain Scores.

Disclosure
No
Vaginal Estrogen Therapy for Vulvovaginal Atrophy in Women with a Personal History of Breast Cancer – A Claims Database Analysis
Authors: Dumas K , Singh S , Kohn J , Kohn T , Clifton M 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Systemic therapies for breast cancer – selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM), aromatase inhibitors (AI), oophorectomy, and chemotherapies – often result in vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA or atrophic vaginitis), in up to 70% of postmenopausal breast cancer survivors. While systemic estrogen therapy is often avoided in these patients, vaginal estrogen therapy is a safe treatment option that can be used to treat VVA symptoms in breast cancer survivors.

Objective
Our objective is to assess the use of vaginal estrogen for women with a diagnosis of VVA and a personal history of breast cancer using a large US claims database.

Methods
The TriNetX Diamond network database was queried: a US health research network of 190 million patients, encompassing healthcare encounters and prescriptions between 2009-2021. Females with a diagnosis of postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis or atrophy of the vulva (ICD-10 N95.2, N90.5) were included. Of these, women with breast cancer (C50 or Z86.000) were included if the diagnosis was at least 1 month prior to VVA diagnosis. Estrogen receptor status was collected when available (ICD-10 Z17.0, Z17.1). Prescriptions for treatment of VVA were included if prescribed within 1 year of VVA diagnosis. Incidence of vaginal estrogen use in patients with a history of breast cancer was determined for 2013-2015, 2016-2018, and 2019 to present.

Results
A total of 2,159,766 women with VVA were identified; of whom, 4.8% (n=104,327) had a personal history of breast cancer.Vaginal estrogen prescriptions were less frequent prescribed to women with history of breast cancer compared to women without (11% vs 22%, p&lt;0.01, Table 1). Incidence rate of vaginal estrogen prescriptions for women with VVA and history of breast cancer remained stable around 10-11% from 2013 to present. 25,410 women with VVA and history of breast cancer had positive estrogen receptor status (ER+) and 4,893 had negative estrogen receptor status (ER-). There was no difference in vaginal estrogen prescribing between ER+ and ER- patients (7.4% vs 8.4%).

Conclusions
While vaginal estrogen can be safely used in women with VVA and personal history of breast cancer, it is prescribed for few eligible patients. Barriers to prescribing and using vaginal estrogen in this population should be explored, in order to significantly improve quality of life for those living with vulvovaginal atrophy.

Disclosure
No
Value of Next Generation Microbial DNA Sequencing in Sexually Related Infections in Heterosexual Dyads
Authors: Hlavinka T 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Sexually related infections, including cystitis and vaginitides in the female, and cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis in the male, as well as infections of the external genitalia in both genders were previously thought to be uncommonly transmitted from member to member of a dyad. Newer microbial detection techniques have allowed for more rapid identification of potential pathogens. However, persistence of an infection in a partner remains a perplexing diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma, raising the question of transmission of an infectious organism from a potentially asymptomatic partner.

Objective
To evaluate the benefit of mutual, synchronous microbial detection assays in dyads in whom at least one partner has a persistent, symptomatic infection that could be transmitted by sexual activity.

Methods
Twenty-six (26) heterosexual, monogamous couples underwent synchronous microbial testing including traditional laboratory culture techniques and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next generation sequencing (NGS) with a urine specimen, superficial and deep vaginal swab specimens in the female and urine and semen specimens in the male. Both genders had swab specimens of the external genitalia. The female member was symptomatic in 17 of the couples, the male in 4, and both were symptomatic in 5 couples. Results from all assays were tabulated and comorbid pathogens were treated with concurrent appropriate antimicrobials, using guidelines for therapeutic choices and duration of antimicrobial course. Sexual abstinence was required for the duration of the antimicrobial therapy. To assess efficacy, repeat assays were done after a time frame sufficient to allow for relapse/recurrence of the infection.

Results
Traditional culture techniques failed to demonstrate the significant pathogen(s) in at least one member of the dyad in all but 3 couples. This failure emerged from two primary foci: one methodological, in which automated techniques discarded specimens with low microbial growth or multiple organisms. The other was failure to identify the organism entirely. PCR identified the pathogen in at least one member in 11 of the 26 dyads, but NGS detected pathogens in both members in all the couples. Novel pathogens were detected, organisms previously thought to be commensal or contaminants. Multiple pathogen detection was common, occurring in 17 couples.

Conclusions
A frequent concern of patients and clinicians for those patients who have persistent, potentially sexually related infections is the underlying contribution from a partner. Limitations in accurate microbial detection often complicate eradication of the infection. Only NGS found significant pathogens on synchronous assays of all dyads tested, allowing organism specific concurrent antimicrobial therapy of both members. These results suggest a new algorithm for detection and therapy in patients whose persistent infection may involve the contribution of a partner.

Disclosure
No
Rate of Prior Invasive Pelvic Procedures, Co-Diagnoses, and Treatment Choices in Women Presenting with Dyspareunia – A United States Claims Database Analysis
Authors: Dumas K , Kohn J , Kohn T , Clifton M 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The International Continence Society defines dyspareunia as “persistent or recurrent pain or discomfort associated with attempted or complete vaginal penetration.” As the incidence of dyspareunia depends on the definition used and the population studied, dyspareunia is inadequately characterized in the current literature.

Objective
The objective of this study was to identify incidence, baseline characteristics, and subsequent treatments for women receiving a diagnosis of dyspareunia utilizing a large US claims database.

Methods
The TriNetX Diamond network database was queried: a US health research network consisting of 190 million patients and encompassing health care encounters between 2009-2021. Incidence of dyspareunia (ICD10 N94.1) in women over the age of 18 was calculated for 2009-2012, 2013-2016, and 2017-2021. Co-morbidities and pelvic procedures were identified prior to the date of dyspareunia diagnosis. Subsequent therapies were identified within 60 days after the initial diagnosis of dyspareunia.

Results
A total of 1,089,728 unique patients had a diagnosis of dyspareunia with an average age of 41.3±14.8 years. There was a high rate of reported prior invasive pelvic procedures at 30.7% (Table 1). Women also had high rates of co-diagnoses of chronic back pain (48.4%), anxiety (37.1%), sleep disorders (21.7%), migraines (18.4%), vascular headaches (18.1%), and constipation (18.9%). In the initial 60 days after initial diagnosis of dyspareunia, only 766 women (0.07%) were prescribed pelvic floor therapy (CPT 90901 or 90911). Only 6.8% were prescribed vaginal estrogen (4.5% of women with dyspareunia age 18-54 and 15.1% of women with dyspareunia age &gt;54), while 1.7% were prescribed gabapentin, 0.8% venlafaxine, and 0.5% ospemifene. Notably, 9.7% were prescribed opioids and 5.1% were prescribed benzodiazepines with 3.9% receiving both an opioid prescription and benzodiazepine prescription within 60 days of index diagnosis of dyspareunia.

Conclusions
Dyspareunia is an increasingly identified diagnosis and often associated with prior invasive pelvic procedures. Rates of prescribing vaginal estrogen and pelvic floor therapy are low while prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids initially after diagnosis are relatively elevated.

Disclosure
No
“O” No: A Reddit Analysis of Orgasmic Dysfunction
Authors: Belcher R , Sim D , Meykler M , Owens-Walton J , Hassan N , Rubin R , Malik R 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Orgasmic dysfunction includes reduced orgasmic intensity, decreased orgasm frequency and inability to achieve orgasm. Issues with orgasming are often multi-factorial in origin and can cause significant distress to patients.

Objective
We aimed to evaluate the experience of women with orgasmic dysfunction on Reddit, an anonymous forum-based platform that allows users to interact with a global audience.

Methods
The subreddit “TwoXChromosomes” was queried using the Reddit Application Programming Interface (API) for posts using the keywords “orgasm” and “climax”. Posts that were deleted, archived or unrelated to themes of orgasm were excluded. Threads were qualitatively analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Five independent researchers read and coded each thread identifying dominant themes and emergent concepts.

Results
Qualitative analysis of 108 threads and approximately 6,300 comments resulted in 5 major categories: psychological aspect of orgasms, difficulty orgasming with partners, partners’ response to orgasmic dysfunction, types of orgasms, and treatments for orgasmic dysfunction. Preliminary themes included (1) the presence of an emotional component or history of trauma resulting in orgasmic difficulty, (2) difficulty orgasming with a partner regardless of ability to orgasm during masturbation, and mixed partner responses to orgasmic dysfunction, with approximately half of posters reporting a supportive sexual partner who was interested in their sexual satisfaction while the remainder of posters reported partner dissatisfaction. (3) variety of stimulation required to orgasm, (4) the definition of a “normal orgasm and (5) self-motivated treatment for orgasmic dysfunction, including clitoral stimulation devices and masturbation techniques, with few posters discussing their orgasmic dysfunction with health care providers.

Conclusions
Overall, Reddit provides a medium for individuals with orgasmic dysfunction to discuss their experiences. Posts addressed users’ inability to orgasm, the interplay with their mental health and relationships, types of stimulation and treatments. Interestingly, very few posts discussed seeking out medical care for orgasmic dysfunction, potentially suggesting that women do not classify their orgasmic dysfunction as a health issue. The obvious prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction with little discussion surrounding healthcare reveals a large gap in sexual health counseling, indicating the need for expanded sexual health screening and detailed clinician-patient counseling.

Disclosure
Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Sprout (Raliegh, NC), Absorption Pharmaceuticals, Urovant Sciences, Inc.
The Role of Anxiety and Depression in Heart Rate Variability During Sexual Activity
Authors: McMahon L , Freihart B , Meston C 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Individuals with depression and anxiety demonstrate lower levels of heart rate variability (HRV) as a function of sympathetic and parasympathetic dominance respectively. Low HRV is also implicated in sexual concerns which, in turn, are closely associated with mood disorders. Given that HRV is an autonomic marker of responsivity to exogenous and endogenous demands, a blunted response to environmental cues may lead to decreased sexual satisfaction among individuals with low HRV during sex. This pattern might contribute to the decrements in sexual satisfaction often observed among individuals experiencing depression and anxiety.

Objective
The goal of the current study is to examine HRV differences during sexual activity among individuals above and below the clinical cutoffs on measures of anxiety and depression, while controlling for baseline HRV differences. A secondary goal is to determine if HRV differences correspond to individual variation in satisfaction with the observed sexual encounter.

Methods
Participants will complete validated measures of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7). Using impedance cardiography, participants will measure baseline HRV and HRV during sexual activity in the comfort and privacy of their homes. Subsequently, participants will rate their level of satisfaction with the sexual encounter.

Results
Data collection is ongoing with an anticipated completion date of December 2021. Results will be updated with an addendum upon data analysis.

Conclusions
The discussion will focus on the interplay between mood symptoms and sexual satisfaction via the autonomic nervous system. Implications for the treatment of comorbid sexual and mood concerns will be highlighted.

Disclosure
No
“We Are Not Gays”: Regime Preservation and the Politicization of Identity in Mugabe’s Zimbabwe
Authors: Frossard de Saugy Yolaine 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPoliticized homophobia has become a dominant theme in the study of regime preservation tactics in southern Africa. However, a consensus on the potency of this tool has prevented researchers from fully exploring the conditions of its general success and occasional failure. Frossard de Saugy fills this gap with a thorough examination of the strategies of politicized homophobia deployed by the Robert Mugabe regime, their connection to hegemonic masculinity, the liberation war, and land questions, and the conditions which led them to lose their potency and ultimately fail to save Mugabe from mounting domestic challenges.
Information effects on parental choices for early childhood education and care
Authors: Burns Samantha , Davidson Adrienne , White Linda , Hampton Delaine , Perlman Michal 
Published: July 2022

AbstractExisting research demonstrates that parents are poorly informed consumers of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. Choosing such services is a complex process shaped by a combination of logistical limitations (e.g., cost/location), informational barriers and ideas about what the goal of care should be (e.g., education of young children or provision of an environment that feels like home). Experimental studies have also demonstrated that when study participants are informed of the importance of a specific decision, they engage in more complex decision-making. In this article, we test whether providing parents with information about the regulatory stringency of ECEC options available influences their choices regarding ECEC. A conjoint survey designed to capture quasi-behavioural choices for ECEC services was completed by 682 parents. Before engaging with the survey, participants were randomly assigned into either a control group or a treatment group that informed them about the stringency of oversight regarding ECEC options available in the province of Ontario, Canada. Receiving information did not meaningfully change the choices of the entire sample. However, a subgroup analysis revealed an important information effect on parent decisions for lower income/lower-education parents.
Cabinet Reshuffles and Prime-Ministerial Performance in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Grotz Florian , Kroeber Corinna , Kukec Marko 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPrime ministers (PMs) significantly contribute to making parliamentary democracy work, but cabinet reshuffles can undermine the PM's ability to perform successfully. New ministers may have less policy expertise, intensify intra-cabinet struggles and hamper the control of government bureaucracy. This article explores the relationship between cabinet reshuffles and prime-ministerial performance in the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Building on a data set covering 131 cabinets in 11 CEE countries between 1990 and 2018, we find that frequent cabinet reshuffles decrease prime-ministerial performance. In particular, the reshuffling of ministers belonging to other coalition parties than the PM's unfolds a strong negative effect on prime-ministerial performance, while reshuffles in core portfolios and turnover of ministers from the PM party have less negative consequences. These results have important implications for understanding executive politics and government stability in the dynamic environments of CEE democracies and beyond.
Political Oppositions in Democratic and Authoritarian Regimes: A State-of-the-Field(s) Review
Authors: Helms Ludger 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPolitical opposition has long been one of the most dramatically understudied elements of real-world politics in contemporary democratic and authoritarian regimes. The past decade or so has, however, witnessed an upsurge of new opposition research that begs for a major state-of-the-field review. Interestingly, recent scholarship has focused more on manifestations of opposition in authoritarian and hybrid than in democratic systems, which indicates a latent reconceptualization of political opposition (setting aside older distinctions between regime-loyal opposition and regime-challenging forms of resistance, dissidence and contestation). With a focus on party-based forms of opposition, which have been widely considered to mark the most effective form of opposition, this review article takes stock and highlights key issues for future research as well as some inherent obstacles to the emergence of a more integrated field of cross-regime opposition studies.