bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A wavelet-based-approach to detect climate change on the coherent and turbulent component of the atmospheric circulation
Authors: Faranda Davide , Defrance Dimitri
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The modifications of atmospheric circulation induced by anthropogenic effects are difficult to capture because wind fields feature a complex spectrum where the signal of large scale coherent structures (planetary, baroclinic waves and other long-term oscillations) is mixed up with turbulence. Our purpose is to study separately the effects of climate changes on these two components by applying a wavelet analysis to the 700 hPa wind fields obtained in climate simulations for different forcing scenarios. We study the coherent component of the signal via a correlation analysis to detect the persistence of large-scale or long-lasting structures, whereas we use the theory of Auto-Regressive Moving-Average stochastic processes to measure the spectral complexity of the turbulent component. Under strong anthropogenic forcing, we detect a significant climate-change signal. The analysis suggests that coherent structures will play a dominant role in future climate, whereas turbulent spectra will approach a classical Kolmogorov behavior.
Reconstruction of North American drainage basins and river discharge since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Wickert Andrew D.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Over the last glacial cycle, ice sheets and the resultant glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) rearranged river systems. As these riverine threads that tied the ice sheets to the sea were stretched, severed, and restructured, they also shrank and swelled with the pulse of meltwater inputs and time-varying drainage basin areas, and sometimes delivered enough meltwater to the oceans in the right places to influence global climate. Here I present a general method to compute past river flow paths, drainage basin geometries, and river discharges, by combining models of past ice-sheets, glacial isostatic adjustment, and climate. The result is a time series of synthetic paleohydrographs and drainage basin maps from the Last Glacial Maximum to present for five published models of the North American ice sheets. I compare these maps with drainage reconstructions based purely on field data, such as river deposits and terraces, isotopic records, mineral provenance markers, glacial moraine histories, and evidence of ice-stream and esker flow directions. The sharp boundaries of the reconstructed past drainage basins complement the flexurally-smoothed GIA signal more often used to validate ice-sheet reconstructions, and provide a complementary framework to reduce nonuniqueness in model reconstructions of the North American ice sheet complex.
Glacial–interglacial changes in H218O, HDO and deuterium excess – results from the fully coupled ECHAM5/MPI-OM Earth system model
Authors: Werner M. , Haese B. , Xu X. , Zhang X. , Butzin M. , Lohmann G.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. In this study we present the first results of a new isotope-enabled general circulation model set-up. The model consists of the fully coupled ECHAM5/MPI-OM atmosphere–ocean model, enhanced by the JSBACH interactive land surface scheme and an explicit hydrological discharge scheme to close the global water budget. Stable water isotopes H218O and HDO have been incorporated into all relevant model components. Results of two equilibrium simulations under pre-industrial and Last Glacial Maximum conditions are analysed and compared to observational data and paleoclimate records for evaluating the model's performance in simulating spatial and temporal variations in the isotopic composition of the Earth's water cycle. For the pre-industrial climate, many aspects of the simulation results of meteoric waters are in good to very good agreement with both observations and earlier atmosphere-only simulations. The model is capable of adequately simulating the large spread in the isotopic composition of precipitation between low and high latitudes. A comparison to available ocean data also shows a good model–data agreement; however, a strong bias of overly depleted ocean surface waters is detected for the Arctic region. Simulation results under Last Glacial Maximum boundary conditions also fit to the wealth of available isotope records from polar ice cores, speleothems, as well as marine calcite data. Data–model evaluation of the isotopic composition in precipitation reveals a good match of the model results and indicates that the temporal glacial–interglacial isotope–temperature relation was substantially lower than the present spatial gradient for most mid- to high-latitudinal regions. As compared to older atmosphere-only simulations, a remarkable improvement is achieved for the modelling of the deuterium excess signal in Antarctic ice cores. Our simulation results indicate that cool sub-tropical and mid-latitudinal sea surface temperatures are key for this progress. A recently discussed revised interpretation of the deuterium excess record of Antarctic ice cores in terms of marine relative humidity changes on glacial–interglacial timescales is not supported by our model results.
Late-summer sea ice segmentation with multi-polarisation SAR features in C and X band
Authors: Fors Ane S. , Brekke Camilla , Doulgeris Anthony P. , Eltoft Torbjørn , Renner Angelika H. H. , Gerland Sebastian
Published: February 2016

Abstract. In this study, we investigate the potential of sea ice segmentation by C- and X-band multi-polarisation synthetic aperture radar (SAR) features during late summer. Five high-resolution satellite SAR scenes were recorded in the Fram Strait covering iceberg-fast first-year and old sea ice during a week with air temperatures varying around 0 °C. Sea ice thickness, surface roughness and aerial photographs were collected during a helicopter flight at the site. Six polarimetric SAR features were extracted for each of the scenes. The ability of the individual SAR features to discriminate between sea ice types and their temporal consistency were examined. All SAR features were found to add value to sea ice type discrimination. Relative kurtosis, geometric brightness, cross-polarisation ratio and co-polarisation correlation angle were found to be temporally consistent in the investigated period, while co-polarisation ratio and co-polarisation correlation magnitude were found to be temporally inconsistent. An automatic feature-based segmentation algorithm was tested both for a full SAR feature set and for a reduced SAR feature set limited to temporally consistent features. In C band, the algorithm produced a good late-summer sea ice segmentation, separating the scenes into segments that could be associated with different sea ice types in the next step. The X-band performance was slightly poorer. Excluding temporally inconsistent SAR features improved the segmentation in one of the X-band scenes.
On the Conduciveness of Random Network Graphs for Maximal Assortative or Maximal Dissortative Matching
Authors: Meghanathan Natarajan
Published: February 2016

A maximal matching of a graph is the set of edges such that the addition of an edge to this set violates the property of matching (i.e., no two edges of the matching share a vertex). We use the notion of assortative index (ranges from -1 to 1) to evaluate the extent of similarity of the end vertices constituting the edges of a matching. A maximal matching of the edges whose assortative index is as close as possible to 1 is referred to as maximal assortative matching (MAM) and a maximal matching of the edges whose assortative index is as close as possible to -1 is referred to as maximal dissortative matching (MDM). We present algorithms to determine the MAM and MDM of the edges in a network graph. Through extensive simulations, we conclude that random network graphs are more conducive for maximal dissortative matching rather than maximal assortative matching. We observe the assortative index of an MDM on random network graphs to be relatively more closer to the targeted optimal value of -1 compared to the assortative index of an MAM to the targeted optimal value of 1.
Improving Analysis and Visualizing of JVM Profiling Logs Using Process Mining
Authors: S. Farag Mohamed , MohieEl Din M. M. , I. Ghali Neveen , Hassan O. M.
Published: February 2016

<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-US">Growing size and complexity of modern software applications increase the demand to make the information systems self-configuring, self-optimizing and with flexible architecture. Although managed languages have eliminated or minimized many low-level software errors there are many other sources of errors that persist. Java Virtual Machine (JVM), as managed language has many adaptive optimization techniques, which needs tools to analysis program behavior determines where the application spends most of its time. In this paper, new approached has been introduced to use process-mining techniques to represent the analysis and visualize phases of JVM profilers. They are flexible enough to cover so many perspectives in several ways. That can form a unified layer for analysis and visualize across profiling.
Evaluating Farm-Level Crop Insurance Demand in China: A Double-Bounded Dichotomous Approach
Authors: Zhang Ruojin , Fan Dan
Published: February 2016

In 2007 the Chinese Ministry of Finance (CMF) approved the pilot agricultural insurance subsidy program, which tremendously promoted the growth of the agricultural insurance market. However the insurance adoption rate is still low comparing to that of developed countries. The main objective of this paper is to investigate factors most influence growers’ crop insurance adoption decisions. To this end, we adopt a double-bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) experiment. This bidding experiment is conducted through extensive in-person interviews with over 300 rural households in west China, Szechwan province. By using the maximize likelihood method we empirically estimate the effects of factors such as landholding, income and farming experience on the farm-level crop insurance demand. Results indicate that the majority (53 per cent) of rice growers are willing to pay a high crop insurance premium above ¥10 ($ 1.7). On the other side, about 23 per cent of growers value the crop insurance below ¥2 ($ 0.34). As expected, the effects of landholding, education and income are all positive and statistically significant. However, household size and farming experience adversely affect the insurance adoption decisions.
Effects of Deficit Irrigation on Yield and Quality of Onion Crop
Authors: Rop David K. , Kipkorir Emmanuel C. , Taragon John K.
Published: February 2016

The broad objective of this study was to test Deficit Irrigation (DI) as an appropriate irrigation management strategy to improve crop water productivity and give optimum onion crop yield. A field trial was conducted with drip irrigation system of six irrigation treatments replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. The crop was subjected to six water stress levels 100% ETc (T100), 90% ETc (T90), 80% ETc (T80), 70% ETc (T70), 60% ETc (T60) and 50% ETc (T50) at vegetative and late season growth stages. The onion yield and quality based on physical characteristics and irrigation water use efficiency were determined. The results indicated that the variation in yield ranged from 34.4 ton/ha to 18.9 ton/ha and the bulb size ranged from 64 mm to 35 mm in diameter for T100 and T50 respectively. Irrigation water use efficiency values decreased with increasing water application level with the highest of 16.2 kg/ha/mm at T50, and the lowest being13.1 kg/ha/mm at T100. It was concluded that DI at vegetative and late growth stages influence yields in a positive linear trend with increasing quantity of irrigation water and decreasing water stress reaching optimum yield of 32.0 ton/ha at 20% water stress (T80) thereby saving 10.7% irrigation water. Onion bulb production at this level optimizes water productivity without significantly affecting yields. DI influenced the size and size distribution of fresh onion bulbs, with low size variation of the fresh bulbs at T80.
Reducing Fat Content of Fried Potato Pellet Chips Using Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Soy Protein Isolate Solutions as Coating Films
Authors: Angor Malak M.
Published: February 2016

The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of different percentages of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) and Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) as coating material films for potato pellet chips during deep-fat frying on fat uptake, and sensory properties. Coating solutions of 2%, 6%, 10% and 14% w/v were prepared and heated to 90 ºC for 5 minutes then cooled. Samples were dipped in the coating solutions followed by air drying. The treatments were fried and analyzed for fat uptake and moisture retention. Sensorial attributes were also measured. The results obtained have shown that all coating treatments were reduced oil uptake during deep fat frying. The 10% was the most effective level in reducing fat uptake for both coating films. SPI coating films was reducing fat uptake more than CMC for all levels. All samples were found to improve all sensorial features of potato pellet chips compared to control.
Modulation of Bovine Wnt Signaling Pathway Genes by Cowpea Phenolic Extract
Authors: Adjei-Fremah Sarah , Asiamah Emmanuel Kwaku , Ekwemalor Kingsley , Jackai Louis , Schimmel Keith , Worku Mulumebet
Published: February 2016

The Wingless (Wnt) signaling pathway is a conserved pathway with essential roles in cellular and biological processes in mammals. Wnt signal transduction has been implicated in inflammation, innate immunity and homeostasis via Toll-like receptor and NF-kB pathways. Plant bioactive compounds are capable of modulating the Wnt signalling pathway, which can be either a canonical (B-Catenin dependent) or non-canonical (B-Catenin independent) mechanism. This study evaluated the effect of cowpea phenolic extract (CPE) on the expression and modulation of genes of the Wnt signaling pathway in cow blood. Whole blood collected from six Holstein-Friesian cows was treated with 10 ug/ml of the extract, and evaluated for packed cell volume (PCV), total count and viability of cells, and white blood cell differential count before and after treatment. Cowpea phenolic extract agonist activity in blood was measured using a Bovine toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, and TLR 4 ELISA kit. Total RNA was isolated from the blood cell pellet, reverse transcribed and used for real-time PCR to detect expression of 84 genes on the Cow Wnt signaling pathway array. The total cell-associated B-Catenin level was measured using a commercial ELISA kit. There was no treatment effect on PCV, total cell and viability (P > 0.05). The percentage of mononuclear cells were influenced by treatment, % monocytes (P = 0.0136) decreased and % lymphocytes (P = 0.0114) increased. Treatment with CPE activated cow blood cells, increased TLR2 release and total B-Catenin levels (6 ng/ml, P < 0.05), but TLR4 was not detected. Polyphenols from cowpea modulated the expression of Wnt signalling genes, especially canonical B-Catenin mediated pathway genes. Modulation of Wingless gene expression may be an important mechanism by which polyphenols in cowpea feed impact cellular immune response and homeostasis. Thus, further studies are needed to determine the association of CPE-mediated Wnt gene modulation on blood leucocytes subpopulations and animal health.
Sobre a velhice e lutos difíceis: “eu não faço falta”
Authors: Castilho Glória , Bastos Angélica
Published: February 2016

Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar e discutir a regularidade comque ocorrem lutos difíceis na velhice. Seu campo de problemas e questõesconsiste em circunscrever certa perturbação do trabalho de luto, expressa emfrases ditas com muita frequência por “idosos” em análise, tais como “eu nãofaço falta”. Recorre a algumas pontuações de S. Freud e J. Lacan sobre a dore a angústia. Apoia-se no comentário do segundo, acerca de uma sequênciaclínica publicada por Margareth Little, em torno de pontos de impasse a quese encontra sujeito o trabalho de luto. Nesse enquadre, indica-se o lugar e afunção da angústia como capaz de abrir e dar direção ao necessário trabalhode luto ao permitir e veicular, sob transferência, alguma circulação da falta.
Los tipos iconográficos de la tradición cristiana. Vol. 1. La visualidad del logos. Madrid, Editorial Encuentro
Authors: Doménech García Sergi
Published: February 2016

Recensión del libro:GARCÍA MAHÍQUES, Rafael (dir.) [2015]. Los tipos iconográficos de la tradición cristiana. Vol. 1. La visualidad del Logos. Madrid, Ediciones Encuentro, 1.111 pp.
Highly efficient solution-processed host-free organic light-emitting diodes showing an external quantum efficiency of nearly 18% with a thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitter
Authors: Wada Yoshimasa , Shizu Katsuyuki , Kubo Shosei , Fukushima Tatsuya , Miwa Takuya , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Adachi Chihaya , Kaji Hironori
Published: February 2016

We demonstrate solution-processed host-free organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using a thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitter 10-[4-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)phenyl]-9,9-dimethylacridan (DMAC-TRZ). A spin-coated neat DMAC-TRZ film shows weak concentration quenching, leading to a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 84%. OLEDs containing a neat film of DMAC-TRZ display a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 17.6%. Both the PLQY and EQE are the highest reported for solution-processed host-free films and OLEDs, respectively. In addition, the OLEDs exhibit an EQE of 16.8% at high luminance (over 400 cd m−2).
External cavity diode laser with very-low frequency drift
Authors: Takamizawa Akifumi , Yanagimachi Shinya , Ikegami Takeshi
Published: February 2016

An external cavity diode laser with significant mechanical robustness was installed in a housing that was sealed from outside for eliminating variations in the refractive index of air. Using the feedback signal for a frequency lock, it was found that the variation in the laser frequency under free running was suppressed to 275 MHz over one month and depended on the room temperature. Moreover, the upper limit of the linear frequency drift rate was evaluated as intrinsically 40 Hz/s. The frequency lock is expected to be sustainable for more than 110 days with temperature-controlled housing.
Phenomenology of NMSSM in TeV scale mirage mediation
Authors: Hagimoto Kei , Kobayashi Tatsuo , Makino Hiroki , Okumura Ken-ichi , Shimomura Takashi
Published: February 2016

Abstract

We study the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model (NMSSM) with the TeV scale mirage mediation, which is known as a solution for the little hierarchy problem in supersymmetry. Our previous study showed that 125 GeV Higgs boson is realized with

$$ \mathcal{O} $$

O

(10)% fine-tuning for 1.5 TeV gluino (1 TeV stop) mass. The μ term could be as large as 500 GeV without sacrificing the fine-tuning thanks to a cancellation mechanism. The singlet-doublet mixing is suppressed by tan β. In this paper, we further extend this analysis. We argue that approximate scale symmetries play a role behind the suppression of the singlet-doublet mixing. They reduce the mixing matrix to a simple form that is useful to understand the results of the numerical analysis. We perform a comprehensive analysis of the fine-tuning including the singlet sector by introducing a simple formula for the fine-tuning measure. This shows that the singlet mass of the least fine-tuning is favored by the LEP anomaly for moderate tan β. We also discuss prospects for the precision measurements of the Higgs couplings at LHC and ILC and direct/indirect dark matter searches in the model.
Educational (Mis)match and skill utilization in Germany: Assessing the role of worker and job characteristics
Authors: Rohrbach-Schmidt Daniela , Tiemann Michael
Published: February 2016

This paper provides precise figures on the incidence and wage penalties of mismatching in Germany. We use the BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey 2006 to compute two different measures of person-to-job matching. A first measure indicates an educational (mis)match, i.e., whether a worker’s attained level of education corresponds to the qualificational requirements of his or her job. Second, — and different from most other studies—we observe a skill (mis)match that reflects the correspondence between the skills of the job holder and the skill requirements of the job. We explore whether and the extent to which results on mismatch differ between these measures and explain the probability of being (mis)matched by different sets of worker and job characteristics. We also examine wage penalties for mismatching in Germany, considering a large number of controls for workers and, in addition to most earlier studies, job heterogeneity; we use random intercept models with workers nested in occupations. Our results indicate that large shares of over- or under-educated workers in Germany have skills that correspond to the skill requirements of their jobs. Furthermore, there are workers perfectly matched with respect to their education who, nevertheless, feel under- or over-challenged by their jobs’ skill requirements. Random intercept models reveal that beyond worker characteristics, i.e., human capital compensation (heterogeneous ability) and career mobility rationalities, job characteristics play a role in the mismatching variance and its real or apparent wage penalties.
Randomized controlled trial of tranexamic acid among parturients at increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage undergoing cesarean delivery
Authors: Sujata Nambiath , Tobin Raj , Kaur Ranjeet , Aneja Anjila , Khanna Mona , Hanjoora Vijay M.
Published: February 2016

Objective

To assess the effects of tranexamic acid among patients undergoing cesarean delivery who were at high risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

Methods

Between August 1, 2012, and April 30, 2013, a randomized controlled trial was performed at a tertiary care center in India. Women undergoing an elective or emergency cesarean delivery who were at high risk for postpartum hemorrhage were enrolled. They were randomly assigned using sealed, opaque envelopes to receive 10 mg/kg tranexamic acid or normal saline 10 min before skin incision. Anesthesiologists were not masked to group assignment, but patients and obstetricians were. The primary outcome was need for additional uterotonic drugs within 24 h after delivery. Analyses were by intention to treat.

Results

Thirty patients were assigned to each group. Additional uterotonic drugs were required in 7 (23%) patients assigned to tranexamic acid and 25 (83%) patients in the control group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Intravenous tranexamic acid, administered before skin incision, significantly reduced the requirement for additional uterotonics among women at increased risk for postpartum hemorrhage.

Clinical Trials Registry India: CTRI/2015/05/005752.
Corporate governance and information transparency in Taiwan’s public firms: The moderating effect of family ownership
Authors: Liu Yunshi , Valenti Alix , Chen Yi-Jung
Published: February 2016

This study incorporates insights from both institutional and family socioemotional wealth perspectives with agency theory to examine the relationships among governance practices, family ownership, and information disclosure quality. Employing a sample of 516 publicly listed firms in Taiwan over a period of 5 years (2006–2010), we found that high levels of board independence and board activity have a significant positive effect on disclosure quality. Further, family ownership positively moderated the relationship between board independence and disclosure quality. This relationship is stronger with a higher level of family ownership. The results support the institutional proposition that family-owned firms that pursue socioemotional wealth are more likely to promote information transparency to gain legitimacy and enhance their reputations with outside stakeholders.
On the Immorality of Punishment
Authors: Cohn Haim H.
Published: February 2016

1. This Conference was originally planned to honour Professor Julius Stone on the occasion of his eightieth birthday. It is my sad duty to open it tonight by honouring his blessed memory. He was not only one of the greatest philosophers of law, not only a brilliant jurist and an inspiring teacher, but also a longstanding and faithful friend who defended Israel's claim to a rightful place among the nations with deep conviction and persistent involvement. He taught at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem — as at dozens of universities all over the free world — as a visiting professor, and graced the Truman Institute for Peace at the Hebrew University as its first director. His monumental work onThe Province and Function of Law, written almost fifty years ago, still ranks as one of our leading and indispensable textbooks, and I shall not enumerate to you the now famous titles of the many books which followed it. Not only his own fora, first the University of Sydney and later the University of New South Wales, but the whole academic world, suffered a grievous loss when he died last year; and for the organizers of the Conference, it is a sad disappointment that thecathedra honoris causawhich had been reserved for him had to remain empty.
Social Justice and the Problem of Punishment
Authors: Sadurski Wojciech
Published: February 2016

Until very recently the dominant approach to the theory of punishment has been to discuss it in isolation from any general theory of the just distribution of benefits and burdens in a society. Almost without exception, the debate between the competing theories of punishment has run separately from the theory of distributive justice, as if the words “just” in “just punishment” and “just reward” belonged to two different species of “justice”. Perhaps the most important exception to this rule has been the position of radical utilitarians — i.e., act-utilitarians of J. J. C. Smart's genre, or wealth-maximization theorists of Richard Posner's ilk — who consciously treat the domains of economic distribution and of criminal punishment as two areas of application of one and the same set of over-arching principles. But, since neither for Smart nor for Posner is distributive justice (whether regarding economic goods, or penalties) a morally significant virtue, their theories really do not detract from the general trend that, in the literature on punishment, the conceptions of retributive and distributive justice are largely independent.
Punishment and Theories of Justice: Comments on Sadurski and Hoekema
Authors: Gavison Ruth
Published: February 2016

The debate about theories justifying punishment has been continuing for centuries now. Many questions are involved, and all must be answered by a complete theory justifying punishment. But the two questions which must be answered by any attempt at justifying punishment are who should be punished (and why) and what the measure and mode of that punishment should be. The practice of punishment as we know it consists of the monopolised and deliberate infliction of suffering on the punished individual, after he was convicted of an offence, by the State. Thus the justification of punishment must address questions such as that of the relationships between offences and moral wrongs, or the implications of difficulties of proof or of the inevitable fact that only some offenders are caught and convicted to punishing. But the intensity of the debate is heightened by the fact that at least part of the controversy concerns even punishment for the most heinous crimes, when there are no problems of evidence or selective enforcement. The debate goes to the very core of the practice of punishing. It is with this aspect of justifying punishment that I shall deal.
Retrospect and Prospect, Retribution and Deterrence
Authors: Flew Antony
Published: February 2016

(1) During my lifetime most of the discussion of punishment in British philosophical journals has started from an article first published in 1939. Thirty years later this was reprinted, along with a selection of eleven of the most substantial subsequent contributions, to form a volume which has since served to introduce further student generations toThe Philosophy of Punishment. In that seminal paper the late John Mabbott — whom it was later my good fortune to have as one of my tutors — proposed “to defend a retributive theory of punishment, and to reject absolutely all utilitarian considerations from its justification”.

His initial claim perhaps sounded bolder, or rasher, than it was. For Mabbott in his second paragraph explained: “The question I am asking is this. Under what circumstances is the punishment of some particular person justified, and why?” After giving and defending his retributive answer to this question Mabbott turned to the “distinction between abolishing injustice in punishment and abolishing punishment altogether”. While still insisting that “punishment is a corollary of law breaking …” he went on to allow that “considerations of utility come in on two quite different issues. Should there be laws, and what laws should there be? … The choice which is the essentialpriusof punishment is the choice that there should be laws”.
Utilitarianism, Justice and Punishment: Comments on Smart and Flew
Authors: Primoratz Igor
Published: February 2016

Perhaps the greatest attraction of the utilitarian view of punishment presented so forcefully in Smart's paper is its empirical character. This empirical, scientific approach to social and moral problems typical of utilitarianism is made possible by its monistic nature: by its claim to have found in consequences of actions the principle of a uniform interpretation of all the various moral concepts, rules, ideals, a universal moral currency in which all the pros and cons of any moral issue that might arise can be cashed. This moral monism is seen by utilitarians as one of the main advantages of their theory; but it is also a source of some of its most persistent troubles. For whereas some moral notions may lend themselves to utilitarian interpretation, some others seem resistant to it.
For Capital Punishment
Authors: van den Haag Ernest
Published: February 2016

The moral argument contends that crimes deserve retribution, that to impose the deserved punishment is to do justice, and that justice is a moral requirement, an end in itself, independent of any useful effects. The moral desirability of justice can be explained, but not demonstrated in non-deontological fashion. In penal matters, justice and deserved retribution are synonymous. It is for the sake of justice that we try to punish the guilty and not the innocent. Innocents do not deserve punishment. Because of justice, we would not impose punishment on them, even if it were useful to do so.
How to Argue about the Death Penalty
Authors: Bedau Hugo Adam
Published: February 2016

Argument over the death penalty — especially in the United States during the past generation — has been concentrated in large part on trying to answer various disputedquestions of fact. Among them two have been salient: is the death penalty a better deterrent to crime (especially murder) than the alternative of imprisonment? Is the death penalty administered in a discriminatory way — in particular, are black or other nonwhite offenders (or offenders whose victims are white) more likely to be tried, convicted, sentenced to death, and executed than whites (or than offenders whose victims are nonwhite)? Other questions of fact have also been explored, including these two: what is the risk that an innocent person could actually be executed for a crime he did not commit? What is the risk that a person convicted of a capital felony but not executed will commit another capital felony?
The Death Penalty — Response
Authors: Sheleff Leon
Published: February 2016

One of the most disturbing aspects of examining the extensive capital punishment debate, with its clear indications of discriminatory practices, ambiguous judicial directives, undeniable miscarriages of justice, controversial statistical data, and inept, inconsistent and/or unjust implementation, is the constantly gnawing thought that if this is the situation vis-à-vis what is considered the most extreme penalty with its special super due process, then what is happening in the cases of lesser penalties. These latter cases of petty thieves sentenced to years of incarceration for relatively minor delinquencies, of accused inadequately defended without appeals being lodged within the judicial system or public interest shown, of compulsory life imprisonment without parole, no doubt reflect all of the faults and errors of capital punishment.
Aptness as a Criterion of Just Punishment
Authors: Enker Arnold
Published: February 2016

The development of criteria for determining a just sentence in criminal cases has been the subject of considerable thought and discussion in recent years. To be regarded just, a sentence must meet criteria of proportionality, humane decency and equality. It may not be excessively severe in proportion to the moral wrong committed by the defendant. It may not be so harsh and cruel as to demean him and deny his humanity. The punishment imposed may not be significantly more onerous than that inflicted on other defendants in similar circumstances.

In this brief paper, I would like to suggest an additional factor by which punishment should be judged. I will call this factor the aptness of the penalty. By this I mean the degree to which the penalty itself — note, I say the penalty, not the act of inflicting punishment — expresses moral criticism of the crime for which it is being imposed. Aptness connotes an observable connection between the crime and the offence such that one feels almost instinctively that the particular penalty imposed is the moral consequence of the particular offence committed.
Sentencing as Art
Authors: Shachar Yoram
Published: February 2016

Thomas Aquinas, in his famous argument on human law, classified the process of sentencing as an art, as opposed to a science. Human law, he argued, or at least good human law, “has the force of law in that it flows from natural law”. And yet, Aquinas further maintained that “commands can be traced to natural law in two ways; one, drawn deductively like conclusions from premises; two, grounded on it like constructional implementations of general directives. The first process is like that of the sciences. … The second process is like that of the arts where a special shape is given to a general idea, as when an architect determines that a house should be in this or that style”. Hence while a proposition such as “you must not commit murder” can be deduced from “you must not commit harm”, no similar deduction can determine the appropriate punishment for the crime: “Natural law pronounces that crime has to be punished without deciding whether this or that should be the penalty; the punishment selected is like a determinate form given to natural law”, concludes Aquinas.
The International Consequences of American National Origins Quotas: The Australian Case
Authors: ATKINSON DAVID C.
Published: February 2016

This article examines Australian responses to the imposition of stringent national origins quotas in the United States during the 1920s. Following the introduction of the American quota system, many Australians worried that large numbers of undesirable southern and eastern European migrants would make their way toward Australian ports. Widespread calls for preemptive restrictions forced the Australian government to finally implement a range of measures designed to limit immigration from Italy, Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia, and Malta. More broadly, this article argues that American quotas often inadvertently engendered a wide range of indirect and unintentional consequences around the world that scholars of migration and American foreign relations might explore in greater depth. It concludes by suggesting some opportunities for individual and collaborative research into the international effects of the United States’ notorious national origins quota system.
CHANGES IN THE GENETIC STRUCTURE OF A VALLEY IN THE PYRENEES (CATALONIA, SPAIN)
Authors: Toledo Alejandra , Pámpanas Leyre , García David , Pettener Davide , González-Martin Antonio
Published: February 2016

In some situations the use of isonymy is the best strategy for studying the genetic structure of a population and its biological history. In this study different population parameters were calculated for one of the most isolated valleys in the Pyrenees – the region of the Alta Ribagorça in Catalonia, Spain. Surnames from marriage records covering the continuous period from 1638 to 1988 were used. From 1950 onwards this region underwent important social, economic and biological changes related to the introduction of hydroelectric and mining industries, and the change from livestock farming to a society based on services. Two periods were analysed (1638–1950 and 1951–1988) allowing population changes that occurred in the region to be determined. The study focused on calculating the number of surnames by gender, diversity index (H), population sub-structure (RP−RPr)/RPr and inbreeding coefficient (Ft) and detection of possible genetic barriers. The results demonstrate the importance that geography initially had in shaping the genetic structure of the population and how this was gradually replaced by other parameters such as roads or the social and economic importance of towns. An interesting phenomenon is that inbreeding has traditionally been associated with rural life, isolation and endogamy. However, for the Alta Ribagorça it was observed that in the second period, 1951–1988, inbreeding mainly depended on the composition of migrant groups and the reaction of the native population to the arrival of migrants from outside the region.
Varicella Zoster Antibodies after Herpes Zoster, Varicella and Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Ross R.T. , Nicolle L.E. , Dawood M.R. , Cheang Mary , Feschuk C.
Published: February 2016

Background:

We previously showed that Manitoba Hutterites seek physician care for varicella zoster virus infection significantly less than non-Hutterites. The current study was undertaken to measure varicella zoster virus seroprevalence for Hutterite and non-Hutterite controls.

Methods:

Blood was obtained from 315 Hutterites and 259 similar age and sex controls at the time of blood donations to The Canadian Red Cross Society. The controls were from the same or a contiguous postal code area and were collected at the same time as the Hutterite samples. The immune status of the specimens was determined by the ELISA method (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay).

Results:

Twenty-eight per cent of 315 Hutterites had no immunity and an additional 25% had only marginal immunity. Among the 259 controls, 10% had no immunity and an additional 10% had only marginal immunity (p < .0001).

Conclusions:

Manitoba Hutterites have significantly decreased seroprevalence to varicella zoster virus infection. This study of serum varicella zoster virus antibodies verifies a previous population based study that demonstrated the relative rarity of varicella and herpes zoster among a particular population group.
Tissue Plasminogen Activator in a Vertebral Artery Dissection
Authors: Gasecki Andrew P. , Graffagnino Carmelo , Hachinski Vladimir , Bahary J.P
Published: February 2016

Background:

Spontaneous dissection of the vertebral artery is uncommon.

Method:

Case study.

Results:

We report a 49-year-old woman who presented with the rapidly progressing basilar artery syndrome who was given an intravenous dose of tissue plasminogen activator seven hours after the onset of first symptoms. Thirty minutes after the injection, a dramatic recovery of the patient's consciousness and neurological signs was noted.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator use in acute vertebral artery dissection.
Neural Transplantation in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Mehta V. , Spears J. , Mendez I.
Published: February 2016

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects about 1% of Canadians between the ages of fifty and seventy. The medical management for these patients consists of drug therapy that is initially effective but has limited long term benefits and does not alter the progressive course of the disease. The recalcitrance of longstanding Parkinson's disease to medical management has prompted the use of alternative surgical therapies. Many neurosurgical procedures have been utilized in order to improve the disabling symptoms these patients harbour. Although most of the current procedures involve making destructive lesions within various basal ganglia nuclei, neural transplantation attempts to reconstitute the normal nigrostriatal pathway and restore striatal dopamine. The initial success of neural transplantation in the rodent and primate parkinsonian models has led to its clinical application in the treatment of parkinsonian patients. Currently, well over one hundred patients throughout the world have been grafted with fetal tissue in an effort to ameliorate their parkinsonian symptoms. Although the results of neural transplantation in clinical trials are promising, a number of issues need to be resolved before this technology can become a standard treatment option. This review focuses on the current status of neural transplantation in Parkinson's disease within the context of other surgical therapies in current use.
Motor Evoked Potentials and Disability in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Facchetti D. , Mai R. , Micheli A. , Marcianó N. , Capra R. , Gasparotti R. , Poloni M.
Published: February 2016

Background:

To investigate the mechanisms underlying disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), 40 patients with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease and 13 patients with secondary progressive MS underwent multimodal evoked potential (EP), motor evoked potential (MEP), and spinal motor conduction time evaluation. Clinical disability was evaluated by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and functional system scales. In secondary progressive MS patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to obtain a semiquantitative estimate of the total lesion load of the brain.

Results:

Spinal motor conduction time was significantly longer in secondary progressive MS patients than controls (p < 0.001) and relapsing-remitting MS patients (p < 0.05), but did not differ between relapsing-remitting patients and controls. Spinal motor conduction times also correlated directly with EDSS scores (p < 0.001) and pyramidal functional system scores (p < 0.001). Brain lesion load (4960.3 ± 3719.0 mm2) and the total number of lesions (67.7 ± 37.0) in secondary progressive MS did not correlate with disability scores. For the following EPs, the frequencies of abnormalities were significantly higher in secondary progressive MS patients than relapsing-remitting patients: visual evoked potentials (p < 0.05), somatosensory evoked potentials and upper limb motor evoked potentials (p < 0.01), and brainstem auditory evoked potentials, lower limb somatosensory evoked potentials and lower limb motor evoked potentials (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that disability in secondary progressive MS patients is mainly due to progressive involvement of corticospinal tract in the spinal cord.
Reversal of Syphilitic Hydrocephalus with Intravenous Penicillin
Authors: Cosottini Mirco , Mascalchi Mario , Zaccara Gaetano , Arnetoli Graziano
Published: February 2016

Background:

CSF shunting procedures are generally considered the fundamental therapy of syphilitic hydrocephalus.

Methods:

We followed up with CSF analysis and MR imaging a patient with progressive mental and gait disturbances and tetraventricular hydrocephalus due to tertiary syphilis who was treated for 14 days with high dose intravenous penicillin alone.

Results:

Clinical and CSF abnormalities resolved within a few months, whereas the hydrocephalus disappeared only 30 months after therapy.

Conclusions:

Before consideration of a CSF shunting procedure, a trial of high dose intravenous penicillin is warranted for patients with syphilitic hydrocephalus.
Burden of Illness of Multiple Sclerosis: Part I: Cost of Illness
Authors:   The Canadian Burden of Illness Study Group
Published: February 2016

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurologic disease in young and middle-aged adults affecting approximately 35,000 Canadians. The objectives of this study were to estimate the annual and lifetime costs of MS from the Canadian societal perspective.

Methods:

Patients were consecutively recruited by neurologists in 14 MS outpatient clinics across Canada. They were classified according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) into three groups: mild (EDSS ≤ 2.5), moderate (EDSS = 3.0-6.0) and severe (EDSS ≥ 6.5). Sociodemographic, clinical and resource utilization data were collected retrospectively for the three months prior to patient inclusion. Costing of resources was performed from Ministry of Health, private third party payers, patient and societal perspectives. Average Canadian costs ($CDN 1995) were valued from available provincial data.

Results:

A total of 198 patients were included in the analysis (mild: n = 62, moderate: n = 68 and severe: n = 68). Costs increased with increasing EDSS scores, from all perspectives. The annualized societal costs per patient were $CDN 14,523, $CDN21,698 and $CDN37,024 for the mild, moderate and severe groups, respectively. In all severity groups, most of the financial burden is borne by patients, from 74% to 88%. Indirect costs, namely lost daily activity/leisure time and lost productivity, were the major societal cost drivers. The lifetime cost of MS, including patient institutionalization, was estimated to be $CDN 1,608,000 per patient.

Conclusion:

In Canada, MS is associated with enormous direct and indirect costs. Patients carry most of the economic burden of this disease. The results of this burden of illness study provide a basis for cost-effectiveness analyses of new therapeutic interventions for MS.
Evaluation of Selection Criteria Used in Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials
Authors: Willmer J. , Mohr E.
Published: February 2016

Background:

In the absence of a biological marker for Alzheimer's disease (AD), diagnosis has to be achieved using clinical criteria sets such as those outlined in DSM-IV, NINCDS-ADRDA, or ICD-10. As these criteria are quite broadly defined, there may be inter-rater variability in interpretation.

Methods:

Using a previously published CT scan measuring technique which correlates well with diagnoses achieved using the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria as interpreted at our clinic, we chose to independently examine and reach a diagnosis in patients selected for participation in clinical trials of therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD. Forty-four CT scans from six investigators across Canada were examined using this model. All patients had been diagnosed as having AD by NINCDS-ADRDA criteria and were deemed acceptable to participate in a clinical trial.

Results:

The diagnostic concordance achieved in the original published model was 91.5%. The diagnostic concordance in the population currently being studied was 77.3%. However when examined by site, results ranged from 57.1% to 100%. Using the model, an index of atrophy and a probability of diagnosis of AD can be determined. Across sites, there were statistically significant differences in these measures (p ≤ 0.035). The mean probability of diagnosis of AD across sites ranged from 0.56 to 0.94. Although the sites with lower probabilities had slightly lower mean ages and slightly less atrophy, there was no overall correlation of the atrophy measures with age.

Conclusion:

Current results raise the possibility that the selection of patients for AD clinical trials using current diagnostic criteria sets may not be adequate and conclusions with respect to agent efficacy could be flawed.