bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel water quality prediction model based on BiMKANsDformer
Authors: Huang Tichen , Jiang Yuyan , Gan Rumeijiang , Wang Fuyu
Published: December 2024

Water quality prediction is crucial for protecting aquatic ecosystems and ensuring human health.
Homoeopathic Management of Acne Vulgaris in Teenagers: A Case Series
Authors: Debnath Nabanita , Das Kapil , Piraveen M.S.R.
Published: December 2024

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting teenagers, with significant impact on self-esteem. Even in mild form, acne has a detrimental psychological effect on patients. Acne vulgaris affects 85% of adolescents, often starts in preadolescence, and persists into adulthood. In conventional method, topical retinoids and other treatment modalities are available; however, these are fraught with potential side effects and expensive, and therefore an alternative method of treatment is required. A case series of three teenagers with acne vulgaris treated with individualized homoeopathy is presented here. The cases are reported according to the Homeopathic Clinical Case Reports (HOM-CASE) guidelines and followed up with photographic documentation. Severity of disease and its impact on quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the global acne grading system (GAGS) and the Teenager's Quality of Life (T-QoL). The Modiﬁed Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH) inventory was used as a tool for assessing the causal relationship between homeopathic intervention and clinical outcome. All cases of acne vulgaris were successfully treated with individualized homeopathy within 2 months' duration without any complication. Eruptions resolved with decrease in both the GAGS and T-QoL scores. Individual curative response of the homeopathic medicine in each case assessed through MONARCH, demonstrated a positive causal attribution of homeopathy. This case series highlights successful outcomes using individualized homeopathic treatment, showing remarkable improvement of acne vulgaris in teenagers. Hence, this case series could serve as a basis for further research into the role of individualized homeopathic medicine in the treatment of acne vulgaris in teenagers.
Nonstandard applications of superconducting quantum interferometers—SQUIDS (Review)
Authors: Odegnal M.
Published: December 2024

Some applications of superconducting quantum interferometers are studied. The problems of quantum noise in the Josephson junction are discussed, theoretical estimates of their magnitude are given, and ways for achieving the limiting sensitivity of SQUIDs are indicated. Applications of SQUIDs in checking some basic physical laws (Newton’s law, the principle of equivalence of inertial and gravitational masses, general relativity), in elementary particle physics (search for quarks and magnetic monopoles), in geophysics (magnetotelluric measurements, gradiometric measurements, gravimetric experiments, etc.), and in ultra-low-temperature physics (nuclear gyroscope, SQUIDs and NMR, ultra-low-temperature thermometry) are described. Both past and future experiments are studied and some further applications of SQUID-based magnetometers are indicated.
Parameters of the intermediate-state structure induced in cylindrical specimens by an external magnetic field
Authors: Ledenev O. P. , Fursa V. P.
Published: December 2024

Ultrasound absorption studies have shown that end magnetic-field inhomogeneities affect the intermediate-state structure of cylindrical specimens. The use of superconducting flat screens makes it possible to approach the equilibrium structure of an infinite cylinder; this is manifested by a quantitative agreement between the experimental dependence of the normal-layer thickness on the magnetic field and the Landau theory.
Near-surface doppleron-phonon resonance in metals
Authors: Zherebchevskii D. É. , Tsymbal L. T.
Published: December 2024

A specific type of electromagnetic mode propagating near the surface in a metal—the near-surface doppleron—is described. This mode is excited by a Rayleigh acoustic wave and has two components, resulting in the existence of two near-surface doppleron-phonon resonances, which are separated with respect to the magnetic field.
Deformation of indium accompanying current-induced destruction of superconductivity
Authors: Lebedev V. P. , Khiep Le Khak
Published: December 2024

The jump in the flow stress in indium, accompanying the destruction of superconductivity by a direct or alternating current as well as by an external magnetic field, is determined in the region of existence of the intermediate and normal states. Based on the analysis of experimental results, preference is given to the current-induced dynamic structure of the intermediate state and the drop in the level of the flow stress resulting from the interaction of dislocations with interphase boundaries is evaluated.
Electromagnetic excitation of sound in a plate of compensated metal
Authors: Zherebchevskii D. É. , Naberezhnykh V. P. , Vil’kovskii S. S.
Published: December 2024

The theory of electromagnetic excitation of sound is developed for the case of a plate of compensated metal in a strong magnetic field perpendicular to the surface. It is shown that the nature of the surface reflection of electrons has a strong influence on the coefficient for the transformation of electromagnetic waves into acoustic ones, which is much larger for diffuse scattering of electrons than for specular reflection. Another consequence of diffuse scattering is a modulation of the amplitude of the transformed acoustic wave by dimensional electron phenomena, the Sondheimer effect and the excitation of a slightly damped standing electromagnetic wave of a doppleron. The variation in the amplitude of the acoustic signal transmitted through the plate is studied in the vicinity of the doppleron–phonon and doppleron–shear acoustic cyclotron resonance as a function of the conditions for the formation of a standing acoustic wave and a numerical calculation is performed to obtain the line shape for the transmitted signal in a situation close to the real experimental one both for excitation by sound and for excitation by an electromagnetic wave.
The density–density correlator and Fermi-gas oscillations in a random field
Authors: Artemov A. N. , Grishin A. M.
Published: December 2024

The density–density correlator is calculated with the aid of the supersymmetry method in the quadratic approximation in the fluctuations. The poles of the correlator give the spectrum of zero-sound oscillations which are responsible for the evolution of states in the stage preceding localization.
Phonon and impurity absorption of sound in a dilute solution of 3He in 4He below 0.5 K
Authors: Chagovets V. K. , Rudavskii É. Ya. , Goncharov V. A.
Published: December 2024

A coherent pulse technique is used to study sound absorption and dissipative processes in 4He and in a 3He−4He solution containing 1.5 · 10−33He. It is shown that the temperature dependence of the sound absorption coefficient for 4He is described by a three-phonon process, and for the solution it is described by a viscous relaxation process and a new phonon–impurity relaxation process. The data obtained in the study indicate that the same anomalous dispersion of phonons as in 4He is preserved in the investigated solution.
Magnetoacoustic antiresonance and multiple doppleron–phonon resonance in tungsten
Authors: Volkova L. P. , Tsymbal L. T. , Cherkasov A. N.
Published: December 2024

The Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance in the absorption of transverse ultrasound propagating along the [111] axis of tungsten is investigated in the case where the magnetic field H is directed in the (11¯0) and (112¯) planes. Magnetoacoustic antiresonance is observed, not only against the background of absorption associated with the quasisingle–particle interaction of electrons with sound, but also against the background of doppleron–phonon resonance. The dependence of the ultrasonic absorption on the frequency and on the angle between the direction of H and the [111] axis is investigated. It is shown that the “resonance–antiresonance” transformation observed in this case is attributable to the onset of multiple doppleron–phonon resonances. A new set of data is obtained on the differential characteristics of the Fermi surface of tungsten.
Contribution of breathers to the equilibrium and dynamic characteristics of quasi-one-dimensional systems
Authors: Lisy V. , Fedyanin V. K.
Published: December 2024

The equilibrium and dynamic characteristics of a gas of breathers for statistical-mechanical models described by the sine-Gordon equation are obtained. The thermodynamics of the breathers is constructed. Exact analytic formulas are obtained for the first time for the longitudinal and transverse dynamic structure factors S‖(q,ω) and S⊥(q,ω). These expressions are approximately averaged over the internal frequency of the breather. It turned out that S‖ consists of a central peak and an infinite sequence of satellites, centered near the frequencies ωN‖=[q2c02+(2Nω0)2]1/2, N = 1,2...; S⊥ does not contribute to the central peak, and the satellites are centered near the frequencies ωN⊥=[q2c02+(2N+1)2ω02]1/2, N = 0, 1,... . The formulas obtained can be used to analyze the experimental data on the scattering of neutrons and light by quasi-one-dimensional magnets, the DNA molecule, charge-density waves, etc.
Size effects in superfluid phases of He3
Authors: Adamenko I. N. , Poluéktov Yu. M.
Published: December 2024

The size effects in a plane-parallel capillary of width d ∼ξ(T) in the B and A phases of superfluid He3 are studied theoretically using the Ginzburg-Landau approach. Equations are obtained for the amplitudes of the order parameter. It is shown that in capillaries the B phase has two modifications: B1 and B2. Only pairs with projections of the orbital angular momentum on the normal to the surface mL = ± 1 are present in the B1 phase. The B2 phase, which also contains pairs with mL = 0, exists at lower temperatures. In very strong magnetic fields the region of existence of the A1 phase in the capillaries becomes narrower.
Point-contact spectroscopy of unsaturated transition-metal oxides and the problem of zero-bias anomalies
Authors: Tulina N. A.
Published: December 2024

The point-contact spectra of oxides with metallic conductivity WO2, ReO3, and MoO2 are studied. It is shown that the zero-bias anomalies, which are often observed in the spectra of transition metals, are determined by the presence of an interlayer consisting of an oxide of the above type in the region of the point contact. Zero-bias anomalies do not occur in the point-contact spectra of Zn-MoO2-chip heterocontacts. In the studies of such heterocontacts the major maxima in the electron–phonon interaction of MoO2 were determined at the energies hωTA ∼28 meV and hωLA ∼41 meV.
Quantum theory of the nonlinear electrical conductivity of point contacts
Authors: Itskovich I. F. , Shekhter R. I.
Published: December 2024

A theory of the nonlinear electrical conductivity of small point contacts, whose dimension a is of the order of or smaller than the de Broglie wavelength λB of the current carriers is constructed. It is shown that when l≫λB (l is the mean-free path length of the carriers) point-contact (PC) spectroscopy of the electron–phonon interaction is possible even under the conditions of quantum charge transfer in the contact. The intensity of the PC spectra for a≲λB is independent of the size of the contact a and is proportional to the small parameter λB/le−ph. The form and intensity of the peaks in the second derivative of the current–voltage characteristic of the point contact, formed by the interaction of the current carriers with different branches of the lattice vibrations, are calculated.
Spin waves localized near the interface of two magnetically ordered systems with uniaxial long-range interaction
Authors: Petrova T. G. , Syrkin E. S.
Published: December 2024

The influence of uniaxial long-range interaction on the properties of spin waves localized near a plane interface is investigated. Two cases are considered, viz., when the long-range exchange interaction along the chains is of a ferromagnetic nature, and when it is of an alternating ferro- and antiferromagnetic nature. It is shown that the characteristics of the localized spin-wave states depend strongly on the decay rate and the nature of the uniaxial long-range interaction. It is also found that the role played by the long-range antiferromagnetic interaction is fundamental in the investigation of the stability of the ferromagnetic ordering at the interface in the ground state of the system: The instability that occurs under certain conditions in the approximation of interaction between a finite number of neighbors always vanishes when the long-range interaction is taken into consideration.
Steady-state regime for low temperature parametric excitation of a one-dimensional spin system
Authors: Zvyagin A. A. , Tsukernik V. M.
Published: December 2024

We obtain the nonlinear response of a one-dimensional spin system to a longitudinal magnetic field varying in a harmonic fashion for times large in comparison with the relaxation time. It is shown that the parametric excitation process in this system takes place in a nonthreshold manner.
Distinctive features of the propagation of high-frequency longitudinal sound in metals: diffuse surface reflection of electrons
Authors: Gokhfel’d V. M. , Kaganov M. I.
Published: December 2024

The nonexponentially damped (on the collisionless limit) asymptotic behavior of a longitudinal sound field in a metal half-space is determined in the presence of diffuse scattering of electrons at its boundary.
A spatial interpolation for a stochastic particle Fokker–Planck model using a polynomial reconstruction
Authors: Kim Joonbeom , Kim Sanghun , Jun Eunji
Published: December 2024

The stochastic particle Fokker–Planck (FP) model describes the behavior of rarefied gases while reducing the computational cost compared to the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, particularly for gas flows in the continuum regime. Many studies using FP models rely on cell-averaged macroscopic properties to update particle velocities, limiting spatial resolution in regions with large macroscopic gradients. To overcome this limitation, this paper introduces a spatial interpolation method based on the polynomial reconstruction. This method provides more accurate estimations of macroscopic properties using cell-averaged values and allows for extension to higher-order spatial accuracy. The spatial interpolation method is evaluated through three numerical simulations: Couette flow, lid-driven cavity flow, and hypersonic flow over a flat plate. The results demonstrate that the polynomial reconstruction method significantly improves accuracy. The second-order polynomial reconstruction method consistently outperforms the first-order polynomial reconstruction method, while the fourth-order polynomial reconstruction method does not consistently surpass the second-order polynomial reconstruction method due to challenges in boundary treatment. The study also examines accuracy improvements by interpolating a combined property of the viscous stress and density in the hypersonic flow over a flat plate, where large viscous stress gradients are present. The result demonstrates that interpolating the combined property enhances the overall accuracy of flow predictions by capturing large gradients.
Evaluation of enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia can help categorize patients with Helicobacter-negative atrophic gastritis
Authors: Chen Feidi , Gonzalez Raul S
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Atrophic gastritis (AG) is characterized by atrophy of gastric glands—in particular, oxyntic glands—in the setting of chronic inflammation; it is often autoimmune. The diagnosis is confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for gastrin (to confirm biopsy site), and pathologists often use IHC for neuroendocrine markers to evaluate for enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia (ECL-H). The utility of neuroendocrine staining is unclear, and we undertook this study to determine whether ECL pattern provided any additional information in cases of Helicobacter-negative AG.

Methods

We reviewed clinicopathologic findings in 184 cases from 184 patients with histologic AG and no evidence of Helicobacter infection. Using neuroendocrine IHC markers, cases were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 showed complete ECL-H (both qualitative and quantitative criteria met), group 2 showed focal ECL-H (qualitative but not quantitative criteria met), and group 3 showed no ECL-H (neither criteria met).

Results

Group 1 patients were more likely to have positive autoantibody serologies (73%, P = .0007 vs group 2) and higher mean gastrin levels (700 pg/mL, P = .017 vs group 3), and only these patients developed gastric neuroendocrine tumors. Group 2 patients were more likely to take proton pump inhibitors (64%, P = .0002 vs group 1). Group 3 patients were more likely to be male (70%, P = .008 vs group 1) and to have microcytic anemia (44%, P = .022 vs group 2) and less likely to have intestinal metaplasia (50%, P = .044 vs group 1).

Conclusions

Stratification based on degree of ECL-H is not necessary for diagnosis of AG but does lead to statistically significant clinical and pathologic differences among groups.
Wound Coverage, Adjuvant Treatments, and Surgical Outcomes for Major Keloid Scars: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Cardenas David , Cinclair Trey , Dogaroiu Anca , Hinson Chandler , Sink Matthew , Bruce Brandon , Odobescu Andrei , Sammer Douglas , Zhang Andrew Y
Published: December 2024

Background

Patients suffering from keloid scarring often face debilitating functional and psychosocial symptoms. The complex pathophysiology of keloids necessitates a patient-centered therapeutic regimen to optimize patient-satisfaction and disease resolution. This is especially challenging for patients with major keloids scars that once surgically resected, leave a defect that cannot be closed primarily.

Objectives

The authors intended to identify existing therapeutic regimens reported for treatment of major keloids and to detail the clinical and patient-satisfaction outcomes for those approaches.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was designed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, querying two databases and a manual search for relevant literature.

Results

This review identified 10 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, totaling 244 patents. All patients underwent surgical resection of their keloid. Subsequent therapeutic regimens included a variety of coverage techniques including skin grafts, perforator flaps, closure with secondary intention, and skin substitute placement alongside multiple adjuvant therapies. The overall keloid recurrence rate was 21%. Patients who received wound coverage had a lower rate of keloid recurrence compared to those treated by secondary intention. When available, patients receiving local flap coverage plus adjuvant radiotherapy were found to have significantly lower keloid recurrence rates and higher patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

While these findings support surgical excision and radiation therapy as the mainstay treatment for major keloids, the efficacy of various wound coverage options, especially when local perforator flaps are not available, requires continued investigation. A gap exists on guidelines for postoperative adjuvant therapies. This study serves as a foundation for future research.
Semi-parametric sensitivity analysis for trials with irregular and informative assessment times
Authors: Smith Bonnie B , Gao Yujing , Yang Shu , Varadhan Ravi , Apter Andrea J , Scharfstein Daniel O
Published: December 2024

Many trials are designed to collect outcomes at or around pre-specified times after randomization. If there is variability in the times when participants are actually assessed, this can pose a challenge to learning the effect of treatment, since not all participants have outcome assessments at the times of interest. Furthermore, observed outcome values may not be representative of all participants’ outcomes at a given time. Methods have been developed that account for some types of such irregular and informative assessment times; however, since these methods rely on untestable assumptions, sensitivity analyses are needed. We develop a sensitivity analysis methodology that is benchmarked at the explainable assessment (EA) assumption, under which assessment and outcomes at each time are related only through data collected prior to that time. Our method uses an exponential tilting assumption, governed by a sensitivity analysis parameter, that posits deviations from the EA assumption. Our inferential strategy is based on a new influence function-based, augmented inverse intensity-weighted estimator. Our approach allows for flexible semiparametric modeling of the observed data, which is separated from specification of the sensitivity parameter. We apply our method to a randomized trial of low-income individuals with uncontrolled asthma, and we illustrate implementation of our estimation procedure in detail.
Polymer-immobilized 2D nonclose-packed colloidal crystals
Authors: Fujita Minori , Takemoto Marina , Matsuo Ami , Toyotama Akiko , Okuzono Tohru , Ishikawa Tatsuya , Hyodo Koichiro , Nishida Masaya , Yamanaka Junpei
Published: December 2024

We present a novel methodology for immobilizing 2D nonclose-packed colloidal crystals in polymer resins. In our previous work (Aoyama Y, Toyotama A, Okuzono T, Yamanaka J. Two-Dimensional Nonclose-Packed Colloidal Crystals by the Electrostatic Adsorption of Three-Dimensional Charged Colloidal Crystals. 2019. Langmuir 35, 9194.), we detailed a fabrication technique involving electrostatic adsorption of 3D charged colloidal crystals onto a glass substrate with an opposite charge. Drying is essential for producing durable materials as these structures are formed in an aqueous environment. However, merely drying the crystals can lead to considerable disruption of the particle arrangement because of the capillary forces that arise between the particles during water evaporation. In this study, we demonstrate the immobilization of 2D colloidal silica crystals in a polymer resin. First, we introduced a water-soluble polymer, poly(dimethyl acrylamide), which effectively adsorbs both the particles and the substrate to stabilize the crystals, followed by the evaporation of water. Various configurations of 2D colloidal silica crystals were successfully fixed onto the glass substrates. After immobilization with poly(dimethyl acrylamide), the dimethyl acrylamide monomer was added and underwent polymerization, resulting in a more robust entrapment of the colloidal crystals in the polymer resin. This method can be applied to other polymers and hydrophobic particles. The current findings are expected to be valuable for a broad range of photonic applications.
Haemodynamic and hyperaemic effects of adenosine in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing quantitative myocardial perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance
Authors: Shergill Simran , Budgeon Charley A , Elshibly Mohamed , Kellman Peter , Singh Anvesha , McCann Gerry P , Gulsin Gaurav S , Arnold J Ranjit
Published: December 2024

Aims

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are thought to have an attenuated response to adenosine during vasodilator stress testing. We sought to investigate the haemodynamic and hyperaemic effects of adenosine in patients with AF undergoing adenosine-stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) assessment.

Methods and results

We retrospectively examined 318 patients referred for clinical adenosine-stress CMR (AF n = 158, sinus rhythm [SR] n = 160). Baseline and peak heart rate (HR) and quantitative myocardial perfusion were compared between groups. At peak stress, the haemodynamic response was blunted in patients with AF (HR increase 7 ± 10bpm vs. 17 ± 11bpm in SR, P < 0.001). Fewer patients in AF met the threshold for a satisfactory HR response ≥10bpm (40% in AF vs. 76% in SR, P < 0.001). There were no intergroup differences in hyperaemic myocardial blood flow (1.52 ± 0.65 mL/min/g in AF vs. 1.55 ± 0.65 mL/min/g in SR, P = 0.670) or myocardial perfusion reserve (2.66 ± 1.11 in AF vs. 2.66 ± 1.08 in SR, P = 0.981). AF (odds ratio [OR], 0.29 [0.17–0.50], P < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 1.03 [1.00–1.05], P = 0.023) were independently associated with achieving a satisfactory HR response on multivariable analysis, but only ejection fraction (OR 1.05 [1.02–1.09], P = 0.003) predicted a satisfactory hyperaemic response.

Conclusion

The heart rate response during adenosine-stress CMR is blunted in AF patients. Despite this, the majority of patients with AF generate a sufficient hyperaemic response with a standard adenosine-stress protocol. Further work is needed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of adenosine-stress CMR in patients with AF.
Bacterial growth and antimicrobial resistance in urinary Escherichia coli isolates among men with lower UTI in Swedish primary healthcare: retrospective data over a 4 year period
Authors: Kornfält Isberg Helena , Sundqvist Martin , Melander Eva , Beckman Anders , Hedin Katarina
Published: December 2024

Background

Escherichia coli, the most common bacterium causing urinary tract infections (UTIs), is increasingly reported as resistant to multiple antibiotics. Swedish surveillance data from hospital and primary health care (PHC) report a 17%–19% prevalence of resistance to ciprofloxacin in E. coli from urine cultures in men over 20 years of age. Surveillance data may include nosocomial infections. However, few studies have described resistance in E. coli in men with community-acquired UTI in PHC. We aimed to describe the microbiological results, including antibiotic resistance in E. coli, in men with lower UTI (LUTI) attending PHC.

Methods

In this retrospective study based on information from electronic medical records, we included patients from 289 PHC centres. For all men aged 18–79 years diagnosed with LUTI in PHC from January 2012 to December 2015, we extracted data on age, UTI diagnosis and results from urine cultures.

Results

A total of 17 987 episodes of lower UTI were identified. E. coli was detected in 62% of positive cultures and 63% of detected E. coli isolates were susceptible to all tested antimicrobials. Resistance in E. coli to the first-choice antibiotics pivmecillinam and nitrofurantoin were 2% and 1%, respectively. Resistance to ciprofloxacin was 9%, and to trimethoprim it was 17%.

Conclusions

Resistance levels for ciprofloxacin in E. coli among men with LUTI in PHC were lower than in surveillance data. The results of this study point to the importance of surveillance of resistance in urine samples from patients with LUTI in PHC in order to choose the right empirical antibiotic treatment.
xMEN: a modular toolkit for cross-lingual medical entity normalization
Authors: Borchert Florian , Llorca Ignacio , Roller Roland , Arnrich Bert , Schapranow Matthieu-P
Published: December 2024

Objective

To improve performance of medical entity normalization across many languages, especially when fewer language resources are available compared to English.

Materials and Methods

We propose xMEN, a modular system for cross-lingual (x) medical entity normalization (MEN), accommodating both low- and high-resource scenarios. To account for the scarcity of aliases for many target languages and terminologies, we leverage multilingual aliases via cross-lingual candidate generation. For candidate ranking, we incorporate a trainable cross-encoder (CE) model if annotations for the target task are available. To balance the output of general-purpose candidate generators with subsequent trainable re-rankers, we introduce a novel rank regularization term in the loss function for training CEs. For re-ranking without gold-standard annotations, we introduce multiple new weakly labeled datasets using machine translation and projection of annotations from a high-resource language.

Results

xMEN improves the state-of-the-art performance across various benchmark datasets for several European languages. Weakly supervised CEs are effective when no training data is available for the target task.

Discussion

We perform an analysis of normalization errors, revealing that complex entities are still challenging to normalize. New modules and benchmark datasets can be easily integrated in the future.

Conclusion

xMEN exhibits strong performance for medical entity normalization in many languages, even when no labeled data and few terminology aliases for the target language are available. To enable reproducible benchmarks in the future, we make the system available as an open-source Python toolkit. The pre-trained models and source code are available online: https://github.com/hpi-dhc/xmen
Reconceptualizing the meaning of indirect force and the scope of its regulation under international law
Authors: Udorji Chosen
Published: December 2024

The preponderance and transformation of state use of indirect force continues to raise conceptual questions about defining which indirect acts of a state will fall within the scope of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. The above problem of clarity is tied to the nature of indirect force itself, which is often predominantly carried out in secrecy. As such, it is often difficult to identify the aiding state or trace the chain of causation directly to that state. The ICJ’s traditional (narrow) conception of indirect force has not helped in clarifying this grey area of international law. This article argues that this traditional framing of the meaning of indirect force under international law is problematic in that it fails to show why assistance to groups or to state(s), if involving arming and training against a target state, should be conceptually different from other forms of assistance involving logistical or financial support if both scenarios involved the aiding state(s) positively assisting the attacker. By viewing this practice through both doctrinal and critical theoretical lenses, particularly in the context of Critical Legal Studies, incorporating Indeterminacy theory and Third World Approach to International Law, this article seeks to demonstrate that the inadequate scrutiny of the state use of indirect force can be attributed to the inherent weakness of positivist legal frameworks in accommodating the tensions between state sovereignty and state power. This article proposes a broader (yet balanced) approach that incorporates a constructive knowledge parameter to account for positive indirect acts of offending states that are excluded under the current traditional framework.
Employing habitat suitability modeling to assess the distribution and envenomation potential of scorpion species in Iran
Authors: Erfanian Mohammad Bagher , Barahoei Hossein , Zeynali Mohammad Mahdi , Mirshamsi Omid
Published: December 2024

Iran is a biodiversity hotspot of scorpions with 80 recorded species. Thus, scorpion envenomation is a serious public health problem in the country. Here, we used habitat suitability modeling to assess the spatial distribution of scorpions in Iran. Only 45 species had sufficient georeferenced data. We used bioclimatic variables, soil temperature layers, and 9 modeling algorithms to perform habitat suitability modeling. We employed an ensemble approach to obtain the final models. We calculated the richness map and drew distribution maps for genera with more than 1 species. Also, we assessed the scorpions’ species richness inside and outside of national parks. Finally, we created a risk map of encountering a venomous scorpion. The results showed that the highest scorpion richness is in the southern and southwestern parts of Iran, especially in the coastal areas of the Persian Gulf. We observed 3 biodiversity hotspots for scorpions that are located in the south and southwestern, central parts, and eastern parts of Iran. Except for northern parts, there is a possibility of encountering a venomous scorpion in other parts of Iran. The 3 biodiversity hotspots are also the areas with the highest chance of encountering a venomous species. We found that the hotspots are not protected and are located in areas facing land-use changes. Thus, hotspots have the highest human–scorpion conflicts. Our results provide new insight into the distribution of scorpion species in Iran. Conservation actions that ensure both human safety and species richness are essential and can be achieved by halting further land degradation in scorpion habitats and providing easy-to-understand manuals for local people.
Relationship Between Hepatic Iron Concentration and Glycemic Metabolism, Prediabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kirkutyte Indre , Latunde-Dada Gladys Oluyemisi
Published: December 2024

Context

Emerging research has suggested a potential link between high iron levels, indicated by serum ferritin levels, and the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the role of hepatic iron concentration (HIC) on T2D development and progression is not well understood.

Objectives

This study aims to systematically review the literature on HIC and/or the degree of hepatic iron overload (HIO) in individuals with prediabetes and/or diagnosed T2D, and to analyze associations between HIC and markers of glucose metabolism.

Data Sources

The databases Medline, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Knowledge were searched for studies published in English from 1999 to March 2024. This review followed the Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist.

Data Extraction

Data were extracted following the established eligibility criteria. Study characteristics and biomarkers related to prediabetes, T2D, and HIO were extracted. The risk of bias was analyzed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data were stratified by the exposure and analyzed in subgroups according to the outcome. Data regarding the HIC values in controls, individuals with prediabetes, and individuals with T2D and the association estimates between HIC or HIO and markers of glycemic metabolism, prediabetes, or T2D were extracted.

Data Analysis

A total of 12 studies were identified, and data from 4110 individuals were analyzed. HIO was not consistently observed in prediabetic/T2D populations; however, elevated HIC was frequently observed in prediabetic and T2D individuals, and was associated with the disruption of certain glycemic markers in some cases.

Conclusion

The extent of iron overload, as indicated by hepatic iron load, varied among the prediabetic and T2D populations studied. Further research is needed to understand the distribution and regulation of iron in T2D pathology.
Patient–caregiver concordance on death preparedness over Taiwanese cancer patients’ last 6 months
Authors: Wen Fur-Hsing , Hsieh Chia-Hsun , Chou Wen-Chi , Chen Jen-Shi , Chang Wen-Cheng , Tang Siew Tzuh
Published: December 2024

Background

Worldwide patient–caregiver concordance on cognitive prognostic awareness (PA) has been extensively examined, but concordance on sufficient (ie, cognitive and emotional) death preparedness is unexplored. We comprehensively examine the evolution of patient–caregiver concordance on death preparedness over the patient’s last 6 months.

Materials/Methods

This study re-examined data from 2 cohort studies on 694 dyads of cancer patients and their caregivers recruited from a single medical center in Taiwan. Patient and caregiver death-preparedness states were individually identified by latent transition analysis. Patient–caregiver concordance was examined by percentages and kappa coefficients.

Results

No-, cognitive-, emotional-, and sufficient-death-preparedness states were identified for both groups. The no-death-preparedness state reflects neither accurate PA nor adequate emotional preparedness for death. The sufficient-death-preparedness state reflects accurate PA and adequate emotional preparedness for death. In the cognitive- and emotional-death-preparedness states, participants had only accurate PA or adequate emotional-death preparedness, respectively. Prevalence of the sufficient-death-preparedness state increased substantially for patients but decreased slightly for caregivers. Membership in the no- and emotional-preparedness states declined throughout the last 6 months with substantially lower prevalence for caregivers than for patients, whereas the prevalence of the cognitive-death-preparedness state increased. Concordance was poor throughout the patient’s last 6 months (percent concordance: 31.6% [95% CI, 24.7%, 38.5%]-43.5% [39.2%, 47.9%], kappa: 0.077 [−0.009, 0.162]-0.115 [0.054, 0.176]) with significant improvement in the last month only.

Conclusion

Poor patient–caregiver concordance on death-preparedness states likely reflects the cultural practice of family-consent prognostic disclosure, patients’ adjustment for death, and difficulties in patient–caregiver communication on end-of-life (EOL) issues, indicating targets for improving EOL care.
Neural dynamics of social verb processing: an MEG study
Authors: Amoruso Lucia , Moguilner Sebastian , Castillo Eduardo M , Kleineschay Tara , Geng Shuang , Ibáñez Agustín , García Adolfo M
Published: December 2024

Human vocabularies include specific words to communicate interpersonal behaviors, a core linguistic function mainly afforded by social verbs (SVs). This skill has been proposed to engage dedicated systems subserving social knowledge. Yet, neurocognitive evidence is scarce, and no study has examined spectro-temporal and spatial signatures of SV access. Here, we combined magnetoencephalography and time-resolved decoding methods to characterize the neural dynamics underpinning SVs, relative to nonsocial verbs (nSVs), via a lexical decision task. Time-frequency analysis revealed stronger beta (20 Hz) power decreases for SVs in right fronto-temporal sensors at early stages. Time-resolved decoding showed that beta oscillations significantly discriminated SVs and nSVs between 180 and 230 ms. Sources of this effect were traced to the right anterior superior temporal gyrus (a key hub underpinning social conceptual knowledge) as well as parietal, pre/motor and prefrontal cortices supporting nonverbal social cognition. Finally, representational similarity analyses showed that the observed fronto-temporal neural patterns were specifically predicted by verbs’ socialness, as opposed to other psycholinguistic dimensions such as sensorimotor content, emotional valence, arousal, and concreteness. Overall, verbal conveyance of socialness seems to involve distinct neurolinguistic patterns, partly shared by more general sociocognitive and lexicosemantic processes.
Impact of a trace mineral injection at weaning on growth, behavior, and inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune responses of beef calves
Authors: Vedovatto Marcelo , Ferreira Matheus F L , Edwards Ashley K , Gurie Jeffrey A , Marcon Hiam , Ranches Juliana , Reis Barbara R , Vieira Douglas G , Lima Eduardo A , Santos Mariana , Franco Gumercindo L
Published: December 2024

Two experiments evaluated the effects of an injectable trace mineral (ITM) solution at weaning on trace mineral (TM) status, inflammatory and antioxidant responses, grazing behavior, response to vaccination, and growth of beef calves. Experiment 1 used 86 Nellore calves (40 females and 46 males; body weight [BW] = 198 ± 30.8 kg; 8 ± 1 mo of age) weaned (day 0) and assigned into one of two treatments: saline (0.9% NaCl) or ITM (60 mg of Zn/mL, 15 mg of Cu/mL, 5 mg of Se/mL, and 10 mg of Mn/mL). Saline and ITM were administered subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mL/45 kg of BW. On day 0, calves were vaccinated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), parainfluenza-3 (PI3), bovine viral diarrhea virus types 1 and 2 (BVDV-1 and 2) and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). Blood samples and BW were collected on days 0, 3, 8, 15, 51, and 100, and grazing behavior was evaluated on days 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9. The ITM did not affect (P ≥ 0.56) serum mineral concentrations of Zn and Cu, but decreased (P ≤ 0.02) plasma concentrations of cortisol on days 3 and 8 and haptoglobin on day 3. The ITM increased (P < 0.01) plasma concentration of superoxide dismutase on days 8, 15, and 51 and tended to decrease (P = 0.08) plasma concentration of glutathione peroxidase on day 3. Furthermore, there were no effects of treatment (P ≥ 0.14) on most of the behavior variables evaluated, ITM reduced (P = 0.01) the seeking time on days 0 and 4. Furthermore, ITM tended to increase (P = 0.10) the serum titer concentration against IBR on days 15 and 51 but did not affect (P ≥ 0.12) titer concentration against PI3, BVDV-1, and 2, and growth. Experiment 2 used 50 Brangus male calves (BW = 264 ± 34.1 kg; 8 ± 1 mo of age) weaned on day 0, vaccinated against respiratory diseases, stratified by BW, and randomly assigned to saline or ITM as described in experiment 1. Liver samples were collected on days 0, 14, and 197, blood samples on days 0, 14, and BW on days 0, 14, 44, 78, 122, 162, and 197. The ITM increased (P ≤ 0.03) the liver concentration of Cu and Se on day 14 but did not affect (P ≥ 0.17) the liver concentration of Zn and Mn. In addition, ITM increased (P = 0.05) the serum titer concentration against BVDV-2 but did not affect (P ≥ 0.20) the titer concentrations against IBR, PI3, BVDV-1, and BRSV, and did not affect (P ≥ 0.29) the growth. In conclusion, ITM application at weaning improved Cu and Se status, enhanced antioxidant and immune responses, and reduced stress and inflammation in calves, though it did not affect growth.
Synthesis of Evidence
Authors: Levin Rona F.
Published: December 2024

The most challenging aspect of an evidence-based improvement project
Rule Aims to Eliminate Risk of Lead Poisoning from Municipal Water Systems
Authors: Roush Karen
Published: December 2024

An estimated 9 million U.S. homes still get water through lead pipes.
Impact of a personalized intervention on preoperative anxiety and determination of the minimal clinically important difference in anxiety levels – a randomized clinical trial.
Authors: Salzmann Stefan , Kikker Laura , Tosberg Ellen , Becker Noah , Spies Markus , Euteneuer Frank , Rüsch Dirk
Published: December 2024

Background:

Preoperative anxiety is common and most patients experiencing preoperative anxiety would welcome support to cope with their anxiety. Studies examining the effectiveness of information to reduce anxiety have been inconsistent. In addition, it is unclear whether results reported to be statistically significant are also clinically relevant. This study’s primary objective was to test the hypothesis that a personalized and information-based intervention would reduce anesthesia-related anxiety.

Methods:

In this single-center, prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 122 adults awaiting elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomized (1:1) to receive a personalized and information-based intervention in addition to standard preanesthetic consultation (intervention group) or standard preanesthetic consultation (control group) the day before surgery. Anxiety was assessed at two time points before and at four time points after randomization until induction of anesthesia to state their anxiety level using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (two items each for anesthesia- and surgery-related anxiety, each item’s score range: 1-5). Constrained linear mixed models were used to analyze the intervention effects. Patients' subjective changes in anxiety (reduced vs. not reduced) and associated numeric scores were used to determine the minimal clinically important difference.

Results:

The intervention led to reduced anesthesia- and surgery-related anxiety in the intervention group compared to the control group after randomization (indicated by significant two-way interactions for anesthesia-related anxiety (F(5, 96.291) = 7.449, p<.001) and surgery-related anxiety (F(5, 112.486) = 5.466, p<.001)). The minimal clinically important difference in Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale anxiety scores was 1.03 and 1.13 points for anesthesia- and surgery-related anxiety, respectively.

Conclusions:

A personalized and information-based intervention can reduce anesthesia- and surgery-related anxiety to a statistically significant and clinically relevant degree. Future studies should include an active control group to evaluate this intervention’s specific effects which may be helpful only in patients seeking anxiety-reducing interventions.
Optimal Duration of Antibiotic Therapy for Primary Osteomyelitis Discitis
Authors: Edelbach Brandon , Glaser Dylan , Almekkawi Ahmad K. , Caruso James P. , Sbaiti Ghewa , Aoun Salah G. , Bagley Carlos A.
Published: December 2024

Study Design.

Systematic Review and Network-Meta-analysis

Purpose.

This study aimed to systematically review the literature on management of primary osteomyelitis discitis and perform a network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of different antibiotic treatment durations.

Background.

Primary osteomyelitis discitis is a challenging condition with varying management strategies.

Methods.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted. Studies reporting outcomes for treatment of primary osteomyelitis discitis were included. A random-effects network meta-analysis was performed comparing antibiotic treatment durations of <4 weeks, 4-8 weeks, 8-12 weeks, and 12-16 weeks. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to rank treatment effectiveness.

Results.

Sixty-three articles with 4,233 patients were included. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative agent (57.6%). The 4-8 week antibiotic duration ranked highest across fixed-effect and random-effects models (SUCRA 0.8207 and 0.8343). The 12-16 week duration ranked highest in the fixed-effect model (SUCRA 0.8460) but dropped substantially in the random-effects model (SUCRA 0.3067). The <4 week duration showed mixed results. The 8-12 week duration consistently ranked lowest. No statistically significant differences were found between durations for symptomatic relief.

Conclusion.

Antibiotic therapy for 4-8 weeks may provide the optimal balance of efficacy and treatment duration for most patients with primary osteomyelitis discitis. However, treatment should be individualized based on clinical response. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify optimal management strategies for this complex condition.