bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth dynamics of Rathke's Cleft cyst: a risk score system for surgical decision making
Authors: Alsavaf Mohammad Bilal , Gosal Jaskaran S. , Wu Kyle C. , Varthya Shoban Babu , Abouammo Moataz D. , Prevedello Luciano M. , Carrau Ricardo L. , Prevedello Daniel M.
Published: October 2024

Objective

Rathke's cleft cysts (RCCs) exhibit variable growth patterns, thus posing a challenge in predicting progression. While some RCCs may not cause symptoms, others can insidiously cause pituitary dysfunction, which is often irreversible, even following surgery. Hence, it is crucial to identify asymptomatic RCCs that grow rapidly and pose a higher risk of causing endocrinologic dysfunction. This enables timely surgical intervention to prevent permanent damage. Our study examines the growth rate of RCCs, identifies factors that accelerate growth, and discusses the clinical implications of these findings.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained electronic database revealed 45 patients aged 18–80 years who underwent endoscopic endonasal surgery (EEA) for RCCs between 2010 and 2022 at our center. Of these, 20 required early operative intervention. The remaining 25 patients were followed closely clinically and radiologically before requiring surgery (initial conservative management group). We conducted an analysis of the factors predicting growth over time in this group. Using a regression model, we constructed a risk score system to predict RCC growth over time.

Results

Patients in the initial conservative group had smaller cysts and were generally older than those in the early surgery group. Patients with preoperative pituitary dysfunction showed a higher median growth of 1.0 mm in the longest diameter compared to those with normal pituitary function, with an increase of 0.5 mm. A sum of annual cyst growth of all (z, y, x) diameters, at a rate of 3 mm or greater, was associated with a clinically significant increase in the risk of pituitary dysfunction, exceeding 50%.The most significant factors predicting rapid growth in RCCs were smoking status, age, and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) intensity of cysts. Smoking was the most critical risk factor for rapid cyst growth (p =  < .001). Our risk score system accurately predicted RCC growth with a 74% accuracy rate, 73% sensitivity, and 75% specificity.

Conclusion

Our analysis showed a strong link between active smoking and the rapid growth of RCC. This novel finding has significant preventive implications but needs validation by a large population database. Surgical intervention for RCC currently is often reserved for symptomatic cases. However, utilizing our risk-based scoring system to predict rapidly growing cysts may indicate early surgery in minimally symptomatic patients, thereby potentially preserving pituitary function.
A Machine Learning Model Based on Global Mammographic Radiomic Features Can Predict Which Normal Mammographic Cases Radiology Trainees Find Most Difficult
Authors: Siviengphanom Somphone , Brennan Patrick C. , Lewis Sarah J. , Trieu Phuong Dung , Gandomkar Ziba
Published: October 2024

This study aims to investigate whether global mammographic radiomic features (GMRFs) can distinguish hardest- from easiest-to-interpret normal cases for radiology trainees (RTs). Data from 137 RTs were analysed, with each interpreting seven educational self-assessment test sets comprising 60 cases (40 normal and 20 cancer). The study only examined normal cases. Difficulty scores were computed based on the percentage of readers who incorrectly classified each case, leading to their classification as hardest- or easiest-to-interpret based on whether their difficulty scores fell within and above the 75th or within and below the 25th percentile, respectively (resulted in 140 cases in total used). Fifty-nine low-density and 81 high-density cases were identified. Thirty-four GMRFs were extracted for each case. A random forest machine learning model was trained to differentiate between hardest- and easiest-to-interpret normal cases and validated using leave-one-out-cross-validation approach. The model’s performance was evaluated using the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Significant features were identified through feature importance analysis. Difference between hardest- and easiest-to-interpret cases among 34 GMRFs and in difficulty level between low- and high-density cases was tested using Kruskal–Wallis. The model achieved AUC = 0.75 with cluster prominence and range emerging as the most useful features. Fifteen GMRFs differed significantly (p < 0.05) between hardest- and easiest-to-interpret cases. Difficulty level among low- vs high-density cases did not differ significantly (p = 0.12). GMRFs can predict hardest-to-interpret normal cases for RTs, underscoring the importance of GMRFs in identifying the most difficult normal cases for RTs and facilitating customised training programmes tailored to trainees’ learning needs.
Associations of coagulation parameters and thrombin generation potential with the incidence of type 2 diabetes: mediating role of glycoprotein acetylation
Authors: Han Jihee , van Hylckama Vlieg Astrid , de Mutsert Renée , Rosendaal Frits R. , van der Velde Jeroen HPM , Boone Sebastiaan C. , Winters-van Eekelen Esther , le Cessie Saskia , Li-Gao Ruifang
Published: October 2024

Hypercoagulability is characterized by abnormal elevations of coagulation factor levels and increased thrombin generation potential. Prior studies demonstrated links between impaired glucose metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, and hypercoagulability. However, the associations between hypercoagulability and incident type 2 diabetes as well as its underlying mechanism remain unclear. We aimed to assess the associations between coagulation parameters including coagulation factor (F) VIII, FIX, FXI, fibrinogen, thrombin generation potential (lag time, endogenous thrombin potential [ETP], peak, time-to-peak, velocity) and incident type 2 diabetes, and to study the underlying mechanism by examining the mediating role of glycoprotein acetylation (GlycA). In the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, we applied a Cox Proportional-Hazards Model in 5718 participants after adjustment for confounders. We further conducted a mediation analysis investigating the mediation effect of GlycA on the observed associations. During a median follow-up of 6.7 years, 281 incident type 2 diabetes diagnoses were reported. Compared with the lowest quartile, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of the highest quartile was 2.47 (1.48–4.14) for FIX, 1.37 (0.85–2.20) for FVIII, 1.11 (0.76–1.63) for FXI, 0.98 (0.65–1.48) for fibrinogen, 1.56 (1.07–2.28) for ETP, 1.84 (1.23–2.74) for peak, 1.59 (1.08–2.33) for velocity, 0.92 (0.62–1.38) for lag time, and 1.21 (0.86–1.70) for time-to-peak. GlycA mediated only a small proportion of all observed associations. In conclusion, elevated levels of coagulation factor and thrombin generation potential are associated with incident type 2 diabetes, suggesting the involvement of hypercoagulability in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
A systematic content analysis of innovation in European competition law
Authors: Schrepel Thibault
Published: October 2024

Innovation plays a crucial role in defining competitive dynamics. Given this fact, one might expect ‘innovation’ to play a consistent role in antitrust law. The present article conducts a systematic content analysis of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union to test this hypothesis. The findings suggest that EU courts treat innovation inconsistently in competition law cases, often assigning different weight to innovation in similar contexts and neglecting central parameters agreed upon in the literature. To address this inconsistency, the article proposes measures to maintain the predictability of competition law analysis while giving innovation a more central role in the definition of relevant markets, evaluation of market power, and assessment of practices.
A systematic literature review of life cycle sustainability assessment of mass timber in the construction industry toward circular economy
Authors: Balasbaneh Ali Tighnavard , Sher Willy
Published: October 2024

Life cycle analysis has been used to evaluate the environmental impacts and economic costs of a range of engineered timber structural materials as well as other materials such as steel and concrete over the last two decades. This study presents a bibliometric analysis and systematic critical review by investigating the life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) of engineered timber products. LCSA is comprised of three main pillars namely, environment, cost, and social impact. The study compares alternative engineering wood products used in building structures such as columns, beams and wall surfaces. The geographical distribution, main sources of research, co-occurrence of keywords were analyzed for 93 peer-reviewed articles and conferences. The United States was the most productive country, contributing almost 23 documents. Australia was next with 12 publications. Most studies compared the LCA and LCC of alternative Mass timber products and concrete or steel. Most studies evaluated cross laminated timber (62%), followed by glued laminated timber (17%), and laminated veneer lumber (9%). A comparison of the economic and environmental aspects indicated that the social aspect are less considered. The review showed that the global warming potential of manufactring1 M3 of cross laminated timber is about 155.6–158.6 kg CO2eq. The majority of the publications reviewed focused on LCA whilst others focussed on the LCC of Mass timber. No research on social life cycle assessment has been conducted as yet. A framework is suggested for future research to identify the best alternative for engineering wood.
Efficient heuristics to compute minimal and stable feedback arc sets
Authors: Cavallaro Claudia , Cutello Vincenzo , Pavone Mario
Published: October 2024

Given a directed graph $$G=(V,A)$$

G
=
(
V
,
A
)

, we tackle the Minimum Feedback Arc Set (MFAS) Problem by designing an efficient algorithm to search for minimal and stable Feedback Arc Sets, i.e. such that none of the arcs can be reintroduced in the graph without disrupting acyclicity and such that for each vertex the number of eliminated outgoing (resp. incoming) arcs is not bigger than the number of remaining incoming (resp. outgoing) arcs. Our algorithm has a good polynomial upper bound and can therefore be applied even on large graphs. We also introduce an algorithm to generate strongly connected graphs with a known upper bound on their feedback arc set, and on such graphs we test our algorithm.
Integral-Type Representations for the Subdifferential of Suprema
Authors: Correa Rafael , Hantoute Abderrahim
Published: October 2024

An integral-like representation is provided for the $$\varepsilon $$
ε
-subdifferential of the supremum of an arbitrary family of convex functions. Our characterizations are expressed through appropriate discrete sums performed on the data functions $$f_{t}$$

f
t

’s together with specific singular measures operating on them. Moreover, as long as the underlying space is a reflexive Banach space or a separable normed space, we substitute these additional measures with related limits that involve the data functions. All the objects involved in our characterizations rely intrinsically on the data functions that are (almost) active at the reference point.
Cassirer on language, objectivity, and truth
Authors: Hesse Jacob
Published: October 2024

In his transcendental approach, Cassirer argues that an objective world is not given and then simply copied by our cognitive faculties; rather, it is gained through the development of symbolic thought and perception. According to Cassirer, language plays a crucial role in this process of objectification. In this paper, the close relationship between language and symbolism in Cassirer’s philosophy will be delineated. This will also shed light on possible distinctions between human speech and animal communication. Furthermore, the relation of language to the different functions of consciousness and to the symbolic forms of myth and science will be addressed. Finally, based on the former considerations of language and objectification, Cassirer’s conceptions of reality and truth will be explicated and critically evaluated. It will be argued that his approach offers several interesting and promising insights but is nonetheless in danger of falling short in explaining the difference between artefacts and natural kinds.
Analytical study of the time-fractional Smoluchowski coagulation equation in light of different integrodifferential operators
Authors: Bona Zuhir M. , Madkour M. A. , Mahmoud Abeer A. , Tawfik Ashraf M.
Published: October 2024

This article presents the derivation of the fractional Smoluchowski coagulation equation via the variational principles technique. We use the variational iteration method to solve the Caputo-type fractional coagulation equation. Furthermore, we analyze the time-fractional coagulation equation using the homotopy perturbation transform approach, considering three different fractional operators: Caputo, Caputo-Fabrizio, and Atangana-Baleanu. Our findings demonstrate that the solutions for the total number of particles during coagulation align well with existing literature, particularly in the short time limit. Additionally, we examine the impact of the time-fractional order on the dynamics of particle coagulation for each fractional operator.
Little-known Saniculeae genera: phytochemical studies and pharmaceutical activities
Authors: Kikowska Małgorzata , Hermosaningtyas Anastasia Aliesa , Chanaj-Kaczmarek Justyna
Published: October 2024

This work initiates the original and updated literature review of the current state of research on the Saniculoideae subfamily, emphasizing the selected genera Saniculeae, namely Sanicula, Hacquetia, Astrantia, and Eryngium. Various parts of these plants, especially aerial parts and roots, have an immense range of medicinal uses in traditional medicine for a number of ailments. Phytochemical studies conducted on the Saniculeae species indicate that these plants synthesize metabolites belonging to diverse groups of compounds. These include triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, volatile organic compounds, polyacetylenes, ecdysteroids, phytosterols, lignans, betaines, carotenoids, and anthraquinones. Some of the structures of these compounds are rare in the plant kingdom. The pharmacological potential of the Saniculeae species as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antitumor, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic, and neuroprotective agents has been explored in several studies. In addition, traditional medicinal uses have been discussed to provide a comprehensive picture of this subfamily. It is known that these plants have been used to treat dermatological diseases, respiratory issues, gastrointestinal problems, inflammations, wound healing, and cancers. As far as the author is aware, this is the first study conducted on this subfamily. Therefore, this review paper is the first to examine the little-known Saniculeae genera regarding their phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics. Studies showed that Saniculeae genera synthesize distinct secondary metabolites. Therefore, further research should be conducted on the exploration of these metabolites. The pharmacological investigation should also validate their potential efficacy in treating specific ailments and support their inclusion in modern healthcare practices.
Neighborhood as Theater: Building a Goffmanian Framework for Comparative Urban Ethnography
Authors: Nelson Kyle , Ibarra Peter R. , Kusenbach Margarethe
Published: October 2024

While the history of urban sociology features myriad detailed descriptions of neighborhood life reflecting various theoretical, political, and practical purposes, the field lacks general templates for conducting in-depth neighborhood research and comparison. In this paper, as a remedy, we propose a Goffmanian framework for qualitative neighborhood description and analysis which we call "neighborhood as theater." While revisiting previous ethnographic research of two neighborhoods in Hollywood, Los Angeles, conducted in the late 1990s, we argue that local social life operates along three main dramaturgical axes—sets, characters, and performances—each divided into several subcategories. These three focal points reveal observable, yet easily overlooked, key elements of neighborhood life besides illuminating broader, structural aspects and connections. We argue that conceptualizing neighborhoods “as theater" offers a general template for ethnographic urban research that can advance comparative and critical spatial analysis while remaining grounded in meaning-centered, embodied experiences of mundane local life.
Can Experimental Political Philosophers be Modest in their Aims?
Authors: Lippert-Rasmussen Kasper
Published: October 2024

The last two decades have seen an increasing interest in exploring philosophical questions using methods from empirical sciences, i.e., the so-called experimental philosophy approach. Political philosophy has so far been relatively unaffected by this trend. However, because political philosophers typically rely on traditional philosophical methods—most notably reflective equilibrium in a form which requires neither empirical examination of people’s considered beliefs nor experimental attention to psychological studies of the mechanisms affecting those beliefs—it is as proper a target of the standard challenges from experimental philosophers as any other philosophical discipline. Sometimes experimental philosophers modestly present their approach as a supplement to traditional philosophical methods. I argue that the arguments in favour of experimental philosophy are such that if they are sound, then the use of empirical methods should drastically change how political philosophy is done.
Examining Bhutanese Science Teachers’ Epistemic Views of Scientific Inquiry
Authors: Dorji Karma , Tshering Pema
Published: October 2024

Scientific inquiry is regarded as the bedrock of science education in Bhutan. Bhutanese science teachers, for example, are increasingly required to possess accurate and deep epistemic views of scientific inquiry. Hence, this cross-sectional study was carried out to examine Bhutanese science teachers’ epistemic views of scientific inquiry. The study recruited 301 science teachers using convenience and snowball sampling procedures. Data was collected using Views About Scientific Inquiry (VASI) questionnaire administered through an online survey mode and analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical methods. Findings from this study revealed Bhutanese science teachers as being ignorant of epistemic aspects related to questions and hypotheses, procedures of investigations, results, and scientific data and scientific evidence, and scientific explanations and scientific theories. The independent sample t-test revealed no significant difference between Bhutanese male and female science teachers’ epistemic views of scientific inquiry (p > .05). The one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences amongst Bhutanese science teachers’ epistemic views of scientific inquiry based on academic qualification (p < .05). The Tukey HSD post hoc test, however, showed the differences existing only between science teachers with master’s degree and certificate qualification in favour of the former (p < .05). The three-way ANOVA revealed Bhutanese science teachers’ epistemic views of scientific inquiry as being independent of individual and interaction effects of school type, teaching subject, and teaching experience (p > .05).
Daytime Sky Brightness at Dome C, Antarctica: Results from All ESCAPE Campaigns
Authors: Haudemand Hervé , Capobianco Gerardo , Fineschi Silvano , Liberatore Alessandro , Del Guasta Massimo
Published: October 2024

The study of the solar corona is a prominent focus in the field of solar physics. However, conducting ground-based observations of the corona is a challenging task due to the interference caused by the diffused sky brightness, which obscures the faint coronal signal. As a result, such observations are primarily carried out during total solar eclipses. The requirement of a sky-brightness level as low as $10^{-6}$

10

−
6

times the solar disk brightness ($B_{\odot }$

B
⊙

) is met by few places on Earth, and currently there are only two sites hosting solar observatories that satisfy this criterion, Mauna Loa and Haleakala, both located in Hawaii. Nevertheless, another candidate coronagraphic site was discovered in the Concordia Station at Dome C plateau, Antarctica ($\simeq 3300$
≃
3300
m a.s.l.). In this article, we show the last results of the Extreme Solar Coronagraphy Antarctic Program Experiment (ESCAPE) during the 38th summer campaign of the Italian Piano Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide (PNRA). Here, we report a model for estimating the air column, which allows for the first time to account for variations in the Sun’s altitude above the horizon during different observation periods, and we use it to compare the obtained results with previous campaigns. Our results confirm that Dome C is an ideal coronagraphic site with the required sky-brightness level, reaching $1.0-0.7\times 10^{-6}B_{\odot }$
1.0
−
0.7
×

10

−
6

B
⊙

in optimal conditions.
Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Housing: The Case of East Africa
Authors: Rosvall Max , Palm Klas , Ramanathan Swaminathan , Isaksson Raine
Published: October 2024

This paper contributes to the development of a problem-structuring method for exploring sustainability opportunities in systems. It presents a case of designing the plane while flying it, using an action research methodology to develop the Sustainability Opportunity Study over a period of 2 years. The problem-structuring method was applied and developed in the context of a research and development network for improving sustainability of housing in East Africa through alternative binders in block-based building. The resulting method consists of the three main stages Diagnosing, Analysing, Solving, where activities are informed by critical systems thinking and insights derived from experience and reflections from the case. The method uses different types of workshops to derive specific project proposals for further implementation and realisation of the identified sustainability opportunities. Results also suggest four types of evaluation of the Sustainability Opportunity Study based on the main focus of the intervention: Focus on effectiveness (number of relevant project proposals), focus on creating shared understanding (perceived learning among participants), focus on ensuring fairness (level of engagement among marginalized stakeholders), or focus on commitment to Critical Systems Thinking (breadth and depth in Diagnosing, Analysing and Solving).
Aromatic terminology. Highlighting the keywords polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs)
Authors: Agranat Israel
Published: October 2024

The present Review on aromatic terminology was prompted by a recent series of articles exploring the chemical space of polycyclic aromatic systems and introducing new related keywords. The keywords polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are highlighted. Keywords and other entities relevant to PAHs and PACs are outlined. The article calls the community of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic compounds to use these two leading keywords and their acronyms PAHs and PACs and the accompanying keyword benzenoid hydrocarbons, but to refrain from using and coining related new and previously proposed similar general keywords. This recommendation does not rule out keywords combining ‘polycyclic aromatic’ and a specific functionality, e.g., polycyclic aromatic ketones.
The Mereological Basis of Truthmaker Semantics
Authors: Porello Daniele , Gonella Giovanni
Published: October 2024

This articles explores the mereological foundation of truthmaker semantics. Building upon Kit Fine’s abstract theory of part in Fine [J Philos 107(11):559–589, 2010], we engage in an exploration of the mereological assumptions that determine the construction of truthmaker semantics. Our approach yields semantics for a diverse range of logics, including substructural logics such as the associative Lambek calculus, as well as the logics of analytic containment. Furthermore, we elucidate the philosophical implications that arise from this pioneering approach.
From lawns to meadows: spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) as indicators to measure urban grassland restoration success
Authors: Bach Alexander , Jedamski Jana , Daniels Benjamin , Roß-Nickoll Martina
Published: October 2024

In the present study, we investigate how spiders can be used to assess the effectiveness of restoring mesic grasslands on former urban lawns. We compile and analyze a comprehensive dataset, including both past and current data, focusing on the Aachen region. By systematically examining this data, we identify various indicators using different analytical methods. This approach allows us to distinguish distinct species communities, making them useful as diagnostic tools at various stages of habitat development. Additionally, we identify further parameters that are essential for evaluating meadow restoration in urban settings. We highlight the crucial importance of understanding the local species repertoire, as this knowledge is vital for setting realistic benchmarks for restoration projects.
4Seasons: Benchmarking Visual SLAM and Long-Term Localization for Autonomous Driving in Challenging Conditions
Authors: Wenzel Patrick , Yang Nan , Wang Rui , Zeller Niclas , Cremers Daniel
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we present a novel visual SLAM and long-term localization benchmark for autonomous driving in challenging conditions based on the large-scale 4Seasons dataset. The proposed benchmark provides drastic appearance variations caused by seasonal changes and diverse weather and illumination conditions. While significant progress has been made in advancing visual SLAM on small-scale datasets with similar conditions, there is still a lack of unified benchmarks representative of real-world scenarios for autonomous driving. We introduce a new unified benchmark for jointly evaluating visual odometry, global place recognition, and map-based visual localization performance which is crucial to successfully enable autonomous driving in any condition. The data has been collected for more than one year, resulting in more than 300 km of recordings in nine different environments ranging from a multi-level parking garage to urban (including tunnels) to countryside and highway. We provide globally consistent reference poses with up to centimeter-level accuracy obtained from the fusion of direct stereo-inertial odometry with RTK GNSS. We evaluate the performance of several state-of-the-art visual odometry and visual localization baseline approaches on the benchmark and analyze their properties. The experimental results provide new insights into current approaches and show promising potential for future research. Our benchmark and evaluation protocols will be available at https://go.vision.in.tum.de/4seasons.
Long-term spatiotemporal changes in nitrate contamination of municipal groundwater resources after sewerage network construction in the Hungarian Great Plain
Authors: Mester Tamás , Szabó György , Kiss Emőke , Balla Dániel
Published: October 2024

Over the last decades, as a consequence of wastewater discharges and other anthropogenic sources, severe nitrate (NO3−) pollution has developed in municipal environment causing global concern. Thus, eliminating the potential sources of pollution is one of the major challenges of the twenty-first century, whereby sanitation services are essential for ensuring public health and environmental protection. In the present study, long-term monitoring (2011–2022) of shallow groundwater NO3− contamination in municipal environment was carried following the construction of the sewerage network (2014) in the light of the pre-sewerage situation. Our primary aim was to assess the long-term effects of sewerage on nitrate NO3− levels in the shallow groundwater and evaluate the efficiency of these sanitation measures over time. Based on the results, significant pollution of the shallow groundwater in the municipality was identified. During the pre-sewer period, NO3− concentrations exceeded the 50 mg/L limit in the majority of monitoring wells significantly, upper quartile values ranged between 341 and 623 mg/L respectively. Using Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI) and interpolated NO3− pollution maps, marked spatial north–south differences were detected. In order to verify the presence of wastewater discharges in the monitoring wells, the isotopic ratio shifts (δ) for 18O and D(2H) were determined, confirming municipal wastewater effluent. Variations in NO3−/Cl− molar ratios suggest also contamination from anthropogenic sources, including septic tank effluent from households and the extensive use of manure. Data series of 7 years (2015–2022) after the investment indicate marked positive changes by the appearance of decreasing trends in NO3− values confirmed by Wilcoxon signed rank test and ANOVA. By comparing the pre- and post-sewerage conditions, the mean NO3− value decreased from 289.7 to 175.6 mg/L, with an increasing number of monitoring wells with concentrations below the limit. Our results emphasise the critical role of sanitation investments, while also indicating that the decontamination processes occur at a notably slow pace. Detailed, long-term monitoring is therefore essential to ensure accurate follow-up of the ongoing changes. The results can provide information for local citizens and authorities to improve groundwater management tools in the region.
Genomic instability and genetic heterogeneity in aging: insights from clonal hematopoiesis (CHIP), monoclonal gammopathy (MGUS), and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL)
Authors: Kallai Attila , Ungvari Zoltan , Fekete Mónika , Maier Andrea B. , Mikala Gabor , Andrikovics Hajnalka , Lehoczki Andrea
Published: October 2024

Aging is a multifaceted process characterized by a gradual decline in physiological function and increased susceptibility to a range of chronic diseases. Among the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving aging, genomic instability is a fundamental hallmark, contributing to increased mutation load and genetic heterogeneity within cellular populations. This review explores the role of genomic instability and genetic heterogeneity in aging in the hematopoietic system, with a particular focus on clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) as biomarkers. CHIP involves the clonal expansion of hematopoietic stem cells with somatic mutations. In contrast, MGUS is characterized by the presence of clonal plasma cells producing monoclonal immunoglobulins, while MBL is characterized by clonal proliferation of B cells. These conditions are prevalent in the aging population and serve as measurable indicators of underlying genomic instability. Studying these entities offers valuable insights into the mechanisms by which somatic mutations accumulate and drive clonal evolution in the hematopoietic system, providing a deeper understanding of how aging impacts cellular and tissue homeostasis. In summary, the hematopoietic system serves as a powerful model for investigating the interplay between genomic instability and aging. Incorporating age-related hematological conditions into aging research, alongside other biomarkers such as epigenetic clocks, can enhance the precision and predictive power of biological age assessments. These biomarkers provide a comprehensive view of the aging process, facilitating the early detection of age-related diseases and hopefully enabling personalized healthcare strategies.
Hidden neighbours: extracting industry momentum from stock networks
Authors: Ahn Joon Chul James , Gorduza Dragos , Park Seonho
Published: October 2024

This paper introduces an innovative method for constructing industry momentum portfolios by leveraging two stock networks: one based on stock price correlations and the other on corporate text similarity. We find that these networks capture different aspects of company relationships, motivating us to combine them and form a portfolio that exploits less visible industry momentum. Our Hidden Neighbours portfolio, analysed from 2013 to 2022, delivered an annualised return of 18.16% with a Sharpe ratio of 0.85, outperforming the S&P 500 and other traditional momentum strategies. Factor decomposition attributes returns primarily to the idiosyncratic factor $$\alpha$$
α
. Our study employs interdisciplinary methods, merging network analysis and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques for portfolio construction. Utilising advanced text embedding models, we enhance portfolio construction by integrating textual insights from corporate disclosures into stock networks. The paper offers a comprehensive strategy across diverse data and the interdisciplinary approach, uniting financial theory, network science, and NLP, advances both theory and practice of portfolio management.
Populism and the liberal international order: An analysis of UN voting patterns
Authors: Destradi Sandra , Vüllers Johannes
Published: October 2024

Populism is often assumed to undermine the liberal world order, but this claim has never been tested systematically. In this study, we do so for the first time. Based on an understanding of populism as a “thin-centered ideology” entailing anti-elitism and people-centrism, we expect populist governments to have foreign policy preferences opposed to the core features of the US-led liberal international order. Our empirical analysis assesses government preferences on the liberal international order as expressed through UN General Assembly votes. Our findings support the expectation that populism has a strong and statistically significant negative impact on foreign policy preferences related to the core norms of the liberal international order. Moreover, we find that populists with a left-wing ideology and those in less democratic countries tend to be more opposed to the US-led liberal international order. However, populist governments do not reject the UNGA as such, as they are not more likely to be absent from UNGA votes than other states. Thereby, this study makes a contribution both to the burgeoning literature on the international implications of populism and to debates on the crisis of the liberal order.
Putting Proportional Punishment into Perspective
Authors: Brown Coverdale Helen
Published: October 2024

Much has been written about how we should understand proportional punishment. A standardised sentence may, in the presence of pre-existing disadvantage, produce morally significant additional harms. Others argue that modifying a standard punishment to avoid such harm is to show leniency in light of social disadvantage. I disagree: Where the standardised sentence can be amended to minimise unnecessary additional harms at a reasonable cost, while preserving a proportionate amount of punishment, the state has a duty to make the amendment. I articulate a partial reconstruction of proportionality calculations to put proportionality into perspective. Rather than disproportionate leniency, such variation is demanded by principles of political equality and by proportionality itself, if we take seriously the principle of punishing like cases alike.
Vom Konzept zur gelebten Kultur. ‚Beteiligungsbeauftragte‘ in der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe als Motor von Organisationsentwicklung?
Authors: Heyer Lea
Published: October 2024

Der Beitrag für die Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO)“ fokussiert auf das Handlungsfeld der stationären Hilfen zur Erziehung in Deutschland und rückt vor dem Hintergrund der jüngsten Reform des achten Sozialgesetzbuches einen Organisationsentwicklungsprozess zur Implementierung der Beteiligung von Kindern und Jugendlichen in den Mittelpunkt. Leitend ist die Frage, welchen Beitrag die interne Weiterbildung von Fachkräften bei einem freien Träger der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe zur Entwicklung einer partizipativen Organisationskultur leisten kann. Das Beteiligungskonzept der Organisation sowie das daran anknüpfende Fortbildungsdesign werden beschrieben und mithilfe einer systematischen Praxisbeobachtung der Erfahrungen teilnehmender Fachkräfte anhand kritischer Anfragen aus der Beteiligungsforschung diskutiert. In ihrer Rolle als „Beteiligungsbeauftragte“ können die Fachkräfte als interne Berater:innen verstanden werden, die durch aktuelles Fachwissen und einen hohen Grad der internen Vernetzung eine wichtige Rolle bei der Umsetzung des Rechtsanspruchs auf Beteiligung im organisationalen Alltag der Erziehungshilfen spielen können.
Media politics in Japan: News journalism between interdependence, integrity, and influence
Authors: Buchmeier Yosuke
Published: October 2024

Although Japan is generally considered a liberal democracy with a free press, concerns about media independence have repeatedly been raised. The World Press Freedom Index ranks Japan last among G7 nations. One of the major reasons for its performance lies in a deep-rooted entanglement of the mainstream media with the political establishment, which is said to promote a climate of self-censorship and impede courageous, critical journalism. While the government-approved reporters’ clubs (“kisha clubs”) are often cited as lying at the heart of the problem, there are other relevant structural and historically grown factors hindering the improvement of press freedom: Despite theoretical constitutional protection, media governance in Japan does not provide an adequate framework for journalistic independence; furthermore, revolving door politics, editorial interventions and informal arrangements are well-established practices inside the sphere of media and politics. Nevertheless, there have been those critical moments when the mainstream media, in fact, influenced the course of politics. Setting out from the present condition of media democracy in Japan, this article traces back the historical roots of the seemingly firmly ingrained relationship between journalism and the state. Thereby, it portrays the ambivalent interdependence between the media and politics, and the dilemmatic tension between journalistic integrity, economic interests, and political influence. Finally, it explains why the current hegemony of the legacy media in the public sphere may eventually face a silent, but profound transformation in light of digitization and advancements in artificial intelligence.
A retrospective audit of audiology encounters in patients undergoing Cisplatin treatment at a large Australian tertiary cancer care centre
Authors: Lester Georgia M. , Wilson Wayne J. , Timmer Barbra H. B. , Ladwa Rahul M.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To identify the number and timing of audiology encounters for adult oncology patients in a tertiary care setting in Australia.

Setting (population)

A retrospective case review was completed for 149 patients who received Cisplatin chemotherapy (CT) at a large, publicly funded tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia between 1st January and 31st December 2019. Patient data was extracted from the Queensland Oncology Repository (QOR) provided by Cancer Alliance Queensland (CAQ).

Results

The number of audiology encounters was low overall with a median of 0 and interquartile range (IQR) of 0–1. Of the entire patient cohort, there was a mean of 1.2 encounters with 56% of patients not engaging with audiology. Where audiology did occur, encounters were most likely before or early in the CT treatment period.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated engagement with audiology services for patients undergoing CT treatment was limited with the few audiology engagements occurring before or early in the CT treatment period. Further research is needed to identify the barriers and facilitators to accessing audiological ototoxic monitoring (OtoM) during chemotherapy treatment in hospitals in Australia.

Implications for cancer survivors

Early identification of ototoxic hearing loss offers the opportunity to minimise further exposure to the ototoxic agent, minimise functional and communication impacts for the patient and provide early opportunity for discussion, education and counselling with patients, carers and their treating team. This, in turn, is expected to improve health related quality of life.
“Such a different type of tiredness”: people with brain tumour, their caregivers’, and healthcare professionals’ qualitative perceptions of cancer-related fatigue
Authors: Campbell R. , Shaw J. M. , Carlick T. , Banks H. , Faris M. M. , Jeon M. S. , Legge D. M. , Foster C. , Leonard R. , Chan R. J. , Agar M. R. , Miller A. , Dhillon H. M. ,   for the BRAINS Investigator Group
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common symptoms reported by people with primary brain tumour (BT). Previous research predominantly examined CRF using quantitative assessments, failing to capture the rich insight garnered from exploring individuals’ lived experiences. We addressed this gap by qualitatively exploring people with BTs’ experiences of CRF.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with people with BT, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) who care for them. Interviews explored the experience, impact, and management of CRF, including types of support provided by HCPs. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Forty participants were interviewed (24 people with BT, 5 caregivers, 11 HCPs). Qualitative analysis identified four themes: pervasiveness of CRF; impacts of CRF; advice and support; and self-management strategies. CRF was described as an almost universal symptom with physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects and profound psychosocial and functional impacts. HCPs reported assessing fatigue and providing management support. Yet, people with BT and caregivers reported CRF assessment and support were rarely received. Consequently, people with BT developed their own management strategies. All participants identified a lack of CRF information resources and interventions specific to people with BT.

Conclusion

Our findings provide rich insight into the pervasive, debilitating impact of CRF in people with BT and highlight the lack of BT-specific CRF support and information available.

Implications for cancer survivors

There is a critical need for evidence-based fatigue interventions and information resources tailored to the needs of people with BT.
Core Potentials: The Consensus Segmentation Conjecture
Authors: Santiago Arguello Anahy , Scholz Guillaume E. , Stadler Peter F.
Published: October 2024

Segmentations are partitions of an ordered set into non-overlapping intervals. The Consensus Segmentation or Segmentation Aggregation problem is a special case of the median problems with applications in time series analysis and computational biology. A wide range of dissimilarity measures for segmentations can be expressed in terms of potentials, a special type of set-functions. In this contribution, we shed more light on the properties of potentials, and how such properties affect the solutions of the Consensus Segmentation problem. In particular, we disprove a conjecture stated in 2021, and we provide further insights into the theoretical foundations of the problem.
Targeting Inflammatory Pathways in Atherosclerosis: Exploring New Opportunities for Treatment
Authors: d’Aiello Alessia , Filomia Simone , Brecciaroli Mattia , Sanna Tommaso , Pedicino Daniela , Liuzzo Giovanna
Published: October 2024

Purpose of the Review

This review discusses the molecular mechanisms involved in the immuno-pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects of approved cardiovascular therapies and the available evidence on immunomodulatory therapies for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD). We highlight the importance of clinical and translational research in identifying molecular mechanisms and discovering new therapeutic targets.

Recent Findings

The CANTOS (Canakinumab Anti-Inflammatory Thrombosis Outcomes Study) trial was the first to demonstrate a reduction in cardiovascular (CV) risk with anti-inflammatory therapy, irrespective of serum lipid levels.

ACVD is the leading cause of death worldwide. Although targeting principal risk factors significantly reduces CV risk, residual risk remains unaddressed. The immunological mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis represent attractive therapeutic targets. Several commonly used and non-primarily anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. SGLT2i, and PCSK9i) exhibit pleiotropic properties. Otherwise, recent trials have investigated the blockade of primarily inflammatory compounds, trying to lower the residual risk via low-dose IL-2, PTPN22 and CD31 pathway modulation. In the era of precision medicine, modern approaches may explore new pharmacological targets, identify new markers of vascular inflammation, and evaluate therapeutic responses.
Beat Policing and its Efficacy in Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
Authors: Patwary Mujib Ahmmad , Banarjee Subrata
Published: October 2024

It has been almost a decade since the beat policing program was launched in Dhaka. It is a unique way for the police to reach citizen before their call. At the beginning of 2011, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) launched beat policing in the capital to extend their service to civilians, reaching out to them closer and ensuring the accountability of police. The study’s primary objectives were to unearth causes thwarting its efficacy and suggest necessary remedies. This study was based on a quantitative and partially qualitative method; a non-probability purposive sampling was used to conduct the studies in four different police stations (8% PS) covered purposively. DMP employed beat policing to create a cordial and cooperative relationship between police and general people, ensure a safe environment for children and women, extend services to the poor and underprivileged, take preventive actions against crime, and collect information about various crimes around the city. The main findings of the study are as follows: (a) City dwellers have no clear idea about beat policing, but 55% of responders know at least their beat number, but the significant finding is that 63% of citizens said that the law and order situation has more improved after introducing the beat policing program; (b) public expectations of the beat officer are slightly adverse; (c) most of the service users recommended to increase publicity about beat policing; (d) half of the citizens reported the conduct of beat police as very friendly; (e) 93% responders said that they have never needed any payoffs to a beat policeman; (f) 93% beat police personnel claim that they regularly performed their duty. A few respondents said that their inconvenience was due to lack of workforce, logistics, job stress, and overload duty. They hope that police authority should make an additional allowance for their beat policing program.