bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consenting to Early Modern Empires: Introduction
Authors: Tycko Sonia
Published: June 2024

This text offers an introduction to the special theme section on Consenting to Early Modern Empires, guest-edited by the author. The contributors to this section seek to explain the prominent place given to consent in Spanish-American and Portuguese-Asian imperial records. This introduction points out that the politics of consent in early modern empires did not reside primarily in a struggle between freedom and unfreedom. Indigenous strategies of using consent to place checks on the Spanish and Portuguese had the effect of integrating them further into European empires.
Three Ways of Consenting in Sixteenth-Century Goa
Authors: Xavier Ângela Barreto
Published: June 2024

In this essay, I explore three instances of political consent by the local elites of Goa towards Portuguese governance in the sixteenth century. I delve into how these forms of consent evolved into an increasingly subconscious and ingrained acceptance. I argue that this progression stemmed from the broader effects of the local elites' micro decisions at three pivotal junctures: the formulation of the Foral de Mexia in 1526, the enactment of the 1541 document formalizing the redirection of local temple revenues towards Christian worship, and the establishment of the Foral/Tombo in 1554, which recorded the properties and assets associated with these temples and their officials. Initially motivated by pragmatism to maintain the social order and the elites’ status, these decisions had short-term objectives. Nevertheless, their cumulative impact bound these elites to imperial authority, leading to the transformation of their identity and solidifying Portuguese dominion. This article is part of the special theme section on Consenting to Early Modern Empires, guest-edited by Sonia Tycko.
Enslaved Children in Portuguese India, 1550-1760
Authors: Faria Patricia Souza de
Published: June 2024

This article aims to contribute to the study of enslaved children and youth in Portuguese India. While enslaved children have been addressed in studies on slave trafficking and slavery in Portuguese India, they have not been the primary focus of analysis. The aim is to provide insights into the experiences of these children as slaves and their displacement through the societies of the Indian Ocean and from Goa to Lisbon. The article also discusses the challenges of studying enslaved children, considering the possibilities and limitations of analysis based on Portuguese sources from Goa and Lisbon, such as manumission letters and ecclesiastical and inquisitorial sources. This article is part of the special theme section on Women, Children, and Enslaved People in the Portuguese Empire in Asia, 16th-18th Centuries, guest-edited by Rozely Vigas and Rômulo Ehalt.
La Galice au XXe siècle : économie, culture et autogouvernement
Authors: Villares Ramón
Published: June 2024

Cet article évoque l’évolution de la Galice au XXe siècle jusqu’aux années de l’autonomie et analysant les changements économiques et sociaux, l’évolution de la conscience politique et la création d’une identité nationale. La modernisation de la Galice a trouvé ses principaux piliers dans les industries maritimes et dans la spécialisation de son agriculture de petits propriétaires. L’émigration massive vers l’Amérique, puis vers l’Europe et vers les régions les plus industrialisées de l’Espagne, en a été un autre pilier essentiel. A cela s’est ajouté la mutation de son régionalisme culturel en nationalisme politique, lequel a atteint sa maturité pendant la Seconde République. Sur ces bases, et après une « longue nuit de pierre » sous la dictature franquiste, la Galice autonome s’est construite comme l’une des trois « nationalités historiques », avec la Catalogne et le Pays basque, au sein de l’État des Communautés Autonomes conçu par la Constitution de 1978.
La evolución del sistema de partidos de Galicia
Authors: Lagares Diez Nieves
Published: June 2024

Con la aprobación del Estatuto de Autonomía de 1980, Galicia inicia el proceso de construcción de un sistema político autonómico propio. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la evolución del sistema de partidos de Galicia, a través de la identificación de las distintas fases, del funcionamiento de la competición entre partidos, de la relación entre las estrategias políticas de esos partidos y la formación de preferencias de los electores. En este recorrido analítico, señalamos cinco períodos que se corresponden con ciclos electorales de dispersión y concentración del voto, en función de las dinámicas de competición política y de los gobiernos que resultan de ellas. Lo que muestra la evolución del sistema de partidos de Galicia es la definición de ciertas características originarias que dotan de estabilidad al funcionamiento de la competición dentro del sistema.
Les voies de l’identité galicienne : des médias à l’ibérisme
Authors: Domingues Caroline
Published: June 2024

Cet article fait le bilan d’une vingtaine d’années de recherches autour de la Galice. Ces recherches ont évolué puisqu’après une thèse sur l’identité et les médias, je me suis penchée plus spécifiquement sur la notion identitaire en explorant la thématique du paysage puis celle de l’ibérisme. Cet article reviendra donc sur les principales conclusions mises en avant au cours de ces recherches.
La création scénique galicienne du XXIe siècle face à l’histoire et à la mémoire
Authors: Corrons Fabrice
Published: June 2024

Cet article s’interroge sur la présence de la matière historique dans la création scénique de la Galice du XXIe siècle. Il propose d’abord une rapide étude de ce rapport au passé dans le théâtre galicien des siècles précédents. La partie centrale est consacrée à la représentation depuis 2001 de la période 1931-1975 (Seconde République, Guerre Civile et dictature de Franco) et à la question de la mémoire dans le temps présent. La contribution analyse dans un dernier temps les spectacles sur des faits historiques antérieurs ou postérieurs à la période centrale (1931-75).
Strasbourg dans l’enseignement et la recherche des historiens de l’art allemands à Poznań
Authors: Kłudkiewicz Kamila
Published: June 2024

Prenant comme départ le fonds des archives en histoire de l’art léguées par deux instituts allemands, celui de l’Académie royale de Poznań à l’époque de l’Empire wilhelmien (1904-1918) et celui de la Reichsuniversität de Poznań pendant l’occupation nazie (1940-1944), l’article s’attache à saisir la place constituée par la référence à l’art de Strasbourg dans la recherche et l’enseignement à Poznan. Ludwig Kaemmerer, qui dirigeait le Musée des beaux-arts (Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum) et enseignait l’histoire de l’art à l’Académie royale avant la Première Guerre mondiale, a accumulé un grand nombre de photographies, y compris sur Strasbourg, sans doute dans l’intention de réaliser une exposition comparative de l’art allemand du Moyen Âge. Otto Kletzl, directeur de l’Institut d’histoire de l’art à la Reichsuniversität, disposant de moyens très importants à un moment où les nazis se servaient ouvertement de l’histoire de l’art à des fins de propagande, a concentré les recherches sur l’art de l’Europe de l’Est, afin d’y cerner des influences venues d’Allemagne. Cependant, des indices donnent à penser que Strasbourg jouait dans ses enseignements et sa recherche un rôle de contrepoids, permettant d’accentuer la différence entre l’espace culturel transalpin italien et l’espace culturel germanique.
Les relations centre/périphérie dans les sociabilités gays liées à l’application Grindr
Authors: Nicolle Clément
Published: June 2024

Cet article propose de réfléchir aux rapports entre centre et périphérie à partir des usages des applications de rencontre gays, c’est-à-dire dédiées à des rencontres homosexuelles masculines. Celles-ci permettent en effet de faire facilement des rencontres en dehors des centralités homosexuelles traditionnelles, largement concentrées dans les grandes villes. La visibilité de ces institutions communautaires a alimenté un imaginaire valorisant les espaces centraux métropolitains au détriment des espaces périphériques à différentes échelles (banlieues, espaces périurbains), décrits comme des espaces peu propices, voire hostiles, aux minorités sexuelles et de genre. Mais si ces applications géolocalisées rendent visibles les co-proximités entre les individus, l’intensité de ces co-proximités est très inégale, puisque le nombre de profils à proximité diminue très rapidement au fur et à mesure que l’on s’éloigne des espaces centraux. Les usagers sont très sensibles à ces variations. Pourtant, leur constat ne s’accompagne pas d’une perception uniforme des espaces urbains comme des espaces d’opportunités. Des rapports socialement différenciés aux espaces centraux comme périphériques se révèlent ainsi.
Éclats de voix et marqueurs du discours
Authors: Fauré Laurent
Published: June 2024

The aim of this article is to open a dialogue between linguistic pragmatics and praxematics on the theoretical problem of categorising heterogeneous signifiers as Discourse markers. We study certain features of the formation and placement of onomatopoeic and vowel interjections in order to reconsider them as an explanatory matrix for the functions shared with Discourse markers. Their metapraxemic foundation accounts for the contextual and sequential dimension of their mode of meaning.
La prosodie des marqueurs discursifs
Authors: Petit Mélanie
Published: June 2024

This study aims at examining the possibility of lexicalisation of the prosody of discourse markers, with in mind the idea that it could serve as a criterion for distinguishing this category of items. The wide sample of examples we have been examining lead us to believe that this is indeed the case and that discourse markers – due to the process of grammaticalization they undergo – break free from phrasal constraints and can thus exhibit specific and distinguishable melodic patterns that are transversal across the entire paradigm and essentially linked to the expression of an attentional or thymic dimension.
Was there an Alternative to Monarchy? Radicalism and Antiroyalism in the 1640s
Authors: Curelly Laurent
Published: June 2024

While republicanism in the 1650s is now well documented, relatively little scholarly attention has been paid to antiroyalism in the 1640s. This contribution aims to fill a gap by focusing on forms of antimonarchism in those seminal years in the history of the British Isles—a decade that culminated in the trial and execution of King Charles I. It teases out the complexity and inconsistency of Civil War radicals’ attitudes to monarchy as a political regime, and hence to the future political settlement of the kingdom, first after the king’s defeat in the first Civil War in 1646, second at the time of the radicalisation of the New Model Army in 1647, and then after the regicide in 1649 and the establishment of the republic. Writings by Leveller figures and New Model Army radicals are examined with reference to their authors’ positioning on the Stuart monarchy, King Charles in particular, and on monarchy at large. I discuss the possible alternatives to monarchy as envisaged by these radicals—or the actual lack of alternatives—and I argue that such attitudes were mostly context-based: they were prompted by historical circumstances, as much as they were shaped by the theoretical underpinnings of their discourse.
Ruling the Airwaves: Anti-Monarchism in British Grime Subculture
Authors: Strowman James
Published: June 2024

While the British monarchy remains a symbol of stability for a majority of Britons, it constitutes a symbol of stasis for a considerable minority. The release of the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” (27 May 1977) marked a watershed moment in British music history due to the song’s explicit anti-monarchism. This article explores how anti-royalist sentiment has evolved since the turn of the millennium in British grime music, becoming increasingly concerned with the legacy of colonialism and race relations in British society, while maintaining the 1970s punk emphasis on the British underclasses and socio-economic disparity. I argue that grime subculture has established itself as a sort of “counter empire,” which has successively challenged key British figures and institutions by provocatively eluding hegemonic public space and appropriating major symbols of the dominant culture.
Eine natürliche Ordnung der Geschlechter?
Authors: Petereit Elisabeth
Published: June 2024

Dans le cycle de nouvelles L’Épigramme de Gottfried Keller, un chercheur scientifique et une dame cultivée se disputent au sujet du bon rapport entre les sexes et des bases d’un mariage heureux. Le débat porte sur le système patriarcal, axé sur l’inégalité et la domination, qui est généralement considéré comme ‘naturel’ depuis le xviiie siècle. En s’appuyant sur la nouvelle Regine, l’article se penche d’une part sur la dimension imaginaire de la ‘nature’ féminine, qui apparaît ainsi moins ‘naturelle’ que culturellement construite, et se consacre d’autre part à la figure de la servante, qui pose la question du service et du sacrifice de soi comme destination féminine, mais qui, là aussi, apparaît moins comme condition ‘naturelle’ que fondée dans des rapports sociaux de dépendance.
Impact of Places on the Character of Cities: The Case of ‘Amba Gaha Yata’ - a Local Gem Market in Rathnapura, Sri Lanka
Authors: Amarasinghe Savindi , Wijesundara Jeeva
Published: June 2024

“Amba gaha yata” gem market in Rathnapura could be described as a local gem market unique to Rathnapura district. The gem market plays an important role in defining the gem city character, local culture, and community wrapped around the gem trade. In the new development ideas, it is questionable whether proper attention is given to the uniqueness of this gem market.  This research paper examines the contribution of this gem market as a ‘place’ defining the unique connection between the ‘local gem trade’ and the ‘city life’. A historical and theoretical study was carried out to understand the importance of this small-scale gem market within the local culture and the community of Rathnapura City. Several factors were identified as contributory, in defining the role of this gem market in Rathnapura city character. A questionnaire is carried out to accumulate information on factors that make this place unique and to understand the community’s attitude towards this local trade market as a place in the city. It was identified that important components like economic significance, accessibility, and physical as well as social connectivity with the local community and the culture have played a major role in the uniqueness of this market.  It is concluded that the future developments related to the ‘gem city image’ of Rathnapura city need to comprehend the importance and uniqueness of this place and its close connection with the community.
Editorial
Authors: Dayaratne Ranjith
Published: June 2024

No abstract available
Inverse Gottron’s papule: Is it a critical sign of rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease?
Authors: Fernando W. K. B. A. , Rajakaruna G. K. De Zoysa , Danthanarayana A. S. , Akarawita J.
Published: June 2024

No abstract available
Atypical presentation of sweet syndrome with oral aphtheform ulceration and abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Edussuriya D. K. , Akarawita J. , Nivethiga P.
Published: June 2024

Sweet syndrome is a relatively rare neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by fever, painful skin lesions with systemic involvement. It can occur secondary to multiple underlying aetiological factors. This entity can overlap with other neutrophilic dermatoses such as Behcet’s disease.The patient is a fifty-two-year-old previously well male presented with classic sweet syndrome lesions with systemic unwellness associated with two painful aphtheform ulcerations in buccal mucosa which is relatively a rare presentation of this condition. Further evaluation revealed an incidental finding of an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm without any significant metabolic risk factors. His pathergy test and HLA B51 were negative. He did not have any other evidence of an underlying condition including haematological or solid organ malignancies, any culprit drugs, recent infections, rheumatoid arthritis or criteria to suggest Behcet’s disease. He gave a dramatic improvement for oral steroids and colchicine.Though he does not fulfil the criteria for Behcet’s disease at the moment, being a well-known entity which overlaps with sweet syndrome, these two features of aphtheform oral ulcerations and vascular involvement in the form of abdominal aortic aneurysm could be part of evolving Behcet’s disease and he should be longitudinally followed up for further development of symptoms.
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis due to small bowel perforation: a case report
Authors: Fornaciari Lorenzo , Bondavalli Lisa , Mulas Cesare Salvatore
Published: June 2024

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening condition that complicates diabetes mellitus. Euglycemic DKA (eDKA) is emerging as a variant in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The rise in its presentation is being caused by newer medicines using SGLT-2 inhibitors, with a complex underlying pathophysiology. Here we report a case of a 70-year-old woman presenting to the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath and abdominal pain. She suffers from type 2 diabetes mellitus and is on oral therapy, including the SGLT-2 inhibitor empagliflozin. Further testing revealed a high-anion-gap metabolic acidosis without elevation of lactate levels and a glucose level of 160 mg/dL. CT imaging of the abdomen showed a small bowel perforation. The case required aggressive medical therapy before surgical repair in the operating room. EDKA is a medical emergency that can be challenging to identify due to its atypical presentation compared to the traditional DKA (which is hyperglycemic). These characteristics can delay effective and timely treatment.
Utilization of the pericapsular nerve group block in preoperative rehabilitation of patients with femoral neck fractures -a case series-
Authors: Jin Zhuan , Sugiyama Daisuke , Higo Fumiya , Hirata Takahiro , Kobayashi Osamu , Morimatsu Hiroshi , Ueda Kenichi
Published: June 2024

Background: Elderly patients with femoral neck fractures, particularly those with severe comorbidities or living in regions with limited medical resources, may experience delays in surgical treatment. Although the benefits of preoperative rehabilitation (prehabilitation) in hip arthroplasty have been reported, pain management remains a challenge. The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block, known for its exceptional analgesic effect and motor function preservation, may be a promising intervention during prehabilitation in these patients. Case: We enrolled ten patients with Garden classification 3–4 femoral neck fractures scheduled for hip arthroplasty. After receiving a PENG block with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine, all patients underwent initial prehabilitation sessions comprising 9 mobility levels, ranging from bed-sitting to walking. One patient was excluded due to experiencing high blood pressure during prehabilitation. Six of the nine remaining patients (66.7%) were successfully transferred from bed to wheelchair.Conclusions: The PENG block enhanced prehabilitation for patients with femoral neck fractures undergoing hip arthroplasty.
Aging-related Alterations in Gastric Microbiota: A Potential Contributor to Gastrointestinal Diseases
Authors: Mathur Akshita , Sharma Prateek , Das Kunal , Ghosh Tarini Shankar , Bhaskar Yogendra , Goel Isha , Singh Harpreet , Das Rajashree
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND:

Helicobacter pylori is believed to cause several gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The aging process captures many facets of biological variation of the human body, which leads to functional decline and increased incidence of infection in the gastric of elderly people. However, till date, most of the larger studies have focused on adult populations. The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that microbial dysbiosis with the progression of age could lead to GI diseases.

METHODS:

This study involved 48 patients: 13 were 18–35 years old (Group 1), 13 were 36–50 years old (Group 2), 14 were 51–65 years old (Group 3), and 10 were 66–90 years old (Group 4). Gastric microbiome composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing, and the resulting operational taxonomic units were compared to study the microbial alterations among the age groups.

RESULTS:

Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B ratio) was found to sharply increase from Group 1 to Group 2 and then just as sharply decreased from Group 3 to Group 4. At the phylum level, Patescibacteria was positively correlated and Proteobacteria, Campylobacterota, Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria were negatively correlated with the age. At the genus level, Ralstonia and TM7x were positively correlated and Alloprevotella, Staphylococcus, Veillonella, Rothia, and Prevotella showed negative correlation with the age of the subjects. The correlation of other genera with Ralstonia was studied.

CONCLUSION:

Our results highlighted that microbial dysbiosis caused by aging can be a factor for causing GI diseases. Further studies are recommended.
Morphometry of the Humeral Head, Greater and Lesser Tuberosities: A Radiographic Study
Authors: Alslehat Ruba Ahmad , Samara Osama A. , Alshatarat Amjad T. , Badran Darwish H.
Published: June 2024

Background:

Greater and lesser tuberosities are present in the upper end of humerus. With the increased prevalence of proximal humeral fractures, providing a precise estimation for the humeral head, greater and lesser tuberosities dimensions, and testing bilateral and gender differences of the proximal part of the humerus are essential information.

Methodology:

Three hundred and ten shoulder magnetic resonance imaging scans were used in this study; these scans were obtained from the department of radiology from January 2020 to December 2021. These images include 155 for males and the same number for females, 190 right-sided humeri, in addition to 120 left-sided images. Analyzing the data was done by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, an independent t-test was used, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between different genders in terms of the diameter of the humeral head, greater and lesser tuberosities. In addition, a significant difference was found between different sides in terms of the diameter of the lesser tuberosities.

Conclusion:

As a result of great variation among different populations, providing a precise morphometry of the proximal humerus has become mandatory to restore the best possible morphology for the proximal humeral end. Furthermore, the difference in these measurements between males and females could be helpful in forensic medicine.
Real-Time Remote-Controlled Human Manipulation Medical Robot Using IoT Module
Authors: Kanna R. Kishore , Sankar Panigrahi Bhawani , Sucharita Swati , Pravallika B , Sahoo Susanta Kumar
Published: June 2024

INTRODUCTION: Innovative robotics and advanced computer vision technology converge in the Human Manipulation-Controlled Robot, utilized for medical applications. The robot operates through human gestures, and includes a camera module for real-time visual feedback, enhancing its functionality and user interaction.
OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of the research was to harness the natural expressiveness of human gestures to provide a more intuitive and engaging method of controlling medical robots. The focus is on enabling precise control through programmed responses to specific gestures, ensuring effective interaction with medical tasks.
METHODS: The robot’s hardware configuration consists of a mobile platform with motorized components, an ESP32 module, gesture recognition sensors and a camera modules. The ESP32 module interprets signals from gesture recognition sensors to execute precise commands for the robot's movements and actions. Simultaneously, the camera module captures live footage, providing visual feedback through an intuitive interface for seamless interaction.
RESULTS: The Human Manipulation-Controlled Robot has been successfully developed, featuring a fetch arm capable of autonomous movement and object manipulation. This research address critical needs in medical centers, demonstrating the feasibility of using only minimalistic EEG electrode wireless transmission to operate a robot effectively. 
CONCLUSION: Through the provision of a more intuitive and engaging method of controlling and interacting with medical robots, this innovation has the potential to significantly improve user experience. It represents a most important development in medical robotic vehicles, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency through advanced human-robot interaction techniques.
Endoxifen Concentration Is Associated with Recurrence-Free Survival in Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Lee Beomki , Nam Seok Jin , Kim Seok Won , Yu Jonghan , Chae Byung-Joo , Lee Se Kyung , Ryu Jai Min , Lee Jeong Eon , Lee Soo-Youn
Published: June 2024

Purpose The metabolism of tamoxifen is influenced by various cytochrome p450 enzymes, including CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, leading to variations in the levels of endoxifen, even with the same tamoxifen dose. However, the clinical significance of endoxifen for the prognosis of breast cancer patients remains controversial. This study aimed to elucidate the relevance of endoxifen level to recurrence-free survival censored with tamoxifen discontinuation (RFSt), representing the RFS for tamoxifen itself, of breast cancer patients and determine a suitable cutoff for prognostication.Materials and Methods The study included 478 breast cancer patients. Tamoxifen and its metabolites, including endoxifen, were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. An optimal cutoff was determined with maximally selected rank statistics. Survival analysis and Cox regression were conducted based on this cutoff.Results An endoxifen level of 21.00 ng/mL was the optimal cutoff for prognostication. Survival analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in RFSt between the low endoxifen group (≤ 21.00 ng/mL) and the high endoxifen group (> 21.00 ng/mL) (log-rank test, p=0.032). The 10-year probability of RFSt was 83.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 77.0 to 89.9) and 88.3% (95% CI, 83.3 to 93.5) in the low and high endoxifen groups, respectively. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression indicated endoxifen concentration as a significant factor associated with prognosis.Conclusion Endoxifen could serve as a marker for appropriate tamoxifen treatment with a cutoff of 21.00 ng/mL. Based on this cutoff, therapeutic drug monitoring would benefit patients displaying suboptimal endoxifen concentrations.
Clinical Outcomes of Surgery after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Lee Yoo Na , Sung Min Kyu , Hwang Dae Wook , Park Yejong , Kwak Bong Jun , Lee Woohyung , Song Ki Byung , Lee Jae Hoon , Yoo Changhoon , Kim Kyu-Pyo , Chang Heung-Moon , Ryoo Baek-Yeol , Kim Song Cheol
Published: June 2024

Purpose Clinical outcomes of surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy have not been investigated for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), despite well-established outcomes in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC). This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with LAPC who underwent curative resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma between January 2017 and December 2020.Results Among 1,358 patients, 260 underwent surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Among 356 LAPC patients, 98 (27.5%) and 147 (35.1%) of 418 BRPC patients underwent surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Compared to resectable pancreatic cancer (resectable PC) with upfront surgery, both LAPC and BRPC exhibited higher rates of venous resection (28.6% vs. 49.0% vs. 4.0%), arterial resection (30.6% vs. 6.8% vs. 0.5%) and greater estimated blood loss (260.5 vs. 213.1 vs. 70.4 mL). However, hospital stay, readmission rates, and postoperative pancreatic fistula rates (grade B or C) did not differ significantly between LAPC, BRPC, and resectable PC. Overall and relapse-free survival did not differ significantly between LAPC and BRPC patients. The median overall survival was 37.3 months for LAPC and 37.0 months for BRPC. The median relapse-free survival was 22.7 months for LAPC and 26.0 months for BRPC.Conclusion Overall survival time and postoperative complications in LAPC patients who underwent curative resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed similar results to those of BRPC patients. Further research is needed to identify specific sub-populations of LAPC patients who benefit most from conversion surgery and to minimize postoperative complications.
The length of the cut locus on convex surfaces
Authors: Yuan Liping , Zamfirescu Tudor
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we prove the conjecture stating that, on any closed convex surface, the cut locus of a finite set $M$ with more than two points has length at least half the diameter of the surface.
634 vertex-transitive and more than $10^{103}$ non-vertex-transitive 27-vertex triangulations of manifolds like the octonionic projective plane
Authors: Gaifullin Alexander Aleksandrovich
Published: June 2024

In 1987 Brehm and Kühnel showed that any combinatorial $d$-manifold with less than $3d/2+3$ vertices is PL homeomorphic to the sphere and any combinatorial $d$-manifold with exactly $3d/2+3$ vertices is PL homeomorphic to either the sphere or a manifold like a projective plane in the sense of Eells and Kuiper. The latter possibility may occur for $d\in\{2,4,8,16\}$ only. There exist a unique $6$-vertex triangulation of $\mathbb{RP}^2$, a unique $9$-vertex triangulation of $\mathbb{CP}^2$, and at least three $15$-vertex triangulations of $\mathbb{HP}^2$. However, until now, the question of whether there exists a $27$-vertex triangulation of a manifold like the octonionic projective plane has remained open. We solve this problem by constructing a lot of examples of such triangulations. Namely, we construct $634$ vertex-transitive $27$-vertex combinatorial $16$-manifolds like the octonionic projective plane. Four of them have symmetry group $\mathrm{C}_3^3\rtimes \mathrm{C}_{13}$ of order $351$, and the other $630$ have symmetry group $\mathrm{C}_3^3$ of order $27$. Further, we construct more than $10^{103}$ non-vertex-transitive $27$-vertex combinatorial $16$-manifolds like the octonionic projective plane. Most of them have trivial symmetry group, but there are also symmetry groups $\mathrm{C}_3$, $\mathrm{C}_3^2$, and $\mathrm{C}_{13}$. We conjecture that all the triangulations constructed are PL homeomorphic to the octonionic projective plane $\mathbb{OP}^2$. Nevertheless, we have no proof of this fact so far.
From non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease: Rationale and implications for the new terminology
Authors: Malnick Stephen David Howard , Zamir Doron
Published: June 2024

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was the term first used to describe hepatic steatosis in patients with the metabolic syndrome who did not consume excess amounts of alcohol. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has many similarities to NAFLD in both pathogenesis and histology. This entity is now the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide as a consequence of the epidemic of obesity. Attempts to incorporate the importance of the metabolic syndrome in the development of steatosis resulted in the renaming of NAFLD as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease. This new term, however, has the disadvantage of the use of terms that may be perceived as derogatory. The terms fatty and non-alcoholic have negative connotations in many cultures. In addition, non-alcoholic is not usually a term applicable to pediatric cases of hepatic steatosis. Recently, an international collaborative effort, with participants from 56 countries, after a global consultation process, recommended to change the nomenclature to steatotic liver disease -including metabolic dysfunction- associated steatotic liver disease, metabolic-associated steatohepatitis and metabolic dysfunction-associated ALD. The new terminology is consistent with most of the previously published epidemiological studies and will have a major impact on research into diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
10 A Parallel Hybrid Powertrain for a Motorcycle Application
Authors: Nedungadi A. , McBroom S. , Roberts C. , Harris J. J. , Walls M.
Published: June 2024

This paper describes the potential motorcycle application of a parallel hybrid powertrain that was conceptualized, designed, developed and tested (for passenger car application) at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The patented powertrain mechanical layout and controller are described in this paper. The transitioning between operating modes has been analyzed for satisfactory performance. Initial fuel consumption simulations of the parallel hybrid drivetrain indicate more than double the fuel economy of an equivalent-size conventional drivetrain. The model has been previously validated on a passenger vehicle-sized prototype. The Southwest Research Institute inventors have been recently awarded U.S. Patent 6,110,066 for the parallel hybrid drivetrain.
23 GDI Four Stroke SI Engine for Two Wheelers and Small Vehicle Applications
Authors: Stan C. , Troeger R. , Stanciu A. , Martorano L. , Tarantino C. , Antonelli M.
Published: June 2024

The main development targets for future motorcycle and small vehicle propulsion units are the reduction of dimensions, weight, fuel consumption and pollutant emission for a considered power output. The paper presents a concept for the improvement of the thermodynamic process stages consisting on scavenging, mixture formation and combustion - as a main support for achieving the mentioned targets. The concept is exemplified by results in terms of compared indicator diagrams, specific fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions - in base of numerical simulation and experimental analysis at the engine - respectively at the vehicle test bench.
25 Development of Rapid Composite Plating System for Motorcycle Engine Cylinders
Authors: MIZUTA Akiyoshi , TAKASHIMA Akira , OGAWA Moriyuki , MASUNAGA Daisuke
Published: June 2024

Weight reduction of automobiles is key technology in order to improve fuel economy and driving performance. Concerning of the motorcycle engine, weight reduction is also the fundamental and important technologies. Cylinder is one of the main parts of engine and the wear characteristics of the cylinder liner are largely related to the engine performance. Gray iron liners squeezed in aluminum cylinder block have been widely used. This is due to the excellent resistance to abrasion of gray iron. In order to realize light all aluminum cylinder, the good abrasion resistant method is necessary to develop to be applied with inner surface of liners.

We have developed the new Rapid Composite Plating System for the motorcycle engine cylinders. This system made it possible to adopt all aluminum cylinders without cast iron liners to new type of engine.
36 Development of a High Performance Small Gas Engine for a Gas Engine Heat Pump
Authors: NAKAZONO Tohru , OKABE Takeru
Published: June 2024

GHP which, is the heat pump system for an air conditioning, is directly driven the compressor by a small gas engine. The NOx was reduced 70% less than a conventional gas engine with improvement of thermal efficiency. The combustion chamber shape using strong squish flow is improved in order that the pattern of a heat release is changed to be suitable.

Because the relation between NOx and the thermal efficiency is the trade off relation, the air fuel ratio and the ignition timing must be precisely controlled. Detecting the change of the Pi variation calculated from the engine speed variation can control the air fuel ratio.
41 Study of the Impact to the water Quality by Marine Engine Exhaust Emissions
Authors: EGASHIRA Hiroyuki , KIZAWA Takashi , IIDA Kazumi , FURUKAWA Naoki
Published: June 2024

Starting with the laboratory study, the amount of exhaust emission compound dissolved in water was measured, and the divergence of exhaust emission compounds was reviewed. Measurements were taken for hydrocarbon (HC), especially benzene, toluene, m-Xylene, p-Xylene, and o-Xylene. It was verified that the amount of exhaust emission compounds dissolved in water has positive correlation with the volume of exhaust gas introduced into the water. The dissolved amount was smaller with the low emission engine model. Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) decreased sharply at the beginning, but the decrement got smaller after a certain period of time. Next research was performed on the actual river where PWC are being used. We looked into the possible correlation between the VOC's concentration in water and the distance to the water where a lot of PWC's are running. In addition the MTBE (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether) concentration was measured. Based on the findings from this research and study, PWC industry in Japan voluntarily restricted the operation hours on the water where VOC was detected first. The area for racing crafts training was moved upstream. VOC was reduced successfully as the restriction was implemented. The accumulated value of VOC per day reduced as much as 85%.
42 Catalytic Reduction of Marine Sterndrive Engine Emissions
Authors: White Jeff J. , Carroll James N. , Samulski Michael J.
Published: June 2024

A 2001 General Motors 4.3 liter V-6 marine engine was baseline emissions tested and then equipped with catalysts. Emission reduction effects of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) were also explored. Because of a U.S. Coast Guard requirement that inboard engine surface temperatures be kept below 200°F, the engine's exhaust system, including the catalysts, was water-cooled.

Engine emissions were measured using the ISO-8178-E4 5-mode steady-state test for recreational marine engines. In baseline configuration, the engine produced 16.6 g HC+NOx/kW-hr, and 111 g CO/kW-hr. In closed-loop control with catalysts, HC+NOx emissions were reduced by 75 percent to 4.1 g/kW-hr, and CO emissions were reduced by 36 percent to 70 g/kW-hr of CO.

The catalyzed engine was then installed in a Sea Ray 190 boat, and tested for water reversion on both fresh and salt water using National Marine Manufacturers Association procedures. Engine and emission control system performance were verified after on-water operation, and confirmed to be operating satisfactorily.
Test Bench for the Acoustic Behaviour of Air-Boxes for Motorcycles
Authors: FOKEN Wolfgang , POHL Sirko , BAU Guido
Published: June 2024

Air-boxes as a part of the intake system of small engines especially for motorcycles create a specific noise radiation. Simulation methods and experimental investigations to analyse and predict the acoustical behaviour of air-boxes for motorcycles are required in order to pass current noise control legislation and to achieve a pleasant sound.

This paper presents the design of a test bench for the investigation of air-boxes for motorcycles. The test bench is equipped with measurement systems for monitoring and recording volumetric flow, speed, pressure data and sound data.

The sound radiated from the air-box is produced by the pulse flow in the engine induction system. The investigation of the air-box sound at real engine operation is impossible because of the noise produced by the engine. The created gas exchange system is distinguished by a rotating disc with a cut-out section, which opens and closes a pipe instead of the valves in the real engine.

The proof of the function was carried out by comparing of the pressure data received at an engine test rig with the data obtained from the gas exchange system.

Finally, the paper presents acoustical investigation of air-boxes. Different configurations of the air-box were defined to evaluate the acoustical properties.
47 Development of a Titanium Material by Utilizing Off-Grade Titanium Sponge
Authors: MARUI Yuji , KINOSHITA Toyotaka , TAKAHASHI Kyo
Published: June 2024

Titanium alloy for forging and pure titanium material for exhaust systems have been developed. The forging alloy will be applied to production of lightweight motorcycle frames and the pure titanium will be applied to improve engine performance. The materials have been made inexpensive by the use of off-grade sponge that includes many impurities for production of titanium ingot. Stable characteristics have been obtained by controlling oxygen equivalent after setting the volume of tolerable impurities by considering mechanical properties and production engineering. In spite of low-cost, the material provides the same design strength compared to conventional material, and enables parts production with existing equipment. A review of manufacturing and surface treatment processes indicated a reduction in the price of titanium parts produced with this new material. It is expected that this technology is suitable for automobile applications and may be applied to a wide range of other titanium alloys.
54 The Combustion Phenomena Under Corona Discharge Application
Authors: KADONO Teruki , YOSHIDA Koji , SHOJI Hideo
Published: June 2024

In this study, the effect of corona discharge on the combustion phenomenon has been made clear. A homogeneous propane-air mixture was used and six equivalence ratios were tested. For generating the positive and negative corona discharge, a non-uniform electric field was applied to the combustion chamber by the needle to plane gap. One or five needle-shaped electrodes were used to change the corona discharge state. When the positive corona discharge was applied, the luminescence from corona with five electrodes was weak as compared with that of one needle-shaped electrode. When the negative corona discharge was applied, the luminescence from corona and combustion were not affected by the number of electrode. When the positive corona discharge was applied by low voltage, the combustion was improved in the case of one needle-shaped electrode, but the index of combustion with one needle-shaped electrode was almost equal to that of five electrodes when the high voltage was applied.
55 Development of a Fuel Injection System for High-Performance Motorcycles
Authors: WAKIMURA Makoto , NITTA Yutaka
Published: June 2024

In Sports Motorcycles category, fuel injection systems have been employed more popularly in recent years, and we have been also developing motorcycles introducing fuel injection systems in the category of 600cc - 1400cc displacement. Sports Motorcycles need to be controlled in a wide range from idling to over 10000rpm. Better throttle response, high power and low fuel consumption are also required. Therefore, adding to optimizations of inlet system layout, fuel injection amount, injection timing and ignition timing, the authors have applied to some models electric control devices such as SDTV (Dual Throttle Valve System) that controls intake air amount with secondary throttle valve located upstream of primary throttle valve and SET (Exhaust Tuning System) that controls exhaust pressure by opening angle of an exhaust valve installed in an exhaust pipe to improve the torque characteristics. Furthermore, in order to reduce exhaust emissions, models with three-way catalysts and an O2 feedback system with a lambda O2 sensor have been increased. For utility, we have also developed an auto fast idle system that controls intake air flow rate electrically to increase engine idling speed at starting in cold condition. This paper describes the structures and the merits of these state-of-the-art fuel injection system and various devices.
56 Development of two-cylinder liquid-cooled utility gasoline engine models with twin balancer shafts
Authors: OKANO Syunji , OHASHI Tamotsu , NAKANO Keiichi
Published: June 2024

The new small and lightweight 2-cylinder liquid-cooled OHC gasoline engines were developed. These new engines are featuring high output, low vibration and noise radiation and so able to improve the comfortableness and amenity of applied utility machines. In this paper, the features of the new engines and the process to realize development targets are introduced.

The basic structure adopted on the new engines is a liquid-cooled, inline 2-cyilinder layout with 360-degree firing intervals, twin balancer shafts, and an overhead camshaft that is driven by a cogged belt. Also various parts made of aluminum alloy and plastics could make the engine lighter. By these measures, the new engines could satisfy their hardest development targets, and realize their easy installation, higher versatility, and have the excellent features such as compact size, lightweight, high output, low exhaust gas emission and low vibration and noise radiation.
60 TCT - Total Combustion Technology
Authors: Omarsson Kristjan B. , Valdimarsson Pall , Alfredsson Haukur , Bragason Robert
Published: June 2024

TCT - Total Combustion Technology is technology designed to enable small SI four-stroke and two-stroke engines to meet current and proposed emission standards that pertain to small engines. This paper outlines the technology, the testing equipment, and the results from tests comparing TCT to original carburetors on two different engines. The comparison shows clearly that emissions can be reduced substantially by TCT. The MLC (Mechanical Lambda Control) feature of TCT allows the emission profile of the engine to be matched to the application in each case.
61 Fundamental Analysis of Motorcyclist Injury Risk Using A Statistical Model Based on Real-world Crashes
Authors: Tominaga Shigeru , Sakurai Minoru
Published: June 2024

This paper describes the risk of injury to the rider in a crash using a statistical model based on real-world accident data. We analyzed the road traffic accidents data in Los Angeles and Hanover. Logistic regression modeling technique was used to clarify the relationship among probabilities of minor, serious, fatal injury risk to the rider, and the influence of risk factors in accidents involving opposing vehicle contact point, motorcycle contact point, opposing vehicle speed, motorcycle speed, relative heading angle of impact, and helmet use. The odds ratio, which was adjusted for risk factors simultaneously, was estimated by using the developed technique, and was compared with the effects of risk factors individually. The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between minor and serious injuries and opposing vehicle speed, motorcycle speed and opposing vehicle contact point. Meanwhile, fatal injuries were correlated with opposing vehicle speed, motorcycle speed and helmet use. We found that the effects of such risk factors differed among the risks of minor, serious and fatal injuries of motorcyclists. The results suggest that this method may be valid for analyzing accident data.
69 Development of Gear Train Behavioral Analysis Technologies Considering Non-linear Elements
Authors: UEDA Shingo , SUZUKI Tatsuo , KAMIYA Mitsuyoshi , NIINO Tadashi
Published: June 2024

A numerical calculation method, which enables the analysis of gear train behavior including non-linear elements in a motorcycle engine, was established. During the modeling process, it was confirmed that factors such as bearing distortion, radial bearing clearance and elastic deformation of a tooth flank could not be neglected because they effect the rotation behavior. To keep a high accuracy, those factors were included in the simulation model, after they were converted into the rigidity elements along the rotational direction of each gear model. In addition, the model was combined with a crankshaft behavior calculation model for a driving and excitation source. A time domain numerical integration method was used to perform the transient response simulation across a wide range of engine speeds. A jump phenomenon of response behavior of the driven gear was predicted that is a characteristic of non-linear response. The phenomenon was also observed in a physical test. The simulation result was verified with an accurate physical and this technology could be applicable to the development of motorcycle engines.