bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Populisms in Democracies Under the Post-truth Pressure: Giving New Life to Public Debate or Blurring It?
Authors: García-Guitián Elena 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe aim of this chapter is to explore some debates that underlie the perception that we are inhabiting a post-truth context, in relation to the spread of populist movements and leaders that are challenging our understandings of democracy. To do that, first, following the work of authors like Pierre Rosanvallon and Nadia Urbinati, I reflect on the common traits of contemporary populism, despite its important cultural, ideological, and contextual differences. For these authors, populism involves an understanding of democracy that takes it to its limits and has authoritarian traits. Secondly, I assess the claim that we are living in a post-truth context, highlighting the different approaches to ‘post-truth’ and their political implications. This is related to the debate about facts and opinions and the way we envision the epistemic character of democratic politics. Third, I conclude that populism, understood as an alternative model of democracy, damages some of the core elements of liberal democracies, disregarding forms of complex representation of intermediary bodies and their role in the formation of better decisions, which is one of the sources of democracy’s legitimacy.
Progression to type 1 diabetes in the DPT-1 and TN07 clinical trials is critically associated with specific residues in HLA-DQA1-B1 heterodimers
Authors: Zhao Lue Ping , Papadopoulos George K. , Skyler Jay S. , Pugliese Alberto , Parikh Hemang M. , Kwok William W. , Lybrand Terry P. , Bondinas George P. , Moustakas Antonis K. , Wang Ruihan , Pyo Chul-Woo , Nelson Wyatt C. , Geraghty Daniel E. , Lernmark Åke 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
The aim of this work was to explore molecular amino acids (AAs) and related structures of HLA-DQA1-DQB1 that underlie its contribution to the progression from stages 1 or 2 to stage 3 type 1 diabetes.

Methods
Using high-resolution DQA1 and DQB1 genotypes from 1216 participants in the Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1 and the Diabetes Prevention Trial, we applied hierarchically organised haplotype association analysis (HOH) to decipher which AAs contributed to the associations of DQ with disease and their structural properties. HOH relied on the Cox regression to quantify the association of DQ with time-to-onset of type 1 diabetes.

Results
By numerating all possible DQ heterodimers of α- and β-chains, we showed that the heterodimerisation increases genetic diversity at the cellular level from 43 empirically observed haplotypes to 186 possible heterodimers. Heterodimerisation turned several neutral haplotypes (DQ2.2, DQ2.3 and DQ4.4) to risk haplotypes (DQ2.2/2.3-DQ4.4 and DQ4.4-DQ2.2). HOH uncovered eight AAs on the α-chain (−16α, −13α, −6α, α22, α23, α44, α72, α157) and six AAs on the β-chain (−18β, β9, β13, β26, β57, β135) that contributed to the association of DQ with progression of type 1 diabetes. The specific AAs concerned the signal peptide (minus sign, possible linkage to expression levels), pockets 1, 4 and 9 in the antigen-binding groove of the α1β1 domain, and the putative homodimerisation of the αβ heterodimers.

Conclusions/interpretation
These results unveil the contribution made by DQ to type 1 diabetes progression at individual residues and related protein structures, shedding light on its immunological mechanisms and providing new leads for developing treatment strategies.

Data availability
Clinical trial data and biospecimen samples are available through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Central Repository portal (https://repository.niddk.nih.gov/studies).

Graphical Abstract
Perception of one’s social environment and loneliness: results of the nationally representative “Old age in Germany (D80+)” study
Authors: Hajek André , Sutin Angelina , Luchetti Martina , Peltzer Karl , Veronese Nicola , Gyasi Razak M. , Soysal Pinar , Stephan Yannick , Terracciano Antonio , König Hans-Helmut 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To examine the association between perception of one’s social environment (in terms of residential attachment and neighborhood trust) and loneliness among the oldest old and whether these associations differ by living arrangement.

Methods
We used data from the nationally representative “Old Age in Germany (D80+)” study that included individuals residing in private households and institutionalized settings. The analytic sample was 9,621 individuals (average age: 85.5 years, SD: 4.1 years; 62% female). Data collection took place from November 2020 to April 2021. Multiple linear regressions were conducted with adjustment for relevant covariates.

Results
Higher residential attachment (β=-0.02, p < .05) and higher neighborhood trust (β=-0.12, p < .001) were associated with less loneliness. The latter association was moderated by living arrangement (β=-0.09, p = .04) such that the association between neighborhood trust and loneliness was stronger among individuals living in institutionalized settings compared to individuals in private households.

Conclusion
Greater residential attachment and neighborhood trust, particularly among individuals living in institutionalized settings, are associated with less loneliness among the oldest old. Finding ways to improve perceived attachment and trust may assist in avoiding loneliness among older individuals.
Auswirkungen von Schwall-Sunk auf Nase (Chondrostoma nasus) und Barbe (Barbus barbus): ein Analyseansatz auf zwei Ebenen mit Fokus auf Larvenstrandung
Authors: Hayes Daniel S. , Auer Stefan , Schmutz Stefan , Piggott Jeremy J. , Ferreira Teresa , Führer Simon 
Published: October 2024

ZusammenfassungWasserkraftwerke beeinflussen Flussökosysteme erheblich, insbesondere Speicherkraftwerke, die bedarfsabhängig betrieben werden. Diese diskontinuierliche Betriebsweise führt zu schnellen und häufigen Abflussschwankungen (Schwall-Sunk), die Fische, dabei vor allem Larven und Jungfische, gefährden. Bisher lag der Schwerpunkt der Schwallforschung auf Salmoniden, während frühe Lebensstadien der Cypriniden (Karpfenfische) kaum untersucht wurden. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, die Auswirkungen kurzfristiger Abflussschwankungen auf zwei karpfenartige Zeigerarten, die Nase (Chondrostoma nasus) und die Barbe (Barbus barbus), zu untersuchen. In vorliegender Arbeit werden die Ergebnisse zweier methodischer Ansätze – Freilanduntersuchungen und Schwallversuche in naturnahen Fließrinnen – beschrieben. Die Analyse österreichischer Befischungsstellen zeigt, dass Nase und Barbe in ihrem natürlichen Verbreitungsgebiet signifikante Rückgänge erlitten haben. Die Biomasse beider Zielarten ist insgesamt sehr gering, insbesondere in Schwallstrecken. Die Schwallversuche zeigen, dass die Fischlänge ein entscheidender Faktor für das Strandungsrisiko ist: Mit zunehmender Größe nimmt das Risiko ab. Nasen- und Barbenlarven stranden nachts häufiger als tagsüber. Die Uferquerneigung beeinflusst die Strandungsrate stark; flachere Ufer erhöhen das Risiko im Vergleich zu steileren, bieten jedoch mehr Lebensraum. Eine schnellere Abstiegsrate erhöht ebenfalls das Strandungsrisiko, besonders nachts und auf flach geneigten Kiesbänken. Heterogene Uferhabitate (mit Mulden) können auch für größere Jungfische aufgrund eines Fischfalleneffekts ein signifikantes Strandungsrisiko darstellen. Die Strandung wird zudem maßgeblich von der Wassertemperatur beeinflusst, die entscheidend für das Fischwachstum und die -entwicklung ist. Erste Mehrfachschwallversuche zeigen eine Abnahme der Fischstrandung bei aufeinanderfolgenden Schwallereignissen, wobei jedoch eine Reststrandung bestehen bleibt. Wie nachhaltig dieser (Lern‑)Effekt ist, bleibt noch ungeklärt. Diese Arbeit bieten neue Einblicke in die Auswirkungen kurzfristiger Abflussschwankungen auf die frühen Lebensstadien von Cypriniden und trägt somit zur Diskussion über die Schwall-Sunk-Sanierung bei.
Ocular Imaging Challenges, Current State, and a Path to Interoperability: A HIMSS-SIIM Enterprise Imaging Community Whitepaper
Authors: Goetz Kerry E. , Boland Michael V. , Chu Zhongdi , Reed Amberlynn A. , Clark Shawn D. , Towbin Alexander J. , Purt Boonkit , O’Donnell Kevin , Bui Marilyn M. , Eid Monief , Roth Christopher J. , Luviano Damien M. , Folio Les R. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractOffice-based testing, enhanced by advances in imaging technology, is routinely used in eye care to non-invasively assess ocular structure and function. This type of imaging coupled with autonomous artificial intelligence holds immense opportunity to diagnose eye diseases quickly. Despite the wide availability and use of ocular imaging, there are several factors that hinder optimization of clinical practice and patient care. While some large institutions have developed end-to-end digital workflows that utilize electronic health records, enterprise imaging archives, and dedicated diagnostic viewers, this experience has not yet made its way to smaller and independent eye clinics. Fractured interoperability practices impact patient care in all healthcare domains, including eye care where there is a scarcity of care centers, making collaboration essential among providers, specialists, and primary care who might be treating systemic conditions with profound impact on vision. The purpose of this white paper is to describe the current state of ocular imaging by focusing on the challenges related to interoperability, reporting, and clinical workflow.
Estimation of relative permittivity for measuring soil texture-dependent water content by GNSS-IR
Authors: Kobayashi Daiki , Aoki Shinsuke , Sato Naoto , Maruo Yuichi , Kodaira Shunsuke , Noborio Kosuke 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTechniques for measuring the soil moisture content (SMC) using global navigation satellite system-interferometric reflectometry (GNSS-IR) with a positioning antenna have been reported. However, conventional methods are limited to evaluating the relative change in volumetric water content in a dry range for certain soil textures. In this study, we proposed a method to measure relative permittivity using GNSS-IR and evaluated its applicability at two sites with different soil textures and moisture content. The true multipath penetration depth was obtained from the tangent dielectric suitable for the soil textures, and the apparent penetration depth affected by the relative permittivity of the soil was calculated from the signal-to-noise ratio measured by GNSS. The relative permittivity of the soil was obtained from the ratio of these values and compared with the relative permittivity of the SMC sensor. As a result, we could measure soil permittivity according to soil textures from dry to wet conditions from GNSS-IR, except when the true multipath wave penetration depth was less than 1.5 cm, at which only surface reflection occurred. Sandy soils with a low dielectric loss tangent and wet areas with small changes in the depth of penetration of electromagnetic waves are particularly suitable environments for this method.
Preferences for Delivery of HIV Prevention Services Among Healthcare Users in South Africa: A Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Martin Catherine Elizabeth , Blaauw Duane , Nongena Pelisa , Chidumwa Glory , Dada Siphokazi , Jack Samantha , Butler Vusile , Mullick Saiqa 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Progress has been made to scale oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as part of combination HIV prevention, with the WHO recommending differentiated, simplified and demedicalized approaches. This study explored user preferences for components of a PrEP service delivery package, through a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among 307 people accessing primary healthcare services in South Africa between November 2022 and February 2023. Attributes included were: Source of information about HIV prevention and PrEP; Site for PrEP initiation and follow-up; Frequency of follow-up; PrEP pick-up point; HIV testing whilst using PrEP; Contact between appointments. A D-efficient DCE design was created with 16 choice sets in 2 blocks. DCE data were analysed using generalised multinomial logistic models. Compared to printed materials, participants preferred getting information about PrEP online (aOR = 7.73, 95% CI = 5.13–11.66) and through WhatsApp (aOR = 2.23, 95% CI = 0.98–5.55). PrEP initiation at a pharmacy or mobile clinic was valued equally to initiating PrEP at a clinic, but a community pop-up site was less preferred (aOR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.33–0.64). There was a preference for 6-monthly over 3-monthly follow-up (aOR = 11.88, 95% CI = 5.44–25.94). Participants preferred collecting PrEP from a pharmacy (aOR = 5.02, 95% CI = 3.45–7.31), through home delivery (aOR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.26–3.78) and from a vending machine (aOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.02–1.99) relative to where they initiated PrEP. Participants also preferred HIV self-testing over a healthcare provider test (aOR = 5.57, 95% CI = 3.72, 8.36). WhatsApp or Facebook groups (aOR = 4.12, 95% CI = 3.00–5.67), monthly phone calls (aOR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.73–4.67) and weekly messages (aOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.10–1.97) were preferred contact between appointments, relative to no contact. To meet users’ preferences, there is a need to expand decentralised and self-led HIV prevention services.
Protocols for MPS choices in VEA models with variable returns to scale
Authors: Ravanos Panagiotis , Karagiannis Giannis 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we examine the implications of using different strongly efficient Decision Making Units (DMUs) as the Most Preferred Solution (MPS) in Value Efficiency Analysis (VEA) models with variable returns to scale. We provide protocols for consistent MPS choices, where a MPS choice is consistent if and only if the resulting VEA technology does not allow for free and/or unlimited production. In particular, we show that either a DMU that belongs to the set of strongly CCR-efficient DMUs or a combination of jointly strongly CCR-efficient DMUs constitute the only consistent MPS choices for both constant-returns-to-scale and variable-returns-to-scale VEA models. In addition, we show that the scale properties of the efficient VEA frontier are affected by the choice of the MPS and in essence depend on the range of the interval between the MPS’s right- and left-side scale elasticities.
Dynamics of online debates: insights from textual network analysis
Authors: Pronello Nicola , Cucco Alex , del Gobbo Emiliano , Fontanella Sara , Fontanella Lara 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTextual data analysis is critical for monitoring changing themes over time. To overcome challenges posed by data richness, graph theory emerges as a tool for investigating word-topic associations. We present an approach to clustering co-occurrence word networks that prioritises network similarity quantification over time. Addressing theoretical and network geometrical constraints, a statistical framework for manifold data analysis facilitates the grouping of semantic networks, partitioning the observed time frame into periods, and identifying dominant topics in each period via tensor decomposition. The analysis of Brexit-related tweets demonstrates the efficacy of modern methods for identifying social media patterns on public discourse.
Birth Order and Family Size of UK Biobank Subjects Identified as Asexual, Bisexual, Heterosexual, or Homosexual According to Self-Reported Sexual Histories
Authors: Kabátek Jan , Blanchard Ray 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This study used a recently developed statistical technique to investigate the relations between various elements of a subject’s family background and the odds of that subject reporting a sexual history indicative of a minority sexual orientation. The subjects were 78,983 men and 92,150 women who completed relevant questionnaire items in the UK Biobank, a large-scale biomedical database of volunteers aged 40–69 years. The men were divided into three sexual minority groups—homosexual, bisexual, and asexual—and a comparison group of heterosexual men. The same was done for the women. The analytic procedure consisted of logistic regressions specifically designed to disentangle the effects of birth order and family size. The results showed that older brothers increased the odds of homosexuality in both men and women, and that older sisters increased the odds in men. In contrast, neither older brothers or older sisters affected the odds of bisexuality or asexuality in men or in women. These results suggest that birth order effects may be specific to homosexuality and not common to all minority orientations. The only family size finding was the negative association between family size and the odds of asexuality in both men and women. The outcomes of this study indicate that the maternal immune hypothesis, which was advanced to explain the relation between older brothers and homosexuality in later-born males, might have to be abandoned or else expanded to explain the findings concerning females. A few such modifications are considered.
Bryophytes in managed lowland forests of Slovakia (Central Europe): looking into species diversity across different forest types
Authors: Mišíková Katarína , Mišík Miroslav 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe majority of the woodland area in Central Europe is composed of managed forests. Although the species diversity and composition, particularly in older forests, may be similar to those of natural or close-to-nature forests, intensive forestry and other human activities have adverse impacts on biodiversity. The present study focused on bryophyte diversity in managed lowland forests, as these have received less attention compared to other types of forests. Our research targeted the area located within the Borská nížina Lowland in south-western Slovakia. In total, 37 forest sampling plots (SPs) were selected, representing five different forest types, namely Quercus, Fraxinus, Robinia, Pinus, and mixed forests. Multivariate statistical analyses were conducted across these forest types to demonstrate variations in bryophyte species richness, composition, and functional traits. Overall, 60 species of bryophytes were identified, of which five were liverworts and 55 were mosses. Epiphytes were the most abundant substrate group in deciduous and mixed stands, while epigeic species prevailed in Pinus forests. Considering environmental factors, the bryophyte diversity was influenced mostly by the forest type and area size of SPs. Clear differences in species composition were observed when comparing coniferous and deciduous stands, as well as non-native Robinia forests and native tree stands. Overall, intensive forest management results in a high concentration of hemerophilous and nitrophilous species, along with the absence of rare and threatened mosses and liverworts. Nevertheless, by adhering to proper management methods, even managed forests can provide suitable habitats for various bryophytes.
Fraud events in the coolest of neighbourhoods: A case study from Gothenburg, Sweden
Authors: Thodelius Charlotta , Björk Micael , Lindahl Göran , Engdahl Oskar 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn the current study credit card frauds are analysed. Concepts are taken from crime pattern theory and place-based criminology. The empirical material originates from the urban nightlife of Gothenburg, Sweden, and combines quantitative and qualitative data from different sources. Instead of focusing on the individual’s specific motives for committing crimes, the study has its interest in how place can play a part in fraud events and be a necessary condition in the crime modus operandi. In the conducted analysis, we can clearly see that place matters in the crime series studied, and that the place was not randomly chosen by the offenders.
Microparticles of anthropogenic origin (microplastics and microfibers) in sandy sediments: A case study from calabria, italy
Authors: Balestra Valentina , Trunfio Federica , Akyıldız Sinem Hazal , Marini Paola , Bellopede Rossana 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMicroparticles of anthropogenic origin, such as microplastics and microfibers, are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment of the world. These microparticles pollute water and can be ingested by biota; however, while microplastics are often monitored, very few studies focus on microfibers. Coastal areas, such as beaches, are more vulnerable to pollution due to their location between terrestrial and marine environments and their recreational and touristic functions. In this study, microparticle occurrence frequency was investigated along the Calabria coast, Italy, in one touristic beach in comparison with an unpopular one. High amounts of microparticles of anthropogenic origin were found in all sediment samples, despite the evident different tourist exploitation of the two examined beaches. Sediments of the most touristic beach had values between 729.5 ± 212.3 and 1327 ± 125.8 items/kg, instead, the less popular beach between 606.3 ± 102.8 and 1116.5 ± 226.9 items/kg (average and st. dev). Microparticle abundance varied before and after the touristic summer season, increasing in the most popular beach and decreasing in the unpopular one. Differences in microparticle abundance between foreshore and backshore were present too; however, statistical analyses did not show evident relations between microparticle abundance and the distance from the see. Grain size influenced the abundance of microparticles in sediments. Our results improve knowledge on microparticle pollution in marine environments, highlighting information about micropollution in coastal areas. Future studies are needed to understand better microparticle dynamics and ecological impacts in marine and terrestrial systems, implementing new strategies to monitor pollution state, enhancing the natural intermediate environments, and providing useful and sustainable measure of conservation.
Inflation forecasting in turbulent times
Authors: Ertl Martin , Fortin Ines , Hlouskova Jaroslava , Koch Sebastian P. , Kunst Robert M. , Sögner Leopold 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
In the recent years many countries were hit by a series of macroeconomic shocks, most notably as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, raising inflation rates to multi-decade highs and suspending well-documented macroeconomic relationships. To capture these tail events, we propose a mixed-frequency Bayesian vector autoregressive (BVAR) model with Student t-distributed innovations or with stochastic volatility. Whereas inflation, industrial production, as well as oil and gas prices are available at monthly frequencies, real gross domestic product (GDP) is observed at a quarterly frequency. Thus, we apply a mixed-frequency setup using the forward-filtering–backward-sampling algorithm to generate monthly real GDP growth rates. We forecast inflation in those euro area countries that extensively import energy from Russia and therefore have been heavily exposed to the recent oil and gas price shocks. To measure the forecast performance of the mixed-frequency BVAR model, we compare our inflation forecasts with those generated by a battery of competing inflation forecasting models. The proposed BVAR models dominate the competition for all countries in terms of the log predictive density score.