bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The challenge of assessing social cohesion in health impact assessment
Authors: Romagon Julie , Jabot Francoise
Published: June 2020

Health impact assessment (HIA) is a method by which a policy, programme or project falling outside traditional health fields, may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population to mitigate negative impacts and strengthen the positive ones. Proposals are analysed from the perspective of all the determinants of health. In France, HIAs are mainly applied to urban development projects where social cohesion (SCo) is a major issue. Although the HIA method is well structured as a step-by-step process, there are no guidelines for assessing SCo. This article opens with literature review to clarify the concept of SCo and to understand how the built environment influences SCo and how social environment influence health. Drawing on this work, this paper presents an analytical framework to assess SCo, integrating both the spatial and physical dimensions of urban design and the perceptions of the neighbourhood characteristics. Following a brief overview of the key findings from applying this framework to HIA of an urban development project, the paper discusses its related strengths and weaknesses. The framework could be a useful tool for HIA as it embraces knowledge from both urban planning and social sciences. It also allows for an overall analysis of all the indicators without relying on a checklist. Nevertheless, it should be tested further to improve its validity.
Understanding ICSID Article 54
Authors: Bermann George A
Published: June 2020

To the surprise of many, questions have recently arisen over the scope of inquiry, if any, that a national court may, consistent with Article 54 of the ICSID Convention, make in connection with the enforcement of an ICSID award. It has long been assumed in many, if not most, quarters that a national court is privileged to condition enforcement of an ICSID Convention award on a single simple requirement, viz. that the award be certified by the Secretary-General of ICSID. Until recently, doubts over whether that is so have been raised in a very small number of jurisdictions. But the Commission of the European Union has taken the view that an ICSID Convention award may be denied enforcement if it is contrary to a principle of “autonomy” of EU law and, based on its judgment in Achmea case in connection with non-ICSID awards, the European Court of Justice most likely takes the same view. This suggests that the European Union regards violation of EU public policy, more generally, as a defense to enforcement of an ICSID award. Based on text, object and purpose, legislative history, and predominant state practice, this position appears to run seriously afoul of the ICSID Convention. At the same time, some meaning must be given to the language in Article 54 according to which an ICSID award must be enforced by a national court “as if it were a final judgment of a court” of the enforcing State. The author finds that the understanding of Article 54 that best reflects all pertinent considerations is that it imposes on courts the modest requirement that they subject the enforcement of ICSID awards to no more restrictive or onerous procedures than they impose on the enforecement of national judgments.
Sepsis in Immunocompromised Patients Without Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: McCreery Randy J , Florescu Diana F , Kalil Andre C
Published: June 2020

Sepsis remains among the most common complications from infectious diseases worldwide. The morbidity and mortality rates associated with sepsis range from 20% to 50%. The advances in care for patients with an immunocompromised status have been remarkable over the last 2 decades, but sepsis continues to be a major cause of death in this population Immunocompromised patients who are recipients of a solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant are living longer with a better quality of life. However, some of these patients need lifelong treatment with immunosuppressive medications to maintain their transplant status. A consequence of the need for this permanent immunosuppression is the high risk of opportunistic, community, and hospital-acquired infections, all of which can lead to sepsis. In addition, the detection of serious infections may be more challenging owing to patients’ lower ability to mount the clinical symptoms that usually accompany sepsis. This article provides an update on the current knowledge of sepsis in immunocompromised patients without human immunodeficiency virus. It reviews the most pertinent causes of sepsis in this population, and addresses the specific diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in neutropenia and solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Quantitative fluorescence imaging of mitochondria in body wall muscles of Caenorhabditis elegans under hyperglycemic conditions using a microfluidic chip
Authors: Sofela Samuel , Sahloul Sarah , Bhattacharjee Sukanta , Bose Ambar , Usman Ushna , Song Yong-Ak
Published: June 2020

Type 2 diabetes is the most common metabolic disease, and insulin resistance plays a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Because completely functional mitochondria are necessary to obtain glucose-stimulated insulin from pancreatic beta cells, dysfunction of mitochondrial oxidative pathway could be involved in the development of diabetes. As a simple animal model, Caenorhabditis elegans renders itself to investigate such metabolic mechanisms because it possesses insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway similar to that in humans. Currently, the widely spread agarose pad-based immobilization technique for fluorescence imaging of the mitochondria in C. elegans is laborious, batchwise, and does not allow for facile handling of the worm. To overcome these technical challenges, we have developed a single-channel microfluidic device that can trap a C. elegans and allow to image the mitochondria in body wall muscles accurately and in higher throughput than the traditional approach. In specific, our microfluidic device took advantage of the proprioception of the worm to rotate its body in a microfluidic channel with an aspect ratio above one to gain more space for its undulation motion that was favorable for quantitative fluorescence imaging of mitochondria in the body wall muscles. Exploiting this unique feature of the microfluidic chip-based immobilization and fluorescence imaging, we observed a significant decrease in the mitochondrial fluorescence intensity under hyperglycemic conditions, whereas the agarose pad-based approach did not show any significant change under the same conditions. A machine learning model trained with these fluorescence images from the microfluidic device could classify healthy and hyperglycemic worms at high accuracy. Given this significant technological advantage, its easiness of use and low cost, our microfluidic imaging chip could become a useful immobilization tool for quantitative fluorescence imaging of the body wall muscles in C. elegans.
Creation of the gender-equitable school index for secondary schools using principal components analysis
Authors: Bergenfeld Irina , Jackson Emma C , Yount Kathryn M
Published: June 2020

Background

Higher schooling attainment for girls is associated with improved maternal and child health outcomes. In low- and middle-income countries, girls drop out of school at higher rates than boys beginning in early adolescence due to factors such as son preference and lack of access to menstrual supplies.

Methods

Using principal components analysis, we created a gender-equitable school (GES) index with data from 159 secondary schools in Nepal to measure school-level factors that may influence girls' secondary school pass rates.

Results

A component describing girls’ safety and hygiene was positively associated with school-wide pass rates for girls, and to a lesser degree for boys.

Conclusions

The GES index has diagnostic and programmatic utility in programs aimed at supporting girls’ education and health.
Dengue in parts of the Guinea Savannah region of Nigeria and the risk of increased transmission
Authors: Omatola C A , Onoja A B , Moses E , Mahmud M , Mofolorunsho C K
Published: June 2020

Background

Dengue virus (DENV) is spreading to parts of the world where it had not been previously reported. Increased international travel has led to intercontinental importation of dengue by visitors returning from countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Although dengue is well documented in the rain forest region of Nigeria, there is a dearth of information in the Guinea Savannah region, which is a major transit point for local and international visitors in the most populous nation in Africa. We provide preliminary evidence of dengue activity in the Guinea Savannah and highlight the risk factors.

Methods

Blood was collected from a cross-section of 200 patients attending four hospitals in Anyigba, Kogi State. Anti-dengue antibody was identified using DENV immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunoassays. Questionnaires were used to obtain sociodemographic variables and risk factors. Data were analysed with SPSS version 16.0 for Windows.

Results

Forty-two (20.5%) participants had anti-DENV IgG antibodies. Persons within the 45–59 y age group were more seropositive, with a rate of 35%. Males were more seropositive compared with females. Marriage, formal education, involvement in business activities and the presence of grasses around homes were associated with higher IgG seropositivity. The presence of open water containers around human dwellings and a lack of mosquito net use are predisposing factors.

Conclusions

This study identified past exposure to DENV among people in Anyigba, located in the Guinea Savannah region. Proper diagnosis of febrile episodes is required to improve case management and curtail off-target treatment. The high rate of previous exposure of patients to dengue indicates the need to strengthen vector control and dengue surveillance programs.
Implementation of a digital chatbot to screen health system employees during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Judson Timothy J , Odisho Anobel Y , Young Jerry J , Bigazzi Olivia , Steuer David , Gonzales Ralph , Neinstein Aaron B
Published: June 2020

The screening of healthcare workers for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) symptoms and exposures prior to every clinical shift is important for preventing nosocomial spread of infection but creates a major logistical challenge. To make the screening process simple and efficient, University of California, San Francisco Health designed and implemented a digital chatbot-based workflow. Within 1 week of forming a team, we conducted a product development sprint and deployed the digital screening process. In the first 2 months of use, over 270 000 digital screens have been conducted. This process has reduced wait times for employees entering our hospitals during shift changes, allowed for physical distancing at hospital entrances, prevented higher-risk individuals from coming to work, and provided our healthcare leaders with robust, real-time data for make staffing decisions.
Extension of grouting-induced splitting fractures in materials similar to coal rocks containing prefabricated fractures
Authors: Liu Chao , Huang Xiaosheng , Yue Wenping , Zhang Chao
Published: June 2020

To reveal the influence of prefabricated fractures (PFs) with different parameters on the extension of grouting-induced splitting fractures, a combination of numerical simulation and physical experiments were used to carry out grouting trials on similar materials to coal rock. The RFPA software was used to simulate the whole process of fracture initiation and expansion of coal rock with PFs during grouting. In the experiment, acoustic emission (AE) technology was used to monitor the extension process of grouting-induced splitting fractures. The results demonstrated that when the PFs do not intersect with the grouting holes, the extension of grouting-induced splitting fractures in rocks containing PFs experienced four stages: splitting and penetrating, slurry filling, fracture splitting and splitting extension. PFs have an orienting effect on the direction of grouting fracture extension and the size of the PFs influenced the extension of the grouting-induced splitting fractures: the larger the size, the easier the surrounding rocks were ruptured, the easier the connection was formed of channels between the grouting-induced splitting fractures and the PFs were formed, and the more complex the secondary splitting pattern in the PFs. This indicated that the angle of PFs played a decisive role in determining the extension direction of grouting-induced splitting fractures. The extension of grouting-induced splitting fractures during grouting of rock mass with different parameters is revealed by numerical simulation and experimental results.
Low Levels of Pyrethroid Resistance in Hybrid Offspring of a Highly Resistant and a More Susceptible Mosquito Strain
Authors: Pinch Matthew , Rodriguez Stacy D , Mitra Soumi , Kandel Yashoda , Moore Emily , Hansen Immo A
Published: June 2020

The use of insecticides has been a central approach to control disease-transmitting mosquitoes for the last century. The high prevalence of pyrethroid use as public health insecticides has resulted in the evolution of pyrethroid resistance in many populations of Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae), throughout its global distribution range. Insecticide resistance is often correlated with an associated fitness cost. In this project, we studied the phenotypes of hybrid mosquitoes derived from crossing a pyrethroid-resistant strain of Ae. aegypti (Puerto Rico [PR]) with a more susceptible one (Rockefeller [ROCK]). We first sequenced and compared the para gene of both original strains. We then crossed males from one strain with females of the other, creating two hybrids (Puertofeller, Rockorico). We used a Y-tube choice assay to measure the attraction of these strains towards a human host. We then compared the levels of pyrethroid resistance in the different strains. We found three known resistance mutations in the para gene sequence of the PR strain. In our attraction assays, PR females showed lower attraction to humans, than the ROCK females. Both hybrid strains showed strong attraction to a human host. In the insecticide resistance bottle assays, both hybrid strains showed marginal increases in resistance to permethrin compared to the more susceptible ROCK strain. These results suggest that hybrids of sensitive and permethrin-resistant mosquitoes have an incremental advantage compared to more susceptible mosquitoes when challenged with permethrin. This explains the rapid spread of permethrin resistance that was observed many times in the field.
Variation in the methods leads to variation in the interpretation of biodiversity–ecosystem multifunctionality relationships
Authors: Jing Xin , Prager Case M , Classen Aimée T , Maestre Fernando T , He Jin-Sheng , Sanders Nathan J
Published: June 2020

Aims

Biodiversity is often positively related to the capacity of an ecosystem to provide multiple functions simultaneously (i.e. multifunctionality). However, there is some controversy over whether biodiversity–multifunctionality relationships depend on the number of functions considered. Particularly, investigators have documented contrasting findings that the effects of biodiversity on ecosystem multifunctionality do not change or increase with the number of ecosystem functions. Here, we provide some clarity on this issue by examining the statistical underpinnings of different multifunctionality metrics.

Methods

We used simulations and data from a variety of empirical studies conducted across spatial scales (from local to global) and biomes (temperate and alpine grasslands, forests and drylands). We revisited three methods to quantify multifunctionality including the averaging approach, summing approach and threshold-based approach.

Important Findings

Biodiversity–multifunctionality relationships either did not change or increased as more functions were considered. These results were best explained by the statistical underpinnings of the averaging and summing multifunctionality metrics. Specifically, by averaging the individual ecosystem functions, the biodiversity–multifunctionality relationships equal the population mean of biodiversity-single function relationships, and thus will not change with the number of functions. Likewise, by summing the individual ecosystem functions, the strength of biodiversity–multifunctionality relationships increases as the number of functions increased. We proposed a scaling standardization method by converting the averaging or summing metrics into a scaling metric, which would make comparisons among different biodiversity studies. In addition, we showed that the range-relevant standardization can be applied to the threshold-based approach by solving for the mathematical artefact of the approach (i.e. the effects of biodiversity may artificially increase with the number of functions considered). Our study highlights different approaches yield different results and that it is essential to develop an understanding of the statistical underpinnings of different approaches. The standardization methods provide a prospective way of comparing biodiversity–multifunctionality relationships across studies.
The Customary Three-Level Scheme Part I
Authors: McLaughlin Robert
Published: June 2020

This chapter discusses the first two levels within the three-level scheme of rebellion-insurgency-belligerency. The least legally significant form, for third states, of conflict categorization was that of "rebellion." This level of the customary conflict categorization is not readily equated to less-than-NIAC (non-international armed conflict) civil unrest and riot, but was nevertheless assessed to be fundamentally a matter of domestic criminal law, with no alteration in either conflict state or third state rights and responsibilities. As a matter of domestic law, rebellion was "always war against the Crown," in the British context. Rebellion, consequently, created a situation of necessity which permitted application of martial law as opposed to "routine law," and was thus narrowly construed. The second level in the three level scheme was "insurrection" or "insurgency." This category was the most legally problematic of the three, as it was generally considered to be a political characterization with some legal consequences for third states recognizing the situation as such.
Some Challenging Issues and Case Studies in Recognition of Belligerency
Authors: McLaughlin Robert
Published: June 2020

This chapter addresses four of the challenges faced by the doctrine on recognition of belligerency. Although intensely flexible and well suited to its purposes, the doctrine on recognition of belligerency has faced significant challenges over the course of its customary existence. The very fact that it is an almost forgotten component of the law of war/law of armed conflict (LOAC) today indicates that the doctrine must have evinced a degree of fragility because it is now subject to some level of existential doubt. The challenges faced by the doctrine have included questions as to its universality; its applicability in certain intensely complicated political and military situations; its survival of the post-1949 reconfiguration of the law of war and the creation of LOAC; and the lack of recent definitive state practice in terms of clear, express, and overt genuflection to and application of the doctrine. Yet indications of its utility and vitality persist, albeit often as a sub-narrative to the more mainstream non-international armed conflict-international armed conflict analysis of conflict characterizations and contexts.
What if Recognition of Belligerency Remains Legally Available?
Authors: McLaughlin Robert
Published: June 2020

This concluding chapter looks at the importance of revisiting the doctrine on recognition of belligerency. It also assesses what the consequences might be if recognition of belligerency remain extant and available for states to employ in defining the legal rules governing their relationship with and/or between the conflict state and a non-state armed group (NSAG). The answer is that the doctrine on recognition of belligerency offers a specially and specifically designed—albeit relatively forgotten—legal analytical framework through which to approach some of the challenges and nuances that make non-international armed conflict LOAC a fundamentally more amorphous and difficult study than international armed conflict LOAC. The chapter then offers some thoughts on the utility of the doctrine—if it persists—for addressing some of these challenges. It approaches this task under three general thematic headings: status and treatment; means and methods; and interacting with NSAGs as entities.
Fast-moving pulsars as probes of interstellar medium
Authors: Barkov Maxim V , Lyutikov Maxim , Khangulyan Dmitry
Published: June 2020

Pulsars moving through interstellar medium (ISM) produce bow shocks detected in hydrogen H α line emission. The morphology of the bow shock nebulae allows one to probe the properties of ISM on scales ∼0.01 pc and smaller. We performed 2D relativistic magnetohydrodynamic modelling of the pulsar bow shock and simulated the corresponding H α emission morphology. We find that even a mild spatial inhomogeneity of ISM density, δρ/ρ ∼ 1, leads to significant variations of the shape of the shock seen in H α line emission. We successfully reproduce the morphology of the Guitar Nebula. We infer quasi-periodic density variations in the warm component of ISM with characteristic length of ∼0.1 pc. Structures of this scale might be also responsible for the formation of the fine features seen at the forward shock of Tycho supernova remnant (SNR) in X-rays. Formation of such short periodic density structures in the warm component of ISM is puzzling, and bow-shock nebulae provide unique probes to study this phenomenon.
Unleash electron transfer in C–H functionalization by mesoporous carbon-supported palladium interstitial catalysts
Authors: Zhao Xiaorui , Cao Yueqiang , Duan Linlin , Yang Ruoou , Jiang Zheng , Tian Chao , Chen Shangjun , Duan Xuezhi , Chen De , Wan Ying
Published: June 2020

The functionalization of otherwise unreactive C–H bonds adds a new dimension to synthetic chemistry, yielding useful molecules for a range of applications. Arylation has emerged as an increasingly viable strategy for functionalization of heteroarenes which constitute an important class of structural moieties for organic materials. However, direct bisarylation of heteroarenes to enable aryl-heteroaryl-aryl bond formation remains a formidable challenge, due to the strong coordination between heteroatom of N or S and transitional metals. Here we report Pd interstitial nanocatalysts supported on ordered mesoporous carbon as catalysts for a direct and highly efficient bisarylation method for five-membered heteroarenes that allows for green and mild reaction conditions. Notably, in the absence of any base, ligands and phase transfer agents, high activity (turn-over frequency, TOF, up to 107 h−1) and selectivity (>99%) for the 2,5-bisarylation of five-membered heteroarenes are achieved in water. A combination of characterization reveals that the remarkable catalytic reactivity here is attributable to the parallel adsorption of heteroarene over Pd clusters, which breaks the barrier to electron transfer in traditional homogenous catalysis and creates dual electrophilic sites for aryl radicals and adsorbate at C2 and C5 positions. The d-band filling at Pd sites shows a linear relationship with activation entropy and catalytic activity. The ordered mesopores facilitate the absence of a mass transfer effect. These findings suggest alternative synthesis pathways for the design, synthesis and understanding of a large number of organic chemicals by ordered mesoporous carbon supported palladium catalysts.
Health and Economic Impact of Health Warnings and Plain Tobacco Packaging in Seven Latin American Countries: Results of a Simulation Model
Authors: Alcaraz Andrea , Hernández-Vásquez Akram , Palacios Alfredo , Rodríguez Belén , Roberti Javier , García-Martí Sebastián , Ciapponi Agustín , Augustovski Federico , Bardach Ariel , Pichon-Riviere Andrés
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The burden of disease attributable to tobacco use in Latin America is very high. Our objective was to evaluate the 10-year potential impact of current legislation related to cigarette packaging and warnings and expected effects of moving to a higher level of strategies implementing cigarette plain packaging on health and cost outcomes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, using a microsimulation model.

Aims and Methods

We used a probabilistic state-transition microsimulation model, considering natural history, costs, and quality of life losses associated with main tobacco-related diseases. We followed up individuals in hypothetical cohorts and calculated health outcomes annually to obtain aggregated long-term population health outcomes and costs. We performed a literature review to estimate effects and analyzed studies and information from ministries, relevant organizations, and national surveys. We calibrated the model comparing the predicted disease-specific mortality rates with local statistics.

Results

Current graphic warnings already in place in each country could avert, during 10 years, 69 369 deaths and 638 295 disease events, adding 1.2 million years of healthy life and saving USD 5.3 billion in the seven countries. If these countries implemented plain packaging strategies, additional 155 857 premature deaths and 4 133 858 events could be averted, adding 4.1 million healthy years of life and saving USD 13.6 billion in direct health care expenses of diseases attributable to smoking.

Conclusions

Latin American countries should not delay the implementation of this strategy that will alleviate part of the enormous health and financial burden that tobacco poses on their economies and health care systems.

Implications

Tobacco smoking is the single most preventable and premature mortality cause in the world. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, supported by the World Health Organization, introduced a package of evidence-based measures for tobacco control. This study adds evidence on the potential health effects and savings of implementing cigarette plain packaging in countries representing almost 80% of the Latin American population; findings are valuable resources for policy makers in the region.
The Combined Endoscopic Endonasal Far Medial and Open Postauricular Transtemporal Approaches As a Lesser Invasive Approach to the Jugular Foramen: Anatomic Morphometric Study With Case Illustration
Authors: Youssef A Samy , Arnone Gregory D , Farell Nyssa Fox , Thompson John A , Ramakrishnan Vijay R , Gubbels Samuel , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A , Cass Stephen , Labib Mohamed A
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Access to the jugular foramen (JF) requires extensive approaches. An endoscopic endonasal far medial (EEFM) approach combined with a postauricular transtemporal (PTT) approach may provide adequate exposure with limited morbidities.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a quantitative anatomic comparison of the EEFM, the PTT, and the combined EEFM/PTT approaches. A clinical case of the combined approach is presented.

METHODS

Five cadaveric heads were dissected. Each specimen received PTT and EEFM approaches on opposite sides followed by an EEFM approach on the side of the PTT approach. Morphometric and quadrant analyses were conducted. Three groups were obtained and compared: PTT (group A), EEFM (group B), and combined (group C).

RESULTS

Group B had a significantly higher area of exposure of the JF as compared to group A (112.3 and 225 mm2, respectively, P = .004). The average degree of freedom (DOF) in the cranio-caudal plane for groups A and B was 63.6 and 12.6 degrees, respectively (P < .00001). Group A had a higher DOF in the medial-lateral plane than group B (49 vs 13.4 degrees, respectively, P < .00001. The average volume of exposure in groups A and B was 1469.2 and 1897.4 mm3, respectively (P = .02). By adding an EEFM approach to the PTT approach, an additional 56.1% of the anterior quadrant was exposed, representing a 584.4% increase in the anterior exposure.

CONCLUSION

The PTT and EEFM approaches provide optimal exposures to different aspects of the JF and in combination may constitute a less invasive alternative to the more extensive approaches.
For Those in the “Ghetto Torture Chambers”
Authors: Teutsch Matthew , Oakes Jason Lee
Published: June 2020

This chapter explores the connective tissue that joins the urban noir tradition to the representations of antiheros that populate Iceberg Slim’s texts and many hip hop narratives. Specifically, it analyzes Slim’s construction of realness in his writings and his 1976 album Reflections in order to understand how his work shapes a notion of “pulp authenticity” that would come to influence gangsta rap. Slim and his hip hop progeny arose from the noir tradition, a literary genre that confronted anxieties of race and gender identity amid an ever-changing urban landscape. Pulp authenticity incorporates the sensational on one hand and varying forms of genuineness on the other, appearing in African American noir cultural productions in the latter part of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. At its core, pulp authenticity funnels “genuineness” through a genre that privileges the sensational.
Durkheim and the New Sociology of Morality
Authors: Lukes Steven
Published: June 2020

Durkheim’s writings on morality are examined, distinguishing his earlier, more familiar account from later developments that advance new ideas relevant to present-day debates. The question is raised of the extent to which familiar criticisms of Durkheim’s sociology of morality are justified and ways are suggested in which sociologists and anthropologists can gain from reconsidering Durkheim on morality. His attempts to demarcate the scope of the sociology of morals against the claims of the philosophers and psychologists of his time are, it is argued, relevant to how sociologists of morality should view today’s philosophers and psychologists. Durkheim’s influence on current work by sociologists of morality is considered: positive influence, whether acknowledged or not, and negative, in response to what are seen as inadequacies of Durkheim’s approach. It is suggested that apparently non-Durkheimian studies of trust, collective action, and the evolution of social norms are nonetheless Durkheimian in their object of inquiry.
The Artificial Pancreas in Cyborg Bodies
Authors: Hatch Anthony Ryan , Gordon Julia T. , Sternlieb Sonya R.
Published: June 2020

The new artificial pancreas system includes a body-attached blood glucose sensor that tracks glucose levels, a worn insulin infusion pump that communicates with the sensor, and features new software that integrates the two systems. The artificial pancreas is purportedly revolutionary because of its closed-loop design, which means that the machine can give insulin without direct patient intervention. It can read a blood sugar and administer insulin based on an algorithm. But, the hardware for the corporate artificial pancreas is expensive and its software code is closed-access. Yet, well-educated, tech-savvy diabetics have been fashioning their own fully automated do-it-yourself (DIY) artificial pancreases for years, relying on small-scale manufacturing, open-source software, and inventive repurposing of corporate hardware. In this chapter, we trace the corporate and DIY artificial pancreases as they grapple with issues of design and accessibility in a content where not everyone can become a diabetic cyborg. The corporate artificial pancreas offers the cyborg low levels of agency and no ownership and control over his or her own data; it also requires access to health insurance in order to procure and use the technology. The DIY artificial pancreas offers patients a more robust of agency but also requires high levels of intellectual capital to hack the devices and make the system work safely. We argue that efforts to increase agency, radically democratize biotechnology, and expand information ownership in the DIY movement are characterized by ideologies and social inequalities that also define corporate pathways.
The Right(s) to Procreate and Assisted Reproductive Technologies in the United States
Authors: Cohen I. Glenn
Published: June 2020

This chapter focuses on the right (or rights) to procreate in the United States, with a focus on reproductive technology use. The United States has been too often described as the “wild west” of reproductive technology use. When measured against many of its comparators—Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, etc.—it is undoubtedly true that more forms of reproductive technology use are permitted in the United States than elsewhere. It is for this reason that the United States has been a frequent destination for “circumvention tourism” or “fertility tourism.” At the same time, it would be wrong to think that reproductive medicine is unregulated in the United States. The chapter argues that it is just that the regulation is more fragmented, both in terms of the locus of control (federal vs. state authority, governmental vs. professional self-regulation, etc.) and also of the legal sources involved (more of a focus on tort law and family law than direct regulation at the statutory or constitutional level).
The Energy Politics of the United States
Authors: Allison Juliann Emmons , Parinandi Srinivas
Published: June 2020

This chapter examines the development and politics of US energy policy, with an emphasis on three themes: the distribution of authority to regulate energy between national (or federal) and subnational governments, the relationship between energy and environmental policy and regulation, and the role of climate action in energy politics. It reviews patterns of energy production and consumption; provides an overview of national energy politics; and reviews literatures on federalism and energy politics and policy, the increasing integration of energy and environmental policies, and the politics of energy and climate action. The chapter concludes with a discussion of a future research agenda that underscores the significance of political polarization, subnational governance, and technological innovation for understanding US energy policy.
Renewable Energy
Authors: Bahr Kyle , Szarka Nora , Boeing Erika
Published: June 2020

Renewable energy has come to hold a significant place in public discourse surrounding the future supply of energy worldwide. Defined by their ability to replenish themselves within a reasonable time frame, renewable energy resources are extremely varied, as are the technologies that are used to harness them. Renewable energy encompasses a wide range of fields and disciplines, from physics, chemistry, geology, and engineering to manufacturing, electricity production, and economics. This chapter discusses several key renewable energy resources and technologies, including solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower. It provides a simple technical overview of the resources and the mechanisms behind their respective technologies, along with a discussion of the benefits and challenges associated with each resource and technology covered. Finally, it includes a discussion of the state of the industries to help policy makers and political scientists understand the current status—and the potential for future developments—of each area.
Energy Politics
Authors: Hancock Kathleen J. , Allison Juliann Emmons
Published: June 2020

The Oxford Handbook of Energy Politics highlights the wide variety of literature, primarily by political scientists and international relations scholars, summarizing and analyzing research that intersects politics and energy issues, and provides an extensive and comprehensive set of research agendas. These chapters cover domestic politics of major energy producers and consumers as well as a variety of concepts and frameworks used in the social sciences, such as international organizations, regionalism, interdependence, justice, conflict and cooperation, and gender. Drawing on the preceding thirty chapters, this concluding chapter brings together common strands of the critical analyses and overlapping research agendas provided by the Handbook’s authors. While the Handbook documents an extensive body of research on energy politics, more theorizing, comparative analyses, generalizations, and diverse methodologies are needed.
The Roman Empire in Paul’s Letters
Authors: Liew Tat-siong Benny
Published: June 2020

Paul’s reality as a colonized Jew and an imperial subject of Rome means that the Roman Empire loomed large in his world, especially given his frequent travels to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to Gentiles of the Roman Empire. Although Paul’s letters seldom refer directly to the Roman Empire, the Roman Empire formed the content as much as it constituted the context of Paul’s letters. While these letters contain critiques of the Roman Empire, they also mirror the Roman Empire in different ways. Attempts to pin Paul down through his letters as either anti-imperial or pro-Rome are unrealistic and reductionist, because they do not take seriously the complexity of the Roman Empire, of Paul as a person, of language and writing, and of textual interpretation.
Social Relations Modeling of Interpersonal Accuracy
Authors: Malloy Thomas E.
Published: June 2020

Interpersonal perception is a dyadic phenomenon with multiple perspectives; dyad members reciprocally perceive one another (perceptions), while also assessing how the other perceives them (meta-perceptions). Because accuracy is inherently dyadic, social relations modeling is appropriate for partitioning interpersonal perceptions into theoretically meaningful components called perceiver, target, and relationship. Estimation of accuracy should use only the relevant components when assessing if perceptions conform to a validity criterion. Moreover, interpersonal perception exists within a broader nomological network of perceptual phenomena. People assume that others’ traits are similar to their own traits (assumed similarity), and that others judge them as they judge others (assumed reciprocity). Each has implications for accuracy. Theoretical models are developed that specify the effect of perceivers’ assumptions about others (i.e., top-down processes), and the effect of others’ behaviors (i.e., bottom-up processes) on perceivers’ judgments of targets’ traits, and their impact on accuracy.
Humanism in East Asia
Authors: Huang Chun-chieh
Published: June 2020

This chapter discusses types of Confucian humanism in East Asia, their manifestations, functions, and shared core value. First of all, it differentiates two types of Confucian humanism: (a) ethno-historical humanism, and (b) culturo-philosophical humanism. The former was baptized in the spirit of temporality while the latter stressed a return to the spontaneity of one’s mind-heart, which was considered to be supra-temporal and supra-spatial. Both types of Confucian humanism took humanity or ren (仁) as their core value. Throughout the history of Confucian humanism, the meaning of ren fell into four categories, namely: (a) ren as the locale of physical and mental relief; (b) ren as the inner awareness of value judgment: (c) ren as social ethics; and (d) ren as political career. Confucius and Zhu Xi were the two major architects of Confucian humanistic thinking. The spirit of Confucian humanism manifested itself in beliefs in a (a) mind-body continuum, (b) self-other harmony, (c) homo-cosmic resonation, and (d) past-present fusion. Moreover, Confucian humanism functioned as (a) socio-cultural nostalgia, (b) political counter-factuality, and (c) day-to-day “practical learning.”
South African War, Union, Segregation
Authors: Vahed Goolam
Published: June 2020

This chapter examines the politics of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century South Africa. It considers the South African War and itsrole in shaping modern South Africa through the postwar program of reconstruction under the watch of Milner’s kindergarten, in the context of the British imperial project. Factors that led to the war are outlined, including the role of Randlords, followed by a discussion of the reconciliation between the British and the Boers at the expense of black South Africans, the standoff between Smuts and Gandhi, reconstruction, segregation, the marginalization of black South Africans, and the genesis of organized black resistance to white minority rule under which union was forged.
Contributions from the Sociology of Care in Latin America
Authors: Batthyány Karina
Published: June 2020

This chapter aims to provide some insights into how care emerged as a subject of sociological study in Latin America through the lens of gender inequality. Since its emergence as an academic concern, care has become one of the most dynamic and controversial fields of study in contemporary sociology. In Latin American countries, the social organization of care became important in the context of a “care crisis,” which was caused by a combination of increased female participation in the labor market, a more diverse organization of households and families, men’s infrequent participation in care and domestic chores, increasing life expectancy, and new care needs. Shifts in women’s professional lives, in combination with an absence of public services and social benefits that might have replaced some of the unpaid work women had performed within families, have given rise to the crisis of care.
Pro Oriente
Authors: Legrand Hervé
Published: June 2020

The Pro Oriente foundation was established by Cardinal König of Vienna in 1964 to promote relations between the Catholic Church and the eastern churches, both Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox. Always acting unofficially, it has had great success, fostering personal contacts among leading figures and organizing conferences in which long-standing doctrinal issues could be addressed. This chapter considers how its activities and initiatives helped the official dialogue to get under way between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church and assisted in the major Christological declarations that broke the ice between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox churches. More recently, Pro Oriente has also facilitated dialogue with the Assyrian Church of the East, within the ambit of discussion among all the churches of Syriac tradition. The remarkable contribution of Pro Oriente to ecumenical rapprochement via several major series of scholarly publications is also indicated.
Unity in Reconciled Diversity
Authors: Meyer Harding
Published: June 2020

This chapter considers the development of the idea of the ecumenical goal as one of unity in reconciled diversity. From the 1920s, the ecumenical movement was committed to a visible unity, generally understood as requiring organic union. Confession was seen as opposed to oikoumene. However, particularly as a result of the many bilateral dialogues between the confessions that began following the entry of the Roman Catholic Church into the ecumenical movement after the Second Vatican Council, a rethinking of the value of confessions occurred. The dialogues have often achieved a differentiated consensus which does not abolish all differences but removes their church-dividing character, and the idea of unity in reconciled diversity has correspondingly taken shape. Examining that idea and responding to various critiques of it, the chapter maintains that it can be seen as fully compatible with the formula of unity agreed by the World Council of Churches at New Delhi in 1961.
Qur’anic Exempla and Late Antique Narratives
Authors: Klar Marianna
Published: June 2020

The Qur’anic corpus is characterized by a pervasive technique of deploying narratives as exempla relevant to its own addressees. Minimal or more expanded references to biblical figures such as Noah and Moses are utilized in order to illustrate key exhortatory themes in a large number of suras, a feature that has struck readers of the Qur’an from ancient times to the present. Recent scholarship has replaced a search for straightforward parallels in narratives from the Judaeo-Christian tradition with a growing trend for a re-evaluation of the Qur’an’s contextual framework, and a rethinking of the references to other literatures and religious traditions included therein.
Contemporary Tafsīr
Authors: Saleh Walid A.
Published: June 2020

This chapter argues that modern tafsīr is intimately tied to the rise of a new mode of theological writing and development in the Islamic world. With the demise of medieval Kalām, and its vocabulary, scriptural exegesis is now the new way of doing theology in the Islamic world, in this way modern exegesis and theology are even more intertwined. The chapter also highlights the continuous importance of medieval exegesis to the modern exegete. It also highlights the diffusion of tafsīr through the print and internet. Modern tafsīr in the Islamic world is now carried out in most of the Islamic languages and not only in Arabic.
Endogenous Agency Problems and the Dynamics of Rents
Authors: Biais B , Landier A
Published: June 2020

While potentially more productive, more complex tasks generate larger agency rents. Agents therefore prefer to acquire complex skills, to earn large rents. In our overlapping generations model, their ability to do so is kept in check by competition with predecessors. Old agents, however, are imperfect substitutes for young ones, because the latter are easier to incentivize, thanks to longer horizons. This reduces competition between generations, enabling young managers to go for larger complexity than their predecessors. Consequently, equilibrium complexity and rents gradually increase beyond what is optimal for the principal and for society.
Performance-Induced CEO Turnover
Authors: Jenter Dirk , Lewellen Katharina
Published: June 2020

This paper revisits the relationship between firm performance and CEO turnover. Instead of classifying turnovers into forced and voluntary, we introduce performance-induced turnover, defined as turnover that would not have occurred had performance been “good.” We document a close turnover-performance link and estimate that 38%–55% of turnovers are performance induced. This is significantly more than the number of forced turnovers, though the two types of turnovers are highly correlated. Compared to the predictions of Bayesian learning models, learning about CEO ability appears to be slow, and boards act as if CEO ability (or match quality) was subject to frequent shocks.
Adaptation to the New Normal—Maternal Employment in the Framework of Psychosomatic and Stress Discourse in Finland from the 1950s to the Early 1970s
Authors: Myllykangas Mikko , Hyrkäs Eve-Riina
Published: June 2020

This article examines how the psychosomatic approach, a holistic orientation towards health and illness, and the concept of ‘stress’ were employed in the Finnish socio-medical discussion on maternal employment during the post-war decades. The concepts of psychosomatics and stress voiced the contemporary anxieties about a changing way of life, and as the psychosocial environment was connected to morbidity, maternal employment could be seen as a medical problem. The changing value climate of the late 1960s elicited an emerging discrepancy between interpretations of medical theories and ‘modern values’, articulated in maternal employment and day care discussions. ‘Psychosomatics’ and ‘stress’ could be used as tools for victim-blaming, but also to call for changes in social conditions. The article contributes to the historical scholarship on social change by suggesting how the interaction between individual behaviour and the planning of social policies can be analysed.