bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Improvement of the Camshift Human Tracking Algorithm Based on Deep Learning and the Kalman Filter
Authors: Nguyen Van-Truong , Chu Duc-Tuan , Phan Dinh-Hieu , Tran Ngoc-Tien
Published: March 2023

Automated human tracking in real time has been applied in many areas such as security, surveillance, traffic control, and robots. In this paper, an improvement of the Camshift human tracking algorithm based on deep learning and the Kalman filter is proposed. To detail an approach by using YOLOv4-tiny to detect a human in real time, Camshift is used to track a particular person and the Kalman filter is applied to enhance the performance of this algorithm in case of occlusion, noise, and different light conditions. The experiments show that the combination of YOLOv4-tiny and the improved Camshift algorithm raises the standard of speed as well as robustness. The proposed algorithm is suitable for running in real time and adapts well to the same color and different light conditions.
Priority Analysis of Influence Factors for Electric Vehicle Demand Response Strategies
Authors: Yao Yin , Zhu Yedong , Li Dongdong , Zhou Bo , Lin Shunfu
Published: March 2023

As the penetration of renewable energy continues to increase, the demand-side resources in the grid will become more and more important. Electric vehicles (EVs) account for a relatively large proportion of demand-side resources, but individual and social factors have been less considered in multifactorial studies affecting EV participation in demand response (DR), and the multiscenario DR process has not been adequately studied. Therefore, an EV demand response strategy considering the influence of multiple factors is proposed in this paper. Firstly, a multisource charging load characteristic model is constructed by analyzing the characteristics of EV charging behavior under multiple scenarios. Secondly, the DEMATEL-AISM method is used to analyze the degree of influence of personal and social factors on users’ charging behavior under complex social environments, and the dominant factors in each scenario are identified. Finally, based on the analysis of the dominant factors in multiple scenarios, an EV regulation strategy under the influence of multiple factors is developed to achieve peak shaving. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified through simulation cases. The simulation results reveal that the revenues of aggregators and users are improved, and the stability of the power system is enhanced.
Fructus Aurantii Extracts Ameliorate Intestinal Inflammation and Regulate the Intestinal Barrier through Fc Epsilon RI Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Sicong , Bao Yongrui , Wang Shuai , Li Tianjiao , Leng Jiapeng , Zheng Yi , Meng Ying , Zheng Ying , Qi Bing , Luo Xi , Meng Xiansheng
Published: March 2023

Fructus Aurantii (FA) is the dry and immature fruit of Citrus aurantium L. and its rutaceous cultivars. FA has been widely used to treat digestive system diseases since ancient China, and it promotes gastrointestinal (GI) motility in functional dyspepsia (FD), but its potential therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We examined the effects of FA ethanol extracts in an iodoacetamide (IA)-induced FD rat model. Firstly, key FA therapy targets for FD were gathered using systematic pharmacology. Combined with systemic pharmacological analyses, plasma metabolomics based on UPLC-QTOF-MS were conducted. Then, MetaboAnalyst was used to jointly analyze systemic pharmacology targets and metabolomic metabolites to select key metabolic pathways. Finally, the key path is verified by experiments. FA exerted distinct therapeutic effects in anti-inflammation and promoting gastrointestinal motility in our IA-induced FD rat model. When compared with the model group, FA down-regulated the inflammatory factors interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor-α. At the same time, FA up-regulated tight junction proteins in the intestinal epithelial barrier. Through the integrated analysis of metabolomics and systemic pharmacology, we conducted experimental verification on Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway. When compared with the model group, FA down-regulatedphospho-mitogen activated protein kinase, phospho-extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2, myosin light chain kinase, and phospho-myosin regulatory light chain protein levels. Thus, FA ameliorated FD by regulating the Fc epsilon RI signaling pathway. Our integrated strategy identified underlying FA mechanisms toward FD treatment and provided a foundation for FA development as a clinical agent for FD.
Tracing Founder Mutations in Circulating and Tissue-Resident Follicular Lymphoma Precursors
Authors: Schroers-Martin Joseph G. , Soo Joanne , Brisou Gabriel , Scherer Florian , Kurtz David M. , Sworder Brian J. , Khodadoust Michael S. , Jin Michael C. , Bru Agnès , Liu Chih Long , Stehr Henning , Vineis Paolo ,   for the EPIC Consortium, Natkunam Yasodha , Teras Lauren R. , Song Joo Y. , Nadel Bertrand , Diehn Maximilian , Roulland Sandrine , Alizadeh Ash A.
Published: March 2023

Follicular lymphomas (FL) are characterized by BCL2 translocations, often detectable in blood years before FL diagnosis, but also observed in aging healthy individuals, suggesting additional lesions are required for lymphomagenesis. We directly characterized early cooperating mutations by ultradeep sequencing of prediagnostic blood and tissue specimens from 48 subjects who ultimately developed FL. Strikingly, CREBBP lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) domain mutations were the most commonly observed precursor lesions, and largely distinguished patients developing FL (14/48, 29%) from healthy adults with or without detected BCL2 rearrangements (0/13, P = 0.03 and 0/20, P = 0.007, respectively). CREBBP variants were detectable a median of 5.8 years before FL diagnosis, were clonally selected in FL tumors, and appeared restricted to the committed B-cell lineage. These results suggest that mutations affecting the CREBBP KAT domain are common lesions in FL cancer precursor cells (CPC), with the potential for discriminating subjects at risk of developing FL or monitoring residual disease.

Significance:

Our study provides direct evidence for recurrent genetic aberrations preceding FL diagnosis, revealing the combination of BCL2 translocation with CREBBP KAT domain mutations as characteristic committed lesions of FL CPCs. Such prediagnostic mutations are detectable years before clinical diagnosis and may help discriminate individuals at risk for lymphoma development.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1275
Psoriasis: Nicht-immunsuppressive Medikation ergänzt Phototherapie
Authors: Lehmann Percy
Published: March 2023

Background: Sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been reported to improve psoriasis. Objective: We compared the effects of sitagliptin treatment, a DPP-4 inhibitor, in combination with narrow-band ultraviolet-B (NBUVB) phototherapy compared to NB-UVB alone on psoriasis severity, quality of life, cardiovascular disease risk factors and immune parameters in people with moderate psoriasis without T2DM. Methods: In this 39-week, single-centre, randomized controlled trial, people were allocated randomly to receive sitagliptin for 24 weeks with NB-UVB or NB-UVB alone. The primary endpoint was the change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) from baseline to 24 weeks. We estimated that 120 participants would be needed to have 80% power to find a significant difference between the groups. Results: A total of 118 patients were randomised. The median (IQR) baseline PASI was 8.8 (7.5–11.6). At 24 weeks, the mean difference from baseline in PASI (–1.0 [95% CI –2.0 to 0.0]) was significantly larger in the sitagliptin/NB-UVB arm than in the NB-UVB-alone arm (p = 0.044). There were significant differences in the change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (–2.5 [95% CI –4.0 to –1.0]; p = 0.002) and EuroQol 5-item questionnaire (0.1 [95% CI 0.0–0.1]; p = 0.036) values from baseline to 24 weeks between the sitagliptin/NB-UVB and the NB-UVB-alone arm. There were no treatment-related serious adverse events. Conclusion: Sitagliptin therapy combined with NB-UVB phototherapy significantly improved psoriasis severity, albeit modestly, compared to NB-UVB phototherapy alone in patients with moderate psoriasis without T2DM.
Depression Trajectories, Genetic Risk, and Cognitive Performance in Older Adults: Multilevel Model with a 10-Year Longitudinal Cohort
Authors: Liu Zheran , Su Yonglin , Huang Rendong , Li Ruidan , Wei Zhigong , He Ling , Pei Yiyan , Min Yu , Hu Xiaolin , Peng Xingchen
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Cognitive performance in older ages is strongly affected by individuals’ genetic predispositions. We investigated whether depression trajectories were associated with subsequent cognitive performance independent of participants’ genetic predispositions. Methods: Participants from the Health and Retirement Study with European ancestry and aged over 50 were included in the analysis. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the 6-year trajectories were fitted using latent class linear mixed models. Linear multilevel regression was applied to model the associations between depression trajectory and subsequent cognitive performance. Stratified analyses were performed to investigate these associations in participants with different genetic predispositions of cognitive performance and APOE ε4 allelic status. Results: A total of 5,942 eligible participants were included in the study. Four depression trajectories were identified. Compared with the nondepression trajectory, all other depression trajectories were associated with worse cognitive performance (β [95% CI]: mild-depression trajectory: −0.20 [−0.56, −0.06], p = 0.007; worsening-depression trajectory: −0.29 [−0.47, −0.12], p = 0.001; persistent-depression trajectory: −0.32 [−0.53, −0.13], p = 0.001). Although these associations were independent of participants’ inherent genetic risk, the participants with a low polygenetic score for cognitive performance were more likely to have an enhanced association between depression trajectories and cognitive decline. Similar relationships were also found in APOE ε4 noncarriers. Conclusion: Among older participants with European ancestry, even a mild-depression trajectory was associated with worse cognitive performance. Early intervention in participants with any degree of depression might benefit regarding preventing cognitive performance decline.
Characterization of Potential Virulence, Resistance to Antibiotics and Heavy Metals, and Biofilm-Forming Capabilities of Soil Lignocellulolytic Bacteria
Authors: Kognou Aristide Laurel Mokale , Chio Chonlong , Khatiwada Janak Raj , Shrestha Sarita , Chen Xuantong , Zhu Yuen , Ngono Ngane Rosalie Anne , Agbor Agbor Gabriel , Jiang Zi-Hua , Xu Chunbao Charles , Qin Wensheng
Published: March 2023

Soil bacteria participate in self-immobilization processes for survival, persistence, and production of virulence factors in some niches or hosts through their capacities for autoaggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, biofilm formation, and antibiotic and heavy metal resistance. This study investigated potential virulence, antibiotic and heavy metal resistance, solvent adhesion, and biofilm-forming capabilities of six cellulolytic bacteria isolated from soil samples: Paenarthrobacter sp. MKAL1, Hymenobacter sp. MKAL2, Mycobacterium sp. MKAL3, Stenotrophomonas sp. MKAL4, Chryseobacterium sp. MKAL5, and Bacillus sp. MKAL6. Strains were subjected to phenotypic methods, including heavy metal and antibiotic susceptibility and virulence factors (protease, lipase, capsule production, autoaggregation, hydrophobicity, and biofilm formation). The effect of ciprofloxacin was also investigated on bacterial susceptibility over time, cell membrane, and biofilm formation. Strains MKAL2, MKAL5, and MKAL6 exhibited protease and lipase activities, while only MKAL6 produced capsules. All strains were capable of aggregating, forming biofilm, and adhering to solvents. Strains tolerated high amounts of chromium, lead, zinc, nickel, and manganese and were resistant to lincomycin. Ciprofloxacin exhibited bactericidal activity against these strains. Although the phenotypic evaluation of virulence factors of bacteria can indicate their pathogenic nature, an in-depth genetic study of virulence, antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes is required.
NPM1-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Recent Developments and Open Questions
Authors: Patel Sanjay S.
Published: March 2023

Somatic mutations in the nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene occur in approximately 30% of de novo acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) and are relatively enriched in normal karyotype AMLs. Earlier World Health Organization (WHO) classification schema recognized NPM1-mutated AMLs as a unique subtype of AML, while the latest WHO and International Consensus Classification (ICC) now consider NPM1 mutations as AML-defining, albeit at different blast count thresholds. NPM1 mutational load correlates closely with disease status, particularly in the post-therapy setting, and therefore high sensitivity-based methods for detection of the mutant allele have proven useful for minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring. MRD status has been conventionally measured by either multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) and/or molecular diagnostic techniques, although recent data suggest that MFC data may be potentially more challenging to interpret in this AML subtype. Of note, MRD status does not predict patient outcome in all cases, and therefore a deeper understanding of the biological significance of MRD may be required. Recent studies have confirmed that NPM1-mutated cells rely on overexpression of HOX/MEIS1, which is dependent on the presence of the aberrant cytoplasmic localization of mutant NPM1 protein (NPM1c); this biology may explain the promising response to novel agents, including menin inhibitors and second-generation XPO1 inhibitors. In this review, these and other recent developments around NPM1-mutated AML, in addition to open questions warranting further investigation, will be discussed.
Effect of Cyclooxygenase Inhibition on Peripheral Venous Distension Reflex in Healthy Humans
Authors: Hamaoka Takuto , Leuenberger Urs A. , Kronfli Anthony , Gao Zhaohui , Blaha Cheryl , Carter Luck Jonathan , Dalton Paul , Sinoway Lawrence I. , Cui Jian
Published: March 2023

Background:

Peripheral venous distension evokes a pressor reflex (venous distension reflex). Afferent group III and IV nerves innervating veins are suggested as the afferent arm of the venous distension reflex. Prostaglandins stimulate/sensitize group III/IV nerves. We hypothesized that inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by local cyclooxygenase blockade would attenuate the muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and blood pressure responses to venous distension.

Methods:

Nineteen healthy volunteers (age, 27±5 years) participated in the study with 2 visits. To induce venous distension, a volume of solution (saline alone or 9 mg ketorolac tromethamine in saline) was infused into the vein in the antecubital fossa of an arterially occluded forearm. During the procedure, beat-by-beat heart rate, blood pressure and MSNA were recorded simultaneously. The vein size was measured with ultrasound.

Results:

In both visits, the venous distension procedure significantly increased blood pressure, heart rate, and MSNA (all,
P
<0.05). The increase in mean arterial pressure and MSNA in the ketorolac visit was significantly lower than in the control visit (∆ mean arterial pressure, 7.0±6.2 versus 13.8±7.7 mm Hg; ∆MSNA, 6.0±7.1 versus 14.8±7.7 bursts/min; both,
P
<0.05). The increase in vein size induced by the infusion was not different between visits.

Conclusions:

The presented data show that cyclooxygenase blockade attenuates the responses in MSNA and blood pressure to peripheral venous distension reflex. The results suggest that cyclooxygenase products play a key role in evoking afferent activation responsible for the venous distension reflex.
Genetic Susceptibility to Mood Disorders and Risk of Stroke: A Polygenic Risk Score and Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Sun Jiangming , Borné Yan , Edsfeldt Andreas , Wang Yunpeng , Pan Mengyu , Melander Olle , Engström Gunnar , Gonçalves Isabel , Abecasis Goncalo , Baras Aris , Cantor Michael , Coppola Giovanni , Economides Aris , Lotta Luca A. , Overton John D. , Reid Jeffrey G. , Shuldiner Alan , Beechert Christina , Forsythe Caitlin , Fuller Erin D. , Gu Zhenhua , Lattari Michael , Lopez Alexander , Overton John D. , Schleicher Thomas D. , Padilla Maria Sotiropoulos , Toledo Karina , Widom Louis , Wolf Sarah E. , Pradhan Manasi , Manoochehri Kia , Ulloa Ricardo H. , Bai Xiaodong , Balasubramanian Suganthi , Barnard Leland , Blumenfeld Andrew , Eom Gisu , Habegger Lukas , Hahn Young , Hawes Alicia , Khalid Shareef , Reid Jeffrey G. , Maxwell Evan K. , Salerno William , Staples Jeffrey C. , Yadav Ashish , Jones Marcus B. , Mitnaul Lyndon J.
Published: March 2023

Background:

Mood disorders and strokes are often comorbid, and their health toll worldwide is huge. This study characterizes prognostic and causal roles of mood disorders in stroke.

Methods:

We tested if genetic susceptibilities for mood disorders were associated with all strokes, ischemic strokes in the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort (24 631 individuals with a median follow-up of 21.3 (interquartile range: 16.6–23.2) years. We further examined the causal effects for mood disorders on all strokes and ischemic strokes using summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies of mood disorders (up to 609 424 individuals, Psychiatric Genomics Consortium), all strokes and ischemic strokes (up to 446 696 individuals, MEGASTROKE Consortium).

Results:

Among 24 366 stroke-free participants at baseline, 2632 individuals developed strokes, 2172 of them ischemic, during follow-up. After properly adjusting for well-known risk factors, participants in the highest quintile of polygenic risk scores for mood disorders had 1.45× (95% CI, 1.21–1.74) higher risk of strokes and 1.44× (95% CI, 1.18–1.76) higher risk of ischemic strokes compared with the lowest quintile in women. Mendelian randomization analyses suggested that mood disorders had a causal effect on strokes (odds ratio, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.03–1.11]) and ischemic strokes (odds ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.04–1.13]).

Conclusions:

Our results suggest a causal role of mood disorders in the risk of stroke. High-risk women could be identified early in life using polygenic risk scores to ultimately prevent mood disorders and strokes.
Number Needing Review: A Novel Metric to Assess Triage Efficiency of Large Vessel Occlusion Detection Systems
Authors: Catapano Joshua S. , Lee Katriel E. , Desai Shashvat M. , Rangel India C. , Stonnington Henry O. , Rumalla Kavelin , Rutledge Caleb , Srinivasan Visish M. , Baranoski Jacob F. , Cole Tyler S. , Winkler Ethan A. , Ducruet Andrew F. , Albuquerque Felipe C. , Jadhav Ashutosh P.
Published: March 2023

Background

Endovascular thrombectomy is the gold‐standard treatment for large vessel occlusions (LVOs). A novel metric is introduced: the number needing review (NNR) to assess the triage efficiency of LVO detection systems.

Methods

Patients with suspected ischemic stroke and images processed by RapidAI LVO detection software over 6 months were reviewed. Only patients with LVOs of the M1 segment were included. The NNR was calculated for an M1 occlusion.

Results

Of 559 patients, M1 occlusion was detected in 42 patients (7.5%). RapidAI LVO had a sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 94%, positive predictive value of 49%, and negative predictive value of 92% for M1 occlusion. When gaze deviation and hyperdense sign were combined with RapidAI LVO, the specificity and positive predictive value increased to 100% for an M1 occlusion. A negative RapidAI LVO result combined with a low (<15 mL, T
max
>6 seconds) or high (<50 mL, T
max
>6 seconds) T
max
threshold was found to have a specificity and positive predictive value of 100% for no occlusion. The combination of gaze deviation, hyperdense sign, positive RapidAI LVO, and negative RapidAI LVO with low T
max
threshold yielded an NNR of 24 per 100 cases. When combined with a negative RapidAI LVO and a high T
max
threshold, the NNR was 16 per 100 cases. Adding National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <7 decreased the NNR to 9 per 100 cases.

Conclusion

Adding gaze deviation and hyperdense sign to the RapidAI LVO increases the specificity and positive predictive value for an M1 occlusion. When combined with a negative RapidAI LVO detection and either a low or high T
max
>6 seconds threshold, the NNR is significantly reduced.
Salafi-Jihadi Online Communication in Israel: Forging a Community Through an “Enclave” Mindset
Authors: Alshech Eli
Published: March 2023

The article explores the ways in which online posting by contemporary Salafi-jihadis in Israel create an enclave mentality that serves to transform Salafi-jihadis into an insular community. Because Salafi-jihadis can no longer by law advocate active jihad on social media in Israel, their posts focus on three Islamic legal themes: The dichotomy between God’s devotees and God’s enemies; the untrustworthiness of Muslim rulers, official Muslim scholars, and “impious” Muslim associations like the Muslim Brothers; and the obligation to apply the doctrine of takfīr against Muslims and deviant Muslim rulers. Although seemingly innocuous, social media posts encourage Salafi-jihadis to take actions that result in their segregation from other Muslims in Israel, particularly Salafi-Taqlidis, and, at the same time, create and maintain a networked community of like-minded individuals willing to implement the Salafi-jihadi creed when the time is ripe.
Interviewing Animals Through Animal Communicators
Authors: Wijngaarden Vanessa
Published: March 2023

Animal communicators worldwide employ intuitive interspecies communication (IIC) to engage in detailed, two-way communication with nonhuman animals. IIC’s potential for doing research with rather than on animals has been insufficiently explored, due to contingent onto-epistemological biases. Cooperating with animal communicators as interpreters, pilot interviews with felines were conducted. Challenges included clearly filtering the animals’ voices and bridging ontological divides and communication modes. Nevertheless, the interviews produced clear, distinct, and consistent responses, challenging and confronting both animal communicators and the researcher to reflect on their perspectives, expectations and assumptions. Engaging animals as research participants through IIC simultaneously unsettles hierarchical divides between humans and other animals, as well as between different ways of knowing. IIC can support researchers and (non)human participants in the co-creation of novel methodological multispecies strategies that form a practical counterpart to the largely theoretical explorations of the ontological and species turns, and further multivocality in academia.
Pandemic Capitalism: Metabolic Rift, World-Ecology Crossing Dialectical Biology
Authors: Bergamo Jacopo Nicola
Published: March 2023

In this article, I contrast two of the main schools of thought within eco-Marxism, namely Metabolic Rift (MR) and World-Ecology (WE). These differ above all else in their accounts of the ontological status of society and nature. The Covid-19 pandemic constitutes a moment of concretisation of this long-standing debate, which is able to dissolve at least in part its issues. The article consists of four parts. I begin with a summary of the two schools of thought and their core stances, before proceeding to unpack their respective theoretical points of contention. I subsequently proceed to explore the conceptualisation of health according to the Marxist scientists Richard Levins and Richard Lewontin through the model of dialectical biology. In the third section, I unpack the conceptualisation of the Covid-19 pandemic by the epidemiologist Robert Wallace, before finally concluding with the contrasts of the two schools in the light of dialectical biology.
Tradition as Body
Authors: Nikkel David H.
Published: March 2023

Coming from the perspective of embodied or enactive cognition, this article argues for the bodily roots of all tradition. Given that tradition entails a givenness inherited from the past meeting with interpretation/modification/construction in the present, it examines tradition as an aspect of self-organizing cultural, particularly religious, systems, including in situations far from equilibrium. Building upon Michael Polanyi’s idea that what we tacitly rely upon becomes incorporated into our bodies, the article takes a phenomenological approach to argue that traditions function as part of our bodies through which we meaningfully engage the world. As such, tradition sets limits to our critical penetration, as much of our knowledge is unspecifiable. The Enlightenment ideal that all tradition is thoroughly contestable – open to explicitation and needing justification – remains strong in the academy. The article examines both the pitfalls of critical reflection and when critical reflection is appropriate or necessary.
Effect of host plants on the biology and nutritional indices of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Nandhini D. , Deshmukh Sharanabasappa S. , Kalleshwaraswamy C.M. , Satish K.M. , Sannathimmappa H.G.
Published: March 2023

The biology of the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on various plant parts was studied under laboratory conditions. The hosts used were maize cob, maize leaves, sorghum leaves, cowpea leaves, castor leaves, banana leaves and marigold flowers. Differences were observed across the hosts with respect to the growth and development of FAW. The shortest larval duration was found in larvae that consumed maize cob, but marigold flowers increased the larval duration. The pupal duration did not differ between hosts, but the pupal weight was greatest when reared on castor leaves. Fecundity, hatchability and survivability were recorded highest when reared on maize leaves, followed by maize cob. Therefore, maize cob was the best suited host of FAW, helping in the completion of the life cycle within a short duration with higher fecundity.
Finnish Confirmation Training in Religious Biographies
Authors: Toivanen Heidi
Published: March 2023

Several recent studies have examined religious biographies, i.e. individual religious trajectories. However, little research has been conducted on the relevance of single life events in religious biographies, such as religious rites of passage. One such rite of passage, confirmation training, has preserved its popularity in Finland despite declining church membership. The aim of this study, therefore, was to examine the relevance of Finnish confirmation training in religious biographies. The data comprise 15 multigenerational family interviews (N = 54) conducted in 2019–2022. The study is part of an international research investigating religious transmission over generations. The findings indicate that confirmation training initiates a socialization process in relation to areas of faith, religious community, family heritage and cultural heritage. These relations comprise three types of movement: attachment, distancing, and stability/ irrelevance. The results demonstrate the complexity and uniqueness of religious biographies as individuals create distinctive religious trajectories and transitions.
Monetized Religion in the Public Church
Authors: Roleder Felix
Published: March 2023

The quantitative study undertakes a systematic investigation of the church-related donation practice in the context of the Protestant Church in Germany. The characteristic logics of membership and participation in this publicly regulated institutionalized church are considered as well as the multidimensionality of donation practice. Religious donations are located at the interface of the individual and the church institution. Key explanatory factors for financial giving emerge: objective and subjective costs, opportunities and occasions, institutional identification and reputation, social context, prayer practice, competition, and mediatized publics. Rational choice, generalized reciprocity, and risk and trust calculations act as guiding theories. The empirical findings are connected to a general theory of religious behavior. Implications for church fundraising, church financing, and church membership are discussed.
Benefits and Challenges of Institutionalizing Peacebuilding and Activism in a Post-Liberal World
Authors: Bath Clare , Gamaghelyan Philip
Published: March 2023

Peace and conflict studies is a normative field that seeks to reduce or eradicate violence. With multiple forms of violence plaguing human society, institutionalization of civil society has long been a tenet of liberal approaches to peace intended to enhance sustainability and policy impact of activism. Along with benefits, however, institutionalization brought with it a set of challenges, including cooptation by donors and competition among activists. The article builds on the analysis of 14 in-depth interviews, insights gathered from the “Rethinking Peace” workshop conducted in Mtsheka, Georgia in July 2022, and desk research on the risks and benefits of institutionalization of activism in the context of peacebuilding in the South Caucasus and the civil rights movement in the United States. Despite clear contextual differences and varying degrees of commitment to liberal and post-liberal approaches to peace, the article highlights striking similarities when it comes to benefits and challenges of institutionalization.
Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing: A Vietnamese Perspective
Authors: Ho Ai Nhan , Ngo Phuoc Huu
Published: March 2023

This article discusses Vietnam’s efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and future possibilities, including an analysis of the various drivers and causes of IUU fishing in the country. While Vietnam’s efforts and determination in the fight against IUU fishing have been promoted since 2017 when the European Commission imposed a ‘yellow card’ on Vietnam’s fishing industry, the outcome has not been as expected. Among the measures proposed to improve the effectiveness of combating IUU fishing in Vietnam, the focus has been on strengthening the national legal framework. These measures include (i) drafting a law on fishing at sea; (ii) developing a code of responsible fisheries; (iii) amending the penal code to criminalise acts of IUU fishing; and (iv) increasing sanctions for IUU fishing violations. In addition, strengthening law enforcement is discussed as a necessary tool to effectively address IUU fishing in Vietnam.
Jurisprudential Developments and Adjudication of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Authors: Fuentes Alejandro
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (“IACrtHR”) has developed an innovative jurisprudence that has reaffirmed and further developed the right of indigenous peoples as an integrative part of the corpus juris of the international human rights law (“ihrl”). In fact, through a dynamic, systemic, evolutive and effective interpretation of the American Convention on Human Rights (“achr”), the regional tribunal has expanded the scope of protection of Article 21 achr (Right to Property) in a manner that includes the protection of the special relationship that indigenous peoples have with their traditional lands, territories and natural resources.

Based on this interpretative development, the IACrtHR has further expanded the protection of indigenous peoples’ communal property to guarantee their right to cultural identity and to a dignified life, that is, to live in accordance with their own cultural traditions and understanding of dignity. In this sense, specific safeguards against unjustified restrictions on the right to property, that could amount to a denial of the cultural survival of indigenous peoples, were jurisprudentially identified by the regional tribunal.

This paper critically analyses the legal regime applicable for the protection of the right to traditional communal property of indigenous and tribal peoples in the Americas, as developed by the IACrtHR. In particular, it pays special attention to the methods of interpretation applied by the regional tribunal and the manner that has referred to the corpus juris of international human rights law that specifically protects and guarantees the rights of indigenous peoples.
The Rights of Minority Nationalities Under State Constitutions
Authors: Woldegiorgies Leul
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this article is to examine the rights of Minority Nationalities under state constitutions in the case of Amhara Regional constitution. Hence, a qualitative research approach focusing on phenomenological design was employed. Participants of the study were twenty. They were selected through purposive sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used to collect data for the study. An adapted five-stage data analysis model was also used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that some minorities living in the region did not have a legitimate political representation in the regional government. Lack of government’s responsiveness and lack of commitment were the main challenges that intervene in the process of implementing the constitutional rights given for the minorities. Towards the end of this article, the implications of these findings for implementing the constitutional provisions of the minority rights, and establishing an institution has been highlighted
Tacit Choice of Law Applicable to International Commercial Contracts: The Hague Principles and Arab Laws Compared
Authors: Dawwas Amin
Published: March 2023

This article deals with the law tacitly chosen by the parties to govern their international commercial contracts. It shows the method by which The 2015 Hague Principles on Choice of Law in International Commercial Contracts and Arab laws refer to tacit choice, whether directly or indirectly. In addition, it tackles the level of strictness in tests for tacit choice and its criteria under both The Hague Principles and Arab laws. It concludes that, in order to achieve more predictability and legal certainty, the Legislatures in Arab states should reform the legal provisions on choice of law applicable to the contract with foreign element(s) according to the best practice followed by The Hague Principles in this regard.
Globalisation and Its Challenges: Reflections on Social Order and Chaos through the Prism of Social Nomos-Anomie Concept
Authors: Niboye Elliott P.
Published: March 2023

Anomic situations in societies are often brought about by social changes. Social anomie is a phenomenon that emerges when traditional norms are not sufficient enough to adequately respond to the new emerging situations, although this does not necessarily imply a state of normlessness in a society. These emerging new situations might result from society’s internal development processes or can be externally imposed. The process of globalisation has brought many major changes in the world political and social-cultural systems. The hitherto unprecedented flow of capital in the name of globalisation has led to a more stratified world than it was before. This process, mainly driven by economic rationalities, has led to social, cultural, environmental and political instabilities in many societies around the world. In a world that lacks a real-world social order, this article reflects on how globalisation impacts on social systems and proposes a spaceship ethic value orientation in charting out ways towards reaching the new world order, where every society can be an indispensable part of the world nomos.
Space Diplomacy and the Artemis Accords
Authors: Riordan Nancy , Machoň Miloslav , Csajková Lucia
Published: March 2023

The growth of human activity in outer space is attracting more International Relations (IR) scholar’s attention, enabling an understanding of the involvement of specific groups of actors and the dynamics of political negotiations that lead to concluding agreements on using outer space for peaceful purposes. This article provides analysis based on the triangulation of qualitative data gathered via document analysis and in-depth semi-structured expert interviews to gain insight into the involvement of the actors responsible for the negotiations that led to the Artemis Accords and their diplomatic communication style. The results identified different uses of public and private diplomatic communication for advancing norms of behaviour and transparency. Negotiators used public diplomatic communication in order to influence foreign governments on the need for norms of behaviour and transparency to further peaceful space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. Private diplomatic communication facilitated the inclusion of commercial partners.
The Phantom Veil
Authors: Kamholz Rebecca
Published: March 2023

Virginity in Judaism is a matter of both legal and community concern. But the determination of virginity and the conclusive understanding of its signs is often elusive. This is in part because female subjectivity and testimony are discounted as methods of determining women’s sexual history. This article examines a passage in the Babylonian Talmud (B. Niddah 64b–65b) in which the difficulties surrounding defining virginity come to the forefront. It considers the epistemological and legal implications of a system which depends upon the ability to determine female virginity, but is confronted with the difficulty, and sometimes impossibility, of doing so with certainty.
Le problème éthique de l’obsequium politique chez Spinoza.Obéissance heureuse et émancipation par la raison
Authors: Chevalier Camille
Published: March 2023

Si Spinoza est aujourd’hui souvent mobilisé comme penseur de la liberté et de la potentia multitudinis dans une perspective critique des mécanismes de domination, la lettre du texte – bien plus conservatrice de l’ordre établi qu’elle n’y paraît dans ces lectures – nous enjoint d’examiner la positivité éthique d’une certaine obéissance spinoziste. L’obsequium, objet que nous nous proposons d’analyser dans cet article, désigne chez Spinoza l’obéissance déterminée par les affects. Comment un tel processus de conditionnement affectif peut-il donner lieu à une émancipation par la raison ? Seule une certaine complexion affective – l’hilaritas – dans la détermination à l’obéissance peut permettre d’envisager l’horizon politique du libre usage de la raison porté par la république du Traité théologico-politique. L’analyse du mécanisme d’obsequium nous invite à penser à nouveaux frais la question de notre consentement affectif dans la soumission à l’autorité pour déterminer à quelles conditions les progrès de notre faculté de raisonner ne sont pas empêchés. Il nous donne ainsi les conditions véritables de notre libération.
Mut‘a as Practised by Danish Shi‘i Women
Authors: Jorgensen Tessie Bundgaard
Published: March 2023

The article is a study based on ten semi-structured interviews to show how mut‘a, known as temporary, pleasure marriage, is practised in seven different ways in present-day Denmark. Continuous conversations with Danish Shi‘i women provide a rare insight into the discourses and emotions behind making sense of a world of love, relationships and social norms formulated as divine intentions. The practices vary from relationships, dating and online relations, to tools in therapeutic settings. Mut‘a is articulated as a formalised tool to navigate a highly gender segregated world and is only practised by individuals who hold rigid views regarding gender regulations. The study demonstrates noticeable differences between cultural interpretations of related concepts such as mahr and ‘idda, thus leading to a conversation about what constitutes Muslim law and practices. The findings contribute to a wider study of how contextual settings, such as individual experience, world-making and cognitions, aid inductive productions of social norms within Muslim law.
Things Fall Apart
Authors: Grespin Whitney , Marchese Matthew
Published: March 2023

As Cold War tensions rose, Soviet aid was offered to the nascent Somali government in pursuit of broader geopolitical machinations that were seen to supersede Somali interests, laying the groundwork for a decades-long mismatch between local intentions and Cold War superpower objectives in the Horn of Africa. Vast quantities of materiel and training were provided to Somalia from 1960 onwards, and by 1976 Somalia boasted a 22,000-man army and was the fourth most heavily armed nation in Sub-Saharan Africa, largely due to Soviet largesse. One year later, the Soviets were expelled and the assistance ceased, having left Somalia with an unsustainable, corrupt, and repressive security structure as a direct result of high levels of foreign assistance that were not well coordinated with host nation sustainment capabilities.
Nasri and Levon Ohan, the Antiquities Dealers from Jerusalem
Authors: Tchekhanovets Yana , Ben-Ami Débora V.
Published: March 2023

This short note discusses some new archival information regarding the family of antiquities dealers of Armenian origin, father and son Nasri and Levon Ohan, who owned three shops in Jerusalem. They conducted business with archaeologists, took a part in the Dead Sea scrolls affair, were forced to escape, and were even robbed. In this story, the dramatic events of the twentieth-century past of the Holy City are closely intertwined with the archaeological research history and the destiny of one family.
Entoloma griseofibrillosus (Entolomataceae, Basidiomycota), a new species from Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: IZHAR AIMAN , QASIM TAYYABA , ASIF MUHAMMAD , NIAZI ABDUL REHMAN , KHALID ABDUL NASIR
Published: March 2023

A new species belonging to the Rusticoides clade of Entoloma, with an omphalinoid habit is described from Pakistan with detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations and molecular data. Illustrations of microcharacteristics and comparison with closely allied species are provided. Entoloma griseofibrillosus is distinguished based on a greyish brown, hygrophanous fibrillose pileus, sub-isodiametric angular spores, varying shapes of cheilocystidia and a pileipellis as a cutis. Phylogenetic estimation based on nrITS and nrLSU regions with a well-nested position of the described taxon is presented in the current study.
Rhagadiolus edulis (Cichorieae, Compositae), a replacement name for Lapsana rhagadiolus L. or a name of a new taxon?
Authors: FERRER-GALLEGO P. PABLO , TALAVERA MARÍA
Published: March 2023

Rhagadiolus edulis (Cichorieae, Compositae) can be treated either as a replacement name or as the name of a new taxon according to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. Treating it as a replacement name would be nomenclaturally disruptive, whereas treating it as the name of a new taxon, confirmed by an appropriate typification, maintains current usage. Therefore, the nomenclatural type for the name Rhagadiolus edulis is discussed. The name is lectotypified by a specimen preserved in the Gaertner Herbarium at TUB.
Two new species of Valleriola (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Leptopodidae) and taxonomic notes on the tribe Leptopodini Brullé, 1836 from East and Southeast Asia
Authors: LI ZIHE , JIN ZEZHONG , POLHEMUS DAN A. , YE ZHEN
Published: March 2023

Two species of the genus Valleriola Distant, 1904 (Heteroptera: Leptopodomorpha: Leptopodidae: Leptopodinae: Leptopodini) are described as new: Valleriola asiatica sp. nov. from Laos and Hainan Island of China, and Valleriola bui sp. nov. from Laos and Thailand. In addition, Leptopus riparius Hsiao, 1964 is newly recorded for Vietnam, Valleriola javanica Drake & Hottes, 1951 is newly recorded for Laos, and additional records are provided for Leptopus riparius, Valleriola javanica and Valleriola buenoi (Usinger, 1942). Photographs of the dorsal habitus, heads, hemelytra, fore femora, male parameres and live specimens are provided, accompanied by a distribution map for the species of Leptopodini occurring in East and Southeast Asia.
Synthesis and characterization of N-fumaroylated diketopiperazine for pulmonary drug delivery
Authors: Liu Na , Li Wei , Chen Huimin , Wang Hao
Published: March 2023

In this study, we developed (2E,2′E)-4,4′-((((2S,5S)-3,6-dioxopiperazine-2,5-diyl)bis(butane-4,1-diyl))bis(azanediyl))bis(4-oxobut-2-enoic acid) (FDKP), which is a new pulmonary inhalation excipient approved by the FDA in recent years. FDKP is an excellent drug carrier excipient,
it shows different adsorption and release characteristics to various positively charged peptides, proteins and other drugs in different acidic environments, and finally the FDKP can distribute to other tissues and excreted from the body through the kidney in its prototype. In previous studies,
the yield of FDKP was very low, the raw materials were difficult to obtain and the cost was too high. In this study, we optimized the reaction conditions and synthetic route, by changing inconvenient and expensive starting materials to easily available cheap materials, through five steps including
dehydration cyclization, hydrogenation, condensation, saponification, and recrystallization, we finally obtained FDKP with 70% yield in total. And then we evaluated the cytotoxicity of FDKP in vitro through the MTT assay. It showed that FDKP synthesized by this method was safe. The
viability of cells remains at high level (>80%) at the maximum concentration of 5 mg/ml for 24 h and also above 80% at 2.5 mg/ml for 48 h.
Plasmon resonance in split-ring resonator based heterostructures
Authors: Zhou Xin , Chen Xinghui , Huang Lumeng , Zhu Junwei , Li Tong
Published: March 2023

We herein propose a plasmonic nanostructure that is composed of heterogeneous metallic split-ring resonator (SRR) trimers with built-in crosses. We studied its optical transmission properties by using finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Results showed that, the resonant modes
can be changed when the nanostructures are composed of different types of metals. For the heterogeneous metallic SRR trimers, the resonant modes were in the near-infrared region blue shift, but the modes remained the same when the air slit width was increased. All the dips red-shifted as dielectric
constant of the SRRs medium was increased. The resonant modes in the visible region red shifted when the arms of metallic cross length were increased, but locations of resonance dips in the near-infrared region remained unchanged. Magnetic and electric field distributions for certain wavelengths
were also investigated.
Mechanical properties of high-performance concrete by replacing cement with quaternary cementitious material with lignin as an additive material
Authors: Dhanapriya V. P. , Thenmozhi R.
Published: March 2023

The performance of the preponderance of materials can be described by characteristics dependent on their mechanical properties. These parameters can include strength, strain, and stiffness. Strength or stiffness alone is insufficient to characterize fiber-reinforced concrete’s
behavior. This study investigates and analyses the mechanical properties of High-performance fiber-reinforced concrete developed with Lignin and brass-coated micro steel fiber. Cementitious elements such as Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag, Metakaolin, Alcoofine-1203 and Granite powder
are used in conjunction with cement to create High-Performance Concrete. It was found that a mix ratio of 1:1.17:2.20 yielded an M60-grade of concrete using water-to-cement proportion of 0.32. Brass-coated micro steel fibers were used, and the flexural toughness was measured according to ASTM
C1018. The toughness index of the structural member was calculated, together with its equivalent flexural Strength, with the application of three-point loading. These results suggest that the brass coating on the mild steel fiber significantly impacts the flexural toughness characteristics
of the three-point bending beam specimen. When increasing the percentage of brass-coated micro steel fiber ranging from 0.5% to 2%, the flexural toughness parameters progressively enhance. It is found that 1.5% of fiber depicts the maximum Strength and toughness.