bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leading good digital lives
Authors: Müller-Salo Johannes 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe paper develops a conception of the good life within a digitalized society. Martha Nussbaum’s capability theory offers an adequate normative framework for that purpose as it systematically integrates the analysis of flourishing human lives with a normative theory of justice. The paper argues that a theory of good digital lives should focus on everyday life, on the impact digitalization has on ordinary actions, routines and corresponding practical knowledge. Based on Nussbaum’s work, the paper develops a concept of digital capabilities. Digital capabilities are combined capabilities: To possess a digital capability, an individual must acquire certain skills and abilities (internal capabilities) and needs access to devices and external infrastructures like internet connections. If societies as a whole and everyday environments are digitalized to a certain degree, the possession of specific digital capabilities is a crucial precondition for a flourishing life. The paper likewise analyzes challenges that are connected to digital capabilities. Digital structures are constantly changing. In consequence, digital capabilities are never acquired once and for all, but always precarious and in danger of being lost—with serious consequences for individual everyday lives in digitalized environments. As digital capabilities are crucial for leading a good life, people are entitled to develop and maintain them. They describe demands of justice. Using the examples of filling in an online form and digital education, the paper finally illustrates the size of institutional changes that are necessary to meet these demands.
A Three-Level Approach to Examining the Relationship Between Categorical Beacons of Influence and Democracy in Western Europe
Authors: Cruz Erik , Torres Christopher E. , Alqahtani Mohammed 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDespite the global proliferation of democracy over recent decades, many democratic governments are experiencing unprecedented levels of public dissatisfaction. This study examines how various beacons of grievance—economic dissatisfaction, safety concerns, perceptions of corruption, and attitudes toward immigration—influence individuals’ satisfaction with democratic governance in Western Europe. Utilizing nationally representative data from the 2012 European Social Survey and indicators from the Global Terrorism Database, we employ a three-level hierarchical linear model to simultaneously analyze individual, regional, and country-level variables. Our exploratory, non-directional hypothesis posits that there is a statistically significant relationship between these multilevel factors and individuals’ satisfaction with democratic governance in the European Union. The findings reveal that subjective perceptions play a more significant role than objective indicators in shaping satisfaction with democratic governance. Specifically, individuals with positive opinions on immigration and higher trust in their national parliament exhibit increased satisfaction with democratic governance. At the regional level, higher migration rates correlate positively with democratic governance satisfaction, suggesting a complex interplay between objective conditions and personal attitudes. Conversely, while economic concerns at the individual level affect satisfaction, objective economic indicators at the country level, such as the GINI coefficient, yield unexpected results, indicating higher satisfaction in more unequal societies. By integrating these diverse grievances within a unified multilevel model, this research advances the theoretical understanding of democratic resilience and highlights the importance of considering multilevel factors in assessing public opinion. The study underscores the need for policymakers to address both subjective perceptions and objective conditions to enhance satisfaction with democratic governance. It also calls for further research into cross-level interactions and additional regional variables to deepen the understanding of the dynamics influencing public contentment with democratic governance.
A new stepwise approach to minimize phrenic nerve injury during cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Phkhaladze K. , Omran H. , Fink T. , Sciacca V. , Guckel D. , Khalaph M. , Braun M. , Hamriti M. El , Thale J. , Nölker G. , Vogt J. , Sohns C. , Sommer P. , Imnadze G. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
A phrenic nerve injury (PNI) during cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) continues to represent a limitation of this technique. The objective of this study was to develop a novel technique with the aim of reducing the incidence of PNI.

Methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of data from two hospitals in patients with symptomatic, drug-resistant atrial fibrillation (AF) over 7 years to evaluate the incidence and clinical characteristics of PNI during cryoballoon PVI. Patients in the intervention group were treated with a new technique consisting of the following consecutive steps: (A) phrenic nerve stimulation near stimulation threshold instead of 10 V stimulation; (B) advanced ablation to the right superior pulmonary vein (PV) using a pre-freezing technique; (C) “pulling away” of the CB after vein isolation and/or after reaching − 40 °C for both right PVs. Two subtypes of PNI were studied: persistent (no recovery to discharge) and transient (recovery to discharge) PNI.

Results
Nine hundred patients with a mean age of 62.3 (± 10.9) years (38% female) were analyzed. Transient PNI occurred in 8/250 patients (3.2%) in the intervention group compared to 39/750 patients (6%) in the control group (p = 0.09). Persistent PNI occurred in one patient (0.4%) in the intervention group compared to 18 (2.8%) in the control group (p = 0.03). Any PNI occurred in 9 patients in the intervention group (3.6%) compared to 57 patients (8.8%) in the control group (p = 0.008).

Conclusion
In this retrospective analysis, a new cryo-PVI technique significantly reduces the incidence of PNI, particularly persistent PNI.

Graphical Abstract
Using a Video Visual Scene Display Application to Improve Communication for Individuals with Autism Disorder
Authors: Boyev Alexander , Rabaev Irina , Cohen Nitzan , Chassidim Hadas 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAugmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) describes different ways to communicate that supplement or compensate for the impairment of individuals with complex communication needs. AAC can utilize computerized devices, with visual scene display (VSD) or video visual scene display (VVSD) as a communication mode. Recent literature insufficiently tackles the differences between the two modes of presentation. To address this issue, we developed a user-friendly application that can display both video clips and photographs with embedded hotspots. The efficiency of VSD vs. VVSD was evaluated by measuring the perceptions and the performance of adults with ASD during conversation. Findings showed that VVSD has advantages over VSD in improving communication. However, further research with a larger sample size is required.
Adipose tissue as target of environmental toxicants: focus on mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative inflammation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Authors: Lolescu Bogdan M. , Furdui-Lința Adina V. , Ilie Cosmin A. , Sturza Adrian , Zară Flavia , Muntean Danina M. , Blidișel Alexandru , Crețu Octavian M. 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Obesity, diabetes, and their cardiovascular and hepatic comorbidities are alarming public health issues of the twenty-first century, which share mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation as common pathophysiological mechanisms. An increasing body of evidence links the combined exposure to multiple environmental toxicants with the occurrence and severity of metabolic diseases. Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are ubiquitous chemicals or mixtures with persistent deleterious effects on the living organisms beyond the endocrine system impairment; in particular, those known as metabolism-disrupting chemicals (MDCs), increase the risk of the metabolic pathologies in adult organism or its progeny. Being largely lipophilic, MDCs mainly target the adipose tissue and elicit mitochondrial dysfunction by interfering with mitochondrial bioenergetics, biogenesis, dynamics and/or other functions. Plastics, when broken down into micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs), have been detected in several human tissues, including the liver. The harmful interplay between inflammatory and redox processes, which mutually interact in a positive feed-back loop, hence the term oxidative inflammation ("OxInflammation"), occurs both at systemic and organ level. In both liver and adipose tissue, oxinflammation contributes to the progression of the metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Moreover, it has been reported that individuals with MASLD may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of toxicants (mainly, those related to mitochondria) and that chronic exposure to EDs/MDCs or MNPs may play a role in the development of the disease. While liver has been systematically investigated as major target organ for ambient chemicals, surprisingly, less information is available in the literature with respect to the adipose tissue. In this narrative review, we delve into the current literature on the most studied environmental toxicants (bisphenols, polychlorinated biphenyls, phthalates, tolylfluanid and tributyltin, per-fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, heavy metals and MNPs), summarize their deleterious effects on adipose tissue, and address the role of dysregulated mitochondria and oxinflammation, particularly in the setting of MASLD.
The folk concept of art
Authors: Mikalonytė Elzė Sigutė , Kneer Markus 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWhat is the folk concept of art? Does it track any of the major definitions of art philosophers have proposed? In two preregistered experiments (N = 888) focusing on two types of artworks (paintings and musical works), we manipulate three potential features of artworks: intentional creation, the possession of aesthetic value, and institutional recognition. This allows us to investigate whether the folk concept of art fits an essentialist definition drawing on one or more of the manipulated factors or whether it might be a disjunctive or cluster concept. The results suggest that none of the three manipulated properties alone suffices for an object to be considered art. The folk concept of art might thus well be a cluster concept instead of an essentialist concept.
Achieving ultralow leakage current in Schottky-MIS cascode anode lateral field-effect diode based on AlGaN/GaN HEMT
Authors: Wang Fangzhou , Gao Changhong , Ding Guojian , Yu Cheng , Wang Zhuocheng , Wang Xiaohui , Feng Qi , Yu Ping , Zuo Peng , Chen Wanjun , Wang Yang , Jia Haiqiang , Chen Hong , Zhang Bo , Wang Zeheng 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we design and fabricate a Schottky-metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) cascode anode GaN lateral field-effect diode (CA-LFED) to achieve ultralow reverse leakage current (ILEAK). The device based on AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility-transistor (HEMT) includes a normally-off MIS-controlled channel that is cascoded with a high barrier height Schottky contact. At reverse bias, the high electric-field is effectively prevented by the normally-off MIS-controlled channel edge. Together with the high barrier height Schottky contact, this feature significantly suppresses the ILEAK. Supported by the device fabrication, the CA-LFED with high breakdown voltage (BV) > 600 V shows an ultralow ILEAK of 3.6 × 10−9 A/mm as well as a low forward voltage drop (VF) of 2.2 V. The performance suggests that the CA-LFED can be a promising candidate for ultralow ILEAK and better VF-ILEAK trade-off GaN power diode applications.
Radioembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Comparison on Dual-phase Cone-beam CT, Contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) and 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin-SPECT/CT in predicting final distribution volumes and dosimetry of the post-embolization 90Y PET/CT
Authors: di Gaeta Ettore , Olivieri Michela , Savi Annarita , Magnani Patrizia , Canevari Carla , Gusmini Simone , Palumbo Diego , Guazzarotti Giorgia , Augello Luigi , Calabrese Francesca , Steidler Stephanie , Cipriani Federica , Rimini Margherita , Casadei-Gardini Andrea , Aldrighetti Luca , Chiti Arturo , De Cobelli Francesco 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Personalized treatment schemes are being systematically applied to ensure best treatment outcome in oncologic patients. This is true also for personalized dosimetry in transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Precise and detailed volumetric and functional data derived from radiological and nuclear imaging methods are essential for personalized dosimetry. We sought to evaluate accuracy of dual-phase cone-beam CT (CBCT) in comparison to pre-treatment contrast-enhanced CT (CECT), and 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin-SPECT/CT ([99mTc]MAA SPECT/CT) to predict and assess the efficacy of TARE based on post-treatment 90Y PET/CT.

Material and methods
Thirty consecutive patients with HCC treated with TARE were included. Intraprocedural dual-phase CBCT acquisition protocol was developed to distinguish tumor volume in the early arterial phase and perfused volume of non-affected liver in the late arterial phase. Volumetric data obtained from pre-treatment CECT, dual-phase CBCT and [99mTc]MAA SPECT/CT were compared to post-treatment 90Y PET/CT considered the standard reference. Treatment simulations for final calculated dose from the different imaging derived volumes were then compared to post-treatment 90Y PET/CT.

Results
CBCT resulted as the most accurate method in predicting tumor- (R2 0.88) and perfused volumes (R2 0.82). Dosimetry prediction planning performed on derived volumes from the different methods did not show significant difference (p < 0.05), yet highest concordance with 90Y PET/CT data was observed with dual-phase CBCT.

Conclusion
Our study shows that dual-phase CBCT acquisition is a novel alternative method for correctly and safely administering more accurate and defined doses during TARE.
clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03981497.
Institutional innovation in response to backlash: How members are circumventing the WTO impasse
Authors: Pelc Krzysztof 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn response to the impasse caused by the US blockade of the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement body, 52 Member-states have converged on a innovative workaround: the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA). This article asks two questions related to this singular, yet overlooked initiative in global governance: first, what determines who joins a novel enforcement mechanism in the midst of a global “backlash” against trade liberalization? Secondly, does the MPIA work? Examining countries’ trade policy in the run-up to the MPIA’s creation suggests that the main motivation for MPIA participation is the possibility to challenge trade partners’ measures; vulnerability to others’ challenges, conversely, does not deter joining. The same analysis can be used to predict subsequent MPIA entrants, in ways that match anecdotal evidence. A corollary finding is that insofar as the US reasons similarly to other countries, its trade profile suggests it does not stand to gain much from more credible enforcement, which may explain its lack of zeal during WTO reform negotiations. Secondly, looking at dyadic trade measures over time, we offer evidence that even at this early stage, the MPIA generates deterrence among its members, and this effect is growing. From an institutional standpoint, the experiment appears to be working: the MPIA is not only an interim solution, but also a prototype for institutional innovation in the face of backlash.
Association of Social Vulnerability and Access to Higher Quality Medicare Advantage Plans
Authors: Ko Hansoo , Alsadah Ghaida , Gimm Gilbert 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
With more than half of all beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, ensuring access to high-quality MA plans is a key concern for policymakers. Access to high-quality MA plans may be limited in certain areas if private insurers are not willing to offer high-quality MA plans in local areas with greater unmet health-related social needs.

Objective
This study examined the association of a market-level social vulnerability index (SVI) score with the number of high-quality MA plans.

Design
This study conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Participants
Our analysis included 3113 USA counties in 2020.

Main Measures
Our primary outcome measure, the availability of high-quality MA plans at the market level, was defined by counting the raw number of 5-star plans, plans with 4.5 or higher stars, and plans with 4 or higher stars. We also counted the number of all MA plans at the market level as an outcome measure to explore private insurers’ market entry and participation decisions.

Results
We found evidence that fewer high-quality MA plans are available in markets with greater unmet social needs (higher SVI scores). Compared to the least vulnerable markets, the most vulnerable markets had 1.5 fewer MA plans overall [95%CI −2.9, −0.1]. The most vulnerable markets also had 1.1 fewer 4 or higher star plans [95%CI −1.9, −0.3] than the least vulnerable markets. Furthermore, this negative association was concentrated in the southern region, which has a greater proportion of Black/African Americans in its market-level populations.

Conclusion
As historically marginalized groups are more likely to reside in markets with greater unmet social needs, disparities in access to high-quality MA plans may widen existing health disparities. Therefore, monitoring the availability of high-quality MA plans in areas with greater unmet social needs is needed to improve health equity for MA beneficiaries.
Flying Blind: How Thorough are IRBs when Assessing Scientific Value?
Authors: Shum Carol , Hey Spencer Phillips , Wilkes Michael S. , Powers John A. , Pighin Melissa Ann , Yarborough Mark 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in the United States play a crucial role in ensuring the ethical conduct of clinical trials, including assessing the scientific merit of studies to justify the risks to participants. However, prior research suggests that many IRBs do not systematically evaluate scientific merit, raising concerns about the approval of low-quality trials.

Objective
To investigate whether IRBs provide adequate guidance on assessing scientific merit in their Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other relevant materials.

Design
A systematic pilot investigation of IRB SOPs and related guidance documents from a sample of U.S.-based non-profit institutions.

Participants
IRB materials from 35 U.S.-based non-profit institutions selected from the FDA’s Bioresearch Monitoring Information System database, representing 39.9% of submissions between 2018 and 2021. Additionally, materials from one U.S.-based for-profit IRB were included.

Interventions
Not applicable.

Main Measures
The presence of guidance on 15 dimensions of scientific merit, clustered into four PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) categories, was assessed by reviewing IRB SOPs and related documents. Evidence of guidance was determined by mention of keywords related to each dimension.

Key Results
Most IRB materials mentioned basic study elements such as study design (99%), subject recruitment (90%), and intervention justification (97%). However, critical aspects related to study quality, such as bias reduction (53%) and outcome measurement tools (57%), were less frequently mentioned. The least represented dimension was confounder control (10%).

Conclusions
IRB guidance materials vary in their coverage of scientific merit dimensions, with significant gaps in areas critical for assessing study quality. Strengthening guidance materials by including comprehensive instructions for all 15 dimensions could improve IRB assessments of scientific merit, thereby enhancing the ethical oversight of clinical trials.
Explaining Interruption Behavior in Parliament: The Role of Topic Expertise, Career Status, and Government-Opposition Dynamics
Authors: Diener Julius 
Published: December 2024

AbstractWhy do politicians interrupt each other? Previous research has studied how personal characteristics of politicians, especially their gender, influence interruption behavior. However, we lack knowledge regarding how strategic incentives arising from political competition influence whether two politicians will interrupt each other. I argue that interruptions are a tool to disrupt the communication of other politicians, attack their public image, and boost one’s own reputation. Based on strategic incentives, I expected three groups of factors to drive interruptions. First, politicians who are experts on the same topic should be more likely to interrupt each other. Second, career status could influence how likely new parliamentarians are to interrupt and how likely frontbenchers are to be interrupted. Third, opposition parties may use interruptions to attack members of government parties, whereas members of government parties should be least likely to interrupt their coalition partners. I used data on interruptions in the German Bundestag from 2017 to 2021, employing logistic and network regression models, and found support for shared topic expertise and government-opposition dynamics driving interruptions. New parliamentarians seem to be less likely to interrupt, but I found no robust evidence for an effect of frontbencher status. These findings enrich knowledge about the strategic role of interruptions in parliamentary communication and legislative behavior, demonstrating the roles of topic expertise and government-opposition dynamics in interruptions, which should not be disregarded in future studies.
On the Relation Between S-Spectrum and Right Spectrum
Authors: Carvalho Luís , Diogo Cristina , Mendes Sérgio , Soares Helena 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
We use the

$$\mathbb {R}$$

R

-linearity of

$$I\lambda -T$$

I
λ
-
T

to define

$$\sigma (T)$$

σ
(
T
)

, the right spectrum of a right

$$\mathbb {H}$$

H

-linear operator T in a right quaternionic Banach space. We show that

$$\sigma (T)$$

σ
(
T
)

coincides with the S-spectrum

$$\sigma _S(T)$$

σ
S

(
T
)

.