bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of reminiscence therapy on cognitive level, quality of life and depressive symptoms in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Selçuk Tosun Alime , Lök Neslihan , Duran Büşra , Akgul Gundogdu Nurcan
Published: June 2024

Background

Evidence suggests that reminiscence therapy can effectively reduce cognitive and psychological symptoms. This study was conducted to examine the effect of individual reminiscence therapy on cognitive level, quality of life and depressive symptoms in older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This study is an experimental type, randomised controlled study designed in pre‐test – post‐test design. The sample size of the study consisted of 58 older adults with type 2 diabetes, consisting of 29 intervention and 29 control subjects. The older adults in the intervention group were individually subjected to 5 weeks of reminiscence therapy in two sessions (each session 40–45 min) per week. No intervention was applied to the control group. Personal Information Form, Standardised Mini Mental Test, SF‐36 Quality of Life and Beck Depression Inventory were used to collect the data.

Results

While there was no significant difference between the pre‐test Mini Mental Test, Beck Depression Inventory total score and SF‐36 Quality of Life Scale mental and physical health sub‐dimension mean scores of the older adults in the intervention group and the mean scores of those in the control group (P > 0.05), the difference between the Mini Mental Test, Beck Depression Inventory total score and SF‐36 Quality of Life Scale mental and physical health sub‐dimension mean scores of the older adults in the intervention and control groups in the post‐test was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). The post‐test Mini Mental Test total score, SF‐36 Quality of Life Scale mental and physical health sub‐dimension mean scores of the older adults in the intervention group were higher than the older adults in the control group. It was determined that the post‐test Beck Depression Inventory total mean scores of the older adults in the intervention group were lower than the older adults in the control group.

Conclusion

Reminiscence therapy can positively affect cognitive levels, quality of life and depression symptoms of older adults living in the community. Individual reminiscence therapy can be used as a nursing intervention in primary healthcare.
Quality and fertilizing ability of frozen–thawed porcine sperm separated using a migration sedimentation method
Authors: Nguyen Suong Thi , Taniguchi Masayasu , Ono Tetsushi , Takagi Mitsuhiro , Lin Qingyi , Torigoe Nanaka , Liu Bin , Namula Zhao , Nagahara Megumi , Otoi Takeshige
Published: June 2024

We evaluated the quality and fertilizing ability of frozen–thawed porcine sperm that were selected using a commercially available device (MIGLIS, Menicon Life Science) consisting of three parts: an outer lid, an inner lid, and a tube. Firstly, to determine an adequate concentration of caffeine for separation, frozen–thawed sperm were incubated with different concentrations of caffeine (0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM) in a MIGLIS device. To determine the appropriate incubation time for separating sperm in the MIGLIS device, frozen–thawed sperm were incubated with 2.5 mM caffeine for 5, 10, 15, or 20 min. To evaluate the fertilization and embryo development of oocytes fertilized with frozen–thawed sperm separated into two regions (outer and inner) in the MIGLIS device, the separated sperm from the three boars was used to fertilize in vitro‐matured oocytes and cultured in vitro for 7 days. Sperm quality parameters of sperm collected from the inner tube after incubation with 2.5 mM caffeine were superior to sperm incubated without caffeine. Moreover, sperm collected from the inner tube after incubation for 10 min had a higher progressive motility. The rate of blastocyst produced from spermatozoa collected from the inner tube after incubation with 2.5 mM caffeine for 10 min significantly increased compared to that produced from spermatozoa from the outer tube, regardless of the boar. In conclusion, sperm sorting using the MIGLIS device may be useful for separating high‐quality sperm after incubation with 2.5 mM caffeine for 10 min to improve blastocyst formation.
The role of energy communities for thermal networks: An EU legal perspective
Authors: Cocciolo Endrius
Published: June 2024

Decarbonising heating and cooling systems, significant contributors to the EU's (European Union) energy consumption, is a complex and urgent matter. This article discusses the potential coupling of energy communities and district heating and cooling systems, particularly fourth‐ and fifth‐generation models, in the local energy transition. The integration of new‐generation district heating and cooling systems into renewable energy generation is crucial for sustainability, circular economy practices, and community‐based solutions. An examination of the EU legal framework within the Fit‐for‐55 package elucidates how provisions from the new Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewable Energy Directive facilitate the implementation of energy communities in the heating and cooling sector. The existing enabling legislation underscores the suitability of energy communities for heating and cooling sector activities, acknowledging their transformative potential in advancing the energy transition and fostering community empowerment.
Determinantal approach to multiple orthogonal polynomials and the corresponding integrable equations
Authors: Doliwa Adam
Published: June 2024

We study multiple orthogonal polynomials exploiting their explicit determinantal representation in terms of moments. Our reasoning follows that applied to solve the Hermite–Padé approximation and interpolation problems. We also study families of multiple orthogonal polynomials obtained by variation of the measures known from the theory of discrete‐time Toda lattice equations. We present determinantal proofs of certain fundamental results of the theory, obtained earlier by other authors in a different setting. We also derive quadratic identities satisfied by the polynomials, which are new elements of the theory. Resulting equations allow to present multiple orthogonal polynomials within the theory of integrable systems.
How do OECD countries differ in population ageing and the situation of people aged 65 and older? Evidence using cluster analysis
Authors: Szymańska Agata
Published: June 2024

The study compares the conditions created by ageing processes. It recognises differences in the situation of people aged 65 and older from a macrolevel perspective in 34 OECD countries in 2020, that is, the first year of the Covid‐19 pandemic. The paper analyses the (dis)similarities of OECD economies with regard to a set of selected variables that represent different macrolevel dimensions. Cluster analysis and linear ordering were applied, which made it possible to group the countries into separate clusters. The most obvious difference was found for the cluster consisting of Luxembourg, Belgium, France, and Spain, relative to the group that includes Mexico and Türkiye and the cluster that comprises Korea, Latvia, Japan, and Lithuania. Influential variables for grouping countries were old‐age income poverty, public transfers in the form of pensions, effective labour market exit age, and differences between expected years in retirement for women and men. The cluster analysis for 2020 also revealed the general difference between European countries and the rest of the OECD economies, as well as the importance of regional differences. The results also indicate that the clusters partially correspond to the differentiation of OECD countries based on the typology of the pension regimes, as outlined in the literature. Finally, comparing the 2020 clusters with the pre‐Covid‐19 pandemic results (2018) indicates that countries in the top and bottom‐ranked groups were resistant to the pandemic shock.
Developing a novel inclusive policy analysis framework based on capability approach and institutional analysis and development method
Authors: Biswas Arindam
Published: June 2024

This paper develops a novel framework to measure inclusive policy based on capability approach and institutional analysis and development method. In the process, it records its distinction of inclusive growth from earlier growth theories, particularly highlighting its economic and non‐economic dimensions. The paper inculcates consequential ethics in discussing inclusive growth. The proposed framework is conceptualised on the theoretical foundation of Amartya Sen's capability approach and Elinor Ostrom's IAD method. The framework allows theorists to develop more precise theories and models and derive empirical analysis of existing and proposed policies. The paper identifies the major limitations of the existing inclusive policy analysis methods which include disregarding the ‘noneconomic dimensions of inclusive growth’ (benefit share, participation, equality of opportunity). The existing methods endorses equality of opportunity from an arbitrary point to wrongly fulfil the inclusiveness dimension. Such an approach fails in sustaining moral and ethical rightness of equity. Further, the excising methodologies do not disclose the precise time of change in opportunities among the target population resulting into waste of policy resources. The proposed framework's novel contribution is integrating CA and IAD method to reveal the precise time of change in opportunity that occurs over time due to policy implementation. The framework will help policy makers to measure policy outcome and reduce waste of resource. Analysts and researchers can apply framework for empirical analysis to identify the inclusive growth policy or compare inclusive policy between various countries, states, and regions.
Evaluation of assays for nucleic acid testing for the prevention of chikungunya and dengue virus transmission by blood transfusion
Authors: Gallian Pierre , Dupont Isabelle , Lacoste Marjorie , Brisbarre Nadège , Isnard Christine , Delouane Idriss , Richard Pascale , Morel Pascal , Laperche Syria , de Lamballerie Xavier
Published: June 2024

Background

The large dengue (DENV) and chikungunya (CHIKV) outbreaks observed during the last decade across the world, as well as local transmissions in non‐endemic areas are a growing concern for blood safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the sensitivity of nucleic acid tests (NAT) detecting DENV and CHIKV RNA.

Materials and Methods

Using DENV 1 to 4 International Standards, the limits of detection (LODs) calculated by probit analysis of two NAT assays; the cobas CHIKV/DENV assay (Roche Diagnostics) and the Procleix Dengue Virus Assay (Grifols) were compared. In addition, CHIKV‐RNA LOD of the cobas CHIKV/DENV assay was evaluated.

Results

For dengue, the 95% LOD of the cobas assay ranged between 4.10 [CI95%: 2.70–8.19] IU/mL (DENV‐2) and 7.07 [CI95%: 4.34–14.89] IU/mL (DENV‐4), and between 2.19 [CI95%: 1.53–3.83] IU/mL (DENV‐3) and 5.84 [CI95%: 3.84–10.77] IU/mL (DENV‐1) for Procleix assay. The Procleix assay had a significant lower LOD for DENV‐3 (2.19 vs. 5.89 IU/mL) when compared to the cobas assay (p = 0.005). The 95% LOD for CHIKV‐RNA detection of the cobas assay was 4.76 [CI95%: 3.08–8.94] IU/mL.

Discussion

The two NAT assays developed for blood donor screening evaluated in this study demonstrated high and similar analytical performance. Subject to an appropriate risk‐benefit assessment, they can be used to support blood safety during outbreaks in endemic areas or in non‐endemic areas as an alternative to deferring blood donors during local transmission likely to affect the blood supply. The development of multiplex assays is expected to optimize laboratory organization.
Resting membrane potential and intracellular [Na+] at rest, during fatigue and during recovery in rat soleus muscle fibres in situ
Authors: Lindinger Michael I. , Cairns Simeon P. , Sejersted Ole M.
Published: June 2024

Large trans‐sarcolemmal ionic shifts occur with fatiguing exercise or stimulation of isolated muscles. However, it is unknown how resting membrane potential (EM) and intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i) change with repeated contractions in living mammals. We investigated (i) whether [Na+]i (peak, kinetics) can reveal changes of Na+–K+ pump activity during brief or fatiguing stimulation and (ii) how resting EM and [Na+]i change during fatigue and recovery of rat soleus muscle in situ. Muscles of anaesthetised rats were stimulated with brief (10 s) or repeated tetani (60 Hz for 200 ms, every 2 s, for 30 s or 300 s) with isometric force measured. Double‐barrelled ion‐sensitive microelectrodes were used to quantify resting EM and [Na+]i. Post‐stimulation data were fitted using polynomials and back‐extrapolated to time zero recovery. Mean pre‐stimulation resting EM (layer 2–7 fibres) was −71 mV (surface fibres were more depolarised), and [Na+]i was 14 mM. With deeper fibres, 10 s stimulation (2–150 Hz) increased [Na+]i to 38–46 mM whilst simultaneously causing hyperpolarisations (7.3 mV for 2–90 Hz). Fatiguing stimulation for 30 s or 300 s led to end‐stimulation resting EM of −61 to −53 mV, which recovered rapidly (T1/2, 8–22 s). Mean end‐stimulation [Na+]i increased to 86–101 mM with both fatigue protocols and the [Na+]i recovery time‐course (T1/2, 21–35 s) showed no difference between protocols. These combined findings suggest that brief stimulation hyperpolarises the resting EM, likely via maximum Na+‐induced stimulation of the Na+–K+ pump. Repeated tetani caused massive depolarisation and elevations of [Na+]i that together lower force, although they likely interact with other factors to cause fatigue. [Na+]i recovery kinetics provided no evidence of impaired Na+–K+ pump activity with fatigue.

image

Key points

It is uncertain how resting membrane potential, intracellular sodium concentration ([Na+]i), and sodium–potassium (Na+–K+) pump activity change during repeated muscle contractions in living mammals.

For rat soleus muscle fibres in situ, brief tetanic stimulation for 10 s led to raised [Na+]i, anticipated to evoke maximal Na+‐induced stimulation of the Na+–K+ pump causing an immediate hyperpolarisation of the sarcolemma.

More prolonged stimulation with repeated tetanic contractions causes massive elevations of [Na+]i, which together with large depolarisations (via K+ disturbances) likely reduce force production. These effects occurred without impairment of Na+–K+ pump function.

Together these findings suggest that rapid activation of the Na+–K+ pump occurs with brief stimulation to maintain excitability, whereas more prolonged stimulation causes rundown of the trans‐sarcolemmal K+ gradient (hence depolarisation) and Na+ gradient, which in combination can impair contraction to contribute to fatigue in living mammals.
Structural determination of a carbocation-derived rearrangement product observed during Thiele cage opening: insight into the mechanism of an alkyl-extended pinacol reaction
Authors: Burman Austin L. , Sader Jonathan K. , Wulff Jeremy E.
Published: June 2024

A substituted bishomocubane structure colloquially known as a Thiele cage was previously observed to undergo an alkyl-extended pinacol-type rearrangement, wherein 1,2-aryl migration and ketone formation occurred together with (or at least in close succession to) opening of a strained cyclobutane bond. While there was some indication that the rearrangement reaction might proceed via a stepwise process involving a sequence of carbocation intermediates, previous studies did not uncover any direct evidence for the formation of carbocations, and did not fully explain the regio- and stereospecificity of the reaction. Here we describe the isolation and detailed characterization of a second rearrangement product formed under the pinacol reaction conditions, the existence of which implicates the formation of discrete carbocation intermediates along the reaction pathway. Observation of this new product also finally explains the fate of any Thiele cage material that is converted to a carbocation, but which is not geometrically predisposed to react through a facile 1,2-aryl migration. As such, our findings resolve previous questions surrounding the origin of regio- and stereospecificity in the alkyl-extended pinacol rearrangement.
Compressed Point Cloud Quality Index by Combining Global Appearance and Local Details
Authors: Xu Yiling , Zhang Yujie , Yang Qi , Xu Xiaozhong , Liu Shan
Published: June 2024

In recent years, many standardized algorithms for point cloud compression (PCC) has been developed and achieved remarkable compression ratios. To provide guidance for rate-distortion optimization and codec evaluation, point cloud quality assessment (PCQA) has become a critical problem for PCC. Therefore, in order to achieve a more consistent correlation with human visual perception of a compressed point cloud, we propose a full-reference PCQA algorithm tailored for static point clouds in this article, which can jointly measure geometry and attribute deformations. Specifically, we assume that the quality decision of compressed point clouds is determined by both global appearance (e.g., density, contrast, and complexity) and local details (e.g., gradient and hole). Motivated by the nature of compression distortions and the properties of the human visual system, we derive perceptually effective features for the above two categories, such as content complexity, luminance/geometry gradient, and hole probability. Through systematically incorporating measurements of variations in the local and global characteristics, we derive an effective quality index for the input compressed point clouds. Extensive experiments and analyses conducted on popular PCQA databases show the superiority of the proposed method in evaluating compression distortions. Subsequent investigations validate the efficacy of different components within the model design.
Self-Determination Theory and HCI Games Research: Unfulfilled Promises and Unquestioned Paradigms
Authors: Tyack April , Mekler Elisa D.
Published: June 2024

Self-determination theory (SDT), a psychological theory of human motivation, is a prominent paradigm in human–computer interaction (HCI) research on games. However, our prior literature review observed a trend towards shallow applications of the theory. This follow-up work takes a broader view—examining SDT scholarship on games, a wider corpus of SDT-based HCI games research (N = 259), and perspectives from a games industry practitioner conference—to help explain current applications of SDT. Our findings suggest that perfunctory applications of the theory in HCI games research originate in part from within SDT scholarship on games, which itself exhibits limited engagement with theoretical tenets. Against this backdrop, we unpack the popularity of SDT in HCI games research and identify conditions underlying the theory’s current use as an oft-unquestioned paradigm. Finally, we outline avenues for more productive SDT-informed games research and consider ways towards more intentional practices of theory use in HCI.
Physics-Based Abnormal Trajectory Gap Detection
Authors: Sharma Arun , Ghosh Subhankar , Shekhar Shashi
Published: June 2024

Given trajectories with gaps (i.e., missing data), we investigate algorithms to identify abnormal gaps in trajectories which occur when a given moving object did not report its location, but other moving objects in the same geographic region periodically did. The problem is important due to its societal applications, such as improving maritime safety and regulatory enforcement for global security concerns, such as illegal fishing, illegal oil transfers, and trans-shipments. The problem is challenging due to the difficulty of bounding the possible locations of the moving object during a trajectory gap, and the very high computational cost of detecting gaps in such a large volume of location data. The current literature on anomalous trajectory detection assumes linear interpolation within gaps, which may not be able to detect abnormal gaps since objects within a given region may have traveled away from their shortest path. In preliminary work, we introduced an abnormal gap measure that uses a classical space-time prism model to bound an object's possible movement during the trajectory gap and provided a scalable memoized gap detection algorithm (Memo-AGD). In this article, we propose a space time-aware gap detection (STAGD) approach to leverage space-time indexing and merging of trajectory gaps. We also incorporate a dynamic region merge-based (DRM) approach to efficiently compute gap abnormality scores. We provide theoretical proofs that both algorithms are correct and complete and also provide analysis of asymptotic time complexity. Experimental results on synthetic and real-world maritime trajectory data show that the proposed approach substantially improves computation time over the baseline technique.
DESIGN: Online Device Selection and Edge Association for Federated Synergy Learning-enabled AIoT
Authors: Fu Shucun , Dong Fang , Shen Dian , Chen Runze , Hao Jiangshan
Published: June 2024

The artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) is an emerging technology that enables numerous AIoT devices to participate in big data analytics and machine learning (ML) model training, providing various customized intelligent services for industry manufacturing. Federated learning (FL) empowers AIoT applications with privacy-preserving distributed model training without sharing raw data. However, due to IoT devices’ limited computing and memory resources, existing FL approaches for AIoT applications cannot support efficient large-scale model training. Federated synergy learning (FSyL) is a promising collaborative paradigm that alleviates the computation and communication overhead on resource-constrained AIoT devices via offloading part of the ML model to the edge server for end-to-edge collaborative training. Existing FSyL works neither efficiently address the inter-round device selection to improve model diversity nor determine the intra-round edge association to reduce the training cost, which hinders the applications of FSyL-enable AIoT. Motivated by this issue, this article first investigates the bottlenecks of executing FSyL in AIoT. It builds an optimization model of joint inter-round device selection and intra-round edge association for balancing model diversity and training cost. To tackle the intractable coupling problem, we present a framework named Online DEvice SelectIon and EdGe AssociatioN for Cost-Diversity Tradeoffs FSyL (DESIGN). First, the edge association subproblem is extracted from the original problem, and game theory determines the optimal association decision for an arbitrary device selection. Then, based on the optimal association decision, device selection is modeled as a combinatorial multi-armed bandit (CMAB) problem. Finally, we propose an online mechanism to obtain joint DESIGN decisions. The performance of DESIGN is theoretically analyzed and experimentally evaluated on real-world datasets. The results show that DESIGN can achieve up to

\(84.3\%\)

in cost-saving with an accuracy improvement of

\(23.6\%\)

compared with the state-of-the-art.
Antiplatelet Resistance in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Systematic Review
Authors: Thet Myat Soe , Khosravi Amir , Egbulonu Samson , Oo Aung Ye
Published: June 2024

Background. This systematic review examines the occurrence and implications of resistance to primary antiplatelet agents, aspirin and clopidogrel, often utilised in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), alongside the methodologies for assessment of such resistance. Methods. An extensive literature search across various databases such as PubMed, MEDLINE via Ovid, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL until May 2024 was conducted to identify studies evaluating antiplatelet resistance in on‐pump and off‐pump CABG patients. Following quality assessment, only high‐quality studies were incorporated into this review. Results. This review included 19 studies with 3,915 patients, four of which were randomised controlled trials and 15 were observational studies. Aspirin resistance incidence ranged from 11.0% to 51.5%, while clopidogrel resistance was 22%. Antiplatelet resistance, assessed through a wide variety of methods, was associated with a 13 times increase in the risk of vein graft occlusion and increased rates of mortality, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularisation in the case of clopidogrel resistance. The effect of cardiopulmonary bypass on antiplatelet resistance remains ambiguous. Conclusion. The academic literature lacks a standardised definition for antiplatelet resistance. Assessment methodologies greatly vary, leading to noninterchangeable outcomes. While aspirin resistance has a conflicting overall significant impact on adverse outcomes, clopidogrel resistance correlates with poorer clinical outcomes.
Research on the Extraction Algorithm of Dielectric Parameters of Simple Building
Authors: Liu Zhongyu , Wang Yuanxi , Guo Lixin , Zhong Zhigang , Nan Zuoyong , Shen Lingfeng , Li Jiangting
Published: June 2024

The aim of this study is to accurately extract the dielectric parameters of building materials through nondestructive measurement methods. The ultrawideband (UWB) measurement system is used to capture echoes from marble targets in the frequency range of 2.5–15 GHz, and the reflection coefficient is derived using a time window separation technique. By combining the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, the dielectric parameters of the marble targets are successfully inverted. Research results show that the relative dielectric constant extracted under three different incident angle conditions ranges from 5.370 to 5.545, and the conductivity ranges from 0.00429 to 0.00515 S/m. The root mean square error (RMSE) between the theoretically calculated reflection coefficient and the measured reflection coefficient ranges from 0.013 to 0.025, while the RMSE ranges from 0.047 to 0.066 if the dielectric parameters recommended by ITU‐R P.2040‐3 are used, thus confirming the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method for dielectric parameters extraction.
Document Information Extraction: An Analysis of Invoice Anatomy
Authors: Hamri Mouad , Devanne Maxime , Weber Jonathan , Hassenforder Michel
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we present a new approach of document information extraction by studying the document anatomy where we investigated the possible variants and forms it could have for each document component. To overcome the lack of publicly available document datasets, we used a generated invoice database where we conceived 9 different templates and generated 100 samples for each one where the documents were annotated automatically during the generation process. We analysed the following invoice components: dates block (invoice date and invoice due date), address block, amounts block (tax‐free amount, tax amount, and total amount), and lines block (lines table) by investigating the impact of training our model on various block variants. We conducted several experiments where we compared the results obtained when we tested on templates that included variants not encountered during the training phase versus when we introduced them to the training dataset. This allowed us to analyse the improvement in results after adding these previously unseen variants. The obtained results have shown that the model generalises better when trained on a large variety of cases and achieves remarkable performance. We conducted experiments on various models to highlight the model‐agnostic character of our proposed approach. This methodology allows to have great performance, even with models that have significantly fewer parameters, especially in comparison to recently published models with millions of parameters.
Comparison of nBCA and Onyx for Embolization of Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas
Authors: Baranoski Jacob F. , Catapano Joshua S. , Rutledge Caleb , Cole Tyler S. , Majmundar Neil , Hendricks Benjamin K. , Wilkinson D. Andrew , Cavalcanti Daniel D. , See Alfred P. , Flores Bruno C. , Jadhav Ashutosh P. , Ducruet Andrew F. , Albuquerque Felipe C.
Published: June 2024

Background

Endovascular embolization can effectively treat spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs). One factor limiting the success and durability of endovascular treatments is reliably casting and occluding the draining vein. We sought to compare the efficacies of
n
‐butyl‐2‐cyanoacrylate (nBCA) and Onyx in the treatment of SDAVFs.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients with SDAVFs treated with endovascular embolization for whether a “durable cure” was achieved, defined as complete obliteration, clinical improvement, and sustained radiologic cure on follow‐up. We compared the outcomes of patients treated with Onyx to those treated with nBCA.

Results

A total of 40 embolizations for SDAVFs were performed in 38 patients. All patients were treated exclusively with liquid embolysates: Onyx alone (n = 22), nBCA alone (n = 16), or nBCA and Onyx combined (n = 2). For 45% (10/22) of patients treated with Onyx only, complete obliteration of the fistula with casting of the vein was not achieved. These patients were referred for microsurgical ligation. For all 16 patients treated with nBCA only, complete obliteration of the fistula was achieved. All 16 patients exhibited a durable cure compared with 11 of 22 patients (50%) in the Onyx‐only group (
P
 = 0.002).

Conclusion

nBCA may be superior to Onyx for the embolization of SDAVFs. nBCA embolization is safe and effective for a subset of SDAVFs. Prospective studies comparing SDAVF treatment strategies are warranted.
The Interests of Developing States in the Area: Promoted or Neglected?
Authors: Willaert Klaas
Published: June 2024

Together with its mineral resources, ‘the Area’ – comprising the seabed and subsoil beyond the boundaries of national jurisdiction – is designated as the ‘common heritage of mankind’. One of the predominant motivations behind the principle of the common heritage of mankind was to ensure fair sharing of the benefits derived from the Area by preventing a first-come first-serve race to the bottom of the ocean, which would mainly entitle developed nations – possessing the necessary expertise, technology and financial means to engage in deep sea mining – to the mineral resources of the deep seabed and would exclude most developing States from these economic opportunities. This important objective ought to be effected through a number of measures, but most of these measures have not yet been implemented by the International Seabed Authority or seem to be undermined by current developments.
Print, Publish, Punish: The Qur’an and the Law from Colonial India to Contemporary Pakistan
Authors: Lau Martin
Published: June 2024

This paper contributes a legal and a South Asian perspective to the emerging scholarship on the materiality of the Qur’an, exploring and analysing the development of the laws and regulations that protect the Qur’an as a sacred object against the risk desecration, defilement as well as heretical translations and interpretations. Starting with the enactment of Indian Penal Code, 1860 in colonial India and ending with amendments to the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) Act, 2011 in 2022, this paper identifies multiple layers of statutes and regulations that accompany the life-cycle of the Qur’an from ‘cradle to grave’. In analysing the legal developments that have fused the object and the text of the Qurʾan into a legal entity that demands particular interpretations of Islam, this paper identifies an Islamic state doctrine that asks and expects the Pakistani state to protect and promote Islamic law and religion in an increasing number of contexts and occasions, the protection of the Qurʾan being only one of them.
Growth, nutrient uptake, blood metabolites and bone properties in broilers consuming feed with mineral-enriched whole black soldier fly larvae
Authors: Seyedalmoosavi M.M. , Daş G. , Mielenz M. , Maak S. , Wolf P. , Metges C.C.
Published: June 2024

The recycling of minerals is crucial for the future circular agriculture. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) can accumulate minerals in their body. This study investigated the effects of adding mineral-enriched BSFL, grown on substrates containing sewage sludge recyclates (SSR), to broiler feed to reintroduce minerals from waste streams currently subject to regulatory restrictions back into the nutrient cycle. Feed, nutrient, mineral and heavy metal intake, growth, blood metabolites and immunoglobulins, bone characteristics and mineral status of broilers were studied in response to different mineral-enriched BSFL supplements. Eighty newly-hatched mixed-sex Ross 308 chicks were divided into four groups, with six replicate pens per group. BSFL used in the broiler experiment were grown either on a modified Gainesville fly diet (FD) (L-FD) or on FD supplemented with 4% of sewage sludge biochar (L-BCH), or on the FD supplemented with Single Superphosphate (SSP) SSR (L-SSP). All broilers were fed age-specific diets and either had no access to BSFL (CON) or received 15% of CON birds’ feed intake as defrosted BSFL from three different sources. Inclusion of 15% of mineral-enriched whole BSFL in broiler rations had no adverse effects on growth performance parameters, nutrient intakes, nutrient conversion efficiency, plasma metabolites and immunoglobulins (). Birds in BSFL supply groups had higher serum Ca concentrations than CON birds (). L-BCH supplied birds had a lower serum P than CON birds (). Tibial characteristics and mineral status of birds were not affected by larvae supply (). Heavy metal intake (manganese, iron, zinc, copper, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) of the birds was not affected by dietary treatments (). In conclusion, 15% of mineral-enriched-BSFL reared on SSP can be included in broiler diets for 42 experimental days without adverse effects on nutrient intakes, growth performance parameters and bone condition.
Nutrient profiles and browning control of wasp larvae
Authors: Wang K. , Zhu H. , Chen X. , Qiao J. , Huang G. , Haubruge E. , Dong J. , Zhang H.
Published: June 2024

Entomophagy, the practice of consuming insects, has long been recognized as a sustainable and renewable source of food. This study aimed at assessing the nutritional value of three species of wasp larvae (Provespa barthelemyi, Vespa mandarinia, and V. velutina) and explore effective strategies to address enzymatic browning during processing. The study reveals that wasp larvae exhibit considerable potential as a dietary resource, primarily due to their high protein content, more than 50% of the total dry matter. Remarkably, the presence of vitamin B2 in wasp larvae was unexpectedly high, with an average concentration of 2.20 mg/100 g. Additionally, enzymatic browning process in wasp larvae is closely associated with phenol oxidase (PO) activity. The simultaneous treatment of ascorbic acid at a concentration of 0.2% (w/v) and high hydrostatic pressure at 300 MPa significantly inhibited PO activity. Notably, the combined treatment exhibited a certain degree of efficacy in retaining the taste and texture of the larvae. To the best of our knowledge, this study pioneers the novel combined treatment aimed at mitigating browning in wasp larvae. Overall, our research reveals that wasp larvae boast a wealth of nutritional components, rendering them as a new resource food. Our research also provides an innovative approach for wasp processing.
Borderlands, Self-Rule Movements and State-Society Relations in Chiapas and Northern Syria from a Historical Perspective
Authors: Castillo Quiñones Juan Carlos
Published: June 2024

This paper addresses the historical and conjunctural drivers underlying the emergence of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the pro-Mayan Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN), asking how the geographical location of ethnic groups is related to the emergence of self-rule movements. To investigate this, a comparative historical review of state-society relations in Chiapas and Northern Syria was implemented in combination with frame analysis. I argue that the historical location of the Kurdish and Mayan populations in the borderlands of, first, former empires and, later, of their nation-states, has led the PYD and the EZLN to elaborate similar political projects that challenge traditional models of political autonomy. Through the prism of borderlands history, the paper prioritizes an approach from the “margins” and “peripheries” over that of the national centres of power.
Traumatizing Disorders of “Everyday Life”
Authors: Moss Donald
Published: June 2024

Grounded in clinical examples, the text focuses on the challenges posed by working at a historical moment that, if fully taken in, presents us all—patients and analysts/therapists—with “more than mind can endure.” This “too muchness” makes it particularly difficult to maintain our consulting rooms as “safe” spaces. The basic question: how to preserve a sense of safety in our clinical work while we simultaneously remain open to the disruptive and often unrepresentable dangers that surround and infiltrate us.
Transformations at the Dawn of Verbal Language
Authors: Ogden Thomas H.
Published: June 2024

In this essay the author describes some of the transformations that occur as one moves from preverbal functioning to verbally symbolic language. In preverbal experience, there is a direct connection between the sign and what is signified. An infant or child signifies displeasure by throwing his food or other objects to the floor. Much of the emotional tie between mother and infant and patient and analyst is communicated in this way. When a transformation occurs from preverbal to verbally symbolic language, as occurs in early development and as one interprets a dream, meaning is not merely translated, meaning is created. On acquiring verbally symbolic language, a “space” mediated by an interpreting subject opens between the symbol (for instance, the word guilt) and the symbolized (the experience of guilt) and a new subjectivity is created. On entry into verbally symbolic language, one becomes able to experience oneself in a qualitatively different way; one becomes both subject and object, I and me; one becomes able to experience a far broader range of feelings and types of thinking. Helen Keller’s account of her experience of acquiring verbally symbolic language is drawn upon.
Variability in Inner Ear Morphology Among a Family With Pendred Syndrome Due to a SLC26A4 Gene Variant
Authors: Chen Yung-Hsuan , Lin Wei-Che , Hwang Chung-Feng , Tsai Meng-Han , Yang Chao-Hui
Published: June 2024

Objectives:

Pendred syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder, is often associated with pathogenic variants of the SLC26A4 gene that encodes the pendrin protein. Given its autosomal recessive inheritance, tracing the family history and screening siblings become crucial once a diagnosis of Pendred syndrome is confirmed. This case report aims to underscore the variability in inner ear morphology within a family diagnosed with Pendred syndrome, all carrying the same SLC26A4 gene mutation.

Methods:

A chart review and a review of the literature.

Results:

We present a family of 4, all of whom possess sensorineural hearing loss due to the same homozygous SLC26A4 variant c.919-2A>G. Intriguingly, clinical manifestations, especially inner ear deformities, displayed variability among family members. Notably, 1 family member exhibited a normal cochleovestibular structure morphology, which was rarely reported in the literature.

Conclusions:

This report highlights the significance of genetic testing and familial consultation when a proband exhibits typical Pendred syndrome symptoms. It also underscores that the inner ear morphology can exhibit variability among family members, even with the same homozygous SLC26A4 variant.
Management of Parapharyngeal Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Via a Combined Trans-Cervical and Trans-Oral Robotic Approach
Authors: Hyvrard Clémentine , Couineau Florent , Rigal Tiffany , Louerat Serena , Hans Stéphane , Baudouin Robin
Published: June 2024

Introduction:

Medullary thyroid carcinoma constitutes 5% to 10% of all thyroid cancers. Metastatic adenopathies may pose challenges in intricate anatomical locations, such as the parapharyngeal space. A rare case of metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma in the parapharyngeal space has been treated in our unit using combined trans-cervical trans-oral robotic surgery. Our objective was to provide a detailed description of the surgery performed on this patient.

Method:

We reported a singular case report worth of interest.

Result:

A 42-year-old woman was addressed in our unit for the management of a medullary thyroid carcinoma adenopathy located in the right parapharyngeal space. A parapharyngeal 40.0 mm × 25.0 mm × 12.0 mm adenopathy was removed using a combined trans-cervical and trans-oral robotic approach without sacrifice or injury of vascular or nervous structure. Neither the tracheostomy nor the feeding tube was implemented. Feeding was resumed on postoperative day 1 and hospitalization spanned 7 days.

Conclusion:

An innovative combined trans-cervical and trans-oral robotic surgery approach was conducted to address a metastatic medullary thyroid carcinoma in the parapharyngeal space. This surgical technique allowed us to circumvent the need for a trans-mandibular approach, tracheostomy, and feeding tube and enabling successful tumor removal without fragmentation. Postoperative care was significantly eased. The sole complication observed was dysphonia, likely resulting from intra-operative stretching of the vagus nerve during the dissection of the carotid artery.
How Founders Harness Tensions in Hybrid Venture Development
Authors: Muñoz Pablo , Farny Steffen , Kibler Ewald , Salmivaara Virva
Published: June 2024

Although the simultaneous presence of multiple ambitions is inherent in hybrid venturing, pursuing social and/or environmental missions while securing commercial viability can generate ambivalence among stakeholders. In this study, we draw on the notion of “holism” to show how venture founders both embrace tensioned ambitions and sustain hybridity during critical venture development phases. Based on 6 years of data on The People’s Supermarket in the United Kingdom, we identify three distinct practices— fantasizing, bartering, and conjuring—used by founders to harness tensions productively, without compromising their venture’s multiple ambitions. These practices demonstrate the founders’ ability to maintain a venture’s hybrid nature throughout the ideation, organizational, and scale-up phases, thereby shedding light on the application of “holism” within the realm of hybrid venturing.
Bound by Experience: Updating the Body Representation When Using Virtual Objects
Authors: Eck Julia , Pfister Roland
Published: June 2024

Objective

Four web-based experiments investigated flexibility of disembodiment of a virtual object that is no longer actively controlled. Emphasis was on possibilities to modify the timescale of this process.

Background

Interactions with virtual objects are commonplace in settings like teleoperation, rehabilitation, and computer-aided design. These objects are quickly integrated into the operator’s body schema (embodiment). Less is known about how long such embodiment lasts. Understanding the dynamics of this process is crucial because different applied settings either profit from fast or slow disembodiment.

Method

To induce embodiment, participants moved a 2D virtual hand through operating a computer mouse or touchpad. After initial embodiment, participants either stopped or continued moving for a fixed period of time. Embodiment ratings were collected continuously during each trial.

Results

Results across all experiments indicated that embodiment for the virtual hand gradually increased during active use and gradually decreased after stopping to use it. Disembodiment unfolded nearly twice as fast as embodiment and showed a curved decay pattern. These dynamics remained unaffected by anticipation of active control that would be required in an upcoming task.

Conclusion

The results highlight the importance of continuously experiencing active control in virtual interactions if aiming at inducing stable embodiment of a virtual object.

Application

Our findings suggest that applications of virtual disembodiment such as virtual tools or interventions to affect a person’s body representation critically depend on continuous updating of sensorimotor experience. However, if switching between virtual objects, for example, during teleoperation or video gaming, after-effects are unlikely to affect performance.
Evicted from Home, Unaccommodated in the Street: The Castigatory Experience of Skolombo Boys and Lakasera Girls of Calabar in the Light of UNCRC
Authors: Ajiboye Babatope Matthew
Published: June 2024

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC; for every child, every right), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989 and fully operationalised in 1990, firmly protects the rights of every child under the age of 18 years anywhere on the planet. The UNCRC clearly states that every child has the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents. An international treaty signed by 196 countries, bar the United States, since adoption is the most broadly endorsed children’s rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives around the world. But despite provisions in favour of children’s rights well-articulated in the treaty, poignantly, not every child gets to enjoy the rights stated therein. In Nigeria, so many children are cut short of these rights, even though the nation is an avid signatory to the UNCRC treaty. As an analytical context, a number of teenagers (male and female) numbering more than 1000 living in the major streets of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, conspicuously referred to as Skolombo boys and Lakasera girls of Calabar, are not only rejected, abandoned and sent away by their parents, but are also discriminated against by the entire city on account of false suspicions of wizardry and witchcraft, a modish form of child rights violations and a clear recalcitrant to the UNCRC treaty. It is startling that limited studies have addressed this problem that most fundamentally affects these children. Relying considerably on both primary and secondary data, this article examines the plights of these children, who are left to fend for themselves within a nation that signed on the dotted lines for the child’s right to protection and concurrently allowed them to be treated with ultra-condemnation. The article concludes that without concerted efforts geared to address child rights violations in the form of persistent rejection and discrimination, the cruel experience will eventually force them to strike and become more dangerous than society can handle.