bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoreceptors inhibit pathological retinal angiogenesis through transcriptional regulation of Adam17 via c-Fos
Authors: Wang Xudong , Wang Tianxi , Kaneko Satoshi , Kriukov Emil , Lam Enton , Szczepan Manon , Chen Jasmine , Gregg Austin , Wang Xingyan , Fernandez-Gonzalez Angeles , Mitsialis S. Alex , Kourembanas Stella , Baranov Petr , Sun Ye
Published: March 2024

Pathological retinal angiogenesis profoundly impacts visual function in vascular eye diseases, such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants and age-related macular degeneration in the elderly. While the involvement of photoreceptors in these diseases is recognized, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study delved into the pivotal role of photoreceptors in regulating abnormal retinal blood vessel growth using an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model through the c-Fos/A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (Adam17) axis. Our findings revealed a significant induction of c-Fos expression in rod photoreceptors, and c-Fos depletion in these cells inhibited pathological neovascularization and reduced blood vessel leakage in the OIR mouse model. Mechanistically, c-Fos directly regulated the transcription of Adam17 a shedding protease responsible for the production of bioactive molecules involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, and cell adhesion and migration. Furthermore, we demonstrated the therapeutic potential by using an adeno-associated virus carrying a rod photoreceptor-specific short hairpin RNA against c-fos which effectively mitigated abnormal retinal blood vessel overgrowth, restored retinal thickness, and improved electroretinographic (ERG) responses. In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of photoreceptor c-Fos in ROP pathology, offering a novel perspective for the treatment of this disease.
Placement into Scattered-Site or Place-Based Permanent Supportive Housing in Los Angeles County, CA, During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Henwood Benjamin F. , Kuhn Randall , Gonzalez Amanda Landrian , Chien Jessie , Tu Yue , Bluthenthal Ricky , Cousineau Michael , Padwa Howard , Ijadi-Maghsoodi Roya , Chinchilla Melissa , Smith Bikki Tran , Gelberg Lillian
Published: March 2024

There are two dominant approaches to implementing permanent supportive housing (PSH), namely place-based (PB) and scattered-site (SS). Formal guidance does not distinguish between these two models and only specifies that PSH should be reserved for those who are most vulnerable with complex health needs. To consider both system- and self-selection factors that may affect housing assignment, this study applied the Gelberg-Anderson behavioral model for vulnerable populations to compare predisposing, enabling, and need factors among people experiencing homelessness (PE) by whether they were assigned to PB-PSH (n = 272) or SS-PSH (n = 185) in Los Angeles County during the COVID-19 pandemic. This exploratory, observational study also included those who were approved but did not receive PSH (n = 94). Results show that there are notable differences between (a) those who received PSH versus those who did not, and (b) those in PB-PSH versus SS-PSH. Specifically, PEH who received PSH were more likely to be white, US-born, have any physical health condition, and have lower health activation scores. PEH who received PB- versus SS-PSH were more likely to be older, Black, have any alcohol use disorder, and have higher health activation scores. These findings suggest that homeless service systems may consider PB-PSH more appropriate for PEH with higher needs but also raises important questions about how race may be a factor in the type of PSH that PEH receive and whether PSH is received at all.
Social Diversity on Corporate Boards in a Country Torn by Civil War
Authors: Nazliben Kamil K. , Renneboog Luc , Uduwalage Emil
Published: March 2024

We examine how social diversity and inclusiveness on corporate boards affect corporate performance and monitoring in Sri Lanka, a country subject to decades of polarization, civil war, and even genocide. Barely more than a decade after the civil war, we find that board social diversity on the basis of ethnicity, religion, language, gender, and nationality of the board members is positively related to corporate performance, both in terms of stock market performance and accounting returns, and to corporate financial stability. The main positive effects of social diversity derive from ethno-linguistic inclusiveness. The results are confirmed by an instrumental variable approach that addresses endogeneity issues. We find no evidence that inter-personal and moral conflicts or communication problems among board members negatively affect firm performance.
Reaching the Unreachable: Intensive Mobile Treatment, an Innovative Model of Community Mental Health Engagement and Treatment
Authors: Colton Jana , Misra Roshni , Woznick Elise , Wiedermann Rachel , Huh Anna
Published: March 2024

In this paper we introduce the Intensive Mobile Treatment (IMT) model, which arose from a 2016 New York City initiative to engage individuals who were “falling through the cracks” of the mental health, housing, and criminal justice systems. People who are referred to IMT often have extensive histories of trauma. They experience structural racism and discrimination within systems and thus can present as distrustful of treatment teams. We detail the structure of the program as we practice it at our non-profit agency and outline the psychodynamic concepts that inform our work with challenging populations. We acknowledge IMT’s role in engaging in advocacy and addressing social justice in our work. We also discuss how through this model we are able to both mitigate and tolerate risk in participants with difficult-to-manage behaviors. This is typically a long-term, non-linear process. We address how this impacts the team dynamic as a whole and explain how with long-term, trusting therapeutic relationships, participants can change and grow over time. We also explain the ways in which our non-billing model plays an integral role in the treatment we are able to provide and identify several challenges and areas for program growth. In outlining our model and its methodology, we hope to empower other practitioners to adapt IMT to other settings beyond the New York City area.
Low expression of NR1D1 and NR2E3 is associated with advanced features of retinoblastoma
Authors: Ding Jie , Sun Jie , Ma Rui-Qi , Zheng Ke , Han Yi-Nan
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To investigate the expression of nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group D member 1 (NR1D1) and nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group E Member 3 (NR2E3) in retinoblastoma (RB) and their correlation with the clinical and pathological features of RB.

Methods

Immunohistochemical (IHC) assays were performed to detect and evaluate the expression levels of NR1D1 and NR2E3 in paraffin-embedded tissue samples. The relationship between the expression levels and clinicopathological characteristics of RB patients was analyzed using the χ2 test or Fisher exact test.

Results

A total of 51 RB patients were involved in this research. The expression levels of NR1D1 (P = 0.004) and NR2E3 (P = 0.024) were significantly lower in RB tumor tissues than in normal retina. The expression levels of NR1D1 and NR2E3 were less positive in RB patients with advanced stages (P = 0.007, P = 0.015), choroidal infiltration (P = 0.003, P = 0.029), and optic nerve infiltration (P = 0.036, P = 0.003). In addition, a low expression level of NR2E3 was associated with high-risk pathology (P = 0.025) and necrosis (P = 0.035) of RB tissues.

Conclusion

The expression levels of NR1D1 and NR2E3 were decreased in RB and closely associated with the clinical stage and high invasion of the disease. These findings provide new insights into the mechanism of RB progression and suggest that NR1D1 and NR2E3 could be potential targets for treatment strategies.
Geometric stress functions, continuous and discontinuous
Authors: Baranyai Tamás
Published: March 2024

In his work on stress functions Maxwell noted that given a planar truss the internal force distribution may be described by a piecewise linear, $$C^0$$

C
0

continuous version of the Airy stress function. Later Williams and McRobie proposed that one can consider planar moment-bearing frames, where the stress function need not be even $$C^0$$

C
0

continuous. The two authors also proposed a discontinuous stress function for the analysis of space-frames, which however suffers from incompleteness. This paper provides a discontinuous stress function for n-dimensional space frames that is complete and minimal, along with its derivation from an n-dimensional continuous stress function. The continuous stress function generalizes both Günther’s and Maxwell’s stress functions.
Rodolfo Sacco’s Legacy: Insights from a Young Scholar
Authors: Bergomi Caterina
Published: March 2024

This article aims to demonstrate the enduring impact of Rodolfo Sacco’s influential contributions to comparative law on the perspectives of young scholars. It explores two pivotal aspects of his research that continue to significantly influence the work of a young scholar—the theory of legal formant and exploration of the relationship between law and language. The article also briefly highlights the relevance of legal comparison in the contemporary European legal context.
Unveiling the interplay of psychological capital, family business, and gender on firm performance during COVID-19
Authors: Lanchimba Cintya , Welsh Dianne H.B. , Kaswengi Joseph
Published: March 2024

This study examines the complex relationships between Psychological Capital, family business, ownership, gender, and firm performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines the effects of these variables on firm performance and explores the empirical interaction effects. The findings reveal that Psychological Capital positively influences firm performance, supporting the hypothesis that owners with higher Psychological Capital contribute to better business outcomes. Additionally, family business and ownership significantly impact firm performance, indicating that family involvement and concentrated ownership drive organizational success. Surprisingly, the results indicate a negative impact of gender on firm performance, suggesting that firms managed by women are perceived as less successful. The study also explores the interaction effects and finds that the positive relationship between Psychological Capital and firm performance is amplified in family businesses. However, gender does not moderate this relationship, indicating that women Owners face challenges in translating their Psychological Capital into firm performance in the emerging economy of Ecuador. The results provide insights into the complex dynamics within family businesses and underline the need to address gender disparities and promote inclusive Ownership practices. Implications are discussed.
A new double inertial subgradient extragradient algorithm for solving split pseudomonotone equilibrium problems and fixed point problems
Authors: Mebawondu A. A. , Ofem A. E. , Akutsah F. , Agbonkhese C. , Kasali F. , Narain O. K.
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this article is to suggest a modified subgradient extragradient method that includes double inertial extrapolations and viscosity approach for finding the common solution of split equilibrium problem and fixed point problem. The strong convergence result of the suggested method is obtained under some standard assumptions on the control parameters. Our method does not require solving two strongly convex optimization problems in the feasible sets per iteration, and the step-sizes do not depend on bifunctional Lipschitz-type constants. Furthermore, unlike several methods in the literature, our method does not depend on the prior knowledge of the operator norm of the bounded linear operator. Instead, the step-sizes are self adaptively updated. We apply our method to solve split variational inequality problem. Lastly, we conduct some numerical test to compare our method with some well known methods in the literature.
5-chloro-3-(2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) hydrazono)indolin-2-one: synthesis, characterization, biochemical and computational screening against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Majoumo-Mbe Felicite , Sangbong Neba Abongwa , Tadjong Tcho Alain , Namba-Nzanguim Cyril T. , Simoben Conrad V. , Eni Donatus B. , Alhaji Isa Mustafa , Poli Adi Narayana Reddy , Cassel Joel , Salvino Joseph M. , Montaner Luis J. , Tietjen Ian , Ntie-Kang Fidele
Published: March 2024

Chemical prototypes with broad-spectrum antiviral activity are important toward developing new therapies that can act on both existing and emerging viruses. Binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is required for cellular entry of SARS-CoV-2. Toward identifying new chemical leads that can disrupt this interaction, including in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 adaptive mutations found in variants like omicron that can circumvent vaccine, immune, and therapeutic antibody responses, we synthesized 5-chloro-3-(2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)hydrazono)indolin-2-one (H2L) from the condensation reaction of 5-chloroisatin and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in good yield. H2L was characterised by elemental and spectral (IR, electronic, Mass) analyses. The NMR spectrum of H2L indicated a keto–enol tautomerism, with the keto form being more abundant in solution. H2L was found to selectively interfere with binding of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) to the host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.26 μM, compared to an unrelated PD-1/PD-L1 ligand–receptor-binding pair with an IC50 of 2.06 μM in vitro (Selectivity index = 7.9). Molecular docking studies revealed that the synthesized ligand preferentially binds within the ACE2 receptor-binding site in a region distinct from where spike mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants occur. Consistent with these models, H2L was able to disrupt ACE2 interactions with the RBDs from beta, delta, lambda, and omicron variants with similar activities. These studies indicate that H2L-derived compounds are potential inhibitors of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, including those capable of circumventing vaccine and immune responses.
Performance assessment of up-flow anaerobic multi-staged reactor followed by auto-aerated immobilized biomass unit for treating polyester wastewater, with biogas production
Authors: Hassan Raouf , Kriaa Karim , Wahaballa Amr M. , Elsayed Mahmoud , Mahmoud M. , Nasr Mahmoud , Tawfik Ahmed
Published: March 2024

Polyester manufacturing industries produce highly polluted effluents, containing organics, nutrients, trace metals, and 1,4-dioxane, requiring a high degree of treatment before being discharged into the water bodies. This study focused on removing complex pollutants from a diluted polyester industrial effluent (DPIE) via a cost-efficient anaerobic/aerobic combined system, with biogas recovery. The integrated pilot-scale system was composed of an up-flow anaerobic multi-staged reactor (UASR; V = 41 L) followed by an auto-aerated immobilized biomass (AIB; Vsponge = 9.54 L) unit and operated at a total organic loading rate (OLR) of 0.75 ± 0.16 g COD/L/d and pH of 7.14 ± 0.14 at 25 °C. The UASR achieved removal efficiencies of 17.82 ± 3.14% and 15.90 ± 3.08% for chemical oxygen demand (COD, total and soluble) and 15.83 ± 4.68% for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), with bio-CH4 yield of 263.24 ± 31.98 mL/g COD. Adding the AIB unit improved the overall CODtotal, CODsoluble, and TKN to 93.94 ± 2.39%, 94.84 ± 2.23%, and 75.81 ± 3.66%, respectively. The NH4-N removal efficiency was 85.66 ± 2.90% due to the oxic/nitrification condition on the sponge’s outer surface. The entire system also achieved 73.26 ± 2.68%, 77.48 ± 5.74%, and 81.26 ± 6.17% removals for Fe (3.93 ± 0.95 ppm), Zn (5.92 ± 2.32 ppm), and 1,4 dioxane (2.50 ± 0.61 ppm). Moreover, the UASR-AIB maintained removal efficiencies of 76.53 ± 8.47% and 77.51 ± 7.38% for total suspended solids (TSS: 335.95 ± 42.84 mg/L) and volatile suspended solids (VSS: 263.50 ± 36.94 mg/L). Regarding the DPIE toxicity level, the EC50 value increased from 12.9 to 39.4% after UASR/AIB application. The UASR’s microbial community at the genus level demonstrated that the synergistic cooperation of solubilization, hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis was responsible for the degradation of DPIE components.
Experimental investigation on a lightweight, efficient, counter-rotating fan with and without boundary layer ingestion
Authors: Lengyel-Kampmann T. , Karboujian J. , Koc K. , Schnell R. , Winkelmann P.
Published: March 2024

The experimental investigations on the counter-rotating CRISPmulti fan with boundary layer ingestion are presented in this paper. The Counter Rotating Integrated Shrouded Propfan (CRISP) was designed, aerodynamically optimized and manufactured in lightweight material by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The main task was to maximize the aerodynamic efficiency under restricted static, dynamic and acoustic properties of the blade designed with lightweight carbon-fiber material and to apply it as a demonstrator for the development of a new innovative blade manufacturing technology. The rotors were manufactured at the DLR Institute of Structures and Design and tested on the Multi-stage 2-shaft Compressor Test Facility (M2VP) at the DLR Institute of Propulsion Technology. The instrumentation enabled the measurement of the aerodynamic, static, dynamic and acoustic behavior of the fan. In general, the targets of the experimental investigation were to validate the optimization results, the numerical calculational methods and the acoustic tools. Additionally, inlet distortion measurements were carried out on the fan rig to investigate the effect of the boundary layer ingestion on a real counter-rotating propfan. A radially traversable disturbance body, designed to simulate the boundary layer of the aircraft fuselage on an aircraft architecture with embedded engines, enables a comprehensive measurement program to be carried out for both undisturbed and disturbed inflow.
The Crucial Roles of Diet, Microbiota, and Postbiotics in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kuru-Yaşar Rüya , Üstün-Aytekin Özlem
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the world, and its prevalence has been increasing alarmingly in recent years. After researchers discovered the existence of dysbiosis in colorectal cancer, they considered the use of probiotics in the treatment of colorectal cancer. However, for various reasons, including the low safety profile of probiotics in susceptible and immunocompromised patient5s, and the risk of developing antibiotic resistance, researchers have shifted their focus to non-living cells, their components, and metabolites. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate the literature on the effects of diet, microbiota, and postbiotics on colorectal cancer and the future of postbiotics.

Recent Findings

The link between diet, gut microbiota, and colorectal cancer has been established primarily as a relationship rather than a cause-effect relationship. The gut microbiota can convert gastrointestinal tract and dietary factors into either onco-metabolites or tumor suppressor metabolites. There is serious dysbiosis in the microbiota in colorectal cancer. Postbiotics appear to be promising agents in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.

It has been shown that various postbiotics can selectively induce apoptosis in CRC, inhibit cell proliferation, growth, invasion, and migration, modulate the immune system, suppress carcinogenic signaling pathways, maintain intestinal epithelial integrity, and have a synergistic effect with chemotherapy drugs. However, it is also reported that some postbiotics are ineffective and may be risky in terms of safety profile in some patients. Many issues need to be researched about postbiotics. Large-scale, randomized, double-blind clinical studies are needed.
Incidence of invasive infections with Group B streptococcus in adults in Norway 1996–2019: a nationwide registry-based case–control study
Authors: Uggen Elise , Olaisen Camilla , Lyng Randi Valsø , Simonsen Gunnar Skov , Bævre-Jensen Roar Magne , Gran Frode Width , Åsvold Bjørn Olav , Nilsen Tom Ivar Lund , Damås Jan Kristian , Afset Jan Egil
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Group B streptococcus (GBS) colonizes the gastrointestinal and vaginal mucosa in healthy adults, but has also become an increasing cause of invasive infection. The aims of this study were to describe the incidence and factors associated with the occurrence of invasive GBS disease in adults in Norway.

Methods

We performed a nationwide retrospective case–control study of invasive GBS infections during 1996–2019, with two control groups; invasive Group A streptococcal disease (GAS) to control for changes in surveillance and diagnostics, and a second representing the general population.

Results

A total of 3710 GBS episodes were identified. The age-standardized incidence rate increased steadily from 1.10 (95% CI 0.80–1.50) in 1996 to 6.70 (95% CI 5.90–7.50) per 100,000 person-years in 2019. The incidence rate had an average annual increase of 6.44% (95% CI 5.12–7.78). Incidence rates of GAS varied considerably, and there was no evidence of a consistent change over the study period. GBS incidence was highest among adults > 60 years of age. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes were the most common comorbid conditions. There was a shift in the distribution of capsular serotypes from three dominant types to more equal distribution among the six most common serotypes.

Conclusions

The incidence of invasive GBS disease in adults increased significantly from 1996 to 2019. The increasing age of the population with accompanying underlying comorbid conditions might contribute to the increasing burden of invasive GBS disease. Interestingly, type 1 diabetes was also associated with the occurrence of invasive GBS disease.
Tularemia on the rise in Switzerland? A one health approach is needed!
Authors: Buettcher Michael , Egli Adrian , Albini Sarah , Altpeter Ekkehardt , Labutin Anton , Guidi Valeria , Tonolla Mauro , Lienhard Reto , Opota Onya , Schmid Patrizia , Wuethrich Tsering , Schmidt Kristina M. ,   the TULAR-CH working group, Keller Peter , Bittel Pascal , Aebi Christoph , Schöbi Nina , Deak Csongor , Relly Christa , Bruhn Silke , Müller Dominik , Jost Geraldine , Schütz Sara
Published: March 2024

In the last 10 years, an increase in tularemia cases has been observed in both humans and animals in Switzerland. In these, infection with Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia, can occur through arthropod vectors or contact to infected animals or exposure to contaminated environmental sources. Currently, we are only able to postulate potential aetiologies: (i) behavioral changes of humans with more exposure to endemic habitats of infected arthropod vectors; (ii) an increased rate of tularemia infected ticks; (iii) increasing number and geographical regions of tick biotopes; (iv) increasing and/or more diverse reservoir populations; (v) increasing presence of bacteria in the environment; (vi) raised awareness and increased testing among physicians; (vii) improved laboratory techniques including molecular testing. To approach these questions, a one-health strategy is necessary. A functioning collaboration between public health, human medicine, and diagnostic and veterinary units for the control of tularemia must be established. Furthermore, the public should be included within citizen-supported-science-projects.
Oral findings in paediatric patients with severe heart, liver, and kidney failure prior to organ transplantation
Authors: Landén I. , Olander A. E. , Salmela E. , Jahnukainen T. , Ruokonen H. , Alapulli H. , Helenius-Hietala J.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Organ transplantation is an effective treatment for children with severe heart, liver, and kidney diseases. These patient groups may have more oral and dental diseases than healthy controls. It is important to eliminate oral infection foci before transplantation and to maintain good oral health to avoid potential post-transplant complications. The aim of this study was to describe and compare oral health in Finnish paediatric heart, liver, and kidney transplant recipients prior to organ transplantation.

Methods

Eighty-six children who received a heart (n = 21), liver (n = 19), or kidney (n = 46) transplant in Finland during the years 2014–2018 were included in this study. The inclusion criterion was a pre-transplantation oral examination. Oral hygiene, enamel anomalies, and the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) were analyzed retrospectively from medical and dental records and compared between the three patient groups.

Results

Children with liver (p = 0.043) or heart (p = 0.047) disease had higher combined primary and permanent dentition dmft/DMFT scores compared to children with kidney disease. A higher combined dmft/DMFT score was associated with poor oral hygiene (p = 0.005). No significant differences in oral hygiene between the patient groups were found. Furthermore, all patient groups had a high prevalence of developmental dental defects.

Conclusion

Children with liver or heart disease seem to have a higher combined dmft/DMFT score, indicating a higher prevalence of caries compared to children with kidney disease. Prevention of dental caries, along with promoting a good oral hygiene routine and regular check-ups, is suggested in these patient groups.
Psychosocial correlates of flourishing in the late lifespan
Authors: Fastame Maria Chiara , Manca Cristina , Mulas Ilaria , Ruiu Marilena
Published: March 2024

Background

Flourishing is a primary dimension of psychological well-being that contributes massively to the development of an active, purposeful, and respectful life, full of meaning, values, and personal interests that nurture social ties.

Aims

This study primarily intended to examine the contribution of satisfaction with family relations, resilience, metacognitive efficiency, and crystallized intelligence in predicting a flourishing measure in cognitively healthy older adults. Moreover, the impact of gender was investigated on flourishing, satisfaction with family ties, resilience, and metacognitive efficiency.

Methods

One hundred and eighty 65–94-year-old community dwellers were recruited in Sardinia (Italy). Participants self-rated their flourishing, satisfaction with their family connections, psychological hardness (i.e., a dimension of resilience), and cognitive function, whereas global cognitive efficiency and vocabulary were assessed through two internationally validated objective tests.

Results

A hierarchical regression analysis revealed that 30% of the variance in the flourishing condition was explained by satisfaction with family ties, resilience, and metacognitive efficiency. In addition, males exhibited higher flourishing and satisfaction with family ties than females, and the former group also reported being more autonomous and acting proactively to influence its destiny.

Conclusion

Emotional support and rewarding relations with family members, the ability to face stressful events, and a good perception of one’s cognitive efficiency play a crucial role in promoting flourishing in late adulthood.
Nomogram predicting the efficacy of transurethral surgery in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients
Authors: Zhou Jing , Peng Zhu-Feng , Yang Lu-Chen , Liu Sheng-Zhuo , Song Pan , Liu Zheng-Huan , Wang Lin-Chun , Chen Jun-Hao , Ma Kai , Yu Yun-Fei , Liu Liang-Ren , Dong Qiang
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the efficacy of transurethral surgery in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.

Methods

Patients with BPH who underwent transurethral surgery in the West China Hospital and West China Shang Jin Hospital were enrolled. Patients were retrospectively involved as the training group and were prospectively recruited as the validation group for the nomogram. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to generate nomogram for predicting the efficacy of transurethral surgery. The discrimination of the nomogram was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration plots were applied to evaluate the calibration of the nomogram.

Results

A total of 426 patients with BPH who underwent transurethral surgery were included in the study, and they were further divided into a training group (n = 245) and a validation group (n = 181). Age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.15, P < 0.01), the compliance of the bladder (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.20–4.67, P < 0.01), the function of the detrusor (OR 5.92, 95% CI 2.10–16.6, P < 0.01), and the bladder outlet obstruction (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.07–4.54, P < 0.01) were incorporated in the nomogram. The AUC of the nomogram was 0.825 in the training group, and 0.785 in the validation group, respectively.

Conclusion

The nomogram we developed included age, the compliance of the bladder, the function of the detrusor, and the severity of bladder outlet obstruction. The discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were confirmed by internal and external validation.
Diagnosis of Gallbladder Disease Using Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study
Authors: Obaid Ahmed Mahdi , Turki Amina , Bellaaj Hatem , Ksantini Mohamed
Published: March 2024

Gallbladder (GB) disease is a common pathology that needs correct and early diagnosis for the optimum medical treatment. Early diagnosis is crucial as any delay or misdiagnosis can worsen the patient situation. Incorrect diagnosis could also lead to an escalation in patient symptoms and poorer clinical outcomes. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, ranging from Machine Learning (ML) to Deep Learning (DL) to predict disease progression, identify abnormalities, and estimate mortality rates associated with GB disorders has increased over the past decade. To this end, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of the AI approaches used in the diagnosis of GB illnesses. This review compiles and compares relevant papers from the last decade to show how AI might enhance diagnostic precision, speed, and efficiency. Therefore, this survey gives researchers the opportunity to find out both the diagnosis of GB diseases and AI techniques in one place. The maximum accuracy rate by ML was when using SVM with 96.67%, whilst the maximum accuracy rate by DL was by utilising a unique structure of VGG, GoogleNet, ResNet, AlexNet and Inception with 98.77%. This could provide a clear path for further investigations and algorithm’s development to boost diagnostic results to improve the patient’s condition and choose the appropriate treatment.
Incidence, Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Treatment for Children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Saudi Arabia. A Systematic Review
Authors: Alrashdi Naif , Alotaibi Mansour , Alharthi Moqfa , Kashoo Faizan , Alanazi Sultan , Alanazi Ahmad , Alzhrani Msaad , Alhussainan Thamer , Alanazi Rami , Almutairi Rakan , Ithurburn Matthew
Published: March 2024

Background

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) leads to pain, joint instability, and early degenerative joint disease. Incidence, prevalence, and management strategies of DDH have been well-documented in several countries, but not in Saudi Arabia.

Objective

We synthesized the current evidence regarding incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and clinical treatment for children with DDH in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

We searched 3 databases to locate studies. Studies that included children with DDH in Saudi Arabia; reported either incidence rate, prevalence, risk factors, and/or clinical practice; and were available in English or Arabic were included. We excluded reviews, case studies, or animal studies. Two independent authors reviewed potential studies and assessed study’s quality.

Results

Our search yielded 67 potential studies, of which 16 studies were included (total DDH sample = 3,127; age range = 2.5 to 86.4 months). Three studies reported incidence rates ranging from 3.1 to 4.9 per 1000 births, and 3 studies reported prevalence ranging from 6 to 78%. Nine studies reported that female sex, breech position, family history, and age less than 3 years were risk factors associated with DDH. Four studies reported that brace applications and closed reduction were conservative treatments, and 9 studies reported that open hip reduction, adductor tenotomy, and/or pelvic osteotomy were surgical approaches to treat DDH.

Conclusions

In Saudi Arabia, the Incidence and prevalence rates of DDH are 3.1 to 4.9 per 1,000 births, and 6–78%, respectively (differ from what has been reported in other countries), but the risk factors of DDH in Saudi Arabia appear to be similar in comparison to other countries (female, breech presentation, family history of DDH).
Affine Algebraic Ricci Solitons Associated to the Yano Connections on Three-Dimensional Lorentzian Lie Groups
Authors: Azami Shahroud
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we compute curvatures of Yano connections on three-dimensional Lorentzian Lie groups with some product structure. We define affine algebraic Ricci solitons associated to Yano connections and classify left-invariant affine algebraic Ricci solitons associated to Yano connections on three-dimensional Lorentzian Lie groups.
Writing Mobile Lives, 1500–1700
Authors: Holmberg Eva Johanna
Published: March 2024

This Element develops and showcases a new methodological framework in which to study the connections between early modern travel writing and life- and self-writing. Turning the scholarly focus in the study of travel writing from eye-witnessing and proto-ethnography of foreign lands to the 'fashioned' and portrayed selves and 'inner worlds' of travellers – personal memory, autobiographical practices, and lived yet often heavily mediated travel experiences – it opens up perspectives to travel writing in its many modes, that extend both before and after 'lived' travels into their many pre- and afterlives in textual form. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Machine learning for detecting fake accounts and genetic algorithm-based feature selection
Authors: Sallah Amine , Abdellaoui Alaoui El Arbi , C.K. Tekouabou Stéphane , Agoujil Said
Published: March 2024

People rely extensively on online social networks (OSNs) in Africa, which aroused cyber attackers’ attention for various nefarious actions. This global trend has not spared African online communities, where the proliferation of OSNs has provided new opportunities and challenges. In Africa, as in many other regions, a burgeoning black-market industry has emerged, specializing in the creation and sale of fake accounts to serve various purposes, both malicious and deceptive. This paper aims to build a set of machine-learning models through feature selection algorithms to predict the fake account, increase performance, and reduce costs. The suggested approach is based on input data made up of features that describe the profiles being investigated. Our findings offer a thorough comparison of various algorithms. Furthermore, compared to machine learning without feature selection and Boruta, machine learning employing the suggested genetic algorithm-based feature selection offers a clear runtime advantage. The final prediction model achieves AUC values between 90% and 99.6%. The findings showed that the model based on the features chosen by the GA algorithm provides a reasonable prediction quality with a small number of input variables, less than 31% of the entire feature space, and therefore permits the accurate separation of fake from real users. Our results demonstrate exceptional predictive accuracy with a significant reduction in input variables using the genetic algorithm, reaffirming the effectiveness of our approach.
Topology of moduli spaces of curves and anabelian geometry in positive characteristic
Authors: Hu Zhi , Yang Yu , Zong Runhong
Published: March 2024

In the present paper, we study a new kind of anabelian phenomenon concerning the smooth pointed stable curves in positive characteristic. It shows that the topology of moduli spaces of curves can be understood from the viewpoint of anabelian geometry. We formulate some new anabelian-geometric conjectures concerning tame fundamental groups of curves over algebraically closed fields of characteristic

$p>0$

from the point of view of moduli spaces. The conjectures are generalized versions of the Weak Isom-version of the Grothendieck conjecture for curves over algebraically closed fields of characteristic

$p>0$

which was formulated by Tamagawa. Moreover, we prove that the conjectures hold for certain points lying in the moduli space of curves of genus

$0$

.
Optimising business models through digital alignment and strategic flexibility: Evidence from the manufacturing industry
Authors: Ciacci Andrea , Balzano Marco , Marzi Giacomo
Published: March 2024

The increasing integration of digital technologies in business processes calls for a deeper understanding of their impact on business model efficiency. This study explores how digital alignment, composed by strategic decision support and operational support, affects business model efficiency, while also examining the extent to which strategic flexibility moderates this relationship. To test the proposed hypotheses, we adopt a quantitative approach on a sample of Italian small and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing industry. In particular, a regression analysis, complemented by a necessary condition analysis, is performed. We find that digital alignment, both in terms of strategic decision support and operational support, fosters business model efficiency. Strategic flexibility strengthens the relationship between strategic decision support and business model efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to operationalise digital alignment as composed of strategic decision support and operational support. Accordingly, this study contributes to the extant literature on digital alignment and business models.
Distribution and isotopic compositions of n-alkanes and n-alkenes in the cryoconites from the Tibetan Plateau glaciers
Authors: Li Quanlian , Kang Shichang , Wang Shijin , Wang Ninglian , Wu Xiaobo , Sajjad Wasim , Yang Huan , Li Yao , Wu Jingquan
Published: March 2024

In the current study, cryoconite samples were collected from six glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau to analyze n-alkanes and n-alkenes. The findings revealed that the concentrations of n-alkanes and n-alkenes varied from 40.1 to 496.1 μg g−1 and from 4.6 to 13.8 μg g−1, respectively. The carbon preference index of the long-chain n-alkanes ranged from 3.3 to 8.4, and the average chain length ranged from 28.7 to 29.3. Moreover, the δ13C of the n-alkanes in cryoconites were within the range of C3 plants, demonstrating that the n-alkanes in cryoconites were only derived from vascular plants. However, the δDmean were more negative than that of C3 plants, which could be caused by dry and humid conditions of glaciers. Unlike n-alkanes, n-alkenes ranged from C17:1 to C30:1 and showed a weak even-over-odd carbon number preference in the Dongkemadi, Yuzhufeng, Laohugou and Tianshan glacier, but a weak odd carbon preference in the Qiyi glacier. The n-alkenes in the YL Snow Mountains showed an obvious odd-over-even carbon number predominance from C17:1 to C22:1 with Cmax at C19:1, and the even-over-odd carbon number preference from C23:1 to C30:1 with Cmax at C28:1. This demonstrated that the n-alkenes of cryoconites may be mainly derived from in situ production in glaciers.
Factors influencing wine ratings in an online wine community: The case of Trentino–Alto Adige
Authors: Gastaldello Giulia , Schäufele-Elbers Isabel , Schamel Günter
Published: March 2024

Consumers often struggle to make their choice in the highly diversified wine market. With wine being an experience good, consumers must rely on extrinsic characteristics, e.g., information on the label. Thus, easily available quality signals like consumer ratings have become an increasingly useful and widespread tool. Vivino is one of the largest online wine communities with over 60 million users, which have more than doubled since 2018. Hence, users have easy access to peer ratings, while established wine expert ratings are being challenged. This study analyzes data from Vivino to explore factors affecting consumer ratings at different price points, considering several wine attributes like geographical indications, brand, and the so-called “community effect.” We show that there is a small but significant community effect on wine's perceived quality related to its popularity among users of the Vivino community, as well as effects from specific wine attributes. Moreover, we estimate a hedonic quantile model on similar price ranges to compare the effect of the same regressors on wine prices. Results contribute to a better understanding of how different factors affect consumers’ wine evaluations, allowing to compare their effect on the “pure” consumer preference (i.e., consumer ratings) and market value.
Rise and diversification of chondrichthyans in the Paleozoic
Authors: Schnetz Lisa , Dunne Emma M. , Feichtinger Iris , Butler Richard J. , Coates Michael I. , Sansom Ivan J.
Published: March 2024

The Paleozoic represents a key time interval in the origins and early diversification of chondrichthyans (cartilaginous fishes), but their diversity and macroevolution are largely obscured by heterogenous spatial and temporal sampling. The predominantly cartilaginous skeletons of chondrichthyans pose an additional limitation on their preservation potential and hence on the quality of their fossil record. Here, we use a newly compiled genus-level dataset and the application of sampling standardization methods to analyze global total-chondrichthyan diversity dynamics through time from their first appearance in the Ordovician through to the end of the Permian. Subsampled estimates of chondrichthyan genus richness were initially low in the Ordovician and Silurian but increased substantially in the Early Devonian. Richness reached its maximum in the middle Carboniferous before dropping across the Carboniferous/Permian boundary and gradually decreasing throughout the Permian. Sampling is higher in both the Devonian and Carboniferous compared with the Silurian and most of the Permian stages. Shark-like scales from the Ordovician are too limited to allow for some of the subsampling techniques. Our results detect two Paleozoic radiations in chondrichthyan diversity: the first in the earliest Devonian, led by acanthodians (stem-group chondrichthyans), which then decline rapidly by the Late Devonian, and the second in the earliest Carboniferous, led by holocephalans, which increase greatly in richness across the Devonian/Carboniferous boundary. Dispersal of chondrichthyans, specifically holocephalans, into deeper-water environments may reflect a niche expansion following the faunal displacement in the aftermath of the Hangenberg extinction event at the end of the Devonian.
Eternal solutions to a porous medium equation with strong non-homogeneous absorption. Part I: radially non-increasing profiles
Authors: Iagar Razvan Gabriel , Laurençot Philippe
Published: March 2024

Existence of specificeternal solutionsin exponential self-similar form to the following quasilinear diffusion equation with strong absorption\[ \partial_t u=\Delta u^m-|x|^{\sigma}u^q, \]posed for$(t,\,x)\in (0,\,\infty )\times \mathbb {R}^N$, with$m>1$,$q\in (0,\,1)$and$\sigma =\sigma _c:=2(1-q)/ (m-1)$is proved. Looking for radially symmetric solutions of the form\[ u(t,x)={\rm e}^{-\alpha t}f(|x|\,{\rm e}^{\beta t}), \quad \alpha=\frac{2}{m-1}\beta, \]we show that there exists a unique exponent$\beta ^*\in (0,\,\infty )$for which there exists a one-parameter family$(u_A)_{A>0}$of solutions with compactly supported and non-increasing profiles$(f_A)_{A>0}$satisfying$f_A(0)=A$and$f_A'(0)=0$. An important feature of these solutions is that they are bounded and do not vanish in finite time, a phenomenon which is known to take place for all non-negative bounded solutions when$\sigma \in (0,\,\sigma _c)$.
War on the Desert: The Militarization of the Sinai and its Greater Syrian Sacrificial Frontier during World War I
Authors: Akgül Önder Eren
Published: March 2024

On November 21, 1914, Ahmed Cemal Pasha departed Istanbul's Haydarpaşa railway station for Damascus. A few weeks prior to his departure—after the Ottoman Empire entered World War I on the side of Germany and Austria-Hungary on October 29—Enver Pasha, the minister of war, invited Cemal Pasha to his mansion. At this meeting, Enver Pasha requested that Cemal Pasha, who was then minister of the navy, take up the post of governor-general of the Greater Syrian provinces and assume command of the Fourth Army. Cemal Pasha enthusiastically accepted Enver Pasha's offer to, in his words, “prepare for and carry out an attack on the (Suez) Canal, and also to maintain security and internal order in (Greater) Syria.”1 He secured his existing ministerial post in addition to gaining full authority as the commander of the Fourth Army and governor of the Greater Syrian provinces. Before his train departed from Haydarpaşa, Cemal Pasha addressed the crowd who had gathered there to see him, describing his mission as the “divine but extraordinarily difficult” duty of “saving Egypt from British invaders.”2
Dynamics of Disruption: Ethnographic Practice in Contemporary Turkey
Authors: Schoon Eric W. , Schoon Danielle V.
Published: March 2024

This roundtable explores how recent social and political upheavals in Turkey have impacted ethnographic research in and about the region. We propose that an analysis of ethnographers’ experiences in contexts of disruption and uncertainty can offer important insights into both research methodologies and contemporary politics and society in Turkey. The past twenty years have been a time of transformation and, arguably, disruption in the Republic of Turkey. In 2003, the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi; AKP) rose to power under the leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. As the following decade heralded a period of rapid economic growth and development, social and political changes also began to reshape institutions in consequential ways. In 2008, top military leaders were charged with participating in a conspiratorial deep state in what would come to be known as the Ergenekon trials. While these prosecutions were framed by the ruling party as critical to securing democratic governance in Turkey, they also marked a turning point in the AKP's efforts to secure and consolidate its hold on the state. After the AKP won its third general election in 2011, their efforts to consolidate power grew, and over the following decade Turkey would devolve from being recognized as a model Middle Eastern democracy to an illiberal democracy and finally an authoritarian regime. This political transformation was punctuated by key events, from the 2013 Gezi Park protests and the attempted coup of July 2016 to the resumption of armed conflict with the Kurdistan Worker's Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê PKK) in 2015 and the government's crackdown on Academics for Peace.
The Banality of Disruption: Diagnosing Order
Authors: Köymen Erol
Published: March 2024

In a seminal essay, Lila Abu-Lughod addresses “The Romance of Resistance,” suggesting that widespread scholarly interest in unlikely and quotidian forms of resistance is romanticizing. Rather than identifying resistance as proof of the ineffectiveness of systems of power, she contends that scholars might more productively consider how resistance is embedded in, and can serve as a diagnostic of, power. Writing in a Foucauldian vein, she reminds “where there is resistance, there is power.” If Abu-Lughod cautions against romanticizing resistance, in this response I take up a similarly critical stance toward disruption. Following Abu-Lughod's formula and drawing on my own experience as an ethnographer of music and sound in Turkish modernity, I suggest that where there is disruption, there is order, and that disruption might therefore become a site for diagnosis of order.