bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sentenza 238/2014: A Good Case for Law-Reform?
Authors: Krieger Heike 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSentenza 238/2014 is an important judgment which does not only concern the concrete case at hand but also pushes for a change in the law of state immunity. However, such attempts at law-making by national courts may not always attain their goal but may exert adverse effects which are harmful for the international legal order. Sentenza 238/2014 may have an impact on three different yet related issues central to the future development of international law: the relationship between international and national law, exceptions to immunities, and individual reparations in cases of mass atrocities.This chapter criticises law-making through non-compliance with international judicial decisions by national courts. Judges in democratic states under the rule of law who try to push for law-reform, by initiating non-compliance with decisions of international courts, should be aware that they may act in the company, and thereby in support of, courts in regimes with autocratic tendencies, such as the Russian Constitutional Court, which refuses to comply with judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Furthermore, the chapter argues that immunity from jurisdiction and immunity from execution should be kept distinct and that human rights exceptions should not be applied to immunity from execution. Such a differentiation remains justified because measures of constraint against property used for government non-commercial purposes intrude even further onto sovereign rights than the institution of proceedings before courts in the forum state. It is particularly difficult for states to protect assets and other property situated in a foreign state. These assets may therefore be more susceptible to abusive enforcement measures while simultaneously forming an essential basis for the actual conduct of international relations.The chapter concludes by advocating a cautious approach to individual reparations in cases of mass atrocities. This more cautious approach observes the complexities of ending armed conflicts and negotiating peace deals. An individual right to monetary compensation based on civil claims processes does not allow for taking into account broader political considerations related to establishing a stable post-war order. Such a right is conducive to bilateral settlements between the state parties concerned, which might create new injustices towards other groups of victims. It might also overburden negotiations for a settlement to an ongoing armed conflict.The chapter thereby starts from the assumption that the stability of the international legal order itself as guaranteed by concepts such as immunities or the respect for its judicial organs serves to protect human rights, albeit indirectly.
Sketches for a Reparation Scheme: How Could a German-Italian Fund for the IMIs Work?
Authors: Fontanelli Filippo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGiven the deadlock in the current negotiations between Germany and Italy and the unavailability of judicial remedies for the victims, the two states could set up a reparation scheme. This chapter sketches some of the main features of such a hypothetical scheme, considering existing internal or international arrangements in the context of transitional justice (the Foundation ‘Remembrance, Responsibility and Future’ (Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft) scheme; the Australian DART scheme; the deal between Japan and South Korea on reparations to ‘comfort women’; the US/French schemes for reparations and restitution to holocaust victims; the Eritrea/Ethiopia reparations scheme; and the Iraq/Kuwait scheme). In particular, the emphasis is on the system of identification of the eligible victims, the question of financing and the fate of pending and future judicial claims. Assuming the states’ willingness to explore this project, the chapter outlines some of the ways the scheme could operate in practice, drawing from existing models.
Non-displaceable Lagrangian links in four-manifolds
Authors: Mak Cheuk Yu , Smith Ivan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLet$$\omega $$ωdenote an area form on$$S^2$$S2. Consider the closed symplectic 4-manifold$$M=(S^2\times S^2, A\omega \oplus a \omega )$$M=(S2×S2,Aω⊕aω)with$$0<a<A$$0<a<A. We show that there are families of displaceable Lagrangian tori$$\mathcal {L}_{0,x},\, \mathcal {L}_{1,x} \subset M$$L0,x,L1,x⊂M, for$$x \in [0,1]$$x∈[0,1], such that the two-component link$$\mathcal {L}_{0,x} \cup \mathcal {L}_{1,x}$$L0,x∪L1,xis non-displaceable for eachx.
Quality assessment of outcome reporting, publication characteristics and overall methodological quality in trials on synthetic mesh procedures for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse for development of core outcome sets
Authors: de Mattos Lourenço Thais Regina , Pergialiotis Vasilis , Durnea Constantin M. , Elfituri Abdullatif , Haddad Jorge Milhem , Betschart Cornelia , Falconi Gabriele , Nygaard Christiana Campani , Doumouchtsis Stergios K. ,   CHORUS: An International Collaboration for Harmonising Outcomes, Research and Standards in Urogynaecology and Women’s Health
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
Variations in outcome measures and reporting of outcomes in trials on surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) using synthetic mesh have been evaluated and reported. However, the quality of outcome reporting, methodology of trials and their publication parameters are important considerations in the process of development of Core Outcome Sets. We aimed to evaluate these characteristics in randomized controlled trials on surgery for POP using mesh.

Methods
Secondary analysis of randomized controlled trials on surgical treatments using synthetic mesh for POP previously included in a systematic review developing an inventory of reported outcomes and outcome measures. The methodological quality was investigated with the modified Jadad criteria. Outcome reporting quality was evaluated with the MOMENT criteria. Publication parameters included publishing journal, impact factor and year of publication.

Results
Of the 71 previously reviewed studies published from 2000 to 2017, the mean JADAD score was 3.59 and the mean MOMENT score was 4.63. Quality of outcomes (MOMENT) was related to methodological quality (JADAD) (rho = 0.662; p = 0.000) and to year of publication (rho = 0.262; p = 0.028).

Conclusions
Methodological quality and outcome reporting quality appear correlated. However, publication characteristics do not have strong associations with the methodological quality of the studies. Evaluation of the quality of outcomes, methodology and publication characteristics are all an indispensable part of a staged process for the development of Core Outcome and Outcome Measure Sets.
Robotic and laparoscopic liver resection—comparative experiences at a high-volume German academic center
Authors: Lorenz E. , Arend J. , Franz M. , Rahimli M. , Perrakis A. , Negrini V. , Gumbs A. A. , Croner R. S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) is a feasible and safe procedure for benign and malignant tumors. There has been an ongoing debate on whether conventional laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) or robotic liver resection (RLR) is superior and if one approach should be favored over the other. We started using LLR in 2010, and introduced RLR in 2013. In the present paper, we report on our experiences with these two techniques as early adopters in Germany.

Methods
The data of patients who underwent MILS between 2010 and 2020 were collected prospectively in the Magdeburg Registry for Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery (MD-MILS). A retrospective analysis was performed regarding patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and perioperative parameters.

Results
We identified 155 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Of these, 111 (71.6%) underwent LLR and 44 (29.4%) received RLR. After excluding cystic lesions, 113 cases were used for the analysis of perioperative parameters. Resected specimens were significantly bigger in the RLR vs. the LLR group (405 g vs. 169 g, p = 0.002); in addition, the tumor diameter was significantly larger in the RLR vs. the LLR group (5.6 cm vs. 3.7 cm, p = 0.001). Hence, the amount of major liver resections (three or more segments) was significantly higher in the RLR vs. the LLR group (39.0% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.005). The mean operative time was significantly longer in the RLR vs. the LLR group (331 min vs. 181 min, p = 0.0001). The postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the RLR vs. the LLR group (13.4 vs. LLR 8.7 days, p = 0.03). The R0 resection rate for solid tumors was higher in the RLR vs. the LLR group but without statistical significance (93.8% vs. 87.9%, p = 0.48). The postoperative morbidity ≥ Clavien-Dindo grade 3 was 5.6% in the LLR vs. 17.1% in the RLR group (p = 0.1). No patient died in the RLR but two patients (2.8%) died in the LLR group, 30 and 90 days after surgery (p = 0.53).

Conclusion
Minimally invasive liver surgery is safe and feasible. Robotic and laparoscopic liver surgery shows similar and adequate perioperative oncological results for selected patients. RLR might be advantageous for more advanced and technically challenging procedures.
The COVID-19 outbreak increases maternal stress during pregnancy, but not the risk for postpartum depression
Authors: Boekhorst Myrthe G. B. M. , Muskens Lotte , Hulsbosch Lianne P. , Van Deun Katrijn , Bergink Veerle , Pop Victor J. M. , van den Heuvel Marion I. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic affects society and may especially have an impact on mental health of vulnerable groups, such as perinatal women. This prospective cohort study of 669 participating women in the Netherlands compared perinatal symptoms of depression and stress during and before the pandemic. After a pilot in 2018, recruitment started on 7 January 2019. Up until 1 March 2020 (before the pandemic), 401 women completed questionnaires during pregnancy, of whom 250 also completed postpartum assessment. During the pandemic, 268 women filled out at least one questionnaire during pregnancy and 59 postpartum (1 March–14 May 2020). Pregnancy-specific stress increased significantly in women during the pandemic. We found no increase in depressive symptoms during pregnancy nor an increase in incidence of high levels of postpartum depressive symptoms during the pandemic. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for increased stress in pregnant women during the pandemic.
Retention forces between primary and secondary CAD/CAM manufactured telescopic crowns: an in vitro comparison of common material combinations
Authors: Schimmel Martin , Walther Moritz , Al-Haj Husain Nadin , Igarashi Kensuke , Wittneben Julia , Abou-Ayash Samir 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Objectives
To analyze the retention forces between primary and secondary telescopic crowns milled from various materials and to compare them with the retention forces between cast telescopic crowns made of precious metal alloys.

Materials and methods
Primary and secondary crowns (N = 60; n = 10 per group) were fabricated using various material combinations (1: zirconia [ZIR]/polyether ether ketone [PEEK]; 2: titanium grade IV [TI]/PEEK; 3: PEEK/PEEK; 4: non-precious alloy [NPA]/PEEK; 5:NPA/NPA), while precious alloy (PA) was used for the control group (6: PA/PA). The retention forces at 10, 1000, 5000, and 10,000 connection and disconnection cycles and the relative weights were analyzed, applying nonparametric repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc Mann–Whitney and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (α < 0.05).

Results
Globally, significant differences in the retention forces among the materials (p < 0.0001), time points (p < 0.0001), and wear resistance for the various materials (p < 0.0001) were observed. No significant changes in retention forces compared to baseline were observed in groups 2, 4, 5, and 6. A significantly higher weight loss for both primary and secondary crowns was observed in groups 4 and 6.

Conclusions
The material combination in telescopic attachments influences retention forces and wear. Interactions between materials and time were evident, indicating that the change in retention forces differs among the materials. The combinations of milled TI/PEEK and NPA/NPA qualify for further preclinical testing in a more clinically realistic setup, determining a material-specific double-crown design.

Clinical relevance
The design of precious alloy telescopic crowns cannot be directly transferred to other milled material combinations due to different retention behaviors.
$$H^1$$-conforming finite element cochain complexes and commuting quasi-interpolation operators on Cartesian meshes
Authors: Bonizzoni Francesca , Kanschat Guido 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA finite element cochain complex on Cartesian meshes of any dimension based on the $$H^1$$

H
1

-inner product is introduced. It yields $$H^1$$

H
1

-conforming finite element spaces with exterior derivatives in $$H^1$$

H
1

. We use a tensor product construction to obtain $$L^2$$

L
2

-stable projectors into these spaces which commute with the exterior derivative. The finite element complex is generalized to a family of arbitrary order.
The First Droplet in a Cloud Chamber Track
Authors: Schonfeld Jonathan F. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn a cloud chamber, the quantum measurement problem amounts to explaining the first droplet in a charged-particle track; subsequent droplets are explained by Mott’s 1929 wave-theoretic argument about collision-induced wavefunction collimation. I formulate a mechanism for how the first droplet in a cloud chamber track arises, making no reference to quantum measurement axioms. I look specifically at tracks of charged particles emitted in the simplest slow decays, because I can reason about rather than guess the form that wave packets take. The first visible droplet occurs when a randomly occurring, barely-subcritical vapor droplet is pushed past criticality by ionization triggered by the faint wavefunction of the emitted charged particle. This is possible because potential energy incurred when an ionized vapor molecule polarizes the other molecules in a droplet can balance the excitation energy needed for the emitted charged particle to create the ion in the first place. This degeneracy is a singular condition for Coulombic scattering, leading to infinite or near-infinite ionization cross sections, and from there to an emergent Born rule in position space, but not an operator projection as in the projection postulate. Analogous mechanisms may explain canonical quantum measurement behavior in detectors such as ionization chambers, proportional counters, photomultiplier tubes or bubble chambers. This work is important because attempts to understand canonical quantum measurement behavior and its limitations have become urgent in view of worldwide investment in quantum computing and in searches for super-rare processes (e.g., proton decay).
What Is Frailty? Perspectives from Chinese Clinicians and Older Immigrants in New Zealand
Authors: Cheung Gary , Gee Susan , Jamieson Hamish , Berger Ulrich 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis qualitative study explores the meanings of frailty held by Chinese New Zealanders and Chinese health care professionals with the aim of identifying commonalities as well as potential differences. Two guided focus groups with Mandarin and Cantonese speaking older adults (n = 10), one individual interview with a English speaking older Chinese, and one focus group with Chinese New Zealand health care professionals (n = 7) were held to obtain views on frailty in older adults, followed by transcribing and a thematic qualitative analysis. Three main themes emerged: (1) Frailty is marked by ill-health, multiple chronic and unstable medical comorbidities, and is a linked with polypharmacy; (2) Frailty can involve physical weakness, decline in physical function such as reduced mobility or poor balance, and declining cognitive function; and (3) Frailty is associated with psychological and social health including depression, reduced motivation, social isolation, and loss of confidence. The perspectives of frailty that emerged are congruent with a multi-dimensional concept of frailty that has been described in both Chinese and non-Chinese medical research literature.
Explicationist Epistemology and the Explanatory Role of Knowledge
Authors: Olsson Erik J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIt has been argued that much of contemporary epistemology can be unified under Carnap’s methodology of explication, which originated in the neighboring field of philosophy of science. However, it is unclear to what extent epistemological theories that emphasize the explanatory role of knowledge fit into this picture, Kornblith’s natural kind epistemology and Williamson’s knowledge first approach being cases in point. In this connection, I raise three questions. Can we harvest the insights of these approaches without loss in the more standard and less idiosyncratic explicationist framework? Can we do so without falling prey to prominent criticism raised against those approaches? Finally, do the approaches come out as coherent under an explicationist rendering? I argue that in Kornblith’s case the answer to all three questions is essentially in the affirmative. Much of the knowledge first approach is also translatable into explicationism. However, from that perspective, Williamson’s central argument for treating knowledge as undefinable, referring to persistent yet unsuccessful attempts to solve the Gettier problem, amounts to an overreaction to that problem. Leaving explicationism aside, I ask, in the penultimate section, what Williamson’s own philosophical method really amounts to.
Design and characterization of 3D printed, neomycin-eluting poly-L-lactide mats for wound-healing applications
Authors: Singh Mahima , Jonnalagadda Sriramakamal 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study evaluates the suitability of 3D printed biodegradable mats to load and deliver the topical antibiotic, neomycin, for up to 3 weeks in vitro. A 3D printer equipped with a hot melt extruder was used to print bandage-like wound coverings with porous sizes appropriate for cellular attachment and viability. The semicrystalline polyester, poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) was used as the base polymer, coated (post-printing) with polyethylene glycols (PEGs) of MWs 400 Da, 6 kDa, or 20 kDa to enable manipulation of physicochemical and biological properties to suit intended applications. The mats were further loaded with a topical antibiotic (neomycin sulfate), and cumulative drug-release monitored for 3 weeks in vitro. Microscopic imaging as well as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies showed pore dimensions of 100 × 400 µm. These pore dimensions were achieved without compromising mechanical strength; because of the “tough” individual fibers constituting the mat (Young’s Moduli of 50 ± 20 MPa and Elastic Elongation of 10 ± 5%). The in vitro dissolution study showed first-order release kinetics for neomycin during the first 20 h, followed by diffusion-controlled (Fickian) release for the remaining duration of the study. The release of neomycin suggested that the ability to load neomycin on to PLLA mats increases threefold, as the MW of the applied PEG coating is lowered from 20 kDa to 400 Da. Overall, this study demonstrates a successful approach to using a 3D printer to prepare porous degradable mats for antibiotic delivery with potential applications to dermal regeneration and tissue engineering.
The Role of Worldview in Moral Case Deliberation: Visions and Experiences of Group Facilitators
Authors: Spronk Benita , Widdershoven Guy , Alma Hans 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the role of worldview in moral case deliberation (MCD). MCD is a form of clinical ethics support which aims to assist caregivers in reflection on moral dilemmas, experienced in daily practice. Bioethicists acknowledge that existential and religious aspects must be taken into account in the analysis of ethical questions, but it remains unclear how these elements are addressed in clinical ethics support. We investigated how facilitators of MCD address worldview in MCD. MCD facilitation is often done by spiritual caregivers, but not in their role as spiritual caregiver. Discussing worldview is no standard part of the procedure in MCD. This study was qualitative, focusing on the views and experiences of the facilitators of MCD. Semi-structured interviews (N = 12) were conducted with facilitators of MCD. Grounded theory was used for analysis. The results show that worldview plays both an explicit and an implicit role in the MCD process. The explicit role concerns the religious beliefs of patients and professionals. This calls for avoiding stereotyping and devoting attention to different visions. The implicit role comes to the fore in addressing core values and spiritual fulfillment. In order to clarify the fundamental nature of values, more explicit attention for worldview might be useful during MCD. However, this should be done with caution as the term ‘worldview’ might be interpreted by participants in terms of religious and personal beliefs, rather than as an invitation to reflect on one’s view of the good life as a whole.
Ensemble-Based Seismic and Production Data Assimilation Using Selection Kalman Model
Authors: Conjard Maxime , Grana Dario 
Published: April 2021

AbstractData assimilation in reservoir modeling often involves model variables that are multimodal, such as porosity and permeability. Well established data assimilation methods such as ensemble Kalman filter and ensemble smoother approaches, are based on Gaussian assumptions that are not applicable to multimodal random variables. The selection ensemble smoother is introduced as an alternative to traditional ensemble methods. In the proposed method, the prior distribution of the model variables, for example the porosity field, is a selection-Gaussian distribution, which allows modeling of the multimodal behavior of the posterior ensemble. The proposed approach is applied for validation on a two-dimensional synthetic channelized reservoir. In the application, an unknown reservoir model of porosity and permeability is estimated from the measured data. Seismic and production data are assumed to be repeatedly measured in time and the reservoir model is updated every time new data are assimilated. The example shows that the selection ensemble Kalman model improves the characterisation of the bimodality of the model parameters compared to the results of the ensemble smoother.
The Berezin Transform of Toeplitz Operators on the Weighted Bergman Space
Authors: Tong Cezhong , Li Junfeng , Arroussi Hicham 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we obtain some interesting reproducing kernel estimates and some Carleson properties that play an important role. We characterize the bounded and compact Toeplitz operators on the weighted Bergman spaces with Békollé-Bonami weights in terms of Berezin transforms. Moreover, we estimate the essential norm of them assuming that they are bounded.