bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumour spectrum inAKT1-related Proteus syndrome: a systematic review of clinical reports and series
Authors: Rostagni Olivia M , Early Charlotte LR , Hodges Mia B , Obasohan Justice O , Sapp Julie C , Livinski Alicia A , Biesecker Leslie G , Ours Christopher A
Published: December 2024

AKT1-related Proteus syndrome is an ultra-rare mosaic overgrowth disorder with tumour predisposition. We conducted a systematic review to determine the range and characteristics of these tumours. A systematic review was conducted to identify clinical reports and clinical series of Proteus syndrome published between 1983 and 2023. Affected individuals were selected based on existing Proteus syndrome diagnostic criteria and expert review. Six databases were searched, and each unique record was screened independently by two authors. Two authors extracted the following data from each included report per individual: demographics, tumour diagnosis, characteristics, outcome, clinical features of Proteus syndrome and report ofAKT1genetic testing. The literature searches yielded 3074 records of which 1239 were unique and screened. After screening, 190 records were included. These represented 205 unique individuals with Proteus syndrome. There were 38 individuals (19%) with at least one tumour diagnosis. The average age of tumour diagnosis was 15.1 years (SD 12.1). The most frequent tumour sites were genitourinary/gynaecologic (25 tumours, 53%) followed by the central nervous system (11 tumours, 23%). Most tumours were benign and treated with surgery alone. This systematic review provides a summary of Proteus syndrome-associated tumours from the literature. These data assist clinicians in the diagnosis and prognosis of these tumours. The study highlights the knowledge gap of possible adult-onset tumours and long-term outcomes, which requires further research.

PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021237914
Short to medium-term forecasting of fishing ground distribution based on deep learning model
Authors: Xie Mingyang , Liu Bin , Chen Xinjun , Yu Wei , Wang Jintao
Published: December 2024

Most of the fishing ground research focuses on real-time predictions and lacks continuous forecasting for future changes over a certain period. Traditional models characterized by large, single temporal scales lack effectiveness in accounting for the autocorrelation of environmental factors. Deep learning has demonstrated superior performance and promising development prospects due to its accurate and efficient ability to mine nonlinear information in the era of big data. Therefore, we take Ommastrephes bartramii as an example and constructed 28 different temporal scales and lead periods cases based on U-Net and compared them with GAM, NN and ConvLSTM model results. The input factors of this model are sea surface temperature (SST) and the output factors are the center fishing ground data (1998-2019). The results reveal that the optimal temporal scale and lead period for this model is 15 days and 4 on U-Net. The SST fluctuation information between different lead periods of environmental field and the coupling degree in fishing grounds may be essential factors affecting the model performance differences. It enhances marine fisheries understanding from artificial intelligence.
Inuit perspectives on climate change and well-being: a comparison between urban and remote communities in the Arctic
Authors: Marquardt Annabe U. , Jewell Clarissa , Medeiros Andrew S.
Published: December 2024

The generational knowledge of weather and climate is a foundational component of subsistence for Inuit in the Arctic. This knowledge is now challenged by the reality of anthropogenic climate change at a pace that, for Inuit, is impeding fundamental aspects of life in a single generation. To better understand how climate change moderates relationships between Inuit communities and the ecosystem services they rely on, the literature on how climate change is perceived in the circumpolar Arctic was systematically reviewed. The perspectives of Inuit as described in 75 studies were contrasted with those queried from a series of semi-structured interviews with 16 residents of Iqaluit, Nunavut. Within the literature, the themes most frequently mentioned in remote communities were concerns arising about the environment, community, and health. However, the inverse was true for studies that focused on urban communities. Participants from the semi-structured interviews described how colonialism still shapes knowledge translation, which has lasting effects on Arctic climate literacy for Inuit and non-Inuit. As such, an academic knowledge gap in the colonial context in which climate change operates was identified, which requires a way forward that can lead to improvements in the social context for Inuit.
The Digital Economy as a Complex System
Authors: Delic Kemal A. , Johnson Jeff
Published: December 2024

The digital economy is a complex system, but orthodox economic theory is unable to handle such complexity. For some decades economists have realized that the conventional theoretical models are not consistent with data on what people and institutions actually do, and a new behavioral economics is emerging. The science of complex systems developed over the last 50 years has developed many new ideas and methods for analyzing the non-linear non-equilibrium dynamics of complex systems. Responding to the failures of orthodox economics, those managing the global economy are willing and able to embrace and lead in this new way of looking at economic systems. Thus, economics is evolving and better able to inform decision making in the public and private sectors.

This offers new ways of sthinking about the digital economy for entrepreneurs and policy makers which in turn will provide many new example of real-world complexity. The digital economy will drive the creation of future wealth and prosperity, co-evolving with the science of complex systems. We postulate that the research in complex systems will enable better understanding of the digital economy, augment existing economic models and improve their prediction powers.
Crank–Nicolson Method for Singularly Perturbed Unsteady Parabolic Problem With Multiple Boundary Turning Points
Authors: Kebede Yimesgen Mehari , Tiruneh Awoke Andargie , Tsega Endalew Getnet
Published: December 2024

In this paper, a numerical scheme for a time‐dependent singularly perturbed parabolic convection–diffusion problem with boundary turning points is presented. The problem exhibits a left boundary layer in the spatial domain. We use the Crank–Nicolson method for temporal discretization and a nonstandard finite difference approach for spatial discretization on uniform meshes. Through rigorous error analysis, it has been shown that the scheme is stable and parameter‐uniform convergence with a second‐order accuracy in time and a first‐order accuracy in space. Three model examples are provided to show the applicability of the scheme. It is shown that the numerical results are in agreement with the theoretical findings.
Bacterial Infection‐Biased Expression of Proteins in the Skin Mucus of Gibelion catla
Authors: Dawar Farman Ullah , Ali Shandana , Ullah Waheed , Hassan Maizom , Zhao Zhe
Published: December 2024

Gibelion catla is an economically important fish species in Asian fish industry due to its suitability in polyculture system and high market value. Despite a valued market fish in Pakistan and serious threats of bacterial infections this fish is facing, studies concerning health status and disease resistance of G. catla are rare. Therefore, this study used label‐free quantification liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LFQ—LC‐MS/MS) and identified infection‐biased expression of the protein in the skin mucus of G. catla after Aeromonas hydrophila infection. In total, 1545 proteins in the skin mucus of nontreated fish and 1400 proteins in the treated fish were identified, of which 1335 proteins overlapped between the two groups, 137 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were found, where 71 proteins were downregulated and 66 proteins were upregulated. Functionally, the 137 DEPs were immune‐related, bactericidal, and cytoskeleton proteins. The most significant and upregulated protein in the skin mucus of treated fish were ribosomal proteins (40S ribosomal protein S19 (20‐fold change (FC)), 60S ribosomal L7a (20‐FC), 60S ribosomal L12 isoform X1 (21‐FC), and 60S acidic ribosomal P0), beta‐actin (24‐FC), immunoglobulin mu heavy chain (20‐FC), glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78; 20‐FC), epithelial cell adhesion molecule‐like protein (20‐FC), putative complement c 3.3 (20‐FC), 14 kDa apolipo (19‐FC), hemoglobin subunit beta‐like protein (19.3‐FC), annexin A1‐like protein (19‐FC), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (18‐FC), G‐type lysozyme (18‐FC), and keratins such as type I cytoskeletal 47 kDa‐like isoform X1 (23‐FC), and type II cytoskeletal 8 (23‐FC). In short, our study highlighted the proteins in the skin mucus of fish involved against bacterial infection, which could be possible biomarkers for further functional‐based studies. Particularly, the study elaborates the mucosal immune response of G. catla against A. hydrophila infection, which may help in the strategies of prevention and control of bacterial diseases in this fish.
Comparison of Safety and Efficacy of Anesthesia Methods in Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Network Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zheng Bin , Yu Panfeng , Liang Yan , Liu Haiying
Published: December 2024

Background: The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy of local anesthesia, general anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia in percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD).

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and OVID databases for all relevant studies. All statistical analysis was performed using STATA 17.0.

Results: Fourteen studies were finally included, comprising 7 randomized controlled trials and 7 retrospective studies. The total number of subjects across these studies was 1655, with 316 undergoing general anesthesia, 789 undergoing local anesthesia, and 550 undergoing epidural anesthesia. The meta‐analysis of pairwise comparisons suggests that there are no differences among epidural, general anesthesia, and local anesthesia in terms of postoperative VAS, ODI, and surgery time. Regarding complications, general anesthesia has a higher complication rate compared with local anesthesia, but there are no differences between epidural and general anesthesia or between epidural and local anesthesia. In terms of anesthesia satisfaction, both general and epidural anesthesia have higher satisfaction rates compared with local anesthesia, with no significant difference between general and epidural anesthesia. The ranking of the best probabilities shows that epidural anesthesia has the lowest postoperative VAS and highest anesthesia satisfaction. General anesthesia has the lowest ODI scores. Local anesthesia has the fewest complications and operative time.

Conclusion: Local anesthesia, general anesthesia, and epidural anesthesia are all safe and effective methods for PELD. Local anesthesia has advantages in complications and operation time. Epidural anesthesia is most advantageous in anesthesia satisfaction and postoperative VAS scores. General anesthesia is most advantageous in postoperative ODI. In the future, more multicenter RCTs are needed to further compare the safety and effectiveness of different anesthesia methods in PELD.
Table S6 from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

DNA repair mutation enrichment analysis for HRDsum scores.
Table S4 from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

DNA repair mutation enrichment analysis for CHORD predictions.
Table S3 from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

Confusion matrix of CHORD HRD predictions in cell lines.
Supplementary Table Captions from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

Supplementary Table Captions
Figure S7 from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

HRD predictions in relation to PARP inhibitor and platinum-based treatment response
Figure S4 from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

Characterization of HRDsum scores in cell lines
Figure S2 from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

Comparison of CHORD and RAD51 foci assay results
Figure 5 from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

Associations of HRD predictions with genomic features and genetic dependencies. A, HRDsum scores in cell lines grouped by p53 functional status. Red bars represent the mean. The Mann–Whitney U test P value is shown. B, HRDsum scores in cell lines grouped by microsatellite stability classification. Red bars represent the mean. The Mann–Whitney U test P value is shown. MSI, microsatellite stable. C, Pearson correlation coefficients between HRDsum scores and relative copy number for genes on chromosome 3, arm q (chr 3q). Colors represent Benjamini–Hochberg–adjusted P values (q values) from the Pearson correlation test. D,POT1 dependency scores in cell lines binned by HRDsum score quartiles. Red bars represent the mean. The Q value represents the Benjamini–Hochberg–adjusted P value of a Kruskal–Wallis test. E and F,CIP2A (E) and CUL4B (F) dependency scores in breast and ovarian cell lines binned by HRDsum score quartiles. Red bars represent the mean. Q values represent the Benjamini–Hochberg–adjusted P values of a Kruskal–Wallis test.
Figure 4 from Pan-Cancer Analysis of Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Cell Lines
Authors: Dodson Anne E. , Shenker Sol , Sullivan Pamela , Nayak Sumeet U. , Middleton Chris , McGuire Michael , Chipumuro Edmond , Mishina Yuji , Tobin Erica R. , Cadzow Louise , Wylie Andrew A. , Sangurdekar Dipen
Published: December 2024

HRD predictions by tissue type. A, CHORD-HRD probabilities (y-axis) and classifications (color) for cell lines grouped by tissue type. Percentages indicate the percent of cell lines in each tissue type that were classified as HRD using a cutoff of >0.4 (dashed line). B, Violin plot of HRDsum scores in cell lines grouped by tissue type. Noncancerous cell lines were grouped into a separate “noncancerous” category. Cell lines with biallelic loss of BRCA1/2, BRCA1/2 reversions, or likely epigenetic silencing of BRCA1 are highlighted as colored points. Percentages indicate the percent of cell lines in each tissue type that were classified as HRD using a cutoff value of ≥47 (dashed line). Red bars represent the mean HRDsum score. CNS, central nervous system.
Molecular Biological Mechanisms of Action of Chrysophanol in Hepatic Stellate Cells Activated by Hepatic B Virus X Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Lin Chih-Hung , Cheng Ching-Feng , Chiou Yi-Shiou , Wang Inga , Kuo Chan-Yen
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Chrysophanol (Cho) is a natural anthraquinone with biological effects such as inducing ferroptosis and anticancer activity. The hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is essential for HBV replication. We aimed to identify the key pathways in HBx-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and to characterize the potential mechanisms of action of Cho against liver fibrosis. Methods: HSC-T6 cells were transfected with FLAG (control group) or FLAG-HBx (HBx group), and RNA sequencing and Western blotting analysis were conducted to assess the effects of HBx and Cho on specific molecular targets and signaling pathways. Results: Gene ontology and pathway analyses indicated that the genes targeted by HBx participate in immunological responses, chemokine and cytokine activity, cell-substrate adhesion, extracellular matrix organization, growth factor binding, defense responses, and antigen processing and presentation. RNA-seq and Western blotting data revealed that HBx-activated HSC-T6 cells exhibited upregulated expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), S6, phosphorylated S6 (p-S6), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-α), phosphorylated-PPAR-α (p-PPAR-α), CYP27, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and Integrin-β1, which was reversed after treatment with Cho. These results were also verified in a HBx-activated HSC-T6 and LX-2 cell model and thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis mouse model. Conclusions: Thus, our findings indicate that Cho ameliorates HBx-induced HSC activation and liver fibrosis via inhibition of the mTOR and PPARs signaling pathways, suggesting that Cho is a potential therapeutic for chronic liver inflammation-mediated diseases.
Do non-prescription products help in managing androgenic alopecia?
Authors: Gupta Aditya K. , Wang Honglin , Wang Tong , Talukder Mesbah
Published: December 2024

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss. Currently approved medications for AGA are topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, both of which are prescription medications which may cause side effects. Non-prescription products such as herbal extracts and over-the-counter medications have limited evidence regarding safety and efficacy; however, they may be an alternative for patients unable or unwilling to use prescription medication.

Summary: This article reviews investigator-blinded, controlled clinical trials assessing the efficacy of non-prescription monotherapies in treating AGA. A total of 13 studies were included using procyanidin, cetirizine, caffeine, Oryza sativa bran, pumpkin seed oil, rosemary oil, saw palmetto and watercress. The available data demonstrate considerable improvements in one or more parameters: total hair density, terminal hair density and hair diameter. Procyanidin and cetirizine were investigated in more investigator-blinded, randomized controlled trials than other agents. Minimal adverse events were observed; however, more robust clinical trial and long-term safety and efficacy data are warranted.

Key Message: Additional investigations through the conduct of high quality randomized, controlled trials with larger numbers of patients will help determine the effectiveness and safety of this class of compounds, either as monotherapy or as an addition to current pharmacological interventions.
O ‘malandro’ e o ‘bacharel’: uma disputa musical na moderna cidade do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Silva João Paulo Assunção e
Published: December 2024

A fim de compreender as visões distintas de “malandragem vs. mundo do trabalho” reverberadas em letras de canções (especialmente de sambas) veiculadas em rádio e disco na década de 1930, este artigo debruça-se sobre o "embate musical" travado por Noel Rosa (1910-1937) e Wilson Batista (1913-1968) — sem muita repercussão à época das composições, mas, posteriormente, muito explorado pela indústria fonográfica —, no contexto de modernização da cidade do Rio de Janeiro.
A estética do niilismo: a construção do personagem-narrador em Memórias Do Subsolo
Authors: Bonganhi Douglas Fonseca
Published: December 2024

The present article aims to investigate the relationship between nihilism and the construction of the narrator-character in Fyodor Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground. To this end, it analyzes the nihilistic aesthetics within the work, highlighting how the author, by positioning himself as a subject of his own creation, employs nihilism both as an aesthetic device and as a target of criticism, while simultaneously striving to transcend it. In this context, the Russian author understands nihilism not only as a representation of the human condition, as described by Nietzsche, or as a historical phenomenon that affected 19th-century Russia, but also as a creative force and political power that shapes his literary production.
“(...) calmamente, agradavelmente e dentro das normas estabelecidas (...)” algumas considerações sobre A morte de Ivan Ilitch
Authors: Canchumani Cleide Maria de Oliveira Lovon
Published: December 2024

O artigo propõe uma leitura da novela A morte de Ivan Ilitch, de Tolstói, com destaque para questões éticas prementes na narrativa, em especial o problema da inautenticidade existencial, recortado sob o pano de fundo sartreano. Busca-se refletir sobre a experiência de tomada de consciência da própria finitude levada a cabo pelo protagonista, Ivan Ilitch, um sujeito a quem a inautenticidade em que viveu apela como elemento propulsor à uma epifania do que seria o “bom viver” em oposição a uma vida marcada pelo cálculo e vaidade, eticamente condenada na narrativa. Para pensar o conceito de inautenticidade, o texto dialoga com o existencialismo sartreano, em especial com seu conceito de inautenticidade.
Autobiographical Poetics in Boris Pasternak's “Certificate of Protection” [1931] and “People and Positions” [1967]
Authors: Garziano Svetlana
Published: December 2024

L’article examine les questions de poétique sur l’exemple des textes autobiographiques de Boris Pasternak (1890-1960), grand poète russe du XXe siècle, auteur du célèbre roman Le Docteur Jivago (1957). Sauf-conduit [Охранная грамота, 1931] et Hommes et positions [Люди и положения, 1967] sont analysés à travers une étude thématique (thèmes structurants de l’autobiographie, art et réalité) et stylistique (métaphore et métonymie).
The Intelligentsia in the Civil War: Vikentii Veresaev’s V tupike
Authors: Mandel David
Published: December 2024

Vikentiy Veresaev’s novel V tupike (In a Dead-End) was the first major Soviet literary work set in the civil war of 1918-21. It continued Veresaev’s already established literary focus on the evolution of the political and spiritual outlooks among Russia’s socialist intelligentsia, those educated members of society whose life was guided by a commitment to improving the life of the toiling classes. This article focuses on the novel’s depiction of attitudes among the intelligentsia to a central question of the novel: the contradiction between the revolutionary regime’s professed humanistic, socialist goals and the often violent and arbitrary means which it adopted. The article ends with a brief discussion of the novel’s reception, before its ultimate banning in the early 1930s.
Assessing the Accuracy of Cardiovascular Disease Prediction Using Female-Specific Risk Factors in Women Aged 45 to 69 Years in the UK Biobank Study
Authors: Doust Jenny , Baneshi Mohammad Reza , Chung Hsin-Fang , Wilson Louise Forsyth , Mishra Gita Devi
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women. We aimed to assess whether adding female-specific risk factors to traditional factors could improve CVD risk prediction.

METHODS:

We used a cohort of women from the UK Biobank Study aged 45 to 69 years, free of CVD at baseline (2006–2010) followed until the end of 2019. We developed Cox proportional hazards models using the risk factors included in 3 contemporary CVD risk calculators: Pooled Cohort Equation - Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Qrisk2, and PREDICT. We added each of the following female-specific risk factors, individually and all together, to determine if these improved measures of discrimination and calibration for predicting CVD: early menarche (<11 years), endometriosis, excessive, frequent or irregular menstruation, miscarriage, number of miscarriages, number of stillbirths, infertility, preeclampsia or eclampsia, gestational diabetes (without subsequent type 2 diabetes), premature menopause (<40 years), early menopause (<45 years), and natural or surgical early menopause (menopause <45 years or timing of menopause reported as unknown and oophorectomy reported at age <45).

RESULTS:

In the model of 135 142 women (mean age, 57.5 years; SD, 6.8) using risk factors from Pooled Cohort Equation - Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, CVD incidence was 5.3 per 1000 person-years. The c-indices for the Pooled Cohort Equation - Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Qrisk2, and PREDICT models were 0.710, 0.713, and 0.718, respectively. Adding each of the female-specific risk factors did not improve the c-index, the net reclassification index, the integrated discrimination index, the slope of the regression line for predicted versus observed events, and the Brier score or plots of calibration. Adding all female-specific risk factors simultaneously increased the c-index for the Pooled Cohort Equation - Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Qrisk2, and PREDICT models to 0.712, 0.715, and 0.720, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although several female-specific factors have been shown to be early indicators of CVD risk, these factors should not be used to reclassify risk in women aged 45 to 69 years when considering whether to commence a blood pressure or lipid-lowering medication.
A hierarchical Bayesian brain parcellation framework for fusion of functional imaging datasets
Authors: Zhi Da , Shahshahani Ladan , Nettekoven Caroline , Pinho Ana Luísa , Bzdok Danilo , Diedrichsen Jörn
Published: December 2024

Different task-based and resting-state imaging datasets provide complementary information about the organization of the human brain. Brain parcellations based on single datasets will, therefore, be biased toward the particular type of information present in each dataset. To overcome this limitation, we propose here a hierarchical Bayesian framework that can learn a probabilistic brain parcellation across numerous task-based and resting-state datasets, exploiting their combined strengths. The framework is partitioned into a spatial arrangement model that defines the probability of each voxel belonging to a specific parcel (the probabilistic group atlas), and a set of dataset-specific emission models that define the probability of the observed data given the parcel of the voxel. Using the human cerebellum as an example, we show that the framework optimally combines information from different datasets to achieve a new population-based atlas that outperforms atlases based on single datasets. Furthermore, we demonstrate that using only 10 min of individual data, the framework is able to generate individual brain parcellations that outperform group atlases.
Values and Principles in the Antarctic Treaty and the Environmental Protocol: an Overview and Categorization
Authors: Makanse Yousra , Ortega Elena-Laura Alvarez , Molenaar Erik , Bastmeijer Kees
Published: December 2024

Values and principles are mentioned in numerous hard law and soft law instruments within the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). However, no provision within any of the ATS instruments fully lists or describes them all. Moreover, their meaning is not elaborated upon or defined, and the relationships between values and principles are also not clearly stated. This paper aims to identify ATS values and principles by examining two hard law instruments: the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection. Based on definitions of the concepts of ‘value’ and ‘principle’, the paper provides an overview of the values and principles included in these instruments and proposes a categorization. Through this examination, the authors aim to expand the comprehension and elucidation of the ATS values and principles while also stimulating further research on the topic. A more structural understanding and attention to the values and principles can prove fundamental in further shaping Antarctic governance and developing new regulatory instruments.
Constructions in contact between Armenian and Iranian
Authors: Fattori Marco
Published: December 2024

In this article the interpretation of the Armenian verb karem ‘be able’ as a borrowing from Parthian kar- ‘do’ is discussed. It is argued that the verb was borrowed into Armenian with the meaning ‘be able’ assumed by Parthian kar- in the so-called “potential” construction. Then, some reflections are offered on the theoretical issues raised by this peculiar case, claiming that it can be effectively described in the framework of Diasystematic Construction Grammar. Finally, some remarks are added on the Iranian origin of Arm. bawem ‘suffice, be enough’ and kari ‘strongly, very much’, claiming that, despite being derived from the same roots involved in the “potential” construction, these words did not follow the same borrowing path as karem.
Judicial Imposition of the Death Penalty and Corporal Punishment in Iran and Saudi Arabia for Unlawful Consensual Sexual Relations under Shari’a: A Human Rights Critique
Authors: Ssenyonjo Manisuli
Published: December 2024

Islamic law (Shari’a) protects the right to marry between a man and a woman of marriageable age based on free and full consent of the intending spouses and to found a family. It prohibits all forms of sexual relations outside marriage including consensual premarital sexual intercourse (fornication), extramarital sexual intercourse (adultery), and consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults in private. Severe penalties are imposed including the death penalty for adultery, or consensual same-sex sexual acts and corporal punishments in the form of whip lashes/flogging for fornication. Both the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia criminalise all consensual sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman based on domestic interpretations of Shari’a. Both States also impose the death penalty, including in the most extreme instance, stoning to death, persons convicted of consensual sexual relations outside marriage such as adultery and consensual same-sex sexual acts between adult males in private. In practice, sentences are applied in a discriminatory way affecting predominantly women and girls. In addition, corporal punishment of flogging is imposed on unmarried persons convicted of sexual intercourse outside marriage or imposed on women convicted of consensual same-sex sexual acts. This article considers whether the criminalisation of such sexual relations and the judicial imposition of the death penalty and/or corporal punishment are compatible with the international human rights obligations of Iran and Saudi Arabia as State parties to several international human rights treaties. It makes observation on whether Islamic States with specific reference to Iran and Saudi Arabia can comply with international human rights law while applying Islamic law.
Man beyond the Sea 海外人: Hong Qisheng 洪棄生 (1866–1928) and a Peripheral Poetics of Qing Taiwan (1683–1895)
Authors: Stewart Hardy
Published: December 2024

Even after the Qing Dynasty began to consider Taiwan an official province of the empire in 1887, the island never held its own provincial examination, which continued to take place in Fujian. Paired with the unreliability of ocean conditions and the poverty of maritime technologies, persistently high failure rates at the continental tests (despite preferential pass quotas for Taiwan examinees) encouraged island literati to move in a seasonal oscillation across the seas. Through the case study of Hong Qisheng, a self-proclaimed “man beyond the sea” who crossed the strait eight times in his failed endeavor to pass the provincial rounds, I propose that this ocean oscillation and other features of Qing administration, such as ocean-centric test prompts and west-facing platforms, reinforced the examinee’s attention to the imperium’s limits, guiding his expression of provenance and poetic style. Hong’s readers, meanwhile, celebrated this style as a product of the periphery.
Cost consequences analysis of early vocational rehabilitation compared with usual care for stroke survivors
Authors: Pyne Sarah , Sach Tracey H , Cameron Rory , Risebro Helen , Wright-Hughes Alexandra , Thompson Ellen , Watkins Dame Caroline , Bowen Audrey , Stevens Judith , Farrin Amanda J , McKevitt Christopher , Murray John D , O’Connor Rory J , Phillips Julie , Radford Kate A ,   on behalf of the RETAKE research group *
Published: December 2024

Objective

To compare costs and consequences of Early Stroke Specialist Vocational Rehabilitation (ESSVR) with usual care in working age, stroke survivors over 12 months.

Design

An economic evaluation nested within the pragmatic, multi-centre, randomised, controlled RETurn to work After stroKE (RETAKE) study.

Setting

Twenty-one English and Welsh National Health Service (NHS) hospital-based stroke units. A UK NHS and Personal Social Services perspective was taken in the base-case and a wider perspective (participant, family, employer and other public services) in a secondary analysis.

Participants

A total of 583 stroke survivors age ≥18 years (mean 54.0 years, 69% male).

Interventions

Participants were randomised to ESSVR, an early, individually tailored (in content, dose, intensity and duration) intervention, plus usual care or usual care alone.

Main measures

Disease-specific resource-use data and EQ-5D-5L (health-related quality of life) collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Resource-use items were valued using unit costs in UK£ 2021/22. EQ-5D-5L was used to estimate Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). If ESSVR was found effective, an incremental cost-utility analysis was planned, otherwise a cost-consequence analysis.

Results

The clinical study found no evidence of a between-group difference in the proportion of participants returning to work at 12 months. This, and the level of missing data, means a cost-consequence analysis is reported. Using imputed data, ESSVR plus usual care is estimated to be more expensive with slightly higher QALYs compared with usual care.

Conclusions

Early Stroke Specialist Vocational Rehabilitation is unlikely to be considered cost-effective over 12 months, which fits with the clinical finding of no between-group difference in return-to-work rates post-stroke.

Clinical trial registration information

The ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN12464275 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12464275
The effect of bogie side components on the aerodynamic noise generation of the leading car of a high-speed train
Authors: He Yuan , Thompson David , Hu Zhiwei
Published: December 2024

This study investigates numerically the effects of bogie side component positions on the flow behaviour and aerodynamic noise of high-speed trains. To reduce simulation cost, the model size and flow speed are scaled down, while ensuring that the Reynolds number remains within a range conducive to similar flow behaviour. The Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation method with Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model is adopted for flow simulations. The time histories of the wall pressures are employed to predict the far field noise using the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings equation. Analysis of pressure fluctuations on the bogie and car body show that, as the bogie side components protrude further into the flow, the area exhibiting strong noise source on the bogie surfaces increases, while it decreases on the rear walls of the bogie cavity. The aeroacoustic results reveal that the radiated noise rises at higher frequencies and drops below 160 Hz for the bogie and 300 Hz for the car body as the side components protrude further. When the bogie side components are shifted outwards by 400 mm, the overall unweighted sound pressure reduces by 2 dB but the A-weighted level increases by 2.5 dB. The total A-weighted sound power level is increased by 2.9 dB compared to the reference case.
Extended Dummy Node Rule for analysis and characterization of pin-jointed periodic cellular materials: An approach based on Bloch-wave method
Authors: Babu Sandeep Suresh , ElSayed Mostafa SA , Mourad Abdel-Hamid Ismail
Published: December 2024

Micro-truss lattice materials are a class of hybrid periodic cellular solids that consist of a combination of solids and voids. The material is partitioned into cells structured in a given cell topology tessellated to form an almost unbounded micro-truss framework. The Bloch-wave method is one technique that can describe the propagation of a wave function over a periodic infinite lattice. It demonstrated the effectiveness of modeling the static and dynamic responses of lattices of various topologies. However, the Bloch-wave method presents limitations when applied to unit cell topologies whose structural elements extend across their envelopes to adjacent unit cells, as a given unit cell may not contain the full nodal parameters and periodicity information necessary to describe the kinematic and static wave propagations across the periodic lattice. The first part of this paper presents the Dummy Node Rule (DNR), which overcomes this limitation. The rule introduces dummy nodes at the intersection points between cell envelopes and elements extending between the adjacent unit cells, which are initially treated as part of the finite unit cell structure. Then, the rule establishes mathematical relationships between the static and kinematic wave functions propagating across dummy nodes and those propagating across the connected cell elements. The second part of the paper describes DNR for specific applications such as (a) the development of static and kinematic systems of the unit cell finite structure, which aids in the determinacy analysis of periodic lattice structures, and (b) the development of the Cauchy–Born kinematic boundary condition that is used to homogenize the kinematic response of the infinite periodic structure to an assumed macroscopic strain field, which in turn, forms the effective properties of the lattice material. Furthermore, the last part of the paper shows examples where the scheme is applied for the stiffness characterization of selected lattice topologies.
The importance of non-pharmacological interventions to improve cognitive reserve prior to the administration of a drug against the causative agent of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Maki Yohko , Ubuka Takayoshi , Yamane Yoichi
Published: December 2024

Lecanemab, an antibody drug targeting amyloid-β, has been approved to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the United States and Japan recently. However, there are several concerns about Lecanemab, such as its minimum biological effects, possible side effects, and its economic burden. On the other hand, non-pharmacological approach without major side effects has a potential to alleviate the symptoms of AD by improving cognitive reserve, which is individual's resilience to AD pathology. It is important to compare the benefits and risks of pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, especially in the oldest old with AD, to give priority to the safe and cost-effective approach.
“They are perceived to be witches, and some are killed”: Community perceptions of elderly people living with dementia in Kilifi, Kenya
Authors: Aballa Andrew , Khakali Linda , Njoroge Willie , Kamau Lucy W , Merali Zul , Bosire Edna N
Published: December 2024

Background

The risk of dementia, including the most common form, Alzheimer's disease, is forecasted to increase in low- and middle-income countries due to longer lifespans and the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases. However, little research has been conducted on the knowledge and perceptions about dementia in rural communities in Kenya.

Objective

To explore the community's knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about dementia in Kilifi County, a resource constrained rural coastal area in Kenya.

Methods

We conducted an ethnographic study comprising five focused group discussions (n = 35, each with 7–8 people) and 25 key informant interviews with various stakeholders from Kilifi County. The interviews and discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.

Results

There was a general lack of knowledge about dementia by community members. People suspected to have dementia were labeled using stigmatizing and derogatory words such as “ neurologically deficient”, “ crazy”, or “ wendawazimu” [mad person]. Dementia was also associated with normal aging. Others associated neurodegenerative behaviors associated with dementia to witchcraft or curses. This led to individuals suspected to have dementia being isolated from the community, neglected, dispossessed assets, killed or denied medical care.

Conclusions

Dementia is not well understood in Kilifi County, Kenya. People with dementia are stigmatized, neglected and socially excluded from community. Our results could be leveraged by the Kenyan government, the healthcare system, and communities to develop policies and strategies for protecting elderly people with dementia and improving their care, especially in rural areas.
Should ChatGPT help with my research? A caution against artificial intelligence in qualitative analysis
Authors: Friedman Carli , Owen Aleksa , VanPuymbrouck Laura
Published: December 2024

Through ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence platforms, large language models’ (LLMs’) applications have expanded across daily life, including research. Yet, the qualitative paradigm's methodological assumption of socially mediated interpretivism is at odds with how LLMs operate. Qualitative research is appropriate for inquiry where conceptual development and interpretation are required. Specifically, Disability Studies scholars have used qualitative research to understand more about disabled peoples’ experiences. Like other marginalized identities, disability is often misunderstood pejoratively. We offer concerns about whether LLMs can address key qualitative analysis markers, contextualizing these concerns within disability research. To test these concerns, we assigned two LLMs, ChatGPT and Gemini, coding tasks using existing secondary de-identified data. We found LLMs were not able to produce codes that were high quality, credible, or consistent, and could not parse data from research participants with certain disabilities. We discuss implications for future methodological decisions and policies.
The role of ethnomathematics in mathematics education: A literature review
Authors: Kabuye Batiibwe Marjorie Sarah
Published: December 2024

The value of ethnomathematics in the process of teaching and learning mathematics is acknowledged on a global scale. In light of this, the majority of nations have argued in favor of its inclusion in the mathematics curriculum. Whereas mathematics teachers in affluent nations receive guidance and support, most mathematics teachers in developing nations are left to their own devices. This review aimed to identify local cultural relics that relate to mathematical principles taught in schools so that mathematics teachers in developing nations might use them as a reference. This review included 61 articles from Scopus, JSTOR, EBSCOhost, and ProQuest. Upon analysis, the articles revealed that cultural games, weaving, cultural dances, symbolic calculations, buildings, meals, and number systems are among the ethnomathematics activities in which school mathematics concepts are embedded. Nonetheless, cultural games and weaving are mentioned in literature the most frequently. Fabric or textiles are popular in weaving. These results imply that ethnomathematics can be used as a pedagogical, learning, or assessment method for teaching and learning mathematics in schools. However, mathematics teachers must engage in strategic and structural planning; the ADDIE model provides direction in this regard. The results of this review give mathematics teachers in developing nations a baseline and now is the right moment for them to begin implementing the suggested methods of integrating ethnomathematics into their instructional practices.
Students’ understanding of geometric figures in the process of constructing a conjecture at the secondary school
Authors: Tchonang Youkap Patrick , Rowland Baidoo Stephen
Published: December 2024

Constructing conjectures is a major challenge in learning geometry. However, there are still gaps in our understanding of the knowledge about geometric figures that students use when they construct a conjecture. This article explores the understanding of ninth-grade students, aged 14 to 15, about geometric figures during the process of constructing conjectures. The study's data consists of the students’ responses to two geometry tasks in a questionnaire. The first task does not include an associated drawing, while the second task contains an incomplete drawing. Both tasks aim at the construction of conjectures. The research results highlight the influence of students’ knowledge of geometric figures on the stages of constructing conjectures in geometry. The findings indicate that students’ difficulties arise from inconsistencies in their cognitive structures regarding the figures used in conjecture construction. Students often rely on inappropriate prototypical figures when the task is not accompanied by an associated drawing. Additional findings reveal that informal arguments emerge when drawings are used to support these arguments, which are subsequently validated through experimental verification.
Sharing is caring: a network collaborative approach to identify and address barriers in accessing clinical trials in adolescents and young adults with leukemia and lymphoma
Authors: Hesko Caroline , Heath Jessica , Roth Michael E. , Mittal Nupur
Published: December 2024

Leukemia and lymphoma are 2 common hematologic cancers in adolescents and young adults (AYAs, age 15-39 years at diagnosis); however, this population has historically had lower clinical trial enrollment and less dramatic improvements in overall survival compared to other age populations. Several unique challenges to delivering care to this population have affected drug development, clinical trial availability, accessibility, and acceptance, all of which impact clinical trial enrollment. Recently, several national and institutional collaborative approaches have been utilized to improve trial availability and accessibility for AYAs with hematologic malignancies. In this review, we discuss the known barriers to cancer clinical trial enrollment and potential approaches and solutions to improve enrollment for AYAs with leukemia and lymphoma on clinical trials.