bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GCC transgender labor market outcomes in GCC
Authors: Yasmeen Kausar , Yasmin Kashifa , Adnan Muhammad , Malik Mustafa 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis research endeavors to bridge a vital gap in the study of transgender individuals’ participation in the labor market within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. It is driven by the question: “What are the underlying factors contributing to the reluctance of GCC employers to hire transgender individuals, and how does this impact the labor market participation of this group?” In pursuit of comprehensive insights, the study aligns with the Cochrane Handbook for systematic research design. The methodology used encompasses an extensive review of academic literature from 2012 to 2023, in-depth interviews with transgender individuals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and thematic analysis to identify critical factors. The findings reveal that transgender individuals face significant legal challenges and widespread cultural discrimination in the GCC. These issues lead to workplace biases, unequal pay, and hindered career progression. A key factor in the limited employment opportunities for transgender individuals in the GCC is the reluctance of employers, stemming from cultural stigma and legal shortcomings. This reluctance propagates employment discrimination and a hostile labor market environment for transgender individuals. The study found that employers' hesitancy to hire transgender individuals leads to higher unemployment rates within this group, perpetuating poverty, social exclusion, and hindering economic diversity and innovation in the GCC. The study underscores the urgent need for holistic strategies and policy reforms in the GCC to ensure workplace equality and full labor market integration for transgender individuals, addressing a crucial research gap and emphasizing the need for dedicated efforts in this field.
Adherence to stewardship recommendations for antibiotic discontinuation reduces antibiotic-associated adverse drug events
Authors: Mulligan Patrick , Ismail Nader , Shah Nirav , Ridgway Jessica P. , Ravichandran Urmila , Grant Jennifer , Acree Mary Ellen 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Inappropriate antibiotic use may lead to increased adverse drug events (ADEs). This study assessed whether an antimicrobial stewardship recommendation to discontinue antibiotics in patients with low likelihood for bacterial infection reduced antibiotic duration and antibiotic-associated ADEs. At a 4-hospital system, hospitalized adult patients receiving empiric antibiotics for suspected infection were identified between May 2, 2016 and June 30, 2018. For those patients who were deemed unlikely to have a bacterial infection, a note was left by an infectious diseases physician recommending antibiotic discontinuation. Patient cases were considered “adherent” to recommendations if antibiotics were discontinued within 48 hours of the note and “non-adherent” to recommendations if antibiotics were continued beyond this. Duration of antibiotics and potential antibiotic-associated ADEs were collected retrospectively. Attribution of the adverse event to the antibiotic was decided upon by the investigators. The incidence of ADEs and duration of antibiotics between the adherent and non-adherent groups were compared. Of 253 patients deemed unlikely to have a bacterial infection, 114 (45%) treatment teams stopped antibiotics within 48 hours of the recommendation, and 139 (55%) continued antibiotics. The total number of ADEs was significantly higher in the non-adherent group compared to the adherent group (34 ADEs vs 9 ADEs, P = .001). The median number of total prescribed antibiotic days was higher in the non-adherent group than in the adherent group (5 days vs 1 day, P < .001). This study demonstrates that stewardship programs may prevent ADEs by recommending antibiotic discontinuation in patients with low suspicion for bacterial infection.
Investigating the politics and content of US State artificial intelligence legislation
Authors: Parinandi Srinivas , Crosson Jesse , Peterson Kai , Nadarevic Sinan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its application by businesses has created a potential need for governmental regulation. While the federal government of the United States has largely sidestepped the issue of crafting law dictating limitations and expectations regarding the use of AI technology, US state legislatures have begun to take the lead in this area. Nonetheless, we know very little about how state legislatures have approached the design, pursuit, and adoption of AI policy and whether traditional political fault lines have manifested themselves in the AI issue area. Here, we gather data on the state-level adoption of AI policy, as well as roll call voting on AI bills (classified on the basis of consumer protection versus economic development), by state legislatures and analyze the political economy of AI legislation. We find that rising unemployment and inflation are negatively associated with a state’s AI policymaking. With respect to individual legislator support, we find that liberal lawmakers and Democrats are more likely to support bills establishing consumer protection requirements on AI usage. The results suggest that economic concerns loom large with AI and that traditional political fault lines may be establishing themselves in this area.
The impact of female education on fertility: evidence from Malawi Universal Primary Education program
Authors: Wang Tianheng 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This paper examines the impact of female education on fertility outcomes by using the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program in Malawi as a natural experiment. The finding indicates that the UPE policy improves rural women's educational attainment by 0.42 years and an additional year of female education decreases women's number of children ever born and the number of living children by 0.39 and 0.34, respectively. An analysis of potential mechanisms suggests that the decreased fertility rates are likely driven by the reduction in women's fertility preferences, the postponement of marriage, and the delay of motherhood. Contrarily, the study finds no evidence that increased female education affects women's labor force participation and the use of modern contraception.
Extreme Heat and Pregnancy: A Content Analysis of Heat Health Risk Communication by US Public Health Agencies
Authors: Stassen Robyn , Zottarelli Lisa K. , Rowan Paul , Walton Gretchen , Herbold John 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Objectives:
Exposure to extreme heat events increases the risk for negative birth outcomes, including preterm birth. This study sought to determine the presence and content of web-based heat health information for pregnant people provided by federal, state, and local government public health websites.

Methods:
This website content analysis consisted of 17 federal, 50 state, and 21 city websites, and noted which of 25 recognized pregnancy heat health data elements were included. Data for the analysis were collected from March 12, 2022, through March 16, 2022.

Results:
The search identified 17 federal websites, 38 state websites, and 19 city websites with heat health information. Within these, only seven websites listed pregnant people as a vulnerable or at-risk population, and only six websites provided information related to heat health specifically for pregnancy. Of the 25 themes recognized as important for pregnancy risk during extreme heat exposure, only 11 were represented within these 6 websites.

Conclusion:
The presence of web-based pregnancy heat health information is infrequent and limited in content. Boosting web-based publication of extreme heat and pregnancy risks could mitigate negative maternal and child health outcomes.
Rigidity of pressures of Hölder potentials and the fitting of analytic functions through them
Authors: MA LIANGANG , POLLICOTT MARK 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe first part of this work is devoted to the study of higher derivatives of pressure functions of Hölder potentials on shift spaces with finitely many symbols. By describing the derivatives of pressure functions via the central limit theorem for the associated random processes, we discover some rigid relationships between derivatives of various orders. The rigidity imposes obstructions on fitting candidate convex analytic functions by pressure functions of Hölder potentials globally, which answers a question of Kucherenko and Quas. In the second part of the work, we consider fitting candidate analytic germs by pressure functions of locally constant potentials. We prove that all 1-level candidate germs can be realised by pressures of some locally constant potentials, as long as the number of symbols in the symbolic set is large enough. There are also some results on fitting 2-level germs by pressures of locally constant potentials obtained in the work.
ΤWO BEGINNINGS: ACROSTIC COMMENCEMENTS IN HORACE (EPOD. 1.1–2) AND OVID (MET. 1.1–3)
Authors: Evans Brett 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis article proposes that Horace's Epodes and Ovid's Metamorphoses open with significant acrostics that comprise the first two letters, in some cases forming syllables, of successive lines: IB-AM/IAMB (Epod. 1.1–2) and IN-CO-(H)AS (Met. 1.1–3). Each acrostic, it will be argued, tees up programmatic concerns vital to the work it opens: generic identity and the interrelation of form and content (Epodes), etymology and monumentality (Metamorphoses). Moreover, as befits their placement at the head of collections, both acrostics negotiate the challenge of literary commencement. The introduction reviews recent developments in acrostic studies and discusses important predecessors and parallels for Horace's and Ovid's ‘two-letter’ and syllabic acrostics. Two subsequent sections examine the acrostics singly, and a conclusion compares the dialogues that these acrostics open between author and reader, underscoring the welcome challenge which Ovid's acrostic offers to the prevailing scholarly view that this form of wordplay is a strictly visual affair.
The Diplomacy of Whataboutism and US Foreign Policy Attitudes
Authors: Chow Wilfred M. , Levin Dov H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDoes whataboutism work in global affairs? When states face international criticism, they often respond with whataboutism: accusing their critics of similar faults. Despite its prevalence in policy discussions, whataboutism remains an understudied influence strategy. This study investigates how states use whataboutism to shape American public opinion across various international issues. We find, using survey experiments, that whataboutism mitigates the negative impacts of criticism by reducing public approval of US positions and backing for punitive actions. Whataboutist critiques referencing similar, recent misdeeds have more power to shape opinions. However, the identity of the whataboutist state does not significantly affect effectiveness. US counter-messaging often fails to diminish the effects of whataboutism. These results show that whataboutism can be a potent rhetorical tool in international relations and that it warrants greater attention from international relations scholars.
Laboratory evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test for dairy mastitis
Authors: Speksnijder David C. , Verduijn Hendrika C. , van Haren Sharon , Ussing Tomas , van Werven Tine 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRapid diagnostic tests that differentiate between Gram positive, Gram negative and the absence of aerobic bacteria in milk samples from dairy cows with clinical mastitis can support antimicrobial treatment decisions and contribute to a more prudent use of antimicrobials in the dairy industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the test characteristics of the novel rapid BACT mastitis test in discriminating causes of clinical mastitis under laboratory conditions. Test outcomes of 155 milk samples from clinical mastitis cases were incubated for 14–16 h in the BACT test and compared to results of bacteriological culture. The accuracy for detection of bacterial growth and Gram positive growth was 91 and 89%, respectively. The BACT test could provide an accurate and relatively fast decision tool for farmers to aid in antimicrobial treatment decisions in cases of clinical mastitis.
Fermentation of whey-derived matrices by Kluyveromyces marxianus: alcoholic beverage development from whey and fruit juice mixes
Authors: Gómez Gabriel A. , Cuffia Facundo , Nagel Orlando G. , Althaus Rafael L. , Ceruti Roberto J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis research paper addresses the hypotheses that Kluyveromyces marxianus can be cultured with good alcohol production on different whey-derived matrices, and that the fermented product can be used in order to develop alcoholic beverages with acceptable sensory characteristics by mixtures with yeast-fermented fruit-based matrices. Growth and fermentative characteristics of Kluyveromyces marxianus LFIQK1 in different whey-derived matrices were explored by culturing (24 h, 30°C) on reconstituted whey, demineralized whey, heat-treated whey and milk permeate media. High lactose consumption, ethanol production and yield were observed. Reconstituted whey matrix was selected for mixing with orange or strawberry juices fermented using Saccharomyces cerevisiae to obtain alcoholic beverages (W-OR and W-ST, respectively). Consumer evaluation of beverages was performed using acceptability and Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) questions. Good acceptance was observed, significantly higher for W-ST than for W-OR. CATA questions gave information about organoleptic characteristics of beverages. Penalty analysis showed W-R and W-ST were positively associated with smooth/refreshing and fruity/natural, respectively. Liking was represented, accordingly with penalty analysis, by natural/refreshing. A novel alternative for utilization of whey and whey-related matrices by alcoholic beverages production with natural ingredients is presented.
Evaluating large-language-model chatbots to engage communities in large-scale design projects
Authors: Dortheimer Jonathan , Martelaro Nik , Sprecher Aaron , Schubert Gerhard 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRecent advances in machine learning have enabled computers to converse with humans meaningfully. In this study, we propose using this technology to facilitate design conversations in large-scale urban development projects by creating chatbot systems that can automate and streamline information exchange between stakeholders and designers. To this end, we developed and evaluated a proof-of-concept chatbot system that can perform design conversations on a specific construction project and convert those conversations into a list of requirements. Next, in an experiment with 56 participants, we compared the chatbot system to a regular online survey, focusing on user satisfaction and the quality and quantity of collected information. The results revealed that, with regard to user satisfaction, the participants preferred the chatbot experience to a regular survey. However, we found that chatbot conversations produced more data than the survey, with a similar rate of novel ideas but fewer themes. Our findings provide robust evidence that chatbots can be effectively used for design discussions in large-scale design projects and offer a user-friendly experience that can help to engage people in the design process. Based on this evidence, by providing a space for meaningful conversations between stakeholders and expanding the reach of design projects, the use of chatbot systems in interactive design systems can potentially improve design processes and their outcomes.
Greater need but reduced access: a population study of planned and elective surgery rates in adult mental health service users
Authors: Sara G. , Hamer J. , Gould P. , Curtis J. , Ramanuj P. , O’Brien T. A. , Burgess P. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Aims
Timely access to surgery is an essential part of healthcare. People living with mental health (MH) conditions may have higher rates of chronic illness requiring surgical care but also face barriers to care. There is limited evidence about whether unequal surgical access contributes to health inequalities in this group.

Methods
We examined 1.22 million surgical procedures in public and private hospitals in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in 2019. In a cross-sectional study of 76,320 MH service users aged 18 and over, surgical procedure rates per 1,000 population were compared to rates for 6.23 million other NSW residents after direct standardisation for age, sex and socio-economic disadvantage. Rates were calculated for planned and emergency surgery, for major specialty groups, for the top 10 procedure blocks in each specialty group and for 13 access-sensitive procedures. Subgroup analyses were conducted for hospital and insurance type and for people with severe or persistent MH conditions.

Results
MH service users had higher rates of surgical procedures (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR]: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.51–1.56), due to slightly higher planned procedure rates (aIRR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.19–1.24) and substantially higher emergency procedure rates (aIRR: 3.60, 95% CI: 3.51–3.70). Emergency procedure rates were increased in all block groups with sufficient numbers for standardisation. MH service users had very high rates (aIRR > 4.5) of emergency cardiovascular, skin and plastics and respiratory procedures, higher rates of planned coronary artery bypass grafting, coronary angiography and cholecystectomy but lower rates of planned ophthalmic surgery, cataract repair, shoulder reconstruction, knee replacement and some plastic surgery procedures.

Conclusions
Higher rates of surgery in MH service users may reflect a higher prevalence of conditions requiring surgical care, including cardiac, metabolic, alcohol-related or smoking-related conditions. The striking increase in emergency surgery rates suggests that this need may not be being met, particularly for chronic and disabling conditions which are often treated by planned surgery in private hospital settings in the Australian health system. A higher proportion of emergency surgery may have serious personal and health system consequences.
EPSPS gene amplification confers glyphosate resistance in Palmer amaranth in Connecticut
Authors: Aulakh Jatinder S. , Kumar Vipan , Brunharo Caio A. C. G. , Veron Adrian , Price Andrew J. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
A Palmer amaranth biotype (CT-Res) with resistance to glyphosate was recently confirmed in a pumpkin field in Connecticut. However, the underlying mechanisms conferring glyphosate resistance in this biotype is not known. The main objectives of this research were 1) to determine the effect of plant height (10, 20, and 30 cm) on glyphosate resistance levels in CT-Res Palmer amaranth biotype, and 2) to investigate whether the target site–based mechanisms confer glyphosate resistance. To achieve these objectives, progeny seeds of the CT-Res biotype after two generations of recurrent selection with glyphosate (6,720 g ae ha−1) were used. Similarly, known glyphosate-susceptible Palmer amaranth biotypes from Kansas (KS-Sus) and Alabama (AL-Sus) were included. Results from greenhouse dose-response studies revealed that CT-Res Palmer amaranth biotype had 69-, 64-, and 54-fold resistance to glyphosate as compared with the KS-Sus biotype when treated at heights of 10, 20, and 30 cm, respectively. Sequence analysis of the EPSPS gene revealed no point mutations at the Pro106 and Thr102 residues in the CT-Res Palmer amaranth biotype. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the CT-Res biotype had 33 to 111 relative copies of the EPSPS gene compared with the AL-Sus biotype. All these results suggest that the EPSPS gene amplification endows a high level of glyphosate resistance in the GR Palmer amaranth biotype from Connecticut. Because of the lack of control with glyphosate, growers should adopt the use of effective alternative preemergence and postemergence herbicides in conjunction with other cultural and mechanical tactics to mitigate the further spread of GR Palmer amaranth in Connecticut.
Re‐Evaluating Hydrogen Sulfide as a Sink for Cadmium and Zinc in the Oxic to Suboxic Upper Water Column of the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Buckley N. R. , Black E. E. , Kenyon J. A. , Lanning N. T. , Sieber M. , Conway T. M. , Fitzsimmons J. N. , Cutter G. A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHydrogen sulfide is produced by heterotrophic bacteria in anoxic waters and via carbonyl sulfide hydrolysis and phytoplankton emissions under oxic conditions. Apparent losses of dissolved cadmium (dCd) and zinc (dZn) in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans have been attributed to metal‐sulfide precipitation formed via dissimilatory sulfate reduction. It has also been argued that such a removal process could be a globally important sink for dCd and dZn. However, our studies from the North Pacific OMZ show that dissolved and particulate sulfide concentrations are insufficient to support the removal of dCd via precipitation. In contrast, apparent dCd and dZn deficits in the eastern tropical South Pacific OMZ do reside in the oxycline with particulate sulfide maxima, but they also coincide with the secondary fluorescence maxima, suggesting that removal via sulfide precipitation may be due to a combination of dissimilatory and assimilatory sulfate reduction. Notably, dCd loss via precipitation with sulfide from assimilatory reduction was found in upper oxic waters of the North Pacific. While dissimilatory sulfate reduction may explain local dCd and dZn losses in some OMZs, our evaluation of North Pacific OMZs demonstrates that dCd and dZn losses are unlikely to be a globally relevant sink. Nevertheless, metal sulfide losses due to assimilatory sulfate reduction in surface waters should be considered in future biogeochemical models of oceanic Cd (and perhaps Zn) cycling.
Shallow Thermal Anomalies and Their Role in the Breakup Evolution Along the Conjugate Margins of the Fram Strait (Svalbard and Eastern North Greenland), Indicated by Low‐Temperature Thermochronology
Authors: Meier Katrin , O’Sullivan Paul , Jochmann Malte M. , Wallrath Tino , Monien Patrick , Piepjohn Karsten , Lisker Frank , Spiegel Cornelia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe investigated highly mature sedimentary rocks exposed along both sides of the Fram Strait in the northern North Atlantic using apatite fission track and (U‐Th)/He thermochronology to obtain information on the thermal imprint of rifting and continental breakup processes along a sheared margin. Our data showed that the conjugate margins experienced several heating episodes, which we explain as resulting from heat transfer along segments of the De Geer Fracture Zone, a large continental transform system which connected magmatic centers north and south of the Fram Strait. Heating occurred prior to and during the Eurekan intraplate orogeny, which occupied the position of the present‐day Fram Strait during the Eocene. Heat transfer may have caused or contributed to lithospheric weak zones, which focussed deformation during intraplate orogeny. Movements along the transform fault system continued during the Oligocene, after the end of the Eurekan Orogeny, causing further structural weakening of pre‐existing fault zones. These were exploited during the final continental breakup leading to the opening of the Fram Strait. No unambiguous thermal signature associated with this latest stage of breakup was detected. Our data underline recent studies on the importance of structural inheritance and continental transform faults for the prolonged and complex processes of continental rifting and breakup.