bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous activity is correlated with coding density in primary auditory cortex
Authors: Bender David A. , Ni Ruiye , Barbour Dennis L.
Published: October 2016

Sensory neurons across sensory modalities and specific processing areas have diverse levels of spontaneous firing rates (SFRs) in the absence of sensory stimuli. However, the functional significance of this spontaneous activity is not well-understood. Previous studies in the auditory system have demonstrated that different levels of spontaneous activity are correlated with a variety of physiological and anatomic properties, suggesting that neurons with differing SFRs make unique contributions to the encoding of auditory stimuli. Additionally, altered SFRs are a correlate of tinnitus, arising in several auditory areas after exposure to ototoxic substances and noise trauma. In this study, we recorded single-unit activity from primary auditory cortex of awake marmoset monkeys while delivering wide-band random-spectrum stimuli and white Gaussian noise (WGN) to examine any divergences in stimulus encoding properties across SFR classes. We found that higher levels of spontaneous activity were associated with both higher levels of activation relative to suppression across a variety of wide-band stimuli and higher driven rates in response to WGN. Moreover, response latencies to WGN were negatively correlated with the level of activation in response to both stimulus types. These findings are consistent with a novel view of the role spontaneous spiking may play during normal stimulus processing in primary auditory cortex and how it may malfunction in cases of tinnitus.
Neural tracking of attended versus ignored speech is differentially affected by hearing loss
Authors: Petersen Eline Borch , Wöstmann Malte , Obleser Jonas , Lunner Thomas
Published: October 2016

Hearing loss manifests as a reduced ability to understand speech, particularly in multitalker situations. In these situations, younger normal-hearing listeners' brains are known to track attended speech through phase-locking of neural activity to the slow-varying envelope of the speech. This study investigates how hearing loss, compensated by hearing aids, affects the neural tracking of the speech-onset envelope in elderly participants with varying degree of hearing loss ( n = 27, 62–86 yr; hearing thresholds 11–73 dB hearing level). In an active listening task, a to-be-attended audiobook (signal) was presented either in quiet or against a competing to-be-ignored audiobook (noise) presented at three individualized signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). The neural tracking of the to-be-attended and to-be-ignored speech was quantified through the cross-correlation of the electroencephalogram (EEG) and the temporal envelope of speech. We primarily investigated the effects of hearing loss and SNR on the neural envelope tracking. First, we found that elderly hearing-impaired listeners' neural responses reliably track the envelope of to-be-attended speech more than to-be-ignored speech. Second, hearing loss relates to the neural tracking of to-be-ignored speech, resulting in a weaker differential neural tracking of to-be-attended vs. to-be-ignored speech in listeners with worse hearing. Third, neural tracking of to-be-attended speech increased with decreasing background noise. Critically, the beneficial effect of reduced noise on neural speech tracking decreased with stronger hearing loss. In sum, our results show that a common sensorineural processing deficit, i.e., hearing loss, interacts with central attention mechanisms and reduces the differential tracking of attended and ignored speech.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study investigates the effect of hearing loss in older listeners on the neural tracking of competing speech. Interestingly, we observed that whereas internal degradation (hearing loss) relates to the neural tracking of ignored speech, external sound degradation (ratio between attended and ignored speech; signal-to-noise ratio) relates to tracking of attended speech. This provides the first evidence for hearing loss affecting the ability to neurally track speech.
Sustained Release of Protein Therapeutics from Subcutaneous Thermosensitive Biocompatible and Biodegradable Pentablock Copolymers (PTSgels)
Authors: Schaefer Elizabeth , Abbaraju Santhi , Walsh Mary , Newman Donna , Salmon Jacklyn , Amin Rasidul , Weiss Sidney , Grau Ulrich , Velagaleti Poonam , Gilger Brian
Published: October 2016

Objective. To evaluate thermosensitive, biodegradable pentablock copolymers (PTSgel) for sustained release and integrity of a therapeutic protein when injected subcutaneously. Materials and Methods. Five PTSgels with PEG-PCL-PLA-PCL-PEG block arrangements were synthesized. In vitro release of IgG from PTSgels and concentrations was evaluated at 37°C. Released IgG integrity was characterized by SDS-PAGE. In vitro disintegration for 10GH PTSgel in PBS was monitored at 37°C over 72 days using gravimetric loss and GPC analysis. Near-infrared IgG in PTSgel was injected subcutaneously and examined by in vivo imaging and histopathology for up to 42 days. Results. IgG release was modulated from approximately 7 days to more than 63 days in both in vitro and in vivo testing by varying polymer composition, concentration of PTSgel aqueous solution, and concentration of IgG. Released IgG in vitro maintained structural integrity by SDS-PAGE. Subcutaneous PTSgels were highly biocompatible and in vitro IgG release occurred in parallel with the disappearance of subcutaneous gel in vivo. Conclusions. Modulation of release of biologics to fit the therapeutic need can be achieved by varying the biocompatible and biodegradable PTSgel composition. Release of IgG parallels disappearance of the polymeric gel; hence, little or no PTSgel remains after drug release is complete.
Epidemiological Features of Pediatric Ocular Trauma in Egypt
Authors: Al Wadeai Ebrahim Abdullah Yehia , Osman Amr Abdellatif , Macky Tamer A. , Soliman Mahmoud M.
Published: October 2016

Purpose.To review the epidemiology of serious pediatric ocular trauma presenting to Kasr El Aini Hospital, Cairo University.Methods.Children with serious ocular trauma during a six-month period were examined and their data was analyzed.Results.Eighty eyes of 75 patients were included in this study, with 64% males (P<0.001) and average age of 5 years (5 months–15 years). There were 67 (83.75%) open globe injuries, 11 (13.75%) closed globe injuries, and 2 (2.5%) chemical injuries. Of the open globe injuries, 24 (30%) were ruptured globes and 43 (53.75%) were lacerations (31 penetrating injuries (38.75%), 6 IOFBs (7.5%), and 6 perforating injuries (7.5%)). Of the closed globe injuries, 3 had hyphema (3.75%), 5 had traumatic cataracts (6.25%), and 3 had vitreous hemorrhage with retinal detachment (3.75%). Forty-two patients (56%) presented within 24 hours, 28 patients (37.33%) presented between 24 hours and 1 week, and 5 patients (6.6%) presented after one week from the time of trauma. Seven eyes developed posttraumatic endophthalmitis (10% of open globe injuries). On leaving the hospital, 55 (68.75%) eyes had poor vision, 13 (16.25%) had moderate vision, and 12 (15%) had good vision.Conclusion.Children at a higher risk of trauma are males, >5 years, unsupervised, and involved in street activities. Immediate comprehensive primary management and secondary rehabilitation are mandatory in these cases.
Dark Matter and Dark Energy Induced by Condensates
Authors: Capolupo Antonio
Published: October 2016

It is shown that the vacuum condensate induced by many phenomena behaves as a perfect fluid which, under particular conditions, has zero or negative pressure. In particular, the condensates of thermal states of fields in curved space and of mixed particles have been analyzed. It is shown that the thermal states with the cosmic microwave radiation temperature and the Unruh and the Hawking radiations give negligible contributions to the critical energy density of the universe, while the thermal vacuum of the intercluster medium could contribute to the dark matter, together with the vacuum energy of fields in curved space-time and of mixed neutrinos. Moreover, a component of the dark energy can be represented by the vacuum of axion-like particles mixed with photons and superpartners of neutrinos. The formal analogy among the systems characterized by the condensates can open new scenarios in the possibility of detecting the dark components of the universe in table top experiments.
An Unusual Case of Gastrointestinal Bleeding from Isolated Gallbladder Varices in a Patient with Pancreatic Cancer Complicated by Portal Biliopathy
Authors: Gachabayov Mahir , Kubachev Kubach , Abdullaev Elbrus , Zarkua Nonna , Abdullaev Abakar , Fokin Artur
Published: October 2016

Portal biliopathy is the complex of abnormalities of extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts, cystic duct, and gallbladder, arising as a result of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction and noncirrhotic portal fibrosis, which can be caused by coagulopathies, tumors, inflammation, postoperative complications, dehydration, and neonatal umbilical vein catheterization. We report a case of a 55-year-old male patient with the history of pancreatic cancer and cholecystoenteric anastomosis presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding from gallbladder varices via the anastomosis.
Modified Lower Pole Autologous Dermal Sling for Implant Reconstruction in Women Undergoing Immediate Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy
Authors: Roy Pankaj G.
Published: October 2016

Background. Autologous dermal sling with wise pattern skin reducing mastectomy allows one-stage implant reconstruction in women with large and ptotic breasts needing mastectomy for cancer or risk reduction. However, this technique is not suitable for women who lack ptosis and also carries risk of T-junction breakdown.Method. We have performed one-stage nipple sparing mastectomies with implant reconstruction in 5 women (8 breasts) by modifying the autologous dermal sling approach. All these women had small to moderate breasts with no ptosis or pseudoptosis.Results. Three women had bilateral procedures, two underwent bilateral mastectomies simultaneously, and one had contralateral risk reduction surgery a year after the cancer side operation. All women underwent direct to implant reconstruction with implant volumes varying from 320 to 375 cc. There were no implant losses and only one required further surgery to excise the nipple for positive nipple shaves. A low complication rate was encountered in this series with good aesthetic outcome.Conclusion. The modified lower pole dermal sling allows direct to implant reconstruction in selected women with small to moderate sized breasts with minimal ptosis. The approach is safe and cost-effective and results in more natural reconstruction with preservation of nipple.
Experimental Investigation on Strength and Water Permeability of Mortar Incorporate with Rice Straw Ash
Authors: Munshi Surajit , Sharma Richi Prasad
Published: October 2016

The utilization of various agricultural residue ash as a pozzolanic material has the potential to reduce both the environmental impact and cost associated with building materials. In this paper, the authors studied the strength and permeability of mortar using different percentages of rice straw ash (RSA) as cement replacement and the possibilities of using RSA as a pozzolanic material. Locally available rice straws were burnt at a temperature of 600°C and ground to make RSA. The chemical and physical properties of RSA were studied and the outcome shows that the ash contains about 76% of silica in it. This investigation further focused the strength and water permeability of mortar using RSA, which demonstrates that up to 10% replacement both the strength and permeability have a better result than that of control specimen.
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Impact of Giving Information on Personalized Genomic Risk of Melanoma to the Public
Authors: Smit Amelia K. , Espinoza David , Newson Ainsley J. , Morton Rachael L. , Fenton Georgina , Freeman Lucinda , Dunlop Kate , Butow Phyllis N. , Law Matthew H. , Kimlin Michael G. , Keogh Louise A. , Dobbinson Suzanne J. , Kirk Judy , Kanetsky Peter A. , Mann Graham J. , Cust Anne E.
Published: October 2016

Background: Communication of personalized melanoma genomic risk information may improve melanoma prevention behaviors.

Methods: We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of communicating personalized genomic risk of melanoma to the public and its preliminary impact on behaviors and psychosocial outcomes. One hundred eighteen people aged 22 to 69 years provided a saliva sample and were randomized to the control (nonpersonalized educational materials) or intervention (personalized booklet presenting melanoma genomic risk as absolute and relative risks and a risk category based on variants in 21 genes, telephone-based genetic counseling, and nonpersonalized educational materials). Intention-to-treat analyses overall and by-risk category were conducted using ANCOVA adjusted for baseline values.

Results: Consent to participate was 41%, 99% were successfully genotyped, and 92% completed 3-month follow-up. Intervention participants reported high satisfaction with the personalized booklet (mean = 8.6, SD = 1.6; on a 0–10 scale) and genetic counseling (mean = 8.1, SD = 2.2). No significant behavioral effects at 3-month follow-up were identified between intervention and control groups overall: objectively measured standard erythemal doses per day [−16%; 95% confidence interval (CI), −43% to 24%] and sun protection index (0.05; 95% CI, −0.07 to 0.18). There was increased confidence identifying melanoma at 3 months (0.40; 95% CI, 0.10–0.69). Stratified by risk category, effect sizes for intentional tanning and some individual sun protection items appeared stronger for the average-risk group. There were no appreciable group differences in skin cancer–related worry or psychologic distress.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate feasibility and acceptability of providing personalized genomic risk of melanoma to the public.

Impact: Genomic risk information has potential as a melanoma prevention strategy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(2); 212–21. ©2016 AACR.
Constitutive IRAK4 Activation Underlies Poor Prognosis and Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Daoxiang , Li Lin , Jiang Hongmei , Knolhoff Brett L. , Lockhart Albert C. , Wang-Gillam Andrea , DeNardo David G. , Ruzinova Marianna B. , Lim Kian-Huat
Published: October 2016

Purpose: Aberrant activation of the NF-κB transcription factors underlies the aggressive behavior and poor outcome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, clinically effective and safe NF-κB inhibitors are not yet available. Because NF-κB transcription factors can be activated by the interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases (IRAKs) downstream of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), but has not been explored in PDAC, we sought to investigate the role of IRAKs in the pathobiology of PDAC.

Experimental Design: We examined the phosphorylation status of IRAK4 (p-IRAK4), the master regulator of TLR signaling, in PDAC cell lines, in surgical samples and commercial tissue microarray. We then performed functional studies using small-molecule IRAK1/4 inhibitor, RNA-interference, and CRISPR/Cas9n techniques to delineate the role of IRAK4 in NF-κB activity, chemoresistance, cytokine production, and growth of PDAC cells in vitro and in vivo.

Results: p-IRAK4 staining was detectable in the majority of PDAC lines and about 60% of human PDAC samples. The presence of p-IRAK4 strongly correlated with phospho-NF-κB/p65 staining in PDAC samples and is predictive of postoperative relapse and poor overall survival. Inhibition of IRAK4 potently reduced NF-κB activity, anchorage-independent growth, chemoresistance, and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines from PDAC cells. Both pharmacologic suppression and genetic ablation of IRAK4 greatly abolished PDAC growth in mice and augmented the therapeutic effect of gemcitabine by promoting apoptosis, reducing tumor cell proliferation and tumor fibrosis.

Conclusions: Our data established IRAK4 as a novel therapeutic target for PDAC treatment. Development of potent IRAK4 inhibitors is needed for clinical testing. Clin Cancer Res; 23(7); 1748–59. ©2016 AACR.
Frequency and Determinants of Adherence to Oral Anticoagulants in Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Clinical Practice
Authors: Polymeris Alexandros A. , Traenka Christopher , Hert Lisa , Seiffge David J. , Peters Nils , De Marchis Gian Marco , Bonati Leo H. , Lyrer Philippe A. , Engelter Stefan T.
Published: October 2016

Background: Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and non-VKA oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are beneficial in patients with stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF). However, little is known about frequency and determinants of adherence to NOACs/VKAs in clinical practice. Methods: This is a single-center explorative study from the Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Stroke Patients (NOACISP)-LONGTERM registry. We included consecutive AF-stroke patients treated with NOACs/VKAs and followed up for 3-24 months. Adherence was assessed at follow-up using structured interviews and quantified as the proportion of prescribed doses taken (PDT). Outcome measures were (i) full adherence, (ii) ≥95% adherence and (iii) ≥80% adherence (i.e., PDT 100/≥95/≥80%). To explore determinants of full adherence, we compared characteristics of fully and non-fully adherent patients. Results: A total of 218 of 251 (86.9%) patients (48% female, mean age 77.9 ± 9.1 years, 78% NOACs; 22% VKAs) were eligible for analysis with a median follow-up of 12 months: fully adherent were 78.4% patients (NOACs 77.1%, VKAs 83.3%, p = 0.35), ≥95% adherent were 95.4% and ≥80% adherent were 97.2%. Fully adherent patients took more pills daily (median (interquartile range) 7 (5-10) vs. 6 (4-8), p = 0.039), had more often previous antithrombotic treatment (70.8 vs. 53.2%, p = 0.023), caregiver-assisted medication administration (54.2 vs. 19.1%, p < 0.001) and functional dependency (32.8 vs. 15%, p = 0.011) than non-fully adherent patients. Conclusions: Full adherence was frequent. Patients naïve to antithrombotics, taking few pills, which they self-administer, were at the highest risk of non-adherence and may benefit most from adherence-enhancing interventions.
Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease Is Associated With Worse Outcomes in Stroke
Authors: Wood Adrian D. , Mannu Gurdeep S. , Clark Allan B. , Tiamkao Somsak , Kongbunkiat Kannikar , Bettencourt-Silva Joao H. , Sawanyawisuth Kittisak , Kasemsap Narongrit , Barlas Raphae S. , Mamas Mamas , Myint Phyo Kyaw
Published: October 2016

Background and Purpose—

Rheumatic valvular heart disease is associated with the increased risk of cerebrovascular events, although there are limited data on the prognosis of patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease (RMVD) after stroke.

Methods—

We examined the association between RMVD and both serious and common cardiovascular and noncardiovascular (respiratory and infective) complications in a cohort of hospitalized stroke patients based in Thailand. Factors associated with in-hospital mortality were also explored. Data were obtained from a National Insurance Database. All hospitalized strokes between October 1, 2004, and January 31, 2013, were included in the current study. Characteristics and outcomes were compared for RMVD and non-RMVD patients. Logistic regression, propensity score matching, and multivariate models were used to assess study outcomes.

Results—

In total, 594 681 patients (mean [SD] age=64 [14.5] years) with a diagnosis of stroke (ischemic=306 154; hemorrhagic=195 392; undetermined=93 135) were included in this study, of whom 5461 had RMVD. Results from primary analyses showed that after ischemic stroke, and controlling for potential confounding covariates, RMVD was associated (
P
<0.001) with increased odds for cardiac arrest (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=2.13 [1.68–2.70]), shock (2.13 [1.64–2.77]), arrhythmias (1.70 [1.21–2.39]), respiratory failure (2.09 [1.87–2.33]), pneumonia (2.00 [1.81–2.20]), and sepsis (1.39 [1.19–1.63]). In hemorrhagic stroke patients, RMVD was associated with increased odds (fully adjusted model) for respiratory failure (1.26 [1.01–1.57]), and in patients with undetermined stroke, RMVD was associated with increased odds (fully adjusted analyses) for shock (3.00 [1.46–6.14]), respiratory failure (2.70 [1.91–3.79]), and pneumonia (2.42 [1.88–3.11]).

Conclusions—

RMVD is associated with the development of cardiac arrest, shock, arrhythmias, respiratory failure, pneumonia, and sepsis after acute stroke.
White Matter Microstructure Improves Stroke Risk Prediction in the General Population
Authors: Evans Tavia E. , O’Sullivan Michael J. , de Groot Marius , Niessen Wiro J. , Hofman Albert , Krestin Gabriel P. , van der Lugt Aad , Portegies Marileen L.P. , Koudstaal Peter J. , Bos Daniel , Vernooij Meike W. , Ikram M. Arfan
Published: October 2016

Background and Purpose—

The presence of subclinical vascular brain disease, including white matter lesions and lacunar infarcts, substantially increases the risk of clinical stroke. White matter microstructural integrity is considered an earlier, potentially better, marker of the total burden of vascular brain disease. Its association with risk of stroke, a focal event, remains unknown.

Methods—

From the population-based Rotterdam Study, 4259 stroke-free participants (mean age: 63.6 years, 55.6% women) underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging, including diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, between 2006 and 2011. All participants were followed up for incident stroke until 2013. Cox proportional hazards models were used to associate markers of the microstructure of normal-appearing white matter with risk of stroke, adjusting for age, sex, white matter lesion volume, lacunar infarcts, and additionally for cardiovascular risk factors. Finally, we assessed the predictive value of white matter microstructural integrity for stroke beyond the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile.

Results—

During 18 476 person-years of follow-up, 58 people experienced a stroke. Both lower fractional anisotropy and higher MD increased risk of stroke, independent of age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, white matter lesion volume, and lacunar infarcts (hazard ratio per SD increase in: fractional anisotropy: 0.75 [95% confidence interval, 0.57–0.98] and MD: 1.50 [95% confidence interval, 1.08–2.09]). MD improved stroke prediction beyond the Framingham Stroke Risk Profile (continuous net reclassification improvement: 0.52 [95% confidence interval, 0.24–0.81]).

Conclusions—

Future stroke is predicted not only by prevalent vascular lesions but also by subtle alterations in the microstructure of normal-appearing white matter. Inclusion of this effect in risk prediction models produces a significant advantage in stroke prediction compared with the existing Framingham Stroke Risk Profile.
The Role of the Security Council in the Use of Force against the ‘Islamic State’
Authors: Urs Priya
Published: October 2016

The destabilization of Iraq and Syria by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Al Nusrah Front has ignited extensive global debate about how to quell the group’s territorial gains in the region, and, preferably, to do so in a manner that is compliant with international law. In June 2014, the isil proclaimed the formation of an Islamic caliphate, boasting swathes of territory straddling the border between Iraq and Syria. A growing number of States have joined forces in a United States-led coalition against the isil, with varying contributions including airstrikes, military aid and humanitarian assistance. The on-going crisis in the Middle East presents international lawyers with an opportunity to re-evaluate the system of collective security envisaged in the 1945 Charter of the United Nations. This article evaluates the Security Council’s approach in addressing the situation in the Middle East as an ongoing threat to international peace and security, focusing on three areas in which it may play significant roles: 1. its participation, if any, in the exercise of self-defence under Art. 51; 2. its authorization of forcible and non-forcible measures under Chapter vii; and 3. the enduring obligation of multilateral cooperation it imposes upon States in the context of terrorism.
Sovereigns, not Stakeholders: An Alaskan Study in Fate Control
Authors: Kimmel Mara
Published: October 2016

This study examines how Alaskan tribes are responding to the loss of territorial governance over lands conveyed under the 1971 Alaska Native Land Claims Settlement Act. Typically, governments have control over a place and a people, but this is not the case in Alaska where tribal governance is generally limited to authority over membership and not place.

This paper explores the varied and creative efforts of Alaskan communities to reassert governance – to exercise fate control – over natural resources even in the absence of territorial sovereignty. Part I describes the historical context necessary to understand current land and resource governance issues in Alaska. Part II examines the range of options for strengthening local governance and overcome the obstacles that frustrate local control. Part III offers a case study focused on the efforts of Alaskan tribes within the Yukon River Intertribal Watershed Council (YRITWC), an international consortium of Yukon River communities, as it asserts rights to govern within the watershed. Part IV analyzes the Alaskan tribal experience, in particular the YRITWC’S governance efforts, through the lens of a “rights based approach” that treats tribes as sovereigns rather than stakeholders.

In this study, land and property rights are discussed interchangeably to examine how non-Indigenous legal systems apportion rights and responsibilities associated with particular land. The term governance describes the ability to control, in this context to tax and to regulate. The notion of well-being is drawn from the Arctic Human Development framework that identifies fate control as a cornerstone measure of wellbeing and human development approach.1
The Role of the Arctic Council from an International Law Perspective: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Takei Yoshinobu
Published: October 2016

Established in 1996, the Arctic Council has played an essential role in promoting pan- Arctic cooperation on various issues concerning the Arctic. Increasingly, its activities have contributed to the development of international law relating to the Arctic in terms of law-making and implementation. Recent developments make it pertinent to investigate the possibilities and challenges faced by the Arctic Council in developing legally binding instruments and otherwise contributing to the development of international law relating to the Arctic. How has the Council been engaged in activities that contribute to the development of international law? What factors have affected these activities?

This article describes the structure of the Arctic Council and its status under international law; analyzes important developments relating to this issue in the period before the 2009 Ministerial Meeting held in Tromsø, Norway; examines the processes in which two legally binding instruments were negotiated and eventually adopted as well as elements common to these agreements; and discusses Arctic Council processes relevant to the development of international law other than treaty negotiations under its auspices.
What is “Arctic Governance”? A Critical Assessment of the Diverse Meanings of “Arctic Governance”
Authors: Pelaudeix Cécile
Published: October 2016

The history of the concept of governance in Arctic social science does not necessarily take into account the process and degree of conceptualization pertaining to the subject or any semantic consistency in its use. Unlike the homogeneous or ‘taken-for-granted’ use of the concept by policy-makers in general, centered on a Westphalian or state-centered understanding of governance, the academic production on Arctic governance is characterized by four categories of approaches – pragmatic, prescriptive, functional and critical – which do not attempt to coincide with disciplinary borders or theoretical framework distinctions. The substantive goals of these approaches differ depending on the context – the likeliness of implementation, compliance with law, efficiency and effectiveness of processes, or the framing or re-framing of issues. Whereas not mutually exclusive, the four approaches contrast in the role they grant to law and normativity in the governance process, as well as in their assessment of effectiveness, and the specificity of the yardsticks used. This diversity leads to very contrasted assessment of governance. Although, economic governance is poorly investigated in governance studies, as well as the diverging views on governance amongst the actors concerned, the concept of governance has provided a valuable tool, affording complementary or contrasting insights, in understanding the state of the Arctic and anticipating its future.
Antarctica – A Wilderness Continent for Science: The ‘Public’s Dream’ as a Mission Impossible?
Authors: Bastmeijer Kees , Tin Tina
Published: October 2016

The Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty have frequently declared their collective ambition to manage Antarctica “in the interest of all mankind.” However, the concrete implications of these declarations are not clear. As part of an international research project, the authors asked people from different parts of the world to respond to a questionnaire about Antarctica, its values, and the way it should be managed. Notwithstanding differences in respondents’ nationalities, ages and the time of data collection, our results indicate that a significant proportion of the public values Antarctica both as a scientific laboratory and as one of the world’s last wildernesses.

Is this ‘public’s dream’ of co-existence of science and wilderness a Mission Impossible? In this article, we contend that: 1) in theory, it is a Possible Mission that would connect well with the recognition of science and wilderness in the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) instruments; 2) in practice, science in Antarctica has gradual and cumulative impacts on all three main wilderness qualities of Antarctica (absence of permanent infrastructure, naturalness and large size); 3) currently, the co-existence of science and wilderness is not an important consideration in the management of human activities in Antarctica; and 4) in the future, unless a proactive and concerted effort is taken by the Consultative Parties, it appears to be a Mission Impossible, as the expansion of scientific activities and associated logistics remains uncontrolled, inexorably eroding the Antarctic wilderness. Recent ATS resolutions and high-level interventions may signify that Treaty Parties are becoming more aware of the need to increase their cooperation on the ground in Antarctica and hence, open up a space to allow the coexistence of science and wilderness in Antarctica to become possible. We propose the adoption of principles providing clear and concrete guidance on scientific facilities and international cooperation as a constructive step forward in realising the ‘public’s dream’ of coexistence of science and wilderness in Antarctica.
A Note on the Serial Verb Construction in Chinese
Authors: Law Paul
Published: October 2016

The paper considers two superficially very similar constructions with two verbs in Chinese, and suggests a syntactic account for their different properties with respect to word-order, placement and scope of adverbs, and extraction. Specifically, it proposes to relate the cluster of properties of having alternative word-orders, the positioning and non-ambiguous construal of adverbs, as well as syntactic extraction of the object of the second verb to a structure in which the first verb takes as complement a VP headed by the second verb, and the lack of these properties to a structure in which the VP headed by the first verb is an adjunct to the VP headed by the second verb.
From Tone to Accent
Authors: EHEN Matthew Y.
Published: October 2016

Tone and accent share a key phonetic property, namely pitch prominence. It is therefore not surprising that the tonal and accentual systems overlap, and that languages may develop in either direction along this tone-ac cent continuum. In this paper I argue that at least one dialect of Chinese, notably the New Chongming dialect of the northern Wu group, has evolved from a prototypically tonallanguage to an unmistakably accentual system according to such diagnostics as: culminativity, syntagmatic vs. paradigmatic contrast, weight-sensitive prominence, and avoidance of tonic dash (analogue of stress dash).
Early Hakka Corpora Held by the Basel Mission Library: An Introduction
Authors: Lamarre Christine
Published: October 2016

This paper gives a brief outline of the Hakka Bibles and other religious or educational books in Hakka held by the Basel Mission Library, translated, edited and published during the 19th century by protestant missionaries of the Basel Evangelical Missionary Society. These documents provide us with some very valuable material available for grammatical, phonological or lexical studies of the Hakka colloquial. They also tell us how a Chinese dialect happened to develop (for a limited period though) a written language in Latin script and then in Chinese characters.
Friday’S Footprint: Rethinking the Philebus on the Basis of Plato’s Political Philosophy
Authors: Arends Frederik
Published: October 2016

A stimulus may be given to the interpretation of Plato's Philebus by no longer ignoring the impact of Plato's political philosophy. A first hint is the occurrence of astasiastotatēn (63e9), a notion exclusively functioning within Plato's politi¬cal philosophy and no less surprising, in the 'non-political' Philebus, than 'Friday's Footprint' was to Crusoe. A second hint is the stasis between epistēmai and hēdonai, only to be avoided by the exclusion of hēdonai unwilling to subordinate themselves to phronēsis/nous (63b2-64a6). A new reading of Philebus in light of these 'footprints' leads to the conclusion that not only the 'digressions' on ontology, cosmology and anthropology but also the analyses of hēdonai and epistēmai — in other words: the main body of Philebus — presuppose the substratum of Plato's political philosophy. Consciousness of this substratum contributes to understanding the content and course of the dialogue, and even to recognizing its unity.
Bridging National and Ethnic Borders: The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation as a Space for Minorities
Authors: Engl Alice , Mitterhofer Johanna
Published: October 2016

This article investigates territorial cooperation as an instrument that may help to link the two central objectives of the Council of Europe and the European Union: strengthening integration and cohesion, while encouraging and safeguarding diversity. Drawing on studies on minority protection and diversity management as well as on European integration, the authors examine the impact of regional development policies and strategies, in particular territorial cooperation, on minorities, on the one hand, and the importance of minorities for these policies on the other hand. The article focuses on the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) as concrete policy instrument to promote territorial cooperation, studying its practical implementation on the Austrian-Italian border.
National Minorities and the Crisis of National Minorities and the Crisis of
Authors: Udrea Andreea
Published: October 2016

This article discusses the retreat from multiculturalism in Europe. It questions whether the crisis of multiculturalism has had any impact on the accommodation of national minorities and/or ethnic groups. It opens with an interview with the former OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek, which is followed by commentaries of four leading scholars: Will Kymlicka, Keith Banting, Tariq Modood and Jennifer Jackson-Preece. Ambassador Vollebaek argues that the crisis of multiculturalism only affects immigrants, and although the rights of national minorities are well protected, it may eventually undermine these rights. In their commentary, Kymlicka and Banting disagree with the view that the backlash against immigration threatens the rights of national minorities. Ambassador Vollebaek also supports the view that more inclusive policies targeting the members of minority groups are necessary. Modood and Jackson-Preece agree, and in their responses discuss how current arrangements could be modified or expanded to become more inclusive.
The Protection of Lithuania’s Polish Minority: Bone of Contention in Bilateral Polish-Lithuanian Relations
Authors: Kuzborska Elżbieta
Published: October 2016

This article provides an overview of the recent political and legal events surrounding the protection of Lithuania’s Polish national minority in the context of Lithuanian–Polish bilateral relations, focusing particularly on what has occurred since the so-called golden age of relations between the two countries. This article aims to present up-to-date information on the current stage of dialogue on the issue of national minorities in Lithuania and on the actual protection of the Polish minority in this country. After the expiration of the Law on national minorities in Lithuania in 2010, the primary bones of contention between the two countries have been the use of the language of minorities in communication with local authorities and in bilingual topographical signs, the use of names and surnames in a minority language, rights related to the education of national minorities, and rights related to political participation of national minorities.
Czech Republic Acknowledgement of Belarusian and Vietnamese as New Minorities
Authors: Kascian Kiryl , Vasilevich Hanna
Published: October 2016

As a result of the Czech government decision of 3 July 2013, the Government Council for National Minorities was expanded to the representatives of Belarusian and Vietnamese minorities. This article discusses the aspects of the Czech minority-related legislation within the context of this decision. The article also focuses on the formation of these two minorities during history and on their current position in the Czech society.
Surirella tayronarum spec. nov. (Surirellaceae, Bacillariophyta) from Colombia
Authors: MEDINA TOMBÉ MARIO FERNANDO , SALA SILVIA E. , VOUILLOUD AMELIA A. , RAMÍREZ RESTREPO JOHN JAIRO
Published: October 2016

The genus Surirella comprises around 1700 species, many of them distributed in tropical regions of different continents. As part of a study about geographic distribution of epilithic diatoms from Colombia, we compared samples collected at lotic systems of the Andes, Caribbean, Orinoquia and Pacific biogeographic regions. Samples were analyzed under light and scanning electron microscopy. Although the genus Surirella was poorly represented in the study area, in the River Congo Basin (at an elevation between 724 and 939 m a.s.l.), which belongs the Caribbean Region, we collected samples containing a new species of the group Robustae. Surirella tayronarum spec. nov. has panduriform, isopolar valves with well-developed wings. Among other fine morphological characters, the species has long ribbon-like tendrils at the base of the fenestral bars.
Can We Infer Diapycnal Mixing Rates from the World Ocean Temperature–Salinity Distribution?
Authors: Arzel Olivier , Colin de Verdière Alain
Published: October 2016

The turbulent diapycnal mixing in the ocean is currently obtained from microstructure and finestructure measurements, dye experiments, and inverse models. This study presents a new method that infers the diapycnal mixing from low-resolution numerical calculations of the World Ocean whose temperatures and salinities are restored to the climatology. At the difference of robust general circulation ocean models, diapycnal diffusion is not prescribed but inferred. At steady state the buoyancy equation shows an equilibrium between the large-scale diapycnal advection and the restoring terms that take the place of the divergence of eddy buoyancy fluxes. The geography of the diapycnal flow reveals a strong regional variability of water mass transformations. Positive values of the diapycnal flow indicate an erosion of a deep-water mass and negative values indicate a creation. When the diapycnal flow is upward, a diffusion law can be fitted in the vertical and the diapycnal eddy diffusivity is obtained throughout the water column. The basin averages of diapycnal diffusivities are small in the first 1500 m [O(10−5) m2 s−1] and increase downward with bottom values of about 2.5 × 10−4 m2 s−1 in all ocean basins, with the exception of the Southern Ocean (50°–30°S), where they reach 12 × 10−4 m2 s−1. This study confirms the small diffusivity in the thermocline and the robustness of the higher canonical Munk’s value in the abyssal ocean. It indicates that the upward dianeutral transport in the Atlantic mostly takes place in the abyss and the upper ocean, supporting the quasi-adiabatic character of the middepth overturning.
Sensitivity of Numerical Weather Forecasts to Initial Soil Moisture Variations in CFSv2
Authors: Dirmeyer Paul A. , Halder Subhadeep
Published: October 2016

When initial soil moisture is perturbed among ensemble members in the operational NWS global forecast model, surface latent and sensible fluxes are immediately affected much more strongly, systematically, and over a greater area than conventional land–atmosphere coupling metrics suggest. Flux perturbations are likewise transmitted to the atmospheric boundary layer more formidably than climatology-based metrics would indicate. Impacts are not limited to the traditional land–atmosphere coupling hot spots, but extend over nearly all ice-free land areas of the globe. Key to isolating this effect is that initial atmospheric states are identical among quantities correlated, pinpointing soil moisture and snow cover. A consequence of this high sensitivity is that significant positive impacts of realistic land surface initialization on the skill of deterministic near-surface temperature and humidity forecasts are also immediate and nearly universal during boreal spring and summer (the period investigated) and persist for at least 3 days over most land areas. Land surface initialization may be more broadly important for weather forecasts than previously realized, as the research focus historically has been on subseasonal-to-seasonal time scales. This study attempts to bridge the gap between climate studies with their associated coupling assessments and weather forecast time scales. Furthermore, errors in land surface initialization and shortcomings in the parameterization of atmospheric processes sensitive to surface fluxes may have greater consequences than previously recognized, the latter exemplified by the lack of impact on precipitation forecasts even though the simulation of boundary layer development is shown to be greatly improved with realistic soil moisture initialization.
Overload
Authors: Stroebe Margaret , Schut Henk
Published: October 2016

The Dual Process Model of Coping with Bereavement (DPM) was put forward as a framework to help understand reactions to the death of a loved person. Since its inception, there have been various developments and further specifications regarding the model’s parameters. A number of researchers have assessed the model’s contribution and put some of its parameters to empirical test. It has also been applied in clinical practice. Despite generally positive assessment among both scientific and applied communities, we recently discovered what we consider to be a major shortcoming. The concept of overload has been neglected. Incorporation of this feature helps explain the preponderance of mental and physical health problems beyond the previous DPM focus on complications of grief. In this article, we incorporate the phenomenon of overload within the original framework, illustrating its application, and we discuss broader implications for coping and adaptation to bereavement.
Is Other Comprehensive Income Reported in the Income Statement More Value Relevant? The Role of Financial Statement Presentation
Authors: Lin Steve , Martinez Donel , Wang Changjiang , Yang Ya-wen
Published: October 2016

This study examines (a) whether other comprehensive income ( OCI) is more value relevant when reported in a more prominent and transparent location in financial statements, (b) how economic condition affects value relevance of OCI reported in different locations, and (c) whether value relevance of OCI is affected by the implementation of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2011-05, which requires reporting OCI in either a combined statement of income and comprehensive income or a separate statement of comprehensive income ( SCI), and prohibits reporting OCI only in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity ( SSE). Using manually collected data for the period 2000-2012, we find that investors consistently priced OCI reported in the SSE during the entire test period. We also find that investors priced OCI reported in the SCI only during recent financial crisis period (2007-2009) when the magnitude and volatility of OCI significantly increased. Further evidence shows that this finding is not driven by the investment bias of transient investors. Finally, we find that value relevance of OCI decreases for firms that changed the reporting location of OCI from SSE to SCI following the implementation of ASU 2011-05 compared with firms that did not change the reporting location. As investors are expected to be more capable of incorporating information reported in a more transparent location into price, this study explores some plausible explanations for the puzzling finding and calls for future research.
The Appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale–Revised (ASAS-R): Reliability and Validity Among Older Chinese People
Authors: Guo Lina , Zauszniewski Jaclene A. , Ding Xianfei , Zhang Lin , Gao Han , Guo Qiyun , Liu Kun
Published: October 2016

The study aimed to test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Appraisal of Self-Care Agency Scale–Revised (ASAS-R-CHI). A cross-sectional design was used to conduct this study, and the sample consisted of 1,219 older people, collected by a demographic questionnaire, ASAS-R-CHI and the Exercise of Self-Care Agency (ESCA) scale. The Cronbach’s alpha (α) of ASAS-R-CHI was .79, the test–retest correlation was 0.95, and the item-to-total correlations ranged from r = .41 to r = .74. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) resulted in three factors that explained 65.31% of the total variance; all 15 items had strong factor loadings ranging from 0.54 to 0.91. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated the three-factor solution of ASAS-R-CHI had a good fit (x2,chi-square/degree of freedom [CMIN/DF] = 2.61, goodness of fitness index [GFI] = 0.93, adjusted goodness of fit index [AGFI] = 0.92,, comparative fit index [CFI = 0.92], Tucker Lewis index [TLI] = 0.91, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.04, root mean residual [RMR] = 0.02, P-value for test of close fit [PCLOSE] = 0.68). ASAS-R-CHI is a short, reliable, and valid instrument for measuring self-care agency among Chinese older adults.