bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Parental and Direct Methylmercury Exposure on Flight Activity in Young Homing Pigeons (Columba livia)
Authors: Moye John K. , Perez Cristina R. , Pritsos Chris A.
Published: February 2016

Mercury is one of the most common metals found in contaminated ecosystems. It occurs naturally, but high levels found in contaminated areas derive from human use practices. Among the most vulnerable species to exposure are birds that live, nest, or feed in or near these contaminated ecosystems. Because of the known neurological effects of mercury on birds, it is hypothesized that effects upon migratory ability would be evident after exposure to low levels of this metal, and effects may be exacerbated in young birds. Difficulties in following mercury exposed birds once they migrate away from contaminated areas have left investigators with insufficient data to establish exposure levels causing injury of migratory species due to migration disruption. Breeding pigeons were exposed to ~1.0 mg/kg/day methylmercury via the drinking water, and first round offspring were trained to home after fledging, while also continually exposed to methylmercury. The young pigeons were released individually for three flights, and flight times were assessed and compared to control young pigeon flight times from 3.5, 9, 21, 53, 65, and 98 air miles as well as two individual flights at ~50 air miles from multiple directions. Results indicate that methylmercury exposed birds exhibit slower flight times than controls during the initial flight, and generally improve on successive flights at each distance and direction. This may suggest orientation impairment and allude to migration disruption in migratory species.
Stereo-Based Visual Odometry for Autonomous Robot Navigation
Authors: Kostavelis Ioannis , Boukas Evangelos , Nalpantidis Lazaros , Gasteratos Antonios
Published: February 2016

Mobile robots should possess accurate self-localization capabilities in order to be successfully deployed in their environment. A solution to this challenge may be derived from visual odometry (VO), which is responsible for estimating the robot's pose by analysing a sequence of images. The present paper proposes an accurate, computationally-efficient VO algorithm relying solely on stereo vision images as inputs. The contribution of this work is twofold. Firstly, it suggests a non-iterative outlier detection technique capable of efficiently discarding the outliers of matched features. Secondly, it introduces a hierarchical motion estimation approach that produces refinements to the global position and orientation for each successive step. Moreover, for each subordinate module of the proposed VO algorithm, custom non-iterative solutions have been adopted. The accuracy of the proposed system has been evaluated and compared with competent VO methods along DGPS-assessed benchmark routes. Experimental results of relevance to rough terrain routes, including both simulated and real outdoors data, exhibit remarkable accuracy, with positioning errors lower than 2%.
Offensive Strategy in the 2D Soccer Simulation League Using Multi-Group Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Chen Shengbing , Lv Gang , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: February 2016

The 2D soccer simulation league is one of the best test beds for the research of artificial intelligence (AI). It has achieved great successes in the domain of multi-agent cooperation and machine learning. However, the problem of integral offensive strategy has not been solved because of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the environment. In this paper, we present a novel offensive strategy based on multi-group ant colony optimization (MACO-OS). The strategy uses the pheromone evaporation mechanism to count the preference value of each attack action in different environments, and saves the values of success rate and preference in an attack information tree in the background. The decision module of the attacker then selects the best attack action according to the preference value. The MACO-OS approach has been successfully implemented in our 2D soccer simulation team in RoboCup competitions. The experimental results have indicated that the agents developed with this strategy, along with related techniques, delivered outstanding performances.
Motion Planning of Kinematically Redundant 12-tetrahedral Rolling Robot
Authors: Wang Xingbo , Wang Xiaotao , Zhang Zhongpeng , Zhao Ying
Published: February 2016

The 12-tetrahedral robot is an addressable reconfigurable technology (ART)-based variable geometry truss mechanism with 26 extensible struts and nine nodes arranged in a tetrahedral mesh. The robot has the capability of configuring its shape to adapt to environmental requirements, which makes it suitable for space exploration. This paper considers the motion planning problem for the robot in terms of gait planning and trajectory planning. First, a gait planning method is developed that limits the forward falling angles to only 25 degrees. Then, according to the given gait, the jerk-bounded method and inverse kinematics are utilized to calculate the trajectories of the nodes and the struts, respectively. A robot system model was built in ADAMS and simulations were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the motion planning method.
«Dialogue social» et variétés des capitalismes: une analyse de long terme
Authors: Gazier Bernard , Boylaud Olivier
Published: February 2016

Cet article vise à tester sur longue période l’hypothèse de convergence des relations industrielles dans les pays développés. Prenant acte de la persistance du débat sur ce point, notamment du fait de la crise actuelle, mais aussi de la diversité des conceptions sous-jacentes, il propose de partir d’un objet de comparaison non prédéterminé par une orientation préalable : le « dialogue social ». Ce concept, utilisé notamment dans le cadre du Bureau international du Travail (BIT), reste toutefois assez flou et appelle une réélaboration. Nous ajoutons aux pratiques d’information, concertation et de négociations collectives, des pratiques moins souvent prises en compte : les pratiques du paritarisme de gestion, de la codétermination, ainsi que l’intervention de l’État, cette dernière pouvant renforcer ou, au contraire, contraindre le dialogue social.

Se limitant, pour la partie empirique, à l’ensemble formé par les négociations collectives, les pratiques de codétermination et l’intervention de l’État, l’article examine l’évolution de 19 pays de l’OCDE pour six indicateurs de 1985 à 2011. Le choix est fait de ne pas pondérer a priori l’importance de chaque indicateur, et de procéder à une analyse de données en composantes principales suivie d’une classification par nuées dynamiques. Il en résulte cinq groupes de pays, groupes dotés d’une assez forte stabilité, dont on étudie les transformations au cours du temps. Enfin, les groupes de pays sont examinés sous l’angle des performances économiques et sociales, en retenant la croissance du PIB et l’évolution du taux de chômage. On retrouve alors, sur une base non contrainte par une orientation a priori, les groupes classiquement distingués par les analyses comparatives : les groupes « anglo-saxons », « continentaux », « nordiques » et « méditerranéens », ainsi qu’un dernier groupe composé de la Suisse et du Japon. L’article conclut à la persistance de la diversité au regard du « dialogue social », y compris pour la période récente marquée par la crise.
Bitter taste receptors confer diverse functions to neurons
Authors: Delventhal Rebecca , Carlson John R
Published: February 2016

Bitter compounds elicit an aversive response. In Drosophila, bitter-sensitive taste neurons coexpress many members of the Gr family of taste receptors. However, the molecular logic of bitter signaling is unknown. We used an in vivo expression approach to analyze the logic of bitter taste signaling. Ectopic or overexpression of bitter Grs increased endogenous responses or conferred novel responses. Surprisingly, expression of Grs also suppressed many endogenous bitter responses. Conversely, deletion of an endogenous Gr led to novel responses. Expression of individual Grs conferred strikingly different effects in different neurons. The results support a model in which bitter Grs interact, exhibiting competition, inhibition, or activation. The results have broad implications for the problem of how taste systems evolve to detect new environmental dangers.
A low-power inverter-based CMOS level-crossing analog-to-digital converter for low-frequency biosignal sensing
Authors: Tanaka Suiki , Niitsu Kiichi , Nakazato Kazuo
Published: February 2016

Low-power analog-to-digital conversion is a key technique for power-limited biomedical applications such as power-limited continuous glucose monitoring. However, a conventional uniform-sampling analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is not suitable for nonuniform biosignals. A level-crossing ADC (LC-ADC) is a promising candidate for low-power biosignal processing because of its event-driven properties. The LC-ADC acquires data by level-crossing sampling. When an input signal crosses the threshold level, the LC-ADC samples the signal. The conventional LC-ADC employs a power-hungry comparator. In this paper, we present a low-power inverter-based LC-ADC. By adjusting the threshold level of the inverter, it can be used as a threshold-fixed window comparator. By using the inverter as an alternative to a comparator, power consumption can be markedly reduced. As a result, the total power consumption is successfully reduced by 90% of that of previous LC-ADC. The inverter-based LC-ADC was found to be very suitable for use in power-limited biomedical devices.
Effectiveness of adaptive silverware on range of motion of the hand
Authors: McDonald Susan S. , Levine David , Richards Jim , Aguilar Lauren
Published: February 2016

Background.Hand function is essential to a person’s self-efficacy and greatly affects quality of life. Adapted utensils with handles of increased diameters have historically been used to assist individuals with arthritis or other hand disabilities for feeding, and other related activities of daily living. To date, minimal research has examined the biomechanical effects of modified handles, or quantified the differences in ranges of motion (ROM) when using a standard versus a modified handle. The aim of this study was to quantify the ranges of motion (ROM) required for a healthy hand to use different adaptive spoons with electrogoniometry for the purpose of understanding the physiologic advantages that adapted spoons may provide patients with limited ROM.

Methods.Hand measurements included the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP), proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), and metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) for each finger and the interphalangeal (IP) and MCP joint for the thumb. Participants were 34 females age 18–30 (mean age 20.38 ± 1.67) with no previous hand injuries or abnormalities. Participants grasped spoons with standard handles, and spoons with handle diameters of 3.18 cm (1.25 inch), and 4.45 cm (1.75 inch). ROM measurements were obtained with an electrogoniometer to record the angle at each joint for each of the spoon handle sizes.

Results.A 3 × 3 × 4 repeated measures ANOVA (Spoon handle size by Joint by Finger) found main effects on ROM of Joint (F(2, 33) = 318.68, Partialη2= .95,p< .001), Spoon handle size (F(2, 33) = 598.73, Partialη2= .97,p< .001), and Finger (F(3, 32) = 163.83, Partialη2= .94,p< .001). As the spoon handle diameter size increased, the range of motion utilized to grasp the spoon handle decreased in all joints and all fingers (p< 0.01).

Discussion.This study confirms the hypothesis that less range of motion is required to grip utensils with larger diameter handles, which in turn may reduce challenges for patients with limited ROM of the hand.
RECONSTRUCTING DECONSTRUCTION IN ARCHITECTURE
Authors: Cholis IDHAM Noor
Published: February 2016

This paper examines deconstruction in architecture and forms used, which triggered by dispute of form and its scientification claimed by deconstructivists. Deconstruction terminologyis studied in the first part related to architecture field as a base knowledge. Some sample works of known deconstructionist architects are assessed in order to understand how their building is deconstructed and what forms they used. Discussion about form and its relation to other fields is then pursued by discussing the involvement of terminology of science, aesthetic pattern, and human life. The results of this discussion give clear understanding how form related to deconstruction in architecture are used.
DynamicBayesian Models: Inference and Forecasting
Authors: Prado Raquel
Published: February 2016

Bayesian forecasting encompasses statistical theory and methods intime‐seriesanalysis and time‐series forecasting, particularly approaches using dynamic andstate‐space models, although the underlying concepts and theoretical foundation relate to probability modeling and inference more generally. This entry focuses specifically on Bayesian time‐series modeling, inference, and forecasting via dynamic models, with mention of related areas.
Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Hedges Larry V.
Published: February 2016

Meta‐analysis is the process of combining information from multiple studies for the purposes of drawing general conclusions. It involves steps of problem formulation, data collection, data evaluation, and data analysis. Data analysis involves pooling estimates across studies and studying their variation by fixed, random, or mixed effects statistical methods.
Statistics: History and Principle
Authors: Sheynin Oscar
Published: February 2016

This is an essay on the history of statistics focused on lesser known issues. Drawing on the statements of Karl Pearson, Mises, Kolmogorov & Prokhorov and other authors, I think that the science of statistics is tantamount to the statistical method which in turn is largely the theory of statistics or mathematical (more precisely, theoretical) statistics.
Temporal Change
Authors: Esterby Sylvia
Published: February 2016

The study of temporal environmental change is motivated by the need to know if the state of the environment has deteriorated or, in some cases, if it has improved as a result of the removal or lessening of stress on the system. The data available for study of temporal change are observational and this presents challenges to the analysis as the cause of a detected change is also of interest. Through a series of examples, this article reviews modeling techniques that partition variability into components constructed to adequately describe the structure of the data. Temporal change is important in many areas and examples are taken from studies of water quality, floods, air quality, stratospheric ozone, global surface temperature, and species abundance, landscape patterns, and point patterns in ecology. Model features include deterministic and stochastic trends, seasonality, covariates as fixed and random components, evolutionary terms, short‐, and long‐term memory processes.
Control Chart for Nonconformities per Unit (
u
‐chart)
Authors: Mitra Amitava
Published: February 2016

Statistical process control charts are a graphical means to monitor a process or product in manufacturing or service applications. One category of control charts deals with data of attribute type. Specifically, these charts track nonconformities or defects obtained from samples chosen randomly from the process or product. When the size of the selected sample varies, the characteristic that is monitored is the number of nonconformities or defects per unit, through a control chart referred to as a
u
‐chart. The occurrence of nonconformities or defects is assumed to be governed by a Poisson distribution. For a homogeneous Poisson distribution, the rate of occurrence of nonconformities or defects is assumed to be constant over a period of time or space or area or volume, depending on the context of the application.
Ethics of Outcome Adaptive Randomization
Authors: Freidlin Boris , Korn Edward L.
Published: February 2016

The purpose of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is to facilitate improvements in clinical care by providing reliable and timely assessment of new therapies. For a given RCT, outcome adaptive randomization (OAR) methodology allows information from the early study patients to increase the chances of the later study patients being randomized to the better performing treatment arm(s), suggesting an ethical advantage. At the same time, OAR designs increase the methodological and practical complexity of the study. Relative to the standard RCT designs that incorporate interim monitoring, the OAR approach provides a modest increase in the number of favorable outcomes at the cost of a slightly higher number of unfavorable outcomes and a larger study. Consequently, unless the majority of patients are treated on RCTs, OAR would delay introduction of new effective therapies into routine clinical practice. Even in settings where a high proportion of patients are treated on clinical trials (e.g., some rare disease settings), the methodological and practical complexity introduced by OAR is likely to offset its small theoretical advantage.
A Review of Index Number Theory
Authors: Balk Bert M.
Published: February 2016

This article reviews economic index number theory, from the axiomatic viewpoint, for temporal and spatial comparison. This provides the appropriate context for a discussion of the properties of the index number formulas used in practice. In addition, the connection with microeconomic consumer and producer theory is discussed.

JEL code:C43, D11, D21, D24.
Statin attenuation of stent inflammatory response
Authors: Goldstein James A.
Published: February 2016

Key Points

Stenting induces inflammation

Inflammation mediates endothelialization, but may contribute to in‐stent restenosis

Immunomodulatory effects of statins reduce post stent inflammation
Vascular complications in steroid treated patients undergoing trans‐femoral aortic valve implantation
Authors: Echeverria Angela , Krajcer Zvonimir
Published: February 2016

Key Points

Steroids if taken chronically or periprocedurally contribute to delayed wound healing and decreased vascular patency

Access site complications after diagnostic interventional procedures carry significant morbidity, increased cost, and prolonged hospital stay

TAVI offers high risk surgical candidates with severe aortic stenosis a significant survival advantage
Slip in Flow through Assemblages of Spherical Particles at Low to Moderate Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Kishore Nanda , Ramteke Rahul R.
Published: February 2016

Effects of slip velocity and volume fraction of slip spheres on the momentum transfer characteristics of assemblages of slip spheres are numerically investigated. The fluid slip along the surface of the sphere is considered by Navier's linear slip model. The dimensionless governing continuity and momentum equations are solved using a semi‐implicit marker and cell method implemented on a staggered grid arrangement in spherical coordinates. The convection and viscous terms of momentum equations are discretized by means of the QUICK scheme and a second‐order central differencing scheme, respectively. The present numerical solver is benchmarked via grid independence and comparisons with the existing literature values. Results were obtained over a wide range of pertinent dimensionless numbers such as the Reynolds number, volume fraction of the dispersed phase, and dimensionless slip parameter.
Effective medical treatment strategies to help cessation of purging behaviors
Authors: Mascolo Margherita , McBride Jennifer , Mehler Philip S.
Published: February 2016

Objective

Herein we review the major medical issues involved in the “detoxing” of patients who engage in purging behaviors and the pathophysiology of why they occur.

Methods

Given a limited evidence base of randomized controlled trials, we conducted a thorough qualitative review to identify salient literature with regard to the medical issues involved in “detoxing” patients from their purging behaviors.

Results

Pseudo Bartter's Syndrome is the root cause of much of the medical difficulties which can arise when purging behaviors are abruptly discontinued. However, this is imminently treatable and even preventable with a judicious medical treatment plan which targets the increased serum aldosterone levels which would otherwise promote salt and water retention and a propensity towards severe edema formation. Effective recommendations are provided which can make this process much less vexing for patients attempting to cease their purging behaviors.

Conclusions

“Detoxing” from purging behaviors can be fraught with medical complications which frustrate these patients and can lead to unsuccessful outcomes. Medical providers should become familiar with the pathophysiology which is the basis for Pseudo Bartter's Syndrome and the effective medical treatments which can lead to a successful outcome. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:321–327).
A Qualitative Assessment of GE's Performance Prospects
Authors: Le Guyader Louis P.
Published: February 2016

In this article the author discusses the final elements of GE's reorganization plan to produce a stronger, streamlined industrial giant that has shed an increasingly burdensome finance arm. The simplest assessment is that the full benefits of the reorganization may take time to emerge as the after‐effects of divestitures linger and acquisitions take time to close and digest. New risks come with the reorganization; and the reorganization and the new business model is exposed to several layers of new regulations. The final result may not deliver as clear an industrial earnings signal as first expected. The plan may not be executed as cleanly as expected, making that signal noisy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the thermochemical hydrogen release rate and activity transport in a supercritical water‐cooled reactor
Authors: Choudhry K. I. , Kallikragas D. T. , Svishchev I. M.
Published: February 2016

Hydrogen evolution and activity release rates for stainless steel SS316 and nickel‐based Alloy 800H at the supercritical water‐cooled reactor (SCWR) conditions were estimated, together with amount of oxygen absorbed into the passivation oxide layers formed on both materials. Hydrogen evolution from an oxidized SS316 surface was found to be about six times larger than from Alloy 800H at constant temperature and pressure of 650 °C and 25 MPa. The largest 60Co activity release rate due to corrosion was estimated to be for SS316 at 650 °C and at pH10. Because of a single loop design, the radioactive corrosion products of in‐core surfaces of the SCWR are expected to be carried out‐of‐core with the supercritical coolant.
Bright Blue Photoluminescence Emitted from the Novel Hyperbranched Polysiloxane‐Containing Unconventional Chromogens
Authors: Niu Song , Yan Hongxia , Li Song , Xu Peilun , Zhi Xiaoli , Li Tingting
Published: February 2016

A blue fluorescence‐emitting hyperbranched polysiloxane simultaneously containing hydroxyl and epoxy groups (HPHEp) has been developed through one‐step A2 + B3 melt polycondensation between methoxyl groups of (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (A‐187) and hydroxyl groups of neopentyl glycol under catalyst‐free conditions. The emission intensity of the HPHEp in ethanol solution continuously arises in pace with raising its concentration, and the brightest luminescence is observed even in the 100% solid state. Studies show that the aggregation of oxygen‐rich heteroatoms from the hydroxyl and epoxy groups is assigned to the luminous source. Intriguingly, the HPHEp displays reinforced photoluminescence after polyetherification by 20 wt% polyether amine M2070; nevertheless, the modified polymer represents diminished emission intensity along with increasing the polyether content. Thus, this investigation offers a new methodology of designing photoluminescent materials.

image
Evaluation of the Impact of a Pharmacist‐Led Telehealth Clinic on Diabetes‐Related Goals of Therapy in a Veteran Population
Authors: Maxwell Lauralee G. , McFarland Michael Shawn , Baker Jennifer Waymier , Cassidy Regina F.
Published: February 2016

Objectives

Telemedicine has been offered as a way to ensure that all patients, including those who live in rural areas, have access to the same health care. This study was performed to evaluate the benefit of a real‐time, clinic‐based video telehealth (Clinical Video Telehealth [CVT]) program and the impact of a pharmacist‐led CVT clinic for chronic disease state management. The primary objective was to evaluate changes from baseline values, in veterans referred by primary care providers to this clinic.

Methods

This was a single‐center, prospective, pre–post pilot study that also included a post–patient satisfaction survey. The study was conducted at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, which is composed of two medical centers and 12 community‐based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) located away from the two main facilities. Fifteen clinical pharmacy specialists (CPSs)—seven at the two main facilities and eight at the CBOCs—provide disease state management clinical pharmacy services. One of the seven CPSs at the main facilities works via telemedicine and provides services to the CBOCs where on‐site clinical pharmacy services did not exist. The primary outcomes were changes from baseline in A1C, LDL level, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure after 6 months of CVT services by the CPS. Secondary outcomes were the percentages of patients meeting American Diabetes Association treatment goals for hemoglobin A1c (A1C), low‐density lipoprotein level, and blood pressure, both individually and in combination after attending a pharmacist‐led CVT program; the level of patient satisfaction with pharmacists' care and with CVT as a method of receiving chronic disease management, specifically for diabetes; and medication additions or changes made by the pharmacist.

Results

Twenty‐six patients completed the 6‐month evaluation. A significant decrease in A1C of 2% from baseline was observed (p=0.0002), and the percentage of patients meeting goal A1C significantly increased from 0% at baseline to 38% at 6 months (p=0.0007). Overall patient satisfaction scores were also high, with a median score 39.5 (interquartile range 36–40) of a maximum score of 40.

Conclusion

Six months of CVT clinic attendance significantly improved A1C values and the overall percentage of patients meeting their goal A1C values in this veteran population. In addition, patient satisfaction scores also indicated a high level of satisfaction with the pharmacist‐led CVT service.
Pick a Card, Any Card: The Relationship Between Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Decision-Making
Authors: Leonello Angelina , Jones Mairwen K.
Published: February 2016

Specific deficits in decision-making have been demonstrated in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The experience of anxious arousal in obsessive-compulsive (OC) patients has been posited to be responsible for disrupting the cognitive processes that lead to efficacious decision-making (Sachdev & Malhi, 2005). In spite of this, research has neglected to examine explicitly the effect of anxiety on the relationship between decision-making and OCD. The current study investigates whether decision-making differences on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) occur as a function of OC symptomatology in a non-clinical sample (n = 110). Participants were randomly allocated to either an anxiety condition (n = 58) or control condition (n = 52). Anxious arousal was induced in the anxiety condition via an experimental manipulation prior to commencing the IGT. Participants in the anxiety condition performed significantly worse than those in the control group on the IGT. However, OC symptomatology did not significantly predict IGT performance. The experience of anxiety did not significantly moderate the relationship between OC symptomatology and IGT performance. These findings indicate that decision-making differences do not occur as a function of OC symptomatology in a non-clinical sample; however, they do suggest that the experience of anxiety significantly impairs decision-making performance. The theoretical and practical applications of the findings are discussed.
Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 levels and incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation
Authors: Skuladottir G. V. , Cohen A. , Arnar D. O. , Hougaard D. M. , Torfason B. , Palsson R. , Indridason O. S.
Published: February 2016

Low circulating levels of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) have been associated with an increased risk of adverse effects after cardiac surgery. The metabolites, 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3, provide a good index of vitamin D status. In this study, we examined the association between preoperative plasma levels of total 25(OH)D, 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 and the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following open heart surgery. The levels of plasma 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3 in 118 patients, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular surgery, were measured immediately prior to surgery and on postoperative day 3 by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Patients who developed POAF had higher median plasma levels of 25(OH)D2 than those who remained in sinus rhythm (SR) (P = 0·003), but no significant difference was noted in levels of 25(OH)D3 or total 25(OH)D between the two groups (P > 0·05). By univariate analysis, patients with total 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D2 levels above the median had higher frequency of POAF (P < 0·05) and the incidence of POAF increased significantly with each higher quartile of preoperative plasma levels of 25(OH)D2 (P = 0·001), an association that was independent of confounding factors. In both the SR and POAF groups, the median plasma levels of 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3 and total 25(OH)D were lower (P < 0·05) on the third postoperative day compared with preoperatively. Our findings demonstrate that higher plasma levels of 25(OH)D2 are associated with increased risk of POAF, while this is not the case for 25(OH)D3 or total 25(OH)D. The reason for these discrepant results is not clear but warrants further study.
Precedent in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Barwick Garfield
Published: February 2016

I am most honoured to have been asked to deliver this lecture in the series of the Lionel Cohen Lectures in this University. During the years I practised as an advocate I had the privilege and advantage of appearing in London on more than one occasion before a board of the Judicial Committee of Her Majesty's Privy Council of which Lord Cohen was a member. May I respectfully say that in the argument of cases before him I came to appreciate his knowledge of the law and the perceptiveness of his mind in the resolution of complex legal problems. I always appreciated his unfailing courtesy and patience with counsel even when perforce counsel in the course of duty had to put what his Lordship thought was a bad and even an untenable argument. Also, I came to know him personally and joined the wide circle of his friends. I am very delighted to be now participating in a public acknowledgement of Lord Cohen as a jurist and as a man.
Israel and the European Extradition System
Authors: Meron Theodor
Published: February 2016

I shall try in the following pages to explain Israel's policy on extradition, outline briefly Israel's Extradition Law, 1954, and survey Israel's extradition links with European countries. I shall then deal with Israel's experience with the application of the European Convention on Extradition of 13 December 1957, and shall consider possible modifications to the Convention. This task has been made easier by the three reports which have been presented by Professor Schultz, Mr. Duk and Mr. Karle.

The extradition of criminals presents for every country delicate and complex problems, for this branch of law, regulated by both international agreements and domestic legislation, is intimately related to each State's concepts of administration of justice and criminal law, as well as to its approach to human rights in general, and asylum in particular.
Legal Aspects of the Egyptian Intervention in Yemen
Authors: Ossad Meir
Published: February 2016

Most writers discussing pre-Republican Yemen stress its complete isolation from the rest of the world. Those sympathetic to the Republic are anxious to point out that the Imams, or kings, of the country consciously followed a policy of almost hermetic isolation in order to ensure the continuation of the feudal privileges which they and the tribal sheikhs enjoyed. Whether or not this interpretation is accurate it is necessary to point out that some countries, and not only Arab states, had already been in contact with the kingdom for several decades at the time of the 1962 coup.

Italy was the first European nation to make a deliberate attempt to develop its relations with Yemen in this century. The Italians, anxious to make their position in Eritreamore secure and, if possible, to gain an economic foothold in Arabia, concluded a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the Imam on September 2, 1926. From that time, and in spite ofthe disappearance of Italian colonies in East Africa, the Italians have continued to enjoy a somewhat privileged position among Western Europeans in the country. At times during the past few years, they have been almost the only Westerners permitted to remain in Yemen.
The Land Law, 1969: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Weisman Joshua
Published: February 2016

To claim that the Land Law, 1969 is the most significant private law enactment to have been promulgated hitherto by the Knesset may perhaps be regarded as somewhat of anexaggeration. Nevertheless, it would seem incontrovertible that this statute is at any rate among the most basic and extensive to have been enacted by the Knesset in the realm ofprivate law. In order to appreciate the particular importance of this statute it is sufficient to consider two provisions thereof, namely, the abolition of recourse to English law as a source for complementing the local law in all matters relating to land; and, secondly, the repeal of the Ottoman land legislation. Some preliminary remarks may be of assistance in appreciating the full import of these two provisions.
Illogicality and Roman Law
Authors: Watson Alan
Published: February 2016

It is a commonplace that Rome's greatest contribution to the modern world is its law. Whether this is strictly true or not, Roman law is certainly the basis of the law of Western Europe (with the exception of England and Scandinavia), of much of Africa including South Africa, Ethiopia and in general the former colonies of countries in continental Europe, of Quebec and Louisiana, of Japan and Ceylon and so on. Perhaps even more important for the future is that International law is very largely modelled, by analogy, on Roman law. Just think of the perfectly serious arguments of a few years ago as to whether outer space (including the moon and planets) were res nullius or res communes and whether they were, or were not, susceptible of acquisition by occupatio. This persistence of Roman law has had undesirable consequences. First, Roman law as an academic subject has got into the hands of lawyers whose love of technicalities has frightened off classical scholars who tend not to use the legal sources. Secondly, scholars of antiquity, since Roman law is left well alone, have also been reluctant to look at other ancient legal systems. So have lawyers since these other systems have no ‘practical” value. Thirdly, following upon these but worse still, the usefulness of Roman law for later ages, coupled with its enforced isolation from other systems of antiquity, has often led to an exaggerated respect for it, and to its being regarded as well-nigh perfect, immutable, fit for all people. Many in “the Age of Reason” were ready to regard Roman law as “the Law of Reason”.
Forged Indorsements and Bankers' Liability
Authors: Gottesman Moshe
Published: February 2016

I. Conditions of Protection: (1) A “Bill”: a) General observations, b) conditional instruments i) uncrossed instrument ii) crossed instrument, c) banker's draft i) uncrossed instrument ii) crossed instrument, d) instrument to order of unspecified person, e) instrument with forged drawer's signature or material alteration, f) “bill” distinguished from “cheque”, g) non-negotiable bill.

(2) Indorsement: a) Indorsement distinguished from receipt, b) forgery of signature of drawee bank's customer, c) unauthorized signature

(3) Good Faith

(4) Ordinary Course of Business

(5) Lack of Negligence: a) When this element required, b) meaning of concept

(6) Payment: a) Payment distinguished from collection, b) payment otherwise than by drawee bank, c) protection distinguished from cause of action

The subject of this study is one aspect of the complex of rights and obligations created upon the perpetration of forgery in the indorsement of a bill. In general terms we are concerned here with the conversion of a bill, its forged indorsement, the payment thereof by the drawee and a claim by the owner of the bill upon the drawee for the amount of the bill. The local law recognizes the right to such a claim but interposes a shield protective of the drawee under certain conditions. The purpose of the present study is to examine the nature of this protection, to identify the conditions thereof and to examine its reasonableness. The intention is to confine attention solely to this protection and accordingly no inquiry will so far as possible, be conducted into any principle which possesses broader projections beyond this limited theme. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore a number of relationships which arise as a consequence of this protection but are not created between the true owner and the drawee themselves. In order to examine the reasonableness of the protection, these relationships require investigation, if only briefly.
Assured's Misrepresentation and the Insurance Agent's Knowledge of the truth
Authors: Tedeschi G.
Published: February 2016

Israel judges usually have regard to English precedents which fit (or appear to them to fit) the case they are dealing with—sometimes, even when a local norm exists that may be applicable. And apparently they have not freed themselves from this practice even in those cases where it is neither Ottoman nor Mandatory law that is involved but Israel law in the narrow sense of that term, or in respect of those statutes which are intended to be part of an evolving Israel codification. The practice is likely to come into conflict not only with the view that English law—as referred to in Article 46 of the Palestine Order-in-Council, 1922–47—is no longer relevant to our current law since the establishment of the State or the view that at least these Israel laws do not require supplementation from outside, but also with the view of those who, having reservations about such outlook, simply urge that English law need not apply, even under Article 46 itself, so long as a domestic legal order exists.
Proposed Simplifications of Convention-Making Procedures
Authors: Lador-Lederer J.J.
Published: February 2016

I. Generations of lawyers have laboured to establish a code on the law ol treaties. Eventually, a treaty on that subject was signed in Vienna on May 23, 1969—the “Treaty on Treaties”. Without intending now to go into questions regarding the Convention as a whole (it certainly is one of the best prepared pieces of modern international legislation), attention must be paid to a matter which the President of the Conference itself, Professor Roberto Ago, found necessary to point out in a specific Report on the Final Stage of the Codification of International Law to the International Law Commission, and which has been revived as a subject of doctrinal studies, under dramatic pressure, first by the bodies which feel responsible for the security of air traffic. The need for rapid entry into force of certain international Conventions, however, also poses the question whether experience, subsequent to the Vienna Conference, is appropriately helped by that code. This is the point of observation chosen for this paper: treaty-making as part of the functional operation of inter-governmental organizations.

The question is far from being purely academic. As will be seen below, several important IGOs have these last years posed the question of simplification of entry into force of ‘their’ treaty law. It must be asked therefore whether this is—or may become—a general trend or possibly one limited to a specific category of IGOs, and hence of treaties. We will show that there are no short-cuts to “simplification” and “simple” solutions.
Shareholders v. Directors
Authors: (Jurkevitz) Aharon Yoran
Published: February 2016

Two recent English cases bring to the fore the difficulties that controlling shareholders face when they wish to remove incumbent directors. In the case of Bushell v. Faith, the director involved took refuge in an article of association which weighted the voting power of directors for the sole purpose of defeating a removal resolution. Although he held only one third of the outstanding shares, he was able to outvote the controlling shareholders and remain in the saddle. The House of Lords decided that the article in question did not run foul of sec. 184(1) of the 1948 Companies Act, which invalidates articles requiring more than a simple resolution for removal of directors.

The rationale of the Court of Appeal and of the House of Lords was that as long as multiple and restricted voting rights are generally recognized, no different rule can apply to voting rights weighted specifically for blocking a removal resolution. Only Lord Morris of Borth-Y-Gest endorsed the reasoning of Ungoed-Thomas J. at first instance (not reported) who held that the purpose of the article in question was to make a director irremovable and that it was tantamount to a requirement that more than a simple majority be necessary for removal.
Codification of Private International Law in Israel?
Authors: Vitta Edoardo
Published: February 2016

In the field of Private International Law, as well as in other branches of the law, Israeli legislation reflects the inheritance of the past. The situation is particularly complex in relation to matters of personal status, where the principle of the personality of the law, characterising the legal set-up of the former Ottoman Empire, still prevails, although modified in various ways by enactments of the Mandatory period and the legislature of Israel. Yet the bulk of conflict rules are drawn from the common law as applied in England, a subsidiary source of legal rules under art. 46 of the Palestine Order-in-Council, 1922–47.

The details of the P.I.L. system actually in force in the State of Israel will not be dealt with in this paper. Our discussion will be limited to the main trends.

The rules concerning personal status in Israel have their basis in Ottoman law according to which the national law of foreigners was applied to them by the consular courts of their own States. This, the well-known system of the Capitulations, was maintained until the Treaty of Montreux of 8 May 1937.

When the British Mandate was set up in Palestine, the pattern obtaining in other territories under British administration was followed: the existing legal framework was retained and merely adapted to the new situation. The relevant Mandatory legislation consisted of the Palestine Order-in-Council 1922 and the Succession Ordinance, 1925. Under these enactments matters of personal status affecting foreigners (other than Moslem foreigners belonging to States who required them to submit in such matters, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Moslem Religious Courts) were to be tried by the civil courts (the District Courts) according to their national law; if, however, the national law referred the matter to the law of their domicile, such latter law was to be applied.
Should We Have a “General Right to Privacy” In Israel?
Authors: Gavison Ruth
Published: February 2016

In recent years there has been a growing concern about privacy in many countries. Consequently demands are being made that the law should afford privacy a more adequate protection. This new concern about privacy may seem surprising when we recall that people have always gossipped, that individuals have always sought information about others for various purposes, and that governments have always had an interest in knowing as much as they could about their citizens. The intensity of these recent demands for more legal protection suggests that conditions have changed, and that this change has created new threats for privacy. To deal effectively with these new threats we must first identify and understand them.

It appears that a combination of various factors, all of which are somehow related to technological developments, is responsible for arousing this interest in privacy. First is the development of the mass-media, which removed the traditional limitations on dissemination of information, and created an artifical demand for such information. Second is the development of electronic devices enabling invasions of privacy which were hitherto impossible. Third is the development and use of computerised systems for the storage and compilation of information. The threats to privacy are evident. Information about us can be retrieved from the files, or sought by detectives or journalists aided by sophisticated devices against which there is virtually no protection. This information may be used against us or disseminated in the mass-media and thus become “public knowledge”. Movements and conversations may be recorded.
Recent Developments in Israel Criminal Law
Authors: Bein Dan
Published: February 2016

Criminal liability, in the widest sense has its periods of ebb and flow; thus for a certain length of time it may extend over a greater field of human behaviour and then may withdraw and permit forms of conduct formerly regarded as criminal to be no longer so regarded.

Looking at recent developments in Israeli substantive criminal law it appears that we are now in a period of “flow”, which finds its expression in various forms, namely:

1) The adoption by the courts of less strict canons of interpretation of criminal legislation;

2) The application of general doctrines, especially those of attempt, conspiracy and complicity more widely than before;

3) The narrowing down of certain defences;

4) The creation of new offences or the amending of existing offences with a view to covering modes of conduct which have not, in the past, been subject to criminal law.

5) The broadening of the spatial (or territorial) application of the criminal law. This is generally expressed in Israel—according to English tradition—in terms of the jurisdiction of the courts, but in actual fact it is not a procedural matter but relates to the question of the breadth of the criminal law itself.
The Subjective Element in the Formation of Customary International Law
Authors: Walden Raphael M.
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this paper is to consider and discuss theories as to the nature of the subjective element in the formation of customary international law that have been propounded by various publicists, and to point out certain difficulties which attend all hitherto existing theories. An attempt will be made in a subsequent paper to develop a theory which avoids these difficulties.
The United States — Israel Tax Convention
Authors: Rafael Amnon , Efrati David
Published: February 2016

The Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Israel with Respect to Taxes on Income has reached its final stages of ratification. This is the third attempt of the two governments to reach agreement on tax questions of mutual interest. The United States Senate failed to ratify the first proposed convention because of the inclusion of a “tax sparing” clause. Although the second attempt would have granted U.S. taxpayers an investment credit for investments in Israel, in lieu of the tax sparing, this substitute was still not considered sufficiently neutral to accord it ratification.

The present attempt makes use of the foreign tax credit as its primary means of alleviating double taxation.