bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Downsian closeness hypothesis under investigation: a study on austrian direct mayoral elections
Authors: Mühlböck Armin , Mitter Birgit , Obermair Franziska 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDoes the expectation of a close race drive more people to vote? Despite increasingly intensified electoral competition and hardened fronts at all political levels over the last decades, a decline in turnout rates can be observed representing a puzzling development. Though there are anomalies, previous studies show a clear trend towards a positive association between a close race and an increase in turnout. Based on the idea of the “rational choice” theory, the prospect of a close or undecided race increases the subjective weight of the individual vote, which drives more voters to the ballot box. In fact, ‘expected Closeness’ is one of the most frequently tested independent variables in voter turnout research. However, the factor is only measured ex-post in most cases. Such measurements use the results of the actual election to infer the ‘Closeness’ of the race. However, these measurement methods are less valid because they do not measure ‘Closeness’ in the decisive period before the election takes place. We want to contribute a test of the effect by analysing all runoff elections in Austrian direct mayoral elections since 1991 as they allow for ex-ante measurement. The first ballots and the runoffs are temporally close. Thus, the first vote results serve as a direct indicator of the ‘expected Closeness’ in the second round of voting. The electorate changes, if at all, only insignificantly between the ballots. In addition, socio-economic factors influencing voter turnout can be kept constant, increasing the validity of the test. The results of this study underline the positive and independent effect of ‘Closeness’ on the turnout of the election. The closer a mayoral race in Austria is in the first round, the higher is the turnout in the following runoff elections. The study also presents the independent and strong effects of socioeconomic factors on turnout. Our research not only provides a valid test of the effect of ‘expected Closeness’ on voter turnout, it also constitutes pioneering work in complete data collection on all direct mayoral elections in Austria.
Transforming the seafood supply system: challenges and strategies for resilience
Authors: Kelling Ingrid , Carrigan Marylyn , Johnson Andrew F. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSeafood is a crucial component of global food systems and plays a vital role in healthy diets and future food security, providing essential omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients as well as incomes and livelihoods to millions of people. However, the seafood supply system is facing multiple contemporary global challenges that threaten its resilience as well as food security, livelihoods and ecological wellbeing. This opinion piece discusses the drivers of transformative change impacting seafood supply chains, with a particular focus on the UK, but the strategies described can be applied to many similarly developed countries. To address the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, escalating energy costs, climate change, risk management processes, and to ensure food security and resilience, active policy interventions are needed. Three key policy actions that policymakers can focus on are (i) sustainable seafood models, such as regenerative seafood systems and the circular economy, to improve both environmental and human health outcomes and the likelihood of meeting Sustainable Development Goals; (ii) promote local seafood as part of national food security to strengthen supply chains, support local communities, and enhance traceability and transparency; and, (iii) promote diversification in seafood sourcing and distribution to reduce pressure on critical stocks and increase the flexibility of food systems, while ensuring social and ecological protection. Building a more resilient and sustainable food system requires a holistic and integrated approach, alongside proactive collaboration, to address the multiple, complex, and long-term challenges facing the wider food system.
Mapping Homophobia and Transphobia on Social Media
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Ana M. , Ruiz-Muñoz David , Sánchez-Sánchez Francisca J. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Introduction
One of the consequences of the increase in the number of social network users has been the inappropriate use of social networks by some of these users. Hate speeches are frequently identified on social media, and these promote certain homophobic and transphobic attitudes, causing psychological consequences on users belonging to minority gender groups. With this work, it is intended to know the current state of the problem raised, to facilitate the activity of new researchers in an emerging field.

Methodology
Bibliographic analysis of 203 papers from the Scopus databases for the period between 1997 and 2022 using the VOSViewer software. The search for publications was carried out in February 2023.

Results
There is a positive trend in the number of relevant publications since 2017, mainly in 2021 and 2022. The research on homophobia and transphobia on social media in USA is prominent, with a high number of published articles, productive organizations, and influential authors. Twitter is shown to be the social network most widely used to spread homotransphobic hate speech. Environments conducive to the development of homotransphobic attitudes are identified as collective sports, mainly football and its supporters, as well as peer groups.

Conclusions
It is a growing problem that requires intervention at the societal level, requiring the development of legislation that moves away from heteronormativity, the development of mechanisms for automatic detection of homotransphobic discourse on social networks, and a multidisciplinary analysis and approach to control the problem as well as provide adequate social support to affected groups.
Wear analysis and life prediction of sucker rod and tubing under ternary emulsion lubrication in Daqing oilfield: a case study in block H
Authors: Liu Chengting , Hu Chuanfeng , Chen Tian , Yang Zhao , Wang Luna 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDaqing Oilfield as the world’s largest application area of alkali–surfactant–polymer (ASP) flooding, in recent years, with the increase in aging wells, the eccentric wear and deformation of sucker rod and pipe during oil production has become more and more serious. In order to study the effect of emulsion lubrication in ternary composite flooding on eccentric wear of sucker rod and tubing, this paper establishes a calculation model for the depth of tubing wear under different emulsion lubrication conditions through indoor friction and wear experiments combined with White and Dawson wear efficiency theory. Based on this, the finite element method is used to predict the safe wear life of tubing under different component emulsion lubrication. The results show that compared to intact oil pipes, the residual internal pressure strength of oil pipes with defects decreases, and stress concentration occurs at the edges and middle of the defects. The wear life of oil pipes decreases with the increase in pump depth and wear coefficient under emulsion lubrication. The water content and alkali concentration have the most significant effects on the wear life of oil pipes under emulsion lubrication conditions. The safe wear life of sucker rod pipes under emulsion lubrication with a water content of 75% will be increased by 37.8% compared to those in emulsion lubrication with a water content of 95%, and under emulsion lubrication with an alkali concentration of 500 mg/l, the safe wear life will be increased by 50.6% compared to those in emulsion lubrication with a concentration of 2000 mg/l. The research results can provide theoretical and technical support for oilfield enterprises to reduce rod and pipe wear in ASP flooding oil wells, improve the pump inspection cycle of pumping wells, and ensure the safety of oil well work.
Response of Photonic Hydrogels of Homogeneous Particles to Uranyl Ions in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Joshi R. G. , Gupta Deepak K. , Amesh P. , Parida P. K. , Ravindran T. R. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe study here the response of photonic hydrogels (PHs), made of photonic crystals of homogeneous silica particles in polyacrylamide hydrogels (SPHs), to the uranyl ions UO
2
2+
in aqueous solutions. It is found that the reflection spectra of the SPH show a peak due to the Bragg diffraction, which exhibits a blue shift in the presence of UO
2
2+
. Upon exposure to the SPH, UO
2
2+
gets adsorbed on the SPH and forms complex coordinate bonds with multiple ligands on the SPH, which causes shrinking of hydrogel and leads to the blue shift in the diffraction peak. The amount of the blue shift in the diffraction peak increases monotonically up to UO
2
2+
concentrations as high as 2300µM. The equilibration time for the shift in the Bragg peak upon exposure to UO
2
2+
is found to be ~30 min. These results are in contrast to the earlier reports on photonic hydrogels of inhomogeneous microgel particles hydrogel (MPH), which shows the threshold UO
2
2+
concentration of ~600 µM, below which the diffraction peak exhibits a blue shift and a change to a red shift above it. The equilibration time for MPH is ~300min. The observed monotonic blue shift and the faster time response of the SPH to UO
2
2+
as compared to the MPH are explained in terms of homogeneous nature of silica particles in the SPH, against the porous and polymeric nature of microgels in the MPH. We also study the extraction of UO
2
2+
from aqueous solutions using the SPH. The extraction capacity estimated by the arsenazo-III analysis is found to be 112 mM/kg.
What Does it Mean to Mimic Nature? A Typology for Biomimetic Design
Authors: Gerola Alessio , Robaey Zoë , Blok Vincent 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn an effort to produce new and more sustainable technologies, designers have turned to nature in search of inspiration and innovation. Biomimetic design (from the Greek bios, life, mimesis, imitation) is the conscious imitation of biological models to solve today's technical and ecological challenges. Nowadays numerous different approaches exist that take inspiration from nature as a model for design, such as biomimicry, biomimetics, bionics, permaculture, ecological engineering, etc. This variety of practices comes in turn with a wide range of different promises, including sustainability, increased resilience, multi-functionality, and a lower degree of risk. How are we to make sense of this heterogeneous amalgam of existing practices and technologies, and of the numerous promises attached to them? We suggest that a typology of biomimetic approaches would provide a useful hermeneutic framework to understand the different tensions that pull this variegated landscape in different directions. This is achieved through a critical analysis of the literature in different fields of biomimetic design and the philosophy of biomimicry, in order to derive conceptual and normative assumptions concerning the meaning and value of the imitation of nature. These two dimensions are then intersected to derive an analytical grid composed of six different biomimetic types, which enable the classification of existing and possible biomimetic approaches, practices, and technologies according to their specific conceptual assumptions and guiding norms.
Surviving the educational landscape: a case study of leadership, policy tensions and marketisation
Authors: Del Col Lee , Stahl Garth 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWithin a neoliberal educational policy context, we are increasingly witness to educational leaders compelled to become strategic operators to ensure the survival of their schools. Drawing on the tenets of institutional ethnography (IE), this article traces the everyday work and experience of a school leader in one Australian private school site that was in ‘survival mode’ after experiencing an unprecedented decline in enrolment numbers. By tracing the power of global and local market forces informing the work of one educational leader, our intention is to capture how a school leader’s subjectivity was influenced by market demands and how he invested his time in strategizing to ensure his school would survive. The article makes two main contributions; first, the case study complements research exploring the impact of neoliberal reform on schooling and, second, we highlight the role of IE in furthering our understanding of the pressures schools face and the lived experience of school leaders.
Heavy metals contamination of post-mining mounds of former iron-ore mining activity
Authors: Podgórska M. , Jóźwiak M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe main question of the present study is how much are the former post-mining mounds (PMM) - the ancient remnants of mining of a provisional nature located in forest areas-contaminated by heavy metals (HM). To investigate if the PMM contain HM, we collected 15 soil samples from PMM and, for comparison, 15 from the surroundings - all these samples (30) were collected from a depth of 5–30 cm by soil auger. To find how deep the contamination of HM goes, we did 4 soil profiles to the depth 100 cm in four randomly selected PMM. In every soil profile, 4 soil samples were collected (16 soil profile samples). In total, 46 soil samples were analysed. Concentrations of HM were measured using spectrophotometry. Our results indicate the following: (1) PMM are not much contaminated by HM - only two (Fe and Mn) from nine HM significantly exceed the limits - the order of abundance of the studied HM is as follows: Fe > Mn > Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd; (2) PMM are more contaminated by heavy metals than their surroundings; (3) within PMM, overburden is much more contaminated by HM than paleosols; (4) the rate of penetration of HM into the depth of the soils (into paleosols) is reduced due to the properties of the overburden of PMM.
Exosomes Derived from Human Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibits Fibrosis and Treats Oral Submucous Fibrosis via the miR-181a-5p/Smad2 Axis
Authors: Shao Zifei , Xu Jinhao , Xu Xiaoyang , Wang Xiang , Zhou Yuxi , Li Yiyang , Li Kun 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic disease with carcinogenic tendency that poses a non-negligible threat to human health. Exosomes derived from human adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC-Exo) reduces visceral and cutaneous fibroses, but their role in OSF has received little attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ADSC-Exo on OSF and elucidate the mechanism.

METHODS:

In brief, ADSCs were extracted from adipose tissues and subjected to flow cytometry and induction culture. Fibroblasts were isolated from human buccal mucosa and subjected to immunofluorescence. Myofibroblasts were obtained from fibroblasts induced by arecoline and identified. Immunofluorescence assay confirmed that myofibroblasts could take up ADSC-Exo. The effects of ADSC-Exo on the proliferative and migratory capacities of myofibroblasts were examined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and scratch assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to evaluate mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (Smad2), Smad3, Smad7, collagen type 1 (Col1), Col3, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and vimentin. Western blotting was performed to detect phospho (p)-Smad2, Smad2, p-Smad2/3, Smad2/3, Smad7, Col1, Col3, α-SMA, fibronectin, and vimentin. Furthermore, the dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to prove that miR-181a-5p in ADSC-Exo directly inhibited the expression of Smad2 mRNA to regulate the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) pathway. We also performed qPCR and western blotting to verify the results.

RESULTS:

ADSC-Exo could promote the proliferation and migration of myofibroblasts, reduce the expressions of p-smad2, Smad2, p-smad2/3, Smad2/3, Col1, αSMA, fibronectin, and vimentin and elevated the levels of Smad7 and Col3. In addition, miR-181a-5p was highly expressed in ADSC-Exo and bound to the 3'-untranslated region of Smad2. ADSC-Exo enriched with miR-181a-5p reduced collagen production in myofibroblasts and modulated the TGF-β pathway.

CONCLUSIONS:

ADSC-Exo promoted the proliferative and migratory capacities of myofibroblasts and inhibited collagen deposition and trans-differentiation of myofibroblasts in vitro. miR-181a-5p in exosomes targets Smad2 to regulate the TGF-β pathway in myofibroblasts. ADSC-Exo perform antifibrotic actions through the miR-181a-5p/Smad2 axis and may be a promising clinical treatment for OSF.
Shear strength assessment of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete beams without stirrups using soft computing techniques
Authors: Albostami Asad S. , Al-Hamd Rwayda Kh. S. , Alzabeebee Saif 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a study to predict the shear strength of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete beams without stirrups using soft computing techniques. The methodology involves the development of a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm Evolutionary Polynomial Regression (MOGA-EPR) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP) models. The input variables considered are the longitudinal reinforcement ratio, recycled coarse aggregate ratio, beam cross-section dimensions, and concrete compressive strength. Data collected from the literature were used to train and validate the models. The results showed that the MOGA-EPR and GEP models can accurately predict the shear strength of beams without stirrups. The models also performed better than equations from the codes and literature. This study provides an alternative approach to accurately predict the shear strength of reinforced recycled aggregate concrete beams without stirrups.
Selective, broad-spectrum antiviral photodynamic disinfection with dicationic imidazolyl chlorin photosensitizers
Authors: Arnaut Zoe A. , Pinto Sara M. A. , Aroso Rafael T. , Amorim Anita S. , Lobo Catarina S. , Schaberle Fabio A. , Pereira Dina , Núñez Jisette , Nunes Sandra C. C. , Pais Alberto A. C. C. , Rodrigues-Santos Paulo , de Almeida Luis Pereira , Pereira Mariette M. , Arnaut Luis G. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic exposes our vulnerability to viruses that acquire the ability to infect our cells. Classical disinfection methods are limited by toxicity. Existing medicines performed poorly against SARS-CoV-2 because of their specificity to targets in different organisms. We address the challenge of mitigating known and prospective viral infections with a new photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Photodynamic inactivation is based on local oxidative stress, which is particularly damaging to enveloped viruses. We synthesized a cationic imidazolyl chlorin that reduced by > 99.999% of the percentage inhibition of amplification of SARS-CoV-2 collected from patients at 0.2 µM concentration and 4 J cm–2. Similar results were obtained in the prevention of infection of human ACE2-expressing HEK293T cells by a pseudotyped lentiviral vector exhibiting the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 at its surface. No toxicity to human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells was found under similar conditions. aPDT with this chlorin offers fast and safe broad-spectrum photodisinfection and can be repeated with low risk of resistance.
Graphical abstract
On the Monotonicity of Limit Wave Speed of the pgKdV Equation with Nonlinear Terms of Arbitrary Higher Degree
Authors: Wen Zhenshu 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe prove that limit wave speed is decreasing for the pgKdV equation with nonlinear terms of arbitrary higher degree in a numerical way. Our results provide the complete answer to the open question suggested by Yan et al. (Math Model Anal 19:537–555, 2014).
Development potentiality of peri-urban region in India: a quantitative analysis on Durgapur Municipal Corporation (DMC)
Authors: Haldar Subrata , Mukhopadhyay Adrika , Bhattacharya Subhasis , Paul Suman 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIndia's census towns are determined by specific criteria, including a minimum population of 5,000, 75% male working population in non-primary sector, and a population density of 400 person km−2. The urban population has grown significantly between 1951 and 2011 (62.44 million to 377.1 million) with 186% increase of census towns. However, issues like land scarcity, rising living costs, and urban sprawl persist. The peri-urban area serves as a transitional region between rural and urban environments. The study assesses the development potentiality of Durgapur Municipal Corporation (DMC) peri-urban areas using various indicators, including population density, growth rate, household density, labor force, literacy rate, and basic activities. It aims to gain insights into the socio-economic status, infrastructure requirements, and growth opportunities for sustainable regional development. Techniques like TOPSIS, Moran's Index, and hotspot analysis are employed to visualize development concentration and analyze correlation coefficients. The study reveals that the western and southern sectors in DMC have higher development levels due to better accessibility with respect to both roadways and railways, proper availability of natural resources, and so on. This knowledge guides policymakers in developing sustainable, balanced, and equitable growth strategies.
Distribution of hydrogen atoms at metallurgical microphases of X52 pipeline steel studied by scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy and finite element modelling
Authors: Hu Qing , Li Yuan , Cheng Y. Frank 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe work combined scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements and finite element modelling to study the diffusion and distribution of hydrogen (H) atoms at metallurgical microphases contained in X52 pipeline steel. Results show that the pearlite contained in the steel is more stable than the ferrite during electropolishing, as indicated by the measured topographic profiles and Volta potentials. The hydrogen (H)-charging enhances the electrochemical activity of both pearlite and ferrite, as shown by increased Volta potential and thus the decreased work function. As the H-charging time increases, the Volta potentials of both phases further increase, implying that their activities increase with the H-charging time. The pearlite has a greater Volta potential and thus a lower work function than the ferrite. This is associated with more H atoms accumulating at the pearlite than at the ferrite. The H atom diffusion and accumulation are affected by H diffusivity at phase boundaries, H-trap binding energy and the number of traps in the steel.