bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Source of Grotius’s ‘Etiamsi Daremus … Deus Non Esse’
Authors: Schuessler Rudolf 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The immediate source of Grotius’s etiamsi-claim (natural law would be valid even if there were no God or human affairs were no concern for him) has never been convincingly identified. This paper argues that Grotius’s formulation of the claim derives from a very similar sentence of Bartolomé de Medina (1527–1580), a Spanish scholastic and eminent member of the School of Salamanca, whose work Grotius quotes in De iure belli ac pacis. Medina ascribes the sentence to Seneca, but there is apparently no such proposition in Seneca’s extant works. Nevertheless, related propositions were attributed to Seneca in the medieval period, not least in sermons and pastoral writings, even in vernacular languages. This shows that, even outside academic debates, counterfactual reasoning involving God’s non-existence or indifference to human affairs was not considered illicit or dangerous in the Middle Ages.
Мовний образ Божої Матері в текстах духовних пісень книжного та народного походження
Authors: Данилюк [Danyliuk] Ніна [Nina] 
Published: January 2025

The Linguistic Image of the Mother of God in the Texts of Religious Songs of Book and Folk Origin
This article analyses the stylistic means of verbalising the linguistic image of the Mother of God in the texts of religious songs of book and folk origin. It has been established that the image in question combines pagan ideas about the Mother Goddess and Christian beliefs in the Mother of the Son of God. The study also points out a synonymous-variant series for the designation of the Mother of God with such dominants as Virgin, Mary, Mother, Queen and Holy Protectress. As discussed, the semantics of key units is revealed through linguistic means, primarily epithets, similes and metaphors. The following peculiarities of the representation of the linguistic image of the Mother of God have been identified: in the works of book origin, the authors emphasise her divine essence, depicting her in an iconographic style; in folklore, the folk interpretation as an earthly woman prevails. The linguistic image of the Mother of God is qualified as a component of the linguistic and conceptual worldview of Ukrainians.

Językowy obraz Matki Boskiej w tekstach pieśni religijnych pochodzenia książkowego i ludowego
Niniejszy artykuł analizuje środki stylistyczne użyte do werbalizacji językowego obrazu Matki Boskiej w tekstach pieśni religijnych pochodzenia książkowego i ludowego. Jak ustalono, obraz ten łączy pogańskie wyobrażenia o Bogini Matce i chrześcijańskie wierzenia w Matkę Syna Bożego. W opracowaniu wskazano również szeregi synonimiczno-wariantywne określenia Matki Boskiej z takimi dominantami, jak Dziewica, Maryja, Matka, Królowa, Święta Opiekunka. Semantyka kluczowych jednostek ujawnia się poprzez środki językowe, przede wszystkim epitety, porównania i metafory. Ustalono następującą specyfikę przedstawiania językowego obrazu Matki Boskiej: w utworach pochodzenia książkowego autorzy podkreślają jej boską istotę, przedstawiając ją w stylu ikonograficznym; w folklorze przeważa jej ludowa interpretacja jako ziemskiej niewiasty. Językowy obraz Matki Boskiej uznano za element językowego i pojęciowego obrazu świata Ukraińców.
Reading Dr C. Rangarajan’s Kutty Memorial Lecture After Thirty Years: Revisiting Central Bank Autonomy
Authors: Ray Partha 
Published: January 2025

This article looks at issues on central bank autonomy in the backdrop of Dr C. Rangarajan’s Tenth M. G. Kutty Memorial Lecture in Kolkata on 17 September 1993 on ‘Autonomy of Central Banks’. In this context, this article raises three key points. First, Rangarajan was ahead of his time to think through the intricate public policy issues relating to central bank autonomy. Second, thanks to him, that India could get rid of the fiscal dominance in monetary policy, in general, and the practice of ad hoc treasury bills, in particular. Third, while sea changes have happened in the Indian monetary and fiscal policy following Rangarajan’s arguments for central bank autonomy, the issue still remains relevant. The article flags three such issues: (a) capital account management, (b) transfer of RBI profits to the government and (c) regulatory jurisdiction over the payment system. JEL Codes: E4, E5
A class of Landweber-type iterative methods based on the Radon transform for incomplete view tomography
Authors: Liu Duo , Qu Gangrong 
Published: January 2025

Background We study the reconstruction problem for incomplete view tomography, including sparse view tomography and limited angle tomography, by the Landweber iteration and its accelerated version. Traditional implementations of these Landweber-type iterative methods necessitate multiple large-scale matrix-vector multiplications, which in turn require substantial time and storage resources. Objective This paper aims to develop and test a novel and efficient discretization approach for a class of Landweber-type methods that minimizes storage requirements by incorporating the specific structure of the incomplete view Radon transform. Methods We prove that the normal operator of incomplete view Radon transform in these methods is a compact convolution operator, and derive the explicit representation of its convolution kernel. Discretized by the pixel basis, these Landweber-type iterative methods can be implemented quickly and accurately by introducing a discretized convolution operation between two small-scale matrices with minimal storage requirements. Results For the simulated complete and limited angle data, the reconstruction results using various Landweber-type methods with our proposed discretization scheme achieve a 1-5dB improvement in PSNR and require one-third of computation time compared to the traditional approach. For the simulated sparse view data, our discretization scheme yields a valid image with the highest PSNR. Conclusions The Landweber-type iterative methods, when combined with our proposed discretization approach based on the Radon transform, are effective for addressing the incomplete view tomography problem.
Train-bridge interaction under correlated wind and rain using machine learning
Authors: Wandji Zoumb Patrick Arnaud , Bwemba Charles , Mbessa Michel , Moussus Teddy Walter , Kemta Leonel Privat 
Published: January 2025

The stochastic response of the high-speed train running along the bridge is susceptible to significant effects of wind and rain simultaneously. In this study, an efficient probability method for simulating the train-bridge interaction (TBI) was developed by combining wind-rain and train-bridge interaction (WRTBI) models with machine learning methods. The high-speed train was defined as multibody system (MBS) and the bridge was described over finite element method (FEM). The wind load was modeled based on the standard turbulent model and the rain load was defined according to Euler multi-phase model. The WRTBI was solved using a co-simulation method between finite element analysis and multibody system (FEA-MBS). A machine learning consisting of support vector machine (SVM) and Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) was introduced to substitute further FEA-MBS simulations, to overcome time-consuming issue. The results show that when the train runs along the bridge at the speed range of 260 km/h to 300 km/h, the maximum error is 12% in the case where the wind and rain loads are considered with the case where only the wind load is considered. The maximum displacement of the bridge in z direction increase to around 33.33%. from 25 to 100 years return period.
Effect of serum uric acid to creatinine ratio on cognitive function decline in middle-aged adults: Longitudinal evidence from CHARLS
Authors: Zhou Xiangjun , Wang Zhe , Zhu Yi , Feng Shuang , Wu Haijian , Zhu Dongliang , Wu Zheyuan , Kao Qingjun 
Published: January 2025

Background Serum uric acid (SUA) was a predictor of cognitive function. The association of SUA/serum creatinine ratio (Scr), which represents renal function-normalized SUA and cognitive function is unknown. Objective This study investigated the association of the SUA/Scr with cognitive function and the potential mediation effect of inflammation in the above relationship. Methods This study used 1–5 waves of data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. 3302 participants aged 45–60 years at baseline were included. Among them, 1129 who attended subsequent 2–3 waves were further included for cumulative exposure calculation to the SUA/Scr ratio. The Cox models were used to evaluate the impact of baseline SUA/Scr ratio and its cumulative exposure on cognitive function decline. Results During a median follow-up of 8.6 years, there were 1512 (45.8%) cognitive function declined. After adjustment, the highest quartile of the SUA/SCr ratio was associated with the highest risk of cognitive function decline (Hazard ratio, 1.175; 95% confidence interval, 1.015–1.360). Restricted cubic spline showed a linear association between the SUA/Scr ratio and the risk of cognitive function decline (pnon−linear = 0.514). There were a stronger association of cumulative SUA/Scr ratio and its exposure burden with cognitive function decline [the highest versus lowest quartile: 1.635 (1.006–2.656), the high versus low group: 1.729 (1.212–2.466), respectively]. No significant mediating effect through white blood cell count or C-reactive protein in SUA/Scr ratio-cognitive function decline was found. Conclusions The SUA/Scr ratio was associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline, whereas the mechanism mediated by inflammation indicators was not found.
Body composition differences in older adults with and without Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: da Silva Pinto Gabriel Malvezzi , de Souza Crepalde Luiz Otávio , Scalli Ana Carolina Aparecida Marcondes , de Oliveira Marcos Paulo Braz , Furtado Guilherme Eustáquio , Brito-Costa Sonia , Guimarães Nathalia Sernizon , de Castro Cezar Natália Oiring 
Published: January 2025

Background Research on body composition and fat distribution in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has presented conflicting findings. Objective Compare body composition and anthropometric measurements in older adults with and without AD. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following Cochrane guidelines and PRISMA standards. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, WPRIM, and the Spanish Bibliographic Index of Health Sciences were searched up to September 2024, considering observational studies that compared body composition between AD groups and controls. Outcomes included body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI), impedance, resistance, and reactance. The methodological quality and level of evidence were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute scale and GRADE, respectively. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to calculate mean differences (MD). Results Fourteen studies involving 2761 older adults were included. Older adult women with AD showed a lower body fat percentage (p < 0.01; MD = −5.07) and BMI (p = 0.05; MD = −1.28) compared to controls. Older adult men with AD had higher impedance (p = 0.01; MD = 2.05), resistance (p = 0.02; MD = 45.10), and lower reactance (p = 0.03; MD = −2.05) compared to controls. No significant differences in body fat percentage or BMI were found between older adults with and without AD, regardless of gender. Conclusions Women with AD showed lower body fat percentage and BMI, while men with AD had higher impedance, resistance, and lower reactance. These factors should be included in geriatric assessments for AD patients, though further research is needed to understand their link to cognitive outcomes in AD.
SMOC2 promotes microglia activity and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Wan Tianchi , Wang Chunkai 
Published: January 2025

Background Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, is characterized by cognitive decline and the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ). It affects millions, with numbers expected to double by 2050. SMOC2, implicated in inflammation and fibrosis, may play a role in AD pathogenesis, particularly in microglial cell function, offering a potential therapeutic target. Objective Alzheimer's disease (AD) leads to neurodegeneration, affecting cognition, language, and personality, underscoring the urgency for effective treatments. Our study investigates the role of secreted modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2) in microglial cells and its impact on AD pathology. Methods We introduced SMOC2 overexpression and interference vectors into microglial cells treated with Aβ. Activity and phagocytosis were assessed using CCK8 and flow cytometry. SMOC2 mRNA levels were quantified by qPCR, and protein levels of SMOC2, TGF-β1, p-NF-κB/NF-κB were analyzed by western blot. Aβ content was determined by ELISA, and immunofluorescence detected TNF-α, IL-1β, CD163, and CD206. Results Aβ treatment inhibited microglial activity and phagocytosis, but SMOC2 disruption enhanced these functions (p < 0.05). SMOC2 overexpression increased its expression and Aβ levels, while interference reduced them (p < 0.001). SMOC2 overexpression also decreased TGF-β1, CD163, and CD206, and increased p-NF-κB/NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β (p < 0.05). Conclusions SMOC2 plays a crucial role in microglial cell activity, phagocytosis, and polarization, potentially through the TGF-β1/NF-κB pathway, offering insights into AD pathogenesis.
Differences of longitudinal plasma biomarkers between single memory domain and multidomain subject cognitive decline: Evidence from SILCODE
Authors: Wei Min , Yu Xianfeng , Hu Shimin , Hu Wenjing , Shi Rong , Wang Min , Zhong Jiayi , Zhang Qi , Zhang Ying , Li Chenyang , Song Ziyan , Jiang Jiehui , Han Ying 
Published: January 2025

Background Plasma biomarkers demonstrated potential in identifying amyloid pathology in early Alzheimer's disease. Different subtypes of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may lead to different cognitive impairment conversion risks. Objective To investigate the differences of plasma biomarkers in SCD subtypes individuals, which were unclear. Methods The 347 individuals were involved, including 93 normal controls (NC), 76 single memory domain SCD (sd-SCD), 79 multidomain SCD (md-SCD), 55 mild cognitive impairment and 44 dementia. We investigated plasma biomarkers (Aβ42/40, p-tau181, p-tau217, NfL, and GFAP) and neuropsychological scales in the baseline and follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to investigate the risk of cognitive decline conversion. The t-test, Mann-Whitney U and multiple linear regression analysis were employed to evaluate the rate of change and correlation between PET-SUVR and plasma biomarker change. Results In cognitively normal subjects, md-SCD exhibited lower Aβ42/40 and higher p-tau181 and p-tau217 levels. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that md-SCD group exhibited a higher risk of cognitive decline conversion compared to NC and sd-SCD. Within SCD subgroups, those with positive GFAP status showed higher conversion risk than negative. In the Cox model, the risk of conversion in the md-SCD group was 2.77 times higher than sd-SCD. The md-SCD group demonstrated a faster rate of Aβ42/40 decline than sd-SCD. Conclusions The study utilized plasma biomarkers to highlight the significance of staging in SCD. In cognitively normal subjects, md-SCD presents a higher risk of cognitive decline than sd-SCD, providing a valuable reference and convenient tool for early identification of individuals at risk for AD.
Stent stoma: Endoscopic stent insertion for refractory small intestine fistulas
Authors: Kantowski Marcus , Sauer Peter , Ardelt Michael , Melling Nathaniel , Roesch Thomas , Zhang Chengcheng Christine 
Published: January 2025

Background and aims: The therapeutic management of fistulas presents significant challenges, often involving both conservative and surgical approaches. Despite these interventions, recurrence and postoperative mortality rates remain high. Endoscopic stent insertion into the fistula, along with the creation of a stent stoma, may offer a promising alternative for patients who fail surgical or conservative therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of endoscopic stent insertion in the treatment of refractory small intestinal fistulas. Methods: Patients with refractory small intestine fistulas who underwent endoscopic stent insertion were included. The primary endpoint was defined as successful fistula treatment, which included an improvement in clinical symptoms related to the fistula, successful bridging to subsequent surgical revision, and the restoration of enteral nutrition. Secondary endpoints comprised the feasibility of the endoscopic procedure, complications, procedure-related complications, and in-hospital mortality. Results: Eight patients were included, with a median follow-up period of 2.7 months. The implantation of a self-expanding metal stent was successfully performed in all patients (technical success rate, 100%; n = 8/8). The clinical success rate was 87.5% ( n = 7/8), indicating clinical improvement in fistula-related symptoms, wound care, and enteral nutrition. Procedure-related complications occurred in one patient (12.5%; n = 1/8), involving stent dislocation leading to small intestine perforation, which was managed endoscopically. No procedure-related mortality was observed. Conclusions: Endoscopic stent insertion is a feasible, effective, and safe option for the management of therapy-refractory small intestinal fistulas. The creation of a stent stoma improves patient quality of life.
The Association of TSLP and IL-4 with Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps
Authors: Yu Sophie E. , Olonisakin Tolani F. , Moore John A. , Chiang Simon , Lee Stella E. 
Published: January 2025

Background Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays an important role in mediating the type-2-inflammatory response. This study examined how TSLP and interleukin (IL)-4 levels in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) correlated with clinical and postoperative outcomes. Methods Solid-phase sandwich ELISA was used to analyze TSLP and IL-4 levels in mucus (n = 47), plasma (n = 17), polyp (n = 30), inferior (n = 25), and middle (n = 26) turbinate tissue collected during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in CRSwNP patients (n = 76) and controls (n = 11). Inclusion criteria includes patients with medical treatment refractory CRSwNP confirmed by endoscopy or maxillofacial CT. Exclusion criteria include history of immunodeficiency, coagulation disorders, fungal sinusitis, or cystic fibrosis. Levels of TSLP and IL-4 were correlated with SNOT-22, UPSIT, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) using MannWhitney U two-tailed test and linear regression with Spearman correlation coefficient test. Results TSLP is elevated in the inferior turbinates (effect size = 2.695, p = 0.0007) of CRSwNP patients compared to controls. IL-4 is expressed at elevated levels in the inferior (effect size = 3.092, p < 0.0001) and middle turbinates (effect size = 2.041, p = 0.019) compared to controls. Mucus TSLP (r = 0.4013, p = 0.0153) and IL-4 (r = 0.6138, p < 0.0001) positively correlate with preoperative FeNO levels. Lower TSLP in the inferior (r = −0.5179, p = 0.0231) and middle turbinates (r = −0.5075, p = 0.0224) and lower IL-4 in the inferior turbinates (r = −0.5205, p = 0.0223) correlate with a greater improvement in SNOT-22 post-FESS. Conclusion TSLP and IL-4 are elevated in patients with CRSwNP and correlated with increased preoperative FeNO levels and decreased sinonasal quality of life benefit after FESS. Expression of TSLP and IL-4 may play a role in guiding postoperative expectations in patients with treatment refractory CRSwNP.
Genetic Assessment of Living Kidney Transplant Donors: A Survey of Canadian Practices
Authors: Zahran Somaya , Bei Ke Fan , Adil Aisha , Okoh Princess , Kitzler Thomas , Alam Ahsan 
Published: January 2025

Background: Kidney failure is a prevalent condition with tendency for familial clustering in up to 27% of the affected individuals. Living kidney donor (LKD) transplantation is the optimal treatment option; however, in Canada, more than 45% of LKDs are biologically related to their recipients which subjects recipients to worse graft survival and donors to higher future risk of kidney failure. Although not fully understood, this observation could be partially explained by genetic predisposition to kidney diseases. Genetic testing of potential LKDs may improve risk assessment and inform the safety of donation. The strategies to evaluate these donors are still evolving. In Canada, little is known about the practice of assessing for genetic conditions among LKDs. Aim: The aim was to examine the Canadian practices regarding LKDs genetic assessment. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 23 Canadian adult transplant centers to examine their protocols for LKDs genetic assessment. Design: The questionnaire comprised of 10 sections and 21 questions including case scenarios of different LKD encounters. Major domains of the survey addressed general demographics, information sharing practices, effect of mode of inheritance on candidacy decision, having a policy for LKD genetic evaluation, and case scenarios covering the following conditions: autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), Alport syndrome, Fabry disease, familial focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD), sickle cell, and apolipoprotein L1 mutation (APOL1). Participants: The questionnaire was sent to the living-donor assessment committee representative (nephrologist) in adult and pediatric kidney transplant centers across Canada. Results: In total, 16 of 23 Canadian centers responded to the survey. Of the 8 surveyed genetic conditions, ADPKD, Alport syndrome, and aHUS were the most frequently encountered. More centers have specific policies for donor evaluation for ADPKD (25%) and aHUS (21.4%) vs none to very few for other genetic conditions. The most cited guidelines are Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), Canadian Society of Nephrology/Canadian Society of Transplantation (CSN/CST), and the Canadian Blood Services’ Kidney Paired Donation Protocol. Conclusions: Canadian transplant centers follow a case-by-case approach rather than a standard protocol for genetic assessment of LKDs given that current guideline recommendations are based on expert opinion due to a lack of a reliable body of evidence. With the expected rise in utilization of the increasingly available genetic testing, early multidisciplinary assessment including medical geneticists has the potential to improve personalized management. Studies examining long-term donor and graft outcomes are needed to construct the basis for evidence-based recommendations and inform the safety of donations.