bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jordan: the Death of Normalization with Israel
Authors: Lucas Russell E.
Published: May 2017

Many would count Jordanian-Israeli normalization among the victims of the new intifada. Three factors, however, had brought about the death of normalization in Jordan well before October 2000: Israeli intransigence, a regime crackdown on the opposition, and the failure of economic benefits
to buy popular support. King Abdullah has inherited a situation where he has turned towards the US rather than Israel as his major foreign policy partner.
An Unexpected Mandate? The April 8, 2004 Algerian Presidential Elections
Authors: Parks Robert P.
Published: May 2017

As part of the Middle East Institute's commitment to promoting and advancing Middle East studies for the next generation, the Institute in late 2003 announced the Mrs. Harley Stevens Award for the best essay on a selected theme by a graduate student at a US University. The Award was
named for Mrs. Harley C. Stevens, a longtime benefactor of the Institute and the Journal, who died last year. The theme chosen for the first competition was democratization in the Middle East, with the essayists encouraged to write on a single case study. Under the terms of the competition,
the Editor of the Journal chose three judges to judge the entrants. The judges were Amy Hawthorne of the Carnegie Endowment, Nathan Brown of George Washington University, and Stephen Buck, former US Foreign Service Officer, also formerly with National Defense University. The judges chose as
the winner of the competition Robert Parks of the University of Texas, who received his award at the Middle East Institute's Annual Conference in the fall. The winning essay appears here.
The Democratic Imperative vs. the Authoritarian Impulse: The Maghrib State Between Transition and Terrorism
Authors: Entelis John P.
Published: May 2017

Despite public promises to the contrary, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia continue to be ruled autocratically even as their civil societies aspire to greater public space. Rather than promoting concrete steps towards democratization including institutionalizing freedom of speech, association,
and pluralistic political practices, the three states of the Maghrib are pursuing survivalist strategies leading to a robust authoritarianism that seems unlikely to be overturned anytime soon. Yet failure to transform authoritarian politics dramatically and decisively into a sustainable democracy
will not only hamper long-term socioeconomic development but, more ominously, foster an environment within which radical forces will emerge to threaten domestic as well as regional and global stability. Current American efforts to promote democratic reform in the region must evolve more imaginatively
if they are to meet the challenge of global terrorism that itself is so deeply embedded within the authoritarian impulse that can only be overcome through the democratic imperative.
Iran's Policy Towards Afghanistan
Authors: Milani Mohsen M.
Published: May 2017

Since 1979, Iran's objectives in Afghanistan have changed as Afghanistan's domestic landscape changed. Still, Iran has consistently sought to see a stable and independent Afghanistan, with Herat as a buffer zone and with a Tehran-friendly government in Kabul, a government that reflects
the rich ethnic diversity of the country. Toward those and other goals, Iran has created “spheres of influence” inside Afghanistan. During the Soviet occupation (1979-88), Iran created an “ideological sphere of influence” by empowering the Shi'ites. Iran then created
a “political sphere of influence” by unifying the Dari/Persian-speaking minorities, who ascended to power. Iranian policies added fuel to the ferocious civil war in the 1990s. Astonishingly slow to recognize the threat posed by the Taliban, Iran helped create a “sphere of
resistance” to counter the “Kabul-Islamabad-Riyadh” axis by supporting the Northern Alliance. Since the liberation of Afghanistan, Iran has also established an “economic sphere of influence” by engaging in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Today, Iran's goals
are to pressure the Afghan government to distance itself from Washington, and for Iran to become the hub for the transit of goods and services between the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, Central Asia, India, and China. While Iran has been guilty of extremism and adventurism in some critical
aspects of its foreign policy, its overall Afghan policy has contributed more to moderation and stability than to extremism and instability.
The Struggle over Political Order in Egypt: The 2005 Elections
Authors: Meital Yoram
Published: May 2017

Although many have dismissed Egypt's first competitive presidential elections and the parliamentary elections of 2005 as a sham, the election campaigns marked a new departure in the Egyptian political sphere, including a shift in the domestic political balance. This article argues that
the convergence of developments in the domestic political arena — including the emergence of new movements — the shifting emphasis of US foreign policy towards democratization, and the emergence of the new Arab media space, give the elections real significance despite the predictability
of the results.
Markets and Fences: Illusions of Peace
Authors: Ben-Porat Guy
Published: May 2017

The resolution of long-term and protracted conflicts requires peace builders to address the underlying structural, relational, and cultural roots of the conflict. But, operating within a two-level game of domestic and international crosspressures, policymakers may opt for shortcuts
that would circumvent the major issues in contention and postpone engagement with the root causes of conflict. Analyzing the operation of Israeli policymakers, this paper identifies two policy paradigms employed in the Palestinian peace process: the neo-liberal reliance on market economy and
the realist position of partition, by agreement or unilaterally. While these paradigms seem to mirror-image each other, it is argued here that both attempted to circumvent the major issues of peace and neglected the structural causes of conflict.
The Notion of a “pre-emptive War:” the Six Day War Revisited
Authors: Kurtulus Ersun N.
Published: May 2017

The article presents a critical assessment of the widespread conceptualization of the June 1967 War between Israel and its neighboring Arab states as a pre-emptive war both in academic and non-academic writing. Tracing the origins of the notion of pre-emptive war to international law,
the article identifies three necessary conditions for such a war to be classified as pre-emptive: acute crisis combined with high alert levels; vulnerable offensive weapons; and strategic parity as regards to offensive capabilities. On the basis of a re-interpretation of the evidence produced
by previous research, this article argues that the circumstances surrounding the Six Day War did not fulfill some of these necessary conditions. This conclusion also is supported by evidence related to the Israeli decision to launch a first strike.
Hamas in Power
Authors: Klein Menachem
Published: May 2017

This article challenges the static approach to Hamas as a simple fundamentalist organization by analyzing its political documents. It shows that Hamas' Islamist ideology has not prevented it from moving from fundamentalism to radicalism. Hamas has innovated ways of allowing its leaders
to declare or acquiesce in political positions that contradict its fundamentalist creed. Hamas accomplished this change in the course of a domestic debate. The international boycott of its government did not create the change — Hamas began to talk in two voices before winning the 2006
elections.
Defect Chemistry and Basic Properties of Non-Stoichiometric PuO2
Authors: Kato Masato , Nakamura Hiroki , Watanabe Masashi , Matsumoto Taku , Machida Masahiko
Published: May 2017

The basic properties of PuO2−x were reviewed, and the equilibrium defects in PuO2−x were evaluated from the experimental data of the oxygen potential and electrical conductivity as well as the Ab-initio calculation results. Consistency among various properties was confirmed, and the mechanistic models for thermal property representations were derived.
MFPR Model Parameters of the Athermal Irradiation-Induced Transport in Nuclear Fuels
Authors: Tarasov Vladimir I. , Polovnikov Pavel V.
Published: May 2017

Atomistic simulations of radiation impact due to collision cascades in oxide and nitride nuclear fuels are performed in this work using combination of Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics techniques. The key parameters of MFPR code models for the athermal self-diffusivity and irradiation-assisted fission product release from fuel are evaluated. The general solution of Olander's integro-differential equation for the knockout mechanism is developed, which allowed extension of the earlier approaches for the long-lived and stable nuclides.
EFL Professional Development: Discussion of Effective Models in Literature
Authors: Almuhammadi Anas
Published: May 2017

This paper explores the professional development literature in the educational setting. The different literature pieces are aligned to a framework that requires effective professional development to focus on three concepts: content, context, and process. The content focuses on the “what” question in the programs while the context aims to align the content with “where” question. The third component is the focus on the process variables that professional development should follow. This paper tries to add to the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) fields’ literature by presenting categorized overview of relevant works. The different theories include adult learning theory, functional theory, multiple intelligences, twenty-one learning styles, the Australian Government Quality Teaching Program (AGQTP) model and model of teacher change.
Gåten Qatar 2022
Authors: Lysa Charlotte
Published: May 2017

Da fifa i 2010 uventet annonserte Qatar som vertsnasjon av vm i fotball i 2022, ble verdens oppmerksomhet umiddelbart rettet mot den lille ørkenstaten. Det autoritære emiratet fremsto som et av de mest usannsynlige vertslandene for det enorme arrangementet, og søknaden om å få holde fotball-vm nærmest som et pr-stunt. Planene var svært ambisiøse, og ett spørsmål dukket raskt opp: Hvorfor?
Islam og demokrati
Authors: Hellestveit Cecilie
Published: May 2017

Kan islam demokratiseres? Eller: Kan demokratiet islamiseres? Og bruker islamistiske partier som er valgt inn i parlamenter demokratiet som en trojansk hest?
"Israel can hardly be a Jewish state and a democracy at the same time"
Authors: Rosmer Tilde
Published: May 2017

Israel should divide religion and politics. Today's system encourages ethnic discrimination towards the Arab Israelis, and having a minority who lives on crumbs is a recipe for political instability and a flawed democracy.
Her hjemme eller der hjemme?
Authors: Christiansen Connie Carøe
Published: May 2017

I kraft af migration kan en landsby udgøre et transnationalt socialt rum. Dermed kan det være forbundet med visse vanskeligheder at forlade sin landsby, ikke mindst i abstrakt forstand. Hjemstavnsforeninger bidrager til at institutionalisere disse rum, men bringer samtidig forskellige migranttyper frem i lyset.
Har økonomisk politikk gjort Saudi-Arabia mer robust overfor fremtidige sjokk?
Authors: Cappelen Ådne , Choudhury Robin
Published: May 2017

Ulikt flere andre land i Midtøsten har ikke Saudi-Arabia blitt rammet av omfattende politisk uro. Økonomisk vekst og aktiv velferdspolitikk kan ha bidratt til en mer stabil politisk situasjon. Krig og misnøye i deler av Midtøsten kan imidlertid spre seg til Saudi-Arabia og true stabiliteten.
Den egyptiske fagbevegelsens rolle for demokratisering
Authors: Kindt Kristian Takvam
Published: May 2017

Den egyptiske fagbevegelsen har organisert over 3500 protester og streiker siden revolusjonen i 2011. Kravene er høyere lønninger og bedre arbeidsforhold. Kan en så militant fagbevegelse uten politiske krav spille en konstruktiv rolle for demokratisering?
Betingelsesløs fred: Forhandlinger i forkledninger
Authors: Jensehaugen Jørgen , Sletteland Anja
Published: May 2017

Siden palestinernes president Mahmoud Abbas forlot 2010-forhandlingene, har Israels statsminister gjentatte ganger invitert ham tilbake til forhandlingsbordet så lenge alle betingelser legges til side. Men «ingen betingelser» er slett ikke et nøytralt utgangspunkt for forhandlinger; det er en velutprøvd israelsk forhandlingsstrategi.
Internasjonalt diplomati i møte med det palestinske flyktningproblemet, 1948-2015
Authors: Heian-Engdal Marte
Published: May 2017

Internasjonalt diplomati i møte med det palestinske flyktningproblemet, 1948-2015
Gjestearbeidere i Golfen: Vår tids slaveri?
Authors: Bye Anne Louise Aartun
Published: May 2017

Menneskerettighetsorganisasjoner har i flere år beskyldt myndighetene i Golf-statene for ikke å ta gjestearbeidernes situasjon alvorlig. Misbruk av tjenestefolk, dårlig sikkerhet på anleggsplasser, barn kjøpt som kameljockeyer, få bevegelsesmuligheter, dårlige levekår og uteblitt lønn er forhold som er blitt trukket frem.
Bosetninger på Vestbredden i fortid og nåtid
Authors: Anfinset Nils
Published: May 2017

Med jødenes tilbakekomst til Israel i årene etter 1900, vokste behovet for å etablere en felles fortid og gjenfinne den tapte identiteten og minnet om israelittene. Arkeologi ble et viktig redskap for å legitimere krav på landområder for ulike politiske og religiøse grupper.
Uro blant de kristne i Libanon
Authors: Karame Kari
Published: May 2017

Etter sederrevolusjonen i 2005 følte majoriteten av Libanons kristne at de hadde oppnådd mange av sine viktigste mål. Men tiden etter Syrias retrett ble også preget av attentater som i hovedsak rammet kristne områder og kristne, antisyriske journalister og politikere. Demografisk utvikling, mangel på samlende ledere og en voksende islamisme gjør at de kristne føler seg stadig mer usikre.
Kurdisk nasjonsbygging i Nord-Irak
Authors: Vindheim Jan Bojer
Published: May 2017

I Nord-Irak har det siden 1991 eksistert en selvstyrt region, Kurdistan, som utgjør en fredelig kontrast til de arabiske delene av Irak. Kurdere over hele verden ser med håp på denne regionen, som det eneste området der kurdere styrer seg selv.
Arabiske kvinners statsborgerskap
Authors: Maktabi Rania
Published: May 2017

Nord-Afrika viser vei for resten av den arabiske verden i drakampen omkring utvidelse av kvinners sivile rettigheter. En kombinasjon av interne forhold og eksternt press har muliggjort reformer innen familierett, og styrket kvinners statsborgerskap det siste tiåret.
«Familien» og nye private medier i Tunesien
Authors: Haugbølle Rikke Hostrup
Published: May 2017

I 2003 lancerede Tunesiens præsident Ben Ali en liberalisering af medielandskabet, der betød at private, tunesiske radio- og tv-stationer for første gang blev lanceret. En nærmere indsigt i disse nye medier viser blandt andet, at de blev lanceret for at sikre regimets magt.
«Ikke sunni, ikke shia, blot bahraini»: Nation og sekt i Bahrains arabiske forår
Authors: Fibiger Thomas
Published: May 2017

I februar og marts 2011 oplevede Bahrain en politisk opstand, som del af bølgen af protestbevegelser i det såkaldte «arabiske forår». Demonstrantene hævdede, at opstanden ikke havde med shia- eller sunni-islam at gjøre, men var en bred opstand for nationale reformer og for alle bahrainere.
Staten, shaykherne og islam på skærmen: al-Azhars tunge gang på pan-arabisk tv
Authors: Skovgaard-Petersen Jakob
Published: May 2017

Al-Azhar er en central del af den autoritære egyptiske stats magtapparat, og universitetets betydning er vokset de senere årtier. I de nye mediers tidsalder er det dog mere al-Azhars navn end shaykhernes gavn, som regimet efterspørger. Og den TVstation, som er opkaldt efter al-Azhar, har vist sig en hel del bedre til at gebærde sig i det stadigt mere liberale TV-landskab end al-Azhar selv. Ikke mindst i de vanskelige dage i februar 2011.
@Fredsprosess1: Sosiale medier og israel-palestina-konflikten
Authors: Heian-Engdal Marte
Published: May 2017

Artikkelen undersøker bruken av sosiale medier i konflikten mellom Israel og palestinerne, og spør om denne nye arenaen åpner for endring i de etablerte, asymmetriske maktforhold som i dag preger konflikten.
Håndlangere for Hamas? Islamske privatskolers rolle i de okkuperte palestinske områdene
Authors: Høigilt Jacob
Published: May 2017

Islamske skoler og islamsk velferd generelt i Det okkuperte palestinsk området knyttes ofte tett til Hamas. Islamsk velferd og islamsk politisk aktivisme er imidlertid to forskjellige fenomener som bør holdes atskilt fra hverandre.
Et sannhetens øyeblikk – Kairos Palestina
Authors: Fretheim Kjetil
Published: May 2017

I dokumentet Et sannhetens øyeblikk. Kairos Palestina presenterer kristne palestinere en teologisk fundert samfunnsanalyse. De formulerer et budskap om tro, håp og kjærlighet, men tar samtidig et skarpt oppgjør med den israelske okkupasjonen og andre kristnes legitimering av denne.
"We want five!": Internett og demokratisering i Kuwait
Authors: Nordenson Jon
Published: May 2017

Sommeren 2006 ledet unge, kuwaitiske bloggere an i en suksessfull reformkampanje i den lille gulfstaten. Kampanjen viser hvordan teknologi og innovative aksjonsformer kan gjøre unge stemmer hørt, på siden av de etablerte kanalene. Samtidig illustrerer den internetts klare begrensninger som et verktøy for demokratisering.
Religionsdialog og fredsarbeid i et hellig land
Authors: Wang Yvonne M.
Published: May 2017

En kritikk av Osloavtalen, anført av flere religiøse ledere i Palestina og Israel, gikk ut på at den ignorerte den religiøse dimensjonen ved konflikten. Hva kan en religionsdialog bidra med på veien mot en løsning?
Islam, stat og demokrati i Tyrkia
Authors: Kavli Wilhelm
Published: May 2017

Fortjener det tyrkiske demokratiet å bli holdt frem som et eksempel til etterfølgelse for andre muslimske stater? Og hvor relevant er nasjonens muslimske identitet for videre demokratisering i Tyrkia i dag?
Facing Socio-Economic Decline: Delivering Health to Palestinian Refugees
Authors: Sabatinelli Guido , Pace-Shanklin Stefania , Riccardo Flavia , Khader Ali
Published: May 2017

Despite security problems, population growth, increase in the price of goods and the Agency’s financial limitations, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides quality health care to 4 million Palestine refugees.
Vannforvaltning i Egypt og Jemen
Authors: Hovden Eirik
Published: May 2017

Vannforvaltning i Midtøsten handler ikke bare om konflikter mellom stater og etniske grupper. En sammenlikning av Egypt og Jemen peker også på store interne utfordringer.
Nile Basin Co-operation
Authors: Mohamoda Dahilon Yassin
Published: May 2017

Confrontation in the form of strong public rhetoric, which led to speculations about possible conflict over Nile water resources has during recent years given way to a spirit of co-operation that is evolving into the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). While the initiative has made progress, serious challenges that could undermine such co-operation lie ahead.
Palestina og global jihad
Authors: Hegghammer Thomas
Published: May 2017

Noen mener at en løsning på Midtøsten-konflikten vil være et viktig skritt i kampen mot al-Qaida. Andre sier Bin Ladin er en opportunist som ikke bryr seg om palestinerne. Men hvor viktig er egentlig kampen om Palestina for de såkalte globale jihadistene?
Orientalisme og kjønn
Authors: Briseid Sigrid
Published: May 2017

I europeisk skjønnlitteratur fra kolonitiden var det vanlig å skildre orientalere på samme måte som man skildret kvinner – som enkle og irrasjonelle, barnlige, nært knyttet til naturen – kort sagt, underlegne.
Zakat, den tredje søyla i islam
Authors: Lundblad Lars Gunnar
Published: May 2017

I august 2003 fekk 18 velferdsorganisasjonar på Vestbreidda og i Gaza stengt sine bankkonti av dei palestinske selvstyremyndighetane, president Arafat sin administrasjon i dei okkuperte områda. Vedtaket skjedde etter press frå Bushadministrasjonen, og bakgrunnen var mistanken om at pengar frå desse velferdsorganisasjonane også gjekk til Hamas si militære grein og motstandsorganisasjonen Jihad.
Misjonæren og muslimen møtes: velferdssentre i Kairo 1920-2006
Authors: Lunden Renate
Published: May 2017

Boulaq Community Development Centre i Kairo er eit kristent senter som har eksistert i nærare 80 år. Korleis og kvifor har dette misjonstiltaket klart å overleve gjennom kolonistyre og nasjonalstat?
Arabisk kvinnelitteratur sprenger grenser (s. 20-31)
Authors: Eriksen Therese
Published: May 2017

Med søkelys på temaer som kjærlighet, seksualitet, feminisme og politikk, utfordrer kvinnelige arabiske forfattere fastlåste oppfatninger om kvinner i den arabiske verden.
Koranoversetting i Skandinavia (s. 68-77)
Authors: Eggen Nora S.
Published: May 2017

Gjennom det siste århundret har koranoversettelser i Skandinavia utgjort en sentral kilde til innsikt i islam. Oversettelsene kan gi oss innsikt i en historisk forståelse av tekstens budskap samt i oppfatningene omkring teksten og islam i en bredere diskurs.
Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Young Adults Treated for Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip, Alveolus, and Palate by a Treatment Protocol Including Two-Stage Palatoplasty: Speech Outcomes
Authors: Kappen Isabelle Francisca Petronella Maria , Bittermann Dirk , Janssen Laura , Bittermann Gerhard Koendert Pieter , Boonacker Chantal , Haverkamp Sarah , de Wilde Hester , Van Der Heul Marise , Specken Tom FJMC , Koole Ron , Kon Moshe , Breugem Corstiaan Cornelis , Mink van der Molen Aebele Barber
Published: May 2017

Background No consensus exists on the optimal treatment protocol for orofacial clefts or the optimal timing of cleft palate closure. This study investigated factors influencing speech outcomes after two-stage palate repair in adults with a non-syndromal complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Methods This was a retrospective analysis of adult patients with a UCLP who underwent two-stage palate closure and were treated at our tertiary cleft centre. Patients ≥17 years of age were invited for a final speech assessment. Their medical history was obtained from their medical files, and speech outcomes were assessed by a speech pathologist during the follow-up consultation.

Results Forty-eight patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 21 years (standard deviation, 3.4 years). Their mean age at the time of hard and soft palate closure was 3 years and 8.0 months, respectively. In 40% of the patients, a pharyngoplasty was performed. On a 5-point intelligibility scale, 84.4% received a score of 1 or 2; meaning that their speech was intelligible. We observed a significant correlation between intelligibility scores and the incidence of articulation errors (P<0.001). In total, 36% showed mild to moderate hypernasality during the speech assessment, and 11%–17% of the patients exhibited increased nasalance scores, assessed through nasometry.

Conclusions The present study describes long-term speech outcomes after two-stage palatoplasty with hard palate closure at a mean age of 3 years old. We observed moderate long-term intelligibility scores, a relatively high incidence of persistent hypernasality, and a high pharyngoplasty incidence.
Acellular Dermal Matrices and Paraffinoma: A Modern Tool for a Nearly Obsolete Disease
Authors: Grassetti Luca , Torresetti Matteo , Scalise Alessandro , Lazzeri Davide , Di Benedetto Giovanni
Published: May 2017

Paraffinoma is a destructive complication of paraffin oil injection, usually associated with massive tissue destruction, thus requiring radical surgery and subsequent complex reconstruction. Although breast and penile paraffinomas have been widely described and their management is quite standardized, paraffinomas of the knee are still rare and only few case reports or small case series are available in the current literature. We describe the case of a 77-year-old man with a large paraffinoma of the right knee that occurred after self-injection of paraffin oil, 58 years before. He underwent wide surgical resection of the soft tissues overlying the knee and subsequent two-stage reconstruction by using acellular dermal matrix and, after 20 days, split-thickness skin grafts. Follow-up after 16 months showed no signs of skin ulcerations or inflammation, with an overall improvement in function. Even though conventional flap reconstructions may be still useful, the authors believe that acellular dermal matrices represent a safe, reliable, and less invasive alternative for challenging soft tissue reconstructions even in elderly patients with multiple medical problems.
Procedural and political aspects of forensic exhumation in Brazil
Authors: Guimarães Marco Aurelio , Francisco Raffaela Arrabaça , Evison Martin , Iwamura Edna Sadayo Miazato , Machado Carlos Eduardo Palhares , Alves da Silva Ricardo Henrique , Pinheiro Maria Eliana Castro , Santana Diva , Patrício Julie Alvina Guss
Published: May 2017

Exhumation may be defined as the legally sanctioned excavation and recovery of the
remains of lawfully buried or – occasionally – cremated individuals, as distinct from
forensic excavations of clandestinely buried remains conducted as part of a criminal
investigation and from unlawful disinterment of human remains, commonly referred to as
bodysnatching. The aim of this article is to review the role of exhumation – so defined –
in the activities of CEMEL, the Medico-Legal Centre of the Ribeirão Preto Medical
School-University of São Paulo, in international, regional and local collaborations.
Exhumations form part of routine forensic anthropology casework; scientific research in
physical and forensic anthropology; and forensic casework conducted in collaboration with
the Brazilian Federal Police; and are carried out as part of humanitarian investigations
into deaths associated with the civil–military dictatorship of 1964 to 1985. This article
aims to offer a non-technical summary – with reference to international comparative
information – of the role of exhumation in investigative and scientific work and to
discuss developments in their historical and political context.
How developments in the science and technology of searching, recovering and identifying the missing/ disappeared are positively affecting the rights of victims around the world
Authors: Sarkin Jeremy
Published: May 2017

This article examines the ways in which missing persons have been dealt with, mainly in
the former Yugoslavia, to show how the huge advances made in the search for, recovery and
identification of those who disappeared is positively impacting on the ability of families
to find their loved ones. The article surveys the advances made in dealing with the
missing on a range of fronts, including the technical and forensic capacities. It examines
some of the other developments that have occurred around the world with regard to the
search for, recovery and identification of people and makes recommendations on how to make
improvements to ensure that the rights of families around the world, as well as a range of
other human rights, including truth and justice, are enhanced.
EMT and MET: necessary or permissive for metastasis?
Authors: Jolly Mohit Kumar , Ware Kathryn E. , Gilja Shivee , Somarelli Jason A. , Levine Herbert
Published: May 2017

Epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse mesenchymal‐to‐epithelial transition (MET) have been suggested to play crucial roles in metastatic dissemination of carcinomas. These phenotypic transitions between states are not binary. Instead, carcinoma cells often exhibit a spectrum of epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype(s). While epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity has been observed preclinically and clinically, whether any of these phenotypic transitions are indispensable for metastatic outgrowth remains an unanswered question. Here, we focus on epithelial/mesenchymal plasticity in metastatic dissemination and propose alternative mechanisms for successful dissemination and metastases beyond the traditional EMT/MET view. We highlight multiple hypotheses that can help reconcile conflicting observations, and outline the next set of key questions that can offer valuable insights into mechanisms of metastasis in multiple tumor models.
Apparent ionospheric total electron content variations prior to major earthquakes due to electric fields created by tectonic stresses
Authors: Kelley Michael C. , Swartz Wesley E. , Heki Kosuke
Published: May 2017

Growing evidence for ionospheric signatures of impending earthquakes comes from electron content measurements along slanted paths from GPS satellites to multiple ground stations located up to 500 km away from the epicenters. These slant total electron content (STEC) measurements deviate from the classic U‐shape pattern, starting about 40 min to over an hour before major earthquakes. Unlike other naturally occurring STEC fluctuations at midlatitudes, we show here that these earthquake‐induced deviations are simultaneous over a wide geographical area and do not propagate, thereby indicating a ground‐based origin. Prior to the 11 March 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake (Mw 9.0), the deviations were as much as 10% of the undisturbed STEC. We argue that such deviations must be due to an electric field‐forced rise or fall of the main ionosphere with little change in the vertical electron density profile. Hence, “apparent” is used in the title. We show how stress‐related underground electric fields penetrate to 80 km altitude (above which penetration to the main ionosphere easily occurs) with magnitudes high enough to create STEC variations comparable to those observed. Since many thousands of GPS receivers exist worldwide, our theory suggests the possibility of early warning systems that could provide 10 to 20 min notice prior to large earthquakes, after allowing time for signal processing. This theory for prequake‐induced STEC fluctuations also explains the ground‐based ULF magnetic field data acquired by Fraser‐Smith et al. 40 min prior to the Loma Prieta earthquake.
Solar wind controls on Mercury's magnetospheric cusp
Authors: He Maosheng , Vogt Joachim , Heyner Daniel , Zhong Jun
Published: May 2017

This study assesses the response of the cusp to solar wind changes comprehensively, using 2848 orbits of MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) observation. The assessment entails four steps: (1) propose and validate an approach to estimate the solar wind magnetic field (interplanetary magnetic field (IMF)) for MESSENGER's cusp transit; (2) define an index σ measuring the intensity of the magnetic disturbance which significantly peaks within the cusp and serves as an indicator of the cusp activity level; (3) construct an empirical model of σ as a function of IMF and Mercury's heliocentric distance rsun, through linear regression; and (4) use the model to estimate and compare the polar distribution of the disturbance σ under different conditions for a systematic comparison. The comparison illustrates that the disturbance peak over the cusp is strongest and widest extending in local time for negative IMF Bx and negative IMF Bz, and when Mercury is around the perihelion. Azimuthal shifts are associated with both IMF By and rsun: the cusp moves toward dawn when IMF By or rsun decrease. These dependences are explained in terms of the IMF Bx‐controlled dayside magnetospheric topology, the component reconnection model applied to IMF By and Bz, and the variability of solar wind ram pressure associated with heliocentric distance rsun. The applicability of the component reconnection model on IMF By indicates that at Mercury reconnection occurs at lower shear angles than at Earth.
Strain release at the trench during shallow slow slip: The example of Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Authors: Jiang Yan , Liu Zhen , Davis Earl E. , Schwartz Susan Y. , Dixon Timothy H. , Voss Nick , Malservisi Rocco , Protti Marino
Published: May 2017

The near‐trench behavior of subduction megathrust faults is critical for understanding earthquake hazard and tsunami generation. The shallow subduction interface is typically located in unconsolidated sediments that are considered too weak to accumulate elastic strain. However, the spectrum of shallow fault slip behavior is still elusive, due in large part to the lack of near‐field observations. Here we combine measurements from seafloor pressure sensors near the trench and an onshore GPS network in a time‐dependent inversion to image the initiation and migration of a well‐documented slow slip event (SSE) in 2007 at the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Our results show that the shallow SSE initiated on the shallow subduction interface at a depth of ~15 km, where pore fluid pressure is inferred to be high, and propagated all the way to the trench. The migrating event may have triggered a second subevent that occurred 1 month later. Our results document the release of elastic strain at the shallow part of the subduction megathrust and suggest prior accumulation of elastic strain. In conjunction with near‐trench shallow slow slip recently reported for the Hikurangi subduction zone and trench breaching ruptures revealed in some large earthquakes, our results suggest that near‐trench strain accumulation and release at the shallower portions of the subduction interface is more common than previously thought.
Tailoring Biomaterials for Cancer Immunotherapy: Emerging Trends and Future Outlook
Authors: Wang Chao , Ye Yanqi , Hu Quanyin , Bellotti Adriano , Gu Zhen
Published: May 2017

Cancer immunotherapy, as a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, has recently received tremendous attention. The active cancer vaccination, immune checkpoint blockage (ICB) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) for T‐cell‐based adoptive cell transfer are among these developments that have achieved a significant increase in patient survival in clinical trials. Despite these advancements, emerging research at the interdisciplinary interface of cancer biology, immunology, bioengineering, and materials science is important to further enhance the therapeutic benefits and reduce side effects. Here, an overview of the latest studies on engineering biomaterials for the enhancement of anticancer immunity is given, including the perspectives of delivery of immunomodulatory therapeutics, engineering immune cells, and constructing immune‐modulating scaffolds. The opportunities and challenges in this field are also discussed.
Printable and Rewritable Full Block Copolymer Structural Color
Authors: Kang Han Sol , Lee Jinseong , Cho Suk Man , Park Tae Hyun , Kim Min Ju , Park Chanho , Lee Seung Won , Kim Kang Lib , Ryu Du Yeol , Huh June , Thomas Edwin L. , Park Cheolmin
Published: May 2017

Structural colors (SCs) of photonic crystals (PCs) arise from selective constructive interference of incident light. Here, an ink‐jet printable and rewritable block copolymer (BCP) SC display is demonstrated, which can be quickly written and erased over 50 times with resolution nearly equivalent to that obtained with a commercial office ink‐jet printer. Moreover, the writing process employs an easily modified printer for position‐ and concentration‐controlled deposition of a single, colorless, water‐based ink containing a reversible crosslinking agent, ammonium persulfate. Deposition of the ink onto a self‐assembled BCP PC film comprising a 1D stack of alternating layers enables differential swelling of the written BCP film and produces a full‐colored SC display of characters and images. Furthermore, the information can be readily erased and the system can be reset by application of hydrogen bromide. Subsequently, new information can be rewritten, resulting in a chemically rewritable BCP SC display.
Stabilizing the Wettability of Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposited (iCVD) Polydivinylbenzene Thin Films by Thermal Annealing
Authors: Zhao Junjie , Wang Minghui , Gleason Karen K.
Published: May 2017

Maintaining stable surface properties, such as wetting, remains a challenge for many applications of functional coatings. Here, this paper reports a study on the stability of the surface properties of polydivinylbenzene (PDVB). The PDVB thin films are synthesized via initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). The decrease of receding water contact angles and increase of contact angle hysteresis of iCVD PDVB over time are found to be related with surface oxidation during air exposure. Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal the generation carbonyl and epoxy groups and the consumption of pendant vinyl groups in the oxidation process. A modified first‐order kinetic model describes the dynamic process, and the apparent reaction rate constant for the oxidation of iCVD PDVB is 0.0238–0.0294 h−1. In order to inhibit the oxidation and stabilize the wettability of iCVD PDVB, an in situ thermal annealing process is developed. This thermal treatment is effective in improving the cross‐linking degree of iCVD PDVB, slowing down the rate of oxidation, and therefore significantly enhancing the long‐term wettability. The advancing and receding contact angles of annealed iCVD PDVB are stable even after exposure to air for two months. The reported thermal annealing approach also improves the mechanical properties of iCVD PDVB.
Fabrication of Attapulgite Coated Membranes for Effective Separation of Oil‐in‐Water Emulsion in Highly Acidic, Alkaline, and Concentrated Salty Environments
Authors: Li Jian , Zhao Zhihong , Shen Yongqian , Feng Hua , Yang Yaoxia , Zha Fei
Published: May 2017

Facile and eco‐friendly methods to fabricate novel materials for effective separation of oil‐in‐water emulsion in harsh conditions are urgently desired. Here, attapulgite (APT) coated polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes with underwater superoleophobic property are fabricated by simply leaching APT suspension onto a PDVF membrane using a vacuum pump. More importantly, such membrane possesses outstanding separation capability with separation efficiency higher than 99.2% for oil‐in‐water emulsions not only in mild environments but also in highly acidic, alkaline, and concentrated salty environments. The outstanding chemical stability under harsh environments including strong acidic, alkaline, and concentrated salty conditions makes the membrane become a promising candidate for treatments of industrial wastewater containing emulsified oil/water mixtures in the future.
Thiolated Lysine‐Leucine Peptides Self‐Assemble into Biosilica Nucleation Pits on Gold Surfaces
Authors: Lu Hao , Yimer Yeneneh , Berger Rüdiger , Bonn Mischa , Pfaendtner Jim , Weidner Tobias
Published: May 2017

Nanostructured silica architectures have led to many applications in electronic and optical devices, and catalysis. Recently, bioinspired approaches based on peptide‐assisted silica fabrication have attracted great attention because of low production cost and mild, sustainable fabrication methods. Herein it is demonstrated that biomimetic peptides can also exert control over silica mineralization when bounded to inorganic surfaces. The amphiphilic α‐helical peptide LKα14 (Ac‐LKKLLKLLKKLLKLC‐OH) is used, which is based on leucine and lysine and has been a model system for surface studies and mineralization in solution for several years. LKα14 has been anchored to gold surfaces via terminal cysteine groups as linkers. Using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy, scanning force microscopy, and molecular dynamic simulations, it is found that LKα14 peptides assemble into laterally ordered structures with ≈5 nm wide cavities which serve as effective nucleating sites for silica nanoparticles.
Optically Transparent Broadband Microwave Absorption Metamaterial By Standing‐Up Closed‐Ring Resonators
Authors: Hu Dawei , Cao Jie , Li Wei , Zhang Cheng , Wu Tianlong , Li Qifan , Chen Zhihong , Wang Yilong , Guan Jianguo
Published: May 2017

Optically transparent metamaterial microwave absorbers (MMAs) developed so far unexceptionally encounter an intrinsic contradiction between extending the absorption bandwidth and improving optical transparency, hindering their practical applications. This work, in its experiment and calculation, demonstrates an MMA with both broadband microwave absorption and excellent optical transparency by standing‐up closed‐ring resonators (CRRs) in an indium tin oxide backed Plexiglas board. The as‐designed MMA shows a strong microwave absorption of 85% covering a wide frequency of 5.5–19.7 and 22.5–27.5 GHz up to a large incident angle of 70o due to the electric and magnetic resonances caused by the standing‐up arrangement of the CRRs, as well as the multiple reflection mechanism. Moreover, in sharp contrast to the widely adopted stacking multiple layers at the expense of greatly reduced optical transparency, it has an optical transmittance of around 82%, as calculated by a transfer matrix method. The standing‐up MMA proposed here provides an effective way to achieve broadband microwave absorption and high compatibility with optical transparency, enabling wide applications in window glass of stealth armament and electromagnetic compatible buildings/facilities.
Tunable Triazole‐Phosphine‐Copper Catalysts for the Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazoles from Benzyl Alcohols and Diamines by Acceptorless Dehydrogenation and Borrowing Hydrogen Reactions
Authors: Xu Zhaojun , Wang Duo‐Sheng , Yu Xiaoli , Yang Yongchun , Wang Dawei
Published: May 2017

Triazole‐phosphine‐copper complexes (TAP−Cu) have been synthesized and applied as tunable and efficient catalysts for the selective synthesis of fluoro‐substituted 2‐aryl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole and 1‐benzyl‐2‐aryl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole derivatives from simple alcohols in only one step. TAP−Cu exhibited excellent and tunable catalytic activity for both dehydrogenation and borrowing hydrogen reactions with more than 80 examples being demonstrated for the first time. It was observed that the ligand played a critical role in catalyst activity. Mechanistic studies and deuterium labeling experiments indicated that the reactions proceeded by an initial and reversible alcohol dehydrogenation resulting in a copper hydride intermediate. This was also supported by the direct observation of a diagnostic copper hydride signal by solid‐state infrared spectroscopy. The TAP−Cu‐H complex showed absorptions at 912 cm−1 that could be assigned to copper−hydride stretches. Furthermore, the direct trapping of an intermediate bisimine was also successfully performed.

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Phenotypes and genotypes in individuals with SMC1A variants
Authors: Huisman Sylvia , Mulder Paul A. , Redeker Egbert , Bader Ingrid , Bisgaard Anne‐Marie , Brooks Alice , Cereda Anna , Cinca Constanza , Clark Dinah , Cormier‐Daire Valerie , Deardorff Matthew A. , Diderich Karin , Elting Mariet , van Essen Anthonie , FitzPatrick David , Gervasini Cristina , Gillessen‐Kaesbach Gabriele , Girisha Katta M. , Hilhorst‐Hofstee Yvonne , Hopman Saskia , Horn Denise , Isrie Mala , Jansen Sandra , Jespersgaard Cathrine , Kaiser Frank J. , Kaur Maninder , Kleefstra Tjitske , Krantz Ian D. , Lakeman Phillis , Landlust Annemiek , Lessel Davor , Michot Caroline , Moss Jo , Noon Sarah E. , Oliver Chris , Parenti Ilaria , Pie Juan , Ramos Feliciano J. , Rieubland Claudine , Russo Silvia , Selicorni Angelo , Tümer Zeynep , Vorstenbosch Rieneke , Wenger Tara L. , van Balkom Ingrid , Piening Sigrid , Wierzba Jolanta , Hennekam Raoul C.
Published: May 2017

SMC1A encodes one of the proteins of the cohesin complex. SMC1A variants are known to cause a phenotype resembling Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS). Exome sequencing has allowed recognizing SMC1A variants in individuals with encephalopathy with epilepsy who do not resemble CdLS. We performed an international, interdisciplinary study on 51 individuals with SMC1A variants for physical and behavioral characteristics, and compare results to those in 67 individuals with NIPBL variants. For the Netherlands all known individuals with SMC1A variants were studied, both with and without CdLS phenotype. Individuals with SMC1A variants can resemble CdLS, but manifestations are less marked compared to individuals with NIPBL variants: growth is less disturbed, facial signs are less marked (except for periocular signs and thin upper vermillion), there are no major limb anomalies, and they have a higher level of cognitive and adaptive functioning. Self‐injurious behavior is more frequent and more severe in the NIPBL group. In the Dutch group 5 of 13 individuals (all females) had a phenotype that shows a remarkable resemblance to Rett syndrome: epileptic encephalopathy, severe or profound intellectual disability, stereotypic movements, and (in some) regression. Their missense, nonsense, and frameshift mutations are evenly spread over the gene. We conclude that SMC1A variants can result in a phenotype resembling CdLS and a phenotype resembling Rett syndrome. Resemblances between the SMC1A group and the NIPBL group suggest that a disturbed cohesin function contributes to the phenotype, but differences between these groups may also be explained by other underlying mechanisms such as moonlighting of the cohesin genes.
Synthesis of Amide‐Linked Cyclic Dinucleotide Analogues with Pyrimidine Bases
Authors: Pal Chandan , Chakraborty Tushar Kanti
Published: May 2017

A convenient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of C2‐symmetrical cyclic dinucleotide analogues that contain all‐pyrimidine bases (cytosine, uracil and thymine) with amide bonds in place of natural phosphodiester linkages, starting from commercially available d‐glucose diacetonide (GDA). The Vorbrüggen glycosylation of a common intermediate by using various pyrimidine bases was employed as the key step in the synthesis.
Defining the minimal clinically important difference for olfactory outcomes in the surgical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Levy Joshua M. , Mace Jess C. , Bodner Todd E. , Alt Jeremiah A. , Smith Timothy L.
Published: May 2017

Background

Olfactory dysfunction is a common and defining symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Many measures of olfactory dysfunction in CRS are limited by scoring criteria defined within general populations with interpretations of statistical significance to infer clinically meaningful improvement. In this investigation we define a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) in CRS patients electing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Methods

A multicenter cohort of 290 adult patients electing ESS for medically recalcitrant CRS were prospectively enrolled between March 2011 and June 2015 and completed BSIT evaluations before and after ESS. Distribution and anchor‐based analytic approaches were utilized to define MCID values of the BSIT across patient cofactors.

Results

A total of 92 (∽32%) patients were found to have preoperative olfactory dysfunction (BSIT <9), significantly associated with nasal polyposis (χ2 = 35.0; p < 0.001). The effect‐size distribution‐based approach identified 1.0 as a MCID criterion value between “small” and “medium” effect (range, 0.61‐1.52) overall. Significant mean postoperative change (ΔM) was reported for patients with olfactory dysfunction (ΔM = 2.28; p < 0.001), both with (n = 54; ΔM = 2.52; p < 0.001) and without (n = 38; ΔM = 1.95; p < 0.001) nasal polyposis, significantly exceeding the MCID criterion. Anchor‐based approaches with regression modeling confirmed associations between MCID values and postoperative changes to olfactory‐specific survey responses (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Clinically meaningful change in BSIT scores may be defined as an absolute value difference of at least 1.0 unit for heterogeneous patients electing ESS for CRS. Significantly exceeding this criterion may be restricted to CRS patients with baseline olfactory dysfunction, regardless of nasal polyposis.