bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring PAH kinetics in wild vs. transplanted triploid and diploid oysters at a contaminated field site using immunological techniques
Authors: Prossner Kristen M. , Harvey Ellen , Unger Michael A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractCrassostrea virginica is a well-established bivalve species for biomonitoring persistent organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in aquatic environments. Differing biomonitoring methods employing either wild oysters inhabiting sites of interest or naïve cultured oysters deployed to sites for extended periods can be used for site evaluations. However, important differences in total contaminant concentrations accumulated have been observed between the wild and transplanted groups. Furthermore, although rearing cultured triploid oysters is widely popular in commercial farming, the difference in contaminant bioaccumulation potential between triploid and diploid cultured oysters is vastly understudied, particularly for organic contaminants such as PAH. This study explores differences in PAH kinetics between transplanted triploid and diploid cultured oysters and wild oysters at a PAH-impacted site during a 6-week field exposure study using novel immunological techniques: antibody-based biosensor technology and immunofluorescence visualization. Conventional chemical analysis of oyster tissue was also conducted for comparison. While differences were observed in the oyster interstitial fluid between the wild and transplanted oysters throughout the study, whole tissue analysis revealed differing trends at each time point. Our findings suggest that insufficient equilibration time may contribute to the differences observed between groups. Furthermore, when combined with visual evidence via immunofluorescence, internal partitioning of contaminants may be an important determinant for total concentrations measured. A better understanding of the differences observed between wild and transplanted oyster groups is necessary for improved biomonitoring. Our study highlights the value in employing novel immunological techniques to explore possible mechanisms driving these differences.
Can We Rely on Projections of the Immigrant Population? The Case of Norway
Authors: Keilman Nico 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDemographic forecasters must be realistic about how well they can predict future populations, and it is important that they include estimates of uncertainty in their forecasts. Here we focus on the future development of the immigrant population of Norway and their Norwegian-born children (“second generation”), grouped by three categories of country background: 1. West European countries plus the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; 2. Central and East European countries that are members of the European Union; 3. other countries. We show how to use a probabilistic forecast to assess the reliability of projections of the immigrant population and their children. We employ the method of random shares using data for immigrants and their children for 2000–2021. We model their age- and sex-specific shares relative to the whole population. Relational models are used for the age patterns in these shares, and time series models to extrapolate the parameters of the age patterns. We compute a probabilistic forecast for six population sub-groups with immigration background, and one for non-immigrants. The probabilistic forecast is calibrated against Statistics Norway’s official population projection. We find that a few population trends are quite certain: strong increases to 2060 in the size of the immigrant population (more specifically those who belong to country group 3) and of Norwegian-born children of immigrants. However, prediction intervals around the forecasts of immigrants and their children by one-year age groups are so wide that these forecasts are not reliable.
The Use of Microbial Modifying Therapies to Prevent Psoriasis Exacerbation and Associated Cardiovascular Comorbidity
Authors: Reali Eva , Caliceti Cristiana , Lorenzini Antonello , Rizzo Paola 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPsoriasis has emerged as a systemic disease characterized by skin and joint manifestations as well as systemic inflammation and cardiovascular comorbidities. Many progresses have been made in the comprehension of the immunological mechanisms involved in the exacerbation of psoriatic plaques, and initial studies have investigated the mechanisms that lead to extracutaneous disease manifestations, including endothelial disfunction and cardiovascular disease. In the past decade, the involvement of gut dysbiosis in the development of pathologies with inflammatory and autoimmune basis has clearly emerged. More recently, a major role for the skin microbiota in establishing the immunological tolerance in early life and as a source of antigens leading to cross-reactive responses towards self-antigens in adult life has also been evidenced. Gut microbiota can indeed be involved in shaping the immune and inflammatory response at systemic level and in fueling inflammation in the cutaneous and vascular compartments. Here, we summarized the microbiota-mediated mechanisms that, in the skin and gut, may promote and modulate local or systemic inflammation involved in psoriatic disease and endothelial dysfunction. We also analyze the emerging strategies for correcting dysbiosis or modulating skin and gut microbiota composition to integrate systemically existing pharmacological therapies for psoriatic disease. The possibility of merging systemic treatment and tailored microbial modifying therapies could increase the efficacy of the current treatments and potentially lower the effect on patient’s life quality.
Behavior and surface properties of microalgae indicate environmental changes
Authors: Ivošević DeNardis N. , Novosel Vlašić N. , Mišić Radić T. , Zemła J. , Lekka M. , Demir-Yilmaz I. , Formosa-Dague C. , Levak Zorinc M. , Vrana I. , Juraić K. , Horvat L. , Žutinić P. , Gligora Udovič M. , Gašparović B. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe conducted a microcosm experiment under near-natural conditions to investigate the effects of environmental stressors temperature and salinity on the response of three microalgal species. The response of microalgae to increased temperature and altered salinity is species-specific, with cell barrier complexity playing an important protective role. At decreasing salinity, the green flagellate cells of Dunaliella tertiolecta vibrate around the point and become stiff while their physiological activity is at its highest, which may indicate that organic matter is being released into the medium. At the highest salinity, Tetraselmis suecica showed the highest growth rate along with the hydrophobic behavior of the cells, which is a favorable condition for the formation of aggregates. Under these conditions, the cells could enter the cyst stage, while the content of polar lipids could mediate cell adhesion to the natural interfaces. Cylindrotheca closterium, a diatom with an organosilicate cell wall, also showed the highest physiological activity at decreasing salinity. However, the cells were softest and exhibited hydrophilic behavior, implying that released organic material could alter the surface properties of the diatom. This study provides insight into the behavioral, mechanical, and molecular changes of microalgae under near-natural conditions, which may contribute to a fundamental understanding of how biochemistry and mechanics interact to control the functional behavior of microalgal cells in climatically altered aquatic systems.
Formation of aluminum nitride nanofibers using electrospinning and their application to thermal conductive sheets
Authors: Hossain Md. Shakhawat , Takahashi Kazuya , Ohgoshi Akiyoshi , Nakane Koji 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAluminum nitride (AlN) nanofibers were formed by heating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/boehmite precursor nanofibers at various temperatures in nitrogen gas flow. We designed AlN nanofiber as an effective thermal conductive filler to create long linear heat-transfer pathways in the resin. Aligned AlN nanofiber mats were fabricated using electrospinning of PVA/boehmite composite aqueous solution and were impregnated with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) solutions. The obtained sheets containing the aligned AlN nanofiber 47, 52, and 54 vol% had excellent thermal conductivity, 22, 21, and 19 W/(m·K), for aligned nanofibers direction in the sheet. The PVB/AlN nanofibers composite sheet also showed good electrical insulating properties below 1.0 × 1012 Ω/cm2.
Graphical Abstract
Life Satisfaction during the Second Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: The Effects of Local Restrictions and Respondents’ Perceptions about the Pandemic
Authors: Schmid Lisa , Christmann Pablo , Oehrlein Anne-Sophie , Stein Annika , Thönnissen Carolin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study examines the consequences of the pandemic on subjective well-being. First, we investigate to what extent regional and temporal differences in COVID-19 restrictions can explain individuals’ life satisfaction in Germany. Second, we examine to what extent “subjective” evaluations of the pandemic are related to life satisfaction. Third, we examine whether these relationships vary with gender, parenthood, and partnership status, or whether relationships changed regarding specific sub-populations (i.e., mothers, fathers, childless women/ men). Merging representative survey data from the German Family Demography Panel Study (FReDA) and contextual data on COVID-19 restrictions (i.e., the stringency index), we analyze a sample of 32,258 individuals living in Germany in their regional settings on the NUTS-3 level during the “second lockdown” in spring 2021. Furthermore, we use the FReDA field period between April and June 2021 to assess temporal variations in COVID-19 restrictions and their association with life satisfaction. To answer our research questions, we compare aggregated means and use variance decomposition and multivariate regression models. Our results show strong regional and temporal differences in COVID-19 restrictions, but neither temporal nor regional differences in “subjective” perceived pandemic burden or in life satisfaction at the aggregated level. At the individual level, we find substantive negative associations between perceived pandemic burden and life satisfaction, which are particularly strong among mothers. Our study shows that individuals’ negative perceptions of the pandemic are an important correlate to life satisfaction, whereas regional differences or temporal changes in COVID-19 restrictions appear to be irrelevant for the period under investigation.
How backsliding governments keep the European Union hospitable for autocracy: Evidence from intergovernmental negotiations
Authors: Winzen Thomas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe European Union (EU) is a democratic organization but faces severe cases of democratic backsliding. The literature deems the EU a hospitable environment for and reluctant to reign in backsliding. This study focuses on the tactics that backsliding governments employ to preserve this hospitable environment and the conditions under which they succeed. I argue that backsliding governments seek to repurpose the practice of accommodation that permeates EU decision-making for the protection of their backsliding projects. Doing so promises backsliders an escape from their precarious bargaining position in a democratic organization but comes with constraints. Backsliders must limit opposition carefully to a subset of EU competences, backsliding-inhibiting competences, that threaten their backsliding projects the most. Moreover, they can only rely on accommodation in the Council if the democratic member states perceive opposition as justified and remain insulated from political accountability by Europe’s parliaments. I present evidence based on quantitative and qualitative analyses of bargaining positions, processes, and outcomes in EU decision-making. The results have implications for understanding the EU’s autocratic predicament, the opportunities of backsliding governments, and the role of autocracies in regional and international organizations.
Factors associated with child marriage during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
Authors: Liem Andrian , Julianto Very , Kamsi  , Haq Arini , Shofa Raydinda Laili , Kamilatissa’adah  
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate factors associated with the applications of child marriage dispensation submitted to the Religious Courts during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, particularly in 2019–2021. The number of child marriage dispensation cases was analyzed together with other socioeconomic variables, including poverty and jobless rates, junior and senior high school completion rates, number of cerai talak (a divorce initiated by the husband) and cerai gugat (a divorce initiated by the wife) applications, number of COVID-19 positive cases, and number of deaths by COVID-19. The differences between 2021 and 2019 were analyzed using the paired t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The relationship between variables was analyzed using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. Hierarchical multiple regression with the entering method was used to determine the predictors of the number of child marriage dispensation cases in the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 and the change from 2019 to 2021. New dispensation underage marriage applications in 2019, 2020, and 2021 were 24,457 (M =843, SD =1519), 63,391 (M = 2186, SD = 4085), and 62,167 (M = 2144, SD = 4058), which were significantly different (F(1.0, 28.6) = 7.63, p = .01) and positively correlated with poverty rate, jobless rate, cerai talak, cerai gugat, COVID-19 positive cases, and COVID-19 death cases. The multiple regression analysis for the change of dispensation underage marriage applications in the pandemic and before (years 2021–2019) was statistically significant, (F(6,22) = 117.62, p < .001), which the final model was able to account for 97% of the variance in new dispensation underage marriage applications. Collaborative multi-sector works are needed to decrease the skyrocketing child marriage numbers, especially in a crisis situation like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction: Mapping the Research Field on the Democracy–Sustainability Nexus
Authors: Dietz Thomas , Fuchs Doris , Schäfer Armin , Vetterlein Antje 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWith each new report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the urgency to address climate change seems to increase. As the pressure to act rises, debates are intensifying regarding whether democracies can move toward sustainability fast enough. In this introduction to the special issue, we argue that current debates about the democracy–sustainability nexus revolve around the question of who should decide. Much of the recent debate can be structured along three opposites: experts versus laypersons, less versus more participation, and state versus market/private actor solutions. The first distinction asks whether climate change necessitates a shift of decision-making powers to scientists and experts rather than politicians or citizens. In the second debate, those who favor more participation in environmental policymaking face those who demand less. For example, whereas some promote new forms of deliberative forums, others doubt that these can be effective. Finally, there is a debate on whether markets and private actor networks might provide more efficient and effective ways to deal with the climate crisis than state regulation. While these perspectives are highly diverse and even contradictory, they are united in the belief that standard procedures of liberal democracy are insufficient to achieve sustainability.
Multi-modal MRI of hippocampal morphometry and connectivity after pediatric severe TBI
Authors: Guerrero-Gonzalez Jose M. , Kirk Gregory R. , Birn Rasmus , Bigler Erin D. , Bowen Katherine , Broman Aimee T. , Rosario Bedda L. , Butt Warwick , Beers Sue R. , Bell Michael J. , Alexander Andrew L. , Ferrazzano Peter A. ,   ADAPT MRI Biomarkers Investigators, Chima Ranjit , Clark Robert , Ferguson Nikki , Hilfiker Mary , LaRovere Kerri , Macintosh Iain , Miles Darryl , Morris Kevin , O’Brien Nicole , Pineda Jose , Robertson Courtney , Walson Karen , West Nico , Willyerd Anthony , Zimmerman Jerry , Zielinski Brandon 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis investigation explores memory performance using the California Verbal Learning Test in relation to morphometric and connectivity measures of the memory network in severe traumatic brain injury. Twenty-two adolescents with severe traumatic brain injury were recruited for multimodal MRI scanning 1–2 years post-injury at 13 participating sites. Analyses included hippocampal volume derived from anatomical T1-weighted imaging, fornix white matter microstructure from diffusion tensor imaging, and hippocampal resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity as well as diffusion-based structural connectivity. A typically developing control cohort of forty-nine age-matched children also underwent scanning and neurocognitive assessment. Results showed hippocampus volume was decreased in traumatic brain injury with respect to controls. Further, hippocampal volume loss was associated with worse performance on memory and learning in traumatic brain injury subjects. Similarly, hippocampal fornix fractional anisotropy was reduced in traumatic brain injury with respect to controls, while decreased fractional anisotropy in the hippocampal fornix also was associated with worse performance on memory and learning in traumatic brain injury subjects. Additionally, reduced structural connectivity of left hippocampus to thalamus and calcarine sulcus was associated with memory and learning in traumatic brain injury subjects. Functional connectivity in the left hippocampal network was also associated with memory and learning in traumatic brain injury subjects. These regional findings from a multi-modal neuroimaging approach should not only be useful for gaining valuable insight into traumatic brain injury induced memory and learning disfunction, but may also be informative for monitoring injury progression, recovery, and for developing rehabilitation as well as therapy strategies.
Non-Dipping Blood Pressure or Nocturnal Hypertension: Does One Matter More?
Authors: Tang Amber , Yang Eugene , Ebinger Joseph E. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Nocturnal hypertension and non-dipping are both associated with increased cardiovascular risk; however, debate remains over which is a better prognosticator of cardiovascular outcomes. This review explores current literature on nocturnal hypertension and non-dipping to assess their relationship to cardiovascular disease and implications for clinical practice.

Recent Findings
While current data remain inconclusive, some suggest that nocturnal hypertension is a more reliable and clinically significant marker of cardiovascular risk than non-dipping status. Importantly, reducing nocturnal HTN and non-dipping through chronotherapy, specifically evening dosing of antihypertensives, has not been conclusively shown to provide long-term cardiovascular benefits.

Summary
Recent data suggests that non-dipping, compared to nocturnal hypertension, may be falling out of favor as a prognostic indicator for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, additional information is needed to understand how aberrant nighttime blood pressure patterns modulate cardiovascular risk to guide clinical management.
Effect of CO2 dilution on laminar burning velocities, combustion characteristics and NOx emissions of CH4/air mixtures
Authors: Dong Wenlong , Xiang Longkai , Gao Jian , Qiu Bingbing , Chu Huaqiang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe laminar combustion characteristics of CH4/air premixed flames with CO2 addition are systemically studied. Experimental measurements and numerical simulations of the laminar burning velocity (LBV) are performed in CH4/CO2/Air flames with various CO2 doping ratio under equivalence ratios of 1.0–1.4. GRI 3.0 mech and Aramco mech are employed for predicting LBV, adiabatic flame temperature (AFT), important intermediate radicals (CH3, H, OH, O) and NOx emissions (NO, NO2, N2O), as well as the sensitivity analysis is also conducted. The detail analysis of experiment and simulation reveals that as the CO2 addition increases from 0% to 40%, the LBVs and AFTs decrease monotonously. Under the same CO2 doping ratio, the LBVs and AFTs increase first and then decrease with the increase of equivalence ratio, and the maximum of LBV is reached at equivalence ratio of 1.05. The mole fraction tendency of important intermediates and NOx with equivalence ratio and CO2 doping ratio are similar to the LBVs and AFTs. Reaction H + O2 ⇔ O + OH is found to be responsible for the promotion of the generation of important intermediates and NOx under the equivalence ratios and CO2 addition through sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity coefficients of elementary reactions that the increasing of CO2 doping ratio promotes or inhibits formation of intermediate radicals and NOx decreases.
Graphical abstract
Management, Abklärung und Nachsorge bei bariatrischer/metabolischer Chirurgie
Authors: Felsenreich Daniel Moritz 
Published: November 2023

ZusammenfassungAdipositas und assoziierte Begleiterkrankungen wie Diabetes mellitus Typ 2, arterielle Hypertonie, Schlafapnoe, Hyperlipidämie und Erkrankungen des Bewegungs- und Stützapparats nehmen stetig zu. Dabei stellt bariatrische/metabolische Chirurgie die derzeit effizienteste Methode dar, um die Komorbiditäten zu verbessern und das Gewicht langfristig zu reduzieren. Laut neuen Guidelines kann bariatrische/metabolische Chirurgie ab einem Body Mass Index (BMI) von ≥ 35 kg/m2 empfohlen werden, unabhängig davon, ob eine Komorbidität vorliegt oder nicht. Ab einem BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 und bei Bestehen mindestens einer der genannten Komorbiditäten kann eine Operation ebenfalls in Erwägung gezogen werden. Vor jeder adipositaschirurgischen Operation sind verschiedene Untersuchungen und Gutachten durchzuführen, um den/die Patient:in bestmöglich auf die Op. und die Zeit danach vorzubereiten. Weiters kann dadurch das Operationsrisiko eingeschätzt werden und für jeden/jede Patient:in die individuell am besten passende bariatrische/metabolische Operation gewählt werden. Während des Aufenthalts sind verschiedene Maßnahmen eines Fast-Track-Konzepts sinnvoll, um eine frühzeitige Rekonvaleszenz zu erreichen. Dazu gehören neben der minimal-invasiven Operation eine opiatfreie Narkose und postoperative Schmerztherapie, frühzeitige Mobilisierung und schneller Kostaufbau. Für langanhaltenden Erfolg ist eine enge Anbindung an ein Zentrum mit adipositaschirurgischer und diätologischer Erfahrung unerlässlich. Weiters muss eine tägliche Vitamineinnahme sowie eine engmaschige Kontrolle der Blutwerte (Vitamine, Spurenelemente, Elektrolyte etc.) lebenslang erfolgen.