bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using endogenous pigments to recolour roasted green tea
Authors: Zhu Hongkai , Zhang Jianqiang , Liu Fei , Chen Lin , Ye Yang
Published: May 2021

Roasted green tea exhibits undesirable dark green that can seriously affect sensory quality, market price, and consumer acceptance. The aim of this work was to propose a method of improving the appearance of the roasted green tea. In this study, rehydration with freeze-drying (RFD) was used to recolour the tea leaves by redistributing the endogenous pigments. The results indicated that the colour of the roasted green tea changed from dark green to bright green after the RFD treatment, the values of L* and b* were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the value of a* was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In addition, the RFD treatment making the yellow–green pigments transfer onto the surface of the tea leaves also induced a change in pigment contents, including chlorophylls, carotenoids, and flavonoid glycosides. The well-defined optimum parameters for the rehydration process were moisture content of tea leaves at 35 per cent, water temperature 25 °C, and a standing time of 1.5 h.
Low-temperature combined with high-humidity thawing improves the water-holding capacity and biochemical properties of Portunus trituberculatus protein
Authors: Ling Jiangang , Xuan Xiaoting , Xu Zihan , Ding Tian , Lin Xudong , Cui Yan , Liu Donghong
Published: May 2021

This study compared the effects of conventional thawing methods (water immersion thawing (WIT, (25±1) °C), natural air thawing (AT, (25±1) °C, relative humidity (RH) (65±2) per cent), refrigerator thawing (RT, 4 °C, RH (80±2) per cent) and low-temperature (LT) combined with high-humidity thawing (LT, –1 °C to 1 °C (LT–1–1), 2–4 °C (LT2–4), 5–7 °C (LT5–7) and 8–10 °C (LT8–10), RH≥95 per cent) on the water-holding capacity, lipid oxidation and biochemical properties of Portunus trituberculatus (P. trituberculatus) myofibrillar protein. The results showed that WIT and AT significantly decreased the water-holding capacity while dramatically increasing lipid oxidation, protein oxidation and degeneration, resulting in serious P. trituberculatus quality deterioration. High humidity was beneficial for P. trituberculatus thawing. The thawing time of P. trituberculatus under the conditions of LT2–4 was only 39.39 per cent of that of conventional air thawing at 4 °C (RT), and the LT2–4 samples not only maintained better water-holding capacity but also had an obviously reduced degree of lipid oxidation, protein oxidation and denaturation. Thawed samples LT2–4 and LT5–7 provided better maintenance of P. trituberculatus quality than the LT–1–1 and LT8–10 samples. The best quality was exhibited after thawing at 2–4 °C. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, carbonyl content and surface hydrophobicity observably decreased in these samples, while the total sulfhydryl contents dramatically increased compared to those of conventionally thawed samples, indicating lower lipid oxidation and protein oxidation. Moreover, the Ca2+-ATPase activity of the sample thawed at 2–4 °C (2.06 μmol Pi/mg prot/h) was markedly higher than that of samples subjected to WIT and AT. The product qualities observed after thawing at –1 °C to 1 °C, 5–7 °C and 8–10 °C under LT were comparable to that observed by RT. Considering its thawing efficiency and product quality, LT is a suitable method for the thawing of P. trituberculatus, and the ideal thawing conditions were LT at 2–4 °C.
Expert by Experience engagement in gambling reform: qualitative study of gamblers in the United Kingdom
Authors: Nyemcsok Christian , Pitt Hannah , Kremer Peter , Thomas Samantha L
Published: May 2021

To explore how Experts by Experience (EbyE) conceptualize key priorities for preventing and reducing gambling-related harm in the United Kingdom (UK). To identify barriers and facilitators to EbyE engagement in decisions for gambling research, education, treatment (RET) and policy development. Qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews with 20 participants from the UK between March and July 2020. Gamblers aged 29–60 years who self-reported that they had experienced gambling-related harm, and who actively used their experiences to inform strategies to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm in the UK. Participants were motivated to: advocate for gambling reform, and raise awareness of their experiences of gambling addiction or disorder. Gambling regulation was described as not adequately keeping pace with gambling industry practices, with initiatives needed to prevent the harms associated with product design, how individuals engaged with products and marketing practices. The reliance on voluntary contributions by the gambling industry for RET was perceived as a potential barrier to reform. Participants recommended new independent structures which engaged EbyE in meaningful ways in contributing to decision-making. An independent body run by and for EbyE was one mechanism that participants perceived could represent the voices of those impacted by gambling-related harm. Individuals with a lived experience of gambling-related harm, including affected social network members, bring a range of unique experiences and perspectives, and should be seen as valuable stakeholders in co-producing strategies to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm.
Deepening or delinking? Innovative capacity and global value chain participation in the IT industry
Authors: Lema Rasmus , Pietrobelli Carlo , Rabellotti Roberta , Vezzani Antonio
Published: May 2021

Innovation trajectories in global value chains (GVCs) can take differentiated pathways. In this article, we address the question: do stylized trajectories emerge from the analysis of countries’ relative innovative capacity (IC) and GVC participation? We draw explorative insights from a cluster analysis of 45 countries on the two subsectors of the information technology industry: hardware and software. Our analysis uncovers remarkable differences between hardware and software and across countries. We identify different trajectories and discuss the sectoral specificities that contribute explaining their existence. The association between the strengthening of IC and a deeper insertion in GVCs applies only to a handful of countries and only in the software subsector. The specificity of this association raises questions for future research on innovation trajectories in GVCs.
Discoveries and challenges: navigating the oceanic great unknown
Authors: Koslow Julian Anthony
Published: May 2021

My career has enabled me to explore the life of several oceans and of ecosystems from the epi- and mesopelagic to the deep sea and to contribute to their stewardship. However, like Newton before me, I have been like a boy playing on the seashore while before me lay the great ocean, still mysterious in its workings and still mostly treated poorly and roughly by humanity. I came of age when graduate school was still seen as a rite of passage into the academy, and within the academy, success was based on publication in professional journals with a high impact factor. But effective science-based stewardship in an era of growing anthropogenic pressures will depend upon scientific input to networks at all levels of society, not just the academy: educational institutions, the media, government agencies, public and private corporations, community and conservation groups, and the political process itself. Science today, as always, has its exciting Eureka! moments, when hitherto unrecognized patterns in the life of the oceans are uncovered, but it increasingly requires clear and principled communication of truth to power.
Factors affecting greenhouse gas emissions in fisheries: evidence from Iceland's demersal fisheries
Authors: Kristofersson Dadi , Gunnlaugsson Stefan , Valtysson Hreidar
Published: May 2021

Fishing produces low CO2 emissions per unit output compared to other animal protein sources. However, emissions from fishing grew by 28% from 1990 to 2011 and fishing currently contributes about 4% of the emissions of world food production. The purpose of this paper is to identify the relationship between various factors and emissions in fisheries. We analyse the development of CO2 emissions from the Icelandic individual transferable quota regulated fishing fleet from 1997 to 2018. The results show that emissions per unit of catch fell around 40% during this period. The main findings are that overall catches and abundance are by far the most important factors determining emissions, the bigger the catches and the greater the abundance, the smaller the emissions per unit of output. Fuel prices are a distant third factor and technological change has played a minor role in this development. In addition, the importance of different factors affecting emissions, varies between vessels depending on types of fishing gear. The results indicate that building up fish stocks not only increases output but also increases profitability and reduces emissions per unit of output, as long as the fisheries management system preserves incentives for efficient fishing.
Physical activity and risk of benign proliferative epithelial disorders of the breast, in the Women’s Health Initiative
Authors: Peila Rita , Chlebowski Rowan T , Ballinger Tarah J , Kamensky Victor , Richey Phyllis A , Saquib Nazmus , Shadyab Aladdin H , Wassertheil-Smoller Sylvia , Rohan Thomas E
Published: May 2021

Background

Recreational physical activity (PA) has been shown to be inversely associated with breast cancer risk. However, the association of recreational PA with benign proliferative epithelial disorders (BPED) of the breast, conditions associated with increased risk of breast cancer, has not been adequately studied.

Methods

We used data from an ancillary study of benign breast disease conducted among the 68 132 postmenopausal women (aged 50–79 at recruitment) participating in the Women's Health Initiative randomized clinical trials. All clinical trial participants underwent annual or biennial mammogram screening. During the follow-up, for women who reported breast biopsies but were cancer free, the associated histological sections were obtained and subjected to standardized central pathology review. Self-reported recreational PA at baseline (n = 61 684) and at 3 years of the follow-up (n = 55 923) were quantified as metabolic equivalents [MET]-h/week. There were 1624 confirmed BPED cases during an average follow-up time of 7.7 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Higher average PA over 4 years was associated with lower risk of non-atypical BPED (P-trend = 0.02). There was a 6% lower risk of non-atypical BPED for every 5 MET-h/week increase between baseline and year 3 (HR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.99). Compared with women who remained inactive (PAbaseline and PAyear3 <9 MET-h/week), those who became active (PAbaseline<9 MET-h/week to PAyear3 ≥9 MET-h/weekee), remained active (PAbaseline and PAyear3 ≥9 MET-h/week), or decreased activity (PAbaseline ≥9 MET-h/week to PAyear3 <9 MET-h/week) had lower BPED risk.

Conclusions

Recreational physical activity after menopause was associated with lower BPED risk among postmenopausal women.
ER membrane protein complex 1 interacts with STIM1 and regulates store-operated Ca2+ entry
Authors: Kawata Kazuhiko , Baba Akemi , Shiota Masayuki , Wanibuchi Hideki , Baba Yoshihiro
Published: May 2021

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is the process by which the emptying of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ stores causes an influx of Ca2+ across the plasma membrane (PM). It is the major Ca2+ influx pathway in nonexcitable cells and has a wide array of physiological functions. Upon store depletion, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), an ER calcium sensor relocates into discrete puncta at the ER–PM junction region, which results in the coupling of Ca2+ channels to initiate SOCE. However, the mechanism regulating STIM1 activity remains poorly understood. Here, we performed affinity purification of STIM1 and uncovered ER membrane protein complex 1 (EMC1) as an STIM1 binding partner. We showed that this interaction occurred in the ER through the intraluminal region of STIM1. After store depletion, EMC1 does not cluster adjacent to the PM, which suggests that it is distributed differently from STIM1. EMC1 knockdown with small interfering RNA resulted in a marked decrease in SOCE. Thus, these findings suggest that EMC1 functions as a positive regulator of SOCE.
Distinguishing Health from Pathology
Authors: Thorell Amanda
Published: May 2021

This essay provides an account of how to distinguish between health and pathology of trait tokens in medical theory. It (1) proposes to distinguish between two health/pathology concepts—health/pathology pertaining to survival and health/pathology pertaining to reproduction. It (2) defines measures for survival-efficiency and reproduction-efficiency of performances of physiological functions. It (3) provides an account of how, using the efficiency measures, to draw the line between health and pathology. The account draws, but seeks to improve, on Christopher Boorse’s biostatistical theory. In relation to that theory, the suggested account has the advantages (1) that it defines efficiency and (2) that it harmonizes with judgments in medical theory in cases of common diseases and “normal aging.” Furthermore, the essay argues against a competing idea of how to improve on the biostatistical theory, advocated by Peter Schwartz and Daniel Hausman.
Radiotherapy and Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition for Solid Cancers (ROCKIT): A Meta-Analysis of 13 Studies
Authors: Tchelebi Leila T , Batchelder Emma , Wang Ming , Lehrer Eric J , Drabick Joseph J , Sharma Navesh , Machtay Mitchell , Trifiletti Daniel M , Zaorsky Nicholas G
Published: May 2021

Background

We hypothesized that the addition of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKis, e.g., lapatinib, erlotinib, cetuximab, bevacizumab, panitumumab) to radiotherapy-based treatment for solid tumors does not increase overall survival but may increase toxicity.

Methods

Population, Intervention, Control, Outcome, Study Design; Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses; and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology methods were used to identify prospective randomized studies including patients with solid tumor cancers treated with radiotherapy with or without RTKis. Extracted variables included use of radiotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy, RTKi type (antibody vs small molecule), outcomes, and toxicities. The primary endpoint was overall survival; the secondary endpoint was grade 3+ toxicity. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed for each outcome measure. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

A total of 405 studies met the initial search criteria, of which 13 prospective randomized trials of radiotherapy with or without RTKi met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 5678 patients. The trials included cancers of the head and neck (6 trials, 3295 patients), esophagus (3 trials, 762 patients), lung (2 trials, 550 patients), and brain (2 trials, 1542 patients). Three studies evaluated a small molecule and radiotherapy in 949 patients, and 10 studies evaluated antibodies and radiotherapy in 4729 patients. The addition of RTKis to radiotherapy-based treatment did not improve overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.02, 95% confidence interval = 0.90 to 1.15, P = .76) but increased grade 3+ toxicity (relative risk = 1.18, 95% confidence interval = 1.06 to 1.33, P = .009).

Conclusions

The addition of RTKis to radiotherapy does not improve survival and worsens toxicity.
From Checkers to Chess: Using Social Science Lessons to Advance Wildfire Adaptation Processes
Authors: Paveglio Travis B
Published: May 2021

This synthesis uses an overarching analogy to outline key wildfire social science lessons and present human adaptation to wildfire as an ongoing process of negotiated trade-offs dictated by the site-specific context of particular places. Use of an overarching analogy allows presentation of cross-cutting concepts or considerations for: (1) documenting local social diversity and determining how it might influence future efforts for wildfire adaptation; (2) understanding how landscape-scale patterns of social diversity or land management influence efforts to ‘coexist’ with wildfire; and (3) determining how alignments between local, regional, and federal influences necessitate diverse experimental adaptation approaches. The synthesis closes with specific recommendations for fostering wildfire adaptation coordinators and systematic processes that help facilitate diverse, tailored efforts from which generalizable best-practices could be derived. This article also outlines key considerations for research or monitoring of emergent organizations and efforts that bridge scales of collective action surrounding wildfire management.
Early tibial component loosening of medial UKA after severe medial plateau SONK—report of three cases
Authors: Danieli Marcus Vinicius , Guerreiro João Paulo Fernandes , Queiroz Alexandre Oliveira , Piovesana Guilherme José Miyasaki
Published: May 2021

Spontaneous osteonecrosis or subchondral bone insufficiency fracture of the knee is a frequent injury in elderly female patients. The medial femoral condyle followed by the medial plateau is the most prevalent sites. When its evolution after conservative treatment is not favorable, medial unicompartimental arthroplasty is a surgical option with good results. We report three cases of early tibial component loosening of medial unicompartimental arthroplasty that could be related to a severe subchondral bone insufficiency fracture of the tibial plateau. In these cases of severe involvement of the tibial plateau, a more careful evaluation would be recommended to choose between unicompartimental and total knee replacement to avoid this early loosening.
General Comparative Report
Authors: Girsberger Daniel , Graziano Thomas Kadner , Neels Jan L
Published: May 2021

This chapter presents the General Comparative Report, which addresses, article by article, the Hague (or HCCH) Principles on Choice of Law in International Commercial Contracts of 2015 (the Hague Principles). The General Comparative Report compares the Hague Principles with the state of the law in over sixty jurisdictions worldwide and with supranational rules and soft law principles. It aims to encourage legislators, courts, practitioners, and academics to further develop their domestic private international law systems and possibly benefit hereby from the Hague Principles by consistently and adequately applying, interpreting, and amending domestic, supranational, and regional private international law (PIL) in the context of party choice of law. The chapter then details the structure of the Report and the questionnaire used to address the issues covered by the Hague Principles. It also provides an introduction and a comparative overview of each of the Articles of the Hague Principles.
International Commercial Arbitration
Authors: Gama Lauro , Girsberger Daniel , Rodríguez José Antonio Moreno
Published: May 2021

This chapter studies how the private international law rules of most jurisdictions have traditionally addressed State court litigation, without considering the specificities of international arbitration. Many nations have now created their own legislation for international arbitration or adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration. These laws regularly contain their own rules dealing with parties’ choice of law on the merits. The chapter then explores choice of law in international arbitration with a particular view on the Hague Principles which are, as paragraph 4 of their Preamble discloses, intended to apply equally to courts and arbitral tribunals. It analyses the approach arbitral tribunals have taken when confronted with choice of law issues, and particularly a party choice of the law applicable to the merits of the dispute. The chapter also assesses whether it is correct and if so, for which reasons, and in which way, that commercial parties have a larger autonomy in arbitration, compared to litigation, to choose non-State rules of law, and which types of rules they may choose. Finally, it demonstrates why, how, and to what extent the Hague Principles can contribute to define, delineate, interpret, and supplement existing (conflict of law) regimes in the field of international arbitration.
Egypt
Authors: Ibrahim Badr Yehya Ikram
Published: May 2021

This chapter presents Egyptian perspectives on the Hague Principles. The Egyptian private international law rules for international commercial contracts are found mainly in the Egyptian Civil Code no 131/1948 and the Egyptian Arbitration Code no 27/1994. Egyptian private international law, in general, accepts party autonomy as a private international law rule for determining the applicable law to international contracts. However, the Egyptian legislature has decided to exclude certain contracts, such as contracts for the transfer of technology and commercial agency, from the private international law rule in respect of party autonomy. To date, the Egyptian government has not expressed any plans to revise Egyptian private international law, despite some Egyptian scholars believing that the Egyptian conflicts rules are outdated and in desperate need of being replaced with more modern rules in this regard. Nonetheless, Article 24 of the Egyptian Civil Code allows the Egyptian Courts to resort to ‘[t]he principles of private international law [which] apply in the case of conflict of laws for which no provision is made in the preceding articles’. In principle, the courts are therefore allowed to refer to the Hague Principles to supplement either Article 19 of the Egyptian Civil Code or Article 39 of the Egyptian Arbitration Code.
Morocco
Authors: Zaher Khalid
Published: May 2021

This chapter examines Moroccan perspectives on the Hague Principles. In Morocco, the sources of private international law applicable to international commercial contracts are both of a national and an international nature. International sources include mainly treaties and, to a lesser extent, international customs to which the Moroccan courts may refer in particular cases. National sources are statutory law, case law, and scholarly writings. Case law has always played a vital role in the development and the interpretation of the rules applicable to international commercial contracts. It is indeed the role of the courts to determine the scope of law chosen by the parties and to delimit the boundaries of international public policy as a limit to the application of the law chosen by the parties. Moroccan courts consider international customs as important sources in respect of international contracts and arbitration. Having frequently used the universally accepted principles of private international law, Moroccan courts could easily draw on the Hague Principles to find solutions to certain questions that have not been addressed by the legislature.
South Africa
Authors: Neels Jan L
Published: May 2021

This chapter provides the reader with comments on the Hague Principles from the perspective of South African private international law of contract.Private international law in the Republic of South Africa is historically based on Roman–Dutch and English law, but is today influenced by domestic constitutional values, especially in the fields of international family and succession law. In the realm of the international law of obligations, the impact of the English common law is particularly strong. The notion of ‘the proper law of the contract’ is therefore widely used to indicate the law applicable to contractual obligations. The sources of private international law of contract are almost exclusively case law and the opinions of academic authors. The South African courts have always followed a comparative approach in respect of private international law, initially under the influence of an internationalist understanding of the conflict of laws. The courts would therefore certainly be entitled to refer to the Hague Principles as persuasive authority in the interpretation, supplementation, and development of the rules and principles of South African private international law.
Hong Kong
Authors: Reyes Anselmo
Published: May 2021

This chapter explores Hong Kong perspectives on the Hague Principles. Hong Kong has no enacted code of private international law rules. In relation to contracts dealing with commercial matters, the choice of law principles of Hong Kong law are largely to be found at common law. Decisions of the English court, in particular, are often cited in Hong Kong as exemplifying the law on a given question. To a lesser degree, principles may be found in statute. While Hong Kong judges must look to case law to discern relevant choice of law principles, nothing prevents them from also having regard to the Hague Principles and holding that one or more articles therein accurately reflect Hong Kong law. Indeed, articles of the Hague Principles can be referred to by Hong Kong judges as accurate statements of present day Hong Kong law, as foundations for the refinement of existing common law rules, or as indications of how Hong Kong choice of law principles may be extended to deal with novel situations.
Israel
Authors: Einhorn Talia
Published: May 2021

This chapter reflects on Israeli perspectives on the Hague Principles. Israeli private international law (PIL) has not been codified. The only statute having a rather comprehensive set of PIL rules is the Succession Law, 5765-1966. The PIL rules contained in the separate statutes were included in the Draft Civil Code, but apart from the Draft CC chapter on succession, which contains a comprehensive set of PIL rules, their fragmentary contents have been retained in the various chapters. With one exception, namely, contracts for the international sale of goods, no conflict rules governing international commercial contracts have been adopted by the Knesset. Regarding Israel’s international obligations, Israel is a member of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and has ratified a number of the Hague Conventions. However, at this point in time, especially in view of the paucity of conflict rules adopted by the Knesset, it is difficult to predict whether the Knesset would adopt the Hague Principles in an Israeli statute.
Qatar
Authors: Elrifai Silke Noa
Published: May 2021

This chapter addresses Qatari perspectives on the Hague Principles. The State of Qatar has two legal frameworks: the onshore civil law system and the offshore common law-based the Qatar Financial Centre, established in 2005 and not covered in this chapter. In onshore Qatar, private international law is codified in Articles 10–38 of Subchapter 3 (conflict of laws in space) of Chapter 1 of the Qatar Civil Code (Federal Law No 22 of 2004). In comparison to its European counterparts, the Qatari private international law codification contains significant gaps. Though only promulgated in 2004, Articles 10–38 are near copies of the conflict of law rules contained in the Egyptian Civil Code of 1949, with a few differences. In accordance with Article 34 Civil Code, ‘the [general] principles of private international law’ shall apply in the case of a conflict of laws absent any statutory provision. The provision opens the doors for Qatari courts to refer to the Hague Principles.
South Korea
Authors: Hyun Suk Kwang
Published: May 2021

This chapter studies South Korean perspectives on the Hague Principles. Korea has enacted choice of law rules for courts in litigation and choice of law rules for arbitral tribunals. The former are set forth in the Private International Law Act of Korea (KPILA) and the latter in the Arbitration Act of Korea (KAA). The single most important Korean legislation on private international law is the KPILA, which mainly consists of provisions on applicable law and on international jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters. As for the KAA, it was modelled on the 1985 Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration of United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and further amended in 2016 in order to reflect the amendments adopted in 2006 to the UNCITRAL Model Arbitration Law. Since Korea has detailed choice of law rules for courts and arbitral tribunals, the role which could be played by the Hague Principles in Korea will be very limited. Korean courts could use them for reference in the interpretation, supplementation, and/or development of applicable rules of choice of law regarding matters not covered by the choice of law rules of the KPILA.
Brazil
Authors: Gama Lauro , Tiburcio Carmen , Albuquerque Felipe
Published: May 2021

This chapter evaluates Brazilian perspectives on the Hague Principles. Despite the proposition of several bills in the 1960s, no legislative initiative to modernize the Brazilian private international law has succeeded so far. The most recent legislative proposals have focused on modifying Article 9 of the Law of Introduction to the Norms of Brazilian Law (LINDB) rather than the whole system. One of these proposals, pending before the Senate, amends the Brazilian Code of Consumer Protection and updates and expands the contents of Article 9 LINDB. This bill incorporates several provisions of the Hague Principles; it states the basic principle of party autonomy and authorizes choice of law in respect of international contracts (B2B transactions). As Brazil still waits for law reform, the Hague Principles may be relevant as persuasive authority before the Brazilian courts. In this sense, the Hague Principles may be used in the interpretation, supplementation, and development of the applicable rules and principles of Brazilian private international law.
Peru
Authors: Galván Rorick Tovar , Sotelo Sara
Published: May 2021

This chapter presents Peruvian perspectives on the Hague Principles. The principal provisions on Peruvian private international law are embedded in Book X of the Peruvian Civil Code. They date from 1984 and expressly grant parties the right to freely choose the law governing their contracts. These rules leave significant leeway for their interpretation to courts and omit the regulation of important issues related to the scope and limitations on the party autonomy. Still, they do offer a well-structured conflict of laws system capable of resolving in a systematic manner issues arising from international judicial assistance, competence of national courts, choice of law, and recognition and execution of decisions rendered abroad. The Peruvian conflict of law systems does not differentiate between commercial and non-commercial contracts; it does not include any definition of the concept of international contract. The Hague Principles can be used by Peruvian courts to fill lacunas in the Civil Code related to the limits and scope of choice of law agreements concluded by parties to contracts with international elements.
Venezuela
Authors: Martínez Claudia Madrid
Published: May 2021

This chapter discusses Venezuelan perspectives on the Hague Principles. In Venezuela, the law applicable to international contracts depends on two main sources: the Inter-American Convention on Law Applicable to International Contracts, ratified in 1995 (the Mexico Convention), and the Venezuelan Act on Private International Law. Both the Mexico Convention and the Venezuelan Act adopt solutions that reflect the modern tendencies in the field of contract conflicts. Indeed, these instruments recognize the primacy of party autonomy and the subsidiary application of the proximity principle. The gaps of the Venezuelan Act could be filled, of course, with the solutions of the Mexico Convention. That would be welcome because no possible reform of the Act has been raised as yet. In fact, when scholars comment on the Venezuelan system of Private International Law, they analyse both the Mexico Convention and the Venezuelan Act, because, in short, the three rules of the Act reproduce, with some minor differences, the main rules of the Mexico Convention. Courts could even refer to the Hague Principles as persuasive authority.
Canada
Authors: Saumier Geneviève
Published: May 2021

This chapter examines Canadian perspectives on the Hague Principles. Canada is a federal state, with legislative competence over constitutionally designated fields divided between the federal and provincial level. Although private international law is not a listed field of competence, all three areas of private international law—jurisdiction, choice of law, and enforcement of foreign judgments—fall within the provincial competences over civil procedure or private law. The general provincial competence over choice of law means that each of the ten Canadian provinces could, theoretically, develop distinct regimes. In reality, however, the division is apparent only between Quebec and the other nine provinces. Indeed, Quebec is the only province within Canada to have a comprehensive codification of its private international law, which was adopted as part of the new Civil Code of Quebec in 1991. There is, therefore, a sharp contrast regarding the level of detail associated with the applicable regime in Quebec versus the rest of the country. Despite this, it remains accurate to say that, throughout Canada, the rules governing choice of law in contract, in particular party autonomy, are largely congruent with the Hague Principles.
Decide + Be Ready: A Contraceptive Decision-Making Mobile Application for Servicewomen
Authors: Witkop Catherine T , Torre Dario M , Maggio Lauren A
Published: May 2021

Women in the military have a high rate of unintended pregnancies, which is an issue both personally and with respect to the warfighting mission. One strategy to help servicewomen achieve family planning goals includes increasing education about and access to contraception. Research suggests that preference-sensitive decisions about contraceptives benefit from shared decision-making, and decision aids have been shown to facilitate this patient-centered approach. In this article, we describe the process by which we enhanced an existing evidence-based tool to meet the needs of military servicewomen and created Decide + Be Ready, a contraceptive decision-making mobile application. After extensive research into challenges faced by servicewomen with respect to contraceptive knowledge and access, we developed content for the decision aid and determined that a mobile app format would provide the privacy and convenience needed. Our team developed a prototype that, in collaboration with the Defense Health Agency Connected Health Branch, was tested with servicewomen and providers. User feedback shaped the final version, which can be accessed free from the App Store and Google Play. Early implementation has demonstrated patient and provider satisfaction. Obstacles to full implementation of Decide + Be Ready remain within the Military Health System. We lay out a roadmap for dissemination, implementation, and evaluation and explore the applications of the decision aid for health professions education in the realm of shared decision-making. Finally, we recommend consideration of decision aids for other health care decisions as a way to achieve patient-centered care, improve health outcomes, and potentially reduce costs.
Implications of surface roughness in models of water desorption on the Moon
Authors: Davidsson Björn J R , Hosseini Sona
Published: May 2021

The observed presence of water molecules in the dayside lunar regolith was an unexpected discovery and remains poorly understood. Standard thermophysical models predict temperatures that are too high for adsorbed water to be stable. We propose that this problem can be caused by the assumption of locally flat surfaces that is common in such models. Here, we apply a model that explicitly considers surface roughness, and accounts for solar illumination, shadows cast by topography, self-heating, thermal reradiation, and heat conduction. We couple the thermophysical model to a model of first-order desorption of lunar surface water and demonstrate that surface roughness substantially increases the capability of the Moon to retain water on its sunlit hemisphere at any latitude, and within 45○ of the poles, at any time of the lunar day. Hence, we show that lunar surface roughness has a strong influence on lunar water adsorption and desorption. Therefore, it is of critical importance to take account of surface roughness to get an accurate picture of the amount of water on the Moon’s surface and in its exosphere.
I3T: Intensity Interferometry Imaging Telescope
Authors: Gori Pierre-Marie , Vakili Farrokh , Rivet Jean-Pierre , Guerin William , Hugbart Mathilde , Chiavassa Andrea , Vakili Adrien , Kaiser Robin , Labeyrie Guillaume
Published: May 2021

We propose a new approach, based on the Hanbury Brown and Twiss intensity interferometry, to transform a Cherenkov telescope to its equivalent optical telescope. We show that, based on the use of photonics components borrowed from quantum-optical applications, we can recover spatial details of the observed source down to the diffraction limit of the Cherenkov telescope, set by its diameter at the mean wavelength of observation. For this, we propose to apply aperture synthesis techniques from pairwise and triple correlation of sub-pupil intensities, in order to reconstruct the image of a celestial source from its Fourier moduli and phase information, despite atmospheric turbulence. We examine the sensitivity of the method, i.e. limiting magnitude, and its implementation on existing or future high energy arrays of Cherenkov telescopes. We show that despite its poor optical quality compared to extremely large optical telescopes under construction, a Cherenkov telescope can provide diffraction limited imaging of celestial sources, in particular at the visible, down to violet wavelengths.
Effect of mass-loss due to stellar winds on the formation of supermassive black hole seeds in dense nuclear star clusters
Authors: Das Arpan , Schleicher Dominik R G , Basu Shantanu , Boekholt Tjarda C N
Published: May 2021

The observations of high-redshifts quasars at z ≳ 6 have revealed that supermassive black holes (SMBHs) of mass $\sim 10^9\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }}$ were already in place within the first ∼Gyr after the big bang. Supermassive stars (SMSs) with masses $10^{3-5}\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }}$ are potential seeds for these observed SMBHs. A possible formation channel of these SMSs is the interplay of gas accretion and runaway stellar collisions inside dense nuclear star clusters (NSCs). However, mass-loss due to stellar winds could be an important limitation for the formation of the SMSs and affect the final mass. In this paper, we study the effect of mass-loss driven by stellar winds on the formation and evolution of SMSs in dense NSCs using idealized N-body simulations. Considering different accretion scenarios, we have studied the effect of the mass-loss rates over a wide range of metallicities Z* = [.001–1]Z⊙ and Eddington factors $f_{\rm Edd}=L_\ast /L_{\mathrm{Edd}}=0.5,0.7,\, \,\mathrm{ and}\, 0.9$. For a high accretion rate of $10^{-4}\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }yr^{-1}}$, SMSs with masses $\gtrsim 10^3\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }yr^{-1}}$ could be formed even in a high metallicity environment. For a lower accretion rate of $10^{-5}\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }yr^{-1}}$, SMSs of masses $\sim 10^{3-4}\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }}$ can be formed for all adopted values of Z* and fEdd, except for Z* = Z⊙ and fEdd = 0.7 or 0.9. For Eddington accretion, SMSs of masses $\sim 10^3\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }}$ can be formed in low metallicity environments with Z* ≲ 0.01 Z⊙. The most massive SMSs of masses $\sim 10^5\, \mathrm{M_{\odot }}$ can be formed for Bondi–Hoyle accretion in environments with Z* ≲ 0.5 Z⊙. An intermediate regime is likely to exist where the mass-loss from the winds might no longer be relevant, while the kinetic energy deposition from the wind could still inhibit the formation of a very massive object.
Intrinsic and extrinsic correlations of galaxy shapes and sizes in weak lensing data
Authors: Ghosh Basundhara , Durrer Ruth , Schäfer Björn Malte
Published: May 2021

The subject of this paper is to build a physical model describing shape and size correlations of galaxies due to weak gravitational lensing and due to direct tidal interaction of elliptical galaxies with gravitational fields sourced by the cosmic large-scale structure. Setting up a linear intrinsic alignment model for elliptical galaxies that parametrizes the reaction of the galaxy to an external tidal shear field is controlled by the velocity dispersion; we predict intrinsic correlations and cross-correlations with weak lensing for both shapes and sizes, juxtaposing both types of spectra with lensing. We quantify the observability of the intrinsic shape and size correlations and estimate with the Fisher formalism how well the alignment parameter can be determined from the Euclid weak lensing survey. Specifically, we find a contamination of the weak lensing convergence spectra with an intrinsic size correlation amounting to up to 10 per cent over a wide multipole range (ℓ = 100…300), with a corresponding cross-correlation exhibiting a sign change, similar to the cross-correlation between weak lensing shear and intrinsic shapes. A determination of the alignment parameter yields a precision of a few per cent forecasted for Euclid, and we show that all shape and many size correlations should be measurable with Euclid.
New cosmological bounds on hot relics: axions and neutrinos
Authors: Giaré William , Di Valentino Eleonora , Melchiorri Alessandro , Mena Olga
Published: May 2021

Axions, if realized in nature, can be copiously produced in the early universe via thermal processes, contributing to the mass-energy density of thermal hot relics. In light of the most recent cosmological observations, we analyse two different thermal processes within a realistic mixed hot dark matter scenario which includes also massive neutrinos. Considering the axion–gluon thermalization channel, we derive our most constraining bounds on the hot relic masses ma < 7.46 eV and ∑mν < 0.114 eV both at 95 per cent CL; while studying the axion–pion scattering, without assuming any specific model for the axion–pion interactions, and remaining in the range of validity of the chiral perturbation theory, our most constraining bounds are improved to ma < 0.91 eV and ∑mν < 0.105 eV, both at 95 per cent CL. Interestingly, in both cases, the total neutrino mass lies very close to the inverted neutrino mass ordering prediction. If future terrestrial double beta decay and/or long-baseline neutrino experiments find that the nature mass ordering is the inverted one, this could rule out a wide region in the currently allowed thermal axion window. Our results therefore, strongly support multi messenger searches of axions and neutrino properties, together with joint analyses of their expected sensitivities.
Cherenkov Telescope Array sensitivity to the putative millisecond pulsar population responsible for the Galactic Centre excess
Authors: Macias Oscar , van Leijen Harm , Song Deheng , Ando Shin’ichiro , Horiuchi Shunsaku , Crocker Roland M
Published: May 2021

The leading explanation of the Fermi Galactic Centre γ-ray excess is the extended emission from an unresolved population of millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in the Galactic bulge. Such a population would, along with the prompt γ-rays, also inject large quantities of electrons/positrons (e±) into the interstellar medium. These e± could potentially inverse-Compton (IC) scatter ambient photons into γ-rays that fall within the sensitivity range of the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). In this article, we examine the detection potential of CTA to this signature by making a realistic estimation of the systematic uncertainties on the Galactic diffuse emission model at TeV-scale γ-ray energies. We forecast that, in the event that e± injection spectra are harder than E−2, CTA has the potential to robustly discover the IC signature of a putative Galactic bulge MSP population sufficient to explain the Galactic Centre excess for e± injection efficiencies in the range of ≈2.9–74.1 per cent, or higher, depending on the level of mismodelling of the Galactic diffuse emission components. On the other hand, for spectra softer than E−2.5, a reliable CTA detection would require an unphysically large e± injection efficiency of ${\gtrsim} 158{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. However, even this pessimistic conclusion may be avoided in the plausible event that MSP observational and/or modelling uncertainties can be reduced. We further find that, in the event that an IC signal were detected, CTA can successfully discriminate between an MSP and a dark matter origin for the radiating e±.
On the population III binary black hole mergers beyond the pair-instability mass gap
Authors: Hijikawa Kotaro , Tanikawa Ataru , Kinugawa Tomoya , Yoshida Takashi , Umeda Hideyuki
Published: May 2021

We perform a binary population synthesis calculation incorporating very massive population (Pop.) III stars up to 1500 M⊙ and investigate the nature of binary black hole (BBH) mergers. Above the pair-instability mass gap, we find that the typical primary black hole (BH) mass is 135–340 M⊙. The maximum primary BH mass is as massive as 686 M⊙. The BBHs with both of their components above the mass gap have low effective inspiral spin ∼ 0. So far, no conclusive BBH merger beyond the mass gap has been detected, and the upper limit on the merger rate density is obtained. If the initial mass function (IMF) of Pop. III stars is simply expressed as ξm(m) ∝m−α (single power law), we find that α ≳ 2.8 is needed in order for the merger rate density not to exceed the upper limit. In the future, the gravitational wave detectors such as Einstein Telescope and Pre-DECIGO will observe BBH mergers at high redshift. We suggest that we may be able to impose a stringent limit on the Pop. III IMF by comparing the merger rate density obtained from future observations with that derived theoretically.
The role of income and substitution in commodity demand
Authors: Baffes John , Kabundi Alain , Nagle Peter
Published: May 2021

We estimate income elasticities of demand for three energy and six base metal commodities and their group aggregates. The elasticities, which vary with income levels, are estimated using a panel autoregressive distributed lag model covering the period 1965–2017, for up to 63 countries. We report three findings. First, most income elasticities are inversely proportional to income and decline rapidly as income rises. This implies commodity demand growth slows as economies develop, consistent with the dematerialization hypothesis. At median per capita income levels, the elasticity for metals (in aggregate) was 0.9, while that of energy was 0.7. Second, there is significant heterogeneity between commodities, both in terms of income elasticities and in terms of the performance of the model, with larger commodities and group aggregates performing better. Finally, we find evidence of substitution between commodities (e.g. oil/coal, aluminum/copper), estimated by the inclusion of the prices of similar commodities.
How Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Are Transforming Repression
Authors: Feldstein Steven
Published: May 2021

This chapter examines how artificial intelligence (AI) and big-data technology are reshaping repression strategies and why they are a boon for autocratic leaders. It explores two in-depth scenarios that describe potential state deploy AI and big-data techniques to accomplish political objectives. It presents a global index of AI and big-data surveillance that measures the use of these tools in 179 countries. It then presents a detailed explanation for specific types of AI and big-data surveillance: safe cities, facial recognition systems, smart policing, and social media surveillance. Subsequently, it examines China’s role in proliferating AI and big-data surveillance technology, and it reviews public policy considerations regarding use of this technology by democracies.