bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSA density is associated with BPH cellular composition
Authors: Jia Liwei , Strand Douglas W. , Goueli Ramy S. , Gahan Jeffrey C. , Roehrborn Claus G. , Mauck Ryan J.
Published: June 2022

Background

Current AUA guidelines recommend 5 alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) treatment for patients with obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that display prostate volume ≥30 cc and total prostate specific antigen (PSA) ≥1.5 ng/ml. However, BPH is highly pleomorphic and response to 5ARIs is highly variable. An understanding of cellular composition based on a noninvasive PSA density test could lead to improved clinical decision making.

Methods

The histological composition of 307 BPH specimens was scored by a pathologist for stromo‐glandular content and associated with total PSA, prostate volume, PSA density and other clinical variables using univariate and multivariate linear regression.

Results

The percentage of glandular composition in prostates of 5ARI‐naïve men was positively and independently associated with PSA and PSA density. It was determined through statistical modeling that a PSA density ≤0.05 ng/ml2 associated with a glandular composition of ≤30% with 76% sensitivity.

Conclusions

PSA density could provide a decisive variable for estimating BPH cellular content and may eventually improve selection of patients for 5ARI treatment. Further work is needed to demonstrate that patients with higher glandular content are more responsive to 5ARI treatment.
Dynamics of Proton Transfer on Boehmite (010) Surface in Anhydrous and Hydrous Environments
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Huang Nan , Xie Yaoping , Chen Yigang , Guo Haibo
Published: June 2022

Boehmite (010) surface has a high density of ordered hydroxyl groups but no intrinsic hydrogen bonds. This represents a special case for which proton‐transfer mechanism is unknown and different from those along a continuous hydrogen‐bond network. In this study, probable pathways for proton transfer on boehmite (010) surface in both anhydrous and hydrous environments are explored, and energy barriers of these processes are calculated using the climbing‐image nudged elastic band method based on density‐functional theory. The results reveal that under anhydrous conditions, long‐distance proton transfer is unlikely on clean (010) surface, but excess protons are mobile with a low proton‐transfer energy barrier of 31.4 kJ mol−1. Subsurface Zn dopants (for charge balance with excess protons) reduce the energy barrier to 21.1 kJ mol−1. In contrast, water‐mediated proton‐transfer processes only need to overcome a low‐energy barrier of 10.0 kJ mol−1. The low‐energy barriers suggest boehmite (010) surface can conduct protons, particularly in hydrous environments, making boehmite a promising filler material for proton exchange membranes.
New Catalysts for Biodiesel Production under Supercritical Conditions of Alcohols: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Demir Velid , Akgün Mesut
Published: June 2022

Nowadays, due to detrimental carbon dioxide emissions and dwindling non‐renewable fossil energy from crude oil, biodiesel from green sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, waste oils and microbial oils have been described as a promising non‐fossil fuel, renewable, sustainable, clean, and biodegradable. So far, transesterification is the most superior process for converting green resources into biodiesel by reacting with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. This process is influenced by some considerations such as alcohol to oil molar ratio, reaction temperature, reaction pressure, reaction time and specifically the amount of catalyst, which greatly affect the reaction performance and the biodiesel production. In depth, this review will discuss novel catalysts for biodiesel production under supercritical methanol and ethanol conditions by reviewing published articles related to this field to date.
Sodium Naphthalenide Diglyme Solution for Etching PTFE, Characterizations and Molecular Modelization
Authors: Roina Yaelle , Gonçalves Anne‐Marie , Fregnaux Mathieu , Auber Frédéric , Herlem Guillaume
Published: June 2022

Wet etching of polytetrafluoroethylene by sodium naphthalenide dissolved in diglyme solution was investigated experimentally and theoretically. First, the irreversible modification of the polymer surface was analyzed by Raman and XPS spectroscopies, water wetting angle measurements and AFM observations. The drastic changes brought to the surface of PTFE could be clearly demonstrated by these analytical methods. Then, first principle calculations coupled to molecular dynamics (FPMD) were performed to simulate the first steps of the reaction involved in the process of surface modification. It has been shown that fluorine directly attacks vicinal sodium with formation of a pair of sodium fluoride ions without grafting of the naphthalene moiety onto the modified surface. While the formation of the alkene and alkyne bond can be modelized, no spectroscopic signature is observed after rinsing etched PTFE.
Reversible phase transition for switchable second harmonic generation in 2D perovskite microwires
Authors: Zhao Yingjie , Zhao Jiahui , Guo Yangwu , Zhao Jinjin , Feng Jiangang , Geng Yue , Yang Junchuan , Gao Hanfei , Yuan Meng , Jiang Lei , Wu Yuchen
Published: June 2022

Highly efficient second‐harmonic generation (SHG) has facilitated the development of nanophotonics and sustained promising applications, ranging from electro‐optical modulation, frequency conversion, and optical frequency combs to pulse characterization. Although controllable SHG switching has been observed in nanophotonics structures and molecule systems, the relatively small SHG switching contrast impedes its application in switchable nonlinear optics. Herein, reversible phase transitions between glassy and crystalline states without material degradation are demonstrated based on solution‐processed chiral perovskite microwire arrays. Breaking of lattice inversion symmetry and high crystallinity support efficient SHG in microwire arrays. By synergy of high‐performance SHG and reversible phase transitions between glassy and crystalline states, reversible switching of SHG is demonstrated under facile conditions. The high SHG switching performances, together with a small footprint, pave the way toward the integration of switchable nonlinear devices based on microwire arrays.
Cross‐linking enhanced room‐temperature phosphorescence of carbon dots
Authors: Wang Boyang , Sun Zhen , Yu Jingkun , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Lu Siyu , Yang Bai
Published: June 2022

Currently, there is a strong drive to discover alternative materials that exhibit room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) for displays, bioimaging, and data security. Ideally, these materials should be nontoxic, cheap, and possess controllable photoluminescent properties. Carbon dots (CDs) possess each of these characteristics, but to date, less attention has been paid to their RTP mechanism. Herein, we synthesized a series of CDs by self‐crosslinking and carbonization of precursor. The resultant CDs were luminescent and exhibited a bright, micro‐second afterglow lifetime. To increase the RTP, a second microwave processing step was used to coat the CDs with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylamide (PAM), or tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), producing CDs@PVA, CDs@PAM, and CDs@TEOS composites. The core–shell structure acted to enhance crosslinking at the surface of the CDs to boost the RTP, creating abundant energy levels for intersystem crossover. In situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified electron transfer during luminescence. Finally, we present a design rule that can be used to tune the quantum yields and RTP lifetime of CDs, based on the effective stabilization of triplet excited states through the extent and strength of cross‐linking. This simple strategy provides a flexible route for guiding the further development of CDs with tailored RTP properties for various applications.
Characterisation, whole‐genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of three H3N2 avian influenza viruses isolated from domestic ducks at live poultry markets of Iran, 2017: First report
Authors: Abtin Alireza , Shoushtari Abdelhamid , Fallah Mehrabadi Mohammad Hossein , Molouki Aidin , Pourbakhsh Seyed Ali , Pourtaghi Hadi , Eshratabadi Fatemeh
Published: June 2022

Background

Avian influenza type A viruses (AIV) can infect a broad range of hosts including human and birds, making them an important viral pathogen with zoonotic potential. Ducks are a known reservoir for many avian viruses including the AIV.

Objectives

To sequence the entire genome of duck‐derived H3N2 and ran comprehensive phylogenetic analysis on them to study their origin.

Methods

In this study, 962 cloacal swabs were collected from domestic ducks at several live poultry markets (LPMs) of Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces of Iran in the year 2017.

Results

Preliminary assays such as haemagglutination inhibition assay (HI), Neuraminidase Inhibition assay(NI) and RT‐qPCR suggested that 0.5% of the birds were infected by H3 low pathogenic influenza viruses (LPAI). Three isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing. The cleavage site of the HA genes showed a PEKQTR/GLF motif, an indicator of LPAI. Furthermore, BLAST and phylogenetic analyses of the HA gene showed high homology to the Eurasian lineage of H3N8 AIV (95.5%–97.1% to several European and East Asian isolates). However, the NA genes showed high homology (at most 96.5–96.9%) to those belonging to AIV N2 subtype. Furthermore, internal genes showed high homology (96%–98%) to a variety of duck‐origin subtypes and glycoprotein combinations, which were different for each segment. This showed a complex reassortment between different subtypes.

Discussion

This report is the first whole genome sequencing and complete characterisation of H3N2 AIV from Iran.

Conclusion

Such surveillance should continue to study the evolution and possible emergence of viruses with pandemic potential.
Clinical and computed tomographic myelography findings of presumed intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disk extrusion in 16 dogs
Authors: Levy Alice , Deprez Pauline , Harran Nathaniel
Published: June 2022

Intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion is an uncommon form of intervertebral disc disease in dogs. Magnetic resonance imaging findings include an intramedullary linear tract of mixed intensity representing extruded disc and haemorrhage. We sporadically noticed an intramedullary linear tract of contrast on computed tomographic myelography that could represent an intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion. We describe the clinical and computed tomographic myelography findings in 16 dogs with presumed intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion. All dogs were presented with acute T3–L3 myelopathy, usually following a trauma. The most affected sites were T12–T13 and T13–L1. The tract originated from the ventral or dorsal subarachnoid space with a cranial or caudal direction. All dogs received medical treatment and physiotherapy. A 3‐month follow‐up was available for 12 dogs. All dogs showed marked improvement of their neurological status. Four dogs with severe neurological score were euthanased due to lack of improvement. This study described clinical and computed tomographic myelography findings in dogs with presumed intradural‐intramedullary intervertebral disc extrusion.
Global soil organic carbon–climate interactions: Why scales matter
Authors: Jungkunst Hermann F. , Göpel Jan , Horvath Thomas , Ott Simone , Brunn Melanie
Published: June 2022

Soil organic carbon (SOC) holds the largest terrestrial carbon stock because of soil conditions and processes that favor soil carbon persistence. Vulnerable to climate change, SOC may cross a tipping point toward liberating carbon‐based greenhouse gases, implying massive self‐amplifying SOC‐ climate interactions. Estimates of SOC persistence are challenging as we still lack broad mechanistic insights. Upscaling mechanistic details from small to larger scales is challenging because the driving factors are not available at the needed resolution. Downscaling is problematic as many modeling studies point to the highest uncertainties deriving from the SOC response to climate change, while models themselves have difficulties in replicating contemporary soil properties and dynamics. To bridge the problems of scaling, strict process orientation seems adequate. Holdridge Life Zones (HLZ) classification, as one example, is a climate classification framework at a mesoscale that provides a descriptive approach to facilitate the identification of potential hotspots and coldspots of SOC‐climate interaction. Establishing coordinated experiments across all HLZ, but also including multiple global change drivers, has the potential to advance our understanding of general principles regulating SOC‐climate interaction and SOC persistence. Therefore, regionally tailored solutions for both experiments and modeling are urgently needed and can lead to better management of soil and the ecosystem services provided. Improving “translations” from the scales relevant for process understanding to the scales of decision‐making is key to good management and to predict the fate of our largest terrestrial carbon stock.

This article is categorized under:

Integrated Assessment of Climate Change > Integrated Scenario Development
Metabolic engineering of Komagataella phaffii for synergetic utilization of glucose and glycerol
Authors: Wang Xiaolu , Zhao Xiaomin , Luo Huiying , Wang Yaru , Wang Yuan , Tu Tao , Qin Xing , Huang Huoqing , Bai Yingguo , Yao Bin , Su Xiaoyun , Zhang Jie
Published: June 2022

Komagataella phaffii GS115 is a proven heterologous expression system and has recently been exploited for the production of value‐added biochemicals from glucose through metabolic engineering. A major challenge for high‐level biochemical production is the appropriate distribution of carbon flux between cell growth and product biosynthesis. In this study, we report the development of a synergetic glucose and glycerol coutilization strategy for K. phaffii, potentially enabling this strain to consume glycerol for growth while conserving more glucose for product formation. First, several potential genes encoding mediator proteins and transcriptional factors that were considered to be associated with carbon catabolite repression in K. phaffii were screened, and deletion of gss1, a glucose sensor, appeared to be able to eliminate the glucose‐induced repression of glycerol utilization in a mixed glucose–glycerol medium. Transcriptome comparisons between the parent strain and the Δgss1 mutant were then performed, and the glycerol‐metabolism genes that were subjected to glucose regulation were identified. Second, coutilization of glucose and glycerol in K. phaffii was achieved by overexpressing genes relevant to glycerol metabolism, namely, gt1, gut1, and gut2. Furthermore, knockout or knockdown of pfk and zwf genes resulted in a reduction of carbon flux from glucose towards glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. With these efforts, the cell metabolism of the final strain was divided into growth and production modules. This study describes a promising strategy to address the challenge of carbon flux distribution in K. phaffii, and would be valuable in engineering this strain as a versatile fermentation platform for biochemical production.
Dietary protein requirement for captive juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Authors: Jualaong Suthep , Thongprajukaew Karun , Kanghae Hirun , Nuntapong Nutt , Saekhow Suktianchai , Hahor Waraporn , Reungkhajorn Aisawan , Namwong Areeya , Chenah Soraya , Panawa Salwa
Published: June 2022

Head‐starting programs are extremely important for restoring the population of sea turtles in wild whereas husbandry conditions and feeding regimens of captive turtles are still limited. In the current study, the optimal dietary protein requirement for green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was investigated to support rearing in head‐starting programs. Twenty‐five‐day‐old turtles (44.5–46.2 g body weight, n = 45) were randomly distributed into 15 experimental plastic tanks, comprising three treatment replications of 3 turtles each. They were fed fishmeal‐based feeds containing different levels of protein (30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50%) for 8 weeks. At the end of feeding trial, growth performance (specific growth rate = 1.86% body weight/day) and feed utilization (protein efficiency ratio = 3.30 g gain/g protein) were highest in turtles fed with 40% protein in feed (p < .05). These nutritional responses were significantly supported by specific activities of fecal digestive enzymes, especially trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and the amylase/trypsin ratio. Also, this dietary level improved the deposition of calcium and phosphorus in carapace, supporting a hard carapace and strong healthy bones. There were no negative effects in general health status of reared turtles, as indicated by hematological parameters. Based on a broken‐line analysis between dietary protein levels and specific growth rate, the optimal protein level for green turtles was estimated as 40.6%. Findings from the current study support the use of artificial diets of specific protein levels to rear captive green turtle before release to natural habitats.
Ejaculate characteristics over seasons in five species of lancehead pitvipers (Bothrops spp) kept in captivity
Authors: Vieira Samira E. M. , Grego Kathleen F. , Blank Marcel H. , Novaes Gabriel A. , Rodrigues Fabíola de Souza , Silveira Giovanni P. M. da , Castro Rafael A. de , Sant'Anna Sávio S. , Pereira Ricardo J. G.
Published: June 2022

Due to their major medical importance in Latin America, lancehead pitvipers are frequently kept and bred in captivity for venom extraction to the production of antivenom serums. Nevertheless, despite the great contribution given to captive breeding, much of the knowledge of Bothrops' reproductive biology derived from sporadic and insufficient data provided by zoological collections. Thus, we aimed to investigate seasonal changes in gonadosomatic index (GSI) and seminal parameters (e.g., volume, concentration, motility, viability, and acrosome integrity) of five species of lancehead pitvipers from different biomes and phylogenetic groups, maintained in the indoors serpentarium at Butantan Institute (Brazil). Patterns of variation in GSI and semen parameters differed from one species to another, suggesting that captive populations should perhaps be managed distinctly to maximize reproductive success. Furthermore, in none of the studied species did changes in GSI occur concomitantly with seminal variations. GSI remained unaltered year‐round for Jararaca (Bothrops jararaca) and Brazilian lancehead (Bothrops moojeni), whereas it peaked in the autumn for Common lancehead (Bothrops atrox), Jararacussu (Bothrops jararacussu), and Whitetail lancehead (Bothrops leucurus). But surprisingly, the scenario was inverted when we estimated the total number of motile spermatozoa per season, as Jararaca and Brazilian lancehead displayed seasonal differences and the other species did not vary throughout the year. Potential ecological and evolutionary factors underlying these differences were also discussed in the present article. Together, these findings can help to better define breeding management strategies for each species in captivity, in addition to optimizing the future use of artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation.
Crop Management for Breeding Trials
Authors: Honsdorf Nora , Van Loon Jelle , Govaerts Bram , Verhulst Nele
Published: June 2022

Appropriate agronomic management of breeding trials plays an important role in creating selection conditions that lead to clear expression of trait differences between genotypes. Good trial management reduces experimental error to a minimum and in this way facilitates the detection of the best genotypes. The field site should be representative for the target environment of the breeding program, including soil and climatic conditions, photoperiod, and pest and disease prevalence. Uniformity of a field site is important to provide similar growing conditions to all plants. Field variability is affected by natural and management factors and leads to variability in crop performance. Additionally, pest and disease incidence tend to concentrate in patches, introducing variability not necessarily related to the susceptibility of affected genotypes. Precise agronomic management of breeding trials can reduce natural field variability and can contribute to reduce variability of crop performance. Through specialized agronomic management, contrasting selection conditions can be created in the same experimental station. The use of adequate machinery like plot seeders and harvesters contributes to precise trial management and facilitates operation. Machine seeding assures even seeding depth and density. Plot combines can be equipped with grain cleaners, on-board weighing systems and sensors to measure grain humidity and weight, which can greatly facilitate data collection.
Disease Resistance
Authors: Ayliffe Michael , Luo Ming , Faris Justin , Lagudah Evans
Published: June 2022

Wheat plants are infected by diverse pathogens of economic significance. They include biotrophic pathogens like mildews and rusts that require living plant cells to proliferate. By contrast necrotrophic pathogens that cause diseases such as tan spot, Septoria nodurum blotch and spot blotch require dead or dying cells to acquire nutrients. Pioneering studies in the flax plant-flax rust pathosystem led to the ‘gene-for-gene’ hypothesis which posits that a resistance gene product in the host plant recognizes a corresponding pathogen gene product, resulting in disease resistance. In contrast, necrotrophic wheat pathosystems have an ‘inverse gene-for-gene’ system whereby recognition of a necrotrophic fungal product by a dominant host gene product causes disease susceptibility, and the lack of recognition of this pathogen molecule leads to resistance. More than 300 resistance/susceptibility genes have been identified genetically in wheat and of those cloned the majority encode nucleotide binding, leucine rich repeat immune receptors. Other resistance gene types are also present in wheat, in particular adult plant resistance genes. Advances in mutational genomics and the wheat pan-genome are accelerating causative disease resistance/susceptibility gene discovery. This has enabled multiple disease resistance genes to be engineered as a transgenic gene stack for developing more durable disease resistance in wheat.
History of Wheat Breeding: A Personal View
Authors: Tony Fischer R. A.
Published: June 2022

For more than a century, breeding has delivered huge benefits as a major driver of increased wheat productivity and of stability in the face of inevitable disease threats. Thus, the real cost of this staple grain has been reduced for billions of consumers. Steady breeding progress has been seen across many important traits of wheat, currently for potential yield averaging about 0.6% p.a. This yield progress continues to rely of extensive multilocational yield testing but has, however, become more difficult, even as new breeding techniques have improved efficiency. Breeding will continue to evolve as new approaches, being proposed with increasing frequency, are tested and found useful or not. High throughput phenotyping (HTPP), applying modern crop physiology, and molecular markers and genomic selection (GS) are in this phase right now. Such new techniques, along with pre-breeding for new traits, will likely play a larger role in this future improvement of wheat. New tools will also include genetic engineering (GE), as society’s need for its benefits become more urgent. The steady privatization of breeding seems unlikely to cease in the developed world but will continue to struggle elsewhere. It would seem wise, however, that a significant portion of the world’s pre-breeding research remains in the public sector, while maintaining close and equitable contact with those delivering new varieties.
Yield Potential
Authors: Foulkes M. John , Molero Gemma , Griffiths Simon , Slafer Gustavo A. , Reynolds Matthew P.
Published: June 2022

This chapter provides an analysis of the processes determining the yield potential of wheat crops. The structure and function of the wheat crop will be presented and the influence of the environment and genetics on crop growth and development will be examined. Plant breeding strategies for raising yield potential will be described, with particular emphasis on factors controlling photosynthetic capacity and grain sink strength.
Theory and Practice of Phenotypic and Genomic Selection Indices
Authors: Crossa José , Cerón-Rojas J. Jesús , Martini Johannes W. R. , Covarrubias-Pazaran Giovanny , Alvarado Gregorio , Toledo Fernando H. , Govindan Velu
Published: June 2022

The plant net genetic merit is a linear combination of trait breeding values weighted by its respective economic weights whereas a linear selection index (LSI) is a linear combination of phenotypic or genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) which is used to predict the net genetic merit of candidates for selection. Because economic values are difficult to assign, some authors developed economic weight-free LSI. The economic weights LSI are associated with linear regression theory, while the economic weight-free LSI is associated with canonical correlation theory. Both LSI can be unconstrained or constrained. Constrained LSI imposes restrictions on the expected genetic gain per trait to make some traits change their mean values based on a predetermined level, while the rest of the traits change their values without restriction. This work is geared towards plant breeders and researchers interested in LSI theory and practice in the context of wheat breeding. We provide the phenotypic and genomic unconstrained and constrained LSI, which together cover the theoretical and practical cornerstone of the single-stage LSI theory in plant breeding. Our main goal is to offer researchers a starting point for understanding the core tenets of LSI theory in plant selection.
Breeding Methods: Line Development
Authors: Rutkoski Jessica E. , Krause Margaret R. , Sorrells Mark E.
Published: June 2022

In order to produce successful varieties, wheat breeding programs must develop several strategies that fall under one of the following topics: line development, population improvement, and selection methods. Part I of this chapter focuses on breeding activities related to line development, while Part II discusses population improvement and selection methods. Line development refers to the process of obtaining homozygous inbreds derived from crosses between parental lines. A wide variety of line development methods have been proposed in pursuit of greater efficiency and effectiveness. This chapter aims to provide basic knowledge on line development methods in relation to wheat breeding, describe how and why they came about, and synthesize the results of empirical studies that have evaluated them in order to foster critical thinking and innovation in breeding strategy design.
Breeding Methods: Population Improvement and Selection Methods
Authors: Rutkoski Jessica E. , Krause Margaret R. , Sorrells Mark E.
Published: June 2022

In order to produce successful varieties, wheat breeding programs must develop several strategies that fall under one of the following topics: line development, population improvement, and selection methods. This chapter focuses on breeding activities related to population improvement and selection methods, while Chap. 5 discusses line development. The objective of population improvement is to enhance the entire genetic base of the breeding program, while selection methods aim to identify breeding lines with superior potential or performance. As with line development approaches, numerous population improvement and selection methods have been developed in order to enhance breeding program efficiency and achieve genetic improvement. This chapter will provide an overview of population improvement and selection methods in the context of wheat breeding, discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and summarize empirical studies that have evaluated them in order to inform breeding program design.
Exploring Barriers in the Enjoyment of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Kenya: A Case Study of Sex Workers
Authors: Lukera MaryFrances
Published: June 2022

The enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights remains a daily struggle for many sex workers. The reality of laws and policies in different countries in the global north and global south and their impact on sex workers is indisputable even where they have ratified and domesticated international human rights treaties. This chapter explores the barriers in the face of state accountability that hinder the enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights and exacerbates inequalities and discriminatory practices in Kenya. The chapter draws from the empirical research for a wider rights-based study on the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights of sex workers conducted in 2015, to expose what is framed in international human rights instruments, national laws and policies, and sex workers’ lived experiences. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion and analysis of legal and policy documents.
Hate Speech Law and Equality: A Cautionary Tale for Advocates of “Stirring up Gender Hatred” Offences
Authors: Neller Jen
Published: June 2022

Debates about hate speech legislation tend to be dominated by the conflict between freedom of expression on the one hand and freedom from the harms of hatred on the other; it is pervasively claimed that a balance must be struck between these competing interests. This chapter carefully examines this framing of the issue, drawing on parliamentary debates to foreground the classificatory assumptions and power imbalances that are at play in such purportedly neutral balancing exercises. These insights are used to contextualise the question of whether the stirring up hatred offences of England and Wales should be extended to encompass gender hatred. With a focus on the pursuit of intersectional equality, the chapter raises important dynamics that advocates of such offences should consider beyond the headline issue of free speech.
Towards Gender Equality in the Solicitors’ Profession in England and Wales A Practical, Intersectional, Socio-legal Approach
Authors: Winstone Julia
Published: June 2022

Over 30 years of initiatives to improve the career progression of women in the solicitors’ profession in England and Wales have failed to achieve gender equality in practice. Equality legislation from the 1970s onwards, has still not translated to equality for women solicitors in retention, progression, partnership and equal pay in private practice. Significant numbers of women have entered the profession and remained at junior levels since the 1970s, outnumbering male entrants since 1992-3 and practising men solicitors since 2017. A gap persists between participation rates for men and women, with the number of women active in the profession reducing with age and experience. This chapter presents a practical, intersectional, socio-legal approach to overcome the barriers faced by many women solicitors, based on current issues identified by practising, non-practising solicitors and left professionals. Practical initiatives are developed to effect meaningful change in practice to maximise opportunities available for all.
New Thought on Matsumura–Nishida Theory in the $$L_p$$–$$L_q$$ Maximal Regularity Framework
Authors: Shibata Yoshihiro
Published: June 2022

This paper is devoted to proving the global well-posedness of initial-boundary value problem for Navier–Stokes equations describing the motion of viscous, compressible, barotropic fluid flows in a three dimensional exterior domain with non-slip boundary conditions. This was first proved by an excellent paper due to Matsumura and Nishida (Commun Math Phys 89:445–464, 1983). In [10], they used energy method and their requirement was that space derivatives of the mass density up to third order and space derivatives of the velocity fields up to fourth order belong to $$L_2$$

L
2

in space-time, detailed statement of Matsumura and Nishida theorem is given in Theorem 1 of Sect. 1 of context. This requirement is essentially used to estimate the $$L_\infty $$

L
∞

norm of necessary order of derivatives in order to enclose the iteration scheme with the help of Sobolev inequalities and also to treat the material derivatives of the mass density. On the other hand, this paper gives the global wellposedness of the same problem as in [10] in $$L_p$$

L
p

($$1 <p \le 2$$

1
<
p
≤
2

) in time and $$L_2\cap L_6$$

L
2

∩

L
6

in space maximal regularity class, which is an improvement of the Matsumura and Nishida theory in [10] from the point of view of the minimal requirement of the regularity of solutions. In fact, after changing the material derivatives to time derivatives by Lagrange transformation, enough estimates obtained by combination of the maximal $$L_p$$

L
p

($$1 <p \le 2$$

1
<
p
≤
2

) in time and $$L_2\cap L_6$$

L
2

∩

L
6

in space regularity and $$L_p$$

L
p

–$$L_q$$

L
q

decay estimate of the Stokes equations with non-slip conditions in the compressible viscous fluid flow case enable us to use the standard Banach’s fixed point argument. Moreover, one of the purposes of this paper is to present a framework to prove the $$L_p$$

L
p

–$$L_q$$

L
q

maximal regularity for parabolic-hyperbolic type equations with non-homogeneous boundary conditions and how to combine the maximal $$L_p$$

L
p

–$$L_q$$

L
q

regularity and $$L_p$$

L
p

–$$L_q$$

L
q

decay estimates of linearized equations to prove the global well-posedness of quasilinear problems in unbounded domains, which gives a new thought of proving the global well-posedness of initial-boundary value problems for systems of parabolic or parabolic-hyperbolic equations appearing in mathematical physics.
Digitale Gesundheitskompetenz von Schülerinnen und Schülern. Ausprägung und Assoziationen mit dem Bewegungs- und Ernährungsverhalten
Authors: Dadaczynski Kevin , Rathmann Katharina , Schricker Julia , Bilz Ludwig , Sudeck Gorden , Fischer Saskia M. , Janiczek Oliver , Quilling Eike
Published: June 2022

Hintergrund

Während vermehrt Studienbefunde zur allgemeinen Gesundheitskompetenz (GK) vorliegen, mangelt es an Erkenntnissen zur digitalen GK im Jugendalter und deren Assoziationen mit Indikatoren des Gesundheitsverhaltens.

Methodik

Empirische Basis bildet eine von Oktober 2019 bis Februar 2020 im Bundesland Hessen durchgeführte Querschnittstudie mit 490 Schülerinnen und Schülern der Klassenstufe 8 und 9. Die digitale GK wurde mithilfe von 5 Subskalen des Digital Health Literacy Instrument (DHLI) erfasst, während der Verzehr von Obst, Gemüse und Softdrinks sowie die körperliche Aktivität als Indikatoren des Gesundheitsverhaltens herangezogen wurden. Als soziales Merkmal wurde neben dem Geschlecht und der Klassenstufe der subjektive Sozialstatus (SSS) berücksichtigt. Die Datenauswertung erfolgte uni-, bi- und multivariat, wobei binärlogistische Regressionen für das Geschlecht und den SSS adjustiert wurden.

Ergebnisse

Über alle Items hinweg berichten 15,3–37,5 % der befragten Jugendlichen Schwierigkeiten bei der Beschaffung von und im Umgang mit digitalen Informationen. Differenziert nach sozialen Merkmalen finden sich für 2 Dimensionen der digitalen GK Unterschiede zuungunsten der Mädchen sowie durchgehend ein sozialer Gradient zuungunsten von Befragten mit niedrigem SSS. Jugendliche mit mittlerer und geringer digitaler GK weisen ein höheres Maß an geringer körperlicher Aktivität, nichttäglichem Obstverzehr und täglichem Konsum von zuckerhaltigen Getränken auf.

Diskussion

Die Befunde weisen auf einen Interventionsbedarf zur Förderung der digitalen GK insbesondere bei Jugendlichen mit geringem SSS hin. Die differenziellen Zusammenhangsmuster mit dem Gesundheitsverhalten bieten Ansatzpunkte für die Entwicklung spezifischer Interventionen. Als Lehr- und Lernort stellt die Schule u. a. aufgrund der Passung mit verpflichtenden Strategien der schulischen Medienkompetenzbildung ein geeignetes Setting dar.
ZSE-DUO – duale Lotsenstruktur im Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen
Authors: Schippers C. , Volk D. , de Zwaan M. , Deckert J. , Dieris-Hirche J. , Herpertz S. , Schulz J. B. , Hebestreit H. ,   ZSE-DUO Arbeitsgruppe
Published: June 2022

Hintergrund

Patienten mit unklarer Diagnose und Verdacht auf eine Seltene Erkrankung stellen unter anderem Ärzte vor besondere Herausforderungen.

Ziel der Arbeit (Fragestellung)

Das ZSE-DUO-Projekt will herausfinden, ob die gemeinsame Patientenbetreuung durch einen somatischen Arzt und einen Arzt für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie oder Arzt für psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie die diagnostische Trennschärfe verbessern und die Zeit bis zur Diagnosestellung verkürzen kann.

Material und Methoden

In ZSE-DUO ist die Rekrutierung von über 1000 Patienten an elf nationalen Zentren für Seltene Erkrankungen in einer Kontroll- und einer Interventionsgruppe gelungen. Drei evaluierende Einrichtungen führen derzeit eine Auswertung durch.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Die Studie befindet sich derzeit in der Abschlussphase. Die Ergebnisse werden in weiteren Publikationen veröffentlicht.
The modified Manchester Fothergill procedure compared with vaginal hysterectomy with low uterosacral ligament suspension in patients with pelvic organ prolapse: long-term outcome
Authors: Enklaar Rosa A. , Knapen Femke M. F. M. , Schulten Sascha F. M. , van Osch Liesbeth A. D. M. , van Leijsen Sanne A. L. , Gondrie Ed T. C. M. , Weemhoff Mirjam
Published: June 2022

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective of this study was to compare the long-term outcome between vaginal hysterectomy with low uterosacral ligament suspension (VH) and the modified Manchester Fothergill procedure (MF) as surgical treatment in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We hypothesize that MF is non-inferior to VH in the long term.

Methods

In this single-center retrospective cohort study patients who underwent MF or VH for primary apical compartment prolapse between 2003 and 2009 were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was subjective recurrence of POP. Secondary outcomes included number and type of reinterventions, time to reintervention and the degree of complaints.

Results

One hundred sixty of 398 patients (53 MF, 107 VH) returned the questionnaires (40%). The mean follow-up was 12.97 years for MF and 13.24 years for VH (p = 0.38). There were similar rates of subjective POP recurrence (51% in both groups). The reintervention rate in the MF group was higher but reached no statistical significance [19/53 (36%) versus 29/107 (27%), p = 0.26]. Kaplan-Meier curve showed no statistically significant difference in risk of reintervention after MF at the maximum follow-up of 16.5 years [HR 1.830 (95% CI 0.934–3.586), p = 0.08]. The mean time to reintervention was 3 years shorter in the MF group (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

The subjective recurrence after MF is similar to VH in treatment of POP at the long term. MF appears to be non-inferior to VH when comparing the risk of reintervention. However, the small sample size precludes a definitive conclusion of non-inferiority, and future studies are needed.
A p-specific spectral multiplier theorem with sharp regularity bound for Grushin operators
Authors: Niedorf Lars
Published: June 2022

In a recent work, Chen and Ouhabaz proved a p-specific $$L^p$$

L
p

-spectral multiplier theorem for the Grushin operator acting on $${\mathbb {R}}^{d_1}\times {\mathbb {R}}^{d_2}$$

R

d
1

×

R

d
2

which is given by $$\begin{aligned} L =-\sum _{j=1}^{d_1} \partial _{x_j}^2 - \Bigg ( \sum _{j=1}^{d_1} |x_j|^2\Bigg ) \sum _{k=1}^{d_2}\partial _{y_k}^2. \end{aligned}$$

L
=
-

∑

j
=
1

d
1

∂

x
j

2

-

(

∑

j
=
1

d
1

|

x
j

|

2

)

∑

k
=
1

d
2

∂

y
k

2

.

Their approach yields an $$L^p$$

L
p

-spectral multiplier theorem within the range $$1< p\le \min \{ 2d_1/(d_1+2), 2(d_2+1)/(d_2+3) \}$$

1
<
p
≤
min
{
2

d
1

/

(

d
1

+
2
)

,
2

(

d
2

+
1
)

/

(

d
2

+
3
)

}

under a regularity condition on the multiplier which is sharp only when $$d_1\ge d_2$$

d
1

≥

d
2

. In this paper, we improve on this result by proving $$L^p$$

L
p

-boundedness under the expected sharp regularity condition $$s>(d_1+d_2)(1/p-1/2)$$

s
>

(

d
1

+

d
2

)

(
1
/
p
-
1
/
2
)

. Our approach avoids the usage of weighted restriction type estimates which played a key role in the work of Chen and Ouhabaz, and is rather based on a careful analysis of the underlying sub-Riemannian geometry and restriction type estimates where the multiplier is truncated along the spectrum of the Laplacian on $${\mathbb {R}}^{d_2}$$

R

d
2

.
A complex-analytic approach to kinetic energy properties of irrotational traveling water waves
Authors: Constantin Olivia
Published: June 2022

Relying on conformal mappings we prove the logarithmic convexity of certain flow quantities associated with irrotational periodic travelling waves that propagate at the surface of water over a flat bed. These results enable us to quantify the observation that the kinetic energy and the time-period of the particle paths are larger near the surface and reduce with increasing depth.
Geometry of Banach Spaces: A New Route Towards Position Based Cryptography
Authors: Junge Marius , Kubicki Aleksander M. , Palazuelos Carlos , Pérez-García David
Published: June 2022

In this work we initiate the study of position based quantum cryptography (PBQC) from the perspective of geometric functional analysis and its connections with quantum games. The main question we are interested in asks for the optimal amount of entanglement that a coalition of attackers have to share in order to compromise the security of any PBQC protocol. Known upper bounds for that quantity are exponential in the size of the quantum systems manipulated in the honest implementation of the protocol. However, known lower bounds are only linear. In order to deepen the understanding of this question, here we propose a position verification (PV) protocol and find lower bounds on the resources needed to break it. The main idea behind the proof of these bounds is the understanding of cheating strategies as vector valued assignments on the Boolean hypercube. Then, the bounds follow from the understanding of some geometric properties of particular Banach spaces, their type constants. Under some regularity assumptions on the former assignment, these bounds lead to exponential lower bounds on the quantum resources employed, clarifying the question in this restricted case. Known attacks indeed satisfy the assumption we make, although we do not know how universal this feature is. Furthermore, we show that the understanding of the type properties of some more involved Banach spaces would allow to drop out the assumptions and lead to unconditional lower bounds on the resources used to attack our protocol. Unfortunately, we were not able to estimate the relevant type constant. Despite that, we conjecture an upper bound for this quantity and show some evidence supporting it. A positive solution of the conjecture would lead to stronger security guarantees for the proposed PV protocol providing a better understanding of the question asked above.
Jump-Chain Simulation of Markov Substitution Processes Over Phylogenies
Authors: Laurin-Lemay Simon , Dickson Kassandra , Rodrigue Nicolas
Published: June 2022

We draw attention to an under-appreciated simulation method for generating artificial data in a phylogenetic context. The approach, which we refer to as jump-chain simulation, can invoke rich models of molecular evolution having intractable likelihood functions. As an example, we simulate data under a context-dependent model allowing for CpG hypermutability and show how such a feature can mislead common codon models used for detecting positive selection. We discuss more generally how this method can serve to elucidate the ways by which currently used models for inference are susceptible to violations of their underlying assumptions. Finally, we show how the method could serve as an inference engine in the Approximate Bayesian Computation framework.
Incidence of venous thromboembolic events not related to vascular catheters in a prospective cohort of critically ill children
Authors: Östlund Åsa K. M. , Fläring Urban , Larsson Peter , Kaiser Sylvie , Vermin Lena , Frisk Tony , Dahlberg Ann , Berner Jonas , Norberg Åke , Andersson Andreas
Published: June 2022

The risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered to be low in the general paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) population, and pharmacological thromboprophylaxis is not routinely used. PICU patients considered at high-risk of VTE could possibly benefit from pharmacological thromboprophylaxis, but the incidence of VTE in this group of patients is unclear. This was an observational, prospective study at a tertiary multi-disciplinary paediatric hospital. We used comprehensive ultrasonography screening for VTE in critically ill children with multiple risk factors for VTE. Patients admitted to PICU ≥ 72 h and with ≥ two risk factors for VTE were included. Patients receiving pharmacological thromboprophylaxis during their entire PICU stay were excluded. The primary outcome of the study was VTEs not related to the use of a CVC. Ultrasonography screening of the great veins was performed at PICU discharge. Seventy patients with median (interquartile range) 3 (2–4) risk factors for VTE were evaluated. Median age was 0.3 years (0.03–4.3) and median PICU length of stay 9 days (5–17). Regarding the primary outcome, no symptomatic VTEs occurred and no asymptomatic VTEs were found on ultrasonography screening, resulting in an incidence of VTEs not related to a vascular catheter of 0% (95% CI: 0–5.1%).

Conclusion: Our results indicate that VTEs not related to a vascular catheter are a rare event even in a selected group of severely ill small children considered to be at high risk of VTE.

What is Known:• Children in the PICU often have several risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE).• The incidence of VTE in PICU patients is highly uncertain, and there are no evidence-based guidelines regarding VTE prophylaxis.

What is New:• This study found an incidence of VTEs not related to a vascular catheter of 0% (95% CI: 0–5.1%).• This indicates that such VTE events are rare even in PICU patients with multiple risk factors for VTE.
Sozialverträgliche CO2-Preise
Authors: Dullien Sebastian , Stein Ulrike
Published: June 2022

Unter Ökonom:innen ist es inzwischen schon fast eine Binsenweisheit, dass ein robuster CO2-Preis ein „zentrales Instrument“ in der Bekämpfung des Klimawandels sein sollte. Gleichzeitig sind CO2-Preise politisch oft unbeliebt, selbst, wenn gleichzeitig die Bevölkerung eigentlich von der Notwendigkeit des Klimaschutzes überzeugt ist. Eine zentrale Kritik an hohen CO2-Preisen ist dabei oft, dass diese „unsozial“ seien, weil sie ärmere Haushalte stärker belasten als reichere Haushalte und damit die bestehende Ungleichheit bei Einkommen, Lebensstandards und letztlich Lebenschancen verschärfen.