Ultimate Issue Research Articles

Emerging Role of p‐Block Element in Catalyzing Electrochemical NOx Reduction to Ammonia: A Theoretical Perspective

AbstractFixing earth‐abundant nitrogen elements into essential compounds is one of the ultimate issues for mankind. Electrochemical nitrogen fixation is regarded as promising to replace the Haber‐Bosch (HB) process at current stage. However, direct fixation of N2 is found skeptical recently due to the stable chemical properties of N2 molecule. In this regard, the more reactive nitrogen oxides (NOx) species came to light as an alternative of nitrogen sources. Since NOx species is one of the most prevalent pollutants in wastewater, it is also desired that NOx reduction can transform these detrimental ingredients into value‐added products such as ammonia. Like other chemical reactions, the performance of electrochemical NOx reduction to ammonia (eNOxRA) has a strong relation with the performance of catalysts. Previously, catalyst design of eNOxRA is dominantly based on transition metals. The role of p‐block elements in eNOxRA is not fully realized until very recent years. In this perspective, the up‐to‐date advances of p‐block‐contained catalysts in eNOxRA are concluded, with the role of p‐block elements specifically classified and discussed. Several strategies are also introduced to delicately investigate the interaction between p‐block elements and NOx species. At the end, some dilemmas and potential opportunities are proposed to achieve a more comprehensive understanding toward developing high‐efficient p‐block electrocatalyst for NOxRA.

On the Criminal Expert Witness and the Ultimate Issue Principle

On the Criminal Expert Witness and the Ultimate Issue Principle

Tangible traces of language ideologies

Abstract As the last issue of the Belgian Journal of Linguistics (BJL), this volume delves into linguistic ideologies. Language usage and the evaluations we make about it are intricately intertwined: even in the absence of visual cues of the speaker or writer, we intuitively develop perceptions about the sociolinguistic context of our interlocutor. The language employed often offers subtle hints about their age, gender, or social and regional origins. Particularly in spoken discourse, we find ourselves assessing not just their accent, but also forming impressions about the individual’s likability, perceived arrogance or intelligence, and various other attributes. Similar to its predecessors spanning 36 volumes, the content of this ultimate issue of the BJL is diverse, encompassing historical sources that shed light on language ideologies of bygone eras, insights from the language classroom, and perspectives from everyday language users.

Unwritten Constitutional Principles: Ensuring Consistency and Evolution in Canadian Law

With reference to the Supreme Court case City of Toronto v. Ontario (Attorney General) and decisions from Reference re Secession of Quebec and other legal cases, unwritten constitutional principles are defined, and their nature as being foundational to Canadian legal practice is highlighted. This paper discusses the nature of unwritten constitutional principles and their role in Canadian legal practice. The textualization of these principles can be considered redundant as they are observed in both the judiciary and the legislature. This paper also emphasizes arguments for why the origins of these specific legal principles are being referenced. The ultimate issue is that there must be an attempt by relevant actors to maintain consistency of the law and the treatment of Canadians - the judiciary or the legislature, or both, can take this action.

Legal issues pertaining to the collection of sociodemographic data in emergency departments.

Legal issues pertaining to the collection of sociodemographic data in emergency departments.

Abstract P5-07-02: Embryo utilization in young breast cancer patients who have undergone egg harvesting for fertility preservation

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Much progress has been made related to fertility preservation in women diagnosed with breast cancer. This includes heightened awareness of impaired fertility due to breast cancer treatment, increased referrals to fertility specialists and development of safe and expeditious means of egg harvesting. Nevertheless, there has been limited investigation of the ultimate issue in fertility preservation, namely the frequency with which women who have undergone egg harvesting actually pursue childbearing. We have retrospectively reviewed a single institution’s experience with egg and embryo utilization among patients who expressly desired childbearing and underwent egg harvesting after a diagnosis of breast cancer. These issues have also been analyzed relative to race and insurance coverage. METHODS: In an IRB approved study, breast cancer patients treated in our institution between 2010 and 2020 were identified and their post-diagnosis fertility and childbearing history was reviewed. Inclusion criteria were age at presentation ≤ 45 years and diagnosis of either invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ. Race (self-reported on clinic intake form) and insurance coverage data were analyzed. In cases of incomplete medical record data, we interviewed patients by telephone. RESULTS: 316 breast cancer patients of reproductive age were identified (average age at diagnosis = 39 years, range: 23 - 45). Of these, 168 patients (53%) were offered fertility referral and 118 (38%) saw a fertility specialist. 91 patients (29%) pursued egg harvesting followed by cryopreservation of eggs in 49 cases and embryos in 41 with 1 case unknown. Over an average of 5 years of follow-up (range: 2 - 12 years), 28 women (31% of those who pursued egg harvesting) utilized the egg or embryo to pursue childbearing. 17 underwent embryo transfer to themselves and 11 used surrogate carriers. To date, this has resulted in 20 childbirths from 24 pregnancies. Four pregnancies are currently ongoing and 1 woman is awaiting embryo transfer. Four patients who had undergone egg harvesting conceived without fertility intervention. Of the 55 Medicaid patients of reproductive age diagnosed with breast cancer, only 8 (15%) met with a fertility specialist, 4 harvested eggs, and none pursued childbearing. HMO/PPO insured patients were significantly more likely than Medicaid patients to pursue egg harvesting and embryo utilization (X2 = 7.320, df = 2, p = 0.026). Of 260 HMO/PPO insured patients, 110 (42%) met with a fertility expert, 87 harvested eggs and 28 pursued embryo transfer. Due to the small sample size of patients who utilized embryos in each racial subgroup, analysis did not yield statistically significant differences across groups (p=0.067). Nevertheless, apparent racial disparities exist. Our data reveal that 5 of 17 (29%) Asian patients and 22 of 62 (36%) White patients utilized embryos as opposed to Black patients (1/4 or 25%), Hispanic patients (0/4 or 0%) and those who identified their race as “other” (1/4 or 25%). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate a low overall rate of cryopreserved egg and embryo utilization among women treated for breast cancer whose earlier pursuit of egg harvesting was evidence of a desire for childbearing. Furthermore, racial and insurance data demonstrate disparities in the pursuit of fertility treatment and utilization of preserved eggs and embryos. Further research will utilize interviews to analyze individual women’s decision-making process relevant to such issues as hormone therapy utilization, concerns about breast cancer recurrence, progression of disease and restraints imposed by relationship status and finances. Given the disparity findings reported here, finances will likely emerge as a significant barrier to childbearing in future qualitative research. Citation Format: Christina Weltz, Daniella Nevid, Alison Pruzan, Elisa Port, Ronald Couri. Embryo utilization in young breast cancer patients who have undergone egg harvesting for fertility preservation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-02.

공익목적 개인위치정보 활용의 원칙과 한계

The COVID-19 pandemic situation shows an aspect of accelerating the digital transformation, which has been discussed as the goal of government policy. This transformation process not only enhances individual freedom, but also induces restrictions and controls aimed at the public interest. This article focuses on the legislative issue surrounding the disclosure and utilization of movement information about confirmed patients, which was a problem during the recent COVID-19 pandemic period. Controversy over government guidelines surrounding the disclosure of the movement about confirmed patients made it clear that it is not simply whether such administrative measures complied with legal requirements, but that the balance between public interest values and private values of privacy is important. Based on this premise, this article reviewed the problems of the discourse on the use of personal data or personal location data for public interest purposes in terms of legislative technique. Korea's Personal Data Protection Act frequently utilizes very convenient legislative technique in setting comprehensive exceptions for the purpose of public interest. In conclusion, the ultimate issue in the use of personal data for public interest is not the protection of identification information and its exceptions, but whether or not the privacy and private life of the data subject can be practically protected. Nonetheless, the current legislation focuses only on establishing a comprehensive exception category in terms of legislative technique. In order to overcome these problems and develope legislation for privacy protection in the new era, it is necessary to devise new legislative technique that can reflect the request for change.

Eco-Friendly Sustainable Synthesis of Graphene Quantum Dots from Biowaste as a Highly Selective Sensor.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have generated a great deal of scientific interest due to their bright fluorescence, good biocompatibility, minimal toxicity and fascinating physicochemical features. However, the ultimate issues regarding the acidic contaminations and high synthesis cost of GQDs remain open challenges for their real-world applications. Herein, we report an eco-friendly, acid-free and sustainable method for the preparation of GQDs using a cost-efficient, and renewable carbon source, ‘biomass-waste’, which simultaneously solves the risk of contamination from strong acids and high expenditure initiated by expensive precursors. The results demonstrate that GQDs possess a size range of 1–5 nm with an average size of ~3 ± 0.4 nm and a thickness of ~1 nm consisting of 1–3 layers of graphene. As-prepared GQDs demonstrate fascinating size-dependent optical properties and considerable surface grafting. Due to their intriguing optical properties, these GQDs are employed as fluorescence probes to detect ferric ions. A focused and sensitive sensor is developed with a detection limit down to 0.29 µM. This study emphasizes the need for using a reasonably green process and an inexpensive biomass precursor to create high-value GQDs that hold great potential for use in photocatalytic, bioimaging and real-world sensing applications.

Flexible obturator in neonates with unilateral cleft lip and palate: Two case reports

Inborn cleft lip and palate is utmost encountered craniofacial anomaly. The ultimate issue a newborn with cleft lip and palate faces is the crisis in feeding, nasal puke and choking which additionally leads to nutrition scarcity and ultimately affects the overall grown of an infant. Feeding obturator bridges the space and facilitates feeding. This clinical case series demonstrates construction of a flexible obturator in 18 days old and 2 months old baby with cleft lip and palate. (Veau type III)

Waking During Pregnancy: Literature Review

There is no agreement among researchers whether exercise is salutary during pregnancy. Utmost studies report that physical activity poses no trouble to either pregnant woman or her fetus. On the other hand, walking is the most generally chosen type of physical activity during pregnancy where it provides several health benefits to the lady and her baby. Standard quest procedures were followed to determine sources from the literature specific to walking during pregnancy for use in this review. Included studies were presented narratively, and appraisal of their methodological quality was conducted using the Jadad quality assessment tool. Walking found to be useful in easing gravidity- related pain and psychological symptoms and reducing gestational weight gain. Nevertheless, inconsistencies in findings between studies hamper the delineation of establishment conclusions on these ultimate issues. Overall, studies demonstrated a positive effect of physical exertion interventions on the well- being and physical and psychological health of pregnant women. Future studies are encouraged and advised to utilise well recognised assessment tools. Community and antenatal health programs advocated to recommend physical activity and exercise during pregnancy.

Inroads into the Ultimate Issue Rule? Structural Elements of Communication between Experts and Fact-Finders

One of the most persistent questions in criminal evidence relates to the use of (unchallenged) expert evidence. What does it mean to accept or reject (unchallenged) expert evidence? To what extent can, and should, an expert enter jurisprudential territory? Is the traditional model of trial by jury viable in our complex world? In order to clarify these pressing questions, we will examine the evidential structure underpinning expert witness testimony. We will show that what we usually and, at the cost of oversimplification, call ‘evidence’, comprises three distinct questions: ( i) What does the data show? ( ii) What should we believe? ( iii) What should we do? From this insight, a number of corollaries fall into place. First, although decisions have to be informed through reasoned inferential procedures, they cannot be reduced to scientific propositions. As a result, fact-finders do not need to cede their decision-making prerogative as some proponents of expert-driven decision-making suggest. Secondly, criminal liability is not a scientific conclusion. Rather, so our argument, it is an individualistic normative construction that involves an inferential leap which is not warranted by any scientific (i.e. general) proposition. For the rectitude of the criminal verdict (or indeed any legal decision) does not map logically onto the possible treatment of scientific findings, that is, acceptance/rejection. Thirdly, our clarification of this evidential structure, which we call coherent decisionalism, provides a conceptual framework to understand and stabilise case law on expert witness testimony.

The strange persistence of (source) “identification” claims in forensic literature through descriptivism, diagnosticism and machinism

Many forensic scientists consider that identification (individualisation) – in the sense of statements of the kind “the questioned item and the known item come from the same source” – is a concept that is central to their discipline. This is so despite decade-long, fundamental critiques levelled by both practitioners and academics against the conceptual and practical feasibility of forensic identification. Oddly, there is a constant stream of publications in (peer-reviewed) forensic science journals that treat forensic identification axiomatically as a valid object of study, sidestepping the fundamental critiques. This paper reviews and discusses three exemplary strands of publications that exemplify this persistent trend. These strands are called descriptivism, diagnosticism and machinism. The latter term refers to methods borrowed from the now increasingly popular approaches used in the field of machine learning. In turn, descriptivism and diagnosticism refer to general design aspects of mainstream research methods, illustrated here through a critical review of two recent papers on, respectively, forensic odontology and a framework for interpreting fingerprint evidence. The critique of the use of ‘identification’ in these strands of publication includes, but goes beyond, semantic details and the reiteration of long-known shortcomings of obsolete technical language such as ‘match’ and ‘matching’. Specifically, this paper exposes deeper problems such as the subtle and argumentatively unfounded carrying-over of source conclusions to ultimate issues and the use probability concepts for questions that require more than the mere quantification of uncertainty. This paper submits that in order to foster trust in an era of continually expanding publishing activities, it should be a vital interest to forensic science journals to better examine what identification-related research can and cannot legitimately purport to achieve.

Statistical evidence and sudden infant death syndrome

tatistical evidence is one of the prima facie tools used in the courtroom in common law jurisdictions. This paper is a case study aimed at describing the role of expert statistical evidence and how it influenced the outcome of the Sally Clark case.Sally Clark, a solicitor by profession, who was wrongly convicted and imprisoned by the Chester Crown Court in England in 1999 for the alleged murder of her two children. The prosecution’s expert witness Professor Sir Roy Meadow, a consultant paediatrician, claimed in his statistical evidence that “the probability of two sudden infant death syndrome cases (SIDS) in one family matching the profile of the appellant was 1 in 73 million.”Though upon appeal the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) quashed the appellant’s conviction in 2003, it brought to the fore the application of statistics in the courtroom and its overall impact on the justice system. It is revealed that statistical evidence should not be used to establish the truth of an ultimate issue with scientific certainty. Expert witnesses should not adduce evidence recklessly. The use of any far-reaching statistics as evidence requires the services of experts with competence in medical statistics. The criminal justice system has a huge task of exposing true child abusers. But the socio-economic cost of wrongful conviction of accused parents of SIDS cases is immense. Tragically, Sally Clark never came to terms with her wrongful conviction and in 2007 drank herself to death.

"I, SNOWMAN" – with a child into a world of difficult, existential and ultimate issues

The aim of the article is to present a theatrical performance for children Ja, Bałwan (I, Snowman) as an introduction of the youngest audience to the sphere of thanatology - passing away, death, accompanying the dying. In the research analysing of the content of the play is used to interpret it in the context of philosophical considerations of M. Heidegger, K. Jaspers and E. Levinas concerning death, dying, inevitability and existence and its end. In the context of the mentioned above performance, the issues of: death as a border situation, tanatopaedagogy, "my" death and death of the another, responsibility for the dying, accompanying in dying, the purpose of life and dying as its inevitable end have been discussed in the article. Based on the of the above mentioned philosophers’ thoughts about death and the concepts of specialists in the field of thanatopaedagogy, it was concluded that the content of the analysed performance and the way it deals with the subject of passing away and the end of existence may contribute to the disenchantment and taming of death and the implementation of the general assumptions of tanatopaedagogy as well as humanistic education.

Minor or adult? Introducing decision analysis in forensic age estimation

Nowadays, forensic age estimation takes an important role in worldwide forensic and medico-legal institutes that are solicited by judicial or administrative authorities for providing an expert report on the age of individuals. The authorities’ ultimate issue of interest is often the probability that the person is younger or older than a given age threshold, which is usually the age of majority. Such information is fundamental for deciding whether a person being judged falls under the legal category of an adult. This is a decision that may have important consequences for the individual, depending on the legal framework in which the decision is made. The aim of this paper is to introduce a normative approach for assisting the authority in the decision-making process given knowledge from available findings reported by means of probabilities. The normative approach proposed here has been acknowledged in the forensic framework, and represents a promising structure for reasoning that can support the decision-making process in forensic age estimation. The paper introduces the fundamental elements of decision theory applied to the specific case of age estimation, and provides some examples to illustrate its practical application.

Micro finance in sharia rural banks in Indonesia: a case study

This paper aimed to identify the implementation of micro finance in sharia rural banks in West Java province, Indonesia. Furthermore, this study attempted to investigate issues found and the solution to them. Six out of 13 sharia rural banks in West Java, Indonesia were selected to be the subjects of the study. The selected banks were claimed to be able to represent urban and rural areas of the bank location. In addition, several experts and practitioners in related fields were also invited to be interviewed and attend a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Based on the results of the study, it was found that the sharia rural banks found funding resource to be their ultimate issues in dealing with micro finance causing the shift in selecting customers from all people from low social class to those with fixed income. In addition, sharia rural banks also faced a tough competition with conventional banks, sharia banks, and sharia business units in having micro finance activities. There have been several efforts made to increase the quality of implementation of the micro finance yet the support from the government is still low. It is expected that the government creates such an effective system so that micro finance run by the sharia rural banks can be more effective.

2228-PUB: Utilizing a Diverse Stakeholder Group to Build a Patient-Centered Type 1 Diabetes Research Agenda

Engaging patient’s in the research process is essential as it creates self-awareness, increases a collective understanding of needs and views, and allows for active participation in healthcare decisions. This stakeholder driven project aimed to develop a patient-centered research model to identify stakeholders of type 1 diabetes (T1D) for addressing the needs of patients and families in rural communities. From project inception, investigators used an innovative approach of incorporating stakeholders in the entire research process. A four-step engagement plan using the Methods in Community-Based Participatory Research for Health guided the project. In the first strategy, assessment of both personal and institutional capacities for active collaboration was completed. Specifically, the project lead (researcher, healthcare provider, and mother of a child with type 1 diabetes), caregiver, and advocacy organization executive met to discuss strengths and weaknesses and how to effectively collaborate. Next, identification of potential partners ensued with new and established networks, associations, and community leaders. We completed this step through years of networking and becoming involved within the community. Reframing the ultimate health issue for research was the third strategy. This was a dynamic, interactive process guided by a diverse group of stakeholder perspectives across two states in the development of a patient-centered research plan. Finally, developing and nurturing the sustained partnerships established between researchers and community partners was accomplished in strategy four. Specifically, the team developed a group process contract that allowed for fluctuation to meet individual and group needs. These relationships were built through sustained T1D community presence and networking. This shared decision-making process resulted in trust, accountability, and stakeholder empowerment while ensuring that individual’s voices were heard. Disclosure V.D. Jewell: None. A.A. Abbott: None. Funding Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (10443-CU)

A review of likelihood ratios in forensic science based on a critique of Stiffelman “No longer the Gold standard: Probabilistic genotyping is changing the nature of DNA evidence in criminal trials”

Stiffelman [1] gives a broad critique of the application of likelihood ratios (LRs) in forensic science, in particular their use in probabilistic genotyping (PG) software. These are discussed in this review.LRs do not infringe on the ultimate issue. The Bayesian paradigm clearly separates the role of the scientist from that of the decision makers and distances the scientist from comment on the ultimate and subsidiary issues.LRs do not affect the reasonable doubt standard. Fact finders must still make decisions based on all the evidence and they must do this considering all evidence, not just that given probabilistically.LRs do not infringe on the presumption of innocence. The presumption of innocence does not equate with a prior probability of zero but simply that the person of interest (POI) is no more likely than anyone else to be the donor.Propositions need to be exhaustive within the context of the case. That is, propositions deemed relevant by either defense or prosecution which are not fanciful must not be omitted from consideration.

CFD Analysis of Aerodynamic Drag Reduction in Heavy Vehicles by Changing its Frontal Area: Techinical Note

Nowadays, fuel efficiency of heavy vehicles became an ultimate issue to the manufacturing and design engineers. The best approach to reduce the fuel consumption is to improve the aerodynamic performance of vehicle. This can be achieved by reducing the drag, because drag coefficient is directly proportional with the fuel consumption. Design engineers trying to improve the heavy vehicle’s performance by manipulating various parameters such as engine parameters, weigh, rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. In this project, efforts were made to increase the aerodynamic performance by changing the frontal area of the container. Computational analysis was carried out at various velocities (50km/hr, 60km/hr, and 70km/hr) by changing the frontal area of the container in heavy vehicles. Different truck geometries were done using CATIA V5 and the simulations were done using ANSYS CFX software. Results were obtained and comparative studies were made. As a result of comparisons between various designs, the cowl of 2h dimension shows better results in reducing the drag when compared with the other designs.

The Ultimate Opinion Rule and Forensic Science Identification

For decades, scientists, statisticians, psychologists, and lawyers have urged forensic scientists who compare handwriting, fingerprints, fibers, shoeprints, tool¬marks, paint chips, and other items to change their ways. At last it seems that “[t]he traditional assumption that items like [these] have unique patterns that allow experts to accurately determine their source . . . is being replaced by a new logic of forensic reporting.” With the dissemination of “probabilistic genotyping” software that generates “likelihood ratios” for DNA evidence, the logic is making its way into U.S. courts. Recently, however, the Justice Department’s Senior Advisor on Forensic Science commented on a connection between prominent statements endorsing the new logic and an old rule of evidence concerning “ultimate issues.” He suggested that “some people . . . would like to pretend that [Federal Rule of Evidence 704] doesn't exist, but it actually goes against that school of thought.” This essay considers the nexus between Rule 704 and forensic-science testimony, old and new. It concludes that the rule does not apply to all source attributions, and even when it does, it supplies no affirmative reason to admit them over likelihood statements. In ruling on objections to traditional source attributions, courts would be remiss to think that Rule 704 favors this type of opinion testimony over the newer evidence-centric statements.