bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of technological innovations on financial deepening: Implications for SME financing in Africa
Authors: Sanga Bahati , Aziakpono Meshach 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis paper examines whether technological innovations such as information and communication technology infrastructure, mobile phone subscriptions, secure internet servers and the number of automated teller machines and bank branches increased financial deepening in 43 African countries for the period 2010–2019. The study employs panel corrected standard errors, fixed effects and quantile regressions for empirical analysis. The results show that technological innovations have a positive and significant influence on financial deepening in Africa in terms of banks’ mobilisation of deposits and allocation of credit to enterprises. Furthermore, the technological indicators have a strong and positive effect on higher levels of bank credit to the private sector than lower levels. As for bank deposits, only the number of branches was found to have significant and positive effects at a high level of bank deposits compared with a low level. These results imply that African governments and development partners can leverage ICT developments to increase financial deepening and reinvigorate debt financing, which is the primary funding source for small and medium‐size enterprises.
Lack of fermentation in antemortem blood samples stored unstoppered in various locations
Authors: Kosecki Patrick Allan , Brooke Phillip James , Raines Melinda Evonne 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA common defense challenge when antemortem blood ethanol results are presented at trial is the assertion that ethanol was formed in the blood tube after the blood draw through fermentation of the blood glucose by Candida albicans (C. Albicans). In contrast, decades of research into the stability of ethanol in antemortem blood collected for forensic purposes have consistently shown that any analytically significant change in ethanol concentration is a decrease and initially, ethanol‐negative blood remains ethanol‐negative with storage. For there to be any possibility of fermentation to occur by C. Albicans in an antemortem blood sample there must be a plausible mechanism for introduction of C. Albicans into the blood. One mechanism proffered at trial is environmental contamination resulting from ambient air drawn into the evacuated blood collection tube. Blood was drawn from ethanol‐free individuals into 6 and 10‐ml gray‐top Vacutainer® tubes containing sodium fluoride and 6‐ml Vacutainer® tubes without a preservative. Following the blood draws, the tubes were stored unstoppered at room temperature for 24 or 48 h in various locations. Following unstoppered storage, the tubes were stoppered and stored refrigerated (~4°C), left at room temperature (~22°C), or placed in an oven (37°C). The refrigerated blood was analyzed for ethanol using headspace gas chromatography after both 5 days and 32 months. Unrefrigerated blood samples were analyzed after being stored at room temperature or in an oven for up to 30 days. Ethanol was not detected in any of the blood tubes after storage regardless of storage time, storage temperature, or preservative concentration.
Impact on the health service in the Top End, Northern Territory following the introduction of an electric scooter sharing service
Authors: Moran James , Buck Andrew , Williams Jodie , Piatkowski Timothy , Unnikrishnan Renu 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate patients presenting to EDs following the recent introduction of a shared electric scooter (e‐scooter) scheme in Northern Territory (NT).MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational cohort study in Darwin, a regional city in NT, Australia with a population of approximately 150 000. Any patient who disclosed involvement of an e‐scooter in the reason for their presentation to the ED was included. A descriptive analysis was derived for age, sex, triage time, alcohol level, injury type and the requirement of operating theatre, inpatient stay or ED discharge. Categorical variables were analysed using χ2‐tests, with odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and P‐values reported. Costing analysis to ED of attendances and inpatient hospital admissions was undertaken.ResultsThere were 111 presentations over the 8‐month study period (January–September 2021). Forty‐nine percent (n = 51) of patients were male and 51% (n = 54) were female. Extremity (n = 70) and craniofacial (n = 61) injuries were most common and approximately a quarter of patients (n = 24) required operative management for injuries sustained. Approximately half (n = 51) of patients were intoxicated and the average alcohol level of those tested was 0.18% (range 0.05–0.49%). The average cost per ED attendance was AU$777 and total cost of inpatient admissions being AU$352 255. All inpatient admissions were a result of injury while intoxicated.ConclusionHarm minimisations strategies targeting implementation of alcohol testing and penalties for riders may be able to reduce the effect that the introduction of e‐scooters on the strained health system in the NT.
A comparison of methods of plasmapheresis for the treatment of late antibody mediated rejection in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Caliskan Yasar , Mirioglu Safak , Dirim Ahmet Burak , Ozluk Yasemin , Yegit Ozan , Aksoy Elif , Safak Seda , Guller Nurana , Demir Erol , Artan Ayse Serra , Oto Ozgur Akin , Besisik Sevgi , Yazici Halil , Turkmen Aydin , Lentine Krista L. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionWe compared the outcomes associated with plasma exchange (PE), double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), or immunoadsorption (IA) in the treatment of late antibody mediated rejection (AMR).MethodsSixty‐nine kidney transplantation (KTx) recipients with late AMR were retrospectively categorized according to management with PE (n = 30), DFPP (n = 22) or IA (n = 17). Allograft loss was compared across treatment groups by Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression.ResultsStudy groups were similar regarding age, sex, donor type, kidney function, donor specific antibodies, and post‐KTx follow‐up time. Five‐year graft survival trended higher with IA (70.6%) compared to PE (36.7%) and DFPP (27.3%) (p = 0.06). In multivariate Cox regression, baseline eGFR (HR per ml/min/1.73 m2 [95% CI]; 0.96 [0.94–0.99]), rituximab use (HR [95% CI]; 0.42 [0.21–0.84]), interstitial inflammation (i) (HR [95% CI]; 2.05 [1.13–3.69]), and transplant glomerulopathy (cg) (HR [95% CI]; 1.46 [1.13–1.87]) were associated with graft loss.ConclusionThese results motivate the need for continued assessment of rituximab and plasmapheresis in larger studies.
Male agility in relation to mating success in two non‐territorial damselflies
Authors: de Almeida Thais R. , Salomoni Saul , Vilela Diogo S. , Guillermo‐Ferreira Rhainer 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMale body size is usually correlated with mating success in insects. For non‐territorial species, the small male advantage hypothesis predicts that smaller males may be favoured in sexual selection because small body size may predict agility and manoeuvrability. Consequently, selection for male size may drive the evolution of female‐biased sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Nevertheless, recent evidence shows that non‐territorial male damselflies that actively search for females may be larger and more agile than those that perch and wait for females to appear. Thus, here we addressed whether the male size is an indicator of male agility and if it may be used to predict male reproductive success in two non‐territorial damselflies. To this end, we conducted a field study with Acanthagrion truncatum Selys, 1876 and A. lancea Selys, 1876 (Zygoptera, Coenagrionidae). Males of A. truncatum adopt a sit‐and‐wait mating strategy, while the males actively search for females in A. lancea. Hence, we expected different selective forces acting on male body size and agility in these species. We compared the body size and wing length of mated and unmated males, and between sexes, to describe their patterns of SSD. Our results suggest that wing length can be used as a proxy for male body size and agility in both species. However, we have found no evidence for the small male advantage that could explain wing dimorphism in A. truncatum, nor selection for larger males in A. lancea. In conclusion, this study corroborates other studies that suggest agility cannot explain SSD in non‐territorial damselflies and fail to support the small male advantage hypothesis.
Institutional dynamics and access to non‐farm employment in rural China, 1950–1996
Authors: Zheng Bingdao , Gu Yanfeng 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis article examines non‐farm employment in the context of Chinese rural institutional change, based on evidence from discrete‐time logistic models for event history analysis using the Life History and Social Change survey. We find the transition to non‐farm sector rose rapidly during the Great Leap Forward and market reform, while the Cultural Revolution saw it reach the lowest ebb. While male advantage prevailed exclusively during the Cultural Revolution and early marketization, education possessed a stable positive effect in all historical periods. Although the returns to different kinds of political capital vary along with institutional dynamics, intergenerational reproduction was greatly reduced after the Cultural Revolution.
Quality and quantity incentives under downstream contracts: A role for agricultural cooperatives?
Authors: Yu Jianyu , Bonroy Olivier , Bouamra‐Mechemache Zohra 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis article provides a new explanation for the positive role of cooperatives in quality provision along the agri‐food chain. We study the economic rationale for cooperative acting as an intermediary between producers and a downstream (DS) firm when the DS firm cannot observe the individual quality of producers but only the average quality. We derive the optimal contract to elicit the quality and quantity incentives for producers, depending on whether the DS firm directly deals with producers or indirectly deals with them through a producer‐owned cooperative. We find that when the DS firm directly deals with producers via secret contracts, the opportunistic behavior of the DS firm on producers leads to lower quality and quantity levels. The opportunistic behavior is prevented when the DS firm deals with the producer cooperative. However, the contract should offer a sufficiently high quality payment to overcome the free‐riding inefficiency of the producer members.
Somatic growth in single ventricle patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Van den Eynde Jef , Bartelse Simone , Rijnberg Friso M. , Kutty Shelby , Jongbloed Monique R. M. , de Bruin Christiaan , Hazekamp Mark G. , Le Cessie Saskia , Roest Arno A. W. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAimTo map somatic growth patterns throughout Fontan palliation and summarise evidence on its key modifiers.MethodsDatabases were searched for relevant articles published from January 2000 to December 2021. Height and weight z scores at each time point (birth, Glenn procedure, Fontan procedure and >5 years after Fontan completion) were pooled using a random effects meta‐analysis. A random effects meta‐regression model was fitted to model the trend in z scores over time.ResultsNineteen studies fulfilled eligibility criteria, yielding a total of 2006 participants. The z scores for height and weight were markedly reduced from birth to the interstage period, but recovered by about 50% following the Glenn procedure. At >10 years after the Fontan procedure, the z scores for weight seemed to normalise despite persistent lower height, resulting in increased body mass index. The review revealed a number of modifiers of somatic growth, including aggressive nutritional management, timing of Glenn/Fontan, prompt resolution of complications and obesity prevention programmes in adolescence and adulthood.ConclusionThis review mapped the somatic growth of single ventricle patients and summarised key modifiers that may be amendable to improvement. These data provide guidance on strategies to further optimise somatic growth in this population and may serve as a benchmark for clinical follow‐up.
Intramuscular Anti‐D treatment for immune thrombocytopenia: A single centre experience
Authors: Lakhwani Sunil , López‐Las Heras Alberto , Rodríguez‐García Pablo , Iraheta Sandra , Martín‐Santos Taida , Rodríguez‐Salazar María José , Machado Patricia , Hernández Miguel‐Teodoro 
Published: October 2022

SummaryIntravenous Anti‐Rhesus‐D immunoglobulin (Anti‐D) is a first‐line treatment option for immune thrombocytopenia in non‐splenectomised and RhD‐positive patients. In this report, we retrospectively review our experience with intramuscular (IM) Anti‐D treatment in 74 adult patients between 1990 and 2018. We found that 73% of patients showed a response; almost all of them had complete responses (68.9%), and 26% achieved complete responses sustained at least 6 months after treatment discontinuation. [Correction added on 02 December 2022, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, ‘(68.89%)’ has been corrected to ‘(68.9%)’ in this version.] No significant side effects were observed with no cases of acute haemolysis or anaemia reported. We conclude from this study that IM Anti‐D is an effective and safe treatment for immune thrombocytopenia.
A back‐arc transtensional origin for the Nanpanjiang basin in the pre‐Norian Triassic, with implications for the broader intracontinental development of South China
Authors: Duan Liang , Christie‐Blick Nicholas , Meng Qing‐Ren , Wu Guo‐Li , Yang Zhao , Wang Bin 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe generally accepted foreland interpretation of the Nanpanjiang basin has been regarded as providing support for the hypothesized Indosinian collision between the South China and Indochina blocks, and it has led to the long‐standing view that crustal shortening dominated the Triassic intracontinental development of South China. Here, we examine the stratigraphic architecture, magmatism and gross structural features of the Nanpanjiang basin. Outcrop studies indicate that a north‐stepping axial turbidite system was confined by intrabasinal faults, the active development of which is indicated by mass‐transport complexes. Field mapping combined with U–Pb dating of baddeleyite and zircon reveals that magmatism in the southern part of the basin coincides with a distinct episode of bimodal volcanism from ca. 244 to 242 Ma, and is unrelated to the middle Permian Emeishan plume. Differences in tectonic subsidence between hanging‐wall and footwall blocks, as that has been quantified by the backstripping of composite sections, show that synsedimentary dip slip along intrabasinal faults was of normal sense. Meanwhile, a role for strike‐slip deformation is registered by the left‐lateral offset of middle Permian and Middle Triassic piercing points and the exceptional preservation in outcrop of syndepositional negative flower structures. For these reasons, therefore, the pre‐Norian Triassic Nanpanjiang basin is thought to represent a transtensional back‐arc setting, a result that leads to an unresolved paradox: in adjacent parts of South China to the east, coeval development involves crustal thickening, nonmarine sedimentation and granitic plutonism. A new lateral decoupling model consistent with palaeomagnetic evidence for large‐scale block rotation is tentatively proposed here as a working hypothesis to explain the observed intracontinental evolution of South China during the Triassic assembly of eastern Asia. We propose that such decoupling may relate in part to the configuration of inherited crustal weaknesses.
Molecular phylogeny of the tropical wandering spiders (Araneae, Ctenidae) and the evolution of eye conformation in the RTA clade
Authors: Hazzi Nicolas A. , Hormiga Gustavo 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTropical wandering spiders (Ctenidae) are a diverse group of cursorial predators with its greatest species richness in the tropics. Traditionally, Ctenidae are diagnosed based on the presence of eight eyes arranged in three rows (a 2–4–2 pattern). We present a molecular phylogeny of Ctenidae, including for the first time representatives of all of its subfamilies. The molecular phylogeny was inferred using five nuclear (histone H3, 28S, 18S, Actin and ITS‐2) and four mitochondrial (NADH, COI, 12S and 16S) markers. The final matrix includes 259 terminals, 103 of which belong to Ctenidae and represent 28 of the current 49 described genera. We estimated divergence times by including fossils as calibration points and biogeographic events, and used the phylogenetic hypothesis obtained to reconstruct the evolution of the eye conformation in the retrolateral tibial apophysis (RTA) clade. Ctenidae and its main lineages originated during the Paleocene–Eocene and have diversified in the tropics since then. However, in some analyses Ctenidae was recovered as polyphyletic as the genusAncylometesBertkau, 1880 was placed as sister to Oxyopidae. Except for Acantheinae, in which the type genusAcantheisThorell, 1891 is placed inside Cteninae, the four recognized subfamilies of Ctenidae are monophyletic in most analyses. The ancestral reconstruction of the ocular conformation in the retrolateral tibial apophysis clade suggests that the ocular pattern of Ctenidae has evolved convergently seven times and that it has originated from ocular conformations of two rows of four eyes (4–4) and the ocular pattern of lycosids (4–2–2). We also synonymize the monotypic genusParabatingaPolotov & Brescovit, 2009 withCentroctenusMello‐Leitão, 1929. We discuss some of the putative morphological synapomorphies of the main ctenid lineages within the phylogenetic framework offered by the molecular phylogenetic results of the study.
Endoplasmic reticulum–resident protein Sec62 drives colorectal cancer metastasis via MAPK/ATF2/UCA1 axis
Authors: Jin Yirong , Han Yuying , Yang Suzhen , Cao Jiayi , Jiang Mingzuo , Liang Jie 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectiveMetastasis is responsible for the poor prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and the role of aberrant expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) receptors in tumour metastasis has not been fully elucidated. The aim of the study is to ensure the role of ER‐resident protein Sec62 in CRC metastasis and illuminate associated molecular mechanisms.Materials and MethodsBioinformatics analysis, qRT‐PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry assays were performed to evaluate the expression level and clinical significance of Sec62 in CRC. The specific role of Sec62 in CRC was identified by a series of functional experiments. We conducted RNA sequencing and rescue experiments to analyse the differentially expressed genes and identified UCA1 as a novel pro‐metastasis target of Sec62 in CRC. Besides, the efficacy of MAPK/JNK inhibitor or agonist on Sec62‐mediated CRC metastasis was evaluated by trans‐well and wound healing assays. Finally, luciferase reporter and ChIP assay were employed to further explore the potential mechanisms.ResultsThe abnormally elevated expression of Sec62 predicted poor prognosis of CRC patients and facilitated malignant metastasis of CRC cells. Mechanistically, Sec62 enhanced UCA1 expression through activating MAPK/JNK signalling pathway. And the p‐JNK activating ATF2 could transcriptionally regulate UCA1 expression. Furthermore, blocking or activating MAPK/JNK signalling with JNK inhibitor or agonist potently suppressed or enhanced Sec62 mediated CRC metastatic process.ConclusionsOur study reports for the first time that the Sec62/MAPK/ATF2 /UCA1 axis exists in CRC metastatic process, which could be a potential treatment target of metastatic CRC.
Platelet thromboxane inhibition by low‐dose aspirin in polycythemia vera: Ex vivo and in vivo measurements and in silico simulation
Authors: Petrucci Giovanna , Giaretta Alberto , Ranalli Paola , Cavalca Viviana , Dragani Alfredo , Porro Benedetta , Hatem Duaa , Habib Aida , Tremoli Elena , Patrono Carlo , Rocca Bianca 
Published: October 2022

AbstractLow‐dose aspirin is currently recommended for patients with polycythemia vera (PV), a myeloproliferative neoplasm with increased risk of arterial and venous thromboses. Based on aspirin pharmacodynamics in essential thrombocythemia, a twice‐daily regimen is recommended for patients with PV deemed at particularly high thrombotic risk. We investigated the effects of low‐dose aspirin on platelet cyclooxygenase activity and in vivo platelet activation in 49 patients with PV, as assessed by serum thromboxane (TX) B2 and urinary TXA2/TXB2 metabolite (TXM) measurements, respectively. A previously described pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic in silico model was used to simulate the degree of platelet TXA2 inhibition by once‐daily (q.d.) and twice‐daily (b.i.d.) aspirin, and to predict the effect of missing an aspirin dose during q.d. and b.i.d. regimens. Serum TXB2 averaged 8.2 (1.6–54.7) ng/ml and significantly correlated with the platelet count (γ = 0.39) and urinary TXM (γ = 0.52) in multivariable analysis. One‐third of aspirin‐treated patients with PV displayed less‐than‐maximal platelet TXB2 inhibition, and were characterized by significantly higher platelet counts and platelet‐count corrected serum TXB2 than those with adequate inhibition. Eight patients with PV were sampled again after 12 ± 4 months, and had reproducible serum TXB2 and urinary TXM values. The in silico model predicted complete inhibition of platelet‐derived TXB2 by b.i.d. aspirin, a prediction verified in a patient with PV with the highest TXB2 value while on aspirin q.d. and treated short‐term with a b.i.d. regimen. In conclusion, one in three patients with PV on low‐dose aspirin display less‐than‐maximal inhibition of platelet TXA2 production. Serum TXB2 measurement can be a valuable option to guide precision dosing of antiplatelet therapy in patients with PV.
Ethical considerations in using a smartphone‐based GPS app to understand linkages between mobility patterns and health outcomes: The example of HIV risk among mobile youth in rural South Africa
Authors: Mathenjwa Thulile , Nkosi Busi , Kim Hae‐Young , Bain Luchuo Engelbert , Tanser Frank , Wassenaar Douglas 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSmartphones with Global Positioning System (GPS) apps offer simple and accurate tools to collect data on human mobility. However, their associated ethical challenges remain to be assessed. We used the Emanuel framework to assess the ethical concerns of using smartphone GPS to record mobility patterns of young adults in rural South Africa for a larger study on mobility and HIV risk (Sesikhona). We conducted four focus groups (FGDs) with individuals eligible for the Sesikhona study. FGD data were coded using the Emanuel framework. Participants perceived use of smartphone GPS to study human mobility and HIV risk as valuable. They raised concerns about invasion of privacy and confidentiality. Also mentioned were risk/benefit ratio, informed consent and ongoing respect. Concerns expressed provided a useful evidence‐base for the development of a guide to inform future participants about ethical issues arising in the use of GPS technology to track mobility and health‐related issues.