bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex Worker-Led Provision of Services in New Zealand: Optimising Health and Safety in a Decriminalised Context
Authors: Abel Gillian , Healy Catherine
Published: April 2021

Decriminalisation recognises sex work as work; it provides opportunities for promoting the health of sex workers and therefore goes a long way to addressing health and human rights inequities for this sector of the population. This chapter focuses on three scenarios (among many) where decriminalisation of sex work in New Zealand has been successful in promoting sex workers’ health, safety, and wellbeing and, in so doing, provides a blueprint for best practice in working with sex workers.

Although services for sex workers are available in many countries, they tend to focus on street-based sex workers, who are perceived as the most vulnerable and thus most in need. A decriminalised context provides greater access to peer support (Harcourt 2010), which is much better positioned to address the complex needs of all sex workers. It also allows for sex workers to engage with others in the community for more effective policy as well as service provision (O’Neill and Pitcher, Sex work matters: exploring money, power and intimacy in the sex industry, Zed Books, London, 2010). In this chapter, we discuss:

How access to police has been improved for sex workers who wish to report sexual assault

How decriminalisation has enabled interagency collaboration when working with sex workers who have concerns about practices within certain brothels

How new sex workers access information on safe practices in a decriminalised environment

We use the research literature from New Zealand and elsewhere to expand on the real-life stories of the engagement between New Zealand Prostitutes Collective and sex workers, agencies, and individuals to illustrate the three scenarios.
Integrated Interventions to Address Sex Workers’ Needs and Realities: Academic and Community Insights on Incorporating Structural, Behavioural, and Biomedical Approaches
Authors: Schwartz Sheree , Viswasam Nikita , Abdalla Phelister
Published: April 2021

Sex workers experience multi-factorial threats to their physical and mental health. Stigma, human rights violations and occupational exposures to violence, STIs, HIV, and unintended pregnancy create complex health inequities that may not be effectively addressed through programmes or services that focus on a single disease or issue. Meeting cisgender female, male, and transgender sex workers’ unmet needs and realities effectively requires more nuanced, multi-faceted public health approaches. Using a community-informed perspective, this chapter reviews layered multi-component and multi-level interventions that address a combination of structural, behavioural, and biomedical approaches. This chapter addresses (1) what are integrated interventions and why they are important; (2) what types of integrated interventions have been tested and what evidence is available on how integrated interventions have affected health outcomes; (3) what challenges and considerations are important when evaluating integrated interventions. Key findings include the dominance of biomedical and behavioural research among sex workers, which have produced mixed results at achieving impact. There is a need for further incorporation and evaluation of structural intervention components, particularly those identified as highest priority among sex workers, as well as the need for more opportunities for leadership from the sex work community in setting and implementing the research agenda.
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Inequities Among Sex Workers Across the Life Course
Authors: Shapiro Ania , Duff Putu
Published: April 2021

All individuals, including sex workers, are entitled to the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights. Yet sex workers continue to bear significant SRH inequities and unmet needs for appropriate SRH services at every step along their sexual and reproductive lives. To illustrate the complex and nuanced barriers that currently impede sex workers’ access to SRH services, this chapter describes the current gaps in access to SRH services experienced by sex workers globally, drawing on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 171 sex workers and sex worker organisations from across ten countries. Interviews highlight the lack of tailored, comprehensive, and integrated SRH services. These gaps are driven by intersecting structural forces such as: the criminalisation of sex work, same-sex relationships, and gender non-conformance; harmful and coercive SRH policies; sex work and gender-based stigma; and logistical and practical barriers. To support the SRH needs and rights of sex workers, participants recommended improved access to comprehensive, integrated services addressing sex workers’ broader SRH needs, including family planning, abortion and pregnancy needs, SRH screening, hormone therapy, and other gender-affirming services. Crucial steps towards ensuring equitable SRH access for sex workers include addressing stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings, removal of coercive SRH policies and practices, and dedicating appropriate resources towards sex worker-led SRH models within the context of decriminalisation of sex work.
Exploring the Protective Role of Sex Work Social Cohesion in Contexts of Violence and Criminalisation: A Case Study with Gender-Diverse Sex Workers in Jamaica
Authors: Logie Carmen H. , Wang Ying , Lalor Patrick , Levermore Kandasi , Williams Davina
Published: April 2021

Background: Sex work social cohesion (SWSC) is associated with reduced HIV vulnerabilities, yet little is known of its associations with mental health or violence. This is particularly salient to understand among gender-diverse sex workers who may experience criminalisation of sex work and same-gender sexual practices. This chapter explores SWSC and its associations with mental health and violence among sex workers in Jamaica.

Methods: In collaboration with the Sex Work Association of Jamaica (SWAJ) and Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, we implemented a cross-sectional survey with a peer-driven sample of sex workers in Kingston, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was conducted to examine direct and indirect effects of SWSC on depressive symptoms and violence (from clients, intimate partners, and police), testing the mediating roles of sex work stigma and binge drinking. SWAJ developed an in-depth narrative of the lived experiences of a sex worker germane to understanding SWSC.

Results: Participants (N = 340; mean age: 25.77, SD = 5.71) included 36.5% cisgender men, 29.7% transgender women, and 33.8% cisgender women. SEM results revealed that SWSC had significant direct and indirect effects on depressive symptoms. Sex work stigma partially mediated the relationship between SWSC and depressive symptoms. The direct path from SWSC to reduced violence was significant; sex work stigma partially mediated this relationship.

Implications: Strengths-focused strategies can consider the multidimensional role that social cohesion plays in promoting health and safety among sex workers to further support the ways in which sex workers build community and advocate for rights.
ABJ correlators with weakly broken higher spin symmetry
Authors: Binder Damon J. , Chester Shai M. , Jerdee Max
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We consider four-point functions of operators in the stress tensor multiplet of the 3d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 6 U(N)k× U(N + M)−k or SO(2)2k× USp(2 + 2M)−k ABJ theories in the limit where M and k are taken to infinity while N and λ ∼ M/k are held fixed. In this limit, these theories have weakly broken higher spin symmetry and are holographically dual to $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 6 higher spin gravity on AdS4, where λ is dual to the bulk parity breaking parameter. We use the weakly broken higher spin Ward identities, superconformal Ward identities, and the Lorentzian inversion formula to fully determine the tree level stress tensor multiplet four-point function up to two free parameters. We then use supersymmetric localization to fix both parameters for the ABJ theories in terms of λ, so that our result for the tree level correlator interpolates between the free theory at λ = 0 and a parity invariant interacting theory at λ = 1/2. We compare the CFT data extracted from this correlator to a recent numerical bootstrap conjecture for the exact spectrum of U(1)2M× U(1 + M)−2M ABJ theory (i.e. λ = 1/2 and N = 1), and find good agreement in the higher spin regime.
Brothers increase women’s gender conformity
Authors: Brenøe Anne Ardila
Published: April 2021

I examine how one central aspect of the family environment—sibling sex composition—affects women’s gender conformity. Using Danish administrative data, I causally estimate the effect of having a second-born brother relative to a sister for first-born women. I show that women with a brother acquire more traditional gender roles as measured through their choice of occupation and partner. This results in a stronger response to motherhood in labor market outcomes. As a relevant mechanism, I provide evidence of increased gender-specialized parenting in families with mixed-sex children. Finally, I find persistent effects on the next generation of girls.
Correction to: Probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria obtained from fermented curly kale juice
Authors: Szutowska Julia , Gwiazdowska Daniela
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-021-02340-4
Integrating high-performing electrochemical transducers in lateral flow assay
Authors: Perju Antonia , Wongkaew Nongnoot
Published: April 2021

Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are the best-performing and best-known point-of-care tests worldwide. Over the last decade, they have experienced an increasing interest by researchers towards improving their analytical performance while maintaining their robust assay platform. Commercially, visual and optical detection strategies dominate, but it is especially the research on integrating electrochemical (EC) approaches that may have a chance to significantly improve an LFA’s performance that is needed in order to detect analytes reliably at lower concentrations than currently possible. In fact, EC-LFAs offer advantages in terms of quantitative determination, low-cost, high sensitivity, and even simple, label-free strategies. Here, the various configurations of EC-LFAs published are summarized and critically evaluated. In short, most of them rely on applying conventional transducers, e.g., screen-printed electrode, to ensure reliability of the assay, and additional advances are afforded by the beneficial features of nanomaterials. It is predicted that these will be further implemented in EC-LFAs as high-performance transducers. Considering the low cost of point-of-care devices, it becomes even more important to also identify strategies that efficiently integrate nanomaterials into EC-LFAs in a high-throughput manner while maintaining their favorable analytical performance.
The role of somatosensation in automatic visuo-motor control: a comparison of congenital and acquired sensory loss
Authors: Miall R. Chris , Afanasyeva Daria , Cole Jonathan D. , Mason Peggy
Published: April 2021

Studies of chronically deafferented participants have illuminated how regaining some motor control after adult-onset loss of proprioceptive and touch input depends heavily on cognitive control. In this study we contrasted the performance of one such man, IW, with KS, a woman born without any somatosensory fibres. We postulated that her life-long absence of proprioception and touch might have allowed her to automate some simple visually-guided actions, something IW appears unable to achieve. We tested these two, and two age-matched control groups, on writing and drawing tasks performed with and without an audio-verbal echoing task that added a cognitive demand. In common with other studies of skilled action, the dual task was shown to affect visuo-motor performance in controls, with less well-controlled drawing and writing, evident as increases in path speed and reduction in curvature and trial duration. We found little evidence that IW was able to automate even the simplest drawing tasks and no evidence for automaticity in his writing. In contrast, KS showed a selective increase in speed of signature writing under the dual-task conditions, suggesting some ability to automate her most familiar writing. We also tested tracing of templates under mirror-reversed conditions, a task that imposes a powerful cognitive planning challenge. Both IW and KS showed evidence of a visuo-motor planning conflict, as did the controls, for shapes with sharp corners. Overall, IW was much faster than his controls to complete tracing shapes, consistent with an absence of visuo-proprioceptive conflict, whereas KS was slower than her controls, especially as the corners became sharper. She dramatically improved after a short period of practice while IW did not. We conclude that KS, who developed from birth without proprioception, may have some visually derived control of movement not under cognitive control, something not seen in IW. This allowed her to automate some writing and drawing actions, but impaired her initial attempts at mirror-tracing. In contrast, IW, who lost somatosensation as an adult, cannot automate these visually guided actions.
Identification of hippocampal cortical microinfarcts on postmortem 3-T magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Scheffler Max , Salomir Rares , Maturana Enrique , Montandon Marie-Louise , Kövari Enikö V. , Haller Sven
Published: April 2021

Cortical microinfarcts (CMI) are increasingly recognized in the neurological community as a biomarker related to cognitive impairment and dementia. If their radiological depiction has been largely described in experimental settings using ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), less is known about their visibility on routinely used 3-T MRI. In this radiologic-pathologic correlation study, using 3-T post-mortem MRI, we searched for hippocampal CMI, in a double-blinded fashion, and found that only 4/36, or 11%, were clearly demonstrated on both radiological and histopathological exams.
IL-7 coupled with IL-12 increases intratumoral T cell clonality, leading to complete regression of non-immunogenic tumors
Authors: Tasaki Mamoru , Yamashita Midori , Arai Yukinori , Nakamura Takafumi , Nakao Shinsuke
Published: April 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitors against PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 have altered the treatment paradigm for various types of cancers in the past decade. However, they offer clinical benefits to only a subset of patients. Evaluation and identification of an appropriate therapeutic approach to improve intratumoral immune status are needed for better treatment outcomes. We previously demonstrated that intratumoral expression of IL-7 and IL-12 increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in poorly immunogenic tumors, resulting in a higher tumor regression rate than IL-12 alone. However, the mechanism underlying the difference in efficacy with and without IL-7 remains unclear. Here, we identified a previously unknown effect of IL-7 on the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of intratumoral CD8+T cells, which is induced in the presence of IL-12. While IL-7 alone increased the diversity of intratumoral CD8+T cells, IL-7 with IL-12 increased a limited number of high-frequency clones, conversely augmenting IL-12 function to increase the clonality. The proportion of mice with multiple high-frequency clones in tumors correlated with that achieving complete tumor regression in efficacy studies. These findings provide a scientific rationale for combining IL-7 and IL-12 in anticancer immunotherapy and unveil a novel IL-7 function on intratumoral TCR repertoire.
PD-L1 expression in urothelial bladder cancer varies more among specimen types than between companion assays
Authors: de Jong Joep J. , Stoop Hans , Boormans Joost L. , van Leenders Geert J.L.H.
Published: April 2021

Urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) patients ineligible to platinum-based chemotherapy can be treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) positive cases. Although concordance exists between different PD-L1 assays, little is known on PD-L1 expression variability in matched UBC samples. We compared PD-L1 expression in whole slides of matched transurethral resections (TURBT), radical cystectomies (RC), and lymph node metastasis (LN). Immunohistochemistry using the VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) assay was performed on 115 patients and scored positive if expression occurred in ≥25% immune cells (IC), ≥25% tumour cells (TC), or both. PD-L1 was positive in 42.7% TURBT, 39.8% RC, and 27.3% LN specimens. Concordance was moderate (κ=0.52; P<0.001) between TURBT and RC, and fair between LN and TURBT (κ=0.31; P=0.048) or RC (κ=0.25; P=0.075). Comparison with the VENTANA PD-L1 (SP142) assay which had been performed previously on the same cohort showed moderate to substantial inter-assay agreement (κ=0.42–0.66). Although TC staining is not part of the SP142 scoring algorithm, discordant PD-L1 assay outcome could be attributed to SP263 TC≥25% staining in only 41% of cases. These results show that PD-L1 expression variability between matched specimens is higher than that between individual assays. Optimal specimen determination for PD-L1 testing needs to be addressed in future studies.
Preselection of a sorption model based on a column test: the algorithm and an example of its application
Authors: Marciniak Marek , Okońska Monika , Kaczmarek Mariusz
Published: April 2021

In order to describe the contamination of saturated porous media, it is necessary to find an appropriate mathematical model that includes processes occurring in aquifers, such as advection, dispersion, diffusion, and various kinds of sorption. The identification of parameters of those processes is possible through laboratory column experiments, which result in records of breakthrough curves for a conservative tracer and a reactive tracer. An algorithm leading to the preliminary selection of the mathematical model that best describes transport processes of the reactive tracer in the experimental column is proposed in this article. A study published previously presented a sensitivity analysis for an arbitrarily adopted variability of the transport parameters. The analysis involved examining changes in the shape of breakthrough curves caused by the alteration of each parameter value. Specially defined indicators called descriptors were proposed to quantitatively describe the breakthrough curves. Then, formulas were proposed to determine the percentage deviations of descriptors of the breakthrough curve obtained for the reactive tracer in relation to the descriptors of the breakthrough curve of the conservative tracer. In the work described in this article, the deviations are analyzed and an algorithm is proposed that allows the preselection of the most suitable sorption model out of the five discussed simple (one-site) and six hybrid (two-site) models. The algorithm can facilitate and accelerate the interpretation of column experiments of contaminant transport in a porous medium. An example is provided to illustrate the usability of the proposed algorithm.
The role of redox system in metastasis formation
Authors: Cencioni Chiara , Comunanza Valentina , Middonti Emanuele , Vallariello Edoardo , Bussolino Federico
Published: April 2021

The metastatic cancer disease represents the real and urgent clinical need in oncology. Therefore, an understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms sustaining the metastatic cascade is critical to advance cancer therapies. Recent studies highlight how redox signaling influences the behavior of metastatic cancer cells, contributes to their travel in bloodstream from the primary tumor to the distant organs and conditions the progression of the micrometastases or their dormant state. Radical oxygen species not only regulate intracellular processes but participate to paracrine circuits by diffusion to nearby cells, thus assuming unpredicted roles in the communication between metastatic cancer cells, blood circulating cells, and stroma cells at site of colonization. Here, we review recent insights in the role of radical oxygen species in the metastasis formation with a special focus on extravasation at metastatic sites.
Exact linesearch limited-memory quasi-Newton methods for minimizing a quadratic function
Authors: Ek David , Forsgren Anders
Published: April 2021

The main focus in this paper is exact linesearch methods for minimizing a quadratic function whose Hessian is positive definite. We give a class of limited-memory quasi-Newton Hessian approximations which generate search directions parallel to those of the BFGS method, or equivalently, to those of the method of preconditioned conjugate gradients. In the setting of reduced Hessians, the class provides a dynamical framework for the construction of limited-memory quasi-Newton methods. These methods attain finite termination on quadratic optimization problems in exact arithmetic. We show performance of the methods within this framework in finite precision arithmetic by numerical simulations on sequences of related systems of linear equations, which originate from the CUTEst test collection. In addition, we give a compact representation of the Hessian approximations in the full Broyden class for the general unconstrained optimization problem. This representation consists of explicit matrices and gradients only as vector components.
Phase Transition of the Horava-Lifshitz AdS Black Holes
Authors: Du Yun-Zhi , Zhao Hui-Hua , Zhang Li-Chun
Published: April 2021

Some ones have showed the first-order phase transition of the Horava-Lifshitz (HL) AdS black holes has unique characters from other AdS black holes. While the coexistence zone of the first-order phase transition was not exhibited. As well known the coexistence curve of a black hole carries a lot of information about black hole, which provides a powerful diagnostic of the thermodynamic properties on black hole. We study the first-order phase transition coexistence curves of the HL AdS black holes by the Maxwell’s equal-area law, and give the boundary of two-phase coexistence zone. It is very interesting that the first-order phase transition point is determined by the pressure F on the surface of the HL AdS black hole’s horizon, instead of only the pressure P (or the temperature T). This unique property distinguishes the HL AdS black hole from the other AdS black hole systems. Furthermore, this black hole system have the critical curves, and on which every point stands for a critical point.
Influence of Uniform Compression on the Temperature Dependence of the Pseudogap of Medium-Praseodymium-Doped Y1−xPrxBa2Cu3O7−δ Single Crystals
Authors: Khadzhai G. Ya. , Chroneos A. , Goulatis Ι. L. , Kamchatnaya S. N. , Chikina A. L. , Vovk N. R. , Vovk R. V.
Published: April 2021

The effect of high pressure on the conductivity in the basal plane of HTSC single crystals of Y0.77Pr0.23Ba2Cu3O7−δ is investigated. It has been established that the excess conductivity, Δσ(T), of these single crystals in a wide temperature range Tf < T < T* can be described by an exponential temperature dependence. The description of the excess conductivity using the relation Δσ ~ (1 − T/T*)exp(Δ*ab/T) can be interpreted in terms of the mean-field theory, where T* is represented as the temperature pseudogap opening, and the temperature dependence of the pseudogap (PG) is satisfactorily described in the framework of the BCS-BEC crossover theory. An increase in the applied pressure leads to the effect of narrowing the temperature interval for the realization of the PG-regime, thereby expanding the region of the linear dependence ρ(T) in the ab-plane.
Global modes for the reduction of flexible multibody systems
Authors: Cammarata Alessandro
Published: April 2021

Modeling a flexible multibody system employing the floating frame of reference formulation (FFRF) requires significant computational resources when the flexible components are represented through finite elements. Reducing the complexity of the governing equations of motion through component-level reduced-order models (ROM) can be an effective strategy. Usually, the assumed field of deformation is created considering local modes, such as normal, static, or attachment modes, obtained from a single component. A different approach has been proposed in Cammarata (J. Sound Vibr. 489, 115668, 2020) for planar systems only and involves a reduction based on global flexible modes of the whole mechanism. Through the use of global modes, i.e., obtained from an eigenvalue analysis performed on the linearized dynamic system around a certain configuration, it is possible to obtain a modal basis for the flexible coordinates of the multibody system. Here, the same method is extended to spatial mechanisms to verify its applicability and reliability. It is demonstrated that global modes can be used to create ROM both at the system and component levels. Studies on the complexity of the method reveal this approach can significantly reduce the calculation times and the computational effort compared to the unreduced model. Unlike the planar case, the numerical experiments reveal that the system-level approach based on global modes can suffer from slow convergence speed and low accuracy in results.
Response shift in patient-reported outcomes: definition, theory, and a revised model
Authors: Vanier Antoine , Oort Frans J. , McClimans Leah , Ow Nikki , Gulek Bernice G. , Böhnke Jan R. , Sprangers Mirjam , Sébille Véronique , Mayo Nancy ,   the Response Shift - in Sync Working Group
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The extant response shift definitions and theoretical response shift models, while helpful, also introduce predicaments and theoretical debates continue. To address these predicaments and stimulate empirical research, we propose a more specific formal definition of response shift and a revised theoretical model.

Methods

This work is an international collaborative effort and involved a critical assessment of the literature.

Results

Three main predicaments were identified. First, the formal definitions of response shift need further specification and clarification. Second, previous models were focused on explaining change in the construct intended to be measured rather than explaining the construct at multiple time points and neglected the importance of using at least two time points to investigate response shift. Third, extant models do not explicitly distinguish the measure from the construct. Here we define response shift as an effect occurring whenever observed change (e.g., change in patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) scores) is not fully explained by target change (i.e., change in the construct intended to be measured). The revised model distinguishes the measure (e.g., PROM) from the underlying target construct (e.g., quality of life) at two time points. The major plausible paths are delineated, and the underlying assumptions of this model are explicated.

Conclusion

It is our hope that this refined definition and model are useful in the further development of response shift theory. The model with its explicit list of assumptions and hypothesized relationships lends itself for critical, empirical examination. Future studies are needed to empirically test the assumptions and hypothesized relationships.
Metabolic effects of agro-infiltration on N. benthamiana accessions
Authors: Drapal Margit , Enfissi Eugenia M. A. , Fraser Paul D.
Published: April 2021

Over the recent years, Nicotiana benthamiana has gained great importance as a chassis for the production of high value, low volume pharmaceuticals and/or active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The process involving infiltration of the N. benthamiana leaves with Agrobacterium spp, harbouring vectors with the gene of interest, facilitates transient expression. To date, little information is available on the effect of the agro-infiltration process on the metabolome of N. benthamiana, which is necessary to improve the process for large-scale, renewable manufacturing of high value compounds and medical products. Hence, the objective of the present study was to assess metabolic adaptation of N. benthamiana as a response to the presence of Agrobacterium. The present study elucidated changes of the steady-state metabolism in the agroinfiltrated leaf area, the area around the infection and the rest of the plant. Furthermore, the study discusses the phenotypic advantages of the N. benthamiana lab strain, optimised for agro-infiltration, compared to three other wild accessions. Results showed that the lab strain has a different metabolic composition and showed less alterations of the phenylpropanoid pathway and cell wall remodelling in the agroinfiltrated leaf areas, for example chlorogenic acid, cadaverine and C18:0–2-glycerol ester. In conclusion, both of these alterations present potential candidates to improve the phenotype of the N. benthamiana lab strain for a more efficient transient expression process.
Correction to: Challenges and ways forward in pesticide emission and toxicity characterization modeling for tropical conditions
Authors: Gentil Céline , Fantke Peter , Mottes Charles , Basset-Mens Claudine
Published: April 2021

© The Author(s) 2019
Fracture Energy Measurement of Prismatic Plane and Σ2 Boundary in Cemented Carbide
Authors: Emmanuel Max , Gavalda-Diaz Oriol , Sernicola Giorgio , M’saoubi Rachid , Persson Tomas , Norgren Susanne , Marquardt Katharina , Britton T. Ben , Giuliani Finn
Published: April 2021

The grain boundary network of WC in WC-Co is important, as cracks often travel intergranularly. This motivates the present work, where we experimentally measure the fracture energy of Σ2 twist grain boundaries between WC crystals using a double cantilever beam opened with a wedge under displacement control in a WC-10wt%Co sample. The fracture energy of this boundary type was compared with cleaving {$$10\overline{1}0$$

10

1
¯

0

} prismatic planes in a WC single crystal. Fracture energies of 7.04 ± 0.36 Jm−2 and 3.57 ± 0.28 Jm−2 were measured for {$$10\overline{1}0$$

10

1
¯

0

} plane and Σ2 twist boundaries, respectively.
Spectral methods for nonlinear functionals and functional differential equations
Authors: Venturi Daniele , Dektor Alec
Published: April 2021

We present a rigorous convergence analysis for cylindrical approximations of nonlinear functionals, functional derivatives, and functional differential equations (FDEs). The purpose of this analysis is twofold: First, we prove that continuous nonlinear functionals, functional derivatives, and FDEs can be approximated uniformly on any compact subset of a real Banach space admitting a basis by high-dimensional multivariate functions and high-dimensional partial differential equations (PDEs), respectively. Second, we show that the convergence rate of such functional approximations can be exponential, depending on the regularity of the functional (in particular its Fréchet differentiability), and its domain. We also provide necessary and sufficient conditions for consistency, stability and convergence of cylindrical approximations to linear FDEs. These results open the possibility to utilize numerical techniques for high-dimensional systems such as deep neural networks and numerical tensor methods to approximate nonlinear functionals in terms of high-dimensional functions, and compute approximate solutions to FDEs by solving high-dimensional PDEs. Numerical examples are presented and discussed for prototype nonlinear functionals and for an initial value problem involving a linear FDE.
Soil salinity mapping using Landsat 8 OLI data and regression modeling in the Great Hungarian Plain
Authors: Sahbeni Ghada
Published: April 2021

Salt's deposition in the subsoil is known as salinization. It is caused by natural processes such as mineral weathering or human-made activities such as irrigation with saline water. This environmental issue has grown more critical and is frequently occurring in the Hungarian Great Plain, adversely influencing agricultural productivity. This study aims to predict soil salinity in the Great Hungarian Plain, located in the east of Hungary, using Landsat 8 OLI data combined with four state-of-the-art regression models, i.e., Multiple Linear Regression, Partial Least Squares Regression, Ridge Regression, and Feedforward Artificial Neural Network. For this purpose, seventy-six soil samples were collected during a field survey conducted by the Research Institute for Soil Sciences and Agricultural Chemistry between the 15 of September and the 15 of October, 2016. We used the min–max accuracy, the root-mean-square error (RMSE), and the mean squared error (MSE) to evaluate and compare the four models' performance. The results showed that the ridge regression model performed the best in terms of prediction (MSEtraining = 0.006, MSEtest = 0.0007, RMSE = 0.081), with a min–max accuracy equal to 0.75. Hence, the application of regression modeling on spectral indices, principal component analysis, and land surface temperature derived from multispectral data is an efficient method for soil salinity assessment at local scales. The resulting map can provide an overview of salinity levels and evaluate the efficiency of land management strategies in irrigated areas. An increase in sampling density will be recommended to validate this approach on the regional scale.
Designs of borders: Security, critique, and the machines
Authors: Martin-Mazé Médéric , Perret Sarah
Published: April 2021

Over the past 15 years, the European Commission has poured millions of euros into Research and Development in border security. This article looks at the devices that are funded under this scheme. To this end, it applies Multiple Correspondence Analysis to a database of 41 projects funded under 7th Framework Programme. This method of data visualisation unearths the deep patterns of opposition that run across the sociotechnical universe where European borders are designed and created. We identify three rationalities of power at play: territorial surveillance aimed at detecting rare events in remote areas, policing of dense human flows by sorting out the benign from the dangerous, and finally global dataveillance of cargo on the move. Instead of trends towards either the hardening of borders or their virtualisation, we, therefore, find multiple rationalities of power simultaneously redefining the modalities of control at EU borders. A second finding shows where precisely critical actors are located in this sociotechnical universe and indicates that the structure of European R&D in border security keeps irregularised migrants off their radars. This finding calls for more caution as to the possibility to effectively put critique to work within the context of EU R&D.
DETERMINING THE PLACE OF PERFORMANCE UNDER ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE BRUSSELS I RECAST
Authors: Poon Arthur
Published: April 2021

This article calls for a reassessment of the methodology in determining the place of contractual performance under Article 7(1) of the Brussels I Regulation Recast. The first part of the article deals with Article 7(1)(a). It argues that in light of the adoption of autonomous linking factors under Article 7(1)(b), more types of contracts presently not covered within the ambits of Article 7(1)(b) should centralise jurisdiction at the places of performance of their characteristic obligations. The second part of the article considers the way Article 7(1) operates when there are multiple places of performance under the contract. The test devised by the Court of Justice of the European Union in this regard is not only difficult to apply, but the application of the test also often does not guarantee a close connection between the claim and the court taking jurisdiction. This article argues that when a claim is made in respect of a contractual obligation to be performed in more than one Member State, Article 4 should be applied instead of Article 7(1).
Intact forests of the Hkakabo Razi Landscape are a hotspot of bat diversity in South-east Asia
Authors: Bates Paul J. J. , Soisook Pipat , Oo Sai Sein Lin , Suarez-Rubio Marcela , Pimsai Awatsaya , Dejtaradol Ariya , Renner Swen C.
Published: April 2021

The Hkakabo Razi Landscape, in northern Kachin, Myanmar, is one of the largest remaining tracts of intact forest in South-east Asia. In 2016, we undertook a survey in its southern margins to assess bat diversity, distribution and ecology and evaluate the importance of the area for global bat conservation. Two collecting trips had taken place in the area in 1931 and 1933, with four bat species reported. We recorded 35 species, 18 of which are new for Kachin. One species, Murina hkakaboraziensis, was new to science and three, Megaerops niphanae, Phoniscus jagorii, Murina pluvialis, were new records for Myanmar. Our findings indicate high bat diversity in Hkakabo Razi; although it comprises only 1.7% of Myanmar's land area, it is home to 33.6% of its known bat species. This emphasizes Hkakabo Razi's importance for conserving increasingly threatened, forest-interior bats, especially in the families Kerivoulinae and Murininae. There is also a high diversity of other mammals and birds within the Hkakabo Razi Landscape, which supports its nomination as a World Heritage Site.
Against the World: The Collapse of Empire and the Deglobalization of Interwar Austria
Authors: Zahra Tara
Published: April 2021

In Joseph Roth's novel Die Kapuzinergruft, a Polish count bemoans the fate of a chestnut seller. “He is only a chestnut roaster, but he is quite symbolic. Symbolic for the old Monarchy. This gentleman once sold his chestnuts everywhere, through half of Europe one might say. And everywhere where his roasted chestnuts were eaten was Austria, and the Emperor Franz Joseph reigned. Now there is no chestnut without a visa.”
CENTURIATED LUCERIA: A LATIN COLONY AND ITS TERRITORY
Authors: Kim Yeong-chei
Published: April 2021

The extensive traces of Roman centuriation and its associated farms identified from aerial photographs near Lucera, ancient Luceria, in the plain of northern Apulia, have generally been attributed to the Gracchan agrarian reforms of the 130s/120s BC. However, the dating of these land divisions, on the basis of the excavation of the farms and centuriation roads by John Bradford and Barri Jones in 1949–50 and 1962–3, is of questionable reliability, and their work at Luceria was never properly published. This study reanalyses the scattered records and dating evidence from the excavation of seven farms of Bradford and Jones and three other sites surveyed by Bradford in theager Lucerinus. This study argues that the farms and associated grids belong to Rome's establishment of a Latin colony at Luceria in 326 or 315/314 BC during the Second Samnite War, and that the farms were abandoned due to the Hannibalic War. This study therefore presents the earliest certain Roman centuriation for a colony, and it observes the devastating impact of Hannibal's invasion and prolonged occupation on landholding in southeastern Italy, which has been doubted in recent work on Italian agrarian history. In no other part of Italy does there exist a coherent group of nearby excavated small-scale farms, which provides new insight into Roman colonization in Apulia and the consequences of the Hannibalic War.
Money, Knowledge and Power
Authors: Barnard C. R. , Billing J. , Brotherston D. , Jeffery T. , Mansell P. , Wright J.
Published: April 2021

Financial literacy is a core life skill for participating in modern society. But how many of us have been educated about money; the importance of budgeting and saving for a rainy day; how bank accounts and debt work and when it makes sense to save for a pension? Our brief research to date indicates a shockingly low level of financial literacy in the general population. And, it does not look like this will get better soon; regarding improving financial literacy, the Financial Services Authority stated in 2003 that “Never has the need been so great or so urgent”. And yet many children will go through school without an hour spent studying financial literacy. Furthermore, efforts to improve financial literacy at older ages are either non-existent or piecemeal at best.

The consequences of poor financial literacy are especially damaging for vulnerable people. Vulnerable groups of people are most at risk of making poor financial decisions throughout their lives, which has negative consequences for saving, home ownership, debt levels, retirement and financial inclusion. In this paper, we consider various mechanisms to protect such financial customers, whilst recognising that improving financial literacy is not a silver bullet to improve customer outcomes from financial products.

Financial literacy cannot be brought to a point where the public can understand many financial products without support and advice. But surely, awareness of basic financial literacy principles can be raised, including the most important: when to seek support and advice before undertaking important financial decisions. The paper suggests some key principles for financial literacy and will also consider methods and tools to allow the public to access much-needed support and advice.
CME: Riesenzellarteriitis
Authors: Reiner Katrin , Fehr Thomas , Wick Jürg
Published: April 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die Riesenzellarteriitis (RZA) ist die häufigste Vaskulitis bei Patienten über 50 Jahre. Betroffen sind die mittelgrossen und grossen Arterien. Unterschieden werden die kraniale und die extrakraniale Form. Dementsprechend können die Symptome von Kopfschmerzen, Sehstörungen und Kieferclaudicatio bis hin zu Allgemeinsymptomen wie Abgeschlagenheit, polymyalgischen Beschwerden und Fieber reichen. Kritisch ist vor allem die Beteiligung der Augenarterien mit drohendem irreversiblem Visusverlust, weshalb eine rasche Diagnostik und Therapieeinleitung wichtig sind. Es gibt zwar Empfehlungen, aber keine einheitlichen Richtlinien, wie eine RZA diagnostiziert werden soll. Glukokortikoide sind seit 60 Jahren und auch weiterhin die Therapie der Wahl, jedoch sind Nebenwirkungen häufig. Inzwischen konnte belegt werden, dass Tocilizumab eine effiziente Behandlung mit besserer Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit darstellt.
CME-Rheumatologie 23: Rheumatoide Arthritis nach COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2-Infektion
Authors: Tamborrini Giorgio , Micheroli Raphael
Published: April 2021

Zusammenfassung. Personen mit rheumatischen Erkrankungen, insbesondere solche unter immunmodulierender Behandlung, haben ein erhöhtes Infektionsrisiko. Andererseits ist bekannt, dass virale Infektionen eine Ursache für akute Arthralgien und für eine Arthritis sind. Wir stellen einen Fall mit ACPA- und RF-positiver rheumatoider Arthritis vor, aufgetreten nach COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2-Infektion, und diskutieren den möglichen Zusammenhang mit der Infektion.
Nevertheless, They Persisted: Can Hyporheic Zones Increase the Persistence of Estrogens in Streams?
Authors: Cheng Frederick Y. , Preisendanz Heather E. , Mashtare Michael L. , Lee Linda S. , Basu Nandita B.
Published: April 2021

The presence of estrogens has been linked to adverse ecological effects in surface waters downstream of agricultural and domestic wastewater sources. While laboratory studies suggest that these estrogens should not persist because of fast degradation rates, elevated concentrations in surface waters impacted by agricultural activities are commonly observed. Using a combination of measured data and a stream‐hyporheic zone (HZ) model applied to a 100 km reach in a tile‐drained catchment, we show that the HZ can increase the persistence of estrogens. Field data reveal high concentrations of sorbed estrogens in sediments and elevated in‐stream concentrations during low‐flow summer months, suggesting that the HZ acts as a source of estrogens when transport into the streams is minimal. Model results provide further insight into the underlying mechanisms that enable sustained estrogen concentrations in streams, with the HZ acting as a source of dissolved estrogens for 95% of the year. We show that stream water interactions with the HZ may lead to overall suppression of degradation processes and an increase in the persistence of estrogens. Results suggest that when the model considered exchange in the HZ, approximately 28%–49% of estrogen mass remained in the stream ecosystem, while all estrogen mass was degraded in a 100‐km reach in the model without the HZ. The remaining mass increased with increasing estrogen sorption coefficient, and this would potentially increase the lag time for lowering estrogen concentrations in surface water bodies even when inputs have ceased. Our findings highlight the importance of including HZ dynamics in estrogen transport models.
Natural history of patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy—results from the REALITY study
Authors: Yu-Wai-Man Patrick , Newman Nancy J. , Carelli Valerio , La Morgia Chiara , Biousse Valérie , Bandello Francesco M. , Clermont Catherine Vignal , Campillo Lorena Castillo , Leruez Stephanie , Moster Mark L. , Cestari Dean M. , Foroozan Rod , Sadun Alfredo , Karanjia Rustum , Jurkute Neringa , Blouin Laure , Taiel Magali , Sahel José-Alain ,   for the LHON REALITY Study Group, Hussain Rima , Jorany Rasha , Sheel Priyansha , DuBois Lindreth , Carbonelli Michele , Di Vito Lidia , Romagnoli Martina , DeBusk Adam A. , Massini Maria , Hage Rabih , Heilweil Gad , Tsui Irena , Garcia Virginia , Morilla Antonio , Barboni Piero , Cascavilla Maria Lucia , Battista Marco , Calcagno Francesca , Pina Adelaide
Published: April 2021

Background/objectives

REALITY is an international observational retrospective registry of LHON patients evaluating the visual course and outcome in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

Subjects/methods

Demographics and visual function data were collected from medical charts of LHON patients with visual loss. The study was conducted in 11 study centres in the United States of America and Europe. The collection period extended from the presymptomatic stage to at least more than one year after onset of vision loss (chronic stage). A Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing (LOWESS) local regression model was used to analyse the evolution of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over time.

Results

44 LHON patients were included; 27 (61%) carried the m.11778G>A ND4 mutation, 8 (18%) carried the m.3460G>A ND1 mutation, and 9 (20%) carried the m.14484T>C ND6 mutation. Fourteen (32%) patients were under 18 years old at onset of vision loss and 5 (11%) were below the age of 12. The average duration of follow-up was 32.5 months after onset of symptoms. At the last observed measure, mean BCVA was 1.46 LogMAR in ND4 patients, 1.52 LogMAR in ND1 patients, and 0.97 LogMAR in ND6 patients. The worst visual outcomes were reported in ND4 patients aged at least 15 years old at onset, with a mean BCVA of 1.55 LogMAR and no tendency for spontaneous recovery. The LOESS modelling curve depicted a severe and permanent deterioration of BCVA.

Conclusions

Amongst LHON patients with the three primary mtDNA mutations, adult patients with the m.11778G>A ND4 mutation had the worst visual outcomes, consistent with prior reports.