bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent and projected climate change–induced expansion of Atlantic halibut in the Northwest Atlantic
Authors: Czich Andrew N. , Stanley R.R.E. , Avery T.S. , den Heyer C.E. , Shackell N.L.
Published: November 2023

With the influence of climate change on marine systems expanding, climate adaptation will be fundamental for the future of fisheries management. An exponential increase in Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus landings over the past decade has coincided with warming ocean temperatures. Here, we explore how historical changes in abundance have been linked to changing thermal habitat conditions and project trends with a warming climate under different emissions scenarios. From 1990 to 2018, available thermal habitat increased by 11.6 ± 7.35% and growing degree days have increased by 13.5 ± 7.86 °C·days across the region. With warming, the probability of occurrence is projected to increase up to 20.5% in Canada by 2085 under RCP 8.5 for Atlantic halibut. Our results suggest that shifting patterns of halibut distribution and abundance are linked to thermal conditions and that continued warming will likely continue to enhance habitat conditions, leading to increased abundance in the Canadian range. Collectively, these results illustrate the influence of shifting environmental conditions on population dynamics and emphasize the importance of adaptive management practices in a dynamic future climate.
EFFECTIVENESS OF POSTERIOR PELVIC TILT EXERCISE ON STABLE AND UNSTABLE SURFACE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN
Authors: Ali Kamran , Ali Mohsin , Kaushik Himani , Khan Moazzam Hussain
Published: November 2023

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess and evaluate the efficacy of posterior pelvic tilt exercises on pain reduction, functional disability, muscle strength, and lumbopelvic angle in patients with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP). These exercises were conducted on stable and unstable surfaces.

Methods: This was a single-blinded randomized two-group pre-test and post-test experimental study. Men and women with CLBP, with an age between 18 and 50 years, were divided into two groups at random. Group A performed the exercises on a stable surface, and Group B performed the exercises on an unstable surface. The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability, Flexi Ruler for measuring lumbar lordosis angle, and Surface Electromyography (SEMG) for Transverse Abdominis (TA) and Rectus Abdominis (RA) muscles were used for pre- and post-treatment analysis.

Results: Significant improvements in SEMG activity of TA and RA muscles were observed in both intervention groups following conventional exercises ([Formula: see text] < 0.05). However, the unstable surface group had a higher increase in SEMG amplitude during Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) and the percentage of MVIC for the TA muscles.

Conclusion: Posterior pelvic tilt exercises performed on stable and unstable surfaces effectively reduced pain, decreased the angle of lumbar lordosis, improved functional disability, and enhanced activity and strength of the pelvic muscles in patients with CLBP.
Nonlinear Forced Vibration of Functionally Graded Graphene-Reinforced Composite (FG-GRC) Laminated Cylindrical Shells under Different Boundary Conditions with Thermal Repercussions
Authors: Hasan Hamad M , Ali Ahmed Y
Published: November 2023

The key aim of this research is to develop an analytical model for the forced vibration of graphene-reinforced composite (GRC) cylindrical shell with viscous damping and thermal environment effects under several boundary conditions. The prescribed mechanical and thermal characteristics of the GRC layer are evaluated utilizing a micromechanical extended Halpin–Tsai technique. Further, the governing equations are determined to be grounded on the shear deformation theory (SDT) with the von Kármán-form in terms of the geometric nonlinearity. The basic nonlinear partial differential governing equation is transformed into a nonlinear ordinary differential equation with the Galerkin-based method. The resulting ordinary governing differential equations are systematically solved based on the multiple scales scheme in order to obtain the nonlinear forced vibration frequency response of the laminated GRC cylindrical shell in the presence of damping impact and subjected to multiple boundary conditions. The validation of the obtained expressions is achieved by comparing them with the available literature data where the comparison revealed a clear consistency between them. Moreover, a parametric investigation is provided to illustrate the impacts of the distribution of graphene layers, elastic foundation coefficients, damping ratios, temperature effects and dimensionless radial excitation amplitude on the forced nonlinear amplitude-frequency ratio responses for a functionally-graded graphene-reinforced composite (FG-GRC)-layered cylindrical shells. The analytical outcomes indicate that the different distribution types of graphene, elastic foundation coefficients, damping ratios, temperature, and radial excitation parameters have a noteworthy impact on the frequency–amplitude behaviors of an FG-GRC-layered cylindrical shell. In addition, the new insights gained from this research might contribute to a deeper understanding of the nonlinear forced vibration responses in subsequent analysis and design techniques for giving appropriate benchmark findings.
Nonlinear Vibrations Analysis of Hyperelastic Cylindrical Shells Utilizing the Method of Multiple Scales
Authors: Saeidiha Majid , Ahmadi Habib , Jalali Amir
Published: November 2023

In this study, the primary resonance of a hyperelastic thin-walled cylindrical shell subjected to external excitation is examined. The incompressible Moony–Rivlin model, nonlinear Donnell’s shell theory, and Hamilton principle are employed to extract the fundamental equations in three directions. The Galerkin approach is employed to reduce the governing equation into ordinary differential equations form. Then, by neglecting the membrane inertia, three equations are reduced to one equation to analyze the transverse vibrations of the hyperelastic shells. Natural frequencies of different asymmetric modes are used to define the fundamental mode. Then, the multiple scales method is applied to evaluate the frequency–amplitude curves for various parameters. In addition, the model’s accuracy is validated with those presented in the literature for a cylindrical shell and the comparison shows good arrangement results. In the simulation part, the effects of the amplitude of excitation, the ratio of thickness–radius, and the ratio of radius–length on the primary resonances of shells are evaluated. The simulation plots show that for small values of radius-to-length ratios, increasing its value causes to decrease in the stiffness of the thin hyperelastic shell. Also, by increasing the radius–length ratios from 0.3 to 1.18 the hardening of the shell is decreased, and by increasing the radius–length ratios from 1.18 to 2 the hardening behavior is increased.
Employing Machine Learning to Deduce a Causal Link Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance
Authors: Huang Zhiyan , Liew Kwen , Rahman Mamnoon
Published: November 2023

Incorporating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into business strategy has become noteworthy, as that pertains to the discretionary initiatives a business entity undertakes to enhance its operational sphere’s societal and ecological circumstances. The evaluation of a company’s success is closely tied to its financial performance, which pertains to its capacity to produce earnings and enhance shareholder worth. The correlation between CSR and financial performance has been a topic of significant discourse, with numerous studies examining this subject from diverse perspectives. Nevertheless, establishing a causal association between the concepts above poses a formidable challenge, owing to the intricate nature of the association and the likelihood of extraneous variables exerting an effect. This study suggests a model for CSR based on Machine Learning (ML), referred to as the Machine Learning-based Corporate Social Responsibility Model (ML-CSRM). This model aims to establish a causal relationship between CSR and financial performance. The paper commences with a comprehensive exposition of CSR and its correlation with financial performance. The discourse delves into the intricacies of ascertaining the causal relationship between the two. The method under consideration utilizes Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) and text clustering techniques to examine extant legal documents about CSR. The study presents the proposed method’s simulation results [Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, precision, recall, Root-Mean-Squared Error (RMSE), and R-squared] and discusses the proposed approach’s outcomes. The outcomes of this research carry significant ramifications for both commercial enterprises and the broader community, given that they offer discernment into the correlation between CSR and economic outcomes.
A Smoothed Point Interpolation Method for the Timoshenko Beam
Authors: Pereira dos Santos Felipe , Marino Enzo , Gori Lapo
Published: November 2023

This paper aims to extend the meshless smoothed point interpolation methods (SPIMs) to the analysis of the Timoshenko beam problem. These methods are based on the concepts of smoothing domains and weakened-weak (W2) form; their use is made possible by the extension of the weakened-weak form that they are based on to the case of the Timoshenko beam. The provided numerical simulations emphasize that, by changing the number of nodes used to build the shape functions at each interest point, it is possible to obtain a lower-bound or an upper-bound approximation to the analytical solution of the beam problem. This property is further exploited with the concept of [Formula: see text]PIM shape function that, blending together the different bounds to the analytical solution, allows to improve the convergence. The proposed formulation is naturally locking-free, i.e., no additional treatment is necessary to avoid the spurious stiffer behavior that commonly occurs in FEM simulations of shear-deformable beams.
Smart Contracts for Mobile Network Operator Bandwidth Sharing
Authors: Sandholm Thomas , Mukherjee Sayandev
Published: November 2023

We propose a new way to share licensed spectrum bandwidth capacity in mobile networks between operators, service providers, and end users using blockchain-based smart contracts. We discuss the foundational building blocks in the contract as well as various extensions to support more advanced features such as bulk purchases and future reservations. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the system can be implemented with an open source, permissioned enterprise blockchain, Hyperledger Sawtooth. We show that our smart contract implementation can improve blockchain transaction performance, by approximately four orders of magnitude compared to serial transactions and one order of magnitude compared to parallel transactions, by using public key infrastructure driven bulk purchases of mobile access grants, paving the way for fully automated, efficient, and fine-grained roaming agreements. We conclude with a discussion of lessons learned from two end-to-end use cases we implemented to validate our distributed ledger design.
Assessment of Place of Delivery and Associated Factors among Pastoralists in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluation
Authors: Tenaw Lebeza Alemu , Kumsa Henok , Arage Mulugeta Wodaje , Abera Atitegeb , Hailu Tilahun , Mislu Esuyawkal
Published: November 2023

Background. Pastoralist communities rely on their livestock for at least 50% of their food supply and source of income. Home births raise the risk of maternal morbidity and death, whereas institutional births lessen the likelihood of difficulties during labor. Around 70% of labors in pastoralist regions of Ethiopia were assisted by traditional birth attendants. Methods. Studies done from January 2004 to January 2023, accessed in PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and other search engines, were included. PRISMA guidelines and JBI critical appraisal checklist were used to assure the quality of the review. Ten articles were included in this review. Data were extracted with Excel and exported to STATA 16 for analysis. Heterogeneity of literatures was evaluated using

I

2

statistics and publication bias using the Egger regression asymmetry test and the Duval and Tweedie trim-fill analysis. Statistical significance was declared at

p

value less than 0.05. Result. The pooled estimate of institutional delivery among the pastoralist community in Ethiopia is 21.2% (95% CI: 16.2-26.1). Husbands who were involved to decide place of delivery (

OR
=
3.47

; 95% CI: 1.61, 7.50), women with good knowledge of MCH services (

OR
=
2.283

; 95% CI: 1.51, 3.44), women who had a positive attitude towards MCH services (

OR
=
1.69

; 95% CI: 0.79, 3.6), availability of health institutions (

OR
=
2.6

; 95% CI: 0.95, 7.20), and women who had an ANC follow-up (

OR
=
2.78

; 95% CI: 2.07, 3.73) were higher institutional delivery prevalence among pastoralist women. Moreover, institutional delivery among women who were educated above the college level was more than two times (

OR
=
2.56

; 95% CI: 1.985, 3.304) higher than among women who were not educated. Conclusion. Pastoralist women in Ethiopia were found to be a disadvantaged group for institutional delivery at national level. Husband involvement, educational level, ANC visit, knowledge and attitude for MCH service, and health facility distance were identified to have significant association with institutional delivery.
Human-Mimic Submuscular and Premuscular Irradiated Rat Model: Histologic Characteristics of the Capsule Tissue in Contact with the Breast Implant
Authors: Kim Hyung Bae , Han Se Young , Eom Jin Sup , Han Hyun Ho
Published: November 2023

Background. In this study, we established two rat models that mimic human submuscular and premuscular breast reconstruction. We analyzed the capsule formation according to surgical techniques and adjacent tissues, including the chest wall tissues, such as the ribs and acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) that come in contact with silicone implants. Methods. This study consisted of experiments on 12 Sprague–Dawley rats that underwent implant reconstruction using ADM. They were divided into two groups: rats that underwent dual-plane implantation (n = 6; group 1) and those that underwent premuscular implant insertion (n = 6; group 2). All rats were irradiated with 35 Gy of fractionated radiation. Three months after surgery, the histology and immunochemistry of the capsule tissues of the ADM, muscle, and chest wall were analyzed. Results. Overall capsule thickness was thicker in group 1. Based on the tissue in contact with the silicone implant, ADM had a thinner capsule, less inflammation, less fibrosis, and less vascularization than the muscle and chest wall tissues. Conclusions. This study described two rat models of clinically relevant implant-based breast reconstruction using a submuscular and premuscular plane, ADM, and irradiation. Overall, the premuscular implantation rat model was associated with a thinner capsule. The ADM in contact with the silicone implant, even after irradiation, had superior protection from radiation compared with the other tissues.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Dengue Virus Circulation in the Rural Community, Handeni District in Tanga, Tanzania
Authors: Kajeguka Debora C. , Mponela Francis M. , Mkumbo Emmanuel , Kaaya Anna N. , Lasway Daniel , Kaaya Robert D. , Alifrangis Michael , Elanga-Ndille Emmanuel , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Kavishe Reginald
Published: November 2023

Dengue virus is among the most important re-emerging arbovirus that causes global public health attention. Dengue has historically been thought of as an urban disease that frequently occurs in rapidly urbanized settings. However, dengue has become more widespread in rural regions in recent years. Understanding the changing dengue epidemiology in different geographical settings is important for targeted intervention. In Tanzania, dengue fever is not frequently reported because of the poor surveillance infrastructure, underestimation, and a lack of consideration of dengue as a priority. Therefore, the true burden as well as the risk factors for increased transmission has not been fully ascertained, particularly in rural areas. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in June 2021, involving a total of 362 participants of all age groups. We investigated the prevalence of acute dengue infection, seroprevalence, and associated factors among the community in three villages of the rural Handeni district. The prevalence of acute dengue infection (based on PCR) was 2.2% (8/362). Dengue-specific IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 3.3% (12/362) and 5.2% (19/362) of the participants, respectively. Adult participants who were having vegetation around their houses were more likely to be DENV seropositive (AOR = 2.4, CI = 1.88–4.18,pvalue = 0.05). Children living in houses with garbage pit around their households were less likely to be DENV seropositive (AOR = 0.13, CI = 0.03–0.56,pvalue <0.01). DENV continues to circulate in rural Tanzania, causes an alarming situation, and necessitates prompt public health action to enhance vector surveillance and control in rural communities.
A Comparative Study on the Quality of Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) of Different Sizes Cultured in Different Cage Systems
Authors: Wei Banghong , Zheng Shengyang , Gao Yan , Zheng Yao , Yang Xu , Jiang Zhongquan , Guo Quanyou
Published: November 2023

This study analyzed the quality of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) of different sizes cultured in farmed floating sea-cage (common cage, CC) or deep-water cage (DWC) models. The quality was assessed based on several factors: condition factors, ventral color, texture, protein and lipid content, and fatty acid composition. In addition, we analyzed and identified taste characteristics and volatile substances. The results showed that large yellow croaker cultured in DWC had a better body shape than CC with lower condition factors and higher body length-to-height ratio. The DWC cultured fish were yellower with lower lipid content than the CC cultured fish. The springiness of the flesh from fishes cultured in DWC was significantly higher than those cultured in CC. The level of immobilized water and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid was higher in DWC. The DWC culture model contributed to the sweetness, saltiness, and umami of the flesh. The flesh from DWC had a higher content of aldehydes, such as pentanal, heptanal, and hexanal. The results demonstrated that the DWC culture model is a better choice to improve the quality of large yellow croaker in terms of organoleptic properties, nutritional value, and taste.
Influence of Water Saturation on Adsorption Behavior at Liquid-Liquid Interfaces in Unsaturated Porous Media
Authors: Zhu Yan , Cui Ziteng , Li Kun , Wang Chaoqi , Li Zhao , Zhang Xueyi , Dou Zhi
Published: November 2023

Adsorption reaction in unsaturated porous media is of great importance for soil and groundwater remediation. In this study, the influence of the Peclet number (Pe) and water saturation on adsorption behavior at liquid-liquid interfaces was quantitatively investigated. The pore-scale reactive transport in unsaturated porous media was directly simulated. The Navier-Stokes equations, the surface transfer and adsorption reaction equations, and the advection-diffusion equation (ADE) were coupled to obtain the flow and concentration fields. The results showed that water saturation had a significant influence on the complexity of the flow field. A nonmonotonic relationship was found between water saturation and the uniformity of the flow field. Peclet number had little influence on the maximum adsorption. On the other hand, the adsorption time showed a nearly linear relationship with the Peclet number and increased with increasing Peclet number. Additionally, a nonlinear relationship was found between water saturation and the maximum adsorption. As water saturation increased, the maximum adsorption tended to increase to a peak and then decrease. The peak of the maximum adsorption occurred at

Pe
=
5

,

S

w

=
0.458

, and the shortest adsorption time was observed at

S

w

=
0.902

. However, the difference in adsorption times for saturations of 0.458 and 0.698 was not significant and was only about 20 PV difference.
Power System Analysis of Moving from HVAC to HVDC in the Presence of Renewable Energy Resources
Authors: Saadeh Osama , Abu Sba Baher , Dalala Zakariya
Published: November 2023

As global energy consumption continues to increase, increased utilization and adaptation of renewable energy resources have tremendously increased over the last decades. Unfortunately, despite the many benefits of renewable energy resources, the intermittent nature of generation and the far distance of large installations from demand centers have tremendous effects on the connecting grid’s stability. In this study, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems are proposed as a solution for stable and reliable grid operation in the presence of large renewable energy installations. This research investigates the deployment of an HVDC system into an entire network rather than studying it as an isolated radial system. Various power system analysis functions for both static and dynamic conditions are used to study the effect of integrating an HVDC system on the overall network’s stability. To verify the proposed approach, Jordan’s national electric grid was modeled and used as a case study. The results show when deploying HVDC transmission, losses are reduced by 70% from the baseline case, in addition to better handling of contingency events and enhanced grid’s stability when examining the generator’s rotor angle and speed. Rigorous modeling and simulations of the proposed system structure show the feasibility and prove the advantages of modern HVDC systems over HVAC counterparts.
CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in LGMD2A/R1 Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem and Skeletal Muscle Progenitor Cells
Authors: Mavrommatis Lampros , Zaben Abdul , Kindler Urs , Kienitz Marie-Cécile , Dietz Julienne , Jeong Hyun-Woo , Böhme Pierre , Brand-Saberi Beate , Vorgerd Matthias , Zaehres Holm
Published: November 2023

Large numbers of Calpain 3 (CAPN3) mutations cause recessive forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2A/LGMDR1) with selective atrophy of the proximal limb muscles. We have generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from a patient with two mutations in exon 3 and exon 4 at the calpain 3 locus (W130C, 550delA). Two different strategies to rescue these mutations are devised: (i) on the level of LGMD2A-iPSC, we combined CRISPR/Cas9 genome targeting with a FACS and Tet transactivator-based biallelic selection strategy, which resulted in a new functional chimeric exon 3-4 without the two CAPN3 mutations. (ii) On the level of LGMD2A-iPSC-derived CD82+/Pax7+ myogenic progenitor cells, we demonstrate CRISPR/Cas9 mediated rescue of the highly prevalent exon 4 CAPN3 mutation. The first strategy specifically provides isogenic LGMD2A corrected iPSC for disease modelling, and the second strategy can be further elaborated for potential translational approaches.
The Breast Microbiome in Breast Cancer Risk and Progression: A Narrative Review
Authors: Peters Brandilyn A. , Kelly Libusha , Wang Tao , Loudig Olivier , Rohan Thomas E.
Published: November 2023

A decade ago, studies in human populations first revealed the existence of a unique microbial community in the breast, a tissue historically viewed as sterile, with microbial origins seeded through the nipple and/or translocation from other body sites. Since then, research efforts have been made to characterize the microbiome in healthy and cancerous breast tissues. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current evidence for the association of the breast microbiome with breast cancer risk and progression. Briefly, while many studies have examined the breast microbiome in patients with breast cancer, and compared it with the microbiome of benign breast disease tissue or normal breast tissue, these studies have varied widely in their sample sizes, methods, and quality of evidence. Thus, while several large and rigorous cross-sectional studies have provided key evidence of an altered microbiome in breast tumors compared with normal adjacent and healthy control tissue, there are few consistent patterns of perturbed microbial taxa. In addition, only one large prospective study has provided evidence of a relationship between the breast tumor microbiota and cancer prognosis. Future research studies featuring large, well-characterized cohorts with prospective follow-up for breast cancer incidence, progression, and response to treatment are warranted.
Ayurveda for a Type 1 Diabetes Patient with Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Stapelfeldt Elmar , Berger Bettina , Raak Christa K. , Gupta Shivenarain
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The effect of Ayurvedic therapy in type 2 diabetes (T2D) is well documented. For people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), there is little evidence on the applicability of Ayurvedic therapy. This case illustrates the course of Ayurvedic treatment in a person with T1D accompanied by peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Case Presentation: The patient had insulin-dependent T1D since the age of 6 years. At 39 years of age, he developed progressive bilateral PAOD of the femoral arteries. He presented claudication symptoms at a walking distance of 150 m. Ten surgical interventions for recanalization have been performed. The PAOD put heavy psychological strains on the patient. He developed moderate depression with anxiety and complained of tinnitus and sleep disturbances. Through an initial outpatient Ayurvedic treatment mainly focused on dietary, lifestyle changes and phytotherapeutics, and a subsequent 6-week inpatient Ayurvedic treatment in India, a weight reduction of 12 kg, a reduction in insulin requirement to 65% of baseline, as well as a walking performance without restriction at a medium load could be achieved. The depression and inner tension retreated, and one-sided tinnitus and existing sleep disturbances dissolved completely. The lasting effect was still perceptible 5 months after the inpatient stay. Conclusions: For this person with T1D with PAOD, outpatient and inpatient Ayurvedic therapy could generate a significant improvement of his situation. The case demonstrates that people with T1D can benefit from using individualized Ayurvedic therapy. This case motivates to invest in Ayurvedic research for people with T1D and complications.
Allogenic Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Cartilage Injury: A Systematic Review of the Evidence on the Basic Sciences for Potential Future Applications
Authors: Hassan Nur Hidayah , Ahmad Raja Elina , Kamarul Tunku , Looi Qi Hao Daniel , Chong Pan Pan
Published: November 2023

It is apparent that whilst many reports are available regarding platelet-rich-plasma (PRP), the larger majority of these have been mainly focussed on autologous sources, and for good reason. Issues relating to allogenic source have been consciously avoided owing to concerns of cross infectivity and immune rejection. However, this topic today is now revisited and is of interest since progress over the year has demonstrated its safety, efficacy, and its abundance of supply. The present systematic review was thus conducted to elucidate advances made in this area, with the aim to provide a wider and deeper understanding of studies relevant to the application of allogenic PRP in cartilage repair. Literature search was conducted systematically using Medline, ProQuest, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and snowballing searching strategy to identify relevant studies using topic-specific keywords in various combinations including “allogenic, platelet, rich, plasma” OR “allogeneic, platelet, rich, plasma” OR “allogenic platelet-rich plasma” OR “allogeneic platelet-rich plasma” OR “allogenic platelet rich plasma” OR “allogeneic platelet rich plasma” AND cartilage OR chondrocytes OR synoviocytes OR stem cells. Studies that used allogenic PRP in an attempt to facilitate cartilage repair were included. The risk of bias was assessed by the SYRCLE’s checklist. Of 206 studies identified, 12 were found eligible. Only those studies that are clearly related and specific to allogenic PRP were included. Of these, nine investigated the efficacy of allogenic PRP in animal models, while three articles employed an in vitro model. Allogenic PRP promotes cell proliferation, cartilage matrix production, and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. The in vivo studies reported histological evidence of significant acceleration of cartilage repair in treated animals. Despite several conflicting findings, all studies agreed that allogenic PRP is safe and potentially efficacious for cartilage repair, with the advantages of allogenic sources apparent.
Upstaging after Transurethral Resection of the Bladder for Non-Muscle-Invasive Cancer of the Bladder: Who Is at Highest Risk?
Authors: Volz Yannic , Trappmann Rabea , Ebner Benedikt , Eismann Lennert , Enzinger Benazir , Hermans Julian , Pyrgidis Nikolaos , Stief Christian , Schulz Gerald B.
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Transurethral resection of the bladder (TUR-BT) is the standard initial treatment and diagnosis of bladder cancer (BC). Of note, upstaging into muscle-invasive disease (MIBC) during re-resection occurs in a significant proportion of patients. This study aimed to define risk factors at initial TUR-BT for upstaging. Methods: TUR-BT between 2009 and 2021 were retrospectively screened (n = 3,237). We included patients with visible tumors that received their primary and re-TUR-BT at our institution. Upstaging was defined as pathological tumor stage progression into MIBC at re-TUR-BT. Clinicopathological variables were analyzed for the impact on upstaging. Results: Two hundred and sixty-six patients/532 TUR-BTs were included in the final analysis. Upstaging occurred in 7.9% (21/266) patients. Patients with upstaging presented with stroma-invasive and papillary non-muscle-invasive BC at primary resection in 85.7% (18/21) and 14.3% (3/21), respectively. Detrusor muscle at primary TUR-BT was significantly less present in patients with upstaging (4.1 vs. 95.9%; p < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, solid tumor configuration (HR: 4.17; 95% CI: 1.23–14.15; p = 0.022) and missing detrusor muscle at initial TUR-BT (HR: 3.58; 95% CI: 1.05–12.24; p = 0.043) were significant risk factors for upstaging into MIBC. Conclusions: The current study defined two major risk factors for upstaging: missing detrusor muscle and solid tumor configuration. We propose that a second resection should be performed earlier if these risk factors apply.
Platelet Metabolic Profiling Reveals Glycolytic and 1-Carbon Metabolites Are Essential for GP VI–Stimulated Human Platelets—Brief Report
Authors: Ghatge Madankumar , Flora Gagan D. , Nayak Manasa K. , Chauhan Anil K.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Evolving evidence suggests that besides signaling pathways, platelet activation involves a complex interplay between metabolic pathways to support thrombus growth. Selective targeting of metabolic checkpoints may inhibit platelet activation and provide a novel antiplatelet strategy. We, therefore, examined global metabolic changes that occur during the transition of human platelets from resting to an activated state to identify metabolites and associated pathways that contribute to platelet activation.

METHODS:

We performed metabolic profiling of resting and convulxin-stimulated human platelet samples. The differential levels, pathway analysis, and PCA (principal component analysis) were performed using Metaboanalyst. Metascape was used for metabolite network construction.

RESULTS:

Of the 401 metabolites identified, 202 metabolites were significantly upregulated, and 2 metabolites were downregulated in activated platelets. Of all the metabolites, lipids scored highly and constituted ≈50% of the identification. During activation, aerobic glycolysis supports energy demand and provides glycolytic intermediates required by metabolic pathways. Consistent with this, an important category of metabolites was carbohydrates, particularly the glycolysis intermediates that were significantly upregulated compared with resting platelets. We found that lysophospholipids such as 1-palmitoyl-GPA (glycero-3-phosphatidic acid), 1-stearoyl-GPS (glycero-3-phosphoserine), 1-palmitoyl-GPI (glycerophosphoinositol), 1-stearoyl-GPI, and 1-oleoyl-GPI were upregulated in activated platelets. We speculated that platelet activation could be linked to 1-carbon metabolism, a set of biochemical pathways that involve the transfer and use of 1-carbon units from amino acids, for cellular processes, including nucleotide and lysophospholipid synthesis. In alignment, based on pathway enrichment and network-based prioritization, the metabolites from amino acid metabolism, including serine, glutamate, and branched-chain amino acid pathway were upregulated in activated platelets, which might be supplemented by the high levels of glycolytic intermediates.

CONCLUSIONS:

Metabolic analysis of resting and activated platelets revealed that glycolysis and 1-carbon metabolism are necessary to support platelet activation.
Geographic Distribution of Social Service Resources for Stroke Survivors in Ohio Varies by Rurality
Authors: Wing Jeffrey J. , Rajczyk Jenna I. , Burke James F.
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND:

Both social service resources and stroke prevalence vary by geography, and health care resources are scarcer in rural areas. We assessed whether distributions of resources relevant to stroke survivors were clustered around areas of the highest stroke prevalence in Ohio and whether this is varied by rurality using an ecological study design.

METHODS:

Census tract (CT)–level self-reported stroke prevalence estimates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention PLACES–2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) were linked with sociodemographic and rurality data (2019 American Community Survey) and geographic density of resources in Ohio (2020 findhelp data). Resources were grouped into categories: housing, in-home, financial, transportation, education, and therapy. Negative binomial regression models estimated the mean number of resources within 25 miles and 30 minutes of a CT centroid and quartiles of stroke prevalence for each resource group by rurality status (rural, urban, and suburban). Models were sequentially adjusted for total population and CT demographics.

RESULTS:

In Ohio, stroke prevalence was 3.9% (0.4%–14.2%). The highest stroke prevalence quartile (versus lowest) was associated with fewer resources within 25 miles overall (resource ratio [RR], 0.57–0.98). The most pronounced disparities were in rural CT; rural CTs with the highest quartile stroke prevalence had fewer housing (RR, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.32–0.75]), in-home (RR, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.20–0.49]), and therapy (RR, 0.23 [95% CI, 0.13–0.43]) resources compared with those with the lowest quartile stroke prevalence (reference: mean, 1.2 housing, 5.1 in-home, and 4.9 therapy resources, respectively). Rural disparities no longer persisted after adjustment for federal poverty limit (rural: housing [RR, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.40–1.20)], in-home [RR, 0.65 (95% CI, 0.34–1.23)], and therapy [RR, 0.66 (95% CI, 0.33–1.32)]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Stroke social service resources are inversely distributed relative to stroke prevalence in Ohio, particularly in rural areas. This inverse link in rural Ohio is likely explained by geographic differences in poverty. Stroke-specific resource-related interventions may be needed and should consider the roles of rurality and poverty.
Scope Freezing Restricts Binding in Italian Right-Dislocation
Authors: Castiglione Stefano , Neeleman Ad , Samek-Lodovici Vieri
Published: November 2023

Binding into right-dislocated categories is generally possible in Italian but fails when the binder is a direct object and the right-dislocated constituent an indirect object or a PP doubled by ci ‘with him/her’, even though it is otherwise perfectly acceptable for a direct object to bind a pronoun or anaphor contained in an indirect object or a PP. These data fall into place once it is recognized that cliticization of an indirect object or a PP gives rise to a scope-freezing effect (on a par with English double object constructions). We develop our account using a biclausal analysis of right-dislocation but explore to what extent monoclausal analyses can capture the data as well.
Intrusion as Template Satisfaction and the QaTaT – QaTa Problem in Semitic
Authors: Faust Noam
Published: November 2023

The squib focuses on the realization strategies of the final C-slot of templates hosting /j/-final roots in Hebrew and Amharic. Two of these strategies, nonrealization and realization through templatic intrusion, are motivated by the principle *Misalignment. The latter strategy occurs only in nouns, because it employs a suffix marking noncontextual grammatical gender.
A Method to Evaluate Systemic Constraints in Probabilistic Grammars
Authors: Storme Benjamin
Published: November 2023

Systemic constraints evaluating several input-output mappings jointly have been proposed in phonology and morphology to account for contrast enhancement and homophony avoidance. However, these constraints are not directly compatible with current probabilistic models for constraint-based grammars, as these models typically assume constraints that evaluate input-output mappings individually. This squib proposes a simple method to address this issue. The method consists in reconstructing the probability of individual input-output mappings from the joint probability distribution of all input-output mappings through marginalization. The approach is illustrated with a concrete case study involving variable homophony avoidance in spoken Persian.
Growth Responses to two Commercial Plant Growth Retardants with Different Concentration in Potted Geranium
Authors: Park Jeongmin , Han Yongheon , Sin Jaeyo , Ahn Jeonghyun , Oh Wook
Published: November 2023

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of varying treatment concentrations of two different plant growth retardants, acting at different inhibition positions during the biosynthetic process, on the growth characteristics of geranium (Pelargonium × hortorum) and then to provide essential data to improve the quality of pot plant production.Methods: Aqueous solutions of diniconazole (Binnari) and daminozide (B-9) at concentrations of 0 (distilled water), 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg⋅L-1 were prepared for the geranium 'Ringo 2000TM Deep Red'. These solutions were applied by foliar spraying twice at 10-day intervals. Growth characteristics such as plant height, leaf size and relative chlorophyll content (SPAD) were then assessed.Results: When Binnari was applied at concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg⋅L-1 , the corresponding plant heights were 29.5, 23.8, 24.1, 23.0, and 18.4 cm, respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in plant height with increasing concentration. Conversely, for B-9, plant height was significantly reduced to 26.7 cm only at the 400 mg⋅L-1 concentration, indicating a less pronounced inhibitory effect compared to Binnari. Leaf width showed a significant decreasing trend with increasing Binnari application concentrations and was 4.6, 4.7, 4.1, 4.2, and 3.9 cm respectively. However, there was no significant difference due to the B-9 treatment. Chlorophyll content increased with increasing concentrations of both retardants.Conclusion: In conclusion, Binnari showed a greater inhibitory effect on geranium growth compared to B-9. The application of Binnari at 400 mg⋅L-1 resulted in the greatest increase in the ornamental value of the geranium. Furthermore, diniconazole acts during the early stage before the splitting of the GA1 and GA4 pathways, thus inhibiting the biosynthesis of both active gibberellins. In contrast, daminozide inhibits the step just before GA1 biosynthesis. It is concluded that GA4 serves as the dominant active gibberellin in geranium plants.
The Logic Question: Marx, Trendelenburg, and the Critique of Hegel
Authors: Barbour Charles
Published: November 2023

This paper provides a reconstruction and analysis of Marx’s early engagements with logic, and especially his studies of Hegel’s logic, on the one hand, and Hegel’s great if often overlooked critic Adolf Trendelenburg, on the other. It itemises the archival evidence that Marx read and planned to compose a Hegelian response to Trendelenburg’s devastating attack on dialectics in his 1840 Logische Untersuchungen – the work that arguably did more than any other single text to destroy the influence of Hegelianism among German intellectuals at the time. It argues that the young Marx was a more sophisticated reader of Hegel and of philosophy in general than is typically acknowledged. Against the backdrop of these claims, it then proposes a new reading of Marx’s work from 1839 to 1842 – one that takes the emphasis off the familiar distinction between materialism and idealism, which was as much an invention of Engels’s later interpretations of the early Marx as it was an invention of Marx himself, and places it instead on what early nineteenth-century thinkers would have understood to be the more comprehensive question of logic.
The Law of the Sea in Past Scholarship
Authors: Papanicolopulu Irini
Published: November 2023

The law of the sea is currently understood as a distinct field of international law that came into existence together with (modern) international law. Has this always been so? How did past international lawyers understand what we call today ‘the law of the sea’? Were they aware of the fact that this was a separate legal regime? And when did modern conceptions of the law of the sea emerge? This article examines past scholarship, from the sixteenth to the beginning of the twentieth century, in order to identify how law of the sea was conceived in past scholarship and how this conception links to our current understanding of the field.
The ‘asean Way’ of Women, Peace and Security: Norm Rhetoric or Implementation?
Authors: Veneracion Ma. Lourdes
Published: November 2023

Women, peace and security (wps) is a global normative agenda that seeks to address the vulnerability and victimization of women in armed conflict situation and recognize their agency to transform post-conflict societies. In over two decades, various international institutions, states, and transnational and domestic civil society groups have taken on various initiatives to advance wps through international policy frames, regional commitments, and national operationalization.

In Southeast Asia, even though women’s human rights have gained traction in the region through cross-cutting issues on gender equality and violence against women, not much has been said in the context of these in armed conflict and peacebuilding situations. In fact, to date, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (asean) was the latest regional body to have adopted a framework for action on wps. This study uses the norm life cycle model to explain the emergence and cascade of wps in the asean and explains the challenges to the internalization of the norm in the region.
Conflict Management and Atrocity Prevention in Southeast Asia: Making asean “Fit for Purpose”
Authors: Caballero-Anthony Mely
Published: November 2023

Described as a force for peace since its establishment in 1967, asean is now confronted with a slew of political and security issues that has severely challenged its modalities of addressing regional problems, including the internal conflicts of its member states. The continuing political crisis in Myanmar reflects the kinds of dilemmas faced by asean in keeping to its sticky regional norms and practices while being a responsive and effective regional organisation. As asean struggles to become “fit for purpose”, the paper argues that a negotiated “asean Way”, founded on ideas of positive peace and human security, allows asean to chart a renewed regional agenda for maintaining peace and security in Southeast Asia, while at the same time contributing to comprehensive efforts on managing regional conflicts and preventing atrocities.
IsoMedIta: A Stable Isotope Database for Medieval Italy
Authors: Mantile Noemi , Fernandes Ricardo , Lubritto Carmine , Cocozza Carlo
Published: November 2023

The IsoMedIta database compiles 6304 stable isotope measurements (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr) from archaeological sites in medieval Italy (c. 500–1500 ce). The data is spatiotemporally referenced and includes bioarchaeological and paleo-environmental descriptions, alongside with other archaeological, biological, historical, environmental and technical metadata. IsoMedIta can be employed to address various historical questions at different spatial and temporal scales. It is also a resource for defining future research agendas and for heritage management.
Collaborations and Contestations in Publicly Engaged Anthropologies: An Exposition
Authors: Zenker Olaf , Vonderau Asta
Published: November 2023

Collaborations and contestations have always been present in collaborative research, and many case studies illustrate related conundrums. Yet, we argue that the concrete challenges emerging within dynamics of collaborations and contestations deserve much more focused attention, especially in contexts of publicly engaged anthropological work. This essay introduces a special issue of seven highly diverse contributions that are all animated by, and oriented towards, this common concern. Against the backdrop of situating this problematique within broader developments in increasingly diverse anthropologies of recent decades, we discuss the different contributions in light of their specific insights regarding collaborations and contestations. Based on these fine-grained case studies, we draw four transversal conclusions that we see as relevant also for publicly engaged anthropologies beyond the individual contributions that are assembled here.
Dimensions of Positioning. Conflictual Dynamics in the Field of Anti-“Genderism”
Authors: Näser-Lather Marion
Published: November 2023

How do collaboration and contestation evolve in a heterogeneous field with conflictual dynamics? Re-evaluating my research on agitations against gender studies within academia and the reactions of the discipline from a methodological and ethical perspective, I will show how entanglements of self- and external positionings in the course of fieldwork lead to (unexpected) constellations of (ant-)agonism, pressures and constraints, shaping not only decisions regarding collaboration and contestation, but also modes of going public. Based on these experiences, and drawing on historical as well as contemporary discourses within the ethnological disciplines, I will conclude with an attempt at conceptualization in the form of a seven-dimensional coordinate system which outlines the role of different dimensions relevant for positioning and being positioned in the field as prerequisites for decisions on collaboration and contestation.