bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary failure of thoracic epidural analgesia: revisited
Authors: Tran De Q , Booysen Karin , Botha Hendrik J
Published: December 2023

Primary failure of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) remains an important clinical problem, whose incidence can exceed 20% in teaching centers. Since loss-of-resistance (LOR) constitutes the most popular method to identify the thoracic epidural space, the etiology of primary TEA failure can often be attributed to LOR’s low specificity. Interspinous ligamentous cysts, non-fused ligamenta flava, paravertebral muscles, intermuscular planes, and thoracic paravertebral spaces can all result in non-epidural LORs. Fluoroscopy, epidural waveform analysis, electrical stimulation, and ultrasonography have been proposed as confirmatory modalities for LOR.

The current evidence derived from randomized trials suggests that fluoroscopy, epidural waveform analysis, and possibly electrical stimulation, could decrease the primary TEA failure to 2%. In contrast, preprocedural ultrasound scanning provides no incremental benefit when compared with conventional LOR. In the hands of experienced operators, real-time ultrasound guidance of the epidural needle has been demonstrated to provide comparable efficacy and efficiency to fluoroscopy.

Further research is required to determine the most cost-effective confirmatory modality as well as the best adjuncts for novice operators and for patients with challenging anatomy. Moreover, future trials should elucidate if fluoroscopy and electrical stimulation could potentially decrease the secondary failure rate of TEA, and if a combination of confirmatory modalities could outperform individual ones.
Causal role of lipid metabolism in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: an observational and mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Huang Junfeng , Lin Zikai , Lin Jinsheng , Xie Shuojia , Xia Shixin , Chen Gengjia , Zheng Ziwen , Xu Zhe , Liu Fangcheng , Wu Hongkai , Li Shiyue
Published: December 2023

Background

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare interstitial lung disease characterised by the accumulation of lipoprotein material in the alveoli. Although dyslipidaemia is a prominet feature, the causal effect of lipid traits on PAP remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of lipid traits in PAP and evaluate the potential of lipid-lowering drug targets in PAP.

Methods

Clinical outcomes, lipid profiles and lung function tests were analysed in a clinical cohort of diagnosed PAP patients and propensity score-matched healthy controls. Genome-wide association study data on PAP, lipid metabolism, blood cells and variants of genes encoding potential lipid-lowering drug targets were obtained for Mendelian randomisation (MR) and mediation analyses.

Findings

Observational results showed that higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were associated with increased risks of PAP. Higher levels of TC and LDL were also associated with worse PAP severity. In MR analysis, elevated LDL was associated with an increased risk of PAP (OR: 4.32, 95% CI: 1.63 to 11.61, p=0.018). Elevated monocytes were associated with a lower risk of PAP (OR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.66, p=0.002) and mediated the risk impact of LDL on PAP. Genetic mimicry of PCSK9 inhibition was associated with a reduced risk of PAP (OR 0.03, p=0.007).

Interpretation

Our results support the crucial role of lipid and metabolism-related traits in PAP risk, emphasising the monocyte-mediated, causal effect of elevated LDL in PAP genetics. PCSK9 mediates the development of PAP by raising LDL. These finding provide evidence for lipid-related mechanisms and promising lipid-lowering drug target for PAP.
Magnetic catalysis in holographic model with two types of anisotropy for heavy quarks
Authors: Aref’eva Irina Ya. , Hajilou Ali , Rannu Kristina , Slepov Pavel
Published: December 2023

In our previous paper (Aref’eva et al. in JHEP 07:161, 2021, arXiv:2011.07023 [hep-th]) we have constructed a twice anisotropic five-dimensional holographic model supported by Einstein-dilaton-three-Maxwell action that reproduced some essential features of the “heavy quarks” model. However, that model did not describe the magnetic catalysis (MC) phenomena expected from lattice results for the QGP made up from heavy quarks. In this paper we fill this gap and construct the model that improves the previous one. It keeps typical properties of the heavy quarks phase diagram, and meanwhile possesses the MC. The deformation of previous model includes the modification of the “heavy quarks” warp factor and the coupling function for the Maxwell field providing the non-trivial chemical potential.
Study of the nonleptonic charmless $$B \rightarrow SS$$ decays with the QCD factorization approach
Authors: Chen Lili , Zhao Mengfei , Wang Liting , Kang Yueyang , Chang Qin , Sun Junfeng
Published: December 2023

Inspired by the brilliant prospects of the ongoing B meson experiments, the hadronic charmless B$${\rightarrow }$$
→
SS decays are studied by considering the next-to-leading (NLO) contributions with the QCD factorization approach, where S denotes the scalar mesons $$K_{0}^{*}(1430)$$

K

0

∗

(
1430
)

and $$a_{0}(1450)$$

a
0

(
1450
)

. Branching ratios and CP violating asymmetries are estimated with the updated values of hadronic parameters obtained from a covariant light-front quark model, for two scenarios where the scalar mesons are the $$1^{3}P_{0}$$

1
3

P
0

and $$2^{3}P_{0}$$

2
3

P
0

states. It is found that the NLO contributions are very important for the B$${\rightarrow }$$
→
SS decays. For the B$${\rightarrow }$$
→
$$a_{0}(1450)K_{0}^{*}(1430)$$

a
0

(
1450
)

K

0

∗

(
1430
)

and $$B_{s}$$

B
s

$${\rightarrow }$$
→
$$K_{0}^{*}(1430)\overline{K}_{0}^{*}(1430)$$

K

0

∗

(
1430
)

K
¯

0

∗

(
1430
)

decays, branching ratios can reach up to the order of $${\mathcal {O}}(10^{-5})$$

O
(

10

-
5

)

by assuming that the scalar mesons are the 1P states, and should first be investigated in the future experiments.
Cosmological observational constraints on the power law f(Q) type modified gravity theory
Authors: Mandal Sanjay , Pradhan Sneha , Sahoo P. K. , Harko Tiberiu
Published: December 2023

In modern cosmology, the curiosity of ultimately understanding the nature of the dark energy controlling the recent acceleration of the Universe motivates us to explore its properties by using some novel approaches. In this work, to explore the properties of dark energy we adopt the modified f(Q) gravity theory, where the non-metricity scalar Q, emerging from Weyl geometry, plays the dynamical role. For the function f(Q) we adopt the functional form $$f(Q)=Q+ 6\gamma \,H_0^2(Q/Q_0)^n$$

f

(
Q
)

=
Q
+
6
γ

H
0
2

(
Q
/

Q
0

)

n

, where $$n,\, \gamma ,\, H_0$$

n
,

γ
,

H
0

and $$Q_0$$

Q
0

are constants. Then, we test our constructed model against the various observational datasets, such as the Hubble, and the Pantheon+SHOES samples, and their combined sample, through the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) statistical analysis. We also employ the parameter estimation technique to constrain the free parameters of the model. In addition, we use the constrained values of the model parameters to explore a few implications of the cosmological model. A detailed comparison of the predictions of our model with the $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM model is also performed. In particular, we discuss in detail some cosmographic parameters, like the deceleration, the jerk, and the snap parameters, as well as the behavior of the dark energy and matter energy densities to see the evolution of various energy/matter profiles. The Om diagnostics is also presented to test the dark energy nature of our model, as compared to the standard $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM paradigm. Our findings show that the considered version of the non-metric f(Q) type modified gravity theory, despite some differences with respect to the $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM paradigm, can still explain the current observational results on the cosmological parameters, and provide a convincing and consistent account for the accelerating expansion of the Universe.
Convective mixing in porous media: a review of Darcy, pore-scale and Hele-Shaw studies
Authors: De Paoli Marco
Published: December 2023

Convection-driven porous media flows are common in industrial processes and in nature. The multiscale and multiphase character of these systems and the inherent nonlinear flow dynamics make convection in porous media a complex phenomenon. As a result, a combination of different complementary approaches, namely theory, simulations and experiments, have been deployed to elucidate the intricate physics of convection in porous media. In this work, we review recent findings on mixing in fluid-saturated porous media convection. We focus on the dissolution of a heavy fluid layer into a lighter one, and we consider different flow configurations. We present Darcy, pore-scale and Hele-Shaw investigations inspired by geophysical processes. While the results obtained for Darcy flows match the dissolution behaviour predicted theoretically, Hele-Shaw and pore-scale investigations reveal a different and tangled scenario in which finite-size effects play a key role. Finally, we present recent numerical and experimental developments and we highlight possible future research directions. The findings reviewed in this work will be crucial to make reliable predictions about the long-term behaviour of dissolution and mixing in engineering and natural processes, which are required to tackle societal challenges such as climate change mitigation and energy transition.

Graphic abstract
T-violation and the dark sector
Authors: Vilela Mendes R.
Published: December 2023

It is argued, as a working hypothesis, that “normal” and dark matter interactions can only be [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-violating. One way to implement this idea is to consider that time reversal in dark matter is implemented, not by an antiunitary operator, but by an unitary operator. It is shown how this occurs naturally in the context of complex spacetime with an extended symmetry group.
VARIATIONAL PERSPECTIVE TO (2+1)-DIMENSIONAL KADOMTSEV–PETVIASHVILI MODEL AND ITS FRACTAL MODEL
Authors: WANG KANG-LE
Published: December 2023

In this work, the [Formula: see text]-dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili model is investigated. A novel variational scheme, namely, the variational transform wave method (VTWM), is successfully established to seek the solitary wave solution of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili model. Furthermore, the fractal solitary solution of fractal Kadomtsev–Petviashvili model is also studied based on the local fractional derivative. Numerical examples are given to fully demonstrate that the VTWM is straightforward, efficient and attractive. Finally, the physical properties of solitary wave solutions are demonstrated by some 3D graphs.
A NEW FREQUENCY AMPLITUDE FORMULA FOR THE LOCAL FRACTIONAL NONLINEAR OSCILLATION VIA LOCAL FRACTIONAL CALCULUS
Authors: YANG YONG-JU , YU MING-CHAI , WANG XUE-QIANG
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we propose a new frequency amplitude formula for the local fractional nonlinear oscillation via local fractional calculus. It is more general than the He’s frequency amplitude formula. Several test cases of local fractional nonlinear oscillations are given to prove the feasibility of the improved formula.
ON GENERAL LOCAL FRACTIONAL INTEGRAL INEQUALITIES FOR GENERALIZED H-PREINVEX FUNCTIONS ON YANG’S FRACTAL SETS
Authors: ZHANG YONG , SUN WENBING
Published: December 2023

In this paper, based on Yang’s fractal theory, the Hermite–Hadamard’s inequalities for generalized [Formula: see text]-preinvex function are proved. Then, using the local fractional integral identity proposed by Sun [Some local fractional integral inequalities for generalized preinvex functions and applications to numerical quadrature, Fractals 27(5) (2019) 1950071] as auxiliary function, some parameterized local fractional integral inequalities for generalized [Formula: see text]-preinvex functions are established. For the special cases of the parameters, some generalized Simpson-type, midpoint-type and trapezoidal inequalities are established. Finally, some applications of these inequalities in numerical integration are proposed.
LOCAL FRACTIONAL SUMUDU DECOMPOSITION METHOD TO SOLVE FRACTAL PDEs ARISING IN MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
Authors: CUI PING , JASSIM HASSAN KAMIL
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we investigate solutions of telegraph, Laplace and wave equations within the local fractional derivative operator by using local fractional Sumudu decomposition method. This method is coupled by the Sumudu transform and decomposition method. The method in general is easy to implement and yields good results. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the presented method.
A Relation Embedding Assistance Networks for Multi-hop Question Answering
Authors: Jiao Songlin , Zhu Zhenfang , Qi Jiangtao , Xu Fuyong , Pei Hongli , Wang Wenling , Song Ze , Liu Peiyu
Published: December 2023

Multi-hop Knowledge Graph Question Answering aims at finding an entity to answer natural language questions from knowledge graphs. When humans perform multi-hop reasoning, people tend to focus on specific relations across different hops and confirm the next entity. Therefore, most algorithms choose the wrong specific relation, which makes the system deviate from the correct reasoning path. The specific relation at each hop plays an important role in multi-hop question answering. Existing work mainly relies on the question representation as relation information, which cannot accurately calculate the specific relation distribution. In this article, we propose an interpretable assistance framework that fully utilizes the relation embeddings to assist in calculating relation distributions at each hop. Moreover, we employ the fusion attention mechanism to ensure the integrity of relation information and hence to enrich the relation embeddings. The experimental results on three English datasets and one Chinese dataset demonstrate that our method significantly outperforms all baselines. The source code of REAN will be available at
https://github.com/2399240664/REAN
Deep Learning-based POS Tagger and Chunker for Odia Language Using Pre-trained Transformers
Authors: Dalai Tusarkanta , Mishra Tapas Kumar , Sa Pankaj K.
Published: December 2023

Developing effective natural language processing (NLP) tools for low-resourced languages poses significant challenges. This article centers its attention on the task of Part-of-speech (POS) tagging and chunking, which pertains to the identification and categorization of linguistic units within sentences. POS tagging and Chunking have already produced positive results in English and other European languages. However, in Indian languages, particularly in Odia language, it is not yet well explored because of the lack of supporting tools, resources, and its complex linguistic morphology. This study presents the building of a manually annotated dataset for Odia phrase chunking task and the development of a deep learning-based model specifically tailored to accommodate the distinctive properties of the language. The process of annotating the Odia chunking corpus involved the utilization of inside-outside-begin labels, which were tagged by using designed Odia chunking tagset. We utilize the constructed Odia chunking dataset to build Odia chunker based on deep learning techniques, employing state-of-the-art architectures. Various techniques, such as Recurrent Neural Networks, Convolutional Neural Networks, and transformer-based models, are investigated to determine the most effective approach for Odia POS tagging and chunking. In addition, we conduct experiments utilizing diverse input representations, including Odia word embeddings, character-level representations, and sub-word units, to effectively capture the complex linguistic characteristics of the Odia language. Numerous experiments are conducted that evaluate the performance of our Odia POS tagger and chunker, employing standard evaluation metrics and making comparisons with existing approaches. The results demonstrate that our transformer-based tagger and chunker achieves superior accuracy and robustness in identifying and categorizing linguistic POS tags and chunks within Odia sentences. It outperforms existing work and exhibits consistent performance across diverse linguistic contexts and sentence structures. The developed Odia POS tagger and chunker have enormous potential for a variety of NLP applications, including information extraction, syntactic parsing, and machine translation, all of which are tailored to the low-resource Odia language. This work contributes to developing NLP tools and technologies for low-resource languages, thereby facilitating enhanced language processing capabilities in various linguistic contexts.
Assessing Risk Classification in Medication-Induced Diabetes during Induction Therapy in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Ross Katie , Kulkarni Ketan , MacDonald Tamara , Pinto Teresa
Published: December 2023

Medication-induced diabetes (MID) is common during induction therapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and has potentially significant negative consequences. Reported risk factors for MID are variable with limited data comparing patients treated with standard-risk (SR) vs. high-risk (HR) regimens. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for MID during induction in patients with ALL from the Maritimes over a 20-year period. We performed a retrospective single-center study of 262 patients (142 males, 120 females) diagnosed with ALL at IWK Health in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, from 2000 to 2019. Older age, higher body mass index, greater central nervous system status, Trisomy 21, and prednisone steroid type were risk factors associated with MID in our cohort. HR patients developed significantly more complications than SR patients including MID and infection. Screening for MID should be routine during ALL induction treatment, particularly in those with HR disease.
Characterization of Viscoelastic Properties Considering the Nonrelaxation for Filled Rubber
Authors: Lin Xinyi , Huang Mengxi , Wang Yang , Li Ziran
Published: December 2023

The influence of nonrelaxation on the Payne effect of carbon black-filled rubber is studied. The prestrain is introduced in the Kraus model in the form of exponential growth. Combined with studies of temperature correlations, an explicit model for predicting the Payne effect at different prestrains and temperatures is developed. Dynamic mechanical analyses are performed to determine model parameters and validate the proposed model. To further verify the proposed model, the heat buildup of rubber columns under dynamic tensile load is tested and simulated. The comparison between simulated and measured data shows that the simulation considering nonrelaxation is more accurate than without considering. With the increase of prestrain, the accuracy of considering nonrelaxation becomes more obvious.
Efficacy of the Enteroadsorbent Silicol®gel in Adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Subtypes IBS-D or Mixed: Observational Open-Label Study
Authors: Crawford Gordon , Taylor Rory , Young David , Hatton Chris G.
Published: December 2023

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gut-brain interaction disorder with limited effective treatment options. Intestinal adsorbents have a high adsorption capacity for gut irritants and may provide nonpharmacological alternatives. Objectives. This post marketing study is aimed at providing up-to-date evidence to support the safety and efficacy in normal use of an established medical device for IBS treatment. Methods. In this open-label, observational study, adults with IBS with predominant diarrhoea (IBS-D) or IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M), according to Rome IV criteria, received 4 weeks of treatment with the enteroadsorbent Silicol®gel, a CE-certified, licenced, medical device containing colloidal silicic acid. Eligible participants were assessed at baseline (visit 1; in-clinic) and after 1 (visit 2; telephone), 2 (visit 3; telephone), and 4 (visit 4; in-clinic) weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with an overall reduction in the IBS severity scoring system

IBS
 
SSS

>
50

, representing clinically meaningful improvement. Key secondary endpoints were a reduction in common IBS symptoms and improved quality of life (QoL). Results. Among the 67 treated participants (IBS-D: 37; IBS-M: 30), 65 completed the study. At visit 4, 83.6% (56/67) of participants achieved a reduction in IBS

SSS
>
50

. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) IBS SSS was 323.4 (55.7) at visit 1 and 160.3 (90.3) at visit 4 (overall change: -163.1 (101.7); 95% confidence interval [CI] 138.3, 187.9,

p
<
0.001

). Compared with visit 1, significant reductions in the severity of all key IBS symptoms and overall improvement in QoL were observed at visit 4 (

p
<
0.001

), with improvements observed from visits 1 and 2. Conclusions. In this open-label study of participants with IBS-D and IBS-M, Silicol®gel provided clinically significant improvement in IBS symptoms, demonstrating that enteroadsorbents may be clinically beneficial in this population.
Role of Kir4.1 Channels in Aminoglycoside‐Induced Ototoxicity of Hair Cells
Authors: Choi Jin Sil , Ahn Ye Ji , Lee SuHoon , Park Dong Jun , Park JeongEun , Ha Sun Mok , Seo Young Joon
Published: December 2023

The Kir4.1 channel, an inwardly rectifying potassium ion (K+) channel, is located in the hair cells of the organ of Corti as well as the intermediate cells of the stria vascularis. The Kir4.1 channel has a crucial role in the generation of endolymphatic potential and maintenance of the resting membrane potential. However, the role and functions of the Kir4.1 channel in the progenitor remain undescribed. To observe the role of Kir4.1 in the progenitor treated with the one‐shot ototoxic drugs (kanamycin and furosemide), we set the proper condition in culturing Immortomouse‐derived HEI‐OC1 cells to express the potassium‐related channels well. And also, that was reproduced in mice experiments to show the important role of Kir4.1 in the survival of hair cells after treating the ototoxicity drugs. In our results, when kanamycin and furosemide drugs were cotreated with HEI‐OC1 cells, the Kir4.1 channel did not change, but the expression levels of the NKCC1 cotransporter and KCNQ4 channel are decreased. This shows that inward and outward channels were blocked by the two drugs (kanamycin and furosemide). However, noteworthy here is that the expression level of Kir4.1 channel increased when kanamycin was treated alone. This shows that Kir4.1, an inwardly rectifying potassium channel, acts as an outward channel in place of the corresponding channel when the KCNQ4 channel, an outward channel, is blocked. These results suggest that the Kir4.1 channel has a role in maintaining K+ homeostasis in supporting cells, with K+ concentration compensator when the NKCC1 cotransporter and Kv7.4 (KCNQ4) channels are deficient.
Neuro‐Heuristic Computational Intelligence Approach for Optimization of Electro‐Magneto‐Hydrodynamic Influence on a Nano Viscous Fluid Flow
Authors: Butt Zeeshan Ikram , Ahmad Iftikhar , Raja Muhammad Asif Zahoor , Hussain Syed Ibrar , Shoaib Muhammad , Ilyas Hira
Published: December 2023

In this investigative study, the electro‐magneto hydrodynamic (EMHD) influence on a nano viscous fluid model is scrutinized by designing an artificial neural network (ANN) paradigm using a neuro‐heuristic approach (NHA) through the combination of GAs (genetic algorithms) and one of the most efficient locally searching solver SQP (sequential quadratic programming), i.e., NHA‐GA‐SQP. The fluid flow for the proposed problem is initially interpreted in the form of PDEs and then utilization of suitable similarity transformation on these PDEs yields in terms of a stiff nonlinear system of ODEs. The numerical results of the suggested fluidic model based on the variation of its physically existing parameters are calculated through the NHA‐GA‐SQP solver to detect the variation in velocity, thermal gradient, and concentration during the fluid flow. A detailed analysis of obtained outcomes through the NHA‐GA‐SQP algorithm and their comparison with the reference results estimated via the Adams method are presented. The calculation of the proposed solver’s accuracy, stability, and consistency through various statistical operators is also involved in the current inspection.
Changes in Serum Concentrations of Bone Turnover Markers in Healthy Pregnant Women
Authors: Zhang Yiduo , Li Ruiying , Zhang Jing , Zhou Wenjie , Yu Fan
Published: December 2023

Background. Changes in bone metabolism during pregnancy have not received sufficient attention because of the lack of effective screening tools. Bone turnover markers (BTMs) could reflect the changes of bone metabolism. Currently, reference intervals for bone metabolism during normal pregnancy are inconclusive. This study aimed to determine reference intervals for BTMs in pregnant women taking prenatal care and to facilitate clinical research on diseases affecting bone metabolism during pregnancy. Methods. We surveyed 120 low-risk pregnant women attending routine antenatal care from January 2020 to March 2020. The serum levels of procollagen type I N-propeptide (PINP), N-terminal osteocalcin (N-MID), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) were measured in the first trimester (<13 weeks), second trimester (14–27 weeks), and third trimester (>28 weeks). Reference intervals for BTMs during pregnancy were analyzed. The Kruskal–Wallis test and paired t-test are used to analyze differences between groups. Spearman correlation coefficients expressed the measure of linear association. Results. The bone resorption marker β-CTX in third trimester increases compared to the first trimester and the second trimester (

P

 < 0.001,

P

 < 0.001). The bone formation markers PINP and N-MID were decreased from the first trimester to the second trimester (

P

 = 0.01,

P

 < 0.001) and then raised from the second trimester to the third trimester (

P

 < 0.001,

P

 < 0.001). Two indices of bone turnover rate, β-CTX/PINP and β-CTX/N-MID, were increased from the first trimester to the second trimester (

P

 < 0.001,

P

 < 0.001) and then decreased from the second trimester to the third trimester (

P

 = 0.02,

P

 < 0.001). Conclusion. This study established reference intervals for BTMs in pregnant women and observed the changes in BTMs during the different trimesters of pregnancy. The present findings can help in clinical monitoring of the effects of pregnancy diseases on the bone metabolism of pregnant women.
Cost-Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery in Patients Living with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kovács Gábor , Mohos Elemér , Kis János Tibor , Tabák Ádám , Gerendy Péter , Pettkó Judit , Nagy Dávid , Győrbíró Dávid , Kaló Zoltán
Published: December 2023

Aims. The favourable effects of bariatric surgeries on body weight reduction and glucose control have been demonstrated in several studies. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgeries has been confirmed in several analyses. The aim of the current analysis was to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgeries in obese patients with type 2 diabetes in Hungary compared to conventional diabetes treatments based on economic modelling of published clinical trial results. Materials and Methods. Patients entered the simulation model at the age of 45 with

b
o
d
y
 
m
a
s
s
 
i
n
d
e
x
 

B
M
I

≥
30

 kg/m2 and type 2 diabetes. The model was performed from the public payer’s perspective, comparing sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) procedures to conventional care of diabetes. The results were provided separately for three BMI categories. Results. The base-case analysis demonstrated that both surgery types were dominant; i.e., they saved 17 064 to 24 384 Euro public payer expenditures and resulted in improved health outcomes (1.36 to 1.50 quality-adjusted life years gain (QALY)) in the three BMI categories. Bariatric surgeries extended the life expectancy and the disease-free survival times of all the investigated diabetes complications. All the scenario analyses confirmed the robustness of the base-case analysis, such that bariatric surgeries remained dominant compared to conventional diabetes treatments. Conclusion. The results of this cost-effectiveness analysis highlight the importance of bariatric surgeries as alternatives to conventional diabetes treatments in the obese population. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that a wider population has access to these surgeries in Hungary.
Palazestrant (OP-1250), A Complete Estrogen Receptor Antagonist, Inhibits Wild-type and Mutant ER-positive Breast Cancer Models as Monotherapy and in Combination
Authors: Parisian Alison D. , Barratt Susanna A. , Hodges-Gallagher Leslie , Ortega Fabian E. , Peña Guadalupe , Sapugay Judevin , Robello Brandon , Sun Richard , Kulp David , Palanisamy Gopinath S. , Myles David C. , Kushner Peter J. , Harmon Cyrus L.
Published: December 2023

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a well-established target for the treatment of breast cancer, with the majority of patients presenting as ER-positive (ER+). Endocrine therapy is a mainstay of breast cancer treatment but the development of resistance mutations in response to aromatase inhibitors, poor pharmacokinetic properties of fulvestrant, agonist activity of tamoxifen, and limited benefit for elacestrant leave unmet needs for patients with or without resistance mutations in ESR1, the gene that encodes the ER protein. Here we describe palazestrant (OP-1250), a novel, orally bioavailable complete ER antagonist and selective ER degrader. OP-1250, like fulvestrant, has no agonist activity on the ER and completely blocks estrogen-induced transcriptional activity. In addition, OP-1250 demonstrates favorable biochemical binding affinity, ER degradation, and antiproliferative activity in ER+ breast cancer models that is comparable or superior to other agents of interest. OP-1250 has superior pharmacokinetic properties relative to fulvestrant, including oral bioavailability and brain penetrance, as well as superior performance in wild-type and ESR1-mutant breast cancer xenograft studies. OP-1250 combines well with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors in xenograft studies of ER+ breast cancer models and effectively shrinks intracranially implanted tumors, resulting in prolonged animal survival. With demonstrated preclinical efficacy exceeding fulvestrant in wild-type models, elacestrant in ESR1-mutant models, and tamoxifen in intracranial xenografts, OP-1250 has the potential to benefit patients with ER+ breast cancer.
Movement behaviour of the common frog (Rana temporaria) in an anthropized mountain landscape: integrated step selection analysis of GPS tracking data
Authors: Boncourt Etienne , Reineking Björn , Chambonnet Gabriel , Gaucherand Stéphanie
Published: December 2023

Movement is a key aspect of amphibian ecology as the life cycle of many species involves seasonal dispersal and migration. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about how amphibians move across landscapes in relation to landscape structure and resource availability. Modern lightweight GPS loggers and associated statistical tools offer new perspectives to fill this gap. We tracked the movements of 20 adult European common frogs (Rana temporaria) in a human-transformed mountain landscape during summer using GPS tags programmed with a constant 4-hour time interval between fixes. Using integrated step-selection analysis, we demonstrate firstly that frogs strongly selected aquatic habitats over open grassland. Second, ski runs have a negative effect on frogs, indicated by longer movement steps. Weather (air temperature and rain) had no effect on frog movements. These results constitute a promising first step towards studying anuran movement in relation to landscape structure at fine spatial and temporal scales.
Coping with Food Crises
Authors: Farina Felice
Published: December 2023

In response to three major postwar food crises (1945–1946, 1972–1973 and 2007–2008), Japan developed a distinctive approach to food security. The largest food crisis in Japan’s modern history occurred after the defeat in 1945 as a result of the loss of former colonies, adverse weather, and import limitations imposed by the Allies. In 1973, the United States imposed a soybean embargo, leaving Japan with uncertain supplies. More recently, the 2007–2008 world food prices crisis brought new concerns about Japan’s overreliance on foreign markets. As a result of the cumulative effects of these crises, Japan developed what we define a ‘preventive approach to food security’, whereby it seeks to mitigate the negative effects of any potential future food emergency by promoting self-sufficiency and ensuring a steady supply of imports. In this article we will analyse and clarify the central role of the three postwar food crises in shaping this approach.
A Newly Identified Letter of Valentinus on Jesus’s Digestive System: Ps.-Basil of Caesarea’s ep. 366
Authors: Porter Nathan E.
Published: December 2023

A passage from Ps.-Basil of Caesarea’s ep. 366 contains verbatim parallels with a quotation of Valentinus given in Clement of Alexandria, Strom. 3.7.59.3. These parallels have rarely been recognized by scholars. Völker and Markschies have argued that Ps.-Basil was excerpting from Clement, but this paper argues that Ps.-Basil was independent of Clement and was likely Clement’s source. Overlooked evidence includes (i) the coherence of the parallel passages in the context of ep. 366 and their relative incoherence in the context of Strom. 3.7.59.3; (ii) Valentinian theology that is found throughout ep. 366, including the notions of spiritual bodies and Charis as God’s protological consort; (iii) grammatical errors in Clement that are not present in Ps.-Basil; and (iv) further textual evidence suggesting that ep. 366 has the original version of the passage. A plausible explanation of the evidence, this paper will argue, is that ep. 366 comes from the pen of Valentinus himself.
‘Being an Alevi Woman Means Enlightenment and Freedom’: Insights into Gender Equality through Cemevi and Dergah Case Studies in Istanbul
Authors: de Obaldía Vanessa R.
Published: December 2023

The main aim of this study is to demonstrate the principle of gender equality in relation to its spatial and practical implementation in Alevi places of worship (cemevi and dergah) and in participatory roles within Alevi institutions from two perspectives. Firstly, in terms of women’s empowerment and participation at the administrative level through case studies of Hazreti Ali Cemevi in Sultangazi and Karaağaç Bektaşi Dergah in Sütlüce, both of which are presided over by women presidents. Secondly, in relation to spatial access and participation in rituals and religious festivities at the small Adalar Cemevi located on the multi-faith Burgaz Island analysed in comparative perspective with the extensive Kartal Cemevi situated in the Muslim majority district of Kartal. This study also briefly addresses the erosion of Alevi gender principles within the urban setting and its attributing factors.
Intersection of the Rights to Freedom of Belief and Gender Equality in Turkey
Authors: Yılmaz Zehra , Arslan Hilal
Published: December 2023

Despite the efforts of the women’s movement in Turkey, gender equality as a norm has been abandoned in state policies due to the rise of neoliberal authoritarianism. Our study aims to take a snapshot of religious services access and gender equality while stressing the parallel norms by focusing on justice, equality and the prohibition of discrimination. Further, since ensuring freedom of religion or belief and gender equality is the duty of the state, our research exposes the legal and institutional framework regulating the intersection of these two fundamental human rights areas and Turkey’s related policies and practices. In doing so, the study delves into the state’s adherence to international human rights treaties and elaborates on women’s positioning in the organization of religious services, as well as shedding light on human rights protections and observed violations of those rights within the spheres of family law and religious education.
The Responsibility to Protect: a Bibliography
Authors: Gallagher Adrian , Lawrinson Blake , McKay Gillian , Illingworth Richard
Published: December 2023

This open-access bibliography provides an extensive compilation of research conducted on the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and relevant themes.
Constitutional Limits of Islamic Law: God in the Preamble to the Indonesian Constitution
Authors: Rofii Ahmad
Published: December 2023

The references to God in the preamble to the Indonesian Constitution raise a fundamental question, “do these references mean that the Constitution should be religious?” This paper aims to propose a new interpretation to the references to God in the preamble. Particularly, it suggests reinterpretation of the trajectory of the phrase “belief in One and Only God” in the making of the 1945 Constitution and during the amendment process, and of its legal significance. This article will also examine the implication of those references for the legitimacy of the state implementation of Islamic law. By analyzing the Constitutional Court’s decisions in the Religious Court Jurisdiction case, this article further investigates the implication of the constitutional interpretation of this phrase for the constitutionality of Islamic law. It argues that the preamble which is secular in nature provides the paradigm for enabling and limiting the institutionalization of religion, including Islamic law.
The Imagination of Japan
Authors: Ragazzini Jessica
Published: December 2023

The arrival of the 21st century ushered in an era when fears and hopes crystallized around Japan, then perceived in the West as a country of new technologies. It was also seen as the nation of new fashion designers and in the 1990s Western media attributed a distinctly ‘Japanese character’ to the collections of Japanese fashion designers who stood out internationally. This article explores the encounter between the stereotypes of a Japan imagined by the West and the real clothing collections offered by brands such as Comme des Garçons, who exercised a major influence, in particular on Alexander McQueen and Iris van Herpen. In addition, this article aims to draw the attention of academic research to the unprecedented crossovers that fashion allows.
The Ho-o-den at the World’s Columbian Exposition
Authors: Whitmore Janet
Published: December 2023

The Japanese pavilion at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition was much admired by visitors. Unlike most of the fair buildings, however, the Ho-o-den remained in situ on the Wooded Island long after the exposition was over, thus providing an architectural reference for anyone interested in Japanese design. This article details the design, construction and initial reception of the Ho-o-den at the fair. A second article will explore the enduring influence of the building on American design.
Climate Litigation in Argentina: A Critical and Prospective Analysis
Authors: Medici-Colombo Gastón , Berros María Valeria
Published: December 2023

This article analyses the climate litigation scenario in Argentina. Based on the Sabin Center Database, we conducted an in-depth study of all the proceeding documents of the identified cases. We found that, in Argentina, a significant number of climate cases exists compared to other jurisdictions in the region and in the Global South as a whole. These cases show civil society actors suing public and corporate actors due to the deployment of ‘climate-disruptive’ projects or the failed protection of climate-relevant ecosystems. Plaintiffs use a variety of judicial avenues and grounds from different regulatory levels. That said, the case law study leads us to conclude that climate litigation is still incipient in Argentina. Climate change is a very novel legal issue for Argentinean litigants and courts, with lawsuits only developing actual climate argumentation very recently and with not even one judgment, let alone a landmark decision, addressing climate concerns. That is a notable difference from other jurisdictions in the region. Furthermore, we anticipate that climate litigation will continue to grow in Argentina, given weak political opportunities for climate action and stronger legal opportunities provided by broad judicial avenues, a multiplicity of grounds that can be used in climate arguments, and innovative environmental legal approaches developed by the Supreme Court.
‘Urgenda-Style’ Strategic Climate Change Litigation in Italy: A Tale of Human Rights and Torts?
Authors: Fermeglia Matteo , Luporini Riccardo
Published: December 2023

This contribution addresses the first strategic climate change litigation filed against the Italian State, the Giudizio Universale case. Giudizio Universale’s legal architecture is largely akin to other landmark cases filed in Europe, such as Urgenda in The Netherlands and Klimaatzaak in Belgium. Accordingly, Giudizio Universale is grounded on the state’s breach of international and EU obligations, the encroachment of human rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the Italian Constitution, and the consequent attribution of domestic tort liability to the state under the Italian Civil Code. This article thus examines the main arguments raised in Giudizio Universale in light of the underlying domestic human rights and tort liability regimes. It first investigates the interplay between the breach of climate change obligations and human rights infringement as presented in the complaint to understand whether, and to what extent, Italian courts could give deference to an ‘Urgenda-style’ claim. Second, it unpacks the existing interpretation of tort liability as applied to state liability vis-à-vis its citizens by Italian courts. Third, it factors Giudizio Universale in the recent Italian Constitutional reform, which explicitly introduced the protection of the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as a reference to the ‘interests of future generations’, into the fundamental principles of the Italian Constitution. Overall, the article concludes that several limitations exist in the Italian legal system in the pursuance of strategic climate litigation against the state for its (in)action against climate change. One of the merits of the Giudizio Universale case, however, is that it challenges these limitations to provide another suitable tool for ensuring protection against the climate emergency.
Climate Litigation: Targeting the Aviation Sector
Authors: Balounová Eva
Published: December 2023

With climate litigation growing in importance, the aviation industry, as one of the most energy-intensive forms of consumption, has been also challenged. This article identifies five types of climate litigation concerning the aviation sector, and analyses two main arguments that have led to the dismissal of several types of cases. First, the courts have concluded that the Paris Agreement does not apply to international aviation and thus does not commit the parties to the Agreement to reduce emissions from this sector. The second argument for dismissal was the lack of the Paris Agreement’s direct effect, an argument that is raised mainly in the airport expansion cases, as these plans for expansions were often approved by the local authority. To date, only the so-called ‘climate-washing’ claims and the ‘climate-necessity’ defence cases have resulted in favourable outcomes with respect to climate action. The article notes that the climate-washing cases, including claims over carbon offsetting and fuel sustainability, are on the rise, thus drawing attention to the adequacy of the relevant regulatory instruments to ensure the decoupling of the industry from its CO2 emissions.
Imaging emptiness
Authors: Bouso Raquel
Published: December 2023

Nishitani’s later works, particularly the seminal essay “Kū to soku” and several lectures given at Ōtani University, were devoted to thinking about image and imagination. In this article, I try to reconstruct Nishitani’s theory of imagination in light of these writings. I discuss the role that imagination plays in his philosophical project and how his ideas can contribute to philosophically understanding the phenomenon of imagination itself.

The paper starts from Nishitani’s conception of the “elemental imagination”, closely related to Aristotle’s phantasia, from which, according to the Japanese philosopher, artistic and religious images emerge. Since this raises the question of the degree of reality accorded to the imagined and of the cognitive and affective value attributed to artistic and religious images, then the question of the ontology of images in the Greek, Christian and Buddhist traditions, in which the image serves as a means of manifesting the real, is examined. Finally, since Nishitani’s theory of imagination moves between the being and non-being of images, their subjectification and objectification, an attempt is made to situate it with respect to two opposing tendencies in contemporary philosophy, i.e., to recover the ontophanic value of images or to de-ontologize them.
What are Social Imaginaries?: A Pathway Through the Labyrinth
Authors: Adams Suzi
Published: December 2023

This essay charts a pathway through the labyrinth of social imaginaries. It enters into hermeneutic engagement with Castoriadis, Ricoeur, Taylor, and Arnason to outline a framework that elucidates social imaginaries in relation to social creativity, meaning, action, institutions, and the world horizon. It first situates “imaginaries” within a theory of culture. This section addresses the world as a background horizon of implicit meanings; imaginary significations as world creating; the interpretative aspect of creation; and the symbolic as a bridge between culture and society. The second section addresses the ‘social’ of social imaginaries. It highlights the social-historical as the impersonal dimension of society, and institutions and modes of social doing in which social imaginaries are incarnated. It identifies three varieties of doing: movement, social practices, and social praxis. It draws on the metaphor of the hermeneutic spiral to grasp social imaginaries in their dynamic movement of interpretation and creation.
Industry Payments to Pediatricians in the United States Between 2013 and 2021
Authors: Murayama Anju
Published: December 2023

Financial relationships between physicians and the health care industry sometimes lead to conflicts of interest and need to be properly managed. Using the Open Payments Database between 2013 and 2021, this cross-sectional analysis examined the industry payments made to physicians whose primary specialty was pediatrics. Descriptive analyses were performed for the payment data overall and other pediatrician demographics. Of 99 764 eligible pediatricians, 59 984 (60.1%) received a total of $297 million (12.8%) in general and $2 billion in research payments over the 9 years. Median 9-year per-physician payments were $288 (interquartile range [IQR]: $88-$958) in general and $65 343 (IQR: $16 763-$255 208) in research payments. Male pediatricians were 1.06 (95% CI: 1.05-1.09, P < .001) and 1.56 (95% CI: 1.49-1.65, P < .001) times more likely to receive general and associated research payments than female pediatricians, respectively. The number of pediatricians receiving general payments annually decreased by 1.5% (95% CI: −1.7% to −1.4%, P < .001).