bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bearing Performance Analysis of the Thermal and Surface Roughness Effects by Finite Element Method on Slider Bearings Through Non‐Newtonian Fluid‐Type Lubricant
Authors: Tessema Girma Desu , Derese Getachew Adamu , Tiruneh Awoke Andargie
Published: December 2024

The finite element method was used in this study to explore the impact of surface roughness and thermal characteristics on slider bearings with non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid flow lubricant. One‐dimensional transverse and longitudinal surface roughness models were considered under the stochastic assumption that roughness has a Gaussian random distribution. For improved computing efficiency, the surface’s uneven texture is transformed into a regular domain. For non‐Newtonian power‐law lubrication, a modified Reynolds equation was developed. The pressure distribution of the combined effect is less than that of the surface roughness and thermal effect in longitudinal surface roughness for all non‐Newtonian parameters n and M⊛ values. As a result, there is an 1.6% reduction in load‐carrying capacity performance and negligible friction force for nonparallel w = 0.4 between the thermal effect and surface roughness. Nevertheless, for all non‐Newtonian parameters n and M⊛ values, the pressure distribution of the thermal effect in the transverse roughness model is smaller than that of the combined and surface roughness effects. Consequently, there is an 8.9% reduction in load‐carrying capacity performance and a negligible friction force for nonparallel w = 0.4 between the surface roughness effect and the thermal effect condition, respectively. Additionally, the combined impacts at different temperatures were examined. As a result, in longitudinal models, the load‐carrying capacity performance is better when the slider temperature is higher than the pad temperature, and vice versa for transverse models. Surface roughness and non‐Newtonian power‐law fluid characteristics generally enhance the performance of a slider bearing. Tables and graphs were employed to present the results.
Telerobotic Versus Standard Ultrasound in the Assessment of the Abdomen and Pelvis: A Real‐World Prospective Study
Authors: Luengo Gómez David , Salmerón Ruiz Ángela , Romero Manjón María Isabel , Medina Benítez Antonio , Láinez Ramos-Bossini Antonio Jesús
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Telerobotic ultrasound has emerged as a promising technology in medicine, especially in settings with limited medical access or a lack of specialized personnel. However, there are very few studies evaluating its usefulness in real‐world clinical practice.

Objective: This study evaluates the usefulness of abdominopelvic telerobotic ultrasound in a real‐world practice setting.

Methods: A prospective study was performed in a cohort of adult patients who underwent abdominal ultrasound in a remote secondary hospital for suspected abdominal or pelvic pathology. Examinations were performed by an on‐site technician and a remote abdominal radiologist. Satisfaction of patients and explorers, scan times, quality of visualization of anatomical structures, and ultrasound findings were measured and compared with standard ultrasound examinations performed by an on‐site radiologist blinded to telerobotic ultrasound findings. Multivariate analyses were performed to predict variables related to the visualization quality of abdominopelvic organs.

Results: The sample included 40 patients (60% women; mean age, 51.2 ± 16.1 years; 35% overweight and 17.5% obese). Significant differences in ultrasound duration were observed between telerobotic ultrasound and standard ultrasound (27.4 ± 8.3 and 12.7 ± 3.1 min, respectively; p < 0.001). The mean satisfaction of radiologists, technicians, and patients with telerobotic ultrasound was high (7.35 ± 1.14 for radiologists, 7.93 ± 0.83 for technicians, and 8.43 ± 1.38 for patients). Visualization of anatomical structures was acceptable for most organs on telerobotic ultrasound but significantly worse than conventional ultrasound when “excellent visualization” was the reference standard. In addition, telerobotic ultrasound did not identify potentially relevant findings in a significant (70%) proportion of patients.

Conclusions: Telerobotic ultrasound offers acceptable results in the assessment of abdominopelvic organs and can help provide adequate healthcare to patients in locations with limited access to radiology specialists. However, there are significant limitations compared to standard ultrasound for their optimal evaluation.
Phylogeographic Structure of Five‐Toed Jerboas of the Genus Scarturus (Dipodoidea and Allactaginae) With Taxonomic Clarification in Türkiye
Authors: Olgun Karacan Gül , Çolak Reyhan , Yiğit Nuri , Kandemir İrfan , Özkurt Şakir Önder , Çolak Ercüment
Published: December 2024

Understanding the genetic structure and phylogeographic patterns of Scarturus species is crucial for accurately delineating their taxonomic status and informing conservation strategies. This study explores the genetic differentiation of Scarturus williamsi, S. aulacotis, and S. elater species complex across Turkish populations by analyzing mitochondrial (Cytb, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA) and nuclear (IRBP) gene sequences. Our phylogenetic analyses have firmly established the monophyly and distinct species status of S. williamsi and S. aulacotis (formerly known as S. euphraticus), challenging previous subspecies classifications. Within S. williamsi, we identified five distinct lineages from Cytb sequences, illustrating a complex population structure shaped by geographical and ecological factors. Notably, the Niğde population emerged as a unique and ancient lineage, likely influenced by historical isolation. Our findings further indicate that S. aulacotis encompasses two divergent lineages, one spanning Syrian samples and the other Turkish and Iranian samples, both now classified under the revised taxonomy of S. aulacotis. Analysis of the S. elater species complex unveiled three distinct subclades, with the Turkish population aligning closely with Iranian and Armenian samples, identified as S. indicus aralychensis within the S. indicus superspecies.
The prevalence of occult malignancy in women undergoing hysterectomy or myomectomy for benign indications and the impact of morcellation on survival outcomes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Jiang Dan , Liu Hongxuan , Huang Kui , Chen Yan , Liu Qiao , Shu Chuqiang , Tian Qi
Published: December 2024

Introduction
Uterine fibroids (UFs), also known as leiomyomas, are the most common benign gynecological tumors. Currently, morcellation is discouraged owing to the risk of disseminating undetected malignancies. This study aims to update the prevalence data on occult malignancies in surgeries for suspected benign uterine lesions and analyze the impact of treatment strategies on survival outcomes in patients with occult malignancies.
Methods
Five English-language literature databases were systematically searched up to July 25, 2024, for studies reporting the incidence of occult malignancies in patients with suspected UFs and their survival outcomes. The study was preregistered on PROSPERO(CRD42024580233).
Results
A total of 34 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled incidence of occult malignancies, calculated via a random effects model, was 2.88 (2.10-3.94) per 1,000 individuals. Significant regional variations were observed in the subgroup comparisons (p<0.01). Moreover, morcellation did not significantly affect progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.86 - 1.84, p = 0.240) or overall survival (OS) (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.70 - 1.82, p = 0.614). Pooled HR analysis revealed that chemotherapy significantly improved PFS (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.32-0.77; p = 0.002) and OS (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.28-0.87; p = 0.015).
Conclusions
The incidence of occult malignancies in women undergoing hysterectomy or myomectomy for benign conditions is approximately 2.88 per 1,000 individuals. Morcellation does not impact survival outcomes, whereas adjuvant chemotherapy provides a survival benefit. Further well-designed clinical trials are needed to validate these findings.
Novel PIBF1 Pathogenic Variant in Three Siblings with Joubert Syndrome Type 33
Authors: Aynekin Busra , Samur Bahadır M. , Ozgul Gumus Ummu Gulsum , Bilguvar Kaya , Gulec Ayten , Efthymiou Stephanie , Gumus Hakan , Caglayan Ahmet Okay , Per Huseyin
Published: December 2024

Background: Joubert syndrome type 33 (JBTS33) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by developmental delay, severe renal disease, hypotonia/ataxia, cerebellar vermian hypoplasia/aplasia, optic nerve atrophy, renal atrophy, and the "molar tooth sign" on imaging. Nearly 40 genes associated with Joubert syndrome have been identified, including CEP290, TMEM216, TMEM67, AHI1, and CC2D2A. Methods: We report a consanguineous family with JBTS33 diagnosed through whole-exome sequencing. A novel biallelic homozygous nonsense mutation (ENST00000326291.11: c.1231C>T; p. Arg411Ter) in PIBF1, Progesterone-Induced Blocking Factor 1, was identified. Results: Our study included three patients with the same homozygous mutation in PIBF1, which contributed to clinical features such as psychomotor issues, dysmorphic features, hypotonia/ataxia, kidney failure, and possibly seizures. All three patients seizures have been eliminated after phenobarbital administration. This mutation has not been reported in public databases. Conclusion: This study confirmed PIBF1 as a disease-causing gene for JBTS33, expanding the molecular and clinical spectrum of JBTS. Our findings underscore the importance of identifying the genetic underpinnings and phenotypic expansions of PIBF1 mutations. Enhanced diagnostic awareness can facilitate early intervention and management. Further research is required to elucidate the relationship between PIBF1 mutations and associated clinical manifestations.
Keywords: Joubert Syndrome, PIBF1, Developmental Delay, Renal Cystic Dysplasia, Retinal, Molar tooth sign, WES.
Effectiveness of First-line Empirical Treatment in Portugal: data from the European Registry on Helicobacter pylori Management (Hp-EuReg)
Authors: Viegas Maria Inês , Areia Miguel , Elvas Luís , Marcos-Pinto Ricardo , Mendes Henrique , Alves Susana , Brito Daniel , Saraiva Sandra , Cadime Ana Teresa , Cano-Català Anna , Parra Pablo , Moreira Leticia , Mégraud Francis , O'Morain Colm , P. Nyssen Olga , Gisbert Javier P. ,   on behalf of the Hp-EuReg investigators
Published: December 2024

Introduction: As Portugal exhibits some of the highest gastric cancer rates in Europe, optimizing the H. pylori eradication rate is imperative. We aimed to describe H. pylori treatment regimens in Portugal, within a real clinical practice setting.
Methods: Prospective cohort study of the Portuguese patients diagnosed with H. pylori between May 2013 and December 2022, within the European Registry on H. pylori management (Hp-EuReg). The demographic and clinical data, diagnostic methods, treatment regimens and prescriptions trends with their effectiveness were analysed by modified intention-to-treat (mITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses.
Results: Overall, 700 cases, mainly from 2 centers (98% of cases), were included, with 59% females, with a mean age of 54±15 years. Treatment-naïve patients encompassed 81% of cases. Overall compliance (>90% drug intake) was reported in 99% of cases. Overall effectiveness was 87%, both by mITT and PP analyses. The triple PPI-clarithromycin-amoxicillin therapy decreased from 29% in 2013 to 0% in 2022. Conversely, both quadruple concomitant PPI-clarithromycin-amoxicillin-metronidazole and PPI-bismuth-metronidazole-tetracycline therapies were predominantly used from 2016 onwards, with PPI-bismuth-metronidazole-tetracycline representing 76% of all prescriptions in 2022, achieving an overall mITT effectiveness of 92% and 91%, respectively.
Conclusion: In Portugal, concomitant quadruple therapy with PPI-clarithromycin-amoxicillin-metronidazole and bismuth quadruple with PPI-bismuth-metronidazole-tetracycline, provided both optimal (>90%) effectiveness, in line with results of other Southern European countries.
Exploring the perceived risk of complications in endoscopic screening procedures
Authors: Silva João Carlos , Dinis-Ribeiro Mário , Tavares Fernando , Libânio Diogo
Published: December 2024

Background&Aims: Endoscopy holds a pivotal role in colorectal (CRC) and gastric cancer screening, and adherence rates might be impacted by the patient's risk perception, encompassing concerns about complications during endoscopic screening procedures. This study aimed to evaluate how individuals perceive the risk of complications associated with undergoing a screening colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE).
Methods: Cross-sectional study enrolling individuals eligible for CRC screening in northern Portugal, where a populational fecal occult blood test program is implemented. The validated PERCEPT-PREVENT tool was applied through telephonic interviews in 2 groups: a) never-screened, and b) already submitted to endoscopic screening.
Results: Among the 217 included healthy participants, 61% (n=133) and 83% (n=181) were unaware of any possible complications from colonoscopy and UGIE, respectively. Never-screened individuals less frequently reported a high complication risk perception (colonoscopy 19% vs 45%; p<0.001; UGIE 14% vs 41%; p<0.001). A lower risk perception for UGIE complications was associated with a higher willingness to undergo UGIE combined with a screening colonoscopy (OR 2.30, 95%CI 1.42-3.70). Participants who underwent combined screening reported less frequently a high complication risk perception (colonoscopy 27% vs 61%; p<0.001; UGIE 28% vs 54%; p=0.006) and scored higher for complication awareness (colonoscopy: 14±5 vs 11±4; p<0.001; UGIE: 11±4 vs 9±3; p<0.001) compared to those who had only undergone colonoscopy.
Discussion: Enhancing risk perception and knowledge of complications associated with endoscopic screening procedures offers an opportunity to increase adherence rates.
Genome‐Wide European Ancestry Study Identifies Coronary Artery Disease–Associated Loci Through Gene–Sex Hormone Interaction
Authors: Jain Vardhmaan , Dabbs‐Brown Amonae , Liu Chang , Hui Qin , Mehta Anurag , Wilson Peter W.F. , Quyyumi Arshed A. , Sun Yan V.
Published: December 2024

Background

Although sex differences in coronary artery disease (CAD) risk have been observed, little is known about the role of sex hormones in CAD genetics. Accounting for sex hormone levels may help identify CAD‐risk loci and extend our knowledge of its genetic architecture.

Methods and Results

A total of 365 662 individuals of European ancestry enrolled in the UK Biobank were considered. Genetic interaction of total testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and SHBG (sex hormone‐binding globulin) were evaluated. Gene–environment interactions in millions of samples software was used to conduct sex‐stratified genome‐wide interaction analysis with prevalent CAD as the outcome. Participant age at enrollment and principal components 1 to 10 were adjusted as covariates. We identified 45 loci in men and 8 loci in women that reached genome‐wide significance (
P
 < 5 × 10
−8
) for CAD. Ten of the loci identified (5 loci in both men and women) were through joint effects and would not have been picked up using a traditional genome‐wide association study. Two of the joint effect loci in women were independently identified with significant single nucleotide polymorphism‐total testosterone interactions.

Conclusions

This genome‐wide gene–sex hormone interaction study identified genomic‐risk loci that may contribute to the differential CAD risk between men and women, which otherwise would not have been discovered in a traditional genome‐wide association study solely including marginal genetic effects.
Long‐Term Statin Use Is Associated With Reduced Rates of Adverse Events in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Huang Ting‐Chun , Yap Li‐Hao , Chen Chao‐Yu , Lin Hui‐Wen , Lin Sheng‐Hsiang , Li Yi‐Heng
Published: December 2024

Background

The effectiveness of statin use in preventing adverse cardiovascular events in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF) has remained uncertain. This study aimed to assess whether statin use could lead to better outcomes among individuals with AF.

Methods and Results

We enrolled 397 787 patients with AF from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2020. Patients with AF were divided into 2 groups (statin user and statin nonuser), and the risks of composite outcomes (including ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack), all‐cause death, and major adverse cardiovascular events (which encompassed cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure hospitalization) were analyzed. We analyzed 288 958 patients with newly diagnosed AF (mean age, 73 years; 44% women; mean CHA
2
DS
2
‐VASc score, 3.5). Compared with patients without statin use, statin users had lower risks of composite end points (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.91 [95% CI, 0.87–0.94];
P
<0.01). In regard to all‐cause death, statin users exhibited a 67% risk reduction compared with statin nonusers (adjusted HR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.32–0.33];
P
<0.01). Statin use was also associated with reduced incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (adjusted HR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.63–0.66];
P
<0.01). In the subgroups stratified by CHA
2
DS
2
‐VASc score, statin therapy was particularly effective for patients with CHA
2
DS
2
‐VASc scores 0 to 3 for composite end points but consistently reduced all‐cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events across all score categories.

Conclusions

Among patients with newly diagnosed AF, statin use was associated with lower risk of ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, all‐cause mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events.
Increased Plasma
β
‐Secretase 1 Activity Correlates With Neurodegeneration in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Su Ya , Wang Qiong , Gao Feng , Xu Jiajie , Fu Jiayu , Ying Yunqing , Xia Yiwei , Wang Xiaoxiao , Dong Qiang , Shen Yong , Cheng Xin
Published: December 2024

Background

β
‐secretase 1 (BACE1) plays a key role in amyloidogenic pathway and is considered a new mechanism for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). We explore the potential role of plasma BACE1 in CSVD and the pathological process it may be involved in.

Methods and Results

We enrolled 163 participants with CSVD (114 cerebral amyloid angiopathy and 49 hypertensive hemorrhage), and 96 cognitively unimpaired elders and 40 participants with Alzheimer's disease as controls. We measured BACE1 activity using a synthetic fluorescence substrate enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We used regression models to investigate associations between BACE1 and imaging and blood markers as well as clinical outcomes in CSVD. Plasma BACE1 activity was significantly higher in CSVD (median 862.0 relative fluorescence units [RFU], interquartile range 700.6–1032.9) compared with elder controls (522.5 RFU, 438.3–662.1,
P
<0.001) but lower than Alzheimer's disease (964.0 RFU, 838.4–1225.0,
P
=0.032). For CSVD, there was an association between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid BACE1 activity (β=0.50,
P
=0.030). Plasma BACE1 activity was negatively associated with hippocampal volume (coefficient −2.40,
P
<0.001), and positively associated with blood neurofilament light chain (coefficient 0.08,
P
<0.001) and total tau (coefficient 0.15,
P
=0.006) but not with specific cerebrovascular imaging markers. During 2‐year follow‐up, BACE1 activity was independently related to dementia conversion (odds ratio, 17.72;
P
=0.001) but not stroke in CSVD.

Conclusions

Plasma BACE1 activity is moderately increased and associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment risk in CSVD. It indicates that BACE1 is a promising biomarker especially for CSVD‐related neurodegeneration.
Prognostic Value of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Heart Failure With Mid‐Range and Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Wang Wenxian , Gao Yan , Wang Jian , Ji Congshan , Gu Hui , Yuan Xianshun , Yang Shifeng , Wang Ximing
Published: December 2024

Background

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) accumulation is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) with mid‐range ejection fraction and HF with preserved ejection fraction, but its effect on outcome is unknown.

Methods and Results

A total of 692 patients with HF with mid‐range ejection fraction or HF with preserved ejection fraction who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 2 medical centers in China between October 2016 and October 2022 were included in this study. EAT volume and extracellular volume were calculated using cardiovascular magnetic resonance. The main outcome was the composite of all‐cause mortality and first HF hospitalization. Of 692 participants, 41.3% were women. The mean age, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, and EAT volume were 57.0 years, 27.2 kg/m
2
, 50.0%, and 67.1 mL/m
2
, respectively. During a median follow‐up of 34 months, 169 patients (24.4%) died or were hospitalized for HF. EAT volume exhibited a strong unadjusted association with the composite outcome (hazard ratio per 1 mL/m
2
[HR], 1.57 [95% CI, 1.40–1.76],
P
<0.001). After fully adjusting, EAT remained associated with the outcome (HR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.42–1.86],
P
<0.001). We constructed a baseline multivariable model including comorbidities, New York Heart Association functional class, extracellular volume, age, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide. Addition of EAT volume to the baseline multivariable model significantly improved model performance (C statistic improvement: 0.711–0.760;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

EAT accumulation is associated with an adverse prognosis in patients with HF with mid‐range ejection fraction and those with HF with preserved ejection fraction. In addition, EAT provides incremental prognostic value beyond left ventricular ejection fraction and New York Heart Association class.
Retrospective Comparison of Outcomes and Cost of Virtual Versus Center‐Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs
Authors: Shah Neil D. , Banta Conor W. , Berger Andrea L. , Hattenberger Andrea , Zimmerman Alex , Martin Bryan E. , Wu Edward , Majumdar Usnish , Kirchner H. Lester , Matsumura Martin E.
Published: December 2024

Background

Despite robust evidence supporting an association with improved outcomes in eligible patients, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains underused, with a minority of eligible patients participating. Virtual cardiac rehabilitation (VCR) has been proposed as an alternative to traditional center‐based CR (CBCR) to improve usage rates. However, data supporting the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of VCR are limited. In the present study, we compared the outcomes and cost of a VCR versus traditional CBCR program.

Methods and Results

In a retrospective cohort study comparing VCR versus CBCR, CBCR data were collected from a period of January 2018 to September 2023. VCR data were collected from program initiation in July 2021 to September 2023. Primary health outcomes measured were 1‐year mortality rates, recurrent myocardial infarction, all‐cause hospital readmission, and emergency department visits. Primary cost outcomes were analyzed as cost ratios related to VCR versus CBCR assessing total medical costs allowed, pharmacy costs, and total costs of care over the 12 months post‐CR enrollment. VCR was associated with a significant reduction in 1‐year all‐cause hospital readmission (incident rate ratio [IRR], 0.616 [95% CI, 0.489–0.777],
P
<0.001) and ED admission (IRR, 0.557 [95% CI, 0.452–0.687],
P
<0.001) at 1 year. The IRR of myocardial infarction and all‐cause mortality did not significantly differ between VCR and CBCR. In addition, VCR was associated with significant reductions in medically related (cost ratio, 0.814 [95% CI, 0.690–0.960],
P
=0.0144) and total costs allowed (cost ratio, 0.838 [95% CI, 0.725–0.970],
P
=0.0176).

Conclusions

VCR is a viable alternative to CBCR with at least comparable efficacy and cost, and as such, represents a key mechanism for improving access to and participation in CR for eligible patients.
Home Pulse Rate Before and During Antihypertensive Treatment and Mortality Risk in Hypertensive Patients: A Post Hoc Analysis of the HOMED‐BP Study
Authors: Kimura Takahiro , Kikuya Masahiro , Asayama Kei , Tatsumi Yukako , Imai Yutaka , Ohkubo Takayoshi
Published: December 2024

Background

Although a high pulse rate assessed in the clinic office setting has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, there are few studies assessing the prognostic ability of out‐of‐office pulse rate, particularly self‐measured home pulse rate.

Methods and Results

We investigated the prognostic ability of home pulse rate in 3022 patients with mild‐to‐moderate hypertension. During a median follow‐up of 7.3 years, 72 patients died and 50 had major adverse cardiovascular events. For each 1 SD increase in pulse rate before treatment (9.4 beats per minute), the adjusted hazard ratio for all‐cause mortality was 1.52 (95% CI, 1.24–1.92). For each 1 SD increase in pulse rate during the follow‐up period (9.9 beats per minute), the adjusted hazard ratio was 1.70 (95% CI, 1.39–2.08). However, pulse rate was not significantly associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. When both home pulse rate and office pulse rate before treatment were included in a Cox model, only the home pulse rate significantly predicted all‐cause mortality (
P
≤0.019). Excluding the home pulse rate from the model led to a significant deterioration of the model fit statistic (
P
≤0.020). The optimal cut‐off values of home pulse rate in predicting all‐cause mortality, determined by Youden's index from a receiver operator characteristic analysis, were 67.8 beats per minute at baseline and 66.4 beats per minute during follow‐up.

Conclusions

In patients with mild‐to‐moderate hypertension, the pulse rate measured at home, both before and during antihypertensive treatment, was associated with mortality risk and has superior prognostic ability compared with office pulse rate. The accuracy of risk stratification may be improved by using a home pulse rate, which can be self‐measured easily and frequently at home.

Registration

URL:
https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr
; Unique identifier: C000000137.
Human Dignity from an Islamic Perspective: Concepts and Theoretical Base
Authors: Erkoç Baydar Tuba
Published: December 2024

The issue of dignity is pivotal not only in matters concerning mortality but also in various critical domains from the moment of human birth. It necessitates an interdisciplinary and holistic examination, considering its religious, philosophical, moral, and legal dimensions. This paper aims to contribute to the discourse by evaluating the concept of human dignity from an Islamic legal perspective. Modern views are not extensively covered, as the objective is to present classical approaches that have influenced current debates, rather than addressing contemporary discussions directly. We aim to explore how the concept of human dignity is reflected, particularly in human actions, which can only be adequately conveyed through Islamic legal texts. Furthermore, the paper examines the practical manifestations of this theory through specific examples.
Romanian Orthodox Communities in Transition: Human Dignity and Labour Migration through Pastoral Missiology
Authors: Sonea Cristian
Published: December 2024

This article examines the complex dynamics of labour migration within Romanian Orthodox communities, both in Romania and in the diaspora, focusing on the theme of human dignity through a missiological lens. It explores how the Romanian Orthodox Church addresses the challenges faced by migrants, highlighting the theological, social and ethical implications of migration for individual and community well-being. Drawing on empirical data, including interviews with church leaders and lay people, and comparing scholarly work on Orthodox diaspora communities, the study highlights the intersection of religious life, cultural identity and migration. The findings reveal how the church’s pastoral practices respond to the needs of the migrating faithful, aiming to preserve their dignity, cultural identity and religious observance in foreign lands. The research highlights the church’s role in supporting migrants, facilitating their integration and advocating for their rights, thus contributing to a deeper understanding of the impact of migration on community cohesion and spiritual life. The article argues that there is a shift in how the Church provides pastoral care for migrants from an “on call” presence to, what we shall name as “proximity” pastoral care. The article proposes the concept of pastoral missiology as a heuristic tool for developing relevant theologies of pastoral care in diaspora contexts.
Eco-Theology within the Romanian Context: A Social-Ethical Approach
Authors: Marksteiner-Ungureanu Cezar
Published: December 2024

The Romanian Orthodox Church (ROC) seems to be institutionally disconnected from the urgency of climate change. The aim of this paper is to identify the parameters of the gap between secular discourse and eco-theological reflection within the Romanian context, and to interrogate these instances of disconnection. The paper will also attempt to bridge the gap between ecclesial, academic, and secular discourses on climate change from the perspective of social ethics.
In Search for Human Dignity: the Earthquakes of February 6, 2023, and Their Impact on Interreligious Relations in Antakya, Hatay
Authors: Kreinath Jens
Published: December 2024

This article aims at addressing the question of human dignity in the face of the suffering that people of the city of Antakya (formerly Antioch) experienced after the devastating earthquakes on February 6, 2023. The main question the article raises is concerned with the impact the destruction of shared sacred sites has on the heritage of the city and the dynamics of intercultural and interreligious relations among its different communities. The theoretical argument is that human dignity must be conceptualized in relational terms as a dynamic force that captures the human potential to shape relations among different communities.
How to Prevent Wars through Bridging Ecclesiological Gaps?
Authors: Hovorun Cyril
Published: December 2024

The paper explores the gap between the church, seen from the ivory tower of high ecclesiology, and the ecclesial realities on the ground. It criticizes the romantic approach to the phenomenon of the church, which tends to ignore such a gap. It argues that ignoring the church’s shortcomings may lead to catastrophic consequences, including endorsing wars. A romantic approach to the church can generate momentum for mission, but its results can easily lead to the frustration of those converted. An honest mission should include disclaimers about past mistakes made by the church. It is also the only way to avoid similar mistakes in the future. Building bridges over the gaps between the church romanticized and the real church helps its members grow spiritually and, ultimately, enhances the church’s mission.
Philosophy and Pedagogy of Islamic Education in Today’s Europe
Authors: Sijamhodžić-Nadarević Dina
Published: December 2024

This article aims to elaborate on the theological, philosophical and pedagogical foundations that theoretically frame Islamic education in its various forms (formal, non-formal and informal). First, it highlights the foundations of Islamic education in the normative Islamic tradition and classical Muslim theological thought. Discussion of the philosophy and pedagogy of Islamic education focuses on its fundamental features (specific educational goals, critical/reflective, transformative, integrative, dialogical approach, etc.). Following many initiatives and in view of the needs felt for authentic and independent Islamic education across Europe, this article advocates that the theological, philosophical and pedagogical framework of Islamic education should autonomously shape Islamic educational programmes in Europe and has the potential to fit in European educational settings.
Communities of Care and Muslims in Portugal
Authors: Carvalheira Raquel Gil
Published: December 2024

A significant body of anthropological literature discusses the ethical and spiritual dimensions of charity practised by Muslims. This has brought volunteering and giving into consideration in recent research on the anthropology of Islam, highlighting the spiritual and material rewards for those who give to charity. This article is based on one year of ethnographic fieldwork in a charitable organisation in Portugal called Noor Fatima, founded by a Muslim woman. It explores the workings of emotional and cosmopolitan aspects of Islamic religiosity expressed through charity. The Noor Fatima brings Muslim and non-Muslim volunteers together to collaborate and aid homeless and vulnerable people. This article argues for the importance of emotions in contemporary forms of Islamic giving, particularly those that are also common in Catholic social care initiatives.
Islamic Thought, Funerary Space and Urban Policies: the Case of Madrid
Authors: Salguero Montaño Óscar
Published: December 2024

The consolidation of Islamic communities in our multi-cultural societies has transformed Muslims’ opinions regarding the role of Islam in Europe and, by extension their vision of Islam in the public space. This article describes how the religious tradition of funerary space and rites is still present in current Islamic thought, as well as in the social imaginaries of Muslim individuals and communities. Based on the case of funerary demands in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, this article studies the synergy of religious tradition and a subaltern class consciousness in the way the spatial question is approached.
The Vision of Spiritual Perfection in Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri and Post-Tariqa Sufism in Western Europe
Authors: Yarosh Oleg
Published: December 2024

This article explores the vision of human perfection and spiritual individualism in Western Sufism, focusing on Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri’s literary works and teachings. It argues that, despite some similarities with New Age concepts that imply minimal transcendence, Shaykh Fadhlalla’s teachings are deeply rooted in the classical Sufi tradition and based on otherworldly transcendence, but articulated through the lens of reflexive spirituality. While contemporary Sufi communities in Western Europe navigate the opposing trends of “re-Islamisation” and the development of “post-tariqa” Sufism, this article posits that Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri’s vision of post-tariqa Sufism is shaped by his ideas on human perfection and the ways to attain it.
Colloquium 1: Commentary on Reece
Authors: Nyvlt Mark
Published: December 2024

The comment reflects on Reece’s presentation of different schools of interpretation of De Anima in light of some broader Peripatetic views. The connection between substance, life, and intellect is seen as undergirding the core of Aristotle’s study of nature, particularly insofar as the unmoved mover provides the final cause of the universe as a whole. This connection is discussed at both the cosmic and individual level, noting the differences in interpretation between Theophrastus and Themistius.
Colloquium 2: Empedocles, Aristotle, and the Unity of All Things
Authors: Shaw Michael M.
Published: December 2024

This project reframes the four roots (or elements) in Empedocles in order to challenge the Aristotelian account of the One as undifferentiated sameness. Aristotle credits Empedocles with developing both the theory of four material elements and introducing the conception of dualistic moving causes into philosophy through Love and Strife. Aristotle’s interpretation maintains a singular moment in the evolution of the cosmos when Love dominates the whole and unifies all things into a perfectly spherical One, which he describes as an undifferentiated, qualityless substratum. Based on Fragments B17, B62, and B110, this paper argues that a rhizomatic motion in which each root tends towards its own kind emerges from the roots independently of Love and Strife. Thus, Empedocles actually maintains three different sorts of motion: (1) the motion of unlike towards unlike, motivated by Love, (2) the motion of unlike away from unlike, motivated by Strife, and (3) a rhizomatic motion of like to like. The presence of six sources of motion challenges Aristotle’s assumption that, as the One, the universe enjoys a moment of identity without difference. The presence of rhizomatic motion makes the blending or mixing of the roots impossible in the Σφαῖρος. The paper begins by developing Aristotle’s paradox of Strife in the Metaphysics and his paradox of alteration in On Generation and Corruption, followed by Empedocles’ account of mixture and separation in Fragments B8 and B35. Section three examines the precise functions of Love and Strife in Fragments B17 and B21. The last section considers the Empedoclean Σφαῖρος under these different conditions, arguing that the cosmic sphere should not be viewed as an inconsistent disappearance of the roots, but as god understood as a singular community of difference.
Colloquium 3: The Significance of Politics: Adeimantus’s Contribution to the Argument of the Republic
Authors: Irani Tushar
Published: December 2024

I claim in this paper that Adeimantus’s challenge to Socrates in book 2 of the Republic has more importance than scholars have generally recognized. The established tendency in the secondary literature is to treat Adeimantus’s objection as virtually indistinct from Glaucon’s objection. Such readings overlook the significance of Adeimantus’s contribution to the argument of the dialogue, especially the unique emphasis he puts on the role of culture and social institutions in shaping human beliefs and desires. Whereas Glaucon objects to Socrates’ conception of justice based on his views on human nature, Adeimantus introduces an indispensable political dimension to the discussion. I argue that these two objections are mutually implicating and vital to understanding why Socrates initiates an inquiry into politics in the Republic. Together, the objections show how Plato’s wide-ranging examination of issues in ethics, politics, psychology, epistemology, and metaphysics hangs together as an integrated whole. A further benefit of this reevaluation of Adeimantus’s challenge, I suggest, is the way it illuminates Plato’s views on poetry in the dialogue. According to this reading, far from advocating for the exclusion of poetry from civic life, Plato assigns it a fundamental role in the education of the philosopher due to the importance of poetic practices in cultivating the wisdom-loving part of the soul.
Colloquium 3: Commentary on Irani
Authors: Duplessie Derek
Published: December 2024

In his original and illuminating essay, Tushar Irani offers a re-reading of Adeimantus’s and Glaucon’s challenges to Socrates in book 2 of Plato’s Republic. If correct, his interpretation has far-reaching implications for how we are to understand the dialogue as a whole. At the core of this re-reading is an attempt to rehabilitate Adeimantus’s reputation by demonstrating his central role in determining the trajectory of the dialogue’s argument. In my response I question Irani’s suggestion that Adeimantus’s challenge to Socrates is as distinct from Glaucon’s as Irani suggests it is and, even if so, whether it is distinct in the precise way he suggests it is. Furthermore, I raise possible objections to his claim that large parts of the Republic—and, especially, its political project—are intended to meet Adeimantus’s challenge, not Glaucon’s.
Colloquium 4: Aristotle’s Discovery of First Philosophy
Authors: Wians William
Published: December 2024

Among the three kinds of theoretical knowledge, Aristotle distinguishes between physics and metaphysics—what he calls Second and First Philosophy. Aristotle’s physics studies changing things, things that change in any of several ways according to an inner principle that governs their alterations and their underlying stability—fundamentally, things that come into being and pass away. What Aristotle calls First Philosophy studies substances that are immovable and unchanging, eternal objects including primarily but not exclusively Aristotle’s god. Aristotle’s distinction between Second and First Philosophy constitutes a decisive difference between Aristotle and earlier philosophers. My main claim will be that Aristotle “discovered” First Philosophy through critical reflection on the universalizing or totalizing assumption of his predecessors. By “universalizing assumption” I mean that according to Aristotle, his predecessors assumed either explicitly or implicitly that they were enquiring into τὸ πᾶν, the all, the totality of everything that exists. Aristotle claims that they were wrong in this assumption. All sciences seek knowledge of principles and causes (archai and aitia). But an investigation of beings that come into existence and pass away is essentially different from the philosophical investigation of immovable, unchanging being. To understand why, one must nevertheless begin by studying changing beings—in large part to come to recognize the insufficiency of Second Philosophy to investigate being as such. Aristotle’s discovery was that the original project of Greek philosophy—the study of the whole—requires both Second and First Philosophy.
Human Perception of Altered Video Speed
Authors: Sperl Laura , Liepelt Roman
Published: December 2024

This study examined how humans perceive altered video speeds, a domain yet to be systematically explored. Following modern technologies, manipulations of video speed, like slow motion or time lapse, are frequently employed tools in everyday life. However, only recent research highlights potential biases in perception and low sensitivity to altered video speed. To investigate to what extent humans are capable of correctly perceiving altered video speeds and how these video speeds affect our duration experience, participants watched short video clips either at original speed or at increased or reduced video speed. Our findings reveal systematic biases: overestimation of video playback speed during slow motion and underestimation of video speed when watching accelerated versions, intensifying with greater deviations from the original speed. Moreover, duration estimations systematically varied depending on video speed with slow-motion videos yielding shorter perceived durations than videos at original and accelerated speed. These biases carry potential implications for time perception in general as well as for applied fields like law and sports, where accurate judgment may hinge on detailed video analysis. Our findings offer a first exploratory glimpse into systematic biases in human perception of altered video speeds thereby advancing our understanding of how humans engage with this type of dynamic visual information. However, more research is needed to fully comprehend the extent, mechanisms and consequences of these perceptual biases.
Vexed Relationships with Rome
Authors: Mennella Vincent
Published: December 2024

Because the Faerie Queene of a borderless empire allies herself with Arthur in a battle against the Paynim King on “Bryton fieldes with Sarazin blood bedyde,” Spenser inverts the relationship between Christendom and the borderless Saracen world of Italian epic-romance. Some critics consider Spenser’s itinerant Saracens representative of the threat to Protestant England posed by the See of Rome and Ottoman Empire, but The Faerie Queene also allegorizes the threat Protestant England and the Ottoman Empire posed to the See of Rome. Instead of an epic conflict between two rival empires, Spenser’s Saracens symbolize persistent threats of rebellion and corruption among diverse peoples coexisting within one empire. If Spenser is rightly called the English Virgil, then he deserves this honor because Protestant England’s vexed relationship with Rome inspires him to thwart readers’ expectations for classical imitations of epic conflict between Christendom and the Saracen world established by Ariosto and Tasso.
Black Apparel and Color Symbolism in A Game at Chess
Authors: Vallaro Cristina
Published: December 2024

Colors play an important role in understanding sixteenth-century clothing, their rich symbolism being part of the conventional code that established who should wear what. A symbol of melancholy and meditation, black was a very popular color in Elizabethan England, worn by both queen and subjects. As a reflection of the real world, theater also used clothing and colors to help the audience understand the plot of plays performed, and their characters’ personalities. After the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, color interpretation came to rely not only on tradition, but took on increasingly political overtones and black was more and more used in contrast with white. Thomas Middleton’s A Game at Chess is clear evidence of how the clash between white and black pawns on the chessboard can actually be taken as a representation of the political and religious clash between England and Spain.
‘Suspend the Sense’
Authors: Gómez López Consuelo
Published: December 2024

This article explores the relationship in the Early Modern period between visual culture, spectacle, and technology. It investigates the processes that led machinery to become an essential part of the scenic discourse of the time, taking as reference Il Cannocchiale per la Finta Pazza, a unique document produced in 1641 by the Venetian opera industry and which, to date, has received only scant scholarly attention. It studies the information the manuscript provides on how theater engineering acquired a performative value when employed to affect the audience’s sensory experience. The methodological approach takes account of modern performative studies and the ‘sensory turn’ and reflects on how technology became an integral part of consumption of modern spectacle which, when viewed from the physical, social, and intellectual perspectives, constitutes a complex sensory space.
Perspectives on Technological, Ethical, and Media Communication Dimensions in Conservation Research Projects Applying ART to Critically Endangered Wildlife Species
Authors: Seet Steven , McLellan† Richard
Published: December 2024

Environmental challenges, such as loss of biodiversity, habitat fragmentation, climate change and plastic pollution, highlight the ethical complexities of human-induced challenges. By assessing these intersections, this paper aims to emphasize the need for a holistic approach, combining cutting-edge technologies, ethical research, and transparent media communication strategies, to ensure optimal conservation outcomes. Conservation efforts for critically endangered or even for technically extinct species such as the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), present a multifaceted challenge, including the application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). With only two northern white rhinoceros individuals remaining, the BioRescue conservation research project, which employs amongst others Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), offers a case study that encapsulates the broader global conservation debate. New ethical frameworks, such as the ETHical ASsessment Tool (ETHAS), are pivotal in ensuring that conservation methods align with societal values and animal welfare, while media narratives significantly influence public engagement and the mobilization of resources. The paper concludes with perspectives for optimizing the synergy between the dimensions of spear heading conservation research technologies, ethics and communication.