bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stepping Stones Along Urban Coastlines—Improving Habitat Connectivity for Aquatic Fauna with Constructed Floating Wetlands
Authors: Karstens Svenja , Dorow Malte , Bochert Ralf , Stybel Nardine , Schernewski Gerald , Mühl Martina 
Published: September 2022

AbstractUrban development along coastlines is accompanied by habitat fragmentation and loss of habitat connectivity, particularly affecting the habitat and nursery function of estuarine areas for migratory marine species. Constructed floating wetlands, deployed as ‘stepping stones’ along urban coastlines where natural wetlands are missing, offer the potential to partially replace lost ecosystem services. Originally developed for wastewater treatment, constructed floating wetlands are now used to improve landscape aesthetics or create habitats for aquatic fauna and birds. This study presents a toolkit to identify appropriate sites for stepping stones using open source data and open source software alone. The toolkit was used to identify 85 potential installation sites along the German Baltic Sea coast, a large proportion of which are located in protected areas offering synergies with nature conservation measures. Though the sites are often located in protected areas, the field investigation revealed that natural vegetation is largely absent from the estuaries near urban areas. Constructed floating wetlands can never replace ‘core areas’ in ecological networks, but they can serve as stepping stones improving habitat connectivity, especially for diadromous fish species such as the threatened European eel. To ensure not only structural connectivity, but also functional connectivity, restoration efforts at the land-sea interface must be holistic and include adequate hydrologic connectivity.
Comparing Executive Functioning in the School Readiness of Hungarian and Kenyan Preschoolers
Authors: Amukune Stephen , Józsa Gabriella , Józsa Krisztián 
Published: September 2022

AbstractCross-national comparisons represent an avenue for investigating milestones achieved by one region that can help improve standards in another country. This study compares the development of executive functioning in Hungarian and Kenyan preschoolers as they prepare for school readiness. The study's cross-sectional design entailed sampling preschoolers from Hungary (n = 187) and Kenya (n = 420) aged between 4 and 8 years nested in 35 classrooms. Preschool class teachers rated the children's executive functioning using the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI). The two-factor structure of the CHEXI demonstrated a strong measurement invariance for the two countries, Hungary and Kenya. Significant gender differences were noted on both subscales in the Hungarian sample but not in the Kenyan preschoolers. Additionally, no differences were found in the executive functioning of boys from both countries. However, the girls exhibited variances in the inhibition subscale. Contrary to expectations, no linear mixed effects were observed for country or the interactions between age and country apropos difficulties related to inhibition and total executive functioning except for working memory. Better working memory skills noted in the Hungarian sample were attributed to a superior preschool education system.
Magnetically responsive nanoplatform targeting circRNA circ_0058051 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression
Authors: You Song , Luo Zijin , Cheng Niangmei , Wu Ming , Lai Yongping , Wang Fei , Zheng Xiaoyuan , Wang Yingchao , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Jingfeng , Zhao Bixing 
Published: September 2022

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of highly stable and closed-loop noncoding RNA that are involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the therapeutic role of circRNAs in HCC. We found that high circ_0058051 expression was negatively correlated with the prognosis of HCC patients. Circ_0058051 knockdown attenuated the proliferation and colony formation, meanwhile inhibited migration of HCC cells. Circ_0058051 may be used as a target for HCC gene therapy. We synthesized a novel small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery system, PEG-PCL-PEI-C14-SPIONs (PPPCSs), based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). PPPCSs protected the siRNA of circ_0058051 from degradation in serum and effectively delivered siRNA into SMMC-7721 cells. Meanwhile, intravenous injection of the PPPCSs/siRNA complex could inhibit tumor growth in the subcutaneous tumor model. In addition, the nanocomposite is not toxic to the organs of nude mice. The above results show that PPPCSs/si-circ_0058051 complex may provide a novel and promising method of HCC treatment.
Graphical abstract
The Effect of Natural Hazard Damage on Manufacturing Value Added and the Impact of Spatiotemporal Data Variations on the Results
Authors: Thomas Douglas , Helgeson Jennifer 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis study examined the effect of natural hazards on manufacturing industry value added and the sensitivity of the results from changes to spatiotemporal resolution of the data. We measured the negative effects of hazards, rather than the net effect. Three models were developed with varying spatiotemporal units for the continental United States: annual/county units; annual/state units; and quarterly/state units. Three simulations were run using each model to estimate the negative effect of damage from all natural hazards on value added across spatiotemporal scales. Finally, an investment analysis was conducted to examine the return from public investments in hazard resilience. The results do not demonstrate that, locally, natural hazards reduce value added. However, the evidence suggests that natural hazards in the upstream supply chain have statistically significant impact when modeled at the annual/county scale and at the quarterly/state scale. Neither local nor supply chain hazards have a statistically significant effect when modeled at the annual/state scale, suggesting that broader spatiotemporal units may obscure the true downstream effects of natural hazards. The investment analysis, utilizing model results, suggests that an investment of USD 100 billion or less is economical if it results in a reduction in losses of 10% or more.
Educational inequality and COVID-19: Who takes advantage of summer schools and other remedial measures?
Authors: Postlbauer Alexandra , Helm Christoph , Große Cornelia S. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn spring 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global crisis with far-reaching effects, not least on education. Since the beginning of the pandemic, its impact on learning losses and increasing educational inequality has been widely discussed. While empirical evidence of rising educational inequality and learning loss is steadily growing, at the same time little is known about the families who are interested in remedial measures like summer schools to bridge the negative effects of the pandemic and school closures. The present study addresses this lack of research by providing an initial examination of the empirical evidence of mechanisms underlying parental choice of remedial measures. We take a closer look on which parents are particularly attracted by remedial measures by using cross-sectional data from a parent survey (N = 3590 parents) in Austria. The findings, illustrated via a series of latent mediation models, indicate that parents’ intention to use remedial measures is predicted by parents’ attitudes towards the implementation of remedial measures, parents’ assessment of their child’s learning engagement and of the quality of distance learning during school closures. Moreover, the intention to use remedial measures is significantly influenced by the family’s socioeconomic status.
Growth trajectories of wild Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) determined from parallel laser photogrammetry
Authors: Anzà Simone , Berghänel Andreas , Ostner Julia , Schülke Oliver 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSocioecological factors are associated with life-history patterns and growth trajectories among primates. Under certain conditions, selection may favor a temporal decoupling of growth and major life-history events such as sexual maturation or natal dispersal. Yet, empirical tests of these associations in wild populations remain scarce owing to the lack of non-invasive methods to capture growth trajectories. In this study, we first compared two non-invasive methods of digital photogrammetry. Then, we used parallel laser photogrammetry to investigate forearm growth of wild Assamese macaque males and females in their natural habitat at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand to test life-history and socio-ecological hypotheses. Across 48 males and 44 females, we estimated growth trajectories and pseudo-velocity curves by applying quadratic plateau models and non-parametric LOESS regressions. We assessed the development of sexual dimorphism by comparing the sexes at five different ages. Females had completed 96% of their growth at the age at first birth (5.9 years) and ceased growing at 7.1 years of age. Males, in contrast, grew until well after their average age of natal dispersal: they reached 81% of their size at the age of natal dispersal (4.0 years), and ceased growing only at 9.0 years of age, much later than females. Sexual dimorphism in forearm length was driven by an extended growth period in males, which is expected for males dispersing between multimale and multifemale groups and not facing the risk of being ousted by other larger males. Our results contradict the neonatal investment hypothesis that predicts a desynchronization of investment in growth and reproduction only in female baboons, but not other papionins producing cheaper neonates. Furthermore, male Assamese macaques do not delay natal dispersal until they are fully grown, in accordance with predictions of the male-career-framework for species with low to medium level of direct competition.
“We Are Not Truly Friendly Faces”: Primary Health Care Doctors’ Reflections on Sexual History Taking in North West Province
Authors: Pretorius Deidré , Mlambo Motlatso G. , Couper Ian D. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIntroductionDoctors experience barriers in consultations that compromise engaging with patients on sensitive topics and impede history taking for sexual dysfunction.AimThe aim of the study was to identify barriers to and facilitators of sexual history taking that primary care doctors experience during consultations involving patients with chronic illnesses.MethodsThis qualitative study formed part of a grounded theory study and represents individual interviews with 20 primary care doctors working in the rural North West Province, South Africa. The doctors were interviewed on the barriers and facilitators of sexual history taking they experienced during 151 recorded consultations with patients at risk of sexual dysfunction. Interviews were transcribed and line-by-line verbatim coding was done. A thematic analysis was performed using MaxQDA 2018 software for qualitative research. The study complied with COREQ requirements.OutcomeDoctors’ reflections on sexual history taking.ResultsThree themes identifying barriers to sexual history taking emerged, namely personal and health system limitations, presuppositions and assumptions, and socio-cultural barriers. The fourth theme that emerged was the patient-doctor relationship as a facilitator of sexual history taking. Doctors experienced personal limitations such as a lack of training and not thinking about taking a history for sexual dysfunction. Consultations were compromised by too many competing priorities and socio-cultural differences between doctors and patients. The doctors believed that the patients had to take the responsibility to initiate the discussion on sexual challenges. Competencies mentioned that could improve the patient-doctor relationship to promote sexual history taking, include rapport building and cultural sensitivity.Clinical implicationsDoctors do not provide holistic patient care at primary health care settings if they do not screen for sexual dysfunction.Strength and limitationsThe strength in this study is that recall bias was limited as interviews took place in a real-world setting, which was the context of clinical care. As this is a qualitative study, results will apply to primary care in rural settings in South Africa.ConclusionDoctors need a socio-cognitive paradigm shift in terms of knowledge and awareness of sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic illness.
Extending outbreak investigation with machine learning and graph theory: Benefits of new tools with application to a nosocomial outbreak of a multidrug-resistant organism
Authors: Atkinson Andrew , Ellenberger Benjamin , Piezzi Vanja , Kaspar Tanja , Salazar-Vizcaya Luisa , Endrich Olga , Leichtle Alexander B. , Marschall Jonas 
Published: September 2022

AbstractObjective:From January 1, 2018, until July 31, 2020, our hospital network experienced an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The goal of our study was to improve existing processes by applying machine-learning and graph-theoretical methods to a nosocomial outbreak investigation.Methods:We assembled medical records generated during the first 2 years of the outbreak period (January 2018 through December 2019). We identified risk factors for VRE colonization using standard statistical methods, and we extended these with a decision-tree machine-learning approach. We then elicited possible transmission pathways by detecting commonalities between VRE cases using a graph theoretical network analysis approach.Results:We compared 560 VRE patients to 86,684 controls. Logistic models revealed predictors of VRE colonization as age (aOR, 1.4 (per 10 years), with 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–1.5; P < .001), ICU admission during stay (aOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2–1.9; P < .001), Charlson comorbidity score (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.1–1.2; P < .001), the number of different prescribed antibiotics (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.5–1.7; P < .001), and the number of rooms the patient stayed in during their hospitalization(s) (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 1.1–1.2; P < .001). The decision-tree machine-learning method confirmed these findings. Graph network analysis established 3 main pathways by which the VRE cases were connected: healthcare personnel, medical devices, and patient rooms.Conclusions:We identified risk factors for being a VRE carrier, along with 3 important links with VRE (healthcare personnel, medical devices, patient rooms). Data science is likely to provide a better understanding of outbreaks, but interpretations require data maturity, and potential confounding factors must be considered.
Do the living arrangements of older people matter for the family transfers they receive? Evidence from Senegal
Authors: Yakam Willy Adrien , Carrière Yves , LeGrand Thomas 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn the absence of broad-based formal health insurance and social protection systems in much of sub-Saharan Africa, the family acts as the key provider of support to older people. This paper furthers our understanding of family support mechanisms in the context of low-income countries by focusing on support from outside the household, which has been less studied so far. By using the data of 3,114 people aged ≥50 from the second round of the Senegalese Poverty and Family Structure Survey, the paper examines how the living arrangements of older people are associated with receiving transfers from non-coresident kin. Our findings highlight a net advantage of women receiving net positive family transfers compared to men for some living arrangements. Results also indicate that living without a husband or an adult significantly increases the likelihood of older women receiving support from non-resident family members compared to those who live with both spouse and a younger adult child. However, these differences are not significant among older men. These results suggest that in constrained settings, decision-makers should consider older people's living arrangements and potential external family support when designing public policies towards them, so as to optimise the impact of policy and interventions on their welfare.
Macroéconomie du court terme et politique climatique: quelques leçons d'un modèle d'offre et demande globales
Authors: Fagnart Jean-François , Germain Marc 
Published: September 2022

RésuméNous introduisons le concept d'empreinte carbone dans un modèle d'offre globale et demande globale avec formation imparfaitement concurrentielle des prix et salaires et en examinons les propriétés de l'équilibre en présence d'une politique climatique. Nous étudions deux instruments possibles de cette politique, une taxe carbone ou un quota de permis de pollution. Nous montrons qu'à court terme, la politique climatique (ou son durcissement) constitue à la fois un choc d'offre globale négatif et, ceteris paribus, un choc de demande globale positif. Elle provoque donc des effets inflationnistes mais a un impact ambigu sur l'activité économique, l'emploi et le chômage. Ce n'est que dans une économie avec des ridigités nominales suffisantes que la politique climatique stimulera -sous certaines conditions- l'activité à court terme. Dans tous les cas de figure, elle pèsera négativement sur les salaires réels.Nous étudions encore les interactions entre la politique climatique et les politiques macroéconomiques traditionnelles de demande (stimulus budgétaire ou monétaire) et d'offre (baisse des cotisations sociales). Les effets multiplicateurs de ces politiques sont influencés par l'existence d'une politique climatique et diffèrent selon l'intrument choisi (taxe ou permis).Nous montrons les conditions sous lesquelles une réforme combinant durcissement de la politique climatique et baisse des cotisations sociales sur le travail peut atteindre le double objectif de réduire l'empreinte carbone de l'économie et le chômage, sans pénaliser les salaires réels des travailleurs. Une telle politique a toutefois des effets incertains sur le solde des finances publiques.
Une étude expérimentale de la forte stabilité
Authors: Aziz Ndiaye Abdoul 
Published: September 2022

RésuméDans cet article, nous étudions la forte stabilité d'une règle de vote telle que définie par Dutta et al. [2001] par l'intermédiaire de la méthode expérimentale. Dans ce sens, une règle de vote est dite fortement stable si le vainqueur de l'élection reste inchangé après une tentative de manipulation par candidature stratégique d'un candidat potentiel. Dans le cadre d'une élection avec trois candidats en lice et d'un électorat de petite taille, nous évaluons de façon expérimentale les fréquences de la forte stabilité des règles de vote parlementaires et de la pluralité.
Fiscal Integration and Growth Stimulation in Europe
Authors: Drèze Jacques H. , Durré Alain , Carpantier Jean-François 
Published: September 2022

SummaryWith the current sovereign debt crisis, the incompleteness of economic integration in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) has become patent, leading to an intense debate among academics and policy makers. Much of the debate concerns fiscal rules and austerity measures, both of which weigh on growth prospects. In this paper we look at the main structural shortcomings of EMU through the lens of general equilibrium theory. We address two issues (international sharing of macroeconomic risks and coordinated growth stimulation) which are at the heart of the sustainability of EMU. We propose: (A) a specific scheme for mutual insurance of macroeconomic risks; (B) locating responsibility for demand policies at the EMU level, with ambitious investment programs (public, or fiscally-neutral private) as main instrument.
Does the competition structure impact the performance of multi-unit auctions? An experimental investigation
Authors: Préget Raphaële , Thoyer Sophie 
Published: September 2022

SummaryCompetition in a multi-unit auction is measured both by the number of bidders and by the relative size of their demands, compared to the number of units on sale. For the same degree of competition (identical aggregate demand and supply), we can observe different demand structures. Do they have an impact on the auction efficiency and revenue-raising properties? It is essential to understand better the impact of competition structure on performance in order to draw recommendations for the design of multi-unit auctions. Theoretical results demonstrate on a simple case contrasting a uniform-price auction of two bidders with a demand of 6 units each, and an auction of 6 bidders with a demand of two units each, that there are multiple equilibria leading to different performance outcome. Experiments are conducted to compare the performance of these two auctions. Results support that with a constant competition degree, the seller gets higher expected revenue with a lower variance when he faces a large number of bidders with small individual demands. We show that this result is attained with no significant effect on allocative efficiency.
Growth–Employment Relationship and Leijonhufvud's Corridor
Authors: Le Page Jean-Marie 
Published: September 2022

SummarySince 2008, the euro area unemployment rate has increased constantly, while this economy's GDP was the same at the end of 2012 as it was in 2008. The recent trend of aggregate economic activity in this area illustrates the risk that an economy leaves its stability corridor, in which it usually progresses in a cyclical way, to enter an area of turbulence. In this area, the automatic stabilizers have weak feedback forces. To examine this kind of situation in a theoretical framework, this paper presents a model that relies both on Leijonhufvud's corridor and on Harrod's instability principle. This model allows a threshold to be defined beyond which the economy runs the risk of entering a cumulative process of simultaneous declines in growth and employment. However, the existence of such a process requires unemployment to have a sufficiently direct effect on the growth in aggregate demand, as seems to be the case nowadays.
Les finances publiques en 1960
Authors: Van Buggenhout André 
Published: September 2022

Si 1959 a été une année de reprise économique, 1960 a été une année d’essor,
que n’ont pas altéré profondément les événements du Congo et les troubles
sociaux de la fin d’année.L’activité économique a été heureusement influencée par la haute conjoncture
qui règne actuellement en Europe et, en particulier, dans les pays de la
Communauté Européenne où la libération progressive des échanges exerce
l’action bénéfique escomptée. A cet égard, l’assainissement entrepris par
les responsables de l’économie belge afin de placer celle-ci en position
concurrentielle au sein du Marché Commun a commencé à porter ses fruits.
Sous l’effet de l’élimination graduelle de faiblesses structurelles qui
viciaient l’économie de notre pays et avec l’adjuvant des nouvelles
dispositions d’ordre financier et fiscal édictées en 1959, la productivité
s’est élevée et une impulsion nouvelle a été donnée aux investissements.Dès lors, le progrès s’est traduit non seulement dans une accélération du
rythme des exportations, mais également dans une reprise marquée de la
demande intérieure en stagnation depuis deux ou trois ans. Il semble,
cependant, que l’expansion dans notre pays ne se soit pas développée à un
taux aussi élevé que celui constaté chez nos partenaires du Marché Commun.
Certes, l’on peut justifier ce fait en arguant du degré de maturité plus
grande de l’économie belge, de la stabilité de la démographie et de
l’emploi, de l’existence d’une structure orientée vers les industries de
base, ainsi qu’en faisant état des divers éléments de freinage qui ont
affecté l’économie belge ces dernières années. Cependant, ainsi que l’ont
reconnu récemment les industriels de notre pays, même si l’évolution belge
ne doit pas être considérée comme particulièrement anormale, on ne peut en
conclure pour autant qu’un optimum ait été atteint dans le domaine de
l’expansion économique.