A near-field study on the transition from localized to propagating plasmons on 2D nano-wedges

In this manuscript we report on a near-feld study of two-dimensional plasmonic gold nano-wedges using electron energy loss spectroscopy in combination with scanning transmission electron microscopy, as well as discontinuous Galerkin time-domain computations. With increasing nano-wedge size, we observe a transition from localized surface plasmons on small nano-wedges to non-resonant propagating surface plasmon polaritons on large nano-wedges. Furthermore we demonstrate that nano-wedges with a groove cut can support localized as well as propagating plasmons in the same energy range

Business and human rights in the data economy: A mapping and research study

Digitalization is gaining importance rapidly. However, neither companies nor states have yet developed a sufficient understanding of the data economy’s human rights impacts. The study suggests that addressing the corporate responsibility of technology companies through a business and human rights lens has the benefit of anchoring the debate in internationally established norms and universally accepted human rights. Furthermore, discussing human rights in the data economy from this angle opens the possibility for companies to use or learn from managerial toolkits that have already been developed in this field

Business and human rights in the data economy : a mapping and research study

This study identifies novel challenges for human rights protection emerging from data-driven business conduct. It offers an overview of the current policy debate and emerging best practices for business to mitigate the impacts of data-driven business on human rights. A strong emphasis lies on the dynamic interlinkages between human rights issues in a data ecosystem, in particular addressing systemic bias in data models and establishing genuine stakeholder engagement. This mapping study serves as a conversation starter and aims at raising awareness regarding the data economy’s impact on human rights. On the one hand, the study could be used in a public policy context, e.g. to convince ministerial staff that “digital” human rights issues should also be part of National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, or why the EU Digital Strategy can benefit from a rights-based approach. On the other hand, companies can use the study to engage in a dialogue with senior management on why a rights-based approach is relevant and should be mainstreamed across business, e.g. for a product counsel or a public affairs specialist. The study thus provides exploratory guidance for human rights impact and risk assessments and human rights due diligence. It addresses some core phenomena and technologies of the data economy and situates them within the social, cultural, and political contexts that explain their effects on human rights. The study presents the following key recommendations: − Business needs a life cycle approach to capture emerging and systemic human rights problems. This would allow it to identify, address and eradicate systematic distortions that have negative impacts on human rights in datafied environments. “Data universalism” needs to be replaced with context-specific, robust human rights due diligence processes that keep companies’ local embeddedness in mind. − Civil society may need to develop new methods to hold companies accountable for “digital” human rights violations. This point is closely connected to the public policy debate on the state duty to protect human rights, including digital rights. − Policymakers should take digital rights into account in policy proposals on human rights due diligence for business and revisit whether existing protection can still cover emerging digital issues. Legislators should strengthen digital rights in the coming years and strategically connect them to other legislative debates on human rights due diligence. This mapping can serve as a basis for a deeper examination of what all actors-states, companies, civil society organizations, national human rights institutions-can do to guarantee that digitalization and technological progress go hand in hand with the enjoyment and protection of human rights

Lower Vibrio spp. abundances in Zostera marina leaf canopies suggest a novel ecosystem function for temperate seagrass beds

Seagrasses, a polyphyletic group of about 60 marine angiosperm species, are the foundation of diverse and functionally important marine habitats along sheltered sedimentary coasts. As a novel ecological function with high societal relevance, a role of the seagrass leaf canopy for reducing potentially harmful bacteria has recently been hypothesized in tropical regions, but data for temperate regions are lacking. Here, we tested whether or not the abundance of general bacteria and more specifically, those belonging to the genus Vibrio were reduced within temperate Zostera marina (eelgrass) meadows compared to adjacent sand flats and sampled 5 sites in the south-western Baltic Sea using SCUBA. Compared to non-vegetated area, we found an average reduction of 39% for all Vibrio and 63% for the potentially harmful V. vulnificus/cholerae subtype based on robust plate counting data on Vibrio selective agar. The underlying mechanism of the reduction in bacterial load is currently elusive and clearly merits further study. Our results underline the critical importance of seagrasses in maintaining shallow water ecosystem functioning including water quality and provide further motivation for their protection and restoration

ERNST: Demonstrating Advanced Infrared Detection from a 12U CubeSat

The ERNST mission will demonstrate complex infrared detection capabilities using a 12U CubeSat platform. ERNST’s main payload is an advanced cryogenically-cooled infrared imager that implicates demanding requirements in terms of power demand, heat dissipation, and vibration response for a nanosatellite. The optical bench that integrates optics, a filter-wheel for switching between spectral bands, and the detector-cooler system has been additively designed and manufactured, giving it a bionic appearance and combined with a highly efficient radiator. An onboard radiation monitor and a COTS camera complete the mission payloads. The ERNST 12U platform is based on high-performance CubeSat subsystems for avionics, UHF, and X-band communication, attitude control, and power management. The commercial components are made compatible through a backplane solution. In-house developments include a fast DPU and an autonomous de-orbit dragsail. The platform provides 30 Watt (OAP) and \u3e6U payload volume. After comprehensive environmental and functional testing of the Engineering Model, the Flight Model is currently being integrated. Starting operations in February 2023, ERNST will verify early warning concepts and technology

Empirische Untersuchung zum Gegenstand nach § 8 Absatz 2 und 3 Wohnungslosenberichterstattungsgesetz

Um in Ergänzung zu der Bundesstatistik untergebrachter wohnungsloser Personen erstmals belastbare Zahlen darüber zu erzielen wie viele Menschen in Deutschland ohne Unterkunft auf der Straße oder in behelfsmäßigen Provisorien übernachten oder in verdeckter Wohnungslosigkeit bei Bekannten oder Angehörigen unterkommen, haben die GISS und Kantar Public auf Grundlage eines dreistufigen Stichprobenverfahrens zwischen dem 1. und 7. Februar 2022 eine repräsentative Auswahl von Wohnungslosen in 151 deutschen Städten und Gemeinden befragt. Die Ergebnisse der Befragung wurden in einem mehrstufigen Verfahren gewichtet und auf das gesamte Bundesgebiet hochgerechnet. Die Studie liefert genauere Informationen zu Zusammensetzung und Soziodemografie der beiden Gruppen von Wohnungslosen und zu wichtigen Aspekten ihrer Lebenslage (Dauer der Wohnungslosigkeit, gesundheitliche Beeinträchtigungen und Gewalterfahrungen, Zugang zu Trinkwasser, Nutzung von Einrichtungen der Notunterbringung)

Seroprevalence and infection fatality rate of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in Denmark:A nationwide serosurveillance study

BACKGROUND: Introduction of the Omicron variant caused a steep rise in SARS-CoV-2 infections despite high vaccination coverage in the Danish population. We used blood donor serosurveillance to estimate the percentage of recently infected residents in the similarly aged background population with no known comorbidity. METHODS: To detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies induced due to recent infection, and not vaccination, we assessed anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) immunoglobulin G (IgG) in blood donor samples. Individual level data on SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results and vaccination status were available. Anti-N IgG was measured fortnightly from January 18 to April 3, 2022. Samples from November 2021 were analysed to assess seroprevalence before introduction of the Omicron variant in Denmark. FINDINGS: A total of 43 088 donations from 35 309 Danish blood donors aged 17–72 years were screened. In November 2021, 1·2% (103/8 701) of donors had detectable anti-N IgG antibodies. Adjusting for test sensitivity (estimates ranging from 74%–81%) and November seroprevalence, we estimate that 66% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 63%–70%) of the healthy, similarly aged Danish population had been infected between November 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022. One third of infections were not captured by SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 6·2 (CI: 5·1–7·5) per 100 000 infections. INTERPRETATION: Screening for anti-N IgG and linkage to national registers allowed us to detect recent infections and accurately assess assay sensitivity in vaccinated or previously infected individuals during the Omicron outbreak. The IFR was lower than during previous waves. FUNDING: The Danish Ministry of Health

Reconstruction of cellular variability from spatiotemporal patterns of Dictyostelium discoideum

Variability in cell properties can be an important driving mechanism behind spatiotemporal patterns in biological systems, as the degree of cell-to-cell differences determines the capacity of cells to locally synchronize and, consequently, form patterns on a larger spatial scale. In principle, certain features of spatial patterns emerging with time may be regulated by variability or, more specifically, by certain constellations of cell-to-cell differences. Similarly, measuring variability in a system (i.e. the spatial distribution of cell-cell differences) may help predict properties of later-stage patterns