bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Combining the pieces: identifying key determinants of export diversification in Africa amidst model uncertainty
Authors: Vogel Tim 
Published: November 2024

AbstractExport diversification can be a driver of economic growth. Policies to diversify exports attempt to defy an existing comparative advantage in low-value-added goods to promote transformation. Many structural, general policy, and trade-related variables have been identified as important drivers of diversification. This article reviews the literature on the determinants of export diversification and applies Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) to empirically tackle model uncertainty stemming from many possible determinants. It assesses the relevance and impact of up to 46 drivers of export diversification for up to 47 African countries and 123 trading partners from 1995 to 2018. It finds that African countries’ structural features are especially influential in determining export diversification, a potential explanation for Africa’s more concentrated export baskets compared to other world regions. Furthermore, trade policies, like tariffs and regional integration, are critical in promoting export diversification. These findings underscore the AfCFTA’s potential to foster export diversification across African economies. A diverse set of non-trade-related policy variables also significantly affect export diversification. Factors such as institutions, education, service sector, resource rents, financial development, FDI and exchange rate stability are relevant determinants in different settings. Moreover, the analysis shows that whom you trade with is also important for diversification, and that context-specific differences, such as specific regional integration contexts or type of commodity-dependence, matter. The results suggest that the goals to diversify exports at the extensive margin for structural change and the intensive margin to tackle volatility, seem often not achievable via the same policies.
British economic strategy and regional institutions in Asia, 2016–2024
Authors: Summers Tim , Li Chen , Miao Chunzi 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis paper examines the British approach to Asia and its regional institutions from the Brexit vote in 2016 to the British general election of July 2024. The paper analyses official government statements and debates among political elites about Britain’s foreign policy posture in the region, from the broad ‘Indo-Pacific tilt’ and the Belt and Road Initiative to engagement with specific regional institutions such as ASEAN, BRI, AIIB, CPTPP and bilateral trade and investment agreements. It argues that approaches to regional institutions in and across Asia are driven by a combination of a dominant policy view that there is a need to engage with Asia which is becoming economically and strategically more important in a changing world, alongside a desire to decentre China in British strategic approaches to the region (partly in response to US-China strategic rivalry). However, given China’s centrality to regional economic growth in Asia, this approach creates contradictions which are rarely addressed in British policy debates. This paper will contribute not only to understanding British foreign policy, but also shed light on the evolving “new regionalism” and power dynamics across the Indo/Asia–Pacific, and how actors external to the region view and engage with the development of regional institutions in Asia.
An unnatural disaster—the 2021–2024 landslide at Nordic Waste, Denmark
Authors: Svennevig Kristian , Keiding Marie , Jackson Samuel Paul , Noël François 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The 2021–2024 Nordic Waste Landslide, located near the village of Ølst in East Jutland, Denmark, was a significant geohazard event, occurring within a former clay pit that had been repurposed as a landfill for polluted soil. This study provides a first analysis of the landslide’s development, characteristics, and causative factors. The slow-to-moderate-moving landslide gained public attention in December 2023 when it protruded beyond the landfill area, threatening to reach Ølst and dispense pollutants to large downstream watercourses. We analyzed the landslide’s evolution and causative factors utilizing aerial imagery, digital elevation models (DEMs), satellite data, and field observation. The landslide’s evolution can be categorized into two distinct phases driven by two modes of soil deposition. In Phase 1, spanning 2021 to spring 2023, the landslide developed due to gradual vertical soil aggradation on the gently sloping surface of the former clay pit. In Phase 2, from spring 2023 to January 2024, the landslide developed rapidly due to substantial soil dumping on the western slope of the clay pit, forming two earthflows that moved east, forcing acceleration in most of the Phase 1 landslide. The Phase 2 landslide encompassed approximately 1.2 million cubic meters of soil, accounting for over half of the total soil deposited at Nordic Waste between 2015 and 2023. After the practice of dumping soil at the edge of the clay pit ended the landslide slowed down, eventually stopping by late January 2024. This was while the water table was at a record high and still increasing, pointing to soil deposition, and not elevated water table, as the main preconditioning factor. Runout modelling indicated the landslide was best replicated using a Voellmy friction angle of atan(μ) = 2.9°. However, even in a worst-case modelling scenario, assuming an unrealistically low atan(μ) of 1.7°, the landslide did not reach inhabited areas in Ølst. From a landslide point of view, our findings emphasize the need for land-use planning and regulatory frameworks of landfills to take slope instability into account. Furthermore, they highlight the need for increased public awareness, and for educating decision-makers and oversight authorities into the risks associated with landslides.
Outcomes, efficacy and risk factors of 27-Gauge vitrectomy for diabetic tractional retinal detachment in Japanese patients
Authors: Nishigushi Risa , Usui-Ouchi Ayumi , Sakanishi Yoshihito , Tamaki Kazunori , Mashimo Keitaro , Ito Rei , Sakuma Toshiro , Ebihara Nobuyuki , Nakao Shintaro 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Diabetic retinopathy leads to vision-threatening complications, such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy and tractional retinal detachment (TRD) and is a major global health concern. Despite advancements in vitrectomy techniques, challenges exist in managing postoperative complications and long-term visual acuity. This study aimed to evaluate postoperative outcomes of 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (27 g PPV) for diabetic TRD and identify associated risk factors.

Study Design
Retrospective study.

Methods
This study included 94 eyes of 74 patients who underwent 27 g PPV for diabetic TRD between July 2017 and September 2022 at Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Japan. Patient demographics, preoperative characteristics, intraoperative details, and postoperative outcomes were examined. Statistical analyses were performed to identify factors influencing postoperative visual acuity.

Results
Mean follow-up duration was 23.1 ± 14.6 months. Postoperatively, visual acuity (LogMAR) improved significantly from 1.34 ± 0.82 to 0.65 ± 0.79 (P < 0.0001). Postoperative complications included persistent vitreous hemorrhage (15%) and neovascular glaucoma (4%). Final retinal reattachment rate was 97%. Preoperatively, macular detachment (P < 0.0001) and Grade IV TRD (P < 0.0001) severity were significantly associated with poor final best corrected visual acuity (P < 0.0001). Preoperative macular detachment (P < 0.0001), Grade IV TRD (P < 0.0001), intraoperative iatrogenic breaks (P = 0.031), and postoperative neovascular glaucoma (P < 0.0001) were identified as significant predictors of poor postoperative visual outcomes through multivariate analysis.

Conclusion
This study highlights the efficacy of 27 g PPV in improving visual acuity in patients with diabetic TRD. Despite favorable outcomes, attention to preoperative risk factors and meticulous surgical techniques remain crucial for optimizing long-term visual prognosis in these patients.
Ability and knowledge: from epistemic transition systems to labelled stit models
Authors: Kuncová Alexandra , Broersen Jan , Duijf Hein , Ramírez Abarca Aldo Iván 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIt is possible to know that one can guarantee a certain result and yet not know how to guarantee it. In such cases one has the ability to guarantee something in a causal sense, but not in an epistemic sense. In this paper we focus on two formalisms used to model both conceptions of ability: one formalism based on epistemic transition systems and the other on labelled stit models. We show a strong correspondence between the two formalisms by providing mappings from the former to the latter for both the languages and the structures. Moreover, we demonstrate that our extension of labelled stit logic is more expressive than the logic of epistemic transition systems.
Epicardial Adipocytes in Cardiac Pathology and Healing
Authors: La Vy , Nair Vishnu , Sunny Sini , Benharash Peyman , Thankam Finosh G. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractImplications of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) on the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) have garnered recent attention. Located between the myocardium and visceral pericardium, EAT possesses unique morphological and physiological contiguity to the heart. The transcriptome and secretome of EAT differ from that of other fat stores in the body. Physiologically, EAT protects the adjacent myocardium through its brown-fat-like thermogenic function and rapid fatty acid oxidation. However, EAT releases pro-inflammatory mediators acting on the myocardium and coronary vessels, thus contributing to the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Furthermore, EAT-derived mesenchymal stromal cells indicate promising regenerative capabilities that offer novel opportunities in cell-based cardiac regeneration. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding and unraveling of EAT mechanisms implicated in regulating cardiac function and regeneration under pathological conditions. A holistic understanding of the multifaceted nature of EAT is essential to the future development of pharmacological and therapeutic interventions for the management of CVD.
Covid-19 vaccination and menstrual bleeding disturbances among women of fertile age: a Norwegian registry study
Authors: Magnus Maria C. , Caspersen Ida H. , Wensaas Knut-Arne , Eide Helena N. , Örtqvist Anne K. , Oakley Laura , Magnus Per , Håberg Siri E. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis study evaluated the relationship between Covid-19 vaccination and menstrual bleeding disturbances using a large national registry linkage including 666,467 women between 20 and 40 years of age residing in Norway on January 1st, 2019. Information on vaccination—BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 — was obtained from the Norwegian vaccination registry. Diagnoses of menstrual disturbances (absent/scanty, excessive, irregular/frequent menstruation, and intermenstrual bleeding) was obtained from the general practitioner database. We examined new-onset menstrual bleeding disturbances using a Cox regression comparing vaccinated to unvaccinated women, where women contributed follow-up time as unvaccinated until the day of vaccination. In addition, we conducted a self-controlled case-series analysis, and a sensitivity analysis excluding all those who remained unvaccinated throughout the pandemic, to evaluate the role of unmeasured confounding. We observed an increased risk of several menstrual bleeding disturbances after vaccination against Covid-19, ranging from an adjusted HR (aHR) of 1.18 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.33) for intermenstrual bleeding to 1.29 (95% CI: 1.23, 1.36) for irregular/frequent menstrual periods. However, estimates were fully attenuated when excluding women who remained unvaccinated at the end of follow-up (aHRs between 0.97 and 1.08). No differences were identified according to vaccine dose or type. Our self-controlled case series analysis confirmed no increased risk after a first dose of vaccination, though there was a slightly increased risk of menstrual bleeding disturbances from 61 days after vaccination with dose 2. In conclusion, the modestly increased risk of menstrual bleeding disturbances after Covid-19 vaccination appeared to reflect a role of unmeasured confounding by women who never received Covid-19 vaccinations, as associations did not remain when risk after vaccination were compared to risk before vaccination among ever vaccinated women.
Harnessing genetic diversity in Sudanese sorghum wild relatives for stay-green drought tolerance via microsatellite (SSR) marker assessment
Authors: Ahmed Alaa , Abdalla Aisha Abdalhady Ahmed , Elsafy Mohammed , Ezzeldin Alaa , Rahmatov Mahbubjon , Abdelhalim Tilal 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSudan is the birthplace of sorghum, and vast genetic diversity exists among its wild relatives. To assess the genetic potential of Sudan wild sorghum accessions, we used 41 stay-green-specific microsatellite (SSR) markers to analyze the genetic variability and population structure of 256 accessions. Overall, 17 SSR markers were polymorphic, with 55 alleles on average 3.3 per locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.49 to 0.57, with an overall mean of 0.53, indicating the potential of these markers for capturing the genetic construction of wild sorghum. Linkage disequilibrium analysis identified the two most informative markers, Xcup05 and Xtxp212. Accordingly, the Nei gene diversity of the populations varied from 0.032 to 0.127, with an overall mean of 0.083. Molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) demonstrated that 99% and 1% of the genetic variations were within and among populations (Fst = 0.066; P 0.001), respectively. However, gene flow (Nm) values varied from 0.058 in populations 1 and 2 to 1.018 in populations 2 and 3. Neighbor-joining trees identified from 21 Sudanese wild sorghum accessions clustered closely to the universally drought-tolerant landrace B35. Structural analysis generated the highest Delta K value (58.2) at K = 2, revealing two distinct subpopulations. While this work provides valuable information about the potential of sorghum wild relatives from Sudan as sources for stay-green drought tolerance, further research should be directed toward identifying the exact mechanisms and genes underlying this stay-green trait using advanced molecular omics techniques. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential role of Sudanese sorghum accessions as reservoirs of ready-to-use stay-green genes for the design of climate-resilient sorghum cultivars in drought-prone areas of Sudan and beyond. However, these wild relatives would require extensive pre-breeding and validation efforts before their genes can be effectively incorporated into elite cultivars.
Quasi-particle Propagation Across Semiconductor–Mott Insulator Interfaces
Authors: Verlage Jan , Queisser Friedemann , Szpak Nikodem , König Jürgen , Kratzer Peter , Schützhold Ralf 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAs a prototypical example for a heterostructure combining a weakly and a strongly interacting quantum many-body system, we study the interface between a semiconductor and a Mott insulator. Via the hierarchy of correlations, we derive and match the propagating or evanescent (quasi) particle solutions on both sides and assume that the interactions among the electrons in the semiconducting regions can be absorbed by an effective potential. While the propagation is described by a band-like dispersion in both the weakly and the strongly interacting case, the inverse decay length across the interface follows a different dependence on the band gap in the Mott insulator and the semiconductor. As one consequence, tunnelling through a Mott insulating layer behaves quite differently from a semiconducting (or band insulating) layer. For example, we find a strong suppression of tunnelling for energies in the middle between the upper and lower Hubbard band of the Mott insulator.
Atom probe tomography of deuterium-charged optimised ZIRLO
Authors: Huang Siyu , Tegg Levi , Aminorroaya Yamini Sima , McCarroll Ingrid E. , Burr Patrick A. , Cairney Julie M. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the morphology and composition of hydrides in Optimized ZIRLO following electrochemical deuterium charging. Both ZrO and ZrDx phases were formed upon charging. The interfaces between these phases are investigated by using atom probe tomography aided by cryogenic sample transfer. The Ga and Sn have formed a “net”-like structure at the original atom probe specimen surface, which is assumed to be associated with the boundaries between individual hydride laths/needles, as it thought to have formed as these species were excluded from the hydrides. Calculation of the D/Zr ratio throughout the sample allows for identification of the ZrDx phases, revealing the specimen consists of a complex arrangement of different hydride phases. In some areas there is small excess of D in the hydride, i.e. ZrD2+y. This result is interpreted as deuterium which was “frozen” as it was passing through the hydride during electrochemical charging. The observed microstructural changes and interfacial phenomena contribute valuable insights that may prove useful for improving the performance and safety of Zr alloys.
Lake sediments on the Adamawa Plateau (Central Cameroon) as archives of climate change and the Bantu impact during the last 4000 years BP
Authors: N’nanga Alexandrine , Anselmetti Flavio S. , Kremer Katrina , Szidat Sönke 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This study investigates Late Holocene environmental changes in Central Cameroon induced by the combined effects of climate and human impact. For this purpose, sediments from lakes Dang, Massote, Fonjak and Ngaoundaba were studied through lithologic analysis including mineralogical composition and organic geochemistry combined with radiocarbon dates. From these analyses, the sediments at the base of lakes Massote and Dang cores are respectively dated to 4680–3530 and 4220–3580 cal yr BP, whereas the sediments of lakes Fonjak and Ngaoundaba seem to be younger, respectively dated to 3210–3000 and 1870–1740 cal yr BP. Lake sedimentation is dominated by organic matter (OM) poor deposits (OM < 3%) in the lower sections and OM-rich deposits (OM: 5–54%) in the upper sections. This shift from OM-poor to OM-rich sedimentation induced by climate variations occurred at

$$\sim $$

∼

2800–2400 cal yr BP. The mineral assemblage is predominantly composed of kaolinite with minor contributions from chlorite, smectite, chlorite/smectite, illite/smectite, quartz, K-feldspar, gibbsite, plagioclase, siderite, hematite and goethite. These sediments are clastic, except for Lake Fonjak core sediments which correspond to peat intercalated with carbonate clay and clastic deposits. Age-depth models suggest that the sedimentation rate was 0.2 mm yr-1 for lakes Dang and Massote before

$$\sim $$

∼

690–560 cal yr BP and

$$\sim $$

∼

660–470 cal yr BP, respectively. Thereafter, it increased to 0.8 mm yr-1 in Lake Dang and 0.7 mm yr-1 in Lake Massote. Finally, Late Holocene environment changes in Central Cameroon consisted of the shift of open water lakes to marshy fringes with abundant vegetation induced by human activities and facilitated by increasing seasonality.
Unveiling the role of storm surges as a driver of flooding on the western Mediterranean: a case study of the Ebro Delta
Authors: Romero-Martín Rut , Sanuy Marc , Jiménez José A. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractStorm surges in the Western Mediterranean are generally low in magnitude, making their contribution to coastal flooding less significant compared to wave overtopping. Nonetheless, low-lying, sheltered coasts such as deltas and wetlands, which are frequent along the Mediterranean basin are particularly vulnerable to storm surges. This study, focusing on the Ebro Delta as representative of this type of coastal environment, investigates the flooding caused by storm surge alone and in conjunction with other non-wave related factors like astronomical tides and sea level rise (SLR), using the LISFLOOD-FP model. The findings highlight the significant flooding potential of storm surges on passive, and unprotected coasts, while also indicate that astronomical tides have a minor effect on flood extent under prevalent microtidal conditions. SLR greatly increases the impact of storm surges, amplifying temporary inundation in the short term and becoming the dominant factor over time. The study underscores the importance of accurately representing surge duration and small topographic features in flood models to ensure robust coastal inundation assessments in low-lying areas.
Economic damage from natural hazards and internal migration in the United States
Authors: Ton Marijn J. , de Moel Hans , de Bruijn Jens A. , Reimann Lena , Botzen Wouter J. W. , Aerts Jeroen C. J. H. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we analyze the impact of natural hazards on internal migration in the United States (US). The analysis uses Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax records and analyzes different versions of a gravity model to assess the impact of economic damage caused by natural hazards on migration flows between counties. We find that natural hazards in the origin county are associated to larger outflows, with hurricanes exhibiting the most substantial impact on migration, followed by floodings and severe storms. These results emphasize the need for migration research that distinguishes between various types of hazards. Furthermore, we extend the gravity model to investigate whether people tend to relocate to relatively nearby areas in response to natural hazards, an established phenomenon in existing literature. For floods and severe storms, the analysis demonstrates that migration flows to nearby counties are comparatively larger than to distant counties. These findings may be concerning, as it implies that individuals could still be at a high risk of experiencing future disasters. Additionally, we provide several robustness checks to investigate to what extent our results are driven by extreme events in the dataset.
Stability of steady-state solutions of Jeffcott rotor with varying rotational speed
Authors: Aljabr Abdulelah , Flashner Henryk 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe behavior of flexible rotating systems with varying rotational speeds is essential in engineering applications. Analysis methods that consider linear dynamic models and many existing nonlinear analysis approaches assume constant rotational speed. These approaches are unsuited to study the dynamic interaction between driving torque and whirling motion in this class of applications. In this paper, an analysis of the stability and control of a Jeffcott rotor under varying operational conditions is presented. A nonlinear dynamic model of the system is formulated to enable a detailed stability and parametric analysis. A proportional-integral (PI) torque command is employed to achieve a steady-state rotational speed. Assuming constant lateral control effort, system equilibrium points and their stability characteristics as functions of the system’s parameters are analyzed. A control law that minimizes the lateral effort is derived. A feedback proportional lateral control strategy is introduced to enhance the system’s region of stability, particularly in the supercritical speed range. Finally, a simulation study is conducted to validate the analytical findings. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for defining stable operating conditions and improving system performance.