bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paradoxes of Strategic Labour Rights Litigation: Insights from the Baldia Factory Fire Litigation
Authors: Siddiqi Faisal
Published: June 2021

This chapter focuses on the legal activism that followed the Ali Enterprises factory fire and its aftermath in Pakistan. This chapter has two purposes: firstly, it documents the legal proceedings that were initiated and pursued in the courts of Pakistan as well as its interconnected developments. Secondly, I aim to use this engagement with the legal proceedings of the Baldia factory fire aftermath as an opportunity for an in-depth reflection on the capacity and, finally, suitability of the judicial process to bring about justice in struggles over human and labour rights. Providing a rare and insider account of the legal proceedings in the Pakistani courts and its interconnected developments, I hope to lay the empirical foundation for the theoretical and strategic claims of this study. It is against the background and based on the experience with the litigation and legal advocacy following the Baldia fire that I examine the two what I perceive as “paradoxes” at the heart of the litigation. The first is the inseparability of the “limited justice” that may result from such litigation on one hand, and the “structural injustice” that informs and determines the conditions the litigation seeks to address—and transform—on the other hand. The second paradox concerns the inseparability of both law and lawlessness as regards the legal context of the litigation, advocacy and policy proposal elements that are here in play.

My argument is that these apparently contradictory phenomena not only coexist alongside one another but that they guarantee each other’s existence. This analysis leads me to the conclusion that in order to understand and improve such forms of strategic litigation, it is necessary to measure its success and failure in terms of three distinct but interconnected criteria. These are thetactical,strategicandstructuralimpacts of the litigation. Ultimately, I will argue for rejecting what is often perceived by involved stakeholders to be an unavoidable choice between nihilism, euphoria or incremental reform in this context. But, to the contrary, I will argue for a conception of legal struggles as a means of building sustainable and fruitful forms of resistance and of change based on the recognition and exploitation of these irreconcilable paradoxes rather than fruitless attempts to ignore or transcend these irreconcilable contradictions.
Four Against KiK: A Conversation with Caspar Dohmen
Authors: Bader Michael
Published: June 2021

Caspar Dohmen is a business journalist, author and lecturer living in Berlin. In this interview, he speaks to Michael Bader about the role of the media in raising awareness, transnational activism and strategic litigation claims. Their conversation illuminates the crucial role of journalists regarding inter-connected transnational social struggles, such as global production of textile and garment.
Rückblick und Ausblick: Für eine dekoloniale politische Bildung
Authors: Kleinschmidt Malte
Published: June 2021

Statt einer Zusammenfassung zielt dieser Abschnitt auf eine Einordnung des Textes sowie eine Reflexion auf seine Auslassungen. Gleichzeitig ist dieser Abschnitt ein Plädoyer für die Weiterentwicklung des Ansatzes dekolonialer politischer Bildung.
The benefits of diligence: how precise are predicted gravitational wave spectra in models with phase transitions?
Authors: Guo Huai-Ke , Sinha Kuver , Vagie Daniel , White Graham
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Models of particle physics that feature phase transitions typically provide predictions for stochastic gravitational wave signals at future detectors and such predictions are used to delineate portions of the model parameter space that can be constrained. The question is: how precise are such predictions? Uncertainties enter in the calculation of the macroscopic thermal parameters and the dynamics of the phase transition itself. We calculate such uncertainties with increasing levels of sophistication in treating the phase transition dynamics. Currently, the highest level of diligence corresponds to careful treatments of the source lifetime; mean bubble separation; going beyond the bag model approximation in solving the hydrodynamics equations and explicitly calculating the fraction of energy in the fluid from these equations rather than using a fit; and including fits for the energy lost to vorticity modes and reheating effects. The lowest level of diligence incorporates none of these effects. We compute the percolation and nucleation temperatures, the mean bubble separation, the fluid velocity, and ultimately the gravitational wave spectrum corresponding to the level of highest diligence for three explicit examples: SMEFT, a dark sector Higgs model, and the real singlet-extended Standard Model (xSM). In each model, we contrast different levels of diligence in the calculation and find that the difference in the final predicted signal can be several orders of magnitude. Our results indicate that calculating the gravitational wave spectrum for particle physics models and deducing precise constraints on the parameter space of such models continues to remain very much a work in progress and warrants care.
An explicit calculation of pseudo-goldstino mass at the leading three-loop level
Authors: Dai Jianpeng , Liu Tao , Yang Jin Min
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Pseudo-goldstinos appear in the scenario of multi-sector SUSY breaking. Unlike the true goldstino which is massless and absorbed by the gravitino, pseudo-goldstinos could obtain mass from radiative effects. In this note, working in the scenario of two-sector SUSY breaking with gauge mediation, we explicitly calculate the pseudo-goldstino mass at the leading three-loop level and provide the analytical results after performing Taylor expansions in the loop integrals. In our calculation we consider the general case of messenger masses (not necessarily equal) and include the higher order terms of SUSY breaking scales. Our results can reproduce the numerical value estimated previously at the leading order of SUSY breaking scales with the assumption of equal messenger masses. It turns out that the results are very sensitive to the ratio of messenger masses, while the higher order terms of SUSY breaking scales are rather small in magnitude. Depending on the ratio of messenger masses, the pseudo-goldstino mass can be as low as $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(0.1) GeV.
Singlino-dominated dark matter in general NMSSM
Authors: Cao Junjie , Li Demin , Lian Jingwei , Yue Yuanfang , Zhou Haijing
Published: June 2021

Abstract

The general Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM) describes the singlino-dominated dark-matter (DM) property by four independent parameters: singlet-doublet Higgs coupling coefficient λ, Higgsino mass μtot, DM mass $$ {m}_{{\tilde{\chi}}_1^0} $$

m

χ
˜

1
0

, and singlet Higgs self-coupling coefficient κ. The first three parameters strongly influence the DM-nucleon scattering rate, while κ usually affects the scattering only slightly. This characteristic implies that singlet-dominated particles may form a secluded DM sector. Under such a theoretical structure, the DM achieves the correct abundance by annihilating into a pair of singlet-dominated Higgs bosons by adjusting κ’s value. Its scattering with nucleons is suppressed when λv/μtot is small. This speculation is verified by sophisticated scanning of the theory’s parameter space with various experiment constraints considered. In addition, the Bayesian evidence of the general NMSSM and that of Z3-NMSSM is computed. It is found that, at the cost of introducing one additional parameter, the former is approximately 3.3 × 103 times the latter. This result corresponds to Jeffrey’s scale of 8.05 and implies that the considered experiments strongly prefer the general NMSSM to the Z3-NMSSM.
Data-driven topology design using a deep generative model
Authors: Yamasaki Shintaro , Yaji Kentaro , Fujita Kikuo
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we propose a sensitivity-free and multi-objective structural design methodology called data-driven topology design. It is schemed to obtain high-performance material distributions from initially given material distributions in a given design domain. Its basic idea is to iterate the following processes: (i) selecting material distributions from a dataset of material distributions according to eliteness, (ii) generating new material distributions using a deep generative model trained with the selected elite material distributions, and (iii) merging the generated material distributions with the dataset. Because of the nature of a deep generative model, the generated material distributions are diverse and inherit features of the training data, that is, the elite material distributions. Therefore, it is expected that some of the generated material distributions are superior to the current elite material distributions, and by merging the generated material distributions with the dataset, the performances of the newly selected elite material distributions are improved. The performances are further improved by iterating the above processes. The usefulness of data-driven topology design is demonstrated through numerical examples.
The roles of KIBS and R&D in the industrial diversification of regions
Authors: Content Jeroen , Cortinovis Nicola , Frenken Koen , Jordaan Jacob
Published: June 2021

There is a growing recognition of the importance of the creation of new industrial specialisations for sustained regional growth. However, path dependency often limits a region’s ability to do so, as the occurrence of new industrial specialisations is conditioned by its existing industrial base. In this paper, we use data for 269 NUTS-2 EU regions to examine whether regional Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) and Research and Development (R&D) enhance the capacity of regions to specialise in new industries, against the forces of path dependence. Our findings show that both KIBS and R&D exercise direct positive effects on the creation of new industry specialisations and that professional-KIBS and public R&D impact negatively on the relatedness of new specialisations, while private R&D does so positively.
The mean seasonal cycle in relative sea level from satellite altimetry and gravimetry
Authors: Ray Richard D. , Loomis Bryant D. , Zlotnicki Victor
Published: June 2021

Satellite altimetry and gravimetry are used to determine the mean seasonal cycle in relative sea level, a quantity relevant to coastal flooding and related applications. The main harmonics (annual, semiannual, terannual) are estimated from 25 years of gridded altimetry, while several conventional altimeter “corrections” (gravitational tide, pole tide, and inverted barometer) are restored. To transform from absolute to relative sea levels, a model of vertical land motion is developed from a high-resolution seasonal mass inversion estimated from satellite gravimetry. An adjustment for annual geocenter motion accounts for use of a center-of-mass reference frame in satellite orbit determination. A set of 544 test tide gauges, from which seasonal harmonics have been estimated from hourly measurements, is used to assess how accurately each adjustment to the altimeter data helps converge the results to true relative sea levels. At these gauges, the median annual and semiannual amplitudes are 7.1 cm and 2.2 cm, respectively. The root-mean-square differences with altimetry are 3.24 and 1.17 cm, respectively, which are reduced to 1.93 and 0.86 cm after restoration of corrections and adjustment for land motion. Example outliers highlight some limitations of present-day coastal altimetry owing to inadequate spatial resolution: upwelling and currents off Oregon and wave setup at Minamitori Island.
Prognostic value of regional myocardial flow reserve derived from 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease
Authors: von Felten Elia , Benz Dominik C. , Benetos Georgios , Baehler Jessica , Patriki Dimitri , Rampidis Georgios P. , Giannopoulos Andreas A. , Bakula Adam , Gräni Christoph , Pazhenkottil Aju P. , Gebhard Catherine , Fuchs Tobias A. , Kaufmann Philipp A. , Buechel Ronny R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To assess the prognostic value of regional quantitative myocardial flow measures as assessed by13N-ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

We retrospectively included 150 consecutive patients with suspected CAD who underwent clinically indicated 13 N-ammonia PET-MPI and who did not undergo revascularization within 90 days of PET-MPI. The presence or absence of a decreased global myocardial flow reserve (i.e., MFR < 2) as well as decreased regional MFR (i.e., ≥ 2 adjacent segments with MFR < 2) was recorded, and patients were classified as having preserved global and regional MFR (MFR group 1), preserved global but decreased regional MFR (MFR group 2), or decreased global and regional MFR (MFR group 3). We obtained follow-up regarding major adverse cardiac events (MACE, i.e., a combined endpoint including all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and late revascularization) and all-cause death.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 50 months (IQR 38–103), 30 events occurred in 29 patients. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly reduced event-free and overall survival in MFR groups 2 and 3 compared to MFR group 1 (log-rank: p = 0.015 and p = 0.013). In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, decreased regional MFR was an independent predictor for MACE (adjusted HR 3.44, 95% CI 1.17–10.11, p = 0.024) and all-cause death (adjusted HR 4.72, 95% CI 1.07–20.7, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

A decreased regional MFR as assessed by 13 N-ammonia PET-MPI confers prognostic value by identifying patients at increased risk for future adverse cardiac outcomes and all-cause death.
Paradigm shift in acute dizziness: is caloric testing obsolete?
Authors: Morrison Miranda , Korda Athanasia , Zamaro Ewa , Wagner Franca , Caversaccio Marco D. , Sauter Thomas C. , Kalla Roger , Mantokoudis Georgios
Published: June 2021

Objective

Cold and warm water ear irrigation, also known as bithermal caloric testing, has been considered for over 100 years the ‘Gold Standard’ for the detection of peripheral vestibular hypofunction. Its discovery was awarded a Nobel Prize. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Caloric Testing when compared to the video head impulse test (vHIT) in differentiating between vestibular neuritis and vestibular strokes in acute dizziness.

Design

Prospective cross-sectional study (convenience sample).

Setting

All patients presenting with signs of an acute vestibular syndrome at the emergency department of a tertiary referral center.

Participants

One thousand, six hundred seventy-seven patients were screened between February 2015 and May 2020 for Acute Vestibular Syndrome (AVS), of which 152 met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Inclusion criteria consisted of a state of continuous dizziness, associated with nausea or vomiting, head-motion intolerance, new gait or balance disturbance and nystagmus. Patients were excluded if they were younger than 18 years, if symptoms lasted < 24 h or if the index ED visit was > 72 h after symptom onset. Of the 152 included patients 85 completed testing. We assessed 58 vestibular neuritis and 27 stroke patients.

Main outcome measures

All patients underwent calorics and vHIT followed by a delayed MRI which served as a gold standard for vestibular stroke confirmation.

Results

The overall sensitivity and specificity for detecting stroke with a caloric asymmetry cut-off of 30.9% was 75% and 86.8%, respectively [negative likelihood ratio (NLR) 0.29] compared to 91.7% and 88.7% for vHIT (NLR 0.094). Best VOR gain cut-off was 0.685. Twenty-five percent of vestibular strokes were misclassified by calorics, 8% by vHIT.

Conclusions

Caloric testing proved to be less accurate than vHIT in discriminating stroke from vestibular neuritis in acute dizziness. Contrary to classic teaching, asymmetric caloric responses can also occur with vestibular strokes and might put the patient at risk for misdiagnosis. We, therefore, recommend to abandon caloric testing in current practice and to replace it with vHIT in the acute setting. Caloric testing has still its place as a diagnostic tool in an outpatient setting.
Physical and psychosocial working conditions as predictors of 5-year changes in work ability among 2078 employees in Germany
Authors: Burr Hermann , Lange Stefanie , Freyer Marion , Formazin Maren , Rose Uwe , Nielsen Martin Lindhardt , Conway Paul Maurice
Published: June 2021

Objective

To examine 5-year prospective associations between working conditions and work ability among employees in Germany.

Methods

A cohort study (2011/2012–2017), based on a random sample of employees in employments subject to payment of social contributions aged 31–60 years (Study on Mental Health at Work; S-MGA; N = 2,078), included data on physical and quantitative demands, control (influence, possibilities for development, control over working time), relations (role clarity and leadership quality) and work ability (Work Ability Index, WAI; subscale ‘subjective work ability and resources’). Data were analysed using linear regression.

Results

Physical demands and control were associated with small 5-year changes in work ability (ΔR2 = 1%). Among the subgroup of employees with ≥ 25 sickness days, possibilities for development, control and quality of leadership were associated with changes in work ability (ΔR2 = 8%).

Conclusions

The impact of working conditions on long term changes in work ability seems to be negligible. However, in vulnerable subpopulations experiencing poor health, working conditions may be associated to a larger extent to work ability over this time span.
Exposure to cisplatin in the operating room during hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy
Authors: Markowiak Till , Ried Michael , Larisch Christopher , Nowak Dennis , Hofmann Hans-Stefan , Rakete Stefan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITOC) is an additive, intraoperative treatment for selected malignant pleural tumors. To improve local tumor control, the thoracic cavity is perfused with a cisplatin-containing solution after surgical cytoreduction. Since cisplatin is probably carcinogenic to humans, potential contamination of surfaces and pathways of exposure should be systematically investigated to enable risk assessments for medical staff and thus derive specific recommendations for occupational safety.

Methods

Wipe sampling was performed at pre-selected locations during and after ten HITOC procedures, including on the surgeon's gloves, for the quantitation of surface contaminations with cisplatin. After extraction of the samples with hydrochloric acid, platinum was determined as a marker for cisplatin by voltammetry.

Results

High median concentrations of cytostatic drugs were detected on the surgeons’ (1.73 pg Cis-Pt/cm2, IQR: 9.36 pg Cis-Pt/cm2) and perfusionists’ (0.69 pg Cis-Pt/cm2, IQR: 1.73 pg Cis-Pt/cm2) gloves. The display of the perfusion device showed partially elevated levels of cisplatin up to 4.92 pg Cis-Pt/cm2 and thus could represent an origin of cross-contamination. In contrast, cisplatin levels on the floor surfaces in the area of the surgeon and the perfusion device or in the endobronchial tube were relatively low.

Conclusion

With a correct use of personal protective equipment and careful handling, intraoperative HITOC appears to be safe to perform with a low risk of occupational exposure to cisplatin.
Coronary angiography in patients after cardiac arrest without ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Mueller Matthias , Dziekan Daniela , Poppe Michael , Clodi Christian , Schriefl Christoph , Hofbauer Martin , Roth Christian , Nuernberger Alexander , Holzer Michael , Weiser Christoph
Published: June 2021

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Although coronary angiography (CAG) should be performed also in the absence of ST-elevation (STE) after sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), this recommendation is not well implemented in daily routine.

Methods

A retrospective database analysis was conducted in a tertiary care center between January 2005 and December 2014. We included all SCA patients aged ≥ 18 years with presumed cardiac cause and sustained ROSC in the absence of STE at hospital admission. The rate and timing of CAG were defined as the primary endpoints. As secondary endpoints, the reasons pro and contra CAG were analyzed. Furthermore, we observed if the signs and symptoms used for decision making occurred more often in patients with treatable CAD.

Results

We included 645 (53.6%) of the 1203 screened patients, CAG was performed in 343 (53.2%) patients with a diagnosis of occlusive CAD in 214 (62.4%) patients. Of these, 151 (71.0%) patients had occlusive CAD treated with coronary intervention, thrombus aspiration, or coronary artery bypass grafting. In an adjusted binomial logistic regression analysis, age ≥ 70 years, female sex, non-shockable rhythms, and cardiomyopathy were associated with withholding of CAG. In patients diagnosed and treated with occlusive CAD, initially shockable rhythms, previously diagnosed CAD, hypertension, and smoking were found more often.

Conclusion

Although selection bias is unavoidable due to the retrospective design of this study, a high proportion of the examined patients had occlusive CAD. The criteria used for patient selection may be suboptimal.
Commonotonicity and time-consistency for Lebesgue-continuous monetary utility functions
Authors: Delbaen Freddy
Published: June 2021

It is proved that monetary utility functions that are commonotonic and time-consistent are conditional expectations. We also give additional results on atomless and conditionally atomless probability spaces. These notions describe that in a filtration, there are many new events at each time step.
Citizen views on genome editing: effects of species and purpose
Authors: Busch Gesa , Ryan Erin , von Keyserlingk Marina A. G. , Weary Daniel M.
Published: June 2021

Public opinion can affect the adoption of genome editing technologies. In food production, genome editing can be applied to a wide range of applications, in different species and with different purposes. This study analyzed how the public responds to five different applications of genome editing, varying the species involved and the proposed purpose of the modification. Three of the applications described the introduction of disease resistance within different species (human, plant, animal), and two targeted product quality and quantity in cattle. Online surveys in Canada, the US, Austria, Germany and Italy were carried out with a total sample size of 3698 participants. Using a between-subject design, participants were confronted with one of the five applications and asked to decide whether they considered it right or wrong. Perceived risks, benefits, and the perception of the technology as tampering with nature were surveyed and were complemented with socio-demographics and a measure of the participants’ moral foundations. In all countries, participants evaluated the application of disease resistance in humans as most right to do, followed by disease resistance in plants, and then in animals, and considered changes in product quality and quantity in cattle as least right to do. However, US and Italian participants were generally more positive toward all scenarios, and German and Austrian participants more negative. Cluster analyses identified four groups of participants: ‘strong supporters’ who saw only benefits and little risks, ‘slight supporters’ who perceived risks and valued benefits, ‘neutrals’ who showed no pronounced opinion, and ‘opponents’ who perceived higher risks and lower benefits. This research contributes to understanding public response to applications of genome editing, revealing differences that can help guide decisions related to adoption of these technologies.
Targeted acetylation of wood: a tool for tuning wood-water interactions
Authors: Digaitis Ramūnas , Thybring Emil E. , Thygesen Lisbeth G. , Fredriksson Maria
Published: June 2021

Wood is an increasingly important material in the sustainable transition of societies worldwide. The performance of wood in structures is intimately tied to the presence of moisture in the material, which directly affects important characteristics such as dimensions and mechanical properties, and indirectly its susceptibility to fungal decomposition. By chemical modification, the durability of wood in outdoor environments can be improved by reducing the amount of moisture present. In this study, we refined a well-known chemical modification with acetic anhydride and showed how the spatial distribution of the modification of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) could be controlled with the aim of altering the wood-water interactions differently in different parts of the wood structure. By controlling the reaction conditions of the acetylation it was possible to acetylate only the cell wall-lumen interface, or uniformly modify the whole cell wall to different degrees. The spatial distribution of the acetylation was visualised by confocal Raman microspectroscopy. The results showed that by this targeted acetylation procedure it was possible to independently alter the wood-water interactions in and outside of cell walls. The cell wall-lumen interface modification altered the interaction between the wood and the water in cell lumina without affecting the interaction with water in cell walls while the uniform modification affected both. This opens up a novel path for studying wood-water interactions in very moist environments and how moisture distribution within the wood affects its susceptibility towards fungal decomposition.

Graphic abstract
Future changes to high impact weather in the UK
Authors: Hanlon Helen M. , Bernie Dan , Carigi Giulia , Lowe Jason A.
Published: June 2021

High impact weather events such as extreme temperatures or rainfall can cause significant disruption across the UK affecting sectors such as health, transport, agriculture and energy. In this study we draw on the latest set of UK climate projections, UKCP, to examine metrics relating to high-impact weather over the UK and how these change with different levels of future global warming from 1.5 °C to 4 °C above pre-industrial. The changes to these hazards show increases in the frequency of extremely hot days and nights, with a UK average increase in hot days of between 5 and 39 days per year between 1.5 °C and 4 °C of global warming. Projections indicate an increase in cooling degree days of 134–627% and an increase in growing degree days of 19–60% between 1.5 °C and 4 °C of global warming. Extremely hot nights, which are currently rare, are emerging as more common occurrences. The frequency of high daily temperatures and rainfall increase systematically, while the frequency of very cold conditions (based on days where temperatures fall below 0 °C) is shown to decrease by 10 to 49 days per year. A reduction in heating degree days, of 11–32% between 1.5 °C and 4 °C of warming, is projected. Levels of daily rainfall, which currently relate to increased risk of river flooding, are shown to increase across the country, with increases of days with high impact levels of rainfall occurring by 1 to 8 days per year between 1.5 °C and 4 °C of warming. Average drought severity is projected to increase for 3-, 6-, 12- and 36-month-long droughts. The largest changes in the severity of the 12-month drought are between −3 and +19% between 1.5 °C and 4 °C of warming and for 36-month drought between −2 and +54% between 1.5 °C and 4 °C of warming. The projected future changes in high impact weather from this study will enable the characterization of climate risks and ultimately be able to better inform adaptation planning in different sectors to support the increase in resilience of the UK to future climate variability and change.
Perspectives of Patients and Providers in Using Shared Decision Making in Psychiatry
Authors: Maples Natalie J. , Velligan Dawn I. , Jones Eric C. , Espinosa Erin M. , Morgan Robert O. , Valerio-Shewmaker Melissa A.
Published: June 2021

There is increased interest over the last decade in the use of Shared Decision Making with individuals with serious mental illness to improve engagement in treatment and clinical outcomes. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 15 individuals with serious mental illness treated in an outpatient transitional care clinic serving people immediately after discharge from a psychiatric hospitalization. Parallel interviews were conducted with a variety of clinical providers (n = 9). Using latent thematic analysis, six themes were identified including: (1) Differences in the Use of SDM, (2) Consideration of Past Experiences, (3) Decisional Power Preferences, (4) Use of SDM in Psychiatry Versus Other Areas of Medicine, (5) Dignity and Disengagement, and (6) External Forces Impacting SDM. Implications for clinical practice and research using a shared decision-making approach within this treatment setting are further discussed.
TSPO protein binding partners in bacteria, animals, and plants
Authors: Hiser Carrie , Montgomery Beronda L. , Ferguson-Miller Shelagh
Published: June 2021

The ancient membrane protein TSPO is phylogenetically widespread from archaea and bacteria to insects, vertebrates, plants, and fungi. TSPO’s primary amino acid sequence is only modestly conserved between diverse species, although its five transmembrane helical structure appears mainly conserved. Its cellular location and orientation in membranes have been reported to vary between species and tissues, with implications for potential diverse binding partners and function. Most TSPO functions relate to stress-induced changes in metabolism, but in many cases it is unclear how TSPO itself functions—whether as a receptor, a sensor, a transporter, or a translocator. Much evidence suggests that TSPO acts indirectly by association with various protein binding partners or with endogenous or exogenous ligands. In this review, we focus on proteins that have most commonly been invoked as TSPO binding partners. We suggest that TSPO was originally a bacterial receptor/stress sensor associated with porphyrin binding as its most ancestral function and that it later developed additional stress-related roles in eukaryotes as its ability to bind new partners evolved.
Weaving a web of reliable thermochemistry around lignin building blocks: phenol, benzaldehyde, and anisole
Authors: Verevkin Sergey P.
Published: June 2021

Substituted benzenes such as phenol, benzaldehyde, and anisole are the simplest fragments from the lignin separation feedstocks. We have collected available primary experimental results on vapour pressures, enthalpies of phase transition, and enthalpies of combustion of phenol, benzaldehyde, and anisole. The resulting data on the gas-phase standard molar enthalpies of formation were validated using the quantum chemical method G4. The consistent sets of evaluated thermodynamic data are essential for calculating the energy balances of lignin conversion in the value-added chemicals and materials.

Graphic abstract
The “Haves, Have Some, and Have Nots:” a Latent Profile Analysis of Capacity, Quality, and Implementation in Community-Based Afterschool Programs
Authors: Smith Emilie Phillips , Witherspoon Dawn P. , Lei Pui-Wa
Published: June 2021

Implementation of evidence-based practices is a critical factor in whether afterschool programs are successful in having a positive impact upon risk reduction and positive youth development. However, important prevention research reveals that contextual and organizational factors can affect implementation (Bradshaw & Pas in School Psychology Review, 40, 530–548, 2011) (Flaspohler et al., in American Journal of Community Psychology, 50(3-4), 271-281, 2012) (Gottfredson et al., Prevention Science, 3, 43–56, 2002) (McIntosh et al., Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 18(4), 209-218, 2016) (Payne in Prevention Science, 10, 151–167, 2009). Using a latent profile approach (LPA), this paper examines multiple organizational and neighborhood contextual factors that might affect the degree to which afterschool programs effectively implement evidence-based practices in the context of a cluster-randomized trial of the Paxis Good Behavior Game (PaxGBG). The Interactive Systems Framework (ISF) explores dimensions of capacity that might matter for prevention efforts. As expected, we found that well-resourced and high-quality programs performed well in terms of implementation (the Haves) and, in neighborhood contexts rich in racial-ethnic diversity. Yet, we found that some programs with less physical and material capacity (the Have Nots), demonstrated greater program quality (i.e., supportive adult and peer relationships, engagement, a sense of belonging) and implementation, relative to programs with better capacity (e.g., space, material resources, staffing, and leadership, the Have Somes). While capacity matters, intentional prevention initiatives that seek to promote evidence-based practices are helpful to sites in supporting organizations that might otherwise fail to provide quality programming for youth. This paper addresses a conundrum in prevention science, namely, how to make programming accessible to those who need it with a focus on organizational processes, program quality, and implementation of evidence-based practices.
Beyond logic there is only nonsense
Authors: Woleński Jan
Published: June 2021

This paper provides an interpretation of Father Bocheński’s saying “Beyond logic there is only nonsense.” He considered the battle against superstitions of various kinds as one of the most important intellectual and social duties. The phrase in itself suggests that logic is a weapon in the mentioned battle. Logic is understood broadly, that is, as semantics, formal logic and the methodology of science, and was considered by Bocheński as the main instrument of rational philosophy. Hence, the formula under discussion has an explicit metaphilosophical significance, although Bochenski’s understanding of the concept of differs from that of the Vienna Circle.
Spatial and temporal evolution of an experimental debris flow, exhibiting coupled fluid and particulate phases
Authors: Chalk C. M. , Peakall J. , Keevil G. , Fuentes R.
Published: June 2021

The internal behaviour of debris flows provides fundamental insight into the mechanics responsible for their motion. We provide robust velocity data within a small-scale experimental debris flow, consisting of the instantaneous release of a granular material along a rectangular flume, inclined at $$31^{\circ }$$

31
∘

. The results show a unique layered transition from a collisional, turbulent front to a non-fluctuating viscous-type flow body, exhibiting strong fluid-particulate coupling. This is the first time that the internal dynamics have been documented within the full architecture of a developing experimental debris flow, from the head to the tail.
Toward a better understanding of team decision processes: combining laboratory experiments with agent-based modeling
Authors: Lorscheid Iris , Meyer Matthias
Published: June 2021

Despite advances in the field, we still know little about the socio-cognitive processes of team decisions, particularly their emergence from an individual level and transition to a team level. This study investigates team decision processes by using an agent-based model to conceptualize team decisions as an emergent property. It uses a mixed-method research design with a laboratory experiment providing qualitative and quantitative input for the model’s construction, as well as data for an output validation of the model. First, the laboratory experiment generates data about individual and team cognition structures. Then, the agent-based model is used as a computational testbed to contrast several processes of team decision making, representing potential, simplified mechanisms of how a team decision emerges. The increasing overall fit of the simulation and empirical results indicates that the modeled decision processes can at least partly explain the observed team decisions. Overall, we contribute to the current literature by presenting an innovative mixed-method approach that opens and exposes the black box of team decision processes beyond well-known static attributes.
The Toxicological Risk Assessment of Dermal Exposure of Patients Exposed to Nickel and Chromium due to Application of Ointments with Marjoram Herb Extract (Majoranae Herbae Extractum) Available in Polish Pharmacies
Authors: Jurowski Kamil , Fołta Maria , Tatar Barbara , Berkoz Mehmet , Krośniak Mirosław
Published: June 2021

For elemental impurities that have been studied for transcutaneous absorption, the available data are rarely suitable for proper toxicological risk assessment — there are multiple factors that can influence this dermal absorption. Hence, in our studies, we applied generic and conservative approach — cutaneous permitted daily exposure (CPDE) described in International Conference on Harmonisation’s Q3D Guideline on Elemental Impurities (ICH Q3D). The aim of this article is toxicological risk assessment (TRA) of dermal exposure of patients exposed to nickel and chromium due to application of ointments with Marjoram herb extract (Majoranae herbae extractum) available in Polish pharmacies (n = 5, because only five manufacturers produce this kind of pharmaceutical products in Poland). To make the appropriate TRA approach, we considered (1) raw results (metal per kg of ointment), (2) one-time administration of applied ointments, and (3) daily exposure versus CPDE. Due to the fact the concentrations of Ni generally present in cutaneous products as impurities are not considered sufficient to induce sensitization, the cutaneous and transcutaneous concentration limits (CTCLs) approach was applied for this element assessment. The toxicological analysis was carried out using microwave-assisted wet digestion with concentrated nitric acid and electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry. Our results show that the ointments with Marjoram herb extract from pharmacies in Poland represent a potential health hazard to patients; however, there may be a requirement for the monitoring of impurities of nickel in future. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first study about nickel and chromium content in ointments with Marjoram herb extract (Majoranae herbae extractum).
Pathogenic variants in plakophilin-2 gene (PKP2) are associated with better survival in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Biernacka Elżbieta K. , Borowiec Karolina , Franaszczyk Maria , Szperl Małgorzata , Rampazzo Alessandra , Woźniak Olgierd , Roszczynko Marta , Śmigielski Witold , Lutyńska Anna , Hoffman Piotr
Published: June 2021

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is mainly caused by mutations in genes encoding desmosomal proteins. Variants in plakophilin-2 gene (PKP2) are the most common cause of the disease, associated with conventional ARVC phenotype. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence ofPKP2variants and examine genotype–phenotype correlation in Polish ARVC cohort. All 56 ARVC patients fulfilling the current criteria were screened for genetic variants inPKP2using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography or next-generation sequencing. The clinical evaluation involved medical history, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and follow-up. Ten variants (5 frameshift, 2 nonsense, 2 splicing, and 1 missense) inPKP2were found in 28 (50%) cases. All truncating variants are classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic, while the missense variant is classified as variant of uncertain significance. Patients carrying aPKP2mutation were younger at diagnosis (p = 0.003), more often had negative T waves in V1–V3 (p = 0.01), had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.04), and were less likely to present symptoms of heart failure (p = 0.01) and left ventricular damage progression (p = 0.04). Combined endpoint of death or heart transplant was more frequent in subgroup withoutPKP2mutation (p = 0.03). Pathogenic variants inPKP2are responsible for 50% of ARVC cases in the Polish population and are associated with a better prognosis. ARVC patients withPKP2mutation are less likely to present left ventricular involvement and heart failure symptoms. Combined endpoint of death or heart transplant was less frequent in this group.
End-to-End Autonomous Driving Through Dueling Double Deep Q-Network
Authors: Peng Baiyu , Sun Qi , Li Shengbo Eben , Kum Dongsuk , Yin Yuming , Wei Junqing , Gu Tianyu
Published: June 2021

Recent years have seen the rapid development of autonomous driving systems, which are typically designed in a hierarchical architecture or an end-to-end architecture. The hierarchical architecture is always complicated and hard to design, while the end-to-end architecture is more promising due to its simple structure. This paper puts forward an end-to-end autonomous driving method through a deep reinforcement learning algorithm Dueling Double Deep Q-Network, making it possible for the vehicle to learn end-to-end driving by itself. This paper firstly proposes an architecture for the end-to-end lane-keeping task. Unlike the traditional image-only state space, the presented state space is composed of both camera images and vehicle motion information. Then corresponding dueling neural network structure is introduced, which reduces the variance and improves sampling efficiency. Thirdly, the proposed method is applied to The Open Racing Car Simulator (TORCS) to demonstrate its great performance, where it surpasses human drivers. Finally, the saliency map of the neural network is visualized, which indicates the trained network drives by observing the lane lines. A video for the presented work is available online,https://youtu.be/76ciJmIHMD8orhttps://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDM4ODc0MTM4NA==.html.
Repeated Pelvic Radiographs in Infants, After Harness Treatment for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip, Carry Very Low Radiation Risk
Authors: Vogel Elizabeth , Leaver Thomas , Wall Fiona , Johnson Ben , Uglow Michael , Aarvold Alexander
Published: June 2021

Objective

There are no data on the effect of X-Ray irradiation to the vulnerable pelvic organs of babies during DDH follow-up. This study aims to calculate, for the first time, the radiation exposure to infants during follow-up for DDH harness treatment, and thus quantify the lifetime risk of malignancy.

Methods

Patients who had completed 5 years’ follow-up following successful Pavlik harness treatment were identified from the hospital DDH database. The radiation dose was extracted from the Computerised Radiology Information System database for every radiograph of every patient. The effective dose (ED) was calculated using conversion coefficients for age, sex and body region irradiated. Cumulative ED was compared to Health Protection Agency standards to calculate lifetime risk of malignancy from the radiographs.

Results

All radiographs of 40 infants, successfully treated in Pavlik harness for DDH, were assessed. The mean number of AP pelvis radiographs was 7.00 (range: 6–9, mode: 7). The mean cumulative ED was 0.25 mSv (Range: 0.11–0.46, SD: 0.07). This is far lower than the annual ‘safe’ limit for healthcare workers of 20 mSv and is categorised as “Very Low Risk”.

Conclusion

Clinicians involved in the treatment DDH can be re-assured that the cumulative radiation exposure from pelvic radiographs following Pavlik harness treatment is “Very Low Risk”. Whilst being mindful of any radiation exposure in children, this study provides a scientific answer that help addresses parental concerns.
Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Effect in Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Franco Maíra M. , Pena Caroline C. , de Freitas Leticia M. , Antônio Flávia I. , Lara Lucia A.S. , Ferreira Cristine Homsi Jorge
Published: June 2021

Background

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high in postmenopausal women and pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) could improve sexual function during this period.

Aim

To assess the effect of a PFMT protocol on sexual function in postmenopausal women and to investigate the effect of this protocol on pelvic floor muscle function.

Methods

This is an assessor blinded randomized controlled trial including 77 postmenopausal women. The study was registered in ReBEC Trial: RBR-3s3ff7. The intervention group (n = 40) received an intensive supervised PFMT protocol during 12 weeks and the control group (n = 37) received no intervention.

Outcomes

The primary outcome of the study was assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire and the secondary outcome was the evaluation of pelvic floor muscle function performed by digital palpation using the modified Oxford scale at baseline and after 12 weeks.

RESULTS

No difference between groups was found in the FSFI domains and total score at baseline and in the second evaluation after 12 weeks. However, after 12 weeks, a higher percentage of women without sexual dysfunction was found in the intervention group (95% CI = 27.97–72.03) when compared to the control group (95% CI = 7.13–92.87). No difference was found between groups in relation to the pelvic floor muscle function at the baseline (P = .2) and after 12 weeks (P = .06).

Clinical Implications

PFMT is a conservative intervention that can lead women to have less sexual dysfunction.

Strengths & Limitations

The protocol provided a reduced number of women with sexual dysfunction, the strength of this research is the study design and the limitation is to have used only one tool to assess sexual function although it is a validated questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

PFMT decreases sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.
Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome: A review
Authors: Wang Alicia , Manthiram Kalpana , Dedeoglu Fatma , Licameli Greg R.
Published: June 2021

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is the most common periodic fever condition in children, with most cases appearing by the age of 5. Although PFAPA is generally a self‐limited condition, it can have a major impact on a child's quality of life, as well as that of their family. Recent research has continued to shed light on the genetic and immunologic factors that play a role in the pathogenesis of PFAPA. There also exists significant heterogeneity in treatment strategies, and progress has been made to develop evidence‐based management strategies and establish a standard of care. This review will outline current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of PFAPA, as well as treatment strategies and our clinical experience.