bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric new particle formation identifier using longitudinal global particle number size distribution data
Authors: Kecorius Simonas , Madueño Leizel , Lovric Mario , Racic Nikolina , Schwarz Maximilian , Cyrys Josef , Casquero-Vera Juan Andrés , Alados-Arboledas Lucas , Conil Sébastien , Sciare Jean , Ondracek Jakub , Hallar Anna Gannet , Gómez-Moreno Francisco J. , Ellul Raymond , Kristensson Adam , Sorribas Mar , Kalivitis Nikolaos , Mihalopoulos Nikolaos , Peters Annette , Gini Maria , Eleftheriadis Konstantinos , Vratolis Stergios , Jeongeun Kim , Birmili Wolfram , Bergmans Benjamin , Nikolova Nina , Dinoi Adelaide , Contini Daniele , Marinoni Angela , Alastuey Andres , Petäjä Tuukka , Rodriguez Sergio , Picard David , Brem Benjamin , Priestman Max , Green David C. , Beddows David C. S. , Harrison Roy M. , O’Dowd Colin , Ceburnis Darius , Hyvärinen Antti , Henzing Bas , Crumeyrolle Suzanne , Putaud Jean-Philippe , Laj Paolo , Weinhold Kay , Plauškaitė Kristina , Byčenkienė Steigvilė
Published: November 2024

Atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) is a naturally occurring phenomenon, during which high concentrations of sub-10 nm particles are created through gas to particle conversion. The NPF is observed in multiple environments around the world. Although it has observable influence onto annual total and ultrafine particle number concentrations (PNC and UFP, respectively), only limited epidemiological studies have investigated whether these particles are associated with adverse health effects. One plausible reason for this limitation may be related to the absence of NPF identifiers available in UFP and PNC data sets. Until recently, the regional NPF events were usually identified manually from particle number size distribution contour plots. Identification of NPF across multi-annual and multiple station data sets remained a tedious task. In this work, we introduce a regional NPF identifier, created using an automated, machine learning based algorithm. The regional NPF event tag was created for 65 measurement sites globally, covering the period from 1996 to 2023. The discussed data set can be used in future studies related to regional NPF.
Altered expression of Csnk1a1p in Autism Spectrum Disorder in Iranian population: case-control study
Authors: Rahmani Zahra , Rahmani Dina , Jazi Marie Saghaeian , Ghasemi Mohammad-Reza , Sadeghi Hossein , Miryounesi Mohammad , Razjouyan Katayoon , Fayyazi Bordbar Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2024

Over the past decade, substantial scientific evidence has showed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are extensively expressed and play a crucial role in gene modulation through a diverse range of transcriptional, and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Recent discoveries have emphasized the involvement of lncRNAs in maintaining cellular homeostasis and neurogenesis in the brain. Accumulating reports identified dysregulated lncRNAs associated with psychiatric disorders, including autism. In this study, we examined the expression levels of DISC2, Linc00945, Foxg1-as1, Csnk1a1p, and Evf2 lncRNAs in blood samples from 21 clinically diagnosed autistic patients based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria-5th edition (DSM-5), compared to age, sex, and ethnically-matched 25 healthy individuals. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed, followed by real-time PCR for quantification of lncRNAs expression levels. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate biomarker potential. Additionally, we investigated the correlation between gene expression levels and autism comorbidities. Our results showed a significant decrease in Csnk1a1p expression in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to healthy children (P value = 0.0008). ROC curve analysis indicated that Csnk1a1p expression levels could effectively discriminate patients from healthy controls (AUC = 0.837, P value = 0.000284). No significant differences were observed between Csnk1a1p expression levels and comorbidity with ADHD or intellectual disability (p-value > 0.05). Based on these findings, Csnk1a1p may play a significant role in autistic patients and could serve as a potential biomarker for diagnostic and predictive purposes, as well as a therapeutic target.
Predictors of explicit and implicit anthropomorphism in house facades
Authors: Weber Sandra , Roessler Kirsten Kaya , Riebandt Kevin , Kühn Simone
Published: November 2024

Anthropomorphism describes the tendency to endow objects with human characteristics, with some individuals being more inclined to do this than others. In an ambiguous environment, this phenomenon can offer guidance. This study investigates the relationship between self-reported attribution and evoked anthropomorphism when viewing house facades. Data was collected from three countries (Germany, Denmark, Canada; N = 305). Implicit house anthropomorphism was measured using the Global Vectors for Word Representation method. Explicit anthropomorphism was assessed using the Individual Differences in Anthropomorphism Questionnaire (IDAQ) and a specific House Anthropomorphism Score (EHAS). No significant relationship was found between implicit and explicit house anthropomorphism. Individual IDAQ scores were significantly associated with EHAS across all participants, regardless of country. Additionally, a high degree of agreement in explicit ratings between countries suggests that cultural differences are rather negligible. When objects are given human personality traits and people interact with them because emotions are triggered, it is important to understand which aspects elicit positive and reactive behaviors. In particular, houses, which have high psychological significance as objects of self-expression, might contribute to well-being, so research in this area can provide important knowledge for urban design and architecture.
The use of haystacks by wolves may facilitate the transmission of sarcoptic mange
Authors: Bojarska Katarzyna , Orłowska Blanka , Sobociński Wojciech , Karczewska Małgorzata , Kołodziej-Sobocińska Marta
Published: November 2024

Wildlife that use anthropogenic resources often come into conflict with humans, e.g. due to damaged property, habituation or transmission of pathogens, amongst them Sarcoptes scabiei, the aetiological agent of sarcoptic mange, an emerging panzootic skin disease. This study examines the use of haystacks intended for supplementary feeding of European bison (Bison bonasus) by wolves (Canis lupus) with sarcoptic mange and the potential role of this behaviour in skin parasite transmission and human-wolf conflict. Hay samples from the beds used by wolves were found to harbour S. scabiei mites, even several days after the last use. Our data demonstrate an unforeseen link between wild ungulate supplementary feeding and wolf behaviour that may lead to conflict, namely approaching human settlements. However, no negative interactions were observed between wolves and humans or domestic animals. The presence of S. scabiei mites in haystacks provides a potential for its human-facilitated environmental transmission among wildlife and to domestic animals.
Comparison of retinol binding protein 1 with cone specific G-protein as putative effector molecules in cryptochrome signalling
Authors: Yee Chad , Bartölke Rabea , Görtemaker Katharina , Schmidt Jessica , Leberecht Bo , Mouritsen Henrik , Koch Karl-Wilhelm
Published: November 2024

Vision and magnetoreception in navigating songbirds are strongly connected as recent findings link a light dependent radical-pair mechanism in cryptochrome proteins to signalling pathways in cone photoreceptor cells. A previous yeast-two-hybrid screening approach identified six putative candidate proteins showing binding to cryptochrome type 4a. So far, only the interaction of the cone specific G-protein transducin α-subunit was investigated in more detail. In the present study, we compare the binding features of the G-protein α-subunit with those of another candidate from the yeast-two-hybrid screen, cellular retinol binding protein. Purified recombinant European robin retinol binding protein bound retinol with high affinity, displaying an EC50 of less than 5 nM, thereby demonstrating its functional state. We applied surface plasmon resonance and a Förster resonance transfer analysis to test for interactions between retinol binding protein and cryptochrome 4a. In the absence of retinol, we observed no robust binding events, which contrasts the strong interaction we observed between cryptochrome 4a and the G-protein α-subunit. We conclude that retinol binding protein is unlikely to be involved in the primary magnetosensory signalling cascade.
A redox-related lncRNA signature in bladder cancer
Authors: Zhao Fuguang , Xie Hui , Guan Yawei , Teng Jingfei , Li Zhihui , Gao Feng , Luo Xiao , Ma Chong , Ai Xing
Published: November 2024

The redox status is intricately linked to the development and progression of cancer, a process that can be modulated by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Previous studies have demonstrated that redox regulation can be considered a potential therapeutic approach for cancer. However, the redox-related lncRNA predictive signature specific to bladder cancer (BCa) has yet to be fully elucidated. The purpose of our study is to establish a redox-related lncRNA signature to improve the prognostic prediction for BCa patients. To achieve this, we downloaded transcriptome and clinical data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Prognostic redox-related lncRNAs were identified through univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and multivariate Cox regression analysis, resulting in the establishment of two risk groups. A comprehensive analysis corresponding to clinical features between high-risk and low-risk groups was conducted. Eight redox-related lncRNAs (AC018653.3, AC090229.1, AL357033.4, AL662844.4, AP003352.1, LINC00649, LINC01138, and MAFG-DT) were selected to construct the risk model. The overall survival (OS) in the high-risk group was worse than that in the low-risk group (p < 0.001). The redox-related lncRNA signature exhibits superior predictive accuracy compared to traditional clinicopathological characteristics. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) showed that the MAPK signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway were enriched in the high-risk group. Compared with the low-risk group, patients in the high-risk group demonstrated increased sensitivity to cisplatin, docetaxel, and paclitaxel. Furthermore, IGF2BP2, a potential target gene of MAFG-DT, was found to be overexpressed in tumor tissues and correlated with overall survival (OS). Our study demonstrated that the predictive signature based on eight redox-related lncRNAs can independently and accurately predict the prognosis of BCa patients.
Interface engineering of highly stable CeO2/CoFe@C electrocatalysts for synergistically boosting overall alkaline water splitting performance
Authors: Yaseen Waleed , Harrath Karim , Li Guangya , Yusuf Bashir Adegbemiga , Meng Suci , Xie Meng , Khan Iltaf , Xie Jimin , Xia Changkun , Xu Yuanguo
Published: November 2024

A scalable and facile solvent free synthesis approach is used to synthesize highly dispersed CeO2/CoFe nanoparticles encapsulated within 3D hierarchically porous carbon heterostructures for efficient overall water splitting with robust stability.
An MPPT method using phasor particle swarm optimization for PV‐based generation system under varying irradiance conditions
Authors: Sajid Injila , Sarwar Adil , Tariq Mohd , Ahmad Shafiq , Bakhsh Farhad Ilahi , Mohamed Adamali Shah Noor , Islam Md. Rasidul
Published: November 2024

The dependency of photovoltaic (PV) systems‐based generation systems on constantly varying temperatures and incident sunlight affect the non‐linear behaviour of PV panels. Therefore, tracking the maximum power output of the PV panels for efficient utilization becomes a challenge, resulting in power losses and the creation of intense heating spots in the shaded areas of the PV modules when the PV modules receive varying degrees of insolation, that is, under partial shading conditions (PSCs). The inclusion of bypass diodes in parallel to each PV module mitigates this problem to an extent but leads to the formation of several peaks in the P‐V characteristics. As a result, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to deliver maximum power at the load becomes a limitation for conventional optimization algorithms as they are normally based on hill climbing algorithm and get stuck at local maxima of the P‐V curve. Therefore, metaheuristic algorithms are used thereby eliminating the possibility of getting trapped at the local optima. However, particle swarm optimization (PSO) suffers from delayed convergence, more iterations to reach the optimal point, and random parameter selection. Hence, this study employs an improved version of PSO called Phasor‐PSO (P‐PSO) in an MPPT controller. The proposed algorithm is parameter‐less which results in reduced computational complexity and thus provides quick decision in achieving the maximum power point (MPP). The hardware‐in‐loop real‐time analysis demonstrates the supremacy of P‐PSO over PSO in faster convergence, higher efficiency, and reduced power losses during tracking under various PSCs. The P‐PSO based MPPT method will find application in grid connected and stand‐alone solar PV system with better efficiency of power transfer.
Energiekrise im Gehirn – Physiotherapie bei Hirntraumata und neurodegenerativen Beeinträchtigungen
Authors: Könings Andreas , Könings Lisa
Published: November 2024

Nach Hirntraumata oder bei neurodegenerativen Erkrankungen erleben die Menschen häufig schwere funktionelle Beeinträchtigungen von Kognition und Motorik. Ein Grund ist die gestörte Energieversorgung des Gehirns. Die Physiotherapie kann den Betroffenen aus dieser „Energiekrise“ heraushelfen. Mittel der Wahl ist die Kombination aus einfachen Atemübungen und Aufklärung über die Bedeutung vielversprechender Ernährungsinterventionen.
Hochgeschätzt und wertvoll
Authors: Stern Cornelia
Published: November 2024

In dieser DHZ-Ausgabe beschäftigt sich das Heilpflanzenporträt mit dem Olivenbaum.
Early Treatment-Resistance in First Episode Psychosis
Authors: Fernando Piyumi , Strauss Johanna , Wagner Elias , Löhrs Lisa , Campana Mattia , Falkai Peter , Hasan Alkomiet , Papazova Irina
Published: November 2024

Introduction Approximately 30% of individuals with schizophrenia
experience treatment resistance (TR), with 70% exhibiting it from the onset.
Most research fails to distinguish between acquired and innate resistance, with
limited data on TR in first episode psychosis (FEP). However, FEP patients with
TR experience progressively worse outcomes compared to those with initial
response. To further understand these findings, clinical and demographic data of
FEP patients with and without TR were compared in this naturalistic study.

Methods Information was extracted on FEP patients who were
antipsychotic-naive at the time of admission from a retrospective database on
F2x diagnosed patients admitted to the LMU psychiatric clinic between 2008 and
2018. Clozapine was used at discharge as a marker of TR in the FEP cohort. A
similarly antipsychotic-naïve FEP control group without clozapine at discharge,
was generated by matching for gender and age. Thirty clinical and demographic
variables were analyzed to identify differences.

Results Two-hundred forty antipsychotic-naive FEPs were included: 33 with
clozapine at discharge (TRC group), and 207 in the control group (non-TRC).
Significant differences were observed in inpatient stay duration,
chlorpromazine-equivalent dosage, number of antipsychotics, and anticholinergic
medication at discharge.

Discussion The findings indicate that longer inpatient stay, an increased
number of antipsychotics, and possibly a more extended prodrome may serve as
markers for non-clozapine TR in FEP. Further research is necessary to establish
the robustness of these variables as early-stage TR markers.
Zwischen Stiefkind und Wunderwaffe – Dehnen im Wandel der Zeit
Authors: Freiwald Jürgen
Published: November 2024

Wenige Themen im Sport und in der Medizin durchliefen so viele Glaubensphasen wie das Dehnen. Schon die Höhlenmenschen nutzten diese Methode, um ihre Bewegungsabläufe im Kampf zu optimieren. In den 80er- und 90er-Jahren galten dynamische Dehnungen zeitweise als gefährlich und verletzungsfördernd. Dank intensiver Forschung kann man heute jedoch mit den Mythen aufräumen.
Endovascular Repair of Zone 0 Ascending Aortic Aneurysm: A Review of Current Knowledge and Developing Technology
Authors: Halbert Sarah , Kucera John , Antevil Jared , Nagy Christian , Sarin Shawn , Trachiotis Gregory
Published: November 2024

Aortic aneurysms represent the 15th leading cause of death in men and women over 55 years of age. Where historically these lesions were all addressed via an open approach, endovascular aortic repair has entirely altered the way that surgeons approach aortic lesions. Although it was initially employed for patients who were poor surgical candidates, endovascular repair is now standard for abdominal aortic aneurysms and aneurysms in the descending thoracic aorta. Open surgery remains the gold standard for management of ascending aneurysms, in part due to the limitations portended by the anatomy of the ascending aorta, although increasing evidence suggests that endovascular approaches are feasible and may sometimes be optimal for patient outcomes. Here, we present some of the anatomical and technical challenges of the endovascular approach to these “Zone 0” aneurysms, the associated complications, and the current state of device development.
Diagnostic Value of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 Sponge miR-223-3p in Infantile Pneumonia and Its Prognostic Effect on Rehabilitation
Authors: Ren Hong-Ping , Wen Hong-Lin , Liu Ya-Nan , Cai Lin
Published: November 2024

Objective This study aimed to uncover the value of long noncoding RNA FGD5-AS1 (lncRNA FGD5-AS1) in the diagnosis of infantile pneumonia and explore its pathological mechanism in lung fibroblasts. This research may provide a potential biomarker for diagnosing patients and predicting their rehabilitation outcomes.

Methods This study included 92 children with infantile pneumonia as the research object, and an equal number of healthy children were introduced as controls. The FGD5-AS1 content was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. The diagnostic value of FGD5-AS1 was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic analysis. The molecular mechanism of FGD5-AS1 and miR-223-3p was studied by luciferase activity assays. The impact of abnormal FGD5-AS1 expression on the proliferation and apoptosis of lung fibroblasts was analyzed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry.

Results FGD5-AS1 expression was decreased in the serum of infantile pneumonia patients, which may be a diagnostic marker for children with pneumonia. Furthermore, FGD5-AS1 has the ability to predict patient outcomes. FGD5-AS1 levels in lung fibroblasts (WI-38) decreased when induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This decline resulted in reduced cell proliferation ability, increased apoptosis rate, and elevated inflammatory factor content. However, upregulated FGD5-AS1 counteracted the effects of LPS on WI-38 cells activity and inflammatory factors.

Conclusion FGD5-AS1 may act as a potential marker in infantile pneumonia, and regulate the biological activity and inflammation level of lung fibroblasts by targeting miR-223-3p.
Novel atom interferometer may become an astronomical asset
Authors: Ikenson Ben
Published: November 2024

Improving terrestrial gravitational wave detection with “multi-loop” geometry
An impactful discovery: impact crater found in northeastern China
Authors: Cornish Indiah
Published: November 2024

First known mountain ridge impact found at Zhangguang Cailing
Absolute Reference for Microwave Polarization Experiments. The COSMOCal Project and its Proof of Concept
Authors: Ritacco A. , Bizzarri L. , Savorgnano S. , Boulanger F. , Pérault M. , Treuttel J. , Morfin P. , Catalano A. , Darson D. , Ponthieu N. , Feret A. , Maffei B. , Chahadih A. , Pisano G. , Zannoni M. , Nati F. , Macías-Pérez J. F. , Cuttaia F. , Terenzi L. , Monfardini A. , Calvo M. , Murgia M. , Ortu P. , Pisanu T. , Aumont J. , Errard J. , Leclercq S. , Migliaccio M.
Published: November 2024

Context. The cosmic microwave background (CMB), a remnant of the Big Bang, provides unparalleled insights into the primordial universe, its energy content, and the origin of cosmic structures. The success of forthcoming terrestrial and space experiments hinges on meticulously calibrated data. Specifically, the ability to achieve an absolute calibration of the polarization angles with a precision of <0.°1 is crucial to identify the signatures of primordial gravitational waves and cosmic birefringence within the CMB polarization. Aims. We introduce the COSmological Microwave Observations Calibrator project, designed to deploy a polarized source in space for calibrating microwave frequency observations. The project aims to integrate microwave polarization observations from small and large telescopes, ground-based and in space, into a unified scale, enhancing the effectiveness of each observatory and allowing robust combination of data. Methods. To demonstrate the feasibility and confirm the observational approach of our project, we developed a prototype instrument that operates in the atmospheric window centered at 260 GHz, specifically tailored for use with the NIKA2 camera at the IRAM 30 m telescope. Results. We present the instrument components and their laboratory characterization. The results of tests performed with the fully assembled prototype using a Kinetic Inductance Detectors-based instrument, similar concept of NIKA2, are also reported. Conclusions. This study paves the way for an observing campaign using the IRAM 30 m telescope and contributes to the development of a space-based instrument.
Impacts of Climate Change on Microbial Communities in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Tagg Alexander S. , Labrenz Matthias
Published: November 2024

Climate change is a highly important issue for the Baltic Sea. Using historic data and sedimentary records of previous centuries, implications for a warmer future can hypothesized. There are two very important topics concerning the future of the Baltic Sea as a function of changing microbiological landscapes if climate warming is not meaningfully averted: The increase in deoxygenation and the spread of hypoxic dead zones, and the increase in abundance of, and infections associated with, pathogenic bacteria, especially those of the genus Vibrio. Both aspects are expected to devolve into, at least from a human economic and public health perspective, an ever-worsening state as the climate continues to warm. The mechanisms behind both dynamics are often complex, making precise predictions very challenging, yet, based on the available data and weight of research, such broad trends can be postulated reasonably confidently. It is anticipated that climate warming will drive warmer waters in the Baltic Sea generally, but in deep anoxic waters and sediment of the Baltic Proper particularly. These warmer temperatures will drive increased mineralization of organic nutrients, providing greater soluble nutrient pools, especially of phosphorus. Increases in these nutrients that upwell to surface waters are expected to stimulate ever-more pronounced cyanobacterial blooms especially in late summer, which cause increased deoxygenation in the Baltic Sea. In a similar way, warmer surface waters in combination with cyanobacterial blooms and associated nutrients are closely associated with increased abundance of Vibrio vulnificus, a pathogenic bacterium found in the Baltic Sea in summer responsible for human cases of vibriosis, which are often fatal. Ever-warmer surface waters and cyanobacterial bloom scenarios are expected to also cause increased numbers of V. vulnificus, thus the expectation that continued climate warming will also drive increased cases of Vibrio infection associated with the Baltic Sea appears reasonable. In all, without a significant alleviation of climate warming, abundances and dynamics of microorganisms are expected to be considerable, causing greater spread of both deoxygenation and human infection in the Baltic Sea over the course of the rest of the 21st century.
Least Restrictive Environment and Students With Disabilities in the United States
Authors: Weber Mark C.
Published: November 2024

This article considers placement in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for students with disabilities in the United States, discussing the LRE concept as it has developed in other contexts and its application to special education. The article describes the legislation that embeds the LRE principle in the delivery of special education services and details its origin, then covers developments in the courts both before and after the legislation was enacted. Finally, the article takes up ongoing controversies over LRE, including whether the principle has been taken too far, problems with implementation, and how the LRE principle relates to issues regarding racial segregation in the schools.
British Slave Trade in the Atlantic
Authors: Mitchell Elise A.
Published: November 2024

Nearly 3.4 million Africans departed Atlantic Africa on British slave ships destined for the Americas between the 16th century and the first decade of the 19th century, when the British abolished the trade. The vast majority of these enslaved Africans were taken as war captives in West (primarily the Bight of Benin and the Bight of Biafra) and West Central Africa before being sold to European slave traders. Most of them struggled to survive treacherous journeys to the Americas between the 1670s and 1807. Much of this trade was driven by sugar production in the Caribbean, where the majority of enslaved Africans were sold. These Africans also endured secondary and tertiary voyages to North and South America, where they arrived in British and Spanish territories. The British slave trade reached its zenith in the second half of the 18th century, when the ports of Liverpool in England and Bonny in the Bight of Biafra rose to prominence as slave trading hubs. A discussion of the history of the British slave trade from its inception in the 16th century through the era of abolition in the early 19th century includes a description of the historiographical literature and online resources for teaching and learning.
Latinx Muslim Studies
Authors: Nuñez Madelina
Published: November 2024

There is a relatively small yet emerging community of scholars working toward the development of Latinx Muslim studies. While the field itself is in its early development, Latinx Muslims across the Americas are, in fact, not new populations to these regions. Transnationally, both Islam and Muslims in the Americas have held influence on both the cultural and religious lives of Latinx peoples, including impacts on material and cultural practices such as food, language, architecture, and the like. These transnational cultural exchanges and developments are not limited to one-way interactions, as Muslim peoples in the Americas have equally been influenced by their social, cultural, and geographical surroundings.

Despite this influence and history, the field of Latinx Muslim studies is still in its comparatively early formations. The area itself has notably risen out of the scholarship from religious studies spaces where scholars have focused mainly on questions of why contemporary Latinx persons convert (or, as some say, revert) to Islam. Though questions on conversion and demographics will continue, the area of Latinx Muslim Studies has begun to delve deeper into these communities, reflecting their richness and diversity that go beyond founding narratives surrounding conversion. Additionally, with such a strong focus on conversion, the stories and histories of generational Latinx Muslims continue to remain at the margins. The challenge following conversion is that of otherization experienced by Latinx Muslims, even from their own communities.

Gloria E. Anzaldúa’s concept of nepantleras, those who exist amongst several cultures or “forces that clash,” is appropriate here, as Latinx Muslims are traversing in between spaces, and it is in this sometimes painful space in between where societal change occurs. Latinx Muslims act as nepantleras because they refuse “either/or” binaries and consider “and” as critical to their selfhood. Latinx Muslims thus typically identify as both Latinx and Muslim, an identity formation that rejects binary otherization or notions of needing to pick between the cultures they have inherited as well as those they chose to take part in. Many scholars have argued that racializations of Latinx peoples and Muslims have led to binary thinking of these populations as inherently separate, further contributing to nationalist dialogues.

How can the study of the intersection of “Latinx” and “Muslim” contribute to the fields of religious studies, Latino studies, Muslim studies, and broader ethnic studies? Why is the study of these intersections only a recent development in the literature? It can be argued that academic silos have unintentionally mirrored the societal binary constructions of “either/or” that Anzaldúa described, and how those that exist within “and” continue to remain at the margins due to the institutional structure of academic disciplines. Engagement in interdisciplinarity—a continuing trend in religious studies—is often a means of addressing those communities at the margins and in-between spaces of society.
Synagogue Architecture: An Overview
Authors: Kravtsov Sergey R.
Published: November 2024

Architectural history acknowledges a variety of Jewish communal buildings, central among which are the synagogue and its ontological sources the Tabernacle and the Temple. The synagogue architecture of the Renaissance period steadily departed from medieval patterns, drawing instead on Renaissance, baroque, and neoclassicist forms to contextualize itself in the European cityscape. At the same time, it reflected visual interpretations of the Temple produced by theologians, Hebraists, artists, and architects of diverse religious affiliations. Following the emergence of Hegelian phenomenology and the rise of nationalism, synagogue architecture sought a balance between a unique Jewish “national spirit” and loyalty to host nations. More recently, 20th-century and postmodern synagogue architecture has employeda cosmopolitan design vocabulary to reflect themes of retrospection and modernity, mobility and gravity, and the loftiness of ritual space, all while also considering the sustainability of the building.
Islamic Bioethics: Conflict of Interest
Authors: Jafarey Amir
Published: November 2024

Conflict of Interest (COI) typically manifests in a variety of potential personal gains such as financial conflicts, fame, academic recognition, and scientific curiosity. Premodern Muslim societies emphasized the virtuous conduct of the individual rather than presenting formal codes to regulate the conduct of people. Even though COI has no distinct mention in Shariʿah, a methodological approach can be presented to address certain situations. Moreover, COI has the potential to cause major issues in matters concerning human subject research and medical practice. By its potential to cause harm to both patients as well as research subjects, COI has been debated widely and various guidelines and codes have come into place to ensure the protection of the vulnerable.
Islamic Bioethics: Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA)
Authors: Fadel Hossam E.
Published: November 2024

The Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) is the oldest and the only national Islamic medical organization in North America that consists primarily of physicians. IMANA has been very active in the development and promotion of Islamic bioethics through its conventions and publications. IMANA’s mission revolves around providing a forum and resource for Muslim physicians and other healthcare professionals while promoting a greater awareness of Islamic medical ethics and values. Thus, Islamic medicine has been a central topic of IMANA’s discussions both in conferences and in the pages of JIMA (Journal of IMA). Numerous IMANA members have addressed modern medical therapies from an Islamic point of view, such as seeking treatment and end-of-life issues.
Islamophobia in North America
Authors: Patel Sana
Published: November 2024

Islamophobia is widely known as the fear of Muslims and Islam. However, there is more to this terminology than just its literal translation. The term Islamophobia itself has been widely debated by scholars over its definitions and use. While many scholars agree that Islamophobia refers to the negative treatment of Muslims and the misrepresentation of Islam, notions of anti-Muslimness are debated. Islamophobia also effects non-Muslim communities and individuals who are perceived to resemble Muslims, such as non-Muslim Arabs, Sikhs, Latine, and other minority religious and ethnic groups. So, what exactly constitutes Islamophobia? Is Islamophobia different than anti-Muslimness or anti-Muslim bigotry? Does Islamophobia refer to the fear/hate of Muslims as people or is it directed toward Islam as a religion? Where does Islamophobia stem from? Understanding Islamophobia, along with its roots and causes, is significant to further explore its impacts on Muslim communities where research is lacking in North America such as in Latin America or the Caribbean. Studying Islamophobia also benefits those who aim to combat the discrimination, prejudice, and bigotry that Muslim communities and individuals face whether they are challenging anti-Muslim laws or campaigning for anti-Islamophobia education. Factors that contribute to advocacy of anti-Muslim hate and fear include politicians with anti-Muslim rhetoric such as in the 2016 American elections, media that depict Muslims as evil and oppressed like the film True Lies, and/or bills and policies that aim to restrict Muslim women like Bill 21 in Quebec, Canada. Islamophobic sentiments and actions often increase after events such as 9/11 when Muslims have to defend themselves to disassociate with allegations of terrorism and are directly affected by mass shootings like in Quebec, Canada, in 2017 and in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019. Muslims around the world suffer from Islamophobia be it through genocide, such as the Rohingya in Myanmar or the Uyghurs in China, or being restricted from practicing their religious beliefs like wearing the hijab or niqab in France.
A Short Introduction to the Military Units to Aid Production (UMAP), Cuba, 1965–1968
Authors: Alfonso Andy
Published: November 2024

During the long 1960s, the populist revolt that would be later recognized as the Cuban Revolution plunged into a phase of institutionalization in its promise to arrest a past of imperial rule and usher in a present of social equity. With the construction of the new society came the development of infrastructures that would not only cement the transition to socialism, but that would also underpin the nationalization of foreign companies that dovetailed with both the expropriation of domestic businesses and the implementation of agrarian reforms. Among the incipient institutions, the Military Units to Aid Production (UMAP, for its acronym in Spanish) played a foundational role.

Erected in the former province of Camagüey, this system of militarized compounds operated from 1965 to 1968 as agricultural, forced-labor camps for the government to reform citizens who didn’t conform to the status quo. Based on testimonial and informant accounts, historians have estimated that between 25,000 and 35,000 people—among them hippies, vagrants, drug addicts, intellectuals, Catholics, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Abakuá members, homosexuals—were concentrated therein, subjected to different degrees of physical punishment, psychiatric treatment, and ideological reeducation.

In the wake of domestic and international backlash, authorities shut down the camps, destroying and classifying records of their activities. That, together with state-driven tactics of media manipulation and control of social memory, produced a gap in Cuban historiography, which continued to deepen until the 21st century. Since 2006, however, efforts to reconstruct the history of the UMAP have been brought to the fore in print and digital sources. Such exposure, in turn, has demonstrated the need to revise the primary literature as well as the scholarly debate surrounding the phenomenon.
Disaster Management and Climate-Change Adaptation Using Traditional and Local Knowledge in the Pacific Islands
Authors: Nunn Patrick D. , Kumar Roselyn
Published: November 2024

Covering almost one-third of the earth’s surface, the region of the Pacific islands is subject to a range of environmental stressors—including those deriving from volcanoes and earthquakes, and of course those attributable to atmospheric and oceanic processes. Most people living on the islands, peppered across this vast ocean, occupy island coasts, where food and water are generally most readily obtainable but where the impacts of many hazards focus. While popularly viewed as particularly vulnerable to disasters and climate change, Pacific Islanders have evolved formidable bodies of traditional and local knowledge (TLK) that have enabled their survival on comparatively small islands often thousands of kilometers from continental shores. While it is largely place-specific, this TLK is wide-ranging. It includes ensuring water and food security (especially in the aftermath of disasters), predicting and surviving extreme events (especially tropical cyclones), creating traditional pharmacopoeias, learning how to sail across thousands of kilometers of open ocean, and developing cultural resilience that could be adapted to changing circumstances. Detailed accounts are given of the use of Pacific TLK in disaster management and in climate-change adaptation. While much TLK has been lost and has suffered from being overwhelmed by a flood of outsider (science-based) solutions, it remains a potent force among many rural communities in the Pacific islands. Owing to its demonstrable effectiveness, its place-based nature, and its ability to accommodate change, Pacific TLK should be at the heart of future plans for helping Pacific Islanders cope with future climate change.
Fibroblast-immune crosstalk under mechanical forces in keloids
Authors: Wen Junxian , Tan Yingrou , Chun Yong Yao , Tan Timothy T Y , Tey Hong Liang
Published: November 2024

Our letter in response to Min et al.’s study ‘Novel therapeutic strategy for intractable keloids: suppression of intracellular mechanotransduction and actin polymerization via Rho-kinase pathway inhibition’ highlights the importance of immune-cell interactions with mechanical forces in keloid pathogenesis. While the authors effectively demonstrate the potential of inhibiting mechanotransduction in fibroblasts, we underscore the critical role of immune cells, particularly their response to ECM stiffness, in modulating fibrosis and suggest this crosstalk may reveal additional therapeutic targets.
Trade and Domestic Policies under Monopolistic Competition
Authors: Campolmi Alessia , Fadinger Harald , Forlati Chiara
Published: November 2024

Should trade agreements constrain domestic policies? We analyse this question using a model with monopolistic competition and constant-elasticity-of-substitution demand. We develop a welfare decomposition to show that welfare changes induced by trade and domestic policies can be decomposed into consumption and production efficiencies and terms-of-trade effects. We analyse the reasons to sign trade agreements and compare shallow and deep trade agreements, modelled according to GATT-WTO rules. Under monopolistic competition, unlike deep trade agreements, shallow agreements with market access commitments may not achieve efficiency because terms of trade can be improved without reducing market access by increasing the set of foreign firms selling domestically.
Model-informed drug development for antimicrobials: translational pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling of apramycin to facilitate prediction of efficacious dose in complicated urinary tract infections
Authors: Hernández-Lozano Irene , Aranzana-Climent Vincent , Cao Sha , Matias Carina , Ulf Hansen Jon , Liepinsh Edgars , Hughes Diarmaid , Hobbie Sven N , Vingsbo Lundberg Carina , Friberg Lena E
Published: November 2024

Objectives

The use of mouse models of complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) has usually been limited to a single timepoint assessment of bacterial burden. Based on longitudinal in vitro and in vivo data, we developed a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model to assess the efficacy of apramycin, a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic, in mouse models of cUTI.

Methods

Two Escherichia coli strains were studied (EN591 and ATCC 700336). Apramycin exposure–effect relationships were established with in vitro time–kill data at pH 6 and pH 7.4 and in mice with cUTI. Immunocompetent mice were treated with apramycin (1.5–30 mg/kg) starting 24 h post-infection. Kidney and bladder tissue were collected 6–96 h post-infection for cfu determination. A PKPD model integrating all data was developed and simulations were performed to predict bacterial burden in humans.

Results

Treatment with apramycin reduced the bacterial load in kidneys and bladder tissue up to 4.3-log compared with vehicle control. In vitro and in vivo tissue time-course efficacy data were integrated into the PKPD model, showing 76%–98% reduction of bacterial net growth and 3- to 145-fold increase in apramycin potency in vivo compared with in vitro. Simulations suggested that an 11 mg/kg daily dose would be sufficient to achieve bacterial stasis in kidneys and bladder in humans.

Conclusions

PKPD modelling with in vitro and in vivo PK and PD data enabled simultaneous evaluation of the different components that influence drug effect, an approach that had not yet been evaluated for antibiotics in the cUTI model and that has potential to enhance model-informed drug development of antibiotics.
Evidence Supporting Conservative Scar Management Interventions Following Burn Injury: A Review Article
Authors: Edger-Lacoursière Zoë , Zhu Mengyue , Jean Stéphanie , Marois-Pagé Elisabeth , Nedelec Bernadette
Published: November 2024

Conservative management for hypertrophic scars (HSc) and scar contractures is of utmost importance to optimally reintegrate burn survivors into society. Many conservative treatment interventions have been described in the literature for the management of HSc. Recent advancements in the literature pertaining to postburn scarring and HSc formation have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms that support or refute the use of common rehabilitation treatment modalities after burn injury. This is particularly relevant for recent advancements in the fields of mechanotransduction and neurogenic inflammation, resulting in the need for rehabilitation clinicians to reflect upon commonly employed treatment interventions.

The aim of this review article is to summarize and clinically apply the evidence that supports or refutes the use of common conservative treatment interventions for scar management employed after burn injury. The following treatments are discussed, and mechanotransduction and neurogenic inflammation concepts are highlighted: (1) edema management (compression, positioning/elevation, pumping exercises, retrograde massage, and manual edema mobilization); (2) pressure therapy (including custom fabricated pressure garments, inserts, face masks, and other low-load long-duration orthotic devices); (3) gels or gel sheets; (4) combined pressure therapy and gels; (5) serial casting; (6) scar massage; and (7) passive stretching.

This review supports the following statements: (1) Compression for edema reduction should be initiated 48–72 hours postinjury and continued for wounds that require longer than 21 days to heal until scar maturation; (2) Elevation, pumping exercises, and retrograde massage/MEM should be used in combination with other edema management techniques; (3) Custom-fabricated pressure garments should be applied once the edema is stabilized and adequate healing has occurred. Garments should be monitored on a regular basis to ensure that optional pressure, >15 mm Hg, is maintained, adding inserts when necessary. The wearing time should be >16 hours/day; (4) Gels for postburn scar management should extend beyond the scar; (5) Serial casting should be applied when contractures interfere with function; (6) Forceful scar massage should be avoided early in the wound healing process or when the scar is inflamed or breaks down; and (7) Other treatment modalities should be prioritized over passive stretching for scar management.
The Limits of Formalism in the Separation of Powers
Authors: Roisman Shalev Gad
Published: November 2024

Formalism is the dominant mode of separation of powers analysis on the Supreme Court and one of two paradigmatic approaches in the academy. It seeks to resolve disputes between Congress and the President by asking which branch has exclusive power over the relevant matter. This method is thought to work because, if one branch has exclusive power over the matter, then, by definition, the other branch does not. Although this method is coherent and workable in some relatively straightforward cases, it is of no use in areas where both branches’ “exclusive” powers overlap—as formalists routinely concede is possible. This is a major problem because almost all the disputes that actually arise today involve areas of overlapping power. In such cases, both branches have relevant power to act and come into conflict. This Article argues that separation of powers formalism has never built—and can never build—a coherent method that tells us which branch to prioritize in such instances. These are the limits of formalism in the separation of powers. Formalism might help us understand some uncontroversial separation of powers questions, but it cannot resolve the disputes that actually matter today.
Factors related to acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses among patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases in Japan: A single-centre cross-sectional survey
Authors: Kurokawa Riki , Ohde Sachiko , Kawaai Satoshi , Tamaki Hiromichi
Published: November 2024

Objectives

We studied the current state and factors associated with the acceptance or hesitancy of booster doses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine among patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (ARDs) in Japan.

Methods

A single-centre cross-sectional survey was conducted among outpatients with ARDs who visited the Immuno-Rheumatology Center at St. Luke’s International Hospital from 1 October 2023 to 30 November 2023. We investigated patient characteristics, COVID-19 vaccination–related status, decision-making preferences, health-related status, and independent factors associated with the acceptance or hesitancy of booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Results

A total of 241 patients were included in the analyses, and 198 patients (82.2%) received booster doses, while 43 (17.8%) did not. Older age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19, 0.95, P = .037], having rheumatoid arthritis (aOR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.19, 0.92, P = .030), and having a physician recommend receiving the vaccine (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.95, P = .035) were independently associated with receiving booster doses. The main reasons for hesitancy regarding booster doses were concerns about adverse reactions and long-term safety.

Conclusions

Our findings could help physicians counsel patients with ARDs regarding their acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to promote appropriate decision-making.