bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paving Their Own Road? Local Chinese and World Bank Aid and Foreign Direct Investment in Africa
Authors: Brazys Samuel , Jung Yoo Sun 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
China’s emergence as a major donor and economic partner to sub-Saharan Africa has prompted questions if the aims and impacts of China’s efforts in the region are driven by self-serving commercial motives. While there are strong reasons to think that the foreign aid may make a location more attractive to investment, generally, by improving the infrastructural, institutional, or human capital environment and/or by serving as a signal of a location’s risk, there is also reason to suspect that Chinese aid may be “paving the way” for investment by Chinese firms. To investigate, this paper uses spatial and temporal variations in localized, geo-referenced data to find a strong overall support that local aid boosts local foreign direct investment (FDI). However, we also find some evidence that Chinese aid boosts its own FDI compared to FDI from third-party countries; but this differential effect is also visible with the Chinese FDI’s response to the World Bank aid as well as in the relationship between both aid and FDI from the USA, suggesting that the Chinese FDI may simply be following any aid and that the relationship between its aid and FDI is not exceptional among bilateral donors.
Discrete-Time Quantum Walks Community Detection in Multi-Domain Networks
Authors: Liu Xiaoyang , Ding Nan , Wu Yudie , Fiumara Giacomo , De Meo Pasquale 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The problem of detecting communities in real-world networks has been extensively studied in the past, but most of the existing approaches work on single-domain networks, i.e. they consider only one type of relationship between nodes. Single-domain networks may contain noisy edges and they may lack some important information. Thus, some authors have proposed to consider the multiple relationships that connect the nodes of a network, thus obtaining multi-domain networks. However, most community detection approaches are limited to multi-layer networks, i.e. networks generated from the superposition of several single-domain networks (called layers) that are regarded as independent of each other. In addition to being computationally expensive, multi-layer approaches might yield inaccurate results because they ignore potential dependencies between layers. This paper proposes a multi-domain discrete-time quantum walks (MDQW) model for multi-domain networks. First, the walking space of network nodes in multi-domain network is constructed. Second, the quantum permutation circuit of the coin state is designed based on the coded particle state. Then, using different coin states, the shift operator performs several quantum walks on the particles. Finally, the corresponding update rule is selected to move the node according to the measurement result of the quantum state. With continuous update iteration, the shift operator automatically optimizes the discovered community structure. We experimentally compared our MDQW method with four state-of-the-art competitors on five real datasets. We used the normalized mutual information (NMI) to compare clustering quality, and we report an increase in NMI of up to 3.51 of our MDQW method in comparison with the second-best performing competitor. The MDQW method is much faster than its competitors, allowing us to conclude that MDQW is a useful tool in the analysis of large real-life multi-domain networks. Finally, we illustrate the usefulness of our approach on two real-world case studies.
Non-invasive assessment of hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy in guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and its application in a wild population
Authors: Marozzi A , Cantarelli V I , Panebianco A , Gomez F M , Ovejero R , Gregorio P F , Peña F , Ponzio M F , Carmanchahi P D 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Obtaining endocrinological profiles using non-invasive methodologies by the measurement of hormone fecal metabolites is a widely used method to monitor ovarian activity and pregnancy in wild species. These tools allow the obtention of physiological information without causing capture-related stress on the individuals. In this research, we aimed to 1) biologically validate a non-invasive method to assess fecal progestagens and estrogens fluctuations during gestation in guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and 2) apply this technique to assess pregnancy in a wild free-ranging population. Fecal samples were collected through the gestation period (~12 months) of female guanacos in a 6.5-ha paddock. An increase in fecal metabolites of both hormones was detected. Progestagens increased gradually, in contrast to estrogens, which remained at basal values for most of the gestation period and peaked only a few days before calving. To assess pregnancy in wild free-ranging animals, fecal samples were collected from a population of La Payunia provincial reserve (Mendoza, Argentina) during the beginning of gestation and at the end of gestation. Through the first months of possible gestation, pregnant females represented between 40 and 80% of the population; at the end of gestation, only 20–40% of the females had confirmed pregnancies. Our results demonstrated that the polyclonal antisera and sexual hormone metabolite assays used here detect variations in the metabolites excreted through feces in guanacos and provide the possibility of non-invasive hormone monitoring of female reproductive status. Also, the findings in wild conditions suggest that natural abortions could have occurred during the first months of gestation. Although some abortions may be natural, the harsh environmental conditions that challenge the support of such a long gestational process may be another relevant factor to consider. The results obtained here enhance our understanding of the reproductive physiology of one of the most emblematic ungulates in South America.
Barriers and drivers to COVID-19 vaccination among the migrant and non-migrant population in Germany, 2021
Authors: Wulkotte Elisa , Schmid-Küpke Nora , Bozorgmehr Kayvan , Razum Oliver , Wichmann Ole , Neufeind Julia 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, immunization programmes struggled to reach all population groups equally. While migrant groups face multiple barriers to health systems, including vaccination, little is known about their vaccine uptake.

Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey on adults with and without migration history in Germany to investigate barriers and drivers to COVID-19 vaccination (11 April 2021 to 18 December 2021). Interviews were conducted in six languages. We used logistic regression models and a mediation model to analyze the association between migration history and vaccine uptake. Furthermore, we determined the effect of psychological determinants (5C model) on vaccine uptake.

Results
The survey comprised 2039 individuals, including 1015 with migration history. Of these, 448 were interviews conducted in languages other than German. Individuals with migration history had a significantly lower vaccine uptake but, while still unvaccinated, had a higher intention to get vaccinated (P = 0.015) compared with those without migration history. The association between migration history and vaccine uptake was no longer significant when other factors were included in the regression model (odds ratio = 0.9; 95% confidence interval: 0.57–1.47). Socio-economic index, language skills and discrimination experience fully mediated this association. Among the psychological determinants, ‘higher confidence’ and ‘higher collective responsibility’ increased the chance of individuals with migration history to be vaccinated.

Conclusion
Migration history alone cannot explain vaccine uptake; socio-economic index, language skills and discrimination experiences need to be considered. To achieve vaccine equity, future public health policy should aim to reduce relevant barriers through tailored interventions.
Logging Machinery Traffic Has Greatest Influence on Soil Chemical Properties in the Amazonian Rainy Season
Authors: DeArmond Daniel , Lima Adriano José Nogueira , Higuchi Niro 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In the forests of Amazonia each year, previously unentered stands are logged, which usually results in some degree of soil compaction. Consequently, the soil chemical properties in compacted areas are altered. The aim of this study was to determine how these changes may help or hinder site recovery in the context of seasonal variation and increased levels of compaction. To investigate these changes, an experiment was established in the Central Amazon. This consisted of tractor trails compacted at three incrementally increasing traffic intensities of one, three, and twelve machine cycles in the wet and dry seasons. Results revealed that elevated moisture in the wet season combined with heavy compaction from twelve machine cycles had the greatest impact on soil chemical properties. This was indicated by diminished total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, and elevated ammonium and Fe2+. Nevertheless, heavy compaction in the wet season led to lower Al3+ and higher base saturation, which could be beneficial for future site recovery.
Study Implications: Annually, vast swathes of old-growth forest are logged for the first time in Amazonia. These areas require an extensive skid trail network to facilitate movement of logging machinery and subsequent log skidding. Skid trails always entail some level of soil compaction, especially in the heavily used primary skid trails. This compaction influences the soil chemical properties. Some impacts are only apparent in the wet season and may not be present in the dry season. Therefore, to reduce overall impacts to soil chemical properties, skid trail coverage should be planned to reduce the coverage of the logging site.
Revealing the genome of the microsporidian Vairimorpha bombi, a potential driver of bumble bee declines in North America
Authors: Webster Victoria L , Hemmings Samuel , Pérez Marta , Fisher Matthew C , Brown Mark J F , Farrer Rhys A 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Pollinators are vital for food security and the maintenance of terrestrial ecosystems. Bumblebees are important pollinators across northern temperate, arctic, and alpine ecosystems, yet are in decline across the globe. Vairimorpha bombi is a parasite belonging to the fungal class Microsporidia that has been implicated in the rapid decline of bumblebees in North America, where it may be an emerging infectious disease. To investigate the evolutionary basis of pathogenicity of V. bombi, we sequenced and assembled its genome using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina technologies and performed phylogenetic and genomic evolutionary analyses. The genome assembly for V. bombi is 4.73 Mb, from which we predicted 1,870 protein-coding genes and 179 tRNA genes. The genome assembly has low repetitive content and low GC content. V. bombi's genome assembly is the smallest of the Vairimorpha and closely related Nosema genera, but larger than those found in the Encephalitozoon and Ordospora sister clades. Orthology and phylogenetic analysis revealed 18 core conserved single-copy microsporidian genes including the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) GCN5. Surprisingly, V. bombi was unique to the microsporidia in not encoding the second predicted HAT ESA1. The V. bombi genome assembly annotation included 265 unique genes (i.e. not predicted in other microsporidia genome assemblies), 20% of which encode a secretion signal, which is a significant enrichment. Intriguingly, of the 36 microsporidian genomes we analyzed, 26 also had a significant enrichment of secreted signals encoded by unique genes, ranging from 6 to 71% of those predicted genes. These results suggest that microsporidia are under selection to generate and purge diverse and unique genes encoding secreted proteins, potentially contributing to or facilitating infection of their diverse hosts. Furthermore, V. bombi has 5/7 conserved spore wall proteins (SWPs) with its closest relative V. ceranae (that primarily infects honeybees), while also uniquely encoding four additional SWPs. This gene class is thought to be essential for infection, providing both environmental protection and recognition and uptake into the host cell. Together, our results show that SWPs and unique genes encoding a secretion signal are rapidly evolving in the microsporidia, suggesting that they underpin key pathobiological traits including host specificity and pathogenicity.
Coronary artery lesions are associated with adverse cardiac events in children undergoing supravalvular aortic stenosis repair
Authors: Luo Shuhua , Haller Christoph , Nield Lynne E , Deng Mimi Xiaoming , Varenbut Jaymie , Honjo Osami 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and anatomic characteristics of coronary artery lesions and their associated postoperative risk in patients undergoing supravalvular aortic stenosis repair.

METHODS
The association between structural risk factors, postoperative ST-segment changes, and major adverse cardiac events was explored using logistic regression and the Fisher’s exact test.

RESULTS
In 51 consecutive patients with supravalvular aortic stenosis treated between 2000 and 2017, a total of 48 coronary lesions were identified in 27 patients (53%). Prominent ostial ridge (type I) was the most common coronary lesion, followed by small ostium with (IIIb) or without (IIIa) diffuse long-segment coronary narrowing, and adhesion of the coronary cusp (type II). There were 54 concomitant coronary procedures, including 43 primary corrections and 11 revisions. Thirty-three patients underwent supravalvular aortic stenosis repair with a bifurcated patch, of which 13 (39.4%) had right coronary artery distortion/kinking requiring patch plication (n = 8) and reimplantation (n = 5). Postoperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred in 9 patients (17.6%), including 3 deaths, 4 needing mechanical circulatory support, and 6 experiencing ventricular arrhythmias. Twenty-two patients (43.1%) had postoperative ST-segment changes, including 13 early changes that resolved within 24 h and 9 persistent changes lasting &gt;24 h. Patients with type III lesions were associated with postoperative persistent ST-segment change (P = 0.04) and these lesions independently predicted postoperative MACE (P = 0.02). Patients with pre-existing coronary lesions were at elevated risk of right coronary artery distortion/kinking (P = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of ST-segment changes and MACE is high in patients undergoing supravalvular aortic stenosis repair. The preoperative presence of complex coronary lesions is the most important predictor for postoperative major adverse cardiac events.
Medicare meets the cloud: the development of a secure platform for the storage and analysis of claims data
Authors: Simpson Roy L , Lee Joseph A , Li Yin , Kang Yu Jin , Tsui Circe , Cimiotti Jeannie P 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Cloud-based solutions are a modern-day necessity for data intense computing. This case report describes in detail the development and implementation of Amazon Web Services (AWS) at Emory—a secure, reliable, and scalable platform to store and analyze identifiable research data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Materials and Methods
Interdisciplinary teams from CMS, MBL Technologies, and Emory University collaborated to ensure compliance with CMS policy that consolidates laws, regulations, and other drivers of information security and privacy.

Results
A dedicated team of individuals ensured successful transition from a physical storage server to a cloud-based environment. This included implementing access controls, vulnerability scanning, and audit logs that are reviewed regularly with a remediation plan. User adaptation required specific training to overcome the challenges of cloud computing.

Conclusion
Challenges created opportunities for lessons learned through the creation of an end-product accepted by CMS and shared across disciplines university-wide.
Sarcopenia definitions and their association with fracture risk in older Swedish women
Authors: Gandham Anoohya , Gregori Giulia , Johansson Lisa , Johansson Helena , Harvey Nicholas C , Vandenput Liesbeth , McCloskey Eugene , Kanis John A , Litsne Henrik , Axelsson Kristian , Lorentzon Mattias 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of three sarcopenia definitions and their associations with fracture risk in older Swedish women when adjusted for fracture risk assessment (FRAX)-based risk factors; 2,883 women with a mean age of 77.8 years were included. Sarcopenia was defined based on the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC; low handgrip strength [kg] and gait speed (m/s)), revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2; low appendicular lean mass index, appendicular lean mass [ALM]/height; kg/m2], and hand grip strength [kg]), and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS; low ALM (kg), and hand grip strength [kg]) definitions. Femoral neck T-score was obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. All fractures, confirmed by X-ray or medical record review, were subsequently categorized as major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) and hip fractures. Deaths were verified through regional registers. The total follow-up time was 6.4 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD) yr. Cox regression (hazard ratios [HR] and 95% CIs) analyses were performed with adjustment for age, FRAX variables, and femoral neck T-score. Sarcopenia prevalence was 4.5% (n = 129) according to SDOC, 12.5% (n = 360) for EWGSOP2, and 10.3% (n = 296) defined by AWGS. Individuals with sarcopenia defined by SDOC had a higher mortality risk than individuals without sarcopenia (HR: 3.41; 95% CI: 2.51, 4.62) after adjusting for age and FRAX variables. Sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 and AWGS was not associated with an increased fracture risk after adjusting for age and FRAX variables. Individuals with sarcopenia defined by SDOC had a higher risk for any fractures (HR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.99) and MOF (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.98) compared with individuals without sarcopenia after adjusting for clinical risk factors used in FRAX. In conclusion, sarcopenia defined by SDOC, incorporating muscle function/strength, was the only sarcopenia definition associated with fracture risk in older women.
Practice Versus Potential: The Impact of the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel on Antibiotic Use in Children
Authors: Plattner Alexander S , Lockowitz Christine R , Dumm Rebekah , Banerjee Ritu , Newland Jason G , Same Rebecca G 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
The BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (BFPP), a multiplex PCR panel for the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections, has been proposed as a tool for antimicrobial stewardship. Few studies evaluate real-world implementation of the BFPP and no studies focus exclusively on children. Our institution implemented BFPP testing without restrictions.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective cohort study in children hospitalized at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to (1) characterize the use of the BFPP in pediatric patients and (2) assess how results impacted antibiotic use. We included all BFPP tests obtained during the first year after the introduction of the test, September 2021 through August 2022. The primary outcome was change in antibiotic therapy within 24 hours of results, which was compared to the potential change in antibiotic therapy determined by two infectious diseases clinicians.

Results
One hundred sixty-nine tests from 126 patients were included. Nine patients were immunocompromised and 19 had chronic tracheostomy. The majority of tests were sent from tracheal aspirate specimens (92%) and from patients in an intensive care unit (94%). Only 51% of tests were obtained due to respiratory failure or suspected pneumonia. For 80% of test results, there was potential to change antibiotics, but change occurred in only 46% of tests in practice. Antibiotic escalation was more common (26%) than de-escalation (15%) or discontinuation (4.1%).

Conclusions
In a cohort of pediatric patients tested with the BFPP, the majority of tests were sent from tracheal aspirates and less than half of tests were associated with a change in antibiotics.
Circumferential tracheal replacement with silicone stent supported, cryopreserved aortic homograft
Authors: Hauptmann Edward , Dhar Shumon , Harirah Omar , Chandra Raghav , Reznik Scott , Waters John 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Treatment of long-segment tracheal defects remains a challenge in thoracic surgery with no standard surgical option. Aortic allografts have been used for this purpose with varying degrees of success. In a patient that suffered anastomotic dehiscence after tracheal resection with primary anastomosis, we performed complete tracheal resection and replacement using a stented circumferential aortic allograft. Currently, this patient is able to breathe normally without tracheostomy assistance 22 months postoperatively. Our report is the first in the English literature of long-term survival without tracheostomy dependence and close interval follow-up after circumferential tracheal resection and replacement with a cryopreserved aortic allograft.
Reamer irrigator aspirator (RIA) reduces risk of fat embolism in bilateral pediatric femur shaft fractures: a case report
Authors: Jacobson Erik , Schieve Bailey C , Klahs Kyle J , Macias Reuben A , Abdelgawad Amr , Thabet Ahmed M 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
A 14-year-old male patient was successfully treated with the reamer irrigator aspirator for femur intramedullary rod preparation after sustaining right and left closed femur fractures because of an all-terrain vehicle accident. In patients already categorized as high risk for fat embolism syndrome, such as those with bilateral femur fractures, reaming both femora greatly increases the likelihood of this complication. The reamer irrigator aspirator provides an effective tool that potentially mitigates the risk of fat embolism syndrome in pediatric patients with this type of orthopedic trauma.
Approaching the ‘Social Context of Writing Practices in Late Bronze Age Ugarit’
Authors: Burlingame Andrew 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This review article discusses points raised in Philip Boyes's 2021 monograph Script and Society: The Social Context of Writing Practices in Late Bronze Age Ugarit. The arguments of the book are summarized, contextualized, and evaluated from an Ugaritological disciplinary perspective; remarks on method and opportunities for future research are presented; and a series of specific comments is offered as a supplementary resource for readers and researchers interested in further pursuing the topics Boyes addresses.