bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on integrated energy system of fuel cells for space application
Authors: Feng Lei , Wang Jingrun , Xie Wen , Wen Chen , Li Sizhen , Cui Qingxin , Wan Chengan , Zhao Yubin
Published: September 2024

The current research status of fuel cells in the space field is first introduced, followed by an analysis of the comprehensive utilization mode of fuel cell energy from three aspects: water, gas, and heat. The fuel evaporated from the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks of spacecraft can be used for fuel cell power generation. The heat generated by fuel cells can be used to preheat gases through a dual-channel heat exchanger, achieving thermal energy recovery for hydrogen and oxygen fuels. The water produced by fuel cells can be separated and recovered through static drainage for reuse in heating control or environmental control systems. A prototype of a fuel cell power generation system is designed and relevant performance tests are conducted. When the fuel cell system stably generates 400W of power, approximately 215W of waste heat can be reused. The utilization efficiency of hydrogen and oxygen fuels reaches over 97%, and the water recovery efficiency of the system reaches over 95%.
An MXene/cellulose nanofiber-based multi-parametric tactile sensor for object material identification
Authors: Wu Libo , Yao Yongkang
Published: September 2024

We propose a novel multi-parametric tactile sensor that can realize force and slip sensing during the contact between a manipulator and a target. The pressure-sensitive unit of this sensor is prepared by homemade MXene and cellulose nanofiber (CNF) composite conductive film, which has high sensitivity of pressure-sensitive response. The triboelectric unit is made of a chemically stable PTFE film with high electron-acquiring ability as the triboelectric sensing layer together with metal electrodes. Experiments have demonstrated that the prepared sensors have high sensitivity, fast response, and excellent durability and stability over 5000 cycles. Combined with the established machine learning algorithm model, the pressure and triboelectric signals of this multi-parametric tactile sensor were used to recognize 15 types of materials with similar characteristics and with 94.33% identification accuracy. This work shows the great potential of multi-parametric tactile sensors for applications in item sorting, human-machine interaction, and other fields.
Evaluation of AGeX3 structured perovskite solar cells based on density functional theory
Authors: Su Jiaxin , Zhang Wenjie , Meng Xiangrui , Zhang Meilin , Wu Jiang
Published: September 2024

Density functional theory (DFT), as a theory to explore the electron microscopic structure of materials, guides and promotes the rapid development of the perovskite field. In the context of the global energy revolution, “green”, “safe”, and “sustainable” have become the keywords in the field of perovskite research. Because of its abundant reserves on the earth, less harm to the environment and human health, strong stability, and other advantages, germanium has been widely concerned in the field of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, the differential charge densities, the total densities of states (TDOS), the partial densities of states (PDOS), and the thermodynamic properties of four AGeX3 germanium-based perovskite materials are calculated by using Materials Studio (MS). It is found that Ge atomic orbital electrons play a crucial role in the absorption of photon energy and the generation of photocurrent. The PSCs of the AGeX3 structure will perform better. This study contributes to the realization of efficient germanium-based PSCs in experiments, provides a broad prospect for researchers in this field, and plays a vital role in the future research of germanium-based perovskite.
Simulation and analysis of solar-assisted air source heat pump heating system in severe cold region
Authors: Tan Zilin , An Qier
Published: September 2024

severe cold and remote areas such as the west of Inner Mongolia, due to the vast land and sparse population, the coverage rate of heating pipes is low, resulting in high non-renewable energy consumption in building heating. To diminish the reliance on pollution energy and utilize sufficient solar energy resources, this study introduces a solar-assisted air source heat pump heating system (SASHP). Using TRNSYS to simulate the SAHSP’s system performance, the result indicates a good thermal environment between 12°C and 20°C. The average solar fraction in the coldest month of January is 33.45%, with a good heat collection efficiency. Compared with a single heating system, the SASHP’s total energy consumption was reduced by 45.11%, and SEER increased by 1.4 times. Optimization analysis displays that when the collector area is 100 square meters, and the tank volume is 5.5 cubic meters, the system achieves the best energy-saving effect. An optimized system can save 10,828.46 kg of standard coal annually during the heating period.
On-line junction temperature identification of converter power devices
Authors: Fu Xinyu , Jin Miaoxin , Huang Yuanju , Du Jingrun , Wei Kongyi
Published: September 2024

Traction converters often fail or age due to long operation hours, complex conditions, and frequent braking, mainly caused by overheating or temperature fluctuations. Monitoring the temperature at the junction of power device is crucial for system reliability. To achieve this, the electric-heat coupling models of IGBT are studied. Models for IGBT’s switching and conduction processes were created using its data sheet, yielding a power loss model linked to junction temperature. A Foster thermal network model for IGBT was then established, deriving the equation for temperature change when losses act as heat sources. Combining these models, an electric-heat coupling model was built on the SIMULINK platform, applied to predict and simulate junction temperature in a two-level inverter, generating a temperature-time image. Finally, an experimental test platform for a two-level SVPWM-modulated inverter was set up, using an infrared sensor to measure IGBT’s steady-state junction temperature. This was compared with simulation results to verify the model’s accuracy.
Control strategy of PV microgrid grid-connected inverter
Authors: Wang Lina , Xu Hongguang , Li Wei , Lin Qiang , Zhang Haoxu , Liu Jun , Cheng Xiaojun
Published: September 2024

Aiming at the limitation of a three-phase inverter system to access clean energy, a design scheme of a two-stage microgrid grid-connected inverter system is proposed. The traditional double closed-loop control strategy has some disadvantages such as slow response, large fluctuation, and delay of frequency and phase tracking. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved grid-connected control strategy for photovoltaic microgrids with the addition of prediction units, which is established and verified by simulation. The results show that compared with the traditional method, the proposed control method has the advantages of fast dynamic response, small pulsation, and high power quality.
Thermodynamic analysis of heat pump heating system based on flue gas waste heat recovery
Authors: Chen Jingshi , Tian Cong
Published: September 2024

A lot of waste heat has not been recycled from exhaust gas of gas-fired condensing boilers. By enhancing boiler’s thermal efficiency, condensation latent and heat sensible heat should be deeply utilized. This article uses a heat pump to recover the waste heat from boiler flue gas to improve the heating efficiency of the unit. Taking an example of boiler unit, to illustrate the function of the thermodynamic capability, this article create a new heating system by installing a flue gas condenser and a low-temperature economizer, and a thermodynamic model.

The experimental results show that if gas is cooling from 130°C to90°C and coefficient of performance(Cop
) is set by 1.746, by setting a low-temperature economizer, 20.87MW can be obtained from waste heat, which decrease water consumption of desulfurization tower 28.792t / h; due to that the heat pump use the condenser, waste heat can be recovered to 10.10MW and condensed water can be recovered to13.654t / h. When heat network’s return water increases, Cop
decreases, but efficiency will increases in network; when outlet water in condenser increases, Cop
and network efficiency decrease, but heat pump system increases in efficiency.
Study on the influence of cap connection mode on the deformation of all-steel spiral anchor
Authors: Liu Hongliang , Zhao Yong , Qie Kaixuan , Gao Zhiyue , Wang Teng , Zhang Zhenyue , Zhang Bingliang , Zhu Huimin
Published: September 2024

Spiral anchors find widespread use across diverse projects, including residential, commercial, street lamp poles, photovoltaic systems, and transmission tower infrastructure, due to their simple structure, convenient construction, high degree of mechanization, and minimal soil disturbance. All-steel spiral anchors offer notable advantages in terms of ease and environmental friendliness. To bolster their utilization in power transmission engineering applications, based on the application requirements of the spiral anchor foundation of the Weifang Guanting transmission tower, the influence of the connection method of the bearing platform on the deformation of the all-steel spiral anchor is studied. The results show that both the welding and bolt connection methods can meet the required stiffness of the project.
Integrated planning research of active distribution networks considering electric vehicle integration in the context of dual carbon
Authors: Pan Yuanlin , Li Zhenbin , Gao Lei , Su Xinyi , Chen Junjie , Huang Songling
Published: September 2024

Against the backdrop of the dual carbon strategy, electric vehicles are experiencing rapid growth in popularity due to their environmentally friendly characteristics. However, their load volatility, randomness, and impact also present new challenges to the carrying capacity of the distribution network. Addressing the inadequacies of existing research in tackling these challenges from the perspective of distribution network planning, this paper proposes a method that integrates the optimization planning of distributed energy supply systems, flexible DC systems, and charging piles in the active distribution network by analyzing the spatiotemporal characteristics of electric vehicle charging loads and ensuring the basic charging needs of electric vehicles, utilizing flexible regulation resources such as V2G, flexible DC systems, and energy storage, and comprehensively considering system carrying capacity, green and low-carbon level, and economic factors through the analytic hierarchy process. Typical case studies demonstrate that through this method, the planning system can effectively enhance the carrying capacity of the distribution network, improve the self-consistency of green energy, and reduce the overall life-cycle energy costs in the region during operation.
Study on yield strength of in-service X80 pipeline based on indentation method
Authors: Jia Haidong , Xie Wei , Nie Hailiang , Li Kun , Zhao Sen , Dang Wei , Ren Junjie , Liang Xiaobin , Wang Ke , Ma Weifeng
Published: September 2024

In recent years, the unqualified material of high-steel pipe has attracted attention. Unqualified mechanical properties of pipe base metal and girth weld material will bring great hidden dangers to its safe operation. The tensile test can obtain the yield strength and tensile strength of the material, but it cannot be directly applied to the in-service pipeline. In this paper, the indentation method, indoor tensile test, and other technologies are used to test the strength of X80 steel pipe girth weld and base material. Through comparative analysis, it is found that the error rate of yield strength measurement of in-service X80 pipe based on the indentation method is less than 15%. Within the allowable error range of engineering, this method can guide pipeline operators to check unqualified materials online.
A translation of “classification of four-vectors of an 8-dimensional space”, by Antonyan, L. V., with an appendix by the translator
Authors: Oeding L.
Published: September 2024

We give a translation of the entitled paper by Antonyan [Trudy Sem. Vektor. Tenzor. Anal. 20 (1981), pp. 144–161]. We include an appendix that shows how to produce normal forms for each nilpotent orbit.
On some properties of a Riesz potential in grand-Lebesgue and grand-Sobolev spaces
Authors: Kasumov Z. , Akhmedzade N.
Published: September 2024

This article considers a Riesz-type potential in non-standard grand-Lebesgue and grand-Sobolev spaces. The classical facts concerning Lebesgue and Sobolev spaces carry over to this case. The established properties play an important role in studying the solvability of boundary value problems for an elliptic-type equation in grand-Sobolev spaces.
On properties of limits of solutions in the noncommutative sigma model
Authors: Domrina A.
Published: September 2024

In this article, sufficient conditions are obtained for the limit of a sequence of solutions converging in the operator norm also to be a solution. It is shown that the extended solutions of such a sequence of solutions converge to an extended solution of the limit. It is also shown that the limit of a sequence of solutions with uniton number 3 can only have uniton number 2 or 3.
Quantum representation theory and Manin matrices I: The finite-dimensional case
Authors: Silantyev A.
Published: September 2024

We construct a theory that describes a quantum (non-commutative) analogue of representations within the framework of “non-commutative linear geometry” set out in the work of Manin [Quantum groups and noncommutative geometry, Univ. Montréal, Centre de Recherches Mathématiques, Montréal, QC, 1988]. For this purpose, the concept of an internal

hom
\hom

-functor is generalized to the case of parameterized adjunctions, and we construct a general approach to representations of monoids for a symmetric monoidal category with a parameter subcategory. A quantum theory of representations is then obtained by applying this approach to the monoidal category of a certain class of graded algebras with the Manin product, where the parameterizing subcategory consists of connected finitely generated quadratic algebras. We formulate this theory in the language of Manin matrices. We also obtain quantum analogues of the direct sum and tensor product of representations. Finally, we give some examples of quantum representations.
Exploring causal effects and potential mediating mechanisms of genetically linked environmental senses with intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Wang Yaolou , Shen Yingjie , Shen Jinru , Fan Zhaoxin , Zhang Jie , Zhou Jiaxin , Lv Hui , Ma Wei , Liang Hongsheng
Published: September 2024

The occurrence mechanism of intracerebral hemorrhage remains unclear. Several recent studies have highlighted the close relationship between environmental senses and intracerebral hemorrhage, but the mechanisms of causal mediation are inconclusive. We aimed to investigate the causal relationships and potential mechanisms between environmental senses and intracerebral hemorrhage. Multiple Mendelian randomization methods were used to identify a causal relationship between environmental senses and intracerebral hemorrhage. Gut microbiota and brain imaging phenotypes were used to find possible mediators. Enrichment and molecular interaction analyses were used to identify potential mediators and molecular targets. No causal relationship between temperature and visual perception with intracerebral hemorrhage was found, whereas long-term noise was identified as a risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage (OR 2.95, 95% CI: 1.25 to 6.93, PIVW = 0.01). The gut microbiota belonging to the class Negativicutes and the order Selenomonadales and the brain image–derived phenotypes ICA100 node 54, edge 803, edge 1149, and edge 1323 played mediating roles. “Regulation of signaling and function in synaptic organization” is the primary biological pathway of noise-induced intracerebral hemorrhage, and ARHGAP22 may be the critical gene. This study emphasized the importance of environmental noise in the prevention, disease management, and underlying biological mechanisms of intracerebral hemorrhage.
Case Report: the transcatheter extraction of an atrial mass (TEXAS) technique
Authors: Ahmad Umad , Prayaga Sastry , Kemp Stephanie , Goswami Nilesh
Published: September 2024

Background

Intracardiac masses are historically treated with surgery. As percutaneous technologies continue to evolve, non-surgical techniques for mass removal may become options. We present a case of a woman with a large right atrial mass that was percutaneously removed en bloc without surgery.

Case summary

A 77-year-old woman presents with a 40 mm right atrial mass. The mass was increasing in size, and she preferred to avoid surgical removal. The tumour was removed percutaneously from the femoral vein using a large suction cannula in combination with transection of the stalk using an electrified snare. The case was complicated by a haemopericardium that was treated successfully by injecting a haemostatic matrix into the pericardial space. The pathology returned papillary fibroelastoma.

Discussion

The TEXAS technique used to remove the right atrial mass in this case is a modification of a previously described technique (SEATTLE procedure). Using this method, we were able to remove a 40 mm tumour from the right atrium without surgery. This is the largest reported intracardiac tumour that has been removed en bloc percutaneously. Percutaneous removal of right atrial tumours appears feasible, although this may be limited to smaller tumours based on the results of our case.
Inflammatory stimuli impact on cellular uptake and biodistribution of perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions
Authors: Becker Katrin , Ding Zhaoping , Bouvain Pascal , Koshy Jeny , Massold Timo , Kleimann Patricia , Flögel Ulrich , Temme Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Intravenously administered perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions (PFCs) are taken up by phagocytic immune cells, which enables the noninvasive visualization of inflammatory hot spots by combined 1H/19F magnetic resonance imaging. However, little is known about the influence of inflammatory stimuli on cellular uptake and biodistribution of PFCs. Here, we systematically investigated the impact of inflammation induced by subcutaneous implantation of Matrigel/lipopolysaccharide or myocardial infarction (50 min ischemia reperfusion) on PFC uptake and biodistribution in C57BL/6J mice. We detected strong 19F signals in Matrigel/lipopolysaccharide plugs and infarcted hearts, which were completely absent in controls. Cellular uptake of PFCs was increased in neutrophils isolated from the blood and Matrigel/lipopolysaccharide plugs, whereas uptake by monocytes was only slightly elevated. In contrast, myocardial infarction caused only a moderate early increase of PFC uptake in monocytes and neutrophils. Interestingly, the inflammatory model did also affect the biodistribution of the PFCs. The blood half-life of PFCs was slightly increased after Matrigel/lipopolysaccharide implantation, whereas it was reduced after myocardial infarction. Compared to controls, the 19F signal of the liver was significantly stronger in Matrigel/lipopolysaccharide but not in myocardial infarction animals. Interestingly, stimulation of primary immune cells and RAW264.7 macrophages with lipopolysaccharide had no effect on PFC uptake, whereas C-reactive protein incubation elevated internalization of PFCs at least in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, we show that the cellular PFC uptake can differ between individual inflammatory conditions. This is an important aspect that has to be considered for the proper interpretation of 1H/19F magnetic resonance imaging data obtained from inflammatory hot spots.
Article 2 (5)
Authors: Aust Helmut Philipp
Published: September 2024

This chapter explores Art 2 (5) of the UN Charter, which consists of two sub-principles. Its first part contains a positive obligation and stipulates that UN member States shall ‘give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the present Charter’. The second part of Art 2 (5) is negative in character and requires the UN member States to ‘refrain from giving assistance to any state against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action’. These two parts of Art 2 (5) may be seen as two sides of the same coin. Article 2 (5) highlights the bonds of solidarity between the UN and its member States. The provision underlines that the success of a system of collective security depends on the active support of its members as well as their willingness to isolate those States—and today also other actors—which are considered to endanger international peace and security.
Article 3
Authors: Riznik Donald , Fastenrath Ulrich
Published: September 2024

This chapter examines Art 3 of the UN Charter. Article 3 governs initial membership in the United Nations and was therefore properly placed as the first of four provisions in Chapter II (‘Membership’). Like the Covenant of the League of Nations (Art 1), the UN Charter distinguishes between two groups of members: the original members designated in Art 3 and those admitted later pursuant to Art 4. The former are defined by two alternative criteria: they either participated in the founding conference at San Francisco or had previously signed the ‘Declaration by United Nations’. In both cases, they must also have signed and ratified the Charter in accordance with Art 110 as indeed did all concerned States. Although, from a historical perspective, Art 3 plays an important role for the raison d’être and the legitimacy of the UN, it does not provide for a privileged position of original members vis-à-vis- subsequent members. Nevertheless, Art 3 may still retain some relevance today in cases of political change affecting statehood or continuity of a State, as subsequent sporadic UN practice demonstrates.
Article 6
Authors: Tams Christian
Published: September 2024

This chapter focuses on Art 6 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the possibility of expelling member States from the UN and regulates the conditions under which such expulsion can take place. The Organization is competent to resort to the severest form of what has been termed a ‘sanction of non-participation’. This sanction is available under narrowly defined circumstances only, namely if two of the UN’s main organs agree that a member State ‘has persistently violated the Principles contained in the present Charter’. To date, Art 6 has never been applied; and its usefulness continues to be questioned. It has to be read in the context of other provisions that envisage interferences with UN membership. Indeed, it is closely linked to Art 5 which regulates the suspension of membership rights, and the special provision of Art 19 which deals with voting rights in the General Assembly. While these suspension provisions merely affect rights flowing from a member State’s position within the UN, expulsion terminates a State’s membership.
Article 7
Authors: Lippold Matthias , Paulus Andreas
Published: September 2024

This chapter assesses Art 7 of the UN Charter, which is of central importance for the structure of the UN. It establishes the principal organs of the UN, namely the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat. The enumeration of the six principal organs is exhaustive insofar as no additional principal organs may be established except by an amendment to the Charter (Arts 108 and 109). Likewise, any change in the organs’ composition, functions, and powers can only be brought about by an amendment to the Charter. In that regard, the second paragraph of Art 7 has been described as the ‘constitutional authority’ for establishing subsidiary organs.
Article 12
Authors: Schmahl Stefanie
Published: September 2024

This chapter highlights Art 12 of the UN Charter, which serves to safeguard the primacy of the Security Council. Due to the completely different structure and composition of the two organs, evaluation of situations may differ and conclusions eventually drawn may be conflicting. Recommendations by the General Assembly incompatible with SC resolutions on the same matter could lead to mutual obstruction of the organs in the exercise of their functions and thus jeopardize the most important purpose of the UN, the maintenance of international peace and security. Article 12 tries to preclude this potential conflict by providing for a temporary ban on recommendations by the GA with regard to cases being dealt with by the SC. It is one of the central provisions governing the relationship between the SC and the GA, one of the most controversial issues dealt with at the San Francisco Conference.
Article 24
Authors: Peters Anne
Published: September 2024

This chapter discusses Art 24 of the UN Charter. Article 24 (1) provides that ‘in order to ensure prompt and effective action by the United Nations, its Members confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the Security Council acts on their behalf’. According to the second paragraph, ‘in discharging these duties the Security Council shall act in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations’. Under Art 24 (3), ‘the Security Council shall submit annual and, when necessary, special reports to the General Assembly for its consideration’. Ultimately, however, Art 24 has been virtually never explicitly referred to in decisions adopted by the SC, especially since 1991.
Article 32
Authors: Kreuter-Kirchhof Charlotte
Published: September 2024

This chapter explores Art 32 of the UN Charter. Article 32 applies to disputes under consideration by the Security Council. It lays down a duty on the part of the SC to invite a non-member of the SC, if it is considered a party to a dispute, to participate without a vote in the discussion relating to the dispute. With regard to non-members of the UN, it has to be determined if the matter is a dispute at all and whether the requesting State is a party to the dispute. However, the application of the term ‘party to a dispute’ has led to practical problems. The characterization of a situation as a dispute within the meaning of Art 32 will compel the legal conclusion that the parties to the dispute are required to abstain from voting. Once it has been accepted that a dispute exists, the duty to negotiate and the jurisdictional rules enunciated in Chapter VI of the UN Charter will apply.
Article 54
Authors: Walter Christian
Published: September 2024

This chapter covers Art 54 of the UN Charter regarding regional arrangements or agencies that are required to continuously inform the Security Council of their activities relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. It points out that the reporting obligation relates to measures that have been adopted and those that are in contemplation in the planning process. It also details how Art 54 provides the SC with the information it needs in order to exercise its own responsibility concerning the maintenance of international peace and security. The chapter reviews the distribution of competences that requires an assessment of the appropriateness of regional measures by the SC. It describes the highly diverse reporting practice of various regional organizations.
Article 56
Authors: Stoll Tobias
Published: September 2024

This chapter highlights Art 56 of the UN Charter which was initiated by several States in regard to the activities of the UN in economic and social matters, health, culture, education, and human rights. It contains a pledge by the member States to take action jointly and separately to achieve the purposes set forth in Art 55. It also implies that member States, by that pledge, have committed to cooperate with UN by way of joint and separate action. The chapter discusses member States that are genuinely committed by their pledge to individually consider the purposes set out in Art 55 and to take the initiative to cooperate with UN. It relates Art 56 to the principle of the duty of States to cooperate with one another in accordance with the Friendly Relations Declaration.
Article 57
Authors: Waibel Michael
Published: September 2024

This chapter highlights Art 57 of the UN Charter, which envisages the specialized agency as a pre-defined model for close cooperation between the UN and existing and future international organizations. It explains that the model of cooperation that mandates economic and social affairs, culture, education, health, and related fields is sought to make organizations part and parcel of the UN system. It also looks at individual relationship agreements, such as the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that supervises the specialized agencies although they retain their autonomy as distinct, ostensibly less political, institutions. The chapter lists international organizations that enjoy the status of a specialized agency within the UN System, noting some that have an economic or developmental focus and some are technical. It explores specialized agencies that resemble a complex mosaic where being part of the UN System is a floating concept.
Article 61
Authors: Röben Volker
Published: September 2024

This chapter reviews the formal amendments of Art 61 of the UN Charter, which took place in line with the process of the decolonization that expanded UN membership. It looks at the reforms the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has undergone since it was established as a principal organ of the UN, including changes that were directed towards improving the working methods of ECOSOC. It also outlines the composition of ECOSOC according to Art 61 (1), which states that it shall consist of fifty-four members of the UN elected by the General Assembly. The chapter discusses how Art 61 (1) should be read in conjunction with Art 18 (2) that covers the election of the members of ECOSOC among the functions of the GA and details its voting procedure. It considers the equality of all member States as one of the principles of the UN formulated in the Charter.
Article 74
Authors: Fastenrath Ulrich
Published: September 2024

This chapter looks into the provisions of Art 74 of the UN Charter. It mentions how Art 74 did not cause any problems in its drafting process and its application. Article 74 handles issues of cross-border relations of non-self-governing territories, the relations of which should be based on the general principle of good-neighbourliness. Additionally, the principle of good neighbourliness is complemented by the duty to take due account of the interests and well-being of the rest of the world in social, economic, and commercial matters. The chapter clarifies that, unlike Art 73, the provision of Art 74 applies to all UN member States while imposing legal obligations on the aforementioned States.
Article 89
Authors: Goldmann Matthias
Published: September 2024

This chapter explains that Art 89 of the UN Charter primarily revolves around the decisions of the Trusteeship Council (TC). Article 89 does not specify what kind of decisions the TC may take, nor whether they are legally binding. Thus, in practice, the decisions of the TC mostly took the form of resolutions, particularly with respect to the supervisory instruments enumerated in Arts 87 and 88. The chapter details the voting procedure concerned with the TC’s decisions. It explains that Art 89 (2) required a majority of members present and voting for decisions of the TC, while Rule 48 of the Rules of Procedure fixed the quorum at two-thirds of the members.
Article 90
Authors: Goldmann Matthias
Published: September 2024

This chapter provides an overview of the Rules of Procedure of the Trusteeship Council (TC) as per Art 90 of the UN Charter. It explains that Art 90 (1) empowered TC to adopt its own rules of procedure. The Rules cover every aspect of the TC’s operation, which includes provisions on the sessions of the TC. The provisional agenda for each session of the TC was drawn up by the Secretary-General in consultation with the President. The chapter explains that the agenda could contain consideration of the annual reports of the administering authorities, petitions, and visits to trust territories.
Article 91
Authors: Goldmann Matthias
Published: September 2024

This chapter focuses on Art 91 of the Charter of the UN. Article 91 provides that the Trusteeship Council (TC) may, if appropriate, avail itself of the assistance of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the specialized agencies on matters within their respective powers. However, the TC did not enjoy precedence over ECOSOC, the specialized agencies, or other institutions as the provision only demanded cooperation between the parties. The chapter considers issue regarding cooperation between the TC and the General Assembly and also mentions the establishment of a Committee of twenty-four in line with the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
Article 99
Authors: Chesterman Simon
Published: September 2024

This chapter provides an overview of Art 99 of the UN Charter. It explains that even though the provision is rarely invoked explicitly, Art 99 most clearly articulates the political role that the Secretary-General is expected to play. Article 99 is the legal basis of all political activities carried out by the Secretary-General which are not assigned under Art 98. The chapter then examines the ancillary powers and direct exercise of the power contain in Art 99. The chapter also looks into the actions of several Secretaries-General exercised under the provision’s implicit authority and ancillary powers, including Trygve Lie and António Guterres.
Article 108
Authors: Vöneky Silja
Published: September 2024

This chapter discusses the notion of amendments to the UN Charter as per Art 108. It explains Art 108 as the core of the two provisions that establish an amendment procedure for the Charter. According to Art 108, amendments have to be adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the General Assembly and ratified by two-thirds of those States including the permanent members of the Security Council. The chapter elaborates on the formal amendment process under the Article and looks into the legal effects of Charter amendments and cases in which it has been applied.
A phase II, open-label, single-arm trial of pembrolizumab for recurrent meningioma and solitary fibrous tumor
Authors: Limon Dror , Amiel Alexandra , Even Haim Shaked , Gordon Noa , Tschernichovsky Roi , Stemmer Salomon , Gal Omer , Laviv Yosef , Kanner Andrew , Siegal Tali , Yust-Katz Shlomit
Published: September 2024

Background

Atypical and anaplastic meningiomas account for 20% of all meningioma cases. Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a type of soft tissue sarcoma with similar attributes to meningioma. For patients with refractory or recurrent disease after previous surgery or radiotherapy, there is no effective treatment. Pembrolizumab, an anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibody, is an effective treatment for various solid tumors. PD-1 ligand is highly expressed in aggressive meningiomas. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of pembrolizumab in treating meningioma and SFT recurrence after surgery and radiation therapy.

Methods

This prospective single-arm phase II trial comprised 15 patients with recurrent meningioma and 3 with anaplastic SFT, treated at a single institution during 2018 to 2022. The study was terminated due to a lack of efficacy and slow accrual. The primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS-6).

Results

Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.6 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 40 months. The 6- and 12-month PFS were both 11.1%. The 6- and 12-month OS were 94.4% and 61.1%, respectively. According to the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria, the overall response rate was 11%, with 2 patients achieving stable disease and 2 with partial response. Three patients (16.7%) developed grade 3 toxicity.

Conclusions

Our results showed that pembrolizumab failed to improve PFS-6 in patients with aggressive meningioma or anaplastic SFT. However, two patients, one with atypical meningioma and one with anaplastic SFT, achieved a partial response. More clinical studies are needed to identify which subset of patients may benefit from this treatment.
Prospects of Food Taxes for Planetary Health: A Systematic Review of Modeling Studies
Authors: Mészáros Ágota , Dósa Norbert , Péterfi Anna , Horváth Krisztián , Szarvas Zsófia , Balogh Jeremiás M , Munkácsy Balázs , Vokó Zoltán
Published: September 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze the modeling methodologies of fiscal policies on food with health or environmental outcomes.

Background

Evidence suggests that fiscal policies on food can contribute to addressing the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases and climate change. These policies should be modeled in advance to see the implications for the environment and health.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted of studies that modeled fiscal policies on the food groups targeted by the EAT-Lancet Commission and examined their health or environmental outcomes. The Scopus and PubMed databases were searched on November 30, 2021. The records were double-screened and data on modeling methods were extracted from the included studies.

Results

A total of 55 studies were included in the review. The most frequently modeled interventions were fruit and vegetable subsidies (n = 19) and carbon taxes on food (n = 17). One study also included a consumer education campaign to enhance the effect of fiscal policy. The outcomes are highly sensitive to consumption change and price elasticities. None of the studies modeled the health effects of environmental outcomes.

Conclusions

A model that covered all the relevant aspects of the issue was not found. Some parts were missing from all the included models. It is advisable to model the stability of the amount of diet consumed, either by keeping the amount of food in the diet stable or by taking a more conservative approach and keeping the consumed calories stable. It is preferable to keep the included diseases and environmental boundaries broad to have more valid outcome estimates on this complex issue. A more comprehensive understanding of fiscal policies would allow us to better anticipate the impact of our actions and inactions and thus could lead to more sophisticated measures taken by policymakers.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. 2022 CRD42022291945/
Preliminary report: Sleep duration during late pregnancy predicts postpartum emotional responses among parents at risk for postpartum depression
Authors: Mason Gina M , Cohen Zachary L , Obeysekare Jessica , Saletin Jared M , Sharkey Katherine M
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Sleep loss is common during the perinatal period; however, few studies have assessed potential consequences of insufficient sleep for postnatal emotional responding, a key contributor to parenting behaviors with implications for parent–infant bonding and mental health. To generate hypotheses for future work assessing perinatal sleep and emotion-related outcomes, this pilot study explored whether prenatal sleep duration predicted postnatal emotional responding in a sample at risk for postpartum depression.

Methods

Participants were nine birthing parents with a prior mood disorder who were not in a current episode at enrollment. We estimated sleep with actigraphy collected for 1 week at 33 weeks’ gestation and at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum. Following each week, participants completed an emotional evaluation task, rating the valence and arousal of standardized images from the International Affective Picture System. We tested whether average prenatal (33 weeks) nighttime sleep duration predicted concurrent and future responsiveness to emotional images, quantified by participants’ reaction times and arousal/valence ratings.

Results

Shorter prenatal sleep duration predicted faster reaction times, both concurrently and at 2 weeks postpartum (ps ≤ .05), as well as lower arousal ratings for negative images at 2 and 6 weeks postpartum (ps ≤ .043).

Conclusions

In this small sample of birthing parents at risk for postpartum depression, shorter prenatal sleep duration predicted faster reactions to emotional stimuli and blunted arousal responses to negative images. Although preliminary, these findings justify further study of the role of prenatal sleep in postpartum emotional responses and how these factors may impact parent-infant outcomes.
Bilateral Light-Adjustable Lens Implantation in a Patient With 50-Cut Radial Keratotomy
Authors: Jiang Alice C. , Coulter Adrienne , Myung David , Schallhorn Julie M. , Pasricha Neel D.
Published: September 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to report a case of light-adjustable lens (LAL; RxSight, Aliso Viejo, CA) implantation in a patient with bilateral 50-cut radial keratotomy (RK) and discuss related preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations.

Methods:

A 78-year-old patient with a history of bilateral 50-cut RK underwent phacoemulsification with implantation of LALs in both eyes 1 month apart. Although LAL technology was not approved specifically for addressing limitations in intraocular lens calculation post-RK due to corneal topography irregularity, the patient opted for this lens due to its ability to make postoperative adjustments to its refractive power. At postoperative month 1 following the second-eye surgery, YAG capsulotomy was performed in both eyes. At postoperative month 2 following the second-eye surgery, the patient began LAL adjustments spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart for a total of 2 LAL adjustments and 2 lock-in sessions.

Results:

Our patient achieved a final refraction of −0.25 +0.25 × 110 with an UDVA of 20/20-2 in the right eye and −0.25 + 0.50 × 135 with an UDVA 20/25-1 in the left eye.

Conclusions:

The LAL may be a promising option for patients undergoing cataract surgery after RK, although further studies are needed to understand long-term changes in eyes with RK and the inability of LAL to address all aspects of corneal aberration.
A Large Percentage of Excision Specimens Show Residual Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Cecil Ariana J. , McClure Spencer P. , Seger Edward W. , Sultana Nasrin , Tate Jesalyn A.
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is recommended. However, patients often note that the biopsy site appears resolved and inquire about the need for additional treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the rate of residual BCC on excision specimens after initial shave biopsy to aid in decision-making on the necessity of further treatment.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A retrospective chart review was conducted that reviewed excision specimen pathology reports of previously biopsy-proven basal cell carcinomas for the presence of residual tumor between 2012 and 2022 at a single institution.

RESULTS

Two thousand one hundred seventeen cases met inclusion criteria. Overall, 39.4% of patients had residual BCC after an initial shave biopsy. Using an odds ratio and 95% confidence interval, a significant relationship was found between larger lesions, longer time between biopsy and excision, and lesions on high-risk body sites with increased odds of residual BCC. A significant relationship was found between negative or not specified margins on shave biopsy with decreased odds of residual BCC.

CONCLUSION

The results show that a large percentage of patients have residual BCC following initial biopsies. These results should be included in physician–patient discussions about treatment options for BCC.
AN EASY WAY TO PREVENT VELOCITY-RELATED COMPLICATIONS DURING DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT INJECTION IN VITRECTOMIZED EYES
Authors: Ozturk Emrah , Adam Mehmet , Ozdemir Huseyin Baran
Published: September 2024

Purpose:

To assess the impact of inserting an ophthalmic viscoelastic device into the dexamethasone (DEX) implant needle on pellet velocity in simulated vitrectomized eyes.

Methods:

Dexamethasone implants were injected into a calibrated ex vivo test chamber filled with balanced salt solution. All DEX implants were administered by the same physician, aiming for the same button depression time. In Group 1, three DEX implant injections were performed without an ophthalmic viscoelastic device, while in Group 2, the ophthalmic viscoelastic device was safely inserted into the DEX implant needle using a 27-gauge cannula just before the injection. The slow-motion video mode of the IPhone 14 was used to record the procedures and calculate time and distance measurements.

Results:

Group 1 exhibited a mean velocity of 450 mm/second for the DEX pellet in balanced salt solution, compared with 54.57 mm/second in Group 2. Furthermore, DEX pellets in Group 1 had horizontal displacements of 24, 29, and 31 mm, while those in Group 2 had displacements of 17, 16, and 15 mm.

Conclusion:

Injecting an ophthalmic viscoelastic device into the DEX implant needle significantly decreases the velocity of the free pellet in balanced salt solution by 87.87%. This modification may help prevent potential velocity-related complications linked to DEX implantation in vitrectomized eyes.
niiv: Fast Self-supervised Neural Implicit Isotropic Volume Reconstruction
Authors: Troidl Jakob , Liang Yiqing , Beyer Johanna , Tavakoli Mojtaba , Danzl Johann , Hadwiger Markus , Pfister Hanspeter , Tompkin James
Published: September 2024

Three-dimensional (3D) microscopy data often is anisotropic with significantly lower resolution (up to 8×) along thezaxis than along thexyaxes. Computationally generating plausible isotropic resolution from anisotropic imaging data would benefit the visual analysis of large-scale volumes. This paper proposesniiv, a self-supervised method for isotropic reconstruction of 3D microscopy data that can quickly produce images at arbitrary (continuous) output resolutions. Within a neural field, the representation embeds a learned latent code that describes the implicit higher-resolution isotropic image region. Under isotropic volume assumptions, we self-supervise this representation on low-/high-resolution lateral image pairs to reconstruct an isotropic volume from low-resolution axial images. We evaluate our method on simulated and real anisotropic electron (EM) and light microscopy (LM) data. Compared to a state-of-the-art diffusion-based method,niivshows improved reconstruction quality (+1 dB PSNR) and is over three orders of magnitude faster (2,000×) to infer. Specifically,niivreconstructs a 1283voxel volume in 1/10th of a second, renderable at varying (continuous) high resolutions for display.