bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive profiling and semi-quantification of exogenous chemicals in human urine using HRMS-based strategies
Authors: Gutiérrez-Martín Daniel , Restrepo-Montes Esteban , Golovko Oksana , López-Serna Rebeca , Aalizadeh Reza , Thomaidis Nikolaos S. , Marquès Montse , Gago-Ferrero Pablo , Gil-Solsona Rubén
Published: November 2023

Chemicals infiltrate our daily experiences through multiple exposure pathways. Human biomonitoring (HBM) is routinely used to comprehensively understand these chemical interactions. Historically, HBM depended on targeted screening methods limited to a relatively small set of chemicals with triple quadrupole instruments typically. However, recent advances in high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) have facilitated the use of broad-scope target, suspect, and non-target strategies, enhancing chemical exposome characterization within acceptable detection limits. Despite these advancements, establishing robust and efficient sample treatment protocols is still essential for trustworthy broad-range chemical analysis. This study sought to validate a methodology leveraging HRMS-based strategies for accurate profiling of exogenous chemicals and related metabolites in urine samples. We evaluated five extraction protocols, each encompassing various chemical classes, such as pharmaceuticals, plastic additives, personal care products, and pesticides, in terms of their extraction recoveries, linearity, matrix effect, sensitivity, and reproducibility. The most effective protocol was extensively validated and subsequently applied to 10 real human urine samples using wide-scope target analysis encompassing over 2000 chemicals. We successfully identified and semi-quantified a total of 36 chemicals using an ionization efficiency-based model, affirming the methodology’s robust performance. Notably, our results dismissed the need for a deconjugation step, a typically labor-intensive and time-consuming process.

Graphical Abstract
Chemokine receptor–targeted PET/CT provides superior diagnostic performance in newly diagnosed marginal zone lymphoma patients: a head-to-head comparison with [18F]FDG
Authors: Kosmala Aleksander , Duell Johannes , Schneid Simone , Serfling Sebastian E. , Higuchi Takahiro , Weich Alexander , Lapa Constantin , Hartrampf Philipp E. , Raderer Markus , Einsele Hermann , Buck Andreas K. , Topp Max S. , Schlötelburg Wiebke , Werner Rudolf A.
Published: November 2023

Background

In patients with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), [18F]FDG PET/CT provided inconsistent diagnostic accuracy. C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is overexpressed in MZL and thus, may emerge as novel theranostic target. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CXCR4-targeting [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor when compared to [18F]FDG PET/CT in MZL.

Methods

Thirty-two untreated MZL patients (nodal, n = 17; extranodal, n = 13; splenic, n = 2) received [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor and [18F]FDG PET/CT within median 2 days. We performed a visual and quantitative analysis of the total lymphoma volume by measuring maximum/peak standardized uptake values (SUVmax/peak), and calculating target-to-background ratios (TBR, defined as lesion-based SUVpeak divided by SUVmean from blood pool). Visual comparisons for both radiotracers were carried out for all target lesions (TL), and quantitative analysis of concordant TL evident on both scans. Last, MZL subtype analyses were also conducted.

Results

On a patient-based level, [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor identified MZL manifestations in 32 (100%) subjects (vs. [18F]FDG, 25/32 [78.1%]). Of the 256 identified TL, 127/256 (49.6%) manifestations were evident only on CXCR4-directed imaging, while only 7/256 (2.7%) were identified on [18F]FDG but missed by [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor. In the remaining 122/256 (47.7%) concordant TL, [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor consistently provided increased metrics when compared to [18F]FDG: SUVmax, 10.3 (range, 2.53–37.2) vs. 5.72 (2.32–37.0); SUVpeak, 6.23 (1.58–25.7) vs. 3.87 (1.54–27.7); P < 0.01, respectively. Concordant TL TBR on [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor (median, 3.85; range, 1.05–16.0) was also approximately 1.8-fold higher relative to [18F]FDG (median, 2.08; range, 0.81–28.8; P < 0.01). Those findings on image contrast, however, were driven by nodal MZL (P < 0.01), and just missed significance for extranodal MZL (P = 0.06).

Conclusions

In newly diagnosed MZL patients, [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor identified more sites of disease when compared to [18F]FDG, irrespective of MZL subtype. Quantitative PET parameters including TBR were also higher on [68Ga]Ga-PentixaFor PET/CT, suggesting improved diagnostic read-out using chemokine receptor-targeted imaging.
CXC chemokine ligand 13 and galectin-9 plasma levels collaboratively provide prediction of disease activity and progression-free survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Ahmed Heba A. , Nafady Asmaa , Ahmed Eman H. , Hassan Emad Eldin Nabil , Soliman Walaa Gamal Mohamed , Elbadry Mahmoud I. , Allam Ahmed Ahmed
Published: November 2023

The clinical outcome of lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is quite heterogeneous. The purpose of this observational study was to investigate the clinical merit of measuring plasma galectin-9 and CXCL-13 concentrations as predictors of CLL activity, prognosis, and early indicators of therapeutic response. These biomarkers were compared with other prognostic indicators, progression-free survival (PFS), time to first treatment (TTT), and overall survival (OS) over a follow-up period (4 years). First, plasma galectin-9 and CXCL-13 concentrations were analyzed in CLL patients at the time of diagnosis as well as healthy controls. Compared to controls, CLL patients had significantly higher serum levels of CXCL-13 and galectin-9. Second, we observed that CLL patients with high soluble CXCL-13 and galectin-9 levels had advanced clinical stages, poor prognosis, 17p del, short PFS, short TTT, and therapy resistance. The levels of CXCL-13, β2-microglobulin, LDH, CD38%, and high grade of Rai-stage were all strongly correlated with the galectin-9 levels. Soluble CXCL-13 and galectin-9 had very good specificity and sensitivity in detecting CLL disease progression and high-risk patients with the superiority of galectin-9 over CXCL-13. Although the two biomarkers were equal in prediction of TTT and treatment response, the soluble CXCL13 was superior in prediction of OS. High CXCL-13 and galectin-9 plasma levels upon CLL diagnosis are associated with disease activity, progression, advanced clinical stages, short periods of PFS, short TTT, and unfavorable treatment response.
Digitale Plattformen zur Vermittlung informell Helfender für die häusliche Pflege: Welchen Nutzen sehen Anbieter?
Authors: Wörle Tobias , Geiselhart Jochen , Haushammer Christian , Bernhard Dominik
Published: November 2023

Hintergrund

Über den tatsächlichen Nutzen digitaler Plattformangebote, die engagementbereite Personen an Haushalte mit Pflegeaufgaben vermitteln, ist bisher wenig bekannt.

Ziel

Der Beitrag stellt erste Ergebnisse einer Vermittlungsanbieterbefragung als Teil einer mehrstufig angelegten Interviewstudie vor. Im Zentrum steht zunächst die Frage, welche Nutzenaspekte Anbieter ihren Angeboten im Hinblick auf die eigene Organisation, die Nutzer:innen sowie auf gesellschaftlicher oder sozialräumlicher Ebene zuschreiben.

Material und Methoden

Für leitfadengestützte Interviews wurden Vermittlungsanbieter ausgewählt. Zwei davon nutzen eine Matching-Plattform, zwei nicht. Die Daten wurden über inhaltsanalytische Verfahren ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Effizienzvorteile, Qualitätsgewinne, aber auch neue Möglichkeiten zur Erschließung weiterer Helferklientele sind aus Anbietersicht wichtige Nutzenaspekte digitaler Matching-Plattformen für die eigene Organisation. Um Vertrauen und Akzeptanz aufseiten der Nutzenden zu fördern, erscheinen hybrid gestaltete Vermittlungsmodelle besonders vorteilhaft. Sie ermöglichen neben der Nutzung digitaler Technologien zugleich persönliche Begleitung im Aufbau von Hilfebeziehungen. Die Befunde legen zudem nahe, dass gemeinwohlorientierte, qualitätsgesicherte Vermittlungsplattformen auch auf sozialräumlicher Ebene Nutzenvorteile entfalten können.

Diskussion und Fazit

Neben Nutzenaspekten in Bezug auf die eigene Organisation und auf Nutzer:innen konnten auch nutzenstiftende Potenziale in Bezug auf lokale Sorgenetzwerke rekonstruiert werden.
Real-world experience with ultrasound renal denervation utilizing home blood pressure monitoring: the Global Paradise System registry study design
Authors: Mahfoud Felix , Azizi Michel , Daemen Joost , Sharp Andrew S. P. , Patak Atul , Iglesias Juan F. , Kirtane Ajay , Fisher Naomi D. L. , Scicli Andrea , Lobo Melvin D.
Published: November 2023

Background

Hypertension is a major public health issue due to its association with cardiovascular disease risk. Despite the availability of effective antihypertensive drugs, rates of blood pressure (BP) control remain suboptimal. Renal denervation (RDN) has emerged as an effective non-pharmacological, device-based treatment option for patients with hypertension. The multicenter, single-arm, observational Global Paradise™ System (GPS) registry has been designed to examine the long-term safety and effectiveness of ultrasound RDN (uRDN) with the Paradise System in a large population of patients with hypertension.

Methods

The study aims to enroll up to 3000 patients undergoing uRDN in routine clinical practice. Patients will be recruited over a 4-year period and followed for 5 years (at 3, 6, and 12 months after the uRDN procedure and annually thereafter). Standardized home BP measurements will be taken every 3 months with automatic upload to the cloud. Office and ambulatory BP and adverse events will be collected as per routine clinical practice. Quality-of-Life questionnaires will be used to capture patient-reported outcomes.

Conclusions

This observational registry will provide real-world information on the safety and effectiveness of uRDN in a large population of patients treated during routine clinical practice, and also allow for a better understanding of responses in prespecified subgroups. The focus on home BP in this registry is expected to improve completeness of long-term follow-up and provide unique insights into BP over time.

Graphical abstract

Global Paradise System registry study design. ABP, ambulatory blood pressure; BP, blood pressure; FU, follow-up; M, month; OBP, office blood pressure.
Functional and radiographic assessments of post-traumatic asymmetrical ankle osteoarthritis treatment using supramalleolar osteotomies
Authors: El-Adly Wael , Adam Faisal Fahmy , Kamel Mohamed Sayed , Osman Ahmed E.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study's objective is to assess the effectiveness of supramalleolar osteotomies (SMOT) in the treatment of asymmetrical ankle osteoarthritis in terms of the improvement in alignment assessed radiographically and its impact on symptoms measured by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle–hindfoot score (AOFAS ankle–hindfoot score).

Methods

Twelve patients participated in this prospective observational case series study. Standing anteroposterior, true lateral, and mortise views radiographs were taken. For preoperative planning, the lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), talar tilt (TT), talocrural angle (TCA), and anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA) were all measured. A medial opening wedge osteotomy mainly was used to treat the varus arthritis ankle. A further oblique fibular osteotomy is frequently necessary.

Results

The male-to-female ratio was 3:1, and the mean age of the patients was 26.25 ± 13.032 years. There were highly statistically significant differences between pre-and post-operative AOFAS ankle–hindfoot score (p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences concerning ankle range of motion (p = 0.002, < 0.001) of dorsiflexion and planter flexion were detected. Comparison between pre-and post-operative patients' radiology characteristics shows statistically significant differences concerning TT (p = 0.016) and LDTA (p = 0.046).

Conclusion

SMOT is very effective in the treatment of post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis and postpones ankle fusion or total ankle replacements. This surgery significantly improves functional and radiological outcomes as well as the range of motion in the ankle. Meticulous preoperative planning by radiological measurements of different angles around the ankle is considered the crucial factor in success of that operation.
Effect of adding cement kiln dust on the effective geotechnical properties of sand dunes in Najran–Sharourah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a laboratory study
Authors: Al-Homidy Abdullah A. , Abd El Aal Ahmed K. , Nabawy Bassem S. , Radwan Ahmed E.
Published: November 2023

Sand dunes are one of the most common soil types all over the world, particularly in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These dunes, with their regional extensions, are considered the main natural resource for fine aggregates being used in construction purposes. To use dune sands as a road construction material, suitable treatment is necessary. Sand dunes have typically been stabilized using a cement material, however, though extremely costly and consuming a substantial amount of energy, it is not particularly effective. Therefore, this study has investigated the potentiality of adding cement kiln dust (CKD) for enhancing the strength and durability of dune sands in Najran–Sharourah, SW Saudi Arabia. Twenty-seven specimens have been mixed with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% CKD plus 2% cement and then examined and assessed using macro-characterization techniques. Results indicated that the strength of the sand dune samples, treated with an enhanced mixture of 30% CKD and 2% cement, improved the minimum dry density from 1.652 at 0% to 1.854 g/cm3. The soil became more qualified as a construction material. This enhanced mixture can serve as a high-quality sub-base for both flexible and rigid pavements. Besides, micro-characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), back-scattered electron imaging (BEI), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supported by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), were applied to identify the various phases of the treated dune sands. Finally, the implementation of adding the CKD to the dune sands geomechanical parameters has been modeled, and a series of highly reliable mathematical equations have been introduced (0.938 ≤ R2 ≤ 1.0).
Cryopreserved amniotic membrane in chronic nonhealing wounds: a series of case reports
Authors: Horvath Vojtech , Svobodova Alzbeta , Cabral Joao Victor , Stadler Petr , Lindner Jaroslav , Mrstinova Miluse Berka , Balogh Lukas , Jirsova Katerina
Published: November 2023

A case series of the use of amniotic membrane (AM) for treating chronic nonhealing wounds. It presents five cases of polymorbid patients with a total of nine chronic nonhealing wounds. The patient group consisted of four men and one woman with various comorbidities, aged 45–72 years. The mean initial wound size was 15.8 cm2, and the mean time from the onset of the wound to the first application of AM was 122 weeks. The wounds were caused by chronic venous insufficiency and/or peripheral arterial disease. Wounds were treated in a standardized protocol. AM was applied weekly in the first month and then every two weeks. Photo documentation of the wound and microbiological colonization was carried out at each visit. In three out of five patients, the AM treatment effectively promoted healing up to complete wound closure. In two cases, the wounds stayed unhealed despite numerous AM applications. Pain relief was noted in all patients. The success of the treatment was closely tied to patient factors, such as adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen and individual patient characteristics. In some cases, treatment failure was observed, possibly due to underlying comorbidities, wound parameters, or poor patient compliance. AM treatment has the potential to become a viable treatment option for these nonhealing wounds. However, the effectiveness of the treatment may be influenced by various patient factors and the underlying cause of the wound. Therefore, it is crucial to have an individualized treatment plan that considers these particular factors.
Convexity of Non-homogeneous Quadratic Functions on the Hyperbolic Space
Authors: Ferreira Orizon P. , Németh Sándor Z. , Zhu Jinzhen
Published: November 2023

In this paper, some concepts related to the intrinsic convexity of non-homogeneous quadratic functions on the hyperbolic space are studied. Unlike in the Euclidean space, the study of intrinsic convexity of non-homogeneous quadratic functions in the hyperbolic space is more elaborate than that of homogeneous quadratic functions. Several characterizations that allow the construction of many examples will be presented.
A high-performance turnkey system for customer lifetime value prediction in retail brands
Authors: Yan Yan , Resnick Nicholas
Published: November 2023

Customer lifetime value (CLV) modeling underpins modern marketing analytics, enabling the development of tailored customer relationship management strategies based on the predicted future value of their customers. As part of Amperity’s enterprise customer data platform (CDP), we deploy and maintain a CLV prediction system that caters to a rapidly growing list of brands across various industries, purchase behaviors, and scales. Given the impracticality of developing bespoke models for each brand, our solution must be adaptive, generalizable, and high-performing ”out of the box”. Furthermore, our platform demands daily prediction updates to facilitate prompt marketing decisions. This paper introduces a turnkey CLV prediction system that achieves state-of-the-art performance across a diverse set of brands. This system has several contributions: 1) the use of encodings and embeddings to incorporate signals from high-cardinality data; 2) a multi-stage churn-CLV modeling framework that augments additional flexibility in adjusting churn probabilities, subsequently reducing CLV prediction errors while maintaining a synergistic learning process; 3) a feature-weighted ensemble of both generative and discriminative models to accommodate diverse underlying purchase patterns. Empirical results show that our enhanced model consistently surpasses benchmark performances for twelve retail brands across six evaluation intervals from June 2020 to September 2022.
Changes in Site of Death Among Older Adults Without a COVID-19 Diagnosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gotanda Hiroshi , Zhang Jessica J. , Saliba Debra , Xu Haiyong , Tsugawa Yusuke
Published: November 2023

Background

Understanding how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected site of death—an important patient-centered outcome related to end-of-life care—would inform healthcare system resiliency in future public health emergencies.

Objective

To evaluate the changes in site of death during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults without a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Design

Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences method, we estimated net changes in site of death during the pandemic period (March–December 2020) from the pre-pandemic period (January–February 2020), using data on the same months in prior years (2016–2019) as the control.

Participants

A 20% sample of Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries aged 66 years and older who died in 2016–2020. We excluded beneficiaries with a hospital diagnosis of COVID-19.

Main Measures

We assessed each of the following sites of death separately: (1) home or community; (2) acute care hospital; and (3) nursing home.

Key Results

We included 1,133,273 beneficiaries without a hospital diagnosis of COVID-19. We found that the proportion of Medicare beneficiaries who died at home or in the community setting increased (difference-in-differences [DID] estimate, + 3.1 percentage points [pp]; 95% CI, + 2.6 to + 3.6 pp; P < 0.001) and the proportion of beneficiaries who died (without COVID-19 diagnosis) in an acute care hospital decreased (− 0.8 pp; 95% CI, − 1.2 to − 0.4 pp; P < 0.001) during the pandemic. We found no evidence that the proportion of deaths in nursing homes changed during the pandemic.

Conclusions

Using national data on older adults without a COVID-19 diagnosis, we found that site of death shifted toward home or community settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings may inform clinicians and policymakers in supporting end-of-life care during future public health emergencies.
Dysfunctional Constitutionalism or Dysfunctional Politics: A Matter of Law, Politics, and Institutional Design
Authors: Lhotta Roland
Published: November 2023

The following reflections are an attempt in constitutional theory to adress the core elements of the U.S. constitutional crisis. It will first identify structural and normative properties of the U.S. Constitution that may become battlegrounds for adversarial ideas, meanings, logics of appropriateness, and, finally, institutional and constitutional missions, all centering around constitutional liberty. In a second step, it will be shown that institutional theory addresses important links between norms/rules/institutions and actors/citizens that are crucial for a constitution and its potential normative battlegrounds. It is alleged that a constitutional crisis is closely related to incommensurable interpretations of constitutional value choices (e.g., liberty) and the ways actors choose to make their interpretations actionable through the institutional channels of a polity. Constitutional theory, hence, should consider institutionalist findings in order to come to grips with the phenomenon of constitutional crisis. Third, in this light it will be discussed whether the prevailing models of (U.S.) constitutionalism are able to assimilate defects in the crucial relationship between the constitution and actors, especially when it comes to factionalized and polarized meanings and interpretations—which in turn trigger adversarial institutional/constitutional missions and may lead to constitutional wars. Fourth and finally, these reflections are taken together for an outlook on the prospects of constitutional development in the United States and the challenges that lie ahead.
Tidal volume measurement in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome and opium dependence
Authors: Amra Babak , Behvandi Bahar , Soltaninejad Forogh , Salmasi Mehrzad , Feizi Awat , Glos Martin , Fietze Ingo , Penzel Thomas , Salanitro Matthew
Published: November 2023

Background

Both obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and opium dependence can negatively affect nocturnal respiratory functionality. However, the effects of a combination of the two are relatively unknown. In this study, the tidal volume (VT) of OHS patients with and without opium dependence was estimated by measuring changes in the circumference of the thorax and the abdomen during sleep.

Materials and methods

This case–control study was performed in Iran, Isfahan. Initially, 20 healthy subjects calibrated the Pneumobelts (Löwenstein Medical Technology GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) by wearing the device and also breathing in and out of a Spirobag. From this, it was possible to estimate the coefficient factors for determining VT based on thoracic and abdominal measures. Subsequently, the study included 55 patients with OHS, who were divided into two groups: opium dependent and non-users. They were then admitted to the sleep lab for a single night of polysomnography (PSG). VT was estimated and then compared between groups.

Results

In total, there were 24 patients in the opium group and 31 in the non-user control group. All PSG variables were analyzed with independent-sample t-tests and an analysis of covariance was used to adjust for potential confounding variables. The following confounding variables were adjusted: sex, smoking, body mass index, and hypertension. VT values were not significantly different between groups (opium: 772 ± 125.4; non-user: 774 ± 95). Average oxygen saturation values were significantly lower in opium-dependent patients (opium: 86.1 ± 5.5; non-user: 89.1 ± 4.1). All other variables from PSG including chest and abdominal circumference were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion

OHS patients with opium dependency showed similar VT levels when compared to non-users with OHS. Due to the rarity of the sample, it was difficult to gather exactly matched pairs. Therefore, it is possible that with a more closely related sample, we might be able to see a difference in VT between groups.
Recent Advances in Pediatric Medulloblastoma
Authors: Jackson Kasey , Packer Roger J
Published: November 2023

Purpose of Review

Review recent advances in the understanding of pediatric medulloblastoma including etiology, biology, radiology, and management of pediatric medulloblastoma.

Recent Findings

The classic four subgroups have been reclassified and further subdivided based on new molecular findings. Research is revealing the cell origins of the different subtypes of medulloblastoma. There has been continued personalization of management based on molecular parameters.

While many advances have been made in the knowledge base of this most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, there has not yet been translation into more effective therapies to prolong survival in all subgroups with the possible exception of children with group 3 disease. Quality of life remains a major challenge for long-term survivors.
Stratifin (SFN) Regulates Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Cytoskeletal Remodeling and Metastasis Progression Through LIMK2/Cofilin Signaling
Authors: Du Naiyi , Li Daojuan , Zhao Wei , Liu Yakun
Published: November 2023

The aberrant expression of Stratifin (SFN) is intricately associated with the initiation and progression of numerous tumors. This study aims to investigate whether SFN regulates the metastasis of cervical cancer cells through the LIMK2/Cofilin signaling pathway. In this study, we compared the expression of SFN in normal cervical tissues and cervical carcinoma tissues. We established SFN overexpression and SFN silencing cellular models to assess the invasive and migratory capabilities of cervical cancer cells using transwell and scratch assays. YO-PRO-1/PI and EdU staining were employed to evaluate apoptotic and proliferative capacities, while Actin-Tracker Green-488 was utilized to investigate cytoskeletal remodeling. The expression levels of SFN, LIMK2, p-LIMK2, Cofilin, and p-Cofilin were examined through Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Our findings revealed elevated expression of SFN in cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues. SFN overexpression was observed to enhance invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells, induce cytoskeletal remodeling, facilitate cell proliferation, and suppress apoptosis. Furthermore, SFN overexpression upregulated the expression levels of LIMK2, p-LIMK2, Cofilin, and p-Cofilin. Conversely, silencing SFN exerted opposite effects. SFN plays an important role in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. SFN can regulate cervical cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytoskeletal remodeling and metastasis through LIMK2/Cofilin signaling.
Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Neurodegeneration of Neurotropic Viral Infection
Authors: Wongchitrat Prapimpun , Chanmee Theerawut , Govitrapong Piyarat
Published: November 2023

Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) cause variable outcomes from acute to severe neurological sequelae with increased morbidity and mortality. Viral neuroinvasion directly or indirectly induces encephalitis via dysregulation of the immune response and contributes to the alteration of neuronal function and the degeneration of neuronal cells. This review provides an overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of virus-induced neurodegeneration. Neurotropic viral infections influence many aspects of neuronal dysfunction, including promoting chronic inflammation, inducing cellular oxidative stress, impairing mitophagy, encountering mitochondrial dynamics, enhancing metabolic rewiring, altering neurotransmitter systems, and inducing misfolded and aggregated pathological proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases. These pathogenetic mechanisms create a multidimensional injury of the brain that leads to specific neuronal and brain dysfunction. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the neurophathogenesis associated with neurodegeneration of viral infection may emphasize the strategies for prevention, protection, and treatment of virus infection of the CNS.
Remnants of a Young Monogenetic Volcanic Field and the Fragile Balance of Anthropogenic Interaction
Authors: Foote April , Handley Heather , Németh Károly
Published: November 2023

The rapid development of Auckland City in New Zealand from an initial rural settlement to a global urban hub produced a characteristic footprint on the Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF). This process was facilitated by increased anthropogenic activity that has resulted in the deterioration and destruction of many volcanic landforms and caused severe archaeological, cultural, geological and educational losses in an alarmingly short timescale. The AVF has 53 volcanic centres, and of these, 17% are classified as intact, 28% are partially intact, 30% are partially destroyed, and 25% are destroyed (including 13% that have no trace left). Based on surface area, approximately 40% of volcanic deposits in the AVF have been lost. The most common causes for impacts are public land use, quarrying and urban development. Regardless, there is significant potential to be found in the balance between the losses and gains of anthropogenic impacts on volcanic landforms. In the AVF and worldwide, geological studies have often been assisted by the presence of outcrops created by quarrying, mining, transport infrastructure and other modifications of volcanic landforms. Areas of significant volcanic geoheritage worldwide are often linked with these impacted volcanoes, and the information gained from these geoheritage areas assists in the management of geodiversity and geoeducation. Several volcanic centres are currently at risk of further destruction in the near future (Crater Hill, Waitomokia, Maugataketake, Kohuroa, Three Kings, St Heliers and McLaughlins Mt) and should be prioritised for any possible research before it is too late. We propose that a geological assessment should be a requirement before and, if possible, during any land development on or near a volcanic landform. Allowing access to scientists through the course of development in areas with volcanic landforms would, in turn, aid public and governing bodies in decision-making for the future of the city and its volcanoes in terms of increased knowledge of volcanic mechanisms of the AVF and awareness of the potential associated hazards.
Flood Vulnerability Assessment Across Alaknanda River Basin using GIS-based Combined Analysis of Geomorphometric Approach and MCDM-AHP
Authors: Rautela Kuldeep Singh , Kumar Dilip , Goutham Raveej Gandhi B.G. Bandaru , Kumar Ajay , Dubey Amit Kumar
Published: November 2023

Floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters, causing land destruction, economic loss, and massive disruptions to humans. The present study was conducted in the Alaknanda river basin with medium to high drainage density and stream frequency. The flood vulnerable zones (FVZ) are identified using geomorphometric analysis, and flood vulnerability zones are identified through analytical hierarchy processes (AHPs). Three factors, such as linear, relief, and aerial, have been used in the geomorphometric analysis of the Alaknanda basin. The weights were assigned on a scale of 1 for flood-induced factors such as slope (0.386), rainfall (0.192), drainage density (0.129), LULC (0.096), geology (0.077), soil (0.064), and DEM (0.055) have been determined using 7×7 decision matrix of multi-criteria decision making- analytical hierarchy processes (MCDM-AHP) model accounting for their varying importance from high to low priorities. A consistency ratio (CR) of 0.083 (less than 0.1) signifies the acceptance of the weights derived in the case. The high shape index, form factor, and rotundity factor indicate the basin allows quick drainage of surface runoff with a lesser time of concentration; as a result, sharp peaks of the hydrograph will be obtained at the outlet of the basin. However, most of the basin area is under the moderate vulnerability category, while the entire river banks along the valley are the most vulnerable. Additionally, a small-scale sociological study indicates that for a population that resides close to highly susceptible locations, temporary relocation is the most common strategy.
International Commercial Contracts
Authors: Cordero-Moss Giuditta
Published: November 2023

Any practising lawyer and student working with international commercial contracts faces standardised contracts and international arbitration as mechanisms for dispute settlement. Transnational rules may be applicable, but national law is still important. Based on extensive practical experience, this book analyses international contract practice and its interaction with various applicable sources. It considers vital questions concerning the role played by contractual regulation, by national law and by transnational sources. What is the interaction among these factors, and how does this all apply to contracts that refer disputes to international arbitration? This revised second edition has been fully updated to reflect developments in the field and includes useful tools like tables of cases and sources, and a list of electronic resources and databases.
The Buddha
Authors: Almond Philip C.
Published: November 2023

Alongside Jesus and Muhammad, the Buddha is the most significant figure in the history of religion. Philip Almond's engaging new book is the first to combine a history of early traditions about Siddhartha Gautama's life with an authoritative account of how he and the tantalizing philosophy inspired by him came to the attention of the West. It takes the reader on a remarkable journey encompassing (among other topics) Alexander the Great, the courts of the Mongol Khans, Jesuit missions to China and Japan, and intrepid European travellers and scholars from the modern era. Melding Pali and Sanskrit sources with vivid reception, Almond presents the Buddha's story as multi-layered: one of transition from a world of angels and demons, water and tree spirits, to an altogether different context where Buddhism mixed with the cultural preoccupations of those who tentatively – sometimes following false trails – tried to make sense of its fascinating complexity.
A Response to the Comments on Martial Capitalism
Authors: Regele Lindsay Schakenbach
Published: November 2023

I very much appreciate that Brittany Farr, Katie Moore, and Sharon Murphy took the time to write thoughtful and constructive responses to my essay. Collectively, their work spans three centuries and covers law, money, race, violence, financial institutions, and the social experiences of economic processes, and they approached my proposal for a new variety of capitalism from a set of shared interest and expertise in the histories of economic life. They reach drastically different conclusions on the historiographical trend known as the new history of capitalism (NHOC) generally, and martial capitalism, specifically.
Large-scale streaks in a turbulent bluff body wake
Authors: Nekkanti Akhil , Nidhan Sheel , Schmidt Oliver T. , Sarkar Sutanu
Published: November 2023

A turbulent circular disk wake database (Chongsiripinyo & Sarkar, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 885, 2020) at Reynolds number

$Re = U_\infty D/\nu = 5 \times 10^{4}$

is interrogated to identify the presence of large-scale streaks – coherent elongated regions of streamwise velocity. The unprecedented streamwise length – until

$x/D \approx 120$

– of the simulation enables investigation of the near and far wakes. The near wake is dominated by the vortex shedding (VS) mode residing at azimuthal wavenumber

$m=1$

and Strouhal number

$St = 0.135$

. After filtering out the VS structure, conclusive evidence of large-scale streaks with frequency

$St \rightarrow 0$

, equivalently streamwise wavenumber

$k_x \rightarrow 0$

in the wake, becomes apparent in visualizations and spectra. These streaky structures are found throughout the simulation domain beyond

$x/D \approx 10$

. Conditionally averaged streamwise vorticity fields reveal that the lift-up mechanism is active in the near as well as the far wake, and that ejections contribute more than sweeps to events of intense

$-u'_xu'_r$

. Spectral proper orthogonal decomposition is employed to extract the energy and the spatiotemporal features of the large-scale streaks. The streak energy is concentrated in the

$m=2$

azimuthal mode over the entire domain. Finally, bispectral mode decomposition is conducted to reveal strong interaction between

$m=1$

and

$St = \pm 0.135$

modes to give the

$m=2$

,

$St \rightarrow 0$

streak mode. Our results indicate that the self-interaction of the VS mode generates the

$m=2$

,

$St \rightarrow 0$

streamwise vortices, which leads to streak formation through the lift-up process. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that reports and characterizes large-scale low-frequency streaks and the associated lift-up mechanism in a turbulent wake.
The Acute Orbit: Preseptal (Periorbital) cellulitis, subperiosteal
abscess and orbital cellulitis due to sinusitis
Authors: Moloney J. R. , Badham N. J. , McRae A.
Published: November 2023

Preseptal (periorbital) cellulitis, subperiosteal abscess and orbital
cellulitis are conditions which are still frequently seen in ENT, Ophthalmic
and Paediatric practice. They are parts of the spectrum of the disease
processes seen in the acutely inflamed orbit. The clinician should try and
establish which of the three conditions the patient has, as both
subperiosteal abscess and orbital cellulitis are more serious conditions
than preseptal cellulitis.

There is still much confusion in the literature over the terms
‘periorbital cellulitis’ and ‘orbital cellulitis', and the terms are often
used interchangeably. This makes an analysis of the literature with regard
to the features of the conditions difficult. The introduction of the term
‘the acute orbit’ might possibly lead to less confusion ifitisusedto cover
all inflammatory processes in the orbit. Descriptions, definitions and
classifications of orbital inflammations have been given by many authors in
the literature. There are many causes of the acute orbit, but sinusitis
remains the commonest cause.
On the analytical description of the nonlinear stage of the Weibel instability in collisionless anisotropic plasma
Authors: Nechaev A.A. , Kuznetsov A.A. , Kocharovsky Vl.V.
Published: November 2023

On the basis of the energy invariants for the Weibel instability in a collisionless non-relativistic plasma, an analytical relation is obtained between the instantaneous values of the space-averaged energy density of the magnetic field, its dominant wavenumber and the average plasma anisotropy parameter. The relation is valid for arbitrary particle velocity distribution functions, including ones that vary with time at the nonlinear stage of instability. It is obtained under the assumption that the plasma is homogeneous along a certain axis, determined, for example, by an external magnetic field, and taking into account only the modes with wavevectors orthogonal to this axis. We give an estimate of the maximum magnetic field energy achievable during the Weibel instability and show that its ratio to the initial longitudinal energy of particles, even for a large initial plasma anisotropy parameter, cannot exceed the value approximately equal to 0.2. The obtained analytical relation is verified using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations.
Performing Northern Ireland after Brexit: Stephen Rea in David Ireland’s Cyprus Avenue and Clare Dwyer Hogg’s Hard Border
Authors: Simpson Hannah
Published: November 2023

If all national identity is performative, the Northern Irish national identity offers a particularly pronounced model of this performative instability. Such precarity was emphasized when the 2016 UK EU ‘Brexit’ referendum raised contentious questions over Northern Irish citizenship. This article explores how two recent Northern Irish performance pieces, David Ireland’s Cyprus Avenue (2016) and Clare Dwyer Hogg’s Hard Border (2018), probe the unsettled plurality of Northern Irish national identity through the casting of actor Stephen Rea in their respective central roles. Rea’s own personal and professional history, as a figure inflected in the public mind with an extreme range of potential ‘Northern Irish identities’, encapsulates the shifting boundaries of an unstable, performative spectrum of ethno-national selfhood. This article explores how the lingering memories of Rea’s on- and offstage past offer a fittingly multilayered, even contradictory, representation of contemporary Northern Irish identity.
Teiji Furuhashi’s Lovers: Digital Resuscitations of the Moving Body in Tokyo and New York
Authors: Barber Stephen
Published: November 2023

This article examines the solo work Lovers (1994) by Teiji Furuhashi, a prominent member of the influential Dumb Type group in Japan’s theatre and dance scene from the 1980s onwards. Lovers was Furuhashi’s only solo work; he died shortly after its installation at a Tokyo art centre in 1994. The essay examines the work in the context of themes of mobility, migration, and shifting corporealities in Japan across the post-war decades, especially through the key event for art and technology of those decades, which was the Osaka World Exposition of 1970. Lovers was commissioned by the arts laboratory of a Japanese technology corporation, Canon Inc., and incorporated what at the time were innovations in moving-image elements within theatre and dance. But those technologies rapidly became obsolete, and the essay explores the dilemmas about the digital experienced by the curators of the New York Museum of Modern Art in ‘upgrading’ Lovers to show it in their galleries in 2016–17.
Intergenerational Transfers, Social Solidarity, and Social Policy: Unanswered Questions and Policy Challenges
Authors: McDaniel Susan A.
Published: November 2023

Intergenerational transfers are the essence of societal continuity, and yet not at all well conceptualized or analysed. Intergenerational transfers are also at the core of the welfare state concept of redistribution of resources and hence, of current social policy changes/challenges. In making a difference to policy choices and in linking research to policy, attention to intergenerational transfers focusses on the fundamental policy questions of guiding belief systems, family (or private) transfers versus public transfers among generations, and issues of intergenerational and cohort equity in the short and longer terms. This paper has four objectives: (1) Situating intergenerational transfers in socio-historical, international comparative, and current social policy contexts; (2) Developing a typology of intergenerational transfers that could provide the basis for answering thus far unanswerable key policy questions, such as whether the situations of seniors into future generations will be like those of seniors today; (3) Encouraging the collection of more complete and integrated data on intergenerational transfers in Canada, which would provide for more informed policy choices; and (4) Enumerating key policy questions that emerge from research and remain to be addressed. From analysis of what is known about intergenerational transfers and what remains to be known, an agenda for an information system, for future research and for addressing policy questions is outlined.
On oriented cycles in randomly perturbed digraphs
Authors: Araujo Igor , Balogh József , Krueger Robert A. , Piga Simón , Treglown Andrew
Published: November 2023

In 2003, Bohman, Frieze, and Martin initiated the study of randomly perturbed graphs and digraphs. For digraphs, they showed that for every
$\alpha \gt 0$
, there exists a constant
$C$
such that for every
$n$
-vertex digraph of minimum semi-degree at least
$\alpha n$
, if one adds
$Cn$
random edges then asymptotically almost surely the resulting digraph contains a consistently oriented Hamilton cycle. We generalize their result, showing that the hypothesis of this theorem actually asymptotically almost surely ensures the existence of every orientation of a cycle of every possible length, simultaneously. Moreover, we prove that we can relax the minimum semi-degree condition to a minimum total degree condition when considering orientations of a cycle that do not contain a large number of vertices of indegree
$1$
. Our proofs make use of a variant of an absorbing method of Montgomery.
Between (ir)responsibility and (in)appropriateness: Conceptualizing norm-related state behaviour in the Russian war against Ukraine
Authors: Gholiagha Sassan , Sienknecht Mitja
Published: November 2023

The Russian war against Ukraine has challenged fundamental norms such as sovereignty, non-interference and the prohibition of the use of force. It has led to diverse reactions from the international community. Only very few states sided with Russia, some states remained neutral, while the vast majority condemned the attack and supported Ukraine in its right to self-defence. Thus, although there is no legal obligation, many states display behaviour that goes beyond diplomatic support. They support Ukraine financially and even deliver weapons to support Ukraine in its right to self-defence. In this article, we conceptualize different types of actors’ behaviour in world politics. We distinguish between responsible, irresponsible, appropriate, and inappropriate behaviour. We apply this typology to states’ reaction to the Russian war against Ukraine. The typology enables us to analyse the variation of the responses with reference to norms and responsibility, two core concepts of International Relations (IR) Theory and global politics. Counterintuitively as it might seem, we argue that the support of Ukraine with weapons can be categorized as responsible behaviour as it displays an over-fulfilment of the right to self-defence norm, which leads to the emergence of a new norm: the responsibility to support norm.
Predicting Daily River Chlorophyll Concentrations at a Continental Scale
Authors: Savoy Philip , Harvey Judson W.
Published: November 2023

Eutrophication is one of the largest threats to aquatic ecosystems and chlorophyll a measurements are relevant indicators of trophic state and algal abundance. Many studies have modeled chlorophyll a in rivers but model development and testing has largely occurred at individual sites which hampers creating generalized models capable of making broad‐scale predictions. To address this gap, we compiled a large data set of chlorophyll a concentrations matched to other water quality, meteorological, and reach characteristic data for a diverse set of 82 streams and rivers across the United States. We used this data set and extreme gradient boosting, a tree‐based machine learning algorithm, to predict daily chlorophyll a concentrations. Furthermore, we tested several practical considerations of broad‐scale models, such as making predictions at sites not included in model training or the utility of in situ water quality data versus universally available remotely estimated model inputs. Predictions were very strongly correlated to observations when compared against a randomly withheld subset of days; however, the model had lower accuracy when applied to completely novel sites withheld from model training. Turbidity and total nitrogen were the two most important variables for predicting chlorophyll a. Although in situ variables improved modeled estimates and were identified as more important during model interpretation, using only remote inputs still resulted in highly correlated predictions with small bias. Testing a model across many sites allowed for identification of common variables relevant to chlorophyll a and highlighted several challenges for applying data‐driven models to new sites or at larger spatial scales.