Transparency and Predictability in the Maritime Delimitation Process:Reverse-engineering the Somalia-Kenya Adjudicated Boundary

This article analyses the adjudicated boundary between Somalia and Kenya in the Indian Ocean through an integrated law-and-science approach. Using recent high-resolution satellite imagery and specialised boundary software, it seeks to \u27reverse-engineer\u27 the 12 October 2021 ruling of the International Court of Justice with a particular focus on issues of transparency and predictability. The article highlights how ambiguities in the identification of basepoints underlying an adjudicated boundary and the reliance on a relatively small-scale nautical chart based on dated surveys that does not reflect the physical reality of the relevant coast could undermine the authority of an adjudicated boundary obtained after years of legal proceedings. Addressing the issue of technical support in decision-making on adjudicated boundaries, the article proposes various means to reduce controversies regarding maritime boundary delimitation and to make the delimitation process more transparent and predictable. Keyword

Satellite Water Column Data for Hydrography

Optical-band satellite images selected for satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB) analysis require clear water with low turbidity. As a result, image selection processes exclude images with excess turbidity regardless of cause. Images with water-column turbidity contain valuable information. Under certain conditions, vortex patterns in navigable waters are present in satellite imagery. Although vortex-induced turbidity excludes these images from SDB processing, the presence and shape of these vortices contain information relevant to hydrography. In this observational study, we use two case studies to describe vortex patterns and environmental conditions leading to their formation and then explore novel hydrographic survey applications of these phenomena.Las imágenes satelitales de banda óptica seleccionadas para el análisis debatimetría derivada de satélites (SDB) requieren agua clara con una baja turbidez.Como resultado, los procesos de selección de imágenes excluyen las imágenescon exceso de turbidez, independientemente de la causa.Las imágenes con turbidez en la columna de agua contienen información valiosa.En determinadas condiciones, los patrones de vórtices en aguas navegables estánpresentes en las imágenes satelitales. Aunque la turbidez inducida por losvórtices excluye estas imágenes del procesado SDB, la presencia y la forma deestos vórtices contienen información relevante para la hidrografía. En este estudiode observación, utilizamos dos estudios de casos para describir los patrones delos vórtices y las condiciones ambientales que llevan a su formación y luegoexploramos nuevas aplicaciones de estos fenómenos a los levantamientoshidrográficos.Les images satellitaires en bande optique sélectionnées pour l'analyse de labathymétrie dérivée par satellite (SDB) nécessitent une eau claire et de faibleturbidité. Par conséquent, les processus de sélection d'images excluent les imagesprésentant une turbidité excessive, quelle qu'en soit la cause.Les images qui montrent la turbidité dans la colonne d'eau contiennent desinformations précieuses. Dans certaines conditions, les images satellitairesmontrent des tourbillons dans les eaux navigables. Bien que la turbidité induite parles tourbillons exclue ces images du traitement SDB, la présence et la forme deces tourbillons contiennent des informations pertinentes pour l'hydrographie. Danscette étude basée sur l'observation, nous utilisons deux études de cas pour décrireles configurations des tourbillons et les conditions environnementales qui ontconduit à leur formation, puis nous explorons de nouvelles applications de cesphénomènes pour les levés hydrographiques

Role of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 in Pulmonary Inflammation and Injury Induced by Pneumolysin in Mice

Background: Pneumolysin (PLN) is an intracellular toxin of Streptococcus pneumoniae that has been implicated as a major virulence factor in infections caused by this pathogen. Conserved bacterial motifs are recognized by the immune system by pattern recognition receptors among which the family of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) prominently features. The primary objective of the present study was to determine the role of TLR2 and TLR4 in lung inflammation induced by intrapulmonary delivery of PLN. Methodology/Results: First, we confirmed that purified PLN activates cells via TLR4 (not via TLR2) in vitro, using human embryonic kidney cells transfected with either TLR2 or TLR4. Intranasal administration of PLN induced an inflammatory response in the pulmonary compartment of mice in vivo, as reflected by influx of neutrophils, release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and a rise in total protein concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These PLN-induced responses were dependent in part, not only on TLR4, but also on TLR2, as indicated by studies using TLR deficient mice. Conclusion: These data suggest that although purified PLN is recognized by TLR4 in vitro, PLN elicits lung inflammation i

Whole Body CT Imaging in Deceased Donor Screening for Malignancies

Background. In most western countries, the median donor age is increasing. The incidence of malignancies in older populations is increasing as well. To prevent donor-derived malignancies we evaluated radiologic donor screening in a retrospective donor cohort. Methods. This study analyzes the efficacy of a preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan on detecting malignancies. All deceased organ donors in the Netherlands between January 2013 and December 2017 were included. Donor reports were analyzed to identify malignancies detected before or during organ procurement. Findings between donor screening with or without CT-scan were compared. Results. Chest or abdominal CT-scans were performed in 17% and 18% of the 1644 reported donors respectively. Screening by chest CT-scan versus radiograph resulted in 1.5% and 0.0% detected thoracic malignancies respectively. During procurement no thoracic malignancies were found in patients screened by chest CT compared with 0.2% malignancies in the radiograph group. Screening by abdominal CT-scan resulted in 0.0% malignancies, compared with 0.2% in the abdominal ultrasound group. During procurement 1.0% and 1.3% malignancies were found in the abdominal CT-scan and ultrasound groups, respectively. Conclusions. Screening by CT-scan decreased the perioperative detection of tumors by 30%. A preoperative CT-scan may be helpful by providing additional information on (aberrant) anatomy to the procuring or transplanting surgeon. In conclusion, donor screening by CT-scan could decrease the risk of donor-derived malignancies and prevents unnecessary procurements per year in the Netherlands

Role of eHealth application Oncokompas in supporting self-management of symptoms and health-related quality of life in cancer survivors:a randomised, controlled trial

Background Knowledge about the efficacy of behavioural intervention technologies that can be used by cancer survivors independently from a health-care provider is scarce. We aimed to assess the efficacy, reach, and usage of Oncokompas, a web-based eHealth application that supports survivors in self-management by monitoring health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cancer-generic and tumour-specific symptoms and obtaining tailored feedback with a personalised overview of supportive care options. Methods In this non-blinded, randomised, controlled trial, we recruited patients treated at 14 hospitals in the Netherlands for head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Adult survivors (aged ≥18 years) were recruited through the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) and invited by their treating physician through the Patient Reported Outcomes Following Initial Treatment and Long term Evaluation of Survivorship (PROFILES) registry. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) by an independent researcher to the intervention group (access to Oncokompas) or control group (access to Oncokompas after 6 months), by use of block randomisation (block length of 68), stratified by tumour type. The primary outcome was patient activation (knowledge, skills, and confidence for self-management), assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Linear mixed models (intention-to-treat) were used to assess group differences over time from baseline to 6-month follow-up. The trial is registered in the Netherlands Trial Register, NTR5774 and is completed. Findings Between Oct 12, 2016, and May 24, 2018, 625 (21%) of 2953 survivors assessed for eligibility were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention (320) or control group (305). Median follow-up was 6 months (IQR 6−6). Patient activation was not significantly different between intervention and control group over time (difference at 6-month follow-up 1·7 [95% CI −0·8–4·1], p=0·41). Interpretation Oncokompas did not improve the amount of knowledge, skills, and confidence for self-management in cancer survivors. This study contributes to the evidence for the development of tailored strategies for development and implementation of behavioural intervention technologies among cancer survivors