bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer Treatment Disparities in People With HIV in the United States, 2001-2019
Authors: McGee-Avila Jennifer K. , Suneja Gita , Engels Eric A. , Rositch Anne F. , Horner Marie-Josephe , Luo Qianlai , Shiels Meredith S. , Islam Jessica Y.
Published: March 2024

PURPOSE

People with HIV (PWH) have worse cancer outcomes, partially because of inequities in cancer treatment. We evaluated cancer treatment disparities among PWH, including an assessment of changes in disparities over time.

METHODS

We used data from the HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study, a population-based HIV and cancer registry linkage to examine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and cancers of the cervix, lung, anus, prostate, colon, and female breast. Outcomes included receipt of (1) any cancer treatment and (2) standard therapy among patients with local-stage cancer. We assessed associations between HIV and each outcome by estimating adjusted prevalence odds ratios (aORs) with 95% CI and trends over time. We identified predictors of nonreceipt of cancer treatment in PWH.

RESULTS

From 2001 to 2019, compared with people with cancer without HIV (n = 2,880,955), PWH (n = 16,334) were more likely to not receive cancer treatment for cervical cancer (aOR, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.52 to 2.70]), DLBCL (aOR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.38 to 1.70]), HL (aOR, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.19 to 1.63]), lung cancer (aOR, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.65 to 1.93]), prostate cancer (aOR, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.21 to 1.44]), colon cancer (aOR, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.43 to 2.08]), and breast cancer (aOR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.07 to 1.77]). Similar associations were observed in PWH with local-stage cancers although no difference was observed for anal cancers. The association between HIV and nonreceipt of cancer treatment significantly decreased over time for breast, colon, and prostate cancers (all P trend <.0001), but PWH remained less likely to receive treatment in 2014-2019 for DLBCL, cervix, and lung cancers. Among PWH, Black individuals, people who inject drugs, and those 65 years and older were less likely to receive cancer treatment.

CONCLUSION

Disparities in receipt of cancer treatment persist for PWH in the United States in contemporary time periods. Solutions to address inequitable receipt of cancer treatment among PWH are urgently needed.
Two Germline Pathogenic Variants in Cancer Susceptibility Genes and Their Null Implication in Breast Cancer Pathogenesis: The Importance of Tumoral Homologous Recombination Deficiency Testing
Authors: Rezqallah Alejandra , Torres-Esquius Sara , Llop-Guevara Alba , Cruellas Mara , Martinez María T. , Romey Marcel , Denkert Carsten , Serra Violeta , Chirivella Isabel , Balmaña Judith
Published: March 2024

Homologous recombination proficiency in patients with breast cancer despite germline PALB2/RAD51C pathogenic variants.
Plasma Proteome–Based Test for First-Line Treatment Selection in Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Christopoulos Petros , Harel Michal , McGregor Kimberly , Brody Yehuda , Puzanov Igor , Bar Jair , Elon Yehonatan , Sela Itamar , Yellin Ben , Lahav Coren , Raveh Shani , Reiner-Benaim Anat , Reinmuth Niels , Nechushtan Hovav , Farrugia David , Bustinza-Linares Ernesto , Lou Yanyan , Leibowitz Raya , Kamer Iris , Zer Kuch Alona , Moskovitz Mor , Levy-Barda Adva , Koch Ina , Lotem Michal , Katzenelson Rivka , Agbarya Abed , Price Gillian , Cheley Helen , Abu-Amna Mahmoud , Geldart Tom , Gottfried Maya , Tepper Ella , Polychronis Andreas , Wolf Ido , Dicker Adam P. , Carbone David P. , Gandara David R.
Published: March 2024

PURPOSE

Current guidelines for the management of metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without driver mutations recommend checkpoint immunotherapy with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. This approach fails to account for individual patient variability and host immune factors and often results in less-than-ideal outcomes. To address the limitations of the current guidelines, we developed and subsequently blindly validated a machine learning algorithm using pretreatment plasma proteomic profiles for personalized treatment decisions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a multicenter observational trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04056247 ) of patients undergoing PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor–based therapy (n = 540) and an additional patient cohort receiving chemotherapy (n = 85) who consented to pretreatment plasma and clinical data collection. Plasma proteome profiling was performed using SomaScan Assay v4.1.

RESULTS

Our test demonstrates a strong association between model output and clinical benefit (CB) from PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor–based treatments, evidenced by high concordance between predicted and observed CB ( R2 = 0.98, P < .001). The test categorizes patients as either PROphet-positive or PROphet-negative and further stratifies patient outcomes beyond PD-L1 expression levels. The test successfully differentiates between PROphet-negative patients exhibiting high tumor PD-L1 levels (≥50%) who have enhanced overall survival when treated with a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy compared with immunotherapy alone (hazard ratio [HR], 0.23 [95% CI, 0.1 to 0.51], P = .0003). By contrast, PROphet-positive patients show comparable outcomes when treated with immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.42 to 1.44], P = .424).

CONCLUSION

Plasma proteome–based testing of individual patients, in combination with standard PD-L1 testing, distinguishes patient subsets with distinct differences in outcomes from PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor–based therapies. These data suggest that this approach can improve the precision of first-line treatment for metastatic NSCLC.
Hero's Legacy: Martial Strength and Race in Republican Chile
Authors: Walsh Sarah
Published: March 2024

This article examines the Roto Chileno war memorial in downtown Santiago as a complex site of Chilean identity making in the republican era. Conflating two separate nineteenth-century military victories over the combined forces of Bolivia and Peru, the memorial was a physical manifestation of an intricate process of identity construction that celebrated the mestizo heritage of average citizen-soldiers while also emphasizing the idea that Chileans were racially superior compared to other South American nations. The memorial being dedicated specifically to the roto, a mutable racialized term that can be perceived as pejorative even in the present, is therefore an especially evocative example of how this conceptual combination was visually rendered to access elements of white identity. Using fine art media coverage, this article highlights the entangled relationship between memory, nationalism, and race in late nineteenth-century Latin America to consider the role that militarism and masculinity play in the construction of whiteness.
Microcirculatory Impairment and Cerebral Injury in Hydrocephalus and the Effects of Cerebrospinal Fluid Diversion
Authors: Chen Kuo-Wei , Chen Yong-Ren , Yang Ling-Yu , Cheng Ya-Wen , Chou Sheng-Che , Chen Yi-Hsing , Chen Yi-Tzu , Hsieh Sung-Tsang , Kuo Meng-Fai , Wang Kuo-Chuan
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Hydrocephalus is characterized by progressive enlargement of cerebral ventricles, resulting in impaired microvasculature and cerebral hypoperfusion. This study aimed to demonstrate the microvascular changes in hydrocephalic rats and the effects of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) release on cerebral blood flow (CBF).

METHODS:

On postnatal day 21 (P21), male Wistar rats were intracisternally injected with either a kaolin suspension or saline. On P47, Evan's ratio (ER) was measured using MRI. On P49, the arteriolar diameter and vascular density of the pia were quantified using a capillary video microscope. The CBF was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry. The expressions of NeuN and glial fibrillary acidic protein determined by immunochemical staining were correlated with the ER. The CBF and rotarod test performance were recorded before and after CSF release. The expressions of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and c-caspase-3 were studied on P56.

RESULTS:

Ventriculomegaly was induced to varying degrees, resulting in the stretching and abnormal narrowing of pial arterioles, which regressed with increasing ER. Quantitative analysis revealed significant decreases in the arteriolar diameter and vascular density in the hydrocephalic group compared with those in the control group. In addition, the CBF in the hydrocephalic group decreased to 30%–50% of that in the control group. In hydrocephalus, the neurons appear distorted, and the expression of 4-HNE and reactive astrogliosis increase in the cortex. After CSF was released, improvements in the CBF and rotarod test performance were inversely associated with the ER. In addition, the levels of 4-HNE and c-caspase-3 were further elevated.

CONCLUSION:

Rapid ventricular dilatation is associated with severe microvascular distortion, vascular regression, cortical hypoperfusion, and cellular changes that impair the recovery of CBF and motor function after CSF release. Moreover, CSF release may induce reperfusion injury. This pathophysiology should be taken into account when treating hydrocephalus.
Adverse Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Scoping Review
Authors: Lapa Jorge D. S. , Duarte Joel F. S. , Campos Ana Carolina P. , Davidson Benjamin , Nestor Sean M. , Rabin Jennifer S. , Giacobbe Peter , Lipsman Nir , Hamani Clement
Published: March 2024

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an emerging therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Although adverse effects have been reported in early-phase and a few randomized clinical trials, little is known about its overall safety profile, which has been assumed to be similar to that of DBS for movement disorders. The objective of this study was to pool existing safety data on DBS for TRD. Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed was searched for English articles describing adverse outcomes after DBS for TRD. Studies were included if they reported at least 5 patients with a minimal follow-up of 6 months. After abstract (n = 607) and full-article review (n = 127), 28 articles reporting on 353 patients met criteria for final inclusion. Follow-up of the studies retrieved ranged from 12 to 96 months. Hemorrhages occurred in 0.8% of patients and infections in 10.2%. The rate of completed suicide was 2.5%. Development or worsening of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and mania occurred in 18.4%, 9.1%, and 5.1%, respectively. There were some differences between targets, but between-study heterogeneity precluded statistical comparisons. In conclusion, DBS for TRD is associated with surgical and psychiatric adverse events. Hemorrhage and infection occur at rates within an accepted range for other DBS applications. The risk of suicide after DBS for TRD is 2.5% but may not represent a significant deviation from the natural history of TRD. Finally, risks of worsening depression, anxiety, and the incidence of mania should be acknowledged when considering DBS for TRD.
Περί του παραδείγματος και της εικόνος, στο έργο του Ιωάννου Φιλοπόνου
Authors: Καλαχάνης Κωνσταντίνος
Published: March 2024

Η χριστιανική περίοδος της ελληνικής φιλοσοφικής διανοήσεως όπου εντάσσεται ο Ιωάννης Φιλόπονος, χαρακτηρίζεται από την έντονη αντιπαράθεση μεταξύ των οπαδών της έξω και της έσω φιλοσοφικής παραδόσεως, σχετικά με το ζήτημα της αιωνιότητος του κόσμου. Ο φιλόσοφος από την Αλεξάνδρεια συμμετείχε ενεργά στην αντιπαράθεση αυτή, υιοθετώντας την χριστιανική αρχή περί της παραγωγής του κόσμου χάρη στην θεϊκή επενέργεια, βάσει νοητικών αρχετύπων παρισταμένων στον θεϊκό νου. Η συμβολή επομένως της παρούσης διατριβής μέσω της μελέτης των θέσεων του φιλοσόφου περί του παραδείγματος και της εικόνος, έγκειται στον προσδιορισμό της φύσεως του κοσμικού αρχετύπου και της δυνατότητος του κόσμου να καταστεί όμοιος προς αυτό. Η μελέτη αυτή δεν περιορίζεται στην παράθεση των θέσεων του Φιλοπόνου, αλλά περιλαμβάνει και τις επιρροές που έχει υποστεί ο φιλόσοφος στο έργο του, κυρίως από την αριστοτελική φιλοσοφία αλλά και την χριστιανική διδασκαλία. Τοιουτοτρόπως θα καταστεί σαφής η θέση που λαμβάνει ο φιλόσοφος έναντι των διαφόρων φιλοσοφικών τάσεων που ανεπτύχθησαν στην ελληνική διανόηση. Η ανά χείρας διατριβή διαιρείται σε τρία τμήματα, όπου αρχικώς αναιρούνται οι θέσεις του Νεοπλατωνικού Πρόκλου αναφορικά με την φύση του παραδείγματος ως ουσίας, ενώ ακολούθως γίνεται λόγος αναφορικά με τις θέσεις του Φιλοπόνου σχετικά με την φύση του παραδείγματος. Εν συνεχεία μελετώνται οι ιδιότητες που αποδίδει ο φιλόσοφος στον κόσμο. Τέλος μελετάται η κριτική του Φιλοπόνου έναντι της θέσεως του Πρόκλου αναφορικά με την θεώρηση του κόσμου ως εικόνας του παραδείγματος, αλλά και η σχέση μιμήσεως που συμφώνως προς τον Φιλόπονο αναπτύσσεται του κόσμου και του αρχετύπου.
Development of a hydrodynamic simulation for the study of climate change and variability in the Aegean Sea
Authors: Πεταλάς Σταμάτιος
Published: March 2024

Οι ανταλλαγές υδάτων μέσω στενών διαύλων είναι ένας αρκετά σημαντικός παράγοντας διαμόρφωσης της κυκλοφορίας και των υδρογραφικών χαρακτηριστικών γειτνιαζόντων θαλασσίων λεκανών, ιδίως σε κλιματικές χρονικές κλίμακες. Ο κρίσιμος αυτός ρόλος της αλληλεπίδρασης μεταξύ της Μεσογείου και της Μαύρης Θάλασσας συχνά παραβλέπεται σε αριθμητικές μελέτες υδροδυναμικών προσομοιώσεων του Αιγαίου, οι οποίες βασίζονται κυρίως σε παραμετροποιήσεις για την περιγραφή της ανταλλαγής υδάτων, μια πρακτική που οδηγεί στην ουσία σε υδροδυναμική αποσύνδεση των δύο λεκανών. Στην παρούσα μελέτη, το σύστημα Ανατολικής Μεσογείου-Εύξεινου Πόντου προσομοιώνεται για την ιστορική περίοδο (1985-2015) με πλήρη υδροδυναμική σύζευξη των δύο λεκανών, και με χωρική έμφαση του κανάβου στο Αιγαίο Πέλαγος. Για τον σκοπό αυτό, χρησιμοποιείται ένα υδροδυναμικό πλήρως τρισδιάστατο σύστημα προσομοίωσης ωκεανών (ROMS), με ρεαλιστικές οριακές συνθήκες (ωκεάνιες, ατμοσφαιρικές και υδρολογικές). Περιγράφεται διεξοδικά η διαμόρφωση της διάταξης προσομοίωσης και αξιολογείται επισταμένα η απόδοσή της κατά τα 30 έτη της ιστορικής περιόδου. Αυτό επιτυγχάνεται με σύγκριση των αποτελεσμάτων με παρατηρησιακά δεδομένα αλλά και αποτελέσματα άλλων προσωμοιώσεων, αξιολογώντας την ορθή αναπαράσταση των επιφανειακών πεδίων, της κυκλοφορίας, των τρισδιάστατων υδρογραφικών χαρακτηριστικών, των ογκομετρικών ανταλλαγών νερού και της χωροχρονικής μεταβλητότητας των παραπάνω. Η σύγκριση δείχνει σημαντική βελτίωση σε σύγκριση με μελέτες μοντελοποίησης που δεν περιλαμβάνουν την αλληλεπίδραση με την Μαύρη Θάλασσα, καθώς και αξιόπιστη αναπαραγωγή της μεταβλητότητας του συστήματος σε χρονικές κλίμακες που κυμαίνονται από ημερήσιες έως εποχικές και δεκαετείς. Επίσης διαφαίνεται αρκετά ακριβής αναπαραγωγή των μέσων γραμμικών τάσεων μεταβολής των χαρακτηριστικών της λεκάνης, για την περίοδο αυτή των 30 ετών. Επιπλέον, λόγω της διαμόρφωσης της προσομοίωσης για ελεύθερο τρέξιμο (δηλαδή της απουσίας μεθόδων αφομοίωσης παρατηρησιακών δεδομένων), δεν απαιτούνται επιπλέον δεδομένα κατά το τρέξιμο του ομοιώματος, γεγονός που καθιστά δυνατή την αξιόπιστη επέκταση της ίδιας διάταξης για σενάρια όπου δεν υπάρχουν διαθέσιμα δεδομένα παρατήρησης, όπως για παράδειγμα σε μελλοντικές προβλέψεις. Τέλος, τα αποτελέσματα της προσομοίωσης αξιολογούνται σε επίπεδο φυσικών διεργασιών. Η ανάλυση των ογκομετρικών ροών νερού, και των ροών θερμότητας και πλευστότητας στο Αιγαίο Πέλαγος καταδεικνύει τη σημαντικότητα της επίδρασης της εισροής από τα Δαρδανέλια, στη θερμόαλη λειτουργία της λεκάνης και την ιδιαίτερη συμπεριφορά της ως περιοχής με τη μεγαλύτερη μεταβλητότητα των ροών πλευστότητας στην Ανατολική Μεσόγειο. Επιπροσθέτως, εξετάζεται η εμφάνιση θαλάσσιων και ατμοσφαιρικών καυσώνων στην περιοχή σε μια προσπάθεια να εντοπιστεί αν υφίσταται μηχανισμός ανάδρασης/αλληλοενίσχυσης μεταξύ ατμοσφαιρικών και θαλασσίων καυσώνων, με τα πρώτα αποτελέσματα να υποστηρίζουν την ύπαρξη ενός τέτοιου μηχανισμού.
The spread of the non-indigenous species Bregmaceros nectabanus Whitley, 1941 (Osteichthyes: Bregmacerotidae) in the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: CAPEZZUTO FRANCESCA , TURCO CRISTINA , GALASSO GABRIELE , SION LETIZIA , D’ONGHIA GIANFRANCO
Published: March 2024

This study reports the first record and some features of two individuals of the Lessepsian migrant species smallscale codlet, Bregmaceros nectabanus, found in the stomachs of two individuals of European hake, Merluccius merluccius, sampled in the northern Ionian Sea (eastern Mediterranean) during the MEDITS International Bottom Trawl Survey. The two European hake were collected on muddy bottoms in September 2021 at 63 m depth (39.34950 ºN; 16.52350 ºE) and at 240 m depth (39.07156 ºN; 17.12626 ºE). Their morphological traits together with otolith and scale characteristics allowed the identification of the two specimens found in the stomachs as B. nectabanus. The analysis of the stomach contents for the larger individual is also reported. This finding underlines the utility of stomach content analysis as an indirect method to study the biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems, including the spread of non-indigenous species as indicators of global warming.
Assessment of Morbidity Profile and Perceptions in regards to Physical Activity amongst Display Screen Equipment Users working in a University Located in Central Rural India: A Mixed method study
Authors: Khode Dipali , Mudey Abhay
Published: March 2024

Introduction Sedentary nature of desk job workers makes them prone to various diseases, and using display screen equipment increases the risk. This study focused on the intricate associates linked with sedentary behavior, physical activity patterns, and morbidity profiles among display screen equipment users employed at a university in central rural India. Sedentary lifestyles, particularly those prevalent in desk-based occupations, contribute significantly to non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Display screen users face additional risks such as vision-related issues, strain on eyesight, and musculoskeletal disorders. Objective The study aimed to comprehensively understand the morbidity profile and perceptions of physical activity among display screen equipment users. Method This shall be a cross-sectional study with a mixed method component conducted at a medical university located in central India from January 24 to June 2024. A sample size of 97 participants was determined based on a previous study, and data collection shall be done utilizing systematic random sampling. Data will be gathered using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Standardized Nordic Scale for musculoskeletal disorders through an online survey. Study implication This study aims to elicit morbidity patterns among Display screen users and their perceptions and practices regarding physical activity. This will also increase awareness regarding physical activity and associated morbidities regarding display screen use.
Better methods, better data: landscaping the priorities for improving methodologies in vector control
Authors: Gleave Katherine , Lees Rosemary Susan
Published: March 2024

This article addresses the evolving challenges in evaluating insecticide-based tools for vector control. In response to the emergence of insecticide resistance in major malaria vectors, novel chemistries and products are coming to market, and there is a need to review the available testing methodologies. Commonly used methods for evaluating insecticides, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) cone bioassay, are inadequate for the diverse range of tools now available. Innovation to Impact (I2I) has studied the variability in laboratory methods, with the aim of identifying key factors that contribute to variation and providing recommendations to tighten up protocols. The I2I Methods Landscape is a living document which presents a review of existing methods for evaluating vector control tools, with the scope currently extending to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual sprays (IRS). The review reveals a lack of validation for many commonly used vector control methods, highlighting the need for improved protocols to enhance reliability and robustness of the data that is generated to make decisions in product development, evaluation, and implementation. A critical aspect highlighted by this work is the need for tailored methods to measure endpoints relevant to the diverse modes of action of novel insecticides. I2I envisage that the Methods Landscape will serve as a decision-making tool for researchers and product manufacturers in selecting appropriate methods, and a means to prioritise research and development. We call for collective efforts in the pro-active development, validation, and consistent implementation of suitable methods in vector control to produce the data needed to make robust decisions.
Learning preferences of emergency medicine residents: Does context matter?
Authors: Rodriguez Allana , Hochman Steven , Steinberg Eric
Published: March 2024

Background Delivery of education varies between Emergency Medicine (EM) residencies. EM requires residents to be trained in three domains of foundational knowledge: pathophysiology, procedure skills, and clinical reasoning. The “Visual, Auditory, Read, and Kinesthetics” (VARK) learning model has been studied previously in the medical professions. These methods pertain to viewing material, listening to content, reading or writing content and to performing activities, respectively. EM residents may prefer different VARK methods, and furthermore their preferences may change depending on the foundational knowledge domain to be learned. Methods In a multi-site survey-based study, 90 EM residents of various post-graduate year (PGY) levels completed a 30-question questionnaire on SurveyMonkey™ about their learning preferences of the foundational knowledge based on the VARK learning model. Demographic information was obtained. Data was analyzed via a Kruskal-Wallis test and followed by post-hoc analyses for statistical significance. Results For clinical knowledge questions, EM residents favored Kinesthetics, followed closely by Vision (p = 0.0010). For pathophysiology, they overwhelmingly favored Vision over other learning methods (p <.0001). For procedure questions, they preferred Vision, followed closely by Kinesthetics (p <.0001). PGY1 residents had a higher preference for Kinesthetic (p = 0.0198) and PGY3-4 residents had a slightly higher preference for Read and Vision learning methods (Read p = 0.0234, Vision p = 0.0131). These results are statistically significant. There was no significant difference between residents of different genders in learning preferences. Conclusion Emergency medicine residents may prefer different learning methods depending on the content of material being learned. A relatively small sample size is a limitation of the study. Future studies could investigate if tailoring educational delivery to residents’ preferences may improve outcomes.
Comparing energy system optimization models and integrated assessment models: Relevance for energy policy advice
Authors: Henke Hauke , Dekker Mark , Lombardi Francesco , Pietzcker Robert , Fragkos Panagiotis , Zakeri Behnam , Rodrigues Renato , Sitarz Joanna , Emmerling Johannes , Fattahi Amir , Dalla Longa Francesco , Tatarewicz Igor , Fotiou Theofano , Lewarski Michał , Huppmann Daniel , Kavvadias Kostas , van der Zwaan Bob , Usher Will
Published: March 2024

Background The transition to a climate neutral society such as that envisaged in the European Union Green Deal requires careful and comprehensive planning. Integrated assessment models (IAMs) and energy system optimisation models (ESOMs) are both commonly used for policy advice and in the process of policy design. In Europe, a vast landscape of these models has emerged and both kinds of models have been part of numerous model comparison and model linking exercises. However, IAMs and ESOMs have rarely been compared or linked with one another. Methods This study conducts an explorative comparison and identifies possible flows of information between 11 of the integrated assessment and energy system models in the European Climate and Energy Modelling Forum. The study identifies and compares regional aggregations and commonly reported variables. We define harmonised regions and a subset of shared result variables that enable the comparison of scenario results across the models. Results The results highlight how power generation and demand development are related and driven by regional and sectoral drivers. They also show that demand developments like for hydrogen can be linked with power generation potentials such as onshore wind power. Lastly, the results show that the role of nuclear power is related to the availability of wind resources. Conclusions This comparison and analysis of modelling results across model type boundaries provides modellers and policymakers with a better understanding of how to interpret both IAM and ESOM results. It also highlights the need for community standards for region definitions and information about reported variables to facilitate future comparisons of this kind. The comparison shows that regional aggregations might conceal differences within regions that are potentially of interest for national policy makers thereby indicating a need for national-level analysis.
Belarusian economy in the face of Western sanctions
Authors: Kosowska Katarzyna , Kosowski Piotr
Published: March 2024

In recent years, Belarus has been developing in conditions of extreme turbulence and uncertainty of socio-economic development due to the intensification of external and internal threats, undermining the possibilities of sustainable and balanced economic growth. Among the key external threats, we should mention: the rapid increase in geopolitical tensions after the rigged presidential elections in Belarus in August 2020 and the unprecedented pressure of sanctions from Western countries on the economy of Belarus and Russia after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The broken dialogue with the West deprived President Lukashenko of the possibility of balancing between the EU and Russia, especially in the economic field. This article analyzes the condition of the Belarusian economy against the background of Western sanctions imposed on the country in 2020 and 2022.
The genome sequence of the grey top shell, Steromphala cineraria (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Adkins Patrick , Mrowicki Robert , Harley Joanna , Mieszkowska Nova , Ferreira João G. R. N. ,   Marine Biological Association Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: March 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual Steromphala cineraria (the grey topshell; Mollusca; Gastropoda; Trochida; Trochidae). The genome sequence is 1,270 megabases in span. Most of the assembly (99.23%) is scaffolded into 18 chromosomal pseudomolecules.
Case Report: Intrahepatic cholestasis: a diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Acharya Udit , Panthi Ram Chandra , Shrestha Roshan , Pandey Bimal , Adhikari Sudeep , Koirala Janak , Basnyat Buddha
Published: March 2024

Cholestasis is an impairment of bile formation or bile flow. The mechanisms of cholestasis can be broadly classified into intrahepatic and extrahepatic. Most of the time, etiology can be determined with proper history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing including laboratory and imaging tests. This is a case report of a patient with severe cholestasis who underwent extensive evaluation to determine the etiology of intrahepatic cholestasis. This Case Report details a 28-year-old male who presented with seven days’ history of yellowish discoloration of eyes, the passage of dark-colored urine, generalized body itching, and the passage of clay-colored stool. The patient had no similar episode in the past. Laboratory investigations showed unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and increased alkaline phosphatase. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography was unremarkable and liver biopsy was suggestive of cholestatic pattern and negative for acute hepatitis. The bilirubin level started decreasing after a month. The etiology of intrahepatic cholestasis remained unknown. Genotyping could not be done due to limited available resources. It may have helped to diagnose familial hepatocellular cholestasis such as benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. Gamma-glutamyl transferase is normal or mildly elevated in patients with BRIC. A similar picture was seen in our case as well. If the patient presents again with similar symptoms and findings, we can consider the diagnosis of BRIC.
Historical spatial structures in small towns and their role in the cultural landscape: a case study of towns in the polish region of Warmia
Authors: Zagroba Marek
Published: March 2024

Historical town centers have a different layout and functions than do contemporary urban districts. The urban layout and architecture of medieval towns constitute tangible cultural heritage that shapes the local landscape. The aim of this study was to analyze and evaluate historical spatial structures in small towns, and to describe their role in the evolution of the regional cultural landscape.The study examined medieval towns in the region of Warmia in north-eastern Poland. An attempt was also made to explore the impact that historical towns exert on the local cultural landscape. The study demonstrated that a medieval urban spatial layout makes a fundamental contribution to the local landscape and regional identity. The study also revealed that well-preserved historical structurescan drive local development and effectively promote regions.
Submicroscopic changes of type II alveolocytes in the late development of experimental acute pancreatitis
Authors: Zaiats Liubomyr , Pasichnyk Olga , Zukow Walery
Published: March 2024

Background. Today, acute pancreatitis is one of the most common and severe visceral disorders in patients worldwide. The aim of the work was to study the dynamics of ultrastructural changes of type II alveolocytes in the long-term periods of development of experimental acute pancreatitis. Material and methods. The experiments were carried out on 54 white Wistar male rats weighing 180–220 g. The animals were divided into three groups: first — intact, second — control, third — experimental with a model of acute pancreatitis, which was reproduced by intraperitoneal administration of a 20% solution of L-arginine at a total dose of 5 g/kg at one-hour interval. The control group of animals was intraperitoneally injected with an equivalent dose of isotonic sodium chloride solution. All research were performed under sodium thiopental anesthesia at the rate of 60 mg/kg body weight. Lung tissue for electron microscopic examination was collected from the lower lobe of the left lung at 3–5 and 7 days. Pieces of lung tissue measuring 1×1×1 mm were fixed in a 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution, followed by additional fixation in a 1% osmium tetroxide solution. After dehydration, the material was poured into Epon-Araldite. Sections with a thickness of 20–50 nm obtained on “Tesla BS-490” ultramicrotome were studied in a PEM-125K electron microscope. Results. It was found that three days after the start of the study, along with dystrophic-destructive changes, type II alveolocytes in a state of increased functional activity were observed. Continuation of the experiment (5 days) leads to the progression of ultrastructural changes in type II alveolocytes are determined, which are most pronounced on the 7 day of the study. Conclusion. Acute experimental pancreatitis is accompanied by marked changes in the ultrastructural structure of type II alveolocytes. The nature and severity of structural changes of type II alveolocytes depends on the duration of the course of arginine-induced acute pancreatitis.
Corporate Governance and Related Party Transactions in Global Supply Chains
Authors: Lee Seungrae , Lim Michael K. , Park Seung Jae , Seshadri Sridhar
Published: March 2024

Problem definition: As related party transactions (RPTs) increase in global supply chains, understanding the impact of corporate governance on such transactions becomes crucial for businesses. RPTs often lead to operational diversion due to power disparities between parent and its subsidiaries. In this study, we explore how operational diversion in RPTs within multinational firms is affected by the roles of foreign subsidiaries and corporate governance mechanisms. Methodology/results: Using a unique data set on RPTs of Korean multinational firms from 2006 to 2013, we compare the performance of multinational firms engaging in RPTs with two types of foreign subsidiaries: vertical and horizontal. We conduct our empirical analysis based on the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Korea in 2011, which acts as a policy shock affecting corporate governance and deterring operational diversion. Our results show that the improvement in operational performance of a multinational firm following the IFRS adoption is more significant when the parent firm engages in transactions with vertical subsidiaries compared with horizontal ones. We further show that strong corporate governance mechanisms, such as internal governance, institutional ownership, and large shareholders, play a crucial role in restraining operational diversion in RPTs involving vertical subsidiaries. Managerial implications: The implications of our study extend to shareholders and auditors, highlighting the importance of prioritizing monitoring efforts concerning a parent firm’s RPTs with vertical subsidiaries, especially when corporate governance mechanisms are weak. In contrast, RPTs with horizontal subsidiaries are relatively robust against operational diversion, making them a natural deterrent to such malpractices.

Funding: This work was supported by the Institute of Management Research at Seoul National University, the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Research Fund [2023], and the Research Fellowship Fund of the Sangnam Institute of Management, Yonsei University [2020-22-0007].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0372 .
Fighting heart failure in Northern Ireland: are we up to the challenge?
Authors: Donnelly Edith
Published: March 2024

In order to meet the goal of the 25in25 initiative to reduce heart failure mortality by 25% in the next 25 years, Edith Donnelly calls on health professionals in Northern Ireland to rise up to the challenge and play their part in improving heart failure care.
EFL Learners and EFL Teaching in Türkiye: Native English-speaking Teachers’ Views
Authors: Gerede Hoyland İlke Menekşe , Çamlıbel Acar Zeynep Cumhur
Published: March 2024

Many native English-speaking teachers (NESTs) work in Türkiye. NESTs as well as non-native English-speaking teachers (NNESTs) are the major stakeholders, and thus their views and experiences are worth exploring. Despite the ample research on NNESTs’ views, there is a scarcity of those of NESTs. This qualitative case study with four NESTs working at primary and secondary levels of a private school in Istanbul, aims to provide insights into their experiences with Turkish EFL learners and the EFL teaching and learning context in Türkiye. Data collected through an open-ended questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were analyzed qualitatively using the thematic analysis technique. Findings showed that Turkish EFL students are perceived as motivated, respectful, competitive and product-oriented learners, preferring more conventional practices like memorization and individual study. While oral fluency in English is seen as their strength, accuracy and literacy skills are evaluated as areas in need of development. The overall experience of the NESTs and their views about their work environment and colleagues are positive, yet factors such as the management style of the administrators, attitude of parents and their own incompetence in Turkish affect their views negatively and challenge them.
Unrequited Lust: Potiphar’s Wife and Joseph—Examining Jewish and Christian Views
Authors: Zucker David J.
Published: March 2024

precis: This essay discusses how the Potiphar’s wife/Joseph interactions described in Genesis 39 are dealt with by sources both within Jewish tradition and from a Christian viewpoint. The Jewish sources begin with examples from the Late Second Temple period and beyond, followed by illustrations from midrashim from the ancient world and commentaries through the present. The events in Genesis 39 are then explored by way of Christian sources from the Patristics (church Fathers) through examples from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries.
Introduction: Earthshots from Haiti
Authors: Dirksen Rebecca
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This long-awaited special issue on the environment is a collaborative effort involving many people, especially Lois Wilcken and Rose Elfman. Proposed after years of prompting by our visionary elder LeGrace Benson, this volume has unfolded during a period that has seen many dramatic and complicated changes in Haiti, across the world at large, and in the individual lives that are woven through and touched by these pages. We’ve collectively been unsettled by the COVID pandemic, the political violence that has marred daily life and governance in Haiti and well beyond, and the uncertainty of a world struggling to look forward while wrestling with its messy past and present. While the urgency of day-to-day survival constricts the breath of so many, often making it impossible to see beyond immediate circumstances, the once seemingly far-off threats from anthropogenic global warming, climate change, and environmental destruction now loom mightily.
The Ceremonial Bath, a Surrender to the Spirits
Authors: Louissaint Guilberly
Published: March 2024

Abstract: In a time of ecological devastation, Haiti must once again turn to its sacred ecologies. Vodou is the lifeline of Haitian national identity, serving multiple social functions, “healing” among them. This piece argues that Haitian Vodou is a model of ecological healing that runs counter to Western medicine, a biologically reductionist system grounded in the ecological, racialized scientific research-based exploitation of the island and its inhabitants. Focusing on the history of ritual bathing through the rise of balneological science in Saint-Domingue, I argue that the question of health in Haiti encompasses a larger colonial relationship with empire-making that is tied to the subjugation of sacred epistemologies and their ecologies––a history that tethers humanity to the Earth and the spirits.
Zantray lan Ginen : Performing the Feminine and Haiti’s Sacred Spaces
Authors: Melyon-Reinette Stéphanie
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Here we come together as Caribbean artists committed to ecofeminist activism and the sacred sanctuaries that support life in this era of climate disaster . The multilateral conversation Zantray lan Ginen , which could be translated as “Afro-fertilized or Africa-fertilizing wombs,” is an exploration of the interconnectedness between Haiti and the Caribbean through Vodou, the kinships between women’s wombs and nature, and the sacredness that traverses those circles. At the crossroads of performance studies and environmentalism, this conversation brings together the creative ecologies and speech flows of four female artists: Haitian choreographer, artist and performer Linda Isabelle François Obas, interdisciplinary artist Oceana James from Saint Croix (US Virgin Islands), Cuban dancer-choreographer Yaima Santana Galindo, and me, Stéphanie Melyon-Reinette, a performer-choreographer from Guadeloupe. I met each of these other artists during my own artistic peregrinations in Cuba, Haiti, and Puerto Rico.
Relationship between turbulent image variance and average image gradient
Authors: Potvin Guy
Published: March 2024

Optical turbulence can cause substantial distortions in imaging over long horizontal paths. For Lambertian objects, these distortions are only seen where there is a gradient in the object’s radiance. It is possible to establish a relationship between the intensity variance of a turbulent image and the average image’s gradient squared. We test the validity of a linear relationship between these quantities using turbulent imaging data. We find that it performs reasonably well for weak and intermediate optical turbulence regimes, but that some discrepancies remain to be explained.
Ultra-high order mode-assisted optical differentiator for edge detection with high tunability
Authors: Wu Chengyu , Tang Yanbin , Shi Jian , Li Cuicui , He Wenli , Xu Gangbin , Wu Jian , Wang Xianping
Published: March 2024

An optical spatial differentiator based on the photonic spin Hall effect (PSHE) with high tunability is presented. By utilizing the characteristics of ultra-high order modes in the symmetrical metal cladding waveguide, the Fresnel reflection coefficient spectrum exhibits a narrow peak width and low trough at the resonant incident angles, resulting in high sensitivity to changes in the incident angle-induced spatial shift caused by the PSHE (the highest ∂(|r
s
/r
p
|)/∂θ value can reach 107). After polarization transformation and extinction, the output field demonstrates differential operation with respect to the input field. When applied to edge detection, our differentiator can achieve tunable resolution edge images by adjusting the incident angle. Our proposed edge detection scheme has potential applications for cellular and molecular imaging through two-dimensional extension via the target rotation.
Easily variable and scalable terahertz pulse source based on tilted-pulse-front pumped semiconductors
Authors: Krizsán Gergő , Tibai Zoltán , Tóth György , Hebling János , Pálfalvi László
Published: March 2024

A new type of terahertz source containing only two optical elements - a volume phase holographic grating, and a semiconductor nonlinear slab - is proposed. The setup does not require any microstructuring, has only one diffraction order, and can be scaled to large pump sizes without any principal limitations. Furthermore, it can be easily adapted to different pump wavelengths and THz phase-matching frequencies. The Fresnel loss at the boundary of the materials can be significant at conventional pump polarizations (s-pol), but a single-layer anti-reflection (AR) coating can reduce it. Pumping such a setup with polarization in the dispersion plane (p-pol, TM mode) can reduce the effective nonlinear polarization and consequently the terahertz generation efficiency. However, in the absence of AR coating, this reduction is overcompensated by the reduced Fresnel loss.
Multi-colour reflective metagrating with neutral transparency for augmented reality
Authors: Magno Giovanni , Dagens Béatrice , D’Orazio Antonella , Gauthier-Lafaye Olivier
Published: March 2024

This paper presents the design and experimental validation of an all-dielectric and transparent metagrating-based metalens. Leveraging multiple guided mode resonances simultaneously, the metagrating enables the generation of two or more spectrally narrow reflection peaks. These peaks are achieved through the precise engineering of guided mode resonances, allowing for the reflection of a comb of vibrant and saturated colours. In addition to the investigation of underlying mechanisms, we introduce an analytical numerical method that facilitates rapid engineering of the spectral positions of the reflection peak comb. Experimental validation is provided for a bichromatic sample. Such metagrating can be promising for augmented reality systems, supporting individuals with mild to moderate cognitive impairments by delivering visual and textual stimuli that can improve indoor navigation, home safety, communication, and decision-making.
Auxiliary-cavity-enhanced quantum estimation of optorotational-coupling strength
Authors: Peng Jia-Xin , Liu Zeng-Xing , Asjad Muhammad , Akhtar Naeem
Published: March 2024

A scheme is proposed to achieve significantly enhanced quantum estimation of optorotational-coupling (ORC) strength by coupling a driven auxiliary cavity to a Laguerre–Gaussian (L–G) rotational cavity, where the ORC originates from the exchange of orbital angular momentum between a L–G light and rotational mirror. The results indicate that, by appropriately designing the auxiliary-cavity mechanism, the estimation error of the ORC parameter is significantly reduced, and revealing the estimation precision has a much stronger thermal noise and dissipation robustness in comparison with the unassisted case. Our study paves the way toward achieving high-precision quantum sensors.
Exploring global symmetry-breaking superradiant phase via phase competition
Authors: Li Hai-Chao , Huang Wen , Xiong Wei
Published: March 2024

Superradiant phase transitions play a fundamental role in understanding the mechanism of collective light–matter interaction at the quantum level. Here we investigate multiple superradiant phases and phase transitions with different symmetry-breaking patterns in a two-mode V-type Dicke model. Interestingly, we show that there exists a quadruple point where one normal phase, one global symmetry-breaking superradiant phase, and two local symmetry-breaking superradiant phases meet. Such a global phase results from the phase competition between two local superradiant phases and cannot occur in the standard Λ- and Ξ-type three-level configurations in quantum optics. Moreover, we exhibit a sequential first-order quantum phase transition from one local to the global again to the other local superradiant phase. Our study opens up a perspective of exploring multilevel quantum critical phenomena with global symmetry breaking.
Event-based x-ray imager with ghosting-free scintillator film
Authors: Zhang Ao , Pang Jincong , Wu Haodi , Tan Qingwen , Zheng Zhiping , Xu Ling , Tang Jiang , Niu Guangda
Published: March 2024

Dynamic x-ray imagers have undergone extensive study due to their wide-ranging applications. However, as frame rates and resolutions increase, the accompanying growth in data volume imposes constraints on system capabilities, including data transmission, temporal bandwidth, processing capability, and power consumption. Herein we present a demonstration of an event-based x-ray imager that integrates Cs5Cu3Cl6I2 scintillator film, free from ghosting, with an event-based vision sensor. Each pixel operates autonomously, producing a signal only upon detecting a change in contrast intensity. The Cs5Cu3Cl6I2 scintillator film exhibits minimal ghosting artifacts (0.1%), which is a significant improvement compared to a conventional CsI:Tl scintillator (4.1%). The assembled imaging system finds practical applications in radiography and edge sharpening, achieving an impressive data compression ratio of 23.7%. Remarkably, this ratio is equivalent to the performance of intricate and energy-intensive software-based computing processes.