bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Governance and Informal Economies: Informality, Uncertainty and Street Vending in China
Authors: Jiang Anli , Wang Peng
Published: November 2021

How can people who work in the informal sector protect property rights and address uncertainties? Street vending forms an essential part of urban economies in developing countries like China, and most street vendors operate outside state regulation. They encounter market-based uncertainties and uncertainties caused by unpredictable enforcement. Empirical data collected in Guangzhou and Guilin suggests that street vendors form private governance organizations to solve resource limitations, allocate pitches and resist government interference. Street vendors who cannot rely on effective private governance organizations may purchase protection from a third party (e.g. agents of the state) to secure informal rights to a particular spot and avoid confiscation of their wares and equipment. This study contributes to existing literature on private governance and informality by empirically examining private governance institutions in an informal economy.
c-Abl phosphorylation primes PARIS for neurodegeneration
Authors: Giesert Florian
Published: November 2021

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Parkin interacting substrate phosphorylation by c-Abl drives dopaminergic neurodegeneration’ by Kim et al. (doi:10.1093/brain/awab356).
Region-Specific KCC2 Rescue by rhIGF-1 and Oxytocin in a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome
Authors: Gigliucci Valentina , Teutsch Jasper , Woodbury-Smith Marc , Luoni Mirko , Busnelli Marta , Chini Bice , Banerjee Abhishek
Published: November 2021

Rett syndrome (RTT) is characterized by dysfunction in neuronal excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance, potentially impacting seizure susceptibility via deficits in K+/Cl− cotransporter 2 (KCC2) function. Mice lacking the Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) recapitulate many symptoms of RTT, and recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (rhIGF-1) restores KCC2 expression and E/I balance in MeCP2 KO mice. However, clinical trial outcomes of rhIGF-1 in RTT have been variable, and increasing its therapeutic efficacy is highly desirable. To this end, the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) is promising, as it also critically modulates KCC2 function during early postnatal development. We measured basal KCC2 expression levels in MeCP2 KO mice and identified 3 key frontal brain regions showing KCC2 alterations in young adult mice, but not in postnatal P10 animals. We hypothesized that deficits in an IGF-1/OXT signaling crosstalk modulating KCC2 may occur in RTT during postnatal development. Consistently, we detected alterations of IGF-1 receptor and OXT receptor levels in those brain areas. rhIGF-1 and OXT treatments in KO mice rescued KCC2 expression in a region-specific and complementary manner. These results suggest that region-selective combinatorial pharmacotherapeutic strategies could be most effective at normalizing E/I balance in key brain regions subtending the RTT pathophysiology.
Effectiveness of Beta-Lactam plus Doxycycline for Patients Hospitalized with Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Uddin Moe , Mohammed Turab , Metersky Mark , Anzueto Antonio , Alvarez Carlos A , Mortensen Eric M
Published: November 2021

Background

Despite clinical practice guideline recommendations to use doxycycline as part of combination therapy for some patients hospitalized with pneumonia, there is minimal evidence supporting this recommendation. Our aim was to examine the association between beta-lactam plus doxycycline and mortality for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia.

Methods

We identified patients >65 years of age admitted to any US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in fiscal years 2002–2012 with a discharge diagnosis of pneumonia. We excluded those patients who did not receive antibiotic therapy concordant with the 2019 American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) clinical practice guidelines. Using propensity score matching, we examined the association of doxycycline with 30- and 90-day mortality.

Results

Our overall cohort was comprised of 70533 patients and 5282 (7.49%) received doxycycline. Unadjusted 30-day mortality was 6.4% for those who received a beta-lactam plus doxycycline versus 9.1% in those who did not (P < .0001), and 90-day mortality was 13.8% for those who received a beta-lactam + doxycycline versus 16.8% for those who did not (P < .0001). In the propensity score matched models, both 30- (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI], .63–.84) and 90-day (0.83, 95% CI, .74–.92) mortality were significantly lower for those who received doxycycline.

Conclusions

In this retrospective observational cohort study, we found that doxycycline use, as part of guideline-concordant antibiotic therapy, was associated with lower 30- and 90-day mortality than regimens without doxycycline. While this supports the safety and effectiveness of antibiotic regimes that include doxycycline, additional studies, especially randomized clinical trials, are needed to confirm this.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Viral Load Across the Spectrum of Untreated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study
Authors: Ulfhammer Gustaf , Edén Arvid , Antinori Andrea , Brew Bruce J , Calcagno Andrea , Cinque Paola , De Zan Valentina , Hagberg Lars , Lin Amy , Nilsson Staffan , Oprea Cristiana , Pinnetti Carmela , Spudich Serena , Trunfio Mattia , Winston Alan , Price Richard W , Gisslén Magnus
Published: November 2021

Background

The aim of this large multicenter study was to determine variations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV-RNA in different phases of untreated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and its associations with plasma HIV-RNA and other biomarkers.

Methods

Treatment naive adults with available CSF HIV-RNA quantification were included and divided into groups representing significant disease phases. Plasma HIV-RNA, CSF white blood cell count (WBC), neopterin, and albumin ratio were included when available.

Results

In total, 1018 patients were included. CSF HIV-RNA was in median (interquartile range [IQR]) 1.03 log10 (0.37–1.86) copies/mL lower than in plasma, and correlated with plasma HIV-RNA (r = 0.44, P < .01), neopterin concentration in CSF (r = 0.49, P < .01) and in serum (r = 0.29, P < .01), CSF WBC (r = 0.34, P < .01) and albumin ratio (r = 0.25, P < .01). CSF HIV-RNA paralleled plasma HIV-RNA in all groups except neuroasymptomatic patients with advanced immunodeficiency (CD4 < 200) and patients with HIV-associated dementia (HAD) or opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) infections. Patients with HAD had the highest CSF HIV-RNA (in median [IQR] 4.73 (3.84–5.35) log10 copies/mL). CSF > plasma discordance was found in 126 of 972 individuals (13%) and varied between groups, from 1% in primary HIV, 11% in neuroasymptomatic groups, up to 30% of patients with HAD.

Conclusions

Our study confirms previous smaller observations of variations in CSF HIV-RNA in different stages of HIV disease. Overall, CSF HIV-RNA was approximately 1 log10 copies/mL lower in CSF than in plasma, but CSF discordance was found in a substantial minority of subjects, most commonly in patients with HAD, indicating increasing CNS compartmentalization paralleling disease progression.
Whole-Genome Sequencing Surveillance and Machine Learning of the Electronic Health Record for Enhanced Healthcare Outbreak Detection
Authors: Sundermann Alexander J , Chen Jieshi , Kumar Praveen , Ayres Ashley M , Cho Shu Ting , Ezeonwuka Chinelo , Griffith Marissa P , Miller James K , Mustapha Mustapha M , Pasculle A William , Saul Melissa I , Shutt Kathleen A , Srinivasa Vatsala , Waggle Kady , Snyder Daniel J , Cooper Vaughn S , Van Tyne Daria , Snyder Graham M , Marsh Jane W , Dubrawski Artur , Roberts Mark S , Harrison Lee H
Published: November 2021

Background

Most hospitals use traditional infection prevention (IP) methods for outbreak detection. We developed the Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission (EDS-HAT), which combines whole-genome sequencing (WGS) surveillance and machine learning (ML) of the electronic health record (EHR) to identify undetected outbreaks and the responsible transmission routes, respectively.

Methods

We performed WGS surveillance of healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens from November 2016 to November 2018. EHR ML was used to identify the transmission routes for WGS-detected outbreaks, which were investigated by an IP expert. Potential infections prevented were estimated and compared with traditional IP practice during the same period.

Results

Of 3165 isolates, there were 2752 unique patient isolates in 99 clusters involving 297 (10.8%) patient isolates identified by WGS; clusters ranged from 2–14 patients. At least 1 transmission route was detected for 65.7% of clusters. During the same time, traditional IP investigation prompted WGS for 15 suspected outbreaks involving 133 patients, for which transmission events were identified for 5 (3.8%). If EDS-HAT had been running in real time, 25–63 transmissions could have been prevented. EDS-HAT was found to be cost-saving and more effective than traditional IP practice, with overall savings of $192 408–$692 532.

Conclusions

EDS-HAT detected multiple outbreaks not identified using traditional IP methods, correctly identified the transmission routes for most outbreaks, and would save the hospital substantial costs. Traditional IP practice misidentified outbreaks for which transmission did not occur. WGS surveillance combined with EHR ML has the potential to save costs and enhance patient safety.
Minimizing the Effect of Cascade Failure in Multilayer Networks with Optimal Redistribution of Link Loads
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Kumari Suchi , Bala Manju
Published: November 2021

Modern real-world infrastructure systems consist of a coupled and interdependent subsystems. These system can be modelled as interdependent multilayer networks such as communication networks, power networks, transport networks, etc. These networks are prone to cascade failure of intra-layer and inter-layer links due to overload. For example, in power distribution networks, the flow of electric current beyond their capacities may cause to fail the distribution lines. In multilayer network systems, any damage to the links (intra-layer and inter-layer) may cause cascade failure due to redistribution of loads of failed links to the live links. If it is not controlled, it may damage the entire system. However, optimally redistribution of loads of the failed links to live links can minimize the damage of live links due to overload. In this work, we propose a method to optimally redistribute loads of failed links (intra-layer and inter-layer) to the live links in the interdependent multilayer network in the event of cascade failure. For this purpose, we consider three variants of synthetic and two empirical dataset multilayer networks. Our simulation results reveal that optimal redistribution of loads reduces the number of failed links. Besides, it also reduces the amount of extra load (due to failed links) to be redistributed on the live links. It leads to enhance the number of live links and maintaining the robustness of the entire multilayer networks.
FGF10 promotes cardiac repair through a dual cellular mechanism increasing cardiomyocyte renewal and inhibiting fibrosis
Authors: Hubert Fabien , Payan Sandy M , Pelce Edeline , Bouchard Laetitia , Sturny Rachel , Lenfant Nicolas , Mottola Giovanna , Collart Frédéric , Kelly Robert G , Rochais Francesca
Published: November 2021

Aims

Promoting cardiomyocyte renewal represents a major therapeutic approach for heart regeneration and repair. Our study aims to investigate the relevance of FGF10 as a potential target for heart regeneration.

Methods and results

Our results first reveal that Fgf10 levels are up-regulated in the injured ventricle after MI. Adult mice with reduced Fgf10 expression subjected to MI display impaired cardiomyocyte proliferation and enhanced cardiac fibrosis, leading to a worsened cardiac function and remodelling post-MI. In contrast, conditional Fgf10 overexpression post-MI revealed that, by enhancing cardiomyocyte proliferation and preventing scar-promoting myofibroblast activation, FGF10 preserves cardiac remodelling and function. Moreover, FGF10 activates major regenerative pathways including the regulation of Meis1 expression levels, the Hippo signalling pathway and a pro-glycolytic metabolic switch. Finally, we demonstrate that elevated FGF10 levels in failing human hearts correlate with reduced fibrosis and enhanced cardiomyocyte proliferation.

Conclusions

Altogether, our study shows that FGF10 promotes cardiac regeneration and repair through two cellular mechanisms: elevating cardiomyocyte renewal and limiting fibrosis. This study thus identifies FGF10 as a clinically relevant target for heart regeneration and repair in man.
Vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: treatment modalities and long-term clinical impact
Authors: Lunardi Mattia , Pighi Michele , Banning Adrian , Reimers Bernhard , Castriota Fausto , Tomai Fabrizio , Venturi Gabriele , Pesarini Gabriele , Scarsini Roberto , Kotronias Rafail , Regazzoli Damiano , Maurina Matteo , Nerla Roberto , De Persio Giovanni , Ribichini Flavio Luciano
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVES

Vascular complications (VC) are the most frequent drawback of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), affecting up to 20% of overall procedures. Data on the treatment and their long-term impact are scarce. The goal of this study was to report on the incidence, management and impact on the long-term outcomes of VC following TAVI.

METHODS

This was a multicentric retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing TAVI. The primary endpoint was freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at long-term follow-up. Adverse events were evaluated according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 2145 patients were included: VC occurred in 188 (8.8%); of which 180 were limited to the access site. Two-thirds of the VC were minor; 8% required surgical treatment; the remaining were repaired percutaneously. The major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events-free survival at 2 years was 83.0% for patients with VC and 86.7% for those without (P = 0.143), but 71.9% for patients with major compared to 89.0% in those with minor VC (P = 0.022). Major VC and diabetes mellitus independently predicted worse outcomes at 2 years. The major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events-free survival rate and the occurrence of vascular adverse events in the long term among patients with VC at the access site treated by endovascular techniques (covered stent implantation or angioplasty) were similar to those without VC (84.2% vs 86.7%; P = 0.635).

CONCLUSIONS

Major but not minor VC impact long-term survival after TAVI. Covered stents implanted to manage VC at the access site have no impact on the long-term clinical outcome of TAVI.
Children’s and teachers’ views on digital games in the EFL classroom
Authors: Waddington Julie , Bannikova Charikova Daria
Published: November 2021

At a time marked by the increasing use of technology in education, the study presented in this paper explores and compares teachers’ and children’s views on the use of digital games in class. A case study is presented in a primary school setting where tablets have been fully integrated into the EFL classroom. A mixed-method approach was used to collect and analyse data from teachers and students through interviews and questionnaires. Findings are presented which compare and contrast student and teacher views on: important elements to take into account when teaching/learning English; student behaviour; affective states; and the effects of digital games on learning. Contrasting perceived positive and negative effects of using digital games, the findings support claims that more work is needed to incorporate new technologies within classroom practice in ways which foster learner-centred models and facilitate the learning and well-being of all students.
Akirin/Subolesin regulatory mechanisms at host/tick–pathogen interactions
Authors: de la Fuente José , Artigas-Jerónimo Sara , Villar Margarita
Published: November 2021

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum affect human and animal health worldwide and thus the characterization of host/tick–pathogen interactions is important for the control of tick-borne diseases. The vertebrate regulatory proteins Akirins and its tick ortholog, Subolesin, are conserved throughout the metazoan and involved in the regulation of different biological processes such as immune response to pathogen infection. Akirin/Subolesin have a key role in host/tick–pathogen interactions and exert its regulatory function primarily through interacting proteins such as transcription factors, chromatin remodelers and RNA-associated proteins. Recent results have provided evidence of akirin/subolesin genetic interactions and the interaction of Akirin/Subolesin with histones, thus suggesting a role in direct chromatin remodeling. Finally, and still to be proven, some models suggest the possibility of direct Akirin/Subolesin protein interactions with DNA. Future research should advance the characterization of Akirin/Subolesin interactome and its functional role at the host/tick–pathogen interface. These results have implications for translational biotechnology and medicine for the development of new effective interventions for the control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.
Coq3p relevant residues for protein activity and stability
Authors: Paulela Janaina A , Gomes Fernando , Camandona Vittoria de Lima , Alegria Thiago G P , Netto Luis E S , Bleicher Lucas , Barros Mario H , Ferreira-Junior Jose Ribamar
Published: November 2021

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an essential molecule that consists of a highly substituted benzene ring attached to a polyprenyl tail anchored in the inner mitochondrial membrane. CoQ transfers electrons from NADH dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase complexes toward ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase, and that allows aerobic growth of cells. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the synthesis of CoQ depends on fourteen proteins Coq1p-Co11p, Yah1p, Arh1p, and Hfd1p. Some of these proteins are components of CoQ synthome. Using ab initio molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis, we identified the functional residues of the O-methyltransferase Coq3p, which depends on S-adenosylmethionine for catalysis and is necessary for two O-methylation steps required for CoQ maturation. Conserved residues as well as those that coevolved in the protein structure were found to have important roles in respiratory growth, CoQ biosynthesis, and also in the stability of CoQ synthome proteins. Finally, a multiple sequence alignment showed that S. cerevisiae Coq3p has a 45 amino acid residues insertion that is poorly conserved or absent in oleaginous yeast, cells that can store up to 20% of their dry weight as lipids. These results point to the Coq3p structural determinants of its biological and catalytic function and could contribute to the development of lipid-producing yeast for biotechnology.
The pushback against state interference in science: how Lysenkoism tried to suppress Genetics and how it was eventually defeated
Authors: Ptushenko Vasily V.
Published: November 2021

Genetics in the Soviet Union (USSR) achieved state-of-the-art results and had reached a peak of development by the mid-1930s due to the efforts of the scientific schools of several major figures, including Sergei Navashin, Nikolai Koltsov, Grigorii Levitsky, Yuri Filipchenko, Nikolai Vavilov, and Solomon Levit. Unfortunately, the Soviet government distrusted intellectually independent science and this led to state support for a fraudulent pseudoscientific concept widely known as Lysenkoism, which hugely damaged biology as a whole. Decades of dominance of the Lysenkoism had ruinous effects and the revival of biology in the USSR in the late 1950s–early 1960s was very difficult. In fact, this was realized to be a problem for Soviet science as a whole, and many mathematicians, physicists, chemists, and other scientists made efforts to rehabilitate genetics and to transfer biology to the “jurisdiction” of science from that of politics. The key events in the history of these attempts to pushback against state interference in science, and to promote the development of genetics and molecular biology, are described in this paper. These efforts included supportive letters to the authorities (e.g., the famous “Letter of three hundred”), (re)publishing articles and giving lectures on “forbidden” science, and organizing laboratories and departments for research in genetics and molecular biology under the cover of nuclear physics or of other projects respected by the government and Communist party leaders. The result was that major figures in the hard sciences played a major part in the revival of genetics and biology in the USSR.
Peritoneal fluid progesterone and progesterone resistance in superficial endometriosis lesions
Authors: Koninckx Philippe R , Ussia Anastasia , Adamyan Leila , Gomel Victor , Martin Dan C
Published: November 2021

Peritoneal fluid in ovulatory women is an ovarian exudate with higher estrogen and progesterone concentrations than in plasma. In the follicular phase, progesterone concentrations are as high as plasma concentrations in the luteal phase. After ovulation, estrogen and progesterone concentrations in the peritoneal fluid are 5–10 times higher than in plasma, both in women with and without endometriosis. The histologically proliferative aspect without secretory changes of most superficial subtle lesions is not compatible with the progesterone concentrations in the peritoneal fluid. Therefore, we have to postulate a strong progesterone resistance in these lesions. The mechanism is unclear and might be a peritoneal fluid effect in women with predisposing defects in the endometrium, or isolated endometrial glands with progesterone resistance, or subtle lesions originating from the basal endometrium: the latter hypothesis is attractive since in basal endometrium progesterone does not induce secretory changes while progesterone withdrawal, not occurring in peritoneal fluid, is required to resume mitotic activity and proliferation. Hormone concentrations in the peritoneal fluid are an important factor in understanding the medical therapy of endometriosis. The effect of oestro-progestin therapy on superficial endometriosis lesions seems to be a consequence of the decreased estrogen concentrations rather than a direct progestin effect. In conclusion, the peritoneal fluid, being a secretion product of the ovarian follicule, deserves more attention in the pathophysiology and treatment of endometriosis.
Push–Pull Operators on Convex Polytopes
Authors: Kiritchenko Valentina
Published: November 2021

A classical result of Schubert calculus is an inductive description of Schubert cycles using divided difference (or push–pull) operators in Chow rings. We define convex geometric analogs of push–pull operators and describe their applications to the theory of Newton–Okounkov convex bodies. Convex geometric push–pull operators yield an inductive construction of Newton–Okounkov polytopes of Bott–Samelson varieties. In particular, we construct a Minkowski sum of Feigin–Fourier–Littelmann–Vinberg polytopes using convex geometric push–pull operators in type $A$.
On the Joint Moments of the Characteristic Polynomials of Random Unitary Matrices
Authors: Assiotis Theodoros , Keating Jonathan P , Warren Jon
Published: November 2021

We establish the asymptotics of the joint moments of the characteristic polynomial of a random unitary matrix and its derivative for general real values of the exponents, proving a conjecture made by Hughes [ 40] in 2001. Moreover, we give a probabilistic representation for the leading order coefficient in the asymptotic in terms of a real-valued random variable that plays an important role in the ergodic decomposition of the Hua–Pickrell measures. This enables us to establish connections between the characteristic function of this random variable and the $\sigma $-Painlevé III’ equation.
Assessing the International Influence of Private Philanthropy: The Case of Open Society Foundations
Authors: Correa-Cabrera Guadalupe , Núñez Lucas , Ludwig Hayden
Published: November 2021

This article evaluates the international influence of Open Society Foundations (OSF) based on its goals and allocation of resources and takes into consideration the concerns raised by its critics. The study analyzes the objectives of this private philanthropic organization as well as its origins and the goals of its founder, George Soros. By assembling and using an original database, it also provides an overall analysis of all OSF grants assigned worldwide in the years 1999–2018 and quantitatively assesses their macro-level impact on democratic governance, freedom of expression, government accountability, and societies that promote justice and equity. Based on the available data, we find no evidence that OSF grants produce a positive impact at the macro-level on these goals nor that they effectively contribute to destabilize countries through protests and mass migrations as its critics claim. These results may have to do with lack of effectiveness or with motivations not matching the outcomes measured here. However, it is early to draw conclusions due to limited data.
Predicting Direct-Specimen SARS-CoV-2 Assay Performance Using Residual Patient Samples
Authors: Schroeder Lee F , Bachman Michael A , Idoni Allison , Gegenheimer-Holmes Jennifer , Kronick Steven L , Valdez Riccardo , Lephart Paul R
Published: November 2021

Background

Diagnostic sensitivities of point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 assays depend on specimen type and population-specific viral loads. Evaluation of these assays require “direct” specimens from paired-swab studies rather than more accessible residual specimens in viral transport media (VTM).

Methods

Residual VTM and limit-of-detection studies were conducted on Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19, Quidel Sofia 2™ SARS Antigen FIA, and DiaSorin Simplexa™ COVID-19 Direct assays, with cycle threshold (CT) adjustments to approximate direct-specimen testing based on gene-target doubling each PCR cycle. Logistic regression was used to model assay performance by specimen CT. These models were applied to CT distributions of symptomatic and asymptomatic populations presenting to emergency services to predict the percentage of specimens that would be detected by each assay. A 96-sample paired-swab study was conducted to confirm model results.

Results

When using direct nasopharyngeal samples and fit with either VTM or limit-of-detection data, percent positivities for ID NOW (symptomatic 94.9%/97.4%; asymptomatic 88.4.0%/89.6%) and Simplexa (symptomatic 97.8%/97.2%; asymptomatic 91.1%/90.8%) were predicted to be similar. Likewise, percent positivities for ID NOW with direct nasal specimens (symptomatic 77.8%; asymptomatic 64.5%) and, fit with VTM data, Sofia 2 with direct nasopharyngeal specimens (symptomatic 76.6%, asymptomatic 60.3%) were similar. The paired-swab study comparing direct nasopharyngeal specimens on ID NOW and nasopharyngeal VTM specimens on Simplexa showed 99% concordance.

Conclusions

Assay performance can be modeled as dependent on viral load, fit using laboratory bench study results, and adjusted to account for direct-specimen testing. When using nasopharyngeal specimens, direct testing on Abbott ID NOW and VTM testing on DiaSorin Simplexa have similar performance.
Two-dimensional frictionless large deformation contact problems using isogeometric analysis and Nitsche’s method
Authors: Zhao Gang , Zhang Ran , Wang Wei , Du Xiaoxiao
Published: November 2021

The simulation of large deformation contact problems has been a tough subject due to the existence of multiple nonlinearities, including geometric nonlinearity and contact interface nonlinearity. In this paper, we develop a novel method to compute the large deformation of 2D frictionless contact by employing Nitsche-based isogeometric analysis. The enforcement of contact constraints as one of the main issues in contact simulation is implemented by using Nitsche’s method, and the node-to-segment scheme is applied to the contact interface discretization. We detailedly derive the discrete formulations for 2D large deformation frictionless contact where NURBS is used for geometrical modeling and the Neo-Hookean hyperelastic materials are applied to describe the deformation of the model. The collocation method with Greville points is employed to integrate the contact interface and the classical Legendre–Gauss quadrature rule is used for contact bodies’ integration. The Lagrange multiplier method and penalty method are also implemented for comparison with Nitsche’s method. Several examples are investigated, and the obtained results are compared with that from commercial software ABAQUS to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the Nitsche-based isogeometric analysis.
The ‘Allegiance’ Test: Judicial Legislation and Interpretation of GCIV
Authors: Galvis Martínez Manuel
Published: November 2021

The article critically addresses the ‘allegiance’ test developed by International Criminal Jurisdictions for the determination of protected personal status under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Through a deconstruction of its elements and the methodology employed in its creation, the author shows substantial and methodological flaws that showcase the test as highly questionable example of judicial legislation. The article concludes that, although the test is likely to go into substantial desuetude, its existence as an interpretative tool will persist and thus its flaws and potential dangers must be assessed critically to prevent unrestricted and unfounded judicial legislation. In particular, the article exposes the lack of relation between the concept of allegiance and the so-called ‘allegiance’ test.
Who Owns the Heat? The Scope for Geothermal Heat to Contribute to Net Zero
Authors: McClean Anna , Pedersen Ole W
Published: November 2021

Geothermal resources can be used to produce heat or generate electricity. It has been estimated that the UK has sufficient geothermal resources to meet all its heating demands for the next 100 years and provide 9 per cent of England’s and 85 per cent of Scotland’s electricity demand. Geothermal resources therefore have the potential to make a significant contribution to the achievement of net zero carbon emissions, particularly in relation to the decarbonization of the heating and cooling of buildings, but are currently underutilized in the UK. This article examines the implications that the lack of clear definition of ‘heat’ and questions regarding its ownership have on the regulation of geothermal resources. It considers a number of possibilities for the ownership model for heat and concludes that a hybrid model of ownership in which geothermal heat is owned by the Crown but ownership of the land within which it is located remains in private ownership may create a regime in which geothermal heat can be used efficiently and sustainably and which helps the industry grow.
Challenges for Students in the Creation, Growth, and Management of an Academic, Student-run Asylum Clinic
Authors: Milewski Andrew R , Ackerman Kevin S , Pilato Tara C , Shah Pooja D , Kalman Thomas P
Published: November 2021

Medical school asylum clinics are complex organizations that blend medical and legal expertise with service to assist individuals seeking refuge from human rights violations. The balance of power shared by the students and faculty who lead these clinics varies widely across institutions, usually in an inverse reciprocal relationship. The Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights will observe its 10th anniversary in 2020 and is notable for espousing maximal student autonomy in the organization’s governance with minimal faculty control or administration participation. This level of autonomy requires that, in addition to successfully running the organization, student leaders must adeptly manage logistical, administrative, and ethical challenges without compromising the trust and confidence of the medical college and larger university. This article describes a series of difficult decisions involving policy, conflict resolution, and resource management made expeditiously by the student leadership. Ethical dilemmas, operational challenges, and the difficulties imposed by an unexpected global catastrophe—the COVID-19 pandemic—are presented alongside detailed descriptions of how these issues were deliberated and resolved by the student leadership.
No Remedy to Cholera in Haiti: How the UN Undermines Human Rights
Authors: Barbanel Dove
Published: November 2021

UN Peacekeepers stationed on the banks of Haiti’s largest river, the Artibonite, unleashed a cholera epidemic upon the country ten years ago, but the almost one million people affected still have not seen justice. This, despite the mobilization of grassroots organizations, human rights professionals, students, journalists and independent experts in international human rights law. This article aims to articulate rights violations in the Haiti cholera case, discuss the lack of accountability, and analyse efforts by advocates to overcome obstacles to justice through a multi-faceted intervention involving the UN Special Procedures system. Human rights-based approaches to UN accountability coupled with analyses of the UN’s organizational immunity foreground the continued lack of remedy for the victims of cholera, which is a violation of their human rights attributable to the UN. In conducting public advocacy and investigating the issue of UN responsibility for cholera in Haiti, UN Special Rapporteurs like Philip Alston also relied on a human-rights based approach that built some public pressure for accountability. While advocates continue to push for accountability after a 10-year epidemic, and accountability is possible, the as-yet unsatisfactory resolution to the Haiti cholera case points to a need for UN reform to create more local, democratic structures of governance that are responsive to human rights obligations, in the face of considerable political, economic and social forces in Haiti and internationally that weigh against accountability.
Common Shareholders and Interlocking Directors: The Relation Between Two Corporate Networks
Authors: Azar José
Published: November 2021

This paper studies the empirical relationship between common ownership and interlocking directorships. I estimate a gravity equation model for the probability that a pair of firms will have a common director, as a function of the geographic distance between the firms, their sizes, and a set of covariates, including measures of common ownership between the firms. The main finding is that, robustly across several measures of common ownership, firm pairs with higher levels of common ownership are associated with a higher likelihood of sharing directors. Also, their distance in the network of directors is smaller on average. Consistent with the “gravity” interpretation, larger firms are more likely to share directors, and firms that are geographically more distant are less likely to share directors.
The biomechanics of leaf oscillations during rainfall events
Authors: Lauderbaugh Leal K , Holder Curtis D
Published: November 2021

Plants are dynamic systems during rainfall events. As raindrops splash on leaf surfaces, the momentum of the raindrop is transferred to the leaf, causing the leaf to oscillate. The emphasis of this review is on the general principles of leaf oscillation models after raindrop impact and the ecological importance. Various leaf oscillation models and the underlying physical properties from biomechanics theory are highlighted. Additionally, we review experimental methods to derive the model parameters for and explore advances in our understanding of the raindrop–leaf impact process.
Crowter v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care [2021] EWHC 2536: Discrimination, Disability, and Access to Abortion
Authors: Tongue Zoe L
Published: November 2021

In a recent case before the High Court of England and Wales, Crowter v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, three claimants challenged the disability ground for abortion contained in section 1(1)(d) of the Abortion Act 1967. It was argued on behalf of the claimants that this provision was incompatible with a number of rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights. Among the arguments made was a claim that this provision perpetuates discriminatory attitudes and negative stereotypes towards disabled people. While the case was rightly unsuccessful, as restricting or removing section 1(1)(d) would only force pregnant people to continue pregnancies in difficult circumstances, the claim around discrimination carries some weight. The High Court rejected this line of argument, missing an opportunity to consider the ways in which the Abortion Act is both inadequate in relation to access to abortion and perpetuates stigma towards disabled people. However, the reform required to address this must take place in Parliament and cannot be done by the courts.
Deep Extragalactic VIsible Legacy Survey (DEVILS): evolution of the σSFR–M⋆ relation and implications for self-regulated star formation
Authors: Davies L J M , Thorne J E , Bellstedt S , Bravo M , Robotham A S G , Driver S P , Cook R H W , Cortese L , D’Silva J , Grootes M W , Holwerda B W , Hopkins A M , Jarvis M J , Lidman C , Phillipps S , Siudek M
Published: November 2021

We present the evolution of the star formation dispersion–stellar mass relation (σSFR–M⋆) in the DEVILS D10 region using new measurements derived using the ProSpect spectral energy distribution fitting code. We find that σSFR–M⋆ shows the characteristic ‘U-shape’ at intermediate stellar masses from 0.1 < z < 0.7 for a number of metrics, including using the deconvolved intrinsic dispersion. A physical interpretation of this relation is the combination of stochastic star formation and stellar feedback causing large scatter at low stellar masses and AGN feedback causing asymmetric scatter at high stellar masses. As such, the shape of this distribution and its evolution encodes detailed information about the astrophysical processes affecting star formation, feedback and the lifecycle of galaxies. We find that the stellar mass that the minimum σSFR occurs evolves linearly with redshift, moving to higher stellar masses with increasing lookback time and traces the turnover in the star-forming sequence. This minimum σSFR point is also found to occur at a fixed specific star formation rate (sSFR) at all epochs (sSFR ∼ 10−9.6 Gyr−1). The physical interpretation of this is that there exists a maximum sSFR at which galaxies can internally self-regulate on the tight sequence of star formation. At higher sSFRs, stochastic stellar processes begin to cause galaxies to be pushed both above and below the star-forming sequence leading to increased SFR dispersion. As the Universe evolves, a higher fraction of galaxies will drop below this sSFR threshold, causing the dispersion of the low stellar mass end of the star-forming sequence to decrease with time.
Dynamical orbital evolution scenarios of the wide-orbit eccentric planet HR 5183b
Authors: Mustill Alexander J , Davies Melvyn B , Blunt Sarah , Howard Andrew
Published: November 2021

The recently discovered giant exoplanet HR5183b exists on a wide, highly eccentric orbit (a = 18 au, e = 0.84). Its host star possesses a common proper-motion companion which is likely on a bound orbit. In this paper, we explore scenarios for the excitation of the eccentricity of the planet in binary systems such as this, considering planet–planet scattering, Lidov–Kozai cycles from the binary acting on a single-planet system, or Lidov–Kozai cycles acting on a two-planet system that also undergoes scattering. Planet–planet scattering, in the absence of a binary companion, has a $2.8{-}7.2{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ probability of pumping eccentricities to the observed values in our simulations, depending on the relative masses of the two planets. Lidov–Kozai cycles from the binary acting on an initially circular orbit can excite eccentricities to the observed value but require very specific orbital configurations for the binary and overall there is a low probability of catching the orbit at the high observed high eccentricity ($0.6{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$). The best case is provided by planet–planet scattering in the presence of a binary companion: here, the scattering provides the surviving planet with an initial eccentricity boost that is subsequently further increased by Kozai cycles from the binary. We find a success rate of $14.5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for currently observing e ≥ 0.84 in this set-up. The single-planet plus binary and two-planet plus binary cases are potentially distinguishable if the mutual inclination of the binary and the planet can be measured, as the latter permits a broader range of mutual inclinations. The combination of scattering and Lidov–Kozai forcing may also be at work in other wide-orbit eccentric giant planets, which have a high rate of stellar binary companions.
The most metal-rich asymptotic giant branch stars
Authors: Karakas Amanda I , Cinquegrana Giulia , Joyce Meridith
Published: November 2021

We present new stellar evolutionary sequences of very metal-rich stars evolved with the Monash Stellar Structure code and with mesa. The Monash models include masses of 1–8 M⊙ with metallicities Z = 0.04 to Z = 0.1 and are evolved from the main sequence to the thermally pulsing asymptotic giant branch (TP-AGB). These are the first Z = 0.1 AGB models in the literature. The mesa models include intermediate-mass models with Z = 0.06 to Z = 0.09 evolved to the onset of the TP phase. Third dredge-up only occurs in intermediate-mass models Z ≤ 0.08. Hot bottom burning shows a weaker dependence on metallicity, with the minimum mass increasing from 4.5 M⊙ for Z = 0.014 to ≈5.5 M⊙ for Z = 0.04, 6 M⊙ for 0.05 ≤ Z ≤ 0.07 and above 6.5 M⊙ for Z ≥ 0.08. The behaviour of the Z = 0.1 models is unusual; most do not experience He-shell instabilities owing to rapid mass-loss on the early part of the AGB. Turning off mass-loss produces He-shell instabilities, however thermal pulses are weak and result in no TDU. The minimum mass for carbon ignition is reduced from 8 M⊙ for Z = 0.04 to 7 M⊙ for Z = 0.1, which implies a reduction in the minimum mass for core-collapse supernovae. mesa models of similarly high metallicity (Z = 0.06–0.09) show the same lowering of the minimum mass for carbon ignition: carbon burning is detected in a 6 M⊙ model at the highest metallicity (Z = 0.09) and in all 7 M⊙ models with Z ≥ 0.06. This demonstrates robustness of the lowered carbon burning threshold across codes.
Deep Extragalactic VIsible Legacy Survey (DEVILS): identification of AGN through SED fitting and the evolution of the bolometric AGN luminosity function
Authors: Thorne Jessica E , Robotham Aaron S G , Davies Luke J M , Bellstedt Sabine , Brown Michael J I , Croom Scott M , Delvecchio Ivan , Groves Brent , Jarvis Matt J , Shabala Stanislav S , Seymour Nick , Whittam Imogen H , Bravo Matias , Cook Robin H W , Driver Simon P , Holwerda Benne , Phillipps Steven , Siudek Malgorzata
Published: November 2021

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are typically identified through radio, mid-infrared, or X-ray emission or through the presence of broad and/or narrow emission lines. AGN can also leave an imprint on a galaxy’s spectral energy distribution (SED) through the re-processing of photons by the dusty torus. Using the SED fitting code ProSpect with an incorporated AGN component, we fit the far-ultraviolet to far-infrared SEDs of ∼494 000 galaxies in the D10-COSMOS field and ∼230 000 galaxies from the GAMA survey. By combining an AGN component with a flexible star formation and metallicity implementation, we obtain estimates for the AGN luminosities, stellar masses, star formation histories, and metallicity histories for each of our galaxies. We find that ProSpect can identify AGN components in 91 per cent of galaxies pre-selected as containing AGN through narrow-emission line ratios and the presence of broad lines. Our ProSpect-derived AGN luminosities show close agreement with luminosities derived for X-ray selected AGN using both the X-ray flux and previous SED fitting results. We show that incorporating the flexibility of an AGN component when fitting the SEDs of galaxies with no AGN has no significant impact on the derived galaxy properties. However, in order to obtain accurate estimates of the stellar properties of AGN host galaxies, it is crucial to include an AGN component in the SED fitting process. We use our derived AGN luminosities to map the evolution of the AGN luminosity function for 0 < z < 2 and find good agreement with previous measurements and predictions from theoretical models.
Cross-checking SMBH mass estimates in NGC 6958 – I. Stellar dynamics from adaptive optics-assisted MUSE observations
Authors: Thater Sabine , Krajnović Davor , Weilbacher Peter M , Nguyen Dieu D , Bureau Martin , Cappellari Michele , Davis Timothy A , Iguchi Satoru , McDermid Richard , Onishi Kyoko , Sarzi Marc , van de Ven Glenn
Published: November 2021

Supermassive black hole masses (MBH) can dynamically be estimated with various methods and using different kinematic tracers. Different methods have only been cross-checked for a small number of galaxies and often show discrepancies. To understand these discrepancies, detailed cross-comparisons of additional galaxies are needed. We present the first part of our cross-comparison between stellar- and gas-based MBH estimates in the nearby fast-rotating early-type galaxy NGC 6958. The measurements presented here are based on ground-layer adaptive optics-assisted Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) science verification data at around 0${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$6 spatial resolution. The spatial resolution is a key ingredient for the measurement and we provide a Gaussian parametrization of the adaptive optics-assisted point spread function for various wavelengths. From the MUSE data, we extracted the stellar kinematics and constructed dynamical models. Using an axisymmetric Schwarzschild technique, we measured an MBH of $(3.6^{+2.7}_{-2.4}) \times 10^8\,$M⊙ at 3σ significance taking kinematical and dynamical systematics (e.g. radially varying mass-to-light ratio) into account. We also added a dark halo, but our data do not allow us to constrain the dark matter fraction. Adding dark matter with an abundance matching prior results in a 25 per cent more massive black hole. Jeans anisotropic models return MBH of $(4.6^{+2.5}_{-2.7}) \times 10^8$ and $(8.6^{+0.8}_{-0.8}) \times 10^8\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ at 3σ confidence for spherical and cylindrical alignments of the velocity ellipsoid, respectively. In a follow-up study, we will compare the stellar-based MBH with those from cold and warm gas tracers, which will provide additional constraints for the MBH for NGC 6958, and insights into assumptions that lead to potential systematic uncertainty.