bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vector spin Seebeck effect and spin swapping effect in antiferromagnetic insulators with non-collinear spin structure
Authors: Xu Jinsong , Lin Weiwei , He Jiaming , Zhou J.-S. , Qu Danru , Huang Ssu-Yen , Chien C. L.
Published: September 2023

Antiferromagnets (AFs) are prospective for next-generation high-density and high-speed spintronic applications due to their negligible stray field and ultrafast spin dynamics, notwithstanding the challenges in detecting and manipulating AF order with no magnetization (M = 0). Among the AFs, non-collinear AFs are of particular interest because of their unique properties arising from the non-collinear spin structure and the small magnetization M. In this work, we describe the recently observed vector spin Seebeck effect in non-collinear LuFeO3, where the magneto-thermovoltage under an in-plane temperature gradient, not previously observed, is consistent with the predicted spin swapping effect. Our results shed light on the importance of the non-collinear spin structure in the emerging spin phenomena in non-collinear AFs and offer a new class of materials for AF spintronics and spin caloritronics.
High crystalline epitaxial thin films of NiO by plasma-enhanced ALD and their properties
Authors: Attri Rohit , Panda Debendra Prasad , Ghatak Jay , Rao C. N. R.
Published: September 2023

NiO is an interesting transition metal oxide due to its fascinating properties. High crystalline thin films of NiO are preferred for use in a variety of device applications but are challenging to deposit at low temperatures. We have prepared epitaxial thin films of NiO with [111] as the preferred growth direction on a c-plane sapphire substrate at relatively low temperatures using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) exploiting a simple nickel precursor with oxygen plasma. The evolution of crystallinity and surface morphology of the films were studied as a function of substrate temperature. Ultra-smooth NiO films with excellent crystallinity were prepared at 250 °C without the necessity for post-annealing. Different microscopic and spectroscopic methods revealed film characteristics. The magnetic properties of (111) oriented epitaxial NiO films prepared using PEALD are explored for the first time, and they are antiferromagnetic in nature.
Quantum splitting of electron peaks in ultra-strong fields
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhang Zhi-Meng , Zhou Wei-Min
Published: September 2023

Effects of multiple nonlinear Compton scattering on electrons in ultra-strong fields are described using analytic formulas similar to those in the theory of multiple bremsstrahlung. Based on these analytic formulas, a new pure quantum effect of multiple nonlinear Compton scattering called quantum peak splitting is identified: the electron peak splits into two when the average number of nonlinear Compton scatterings per electron passes a threshold of 5.1 and is below 9. Quantum peak splitting stems from the discreteness of quantum radiation reaction, with one of the split peaks being formed by electrons emitting zero to three times and the other by electrons emitting four or more times. This effect provides a new mechanism for the formation of electron peaks, imposes a new beamstrahlung limit on future colliders, and corrects the picture of quantum radiation reaction. Experiments can be performed on lasers with intensities ≳1021 W/cm2, which are reachable on PW-scale facilities.
Linear magnetoresistance and structural distortion in layered SrCu4–x
P2 single crystals
Authors: Nie 聂 Yong 勇 , Chen 陈 Zheng 正 , Wei 韦 Wensen 文森 , Li 李 Huijie 慧杰 , Zhang 张 Yong 勇 , Mei 梅 Ming 明 , Wang 王 Yuanyuan 园园 , Song 宋 Wenhai 文海 , Song 宋 Dongsheng 东升 , Wang 王 Zhaosheng 钊胜 , Zhu 朱 Xiangde 相德 , Ning 宁 Wei 伟 , Tian 田 Mingliang 明亮
Published: September 2023

We report a systematic study on layered metal SrCu4−x
P2 single crystals via transport, magnetization, thermodynamic measurements and structural characterization. We find that the crystals show large linear magnetoresistance without any sign of saturation with a magnetic field up to 30 T. We also observe a phase transition with significant anomalies in resistivity and heat capacity at T
p ∼ 140 K. Thermal expansion measurement reveals a subtle lattice parameter variation near T
p, i.e., ΔLc
/Lc
∼ 0.062%. The structural characterization confines that there is no structure transition below and above T
p. All these results suggest that the nonmagnetic transition of SrCu4−x
P2 could be associated with structural distortion.
Impacts of urban shrinkage on the built environment and its environmental sustainability: an analytical review
Authors: He Xiujuan , Gao Weijun , Guan Dongjie , Zhou Lilei
Published: September 2023

The proliferation of case studies of shrinking cities in recent years has stimulated intense debate on the impacts of urban shrinkage. However, assessing the impacts of urban shrinkage from a comprehensive perspective could be more present. Also, there is a lake of analytical review of historical studies about the impacts of urban shrinkage. The built environment has different characteristics under different urban development patterns involving infrastructure, services, and social, economic, and structural factors, which provides a best practice for exploring the impacts of urban shrinkage. This study synthesizes the literature surrounding urban shrinkage and built environment changes, identifying that urban shrinkage notably affects the different components of the built environment and gives rise to four related environmental and sustainability impacts involving urban landscapes and structures, ecological sustainability, socioeconomic vitality, and residents’ perceptions. Furthermore, there are interactions between the environmental and sustainability impacts, involving trade-offs and synergies between residents’ perceptions, ecological sustainability, and socioeconomic vitality. The study also summarized the mainstream methods for assessing the impacts of urban shrinkage and explored the effects of urban shrinkage management strategies on improving the built environment. Finally, a framework for future direction is presented for the final to integrate the theories of urban shrinkage, people and land relationship, and sustainable urban development to guide further exploration in the field. In summary, this study implies that restoring and upgrading the built environment can pave the way for a common goal for long-term sustainable development. The value of this study is to provide relevant researchers with the knowledge to understand the developing frontiers of urban shrinkage impacts on built environments.
Study on adsorption performance and mechanism of peanut hull-derived magnetic biochar for removal of malachite green from water
Authors: Zhao Xiaohui , Hua Qiong , Wang Chengyu , Wang Xiaodan , Zhang Hongpei , Zhang Ke , Zheng Binguo , Yang Jinwen , Niu Junling
Published: September 2023

Magnetic biochar (MBC) has the advantages including wide source of raw materials and low cost, and has become a potential adsorbent for water treatment, overcoming the shortcomings of biochar (BC) with the hard separation of solid and liquid. Peanut hull-derived magnetic biochar loaded with Fe3O4 (Fe3O4/BC) was prepared by co-precipitation method. By means of material characterization and batch processing experiments, material properties and environmental factors affecting adsorption performance were investigated. The adsorption mechanism of Fe3O4/BC on malachite green (MG) was revealed using adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics. The results showed that Fe3O4 particles were uniformly loaded, the total pore volume was increased, surface oxygen-containing functional groups were formed, and the maximum adsorption capacity of the biochar reached 175.4 mg g−1, 1.6 times of that before modification. In a wide PH range, Fe3O4/BC showed high adsorption performance for MG, and significant influence from ionic strength wasn’t found. Chemical adsorption was the main adsorption mechanism, including electrostatic interaction, cation exchange, hydrogen bonding and π-π interaction. The study of adsorption mechanism will promote the application of MBC in the removal of organic pollutants from water.
On Sárközy’s theorem for shifted primes
Authors: Green Ben
Published: September 2023

Suppose thatA⊂{1,…,N}A \subset \{1,\dots , N\}has no two elements differing byp−1p-1,ppprime. Then|A|≪N1−c|A| \ll N^{1 - c}.
Error estimates of the time-splitting methods for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with semi-smooth nonlinearity
Authors: Bao Weizhu , Wang Chushan
Published: September 2023

We establish error bounds of the Lie-Trotter time-splitting sine pseudospectral method for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) with semi-smooth nonlinearity

f
(
ρ
)
=

ρ
σ

f(\rho ) = \rho ^\sigma

, where

ρ
=

|

ψ

|

2

\rho =|\psi |^2

is the density with

ψ
\psi

the wave function and

σ
>
0

\sigma >0

is the exponent of the semi-smooth nonlinearity. Under the assumption of

H
2

H^2

-solution of the NLSE, we prove error bounds at

O
(

τ

1
2

+
σ

+

h

1
+
2
σ

)

O(\tau ^{\frac {1}{2}+\sigma } + h^{1+2\sigma })

and

O
(
τ
+

h

2

)

O(\tau + h^{2})

in

L
2

L^2

-norm for

0
>
σ
≤

1
2

0>\sigma \leq \frac {1}{2}

and

σ
≥

1
2

\sigma \geq \frac {1}{2}

, respectively, and an error bound at

O
(

τ

1
2

+
h
)

O(\tau ^\frac {1}{2} + h)

in

H
1

H^1

-norm for

σ
≥

1
2

\sigma \geq \frac {1}{2}

, where

h
h

and

τ
\tau

are the mesh size and time step size, respectively. In addition, when

1
2

>
σ
>
1

\frac {1}{2}>\sigma >1

and under the assumption of

H
3

H^3

-solution of the NLSE, we show an error bound at

O
(

τ

σ

+

h

2
σ

)

O(\tau ^{\sigma } + h^{2\sigma })

in

H
1

H^1

-norm. Two key ingredients are adopted in our proof: one is to adopt an unconditional

L
2

L^2

-stability of the numerical flow in order to avoid an a priori estimate of the numerical solution for the case of

0
>
σ
≤

1
2

0 > \sigma \leq \frac {1}{2}

, and to establish an

l
∞

l^\infty

-conditional

H
1

H^1

-stability to obtain the

l
∞

l^\infty

-bound of the numerical solution by using the mathematical induction and the error estimates for the case of

σ
≥

1
2

\sigma \ge \frac {1}{2}

; and the other one is to introduce a regularization technique to avoid the singularity of the semi-smooth nonlinearity in obtaining improved local truncation errors. Finally, numerical results are reported to demonstrate our error bounds.
Tamed stability of finite difference schemes for the transport equation on the half-line
Authors: Coeuret Lucas
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we prove that, under precise spectral assumptions, some finite difference approximations of scalar leftgoing transport equations on the positive half-line with numerical boundary conditions are

ℓ
1

\ell ^1

-stable but

ℓ
q

\ell ^q

-unstable for any

q
>
1

q>1

. The proof relies on the accurate description of the Green’s function for a particular family of finite rank perturbations of Toeplitz operators whose essential spectrum belongs to the closed unit disk and with a simple eigenvalue of modulus

1
1

embedded into the essential spectrum.
On arithmetic nature of a 𝑞-Euler-double zeta values
Authors: Chatterjee Tapas , Garg Sonam
Published: September 2023

Chatterjee and Garg [Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 151 (2023), pp. 2011-2022] established closed form for a

q
q

-analogue of the Euler-Stieltjes constants. In this article, we aim to build upon their work by extending it to a

q
q

-analogue of the double zeta function. Specifically, we derive a closed form expression for

γ

0
,
0

(
q
)

\gamma _{0,0}(q)

which is a

q
q

-analogue of Euler’s constant of height

2
2

and appear as the constant term in the Laurent series expansion of a

q
q

-analogue of the double zeta function around

s
1

=
1

s_1 = 1

and

s
2

=
1

s_2=1

.

Moreover, we examine the linear independence of a set of numbers involving the constant

γ
0

′
∗

(

q
i

)

\gamma _0^{\prime *}(q^i)

, where

1
≤
i
≤
r

1 \leq i \leq r

for any integer

r
≥
1

r \geq 1

, that appears in the Laurent series expansion of a

q
q

-double zeta function. Finally, we discuss the irrationality of certain numbers involving a

2
2

-double Euler-Stieltjes constant (

γ

0
,
0

(
2
)

\gamma _{0,0}(2)

).
Prime torsion in the Brauer group of an elliptic curve
Authors: Ure Charlotte
Published: September 2023

We give an algorithm to explicitly determine all elements of the

q
q

-torsion (for

q
q

an odd prime) of the Brauer group of an elliptic curve over any base field of characteristic different from

q
q

, containing a primitive

q
q

-th root of unity. These elements of the Brauer group are given as tensor products of symbol algebras over the function field of the elliptic curve. We give sufficient conditions to determine if the Brauer classes that arise are trivial. Using our algorithm, we derive an upper bound on the symbol length of the prime torsion of

B
r
(
E
)

/

B
r
(
k
)

Br(E)/Br(k)

.
On the monotonicity of the speeds for semigroups of holomorphic self-maps of the unit disk
Authors: Betsakos Dimitrios , Karamanlis Nikolaos
Published: September 2023

We study semigroups

(

ϕ
t

)

t
≥
0

(\phi _t)_{t\geq 0}

of holomorphic self-maps of the unit disk with Denjoy-Wolff point on the boundary. We show that the orthogonal speed of such semigroups is a strictly increasing function. This answers a question raised by F. Bracci, D. Cordella, and M. Kourou, and implies a domain monotonicity property for orthogonal speeds conjectured by Bracci. We give an example of a semigroup such that its total speed is not eventually increasing. We also provide another example of a semigroup having total speed of a certain asymptotic behavior, thus answering another question of Bracci.
Intermediate filament dysregulation in astrocytes in the human disease model of KLHL16 mutation in giant axonal neuropathy (GAN)
Authors: Battaglia Rachel A. , Faridounnia Maryam , Beltran Adriana , Robinson Jasmine , Kinghorn Karina , Ezzell J. Ashley , Bharucha-Goebel Diana , Bönnemann Carsten G. , Hooper Jody E. , Opal Puneet , Bouldin Thomas W. , Armao Diane , Snider Natasha T.
Published: September 2023

In this work, the authors we used patient-derived induced- pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and directed differentiation to develop human astrocyte and brain- organoid models of giant- axonal neuropathy (GAN), which is caused by KLHL16 gene mutations. These models reproduce abnormalities of the intermediate- filament cytoskeleton similar to astrocytes of GAN patients in vivo. The studies reveal new mechanisms regarding the role of vimentin in glial fibrillary acidic- protein (GFAP) aggregation and KLHL16 mRNA localization in cells.
XI—Śrīharṣa on Two Paradoxes of Inquiry
Authors: Das Nilanjan
Published: September 2023

In A Confection of Refutation (Khaṇḍanakhaṇḍakhādya), the twelfth-century philosopher and poet Śrīharṣa addresses a version of Meno’s paradox. This version of the paradox was well known in first millennium South Asia through the writings of two earlier Sanskrit philosophers, Śabarasvāmin (4th–5th century ce) and Śaṃkara (8th century ce). Both these thinkers proposed a solution to the paradox. I show how Śrīharṣa rejects this solution, and splits the old paradox into two new ones: the paradox of triviality and the paradox of incoherence. I argue that these paradoxes are connected to Śrīharṣa’s broader pessimism about the possibility of successful rational inquiry into certain philosophical questions.
Beyond concepts as tokens: heuristic value and epistemic politics in the study of digital subalterns
Authors: Harindranath Ramaswami , Gómez-Cruz Edgar
Published: September 2023

In this article we want to question the adequacy of existing concepts and frameworks for understanding experiences with digital technologies in the Global South. First, we describe how concepts acquire value, positioning them within geographical, epistemic, and political realities. Second, we ask about the pertinence of these concepts in describing subaltern practices in the digital world. Third, we identify an urgent need to go beyond digital-centric research, to be attentive to the broader epidigital context from the perspective of marginalized populations. We conclude with a call to move beyond the topicalization of theories by developing new empirical and conceptual work that can represent the lived experiences of the digital subalterns, and thereby commence addressing gaps in existing epistemes.
States as Masters of (Investment) Treaties: The Rise of Joint Interpretative Statements
Authors: Clover Alcolea Lucas
Published: September 2023

Joint Interpretative Statements have grown in popularity in recent years as a tool States can use to authoritatively interpret, or reinterpret, investment treaties with the seminal case being NAFTA but provisions for making them have been included in numerous investment treaties and India, Colombia, France, Mauritius, and the EU member States themselves have recently entered into joint interpretative statements. The CETA Joint Committee would also appear to be close to issuing its first “decision” which, in effect, is a joint interpretative statement. Despite this growth, in general, investment tribunals are ill-equipped to apply such statements and, as case studies analyzed in the article show, often commit serious errors when deciding cases involving them. These errors include not applying the relevant articles of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT), failing to consider decisions by international tribunals, including the ICJ, regarding joint interpretative statements, and ignoring “the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists” with respect to such statements. These failings risk undermining States’ legitimate use of joint interpretative statements, as well as eroding the legitimacy of the ISDS system as a whole, due to repeated misinterpretations and misstatements of the applicable law. This paper aims to respond to the crisis by firstly setting out the relevant international law principles, with these being found primarily in the VCLT, secondly outlining when and how tribunals, and on occasion State courts, have fallen short in their analysis of said principles, and thirdly outlining various possible “futures” for joint interpretative statements, as well as suggesting means by which States might ensure that they are properly applied.
Association between walking speed early after admission and all-cause death and/or re-admission in patients with acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Nozaki Kohei , Hamazaki Nobuaki , Kamiya Kentaro , Uchida Shota , Noda Takumi , Ueno Kensuke , Hotta Kazuki , Maekawa Emi , Matsunaga Atsuhiko , Yamaoka-Tojo Minako , Ako Junya
Published: September 2023

Aims

Patients with heart failure (HF) frequently experience decreased physical function, including walking speed. Slower walking speed is associated with poorer prognosis. However, most of these reports focused on patients with stable HF, and the relationship between walking speed in acute phase and clinical outcomes is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the associations between walking speed early after admission and clinical events in patients with acute decompensated HF (ADHF).

Methods and results

We reviewed consecutive 1391 patients admitted due to ADHF. We measured walking speed the first time to walk on the ward more than 10 m after admission, and the speed within 4 days after admission was included in this study. The primary outcome was combined events (all-cause death and/or re-admission due to HF). The follow-up period was up to 1 year from the discharge. The study population had a median age of 74 years [interquartile range (IQR): 65–80 years], and 35.9% of patients were females. The median walking speed was 0.70 m/s (IQR: 0.54–0.88 m/s). Combined events occurred in 429 (30.8%) patients. Faster walking speed was independently associated with lower rate of combined events (adjusted hazard ratio per 0.1 m/s increasing: 0.951, 95% confidence interval: 0.912–0.992).

Conclusion

Faster walking speed within 4 days after admission was associated with favourable clinical outcomes in patients with ADHF. The results suggest that measuring walking speed in acute phase is useful for earlier risk stratification.
Changes in alcohol consumption habits and risk of atrial fibrillation: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Lee Jae-woo , Roh Seung-Young , Yoon Woong-Su , Kim Jinseob , Jo Eunseo , Bae Dae-Hwan , Kim Min , Lee Ju-Hee , Kim Sang Min , Choi Woong Gil , Bae Jang-Whan , Hwang Kyung-Kuk , Kim Dong-Woon , Cho Myeong-Chan , Kim Ye-Seul , Kim Yonghwan , You Hyo-Sun , Kang Hee-Taik , Lee Dae-In
Published: September 2023

Aims

Heavy alcohol consumption is an established risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the association between habitual changes in heavy habitual drinkers and incident AF remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether absolute abstinence or reduced drinking decreases incident AF in heavy habitual drinkers.

Methods and results

Atrial fibrillation-free participants with heavy alcohol consumption registered in the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2005 and 2008 were enrolled. Habitual changes in alcohol consumption between 2009 and 2012 were classified as sustained heavy drinking, reduced drinking, and absolute abstinence. The primary outcome measure was new-onset AF during the follow-up. To minimize the effect of confounding variables on outcome events, inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed. Overall, 19 425 participants were evaluated. The absolute abstinence group showed a 63% lower incidence of AF (IPTW hazard ratio: 0.379, 95% confidence interval: 0.169–0.853) than did the sustained heavy drinking group. Subgroup analysis identified that abstinence significantly reduced incident AF in participants with normal body mass index and without hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease, or coronary artery disease (all P-value <0.05). There was no statistical difference in incident AF in participants with reduced drinking compared with sustained heavy alcohol group.

Conclusion

Absolute abstinence could reduce the incidence of AF in heavy alcohol drinkers. Comprehensive clinical measures and public health policies are warranted to motivate alcohol abstinence in heavy drinkers.
Il Nuovo Canzoniere Italiano: The Songbook of 1968 in Italy
Authors: Love Rachel E
Published: September 2023

This article examines how the Nuovo Canzoniere Italiano (NCI) – a leftist collective founded in Milan in 1962 by Gianni Bosio and Roberto Leydi – used their journal to theorize oral cultures as instruments of class consciousness. By doing so, they contributed to the political movements of the 1960s in Italy. The NCI worked to construct a culture of protest through recorded albums, live performances and field research into oral practices. Despite their prominence as the ‘music of 1968’ in Italy, the NCI first came together as a journal. The ten issues of the group’s journal, Il Nuovo Canzoniere Italiano, published between 1962 and 1968, provided materialist and ethnomusicological analysis of oral cultures, as well as the repertoires of rural singers like Giovanna Daffini, and nourished the work of young songwriters. I argue that this journal fostered new militant approaches to culture, documented the artistic vitality of the labouring classes and helped foment the revolutionary sentiments of 1968.
Spatiotemporal pattern and influencing factors of regional carbon emission efficiency: an empirical analysis of Jiangsu Province in China
Authors: Lv Tiangui , Zhao Qiao , Zhang Xinmin , Hu Han , Geng Can
Published: September 2023

Jiangsu Province is not only a large province in terms of carbon emissions but also a pioneer in pursuing the goal of carbon neutrality. Improving carbon emission efficiency (CEE) is the key to lowering carbon emissions. Therefore, exploring CEE is of significance for balancing economic growth and successfully cutting carbon emissions. Based on the measurement of CEE in Jiangsu Province from 2008 to 2020, this paper explores its spatiotemporal pattern and influencing factors to propose corresponding policies. The results are as follows. (1) From 2008 to 2020, the CEE of Jiangsu Province exhibited a fluctuating increase, reaching 0.894 in 2020. The temporal variation trend of CEE in each region is consistent, whereas CEE in southern Jiangsu is greater. (2) The regional differences in CEE are evident. The low-high (LH) agglomeration region is mainly in northern Jiangsu, whereas the high-low (HL) agglomeration area is mainly in southern Jiangsu. (3) Technological progress is the primary way to raise CEE in Jiangsu Province, and the contribution of technical efficiency is relatively small. (4) The primary factors that promote CEE are economic growth and green technology progress, but environmental protection has an adverse effect. Therefore, all cities in Jiangsu Province should formulate carbon emission reduction policies that are in line with their development and provide a successful reference for regional green and low-carbon development and global climate governance.
Nutritional and Schooling Impact of a Social Protection Program in Ethiopia: A Retrospective Analysis of Childhood Exposure
Authors: Mendola Mariapia , Negasi Mengesha Yayo
Published: September 2023

This paper investigates the impact of a large-scale Ethiopian government social protection program on long-term anthropometric measures of nutrition status, education attainment and enrollment delay. Our research design uses unique administrative data on the program's regional coverage and combines differences in the intensity of the program across regions with differences across cohorts induced by the timing of the program. Our findings show that exposure to the program in early childhood leads to better nutrition status and, hence, higher human capital accumulation. The results are robust to different measures for program intensity and different estimation samples, empirical models and placebo tests.
Grooming and Child Sexual Abuse in Organizational Settings—an Expanded Role for International Human Rights Law
Authors: Kaviani Johnson Afrooz
Published: September 2023

This article focuses on child sexual abuse in organizational settings, with a particular emphasis on ‘grooming’. While grooming is often associated with online behaviour, its origins predate the digital age. Consequently, this article challenges the misconception of solely linking grooming to online platforms and highlights its broader recognition. The article aims to explore how international human rights law addresses grooming and how the framework can be enhanced to effectively combat grooming and protect children from sexual abuse in organizational settings. First, the article discusses sexual grooming, including in organizational contexts, drawing from scientific and theoretical literature, case reviews, and government inquiries. It then analyses international and regional human rights laws, along with guidance from treaty-based human rights mechanisms, to outline existing standards on child sexual abuse and grooming. The article examines examples of domestic legislation and proposes an expanded role for international human rights law. By situating the issue within human rights discourse and emphasizing children as having rights and agency, the article challenges prevailing paradigms of child safeguarding research and practice that prioritize risk aversion and compliance (Powell et al. 2020). The article urges practitioners to advocate for more comprehensive approaches at local and global levels. The human rights system provides additional avenues for advocates to drive change, fostering greater State and organizational accountability and ensuring every child’s right to be free from sexual abuse.
Standard Involvement Is Not Enough: A Mixed Method Study of Enablers and Barriers in Research Meetings with Forced Migrants
Authors: Inge Elin , Sarkadi Anna , Tökés Antónia , Warner Georgina
Published: September 2023

Although participatory approaches in health research are increasingly used, critical voices are being raised around lack of diversity among the public contributors involved. This article explores enabling and hindering factors in participatory meetings with forced migrants involved as public contributors in health research, using a convergent parallel mixed methods design including behavioural observations and questionnaires, with the aim of contributing to practices of meaningful and inclusive involvement in research. Our findings indicated that relationship-building and adapting to team development over time were key. Additionally, researcher responsivity and transparency enabled relevant contributions, but few decisions were taken. Although linguistic barriers existed and were rated higher by the researchers, engaging interpreters as co-facilitators of the meetings enabled nuanced discussions. In addition to following PPI recommendations, involving public contributors with experience of forced migration requires considering relationship-focused factors; inclusive communication, relationships and trust, and process-focused factors: where and how decisions are taken.
Paul’s Jewish Addressee in Romans 2–4: Revisiting Recent Conversations
Authors: Sloan Paul T
Published: September 2023

Several scholars (many of whom belong to the approach commonly labelled ‘Paul within Judaism’) have argued that in Romans 2:17 Paul does not address a Jew but a Gentile who believes he can ‘call’ himself ‘a Jew’ because he has been circumcised and adopted customs from the Mosaic Law. These scholars claim that identifying the addressee as a Gentile dramatically affects the interpretation of Romans by shifting a purported Pauline critique of ‘legalism,’ Jewish ‘ethnocentrism’, or ‘Judaism’ to the more accurate critique of gentile transgression and Judaizing. These scholars have rightly noted that the identification of the addressee as a Jew in 2:17 has often been assumed rather than argued. This article responds to common arguments made for a Gentile addressee, provides a positive case that the figure is Jewish, and argues that a Jewish addressee can be accommodated within an interpretation of Rom. 2–4 that does not interpret Paul’s indictment in terms of ‘legalism,’ Jewish ‘ethnocentrism’, or ‘Judaism’, but as an address to a Jewish kinsman of the sinful generation of ‘the last days’ that precedes the national restoration.
Superman as the Measure of All Things: Black Gods and White Saviours in Watchmen and Doomsday Clock
Authors: Cohen J Laurence
Published: September 2023

While the groundbreaking graphic novel Watchmen (1986) responded to Cold War paranoia with a nihilistic critique of a benevolent God, recent spinoffs have taken radically different approaches to race and Christology in the Trump Era. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ original Watchmen has spawned two unlikely and unauthorised—by Moore, at least—quasi-sequels in different media: HBO’s limited TV series Watchmen (2019), created by Damon Lindelof, and Geoff Johns and Gary Frank’s graphic novel Doomsday Clock (2020). Like estranged siblings, HBO’s Watchmen and Doomsday Clock take the same source material in opposite directions. HBO’s Watchmen explores themes of racial justice by foregrounding 1921’s Tulsa Massacre and vesting Black characters with divine power. In contrast, Doomsday Clock departs from the original Watchmen’s cynicism about cultural and political change, embodying its message of hope and renewal in a white saviour. This article contributes to the growing body of literature examining how pop culture circulates Christological concepts by exploring the racial and theological significance of two of DC Comics’ most iconic characters—Superman and Dr Manhattan. I examine how Black theologians conceptualise Christology, discuss the deistic portrayal of Dr Manhattan in the original Watchmen, analyse the character’s incarnational iteration in the television series, and contrast this with how moral influence Christology underpins the relationship between Superman and Dr Manhattan in Doomsday Clock to show that superhero comics in particular, and pop culture more broadly, are crucial sites of Christological imagination and negotiation over race.
Hume’s Separability Principle, his Dictum, and their Implications
Authors: Clay Graham
Published: September 2023

Hsueh M. Qu has recently argued that Hume’s famed ‘Separability Principle’ from the Treatise entangles him in a contradiction. Qu offers a modified principle as a solution but also argues that the mature Hume would not have needed to avail himself of it, given that Hume’s arguments in the first Enquiry do not depend on this principle in any form. To the contrary, I show that arguments in the first Enquiry depend on this principle, but I agree with Qu that Qu’s solution to Hume’s quandary frees him of the contradiction. Next, I compare Qu’s solution to Hume’s original position. By analysing the divergent forms of 'Hume’s Dictum’ that follow from them, I show that Qu’s solution and Hume’s original position have significantly different consequences in a range of domains, including Hume’s modality. Generally, Qu’s solution fits better with Hume’s other commitments—even though Hume often fails to recognize it—thereby increasing its plausibility.
A Critical Analysis of Japan’s Decision to Accept Ukrainians Following the Russian Invasion in 2022
Authors: Yamagata Atsushi
Published: September 2023

Shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan would accept Ukrainians who had fled to third countries. While this prompt decision should be welcomed, the Japanese government has been criticised for its reluctance to accept refugees for years. Because of Japan’s past restrictive approach to refugees and asylum-seekers, the decision to accept Ukrainians was met with surprise. Why, then, did the Japanese government decide to accept Ukrainians? This article explores the rationale behind this decision by analysing the language used by Cabinet members of the Japanese government in Diet discussions from the perspective of Critical Discourse Analysis, which sees language as a form of social practice. By adopting the concept of “ontological security”, or the security of self-identity, it argues that, while Japan’s decision to accept Ukrainians was prompted by its pursuit of ontological security derived from its international relations, its pursuit of ontological security rooted in its biographical narrative caused a desire to prevent this case from affecting Japan’s future refugee policy and to minimise the acceptance of refugees in the country.
Disruption of the primocolonizing microbiota alters epithelial homeostasis and imprints stem cells in the colon of neonatal piglets
Authors: Beaumont Martin , Lencina Corinne , Fève Katia , Barilly Céline , Le‐Normand Laurence , Combes Sylvie , Devailly Guillaume , Boudry Gaëlle
Published: September 2023

The gut microbiota plays a key role in the postnatal development of the intestinal epithelium. However, the bacterial members of the primocolonizing microbiota driving these effects are not fully identified and the mechanisms underlying their long‐term influence on epithelial homeostasis remain poorly described. Here, we used a model of newborn piglets treated during the first week of life with the antibiotic colistin in order to deplete specific gram‐negative bacteria that are transiently dominant in the neonatal gut microbiota. Colistin depleted Proteobacteria and Fusobacteriota from the neonatal colon microbiota, reduced the bacterial predicted capacity to synthetize lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and increased the concentration of succinate in the colon. The colistin‐induced disruption of the primocolonizing microbiota was associated with altered gene expression in the colon epithelium including a reduction of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and lysozyme (LYZ). Our data obtained in porcine colonic organoid cell monolayers suggested that these effects were not driven by the variation of succinate or LPS levels nor by a direct effect of colistin on epithelial cells. The disruption of the primocolonizing microbiota imprinted colon epithelial stem cells since the expression of TLR4 and LYZ remained lower in organoids derived from colistin‐treated piglet colonic crypts after several passages when compared to control piglets. Finally, the stable imprinting of LYZ in colon organoids was independent of the H3K4me3 level in its transcription start site. Altogether, our results show that disruption of the primocolonizing gut microbiota alters epithelial innate immunity in the colon and imprints stem cells, which could have long‐term consequences for gut health.
Preservation of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in OTOF-Related Hearing Impairment
Authors: Santarelli Rosamaria , Scimemi Pietro , Cama Elona , Domínguez-Ruiz María , Bonora Chiara , Gallo Chiara , Rodríguez-Ballesteros Montserrat , del Castillo Ignacio
Published: September 2023

Objectives:

Attenuation of otoacoustic emissions over time has been reported for many patients with hearing impairment harboring mutations in the OTOF gene. In this study, the time course of changes of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) has been analyzed in a cohort of patients in the light of tympanometry results.

Design:

The changes of DPOAEs in 16 patients with OTOF-related hearing impairment were retrospectively analyzed.

Results:

All but one subject showed DPOAEs bilaterally at the time of diagnosis. Three patients diagnosed as adults still had DPOAEs at ages of 27, 31, and 47 years, respectively. Follow-up was available for 7 children diagnosed at the age of 1 to 3 years, who still showed preservation of DPOAEs at ages of 5 to 16 years. The responses were absent or attenuated in amplitude at some follow-up appointments in association with type B or C tympanograms.

Conclusions:

DPOAEs are preserved much longer than expected in a cohort of patients with OTOF-related hearing impairment. The previously reported loss of DPOAEs may have been caused in some children by increased middle ear impedance due to otitis media.
Prefabricated venous flap, an advanced free venous flap for distant transfer: An experimental rat study
Authors: Chuang David Chwei-Chin , Fang Frank , Lu Johnny Chuieng-Yi , Huang Yen-Lin , Chang Tommy Nai-Jen
Published: September 2023

Background

Arterialized venous flap can improve the survival of traditional free venous flap. Arterialized venous flaps are, however, still not popularly selected as the first choice for microsurgical reconstruction because of its nutrient insufficiency.

Materials and Methods

Eighty-four Lewis rats (10–12 weeks old, 350–400 g) were used. Left hemivertical chest-and-abdominal skin flap (4 × 14 cm2) was the experimental model. Five protocols were designed and performed: protocol I (n = 18), nutrition territory study; protocol II (n = 18), immediate A-V anastomosis; protocol III (n = 12), prefabricated venous flap (PFVF) transformed from pedicle-based skin flap; protocol IV (n = 18), PFVF transformed from perforator-based skin flap; and protocol V (n = 18), PFVF transformed from capillary-based skin flap. The all transformed PFVFs had a 2-week delay procedure from the original skin flaps.

Results

The hemivertical chest-abdomen skin flap contains 3 nutrient vessels: superior, inferior, and midabdominal. The PFVF coming from the perforator-based skin flap showed significantly superior than other 2 methods with the best survival rates after arterialization, followed by the capillary-based skin flap and then the pedicle-based skin flap.

Conclusions

The PFVFs after delay procedure and arterialization have been proved to greatly increase the flap survival than traditional free venous flap. Delay procedure has benefits for the transformation from the nutritional skin flaps into PFVFs, which is especially true in perforator-based skin flaps. Such transformation is a 2-stage procedure. Prefabricated venous flaps might offer a “last case scenario” surgery as an option to reconstruct wound defects where no other suitable skin flaps are available. Further investigation is warranted.
Evaluation and management of urethral and periurethral masses in women
Authors: Zuo Stephanie W. , Napoe Gnankang Sarah
Published: September 2023

Purpose of review

Female periurethral masses are an uncommon occurrence. The purpose of this review is to describe etiologies of female urethral and periurethral masses and to provide an update on diagnosis and management.

Recent findings

The most common causes of periurethral and urethral masses in women are urethral caruncles, urethral diverticula, and Skene's gland cysts. Urethral meatal lesions such as urethral caruncles and prolapse can be managed conservatively with topical estrogen therapy and close follow-up or should be excised in the setting of thrombosis, significant or recurrent bleeding, acute urinary retention, or persistent pain. Benign periurethral gland masses, such as Skene's gland cysts, Gartner's duct cysts, and Mullerian duct cysts, remain rare. Recent case series reveal a high rate of surgical management of these lesions with few complications. Urethral malignancy or malignant transformation of benign etiologies are even rarer but can be aggressive in nature and should be treated promptly.

Nonspecific urinary and vaginal symptoms as well as similar physical presentations make diagnosis of urethral and periurethral lesions in females difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful for differentiation of periurethral masses. The decision for conservative or surgical management is typically guided by patient symptom bother, as well as concern for urethral malignancy.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and safety in the preconception period
Authors: Minis Evelyn , Stanford Fatima Cody , Mahalingaiah Shruthi
Published: September 2023

Purpose of review

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs) are becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of type II diabetes and obesity. Body mass index (BMI) thresholds at in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics may further drive the use of these medications before infertility treatment. However, most clinical guidance regarding optimal time to discontinue these medications prior to conception is based on animal data. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the literature for evidence-based guidance regarding the preconception use of GLP-1 RA.

Recent findings

16 articles were found in our PubMed search, 10 were excluded as they were reviews or reported on animal data. Included were 3 case reports detailing pregnancy outcomes in individual patients that conceived while on a GLP-1 RA and 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and a follow-up study to one of the RCTs that reported on patients randomized to GLP-1 RA or metformin prior to conception. No adverse pregnancy or neonatal outcomes were reported.

There are limited data from human studies to guide decision-making regarding timing of discontinuation of GLP-1 RA before conception. Studies focused on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes would provide additional information regarding a safe washout period. Based on the available literature a 4-week washout period prior to attempting conception may be considered for the agents reviewed in this publication.
Advances in the treatment of gastric cancer: 2022–2023
Authors: Ilson David H.
Published: September 2023

Purpose of review

To review 2022–2023 studies in gastric cancer.

Recent findings

Important studies report the role of laparoscopic surgery in gastric cancer, the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic, locally advanced and adjuvant therapy in gastric cancer, and the effectiveness of zolbetuximab in claudin 18.2-positive metastatic disease. From the Japanese JLSSG0901 Trial, equivalent survival was reported for laparoscopically assisted versus conventional open gastrectomy. Adding nivolumab to adjuvant chemotherapy in resected stage III gastric cancer failed to improve 3-year disease-free survival over chemotherapy alone. Ipilimumab and nivolumab as preoperative therapy in MSI-high gastric cancer resulted in a high rate of pathologic complete response. Trastuzumab added to chemoradiotherapy and surgery in HER2-positive locally advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma did not improve overall survival over chemoradiotherapy and surgery alone. Adding pembrolizumab to trastuzumab/chemotherapy in metastatic HER2-positive gastric cancer improved antitumor response rate. Addition of zolbetuximab, an antibody targeting claudin 18.2, to first-line chemotherapy in metastatic claudin 18.2-positive gastric cancer improved overall survival.

Immune checkpoint inhibition has a role in locally advanced MSI-high and metastatic gastric cancer. Laparoscopic gastrectomy is acceptable in gastric cancer. Zolbetuximab in metastatic gastric cancer will emerge as a new therapy option.
A shotgun-induced nonunion humeral fracture treated by Masquelet technique and arthrodesis: a case report
Authors: Taabbodi Alireza , Shahbazi Parmida , Mohammad Hosseini Azar Payman , Gholami Niloofar , Hadavi Dorsa , Najafi Arvin
Published: September 2023

Introduction and importance:

The Masquelet technique remains one of the procedures with low rates of failure and infection. The use of this technique in humeral defects is still rare.

Case presentation:

A 38-year-old male patient with an open humeral comminuted fracture induced by shotgun injury was referred to our hospital. The Masquelet technique was chosen as the best option with a lower risk of infection and the lower expenses at this stage due to the second time of open reduction and internal fixation and bone graft failure, low patient compliance, and the increasing size of the defect due to bone absorption. An arthrodesis procedure was performed 5 days after the second Masquelet stage as restoring the elbow joint’s range of motion was impossible.

Clinical discussion:

The Masquelet technique, is a two-step surgical procedure to manage pseudoarthroses and bone defects. Various surgical options are available for performing this procedure. There are several reasons behind the rising popularity of this technique during recent years. Some of these reasons include the reproducibility of this technique, as well as requiring less time, not being technically challenging, and having fewer neurovascular complications.

Conclusion:

This case was one of the limited examples of successful implementation of the Masquelete procedure on severe traumatic injuries of the upper limb with bone defects providing more evidence on the safety and efficacy of this technique in similar conditions.