bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the uptake, engagement, and safety of a self-management app, COPD.Pal®, for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a pilot study
Authors: Knox Liam , Gemine Rachel , Rees Sarah , Bowen Sarah , Groom Phil , Taylor David , Bond Ian , Lewis Keir
Published: February 2021

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a widespread condition that accounts for 3 million deaths worldwide annually. Despite being extensive healthcare users, people with COPD (PwCOPD) only spend approximately 1% of their time with a healthcare professional. The rest of the time, they are encouraged to self-manage their condition. To encourage better self-management, Bond Digital Health have created a mobile phone app called COPD.Pal® that helps PwCOPD keep track of their condition. This pilot study aimed to assess the safety, engagement, and early efficacy of the app. 25 PwCOPD were recruited and given COPD.Pal® for 6-weeks. Healthcare usage, self-management knowledge, app engagement, dyspnoea, and health-related quality of life were measured at baseline and at 6-weeks. A feedback questionnaire was also collected at follow-up. T-tests investigated whether differences between the time points were evident in the data. No statistically significant differences were found between the time points for any of the variables measured. Average app engagement was 31.8 days with 84% using COPD.Pal® for 20 or more days during the 6-weeks. 89% of participants stated they would use the app regularly after the study, with 56% stating they’d use it long-term. This study determined that a digital, self-management app would be engaged with and early results indicate that the safety is non-inferior to standard care. Although self-management knowledge remained unaffected by app use, this study provided useful insights regarding how to improve this aspect. This represents one of few studies which involve end-users at an early stage of intervention development, an important strength of the research.
Smart streetlights in Smart City: a case study of Sheffield
Authors: Dizon Eisley , Pranggono Bernardi
Published: February 2021

Smart streetlights can be used to enhance public safety and well-being. However, not only it is one of the most draining structures in terms of electricity, but it is also economically straining to local government. Typically, many councils adopt a static or conventional approach to street lighting, this presents many inefficiencies as it does not take into account environmental factors such as light levels and traffic flows. This paper will present the utilities of a streetlights in Sheffield and how different councils tackle the issue by using different lighting schemes. Investigation of current implementations of information and communication technologies (ICT) such as Internet of Things (IoT) in streetlights will be necessary to understand different proposed models that are used in ‘smart’ street lighting infrastructure. Case studies from Doncaster and Edinburgh are explored as they are using similar technology and having a similar sized topology as Sheffield. To analyze different models, StreetlightSim, an open-source streetlight simulator, is used to present different lighting schemes. There will be four time-based schemes: Conventional, Dynadimmer, Chronosense and Part-Night which have varying capabilities that will be simulated to present a plethora of solutions for Sheffield’s street lighting problem. The results from the simulations showed mixed readings, the time-based schemes showed reliable data from StreetlightSim’s own evaluations, however its adaptive approach will need to be further analyzed to demonstrate its full capability.
The Key Regulator of Necroptosis, RIP1 Kinase, Contributes to the Formation of Astrogliosis and Glial Scar in Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhu Yong-Ming , Lin Liang , Wei Chao , Guo Yi , Qin Yuan , Li Zhong-Sheng , Kent Thomas A. , McCoy Claire E. , Wang Zhan-Xiang , Ni Yong , Zhou Xian-Yong , Zhang Hui-Ling
Published: February 2021

Necroptosis initiation relies on the receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase (RIP1K). We recently reported that genetic and pharmacological inhibition of RIP1K produces protection against ischemic stroke-induced astrocytic injury. However, the role of RIP1K in ischemic stroke-induced formation of astrogliosis and glial scar remains unknown. Here, in a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) rat model and an oxygen and glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/Re)-induced astrocytic injury model, we show that RIP1K was significantly elevated in the reactive astrocytes. Knockdown of RIP1K or delayed administration of RIP1K inhibitor Nec-1 down-regulated the glial scar markers, improved ischemic stroke-induced necrotic morphology and neurologic deficits, and reduced the volume of brain atrophy. Moreover, knockdown of RIP1K attenuated astrocytic cell death and proliferation and promoted neuronal axonal generation in a neuron and astrocyte co-culture system. Both vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) and its receptor VEGFR-3 were elevated in the reactive astrocytes; simultaneously, VEGF-D was increased in the medium of astrocytes exposed to OGD/Re. Knockdown of RIP1K down-regulated VEGF-D gene and protein levels in the reactive astrocytes. Treatment with 400 ng/ml recombinant VEGF-D induced the formation of glial scar; conversely, the inhibitor of VEGFR-3 suppressed OGD/Re-induced glial scar formation. RIP3K and MLKL may be involved in glial scar formation. Taken together, these results suggest that RIP1K participates in the formation of astrogliosis and glial scar via impairment of normal astrocyte responses and enhancing the astrocytic VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 signaling pathways. Inhibition of RIP1K promotes the brain functional recovery partially via suppressing the formation of astrogliosis and glial scar.

Graphical Abstract
Factors Affecting Technology Transfer and Commercialization of University Research in India: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ravi Ramya , Janodia Manthan D.
Published: February 2021

In recent years, there is a great emphasis on transferring inventions and technologies originating from academia to industry through technology transfer/licensing or commercialization. The efforts of the Government of India (GOI) aim to create socially useful innovation through university-industry technology transfer. The objective of the study is to examine and understand enabling factors and barriers for technology transfer among Indian universities. The study covers three key aspects: (1) the awareness and practice of patents and research commercialization among Indian academia, (2) comprehending strategies adapted to commercialize research activities, and (3) barriers in university-industry technology transfer (TT). This paper is an attempt to answer the research question whether current dynamics within Indian universities create an environment for enabling knowledge transfer/commercialization and propose plausible suggestions to enable academia-industry technology transfer. A self- assessed structured methodology is contemplated and applied. Convenience sampling methods were adopted. Administrators of 25 universities overseeing research and development activities/patent cell/incubation cell or industrial collaboration of universities were approached to participate in the study. Indian universities are categorized as (i) public funded universities and (ii) private institutes for the purpose of the study. It is interesting to understand that public funded universities have an advantage in terms of receiving funds and licensing the research to potential industrial partners. The authors further conclude that research undertaken in academia is far from the demands of the industry. Even though the relevant supporting system for enhancing university-industry collaboration is in place, such as establishing technology transfer office (TTO) in the university, they hardly channelize the resources for socially useful innovation. It is important for Indian academia to undertake commercially viable research for the benefit of society.
Least upper bound of truncation error of low-rank matrix approximation algorithm using QR decomposition with pivoting
Authors: Kawamura Haruka , Suda Reiji
Published: February 2021

Low-rank approximation by QR decomposition with pivoting (pivoted QR) is known to be less accurate than singular value decomposition (SVD); however, the calculation amount is smaller than that of SVD. The least upper bound of the ratio of the truncation error, defined by $$\Vert A-BC\Vert _2$$

‖
A
-
B
C
‖

2

, using pivoted QR to that using SVD is proved to be $$\sqrt{\frac{4^k-1}{3}(n-k)+1}$$

4
k

-
1

3

(
n
-
k
)

+
1

for $$A\in {\mathbb {R}}^{m\times n}$$

A
∈

R

m
×
n

$$(m\ge n)$$

(
m
≥
n
)

, approximated as a product of $$B\in {\mathbb {R}}^{m\times k}$$

B
∈

R

m
×
k

and $$C\in {\mathbb {R}}^{k\times n}$$

C
∈

R

k
×
n

in this study.
Isolation and identification of a 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin degrading strain and its biochemical degradation pathway
Authors: Qiu Lina , Zhang Weiwei , Gong Aijun , Li Jiandi
Published: February 2021

This study aims to find a high-efficiency degradation strain which can biodegrade the 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD). In this paper, a new fungus strain was isolated from activated sludge of Dagu Drainage River in Tianjin which was able to degrade 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the medium. Based on its morphology and phylogenetic analysis of its 18S rDNA sequence, the strain was identified as Penicillium sp. QI-1. Response surface methodology using central composite rotatable design of cultural conditions was successfully employed for optimization resulting in 87.9 % degradation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD (1 µg/mL) within 6 days. The optimum condition for degrading 2,3,7,8-TCDD was at 31℃ and pH 7.4. The biodegradation process was fitted to a first-order kinetic model. The kinetic equation was Ct=0.939e− 0.133t and its half-life was 5.21d. The fungus strain degraded 2,3,7,8-TCDD to form intermediates, they were 4,5-Dichloro-1,2-benzoquinone, 4,5-Dichlorocatechol, 2-Hydrooxy-1,4-benzoquinone, 1,2,4-Trihydroxybenzene and β-ketoadipic acid. A novel degradation pathway for 2,3,7,8-TCDD was proposed based on analysis of these metabolites. The results suggest that Penicillium sp. QI-1 may be an ideal microorganism for biodegradation of the 2,3,7,8-TCDD-contaminated environments.
A weighted distance metric for assessing ranking dissimilarity and inter-group heterogeneity
Authors: Vanacore Amalia , Pellegrino Maria Sole
Published: February 2021

In this paper, a weighted variant of the normalized pairwise angular distance metric is proposed. The inclusion of position weights aims at penalizing inversions in the top of the ranking more than inversions in the tail of the ranking. The performance of the proposed weighted distance metric for assessing ranking dissimilarity and its impact on a procedure for testing inter-group heterogeneity have been investigated via a Monte Carlo simulation study under several scenarios—differing for group size, number of ranked alternatives and system of hypotheses—and compared against those obtained for the unweighted variant.
Creation of Technical Conditions for Use or Infringement – The Meanders of the Warehouse Keeper’s Liability in Light of CJEU Judgment C-567/18 Coty Germany
Authors: Szczepanowska-Kozłowska Krystyna
Published: February 2021

One form of industrial property right infringement is stocking for the purpose of offering or marketing. This form of infringement appears both in EU legal acts on trademarks or designs, as well as in national regulations, including those concerning patents. What is specific to stocking when compared to other activities comprising the stipulated exclusivity of the holder of industrial property rights is the fact that the literal meaning of “stocking” does not explain whether the infringing party or the warehouse keeper is the entity that places the goods in storage. The structure of industrial property rights as absolute rights would theoretically permit the view that the law is violated by both the entity that accepts the goods for storage and the entity that places such goods in storage. To determine if there is an infringement, it must be established what the goods being stocked are further intended for. It is not without significance that the finding of an infringement of industrial property rights does not depend on fault or awareness. From the point of view of the industrial property law regime, it is difficult to find arguments against this understanding of infringement by stocking. Since the offeror of goods infringing industrial property rights may be held liable even if the goods have not yet been manufactured, it is conceivable that the entity accepting such goods for stocking is also liable. This interpretation of the concept of stocking would certainly correspond to the absolute nature of liability for infringement.

In a recent judgment the CJEU confirmed that the warehouse keeper who, on behalf of a third party, stores goods which infringe trademark rights only creates the technical conditions for trademark use by this third party provided that the warehouse keeper is not aware of that infringement. The CJEU also confirmed that only the person who decides about the purpose of storing the goods can be treated as an infringer. However, the CJEU did not respond to the question regarding whether the warehouse keeper could be treated as an infringer if it pursues the aims of storing the goods at the request of the entity that put the goods into storage.
The effect of the interaction between fall-related self-efficacy and gait function on the occurrence of falls in community-dwelling older people
Authors: Kamide Naoto , Sato Haruhiko , Sakamoto Miki , Shiba Yoshitaka
Published: February 2021

Background

Fall-related self-efficacy and gait function are known to be associated. However, whether the interaction between fall-related self-efficacy and gait function affects future falls has not been investigated.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the interaction between fall-related self-efficacy and spatiotemporal gait parameters on the occurrence of falls in community-dwelling older people.

Methods

A total of 265 elderly persons (age ≥ 65 years) living independently in the community were recruited. For gait function, spatiotemporal gait parameters at usual and maximum effort paces were measured using a 2.4-m walkway system with embedded pressure sensors. Furthermore, changes in gait parameters between usual and maximum paces were calculated (Δgait parameters). Fall-related self-efficacy was assessed using the short version of the Falls Efficacy Scale International (Short FES-I). The occurrence of falls was prospectively investigated 6 months later. The effect of the interaction between short FES-I and gait parameters on falls was analyzed using logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors.

Results

Several gait parameters were significantly different by self-efficacy level. As for the effect of the interaction of fall-related self-efficacy and gait parameters on falls, smaller Δgait parameters in those with high efficacy were associated with higher odds ratios of falls, whereas Δgait parameters in those with low efficacy were not associated with falls.

Discussion and conclusions

The interaction between fall-related self-efficacy and gait function appeared to affect future falls. Assessments combining fall-related self-efficacy and gait function may improve the accuracy of prediction of future falls.
Zebrafish come modello per lo studio di malattie della tiroide
Authors: Marelli Federica , Persani Luca
Published: February 2021

Sommario

Le tecniche di sequenziamento di nuova generazione hanno rivoluzionato l’identificazione dei geni-malattia, accelerando la scoperta di nuove mutazioni e nuovi geni candidati per le malattie della tiroide. Per far fronte a questo flusso di nuove informazioni genetiche è importante disporre di modelli animali adeguati per studiare i meccanismi che regolano lo sviluppo della tiroide, la biodisponibilità e l’azione degli ormoni tiroidei. Zebrafish (Danio rerio), con il suo rapido sviluppo embrionale esterno, è stato ampiamente utilizzato in biologia dello sviluppo. Ad oggi, quasi tutti i componenti dell’asse tiroideo zebrafish sono stati caratterizzati e sono strutturalmente e funzionalmente paragonabili a quelli dei vertebrati superiori. La disponibilità di linee transgeniche di zebrafish fluorescenti consente l’analisi in tempo reale dell’organogenesi tiroidea e delle sue alterazioni. Il knockdown transitorio ottenuto con l’uso del morfolino permette di silenziare l’espressione di un gene di interesse e ottenere prontamente informazioni sul suo contributo durante lo sviluppo dell’asse tiroideo in zebrafish. Gli strumenti recentemente disponibili per il knockout genico stabile (es. CRISPR/Cas9) hanno ulteriormente aumentato il valore di zebrafish nello studio della patologia tiroidea. Entrambi i modelli di malattia possono essere inoltre utili per lo screening di nuovi farmaci e molecole che potranno essere utili per pianificare i successivi studi clinici.
Expert consensus on practical aspects in the treatment of chronic urticaria
Authors: Bauer Andrea , Dickel Heinrich , Jakob Thilo , Kleinheinz Andreas , Lippert Undine , Metz Martin , Schliemann Sibylle , Schwichtenberg Uwe , Staubach Petra , Valesky Eva , Wagner Nicola , Wedi Bettina , Maurer Marcus
Published: February 2021

Background

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common disease which represents a considerable burden for many patients. The current urticaria guideline describes the evidence-based diagnosis and treatment of CU. In addition, however, questions often arise in everyday practice that are not addressed by the guideline.

Methods

In May 2020, a digital meeting with German urticaria experts was held, in which practical aspects of CU treatment were discussed and supporting aids for everyday clinical treatment formulated. The resulting advice in this document focus on practical questions and the available literature and experiences of the participants.

Results

The diagnosis of CU can be made in a short time by means of a thorough anamnesis, a physical examination, and a basic laboratory chemical diagnosis. For this purpose, practical recommendations for everyday practice are given in this paper. An extended diagnosis is only indicated in a few cases and should always be carried out in parallel with an effective therapy. In general, CU should always be treated in the same way, regardless of whether wheals, angioedema or both occur. Symptomatic therapy should be carried out according to the treatment steps recommended by the guidelines. This publication provides practical advice on issues in everyday practice, such as the procedure in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the cardiac risk under higher dosed H1 antihistamines, the self-administration of omalizumab as well as vaccination under omalizumab therapy. In addition to treatment recommendations, topics such as documentation in the practice and family planning with urticaria will be discussed.

Discussion

These supporting treatment recommendations serve as an addendum to the current CU guideline and provide support in dealing with CU patients in everyday practice. The aim is to ensure that patients suffering from CU achieve complete freedom of symptoms with the help of an optimal therapy.
Current developments in the treatment of peanut allergy
Authors: Worm Margitta , Francuzik Wojciech , Dölle Sabine , Lange Lars , Alexiou Aikaterina
Published: February 2021

Peanut allergy is a potentially life-threatening disease because it leads to severe allergic reactions, especially in children but also in adults. So far, allergen avoidance is the most effective therapy for treating peanut allergy. In this article, current developments of peanut allergy specific immunotherapy are critically discussed based on the existing literature. These include sublingual, epicutaneous and oral peanut immunotherapy. Nonspecific treatment approaches with new-targeted antibodies such as anti-IgE (omalizumab) or anti-IL-4/IL-13 receptor antibodies (dupilumab) can also be used to treat peanut allergy with regard to the mode of action of these antibodies. Multiple studies are already available for omalizumab and are currently performed with dupilumab. Whether and which therapies for the treatment of peanut allergy will be available on the market in the future is not only relevant in terms of clinical effectiveness in the sense of a long-term stable increase in the threshold level, but also in terms of the tolerability in everyday life of affected patients.
The general relativistic constraint equations
Authors: Carlotto Alessandro
Published: February 2021

We present the state-of-the-art concerning the relativistic constraints, which describe the geometry of hypersurfaces in a spacetime subject to the Einstein field equations. We review a variety of solvability results, the construction of several classes of solutions of special relevance and place results in the broader context of mathematical general relativity. Apart from providing an overview of the subject, this paper includes a selection of open questions, as well as a few complements to some significant contributions in the literature.
Integrated approach on azo dyes degradation using laccase enzyme and Cul nanoparticle
Authors: Sridharan Rajalakshmi , Krishnaswamy Veena Gayathri , Archana K. M. , Rajagopal Revathy , Thirumal Kumar D. , George Priya Doss C.
Published: February 2021

Azo dyes released by the textile industries cause severe damage to the environment and living organisms. The degradation of azo dyes is widely studied using enzymatic methods. Laccase is a copper-containing enzyme that degrades the azo dyes into less toxic compounds. In this work, the crude laccase enzyme produced by the alkaliphilePseudomonas mendocinain the degradation of mixed azo dye showed 0.386 U/mL activity at pH 8.5. A combination of enzymatic and green synthesized nanoparticles was used in the degradation of mixed azo dye. Laccase used in the degradation of mixed azo dyes showed 58.4% in 72 h, while the photocatalytic degradation of mixed azo dyes showed 15.9%. The degradation of azo dyes using copper iodide nanoparticles resulted in 15.8% degradation. However, it was noticed that the combined method of degradation of azo dyes involving both crude laccase and CuI nanoparticles gave a degradation of 62.3% in 60 min. Interaction of laccase enzyme with azo dyes using in silico analysis predicted the binding energy with reactive red (−7.19 kcal/mol), reactive brown (−8.57 kcal/mol), and reactive black dyes (−9.17 kcal/mol) respectively.
Hydrophilic-hydrophilic mixed micellar system: effect on solubilization of drug
Authors: Ezhilrani V. C. , Karunanithi Prakash , Sarangi Babita , Joshi R. G. , Dash Sasmita
Published: February 2021

Mixed micellar systems have been tried with the aim of achieving higher solubility of drugs compared to single micellar systems. Hydrophobic-hydrophilic mixed micellar systems have been used for the above purpose for the drug ciprofloxacin in the past. In the present study, a hydrophilic-hydrophilic binary micellar system comprising of pluronic copolymers pluronic F127 and pluronic L64 has been studied for its effect on solubilization of the drug Ciprofloxacin. The solutions of the two individual pluronic and their mixed micellar system with drugs were subjected to characterizations viz. UV-spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, FT-IR, dynamic light scattering (DLS), rheology, and partition coefficient. The mixed pluronic–drug system displayed greater solubility of the drug compared with the neat pluronic-drug systems in most of the characterizations. New C–OH bond formation was evidenced by FT-IR spectra due to drug micelle interaction. The values of free energy changes of micellization were found to be −25 kJ mol−1 for pluronic F127, −74.5kJmol−1 for L-64, and −170.4 kJ mol−1 for the mixed pluronic. This is suggestive of spontaneous and stronger binding of drug ciprofloxacin with mixed pluronic in comparison with that in single micellar systems.

Graphic abstract
End-to-end experimentation of a 5G vertical within the scope of blended learning
Authors: Armando Ngombo , Almeida Rui , Fernandes José Marcelo , Silva Jorge Sá , Boavida Fernando
Published: February 2021

The next generation of mobile networks, widely known as 5G, was designed to respond to the next 10 years’ communication challenges. 5G will be an essential structure on which all types of electronic communications will rely. Built on the emerging 5G technology, we developed a vertical solution for blended learning environments within a Portuguese national project scope. The project aims to propose an integrated demonstration of a set of products capable of being part and providing services in the future 5G networks framework. To this end, we adopted a bottom-up approach to design and develop a product named5GOpenclasses, where we leveraged FIWARE middleware to manage all entities. This paper presents the architecture, technological platform, associated data structures, and end-user applications of5GOpenclasses. We also present the design of innovative location-based service for blended learning environments. This paper is the first step of the proposed product towards its quantitative evaluation when running Over-the-Top on both 4G and 5G networks. Although successful unit tests were carried out in what concerns the functional outcome, the integration tests for quantitative results depend on the availability of other project components.
Approaches and Frameworks for HCI Research
Authors: Long John
Published: February 2021

This research textbook, designed for young Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) researchers beginning their careers, surveys the research models and methods in use today and offers a general framework to bring together the disparate concepts. HCI spans many disciplines and professions, including information science, applied psychology, computer science, informatics, software engineering and social science making it difficult for newcomers to get a good overview of the field and the available approaches. The book's rigorous 'approach-and-framework' response is to the challenge of retaining growth and diversification in HCI research by building up a general framework from approaches for Innovation, Art, Craft, Applied, Science and Engineering. This general framework is compared with other HCI frameworks and theories for completeness and coherence, all within a historical perspective of dissemination success. Readers can use this as a model to design and assess their own research frameworks and theories against those reported in the literature.
Social Anxiety, Fear of Negative Evaluation, and Distress in a Virtual Reality Environment
Authors: Sigurvinsdottir Rannveig , Soring Karen , Kristinsdottir Karen , Halfdanarson Sveinn Gunnar , Johannsdottir Kamilla R. , Vilhjalmsson Hannes H. , Valdimarsdottir Heiddis B.
Published: February 2021

According to cognitive theories of social anxiety, fear of negative evaluation (FNE) may be the mechanism whereby social anxiety induces distress. However, studying this can be challenging, as individuals with social anxiety may be reluctant to enter anxiety-provoking social situations, such as speaking in front of others. The present study used virtual reality (VR) to examine if giving a presentation in front of a virtual audience induced distress among undergraduate students and to test the hypothesis that FNE would mediate the relationship between social anxiety and distress. University students (N = 58, 70% female) entered a VR environment where they stood in front of a virtual audience and gave a short, impromptu presentation about their university. Participants also completed self-report measures of social anxiety, FNE, and distress (estimated before, during, and after VR). Distress and FNE had positive relationships with social anxiety and FNE fully mediated the relationship between social anxiety and distress. As far as we are aware, this is the first VR study to show this effect. The findings indicate that FNE could be a useful treatment target to reduce distress when presenting in front of an audience, either in VR or in person.
Objective Bayesianism and the Abductivist Response to Scepticism
Authors: Bradley Darren
Published: February 2021

An important line of response to scepticism appeals to the best explanation. But anti-sceptics have not engaged much with work on explanation in the philosophy of science. I plan to investigate whether plausible assumptions about best explanations really do favour anti-scepticism. I will argue that there are ways of constructing sceptical hypotheses in which the assumptions do favour anti-scepticism, but the size of the support for anti-scepticism is small.
Les quatre temps de l'interculturalisme au Québec
Authors: Lamy Guillaume , Mathieu Félix
Published: February 2021

Cet article propose de montrer la transformation de l'idée d'interculturalisme au Québec de sa genèse dans les groupes communautaires montréalais des années 1960 jusqu’à son intégration dans la politique des partis au début du XXIesiècle à l'Assemblée nationale du Québec. Cette sociologie historique insiste sur la course à relais entre divers acteurs qui sont entrés en concurrence afin d'en définir le sens et les principes. L'histoire de l'idée d'interculturalisme montre en relief quatre périodes distinctes : la genèse du vocabulaire de « l'interculturel » (1963–1977), sa diffusion hors des groupes communautaires (1978–1988), la transition sémantique vers « l'interculturalisme » (1988–2006) et la polarisation politique à son sujet alors que se lèvent au Québec les controverses identitaires (2007–2018).
Oat genotypic requirement for intercropping with vetch under Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Baxevanos D. , Tsialtas I. T. , Voulgari O. , Pankou C. I. , Vlachostergios D. , Lithourgidis A. S.
Published: February 2021

Oat (Avena spp. L.) intercropped with common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) has shown high forage yield and crude protein content (CP) in rainfed Mediterranean environments of Greece. The objective was to study the oat genotypic interactions for yield, quality and agronomic traits of four oat accessions (cv. Flega and lines B2, B3 and B4) grown as intercrops with a common vetch cultivar (Pegasus) and as monocrops without or with nitrogen (N) supplementation (100 kg N/ha). In all mixtures, the land equivalent ratio exceeded the unit indicating that there was a yield advantage. Intercrops produced, on average, 5.0% less dry matter (DM) and 38.9% more crude protein yield (CPY) compared to monocropped oats with N fertilization and 3.4% more DM and 75.5% more CPY compared to monocropped oats without N fertilization. The DM, CP and quality differences between the intercropped and monocropped oats were attributed to oats by vetch cultivar interactions. The oat B2 intercropped was the shortest, the latest flowering and the less vigorous early in the season, a trait that allowed common vetch to dominate in the intercrop (vetch participation 770 g/kg). The high vetch fragment in the intercrop contributed to high CP, CPY, acid detergent lignin, total digestible nutrients, relative feeding value, relative forage quality, net energy for lactation and to low neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and hemicellulose. The replacement value index indicated that the intercrop was 21% more economically viable in comparison to the fertilized monocrop.
Factors influencing milk osteopontin concentration based on measurements from Danish Holstein cows
Authors: Christensen Brian , Zachariae Elias D. , Poulsen Nina A. , Buitenhuis Albert J. , Larsen Lotte B. , Sørensen Esben S.
Published: February 2021

Our objective was to determine the content of the bioactive protein osteopontin (OPN) in bovine milk and identify factors influencing its concentration. OPN is expressed in many tissues and body fluids, with by far the highest concentrations in milk. OPN plays a role in immunological and developmental processes and it has been associated with several milk production traits and lactation persistency in cows. In the present study, we report the development of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measurement of OPN in bovine milk. The method was used to determine the concentration of OPN in milk from 661 individual Danish Holstein cows. The median OPN level was determined to 21.9 mg/l with a pronounced level of individual variation ranging from 0.4 mg/l to 67.8 mg/l. Breeding for increased OPN in cow's milk is of significant interest, however, the heritability of OPN in milk was found to be relatively low, with an estimated value of 0.19 in the current dataset. The variation explained by the herd was also found to be low suggesting that OPN levels are not affected by farm management or feeding. Interestingly, the concentration of OPN was found to increase with days in milk and to decrease with parity.
The Swine Flu Immunization Program: Scientific Venture or Political Folly?
Authors: Wecht Cyril H.
Published: February 2021

The author of this Article, an internationally recognized coroner perhaps best known among laymen for his incisive and tenacious criticism of the Warren Commission report on the Kennedy assassination, turns his attention to the federal government's 1976-1977 Swine Flu Immunization Program. Dr. Wecht contends that although this program may have been viewed by its key proponents as having great public health importance, or perhaps even political value, its creation and continuation nevertheless were scientifically unjustified. Furthermore, he contends, the federal government failed to inform the public adequately of important facts about the program's origins and progress, and it mismanaged the program in several important respects. Among the topics he discusses are swine flu's epidemiological history (including the 1976 Fort Dix outbreak that propelled swine flu into the national consciousness); the key elements leading to the government's decision to immunize; the government's failure to reevaluate the program seriously as problems arose; the shortcomings of the federal swine flu statute; the inadequacy of the government's investigation of the deaths of three persons in Pittsburgh within a few hours after being vaccinated (a matter that was of immediate concern to the author in his role as Coroner of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania); the long-delayed termination of the program following the emergence of a possible statistical link between the immunizations and an increase in the incidence of the Guillain-Barré Syndrome; the financial and human costs of the program; and the need for calmer, more objective decision making in future situations where immunization of the general populace is being considered.
Euthanasia Legislation: A Survey and A Model Act
Authors: Kaplan Ronald P.
Published: February 2021

With increasing frequency, state legislators have been proposing legislation which would permit euthanasia—the allowance of “death with dignity”—under certain circumstances. These proposals indicate varying degrees of awareness of the issues and problems involved in drafting euthanasia legislation. This Article focuses on such issues and problems, studies the methods proposed by legislators to deal with them, and offers a Model Euthanasia Act designed to achieve their optimal solution.
Governmental Regulation of Health Care: A Response to Some Criticisms Voiced by Proponents of a “Free Market”
Authors: Weiner Stephen M.
Published: February 2021

In this Comment, the Massachusetts Rate Setting Commissioner takes issue with the criticism of health care cost-containment regulation that was expressed by Professor Clark C. Havighurst in a recent edition of theJournal,and argues that instead of abandoning regulation in favor of various “free market” alternatives recommended by Professor Havighurst, the nation should find ways to make regulation work more effectively in the public interest. The author challenges Professor Havighurst on the ground that he fails to recognize (1) that the free market model is inadequate for evaluating regulatory activity and (2) that regulation is essentially a political process, and therefore regulatory objectives cannot and should not be defined in economic terms alone. What is needed, suggests Mr. Weiner, is acceptance of the need for, and validity of, regulation, and an examination of how regulation can best achieve its economic and political objectives. The key challenge for policy makers in the health care regulatory field, he asserts, is the clarification and implementation of appropriate relationships (1) between health care regulation and health care rationing; (2) between health care regulation and health care planning; and (3) between health care regulation and health care competition.
Catastrophic Health Insurance and Cost Containment: Restructuring the Current Health Insurance System
Authors: Zucker Jay L.
Published: February 2021

Catastrophic health insurance may be necessary to curb rising health care costs in the United States. A major factor in this rise has been the current structure of the nation's health insurance system, which inadequately protects individuals with expensive illnesses, but encourages overinsurance for less expensive illnesses. This Note examines the current health insurance system, and analyzes its impact oh health care costs for individuals and society. It evaluates several proposals to modify the structure of the current health insurance system, and recommends the adoption of a catastrophic health insurance plan based on an economic definition of catastrophe. Such a plan would decrease shallow coverage, and would use coinsurance and deductible rates keyed to the individual's income as means of increasing consumer cost consciousness without making necessary care unreasonably expensive. This Note also recommends that a catastrophic plan only cover treatment that has been determined medically necessary by utilization review, and that this review encourage outpatient rather than costly inpatient treatment.
N.L.R.B. v. Baptist Hospital, Inc.: Union Solicitation in Health Care Institutions
Authors: Shanin Donald B.
Published: February 2021

In 1974, Congress passed the Health Care Amendments to the National Labor Relations Act, thus bringing nonprofit health care institutions within the purview of the Act and within the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board. Since the passage of these Amendments, the Board consistently has held that hospital no-solicitation rules prohibiting employees from engaging in union organizational activities on hospital premises in other than immediate, patient-care areas are presumptively invalid. In N.L.R.B. v. Baptist Hospital Inc., 442 U.S. 773 (1979), however, the U.S. Supreme Court questioned the rationality of the Board's presumption, although the Court did not specifically overrule the presumption itself. By examing the special interests arising in the hospital setting, as well as the legislative intent behind the Health Care Amendments, this Note evaluates the Board's presumption in light of the four Supreme Court opinions in Baptist Hospital. The Note concludes that the Board's presumption— that hospital no-soliciation rules are invalid in all areas of a hospital except for those areas directly involved in immediate patient care—is rational and reasonable (1) because it properly balances the interests of the hospital, of the employees, and of the patients, and (2) because it is consistent with the legislative intent behind passage of the Health Care Amendments. In addition, this Note contends that the Board has expanded its “immediate patient-care area” standard in an effort to address the Supreme Court's concern in Baptist Hospital that, the Board's balancing of interests had weighted the patients' well-being too lightly.
Civil Liability Arising from ‘Wrongful Birth’ Following an Unsuccessful Sterilization Operation
Authors: Robertson Gerald B.
Published: February 2021

This Article examines the question of civil liability arising, both in tort and in contract, as a result of the “wrongful birth” of a child following an unsuccessful sterilization operation. After a general overview of the concept and background of wrongful birth, the Article deals with tort liability in a sterilization-wrongful-birth action, suggesting in particular that there are four stages in the sterilization process at which a physician's conduct may fall below the standard required by law, and discussing the effect of negligence at each of the four stages. The alternative claim for breach of warranty is then examined, with emphasis on the practical difficulties involved in establishing contractual liability in this type of case. Finally, the Article discusses public policy and assessment of damages issues involved in the wrongful birth action, and evaluates the merits of some of the arguments that have been advanced under these headings—particularly the “overriding benefit” theory—to defeat claims for wrongful birth.
From Rogers to Rivers: The Rights of the Mentally Ill to Refuse Medication
Authors: Clayton Ellen Wright
Published: February 2021

Many individuals with mental illness wish to avoid psychotropic drugs, a type of treatment that may relieve their symptoms only at the risk of unpleasant, even permanent, side effects. In marked contrast to the widely-held view that most patients may refuse any treatment and that even patients with mental illness may reject other psychoactive interventions such as electroconvulsive therapy and psychosurgery, the courts and legislatures have been slow to recognize any right to refuse psychotropic drugs. This Article demonstrates that many of the justifications offered for forcing patients to take unwanted medications are inadequate and that unless treatment refusals are reviewed outside mental institutions, patients’ rights will rarely receive appropriate deference. The author analyzes the federal and state litigation to determine whether the courts have fashioned meaningful relief for the mentally ill. The Article concludes that two recent United States Supreme Court decisions have made it impossible for the federal courts to provide adequate protection. By contrast, several state courts have responded to the needs and rights of patients with mental illness.
Elder Choice
Authors: Conard Alfred F.
Published: February 2021

Thanks to medical technology, thousands of elderly patients suffer the agony of debility, from which many of them would choose to be released if they knew how to effect a choice. Prolonging their metabolism is unfair to them and to their families, and strains the nation's overburdened health care resources. Medical directives offer elderly patients avenues of escape from unwanted treatment. Health care for the aged should include informed access to these means of choice.
Vertical Restraints Among Hospitals, Physicians and Health Insurers that Raise Rivals’ Costs
Authors: Baker Jonathan B.
Published: February 2021

Two recent district court opinions consider whether affiliations among hospitals, doctors and health insurers — through contract or ownership — violate the antitrust laws. This Article applies a raising rivals’ costs framework to the facts of those cases in order to assess whether the practices at issue were unreasonable.
Medicaid Physician Participation: Patients, Poverty, and Physician Self-Interest
Authors: Watson Sidney D.
Published: February 2021

“They might as well say this is Communist Russia.” — Dr. James Kennedy, Franklin, Tennessee.

Medicaid has failed in its mission to care for the poor because doctors refuse to participate in the program. New ways are needed to entice physicians to treat Medicaid patients. TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid managed care demonstration project, shows that managed care plans can induce physicians to treat the poor by creating substantial collective purchasing power and by conditioning access to middle class patients on treatment of the poor, thus appealing to physicians’ financial self-interest. TennCare shows a new and promising approach, no matter how vociferously physicians complain about it.

TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid experiment, seeks to double Medicaid coverage in Tennessee—from approximately 750,000 people to 1.5 million. TennCare removes limits on Medicaid services, expands the medical services offered, and emphasizes low cost, cost-effective primary care. Perhaps most importantly, TennCare promises to mainstream health care for the poor by providing preventive and primary care in private physicians’ offices, moving the site of care away from expensive emergency rooms and hospitals. TennCare sounds like an ideal solution.
Medical Futility and Implications for Physician Autonomy
Authors: Daar Judith F.
Published: February 2021

The term medical futility has become a shorthand way to describe a situation in which a patient demands and a physician objects to the provision of certain medical treatment, on the ground that the treatment will provide no medical benefit to the patient. The dilemma of medically futile care has gained prominence as a subject for debate in medical and legal literature, has been discussed implicitly and explicitly in court opinions, and has weighed heavily in the debate surrounding health care reform and accompanying discussion of allocation of health care resources.

Recently, the issues surrounding the provision of nonbeneficial care became the subject of a federal court opinion. On February 10, 1994, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit handed down its decision in In re Baby K, a case that has since served as the central focus for debate over the provision of medical treatment deemed inappropriate or futile by a patient’s physician.
Universality, Quality & Economics: Finding a Balance in Ontario and British Columbia
Authors: Blum John D.
Published: February 2021

National economies worldwide are in disarray, evidenced by escalating debts and growing deficits. As countries struggle with their faltering economies they are hard pressed to fulfill commitments of social programs made in more prosperous times, much less take on new government initiatives. The current experiences in health reform in the United States present an interesting example of the dilemmas governments now face when they embark on new ventures. While great political pressures have been launched and high expectations abound, the reality of American health reform quickly reveals that expanded access will come at a high price that won't be offset easily by conventional cost containment or market forces.

In the search for an acceptable model for health reform, it was popular for policy makers and academics to turn their attentions to the health systems of other nations. Recommendations were made that the US should adopt a German or Canadian solution for our health problems.
AIDS Drugs & the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Need For Reform
Authors: Griffin Mary T.
Published: February 2021

The pharmaceutical industry has long enjoyed substantial profits despite increased requirements for drug approval and various attempts to regulate the industry. Drug companies have avoided effective regulation by blaming high prices on the costs of research and development. The search for drugs effective in combatting HIV and AIDS related illnesses has provided a stark background on which to view the actions and justifications of drug companies. Despite increased cooperation between government and the drug industry and expedited approval of several useful drugs, these drugs are still prohibitively expensive. This Article explores the history and economics of the drug industry and proposes a system of national price regulation for all drugs.