bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precutting endoscopic band ligation-assisted resection versus endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with small gastric submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liu Mingfeng , Yuan Rui , Zhan Ke , Yang Yichun , Li Shan , Deng Liang
Published: January 2024

Background

The management of small gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) originating from the muscularis propria layer (SMT-MPs) remains a subject of debate. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is currently considered the optimal treatment for resection. However, high expenses, complex procedures, and the risk of complications have limited its application. Our previously proposed novel operation, precutting endoscopic band ligation (precutting EBL), has been demonstrated in a long-term, single-arm study to be an effective and safe technique for removing small gastric SMTs. However, the absence of a pathological examination and the potential for delayed perforation have raised concerns. Thus, we modified the precutting EBL by adding endoscopic resection to the snare after ligation and closure, yielding the precutting endoscopic band ligation-assisted resection (precutting EBLR). Moreover, the initial pilot study confirmed the safety and efficacy of the proposed approach and we planned a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to further validate its clinical feasibility.

Methods

This was a prospective, single-center, open-label, parallel group, and randomized controlled trial. Approximately 40 patients with SMT-MPs will be included in this trial. The patients included were allocated to two groups: ESD and precutting EBLR. The basic clinical data of the patients were collected in detail. To better quantify the difference between ESD and precutting EBLR, the primary outcome was set as the operation duration. The secondary outcomes included total operation cost and hospitalization, intraoperative adverse events, and postoperative recurrence. The primary outcome was tested for superiority, while the secondary outcomes were tested for noninferiority. SPSS is commonly used for statistical analysis.

Discussion

This study was designed to validate the feasibility of a novel operation for removing gastric SMT-MPs. To intuitively assess this phenomenon, the operation durations of precutting EBLR and ESD were compared, and other outcomes were also recorded comprehensively.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200065473. Registered on November 5, 2022.
Simultaneous determination of colistin sulfate and tigecycline in human plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method
Authors: Ma Ying-Chao , Wu Xi-Kun , Yang Xiu-Ling , Zhang Zhi-Qing
Published: January 2024

Objective

To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method (HPLC–MS/MS) to simultaneously determine colistin sulfate and tigecycline in human plasma.

Methods

Polymyxin B1 internal standard (20 µL) was added into 200 µL of plasma sample. The samples were treated with methanol-5% trichloroacetic acid (50:50, V/V) solution, and the protein precipitation method was adopted for post-injection analysis. The chromatographic column was a Dikma C18 (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm). For the mobile phase, 0.1% formic acid in aqueous solution was used for phase A, 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile solution for phase B, and gradient elution was also applied. The flow rate was 0.8 mL/min, the column temperature was 40 °C, and the injection volume was 10 µL; Electrospray ionization and multiple reaction ion monitoring were adopted and scanned by the HPLC–MS/MS positive ion mode.

Results

The endogenous impurities in the plasma had no interference in the determination of the analytes. There existed a good linear relationship of colistin sulfate within the range of 0.1–10 µg/mL (R2 = 0.9986), with the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.1 µg/mL. There existed a good linear relationship of tigecycline within the range of 0.05–5 µg/ mL (R2 = 0.9987), with the LLOQ of 0.05 µg/mL. The intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations of colistin sulfate and tigecycline were both less than 15%, and the accuracy was between 88.21% and 108.24%. The extraction had good stability, the extraction recovery rate was 87.75–91.22%, and the matrix effect was 99.40–105.26%.

Conclusion

This study successfully established a method for simultaneously detecting colistin sulfate and tigecycline plasma concentrations. The method was simple, rapid, and highly sensitive and could be applied for therapeutic medication monitoring.
Evolutionary dynamics of the LTR-retrotransposon crapaud in the Podospora anserina species complex and the interaction with repeat-induced point mutations
Authors: Westerberg Ivar , Ament-Velásquez S. Lorena , Vogan Aaron A. , Johannesson Hanna
Published: January 2024

Background

The genome of the filamentous ascomycete Podospora anserina shows a relatively high abundance of retrotransposons compared to other interspersed repeats. The LTR-retrotransposon family crapaud is particularly abundant in the genome, and consists of multiple diverged sequence variations specifically localized in the 5’ half of both long terminal repeats (LTRs). P. anserina is part of a recently diverged species-complex, which makes the system ideal to classify the crapaud family based on the observed LTR variation and to study the evolutionary dynamics, such as the diversification and bursts of the elements over recent evolutionary time.

Results

We developed a sequence similarity network approach to classify the crapaud repeats of seven genomes representing the P. anserina species complex into 14 subfamilies. This method does not utilize a consensus sequence, but instead it connects any copies that share enough sequence similarity over a set sequence coverage. Based on phylogenetic analyses, we found that the crapaud repeats likely diversified in the ancestor of the complex and have had activity at different time points for different subfamilies. Furthermore, while we hypothesized that the evolution into multiple subfamilies could have been a direct effect of escaping the genome defense system of repeat induced point mutations, we found this not to be the case.

Conclusions

Our study contributes to the development of methods to classify transposable elements in fungi, and also highlights the intricate patterns of retrotransposon evolution over short timescales and under high mutational load caused by nucleotide-altering genome defense.
Training stress, neuromuscular fatigue and well-being in volleyball: a systematic review
Authors: Rebelo André , Pereira João R. , Cunha Paulo , Coelho-e-Silva Manuel J. , Valente-dos-Santos João
Published: January 2024

Background

Volleyball, with its unique calendar structure, presents distinct challenges in training and competition scheduling. Like many team sports, volleyball features an unconventional schedule with brief off-season and pre-season phases, juxtaposed against an extensive in-season phase characterized by a high density of matches and training. This compact calendar necessitates careful management of training loads and recovery periods. The effectiveness of this management is a critical factor, influencing the overall performance and success of volleyball teams. In this review, we explore the associations between training stress measures, fatigue, and well-being assessments within this context, to better inform future research and practice.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in databases including PsycINFO, MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were original research papers published in peer-reviewed journals involving volleyball athletes.

Results

Of the 2535 studies identified, 31 were thoroughly analysed. From these 31 articles, 22 included professional athletes, seven included collegiate-level volleyball athletes, and two included young athletes. Nine studies had female volleyball players, while the remaining 22 had male volleyball athletes.

Conclusions

Internal training load should be collected daily after training sessions and matches with the session rating of perceived exertion method. External training load should also be measured daily according to the methods based on jump height, jump count, and kinetic energy. If force platforms are available, neuromuscular fatigue can be assessed weekly using the FT:CT ratio of a countermovement jump or, in cases where force platforms are not available, the average jump height can also be used. Finally, the Hooper Index has been shown to be a measure of overall wellness, fatigue, stress, muscle soreness, mood, and sleep quality in volleyball when used daily.
Cyberattack detection in wireless sensor networks using a hybrid feature reduction technique with AI and machine learning methods
Authors: Behiry Mohamed H. , Aly Mohammed
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes an intelligent hybrid model that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance the security of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) by identifying and preventing cyberattacks. The study employs feature reduction techniques, including Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), along with the K-means clustering model enhanced information gain (KMC-IG) for feature extraction. The Synthetic Minority Excessively Technique is introduced for data balancing, followed by intrusion detection systems and network traffic categorization. The research evaluates a deep learning-based feed-forward neural network algorithm's accuracy, precision, recall, and F-measure across three vital datasets: NSL-KDD, UNSW-NB 15, and CICIDS 2017, considering both full and reduced feature sets. Comparative analysis against benchmark machine learning approaches is also conducted. The proposed algorithm demonstrates exceptional performance, achieving high accuracy and reliability in intrusion detection for WSNs. The study outlines the system configuration and parameter settings, contributing to the advancement of WSN security.
Management of varices but not anticoagulation is associated with improved outcome in patients with HCC and macrovascular tumour invasion
Authors: Balcar Lorenz , Mrekva Arpad , Scheiner Bernhard , Pomej Katharina , Meischl Tobias , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas , Trauner Michael , Tamandl Dietmar , Pinter Matthias
Published: January 2024

Background & aims

The value of bleeding prophylaxis and anticoagulation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macrovascular tumour invasion (MVI) is unclear. We evaluated the impact of anticoagulation on thrombosis progression, bleeding events, and overall mortality, and assessed the efficacy of adequate management of varices as recommended for patients with cirrhosis.

Methods

HCC patients with MVI who had Child-Turcotte-Pugh A-B7 were included between Q4/2002 and Q2/2022. Localization of the tumour thrombus and changes at 3–6 months were evaluated by two radiologists. Univariable and multivariable logistic/Cox regression analyses included time-dependent variables (i.e., anticoagulation, systemic therapy, non-selective beta blocker treatment).

Results

Of 124 patients included (male: n = 110, 89%), MVI involved the main portal vein in 47 patients (38%), and 49 individuals (40%) had additional non-tumorous thrombus apposition. Fifty of 80 patients (63%) with available endoscopy had varices. Twenty-four individuals (19%) received therapeutic anticoagulation and 94 patients (76%) were treated with effective systemic therapies. The use of therapeutic anticoagulation did not significantly affect the course of the malignant thrombosis at 3–6 months. Systemic therapy (aHR: 0.26 [95%CI: 0.16–0.40]) but not anticoagulation was independently associated with reduced all-cause mortality. In patients with known variceal status, adequate management of varices was independently associated with reduced risk of variceal bleeding (aHR: 0.12 [95%CI: 0.02–0.71]). In the whole cohort, non-selective beta blockers were independently associated with reduced risk of variceal bleeding or death from any cause (aHR: 0.69 [95%CI: 0.50–0.96]).

Conclusion

Adequate bleeding prophylaxis and systemic anti-tumour therapy but not anticoagulation were associated with improved outcomes in patients with HCC and MVI.
Traumatic instability in the knee joint due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a 23-year-old athlete
Authors: Taborska Nina , Martyka Anna , Kubicka-Figiel Martyna
Published: January 2024

Introduction

 In this paper, we aim to present an analysis of the diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation procedures in a 23-year-old athlete with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The study includes the patient's medical history, circumstances of the injury, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures applied, as well as the course of postoperative rehabilitation.

Objective

 The objective of our study is to present the anatomy of the ACL, the typical mechanism of injury, and diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.

Methods

 This is a retrospective study. The medical documentation and imaging studies were subjected to analysis. The analysis was complemented by a literature review based on publications in the English-language PubMed database.

Results

 The case involves a 23-year-old soccer player with an isolated ACL injury in the right knee joint. The case analysis highlights the challenges related to diagnosis and decision-making regarding therapeutic procedures. ACL reconstruction using the STG method and lateral tenodesis with the iliotibial band in combination with postoperative rehabilitation resulted in a positive outcome in terms of knee joint stability and return to sports.

Conclusions

 The review of this medical case underscores the importance of a personalized approach to each patient with an ACL injury, taking into account age, level of physical activity, and coexisting injuries within the knee joint. This allows for the correct decision on the best treatment method for the patient, facilitating a return to sports and minimizing the risk of complications.
The impact of ashwagandha on sleep quality, anxiety reduction, and stress lowering: comparative analysis of available studies
Authors: Malec Klaudia
Published: January 2024

Introduction and objective: The increasing prevalence of sleep disorders, anxiety, and stress in contemporary society necessitates effective and accessible treatments. Ashwagandha - Withania somnifera (WS), an adaptogenic herb utilized in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential to improve various aspects of health and well-being. This comprehensive review of the scientific literature aims to systematize the current scientific reports regarding the impact of Ashwagandha on enhancing sleep quality, reducing levels of anxiety and stress.

 

Material and Method: In this article, a review of publications available in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted, with an analysis of clinical and experimental studies focusing on methodology, participant demographics, dosage regimens, and tools for assessing sleep quality, anxiety, and stress levels. Articles were searched using English language terms: "ashwagandha," "Withania somnifera," "influence of sleep quality," "stress," "anxiety."

 

Conclusions: The scientific studies presented indicate the benefits of Ashwagandha supplementation in the context of improving sleep quality, reducing anxiety states, and stress. The results of various studies, including randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, suggest that Ashwagandha may positively influence these health aspects through its action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis11, modulation of neurotransmitters (GABA, serotonin)1, and antioxidative activity2.
Supporting healthcare assistants in the workplace
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: January 2024

NHS and social care employers are ‘facing the greatest workforce crisis in their history’, with staff turnover reported to be 11% in the NHS and 29% in social care. This understaffing affects the quality of patient care. Providing healthcare assistants (HCAs) with appropriate support will reduce staff turnover. This sets off a beneficial cycle of reduced pressure because of improved staffing and increased job satisfaction because of ability to deliver better care.

Employers can deploy a range of tactics to improve life for HCAs, starting with an excellent induction and continuing with excellent training for career progression.
How will I know if my children are learning anything?
Authors: Allingham Sue
Published: January 2024

Sue Allingham, author, trainer and consultant, discusses some of the latest articles published across the sector, and encourages practitioners to reflect on how they know if children are learning what staff have been attempting to teach them.
We need to give more time and space to children, to learn more than just outcomes
Authors: Barclay Meg
Published: January 2024

Do you have something to share, reflect on or provoke thinking around? Write to the editor.

Meg Barclay, educational consultant and trainer, shares her thoughts on the importance of giving children more time to explore activities in order to enhance and expand the learning, rather than focusing on the outcomes.
Attending early education during the pandemic provided sustained benefits for toddlers' development
Authors: Davies Catherine
Published: January 2024

New research shows that attending early childhood education and care (ECEC) during the pandemic boosted preschoolers' learning and preparedness for school, with greater gains made by children from less advantaged backgrounds. With further support, ECEC can play a critical role in developing skills in children born during the pandemic and levelling socioeconomic inequalities. Catherine Davies, professor of Language Development at the University of Leeds, explains more.
Supporting community cohesion through the nursery
Authors: Sakr Mona
Published: January 2024

Nurseries can play a vital role in supporting community cohesion by enabling meaningful connection between diverse children and families. In this article, Dr Mona Sakr, associate professor of Early Childhood at Middlesex University, explores why nurseries need to be recognised as key players in community integration and how they can practically help foster connections in the local community.
Professional Book Reviews
Authors: Barclay Meg
Published: January 2024

Richard Willis, visiting professor at the University of South Wales, reviews a book containing activities to help early years professionals work with young children who are neurodivergent. Meg Barclay, educational consultant and early years reviewer for the School Library Association, reviews picture books which support children who are about to become siblings for the first time, help children understand emotions in overwhelming situations and introduce them to animals living in different parts of the world.
‘Provide real life activities that open their eyes and make connections in the brain’
Authors: Roberts Elly
Published: January 2024

Charlotte Greeno, childminder at Among The Leaves Childminding, discusses the importance of providing real life activities to children, to broaden their horizons and help them handle situations and have confidence in themselves when on their own. She won Childminder of the Year at the Nursery World Awards 2023.
Passion, possibilities and purpose
Authors: Allen Casey , Quintero Ana Gonzalez
Published: January 2024

Ana Gonzalez Quintero and Casey Allen are two of the newest qualified team members at Hinxton Crocus Early Years Centre. In 2023, the duo both completed their journeys on the Bright Horizons Apprenticeship Programme and are now enjoying their roles as Level 3 Early Years Educator practitioners. Here they share their journey into the sector and experiences of the programme.
The Abrupt Transition to Online Learning: Multiple Perspectives
Authors: Probert Blake , Neild Raschelle , Graham Patrick
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Transitioning to virtual learning environments during the COVID-19 pandemic made the numerous obstacles faced by deaf and hard of hearing students more apparent, and created new challenges for all involved. From this experience, much knowledge was gained that can continue to be implemented and researched to provide better access and accommodations for ongoing online education. In the present article, we introduce an American Annals of the Deaf Special Issue whose contributing authors offer a response to the challenges experienced by deaf education researchers, administrators, policymakers, faculty, and other educators in areas ranging from early childhood to higher education, as well as students and families, because of the abrupt transition to virtual learning. This Special Issue provides perspectives, strategies, and scenarios that can enhance deaf education across age and grade ranges and augment the research and literature base of online learning in deaf education.
Virtual Assessment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in the Schools
Authors: Dale Brittany A. , Neild Raschelle
Published: January 2024

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic placed stress on all aspects of the educational system. Many state departments of education acknowledged the disruption to individualized education program evaluation and implementation but insisted that evaluation timelines and services continue undisrupted. School psychologists were therefore forced to navigate the viability of virtual assessment without established research supporting this type of student evaluation. Formal assessments used in the identification of learning disabilities and other areas of disability were not standardized with virtual administration procedures; however, many test publishers have offered guidelines for online administration. These guidelines may not be suitable for test administration with deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children. Through the presentation of two case studies, this article explores some of the available administration guidelines and evaluates their appropriateness for use with DHH children. Information in this article informs current practice of school psychology in a virtual environment.
Deaf Education Teachers and Online Instruction: Ensuring Equity in Instructional Activities and Collaboration
Authors: Graham Patrick , Neild Raschelle , Kenyon Kit
Published: January 2024

Abstract: The changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more virtual instruction in schools. Teachers experienced multiple new challenges while moving online. As Fleming (2020) notes, “Unlike developing a whole-class lesson plan online, special education teachers are now tasked with developing unique plans for every student that align with their IEPs [individualized education programs], as required by federal mandate” (p. 1). In the present article, we consider how to best incorporate active learning, engagement, and critical thinking into an online learning environment while supporting language and social development for all students. Alexander (2020) notes the importance of socialization, observing that the loss of face-to-face interactions decreases students’ confidence and affects their mental health. We also consider how to meaningfully incorporate social interaction, engagement, and active learning to support deaf and hard of hearing students in developing a sense of classroom and school community.
Online Learning Challenges and Strategies: Visual Fatigue and Split Visual Attention
Authors: Luft Pamela , Brochu Charlotte
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Online learning environments are challenging for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) individuals. A major concern is split attention, which occurs when one simultaneously attends to multiple stimuli, a situation that characterizes most multimedia presentations and instruction that combines sound, text, images, graphs or charts, and video. Needing to take notes adds another stimulus. DHH learners face this issue when auditory content is accommodated visually, in combination with visually presented content. No one can view multiple visual signals simultaneously. Learners must choose to view one signal and miss others; view signals sequentially, which requires additional time and hinders class participation; or switch between visual signals, losing elements of each. This process increases auditory and visual fatigue and cognitive load, ultimately compromising learning. Several ways are suggested to achieve more equitable access to instructional content for learners challenged by the problem of split attention.
The Cynics With and Without Foucault
Authors: Porter James I.
Published: January 2024

Abstract: In the last three years of his life, Michel Foucault made a sudden and unexpected turn to the ancient Cynics. In lectures from 1982 to 1984, and most notably in his final Collège de France lectures from 1984 ( The Courage of the Truth: The Government of Self and Others II ), he sought to recover from the Cynics a potential for critique, militant revolution, and a courageous means of speaking truth to power. Foucault's engaged scholarship is inspiring, but in many respects, it is indistinguishable from conventional scholarly approaches to ancient Cynicism. In both cases, the Cynics are thought to comprise a philosophical movement that is founded on a core of principled commitments, for instance to virtuous self-restraint, ascetic training, the pursuit of freedom from externalities of all kinds, rationalism, self-mastery, self-sufficiency, individualism, and cosmopolitanism. To reassess Foucault's analysis, I first examine the pitfalls of this picture, which rests on a largely Stoic retrojection. I then offer an alternative reading of the early Cynics, Diogenes first and foremost, that shows them in a different light. In the final part of the article, I return to Foucault to see how he fares once a different framework for understanding the Cynics is put in place. Foucault's effort to view Cynicism as a bridge to early Christian practices is only the most extreme and most questionable upshot of his final legacy.
Categorization of Foreign Aid Donors into Traditional and (Re)Emerging: A Critical Review of the Criteria in Light of China's Reemergence as a Donor
Authors: Diakite Ansoumane Douty , Lobo Marques João Alexandre
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Over the past several decades, the dichotomy between traditional and emerging donors has been based upon the notion that emerging donors (such as China) support authoritarian regimes and use foreign aid to pursue their economic interests at the expense of the poor in the recipient countries. Accordingly, Western donors, media, and scholars portray Chinese aid as non-poverty-focused. This study aims to review and analyze whether the dichotomy between traditional and emerging donors is still relevant in the current aid system and to propose a new and rigorous criterion for recategorizing donors. In terms of methodology, this study relies on secondary data, including scholarly works on traditional and emerging donors and foreign aid policy documents. Conclusions based on the research indicate that the divide between traditional donors and (re)emerging donors is becoming more ambiguous. The literature review indicates that the two donors' aids had a mixed impact and that their approaches were similar. This paper highlights the importance of developing different recategorization criteria depending on the impact of aid.
Quasi-Democracy and Autocracy as Governance Systems in Nigeria An Examination
Authors: Yaqub Nuhu
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Both democracy and autocracy are forms of governance systems that have been operated by humankind in the course of organizing society. They differ from one another and can hardly be combined for governance purposes without wreaking havoc in the society that does so. In some societies, there has been evidence that a historical transition from autocracy to democracy took place; the latter has since been consolidated. This is notably true in capitalist social formations. But, in some other societies, such linear transition has not been perfected and consolidated; such societies have often been stuck with autocracy, even when they propagandize democratic rule. Two points have to be raised about these forms of governance based on what has been said so far. In the first instance, because of the inherent differences in the natures of the two governance systems, humankind has arrived at a conclusion that democracy is better than autocracy and that it is historically a progressive development. Secondly and consequentially, a society that has been able to transition from autocracy to democracy should not allow itself to regress. This has not been the case in the Nigerian governance system. At Nigeria's independence in 1960, democracy was explicitly accepted to be an antithesis of colonial autocracy. However, both autocracy and elements of democracy were used and have since been combined for governance. Just halfway into the first decade of independence, the military took over, and alternations between civilian rule and autocracy took place. The paper attempts to clarify both concepts of democracy and autocracy, provide a detailed analysis of governance in Nigeria, and show how the country's debilitating economic structures and other factors have reinforced autocratic nature of governance, whether military or civilian.
Rethinking African Regionalism: Assessing How Regimes Use the African Union
Authors: Kodero Cliff (Ubba)
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This paper critically analyzes the African Union's (AU) efforts toward continental integration, highlighting the gap between its rhetoric and the actions of member states' political leaders. The paper suggests that the AU's focus on individual state sovereignty, rather than continental unity, is partly due to its self-serving role for the political elite, serving as a vessel for regime-boosting and sovereignty-enhancing purposes. The paper acknowledges some of the successes of the AU in reducing armed conflicts and military coups through its Peace and Security Council, Panels of Conflicts Resolution, and the African Standby Force for peace missions. It also recognizes the potential benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to lower or eliminate cross-border tariffs on most goods, promote investment, and pave the way for a continent-wide customs union. However, the paper argues that "performative" Pan-Africanism efforts demonstrate the persistent gap between the AU's rhetoric and actions. Therefore, a close examination of the AU reveals how reigning regimes use regionalism as "opportunity structures" in political crises. The paper suggests that the AU's focus on individual state sovereignty reinforces traditional notions of sovereignty and hinders the process of continental integration. The paper contributes to the scholarship of regionalism by examining the less prominent roles of integration in Africa. It also highlights how supranational entities can be adaptive and mutative for their specific locales. Finally, the paper calls for critically examining the AU's role and potential for promoting genuine continental unity.
Global Citizenship and the Right of Access to Justice: Adapting T.H. Marshall's Ideas to the Interconnected World
Authors: Aksenova Marina
Published: January 2024

Abstract: The right of access to justice is both procedural and substantive in nature. It is procedural because it guarantees availability of certain recourse mechanisms, not necessarily limited to a purely judicial route. It is also a substantive entitlement allowing for the enforcement of the idea of justice as fairness in each unique factual context. The right of access to justice as an attribute of the emerging global citizenship denotes our shared understanding that accountability comes in many forms and shapes, which are becoming gradually available to individuals and grassroots organizations on a global scale. This trend is powered by the technological advancements and the evolution of institutions tasked with ensuring world-wide interconnectedness. This paper critically engages with Thomas Marshall's essay on citizenship published in 1950, arguing that despite several limitations that became apparent in recent decades, this work is an important signpost on the road to building a comprehensive account of global citizenship as a status belonging to all of humanity.
Defying the Humanitarian Gaze: Visual Representation of Genocide Survivors in the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Schulze Tanielian Melanie
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This article is a critical encounter with the genre of humanitarian photography through the case study of images of women survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Viewing photographs taken as part of the American humanitarian campaign in the Eastern Mediterranean, the article exposes the universalizing modality of humanitarian photography while exposing mass atrocities as perpetuating the silencing of victims by reducing them to symbols of suffering. Through an indexical, forensic, and critical fabulatory engagement with the humanitarian photograph, the article aims to unsettle the universalized humanitarian body and explore the possibilities that lie at the boundaries of traditional historical methodologies. Firstly, it exposes the constraints of reading the image solely within the framework of the humanitarian index, highlighting the resulting silences. Secondly, the forensic reading, while placing the photograph in the context of the larger textual archive, provides glimpses into the local circumstances surrounding its creation but still violently mutes the photographed. Lastly, inspired by the method of critical fabulation, the article embraces a speculative reading to reimagine the lives and experiences of the women in the photograph based on imaginary possibilities. Deploying a method that attends equally to archival content and that which is impossible to discern allows us to shift the focus to those who are visible photographically but are nonetheless invisible in the archive and muted by being forced to perform as part of the humanitarian index.
German Colonialism in the Courtroom—Law, Reparation, and the Grammars of the Shoah
Authors: Rechavia-Taylor Howie
Published: January 2024

Abstract: In the quest to address the lingering consequences of colonialism and slavery, activists and human rights practitioners have increasingly utilized legal channels. This article focuses on the Ovaherero and Nama people's pursuit of reparations from Germany in hearings held in New York between 2017 and 2019. It explores the historical conditions for bringing such a case in the United States, arguing that the 1990s economy-focused Holocaust Restitution Movement is a crucial backdrop. The argument examines the implications of applying this 'thefticide' framework to a colonial genocide, suggesting that it provides both an opening and a foreclosure of reparatory possibility in the context of a colonial history where private property relations were first imposed in order to dispossess.
Seva as Radical Friendship: On Foucault, Spirituality and the Farmers' Protest
Authors: Sokhi-Bulley Bal
Published: January 2024

Abstract: The Farmers' Protest is now recognised as the longest protest movement in history and should concern everyone who eats. In this article, I examine how legal rights failed the farmers and how, to survive the year and a half long protest, they practiced a way of life that performed a relational right to nourishment. Through using concepts from radical Sikhi, namely seva and langar, I show how an ethics of seva produced radical friendship at sites of protest that countered state abandonment and neglect, and created a new way of life practiced by a new subjectivity.
Entangled Lives: Enduring Under Sanctions
Authors: Osanloo Arzoo
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This essay explores international sanctions as a technology of global governmentality. I explore the enduring effects of decades of international sanctions against Iran on the individuals who experience them daily. As a backdrop to understanding the experiences of the civilian populations on the receiving end of sanctions, I begin with an examination of the historical relationship between the sanctioning of recalcitrant states and the uses of global economy. In this context, sanctions serve as instruments of political coercion and technologies of power, which, in their enduring capacity, also possess productive potential. As a result, I then explore how sanctions affect individuals, their social relations, and the working worlds of people in different Iranian industries.
Art at the Border: Sanctions and the Visual Arts of Iran
Authors: Sreberny-Mohammadi Leili
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This article enumerates the myriad direct and indirect consequences of sanctions on
the visual arts. The author draws on ten years of research on the circulation of Iranian art through international exhibitions and the global art market, particularly in the geographies of the United Arab Emirates, Europe and the USA, a time period that encompasses both the Obama-era sanctions on Iran as well as the Trump-era sanctions. Technically, artworks fall under the category of "information and informational materials" and are not under sanction. Yet, given how U.S. sanctions ban any institutions from engaging in financial transactions with Iran, the trade and/or exhibition of art is sanctioned in practice. The idea that art is an exceptional field of life that should be protected evolves quite directly from the philosophy of Emmanuel Kant. In simple terms, his ideas about the role of art in society underpin Western ideals of art and the value system embedded within the sanctions. For Kant, art is as a vehicle for expressing both truth and beauty. Unpolluted by either the political or economic, art should occupy its own autonomous sphere. When "Art" embodies these ideas, it is frequently imagined as a salve, a balm to the ills of society, or a mirror to its problems. The artist is a special genius, both a voice and savior for society. The Iranian artist specifically is then savior of the nation. What happens to these voices and their art when sanctions designed to strangle a nation are deployed? What obstacles do they create for this vehicle of salvation?
Cross-border Paradiplomacy in the Irish Sea: A Socio-spatial Analysis
Authors: Lagana Giada , Sorondo Salazar Dennis
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT: Bilateral relations between the UK devolved administrations and Ireland are a neglected aspect of the 'totality of relationships' among the people of these islands. This is especially true for relations between Ireland and Wales. This article fills this gap by focusing on the paradiplomatic role played by subnational authorities within Ireland and Wales in the construction of effective socio-spatial governance solutions pursuing cross-border cooperation across the Irish Sea. It describes the Ireland–Wales cross-border region as a loose, multi-level structure of economic and political cooperation, and as a product of the interaction between strategies and structures. The article demonstrates that paradiplomacy is not just empowered by cross-border cooperation, but actively shapes it as an opportunity structure through metagovernance. Specifically, the article argues for a better grasp of metagovernance to keep Irish Sea cooperation alive post-Brexit.
An Araki–Elliott Theorem for Alternative C *-Algebras
Authors: Rodríguez Palacios Ángel
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Araki and Elliott proved that if A is an associative complex *-algebra endowed with a complete vector space norm ∥ • ∥ such that ∥ a*a ∥ = ∥ a ∥2 for every a ∈ A , then the norm ∥ • ∥ is submultiplicative. In this paper we prove that the Araki–Elliott theorem remains true if 'associative' is relaxed to 'alternative'. We also prove that the Araki–Elliott theorem does not remain true if 'associative' is altogether removed.
Response
Authors: Burke Peter
Published: January 2024

Abstract: The aim of this response is to comment not so much on individual contributions, from all of which I have learned much, or indeed on individual examples of polymaths but rather on the practice of polymathy: on what the examples chosen by the authors of these essays tell us about the structures underlying, enabling, or blocking this practice and the ways in which it has changed over the centuries. It will reflect on the deceptively simple questions of What? Who? How? Where? When? With What Effects?
Analytical Overview of the Established Demographic Theories of Fertility: Agenda for Further Advancement
Authors: Frantsuz Yuri
Published: January 2024

Abstract: The demographic theory of fertility has interested prominent scholars for more than a century. Most recently and notably, Greenhalgh (1994), Van de Kaa (1995), de Bruijn (2006) and Leridon (2015) have dedicated their works to the analysis of the established demographic theories. They have provided a typology and analysis of demographic theories of fertility and illuminated many components of the latter, including the logic of theories’ development and evolution, their multidisciplinary nature and their “anchors” in the existing body of knowledge in their respective broader fields. Still, scholars acknowledge … “we still have no universally accepted explanation for why the Western post-war baby boom occurred, and why it ended. Nor do we have any clear idea of how fertility will evolve in countries where it is currently below replacement level. Homo demographicus is yet to be born…” (Leridon, 2015). The proposed agenda for advancing demographic theories include linking them to their predecessors in social sciences, analyzing them from the theory construction standpoint, providing distinctions between several branches of each of these theories, and outlining a strategy for the integration of compatible parts of these theories.
Three Visions of the Realm in Southern Song Debates on the Spatial Order of Antiquity
Authors: Hofmann Martin
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This article traces the Southern Song discourse on the size and the basic organizational principles of the realm under the ancient sage kings. It shows how scholars reconciled different spatial concepts outlined in the Confucian Classics, and how they interpreted the various specifications of size, of spatial hierarchies, and of borders. We can distinguish three visions of the realm in their writings: a confined realm of comparatively small expanse with a clear distinction between inside and outside; a mutable realm that was spatially and organizationally flexible; and an unlimited realm that incorporated distant territories into a harmonious order.
Tracing the Image of the Stringless ‘Qin’ in Buddhist and Literati Writings in the Song Dynasty (960–1279)
Authors: Zhang Meimei
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This article delves into the religious, philosophical, and poetic connotations of the stringless qin during the Song dynasty, particularly its significance in Chan Buddhism and literati culture. For Chan monks, it analogously represented the transmission of unspoken teachings and the urgency of transcending intellection and language. Simultaneously, Song literati wove the stringless qin into diverse narratives, reflecting both their philosophical explorations and Tao Qian’s influence. By tracing its historical trajectory both within and outside the soteriological context, the study sheds light on the dynamic interactions and shared influences between literati and Buddhist monks.
Networks and Fame: Literary Social Circles from the Late Song to the Early Yuan
Authors: Mao Yuan-Heng
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This article argues that the late Southern Song was a time of emerging cross-regional “social circles” based on literary interactions. To explicate non-official literati’s vigorous activities and connections outside of local society, the study adopts the concept of “social circle” developed by Charles Kadushin in his study of social networks. After the Mongol conquest, southern literati maintained cross-regional connections that bridged bureaucratic elite and local societies. Participating in literary “social circles” provided literati with new possibilities for achieving fame, exchanging information, making associations, and adapting to political and institutional changes.
Thought Reform in Daily Life: Revolutionary Ideology and the Self of a Chinese College Student, 1951–1953
Authors: Zheng Haolan , Zhang Letian
Published: January 2024

Abstract: This article reexamines China's Thought Reform campaign in higher education through a college student's daily experience. Unlike previous research, which has examined the ideological effects of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on faculty members, we focus on college students' thoughts, emotions, and behavior before, during, and after the Thought Reform campaign. On the basis of in-depth analysis of personal diaries and official archives, this article examines how a college student understood, accepted, and practiced revolutionary values and the conflicts that occurred during these practices. We argue that students selectively practiced revolutionary values following personal motivations, mainly focusing on the specific values that matched their daily concerns and interests. We also argue that, although the Thought Reform campaign consolidated the CCP's power in colleges and universities, it had little effect on individuals' desires to pursue personal interests and happiness in their daily lives.
Solving the "Religious Problem": The Great Leap Forward of "Religious Work" and Protestant Communities in Pingyang, Wenzhou in 1958
Authors: Wang Xiaoxuan
Published: January 2024

Abstract: Chinese Christians have long held that the central government sought to eliminate religion in the Wenzhou region of Zhejiang Province in 1958 and even attempted to promote the Wenzhou experience nationally. Yet, to this day, details of the plight that religious communities endured in Wenzhou during the Great Leap Forward remain obscure. This article examines the origins, development, and after-math of the local campaign to solve the "religious problem" in Wenzhou in 1958, focusing on the experience of Protestant communities in Pingyang County. I argue that the antireligious movement in Wenzhou during the Great Leap Forward was not a central initiative. Instead, what happened was that local state agents seized the opportunity offered by the Great Leap Forward to crush religious communities, especially Christian communities, with which they had long had tensions. The result was an antireligious movement that went far beyond what the central government had originally envisioned.
A Review on Drug Design by the Application of Computer
Authors: Patil Nikita S. , Suryawanshi Harsha S. , Shaikh Azam Z. , Pawar S. P.
Published: January 2024

The process of creating new pharmaceuticals is incredibly costly and time-consuming, and it dates back millions of years to the time when only herbal remedies were used. Furthermore, the solvation energies of the ligand and receptor site are crucial to this process because partial to complete dedication must take place before binding. The full form of CADD is computer-added drug design. To enhance the design and discovery of, CADD stands for computational methodologies and resources. Smaller numbers of chemicals are chosen from extensive compound libraries for experimental testing. There is less screening. Pharmacogenomics’ main benefit is the ability to develop medication based on the genomiy organization of each individual. The immense potential of enzymes as therapeutic targets is exemplified by under R's leadership, Merck's strategy. Both the two exemplary PP'S were the (APS, a class of proteins, are making progress it will blossoms in computational thermodynamics.3D-QSAR mode was developed last year for the follow-up forecast of action of chemicals in a molecular database or newly created target's spatial organization is known.