bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When the Tout-Monde Is Not One: Maryse Condé’s Problematic ‘World-in-Motion’ in Les belles ténébreuses (2008) and Le fabuleux et triste destin d’Ivan et Ivana (2017)
Authors: Orlando Valérie K.
Published: December 2023

In the 1980s and 1990s, Edouard Glissant defined his “relational philosophy,” which was useful in describing the importance of movement and discovery in the Francophone text. At the end of the twentieth century, Glissant’s Tout-Monde contributed to a theoretical framework for thinking about a physical world and a body of literature made in motion and from positive encounters. However, in our current era, where free-circulation, mobility and exchange have become compromised, more pessimistic narratives have emerged. Guadeloupean Maryse Condé’s novels Les belles ténébreuses (2008) and Le fabuleux et triste destin d’Ivan et Ivana (2017) reflect the apprehension and pessimism of the current chaotic “world-in-motion,” which Arjun Appadurai defines as an unequal world that blocks the multitudes of unprivileged from being able to confront the sociocultural, economic and political “disjunctures” of transnationalism. This chapter analyzes how Condé’s novels reveal skepticism with respect to Glissantian ideals about Relation in the Tout-Monde of exchange. The fundamental questions she asks in her radical remapping of Glissantian philosophy in her novels demonstrate a concern that positive mobility, transnationalism, human contact and exchange are illusions in the angst of our era as we witness the increasing global tensions of our age.
Results: The Relationship Between Intercultural and Pragmatic Competence
Authors: Schauer Gila A.
Published: December 2023

In this chapter, I analyse and discuss questions 7a and 7b of the survey given to language teachers; these two questions focus on the relationship between intercultural competence and pragmatic competence in language learning. I begin with question 7a: Are you familiar with pragmatic competence? Teachers were provided with three possible answer options: yes, no and don’t know. I then analyse and discuss the results of question 7b: For the purposes of this questionnaire, pragmatic competence in an L2 will be defined as a person’s ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in a second or foreign language (L2) and to comprehend the L2 even if indirect or conventional expressions are used. How are intercultural competence and pragmatic competence connected in your view? Teachers could select one of two preset answers (They are different concepts that are not connected or Pragmatic competenceis part of intercultural competence); alternatively they could type their own views in a free-text field or choose don’t know.
Results: Intercultural Competence and Gender-Neutral Language
Authors: Schauer Gila A.
Published: December 2023

In this chapter, I address research questions 8a, 8b and 8c from the survey given to language teachers; these questions focus on gender-neutral language. I begin with question 8a, which asked the teachers: Do gender-neutral expressions or pronouns exist in the L2 you are teaching? Teachers were provided with four possible preset answers—yes, no, don’t know and no comment—plus a free-text option so that they could type their own alternative response. Teachers who selected no, don’t know or no comment were then asked to proceed to the next question block (i.e., question 9). Teachers who provided an affirmative answer to question 8a were asked to continue on to question 8b, which asked: If gender-neutral language options exist in your L2, do you teach them? Teachers who answered yes to this as well were then asked to proceed to question 8c (If you are teaching gender-neutral language options, you can share your reasons for doing so here), while teachers who answered no were asked to proceed to question 8d (If you are not teaching gender-neutral forms, you can share your reasons for not doing so here). Both 8c and 8d had free-text answers.
Emergence, Downward Causation, and Interlevel Integrative Explanations
Authors: Santos Gil
Published: December 2023

In this article, I propose a unified account of systemic emergence, downward causation, and interlevel integrative explanations. First, I argue for a relational-transformational notion of emergence and a structural-relational account of downward causation in terms of both its transformational and conditioning effects. In my view, downward causation can avoid the problems traditionally attributed to it, provided that we are able to reconceptualize the notion of ‘whole’ and that form of causality in a purely relational way. In this regard, I distinguish contextual or whole-to-part causation from downward causation, the latter defined by the existence of second-order structural relations. Finally, I argue that while emergence and downward-structural causation imply the in-principle failure of micro-determinism and therefore micro-reduction, they do not rule out the possibility of any type of explanation. On the contrary, they call for the development of interlevel integrative explanations.
A Commentary on Robin Hendry’s Views on Molecular Structure, Emergence and Chemical Bonding
Authors: Scerri Eric
Published: December 2023

In this article I examine several related views expressed by Robin Hendry concerning molecular structure, emergence and chemical bonding. There is a long-standing problem in the philosophy of chemistry arising from the fact that molecular structure cannot be strictly derived from quantum mechanics. Two or more compounds which share a molecular formula, but which differ with respect to their structures, have identical Hamiltonian operators within the quantum mechanical formalism. As a consequence, the properties of all such isomers yield precisely the same calculated quantities such as their energies, dipole moments etc. The only means through which the difference between the isomers can be recovered is to build their structures into the quantum mechanical calculations, something that is carried out by the application of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. Consequently, it has been argued by many authors that molecular structure is written in ‘by hand’ rather than derived. Robin Hendry is one such author, but he goes a great deal further by proposing that this situation implies the existence of emergence and downward causation. In the current article I argue that there are alternative explanations which render emergence and downward causation redundant. Such an alternative lies in the notion of quantum decoherence and the appeal to work in the foundations of physics, which posits that the various isomers exist as a superposition until their wavefunctions are collapsed either by observation or by interacting with their environment.

Hendry also alludes to a debate among chemists as to whether chemical bonds are real or not, in the sense of directional connections between two or more nuclei in any given molecule. I reject this view and propose that the structural and energetic views of chemical bonding, that have been discussed by some philosophers of chemistry including Hendry, do not refer to any essential ontological differences. I agree that chemists view bonding in a more realistic fashion and may consider bonds to be in some senses real, while physicists may consider bonding in more abstract energetic terms. However, I do not believe that such differences in scientific practice and attitudes should be considered to offer a window as to the ontological status of bonding or whether bonding is real. Finally, I discuss the kinetic energy school of chemical bonding which would seem to challenge any notion of bonds as directional entities, since bonding is no longer regarded as being primarily due to the build-up of electron density between nuclei.
Holographic quantum distances and replica trick
Authors: Xiao Zi-Qing , Yang Run-Qiu
Published: December 2023

Abstract

This paper gives concrete examples to exhibit how to use the replica trick to calculate the quantum (quasi-)distances holographically. First, we consider the fidelity and relative entropy between thermal states that are dual to the Schwarzschild-AdS black holes. Then we generalize our method into the RN-AdS black holes by adding a U(1) gauge field. We also investigate the fidelity between states excited by scalar operator in probe limit. In this case, it is surprising that the fidelity in standard quantization will suffer from new UV divergence though the usual holographic renormalization has been applied. We call for deep understanding for such divergence in the future. We also discover a holographic method to check whether the density matrices of two holographic states are commutative.
The Hamilton Compression of Highly Symmetric Graphs
Authors: Gregor Petr , Merino Arturo , Mütze Torsten
Published: December 2023

We say that a Hamilton cycle $$C=(x_1,\ldots ,x_n)$$C=(x1,…,xn)in a graph Gisk-symmetric, if the mapping$$x_i\mapsto x_{i+n/k}$$xi↦xi+n/kfor all$$i=1,\ldots ,n$$i=1,…,n, where indices are considered modulo n, is an automorphism of G. In other words, if we lay out the vertices$$x_1,\ldots ,x_n$$x1,…,xnequidistantly on a circle and draw the edges of Gas straight lines, then the drawing of Ghask-fold rotational symmetry, i.e., all information about the graph is compressed into a$$360^\circ /k$$360∘/kwedge of the drawing. The maximum kfor which there exists ak-symmetric Hamilton cycle in Gis referred to as theHamilton compression of G. We investigate the Hamilton compression of four different families of vertex-transitive graphs, namely hypercubes, Johnson graphs, permutahedra and Cayley graphs of abelian groups. In several cases, we determine their Hamilton compression exactly, and in other cases, we provide close lower and upper bounds. The constructed cycles have a much higher compression than several classical Gray codes known from the literature. Our constructions also yield Gray codes for bitstrings, combinations and permutations that have few tracks and/or that are balanced.
Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen (DiGA) im Spannungsfeld von Fortschritt und Kritik
Authors: Schlieter Hannes , Kählig Maren , Hickmann Emily , Fürstenau Daniel , Sunyaev Ali , Richter Peggy , Breitschwerdt Rüdiger , Thielscher Christian , Gersch Martin , Maaß Wolfgang , Reuter-Oppermann Melanie , Wiese Lena
Published: December 2023

Im Dezember 2019 wurden in Deutschland Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen (DiGA) in die Regelversorgung aufgenommen und können somit durch die gesetzlichen Krankenkassen erstattet werden, um PatientInnen bei der Behandlung von Erkrankungen oder Beeinträchtigungen zu unterstützen. Inzwischen gibt es 48 DiGA (Stand: Oktober 2023) im Verzeichnis des Bundesinstituts für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM), die vor allem in den Bereichen mentale Gesundheit, Hormone und Stoffwechsel sowie Muskeln, Knochen und Gelenke eingesetzt werden. In diesem Artikel beschreibt die Fachgruppe „Digital Health“ der Gesellschaft für Informatik e. V. (GI) die aktuellen Entwicklungen rund um die DiGA sowie das derzeitige Stimmungsbild zu Themen wie Nutzerzentrierung, Akzeptanz von PatientInnen und Behandelnden sowie Innovationspotenzial. Zusammenfassend haben DiGA in den letzten 3 Jahren eine positive Entwicklung in Form eines langsam steigenden Angebots verschiedener DiGA und Leistungsbereiche erfahren. Nichtsdestotrotz sind in einigen Bereichen noch erhebliche regulatorische Weichenstellungen notwendig, um DiGA langfristig in der Regelversorgung zu etablieren. Zentrale Herausforderungen bestehen u. a. in der Nutzerzentrierung oder in der nachhaltigen Verwendung der Anwendungen.
Behandlungsregime tiefer sternaler Wundinfektionen nach kardiochirurgischen Eingriffen im interdisziplinären Ansatz
Authors: Bieler D. , Franke A. , Völlmecke M. , Hentsch S. , Markewitz A. , Kollig E.
Published: December 2023

Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, anhand der diagnostischen und therapeutischen Herangehensweise bei der interdisziplinären Behandlung von 54 Patienten mit einer tiefen sternalen Wundinfektion (TSWI) nach kardiochirurgischem Eingriff sowie der erzielten Ergebnisse die Wertigkeit eines strukturierten und situationsadaptierten Vorgehens vorzustellen. Es handelte sich um 41 Männer und 13 Frauen mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 65,1 Jahren, die im Zeitraum 2003–2016 nach kardiochirurgischem Eingriff eine TSWI entwickelten. Die Behandlungsstrategie setzte sich zusammen aus dem konsequenten Débridement, einschließlich der Entfernung des einliegenden Fremdmaterials, der Rekonstruktion nach Infektbeherrschung mit stabiler Reosteosynthese und ggf. situationsbedingter Lappenplastik für eine gut durchblutete Defektdeckung und zwingender Vermeidung von Totraum. Es wurden insgesamt 146 Operationen erforderlich (durchschnittlich 2,7 Operationen/Patient, Bereich: eine bis 7 Operationen). In 24,1 % der Fälle konnte ein einzeitiges Vorgehen durchgeführt werden. Bei 41 Patienten wurde zur Wundkonditionierung die „negative pressure wound therapy“ (NPWT) mit programmierten Schwammwechseln angewendet (im Mittel 5 Wechsel, Standardabweichung [SD] ± 5,6 Wechsel über 22 Tage, SD ± 23,9 Tage, Wechselintervall alle 3 bis 4 Tage in 40,7 % der Fälle). Bei 33 Patienten wurde ein beidseitiger myokutaner Pectoralis-major-Lappen genutzt, bei 4 Patienten ein „Vertical-rectus-abdominis-myocutaneous“(VRAM)-Lappen, bei 7 Patienten beide. Am Sternum wurden 43 Osteosynthesen mit winkelstabilen Titanplattensystemen durchgeführt. Sieben Patienten verstarben unter intensivmedizinischer Behandlung (Gesamtmortalität 13 %; n = 5 (9,3 %) ≤ 30 Tage) oder im weiteren Verlauf. Mit saniertem Infekt konnten 47 Patienten entlassen werden (87,1 %). Bei 2 Patienten wurden die Implantate nach 2 Jahren wegen Auslockerung entfernt.
Child-to-adult body size change and risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Carrasquilla Germán D. , Ängquist Lars , Sørensen Thorkild I. A. , Kilpeläinen Tuomas O. , Loos Ruth J. F.
Published: December 2023

Aims/hypothesis

Childhood overweight increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. However, the impact of childhood leanness on adult obesity and disease risk has been overlooked. We examined the independent and combined influences of child and adult body size on the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Methods

Data from the UK Biobank on 364,695 individuals of European ancestry and free of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease were divided into nine categories based on their self-reported body size at age 10 and measured BMI in adulthood. After a median follow-up of 12.8 years, 33,460 individuals had developed type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease. We used Cox regression models to assess the associations of body size categories with disease incidence.

Results

Individuals with low body size in childhood and high body size in adulthood had the highest risk of type 2 diabetes (HR 4.73; 95% CI 4.50, 4.99), compared to those with average body size in both childhood and adulthood. This was significantly higher than the risk in those with high body size in both childhood and adulthood (HR 4.05; 95% CI 3.84, 4.26). By contrast, cardiovascular disease risk was determined by adult body size, irrespective of childhood body size.

Conclusions/interpretation

Low body size in childhood exacerbates the risk of type 2 diabetes associated with adult obesity but not the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, promoting healthy weight management from childhood to adulthood, among lean children, is crucial.

Graphical Abstract
Validation of global ionospheric models using long-term observations of pulsar Faraday rotation with the LOFAR radio telescope
Authors: Porayko Nataliya K. , Mevius Maaijke , Hernández-Pajares Manuel , Tiburzi Caterina , Olivares Pulido German , Liu Qi , Verbiest Joris P. W. , Künsemöller Jörn , Krishnakumar Moochickal Ambalappat , Bak Nielsen Ann-Sofie , Brüggen Marcus , Graffigna Victoria , Dettmar Ralf-Jürgen , Kramer Michael , Osłowski Stefan , Schwarz Dominik J. , Shaifullah Golam M. , Wucknitz Olaf
Published: December 2023

Broad band pulsar radiation can be effectively used to monitor the properties of the magneto-ionic media through which it propagates. Faraday rotation calculated from polarised pulsar observations provides an integrated product of electron densities and the line-of-sight component of the magnetic field in the intervening plasma. In particular, a time-variable effect mainly associated with the rapidly changing column density of the Earth’s ionosphere and plasmasphere heavily dominates the observed Faraday rotation of pulsar radiation. In this work, we aim to carry out a performance test of three GNSS-based models of the ionosphere using observations of PSR J0332+5434 taken with the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR). As it was shown in Porayko et al. (Month Not Roy Astron Soc 483(3):4100–4113, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sty3324. arXiv:1812.01463), the conventional single layer model (SLM), which assumes that the ionosphere is a thin slab at a fixed effective height, is not capable of fully accounting for the ionospheric Faraday rotation in pulsar data. The simplified physics of the SLM is upgraded within IRI-Plas (International Reference Ionosphere and Plasmasphere) extended SLM and the dual-layer voxel TOmographic Model of the Ionosphere (TOMION), both of which partially account for the thickness and vertical dynamics of the terrestrial plasma. Although the last two improve the reconstruction of the ionospheric Faraday rotation, none of the considered models completely purge the observed residual variations. With this study, we show that the long term LOFAR observations of Faraday rotation of pulsars provide an excellent tool to test and improve models of the magneto-ionic content of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Tune in to the terrific applications of turanose
Authors: Ponnurangam Muthukumaran , Balaji Seetharaman
Published: December 2023

Turanose, a rare sugar with low calorific value and glycemic index, used as an alternative to sucrose and other artificial sweeteners. The occurrence of turanose is in limited quantities, especially found in honey. Thus, it should be produced by either chemical or biological means. Turanose is released as a by-product during synthesis of the linear α-(1,4)-glucan from sucrose by the action of amylosucrase. In recent times, turanose attracted interest in several industries such as agricultural, food, and pharmaceuticals due to its feasible production. Hence, this review outlines about the history of turanose, its physiochemical properties, production along with inhibition and inducing effects. It is high time to tune in the terrific applications of turanose, as it retains the potential for more than a century of discovery, since 1889. These applications include detection of pathogens, facilitation of cellular respiration, regulation of inflammation, authentication of honey, phagodeterrency effects, osmoprotection, stabilization of therapeutical proteins, and edibility enhancement of foods.
Safety and pharmacokinetics of imaradenant (AZD4635) in Japanese patients with advanced solid malignancies: a phase I, open-label study
Authors: Matsubara Nobuaki , Kusuhara Shota , Yamamoto Noboru , Sudo Kazuki , Yanagita Masahiko , Murayama Kosho , Kawasumi Hisashi , Russell Deanna L. , Yin Da , Shimizu Toshio
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Imaradenant is a novel potent and selective adenosine A2A receptor antagonist that is hypothesized to reduce immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. This phase I, open-label, dose-escalation study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-tumor activity of imaradenant.

Methods

Japanese patients with advanced solid malignancies received imaradenant 50 mg (n = 3) or 75 mg (n = 7) once daily (QD). The primary objective was safety and tolerability, and the secondary objectives were pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor activity.

Results

The median treatment duration was 2.10 months and 2.14 months for the 50- and 75-mg QD cohorts, respectively. The most common adverse events were nausea, malaise, decreased appetite, and vomiting. Five patients (50%) reported adverse events that were considered causally related to imaradenant; three patients had Grade 2 adverse events of malaise, nausea, and diarrhea. No deaths or serious adverse events occurred. The median times of maximum observed concentrations sampled after a single dose in the 50- and 75-mg QD cohorts were 1.08 h (range, 0.95–1.95) and 2.00 h (range, 0.92–5.52), respectively. There was little accumulation after multiple dosing, with geometric mean accumulation ratios of maximum concentration of 1.3 (50-mg QD) to 1.4 (75-mg QD) and area under the concentration–time curve 0–24 of 1.4 (50-mg QD) to 1.5 (75-mg QD). The best objective response was stable disease (3/10).

Conclusion

No new or unexpected safety concerns were identified, and imaradenant had an acceptable safety profile at both 50- and 75-mg QD.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03980821 (June 10, 2019).
Prognostic implications of thyroid disease in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Vasilopoulou Anthi , Patsiou Vasiliki , Bekiaridou Alexandra , Papazoglou Andreas S. , Moysidis Dimitrios V. , Spaho Marina , Zergioti Martha , Kostakakis Dimitrios , Kyriakideli Maria-Eirini , Lampropoulou Chrysanthi-Ioanna , Kartas Anastasios , Samaras Athanasios , Baroutidou Amalia , Tzikas Apostolos , Ziakas Antonios , Giannakoulas George
Published: December 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often accompanied by thyroid disease (THD). This study aimed to explore the relationship between THD and the occurrence of significant clinical outcomes in patients with AF. This post hoc analysis utilized data from the MISOAC-AF trial (NCT02941978), which enrolled hospitalized patients with AF. Patients were categorized based on their THD history into hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or euthyroidism. Cox regression models were employed to calculate unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs). The primary outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and hospitalizations during the follow-up period. The study included 496 AF patients (mean age 73.09 ± 11.10 years) with available THD data, who were followed-up for a median duration of 31 months. Among them, 16 patients (3.2%) had hyperthyroidism, 141 (28.4%) had hypothyroidism, and 339 (68.4%) had no thyroid disease. Patients with hypothyroidism exhibited higher rates of hospitalization during follow-up (aHR: 1.57, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.20, p = 0.025) compared to the euthyroid group. Elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were correlated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (aHR: 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.05, p = 0.007) and hospitalizations (aHR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.12, p = 0.03). Conversely, lower levels of triiodothyronine (T3) were associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality (aHR: 0.51, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.82, p = 0.006) and cardiovascular mortality (aHR: 0.42, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.77, p = 0.005). Among patients with AF, hypothyroidism was associated with increased hospitalizations. Furthermore, elevated TSH levels and decreased T3 levels were linked to higher cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risks, respectively.
Parameterized orographic gravity wave drag and dynamical effects in CMIP6 models
Authors: Hájková Dominika , Šácha Petr
Published: December 2023

Orographic gravity waves (OGWs) are an important mechanism for coupling of the free atmosphere with the surface, mediating the momentum and energy transport and influencing the dynamics and circulation especially in the middle-atmosphere. Current global climate models are not able to resolve a large part of the OGW spectrum and hence, OGW effects have to be parameterized in the models. Typically, the only parameterized effect is the OGW induced drag. Despite producing the same quantity as an output and relying on similar assumptions (e.g. instantaneous vertical propagation), the individual OGW parameterization schemes differ in many aspects such as handling of the orography, the inclusion of non-linear effects near the surface and the tuning of the emergent free parameters. In this study, we have reviewed 7 different parameterizations, which are used in 9 different CMIP6 models. We report pronounced differences in the vertical distribution and magnitude of the parameterized OGW drag between the models and study to what extent the inter-model differences can be traced back to the difference in the type and tuning of the schemes. Finally, we demonstrate how the OGW drag differences project to the intermodel differences in the stratospheric dynamics. The study can pave the way for a more systematic research of the OGW parameterizations in the future, with an ultimate goal of lowering the amount of uncertainty of the future climate projections connected with the parameterized effects of unresolved orography.
Recurrence rates for surgically treated insertional Achilles tendinopathy
Authors: Hörterer Hubert , Oppelt Sonja , Harrasser Norbert , Gottschalk Oliver , Böcker Wolfgang , Polzer Hans , Walther Markus , Baumbach Sebastian Felix
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is a challenge for every orthopedic surgeon. Although surgical intervention is difficult to avoid after frustrating conservative therapy, little is known about recurrence of this disorder. Therefore the aim of the study was to assess the recurrence rate after primary IAT surgery.

Materials and methods

The authors previous published cohort on primary IAT surgery was reanalyzed. Patients with a follow-up Foot and Function Index (FFI) at one year and final follow-up were included. IAT recurrence was defined as a FFI worsening between one year and final follow-up of > 6.5 points. General demographics, surgical details, complications, and the patient reported outcome (PROM) were assessed.

Results

Out of 58 included patients (51 ± 14 years), 8 patients (14%) suffered IAT recurrence after an average of 50 ± 25 months. None of the assessed factors was predictive for an IAT recurrence.

Conclusion

IAT recurrence after primary surgery occurs in up to 14% of patients.

Level of evidence

IV, retrospective cohort study.
Revisiting the association of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with polymorphisms of NHE3 and IL13
Authors: Qu Dong , Schürmann Peter , Rothämel Thomas , Fleßner Jessica , Rehberg Daniela , Dörk Thilo , Klintschar Michael
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Disturbances of the central nervous system and immune system are thought to play a role in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Dysregulated expression of sodium (Na+)/hydrogen (H+) exchanger 3 (NHE3) in the brainstem and of interleukin 13 (IL13) in the lungs has been observed in SIDS. An association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NHE3 and IL13 with SIDS has been proposed, but controversial results were reported. Therefore, there is a need to revisit the association of SNPs in NHE3 and IL13 with SIDS.

Methods

Genotyping of rs71597645 (G1131A) and rs2247114 (C2405T) in NHE3 and rs20541 (+ 4464A/G) in IL13 was performed in 201 SIDS cases and 338 controls. A meta-analysis was performed after merging our data with previously published data (all from European populations).

Results

Polymorphisms rs2247114 (NHE3) and rs20541 (IL13) were significantly associated with SIDS overall and in multiple subgroups, but no association was found for rs71597645 (NHE3). After combining our data with previously published data, a fixed-effect meta-analysis showed that rs2247114 in NHE3 retained a significant association with SIDS under a recessive model (OR 2.78, 95%CI 1.53 to 5.06; p = 0.0008).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest an association of NHE3 variant rs2247114 (C2405T), though not rs71597645 (NHE3), with SIDS. A potential role of rs20541 (IL13) still has to be elucidated. Especially NHE3 seems to be an interesting topic for future SIDS research.
Comparison of manual sutures and laparoscopic stapler for pancreatic stump closure techniques in robotic distal pancreatectomy: a single-center experience
Authors: Jiang Qitao , Lu Chao , Zhou Yucheng , Zhu Qicong , Ren Yufeng , Mou Yiping , Jin Weiwei
Published: December 2023

Background

Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) are prevalent and major postoperative complications of distal pancreatectomy (DP). There are numerous ways to manage the pancreatic stump. However, no single approach has been shown to be consistently superior. Moreover, the potential role of robotic systems in reducing POPFs has received little attention.

Methods

The clinical data of 119 patients who had consecutively received robotic distal pancreatectomy between January 2019 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the method of handling the pancreatic stump. The attributes of the patients and the variables during the perioperative period were compared.

Results

The analysis included 72 manual sutures and 47 stapler procedures. The manual suture group had a shorter operative time (removing installation time) than the stapler group (125.25 ± 63.04 min vs 153.30 ± 62.03 min, p = 0.019). Additionally, the manual suture group had lower estimated blood loss (50 mL vs 100 mL, p = 0.009) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay. There were no significant differences in the incidence of clinically relevant POPFs between the two groups (18.1% vs 23.4%, P > 0.05). No perioperative death occurred in either group.

Conclusion

The manual suturing technique was shown to have an incidence of POPFs similar to the stapler technique in robotic distal pancreatectomy and to be safe and feasible.

Graphical Abstract
A case–control study of filicide/infanticide in 90 mothers
Authors: Bramante Alessandra , Di Florio Arianna
Published: December 2023

This study aims to explore the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of 30 women who committed filicide and compare them to those of 60 postpartum women who did not commit filicide, including 30 with severe postpartum mental illness and 30 without a known history of psychiatric disorders. Clinical assessment included a face-to-face interview with the Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV Axis I and Axis II Disorders. Information on socio-economic, medical, and personal factors was collected using the Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and organized in a clinical vignette and OPCRIT ratings. Consensus best-estimate diagnoses were made according to DSM-V criteria. Inference was conducted using Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and Mann–Whitney U rank test for continuous variables. Family history of violent death, psychotic symptoms (OR 8.3; CI 95% 2.26–36.13), severe insomnia (9.8; 2.28–61.75), and a schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar diathesis (4.8; 1.22–23.86) were associated with history of filicide. Rates of history of sexual abuse in childhood were higher in both the filicide and the severe postpartum mental illness groups compared to healthy controls (6.7; 1.25–70.46 and 7.8; 1.47; 80.47 respectively). Conversely, we did not observe any difference in the rates of history of sexual abuse in adulthood across groups. The lack of adequate postpartum psychiatric care was an important precipitating factor in many cases of infanticide and even late filicide. This study underscores the need for increasing awareness by health care professionals and the wider society of the complex dynamics and psychiatric risks associated with motherhood.
Decision-making based on sustainability analysis using GREENSCOPE
Authors: Dias Ricardo N. , Filipe Rui M. , Matos Henrique A.
Published: December 2023

Current economic and environmental pressure encourages companies to invest and reform processes in a sustainable way. However, the decision on the best sustainable investment in a given industry may not be as straightforward as given by the independent economic and environmental indicators. Analyzing such indicators for investment in process alternatives is a complex multi-objective decision-making process. Many methods can help solve multi-objective problems, GREENSCOPE suggests using the Addictive Utility Method, which may have some shortcomings. In this work, the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) are applied to the indicator scores obtained with the GREENSCOPE methodology. The Analytical Hierarchy Process is applied with Marginal Rate of Substitution, to obtain the priority matrices. MATLAB was used to apply the methods and through an algorithm, to determine the adequate number of indicators to be used. Three cases were studied, namely a biorefinery plant, and two academic case studies on the production of acetaldehyde from ethanol and propylene glycol from glycerol. The two academic cases were modeled in Aspen Plus, to obtain process data, and linked to GREENSCOPE using MATLAB. The methodology was applied to some proposed alternatives where the sustainability improvement of energy integration and material recycling was tested. The new methodology was able to identify the more sustainable case among the alternatives. This methodology based on TOPSIS proved to be the best choice, avoiding the weighting of indicators, and providing an expected analytical decision among alternatives.

Graphical abstract
To Be or Not to Be Empathic: the Role of Empathy in Child Sexual Offending
Authors: Sousa Marta , Cunha Olga , Gonçalves Rui Abrunhosa , de Castro-Rodrigues Andreia
Published: December 2023

Although treatment providers very often use empathy training in treatment for those who sexually offend, it is essential to further investigate the predictive capacity of this construct for committing a child sexual offending. This study aimed to examine the relationship between empathy and different types of offending behavior (i.e., child sexual offending and nonsexual offending). The sample was composed of 113 male individuals who sexually offended minors (ISOMs) and 146 individuals convicted of nonsexual crimes. Four separate binary logistic regression analyses were conducted controlling for sociodemographic variables. Only cognitive empathy emerged as a predictor for committing a sexual crime against a minor, with ISOMs being more likely to score less in cognitive empathy than the nonsexual group. Therefore, extrafamilial ISOMs are more likely to score higher in cognitive empathy than intrafamilial. This study highlighted the importance of addressing cognitive empathy in psychological intervention for ISOMs.
Sentencing Elsewhere: Structuring Sentencing Discretion in Post-communist Europe
Authors: Drápal Jakub , Plesničar Mojca
Published: December 2023

Former socialist European countries (FSECs) have largely been overlooked in the scholarly debate on sentencing disparities and structuring sentencing discretion. The article addresses this gap by analysing the specific sentencing characteristics in FSECs, which differ from those in their Western counterparts. Specifically, FSECs place greater emphasis on the principle of individualisation and exhibit distrust towards the executive branch. Whilst recent studies have documented important unwarranted disparities in FSECs, scholarly and professional debates on sentencing issues in these countries have been rare and often superficial to date. In this paper, we describe the specifics of sentencing in FSEC, emphasising the broad discretion provided to sentencers, the lack of interest from sentencing stakeholders, and the frequent neglect of procedural factors influencing sentencing. Drawing on existing scholarship and empirical evidence, we put forward general principles for structuring sentencing discretion in a manner specific to FSEC. We identify key actors who might provide guidance and discuss how our suggestions might be implemented in practice.
No more tears without tiers? The impact of indirect settlement on liquidity use in TARGET2
Authors: Paulick Jan , Berndsen Ron , Diehl Martin , Heijmans Ronald
Published: December 2023

We study the impact of tiered payments originating from client banks on the liquidity consumption (relative intraday liquidity use) of settlement banks. Estimates of a panel data model, employing wholesale payments in euro, show that a higher share of tiered payments reduces liquidity consumption by settlement banks. Metrics on timing, delay, and payment priorities suggest that settlement banks use more leeway in settling tiered payments from client banks compared to in-house payments. Payment timing as a proxy for external delay suggests that tiered payments help smooth liquidity positions. Payment delay within the system does not follow a clear dynamic over time, whereas banks consistently de-prioritize tiered payments. Thereby, settlement banks employ tiered arrangements to manage intraday liquidity more efficiently. To a certain extent, this hints at “free riding” or higher recycling of liquidity from client banks’ payments. However, the results are also consistent with settlement banks’ monitoring role or tiered payments potentially exhibiting different characteristics which may be attributable to contractual arrangements.
A theory of factors affecting continuous experimentation (FACE)
Authors: Ros Rasmus , Bjarnason Elizabeth , Runeson Per
Published: December 2023

Context

Continuous experimentation (CE) is used by many companies with internet-facing products to improve their business models and software solutions based on user data. Some companies deliberately adopt a systematic experiment-driven approach to software development while some companies use CE in a more ad-hoc fashion.

Objective

The goal of this study is to identify factors for success in CE that explain the variations in the utility and efficacy of CE between different companies.

Method

We conducted a multi-case study of 12 companies involved with CE and performed 27 interviews with practitioners at these companies. Based on that empirical data, we then built a theory of factors at play in CE.

Results

We introduce a theory of Factors Affecting Continuous Experimentation (FACE). The theory includes three factors, namely 1) processes and infrastructure for CE, 2) the user problem complexity of the product offering, and 3) incentive structures for CE. The theory explains how these factors affect the effectiveness of CE and its ability to achieve problem-solution and product-market fit.

Conclusions

Our theory may inspire practitioners to assess an organisation’s potential for adopting CE and to identify factors that pose challenges in gaining value from CE practices. Our results also provide a basis for defining practitioner guidelines and a starting point for further research on how contextual factors affect CE and how these may be mitigated.
Can machine learning make naturalism about health truly naturalistic? A reflection on a data-driven concept of health
Authors: Guersenzvaig Ariel
Published: December 2023

Through hypothetical scenarios, this paper analyses whether machine learning (ML) could resolve one of the main shortcomings present in Christopher Boorse’s Biostatistical Theory of health (BST). In doing so, it foregrounds the boundaries and challenges of employing ML in formulating a naturalist (i.e., prima facie value-free) definition of health. The paper argues that a sweeping dataist approach cannot fully make the BST truly naturalistic, as prior theories and values persist. It also points out that supervised learning introduces circularity, rendering it incompatible with a naturalistic perspective. Additionally, it underscores the need for pre-existing auxiliary theories to assess results from unsupervised learning. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the epistemological entanglements between data and data processing methods to manage expectations about what data patterns can predict. In conclusion, the paper argues against delegating the final authority for defining complex concepts like health to AI systems, as it necessitates ethical judgment and capacities for deliberation that AI currently lacks. It also warns against granting creators and deployers of AI systems the discretionary authority to determine these definitions outside the wider social discussion, advocating for ongoing public engagement on normative notions. Failure to do so risks limiting individuals and collectives’ ability to shape a just digital future and diminishes their fundamental epistemic agency.
Life may be unfair, but do democracies make it any less burdensome?
Authors: Oyèkọ́lá Ọláyínká
Published: December 2023

Using a large panel of countries, this paper studies whether, or not, democracies can disproportionately produce better economic outcomes for the poor than non-democracies. To deal with the endogeneity of democracy and inequality, a regional democratisation wave is used to isolate the exogenous variation in country-level democracy. Our main finding is that the exogenous component of democracy significantly and robustly decreased inequality in the long run, after controlling for key inequality determinants. We identify that the two potential mechanisms through which democracy affects inequality are structural transformation and middle-class bias channels. However, we find that this negative democracy-inequality link is reversed in the short run.
A Proof of Finite Crystallization via Stratification
Authors: Friedrich Manuel , Kreutz Leonard
Published: December 2023

We devise a new technique to prove two-dimensional crystallization results in the square lattice for finite particle systems. We apply this strategy to energy minimizers of configurational energies featuring two-body short-ranged particle interactions and three-body angular potentials favoring bond-angles of the square lattice. To each configuration, we associate its bond graph which is then suitably modified by identifying chains of successive atoms. This method, called stratification, reduces the crystallization problem to a simple minimization that corresponds to a proof via slicing of the isoperimetric inequality in $$\ell ^1$$

ℓ
1

. As a byproduct, we also prove a fluctuation estimate for minimizers of the configurational energy, known as the $$n^{3/4}$$

n

3
/
4

-law.
Mandatory role of endoplasmic reticulum and its pentose phosphate shunt in the myocardial defense mechanisms against the redox stress induced by anthracyclines
Authors: Sambuceti Gianmario , Cossu Vanessa , Vitale Francesca , Bianconi Eva , Carta Sonia , Venturi Consuelo , Chiesa Sabrina , Lanfranchi Francesco , Emionite Laura , Carlone Sebastiano , Sofia Luca , D’Amico Francesca , Di Raimondo Tania , Chiola Silvia , Orengo Anna Maria , Morbelli Silvia , Ameri Pietro , Bauckneht Matteo , Marini Cecilia
Published: December 2023

Anthracyclines’ cardiotoxicity involves an accelerated generation of reactive oxygen species. This oxidative damage has been found to accelerate the expression of hexose-6P-dehydrogenase (H6PD), that channels glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) confined within the endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). To verify the role of SR-PPP in the defense mechanisms activated by doxorubicin (DXR) in cardiomyocytes, we tested the effect of this drug in H6PD knockout mice (H6PD−/−). Twenty-eight wildtype (WT) and 32 H6PD−/− mice were divided into four groups to be treated with intraperitoneal administration of saline (untreated) or DXR (8 mg/Kg once a week for 3 weeks). One week thereafter, survivors underwent imaging of 18F-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake and were sacrificed to evaluate the levels of H6PD, glucose-6P-dehydrogenase (G6PD), G6P transporter (G6PT), and malondialdehyde. The mRNA levels of SR Ca2+-ATPase 2 (Serca2) and ryanodine receptors 2 (RyR2) were evaluated and complemented with Hematoxylin/Eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy. During the treatment period, 1/14 DXR-WT and 12/18 DXR-H6PD−/− died. At microPET, DXR-H6PD−/− survivors displayed an increase in left ventricular size (p < 0.001) coupled with a decreased urinary output, suggesting a severe hemodynamic impairment. At ex vivo analysis, H6PD−/− condition was associated with an oxidative damage independent of treatment type. DXR increased H6PD expression only in WT mice, while G6PT abundance increased in both groups, mismatching a generalized decrease of G6PD levels. Switching-off SR-PPP impaired reticular accumulation of Ca2+ decelerating Serca2 expression and upregulating RyR2 mRNA level. It thus altered mitochondrial ultrastructure eventually resulting in a cardiomyocyte loss. The recognized vulnerability of SR to the anthracycline oxidative damage is counterbalanced by an acceleration of G6P flux through a PPP confined within the reticular lumen. The interplay of SR-PPP with the intracellular Ca2+ exchanges regulators in cardiomyocytes configure the reticular PPP as a potential new target for strategies aimed to decrease anthracycline toxicity.
A Meta-analysis of Cognitive Functioning in Intimate Partner Violence Perpetrators
Authors: Romero-Martínez Ángel , Sarrate-Costa Carolina , Moya-Albiol Luis
Published: December 2023

Numerous psychologists have shown interest in applying neuropsychological tests to study intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrators and gain a further understanding of the underlying nature of this type of violence. However, up until now, no meta-analysis has drawn on all the available scientific literature to calculate whether consistent differences exist between the neuropsychological performance of IPV perpetrators and other samples of men (non-violent men, IPV perpetrators with drug misuse, and other men with criminal history). The aim of this study was to carry out this calculation and also measure whether neuropsychological performance explained IPV perpetration. We conducted a meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. After initially identifying 7243 sources, we eventually included a total of 25 publications. The number of studies included for effect size calculation in each cognitive domain ranged from two to nine. Taking solely into account studies comparing IPV perpetrators with non-violent men, our findings indicate that both IPV perpetrators who misuse drugs and those who do not exhibit worse neuropsychological functioning compared to non-violent men. These differences range from moderate to large for working memory, switching attention, cognitive flexibility, planning abilities, and phonemic fluency. However, while low functioning in response IQ was only observed in IPV perpetrators without drug misuse, continuous attention performance only differed in IPV perpetrators with drug misuse. It should be noted that most conclusions were consistent. In addition, the comparison between IPV perpetrator subsamples and other types of criminal convictions only revealed differences in switching attention, with IPV perpetrators presenting worse abilities than the rest of the subsamples. Finally, we also found some support for significant associations between neuropsychological performance and both physical and psychological IPV perpetration. This meta-analysis is a significant contribution that will help inform future clinical strategies for the early detection of cognitive needs. It will also guide the implementation of new or complementary intervention programs.