bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of same-sex marriage legalisation on the health of ethnic minority lesbian, gay and bisexual people: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Bai Yihong , Kim Chungah , Chum Antony 
Published: October 2024

Background
The UK legalised same-sex marriage in 2014. We examine whether same-sex marriage legalisation (SSML), an exogenous policy change, affected the health outcomes among ethnic minority lesbian, gay, bisexual and other (LGB+) individuals.

Methods
Using the UK Household Longitudinal Survey, we applied the Callaway and Sant’Anna difference-in-differences to compare physical and mental health across (a) ethnic LGB+ individuals (treatment group), (b) ethnic heterosexual individuals (control group 1) and (c) British white LGB+ individual (control group 2). The study cohort (n=7054) comprised individuals aged 16+ years at baseline in 2011, and were employed in the study period (2011–2019). The outcomes included physical component scores from the short-form 12 health survey (physical component score (PCS-12)), long-standing illnesses and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)).

Results
After SSML, the PCS-12 among the ethnic LGB+ individuals improved significantly compared with both ethnic heterosexuals and British white LGB+ individuals (2.081, 95% CI 0.487 to 3.675). While no clear patterns were found for long-standing illnesses, the GHQ in the treatment group had modest decreases relative to ethnic heterosexuals, and relative to British white LGB+ individuals, by year 2 after SSML.

Conclusion
SSML in the UK led to improved physical functioning and reduced psychological distress in ethnic minority LGB+ individuals. Our study shows that ethnic LGB+ individuals may derive even greater health benefits than British white LGB+ people, providing evidence that SSML may help address racial health inequalities within LGB+ communities. As countries worldwide consider legalising same-sex marriage, it is imperative for policymakers to consider the health consequences for sexual and ethnic minorities.
Physical time for the beginning universe
Authors: Wetterich Christof 
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we propose that physical time is based on counting the oscillations of wave functions. The discrete counting of the ticks of these clocks does not depend on the metric frame. It remains well defined for the beginning epochs of the universe. The photon clock counts the oscillations of electromagnetic plane waves in the cosmic reference frame. It can be gauged with clocks for other massless or massive particles. These equivalent clocks form a clock system which defines a common universal continuous physical time. For the photon clock, this physical time coincides with conformal time. The universe is eternal toward the past for typical models of inflationary cosmology — the photon clock ticks an infinite number of times. We compare the photon clock system to geodesic physical time, which is a frame invariant generalization of proper time.
Targeting Tumor Antigen 5T4 Using CAR T Cells for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Harrop Richard , Blount Daniel G. , Khan Naeem , Soyombo Mayowa , Moyce Laura , Drayson Mark T. , Down Jenny , Lawson Michelle A. , O’Connor Deirdre , Nimmo Rachael , Lad Yatish , Souberbielle Bernard , Mitrophanous Kyriacos , Ettorre Anna 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells represent a novel targeted approach to overcome deficits in the ability of the host immune system to detect and subsequently eradicate tumors. The identification of antigens expressed specifically on the surface of tumor cells is a critical first step for a targeted therapy that selectively targets cancer cells without affecting normal tissues. 5T4 is a tumor-associated antigen expressed on the cell surface of most solid tumors. However, very little is known about its expression in hematologic malignancies. In this study, we assess the expression of 5T4 in different types of leukemias, specifically acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). We also provide an in vitro assessment of safety and efficacy of 5T4-targeting CAR T cells against HSCs and AML tumor cell lines. 5T4 expression was seen in about 50% of AML cases; AML with mutated nucleophosmin 1, AML–myelodysplasia-related, and AML not otherwise specified showed the highest percentage of 5T4+ cases. 5T4 CAR T cells efficiently and specifically killed AML tumor cell lines, including leukemic stem cells. Coculture of 5T4 CAR T cells with HSCs from healthy donors showed no impact on subsequent colony formation, thus confirming the safety profile of 5T4. A proof-of-concept study using a murine model for AML demonstrated that CAR T cells recognize 5T4 expressed on cells and can kill tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. These results highlight 5T4 as a promising target for immune intervention in AML and that CAR T cells can be considered a powerful personalized therapeutic approach to treat AML.
The Distinct Roles of NEIL1 and XPA in Limiting Aflatoxin B1–Induced Mutagenesis in Mice
Authors: Luzadder Michael M. , Minko Irina G. , Vartanian Vladimir L. , Davenport Marten , Fedorov Lev M. , McCullough Amanda K. , Lloyd R. Stephen 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinomas. Following metabolic activation, AFB1 reacts with guanines to form covalent DNA adducts, which induce high-frequency G &gt; T transversions. The molecular signature associated with these mutational events aligns with the single-base substitution signature 24 (SBS24) in the Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer database. Deficiencies in either base excision repair due to the absence of Nei-like DNA glycosylase 1 (NEIL1) or nucleotide excision repair due to the absence of xeroderma complementation group A protein (XPA) contribute to hepatocellular carcinomas in murine models. In the current study, ultra-low error duplex sequencing was used to characterize mutational profiles in liver DNAs of NEIL1-deficient, XPA-deficient, and DNA repair–proficient mice following neonatal injection of 1 mg/kg AFB1. Analyses of AFB1-induced mutations showed high cosine similarity to SBS24 regardless of repair proficiency status. The absence of NEIL1 resulted in an approximately 30% increase in the frequency of mutations, with the distribution suggesting preferential NEIL1-dependent repair of AFB1 lesions in open chromatin regions. A trend of increased mutagenesis was also observed in the absence of XPA. Consistent with the role of XPA in transcription-coupled repair, mutational profiles in XPA-deficient mice showed disruption of the transcriptional bias in mutations associated with SBS24.
Implications: Our findings define the roles of DNA repair pathways in AFB1-induced mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in murine models, with these findings having implications in human health for those with base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair deficiencies.
Harmonization of Jurisdictional and/or Choice-of-Law Rules: Introduction to the Asian Principles of Private International Law (APPIL) Project
Authors: Takasugi Naoshi 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This article aims to introduce the Asian Principles of Private International Law (APPIL) Project, which endeavors to facilitate the exchange of ideas on Private International Law (PIL) among scholars and to harmonize PIL within the Asian region. The APPIL Project emerged from the longstanding scholarly exchanges between Korea and Japan, and Korean scholars and Korean law have significantly contributed to the APPIL Project discussions. Given the considerable diversity within Asia, the need for harmonization of PIL in this region is even more pressing than in Europe or the Americas. If successful, the harmonization experiment in Asia could serve as a model for the rest of the world.
Asian Private International Law and Hong Kong
Authors: Lui Wilson 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This article explores the current opportunities and challenges in the development of Asian private international law. Reflecting on the experience of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the Studies in Private International Law – Asia series published by Hart Publishing, this article argues that Asian private international law is currently thriving. However, there remain four practical difficulties in the further development of Asian private international law and the harmonisation of Asian states’ practices on cross-border issues. This article then considers potential contributions from Hong Kong in the development of Asian private international law, both as a facilitator for dialogues and collaborations among common law and civil law systems, and as an exemplar of interregional cooperation through developing and refining private international law frameworks within the Greater Bay Area and the Greater China.
ILA Guidelines on Intellectual Property and Private International Law
Authors: Yokomizo Dai 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This paper aims to analyze the International Law Association’s Guidelines on Intellectual Property and Private International Law (hereafter referred to as the “Kyoto Guidelines”) and to examine their significance and future challenges. As the number of cross-border intellectual property (IP) disputes has increased since the 1990’s, issues of conflict of laws (private international law) in IP disputes have become the subject of worldwide discussion. One of the most notable outcomes of this discussion has been the creation of soft-law typed principles or proposals dealing with conflict of laws issues. After some principles or proposals were drafted, the International Law Association Committee “Intellectual Property and Private International Law” was established in November 2010, and, after long discussions, the Kyoto Guidelines drafted by the Committee were approved by the ILA 79th Biennial Conference held (online) in Kyoto on December 13, 2020. What is the significance of these Guidelines and what challenges remain for the future? This paper will examine these questions.
Political Economy of Skill Formation and Gender Bias in Skills and Employment in Hierarchical Market Economies: The Case of Thailand
Authors: Kim Jaewon 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Skills are, in large part, the product of deliberate investment by various actors, including employers and states, rather than something coming into being spontaneously through individual choices and endeavors alone. The divergent political economy of skill formation has been rigorously examined, focusing mainly on advanced capitalist economies. However, both theoretical and empirical research on the political economy of skill formation of developing economies is surprisingly scarce. Examining the skill formation system of an emerging economy, Thailand, the author finds that the main actors, power distribution, and their dynamics for skill formation and governance are distinct from the economies outlined before but can be explained through the framework of the hierarchical market economy (hme) model. Drawing on recent studies highlighting gendered perspectives on skill regimes, this paper further examines whether and how Thailand’s hme-type skill formation system affects gender bias in skills and employment. The analysis shows that the dominance of conglomerates and multinationals intensifies the prioritization of general skills. The author claims that Thailand’s focus on promoting general skills that are portable and less vulnerable to intermittent labor market participation contributes to less occupational segregation by gender.
Exporting Processed Food: Sri Lanka’s Experience in the Asian Context
Authors: Athukorala Prema-Chandra , Weerahewa Jeevika , Kandangama Navaratne Bandara 
Published: October 2024

In recent decades, there has been a palpable shift in the commodity composition of world agri-food trade away from the traditional (unprocessed) primary products towards processed food. This structural change in trade patterns and its policy implications have so far received scant attention in policymaking in most agricultural resource-rich developing countries. This article aims to draw attention to this oversight by examining the experience of Sri Lanka against the backdrop of the experiences in agri-food trade of other countries in the Asian region. The analysis uses a new dataset that systematically delineates processed food from the traditional primary good products. The analytical narrative of an inter-country pattern of export performance shows that, unlike primary commodity dependence, exporting processed food is positively associated with the stage of economic advancement of countries. The econometric analysis suggests that export success is determined by a combination of growth of world demand, the domestic agricultural resource endowment and the conduciveness of the policy regime for global economic integration. JEL Codes: F13, F63, N45, O13, Q17
The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support and Health Literacy on the Relationship Between Decisional Dilemma and Participation in Shared Decision-Making Among Chinese Parents of Premature Infants
Authors: Ma Yanhui , Gao Junxiang , Zhang Chongyang 
Published: October 2024

Purpose: This research was conducted to explore the mediating effect of perceived social support and health literacy on the relationship between decisional dilemmas and participation in shared decision-making among Chinese parents of premature infants. Design and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 225 Chinese parents of premature infants in a neonatal ward of a Chinese hospital through convenience sampling. Data were collected from August 2022 to February 2023 using 5 self-administered instruments. Structural equation modeling and multiple mediation tests were applied to explore the interplay among perceived social support, health literacy, decisional dilemmas, and participation in shared decision-making. The study is reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. Results: Decisional dilemmas were found to negatively impact participation in shared decision-making. Perceived social support and health literacy were identified as partial mediators in this relationship, collectively accounting for a mediation effect of −0.413, which represents 50.0% of the total effect. Conclusion: The findings elucidate a multifaceted model of factors influencing participation in shared decision-making among Chinese parents of premature infants. Prompt recognition of these variables can enable nursing professionals to incorporate tailored management strategies within patient-centered care frameworks, thereby enhancing decisional outcomes.
Features selection in a predictive model for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury
Authors: Li Qian , Shen Jingjia , Lv Hong , Chen Yuye , Zhou Chenghui , Shi Jia 
Published: October 2024

Background Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is related to increased morbidity and mortality. However, limited studies have explored the influence of different feature selection (FS) methods on the predictive performance of CSA-AKI. Therefore, we aimed to compare the impact of different FS methods for CSA-AKI. Methods CSA-AKI is defined according to the kidney disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Both traditional logistic regression and machine learning methods were used to select the potential risk factors for CSA-AKI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the models. In addition, the importance matrix plot by random forest was used to rank the features' importance. Results A total of 1977 patients undergoing cardiac surgery at Fuwai hospital from December 2018 to April 2021 were enrolled. The incidence of CSA-AKI during the first postoperative week was 27.8%. We concluded that different enrolled numbers of features impact the final selected feature number. The more you input, the more likely its output with all FS methods. In terms of performance, all selected features by various FS methods demonstrated excellent AUCs. Meanwhile, the embedded method demonstrated the highest accuracy compared with the LR method, while the filter method showed the lowest accuracy. Furthermore, NT-proBNP was found to be strongly associated with AKI. Our results confirmed some features that previous studies have reported and found some novel clinical parameters. Conclusions In our study, FS was as suitable as LR for predicting CSA-AKI. For FS, the embedded method demonstrated better efficacy than the other methods. Furthermore, NT-proBNP was confirmed to be strongly associated with AKI.
Radiomic features on multiparametric MRI for differentiating pseudoprogression from recurrence in high-grade gliomas
Authors: Lin Jie , Su Chun-Qiu , Tang Wen-Tian , Xia Zhi-Wei , Lu Shan-Shan , Hong Xun-Ning 
Published: October 2024

Background Distinguishing between tumor recurrence and pseudoprogression (PsP) in high-grade glioma postoperatively is challenging. This study aims to enhance this differentiation using a combination of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics. Purpose To assess the effectiveness of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics in improving the differentiation between high-grade glioma recurrence and pseudoprogression after surgery. Material and Methods A total of 109 cases were randomly divided into training and validation sets, with 1316 features extracted from intratumoral and peritumoral volumes of interest (VOIs) on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Feature selection was performed using the mRMR algorithm, resulting in intratumoral (100 features), peritumoral (100 features), and combined (200 features) subsets. Optimal features were then selected using PCC and RFE algorithms and modeled using LR, SVM, and LDA classifiers. Diagnostic performance was compared using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), evaluated in the validation set. A nomogram was established using radscores from intratumoral, peritumoral, and combined models. Results The combined model, utilizing 14 optimal features (8 peritumoral, 6 intratumoral) and LR as the best classifier, outperformed the single intratumoral and peritumoral models. In the training set, the AUC values for the combined model, intratumoral model, and peritumoral model were 0.938, 0.921, and 0.847, respectively; in the validation set, the AUC values were 0.841, 0.755, and 0.705. The nomogram model demonstrated AUCs of 0.960 (training set) and 0.850 (validation set). Conclusion The combination of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics is effective in distinguishing high-grade glioma recurrence from pseudoprogression after surgery.
Epidemiology of Sjogren’s syndrome in a sample of the Egyptian population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ghalwash Dalia , El-Gawish Ayman , Ammar Ahmed , Hamdy Ahmed , Ghanem Rim , Ghanem Mazen , Abou-Bakr Asmaa 
Published: October 2024

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and the associated factors in a sample of the Egyptian population. Methods This cross-sectional study obtained data by screening subjects from several hospitals in different governorates across Egypt. Demographic and health data were collected including symptoms and type of Sjögren’s syndrome, associated autoimmune diseases, the presence of specific autoantibodies and associated malignancies. Results The study analysed 7960 participants and 64 (0.80%) had SS. Of these, 22 (34.38%) had primary SS and 42 patients (65.63%) had secondary SS. For the total study cohort, the prevalence of primary and secondary SS was 0.28% and 0.53%, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of SS in females compared with males and SS was more common in the fifth and sixth decades. All patients with SS complained of oral and ocular dryness. The most common concomitant autoimmune disease was rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-SSA (Ro) and anti-SSB (La) antibodies were the most frequently associated autoantibodies. Only two patients had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Conclusion This was the first study to describe the prevalence of SS in Egypt. SS is not a rare disease in Egypt, so raising awareness of SS in both patients and healthcare professionals is very important.
Dimensional and Morphometric Variations of the Sella Turcica in Adult South African Population: Sex, Age, and Ethnic-related Changes
Authors: Hlatshwayo Nondumiso Ngiphiwe , Olojede Samuel Oluwaseun , Magcaba Nomthandazo , Lawal Sodiq Kolawole , Rennie Carmen Olivia , Azu Onyemaechi Okpara , Naidu Edwin Coleridge 
Published: October 2024

Introduction The sella turcica (ST) is an important anatomical landmark occasionally filled with cerebrospinal fluid in a condition known as empty sella disorder (ESS). ESS occurs when the pituitary gland contracts due to issues with the contents inside the ST and has been linked with malocclusion, which remains less explored. Aim This study intended to investigate morphological and morphometric variations of ST in terms of sex, age, and race as well as document the prevalence of malocclusions in a South African adult sample. Methodology ST scans of 32 patients and 21 dry and cadaveric skulls were investigated. Volume was measured using plasticine, and other parameters were measured using a sliding vernier caliper and 3D slicer software. Results The width is the only linear parameter that showed significant ( p < .05) variations against sex. The mean length, width, AP diameter, and volume variation between groups ages 31-50 and 51-70 were 0.54 mm, 3.60 mm, 1.48 mm, and 39.47 mm. The length of ST in Black people varied from that of White people by 1.58 mm. The width of ST in Black people was 10.90 ± 2.68 mm, and in White people, it was 12.99 ± 2.41 mm, which was statistically significant ( p < .05). Class I malocclusion was the most common type in this study, and bridging of the ST was common in class II. Conclusion This study revealed that the ST varies among different ethnic groups. Also, the width of the ST can be used to identify sex, but the size of the ST at various ages cannot be used to gauge an individual’s growth because there were no significant differences.
Topology optimization and experimental validation of mass-reduced aircraft wing designs
Authors: Rahman Mosfequr , Fricks Charles , Ahmed Hossain , Crowe John , Pernell Eric , Ilie Marcel , Soloiu Valentin 
Published: October 2024

Development and evaluation of a novel design of mass reduced aircraft wing ribs through topology optimization is reported herein. For comparison, the same examination is performed on ribs with normal internal geometry. The wing rib design is based on the Gulfstream G650 transonic jet. The rib is divided into three segments for analysis based around the positions of the two spars. Only the center section of the rib is mass optimized, while the leading and trailing edges of the ribs are kept solid. Methodology in this study includes the k-Ω shear stress transport turbulence model computational fluid dynamic simulation as well as static and transient finite element simulations. The optimized wing rib is found to be between 8% and 15% lighter than traditional wing ribs depending on configuration. Simulation of the wing showed a tip deflection of 13.8 cm upward at an angle of 1.1°. An experimental scaled model of the optimized wing subjected to near identical bending loads as identified in the FEA simulation is applied to validate stress concentrations and performance. It is found that in the simulations, average stress never exceeded the factor of safety prescribed by the FAA. While the average factor of safety on the full computational model was 2.649, the average factor of safety on the experimental model was 9.185. Four strain gauges attached to the experimental model are used to compare the strains at similar locations on the computational model. The experimental results validate the CFD simulation results with acceptable tolerances.