bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Konzeption und Implementierung eines Zertifizierungssystems zur Qualitätssicherung der Cochlea-Implantat-Versorgung in Deutschland
Authors: Stöver T. , Plontke S. K. , Guntinas-Lichius O. , Welkoborsky H-J. , Zahnert T. , Delank K. W. , Deitmer T. , Esser D. , Dietz A. , Wienke A. , Loth A. , Dazert S.
Published: April 2023

Ein standardisierter und strukturierter Versorgungsprozess ist unabdingbare Voraussetzung für eine optimale Hörrehabilitation mit einem Cochlea-Implantat (CI). Auf Initiative des Präsidiums der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e. V. (DGHNO-KHC) sollte auf Basis der aktuellen AWMF-Leitlinie (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Medizinisch-Wissenschaftlicher Fachgesellschaften), die den einheitlich in Deutschland geltenden medizinischen Standard in der CI-Versorgung beschreibt, ein Weißbuch erstellt und ein Zertifizierungssystem eingeführt werden, um die Umsetzung dieser Leitlinie standardisiert einrichtungsbezogen zu überprüfen und öffentlich zugänglich zu machen. Unter Einbindung einer unabhängigen Zertifizierungsorganisation sollte den beantragenden Kliniken durch die Erteilung des Qualitätszertifikats „Cochlea-Implantat-versorgende Einrichtung“ (CIVE) die erfolgreiche Umsetzung der Leitlinien- und Weißbuchinhalte bescheinigt werden können. Auf Grundlage der CI-Leitlinie wurde eine Struktur zur Umsetzung eines Zertifizierungsprogramms erarbeitet. Folgende Schritte waren hierzu notwendig: 1. Konzeption eines Qualitätssicherungssystems zur Zertifizierung leitlinienkonform arbeitender Kliniken; 2. Entwicklung der notwendigen Strukturen zur unabhängigen Überprüfung qualitätsrelevanter Struktur‑, Prozess- und Ergebnisparameter; 3. Erarbeitung eines Standardablaufs zur unabhängigen Zertifizierung von Kliniken; 4. Entwicklung eines Zertifikats und eines Logos zum Nachweis einer erfolgreichen Zertifizierung, 5. praktische Implementierung des Zertifizierungssystems. Nach Konzeption des Zertifizierungsprogramms, dessen Systematik und der dazugehörigen Organisationsstruktur wurde das Zertifizierungssystem 2021 erfolgreich eröffnet. Anträge zur Erteilung des Qualitätszertifikats CIVE konnten ab September 2021 formal gestellt werden. Bis Dezember 2022 wurden insgesamt 51 Offsite-Prüfungen durchgeführt. In den ersten 16 Monaten seit der Einführung wurden 47 Kliniken erfolgreich als CIVE zertifiziert. Im genannten Zeitraum konnten 20 Fachexperten als Gutachter geschult werden, die bis Dezember 2022 bereits 18 Vor-Ort-Prüfungen (Onsite-Audits) in Kliniken durchführten. Zusammenfassend konnte die Konzeptionierung, Strukturierung und praktische Umsetzung eines Zertifizierungssystems zur Qualitätssicherung in der CI-Versorgung für Deutschland erfolgreich umgesetzt werden.
On the cost of the bubble set for random interlacements
Authors: Sznitman Alain-Sol
Published: April 2023

The main focus of this article concerns the strongly percolative regime of the vacant set of random interlacements on${\mathbb{Z}}^{d}$Zd,$d \ge 3$d≥3. We investigate the occurrence in a large box of an excessive fraction of sites that get disconnected by the interlacements from the boundary of a concentric box of double size. The results significantly improve our findings in Sznitman (Probab. Math. Phys. 2–3:563–311, 2021). In particular, if, as expected, the critical levels for percolation and for strong percolation of the vacant set of random interlacements coincide, the asymptotic upper bound that we derive here matches in principal order a previously known lower bound. A challenging difficulty revolves around the possible occurrence of droplets that could get secluded by the random interlacements and thus contribute to the excess of disconnected sites, somewhat in the spirit of the Wulff droplets for Bernoulli percolation or for the Ising model. This feature is reflected in the present context by the so-calledbubble set, a possibly quite irregular random set. A pivotal progress in this work has to do with the improved construction of a coarse grained random set accounting for the cost of the bubble set. This construction heavily draws both on themethod of enlargement of obstaclesoriginally developed in the mid-nineties in the context of Brownian motion in a Poissonian potential in Sznitman (Ann. Probab. 25(3):1180–1209, 1997; Brownian Motion, Obstacles and Random Media. Springer, Berlin, 1998), and on theresonance setsrecently introduced by Nitzschner and Sznitman in (J. Eur. Math. Soc. 22(8):2629–2672, 2020) and further developed in a discrete set-up by Chiarini and Nitzschner in (Commun. Math. Phys. 386(3):1685–1745, 2021).
OptiScreen – ein Schulungskonzept für Pflegekräfte zur Durchführung des psychosozialen Distress-Screenings
Authors: Dreismann L. , Wenzel M. , Ginger V. , Zimmermann T.
Published: April 2023

Hintergrund

Eine angemessene, bedarfsgerechte psychoonkologische Versorgung reduziert Depressivität und Ängste von Krebserkrankten sowie ihren Angehörigen und erhöht die Lebensqualität. Psychisch belastete Krebserkrankte werden jedoch nicht flächendeckend identifiziert, um ihnen psychoonkologische Unterstützung anzubieten. Screeningfragebögen haben sich zur Identifikation bewährt, allerdings bestehen bei der Anwendung im klinischen Alltag Hürden. Pflegekräfte haben durch ihren kontinuierlichen Kontakt zu Patient_innen, die vielfältigen klinischen Eindrücke und ihre Verbindung zu anderen Berufsgruppen eine Schlüsselrolle.

Ziele

Die OptiScreen-Schulung soll Pflegekräfte in der Onkologie zur Durchführung des Distress-Screenings befähigen, entsprechendes Expert_innenwissen vermitteln und Hürden sowie Unsicherheiten im Screeningprozess abbauen, um somit belastete Erkrankte zielgerichtet identifizieren und einer psychoonkologischen Versorgung zuführen zu können.

Das Training

Die OptiScreen-Schulung gliedert sich in drei Module à 1,5–2 h zu den Themen psychische Störungen bei Krebs, psychoonkologische Versorgung, psychische Belastung, Distress-Screening, Kommunikation im Screeningprozess und Psychohygiene (vermittelt durch Vorträge, Videos, Rollenspiele, Übungen).

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Erste praktische Erfahrungen weisen auf eine erfolgreiche Umsetzung des Schulungskonzepts hin. Weitere Ziele sind es, den Wissenszuwachs und die zunehmende Sicherheit der Pflegekräfte im Screeningprozess zu stärken sowie die Effekte langfristig aufrechtzuerhalten. Zusätzlich soll die Schulung in verschiedenen Settings etabliert und die Auswirkungen der Schulung in Bezug auf die Informiertheit und Zufriedenheit der Patient_innen mit dem Screeningprozess untersucht werden.
Successful use of extracorporeal life support and hemadsorption in the context of venlafaxine intoxication requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a case report
Authors: Hoffmann Matthias , Akbas Samira , Kindler Rahel , Bettex Dominique
Published: April 2023

Venlafaxine is a serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor prescribed as an antidepressant. Overdose clinically manifests with neurological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal abnormalities based on, amongst others, serotonin syndrome and can be life-threatening due to cardiovascular collapse. Besides immediate decontamination via gastric lavage and inhibition of enteral absorption through active charcoal, successful hemadsorption with CytoSorb® has been reported. We present the case of a 17-year-old female who required extracorporeal life support (ECLS) for cardiovascular collapse as a result of life-threatening venlafaxine intoxication. Serial serum blood concentrations of venlafaxine/desmethylvenlafaxine on admission at a tertiary hospital (approx. 24 h after ingestion) and subsequently 6 h and 18 h thereafter, as well as on days 2 and 4, were measured. CytoSorb® was initiated 6 h after admission and changed three times over 72 h. The initial blood concentration of venlafaxine/desmethylvenlafaxine was 53.52 µmol/l. After 6 h, it declined to 30.7 µmol/l and CytoSorb® was initiated at this point. After 12 h of hemadsorption, the blood level decreased to 9.6 µmol/l. On day 2, it was down to 7.17 µmol/l and decreased further to 3.74 µmol/l. Additional continuous renal replacement therapy using CVVHD was implemented on day 5. The combination of hemadsorption, besides traditional decontamination strategies along maximal organ supportive therapy with ECLS, resulted in the intact neurological survival of the highest venlafaxine intoxication reported in the literature to date. Hemadsorption with CytoSorb® might help to reduce blood serum levels of venlafaxine. Swift clearance of toxic blood levels may support cardiovascular recovery after life-threatening intoxications.
Discovering maritime-piracy hotspots: a study based on AHP and spatio-temporal analysis
Authors: Tsioufis Marios , Fytopoulos Antonios , Kalaitzi Dimitra , Alexopoulos Thomas A.
Published: April 2023

Shipping is the backbone of international trade and oil companies want their oil tankers to arrive safely. The safety and security of international shipping of crucial elements such as oil has always been important aspect in the landscape of piracy. The implications of piracy attacks are linked with loss of cargo or personnel, economic and environmental catastrophe. Despite maritime piracy being a major concern to international trade, no comprehensive study considers the causing factors and spatio-temporal patterns that influence the choice of attack areas. Thus, this research expands our understanding on the areas where piracy mainly occurs, and its underlying causes. To achieve these objectives, AHP and spatio-temporal analysis applied by using data from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. The results indicate that territorial waters are preferable areas; thus, pirates prefer to attack the ships close to the coastline fewer times near ports, and rarely in international waters. This is in line with the spatio-temporal analysis results that show that pirates except for the Arabian sea prefer to hit close to the coastline of countries that face political instability, lack of properly functioning government and extreme poverty. Moreover, pirates in certain areas are influenced by the activity and the information from other pirates, which can be used as tool from the authorities e.g., derive information from pirates that have been arrested. Overall, this study contributes on the literature of maritime piracy, and it could be used to enhance security and build tailored defense strategies in perilous water areas.
An application of self-assessment of students in mathematics with intelligent decision systems: questionnaire, design and implementation at digital education
Authors: Matzavela Vasiliki , Alepis Efthimios
Published: April 2023

During the last decade an eruptive increase in the demand for intelligent m-learning environments has been observed since instructors in the online academic procedures need to ensure reliability. The research for decision systems seemed inevitable for flexible and effective learning in all levels of education. The prediction of the performance of students during their final exams is considered as a difficult task. In this paper, an application is presented, contributing to an accurate prediction which would assist educators and learning experts in the extraction of useful knowledge for designing learning interventions with enhanced outcomes.
Approaches for reducing the iodine content of the brown seaweed Saccharina latissima—effects on sensory properties
Authors: Krook Johanna Liberg , Duinker Arne , Larssen Wenche Emblem , Birkeland Ingri Mjelde , Skeie Siv , Horn Svein Jarle , Stévant Pierrick
Published: April 2023

The effects of steam- or warm water treatments of the brown seaweed Saccharina latissima on iodine content and nutrient and sensory profiles were investigated. Warm freshwater or seawater treatments reduced the dry weight iodine content by 73% and 59%, respectively. Steam treatment was less efficient and only reduced the iodine content by 26%. Freshwater treatment resulted in a greater reduction in total solids and loss of water-soluble components, mainly reducing the content of ash and carbohydrates. Seawater treatment had a small effect on total solid content but altered the mineral profile leading to an increase in sodium and decrease in potassium content. The sensory profiles reflected the observed differences in composition as it revealed a significantly higher saltiness of the seawater-treated sample compared to other treatments, as well as a higher umami intensity compared to the freshwater-treated sample. The latter was characterized by low scores across all sensory attributes, indicating greater loss of flavour-active compounds. Further, including seawater-treated S. latissima at relatively low levels (0.5% and 1%) significantly altered the flavour of a commercial spinach soup compared to the same preparation without seaweed. Therefore, warm water treatment using seawater could be an alternative method for lowering the iodine content in brown seaweed while limiting nutrient loss and maintaining its flavour potential for applications in the food industry.
Bacterial response to Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta alloy incorporated with calcium, phosphate and magnesium
Authors: dos Reis Bárbara Araújo , Da Ponte Leguizamón Natalia , Del Rey Yumi Chokyu , Fernandes Leandro , do Nascimento Cássio , Vaz Luis Geraldo
Published: April 2023

High implant survival rates have been achieved in recent decades due to continual modifications in implant design and surface topography, however there is still an ongoing quest to control peri-implant bone loss. The objective of this work was to develop Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta (TNZT) alloys, perform physicochemical and morphological characterization of their surface modified by electrolytic oxidative plasma technique with ions related to osseointegration and lastly evaluate bacterial colonization in vitro. Three groups were evaluated: C group (polished TNZT), CaP group (sodium β glycerophosphate + calcium acetate) and Mg group (magnesium acetate). Before and after anodizing the surfaces, physicochemical and morphological analyses were performed: scanning electron microscopy with field emission gun (FEG-SEM), energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (DRX), wettability (goniometer) and roughness (rugometer). Controlled and treated specimens were contaminated with unstimulated saliva collected from 10 healthy volunteers. Then, biofilm samples were collected and up to 35 microbial species, including commensal and pathogenic microorganisms, were identified and quantified by the Checkerboard DNA-DNA Hybridization method. The CaP group modified the surface morphology in the form of pores, while the Mg group modified it in the form of flakes. The contact angle was significantly smaller in the CaP group. The average roughness was higher in the CaP and Mg groups. A smaller total amount of bacteria was identified in the Mg group and relevant differences were found in the microbial profile associated with different surface treatments. Therefore, considering the microbiological profile and for the prevention of peri-implantitis, the Mg group presented more satisfactory and encouraging results for the manufacture of dental implants

Graphical Abstract
Three Contrasting Accounts of Electronic Gambling Machine Related Harm: Impacts on Community Views Towards Gambling Policy and Responsibility
Authors: Myles Dan , O’Brien Kerry , Yücel Murat , Carter Adrian
Published: April 2023

This study investigated whether there was community support for prominent gambling harm reduction policies, as well as perceived responsibility for electronic gambling machine (EGM) related harm in an Australian sample (n = 906). Using a randomised experimental design, we also explored whether these outcomes were influenced by three alternative explanations for EGM-related harm: a brain-based account of gambling addiction, an account that highlighted the intentional design of the gambling environment focused on the “losses disguised as wins” (LDWs), and a media release advocating against further government intervention in the gambling sector. We observed clear majority support for most policies presented, including mandatory pre-commitment, self-exclusion, and a $1 limit on EGM bets. A substantial majority of participants agreed that individuals, governments, and industry should be held responsible for EGM-related harm. Participants presented with the explanation of LDWs attributed greater responsibility for gambling-related harm to industry and government, less agreement that electronic gambling machines are fair, and more agreement that EGMs are likely to mislead or deceive consumers. There was some limited evidence of greater support for policy intervention in this group, including a blanket ban of EGMs, clinical treatment funded by gambling taxes, mass media campaigns, and mandatory pre-commitment for EGMs. We found no evidence that a brain-based account of gambling addiction substantially undermined support for policy intervention. We predicted that the information about LDWs and the brain-based account of EGM related harm would soften attributions of personal responsibility for gambling harm. Our results did not support either of these predictions.
Higher-spin Yang–Mills, amplitudes and self-duality
Authors: Adamo Tim , Tran Tung
Published: April 2023

The existence of interacting higher-spin theories is tightly constrained by many no-go theorems. In this paper, we construct a chiral, higher-spin generalization of Yang–Mills theory in flat space which avoids these no-go theorems and has non-trivial tree-level scattering amplitudes with some higher-spin external legs. The fields and action are complex, so the theory is non-unitary and parity-violating, yet we find surprisingly compact formulae for all-multiplicity tree-level scattering amplitudes in the maximal helicity violating (MHV) sector, where the two negative helicity particles have identical but arbitrary spin. This is possible because the theory admits a perturbative expansion around its self-dual sector. Using twistor theory, we prove the classical integrability of this self-dual sector and show that it can be described on spacetime by an infinite tower of interacting massless scalar fields. We also give a twistor construction of the full theory and use it to derive the formula for the MHV amplitude.
Completing the TRB family: newly characterized members show ancient evolutionary origins and distinct localization, yet similar interactions
Authors: Kusová Alžbeta , Steinbachová Lenka , Přerovská Tereza , Drábková Lenka Záveská , Paleček Jan , Khan Ahamed , Rigóová Gabriela , Gadiou Zuzana , Jourdain Claire , Stricker Tino , Schubert Daniel , Honys David , Schrumpfová Petra Procházková
Published: April 2023

Telomere repeat binding proteins (TRBs) belong to a family of proteins possessing a Myb-like domain which binds to telomeric repeats. Three members of this family (TRB1, TRB2, TRB3) from Arabidopsis thaliana have already been described as associated with terminal telomeric repeats (telomeres) or short interstitial telomeric repeats in gene promoters (telo-boxes). They are also known to interact with several protein complexes: telomerase, Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) E(z) subunits and the PEAT complex (PWOs-EPCRs-ARIDs-TRBs). Here we characterize two novel members of the TRB family (TRB4 and TRB5). Our wide phylogenetic analyses have shown that TRB proteins evolved in the plant kingdom after the transition to a terrestrial habitat in Streptophyta, and consequently TRBs diversified in seed plants. TRB4-5 share common TRB motifs while differing in several others and seem to have an earlier phylogenetic origin than TRB1-3. Their common Myb-like domains bind long arrays of telomeric repeats in vitro, and we have determined the minimal recognition motif of all TRBs as one telo-box. Our data indicate that despite the distinct localization patterns of TRB1-3 and TRB4-5 in situ, all members of TRB family mutually interact and also bind to telomerase/PRC2/PEAT complexes. Additionally, we have detected novel interactions between TRB4-5 and EMF2 and VRN2, which are Su(z)12 subunits of PRC2.
Science teacher beliefs in conflict-affected zones of Jammu and Kashmir
Authors: Koul Rehka , Bansal Garima
Published: April 2023

This study examines science teacher beliefs working in the conflict-affected zones of Jammu and Kashmir. Research in these areas indicates that teacher beliefs influence their classroom practices and student learning outcomes and that teacher beliefs are highly context sensitive. Using data collected from a questionnaire and focussed group discussions, this research elucidates science teachers’ beliefs regarding how conflict affects classroom practices, conflict and teaching issues, the multifaceted role of teachers in conflict-affected zones, the role of science education in ameliorating conflict, and the changing role of teachers during three decades of active conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. A nuanced picture of teacher beliefs originated from this study suggesting that despite challenges teachers are committed to children’s academic, cognitive, and psychosocial growth.
Neutrophil (dys)function due to altered immuno-metabolic axis in type 2 diabetes: implications in combating infections
Authors: Thimmappa Pooja Yedehalli , Vasishta Sampara , Ganesh Kailash , Nair Aswathy S , Joshi Manjunath B
Published: April 2023

Metabolic and inflammatory pathways are highly interdependent, and both systems are dysregulated in Type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D is associated with pre-activated inflammatory signaling networks, aberrant cytokine production and increased acute phase reactants which leads to a pro-inflammatory ‘feed forward loop’. Nutrient ‘excess’ conditions in T2D with hyperglycemia, elevated lipids and branched-chain amino acids significantly alter the functions of immune cells including neutrophils. Neutrophils are metabolically active cells and utilizes energy from glycolysis, stored glycogen and β-oxidation while depending on the pentose phosphate pathway for NADPH for performing effector functions such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis and forming extracellular traps. Metabolic changes in T2D result in constitutive activation and impeded acquisition of effector or regulatory activities of neutrophils and render T2D subjects for recurrent infections. Increased flux through the polyol and hexosamine pathways, elevated production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and activation of protein kinase C isoforms lead to (a) an enhancement in superoxide generation; (b) the stimulation of inflammatory pathways and subsequently to (c) abnormal host responses. Neutrophil dysfunction diminishes the effectiveness of wound healing, successful tissue regeneration and immune surveillance against offending pathogens. Hence, Metabolic reprogramming in neutrophils determines frequency, severity and duration of infections in T2D. The present review discusses the influence of the altered immuno-metabolic axis on neutrophil dysfunction along with challenges and therapeutic opportunities for clinical management of T2D-associated infections.
A set of essentials for online learning: CSE-SET
Authors: Kanchana J. Dulangi , Amarasinghe Gayashan , Nanayakkara Vishaka , Perera Amal Shehan
Published: April 2023

Distance learning is not a novel concept. Education or learning conducted online is a form of distance education. Online learning presents a convenient alternative to traditional learning. Numerous researchers have investigated the usage of online education in educational institutions and across nations. A set of essentials for effective online learning are elaborated in this study to ensure stakeholders would not get demotivated in the online learning process. Also, the study lists a set of factors that motivate students and other stakeholders to engage in online learning with enthusiasm and work towards online learning.
The Development And Applications Of Augmented And Virtual Reality Technology In Spine Surgery Training: A Systematic Review
Authors: Jung Youngkyung , Muddaluru Varun , Gandhi Pranjan , Pahuta Markian , Guha Daipayan
Published: April 2023

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growing global interest in the role of augmented and virtual reality in surgical training. While this technology grows at a rapid rate, its efficacy remains unclear. To that end, we offer a systematic review of the literature summarizing the role of virtual and augmented reality on spine surgery training.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature was conducted on May 13th, 2022. PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, and Embase were reviewed for relevant studies. Studies from both orthopedic and neurosurgical spine programs were considered. There were no restrictions placed on the type of study, virtual/augmented reality modality, nor type of procedure. Qualitative data analysis was performed, and all studies were assigned a Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) score.

Results:

The initial review identified 6752 studies, of which 16 were deemed relevant and included in the final review, examining a total of nine unique augmented/virtual reality systems. These studies had a moderate methodological quality with a MERSQI score of 12.1 + 1.8; most studies were conducted at single-center institutions, and unclear response rates. Statistical pooling of the data was limited by the heterogeneity of the study designs.

Conclusion:

This review examined the applications of augmented and virtual reality systems for training residents in various spine procedures. As this technology continues to advance, higher-quality, multi-center, and long-term studies are required to further the adaptation of VR/AR technologies in spine surgery training programs.
Fundamentals and issues of user experience in the process of designing consumer products
Authors: Berni Aurora , Borgianni Yuri , Basso Demis , Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: April 2023

User experience (UX) application in the practice of engineering and product design is still limited. The present paper provides insights into research on UX design and recommendations for design practitioners by pointing out common criticalities. These outcomes are achieved through a literature review on how UX relates to design. First, issues in benefitting from UX understanding in design are identified with a specific focus on theoretical contributions. Second, experimental papers investigating UX and design are analysed in relation to previously identified issues. Although issues are present to some extent in all the contributions, the empirical studies dealing with UX in design are overall valid. The results highlight UX’s support in revealing design requirements, but its capability of steering design processes is arguable, as concrete guidelines for practitioners are not well described. Based on identified issues, the authors propose a checklist to make UX studies in design more reliable and their outcomes more comparable.
Velocity field and cavity dynamics in drop impact experiments
Authors: Lherm V. , Deguen R.
Published: April 2023

Drop impact experiments allow the modelling of a wide variety of natural processes, from raindrop impacts to planetary impact craters. In particular, interpreting the consequences of planetary impacts requires an accurate description of the flow associated with the cratering process. In our experiments, we release a liquid drop above a deep liquid pool to investigate simultaneously the dynamics of the cavity and the velocity field produced around the air–liquid interface. Using particle image velocimetry, we analyse quantitatively the velocity field using a shifted Legendre polynomial decomposition. We show that the velocity field is more complex than considered in previous models, in relation to the non-hemispherical shape of the crater. In particular, the velocity field is dominated by degrees 0 and 1, with contributions from degree 2, and is independent of the Froude and the Weber numbers when these numbers are large enough. We then derive a semi-analytical model based on the Legendre polynomial expansion of an unsteady Bernoulli equation coupled with a kinematic boundary condition at the crater boundary. This model explains the experimental observations and can predict the time evolution of both the velocity field and the shape of the crater, including the initiation of the central jet.
ARITHMETICITY OF -FUCHSIAN SUBGROUPS OF SOME NONARITHMETIC LATTICES
Authors: JIANG YUEPING , WANG JIEYAN , YANG FANG
Published: April 2023

We study the arithmeticity of
$\mathbb {C}$
-Fuchsian subgroups of some nonarithmetic lattices constructed by Deraux et al. [‘New non-arithmetic complex hyperbolic lattices’, Invent. Math.203 (2016), 681–771]. Our results give an answer to a question raised by Wells [Hybrid Subgroups of Complex Hyperbolic Isometries, Doctoral thesis, Arizona State University, 2019].
Beyond Planetary Limits! The International Chamber of Commerce, the United Nations, and the Invention of Sustainable Development
Authors: Bergquist Ann-Kristin , David Thomas
Published: April 2023

This article examines the role of business interests in shaping the structures of global environmental governance between the United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972 and the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio in 1992. It demonstrates how the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) managed to establish itself as a key partner for the UN while articulating a neoliberal vision that emphasized the market mechanism and business self-regulation as sources of environmental governance. The article provides empirical evidence that the ICC institutionalized business self-regulation in environmental governance and contributed to the very definition of the concept of sustainable development as we know it today.
Gilayon and “Apocalypse”: Reconsidering an Early Jewish Concept and Genre
Authors: Kulik Alexander
Published: April 2023

This paper examines various ways in which apocalyptic studies can benefit from the introduction of the term and concept of gilayon, a reconstructed Hebrew counterpart of the Judeo-Greek apocalypse. The term gilayon, which combines the meanings of “revealed book” and “book of revelation,” refers to a central image of early Jewish revealed literature and could serve to define an important corpus, the boundaries of which might well overlap with (but still differ from) what is understood by the “genre apocalypse” in modern research. Moreover, this reconstructed concept uncovers additional meanings and associations, which shed light on texts known as “apocalyptic,” and has explanatory power for many phenomena associated with them. The introduction of gilayon may modify the entire paradigm of our understanding of early Jewish mysticism and help to divert the discussion of textual genres associated with it from a phenomenological to a historical route.
The Kuzari and Early Kabbalah: Between Integration and Interpretation regarding the Secrets of the Sacrificial Rite
Authors: Bar-Asher Avishai
Published: April 2023

The proper place of Judah Halevi’s thought in the initial emergence and subsequent development of medieval kabbalah has been the subject of debate for centuries. The general consensus has it that the Kuzari was not much more than a convenient repository of terms. This study measures the extent of Halevi’s impact on early kabbalah by using the Kuzari’s reasons for the sacrificial rite as a test case.

Halevi offered an exoteric, more rationalistic explanation and alluded to an esoteric one. Catalonian kabbalists in fact engaged for generations with these two reasons offered by the Kuzari, displaying a shared yet variable approach to Halevi’s thought. Unsurprisingly, some grabbed the low-hanging fruit by interpreting Halevi’s esoteric reason, which he refused to disclose, in terms of theosophical kabbalah. More unexpected, however, is the possible conceptual indebtedness of the earliest Catalonian kabbalists, like Ezra of Gerona, to Halevi’s theurgic conception of the commandments and doctrine of the Godhead. Of particular interest, too, is the fact that later generations of kabbalists interpreted the Kuzari using paradigms they also employed in their conceptualization of theosophical kabbalah, such as astral magic or neoplatonic psychology and spiritual eschatology.

Halevi’s work was not simply scavenged for its well-wrought nomenclature. If one looks closely, evidence for the Kuzari’s significant and lasting imprint can be found throughout kabbalah: in the doctrine of the Godhead, in the theurgic conception of religious ritual, in the development of an esoteric interpretation of religious praxis, in the establishment of an esoteric reading of Sefer yeẓirah, and more.
APPLICATIONAL AMBIGUITY? TAIWAN'S STATUS IN INTERNATIONAL SALES LAW
Authors: Köhler Ben
Published: April 2023

The discussion on Taiwan's status under the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) has picked up steam. After providing some historical background, it is argued that neither doctrinal nor policy arguments can support the application of the Convention to Taiwanese parties. Drawing on case law in the context of other uniform law treaties, the article concludes that the approbation of the CISG by the People's Republic of China should not bind Taiwan and that, as a consequence, Taiwanese parties should be treated as parties from non-Contracting States.
Phonetics of European Portuguese stress: A nonce word experiment
Authors: Shih Shu-hao
Published: April 2023

This paper investigates the acoustic correlates of stress in European Portuguese. Using a nonce word experiment, this study controls the phonological environment of the stimuli so stressed and unstressed vowels with the same quality can be directly compared. Of the five acoustic measures examined, duration is the most robust correlate of stress, but the effect is limited to certain vowels and speakers. Care is taken to separate the effects of independent phonological processes on acoustic properties that are also influenced by stress.
Government spending preferences over the life cycle
Authors: Vallée-Dubois Florence
Published: April 2023

Do seniors have different public spending preferences than younger people? The literature on this topic has been limited so far to a few policies or to short periods of time, which makes it difficult to provide a comprehensive answer to this question. Using data from Canadian surveys conducted between 1987 and 2019 and covering fifteen policies, this paper shows that seniors, as compared to younger adults, are slightly more favourable to the status quo when it comes to government spending. Results also show that support for education spending decreases extensively over the life cycle, while support for environment spending decreases until middle age, then stabilizes. In contrast, support for transportation spending is more widespread in older age, while support for elderly services takes an inverted U-shape over the life cycle. These findings broaden our understanding of the influence of age on government spending preferences and allow us to reflect on the consequences of a growing senior electorate on government budgets.
The materiality of secrets: everyday secrecy in postwar Soviet Union
Authors: Siddiqi Asif A.
Published: April 2023

The intensive culture of secrecy and censorship in postwar Soviet society was enabled by bureaucracies such as Glavlit, the principal agency for censorship, but also by a secondary level of ‘parasitic bureaucracy’ involving institutions and paperwork which drew lifeblood from the core regime of secrecy but had no reason to exist otherwise. In highlighting everyday secrecy at the office (through the ‘first departments’ responsible for workplace secrecy) and in libraries (in the work of special storage units for censored books), this article shows how this parasitic bureaucratic culture of secrecy prioritised the regulation of knowledge in its material and spatial forms.
Contested Heritage and the Consistory Courts
Authors: Sutton Teresa
Published: April 2023

This article distinguishes contested heritage on consecrated land from the wider secular contested heritage debate. The evolving property law position on contested heritage and consecrated land is analysed in the context of recent consistory court judgments including the controversial decision concerning the memorial to Tobias Rustat at Jesus College, Cambridge. The current application of the ecclesiastical exemption, the statutory guidance on contested heritage from the Church Buildings Council and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission and the Duffield framework are considered together with strong criticisms made by the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice. The article suggests that because issues of contested heritage and the legacies of enslavement have not been properly considered in a timely way by the Church of England, individual consistory court cases have become focal points for wider debates beyond their remit. The article argues that the current resolution process for disputes over contested heritage is untenable in the longer term. Statutory guidance needs to be revised and the faculty process, in particular the Duffield framework, needs to be adapted to address racial justice and mission and worship. Practical advice is offered to individual religious communities seeking to consider contested heritage in their own buildings in the meantime.
Reciprocity, Incentives, and Off-Ramps: Faculty–Undergraduate Collaboration and Comparative Politics Research
Authors: Coyoli Julia Smith , Dosh Paul
Published: April 2023

What are the opportunities and challenges of faculty–undergraduate collaborative scholarship that involves student participation at every stage of the research process? Drawing on interviews with comparative politics faculty members and undergraduate students, this article discusses the themes of reciprocity, incentives, and “off-ramps.” First, we find that an unequal division of labor can give way to a more reciprocal work dynamic as long-term projects unfold. Second, we consider the use of incremental incentives to sustain student motivation. Third, we propose the creation of off-ramps to allow an undergraduate to gracefully exit a project early. Grounded in these themes, we argue that—with a few guardrails—faculty members and undergraduate students can benefit from long-term collaborative research projects, including those that involve fieldwork or that seek to publish peer-reviewed articles.
Impaired cognitive flexibility across psychiatric disorders
Authors: Grant Jon E. , Chamberlain Samuel R.
Published: April 2023

Objective

Problems with cognitive flexibility have been associated with multiple psychiatric disorders, but there has been little understanding of how cognitive flexibility compares across these disorders. This study examined problems of cognitive flexibility in young adults across a range of psychiatric disorders using a validated computerized trans-diagnostic flexibility paradigm. We hypothesized that obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders (eg, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, and skin-picking disorder) would be associated with pronounced flexibility problems as they are most often associated with irrational or purposeless repetitive behaviors.

Methods

A total of 576 nontreatment seeking participants (aged 18-29 years) were enrolled from general community settings, provided demographic information, and underwent structured clinical assessments. Each participant undertook the intra-extra-dimensional task, a validated computerized test measuring set-shifting ability. The specific measures of interest were total errors on the task and performance on the extra-dimensional (ED) shift, which reflects the ability to inhibit and shift attention away from one stimulus dimension to another.

Results

Participants with depression and PTSD had elevated total errors on the task with moderate effect sizes; and those with the following had deficits of small effect size: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), antisocial personality disorder, and binge-eating disorder. For ED errors, participants with PTSD, GAD, and binge-eating disorder exhibited deficits with medium effect sizes; those with the following had small effect size deficits: depression, social anxiety disorder, OCD, substance dependence, antisocial personality disorder, and gambling disorder.

Conclusions

These data indicate cognitive flexibility deficits occur across a range of mental disorders. Future work should explore whether these deficits can be ameliorated with novel treatment interventions.
Countering self-protection interrupted sampling repeater jammer against chirp radar
Authors: Baher Safa Hanbali Samer
Published: April 2023

Interrupted sampling repeater jammer generates multiple false targets to confuse chirp radar systems. In practical situations, maintaining separation between true target echo and jamming signal is not possible because the jamming pulses and the true target echo are overlapping in both time and frequency domains. A new anti-jamming technique against interrupted sampling jamming of self-protection repeater jammer is proposed without the knowledge of the jamming parameters. The proposed technique is based on fractional Fourier transform that can separate the overlapping true target echo and jamming pulses in the fractional domain, and then the resulting pulses are returned to the time domain, the true target can be easily distinguished from the false ones because the jamming pulses lag behind the true target echo by the jammer's delay. The theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate the efficiency and validity of the proposed technique.
Tracing the Rain Formation Pathways in Numerical Simulations of Deep Convection
Authors: Beydoun Hassan , Caldwell Peter M. , Stein Elizabeth V. , Wharton Sonia
Published: April 2023

Quantifying the microphysical process contributions to surface precipitation in numerical simulations can be challenging. This is due to the fact that many microphysical processes contribute to the formation and depletion of rain drops and there is almost always a spatial/temporal mismatch between where/when rain is formed and where/when it strikes the surface. In this work, we develop a tracing method that tracks the sources and sinks of raindrop mass and number as they are advected by the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Applying the method to an idealized squall line confirms that convective precipitation is dominated by warm rain processes (autoconversion and accretion) while stratiform precipitation is dominated by the melting of rimed and unrimed ice crystals. Sensitivity experiments in which the prescribed cloud drop number concentration is increased confirm the conventional wisdom that weakened autoconversion increases the fraction of raindrops originating from cold rain processes. The method also reveals that when applied to deep convection the Khairoutdinov and Kogan autoconversion scheme produces an excessive number of raindrops which are subsequently clipped in P3 microphysics to keep the rain size distribution within prescribed limits. This problem can mostly be mitigated by increasing the assumed radius for raindrops created by autoconversion.
Changes of gut microbiota reflect the severity of major depressive disorder: a cross sectional study
Authors: Hu Xi , Li Yifan , Wu Jing , Zhang Hanping , Huang Yu , Tan Xunmin , Wen Lu , Zhou Xingyu , Xie Peijun , Olasunkanmi Oluwatayo Israel , Zhou Jingjing , Sun Zuoli , Liu Min , Zhang Guofu , Yang Jian , Zheng Peng , Xie Peng
Published: April 2023

Disturbed gut microbiota is a potential factor in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD), yet whether gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with the severity of MDD remains unclear. Here, we performed shotgun metagenomic profiling of cross-sectional stool samples from MDD (n = 138) and healthy controls (n = 155). The patients with MDD were divided into three groups according to Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17 (HAMD-17), including mild (n = 24), moderate (n = 72) and severe (n = 42) individuals, respectively. We found that microbial diversity was closely related to the severity of MDD. Compared to HCs, the abundance of Bacteroides was significantly increased in both moderate and severe MDD, while Ruminococcus and Eubacterium depleted mainly in severe group. In addition, we identified 99 bacteria species specific to severity of depression. Furthermore, a panel of microbiota marker comprising of 37 bacteria species enabled to effectively distinguish MDD patients with different severity. Together, we identified different perturbation patterns of gut microbiota in mild-to-severe depression, and identified potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
A unified model of the biology of peripartum depression
Authors: Levin Gal , Ein-Dor Tsachi
Published: April 2023

Peripartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent and debilitating disorder that adversely affects the development of mothers and infants. Recently, there has been a plea for increased mental health screening during the peripartum period; however, currently, there is no accurate screening tool to identify women at risk of PPD. In addition, some women do not respond to current treatment schemes and develop treatment-resistant depression. The current perspective aims to propose a unified understanding of the biological underpinnings of PPD (UmPPD) that considers the heterogeneity in the onset, symptoms cluster, and severity of PPD. Such a model could promote basic and applied research on PPD and suggest new treatment avenues. The central hub of the model is the kynurenine pathway (KP) and the KP-serotonin ratio. The forces and specific processes at play that cause an imbalance within the KP and between KP and serotonin are inflammation, stress, reproductive hormones (especially estradiol and progesterone), and oxytocin. UmPPD predicts that the most severe PPD would comprise prolonged inflammation, ongoing or multiple stressors, excessive estrogen, progesterone resistance, and avoidance of breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and social proximity. These factors would be associated with a higher likelihood of developing PPD, early onset, and more significant symptom severity. In addition, subtypes of PPD would consist of different compositions and expressions of these components, with one central common factor. UmPPD could aid in directing future research and possibly detecting critical processes that could help discover, develop, and utilize novel treatments for PPD.
An atlas of the bone marrow bone proteome in patients with dysproteinemias
Authors: Ho Matthew , Dasari Surendra , Visram Alissa , Drake Matthew T. , Charlesworth M. Cristine , Johnson Kenneth L. , Pujari Ganesh P. , Jevremovic Dragan , Kourelis Taxiarchis
Published: April 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) bone disease is a significant cause of morbidity but there is a paucity of data on the impact of malignant plasma cells on adjacent trabecular bone within the BM. Here, we characterize the proteome of trabecular bone tissue from BM biopsies of 56 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering (SMM), newly diagnosed (NDMM), relapsed MM (RMM), and normal controls. Proteins involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and immunity pathways were decreased in SMM and active MM. Among the proteins most decreased were immunoglobulins, type IV collagen, and TIMP3, suggesting increased immunoparesis and decreased ECM remodelling within trabecular bone. Proteins most increased in SMM/MM were APP (enhances osteoclast activity), ENPP1 (enhances bone mineralization), and MZB1 (required for normal plasmablast differentiation). Pathway analyses showed that proteins involved in gamma -carboxylation, a pathway implicated in osteocalcin function, osteoblast differentiation, and normal hematopoiesis, were also overexpressed in SMM/MM. This study is the first comprehensive proteomic atlas of the BM bone proteome in dysproteinemias. We identify new key proteins and pathways for MM bone disease and potentially impaired hematopoiesis, and show for the first time that gamma -carboxylation pathways are increased in the bone tissue of SMM/MM.