bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
18F-FLT PET and Blood-based Biomarkers for Identifying Gastrointestinal Graft versus Host Disease after Allogeneic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Holter-Chakrabarty Jennifer , McNally Lacey , Levine John , Ferrara James , Vesely Sara K. , Kanakry Christopher G. , Garwe Tabitha , Han Zheng , Pandey Manu , Glover Joshua , Wen Yuejin , Gress Ron , Williams Kirsten M.
Published: December 2024

Flourine 18 fluorothymidine PET has the potential to be a valuable tool in the identification of clinical and subclinical gastrointestinal graft versus host disease (GI-GVHD) and, if validated, could serve as an imaging biomarker for GI-GVHD.
Impact of Holmium Substitution on the Structural and Magnetic Properties of YbMn2O5
Authors: Kishor Yadav Nand , K. Damodar Reddy , L. Haritha , N. Kumar Swamy , N. Pavan Kumar
Published: December 2024

A series of Yb1-xHoxMn2O5 (here x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) compounds were prepared using the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction confirmed their orthorhombic structure (Pbam space group), and scanning electron microscopy showed dense microstructures. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed a shift in vibrational modes toward higher frequencies with increasing Ho3+ content, while the energy gap showed slight variations with doping. Raman spectra of Yb0.6Ho0.4Mn2O5 demonstrated a hardening effect due to volume contraction and is attributed to Mn-Mn exchange striction. Magnetic measurements at room temperature indicated paramagnetic behaviour in all samples.
Histone lactylation-mediated overexpression of RASD2 promotes endometriosis progression via upregulating the SUMOylation of CTPS1
Authors: Wang Ziwei , Mao Yanhong , Wang Zihan , Li Shuwei , Hong Zhidan , Zhou Rong , Xu Shaoyuan , Xiong Yao , Zhang Yuanzhen
Published: December 2024

Our finding reveals a novel mechanism that promotes the progression of endometriosis, namely the histone lactylation/RASD2/CTPS1 axis. This finding suggests that inhibiting histone lactylation or inhibiting RASD2 and CTPS1 might be a potential therapeutic strategy to inhibit endometriosis lesion growth.
Effect of Increasing or Decreasing Use of Polypharmacy on Recovery of Activities of Daily Living in Patients With Stroke in the Recovery‐Phase Rehabilitation Ward: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Hanaoka Shunsuke , Iwabuchi Kaede , Hirai Toshiyuki , Seki Toshiichi , Hayashi Hiroyuki
Published: December 2024

Background: Polypharmacy is a predictor of adverse outcomes, making its management crucial for improving patient health and recovery. Managing polypharmacy is particularly challenging in patients with stroke with many comorbidities and sequelae. Although reducing inappropriate prescribing is necessary, the number of medications may increase to effectively implement secondary prevention, potentially offsetting any changes in medication count. For patients with stroke undergoing recovery‐phase rehabilitation, balancing secondary prevention and optimizing drug use early without hindering recovery of activities of daily living are crucial. This study is aimed at examining the effect of increasing or decreasing the use of polypharmacy on recovery of motor and cognitive function during recovery‐phase rehabilitation in patients with stroke.

Methods: The study was conducted from July 2010 to June 2019 among patients with stroke discharged from the convalescent rehabilitation ward during the study period. Patients who were using more than five drugs on admission and had either an increase or decrease in the number of drugs used on discharge were compared. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control for background variables such as patient demographics, laboratory values, and functional independence measure (FIM) scores at baseline. The primary outcomes were motor, cognition, and total FIM gain.

Results: Of the 226 patients initially enrolled, 156 were matched on propensity score. The total motor FIM gain, total cognitive FIM gain, and total FIM gain were significantly higher in the decreased group than in the increased group (p = 0.0139, p = 0.0377, and p = 0.0077, respectively).

Conclusion: In patients with stroke, reducing rather than increasing the number of drugs administered during recovery‐phase rehabilitation could improve rehabilitation outcomes. Therefore, it is important to consider whether the drugs are essential for the patient and proactively revise the drug regimen to ensure rapid rehabilitation of patients with stroke.
Preclinical Evaluation of Bavdegalutamide (ARV-110), a Novel PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera Androgen Receptor Degrader
Authors: Snyder Lawrence B. , Neklesa Taavi K. , Willard Ryan R. , Gordon Deborah A. , Pizzano Jennifer , Vitale Nicholas , Robling Kaitlynn , Dorso Madeline A. , Moghrabi Walid , Landrette Sean , Gedrich Richard , Lee Sang Hyun , Taylor Ian C.A. , Houston John G.
Published: December 2024

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is the principal driver of prostate cancer, and drugs that target this pathway (e.g., abiraterone and enzalutamide) are standard treatments for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer and metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, continual evolution during prostate cancer progression can result in AR alterations (e.g., mutation, amplification, and splicing) that can cause tumors to become resistant to these therapies. Bavdegalutamide (ARV-110) is a PROteolysis TArgeting Chimera (PROTAC) protein degrader that recruits the cereblon-containing E3 ubiquitin ligase to direct the polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of AR. Bavdegalutamide selectively degrades wild-type AR and most clinically relevant mutants with low nanomolar potency. The advantages of the degradation mechanism of action are demonstrated by the higher activity of bavdegalutamide relative to the AR antagonist enzalutamide in cell-based systems that assess effects on PSA synthesis, proliferation of prostate cancer cells, and induction of apoptosis. In an AR-expressing patient-derived xenograft mouse model, bavdegalutamide showed substantial AR degradation and greater tumor growth inhibition compared with enzalutamide. Bavdegalutamide also showed robust tumor growth inhibition in enzalutamide- and abiraterone-resistant prostate cancer animal models and enhanced activity in combination with abiraterone. These promising preclinical data supported the clinical development of bavdegalutamide as a potential treatment for patients with prostate cancer. Bavdegalutamide was the first PROTAC protein degrader to enter human clinical trials, specifically in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in a phase I/II study (NCT03888612).
Supplementary Video Legend from Clotting Promotes Glioma Growth and Infiltration Through Activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Knowles Lynn M. , Wolter Carolin , Linsler Stefan , Müller Simon , Urbschat Steffi , Ketter Ralf , Müller Andreas , Zhou Xiangda , Qu Bin , Senger Sebastian , Geisel Jürgen , Schmidt Tim , Eichler Hermann , Pilch Jan
Published: December 2024

Legend for supplementary videos 1-6
Supplementary Movie_6 from Clotting Promotes Glioma Growth and Infiltration Through Activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Knowles Lynn M. , Wolter Carolin , Linsler Stefan , Müller Simon , Urbschat Steffi , Ketter Ralf , Müller Andreas , Zhou Xiangda , Qu Bin , Senger Sebastian , Geisel Jürgen , Schmidt Tim , Eichler Hermann , Pilch Jan
Published: December 2024

U87MG cells on day 1 after embedding in matrigel
Supplementary Movie_3 from Clotting Promotes Glioma Growth and Infiltration Through Activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Knowles Lynn M. , Wolter Carolin , Linsler Stefan , Müller Simon , Urbschat Steffi , Ketter Ralf , Müller Andreas , Zhou Xiangda , Qu Bin , Senger Sebastian , Geisel Jürgen , Schmidt Tim , Eichler Hermann , Pilch Jan
Published: December 2024

U87MG cells on day 3 after embedding in fibrin
Supplementary Fig. 7 from Clotting Promotes Glioma Growth and Infiltration Through Activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Knowles Lynn M. , Wolter Carolin , Linsler Stefan , Müller Simon , Urbschat Steffi , Ketter Ralf , Müller Andreas , Zhou Xiangda , Qu Bin , Senger Sebastian , Geisel Jürgen , Schmidt Tim , Eichler Hermann , Pilch Jan
Published: December 2024

Invadopodia formation of GBM cells in fibrin clot and plasma clot depends on integrins β1 and β3
Supplementary Fig. 3 from Clotting Promotes Glioma Growth and Infiltration Through Activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Knowles Lynn M. , Wolter Carolin , Linsler Stefan , Müller Simon , Urbschat Steffi , Ketter Ralf , Müller Andreas , Zhou Xiangda , Qu Bin , Senger Sebastian , Geisel Jürgen , Schmidt Tim , Eichler Hermann , Pilch Jan
Published: December 2024

Representative MR images after 2 weeks of glioma grown in mice
Figure 3 from Clotting Promotes Glioma Growth and Infiltration Through Activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Knowles Lynn M. , Wolter Carolin , Linsler Stefan , Müller Simon , Urbschat Steffi , Ketter Ralf , Müller Andreas , Zhou Xiangda , Qu Bin , Senger Sebastian , Geisel Jürgen , Schmidt Tim , Eichler Hermann , Pilch Jan
Published: December 2024

Clotting promotes invasion and growth of GBM cells in a 3D culture model. A, U87MG, U373MG, and U343MG cells were fixed 2 days after embedding in fibrin, stained for F-actin (red) and cortactin (green), and analyzed by fluorescence deconvolution microscopy. Representative images are shown. Scale bar, 20 μm. B, The cumulative number of invadopodia generated per cell over 4–6 hours in the first 16 hours after embedding in PC, FC, or Matrigel BM is shown. C, Cell length was established by measuring the largest diameter per cell after 16 hours. D and E, Invadopodia formation (D) and proliferation (E) of fibrin-embedded U87MG and U373MG cells 4 days after treatment with 3 mmol/L TXA or 10 μmol/L of the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001 compared with control. F, Fold increase in the numbers of U87MG, U373MG, and U343MG cells per optic field after 3 days of embedding in PC, FC, or BM. The dotted line reflects baseline cell numbers.*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001. BM, basement membrane; FC, fibrin clot; ns, not significant; PC, plasma clot.
Data from Clotting Promotes Glioma Growth and Infiltration Through Activation of Focal Adhesion Kinase
Authors: Knowles Lynn M. , Wolter Carolin , Linsler Stefan , Müller Simon , Urbschat Steffi , Ketter Ralf , Müller Andreas , Zhou Xiangda , Qu Bin , Senger Sebastian , Geisel Jürgen , Schmidt Tim , Eichler Hermann , Pilch Jan
Published: December 2024

Abstract
The tumor architecture of high-grade gliomas is shaped by tumor cell necrosis, invasive growth, and the leakage of a fibrin-rich edema from poorly organized tumor blood vessels. In this study, we demonstrate a marked upregulation of clot formation in the interstitial spaces of tumor tissues from patients with glioblastoma (GBM) whereas a tumor-free brain is essentially devoid of fibrin. The accumulation of fibrin in tumor interstitial spaces is functionally relevant as we demonstrate increased infiltration and growth of primary GBM cells after embedding in a 3-dimensional matrix made of fibrin ex vivo. Additionally, we detected accelerated tumor growth after implanting GBM cells together with clotted plasma in brains of immunodeficient mice whereas GBM development in clotting-deficient hemophilia mice was delayed. GBM growth correlated with the outgrowth of invadopodia and their adhesive interactions with the 3-dimensional clot matrix, which was mediated by integrins β1 and β3 and their common downstream target focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Knocking down FAK with CRISPR Cas9 caused an upregulation of p21/p27 cell-cycle inhibitors, strong growth inhibition in cultured GBM cells, and sustained antitumorigenic effects in orthotopic GBM xenografts in vivo. These results go hand in hand with genomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas that indicate increased clotting activity and reduced patient survival in glioma subgroups with high integrin β1 and β3 expression. We therefore conclude that clotting in glioma interstitial spaces provides tumor cells with a potent proliferative stimulus that can be reversed by targeting the adhesive machinery of GBM cells via inhibition of FAK.
Significance:
High-grade gliomas are associated with intratumoral thrombosis, tumor cell necrosis, and hemorrhage. The resulting blood clot serves as an adhesive matrix for glioma cell integrins that activate FAK. Knocking down FAK with CRISPR cas9, on the other hand, is highly effective at halting GBM growth in mice.
High order sliding mode control for grid integration of photovoltaic systems
Authors: Ech-cherki Noureddine , Echab Oumaima , Errami Youssef , Obbadi Abdellatif , Sahnoun Smail , Aoutoul Mohssin
Published: December 2024

The article suggests employing second-order sliding mode control (SOSMC) to manage photovoltaic systems (PVS) connected to the electrical grid. These systems face complexities due to non-linearities, variability, uncertainties, disturbances, and climate changes. The proposed control strategy utilizes two converters: one at the photovoltaic generator (PVG) side for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to optimize energy generation and another at the grid connection point to regulate power injection into the grid and maintain the DC bus voltage (Vdc) while achieving unit power factor (UPF). Both converters are equipped with SOSMC controllers, enabling independent adjustment of active (P) and reactive (Q) power. This approach aims to enhance the energy efficiency and robustness of PVS under varying climatic conditions. The performance of the system is evaluated under standard and variable irradiation conditions using the MATLAB/Simulink environment. Simulation results indicate that SOSMC significantly improves system performance and efficiency compared to conventional vector control (CVC). Notably, it reduces active power overshoot by 100%, decreases Vdc response time, and lowers total harmonic distortion (THD) of the current to 1.19%, demonstrating its effectiveness across different irradiation levels.
Organic solar cells: a study on material selection and fabrication precision
Authors: Krishnakumar Karthika , Grover Ashish , Kumar Pardeep , Patra Asit
Published: December 2024

The accelerating development of renewable energy technologies is imperative for addressing the problems of climate change and resource depletion. Solar energy, ideal for distributed power generation and more environmentally friendly, is integral to the progression of solar technology. Organic solar cells (OSCs) have become a key innovation in this domain, offering a promising alternative to traditional solar technologies. OSCs have received a lot of interest in the preceding years owing to their capacity to increase efficiency, affordability, and longevity. However, a dearth of research and development activities aimed at improving organic photovoltaic systems exists. This work details the laborious process of building a Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OSC, describing the manufacturing stages and subsequent device characterization. OSCs were created in this work using three active layer materials: P3HT:PCBM, PTB7:PCBM, and PCDTBT:PCBM. The comparative analysis revealed significant efficiency disparities, with PCDTBT:PCBM exhibiting superior performance and electrical properties, while challenges were encountered with aged materials, emphasizing the relevance of meticulous material handling and the use of cutting-edge fabrication machinery in achieving efficient solar cell production.
Optimal distributed generator placement for loss reduction using fuzzy and adaptive grey wolf algorithm
Authors: Sarika Daruru , Babu Palepu Suresh , Gopi Pasala , Reddy Manubolu Damodar , Potladurty Suresh Babu
Published: December 2024

This research provides a new methodology for locating distributed generation (DG) units in distribution electrical networks utilizing the fuzzy and adaptive grey wolf optimization algorithm (AGWOA) to decrease power losses and enhance the voltage profile. Everyday living relies heavily on electrical energy. The promotion of generating electrical power from renewable energy sources such as wind, tidal wave, and solar energy has arisen due to the significant value placed on all prospective energy sources capable of producing it. There has been substantial research on integrating distributed generation into the electricity system due to the growing interest in renewable sources in recent years. The primary reason for adding distributed generation sources for the network is to supply a net quantity of power, lowering power losses. Determining the amount and location of local generation is crucial for reducing the line losses of power systems. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the best location for distributed generation. In this study, DG unit placement is determined using a fuzzy technique. In contrast, photovoltaic (PV) and capacitor placement and size are determined simultaneously using an adaptive grey wolf technique based on the cunning behavior of wolves. The proposed method is developed using the MATLAB programming language; the results are then provided after testing on test systems with 33-bus and 15-bus.
An effective transformer less 7 level inverter with optimized PID and buck boost controller for grid-connected PV systems
Authors: Rao B. Mohan , Khan Mohammad Haseeb , Mangu B.
Published: December 2024

This research paper presents an effective transformer-less seven-level inverter with an optimized proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller and buck-boost controller for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. The proposed model aims to achieve optimum power quality (PQ) in a hybrid power system integrating battery and PV. This is accomplished by utilizing a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC-PQ) with active and reactive power is developed, utilizing a hybrid metaheuristic algorithm named the honey badger algorithm (HBA) along with the equilibrium optimization algorithm (EOA), referred to as the honey badger equilibrium optimization (HBEO) algorithm. The PID controller in the proposed model is optimized using the HBEO algorithm, resulting in a highly efficient hybrid renewable energy system. By incorporating a 7-level multilevel inverter model with minimal switch usage (only 5 switches instead of 12), the proposed model ensures minimal switching losses. The proposed model is implemented and verified through the MATLAB/Simulink platform.
DTC analysis of DCMLI driven PMSM-SVM drive
Authors: Shriwastava Rakesh G. , Pokle Pravin B. , Mendhe Ajay M. , Dhote Nitin , Rewatkar Rajendra M. , Mapari Rahul , Dhunde Ranjit , Bhagat Patil Hemant R. , Pawase Ramesh
Published: December 2024

The paper focuses on a comparative analysis of direct torque control (DTC) space vector modulation (SVM) based permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive. This comparative analysis is based on a conventional inverter and a 3-level dual-cell modular multilevel inverter (DCMLI) using the SVM technique using MATLAB simulation. The present DTC-PMSM drive consists of flux and torque hysteresis comparators and has a problem of switching frequency and torque ripple. The problems are solved by using SVM to provide more inverter voltage and it compensates for torque and flux error in a DTC. A reference voltage space vector is calculated every time using the algorithm on the basic of torque error and stator flux angle. It was proposed to control torque, torque angle, and stator flux in DTC-PMSM. From the detailed comparison, the DTC-DCMLI PMSM drive has an exact solution of problem-solving of switching frequency and torque ripple due to less distorted output. Proposed drives can be applicable for hardware implementation in automotive applications.
Performance analysis of seven level multilevel inverter for power quality improvement
Authors: Priya S. Nithya , Ramya K. C.
Published: December 2024

Power conversion systems for demanding applications requiring high power and power quality are increasingly using multi-level converters. Due to its many advantages, such as low harmonic content, low electromagnetic interference (EMI) output, and low power consumption in power switches, the multilayer inverter (MLI) topology is more commonly used in medium and high power applications. The chosen switching technique of the inverter for operation significantly contributes to the suppression of harmonic components while creating the optimal output voltage. A single-phase 7-level cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter (CHB-MLI) with fewer switches and alternative control algorithms is available in MATLAB-based simulation on the SIMULINK platform. In this research, the total harmonic distortion (THD) of several control techniques is compared. From the simulation results, it was found that the proposed artificial neural network (ANN) controller outperforms the proportional-integral (PI) controller. With a lower THD value and a comparatively better sinusoidal waveform, the ANN controller produces an output voltage. It is also more suitable for improving the quality of electricity. The efficiency and performance of the proposed 7-level CHBMI system are demonstrated by the improved sinusoidal output waveform and reduced output voltage THD.
Solar photovoltaic system fed water pumping system using BLDC motor with single input and multiple output converter
Authors: Chaitanya Kommera , Pradhan Arjyadhara , Panda Babita
Published: December 2024

In recent times energy based on renewable energy sources is a good long-term alternative compared with traditional fossil fuel energy sources solar photovoltaic model-based irrigation water pump systems have gained more popularity. The one-input and multi-output converters are focused on BLDC motor drive-based solar photovoltaic with water pump. To model one input and multiple output converter components are connected viz it achieves tracking purpose and BLDC drive soft starting. The one-input and multiple-output converter exhibits the features of all converters and remarkably appears with the converter in the application of solar photovoltaic systems. It describes performance under varying environmental and inspects the BLDC motor effective with the suggested single input and multiple output converter for solar photovoltaic with a water pump with 95% efficacy and the price is USD 0.6/W. Test results have confirmed the BLDC motor suitability for solar photovoltaic with water pump employing MATLAB Toolbox followed by the test result verification. It is simply developed for rural areas because it is low cost, simple, and low maintenance.
Prefácio
Authors: Machado Daniel
Published: December 2024

Geologia USP. Série Científica - Revista do Instituto de Geociências, USP.
Teoria material da forma: sobre um novo conceito formal de Theodor W. Adorno em sua “fisionomia musical” de Gustav Mahler
Authors: Vellasco Pedro Gloor
Published: December 2024

A interpretação de Theodor W. Adorno da obra de Gustav Mahler nos traz a oportunidade de pensar um novo conceito de forma musical. A sua “teoria material da forma” propõe desenvolver uma reflexão sobre o que é pensar em forma na música instrumental de concerto. Em um terreno discursivo de tensão permanente entre estética e teoria da música, entre funcionalidade formal e hermenêutica musical, esse artigo tem o intuito de refletir sobre essa ideia de forma musical tentando fazer uma aproximação do discurso filosófico e do discurso do desenvolvimento conceitual da forma, dentro da tradição da teoria musical, chamando atenção para o método fisionômico como um forma de análise extremamente original e atual da arte dos sons, para além do paradigma de autonomia musical.
Mumia: Luxury Between Art and Medicine in Safavid Iran and Ottoman Turkey
Authors: Casale Sinem Arcak
Published: December 2024

Mumia, a kind of omnipotent panacea or simply cure-all drug, was a highly valued rare substance with a long and complex history that nevertheless fell into oblivion towards the end of the eighteenth century. From ancient times to the early modern period, a range of naturally found materials and substances related to the preservation of or parts of human and animal corpses have been associated with mumia, mummy, and related words. Used as a drug for a range of illnesses and conditions, in the sixteenth century mineral mumia extracted from mountains in Iran was believed to have extraordinary potency. This article examines a selection of sources that discuss mumia’s substance, collection, use, and exchange. A rediscovery of this material expands the vocabulary of early modern visual and material culture. More significantly, as a forgotten, non-global object, mumia also highlights the limits and the conceptual boundaries of that vocabulary.
Ethnocentrism and Ahmadi Muslims
Authors: Raja Rameez
Published: December 2024

The Ahmadi question is paramount in many Muslim states globally because these are falsely accused as impure/inferior/fake Muslims based on their beliefs different from mainstream Muslims. The secular character of the British India granted religious freedom to people of different faiths allowed Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the founder of the Ahmadiyya community to propagate his claims in the sub-continent. After the birth of Pakistan as an Islamic state, Ahmadis met an identity problem subject to their beliefs which found un-Islamic by hardline Muslims. Pakistan favours the human rights violations against Ahmadis though it is signatory of the UN Human Rights Council. In contrast, India’s secular structure permits religious communities including Ahmadis to propagate their religious belief across India. Interestingly, the Muslims in India have similar opinion against Ahmadiyya community but the structure of the Indian constitution promotes human rights, religious freedom as well as the protection of minority groups.
Love Is Just a Four Letter Word
Authors: Klabbers Jan
Published: December 2024

This essay takes issue with Jean d’Aspremont’s analysis of international lawyers’ attitude towards international organizations in terms of love. Apart from questioning the object of his analysis (his international lawyer might be a rather small category), the paper suggests that an analysis in terms of the emotions obscures far more than it can possibly reveal. Instead, it suggests that the prevailing attitude towards international organizations (reflected in the existing legal framework) is the result of socialisation into a number of strong tropes, such as the trope that cooperation is a good thing, that agreement is better than disagreement, and that the end justifies the means. Recognition of such tropes and their role facilitates the development of a much-needed critical approach to the international organizations.
Distinctively African: The Unique Appeal of the African Union to International Lawyers of African Origin
Authors: Negm Namira
Published: December 2024

This article explores the African Union’s (AU) distinct allure to international legal scholars of African descent, charting its evolution from the post-colonial era to a comprehensive continental collaboration. The AU’s departure from the limited scope of its precursor, the Organization of African Unity (oau), is evident in its holistic approach encompassing economic development, human rights, peace, and sovereignty. It emphasizes African-led solutions, robust human rights mechanisms like the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, recognition of customary law, economic integration initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and advocacy for decolonisation. African lawyers are drawn to the AU’s inclusive legal frameworks, engaging in legal reforms that resonate with African realities and identities. Ultimately, the AU stands as a catalyst for justice, self-determination, and holistic development, offering a platform for African legal scholars to shape a distinctly African legal landscape.
Our Love for the European Union
Authors: Palchetti Paolo , Wessel Ramses A.
Published: December 2024

In his paper on ‘The Love for International Organizations’, Jean d’Aspremont mentions a number of drivers behind the scholarly interest in the phenomenon of international organizations. Inspired by that paper, the present contribution argues that the European Union is an attractive object of study because it allows us to locate power and because the Union’s creation may have helped to build a unique cooperation among European states. Perhaps more than the drivers suggested by d’Aspremont, this contribution addresses the unclear, ever-changing and complex identity or nature of the EU as a reason for the affection both authors admittedly have for the EU. The paper revisits the classic question of whether the EU can be seen as an international organization and argues that any claims pointing to a sui generis nature of the EU do not seem to be very helpful.
On the morphological structure of Kuwaiti surnames
Authors: Almuhanna Amin
Published: December 2024

This study offers a synchronic analysis of Kuwaiti surnames and shows that their morphology and their phonology abide by the grammar of Kuwaiti Arabic. Surnames can be deconstructed into prefixes, suffixes, and stems combining consonantal roots and syllabic patterns. The two most prominent prefixes are definite l- and derivational m-. Definite l- presents three set of allomorphs and connotes social prestige. Derivational m- forms active/passive participles and nouns of instrument/place. Surnames also include consonantal roots, sometimes shared by a derivational family of surnames. The diminutive pattern (such as calb ‘dog’ > cleeb ‘puppy’) and hypocoristic pattern (such as female given name xadiij-a > xadduuj(-a)) are the most frequent ones in surnames. Some facts suggest that word-to-word formation is at work in the diminutive of both surnames and words. The two most frequent suffixal strings, -a and -aan, can be traced back to several Kuwaiti and/or Modern Standard Arabic homophonous suffixes.
Conceptual Discrepancies in Russian and Western Approaches to the International Regulation of Cyber [Information] Space
Authors: Khasanova Liliya
Published: December 2024

It is evident that at least several contradictory approaches have emerged from more than two decades of ongoing international negotiations aimed at regulating the domain that was created by information and communication technologies (ICTs). One notable aspect that has been overlooked is the difference in the language used by Russia and the Western countries, with Russia referring to ‘information space’ and Western countries using the term ‘cyberspace’. This paper aims to empirically examine this persistent use of different terms related to the ICT space and to reveal the increasingly contradictory realities that Russia and Western countries are seeking to regulate. I analyse international cyber governance documents and normative proposals from States, national legislation in Russia and the Western States, and place them in the historical context of ICT development in these regions to identify the key areas of conceptual discrepancies. I also describe the divergent perceptions of the regulatory space and the contrasting perceptions of the role of private actors in cyber governance. Building on these insights, I argue that there is a conceptual misalignment between Russian and Western approaches in terms of the legal object of regulation and its scope, as well as in the governance models applied in the ICT domain. These differing conceptions eventually contribute to conflicting institutional and normative approaches to international law.
An adaptable, user-friendly score sheet to monitor welfare in experimental fish
Authors: Flueck-Giraud Mathilde , Schmidt-Posthaus Heike , Bergadano Alessandra , Adrian-Kalchhauser Irene
Published: December 2024

Fish are increasingly used as experimental animals across research fields. Currently, around a quarter of all experimental animals used are fish. Less than 20% of these are standard model species. Welfare assessments for experimental fish are in their infancy compared with those for rodents. This can be attributed to the diversity of species used, the relative recency of fish as the go-to model for research, and challenges to assess welfare in non-vocal underwater species. The lack of guidelines and tools presents a challenge for researchers (particularly, for newcomers), for ethics committees and for implementing refinement measures. Here, we present an adaptable, user-friendly score sheet for fish based on MS Excel. The parameters are based on a literature review, have been validated by expert interviews and evaluated by a fish pathologist. The tool allows scoring of individual fish as well as groups, calculates summary scores and visualizes trends. We provide the underlying literature, give use examples and provide instructions on the adaptation and use of the score sheet. We hope that this tool will empower researchers to include welfare assessment in their routines, foster discussions on fish welfare parameters among scientists, facilitate interactions with ethics committees and, most importantly, enable the refinement of fish experiments.
Students’ Beliefs About Trigger Warnings
Authors: Sevincer A. Timur , Tenbrueggen Leonie , Sokolis Marvin
Published: December 2024

Trigger warnings aim to help people emotionally prepare for potentially disturbing material or avoid the material altogether. There has been a lively debate in society and academia whether the widespread use of trigger warnings helps, harms, or has no substantial impact. Recent meta-analytic evidence suggests trigger warnings have no effect on people’s emotional reaction, avoidance, and comprehension. They do however heighten a negative anticipatory reaction. We examined students’ attitudes toward trigger warnings in a non-English-speaking country – Germany, and whether their beliefs about the effects of trigger warnings on themselves and others match the meta-analytic evidence. Students held relatively positive attitudes toward trigger warnings and advocated their use. Their beliefs about the effects of trigger warnings however did not concur well with the actual effects. Our findings suggest that making students aware of the empirical evidence on trigger warnings would benefit discussions around trigger warnings.
Predicting and evaluating settlement of shallow foundation using machine learning approach
Authors: Huong Ngo Thi Thanh , Tran Van Quan
Published: December 2024

This study presents a novel approach to accurately predict the settlement of shallow foundations using advanced machine learning techniques while assessing the influence of key variables. Four machine learning models Gradient Boosting (GB), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) are enhanced with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for hyperparameter tuning, resulting in hybrid models GB-PSO, RF-PSO, SVM-PSO, and KNN-PSO. The experimental dataset comprises 189 samples, and model performance is rigorously evaluated through K-Fold Cross-Validation alongside R², RMSE, MAE, and MAPE metrics. The results indicate that PSO tuning does not consistently improve the prediction accuracy, with the original models, particularly GB and RF, outperforming their PSO-optimized counterparts. Sensitivity analysis via Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) highlights average Standard Penetration Test blow count (SPT) and footing width (B) as the most influential variables, with footing embedment ratio (Df/B) and net applied pressure (q) also significantly impacting settlement predictions. The study offers a new Excel tool based on the GB model, facilitating practical applications for civil engineers, and providing a dependable, user-friendly tool to predict shallow foundation settlement.
Three-dimensional auxetic woven fabric structure with in-plane negative Poisson’s ratio for composite reinforcement: A finite-element analysis
Authors: Zeeshan Muhammad , Etemadi Ehsan , Li Li , Hu Hong
Published: December 2024

Numerical modeling of textile structures at the yarn level is challenging, yet provides information not obtainable through experimental studies alone. This study is focused on the development and finite-element analysis (FEA) of a three-dimensional (3D) woven structure with an in-plane negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) effect, with the aim of exploring its potential applications in polymer composite reinforcement. While experimental and geometrical studies of 3D auxetic woven structures provide primary information, they have limitations in explaining the auxetic behavior of the structure at the yarn level. Additionally, prediction of the auxetic behavior of the 3D woven structure by varying material properties is only possible through FEA. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, a 3D FEA model of the structure was developed using commercially available software (Abaqus CAE-2020) to simulate the auxetic behavior. The structure was then studied for different binding yarn properties once a good agreement had been found between simulated and experimental results. The FEA provides new insights and provokes fresh discussion on the auxetic behavior of the 3D woven structure. One significant finding from the FEA is the strong influence of the axial ([Formula: see text]) and radial ([Formula: see text]) moduli of the binding yarn on the Poisson’s ratio of the 3D woven structure; [Formula: see text] has an inverse relationship, while [Formula: see text] demonstrates a direct relationship with the auxetic behavior of the structure. The developed FEA model is expected to provide a better foundation for the future development of 3D auxetic structures, particularly concerning their application in polymer composite reinforcement.
Laboratory Barcelona: Tenants, corporate landlords and housing justice
Authors: Bonshoms-Guzman Jordi
Published: December 2024

In the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis, housing and tenant movements across many cities have emerged to contest the unfolding cycle of housing financialisation. In particular, tenant organising against corporate landlords has marked the dawn of a new urban politics of space. This article reflects on the political antagonism that the Sindicat de Llogateres (Tenants’ Union of Barcelona) has deployed against corporate landlords using the class composition analysis developed by the Italian-Marxist school of operaismo. I contend that compositional analysis offers a political understanding of the shifting dynamics of rentier capital (technical composition) and the emergence of new forms of tenant contestation (political composition). In Barcelona’s post-crisis urban laboratory, I argue that the concentration of properties in the hands of landowning corporations has shaped new organisational forms of tenant contention, introducing tactical innovations to the established repertoire of housing contention.
The complexities of smartification: Exploring horizontal tensions in smart city governance
Authors: Enlund Desirée , Harrison Katherine
Published: December 2024

Smart cities build on visions for using technology to optimise various infrastructural functions andãmake city management more efficient, sustainable, and reliable. However, scholarship on smart cities has drawn attention to how data-centric planning simplifies the complexity of the urban environment and how a dichotomous approach to smart cities as either top-down or bottom-up may be overly reductive. This paper attempts to remedy this divide by highlighting the horizontal tensions in smart city planning, where tensions around implementing smart technologies appear as multiple actors and discourses converge in creating complex governance structures. We offer a case study of how scalar, temporal and social tensions around implementing smart city technologies are negotiated, based on interviews with employees in a Swedish municipality and several municipal corporations. We elaborate on three themes around time, the role of the municipality and infrastructure to gain a deeper understanding of the governance of and attitudes towards smartification. The interviewees described the complexities of implementing smart technology in reality, spanning various scales and intermingling public and private interests. These issues matter for how the municipality and the municipal corporations work with implementing smart technologies, making it anything but a straightforward process.
Understanding the Antecedents of Adolescent Family Tourism Motivation: The Role of Adolescents’ Self-Differentiation and Parent-Child Relationships
Authors: Wang Jingna , Xu Jian , Okumus Fevzi , Zhang Justin Zuopeng , Liu David Yulong , Qi Jingjing
Published: December 2024

This research investigates the effects of family tourism on family bonding and the physical and mental development of children, specifically focusing on the travel motivation of families with adolescents. Despite its significance, the antecedents and internal mechanisms driving this motivation remain unclear. To address this gap, we employed an interpretive sequential hybrid approach across two interconnected studies. Grounded in family systems theory, Study 1 examines the direct influence of parent-child bonds on family travel motivation, as well as the indirect effect through adolescents’ self-differentiation. Study 2 further explores the complex interplay between parent-child relationships, adolescents’ self-differentiation, and family travel motivation. Our findings emphasize the critical role of self-differentiation as an intermediary factor in shaping travel motivation, contributing valuable insights to both family tourism literature and practical applications.
Adaptive robust non-singular fast terminal sliding mode control for a two-link robotic manipulator with NN-based ESO
Authors: Zhou Lei , Wei Dong , He Weitian
Published: December 2024

A novel adaptive non-singular fast terminal sliding mode control (NFTSMC) scheme is developed for a highly nonlinear two-link robotic manipulator (TLRM) system subject to system uncertainties and unknown disturbances. First, to compensate for the system uncertainties, neural network (NN) is employed to approximate the unknown nonlinear dynamic function. Subsequently, to address the challenges of disturbance compensation and unmeasured joint angular velocity, a nonlinear NN-based extended state observer (NN-based ESO) is introduced. The NN-based ESO facilitates accurate disturbance estimation and compensation, while also enabling simultaneous estimation of the joint angular velocity. Through the integration of these techniques, the closed-loop system’s stability is proven using the direct Lyapunov method, demonstrating remarkable tracking performance within finite time. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the NFTSMC with the NN-based ESO, showcasing superior performance compared to alternative control strategies.
The Aversive Racism Theory of Cultural Appropriation: Attributions of Target Intent Suppresses Evaluations of Intergroup Harm
Authors: Mosley Ariel J.
Published: December 2024

This research investigates whether racially dominant (White) and minoritized group members (Black) differentially evaluate intergroup harm in ambiguous (vs. overt) acts of cultural appropriation (the aversive racism hypothesis), due to attributions of positive intentions to the target (the intent as justification hypothesis). Four experiments ( N = 1,020, 3 preregistered) and an internal meta-analysis converge to demonstrate that White perceivers evaluated less harm than Black perceivers in ambiguous acts of cultural appropriation. Attributions of positive intent served as a mechanism underlying this effect; naturally occurring variations in positive intent mediated the link between participant race and harm evaluations (Studies 2 and 3), and experimentally manipulating target intent altered harm evaluations as well as motivations for collective action (Study 4). Findings integrate work from multiple academic disciplines with insights from contemporary theories of prejudice to suggest that perceivers’ attributions of positive intent can obscure their evaluations of harm in acts of cultural appropriation.
Stereotype Threat at Work: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: von Hippel Courtney , Kühner Clara , Coundouris Sarah P. , Lim Amy , Henry Julie D. , Zacher Hannes
Published: December 2024

Stereotype threat refers to the concern of being judged based on stereotypes about one’s social group. This preregistered meta-analysis examines the correlates of stereotype threat in the workplace ( k = 61 independent samples, N = 40,134). Results showed that stereotype threat was positively related to exhaustion, identity separation, negative affect, turnover intentions, and behavioral coping, and negatively related to career aspirations, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, job engagement, job performance, positive affect, self-efficacy, and work authenticity. In addition, moderator analyses for constructs represented in at least k = 10 samples in the focal analyses showed that relations did not differ for measures of stereotype threat and stigma consciousness. However, the negative relationships between stereotype threat and career aspirations, job satisfaction, and job engagement were stronger for older employees compared with female employees as the stereotyped group. Overall, the findings suggest that stereotype threat constitutes an important stressor in the workplace.
Digital health interventions for adolescents living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries: A narrative review and logic model
Authors: Crowley Talitha , Weyers Leonie , Petinger Charné , Tokwe Lwandile
Published: December 2024

The development of digital health interventions for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains poorly understood due to limited research. This narrative review applies a logic model to synthesize evidence on the development and adaptation of digital health interventions for ALHIV in LMICs. The review identifies studies involving interventions such as mobile apps or online support groups from databases including MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS and gray literature. Grounded in the WHO framework for Youth-centered Digital Health Interventions, the model addresses health system challenges and links intervention components to process and health outcomes. Individual, family and environmental contextual factors are incorporated to enhance the model's relevance. This model serves as a guide for stakeholders, including designers, developers, implementers, researchers, and funders, in designing and evaluating digital interventions for ALHIV in resource-constrained settings, while highlighting key areas for future research and policy action.

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A logic model for guiding the design of digital health interventions for adolescents living with HIV in low- & middle-income countries.
The reception of Ezekiel’s throne vision in the Apocalypse of Abraham and its manuscript tradition
Authors: Dik John
Published: December 2024

This paper brings together insights from different research areas by on the one hand examining the Apocalypse of Abraham in its context of ancient Judaism and on the other hand looking at the fourteenth century context of its manuscript-tradition. Special attention is given to how the Apocalypse of Abraham receives Ezekiel in order to create its distinct vision of God’s throne. The copyist/redactor of the manuscript in Old Church Slavonic adds six miniatures to his codex depicting essential scenes from the Apocalypse of Abraham. However, when looking at the miniature of Abraham and the angel Jaoel before God’s throne, one wonders if the miniaturist knew the text of the Apocalypse of Abraham at all or if he wanted to create his own vision of God’s throne thereby correcting/adding to the meaning of the Apocalypse’s vison of the throne. By examining both the original and the manuscript context of the work multiple discourses are opened and new questions of transmission of ancient Jewish texts in Christian transmission arise. The paper wants to encourage further research in the field of Slavonic pseudepigrapha and its transmission which is still a neglected field of academic endeavor.