bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retraction Note: Adaptation and Assimilation Measurement in Human-Computer Interaction: Implementation of Sustainable Society
Authors: Indrawati Desi
Published: January 2024

This article has been retracted upon request of the author.

Data has been used without permission from the author’s research team. This compromises the integrity of the research. The proceedings Editors and the Publisher are not responsible for the mistake.

The Publisher approved the retraction.
A review: Potensi Dracaena liberica (Gérôme & Labroy) Christenh sebagai etnomedicine dan treaupetic
Authors: Dewatisari Whika Febria , Nuryandani Einstivina
Published: January 2024

Dracaena liberica, an ornamental plant found in various African and Asian countries, has a long history of traditional medicinal use. This article aims to offer an overview of D. liberica based on its taxonomic characteristics, distribution, habitat, and traditional medicinal applications, while also conducting literature review for its therapeutic potential in terms of antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and antitoxicity properties. The platform used for this article’s literature review focuses on materials relating to plants of the Genus Dracaena and the species D. liberica. Furthermore, the article discusses the active compounds that have been identified in previous studies, such as phytol, stigmasterol, linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, β-sitosterol, and β-stigmasterol. This review article suggests that this plant has the potential to exhibit antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antitoxic activities. Antitoxic and anticancer activities are more promising than antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Recent research has highlighted the roots and leaves of D. liberica as particularly promising sources of anticancer and antitoxicity agents. Consequently, D. liberica holds great potential for the development of natural medicines.
Identification of flood vulnerability using the topographic wetness index method in Pantai Labu Baru village, Deli Serdang, North Sumatera
Authors: Fitra Joni , Debataraja Semangat Marudut Tua , Lismawaty
Published: January 2024

Soil characteristics that are unique and have the potential for flooding can provide information about a condition of flood vulnerability related to various factors. These factors are interrelated to one another. This study aims to detect Flood Vulnerability through the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) Method Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) in Pantai Labu Baru Village. This study focuses on knowing the spatial distribution of flood-prone areas based on the TWI value and the accuracy of using the TWI value in determining flood vulnerability in Pantai Labu Baru Village, Deli Serdang Regency, which is one of the areas in North Sumatra Province with a fairly high level of flood vulnerability. Pantai Labu Baru Village is 5 kilometers from the beach. The area of Pantai Labu Baru Village is 1512239.15197 m2, according to the administrative map of the community. Paddy fields, plantations, and fields make up the majority of the land use in Pantai Labu Baru Village. The slope angle ranges from 0° to 19.9°. The TWI value falls between -8.3898 to 10.8494. The degree of slope also suggests a greater TWI value along with the lower slope angle. The degree of vulnerability to floods increases with the TWI value.
Application of Cheng’s Fuzzy Time Series in World Crude Oil Price Prediction
Authors: Patria Lintang
Published: January 2024

Fuzzy time series is a new concept that can be used to predict an event using historical data. Historical data is processed using the principles and logic of fuzzy sets. The aim of this study is to predict world oil prices. The historical data used was from 3 January 2022 to 30 June 2023. This article discusses Cheng’s Fuzzy Time Series application. Determining the number of fuzzy class intervals uses 3 approaches, namely using the Sturges formula, Average-based and Partial Frequency Density. The 3 approaches used will be compared. Fuzzy Time Series with the Sturges formula produces a MAPE of 10.54% and a MSE of 9.13. Average-based Fuzzy Time Series produces a MAPE of 7.64% and a MSE of 5.15. Partial Frequency Density Fuzzy Time Series produces a MAPE of 8.09% and a MSE of 5.99. The results of this study state that Cheng’s Average based Fuzzy Time Series has the best accuracy in predicting world oil prices.
Jean Blondel: One of the founding fathers of European political science
Authors: Cotta Maurizio
Published: January 2024

Jean Blondel’s personal and scientific biography deserves to be illustrated, as it can in many ways also be an illustration of the laborious making of a genuinely European (though not only) political science from the ashes of World War 2, and the failures (uncertainties) of pre-WWII political science. Here it will briefly be recalled how an enthusiastic and innovative institution builder gained a central place in the making of the new European political science, and how Blondel coupled this with his tireless exploration of new fields of comparative politics, while being at the same time a generous mentor of PhD students and younger scholars and, for many, a great friend.
A qualitative review of social media sharing and the 2022 monkeypox outbreak: did early labelling help to curb misinformation or fuel the fire?
Authors: Dalton Maria E. , Duffy Robert , Quinn Emma , Larsen Kristian , Peters Cheryl , Brenner Darren , Yang Lin , Rainham Daniel
Published: January 2024

Background Misinformation, defined as a claim that is false or misleading, considers information that is both shared with the intention of causing harm, and information that is false with no ill intent. Early attempts to downplay the risk of monkeypox (mpox) by singling out men who have sex with men (MSM) may have had the ill effect of stigmatising this group in discussions online. The aim of this study was to evaluate themes present on Instagram related to the 2022 mpox outbreak under #monkeypox. Specifically, this study sought to determine if the pervasive narratives surrounding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly related to government mistrust and conspiracy, were penetrating discussions about mpox. Methods A total of 255 posts under #monkeypox (the top 85 posts per day, every 10 days in July 2022) were collected on Instagram. A content analysis approach, which seeks to quantify themes present, was utilised to evaluate themes present in posts under #monkeypox. Results Contrary to previous research investigating public health misinformation online, the majority of posts under #monkeypox were categorised as accurate information (85.9%). Moreover, a surprising number of posts were classified as anti-misinformation (32.9%), whereby users actively worked to debunk false information being shared online related to mpox. Conclusions We hypothesise that early labelling of the disease as one that strictly affects online MSM communities has resulted in the digital community coming together to fact-check and debunk misinformation under #monkeypox on Instagram.
Accreditation of analogue quantum simulators
Authors: Jackson Andrew , Kapourniotis Theodoros , Datta Animesh
Published: January 2024

We present an accreditation protocol for analogue, i.e., continuous-time, quantum simulators. For a given simulation task, it provides an upper bound on the variation distance between the probability distributions at the output of an erroneous and error-free analogue quantum simulator. As its overheads are independent of the size and nature of the simulation, the protocol is ready for immediate usage and practical for the long term. It builds on the recent theoretical advances of strongly universal Hamiltonians and quantum accreditation as well as experimental progress toward the realization of programmable hybrid analogue–digital quantum simulators.
Revealing incommensurability between device-independent randomness, nonlocality, and entanglement using Hardy and Hardy-type relations
Authors: Sasmal Souradeep , Rai Ashutosh , Gangopadhyay Sayan , Home Dipankar , Sinha Urbasi
Published: January 2024

A comprehensive treatment of the quantification of randomness certified device-independently by using the Hardy and Cabello-Liang-Li (CLL) nonlocality relations is provided in the two parties-two measurements per party-two outcomes per measurement (2-2-2) scenario. For the Hardy nonlocality, it is revealed that for a given amount of nonlocality signified by a particular non-zero value of the Hardy parameter, the amount of Hardy-certifiable randomness is not unique, unlike the way the amount of certifiable randomness is related to the CHSH nonlocality. This is because any specified non-maximal value of Hardy nonlocality parameter characterises a set of quantum extremal distributions. Then this leads to a range of certifiable amounts of randomness corresponding to a given Hardy parameter. On the other hand, for a given amount of CLL-nonlocality, the certifiable randomness is unique, similar to that for the CHSH nonlocality. Furthermore, the tightness of our analytical treatment evaluating the respective guaranteed bounds for the Hardy and CLL relations is demonstrated by their exact agreement with the Semi-Definite-Programming based computed bounds. Interestingly, the analytically evaluated maximum achievable bounds of both Hardy and CLL-certified randomness have been found to be realisable for non-maximal values of the Hardy and CLL nonlocality parameters. In particular, we have shown that even close to the maximum 2 bits of CLL-certified randomness can be realised from non-maximally entangled pure two-qubit states corresponding to small values of the CLL nonlocal parameter. This, therefore, clearly illustrates the quantitative incommensurability between randomness, nonlocality and entanglement.
A CNTFET based stable, single-ended 7T SRAM cell with improved write operation
Authors: Sachdeva Ashish , Sharma Kulbhushan , Bhargava Anuja , Abbasian Erfan
Published: January 2024

Many researchers are working to improve the write operation in SRAM bit-cell for better write stability, low power dissipation, and minimal access time during the write process. However, the read and hold operation parameters should not be compromised to achieve these improvements. This paper presents a stable single-ended seven-carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNTFET) driven SRAM cell with improved write operation. The one-side inverter weakening approach for write and transistor decoupling for read operation leads to reduced dynamic power, low write delay, reduced leakage power, and improved stability. The proposed design is compared with conventional 6T (Conv6T) and three recently proposed designs, i.e., feedback-cutting 8T (feed-cut 8T), Low-power 8T and low-leakage 7T cell. The write delay and write PDP of the proposed design improve by 4.05×/3.58×/1.19×/1.21×and 11.11×/24.71×/2.96×/3.32×, respectively, compared to Conv6T/feed-cut 8T/ low-power 8T/ low-leakage 7T. Also, the read delay and read PDP of the proposed design improve by 1×/1.03×/1.72×/1.56× and 1×/1.03×/1.82×/1.77×, respectively, compared to Conv6T/feed-cut 8T/ low-power 8T/ low-leakage 7T. The leakage power of the proposed design is reduced by 1.08×/1.84×/0.46×/0.72× compared to Conv6T/feed-cut 8T/ low-power 8T/ low-leakage 7T. The noise margin of the proposed cell for hold/write/read operation is improved by 1.02×/1.05×/0.99×compared to the Conv6T design. The simulation was performed using Stanford University’s 32 nm CNTFET model on the cadence virtuoso platform.
Quantum phases of spin-1/2 extended XY model in transverse magnetic field
Authors: Malakar Rakesh Kumar , Ghosh Asim Kumar
Published: January 2024

In this study, a spin-1/2 extended anisotropic XY chain has been introduced in which both time reversal and SU(2) symmetries are broken but Z
2 symmetry is preserved. Magnetic and topological phase diagrams in the parameter space have been drawn in the presence of transverse magnetic field. Entanglement measures like mutual information and quantum discord are also evaluated and it indicates that these transitions are second order in nature. Quantum phase transition is noted at zero magnetic field, as well as magnetic long range order is found to withstand magnetic field of any strength. Exact analytic results for spin-spin correlation functions have been obtained in terms of Jordan-Wigner fermionization. Existence of long range magnetic order has been investigated numerically by finding correlation functions as well as the Binder cumulant in the ground state. Dispersion relation, ground state energy, and energy gap are obtained analytically. In order to find the topologically nontrivial phase, sign of Pfaffian invariant and value of winding number have been evaluated. Both magnetic and topological phases are robust against the magnetic field and found to move coercively in the parameter space with the variation of its strength. Long range orders along two orthogonal directions and two different topological phases are found and their one-to-one correspondence has been found. Finally casting the spinless fermions onto Majorana fermions, properties of zero energy edge states are studied. Three different kinds of Majorana pairings are noted. In the trivial phase, next-nearest-neighbor Majorana pairing is found, whereas two different types of nearest-neighbor Majorana pairings are identified in the topological superconducting phase.
Multilayer network-based channel selection for motor imagery brain–computer interface
Authors: Yan Shaoting , Hu Yuxia , Zhang Rui , Qi Daowei , Hu Yubo , Yao Dezhong , Shi Li , Zhang Lipeng
Published: January 2024

Objective. The number of electrode channels in a motor imagery-based brain–computer interface (MI-BCI) system influences not only its decoding performance, but also its convenience for use in applications. Although many channel selection methods have been proposed in the literature, they are usually based on the univariate features of a single channel. This leads to a loss of the interaction between channels and the exchange of information between networks operating at different frequency bands. Approach. We integrate brain networks containing four frequency bands into a multilayer network framework and propose a multilayer network-based channel selection (MNCS) method for MI-BCI systems. A graph learning-based method is used to estimate the multilayer network from electroencephalogram (EEG) data that are filtered by multiple frequency bands. The multilayer participation coefficient of the multilayer network is then computed to select EEG channels that do not contain redundant information. Furthermore, the common spatial pattern (CSP) method is used to extract effective features. Finally, a support vector machine classifier with a linear kernel is trained to accurately identify MI tasks. Main results. We used three publicly available datasets from the BCI Competition containing data on 12 healthy subjects and one dataset containing data on 15 stroke patients to validate the effectiveness of our proposed method. The results showed that the proposed MNCS method outperforms all channels (85.8% vs. 93.1%, 84.4% vs. 89.0%, 71.7% vs. 79.4%, and 72.7% vs. 84.0%). Moreover, it achieved significantly higher decoding accuracies on MI-BCI systems than state-of-the-art methods (paired t-tests, p < 0.05). Significance. The experimental results showed that the proposed MNCS method can select appropriate channels to improve the decoding performance as well as the convenience of the application of MI-BCI systems.
Research on the technology of drying high moisture molybdenum concentrate powder with waste heat of roasting kiln
Authors: Li Hongxia , Shang Bingbing , Wang Guoqiang , Song Kexing , Tian Baohong , Ren Fengzhang
Published: January 2024

Molybdenum concentrate oxidation roasting is an important part of molybdenum metallurgy process. Aiming at the current situation of high energy consumption in the process of oxidation roasting and drying of molybdenum concentrate powder in China, based on the analysis of traditional mechanism and process of molybdenum concentrate roasting and heat transfer in rotary kiln, the heat is adjusted and a new rotary kiln drying system is designed to make 16-20% high-moisture molybdenum concentrate powder once dried. Drying each ton of molybdenum concentrate powder can save about 308125kJ of heat, equals toabout 14.38M gas or 10.53kg standard coal.
Defect analysis of the Cu-Cr-Zr-Nb alloys prepared by the non-vacuum melting process
Authors: Miao Yupeng , Gan Chunlei , Wang Ming , Chen Yuanxing , Liu Zhijian , Yang Fei , Zhang Zhibo
Published: January 2024

The microstructure and properties of the Cu-Cr-Zr-Nb alloys prepared by non-vacuum melting and vacuum melting were compared and analyzed in this paper. The results showed that, compared with vacuum melting, the alloy prepared by non-vacuum melting had a more uneven microstructure and a coarser grain. In the meantime, the alloy prepared by non-vacuum melting stored less energy and had a lower proportion of HAGBs (high-angle grain boundaries), and the texture distribution along the TD and RD directions was not uniform. In terms of properties, the hardness and electrical conductivity of the Cu-Cr-Zr-Nb alloys prepared by non-vacuum melting were lower than those of the alloys prepared by vacuum melting. The electrical conductivity of the non-vacuum melting alloy was only 70.8 %IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard), and the average hardness fluctuated greatly. However, the electrical conductivity of the alloy prepared by vacuum melting could reach 81.0 %IACS, and the hardness was very uniform. Further research indicated that there were cracks and inclusions in the alloy prepared by non-vacuum melting. A large number of ZrO2 inclusions were found along the grain boundary, which demonstrated that the oxide inclusion was the primary cause of the crack formation. On this basis, three important suggestions for the preparation of the Cu-Cr-Zr-Nb alloys by non-vacuum melting were put forward to reduce the cost and improve the properties of the alloys. It provided guidance for developing high-performance Cu-Cr-Zr-Nb alloys by non-vacuum melting.
Ultra-low power 10-bit 50–90 MSps SAR ADCs in 65 nm CMOS for multi-channel ASICs
Authors: Firlej Mirosław , Fiutowski Tomasz , Idzik Marek , Moroń Jakub , Świentek Krzysztof
Published: January 2024

The design and measurement results of ultra-low power, fast
10-bit Successive Approximation Register (SAR) Analog-to-Digital
Converter (ADC) prototypes in 65 nm CMOS technology are presented.
Eight prototype ADCs were designed using two different switching
schemes of capacitive Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), based on
MIM or MOM capacitors, and controlled by standard or low-power SAR
logic. The layout of each ADC prototype is drawn in 60 μm
pitch to make it ready for multi-channel implementation. A series of
measurements have been made confirming that all prototypes are fully
functional, and six of them achieve very good quantitative
performance. Five out of eight ADCs show both integral (INL) and
differential (DNL) nonlinearity errors below 1 LSB. In dynamic
measurements performed at 0.1 Nyquist input frequency, the effective
number of bits (ENOB) between 8.9–9.3 was obtained for different
ADC prototypes. Standard ADC versions work up to 80–90 MSps with
ENOB between 8.9–9.2 bits at the highest sampling rate, while the
low-power versions work up to above 50 MSps with ENOB around 9.3
bits at 40 MSps. The power consumption is linear with the sample
rate and at 40 MSps it is around 400 μW for the low-power
ADCs and just over 500 μW for the standard ADCs. At 80 MSps
the standard ADCs consume about 1 mW.
Gaussian diagrammatics from circular ensembles of random matrices
Authors: Novaes Marcel
Published: January 2024

We uncover a hidden Gaussian ensemble inside each of the three circular ensembles of random matrices, providing novel diagrammatic rules for the calculation of moments. The matrices involved are generic complex forβ = 2, complex symmetric forβ = 1 and complex self-dual forβ = 4, and at the last step their dimension must be set to1−2/β. As an application, we compute moments of traces of submatrices.
Deep learning application to automated classification of recommendations made by hospital pharmacists during medication prescription review
Authors: Alkanj Ahmad , Godet Julien , Johns Erin , Gourieux Bénédicte , Michel Bruno
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Recommendations to improve therapeutics are proposals made by pharmacists during the prescription review process to address suboptimal use of medicines. Recommendations are generated daily as text documents but are rarely reused beyond their primary use to alert prescribers and caregivers. If recommendation data were easier to summarize, they could be used retrospectively to improve safeguards for better prescribing. The objective of this work was to train a deep learning algorithm for automated recommendation classification to valorize the large amount of recommendation data.

Methods

The study was conducted in a French university hospital, at which recommendation data were collected throughout 2017. Data from the first 6 months of 2017 were labeled by 2 pharmacists who assigned recommendations to 1 of the 29 possible classes of the French Society of Clinical Pharmacy classification. A deep neural network classifier was trained to predict the class of recommendations.

Results

In total, 27,699 labeled recommendations from the first half of 2017 were used to train and evaluate a classifier. The prediction accuracy calculated on a validation dataset was 78.0%. We also predicted classes for unlabeled recommendations collected during the second half of 2017. Of the 4,460 predictions reviewed, 67 required correction. When these additional labeled data were concatenated with the original dataset and the neural network was retrained, accuracy reached 81.0%.

Conclusion

To facilitate analysis of recommendations, we have implemented an automated classification system using deep learning that achieves respectable performance. This tool can help to retrospectively highlight the clinical significance of daily medication reviews performed by hospital clinical pharmacists.
Unlocking Earth's deep secrets
Authors: Cottaar Sanne , Martin Carl , Russell Stuart , Jagt Lisanne
Published: January 2024

Sanne Cottaar, Carl Martin, Stuart Russell, and Lisanne Jagt explore the surprisingly variable nature – and unsatisfactory terminology – of Earth's core-mantle boundary
Radiation doses received in the UK breast screening programmes 2019-2023
Authors: Loveland John , Mackenzie Alistair
Published: January 2024

Objective

To report the latest UK mammography dose survey results and to compare radiation doses from digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in UK breast screening.

Methods

Anonymized exposure factors were collected for 111 152 screening cases and 5113 assessment cases from 405 x-ray sets across the United Kingdom using an online submission system linked to a national database of mammography quality control data. Output and beam quality measurements from each set were combined with exposure data to estimate mean glandular doses (MGD).

Results

FFDM doses increased by ∼10% compared to the 2016-2019 national survey but compressed breast thicknesses (CBT) remained similar. DBT doses were 34%-40% higher than FFDM overall and 34% higher than FFDM for breasts 50-60 mm thick. We found a possible overestimation of PMMA breast equivalent thicknesses at low CBTs, but the evidence was not conclusive.

Conclusion

Recent changes to the mix of x-ray models in use in UK breast screening have resulted in higher FFDM breast doses. DBT doses in the NHSBSP are on average higher than FFDM by ∼34%-40%.

Advances in knowledge

This is the first national study to report DBT and FFDM MGDs in UK breast screening.
A pilot study of [68Ga]Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor-04 PET/CT in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Guo Chunmei , Liu Ya , Yang Haozhou , Xia Yuxiao , Li Xue , Chen Liming , Feng Yue , Zhang Yan , Chen Yue , Huang Zhanwen
Published: January 2024

Objectives

As a promising positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, [68Ga]Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor-04([68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04) performs better than 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) at diagnosing primary and metastatic lesions in patients with various types of cancer. We investigated the utility of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT for the detection of primary and metastatic lesions in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). [18F]FDG PET/CT were used for comparison.

Methods

Twenty-two patients with suspected RCC or recurrent RCC were enrolled in our study. Among these patients, 14 were newly diagnosed with RCC, 3 had recurrent RCC, and 5 were excluded from further analysis due to having benign renal tumours. Seventeen patients with RCC underwent [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT, and 6 of them also received [18F]FDG PET/CT. The positive detection rates were calculated and compared with those in patients who underwent both scans.

Results

Data from 17 patients with RCC (median age: 60.5 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 54-70 years) were evaluated. The positive detection rate of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT for RCC was 64.7% (11/17). Lymph node metastases (n = 44), lung metastasis (n = 1), and bone metastasis (n = 1) were detected. Six patients with RCC underwent [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 and [18F]FDG PET/CT. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT showed a higher positive detection rate than [18F]FDG PET/CT in detecting RCC (83.3% [5/6] vs. 50% [3/6], P = 0.545). Additionally, [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT has higher SUVmax (3.20 [IQR: 2.91-5.80 vs. 2.71 [IQR: 2.13-3.10], P = 0.116) and tumour-to-background ratio (TBR) values (1.60 [IQR: 1.33-3.67] vs. 0.86 [0.48-1.21], P = 0.028) than [18F]FDG PET/CT.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 PET/CT has potential value in RCC diagnosis. Further studies are warranted to validate these results.

Advances in knowledge

Clinical utility of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 in RCC remains unclear, and there are not many similar studies in the literature. We evaluated the role of [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-04 in diagnosing RCC.
1. International Relations Theory and the Middle East
Authors: Lawson Fred H.
Published: January 2024

This chapter offers a detailed survey of international relations (IR) approaches, including the particular difficulties that IR in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region shares with other parts of the Global South. It highlights the creation of the modern states system in the Middle East that closely coincided with the development of international relations as an independent discipline. This discussion constitutes both an essential starting point and a useful set of tools for understanding the Middle East’s international relations and the relevant theoretical underpinnings. The chapter looks at vital and enduring points of entry into understanding the international politics of the Middle East via its twentieth-century history. It highlights the unending dialogue with the past that was underlined by the unanticipated course of events surrounding the Arab uprisings and their consequences.
3. The Cold War in the Middle East
Authors: Fawcett Louise , Sluglett Peter
Published: January 2024

This chapter highlights the legacy of the Cold War in the Middle East and shows how it continues to resonate, including Russia’s ‘return’ to the region via its presence in Syria. It examines traditional interpretations in the historiography of the Cold War which are linked to dominant realist paradigms in international relations and attribute great importance to external agency. It also covers the US policy which was viewed both by contemporaries and subsequent scholars as a reaction to the Soviet threat. The chapter reviews accounts released from post-Cold-War archives, which add more nuance and detail to the role played by domestic actors in shaping the conflict. It emphasizes the persuasive power of realism and the dominance of material interests and recognizes the role of local actors and forces in determining the trajectory the states of the Middle East.
4. The Middle East since the Cold War: Movement without Progress
Authors: Bahgat Bahgat
Published: January 2024

This chapter covers the post-Cold-War period, the late twentieth, and early twenty-first century with a focus on the major challenges the Middle East has faced in moving into the twenty-first century era. It introduces the key themes that have come to dominate the contemporary international relations of the Middle East, which includes oil, new and old conflicts, the variable impacts of globalization, and religio-politics. It also employs the term ‘intermestic’ to highlight the multiple linkages between domestic and international politics which are vindicated and reinforced by the events of the Arab Spring. The chapter reviews the 2020-Abraham Accords, the impact of Covid-19, and impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It discusses the arguments about the primacy of domestic governance issues that is confirmed by current problems in Lebanon and Tunisia.
10. Foreign Policymaking in the Middle East: Complex Realism
Authors: Hinnebusch Raymond , Ehteshami Anoushiravan
Published: January 2024

This chapter provides an analysis of foreign policymaking by major regional states based on a complex realist approach. It explains how a complex realist approach acknowledges the weight of realist or power-based arguments and highlights other factors, such as the level of dependency on the US, processes of democratization, and the role of leadership in informing states’ foreign policy choices. It also examines decision-making by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, and Egypt in relation to the key events and crises of the last decade. The chapter lays out a framework of the factors that shape the foreign policies of Middle East states, including their external environments and policy processes. It covers the 2003 Iraq War; the 2006 Hezbollah War; and the post-2014 War with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (IS), which indicated the states’ foreign policies that respond to threats and opportunities and their relative power positions.
11. The Arab–Israeli Conflict
Authors: Smith Charles
Published: January 2024

This chapter deals with the most central and contentious security issue in the international relations of the modern Middle East: the conflict between Arab states and Israel. It traces the characteristics of the Arab–Israel conflict and how these have changed over time. It also demonstrates how both realism and identity politics have informed the position of different parties to the conflict. The chapter explains how the 1967 war or the Arab–Israel conflict was as much about Arab identity and leadership as it was about the struggle with Israel, even at its high point. It shows how from 1948 to the present, the unresolved Palestinian question has remained at the heart of debates about regional relations, even as more Arab states have signed accords with Israel.
Introduction: The Middle East and International Relations
Authors: Fawcett Louise
Published: January 2024

This chapter offers a comprehensive, up to date, and accessible guide to understanding the international relations of the modern Middle East. It points out two issues on studying the international relations of the Middle East: The first relates to the definition of the region itself and second is the appropriateness of scholarly approaches. It also concerns the mechanisms and institutions of formal interstate relations and the multiple informal interactions and networks operating above and below the level of states. The chapter considers how the Middle East is still seen as an ‘unfinished’ region where territory and borders are contested, and interstate conflict persists. It discusses the Pan-Arabism that has slowly declined as a dominant ideology and the Arab uprisings that gave rise to further fragmentation and inter-Arab sectarian divides.
What’s in a Right? Concretizing States’ Climate Change Mitigation Obligations under Human Rights Law
Authors: Nordlander Linnéa
Published: January 2024

States owe duties under human rights law to protect individuals from climate harm by mitigating climate change individually and collectively, in order to secure the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal. It is, however, unclear what human rights law requires of states generally in terms of emissions reduction trajectories. This article elucidates that question, by looking at what reduction obligations can be deduced from scholarship and the work of human rights enforcement mandates. It argues that it is not possible to deduce individualized reduction obligations or methods to calculate such obligations from the current body of human rights law. The article then explores three different pathways to achieve such concretization: law-making, litigation, and monitoring bodies. The analysis provides a platform for human rights law to realize its potential in advancing state ambition on mitigating climate change at the norm-level by assessing the promise of the different pathways to concretization.
Identification, expression profiles, and binding properties of chemosensory protein 18 in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Qie Xingtao , Yan Xizhong , Wang Han , Li Fangyuan , Hu Liming , Hao Chi , Ma Li
Published: January 2024

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are highly efficient carry tools to bind and deliver hydrophobic compounds, which play an important role in the chemosensory process in insects. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a cosmopolitan pest that attacks cruciferous crops. However, the detailed physiological functions of CSPs in P. xylostella remain limited to date. Here, we identified a typical CSP, named PxylCSP18, in P. xylostella and investigated its expression patterns and binding properties of volatiles. PxylCSP18 was highly expressed in antennae and head (without antennae), and the expression level in the male antennae of P. xylostella was obviously higher than that in the female antennae. Moreover, PxylCSP18 has a relatively broad binding spectrum. Fluorescence competitive binding assays showed that PxylCSP18 had strong binding abilities with 14 plant volatiles (Ki < 10 μM) that were repellent or attractive to P. xylostella. Notably, PxylCSP18 had no significant binding affinity to (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate, and (Z)-11-hexadecenyl alcolol, which are the pheromone components of P. xylostella. The attractive effects of trans-2-hexen-1-ol and isopropyl isothiocyanate to male adults and the attractive effects of isopropyl isothiocyanate and the repellent effects of linalool to female adults were significantly decreased after knocked down the expression of PxylCSP18. Our results revealed that PxylCSP18 might play an important role in host plant detection, avoidance of unsuitable hosts, and selection of oviposition sites; however, it does not participate in mating behavior. Overall, these results extended our knowledge on the CSP-related functions, which provided insightful information about CSP-targeted insecticides.
A critical review of advances in tumor metabolism abnormalities induced by nitrosamine disinfection by-products in drinking water
Authors: Sun Mingjun , Shen Weitao , Guo Xinxin , Liao Yinghao , Huang Yang , Hu Mohan , Ye Ping , Liu Ran
Published: January 2024

Intensified sanitation practices amid the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak might result in the increased release of chloramine disinfectants into surface water, significantly promoting the formation of nitrosamine disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. Unfortunately, these nitrosamine DBPs exhibit significant genotoxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic properties, whereas chlorinating disinfectants remain in global practice. The current review provides valuable insights into the occurrence, identification, contamination status, exposure limits, and toxicity of the new unregulated disinfection by-products (nitrosamine DBPs) in drinking water. As a result, concentrations of nitrosamine DBPs far exceed allowable limits in drinking water, and prolonged exposure has the potential to cause metabolic disorders, a critical step in tumor initiation and progression. Importantly, based on recent research, we have concluded the role of nitrosamines DBPs in different metabolic pathways. Remarkably, nitrosamine DBPs can induce chronic inflammation and initiate tumors by activating sphingolipid and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism. Regarding amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, nitrosamine DBPs can inhibit tryptophan metabolism and de novo nucleotide synthesis. Moreover, inhibition of de novo nucleotide synthesis fails to repair DNA damage induced by nitrosamines. Additionally, the accumulation of lactate induced by nitrosamine DBPs may act as a pivotal signaling molecule in communication within the tumor microenvironment. However, with the advancement of tumor metabolomics, understanding the role of nitrosamine DBPs in causing cancer by inducing metabolic abnormalities significantly lags behind, and specific mechanisms of toxic effects are not clearly defined. Urgently, further studies exploring this promising area are needed.
Endotypes of occupational asthma
Authors: Mason Paola , Biasioli Marco , Liviero Filippo
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

To describe recent findings in endotyping occupational asthma by addressing the role of specific biomarkers.

Recent findings

Studies on occupational asthma endotypes have focused on immune and inflammatory patterns associated with different occupational exposures to sensitizers or irritants.

Sputum neutrophilia has been found in 58.5% patients with occupational asthma caused by high molecular weight (HMW) agents, and work-related dysphonia in patients with occupational asthma was described as associated with sputum neutrophilia too. Neutrophils have been associated also with irritant-induced asthma. The measurement of specific IgE has been confirmed as a valuable diagnostic tool in occupational asthma caused by HMW agents, on the contrary, for most low-molecular-weight agents, the presence of specific IgE has been proven in a small subset of affected workers. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide has been confirmed as a marker of type 2 (T2) inflammation in occupational asthma, mostly when induced by HMW agents (e.g. flour), and it has proved to be more sensitive than spirometry in measuring the efficacy of an intervention.

MicroRNA-155 has been shown to contribute to airway inflammation in occupational asthma induced by toluene diisocyanate.

Occupational asthma is heterogeneous, thus monitoring multiple biomarkers is crucial to understand, which inflammatory responses are prevalent.
Epidemiology of the relationship between allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and asthma
Authors: Maule Matteo , Vitte Joana , Ambrosani Francesca , Caminati Marco
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) can complicate the natural history of asthmatic patients, especially the more severe ones, worsening disease control and increasing the need for therapies, steroids in particular, and medical care. The aim of the present review is to summarize the latest epidemiological data related to the relationship between asthma and ABPA and to offer a summary of the most recent strategies that could potentially facilitate in the identification of ABPA in asthmatic patients.

Recent findings

In the last years, great efforts have been made by researchers worldwide to provide reliable epidemiological data on fungal sensitization and ABPA, especially in severe asthma patients both in adult and pediatric population. Data differ depending on the geographical area and population studied, but pooled data show a concerning 11% of severe asthma patients having ABPA and one out of four asthmatic patients being sensitized to fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus in particular.

Reliable epidemiological data and advances in the diagnostic procedures can facilitate the detection of ABPA among asthmatic patients, improving the management of a still under-recognized and challenging condition.
Health disparities in allergic diseases
Authors: Jacobs Samantha R. , Ramsey Nicole , Bagnato Mariangela , Pitt Tracy , Davis Carla M.
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

Healthcare disparities impact prevalence, diagnosis, and management of allergic disease. The purpose of this review is to highlight the most recent evidence of healthcare disparities in allergic conditions to provide healthcare providers with better understanding of the factors contributing to disparities and to provide potential management approaches to address them. This review comes at a time in medicine where it is well documented that disparities exist, but we seek to answer the Why, How and What to do next?

Recent findings

The literature highlights the socioeconomic factors at play including race/ ethnicity, neighborhood, insurance status and income. Management strategies have been implemented with the hopes of mitigating the disparate health outcomes including utilization of school-based health, distribution of educational tools and more inclusive research recruitment.

The studies included describe the associations between upstream structural and social factors with downstream outcomes and provide ideas that can be recreated at other institutions of how to address them. Focus on research and strategies to mitigate healthcare disparities and improve diverse research participant pools are necessary to improve patient outcomes in the future.
Does Location of Intralabyrinthine Vestibular Schwannoma Determine Objective and Subjective Vestibular Function?
Authors: West Niels Cramer , Groth Jane Bjerg , Cayé-Thomasen Per
Published: January 2024

Background and objective

The incidence of intralabyrinthine schwannomas is increasing, and a growing attention is given to the detrimental effects on hearing function. On the contrary, the vestibular profile of intralabyrinthine vestibular schwannomas (VSs) is still not well understood. We aimed to investigate and report the observed relationships between the intralabyrinthine location of the schwannomas and objective and subjective vestibular profile of the patients.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of 20 consecutive individuals with sporadic intralabyrinthine schwannomas and grouped according to the intralabyrinthine location of the schwannomas. Vestibular testing consisted of the video head impulse test of all three semicircular canals, the caloric test, cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, and the dizziness handicap inventory. A nonparametric unpaired t test was performed to compare groups, and Fisher's exact test was used for categorical data.

Results

The median video head impulse test gains (lateral, anterior, posterior) were 0.40, 0.50, and 0.75 for intravestibular schwannomas and 0.93, 1.52, and 0.91 for intracochlear schwannomas (p = 0.0001, p = 0.009, p = 0.33), respectively. Caloric unilateral weakness had a median of 100% for intravestibular schwannomas and 14% for intracochlear schwannomas (p = 0.0001). The mean dizziness handicap inventory was 21 for intravestibular schwannomas and 1 for cochlear schwannomas (p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in vestibular evoked myogenic potentials according to intralabyrinthine location.

Conclusion

By both objective and subjective measures, intralabyrinthine schwannomas with an intravestibular component has significantly worse vestibular function than schwannomas with purely cochlear involvement.
Successful Pregnancy After Left Ventricular Assist Device Explantation for Myocardial Recovery
Authors: Linares Velandia Juan D. , Tran Diane , Sakr Antoine E. , Yao Ruofan , Elkayam Uri , Vaidya Ajay S. , Wolfson Aaron M. , Abramov Dmitry
Published: January 2024

A 36 year old woman with history of heart failure and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, with subsequent explantation after myocardial recovery, presented for management of preconception counseling and subsequent pregnancy. To our knowledge, this case represents the first documented successful pregnancy after LVAD explantation. Management details are provided, and relevant literature is reviewed.
Pediatric Traumatic Lumbar Hernias and Associated Injuries
Authors: Leiva Tyler , Golubkova Alena , Snyder Katherine , Johnson Jeremy , Hunter Catherine J.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Traumatic lumbar hernias are a rare entity mostly seen with high-impact, blunt abdominal trauma. This injury occurs when there is disruption of the posterior musculature along with bony structures, allowing for herniation of abdominal contents. There are minimal cases of this entity reported in adults, but even fewer in the pediatric population.

Methods

We describe 3 cases of traumatic lumbar hernia at our institution as well as provide a review of the literature to elucidate the most common mechanisms, severity of injury, and associated injuries.

Results

Traumatic lumbar hernia is most commonly seen in restrained passengers involved in motor vehicle collisions. A majority of cases are diagnosed using computed tomography imaging and less frequently during primary surgical exploration. The most common associated injuries were mesenteric and bowel injuries, followed by spinal and chest trauma. Traumatic lumbar hernia often leads to prolonged hospital stays and increased need for posthospital rehabilitation because of associated traumatic comorbidities.

Conclusions

Traumatic lumbar hernia is a rare entity in children, and early suspicion and identification of associated injuries is necessary in the management of these patients.
Pushing Backwards
Authors: Carvalho Catarina , Correia Mário Rui , Barros Ana , Rocha Rúben , Banquart-Leitão José , Carvalho Fátima , Marinho Ana Sofia
Published: January 2024

Objective

Intestinal intussusception (II) is a common cause for acute abdomen in children, occurring in 0.33 to 0.71 per 1000 children per year. Early diagnosis and treatment are fundamental for prevention of irreversible intestinal damage. The first line of treatment is conservative, with saline reduction enema or air reduction enema. Our goal is to evaluate results with conservative treatment of II in children.

Methods

A retrospective single-center review of all patients with diagnosis of II from January 2014 to December 2019 was performed. Demographics, clinical data, treatment option, and results were assessed.

Results

Thirty-eight cases were identified. The mean age was 26 months, and 68% were males. Most presented with abdominal pain (95%) and vomiting (66%), after an average of 30 hours. Rectal bleeding was present in 32% of patients. Abdominal ultrasound was performed in all patients for diagnosis. Conservative treatment was first option in 95% of patients, with a global effectiveness of 83% after 1 attempt. Saline reduction enema was more effective than air reduction enema (88% vs 70%), and patients with successful reduction were younger (24 vs 33 months), but neither reached statistical significance. Two patients had a subsequent II episode within 1 week after hospital discharge. Neither age, sex, symptoms and respective duration, rotavirus inoculation, intussuscepted bowel length, nor technique used was predictive of treatment failure or II relapse.

Conclusions

Conservative treatment in II is a safe and effective option, preventing invasive surgical procedures. Effectiveness of such treatments may be as high as 88% after 1 attempt, with rapid diet reintroduction. Same-day discharge after oral feeding toleration is safe.