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The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) has two scientific objectives of cosmological focus: to probe the expansion rate of the universe, and to understand stochastic gravitational-wave backgrounds and their implications for early universe and particle physics, from the MeV to the Planck scale. However, the range of potential cosmological applications of gravitational-wave observations extends well beyond these two objectives. This publication presents a summary of the state of the art in LISA cosmology, theory and methods, and identifies new opportunities to use gravitational-wave observations by LISA to probe the universe.

The collection of individually resolvable gravitational wave (GW) events makes up a tiny fraction of all GW signals that reach our detectors, while most lie below the confusion limit and are undetected. Similarly to voices in a crowded room, the collection of unresolved signals gives rise to a background that is well-described via stochastic variables and, hence, referred to as the stochastic GW background (SGWB). In this review, we provide an overview of stochastic GW signals and characterise them based on features of interest such as generation processes and observational properties. We then review the current detection strategies for stochastic backgrounds, offering a ready-to-use manual for stochastic GW searches in real data. In the process, we distinguish between interferometric measurements of GWs, either by ground-based or space-based laser interferometers, and timing-residuals analyses with pulsar timing arrays (PTAs). These detection methods have been applied to real data both by large GW collaborations and smaller research groups, and the most recent and instructive results are reported here. We close this review with an outlook on future observations with third generation detectors, space-based interferometers, and potential noninterferometric detection methods proposed in the literature.

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) has the potential to reveal wonders about the fundamental theory of nature at play in the extreme gravity regime, where the gravitational interaction is both strong and dynamical. In this white paper, the Fundamental Physics Working Group of the LISA Consortium summarizes the current topics in fundamental physics where LISA observations of gravitational waves can be expected to provide key input. We provide the briefest of reviews to then delineate avenues for future research directions and to discuss connections between this working group, other working groups and the consortium work package teams. These connections must be developed for LISA to live up to its science potential in these areas.

A frame analysis was conducted of coverage by sportswriters of the decision in December 2020 by Major League Baseball to formally recognize seven Negro Leagues and incorporate their statistics into the sport's official record and the decision by Baseball-Reference to make Negro League statistics available to its readers. The analysis ends with the announcement in May 2024 that the statistics of 2,300 players had successfully been incorporated. Analysis revealed and affirmed seven frames: advocacy, affirmation, amends, concern, gateway, leaderboard , and romance . Framing by journalists of the inclusion of Negro League statistics establishes the conditions for the erasure of their history and the damaging racism visited upon them by Major League Baseball by creating tension between those who favor statistical debate and those who wish to remind us of what has come before. Baked into the coverage are the seeds of persuasion for the audience to shift their means of perception of the leagues and its players \"from the ear to the eye\" (Postman, 1985, p. 12). Frames affirm that advocacy is less important; the focus now is on a sustained and uphill effort to complete the record. The recent frustration of advocates has been with the delay in completing the task so that the Negro Leagues can earn the highest form of legitimacy—that bestowed by Major League Baseball. A full resolution of tension would enable MLB to further submerge its racist past and entrench the idea that the game has entered a postracial stage.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory disorder of the liver with a wide spectrum of disease presentation, from asymptomatic elevations in liver-associated enzymes to acute liver failure. AIH is classically associated with elevated immunoglobulins and autoantibodies, although approximately 20% of patients with features of AIH lack circulating antibodies. Recently, tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors have been implicated in several cases of drug-induced AIH which impact treatment regimens for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We present a case of infliximab-induced seronegative AIH responding to budesonide therapy with successful alteration of IBD treatment regimen to vedolizumab.

INTRODUCTION:Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a debilitating complication of cirrhosis that can lead to alterations in consciousness, behavior, and overall functional decline. It has been suggested that up to 70% of patients with HE refractory to medical treatment have evidence of spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSS). While this is a relatively well-known sequela of longstanding cirrhosis, and current guidelines recommend at least consideration of closure of SPSS if found, the literature is limited regarding procedural occlusion of these potentially harmful vascular phenomena.CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS:We present the case of a 70-year-old female with cirrhosis secondary to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and progressive ascites requiring repeated therapeutic paracentesis. Over a short period, her need for paracentesis inexplicably declined and her HE simultaneously worsened, despite appropriately titrated lactulose. Imaging at this point revealed spontaneous splenosystemic and intrahepatic shunts. At the time of presentation, the patient’s Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 14. Despite optimization of medical therapy and shunt embolization, the patient’s mental status did not improve. Upon further review of post-embolization imaging, there was evidence of shunt collateralization that still appeared to be patent. This patient’s lack of clinical improvement may have been due to several factors, but incomplete embolization of known shunts or presence of additional undiagnosed shunts seem most likely.DISCUSSION:As hepatic fibrosis progresses, portal hypertension rises steadily to the point where otherwise insignificant portosystemic microvasculature can engorge to sizes greater than 1 centimeter. This phenomenon can relieve portal hypertension at the expense of releasing higher levels of ammonia and other neurotoxins into systemic circulation, resulting in more pronounced HE. While the decision to pursue embolization should be individualized, the presence of SPSS should always be considered in the setting of refractory HE. A MELD score of 11 or less may be associated with more favorable outcomes following embolization of SPSS and a majority of patients show rapid clinical improvement of HE following successful shunt closure. Dedicated post-embolization imaging should be obtained, especially if a patient’s HE remains refractory after intervention.