bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Marriage as a hustle: The evolution of property law and the arrival of same‐sex marriage in Cuba
Authors: Adler Libby 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis paper tells the coinciding stories of same‐sex marriage's arrival in Cuba and the evolution of Cuban property law. It argues that greater privatization in the Cuban system, including access to real estate ownership and small‐scale entrepreneurship, contributed to (did not solely determine) the advent of same‐sex marriage even though it was, practically speaking, wholly unnecessary to the goal of equalizing same‐sex couples with regard to property rights. Same‐sex marriage nonetheless scaled the priority list for advancing the interests of gays and lesbians in Cubans due, at least in part, to the discursive entwinement of marriage and property allocation including the “common sense” assumption that marriage is a regime of material benefits access to which determines whether gays and lesbians are being treated equally.
Does it cost to be politically connected? An examination of the grabbing hand hypothesis using corporate taxes
Authors: Arifin Taufiq , Kabir Rezaul 
Published: September 2024

AbstractExtant studies on political connections document both benefits and costs for firms. In this study, we investigate whether politically connected firms pay higher taxes than their non‐connected counterparts and thus facilitate politicians to receive political benefits. Using the presidential election in Indonesia as an exogenous event, and analysing a sample of Indonesian listed firms over the period 2007–2016, we show that politicians extract resources from firms to realise their political objectives, for example, increasing tax revenues and gaining votes. We also find that politicians pursue more rent‐seeking among firms with transactional political connections. In return for over‐payment of corporate taxes, these connected firms enjoy lower cost of borrowing and higher firm value after the election year. These results are robust to the use of different regression techniques (i.e., pooled ordinary least square and probit) and tests (i.e., endogeneity, parallel trend assumption and placebo), and support the grabbing hand hypothesis of political connections. Our study contributes to the scarce literature showing that politically connected firms help politicians by providing higher tax revenues and experience a lower cost of debt and higher firm value in exchange for providing this favour to politicians.
A Novel Content and Usability Analysis of UK Professional Regulator Information About Raising a Concern by Members of the Public
Authors: Ryan‐Blackwell Gemma , Wallace Louise M. , Ribenfors Francesca 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundHealth and social care regulators ensure that professionals have the correct qualifications and experience to practice in their profession. Globally, there are over 130 regulators of nursing alone and 13 health and social care statutory regulators in the United Kingdom. The public are the largest source of concerns to regulators about the registrants' fitness to practise (FtP).AimThis study aimed to examine the amount, type and content of the information available from UK regulators and evaluate the usability of the process for members of the public considering raising a concern with a regulator about a registrant's fitness to practise (FtP) and the experience of those who had recently raised a concern.MethodsThe websites of the UK's 13 statutory health and social care regulators were searched between November 2021 and February 2022 for information about the process of raising a concern. Webpages and public‐facing documentation were downloaded, and qualitative content analysis was conducted. The usability of regulator websites and the concerns referral form were assessed by 11 people using an adapted ‘system usability scale’. Seven interviews, a focus group (n = 5) and a survey (n = 62) of people who had raised a concern were used to explore their experiences to validate our findings and recommendations.ResultsThemes were identified related to format and layout, the process and support to raise a concern, with wide variation found between regulators. Focus groups, interviews and surveys validated these findings.Discussion and ConclusionInformation and the ease of finding this information are fundamental in promoting public confidence and trust in regulator purpose and process. When raising a concern, it is important that information is honest, clear and accurate and available in a range of different formats so that it suits the diverse needs of members of the public. Improvements in these processes could support regulators to better achieve their primary purpose of protecting the public.Public ContributionThe public were consulted on our findings using two focus groups, seven interviews and 62 survey respondents.Our project advisory group of people with lived experience of involvement in FtP discussed the findings and contributed to the recommendations.Trial RegistrationN/A.
Comparing the activity and interactions of the antifungal protein PeAfpA with conventional fungicides and food preservatives against mycotoxigenic fungi
Authors: Hernández‐García Laura , Molinos Xabier , Manzanares Paloma , Marcos Jose F. , Martínez‐Culebras Pedro V. 
Published: September 2024

SummaryPrevention of fungal contamination and the occurrence of mycotoxins in food and feeds requires the development of new antifungal approaches. The antifungal proteins (AFPs) produced by some fungi provide great potential for the control of contaminating fungi. In the present study, the antifungal activity of the protein PeAfpA from Penicillium expansum was compared with fungicides used in post‐harvest control (imazalil and thiabendazole) and food preservatives (calcium propionate, sodium, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and natamycin), against 23 fungal species belonging to the genera Penicillium, Fusarium, Byssochlamys, Aspergillus and Alternaria. In general, PeAfpA had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) followed by natamycin, the fungicides, and the chemical preservatives. PeAfpA was able to completely inhibit the growth of all tested fungi at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 8 μg mL−1. In addition, we assessed the effects of PeAfpA in combination with imazalil, thiabendazole, natamycin, or potassium sorbate against four representative fungal species. Our results provide evidence for partial synergistic and additive effects between the protein PeAfpA and the other compounds tested. This study concludes that PeAfpA, alone or in combination with fungicides or food preservatives, has a great potential to prevent fungal contamination and reduce the required dosage of fungicides or chemical preservatives used in food conservation.
La persistencia de la informalidad en el trabajo doméstico remunerado en la Argentina
Authors: PEREYRA Francisca , POBLETE Lorena 
Published: September 2024

ResumenLa informalidad es una característica histórica del trabajo doméstico remunerado en América Latina. El caso de la Argentina reviste especial interés como objeto de estudio porque combina una reforma sustantiva del marco normativo con innovaciones en los mecanismos de implementación. Mediante una metodología cualicuantitativa, en el presente artículo se analizan algunas de las razones que pueden explicar el aparente estancamiento de la tasa de formalización (en un porcentaje máximo cercano al 25 por ciento en los últimos años) y la discrecionalidad que aún persiste al otorgar en la práctica los derechos laborales teóricamente amparados por la formalidad.
Angiopoietin‐like 4 is a potential biomarker for diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Kun , Yuan Shasha , Yu Caiguo , Yin Ruili , Wang Di , Xu Yongsong , Zhang Lijie , Wei Lingling , Cheng Yanan , Mao Lin , Zhao Dong , Yang Longyan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe association between serum angiopoietin‐like 4 (ANGPTL4) levels and the severity of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains unclear.MethodsA total of 1,115 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were analyzed in this cross‐sectional study. DKD index included DKD stages defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate, the albuminuria grades and DKD risk management grades. Serum levels of ANGPTL4 and other biomarkers were detected. Multivariable‐adjusted linear and logistic analyses were used to study the association between ANGPTL4 and DKD. The protein levels of ANGPTL4 were assessed in the kidney. Renal tubular cells were stimulated with glucose to study ANGPTL4 expression.ResultsCompared with the participants in the third or fourth quantile of ANGPTL4, those in the first or second quantile of ANGPTL4 were younger, with lower glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides and urinary albumin creatinine ratio (all P < 0.05). There was a negative nonlinear relationship between ANGPTL4 and estimated glomerular filtration rate in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. One standard deviation increased serum ANGPTL4 levels, the odds ratio of having DKD was 1.40 (95% confidence interval 1.08–1.80). The mediation analysis showed that triglycerides did not mediate the association between ANGPTL4 and DKD. Furthermore, ANGPTL4 could be the strongest among multiple panels of biomarkers in its association of DKD. Compared with mice at 8 weeks‐of‐age, db/db mice at 18 weeks‐of‐age had increased ANGPTL4 expression in glomeruli and tubular segments. In vitro, glucose could stimulate ANGPTL4 expression in tubular cells in a dose‐dependent manner.ConclusionsANGPTL4 could be a potential marker and therapeutic target for DKD treatment.
Estimating background risk hedging demands from cross‐sectional data
Authors: Brugler James , Inkmann Joachim , Rizzo Adrian 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBased on a theory of portfolio choice with non‐tradable assets, we estimate hedging demands due to background risks before and after the Great Recession for U.S households. Hedging demands related to human capital, residential property and business assets reduce financial risk‐taking, but these effects decline over the Great Recession, as does expected risk‐adjusted stock market performance. We also estimate the appropriate discount rate to compute the risk‐adjusted value of human capital, which declines by around eight percent over the period. Unlike previous literature requiring panel data with large time dimensions, our approach only requires cross‐sectional data to identify hedging demands.
Design of a Portable Electronic Nose for Identification of Minced Chicken Meat Adulterated With Soybean Protein Isolate
Authors: Zhou Min , Dai Chunxia , Aheto Joshua Harrington , Zhang Xiaorui 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe study aimed to develop a portable electronic nose system for detecting adulteration with soybean protein isolate (SPI) in chicken meat. The system mainly consisted of three parts: the gas sensor array, the DSP28335 control board, and the upper computer. The DSP28335 control board, developed using C language, included analog to digital converter (ADC) module, digital output (DO) module, pulse width modulation (PWM) module, controller area network (CAN) module, power module, drive circuit, and so forth. The upper computer, developed using LabVIEW, facilitated user interaction with the user by primarily handling CAN configuration and monitoring, displaying and storing sensor data, temperature and flow data, and sending and monitoring electronic nose commands. The feasibility of the proposed electronic nose for characterizing adulterated chicken meat was tested on six classes of chicken meat that had been adulterated with varied quantities of SPI. The mass fractions of SPI were 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, respectively. On the basis of odor data from the electronic nose, K‐nearest neighbor (KNN), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and support vector machine (SVM) were applied to qualitatively distinguish minced chicken meat with different adulteration ratios. The results showed that the SVM model had the best recognition effect. When the best parameters (c, g) were c = 16 and g = 1, the accuracy of SVM model was 97.22% and 93.75% in the training and testing sets, respectively. These results demonstrated that the portable electronic nose designed in this paper effectively identifies minced chicken meat under various adulteration conditions, enabling rapid and nondestructive detection of chicken meat adulteration.
The gradient of social determinants of health and related inequalities and early childhood development: Analysis of two rounds of a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Islam M Mofizul 
Published: September 2024

AimSocial determinants of health (SDH) have a critical role in child development. Yet these determinants are often overshadowed. This study examines the effect of composites of five SDH on early childhood development (ECD) of children of age 36–59 months.MethodsWe used two 2013 and 2019 rounds of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Bangladesh data. The analytical sample included ECD data for 25 721 children. ECD was computed following United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund's psychometric approach. Three composite indices of SDH were developed to examine their gradient effects on ECD. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to examine the relationship between SDH indices and ECD. The concentration index was computed, and a concentration curve was developed to measure inequalities in being on track of ECD among children with various levels of SDH.ResultsAlmost 69% of children were on track in their ECD, a higher percentage in 2019 (74.85%) than in 2017 (65.37%). The prevalence of children on track in their ECD significantly rises per unit in the score of three SDH composites (adjusted prevalence ratios are 1.04 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.04) for summative and standardised indexes and 1.49 (95% CI: 1.41–1.58) for weighted index). There is almost a linear positive relationship between the SDH composite and ECD. Significant concentration indexes suggest SDH‐related inequalities in ECD.ConclusionChildren's early development can be hampered due to unfavourable SDH. Although ECD plays a vital role in creating and maintaining socio‐economic and health inequalities through to adulthood, favourable SDH needs to be ensured during childhood.
Photoperiod and temperature interactions drive the latitudinal distribution ofLaminaria hyperborea(Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) under climate change
Authors: Diehl Nora , Laeseke Philipp , Bartsch Inka , Bligh Margot , Buck‐Wiese Hagen , Hehemann Jan‐Hendrik , Niedzwiedz Sarina , Plag Niklas , Karsten Ulf , Shan Tifeng , Bischof Kai 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDue to global rises in temperature, recent studies predict marine species shifting toward higher latitudes. We investigated the impact of interacting abiotic drivers on the distribution potential of the temperate kelpLaminaria hyperborea. The ecosystem engineering species is widespread along European coasts but has not yet been observed in the High Arctic, although it can survive several months of low temperatures and darkness. To investigate its ability to extend northward in future, we conducted a long‐term multifactorial experiment with sporophytes from Porsangerfjorden, Norway—close to the species' documented northernmost distribution margin. The samples were exposed to three different photoperiods (PolarDay, LongDay, and PolarNight) at 0°C, 5°C, and 10°C for 3 months. Optimum quantum yield of photosynthesis (Fv/Fm), dry weight, pigments, phlorotannins, and storage carbohydrates were monitored. Both physiological and biochemical parameters revealed thatL. hyperboreawas strongly influenced by the different photoperiods and their interaction with temperature, while temperature alone exerted only minor effects. TheFv/Fmdata were integrated into a species distribution model to project a possible northward expansion ofL. hyperborea. The combination of extended day lengths and low temperatures appeared to be the limiting reason for northward spread ofL. hyperboreauntil recently. However, with water temperatures reaching 10°C in summer, this kelp will be able to thrive also in the High Arctic. Moreover, no evidence of stress to Arctic winter warming was observed. Consequently,L. hyperboreahas a high potential for spreading northward with further warming which may significantly affect the structure and function of Arctic ecosystems.
Household food insecurity and symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Biete Camila , Biete Amanda , Patriota Erika S. O. , Gonçalves Vivian S. S. , Buccini Gabriela , Pizato Nathalia 
Published: September 2024

AbstractHousehold food insecurity (HFI) has been related to adverse maternal‐child health outcomes and mental health worsening during pregnancy. Few studies evaluated the temporal association between HFI and anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women, and this association remains not completely understood. This study aimed to systematically review the association between HFI and symptoms of depression and anxiety in pregnant individuals. The systematic review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022373615). Systematic searches were conducted on 10 electronic databases and grey literature. Two researchers independently conducted the study selection, data extraction process, and the risk of bias assessment. Random‐effects meta‐analysis models were used, and I2 > 40% indicated high heterogeneity across studies. Eighteen articles were included for the systematic review, comprising n = 27,882, and a total of 18,987 pregnant individuals aged between 14 and 45 years were included in the meta‐analysis. The prevalence of HFI reported in studies ranged from 12.6% to 62.1% (n = 17). The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms ranged from 18% to 49% (n = 11) and 23% to 34% (n = 2), respectively. HFI during pregnancy was associated with increased odds of experiencing symptoms of depression [(OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 2.11–3.02), I2 = 73.23%]. The quality of evidence was very low due to high heterogeneity. Our findings highlighted the association between HFI and depression symptoms during pregnancy. Findings from this study suggest the importance of assessing HFI and mental health during pregnancy.
An appreciation of apex‐to‐base variation in xylem traits will lead to more precise understanding of xylem phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Petit Giai 
Published: September 2024

SummaryXylem air embolism is the primary cause of drought‐related tree mortality. Phenotypic plasticity of xylem traits is key for species acclimation to environmental variability and evolution. It is widely believed that plants increase xylem embolism resistance in response to drought. However, I argue that this hypothesis, based on extensive literature, relies on sampling methods that overlook predictable anatomical patterns, potentially biasing our understanding of acclimation and adaptation strategies.
High‐yield, plant‐based production of an antimicrobial peptide with potent activity in a mouse model
Authors: Chaudhary Shahid , Ali Zahir , Pantoja‐Angles Aarón , Abdelrahman Sherin , Juárez Cynthia Olivia Baldelamar , Rao Gundra Sivakrishna , Hong Pei‐Ying , Hauser Charlotte , Mahfouz Magdy 
Published: September 2024

SummaryPlants offer a promising chassis for the large‐scale, cost‐effective production of diverse therapeutics, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). However, key advances will reduce production costs, including simplifying the downstream processing and purification steps. Here, using Nicotiana benthamiana plants, we present an improved modular design that enables AMPs to be secreted via the endomembrane system and sequestered in an extracellular compartment, the apoplast. Additionally, we translationally fused an AMP to a mutated small ubiquitin‐like modifier sequence, thereby enhancing peptide yield and solubilizing the peptide with minimal aggregation and reduced occurrence of necrotic lesions in the plant. This strategy resulted in substantial peptide accumulation, reaching around 2.9 mg AMP per 20 g fresh weight of leaf tissue. Furthermore, the purified AMP demonstrated low collateral toxicity in primary human skin cells, killed pathogenic bacteria by permeabilizing the membrane and exhibited anti‐infective efficacy in a preclinical mouse (Mus musculus) model system, reducing bacterial loads by up to three orders of magnitude. A base‐case techno‐economic analysis demonstrated the economic advantages and scalability of our plant‐based platform. We envision that our work can establish plants as efficient bioreactors for producing preclinical‐grade AMPs at a commercial scale, with the potential for clinical applications.
Cell Death in Crustacean Immune Defense
Authors: Chen Zeyan , Tayyab Muhammad , Yao Defu , Aweya Jude Juventus , Zheng Zhihong , Zhao Xianliang , Lin Zhongyang , Zhang Yueling 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTCell death mechanisms in crustaceans are a complex interplay of processes essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and immune defense. Modes of cell death like apoptosis, necroptosis, and necrosis are well‐documented in crustaceans, serving crucial roles in removing damaged or infected cells. Unlike in other organisms, crustaceans likely lack pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death associated with innate immunity and inflammation, because they do not possess the gasdermin genes essential for this process. Recently, NETosis and ferroptosis have emerged as significant mechanisms in pathogen defense. NETosis, involving the release of DNA fibers and antimicrobial proteins, helps trap and neutralize pathogens, while ferroptosis, an iron‐dependent form of cell death, contributes to lipid peroxidation and immune responses. Cuproptosis, although not yet studied in the context of crustacean immunity, shows potential crosstalk with ferroptosis, particularly in the regulation of metal ion homeostasis, oxidative stress, and cellular metabolism. Understanding these mechanisms offers promising applications in aquaculture, such as developing targeted immune modulators and enhancing disease resistance in economically important crustacean species.
Uneven Growth and Unexpected Drivers of Ethnoracial Diversity across Nonmetropolitan and Metropolitan America☆
Authors: Brooks Matthew M. , Mueller J. Tom , Thiede Brian C. , Lichter Daniel T. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractHigh levels of ethnoracial diversity are a defining demographic characteristic of U.S. metropolitan areas, but the role of diversity in nonmetropolitan areas is often underappreciated. Here, we use Decennial Census data from 2000 to 2020 to evaluate growing ethnoracial diversity in nonmetropolitan counties and to highlight the uneven geographic distribution of diversity, and changes therein, across nonmetropolitan America. We measure levels of diversity using Simpson's Diversity Index and describe underlying changes in ethnoracial composition. We then produce counterfactual estimates to measure how population change among seven ethnoracial groups has contributed to changes in diversity and compare exposure to diversity across geography and ethnoracial groups. We find that ethnoracial diversity in nonmetropolitan counties has grown by nearly thirty percent in the past twenty years but has remained firmly below that of metropolitan counties. Importantly, nonmetropolitan diversity is increasing due to both growing multiracial and Hispanic populations and the decreasing absolute size of White populations. County‐level exposure to diversity among White populations and populations from minoritized ethnoracial groups has also converged substantially. Overall, growing nonmetropolitan diversity is driven by multiple complex sources and is spatially heterogeneous. Understanding these patterns is important given the centrality of ethnoracial change to the nation's demographic future.