bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges and Insights from South Asia for Imagining Ethical Organizations: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Alamgir Fahreen , Bapuji Hari , Mir Raza
Published: March 2022

South Asia is a region that two billion world citizens call home. It connotes not only a geographical place but a discursive space that, despite its heterogeneities of ethnicity and political experience, is joined at the hip by a shared experience of colonialism, sovereignty, and globalized neoliberalism. As a result, South Asia is also a site of aspiration and struggle, as well as emancipation and exploitation. Research in business ethics has not adequately addressed the challenges faced by this region, and consequently overlooked the possibility that a fine-grained analysis of the organizational issues faced by this region can generate new insights on ethical organizations across the world. This special issue marks an important step in that direction and reveals potentially translocal insights about how ethical organizations can be reimagined.
Pollution impacts on water bugs (Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha): state of the art and their biomonitoring potential
Authors: Bakonyi Gábor , Vásárhelyi Tamás , Szabó Borbála
Published: March 2022

As water pollution poses an increasing risk worldwide, it is timely to assess the achievements of the aquatic macroinvertebrate ecotoxicology to provide a sound basis for the discipline’s future and support the development of biomonitoring. Aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs (Hemiptera: Nepomorpha, Gerromorpha) are ubiquitous in almost all water types, sometimes in high densities, and play a significant role in organic material turnover and energy flow. Nevertheless, they are ignored in the water pollution biomonitoring schemes. Here, based on 300 papers, we review and evaluate the effects of chemical pesticides, microorganism-derived pesticides, insecticides of plant origin, heavy metals, eutrophication, salinisation and light pollution which are summarised for the first time. Our review encompasses the results of 100 laboratory and 39 semi-field/field experiments with 47 pesticides and 70 active ingredients. Pyrethroids were found to be more toxic than organochlorine, organophosphate and neonicotinoid insecticides to water bugs, like other macroinvertebrate groups. Additionally, in 10 out of 17 cases, the recommended field concentration of the pesticide was higher than the LC50 values, indicating potential hazards to water bugs. The recommended field concentrations of pesticides used in mosquito larvae control were found non-toxic to water bugs. As very few replicated studies are available, other findings on the effects of pesticides cannot be generalised. The microorganism-derived pesticide Bti appears to be safe when used at the recommended field concentration. Data indicates that plant-derived pesticides are safe with a high degree of certainty. We have identified three research areas where water bugs could be better involved in water biomonitoring. First, someHalobatesspp. are excellent, andGerrisspp. are promising sentinels for Cd contamination. Second, Micronecta and, to a certain extent, Corixidae species composition is connected to and the indicator of eutrophication. Third, the species composition of the Corixidae is related to salinisation, and a preliminary method to quantify the relationship is already available. Our review highlights the potential of water bugs in water pollution monitoring.
Understanding young people’s perception toward forestation as a strategy to mitigate climate change in a post-conflict developing country
Authors: Jama Osman M. , Diriye Abdishakur W. , Abdi Abdulhakim M.
Published: March 2022

Understanding the perceptions of young people is a critical issue in the formulation and implementation of climate change mitigation strategies. Based on cognitive hierarchy theory, the present study aims to investigate the factors that motivate or hinder young people’s perception of forestation as a strategy to mitigate climate change in post-conflict Somalia. This study hypothesized a model in which climate change knowledge, risk perception and forest value orientations (anthropocentric/biocentric) influence attitude toward forestation and attitude, in turn, predicts behavioral intentions. We randomly surveyed students from three universities in three different regions of Somalia and collected 434 structured survey questionnaires. Using structural equation modeling, the results showed that climate change knowledge is a significant predictor of behavioral intention but not attitude toward forestation. The results also revealed that young people’s perception toward forestation as a strategy to mitigate climate change is significantly influenced by biocentric value orientation both directly and indirectly through attitude toward forestation. Contrary to previous studies, our results indicate that attitude partially mediates the relationship between biocentric value orientation and behavioral intentions and fully mediates the relationship between anthropocentric value orientation, risk perception and behavioral intentions, while it did not show any mediation results between climate change knowledge and behavioral intention. We found that the young people’s climate action or inaction is mainly shaped by climate change knowledge, biocentric value orientation, and attitude toward forestation. Finally, climate change mitigation efforts should avoid relying solely on attitude for behavioral decision-making formation and instead incorporate other factors into a more comprehensive framework.
Shortcuts to Thermodynamic Computing: The Cost of Fast and Faithful Information Processing
Authors: Boyd Alexander B. , Patra Ayoti , Jarzynski Christopher , Crutchfield James P.
Published: March 2022

Landauer’s Principle states that the energy cost of information processing must exceed the product of the temperature, Boltzmann’s constant, and the change in Shannon entropy of the information-bearing degrees of freedom. However, this lower bound is achievable only for quasistatic, near-equilibrium computations—that is, only over infinite time. In practice, information processing takes place in finite time, resulting in dissipation and potentially unreliable logical outcomes. For overdamped Langevin dynamics, we show that counterdiabatic potentials can be crafted to guide systems rapidly and accurately along desired computational paths, providing shortcuts that allow for the precise design of finite-time computations. Such shortcuts require additional work, beyond Landauer’s bound, that is irretrievably dissipated into the environment. We show that this dissipated work is proportional to the computation rate as well as the square of the information-storing system’s length scale. As a paradigmatic example, we design shortcuts to create, erase, and transfer a bit of information metastably stored in a double-well potential. Though dissipated work generally increases with operation fidelity, we show that it is possible to compute with perfect fidelity in finite time with finite work. We also show that the robustness of information storage affects an operation’s energetic cost—specifically, the dissipated work scales as the information lifetime of the bistable system. Our analysis exposes a rich and nuanced relationship between work, speed, size of the information-bearing degrees of freedom, storage robustness, and the difference between initial and final informational statistics.
The u-plane integral, mock modularity and enumerative geometry
Authors: Aspman Johannes , Furrer Elias , Korpas Georgios , Ong Zhi-Cong , Tan Meng-Chwan
Published: March 2022

We revisit the low-energy effective U(1) action of topologically twisted $${\mathcal {N}}=2$$

N
=
2

SYM theory with gauge group of rank one on a generic oriented smooth four-manifold X with nontrivial fundamental group. After including a specific new set of $$\mathcal Q$$
Q
-exact operators to the known action, we express the integrand of the path integral of the low-energy U(1) theory as an anti-holomorphic derivative. This allows us to use the theory of mock modular forms and indefinite theta functions for the explicit evaluation of correlation functions of the theory, thus facilitating the computations compared to previously used methods. As an explicit check of our results, we compute the path integral for the product ruled surfaces $$X=\Sigma _g \times \mathbb {CP}^1$$

X
=

Σ
g

×

CP

1

for the reduction on either factor and compare the results with existing literature. In the case of reduction on the Riemann surface $$\Sigma _g$$

Σ
g

, via an equivalent topological A-model on $$\mathbb {CP}^1$$

CP

1

, we will be able to express the generating function of genus zero Gromov–Witten invariants of the moduli space of flat rank one connections over $$\Sigma _g$$

Σ
g

in terms of an indefinite theta function, whence we would be able to make concrete numerical predictions of these enumerative invariants in terms of modular data, thereby allowing us to derive results in enumerative geometry from number theory.
Marie Curie vs. Serena Williams: ambition leads to extremism through obsessive (but not harmonious) passion
Authors: Resta Elena , Ellenberg Molly , Kruglanski Arie W. , Pierro Antonio
Published: March 2022

Extremism occurs when a certain need, for instance, significance quest, overrides other human motivations. Based on the Significance Quest Theory, we argue that ambition—a specific aspect of significance quest—can lead to extremism, particularly through obsessive passion. In an Italian sample (Study 1, N = 249) we predicted and found that ambition was positively related to both obsessive and harmonious passion; however, only obsessive passion positively predicted extremism. To bolster and generalize our findings we conducted a second study involving American participants (Study 2, N = 300). We confirmed the mediating role of obsessive passion in the relationship between ambition and extremism, while we did not find the mediating role of harmonious passion. The present research has theoretical implications in that it constitutes the first evidence that ambition might share some aspects with significance quest and sheds new light on ambition field. Moreover, our findings provide practical ways to prevent extremism.
Enhancing the robustness of forensic gait analysis against near-distance viewing direction differences
Authors: Imoto Daisuke , Hirabayashi Manato , Honma Masakatsu , Kurosawa Kenji
Published: March 2022

Gait analysis is a promising biometric technology to visually and quantitatively analyze an individual’s walking style. In Japan, silhouette-based quantitative gait analyses have been implemented as a forensic tool; however, several challenges remain owing the narrow range of application. One of the yet-unsolved issues pertains to the existence of a ‘slight’ but critical viewing direction difference, which leads to the incorrect judgment in the analyses of a person even when using deep learning-based feature extraction. To alleviate the critical viewing direction difference problem, we developed a novel gait analysis technique involving three components: 3D calibration, gait energy image space registration, and regression of the distance vector. Results of the GUI development and mock appraisal tests indicated that the proposed method can help achieve practical improvements in the forensic science domain.
Experienced Well-Being and Labor Market Status: The Role of Pleasure and Meaning
Authors: Wolf Tobias , Metzing Maria , Lucas Richard E.
Published: March 2022

This paper examines the experienced well-being of employed and unemployed workers. We use the survey-adapted Day Reconstruction Method of the Innovation Sample of the German Socio-Economic Panel Study to analyze the role of the employment status for well-being, incorporating time use. We use the novel P-index to summarize the average share of pleasurable minutes on a day and show that in contrast to evaluative life satisfaction the unemployed experiences more pleasurable minutes due to the absence of working episodes. Hence, we examine working episodes in depth. While working is among the activities with the highest propensities for an unpleasant experience, it is also among the most meaningful activities. We show that meaning is a central non-monetary determinant for pleasure at work and find that pleasure during work and job satisfaction have a comparable association with meaning.
Atlas of non-pathological solitary or asymmetrical skeletal muscle uptake in [18F]FDG-PET
Authors: Yamane Tomohiko , Matsusaka Yohji , Fukushima Kenji , Seto Akira , Matsunari Ichiro , Kuji Ichiei
Published: March 2022

Positron emission tomography (PET) using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) is widely used in oncology and other fields. In [18F]FDG PET images, increased muscle uptake is observed owing exercise load or muscle tension, in addition to malignant tumors and inflammation. Moreover, we occasionally observe non-pathological solitary or unilateral skeletal muscle uptake, which is difficult to explain the strict reason. In most cases, we can interpret them as not having pathological significance. However, it is important to recognize such muscle uptake patterns to avoid misdiagnoses with pathological ones. Therefore, the teaching point of this pictorial essay is to comprehend the patterns of solitary or asymmetrical skeletal muscle uptake seen in routine [18F]FDG-PET scans. As an educational goal, you will be able to mention muscles where intense physiological [18F]FDG uptake can be observed, differentiate between physiological muscle uptake and lesion, and discuss with any physicians or specialists about uncertain muscle uptake.
Fungal species and mycotoxins in mouldy spots of grass and maize silages in Austria
Authors: Penagos-Tabares Felipe , Khiaosa-ard Ratchaneewan , Schmidt Marlene , Pacífico Cátia , Faas Johannes , Jenkins Timothy , Nagl Veronika , Sulyok Michael , Labuda Roman , Zebeli Qendrim
Published: March 2022

Fungi and mycotoxins in silage can have detrimental consequences for both cattle and human health. This pilot study identified, via the routinary direct plating method, the dominant cultivable fungi in mouldy grass silages (GS) (n = 19) and maize silages (MS) (n = 28) from Austria. The profiles of regulated, modified, and emerging mycotoxins together with other fungal metabolites were analysed via LC-(ESI)MS/MS.Penicillium roqueforti,Saccharomycesspp.,Geotrichum candidum,Aspergillus fumigatusandMonascus ruberwere the most frequent fungal organisms identified. Other species includingMucor circinelloides, Fusariumspp. andPaecilomyces niveuswere detected at lower frequencies. The presence of complex mixtures of toxic and potentially toxic compounds was evidenced by high levels and occurrences (≥ 50%) ofPenicillium-produced compounds such as mycophenolic acid (MPA), roquefortines (ROCs), andrastins (ANDs) and marcfortine A. Mouldy silages contained toxins commonly produced by genusFusarium(e.g. zearalenone (ZEN) and trichothecenes),Alternaria (like tenuazonic acid (TeA) and alternariol (AHO)) andAspergillus(such as sterigmatocystin (STC)). Compared to those in GS, mouldy spots in MS presented significantly higher fungal counts and more diverse toxin profiles, in addition to superior levels ofFusariumspp.,Penicilliumspp. and total fungal metabolites. Generally, no correlation between mould counts and corresponding metabolites was detected, except for the counts ofP. roqueforti, which were positively correlated withPenicilliumspp. metabolites in mouldy MS. This study represents a first assessment of the fungal diversity in mouldy silage in Austria and highlights its potential role as a substantial contributor to contamination with complex mycotoxin mixtures in cattle diets.
Design Framework for the Implementation of AI-based (Service) Business Models for Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: von Garrel Joerg , Jahn Carlos
Published: March 2022

In a globalized world, small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (manufacturing SME) face the challenge of keeping up with global competition. Although AI is ascribed the potential to fundamentally change entire markets, industries, and general business activities, the question remains how SME can implement AI in their operation effectively and efficiently, and therefore build up potential (service) business models. The aim of this paper is to reveal the innovation potential of these systems and to provide instructions on how they can be used by SME. Through these resources can be used more efficiently and new business models can be created. The causes for the little use of AI are numerous and solutions were sought in this work. The result is a socio-technical framework that allows manufacturing SME to build up AI-based (service) business models for themselves.
A novel preparation of high permeation SiC supports for NaA zeolite membrane by in situ reaction bonding
Authors: Chen Gangling , Zhang Jianying , Zhou Ayang , Feng Jianhua , Shao Xing , Ma Tianlin , Guo Youzhi
Published: March 2022

The performance of zeolite membrane supports directly determines the synthesis performance and industrial application of zeolite membranes. In this study, a novel and high permeation SiC supports for NaA zeolite membrane were prepared by carrying out in situ reaction bonding at high temperature in the air atmosphere to coat the SiC particles with aluminum sol. The effects of process parameters on the formation of porous structure of SiC supports were systematically investigated, and the underlying mechanism was explored. During the sintering process, high-temperature Al2O3 from aluminum sol reacted with SiO2 generated by oxidation of the surface of SiC particles to form mullite, which exhibited excellent chemical stability and improved the mechanical properties and chemical stability of the supports. The porous SiC supports for zeolite membrane displayed obvious three-dimensional connected pore structure, with smooth inner surface of the pores and obvious connection neck between the particles. The porous SiC supports for zeolite membrane showed good in situ mullite bonding between the particles, and high permeability. It has a porosity of 36.3%, an average pore size of 1.42 µm and a bending strength of 32.4 MPa. All these figures indicate good comprehensive properties that are consistent with the rigorous requirements of zeolite membrane synthesis and industrial application.
Design and Evaluation of Interprofessional Training Program for Healthcare Students from Collectivistic Culture
Authors: Raj Sonika , Kelly Dervla , Siddig MuizzI , Muppidi Pranjali , O’Connor Chris , Mckeague Helena , Dixon Mark , Alshahrani Mastour S. , Alhazmi Amani , Elmusharaf Khalifa
Published: March 2022

Background

Healthcare is team-based, and with increased mobility of healthcare workers, most of them will work with team members from all over the globe. Interprofessional education (IPE) research has mostly focused on specially designed programs in academic health institutions to prepare students for multidisciplinary work. Few IPE programs aim to integrate students with mixed disciplines from collectivist cultures.

Methods

This mixed-methods study was conducted between June and August 2019. Surveys and an e-portfolio were recorded of 33 final-year and graduated health professional students’ participation in an 8-week IPE summer program at a medical school in Ireland. Survey results are described, and the content of portfolios was analyzed based on the deductive analysis of qualitative data derived from questions.

Results

Students reported the greatest improvement in presentation skills (63.6%), followed by communication (54.5%), team working skills (93.9%), and interprofessional learning (42.4%), respectively. Qualitative findings highlighted challenges for students from a collectivist culture adapting to an IPE: uncomfortable verbally expressing themselves in problem-based learning (PBL) and how to work with other sex. Positive themes about IPE that emerged were enjoyment in sharing ideas and building trust with PBL groups. We learned that the program had to be flexible enough to meet the educational requirements of a target community with mixed English language ability and adaptability to IPE.

Conclusion

The authors propose that an international PBL-based summer program is effective in improving healthcare students’ attitudes towards IPE. This study provides valuable insights to facilitate the development of further IPE programs to increased collaboration between students across various healthcare disciplines.
Synthesis of hydrogels for adsorption of anionic and cationic dyes in water: ionic liquid as a crosslinking agent
Authors: Gao Huajing , Jiang Jilun , Huang Yihao , Wang Hong , Sun Jian , Jin Zhaohui , Wang Jiyang , Zhang Jianlin
Published: March 2022

In this work, we synthesized an ionic liquid (IL)—(Dimethylamino)ethyl Methacrylate maleate ([DMAEMA]MA) as the crosslinker, through one-pot to synthesized hydrogels with high adsorption capacity for dye in water. Both anionic dyes (methylene blue, rhodamine B) and cationic dyes (congo red, eosin B) could be adsorbed by this type of hydrogel with different adsorption mechanism, and its adsorption capacity for methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RHB), congo red (CR), eosin B (EB) were 489.1, 463.2, 465.5 and 462 mg/g (amount of dye adsorbed per gram of hydrogel), respectively. The surface structure of the hydrogel before and after adsorption was observed and compared by scanning electron microscope (SEM). After studying the adsorption isotherms of the hydrogel adsorbent, it was found that the hydrogel adsorbent had two adsorption mechanisms. This was not found in reported literatures previously.
Advanced Issues in the Green Economy and Sustainable Development in Emerging Market Economies
Authors: Popkova Elena G.
Published: March 2022

This Element goes far beyond economic theory. It will also be of interest to representatives of the environmental sciences due to its focus on the “green” economy and sustainable development. It will also be interesting to the representatives of the social sciences, as it takes into account the peculiarities of emerging market economies. Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic makes this Element interesting from a health economics perspective.
Effectiveness of a novel 1-step cleaner and disinfectant against Candida auris
Authors: Haq Muhammed F. , Cadnum Jennifer L. , Pearlmutter Basya S. , Jencson Annette L. , Donskey Curtis J.
Published: March 2022

A novel 1-step anionic surfactant disinfectant was effective against Candida auris isolates from the 4 major phylogenetic clades as well as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the enveloped virus bacteriophage Phi6. This anionic surfactant disinfectant may be a useful addition to the disinfectant products available for use against C. auris.
Filling the knowledge gap of Middle American freshwater fish parasite biodiversity: metazoan parasite fauna of Nicaragua
Authors: Santacruz A. , Barluenga M. , Pérez-Ponce de León G.
Published: March 2022

The heterogeneous landscape of Nicaragua harbours a large diversity of freshwater fishes. The great Nicaraguan lakes, Managua and Nicaragua, and several adjacent crater lakes harbour numerous endemic fish species. However, information about their parasite fauna is still fragmentary. Here, we surveyed the great Nicaraguan lakes and four crater lakes and provide data for 17 metazoan parasite taxa infecting seven fish host species. We also gathered all the published records from the literature on the parasites reported from Nicaraguan freshwater fishes, as well as those for Costa Rica and Panama to discuss the region of Lower Central America as a whole. With this information we built a parasite–host and a host–parasite checklist. With data from near 50% of the native and endemic freshwater fishes in Nicaragua, the parasite fauna comprises 101 taxa in 51 fish species allocated in 11 families. Cichlids are the most diverse group of fishes in this region and have been the most extensively surveyed for their metazoan parasites. Helminths are the best-represented groups of metazoan parasites, with 42 trematodes, five cestodes, 24 monogeneans, two acanthocephalans, 20 nematodes and one hirudinean. Additionally, freshwater fishes are parasitized by copepods, branchiurans and oribatid mites. Even though the inventory is not yet complete, the patterns of diversity uncovered revealed promising information about the origin, biogeography and evolutionary history of the Nicaraguan freshwater fish parasite fauna. More studies are necessary to complete our knowledge about the diversity, host association and distribution of metazoan parasites in Nicaragua and other Central American countries.
Automated assessment of second language comprehensibility: Review, training, validation, and generalization studies
Authors: Saito Kazuya , Macmillan Konstantinos , Kachlicka Magdalena , Kunihara Takuya , Minematsu Nobuaki
Published: March 2022

Whereas many scholars have emphasized the relative importance of comprehensibility as an ecologically valid goal for L2 speech training, testing, and development, eliciting listeners’ judgments is time-consuming. Following calls for research on more efficient L2 speech rating methods in applied linguistics, and growing attention toward using machine learning on spontaneous unscripted speech in speech engineering, the current study examined the possibility of establishing quick and reliable automated comprehensibility assessments. Orchestrating a set of phonological (maximum posterior probabilities and gaps between L1 and L2 speech), prosodic (pitch and intensity variation), and temporal measures (articulation rate, pause frequency), the regression model significantly predicted how naïve listeners intuitively judged low, mid, high, and nativelike comprehensibility among 100 L1 and L2 speakers’ picture descriptions. The strength of the correlation (r = .823 for machine vs. human ratings) was comparable to naïve listeners’ interrater agreement (r = .760 for humans vs. humans). The findings were successfully replicated when the model was applied to a new dataset of 45 L1 and L2 speakers (r = .827) and tested under a more freely constructed interview task condition (r = .809).
Impact of school meals on educational outcomes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Destaw Zelalem , Wencheko Eshetu , Kidane Samuel , Endale Mulugeta , Challa Yohannes , Tiruneh Melkamu , Tamrat Meti , Samson Hanna , Shaleka Dilu , Ashenafi Mogessie
Published: March 2022

Objective:

This study evaluated the impact of the Addis Ababa School Feeding Program (SFP) on educational outcomes.

Design:

Single-group repeated measurement/longitudinal study design and multistage stratified sampling design were followed. Effect sizes estimates, repeated measures ANOVA, Chi-square, Generalised Additive Mixed Model and mixed effects negative binomial regression were used. Academic scores, attendance and dropout and height and weight of schoolchildren were collected.

Setting:

School Feeding Programs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Participants:

Schoolchildren in primary schools and school directors and teachers in fifteen randomly selected schools for Key Informant Interview (KII).

Results:

Anthropometric measurements of 4500 schoolchildren were taken from 50 schools. Academic scores of 3924 schoolchildren from 46 schools, class attendance records of 1584 schoolchildren from 18 schools and annual enrolment records of 50 schools were gathered. School meals achieved a minimum to large scale effects on educational outcomes with effect sizes (η2) of academic scores (boys = 0·023, girls = 0·04), enrolment (girls = 0·001, boys = 0·05) and attendance (Cramer’s V = 0·2). The average scores of girls were significantly higher than that of boys (P< 0·0001). Height-for-age in all schoolchildren (P< 0·01) and BMI-for-ageZ-scores in adolescent girls of 15–19 years (P< 0·0001) never had a significant positive relationship with average scores. Significant relation was observed between nutritional status and attendance (P= 0·021). KII showed that SFP created convenient teaching–learning environment and reduced hunger in schools, while boosting enrolment, attendance and academic performance among the schoolchildren.

Conclusion:

The Addis Ababa SFP has positively contributed to educational outcomes. Strengthening the program would enhance nutritional outcomes and diminish educational inequalities.
Kant’s Duty to Make Virtue Widely Loved
Authors: Gregory Michael L.
Published: March 2022

This article examines an appendix to the Doctrine of Virtue which has received little attention. I argue that this passage suggests that Kant makes it a duty, internal to his system of duties, to ‘join the graces with virtue’ and so to ‘make virtue widely loved’ (MM, 6: 473). The duty to make virtue widely loved obligates us to bring the standards of respectability, and so the social graces, into a formal agreement with what morality demands of us, such that the social graces give the illusion of virtue. The existence of such a duty can answer Schiller’s persistent objection that Kant’s ethics scares away the Graces with Duty.
The impacts of human rights law on the regulation of armed conflict: A coherency-based approach to dealing with both the “interpretation” and “application” processes
Authors: van Steenberghe Raphaël
Published: March 2022

Nowadays, human rights law significantly impacts the regulation of armed conflict through two main processes: the “interpretation process”, whereby international humanitarian law is interpreted in light of human rights law's norms or concepts, and the “application process”, whereby human rights law applies in armed conflict alongside international humanitarian law. These processes raise complex problems with respect to the interplay between the two branches of international law. The aim of this paper is to propose an elaborated theoretical framework, based on legal theories of normative coherence, in order to address that interplay and to overcome the shortcomings of the formal mechanisms usually referred to in practice and legal scholarship. It is demonstrated that such a coherency-based approach recommends adapting the outcomes of the interpretation and application processes, either by modulating or displacing the inappropriate norm or regime, in light of substantial considerations.
The SolarWinds hack: Lessons for international humanitarian organizations
Authors: Marelli Massimo
Published: March 2022

As humanitarian organizations become more active in the digital domain and reliant upon new technologies, they evolve from simple bystanders to full-fledged stakeholders in cyberspace, able to build on the advantages of new technologies but also vulnerable to adverse cyber operations that can impact their capacity to protect and assist people affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence. The recent hack of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's Restoring Family Links network tools, potentially exposing the personal data of half a million vulnerable individuals to unauthorized access by unknown hackers, is a stark reminder that this is not just a theoretical risk but a very real one.1

The 2020 cyber operation affecting SolarWinds, a major US information technology company, demonstrated the chaos that a hack can cause by targeting digital supply chain components. What does the hack mean for the humanitarian cyberspace, and what can we learn from it? In this article, Massimo Marelli, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross's Data Protection Office, draws out some possible lessons and considers the way forward by drawing on the notion of “digital sovereignty”.
Transcultural Validation of the Nordic Age Discrimination Scale for the Spanish-Speaking Working Populations
Authors: Alcover Carlos-María , Nazar Gabriela , Bargsted Mariana , Ramírez-Vielma Raúl , Pulido Ninfa , Rodríguez Lucía
Published: March 2022

Negative stereotypes about older workers can result in different types of age discrimination. The aim of this study was to run a transcultural adaptation and validation of the Nordic Age Discrimination Scale (NADS) into Spanish. Three independent samples of Chilean (N= 301), Colombian (N= 150), and Spanish (N= 209) workers over the age of 45, from different sectors and professional categories, answered a questionnaire including the NADS scale, measures of perceptions of inequality, workplace harassment and several scales related to outcome variables to test criterion and construct validity. The reliability index for the NADS was .85, a similar value for both Cronbach’s alpha (α) and McDonald’s omega (ω). CFA by country suggest good fit of this single-dimension structure in a final version of 5 items, and it presents scalar invariance; using the modification indices, partial invariance is achieved at the level of the variance of the errors. Both criterion and construct validity were verified, with strong evidence for criterion validity, and moderate results for construct validity. Therefore, the Spanish version of NADS had a single-dimension structure and adequate psychometric properties being a useful tool in measuring perceptions of age discrimination in different countries.
GIPC2 interacts with Fzd7 to promote prostate cancer metastasis by activating WNT signaling
Authors: Wang Liang , Wang Jiayi , Yin Xiaolin , Guan Xin , Li Ying , Xin Chenqi , Liu Jing
Published: March 2022

Prostate cancer (PCa) causes significant mortality and morbidity, with advanced metastasis. WNT signaling is a promising therapeutic target for metastatic PCa. GIPC2 is a GIPC1 paralog involved in WNT signaling pathways associated with tumor progression, but its role in PCa metastasis remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that high GIPC2 expression in PCa tissues was significantly associated with distant metastasis and poor prognosis. Functional studies demonstrated that high GIPC2 expression due to CpG-island demethylation promoted increased metastatic capabilities of PCa cells. Conversely, silencing GIPC2 expression significantly inhibited PCa metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, GIPC2 directly bound the WNT co-receptor Fzd7 through its PDZ domain, which enabled activation of WNT-β-catenin cascades, thereby stimulating PCa metastasis. Interestingly, GIPC2 protein was also identified as a component of exosomes and that it robustly stimulated PCa adhesion, invasion, and migration. The presence of GIPC2 in tumor-derived exosomes and ability to impact the behavior of tumor cells suggest that GIPC2 is a novel epigenetic oncogene involved in PCa metastasis. Our findings identified GIPC2 as a novel exosomal molecule associated with WNT signaling and may represent a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for metastatic PCa.
SCiPad: evaluating telemedicine via iPad facetime for general spinal cord injury care
Authors: Khong Cria-May M. , Pasipanodya Elizabeth C. , Do Jacqueline , Phan Nathan , Solomon Daniel L. , Wong Elyssa Y. , Dirlikov Benjamin , Shem Kazuko
Published: March 2022

Study design

Uncontrolled clinical pilot study.

Objectives

To assess usage, perceived impact, and satisfaction with a telemedicine program among individuals with spinal cord injury (tele-SCI).

Setting

Community-based.

Methods

Participants (N = 83) were recruited from acute SCI inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient SCI care at a community hospital to participate in a 6-month tele-SCI intervention administered by SCI subspecialty board-certified physiatrists via iPad FaceTime. In addition to monthly follow up interview calls, psychosocial and Quality of Life (QoL) measures were collected at baseline and post-intervention. A program satisfaction survey was also collected post-intervention.

Results

Seventy-five percent of participants engaged in tele-SCI visits (Median [IQR]: 2.5 [2.0, 4.0]) for a total of 198 tele-SCI visits. Bladder and bowel concerns were the leading topics discussed during tele-SCI visits, followed by neurological, pain, and functional concerns. Tele-SCI users resided further away (Median miles [IQR] – 114[73–177] vs. 81[46–116], p = 0.023) and reported seeking more clinical advice (Median [IQR] – 1.5[0–4.0] vs. 0[0–1.0], p = 0.002) compared to non-tele-SCI users. All other clinical utilization, baseline characteristics, psychosocial measures, and QoL did not differ among those who used tele-SCI and those who did not. The satisfaction survey suggested satisfaction with the tele-SCI intervention (89%), study equipment (89%), staff responsiveness (100%), and improved motivation for self-monitoring of health (71%).

Conclusion

Study findings suggest that tele-SCI is a feasible modality for providing general SCI care. Further research is required to examine longer-term efficacy of remotely-provided care among individuals living with SCI.
Osimertinib and anti-HER3 combination therapy engages immune dependent tumor toxicity via STING activation in trans
Authors: Vicencio J. M. , Evans R. , Green R. , An Z. , Deng J. , Treacy C. , Mustapha R. , Monypenny J. , Costoya C. , Lawler K. , Ng K. , De-Souza K. , Coban O. , Gomez V. , Clancy J. , Chen S. H. , Chalk A. , Wong F. , Gordon P. , Savage C. , Gomes C. , Pan T. , Alfano G. , Dolcetti L. , Chan J. N. E. , Flores-Borja F. , Barber P. R. , Weitsman G. , Sosnowska D. , Capone E. , Iacobelli S. , Hochhauser D. , Hartley J. A. , Parsons M. , Arnold J. N. , Ameer-Beg S. , Quezada S. A. , Yarden Y. , Sala G. , Ng T.
Published: March 2022

Over the past decade, immunotherapy delivered novel treatments for many cancer types. However, lung cancer still leads cancer mortality, and non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients with mutant EGFR cannot benefit from checkpoint inhibitors due to toxicity, relying only on palliative chemotherapy and the third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) osimertinib. This new drug extends lifespan by 9-months vs. second-generation TKIs, but unfortunately, cancers relapse due to resistance mechanisms and the lack of antitumor immune responses. Here we explored the combination of osimertinib with anti-HER3 monoclonal antibodies and observed that the immune system contributed to eliminate tumor cells in mice and co-culture experiments using bone marrow-derived macrophages and human PBMCs. Osimertinib led to apoptosis of tumors but simultaneously, it triggered inositol-requiring-enzyme (IRE1α)-dependent HER3 upregulation, increased macrophage infiltration, and activated cGAS in cancer cells to produce cGAMP (detected by a lentivirally transduced STING activity biosensor), transactivating STING in macrophages. We sought to target osimertinib-induced HER3 upregulation with monoclonal antibodies, which engaged Fc receptor-dependent tumor elimination by macrophages, and STING agonists enhanced macrophage-mediated tumor elimination further. Thus, by engaging a tumor non-autonomous mechanism involving cGAS-STING and innate immunity, the combination of osimertinib and anti-HER3 antibodies could improve the limited therapeutic and stratification options for advanced stage lung cancer patients with mutant EGFR.
Cell death-induced immunogenicity enhances chemoimmunotherapeutic response by converting immune-excluded into T-cell inflamed bladder tumors
Authors: Nikolos Fotis , Hayashi Kazukuni , Hoi Xen Ping , Alonzo Mark Ellie , Mo Qianxing , Kasabyan Armine , Furuya Hideki , Trepel Jane , Di Vizio Dolores , Guarnerio Jlenia , Theodorescu Dan , Rosser Charles , Apolo Andrea , Galsky Matthew , Chan Keith Syson
Published: March 2022

Chemoimmunotherapy has recently failed to demonstrate significant clinical benefit in advanced bladder cancer patients; and the mechanism(s) underlying such suboptimal response remain elusive. To date, most studies have focused on tumor-intrinsic properties that render them “immune-excluded”. Here, we explore an alternative, drug-induced mechanism that impedes therapeutic response via disrupting the onset of immunogenic cell death. Using two immune-excluded syngeneic mouse models of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), we show that platinum-based chemotherapy diminishes CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration and constraines their antitumoral activity, despite expression of activation markers IFNγ and granzyme B. Mechanistically, chemotherapy induces the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from dying cancer cells, which is an inhibitory damage-associated molecular pattern (iDAMP) that hinderes dendritic cell maturation. Upon pharmaceutical blockade of PGE2 release, CD8+ T cells become tumoricidal and display an intraepithelial-infiltrating (or inflamed) pattern. This “iDAMP blockade” approach synergizes with chemotherapy and sensitizes bladder tumors towards anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. These findings provide a compelling rationale to evaluate this drug combination in future clinical trials.
Wafer-scale epitaxial modulation of quantum dot density
Authors: Bart N. , Dangel C. , Zajac P. , Spitzer N. , Ritzmann J. , Schmidt M. , Babin H. G. , Schott R. , Valentin S. R. , Scholz S. , Wang Y. , Uppu R. , Najer D. , Löbl M. C. , Tomm N. , Javadi A. , Antoniadis N. O. , Midolo L. , Müller K. , Warburton R. J. , Lodahl P. , Wieck A. D. , Finley J. J. , Ludwig A.
Published: March 2022

Precise control of the properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is vital for creating novel devices for quantum photonics and advanced opto-electronics. Suitable low QD-densities for single QD devices and experiments are challenging to control during epitaxy and are typically found only in limited regions of the wafer. Here, we demonstrate how conventional molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) can be used to modulate the density of optically active QDs in one- and two- dimensional patterns, while still retaining excellent quality. We find that material thickness gradients during layer-by-layer growth result in surface roughness modulations across the whole wafer. Growth on such templates strongly influences the QD nucleation probability. We obtain density modulations between 1 and 10 QDs/µm2 and periods ranging from several millimeters down to at least a few hundred microns. This method is universal and expected to be applicable to a wide variety of different semiconductor material systems. We apply the method to enable growth of ultra-low noise QDs across an entire 3-inch semiconductor wafer.
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis suggests two molecularly distinct subtypes of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Song Guohe , Shi Yang , Meng Lu , Ma Jiaqiang , Huang Siyuan , Zhang Juan , Wu Yingcheng , Li Jiaxin , Lin Youpei , Yang Shuaixi , Rao Dongning , Cheng Yifei , Lin Jian , Ji Shuyi , Liu Yuming , Jiang Shan , Wang Xiaoliang , Zhang Shu , Ke Aiwu , Wang Xiaoying , Cao Ya , Ji Yuan , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Zhang Xiaoming , Xi Ruibin , Gao Qiang
Published: March 2022

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly heterogeneous cancer with limited understanding of its classification and tumor microenvironment. Here, by performing single-cell RNA sequencing on 144,878 cells from 14 pairs of iCCA tumors and non-tumor liver tissues, we find that S100P and SPP1 are two markers for iCCA perihilar large duct type (iCCAphl) and peripheral small duct type (iCCApps). S100P + SPP1− iCCAphlhas significantly reduced levels of infiltrating CD4+T cells, CD56+NK cells, and increased CCL18+macrophages and PD1+CD8+T cells compared to S100P-SPP1 + iCCApps. The transcription factor CREB3L1 is identified to regulate the S100P expression and promote tumor cell invasion. S100P-SPP1 + iCCAppshas significantly more SPP1+macrophage infiltration, less aggressiveness and better survival than S100P + SPP1− iCCAphl. Moreover, S100P-SPP1 + iCCAppsharbors tumor cells at different status of differentiation, such as ALB + hepatocyte differentiation and ID3+ stemness. Our study extends the understanding of the diversity of tumor cells in iCCA.
Flexible auditory training, psychophysics, and enrichment of common marmosets with an automated, touchscreen-based system
Authors: Calapai A. , Cabrera-Moreno J. , Moser T. , Jeschke M.
Published: March 2022

Devising new and more efficient protocols to analyze the phenotypes of non-human primates, as well as their complex nervous systems, is rapidly becoming of paramount importance. This is because with genome-editing techniques, recently adopted to non-human primates, new animal models for fundamental and translational research have been established. One aspect in particular, namely cognitive hearing, has been difficult to assess compared to visual cognition. To address this, we devised autonomous, standardized, and unsupervised training and testing of auditory capabilities of common marmosets with a cage-based standalone, wireless system. All marmosets tested voluntarily operated the device on a daily basis and went from naïve to experienced at their own pace and with ease. Through a series of experiments, here we show, that animals autonomously learn to associate sounds with images; to flexibly discriminate sounds, and to detect sounds of varying loudness. The developed platform and training principles combine in-cage training of common marmosets for cognitive and psychoacoustic assessment with an enriched environment that does not rely on dietary restriction or social separation, in compliance with the 3Rs principle.
Modeling of waning immunity after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and influencing factors
Authors: Pérez-Alós Laura , Armenteros Jose Juan Almagro , Madsen Johannes Roth , Hansen Cecilie Bo , Jarlhelt Ida , Hamm Sebastian Rask , Heftdal Line Dam , Pries-Heje Mia Marie , Møller Dina Leth , Fogh Kamille , Hasselbalch Rasmus Bo , Rosbjerg Anne , Brunak Søren , Sørensen Erik , Larsen Margit Anita Hørup , Ostrowski Sisse Rye , Frikke-Schmidt Ruth , Bayarri-Olmos Rafael , Hilsted Linda Maria , Iversen Kasper Karmark , Bundgaard Henning , Nielsen Susanne Dam , Garred Peter
Published: March 2022

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are crucial in controlling COVID-19, but knowledge of which factors determine waning immunity is limited. We examined antibody levels and T-cell gamma-interferon release after two doses of BNT162b2 vaccine or a combination of ChAdOx1-nCoV19 and BNT162b2 vaccines for up to 230 days after the first dose. Generalized mixed models with and without natural cubic splines were used to determine immunity over time. Antibody responses were influenced by natural infection, sex, and age. IgA only became significant in naturally infected. A one-year IgG projection suggested an initial two-phase response in those given the second dose delayed (ChAdOx1/BNT162b2) followed by a more rapid decrease of antibody levels. T-cell responses correlated significantly with IgG antibody responses. Our results indicate that IgG levels will drop at different rates depending on prior infection, age, sex, T-cell response, and the interval between vaccine injections. Only natural infection mounted a significant and lasting IgA response.