How to Develop a GDPR-Compliant Blockchain Solution for Cross-Organizational Workflow Management: Evidence from the German Asylum Procedure

Blockchain technology has the potential to resolve trust concerns in cross-organizational workflows and to reduce reliance on paper-based documents as trust anchors. Although these prospects are real, so is regulatory uncertainty. In particular, the reconciliation of blockchain with Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is proving to be a significant challenge. We tackled this challenge with the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Here, we explain how we used Action Research to guide the Federal Office in creating a GDPR-compliant blockchain solution for the German asylum procedure. Moreover, we explain the architecture of the Federal Office’s solution and present two design principles for developing GDPR-compliant blockchain solutions for cross-organizational workflow management

Highly isotactic polypropene prepared with rac-dimethylsilyl-bis (2-methyl-4-t-butyl-cyclopentadienyl) zirconiumdichloride : an NMR investigation of the polymer microstructure

Isotactic polypropene was prepared using rac-dimethyl-silylbis(2-methyl-4-t-butyl-cyclopentadienyl) zirconiumdichloride (1) and methylalumoxane (MAO) at temperatures between 0 and 80°C and with Al/Zr ratios of 300 and 1500. The polymers, prepared at temperatures below 30°C had melting points of 162°C and above. The chain ends were determined by means of distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT)-NMR spectroscopy. The pentad intensities were corrected according to the chemical shifts of the end groups. The intensity distributions are shown to arise from enantiomorphic site control of the chiral catalyst species

Using Blockchain to Coordinate Federal Processes: The Case of Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees

(a)Situation faced: The German asylum procedure requires close cooperation and information exchange between various authorities at the municipal, state, and federal levels. Federal separation of competencies inhibits the delegation of process governance to a central authority such as the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). This separation also leads to regional differences as federal laws govern the procedure's general steps, whereas state laws govern implementation. Moreover, existing solutions for cross-organizational collaboration are limited in terms of flexibility, security, and data quality. As a result, the exchange of certain data on asylum procedures still occurs using Excel spreadsheets and e-mails.(b)Action taken: Against this backdrop, the BAMF explored technological options that would support the decentralized governance of the asylum procedure. After a preliminary evaluation, the BAMF decided to explore a solution based on blockchain technology. Building upon a successful proof of concept, the BAMF initiated a pilot project with Saxony's central immigration authority. This project aims to develop a blockchain solution that supports the coordination of asylum procedures and can be easily adapted to local differences and functional requirements.(c)Results achieved: The use of the blockchain solution allows for efficient, secure, and timely distribution of status information. It supports communication and improves coordination between authorities. Despite an apparent conflict between blockchain principles and data privacy requirements, the BAMF's design complies with relevant regulation (notably the GDPR). As a first-of-its-kind project, it outlines best practices and provides valuable insights into opportunities and challenges arising from the use of blockchain in the public sector.(d)Lessons learned: The BAMF's case demonstrates that blockchain solutions can be promising alternatives when the delegation of process governance to a central party is not desirable and when federal principles of organization are to be reflected technologically. However, blockchain projects require special attention to managing know-how and capabilities, software development activities, stakeholders, the regulatory context, and cross-organizational governance

Acid‐base imbalances and the association of blood‐gas variables, electrolytes, and biochemical analytes with outcome in hospitalized calves undergoing abdominal surgery

Abstract Background Surgical abdominal emergencies in calves are associated with a guarded prognosis and have the potential for complex metabolic derangements including acid‐base imbalances. Objectives To perform a comprehensive analysis of acid‐base status and to assess the prognostic relevance of preoperative clinicopathologic variables in calves undergoing abdominal surgery. Animals Hospital‐based study samples of 535 (dataset 1; DS1) and 83 calves (dataset 2; DS2). Methods Retrospective (DS1) and prospective (DS2) case series. Results In DS1, acidemia (pH 7.37) was present in 30.7% of calves. Plasma L‐lactate, chloride, and serum inorganic phosphorus concentration accounted for 51.9%, 11.6% and 9.4% of the variation of venous blood pH, respectively. Classification tree analysis indicated that a negative outcome (death or euthanasia during hospitalization) was associated with venous pO2 ≤33.6 mm Hg, anion gap >18.3 and >22.9 mEq/L, serum albumin concentration ≤36.5 and ≤29.4 g/L, serum urea concentration >4.4 mmol/L, and plasma ionized calcium concentration ≤1.26 mmol/L. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of this model was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.82‐0.89, P < .001) and the resulting sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of nonsurvival at the optimal probability cut‐point of 0.5 was 89.8% and 65.7%, respectively. In DS2 the model had a similar sensitivity and specificity of 90.5% and 70%, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Clinicopathologic imbalances and associated changes of acid‐base status are common in calves with surgical abdominal emergencies and have clinical utility for the prediction of a negative postoperative outcome

Elevating the Uses of Storytelling Methods Within Indigenous Health Research: A Critical, Participatory Scoping Review

There is a profoundly troubling history of research being done on Indigenous peoples without regard for their priorities and accompanying calls to decolonize health research. Storytelling methods can privilege Indigenous voices in research. Indigenous people’s knowledge systems have existed for millennium, where knowledge is produced and shared through stories. Our collaborative team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, and Indigenous Elders, patients, healthcare providers, and administrators, conducted a participatory, scoping review to examine how storytelling has been used as a method in Indigenous health research on Turtle Island (North America), Australia, and Aotearoa (New Zealand). We searched key databases and online sources for qualitative and mixed-methods studies that involved Indigenous participants and used storytelling as a method in health research. Reviewers screened abstracts/full texts to confirm eligibility. Narrative data were extracted and synthesized. An intensive collaboration was woven throughout and included gatherings incorporating Indigenous protocol, Elders’ teachings on storytelling, and sharing circles. We included 178 articles and found a diverse array of storytelling approaches and adaptations, along with exemplary practices and problematic omissions. Researchers honoured Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing through careful preparation and community engagement to do storywork, inclusion of Indigenous languages and protocols, and Indigenous initiation and governance. Storytelling centered Indigenous voices, was a culturally relevant and respectful method, involved a healing process, and reclaimed Indigenous stories. But it could result in several challenges when researchers did not meaningfully engage with Indigenous peoples. These findings can guide respectful storytelling research that bridges divergent Indigenous and Western knowledge systems, to decolonize health research