bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing ancient Southern African mitochondrial genomes at Faraoskop
Authors: Morris Alan G. , Salie Tasneem , Mittnik Alissa , Rebello George , Barbieri Chiara , Parkington John , Krause Johannes , Ramesar Raj 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Twelve human skeletons, approximately 2000 years old, were recovered from the Faraoskop archaeological site in the Western Cape Province, South Africa (Manhire 1993). Several of the skeletons were well enough preserved to determine the osteological profiles (sex, age and stature etc.). Additionally, paleopathological and traumatic changes were observed on some of these skeletal remains. Given suggested context that these human remains were drawn from a single mortuary event, this paper investigates the possibility of familial relationships between the individuals by establishing maternal profiles from mitochondrial DNA. The mitochondrial DNA analysis resulted in the identification of four full genomes from the Faraoskop (FK) individuals and the two Khoesan pastoralist individuals chosen as reference samples for the analysis. Three other FK individuals provided partial genomes which could be assigned to incomplete haplotypes. Five individuals could not be sequenced due to poor DNA preservation. Molecular sex could be confirmed for five FK and two reference individuals, adding to the sex assessment from osteological data. All but one of the mitochondrial haplotypes were L0d1 or L0d2 which is consistent with mtDNA from living Khoesan populations in southern Africa. One individual (FK1) was L0f1, a haplotype which is not present southern African Khoesan, but is currently centred in Uganda and Tanzania. It is occasionally found amongst southern African Bantu speakers which suggests that the presence of L0f1 is a remnant of an earlier distribution which is now lost. The three L0 mitochondrial haplotypes from the six Faraoskop individuals (L0d1, L0d2, and L0f) suggest a diversity of maternal lineages compatible with the diversity of Khoesan groups but given the simultaneity of the burial, it is tempting to suggest that those with similar maternal haplotypes were closely related.
Braiding archaeology, geomorphology and indigenous knowledge to improve the understanding of local-scale coastal change
Authors: Jones Benjamin D. , Dickson Mark E. , Ford Murray , Hikuroa Daniel , Ryan Emma , Carrington Ari , Chetham Juliane 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Coastal landforms and associated archaeological records are at risk of erosion from a combination of rising sea levels and increasingly frequent high-intensity storms. Improved understanding of this risk can be gained by braiding archaeological and geomorphological methodologies with Indigenous knowledge.1 In this article, archaeological, geomorphological and mātauranga (a form of Indigenous knowledge) are used to analyse a prograded Holocene foredune barrier in northern Aotearoa/New Zealand. Anthropogenic deposits within dune stratigraphy are radiocarbon-dated and used as chronological markers to constrain coastal evolution, alongside geomorphological analyses of topographic data, historical aerial photographs and satellite imagery. These investigations revealed that the barrier is eroding at a rate of 0.45 m/year. A midden in the foredune, which has been radiocarbon dated to 224–270 B.P. (95% Confidence), has been exposed by coastal erosion, confirming that the barrier is in the most eroded state it has been within the past ~300 years. Vertical stratigraphy reveals the presence of midden and palaeosol deposits capped by dune sand deposits in the foredune, indicating that vertical accretion of the foredune continued over the last ~200 years, despite the barrier now being in an eroding state. Mātauranga played a vital role in this project, as it was the coastal taiao (environmental) monitoring unit of Patuharakeke (a Māori sub-tribe) that discovered the midden. The ecological mātauranga shared also played a vital role in this project, adding experiential evidence to empirical observations. The work of local Indigenous groups, like Patuharakeke, demonstrates the active use of mātauranga, woven with Western science methods to preserve or capture the knowledge contained within archaeological sites at risk of being lost to coastal erosion. In this study, we present a method for weaving mātauranga, geomorphological and archaeological approaches to gain a deeper understanding of coastal landscape development.
Statistical gender discrimination: evidence from young workers across four decades and 56 countries
Authors: Tyrowicz Joanna , van der Velde Lucas 
Published: December 2024

AbstractStatistical discrimination offers a compelling narrative on gender wage gaps among younger workers. Employers could reduce women's wages to adjust for expected costs linked to child-bearing. If this is the case, then trends toward delayed fertility should reduce the gender wage gap among young workers. We provide a novel collection of adjusted gender wage gap (AGWG) estimates among young workers from 56 countries spanning four decades and use it to test the conjecture that delayed fertility reduces gender wage inequality. We employ instrumental variables, and find that one year postponement of the first birth reduces AGWG by two percentage points (15% of the AGWG). We benchmark this estimate with the help of time-use data.
Mixed-methods multicenter assessment of healthcare workers’ knowledge, perceptions, and practices related to blood culture utilization in hospitalized adults
Authors: Fabre Valeria , Cosgrove Sara E. , Milstone Aaron M. , Salinas Alejandra B. , Degnan Kathleen O. , Gettler Erin B. , Glaser Laurel J. , Johnson J. Kristie , Moehring Rebekah W. , Nelson George E. , Rittmann Barry , Rodriguez-Nava Guillermo , Ryder Jonathan H. , Salinas Jorge L. , Schrank Gregory M. , Talbot Thomas R. , Van Schooneveld Trevor C. , Wasylyshyn Anastasia , Xie Anping ,   for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: December 2024

AbstractObjective:To understand healthcare workers’ (HCWs) beliefs and practices toward blood culture (BCx) use.Design:Cross-sectional electronic survey and semi-structured interviews.Setting:Academic hospitals in the United States.Participants:HCWs involved in BCx ordering and collection in adult intensive care units (ICU) and wards.Methods:We administered an anonymous electronic survey to HCWs and conducted semi-structured interviews with unit staff and quality improvement (QI) leaders in these institutions to understand their perspectives regarding BCx stewardship between February and November 2023.Results:Of 314 HCWs who responded to the survey, most (67.4%) were physicians and were involved in BCx ordering (82.3%). Most survey respondents reported that clinicians had a low threshold to culture patients for fever (84.4%) and agreed they could safely reduce the number of BCx obtained in their units (65%). However, only half of them believed BCx was overused. Although most made BCx decisions as a team (74.1%), a minority reported these team discussions occurred daily (42.4%). A third of respondents reported not usually collecting the correct volume per BCx bottle, half were unaware of the improved sensitivity of 2 BCx sets, and most were unsure of the nationally recommended BCx contamination threshold (87.5%). Knowledge regarding the utility of BCx for common infections was limited.Conclusions:HCWs’ understanding of best collection practices and yield of BCx was limited.
Efficacy of copper-impregnated antimicrobial surfaces against Clostridioides difficile spores
Authors: Navarathna Thanuri , Chatterjee Piyali , Choi Hosoon , Coppin John D , Corona Brandon , Brackens Emma , Mayo Lynn , Hwang Munok , Williams Marjory , Bennett Morgan , Jinadatha Chetan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractObjective:Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is one of the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Elimination of C. difficile spores is difficult as they are resistant to common hospital-grade disinfectants. Copper-impregnated surfaces provide continuous reduction of multiple pathogens, potentially lowering the risk of infections. This manuscript aims to evaluate the efficacy of copper-impregnated surfaces on C. difficile spores.Methods:Control (no copper) coupons and copper coupons containing 20% copper-oxide were inoculated with C. difficile spore loads ranging from 105 to 107 spores, with or without 5% fetal bovine serum soil load. After 4 hours of contact time, the C. difficile spores were recovered, plated on C. difficile growth media, and colony forming units were counted. The efficacy of copper (log10 kill) was estimated using a Bayesian latent variables model.Results:After 4 hours, unsoiled copper bedrail and copper table coupons at mean spore inoculation resulted in a 97.3% and 96.8% reduction in spore count (1.57 and 1.50 log10 kill, respectively). That of soiled bedrail and table coupons showed a 91.8% and 91.7% reduction (1.10 and 1.10 log10 kill, respectively).Conclusions:Copper coupons can substantially reduce C. difficile spores after 4 hours, but results vary depending on the initial spore concentration and presence or absence of organic material. Higher initial spore loads or excess organic material may prevent spores from contact with copper surfaces, thus decreasing kill efficacy. Continuous sporicidal effect of copper-impregnated surfaces may decrease spore burden and help prevent transmission of spores.
A SUFFICIENT CONDITION FOR PANCYCLIC GRAPHS
Authors: ZHAN XINGZHI 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
A graph G is called an

$[s,t]$

-graph if any induced subgraph of G of order s has size at least

$t.$

We prove that every

$2$

-connected

$[4,2]$

-graph of order at least

$7$

is pancyclic. This strengthens existing results. There are

$2$

-connected

$[4,2]$

-graphs which do not satisfy the Chvátal–Erdős condition on Hamiltonicity. We also determine the triangle-free graphs among

$[p+2,p]$

-graphs for a general

$p.$
ALMOST ABELIAN NUMBERS
Authors: PLEŞCA IUILA-CĂTĂLINA , TĂRNĂUCEANU MARIUS 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
We introduce the concept of almost

$\mathcal {P}$

-numbers where

$\mathcal {P}$

is a class of groups. We survey the existing results in the literature for almost cyclic numbers, and give characterisations for almost abelian and almost nilpotent numbers proving these two concepts are equivalent.
Plotting hope: Inverse stories and scalar reversals of a health crisis
Authors: Fabrício Branca Falabella , Borba Rodrigo 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis article investigates the discursive dimensions of the Zika epidemic in Brazil. It focuses on the ways the sanitary crisis is talked about by mothers of babies born with microcephaly—a Zika-related syndrome. We examine the situated ways these mothers refuse the biomedical and bureaucratic scripts that are handed down to them by engaging with their new realities and fostering hope against the grain of bleak prognosis. To do so, we scrutinize a corpus that comprises media reports covering the health emergency and ethnographic interviews. Resorting to strategies such as inverse stories, timespace anchorage, and scalar reversals, mothers of Zika inventively plot against painful scripts while reimagining their kids’ future (as well as theirs) in the present. They hope pragmatist hope without teleology. This chronotopic movement sheds light on how somber plots can be twisted through (re)scaling projects, thus forging hopeful actions. (Hope, narratives, scale, plot, epidemics, agency)
“I repeatedly tell you, the future is yours—the righteous, not the liars”: Hope in Saleh Diab's political speeches in East Jerusalem
Authors: Noy Chaim 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe article examines hope as employed in short political speeches given by a Palestinian resident and activist, Mr. Saleh Diab, to a small audience of Jewish-Israelis, during the weekly Sheikh Jarrah protest in East Jerusalem. Informed by linguistic anthropology and sociolinguistics, hope is viewed contextually as a resource or affordance that enables indexical connection-projection from the narrative time of the present to a future that is yet unforeseeable (yet-to-become, Derrida 1990/1992). The analysis of future-facing utterances highlights the indexical semiotics that underlie hope, connecting collaborative political action performed here-and-now in the occupied Palestinian neighborhood to its future ramifications. Examining Saleh's employment of hope points at its essential moral and affective entanglement. The article seeks to contribute to a sociolinguistic understanding of hope, as collaboratively and consistently sustained (specifically within the Israeli-Palestinian context), and more broadly to supply a clearer view of the sociolinguistics of grassroot political activism resisting oppressive regimes. (Narrative, time, indexicality, Israel-Palestine, Sheikh Jarrah, protest, demonstration, political discourse)1
Improving EFL learners’ self-confidence in English-speaking performance with World Englishes teaching
Authors: Cao Hongmei , Xiao Xiao , Yao Chunlin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This study explores the effects of World Englishes teaching practice in improving EFL learners’ self-confidence in English-speaking performance (SCIESP) with a mixed methodology design comprising both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data were gathered through a survey with the Self-Confidence in English-speaking Performance Questionnaire, students’ reflective notes, and focus group interviews. Two teaching classes with no significant difference in self-confidence were randomly chosen as the experimental class (EC) and control class (CC). The two classes shared the same teaching implication except that the EC had four lectures on World Englishes while the CC got four lectures on English History. After one semester the research team surveyed students’ SCIESP again. The result showed a remarkable improvement in students’ SCIESP in EC than in CC. It was found that World Englishes teaching contributed significantly to increasing students’ SCIESP.
Factors associated with COVID-19 in-hospital death and COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalization in the Philippines during pre-omicron and omicron period: A case-control study (MOTIVATE-P study)
Authors: Arashiro Takeshi , Solante Rontgene , Sayo Ana Ria , Garcia Reby Marie , Kris Marie , Suzuki Shuichi , Malijan Greco Mark , Salazar Mary Jane , Salazar Mary Ann , Ortal-Cruz Abby , Go Grace Devota , Miranda Edna , Carandang-Cuvin Michelle , Calayo Joy Potenciano , Shin Jinho , Hibberd Martin , Ariyoshi Koya , Smith Chris 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies are limited in low- and middle-income countries. A case-control study was conducted among COVID-19 and other pneumonia patients admitted to a hospital in the Philippines during the pre-Omicron and Omicron periods. To elucidate factors associated with in-hospital death, 1782 COVID-19 patients were assessed. To estimate absolute VE for various severe outcomes, 1059 patients were assessed (869 [82.1%] COVID-19 cases; 190 [17.9%] controls). Factors associated with in-hospital death included older age, tuberculosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.45 [95% confidence interval {95% CI} 1.69–3.57]), HIV (aOR 3.30 [95% CI 2.03–5.37]), and current smokers (aOR 2.65 [95% CI 1.72–4.10]). Pre-Omicron, the primary series provided high protection within a median of 2 months (hospitalization: 85.4% [95% CI 35.9–96.7%]; oxygen requirement: 91.0% [95% CI 49.4–98.4%]; invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV): 97.0% [95% CI 65.7–99.7%]; death: 96.5% [95% CI 67.1–99.6%]). During Omicron, the primary series provided moderate-high protection within a median of 6–9 months (hospitalization: 70.2% [95% CI 27.0–87.8%]; oxygen requirement: 71.4% [95% CI 29.3–88.4%]; IMV: 72.7% [95% CI −11.6–93.3%]; death: 58.9% [95% CI −82.8–90.8%]). Primary series VE against severe COVID-19 outcomes was consistently high for both pre-Omicron and Omicron in a setting where approximately half of the vaccinees received inactivated vaccines.
Utilising mitochondrial barcode sequencing to evaluate phylogeographical structure and guide the release of illegally traded Amazon parrots
Authors: Arias-Sosa Luis Alejandro , Del Valle-Useche Carlos Miguel , Brieva Claudia , Tusso Sergio , Vargas-Ramírez Mario 
Published: December 2024

Summary
Amazon parrots stand out as one of the most illegally traded Psittacids in the neotropics. However, the lack of effective tools for determining the geographical origin of confiscated individuals has impeded the development of well-informed release programmes. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene to identify phylogeographical groups and infer the origins of seized individuals across six Amazon parrot species. Through comprehensive genetic and phylogenetic analyses of 140 COI sequences from individuals with documented geographical origin, a genetic reference database was assembled. The most likely origin of 156 seized parrots was inferred by comparing their genotype to this database. Within the Yellow-headed Parrot Amazona ochrocephala species complex, our analyses revealed the presence of seven distinct phylogeographical groups, exposing a notable poaching impact in the Middle Magdalena’s river valley. For the Southern Mealy Amazon A. farinosa, three distinct genetic groups were identified, with seized individuals showing comparable proportions originating from both the Cis- and Trans-Andean regions. Noteworthy genetic differentiation was observed between individuals of Festive Amazon A. festiva from the Caquetá–Amazon Rivers and those from the Meta River, with two seized individuals assigned to the former. The Scaly-naped Amazon A. mercenaria exhibited genetic divergence between individuals from the central Andes and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. In contrast, the Orange-winged Amazon A. amazonica and Red-lored Amazon A. autumnalis did not display significant phylogeographical structure. However, analyses of seized individuals of A. amazonica suggested a potential underestimation of its genetic diversity and structure. This study illustrates the utility of mitochondrial molecular markers in determining the most probable area of origin for confiscated Amazon parrots, aiding in release programmes and enhancing the monitoring of natural populations.
The rise and fall of Japan’s municipal electricity regulation, 1889–1939
Authors: Li Chenxiao 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This article explores the history of Japan’s municipal electricity regulation. We find that in the early phase of Japanese electrification, rights-of-way and municipal franchises remained undefined compared with these concepts in Western societies. Consequently, Japanese cities started electrification without municipal regulations. Although municipal franchises were introduced to Japan as a regulatory framework in the 1900s, they were tailored to Japan’s political and ideological context. Moreover, the Road Law of 1919 weakened the legal basis for municipal regulation. With the revision of the Electric Utility Law in 1932 and World War II, the decline of municipal regulation became inevitable.
Cognitive therapy for PTSD following multiple-trauma exposure in children and adolescents: a case series
Authors: Smith Charlotte , Ford Catherine E. L. , Dalgleish Tim , Smith Patrick , McKinnon Anna , Goodall Ben , Wright Isobel , Pile Victoria , Meiser-Stedman Richard 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background:
Cognitive therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD) is an efficacious treatment for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following single incident trauma, but there is a lack of evidence relating to this approach for youth with PTSD following exposure to multiple traumatic experiences.

Aims:
To assess the safety, acceptability and feasibility of CT-PTSD for youth following multiple trauma, and obtain a preliminary estimate of its pre–post effect size.

Method:
Nine children and adolescents (aged 8–17 years) with multiple-trauma PTSD were recruited to a case series of CT-PTSD. Participants completed a structured interview and mental health questionnaires at baseline, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up, and measures of treatment credibility, therapeutic alliance, and mechanisms proposed to underpin treatment response. A developmentally adjusted algorithm for diagnosing PTSD was used.

Results:
No safety concerns or adverse effects were recorded. Suicidal ideation reduced following treatment. No participants withdrew from treatment or from the study. CT-PTSD was rated as highly credible. Participants reported strong working alliances with their therapists. Data completion was good at post-treatment (n=8), but modest at 6-month follow-up (n=6). Only two participants met criteria for PTSD (developmentally adjusted algorithm) at post-treatment. A large within-subjects treatment effect was observed post-treatment and at follow up for PTSD severity (using self-report questionnaire measures; ds>1.65) and general functioning (CGAS; ds<1.23). Participants showed reduced anxiety and depression symptoms at post-treatment and follow-up (RCADS-C; ds>.57).

Conclusions:
These findings suggest that CT-PTSD is a safe, acceptable and feasible treatment for children with multiple-trauma PTSD, which warrants further evaluation.
RANKS OF SOFT OPERATORS IN NOWHERE SCATTERED
$\mathrm {C}^*$
-ALGEBRAS
Authors: Asadi-Vasfi M. Ali , Thiel Hannes , Vilalta Eduard 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWe show that for
$\mathrm {C}^*$
-algebras with the global Glimm property, the rank of every operator can be realized as the rank of a soft operator, that is, an element whose hereditary sub-
$\mathrm {C}^*$
-algebra has no nonzero, unital quotients. This implies that the radius of comparison of such a
$\mathrm {C}^*$
-algebra is determined by the soft part of its Cuntz semigroup.Under a mild additional assumption, we show that every Cuntz class dominates a (unique) largest soft Cuntz class. This defines a retract from the Cuntz semigroup onto its soft part, and it follows that the covering dimensions of these semigroups differ by at most
$1$
.
Efficient broad dual-band voltage doubler rectifier with multi-section line impedance matching network
Authors: Du Chun-Hong , Cheng Fei , Wu Li , Gu Chao 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis paper presents a compact broad dual-band rectifier based on a transmission line matching network. This method improves the overall impedance matching performance over two bands, and improves bandwidth of the rectifier’s efficiency. A π-type direct current filter with excellent harmonic suppression performance is proposed. The multi-section transmission line used as the dual-band input impedance matching network is analyzed to achieve an arbitrary frequency ratio. A rectifier is designed and implemented using a three-stage transmission-line matching network. Simulation and experimental results show that a dual-band rectifier is successfully performed with the measured power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 75.7% and 76.3% at 0.915 and 2.45 GHz, respectively. Additionally, the rectifier exhibits bandwidths of 0.48 and 0.25 GHz when the PCE exceeds 70%. Significant enhancement of bandwidth over conventional rectifiers is demonstrated.