bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resection of brain lesions with a neuroendoscopic ultrasonic aspirator — a systematic literature review
Authors: Ebel Florian , Greuter Ladina , Guzman Raphael , Soleman Jehuda
Published: July 2022

The development of minimally invasive neuroendoscopy has advanced in recent years. The introduction of the neuroendoscopic ultrasonic aspirator (NUA) increased the treatment spectrum of neuroendoscopy. This review aimed to present a systematic overview of the extent of resection, lesion characteristics, technical aspects, complications, and clinical outcomes related to using the NUA. Articles were identified by searching the PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science database through June 2022 with restriction to the last 20 years. We included case series, case reports, clinical trials, controlled clinical trials, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, reviews, and systematic reviews written in English. Studies reporting on endonasal approach or hematoma evacuation using the NUA were excluded. The references of the identified studies were reviewed as well. Nine full-text articles were included in the analysis, with a total of 40 patients who underwent surgery for a brain tumor using NUA. The most common underlying pathology treated by NUA was colloid cyst (17.5%), pilocytic astrocytoma (12.5%), subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (7.5%), subependymoma (7.5%), and craniopharyngioma (7.5%). Complete or near-total resection was achieved in 62.5%. The most frequently reported postoperative complication was secondary hydrocephalus (10%), meningitis/-encephalitis (7.5%), cognitive impairment (7.5%), and subdural hygroma (7.5%). In one case (2.5%), surgery-related death occurred due to a severe course of meningoencephalitis. According to the preliminary data, NUA seems to be a safe and efficient minimally invasive alternative to conventional microscopic resection of brain tumors. Further studies to investigate advantages and disadvantages of using the NUA are needed.
(NH4)2[Co(H2O)6]2V10O28·4H2O Vs. (NH4)2[Ni(H2O)6]2V10O28·4H2O: Structural, Spectral and Thermal Analyses and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Mamdouh Ayat-Allah , Ibrahim Ahmed B. M. , Reyad Nour El-Houda A. , Elsayed Tarek R. , Santos Isabel Cordeiro , Paulo António , Mahfouz Refaat M.
Published: July 2022

This paper presents the synthesis of two cluster compounds {(NH4)2[Co(H2O)6]2V10O28·4H2O (C1) and (NH4)2[Ni(H2O)6]2V10O28·4H2O (C2)} which were obtained as single crystals suitable for XRD analysis that revealed their crystallization in the monoclinic (C2/c) and triclinic (P-1) space groups, respectively. Additionally, C1 and C2 were characterized using CHN analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy and their thermal decomposition mechanisms were investigated. The antibacterial activities of both compounds were determined against three human pathogenic bacterial strains {Bacillus cereus ATCC 33,018, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027} and one phytopathogenic bacterial strain {Ralstonia solanacearum}, while drug standards {chloramphenicol and streptomycin} were used as control. The inhibitory activity and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the tested compounds clearly indicated higher antibacterial activities of the nickel compound against B. cereus ATCC 33,018, E. coli O157 and R. solanacearum with MIC values of 3.150, 3.150 and 6.300 mg/ml, respectively. On the other hand, (NH4)2[Co(H2O)6]2V10O28·4H2O exhibited higher antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 (MIC value of 6.300 mg/ml) in comparison to the nickel analog. In general, the measured activities are lower than that obtained for the standards except for the higher activity given by C2 in comparison to streptomycin against the R. solanacearum strain.
Resident perceptions of riverbank erosion and shoreline protection: a mixed-methods case study from Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mizanur , Popke Jeff , Crawford Thomas W.
Published: July 2022

Riverbank erosion is a common hazard in Bangladesh, posing a significant threat to homes, properties, and livelihoods. In recent years, the government of Bangladesh has intensified efforts to mitigate riverbank erosion by hardening shorelines, including the building of concrete revetments, but the local dynamics of these interventions are not well documented. To address this, we present results from a study of community-level response to a 2-mile long concrete revetment recently constructed in the administrative district of Ramgati, in the lower Meghna River basin of Bangladesh. Our study combines quantitative analysis of data from a household survey with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews to assess resident perceptions of the new revetment and its effect on the landscape of riverbank erosion hazard. The study finds, firstly, that hazard awareness is widespread but may be influenced by livelihood factors related to the dynamics of displacement and resettlement. Second, we find that that the negative impacts of riverbank erosion vary spatially. Hazard perception in Ramgati is significantly influenced by the physical location of the household, with those residing closer to the river and in unprotected zones north and south of the revetment expressing much greater worry that they will lose their homes, and believing that this will happen much sooner than residents further away or in the zone now protected by the embankment. As an empirically grounded case study, our findings add to the literature on riverbank erosion in Bangladesh and perception studies focused on water-based hazards in similar settings globally.
Hypothalamic microstructure and function are related to body mass, but not mental or cognitive abilities across the adult lifespan
Authors: Spindler Melanie , Thiel Christiane M.
Published: July 2022

Physical, mental, and cognitive resources are essential for healthy aging. Aging impacts on the structural integrity of various brain regions, including the hippocampus. Even though recent rodent studies hint towards a critical role of the hypothalamus, there is limited evidence on functional consequences of age-related changes of this region in humans. Given its central role in metabolic regulation and affective processing and its connections to the hippocampus, it is plausible that hypothalamic integrity and connectivity are associated with functional age-related decline. We used data of n = 369 participants (18–88 years) from the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience repository to determine functional impacts of potential changes in hypothalamic microstructure across the lifespan. First, we identified age-related changes in microstructure as a function of physical, mental, and cognitive health and compared those findings to changes in hippocampal microstructure. Second, we investigated the relationship of hypothalamic microstructure and resting-state functional connectivity and related those changes to age as well as physical health. Our results showed that hypothalamic microstructure is not affected by depressive symptoms (mental health), cognitive performance (cognitive health), and comparatively stable across the lifespan, but affected by body mass (physical health). Furthermore, body mass changes connectivity to limbic regions including the hippocampus, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens, suggesting functional alterations in the metabolic and reward systems. Our results demonstrate that hypothalamic structure and function are affected by body mass, focused on neural density and dispersion, but not inflammation. Still, observed effect sizes were small, encouraging detailed investigations of individual hypothalamic subunits.
Deep-learning-based instrument detection for intra-operative robotic assistance
Authors: Badilla-Solórzano Jorge , Spindeldreier Svenja , Ihler Sontje , Gellrich Nils-Claudius , Spalthoff Simon
Published: July 2022

Purpose:

Robotic scrub nurses have the potential to become an attractive solution for the operating room. Surgical instrument detection is a fundamental task for these systems, which is the focus of this work. We address the detection of the complete surgery set for wisdom teeth extraction, and propose a data augmentation technique tailored for this task.

Methods:

Using a robotic scrub nurse system, we create a dataset of 369 unique multi-instrument images with manual annotations. We then propose the Mask-Based Object Insertion method, capable of automatically generating a large amount of synthetic images. By using both real and artificial data, different Mask R-CNN models are trained and evaluated.

Results:

Our experiments reveal that models trained on the synthetic data created with our method achieve comparable performance to that of models trained on real images. Moreover, we demonstrate that the combination of real and our artificial data can lead to a superior level of generalization.

Conclusion:

The proposed data augmentation technique is capable of dramatically reducing the labelling work required for training a deep-learning-based detection algorithm. A dataset for the complete instrument set for wisdom teeth extraction is made available for the scientific community, as well as the raw information required for the generation of the synthetic data (https://github.com/Jorebs/Deep-learning-based-instrument-detection-for-intra operative-robotic-assistance).
Cardiac Arrest Treatment Center Differences in Sedation and Analgesia Dosing During Targeted Temperature Management
Authors: Ceric Ameldina , May Teresa L. , Lybeck Anna , Cronberg Tobias , Seder David B. , Riker Richard R. , Hassager Christian , Kjaergaard Jesper , Haxhija Zana , Friberg Hans , Dankiewicz Josef , Nielsen Niklas
Published: July 2022

Background

Sedation and analgesia are recommended during targeted temperature management (TTM) after cardiac arrest, but there are few data to provide guidance on dosing to bedside clinicians. We evaluated differences in patient-level sedation and analgesia dosing in an international multicenter TTM trial to better characterize current practice and clinically important outcomes.

Methods

A total 950 patients in the international TTM trial were randomly assigned to a TTM of 33 °C or 36 °C after resuscitation from cardiac arrest in 36 intensive care units.
We recorded cumulative doses of sedative and analgesic drugs at 12, 24, and 48 h and normalized to midazolam and fentanyl equivalents. We compared number of medications used, dosing, and titration among centers by using multivariable models, including common severity of illness factors. We also compared dosing with time to awakening, incidence of clinical seizures, and survival.

Results

A total of 614 patients at 18 centers were analyzed. Propofol (70%) and fentanyl (51%) were most frequently used. The average dosages of midazolam and fentanyl equivalents were 0.13 (0.07, 0.22) mg/kg/h and 1.16 (0.49, 1.81) µg/kg/h, respectively.
There were significant differences in number of medications (p < 0.001), average dosages (p < 0.001), and titration at all time points between centers (p < 0.001), and the outcomes of patients in these centers were associated with all parameters described in the multivariate analysis,
except for a difference in the titration of sedatives between 12 and 24 h (p = 0.40). There were associations between higher dosing at 48 h (p = 0.003, odds ratio [OR] 1.75)
and increased titration of analgesics between 24 and 48 h (p = 0.005, OR 4.89) with awakening after 5 days, increased titration of sedatives between 24 and 48 h with awakening after 5 days (p < 0.001, OR > 100), and increased titration of sedatives between 24 and 48 h with a higher incidence of clinical seizures in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.04, OR 240). There were also significant associations between decreased titration of analgesics and survival at 6 months in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.048).

Conclusions

There is significant variation in choice of drug, dosing, and titration when providing sedation and analgesics between centers. Sedation and analgesia dosing and titration were associated with delayed awakening, incidence of clinical seizures, and survival, but the causal relation of these findings cannot be proven.
Indicating biologics for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)
Authors: Klimek Ludger , Förster-Ruhrmann Ulrike , Beule Achim G. , Chaker Adam M. , Hagemann Jan , Klimek Felix , Casper Ingrid , Huppertz Tilman , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Dazert Stefan , Deitmer Thomas , Olze Heidi , Strieth Sebastian , Wrede Holger , Schlenter Wolfgang , Welkoborsky Hans-Jürgen , Wollenberg Barbara , Bergmann Christoph , Cuevas Mandy , Beutner Caroline , Gröger Moritz , Becker Sven
Published: July 2022

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), an inflammatory disease of the paranasal mucosa, is primarily characterized by type 2 inflammation. Three antibodies (dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab) are now approved for the treatment of severe CRSwNP. Documentation of disease severity during the course of treatment is essential.

Methods

A literature search of Medline, PubMed, and the national and international trial and guideline register, and the Cochrane Library was performed to analyze the immunology of CRSwNP and determine the evidence for the effect of dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab in this disease. This has resulted in 3 position papers prepared by our group of authors, which form the basis of this summarizing review.

Results

Based on the information from the international literature, recommendations for the use of dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab in CRSwNP in the German health care system are given by an expert panel.

Conclusion

Dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab are approved for patients 18 years of age and older with CRSwNP as add-on therapy to intranasal corticosteroids when, for dupilumab and mepolizumab, therapy with systemic corticosteroids and/or surgery does not achieve sufficient disease control. Therapy with omalizumab is indicated when therapy with intranasal corticosteroids does not result in sufficient disease control. Dedicated recommendations for the documentation of the use in the German health care system are given, which are based on the position papers of our author group already published on this topic.
Discounting for Money, Food, and Sex, over the Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Vincent Benjamin T. , Sztwiertnia Mariola , Koomen Rebecca , Warren Jasmine G.
Published: July 2022

Sexual desire, physical activity, economic choices and other behaviours fluctuate over the menstrual cycle. However, we have an incomplete understanding of how preferences for smaller sooner or larger later rewards (known as delay discounting) change over the menstrual cycle. In this pre-registered, cross-sectional study, Bayesian linear and quadratic binomial regression analyses provide compelling evidence that delay discounting does change over the menstrual cycle. Data from 203 naturally cycling women show increased discounting (preference for more immediate rewards) mid-cycle, which is at least partially driven by changes in fertility. This study provides evidence for a robust and broad-spectrum increase in delay discounting (Cohen’shranging from 0.1 to 0.4) around the fertile point in the menstrual cycle across multiple commodities (money, food, and sex). We also show, for the first time, that discounting changes over the menstrual cycle in a pseudo-control group of 99 women on hormonal contraception. Interestingly, such women increase their discounting of sex toward the end of the menstrual phase — possibly reflecting a prioritisation of bonding-related sexual activity before menstrual onset.
Assessment of soil loss rate using GIS–RUSLE interface in Tashat Watershed, Northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Mengie Mequanent Abathun , Hagos Yonas Gebresilasie , Malede Demelash Ademe , Andualem Tesfa Gebrie
Published: July 2022

The erosion of soil is one of the most difficult and ongoing problems caused by deforestation, improper cultivation, uncontrolled grazing, and other anthropogenic activities. As a result, assessing the level and quantity of soil erosion is essential for agricultural productivity and natural resource management. Thus, the goal of this study was to quantify soil loss rates and identify hotspot locations in the Tashat watershed, Abay basin, Ethiopia. Thematic factor maps, comprising rainfall erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), topography factor (LS), cover and management factor (C), and conservation practices factor (P), were integrated using remote sensing data and the GIS 10.3.1 environment to estimate soil loss using RUSLE. The findings indicated that the watershed annual soil loss varies from none in the lower part to 3970.6 t ha−1 year−1 in the middle, with a mean annual soil loss of 64.2 t ha−1 year−1. The total estimated annual soil loss was 61,885,742.9 tons from the total watershed area of 48,348.4 ha. The majority of these soil erosion-affected places are geographically located in the watershed middle steepest slope portion, where Cambic Arenosols with higher soil erodibility character than other soil types in the research area predominate. Thus, sustainable soil and water conservation techniques should be implemented in the steepest middle section of the study area by respecting and acknowledging watershed logic, people, and watershed potentials.
PCR based fingerprinting techniques to transpire the microbial populations diversity of biofilm based nitrifying packed bed bioreactor in the bioremediation of aquaculture wastewater
Authors: Rangaswamy Boobal , Singh I. S. Bright
Published: July 2022

To deal with the increasing risk of pollutants from the aquaculture practice, wastewater treatment systems are considered to be an ideal strategy, for reducing the impact on the natural ecosystem. Biological treatment systems per se bioreactors involving microorganisms are efficient in the bioremediation process is determined by the reactor design, operational module i.e., structure of the bacterial community, and their diversity which in turn reveals the essential relationship between its ecosystem and the environmental factors. Microbial diversity and the dynamics of the microbial populations illustrate the principal background of different bacterial communal development performing bioremediation. Progression in genome exploration led to multifaceted technical ease in recent with the emergence of different generation sequencing technologies e.g., Sanger sequencing, 454 sequencing, Illumina/Solexa sequencing, Single-molecule real-time sequencing, and Oxford nanopore sequencing. Though the recent advancements provide a greater profile of information for research, using high throughput sequencing could not be a suitable option in all aspects, especially in consideration of the initial research requirement, the low number of targets, minimal samples, and also the diversity scaling methodologies. In this review, we have discussed the PCR-based molecular fingerprinting techniques which go accessible with sanger sequencing methodologies as well as by combining different statistical and bioinformatic algorithms. The systematic analysis with the elementary molecular techniques combining sequence technologies and bioinformatics tools would enable us to understand the overview and diversity structure of the biofilm and further in-depth research by selecting appropriate sequencing platforms results in the dynamics of the microbial community.
Investigation on typical occupant behavior in air-conditioned office buildings for South China’s Pearl River Delta
Authors: He Manning , Pen Huiwang , Li Meixiang , Huang Yu , Yan Da , Lou Siwei , Wen Liwei
Published: July 2022

The excessive simplification of occupant behavior is considered as the most important factor that affects the uncertainty of building performance simulation, thus affects the reliability and generalizability of simulation-based design and forecast. In this paper, occupant behavior in air-conditioned office buildings of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region was investigated and defined. Copies of 873 questionnaires about the occupant behavior in air-conditioned office buildings in the PRD region were collected to study the relationship between indoor environment quality and adaptive behaviors. Eight typical office occupant schedules were defined via K-means clustering method. A probability prediction model of cooling temperature set-point was established by using the Ordinal Logistic Regression method. According to the different control modes of air conditioning, window, blind and lighting equipment, four types of typical behavior patterns were proposed using the K-prototype clustering method, which could be developed into 20 typical occupant behavior styles of office buildings in the PRD region.
Algebraic Number Theory for Beginners
Authors: Stillwell John
Published: July 2022

This book introduces algebraic number theory through the problem of generalizing 'unique prime factorization' from ordinary integers to more general domains. Solving polynomial equations in integers leads naturally to these domains, but unique prime factorization may be lost in the process. To restore it, we need Dedekind's concept of ideals. However, one still needs the supporting concepts of algebraic number field and algebraic integer, and the supporting theory of rings, vector spaces, and modules. It was left to Emmy Noether to encapsulate the properties of rings that make unique prime factorization possible, in what we now call Dedekind rings. The book develops the theory of these concepts, following their history, motivating each conceptual step by pointing to its origins, and focusing on the goal of unique prime factorization with a minimum of distraction or prerequisites. This makes a self-contained easy-to-read book, short enough for a one-semester course.
The Cambridge Illustrated History of China
Authors: Ebrey Patricia Buckley
Published: July 2022

The Cambridge Illustrated History of China is an illuminating account of the full sweep of Chinese civilisation – from prehistoric times to the intellectual ferment of the Warring States Period, through the rise and fall of the imperial dynasties, to the modern communist state. Written by a leading scholar and lavishly illustrated, its narrative draws together everything from the influence of key intellectual figures, to political innovations, art and material culture, family and religious life, not to mention wars and modern conflicts. This third revised edition includes new archaeological discoveries and gives fuller treatment of environmental history and Chinese interaction with the wider world, placing China in global context. The Qing dynasty is now covered in two chapters, while the final chapter brings the story into the twenty-first century, covering the transformation of China into one of the world's leading economies and the challenges it faces. Lively and highly visual, this book will be appreciated by anyone interested in Chinese history.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Roles of the Health Regulatory Authority in Tunisia
Authors: Chtiba Nour , Cherif Dora , Mersni Imène , Kadri Meriem , Jemei Aroua , Lassoued Imed , Razgallah Khrouf Myriam
Published: July 2022

Given the unstoppable spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the development of a vaccine was needed to contain the pandemic. In such a situation of global emergency, regulatory authorities ensured timely, safe, and equitable access to the vaccine.

This article aims to outline the roles of the Tunisian regulatory authority, the Directorate of Pharmacy and Medicines (DPM) at the Ministry of Health, in registration and procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Requirement to grant the Exceptional Provisional Authorizations of Marketing (EPAM) for COVID-19 vaccines was 27 days versus 869 days for conventional marketing authorizations (MAs). The DPM has optimized its activity through: early dialogue with manufacturers, online submission, the use of distance communication technologies. It has demonstrated unprecedented flexibility through the continuous and rolling review approach.

Regulatory authorities in Tunisia and around the world have partnered with manufacturers to speed up administrative procedures while ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of vaccines.
Characterization of resistance to newer antimicrobials among carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the post–acute-care setting
Authors: Zhang Helen L. , Gontjes Kyle J. , Han Jennifer H. , Alby Kevin , Lapp Zena , Snitkin Evan , Goldstein Ellie J.C. , Muldoon Sean , Tolomeo Pam , Lautenbach Ebbing
Published: July 2022

We assessed susceptibility patterns to newer antimicrobial agents among clinical carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) isolates from patients in long-term acute-care hospitals (LTACHs) from 2014 to 2015. Meropenem-vaborbactam and imipenem-relebactam nonsusceptibility were observed among 9.9% and 9.1% of isolates, respectively. Nonsusceptibility to ceftazidime-avibactam (1.1%) and plazomicin (0.8%) were uncommon.
Victimes et bourreaux: questions de responsabilité liées à la problématique des enfants-soldats en Afrique
Authors: Arzoumanian Naïri , Pizzutelli Francesca
Published: July 2022

This article examines the issues of responsibility relating to the problem of child soldiers, more in particular with respect to practice and experience in Africa. After preliminary remarks on the approach of international humanitarian law to the definition of a child, the first part of the article discusses the prohibitions on recruiting children and on the participation of children in hostilities as rules of international law. The second part examines the United Nations Security Council's approach to the issue of the responsibility of States and armed groups for violations of these rules. The individual criminal responsibility of the recruiters is then considered, in particular with a view to establishing whether the crime of recruiting and using child soldiers is customary in nature. The fourth and last part of the article examines the dilemma of the criminal responsibility of children for crimes under international law and the practice of Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.
Remedies for victims of violations of international humanitarian law
Authors: Zegveld Liesbeth
Published: July 2022

Le droit international humanitaire garantit la protection et l'assistance aux victimes de conflits armés, Cependant, hrsque des personnes deviennent victimes de violations du droit humanitaire, la protection conférée par cette branche du droit cesse de fait. En particulier, a priori elle offre aux victimes de violations graves peu de possibilités d'obtenir réparation, voire aucune.

Le droit international humanitaire diffère nettement sur ce point des tendances en droit international en la matière. Les droits de l'homme, branche de droit analogue mais distincte, définissent clairement le droit des victimes d'obtenir réparation en cas de violation des droits fondamentaux, Depuis peu, le Statut de Rome de la Cour pénale internationale autorise la Cour à déterminer dans sa decision l'ampleur du dommage, de la perte ou du préjudice causé aux victimes et à lew accorder une réparation. En revanche, le droit humanitaire ne garantit pas expressément le droit à un remède juridique aux victimes de violations.

Cet article examine les moyens juridiques mis à la disposition des victimes de violations du droit international humanitaire par le droit interne et le droit international pour qu'elles fassent respecter lews droits fondamentaux. II étudie la question de savoir si les victimes ont droit à un remède et dans quelle mesure elles peuvent faire valoir ce droit. Une brève étude des pratiques nationale et internationale tendrait ainsi à prouver que, s'il n'y a guère de doute sur le fait que les victimes jouissent de droits au titre du droit international humanitaire, ces droits ne semblent toutefois pas justiciable et ne peuvent donc que difficilement donner lieu à un remède.
Reflections on humanitarianism: David Rieff's A Bed for the
Night
Authors: Vailin Andras
Published: July 2022

In A Bed for the Night, David Rieff explains
his frustration at the limitations and shortcomings of contemporary
humanitarianism. He investigates the gap between the admirable norms of the
human rights movement and the unpleasant facts of the humanitarian crises in
Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosovo and Afghanistan. He urges us to revise our
assumptions about the reach of the human rights revolution and the workings
of the international community. He concludes that, however much one might
wish it otherwise, independent humanitarianism is not capable, on its own,
of advancing the cause of human rights, contributing to stopping wars, or
furthering social justice. Humanitarianism only makes sense as part of a
larger international response to human rights crises. It is a “saving idea
that cannot save”. And, for the humanitarian enterprise, the risks of
collaborating in such a wider response are considerable.
La Croix-Rouge entre Genève et Paris
Authors: Bugnion François
Published: July 2022

Au moment de la fondation de la Croix-Rouge et de l'adoption de la
première Convention de Genève pour l'amélioration du sort des militaires
blessés dans les armées en campagne du 22 août 1864, la France est encore
perçue comme la Puissance dominante sur le continent. Le Second Empire
brille de tous ses feux et c'est à Paris, où tous les pays sont représentés,
que se traite une large part des affaires internationales.
Dobutamine-induced Takotsubo syndrome in a paediatric heart transplant patient
Authors: Sagray Ezequiel , Johnson Jonathan N. , Anderson Jason H.
Published: July 2022

Takotsubo syndrome is a potentially reversible cause of acute systolic dysfunction. Takotsubo syndrome is rare in children, with no reported dobutamine-induced cases to date. We present a 14-year-old male with prior history of heart transplantation, who developed Takotsubo syndrome during dobutamine stress echocardiography. We highlight the importance of its early recognition to ensure supportive measures with avoidance of inotropic medications.
The Time-for-Change Model and the 2004 Presidential Election: A Post-Mortem
and a Look Ahead
Authors: Abramowitz Alan I.
Published: July 2022

Based on George Bush's net approval rating of −1% in the final Gallup Poll in June, a 3.7%
growth rate for real GDP during the first two quarters of 2004, and the fact that the
Republican Party had controlled the White House for only one term, the time-for-change model
predicted that Mr. Bush would win reelection with 53.7% of the major party vote. This
forecast was made in late July, before the Republican National Convention and more than
three months before Election Day.
How to Make the Most of Your Summer Study Abroad Teaching Experience
Authors: Thies Cameron G.
Published: July 2022

Teachers of international relations and comparative politics spend a considerable amount of time looking for ways to bring the politics of the world outside of the United States into their classroom to enhance student learning experiences through increased relevance or “reality.” Simulations are one method to make world politics seem more relevant (e.g., Dougherty 2003; Kille 2002; Shellman 2001; McIntosh 2001; Newmann and Twigg 2000; Kaarbo and Lantis 1997; Smith and Boyer 1996). The use of film is another popular method that enhances the drama and emotion of foreign cultures and politics (e.g., Waalkes 2003; Weber 2001; Kuzma and Haney 2001). Finally, the Internet and web-based technologies (e.g., Cogburn and Levinson 2003; Hauss et al. 2002; Bonham and Seifert 2000) and foreign newspapers (e.g., Schattle 2003) are also employed to connect textbook knowledge to the real world of foreign affairs.
Navigating the Local Elites: Travelling Musicians and their Encounters with the Russian Court and Aristocracy in the Mid-Nineteenth Century
Authors: Helmers Rutger
Published: July 2022

This article studies the interactions of travelling musicians with the Russian court and aristocracy from the 1830s to the 1870s. Drawing on a broad corpus of memoirs, travel reports and personal documents of musicians who visited St Petersburg and Moscow in the course of their careers, it discusses the courtly dimensions of the Italian Opera; the role of the aristocracy and court in the organization of concert life under Nicholas I (r. 1825–1855); the relevant changes and continuities under Alexander II (r. 1855–1881), when concert life would undergo rapid professionalization; and finally, the symbolic dimensions of the rewards offered by the Russian elites.

The persistent significance of imperial and noble recognition in this period, it is argued, added considerably to Russia's appeal for foreign musicians. Many visitors developed a positive, reciprocal relation with the Russian regime and its elites, even if the values, hierarchies and traditions of the autocratic regime could be at odds with the social status and sense of independence of successful performers. In musical discourse, reports of musicians’ visits circulated an image of Russia – an urban image of luxury, refinement and high society – that contrasted with the stereotype of wild and barbarous expanses that have so far attracted most attention in music historiography; and their descriptions of the imperial court and family tended to match the image – of imposing authority and benevolence – the Romanov monarchy sought to project.
Le droit international humanitaire à l'épreuve des conflits de notre
temps
Authors: Bugnion François
Published: July 2022

The fall of the Berlin Wall has fundamentally changed Europe, and this
has come about in a surprisingly peaceful way. However, the events of
1989–1991 have not produced a new and stable order. Conflicts have erupted
in many parts of the former Soviet Union, in particular in Eastern Europe
and Central Asia. Tensions between the former superpowers have been replaced
by a large number of local conflicts, i.e. civil wars. After analysing the
characteristics of these internal armed conflicts, the author discusses the
responses of existing international humanitarian law to the humanitarian
issues they raise. The different measures capable of strengthening the
respect for the rules are of particular importance. Recent events show,
however, that the use of military force may not necessarily be the
appropriate reaction to violations of humanitarian law, in particular if the
number of casualties and the material damage caused by such intervention are
likely to be disproportionately high. A durable international order cannot
be built on force, but only on dialogue and mutual respect.
Review of the legality of weapons: a new approach
Authors: Coupland Robin M. , Herby Peter
Published: July 2022

Une règle fondamentale du droit international humanitaire dit qu'il est
interdit, au cows des hostilités, d'infliger des «maux superflus» aux
combattants ennemis. Sur la base de ce concept, l'utilisation d'un certain
nombre d'armes ou de munitions a été interdite au cours de ce siècle, comme
les armes chimiques ou, plus récemment, les mines antipersonnel. Toutefois,
la communauté internationale n'a jamais adopté de critères qui permettent de
décider si une arme ou un type de munition est susceptible de causer des
«maux superflus». Le Projet SIrUS, lancé par le CICR, a comme objectif de
proposer de tels critères. En se basant sur les résultats d'enquêtes
statistiques, le Dr Coupland élabore, dans la première partie de l'ouvrage,
les bases médicales qui doivent permettre l'élaboration de critères pour
évaluer les effets d'une arme. Peter Herby, quant à lui, retrace le cadre
juridique etprésente les propositions que le CICR entend soumettre à la
XXVIIe Conférence internationale de la Croix-Rouge
et du Croissant-Rouge, fin 1999.
The relevance of the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions to
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: reviewing the past to address
the future
Authors: Meyer Michael A.
Published: July 2022

Le 50e anniversaire des Conventions de Genève de
1949 invite à jeter un regard sur les rapports entre ces Conventions et les
Sociétés nationales de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge. Différentes
dispositions des Conventions attribuent en effet des droits ou des devoirs
aux Sociétés nationales. Mais elles n'ont pas toujours le monopole des
activités humanitaires dans les situations de conflit armé. Par ailleurs,
les statuts du Mouvement international attribuent aux Sociétés nationales
des tâches en rapport avec la mise en œuvre du droit international
humanitaire, comme l'assistance aux victimes de conflits armés et la
diffusion du droit humanitaire. Parallèlement, ils établissent un lien
privilégié entre celles-ci et les États parties aux Conventions. Après avoir
examiné la situation actuelle et ses enjeux, l'auteur enjoint les Sociétés
nationales d'assumer avec vigueur les divers rôles qui leur sont dévolus par
les Conventions de 1949 et les statuts du Mouvement.
Arms availability and the situation of civilians in armed conflict —
Summary of an ICRC study for the 27th International Conference of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent
Authors: Herby Peter
Published: July 2022

As international arms transfers, particularly of small arms, have become
easier, the promotion of respect for international humanitarian law has
become vastly more difficult. The proliferation of weapons in the hands of
new and often undisciplined individuals or groups has outpaced efforts to
ensure compliance with basic rules of warfare. The result is appalling
levels of wanton violence and a stream of horrific images which threaten to
immunize the public and decision-makers to ongoing violations of
international humanitarian law. In the absence of vigorous action to
restrain the availability of military style arms and ammunition, those
responsible for training combatants in the laws of armed conflict have
little hope of reaching all those capable of waging war. The price to be
paid is high, in terms of human suffering, social and economic disruption
and the burdens of intervention when the international community decides to
act.
New members of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Authors:   International committee
                        of the Red Cross
Published: July 2022

At its meeting of 22 June 1999, the Assembly of the International
Committee of the Red Cross elected two new members:

Dr Jacqueline Avril, and

Professor Jean-Philippe Assal.

This brings the membership of the Committee to 23 members.

Dr Jacqueline Avril, Swiss citizen, was born in 1948. She is a doctor of
medicine from the University of Geneva and has a general practice in Geneva.
She is also a member of the Board and Secretary of the Council of the
Physicians' Association of the Canton of Geneva. Between 1981 and 1994 Dr
Avril carried out a number of missions for the ICRC.
Kosovo 1999: The air campaign
Authors: Rowe Peter
Published: July 2022

La campagne militaire de 1999 contre la République fédérale de Yougoslavie a été caractérisée par un engagement massif de l'aviation des forces armées de l'OTAN. L'article analyse les opérations aériennes sous l'angle des règles du droit international humanitaire et, notamment, des nouvelles dispositions du Protocole I de 1977 relatives à la protection de la population civile et des biens de caractère civil. Selon l'auteur, les règles de conduite établies par le nouveau droit sont adéquates, même si elles n'ont pas toujours été respectées. Toutefois, il propose de renforcer la protection contre les attaques dans les régions à forte concentration civile (villes, quartiers résidentiels, etc.). L'auteur examine également la réaction des milieux politiques britanniques, notamment à travers les débats du Parlement au sujet de l'intervention militaire dans les Balkans.
Information warfare
Authors: Church William
Published: July 2022

Depuis quelques années, une nouvelle notion est appame dans le
vocabulaire des personnes s'intéressant aux affaires militaires et de
sécurité internationale: la guerre des systèmes d'information ou, en
anglais, Information Warfare. Cette méthode de
guerre permet à un belligérant d'affecter et de perturber les programmes
informatiques de l'adversaire, par exemple en modifiant les données qui
devraient guider un missile dit «intelligent» vers son objectif. L'auteur en
examine différents aspects, notamment sous l'angle du droit international
humanitaire en vigueur. Il conclue que la récente décision des Nations Unies
de s'intéresser à ce sujet est fondée et nécessaire.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization: Statement by the International
Committee of the Red Cross
Authors: Sommaruga Cornelio
Published: July 2022

First of all I would like to thank the North Atlantic Council most
warmly for inviting me to speak at such a significant moment in history. We
are approaching the end of a year marked by the 50th anniversary of the 1949
Geneva Conventions, and indeed of NATO, as well as the eve of a new
millennium. This is also a time for assessment of the Balkan crisis, an
issue taken very seriously by the entire international community, including
NATO, and including the ICRC. Finally, as you probably know, this is also a
special time for me personally, as in a few days I will be handing over the
presidency of the ICRC to my successor, Mr Jakob Kellenberger. I have held
this post for 12 years, and I am now coming to the end of my third
presidential mandate.
Respect du droit international humanitaire par les forces des Nations
Unies/Nations Unies, Circulaire du Secrétaire général ST/SGB/1999/13,6 août
1999
Authors: Annan Kofi A.
Published: July 2022

Le Secrétaire général édicte les dispositions ci-après aux fins
d'établir les principes et règles fondamentaux du droit international
humanitaire applicables aux forces des Nations Unies qui mènent des
opérations sous le commandement et le contrôle de l'Organisation des Nations
Unies:

Les principes et règies fondamentaux du droit international humanitaire
énoncés dans la présente circulaire sont applicables aux forces des Nations
Unies lorsque, dans les situations de conflit armé, elles participent
activement aux combats, dans les limites et pendant la durée de leur
participation.
Position du Comité international de la Croix-Rouge sur l'«intervention
humanitaire»
Authors: Ryniker Anne
Published: July 2022

• Le droit international humanitaire ne saurait fonder la légalité
d'interventions armées suite à des violations graves de ce droit; le recours
à la force est en effet réglé par la Charte des Nations Unies.

• Il n'appartient pas au CICR de se prononcer sur la légalité ni sur la
légitimité de telles interventions.

• Le droit international humanitaire s'applique au cas où les forces
d'intervention participent aux hostilités.

• Enfin, sur le plan de la terminologie, le CICR s'emploiera à
promouvoir l'expression «intervention armée suite à des violations graves
des droits de l'homme et du droit international humanitaire».
Foreword by the High Commissioner for Refugees
Authors: Lubbers Ruud
Published: July 2022

I am pleased to join the President of the International Committee of the
Red Cross in introducing this special edition of the
Review focusing on the 50th anniversaries of
the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and of the Office of
the High Commissioner for Refugees. This tribute has special significance
for us at UNHCR, as we see the ICRC and the International Movement of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent as among our closest partners on the humanitarian
frontlines.
Flight in times of war
Authors: Kälin Walter
Published: July 2022

Dans quelle mesure le droit international en vigueur a-t-il créé un régime de protection cohérent et complet pour les personnes qui fuient les périls d'un conflit armé? Le droit humanitaire répond aux besoins des réfugiés qui, lors d'un conflit armé international, se trouvent sur le territoire de l'un des belligérants. Il protège en outre les personnes déplacées à l'intérieur de leur propre pays lors d'un conflit armé international ou non international. Ces personnes sont également protégées par les garanties des droits de l'homme applkables. Le droit international des réfugiés assure une protection aux personnes qui ont fui leur pays pane qu'elles craignent avec raison d'être victimes, notamment, d'actes de violence perpétrés dans le contexte d'un conflit armé et assimilables à la persécution fondée sur les raisons énoncées dans la Convention de 1951. Des solutions régionales, telles que l'élargissement de la définition du réfugié en Afrique et en Amérique latine, ou la protection temporaire en Europe, ont été trouvées pour les personnes qui fuient un conflit armé et qui ne sont pas l'objet de persécutions au sens strict du terme.
La Croix-Rouge albanaise face à la crise du Kosovo
Authors: Ketri Pandora
Published: July 2022

The Secretary-General of the Albanian Red Cross reports on action taken
by her National Society in response to the massive flow of refugees into
Albania from neighbouring Kosovo in the spring of 1999. Pandora Ketri shows
how a National Society, only a few years after it started to gain strength,
met an enormous challenge and coped with huge difficulties. Though the
Albanian Red Cross could count on support from other National Societies, the
International Federation and the ICRC, the members of this young Society had
to bear the brunt of the work. The experience gained through its activities
for refugees from Kosovo helped the Albanian Red Cross consolidate its
position as a member of the Movement and as a full-fledged relief
society.
Less-expensive long-term annuities linked to mortality, cash and equity
Authors: Fergusson Kevin , Platen Eckhard
Published: July 2022

This paper proposes a shift in the valuation and production of long-term annuities, away from the classical risk-neutral methodology towards a methodology using the real-world probability measure. The proposed production method is applied to three examples of annuity products, one having annual payments linked to a mortality index and the savings account and the others having annual payments linked to a mortality index and an equity index with a guarantee that is linked to the same mortality index and the savings account. Out-of-sample hedge simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed less-expensive production method. In contrast to classical risk-neutral production, which revolves around the savings account as reference unit, the long-term best-performing portfolio, the numéraire portfolio of the equity market, is employed as the fundamental reference unit in the production of the annuity. The numéraire portfolio is the strictly positive, tradable portfolio that when used as denominator or benchmark makes all benchmarked non-negative portfolios supermartingales. Under real-world valuation, the initial benchmarked value of a benchmarked contingent claim equals its real-world conditional expectation. The proposed real-world valuation and production can lead to significantly lower values of long-term annuities and their less-expensive production than suggested by the risk-neutral approach.
Morphology simulation of drop-on-demand inkjet-printed droplets
Authors: Hu Shaowei , Zhu Wenbo , Yang Wanchun , Li Mingyu
Published: July 2022

Inkjet-printed electronics have become a popular research topic in recent years. For common drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing technology, uneven edges are a universal problem. Many factors, such as the properties of the ink and printing parameters, influence this problem, and numerical methods are better than experimental methods for studying these influences. In this paper, a model based on the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method and user-defined files (UDFs) in Ansys F is established to simulate the formation process of deposited ink droplets. The model and UDFs include the friction effect, and the morphology of a single droplet, two fused droplets, and multiple droplets is simulated to study the influence of different factors; some results can serve as guidelines for improving pattern quality. Finally, the effect of selective treatment is also studied to understand its advantages for inkjet printing.