bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi-strategy Remora Optimization Algorithm for solving multi-extremum problems
Authors: Jia Heming , Li Yongchao , Wu Di , Rao Honghua , Wen Changsheng , Abualigah Laith 
Published: June 2023

AbstractA metaheuristic algorithm that simulates the foraging behavior of remora has been proposed in recent years, called ROA. ROA mainly simulates host parasitism and host switching in the foraging behavior of remora. However, in the experiment, it was found that there is still room for improvement in the performance of ROA. When dealing with complex optimization problems, ROA often falls into local optimal solutions, and there is also the problem of too-slow convergence. Inspired by the natural rule of “Survival of the fittest”, this paper proposes a random restart strategy to improve the ability of ROA to jump out of the local optimal solution. Secondly, inspired by the foraging behavior of remora, this paper adds an information entropy evaluation strategy and visual perception strategy based on ROA. With the blessing of three strategies, a multi-strategy Remora Optimization Algorithm (MSROA) is proposed. Through 23 benchmark functions and IEEE CEC2017 test functions, MSROA is comprehensively tested, and the experimental results show that MSROA has strong optimization capabilities. In order to further verify the application of MSROA in practice, this paper tests MSROA through five practical engineering problems, which proves that MSROA has strong competitiveness in solving practical optimization problems.
Chromosome-level reference genome of stinkwort, Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter: A resource for studies on invasion, range expansion, and evolutionary adaptation under global change
Authors: McEvoy Susan L , Lustenhouwer Nicky , Melen Miranda K , Nguyen Oanh , Marimuthu Mohan P A , Chumchim Noravit , Beraut Eric , Parker Ingrid M , Meyer Rachel S 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter, or stinkwort, is a weedy annual plant within the family Asteraceae. The species is recognized for the rapid expansion of both its native and introduced ranges: in Europe, it has expanded its native distribution northward from the Mediterranean basin by nearly 7 °C latitude since the mid-20th century, while in California and Australia the plant is an invasive weed of concern. Here, we present the first de novo D. graveolens genome assembly (1N = 9 chromosomes), including complete chloroplast (151,013 bp) and partial mitochondrial genomes (22,084 bp), created using Pacific Biosciences HiFi reads and Dovetail Omni-C data. The final primary assembly is 835 Mbp in length, of which 98.1% are represented by 9 scaffolds ranging from 66 to 119 Mbp. The contig N50 is 74.9 Mbp and the scaffold N50 is 96.9 Mbp, which, together with a 98.8% completeness based on the BUSCO embryophyta10 database containing 1,614 orthologs, underscores the high quality of this assembly. This pseudo-molecule-scale genome assembly is a valuable resource for our fundamental understanding of the genomic consequences of range expansion under global change, as well as comparative genomic studies in the Asteraceae.
Promoting Peace and Impunity? Amnesty Laws after War in El Salvador and beyond
Authors: Ansorg Nadine , Kurtenbach Sabine 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Amnesty laws are a widespread practice in the transition from war to peace. They often aim at the transformation of violent conflict by making promises about exemptions from liability for war crimes. Critics argue that amnesties are in violation of international law and reproduce impunity in post-war societies, whereas supporters of amnesty laws focus on their peace-promoting features. Previous research has extensively looked into the second aspect, and found that amnesty laws can open the door to negotiations and a short-term termination of civil war. The question of impunity, however, has not been answered extensively. Applying a Historical Institutionalist framework, we assess the impact of the adoption of amnesty laws on societal impunity, defined as any person or group being exempt from punishment or free from the injurious consequences of an action. Case-study evidence from El Salvador shows that amnesty laws are reproducing existing power relations and thus inhibit profound reforms. With the help of amnesty laws, an institutional environment will be created that acts in the favor of involved parties for years, if not decades. We subsequently test these qualitative findings with a newly created dataset on post-war justice sector governance and reform across forty different post-war countries worldwide from 1990 to 2016, and with societal, police, and military impunity as dependent variables. Statistical evidence shows that amnesty laws significantly correlate with higher levels of impunity in a country. A peace agreement, or democracy at the end of war, reduces the risk of impunity even with amnesty laws present.
Solar Geoengineering: The View from Just War/Securitization Theories
Authors: Floyd Rita 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs the world continues to fail to reduce and control global surface temperatures, the use of solar radiation management (SRM) technology by one actor or by a small coalition of actors is becoming increasingly likely. Yet, most of the social scientific literature on solar geoengineering does not tend to systematically engage with this possibility; scholars focus either on global governance or on banning SRM usage and research altogether. On the margins of this debate, a handful of researchers have sought to bring insights from the just war tradition to the issue of unilateral and minilateral SRM usage. This article is concerned with the contribution just war/securitization theories can make to our understanding of the debate surrounding climate engineering. It scrutinizes and deepens existing attempts by just war scholars to examine the moral permissibility of unilateral and minilateral SRM usage, including from the perspective of Just Securitization Theory.
Benchmarking of Outpatient Pediatric Antibiotic Prescribing: Results of a Multicenter Collaborative
Authors: El Feghaly Rana E , Herigon Joshua C , Kronman Matthew P , Wattles Bethany A , Poole Nicole M , Smith Michael J , Vaughan Ana M , Olivero Rosemary , Patel Sameer J , Wirtz Ann , Willis Zachary , Lee Brian R ,   Sharing Antimicrobial Reports for Pediatric Stewardship OutPatient (SHARPS-OP) Collaborative, Maples Holly , Dahl Steven M , Schwenk Hayden , Birkholz Meghan , Ezzeldin Saleh , Lloyd Elizabeth , Dillman Nicholas , Rajapakse Nipunie , Dinnes Laura , Diez Anthony , Flett Kelly , Tricarico, Christine , Upadhyayula Shankar , Haslam David , Courter Josh , Yu Diana , Katz Sophie , Nguyen Diana , Burdine Jordan , Bettinger, Brendan , Ray Katie , Mitchell Michelle , Vernacchio Louis , Hatoun Jonathan , Newland Jason 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Most antibiotic use occurs in ambulatory settings. No benchmarks exist for pediatric institutions to assess their outpatient antibiotic use and compare prescribing rates to peers. We aimed to share pediatric outpatient antibiotic use reports and benchmarking metrics nationally.

Methods
We invited institutions from the Sharing Antimicrobial Reports for Pediatric Stewardship OutPatient (SHARPS-OP) Collaborative to contribute quarterly aggregate reports on antibiotic use from January 2019 to June 2022. Outpatient settings included emergency departments (ED), urgent care centers (UCC), primary care clinics (PCC) and telehealth encounters. Benchmarking metrics included the percentage of: (1) all acute encounters resulting in antibiotic prescriptions; (2) acute respiratory infection (ARI) encounters resulting in antibiotic prescriptions; and among ARI encounters receiving antibiotics, (3) the percentage receiving amoxicillin (“Amoxicillin index”); and (4) the percentage receiving azithromycin (“Azithromycin index”). We collected rates of antibiotic prescriptions with durations ≤7 days and &gt;10 days from institutions able to provide validated duration data.

Results
Twenty-one institutions submitted aggregate reports. Percent ARI encounters receiving antibiotics were highest in the UCC (40.2%), and lowest in telehealth (19.1%). Amoxicillin index was highest for the ED (76.2%), and lowest for telehealth (55.8%), while the azithromycin index was similar for ED, UCC, and PCC (3.8%, 3.7%, and 5.0% respectively). Antibiotic duration of ≤7 days varied substantially (46.4% for ED, 27.8% UCC, 23.7% telehealth, and 16.4% PCC).

Conclusions
We developed a benchmarking platform for key pediatric outpatient antibiotic use metrics drawing data from multiple pediatric institutions nationally. These data may serve as a baseline measurement for future improvement work.
Baryonic imprints on DM haloes: the concentration–mass relation in the C amels simulations
Authors: (Jon) Shao M , Anbajagane D , Chang C 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT
The physics of baryons in haloes, and their subsequent influence on the total matter phase space, has a rich phenomenology and must be well understood in order to pursue a vast set of questions in both cosmology and astrophysics. We use the Cosmology and Astrophysics with MachinE Learning Simulation (Camels) suite to quantify the impact of four different galaxy formation parameters/processes (as well as two cosmological parameters) on the concentration–mass relation, cvir−Mvir. We construct a simulation-informed non-linear model for concentration as a function of halo mass, redshift, and six cosmological/astrophysical parameters. This is done for two galaxy formation models, IllustrisTNG and Simba, using 1000 simulations of each. We extract the imprints of galaxy formation across a wide range in mass $M_{\rm vir}\in [10^{11}, 10^{14.5}] \, {\rm M}_\odot \, h^{-1}$ and in redshift z ∈ [0, 6] finding many strong mass- and redshift-dependent features. Comparisons between the IllustrisTNG and Simba results show the astrophysical model choices cause significant differences in the mass and redshift dependence of these baryon imprints. Finally, we use existing observational measurements of cvir−Mvir to provide rough limits on the four astrophysical parameters. Our non-linear model is made publicly available and can be used to include Camels-based baryon imprints in any halo model-based analysis.
Cosmic chronometers to calibrate the ladders and measure the curvature of the Universe. A model-independent study
Authors: Favale Arianna , Gómez-Valent Adrià , Migliaccio Marina 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT
We use the state-of-the-art data on cosmic chronometers (CCH) and the Pantheon+compilation of supernovae of Type Ia (SNIa) to test the constancy of the SNIa absolute magnitude, M, and the robustness of the cosmological principle (CP) at z ≲ 2 with a model-agnostic approach. We do so by reconstructing M(z) and the curvature parameter Ωk(z) using Gaussian Processes. Moreover, we use CCH in combination with data on baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) from various galaxy surveys (6dFGS, BOSS, eBOSS, WiggleZ, DES Y3) to measure the sound horizon at the baryon-drag epoch, rd, from each BAO data point and check their consistency. Given the precision allowed by the CCH, we find that M(z), Ωk(z), and rd(z) are fully compatible (at $\lt 68$ per cent C.L.) with constant values. This justifies our final analyses, in which we put constraints on these constant parameters under the validity of the CP, the metric description of gravity and standard physics in the vicinity of the stellar objects, but otherwise in a model-independent way. If we exclude the SNIa contained in the host galaxies employed by SH0ES, our results read $M=(-19.314^{+0.086}_{-0.108})$ mag, rd = (142.3 ± 5.3) Mpc, and $\Omega _k=-0.07^{+0.12}_{-0.15}$, with H0 = (71.5 ± 3.1) km s−1 Mpc−1 (68 per cent C.L.). These values are independent of the main data sets involved in the H0 tension, namely, the cosmic microwave background and the first two rungs of the cosmic distance ladder. If, instead, we also consider the SNIa in the host galaxies, calibrated with Cepheids, we measure $M=(-19.252^{+0.024}_{-0.036})$ mag, $r_\mathrm{ d}=(141.9^{+5.6}_{-4.9})$ Mpc, $\Omega _\mathrm{ k}=-0.10^{+0.12}_{-0.15}$, and $H_0=(74.0^{+0.9}_{-1.0})$ km s−1 Mpc−1.
Occupational arsenic exposure and genitourinary cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sassano M , Seyyedsalehi M S , Siea A C , Boffetta P 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Existing evidence suggests that ingestion of high doses of arsenic through drinking water is associated with an increased risk of genitourinary cancers, while systematic evidence on workers exposed to arsenic is lacking.

Aims
The aim of this study is to systematically review the evidence on the association between occupational exposure to arsenic and genitourinary cancer risk and mortality.

Methods
A systematic literature search was carried out on Pubmed, Web of Science and Embase by including cohort and case–control studies. Study-specific relative risks (RRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using Mandel–Paule random-effects model. Contour-enhanced funnel plot and Egger’s test were used to assess the occurrence of publication bias.

Results
A total of 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis, 7 on cancer incidence (n = 161,244 individuals) and 10 on cancer mortality (n = 91,868). Most of them were cohort (71%) and industry-based studies (59%). The meta-analysis failed to detect an increased risk of genitourinary cancers among workers exposed to arsenic, except for a suggestive but not significant positive association for bladder cancer incidence (RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.89, 1.80), although this estimate was based on only three studies. No compelling evidence of publication bias was found (P = 0.885).

Conclusions
Our findings did not show an association between occupational exposure to arsenic and genitourinary cancers, although further high-quality studies with detailed exposure assessment at the individual level are needed to clarify this relationship.
NontyphoidalSalmonellaInvasive Disease: Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Crump John A , Nyirenda Tonney S , Kalonji Lisette Mbuyi , Phoba Marie-France , Tack Bieke , Platts-Mills James A , Gordon Melita A , Kariuki Samuel M 
Published: June 2023

AbstractNontyphoidal Salmonella are a leading cause of community-onset bacteremia and other serious infections in sub-Saharan African countries where large studies indicate that they are an uncommon cause of moderate-to-severe diarrhea. Approximately 535 000 nontyphoidal Salmonella invasive disease illnesses and 77 500 deaths were estimated to occur in 2017; 422 000 (78.9%) illnesses and 66 500 (85.9%) deaths in countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Lineages of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium sequence type (ST) 313 and lineages of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis ST11 dominate as causes of invasive disease. A major reservoir for these specific strains outside of humans has not been identified to date. Human fecal shedding of such strains is common in areas where nontyphoidal Salmonella invasive disease incidence is high. The case-fatality ratio of nontyphoidal Salmonella invasive disease is approximately 15%. Early diagnosis and treatment are needed to avert fatal outcomes. Antimicrobial resistance, including multiple drug resistance, decreased fluoroquinolone susceptibility, and resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, is increasing in prevalence and is likely to further compromise patient outcomes. Naturally acquired immunity against invasive disease develops in children aged &gt;3 years in endemic areas, likely mediated in part by the sequential acquisition of T-cell immunity, followed by antigen-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies. Vaccines in preclinical or clinical development include live-attenuated S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, nontyphoidal S. enterica core and O-polysaccharide glycoconjugates, multiple antigen-presenting system complexes, and generalized modules for membrane antigens vaccines. The latter are in phase I trials in Europe and Africa. Both vaccine use, and other effective, evidence-based nonvaccine interventions, are needed to prevent and control nontyphoidal Salmonella invasive disease.
Seroepidemiology for Enteric Fever: Emerging Approaches and Opportunities
Authors: Aiemjoy Kristen , Seidman Jessica C , Charles Richelle C , Andrews Jason R 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Safe and effective typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) are available, but many countries lack the high-resolution data needed to prioritize TCV introduction to the highest-risk communities. Here we discuss seroepidemiology—an approach using antibody response data to characterize infection burden—as a potential tool to fill this data gap. Serologic tests for typhoid have existed for over a hundred years, but only recently were antigens identified that were sensitive and specific enough to use as epidemiologic markers. These antigens, coupled with new methodological developments, permit estimating seroincidence—the rate at which new infections occur in a population—from cross-sectional serosurveys. These new tools open up many possible applications for enteric fever seroepidemiology, including generating high-resolution surveillance data, monitoring vaccine impact, and integrating with other serosurveillance initiatives. Challenges remain, including distinguishing Salmonella Typhi from Salmonella Paratyphi infections and accounting for reinfections. Enteric fever seroepidemiology can be conducted at a fraction of the cost, time, and sample size of surveillance blood culture studies and may enable more efficient and scalable surveillance for this important infectious disease.
Characterization of Typhoid Intestinal Perforation in Africa: Results From the Severe Typhoid Fever Surveillance in Africa Program
Authors: Birkhold Megan , Datta Shrimati , Pak Gi Deok , Im Justin , Ogundoyin Olakayode O , Olulana Dare I , Lawal Taiwo A , Afuwape Oludolapo O , Kehinde Aderemi , Phoba Marie-France , Nkoji Gaëlle , Aseffa Abraham , Teferi Mekonnen , Yeshitela Biruk , Popoola Oluwafemi , Owusu Michael , Nana Lady Rosny Wandji , Cakpo Enoch G , Ouedraogo Moussa , Ouangre Edgar , Ouedraogo Isso , Heroes Anne-Sophie , Jacobs Jan , Mogeni Ondari D , Haselbeck Andrea , Sukri Leah , Neuzil Kathleen M , Metila Octavie Lunguya , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , Adu-Sarkodie Yaw , Bassiahi Abdramane Soura , Rakotozandrindrainy Raphaël , Okeke Iruka N , Zellweger Raphaël M , Marks Florian 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background
Typhoid intestinal perforation (TIP) remains the most serious complication of typhoid fever. In many countries, the diagnosis of TIP relies on intraoperative identification, as blood culture and pathology capacity remain limited. As a result, many cases of TIP may not be reported as typhoid. This study demonstrates the burden of TIP in sites in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, and Nigeria.

Methods
Patients with clinical suspicion of nontraumatic intestinal perforation were enrolled and demographic details, clinical findings, surgical records, blood cultures, tissue biopsies, and peritoneal fluid were collected. Participants were then classified as having confirmed TIP, probable TIP, possible TIP, or clinical intestinal perforation based on surgical descriptions and cultures.

Results
A total of 608 participants were investigated for nontraumatic intestinal perforation; 214 (35%) participants had surgically-confirmed TIP and 33 participants (5%) had culture-confirmed typhoid. The overall proportion of blood or surgical site Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhi positivity in surgically verified TIP cases was 10.3%. TIP was high in children aged 5–14 years in DRC, Ghana, and Nigeria. We provide evidence for correlation between monthly case counts of S. Typhi and the occurrence of intestinal perforation.

Conclusions
Low S. Typhi culture positivity rates, as well as a lack of blood and tissue culture capability in many regions where typhoid remains endemic, significantly underestimate the true burden of typhoid fever. The occurrence of TIP may indicate underlying typhoid burden, particularly in countries with limited culture capability.
Reliability, Validity, and Efficiency of an Item Response Theory–Based Balance Confidence Patient-Reported Outcome Measure
Authors: Deutscher Daniel , Kallen Michael A , Werneke Mark W , Mioduski Jerome E , Hayes Deanna 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aims of this study were to calibrate the original 16 items from the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale to create an item response theory (IRT)-based item bank and scoring metric of balance confidence (BC) and to assess psychometric properties of a computerized adaptive test (BC-CAT) and 6-item short-form (BC-SF) administration modes.MethodsThis retrospective study included data from patients who were treated in outpatient rehabilitation clinics and assessed for balance impairments by responding to the full ABC Scale at intake. IRT model assumptions of unidimensionality, local item independence, item fit, and presence of differential item functioning (DIF) were evaluated. BC-CAT-generated scores were assessed for reliability, validity, and administration efficiency, and the newly developed BC-SF was assessed for reliability.ResultsTotal cohort included 20,354 patients (mean age [SD] = 66 [16] years; range = 14–89). All 16 items were retained in the final item bank based on support for unidimensionality and fit to the IRT model. No items demonstrated DIF. Reliability estimates were 0.95, 0.96, and 0.98 for the BC-SF, BC-CAT, and the full item bank, respectively. Scores discriminated among patient groups in clinically logical ways. After controlling for scores at intake, better outcomes were achieved for patients who were younger, had more acute symptoms, exercised more, and had fewer comorbidities. Scores were responsive to change with a moderate effect size, with negligible floor and ceiling effects. CAT scores were generated using an average of 4.7 items (median = 4) and correlated highly with full-bank scores (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.99).ConclusionThe IRT–based BC patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) was reliable, valid, moderately responsive to change, and efficient, with excellent score coverage. The measure is suitable for research and routine clinical administration using the BC-CAT or BC-SF administration modes. The full ABC Scale can be administered for increased clinical content when appropriate.ImpactThe newly developed BC-PROM was reliable and valid for assessing perceived BC. In addition, the BC-PROM has efficient administration modes with low patient response burden, which enhances feasibility and promotes use during routine clinical practice in busy rehabilitation settings. This study supports a transition to PROMs that are based on modern measurement approaches to achieve the combined benefits of high accuracy and efficiency.