bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Curcumin nanomicelle improves semen parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, and reproductive hormones in infertile men: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Alizadeh Fatemeh , Javadi Maryam , Karami Ali Akbar , Gholaminejad Fereshteh , Kavianpour Maria , Haghighian Hossein Khadem
Published: November 2017

At least 50% of infertile couple's problems are related to male factor infertility. This Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial conducted in Urology unit of Infertility Clinic on 60 infertile men. Patients were randomly assigned to one of intervention and placebo (n = 30) groups. Finally, 28 subjects in each group completed the study. Participants in the intervention group took daily 80 mg curcumin nanomicelle and those in the placebo group took daily placebo for 10 weeks. Semen analysis, anthropometric, physical activity assessments, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, inflammatory factors, and reproductive hormones were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. At the end of study, statistically significant differences were seen in the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility in the intervention group to the control group. In treatment group, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility levels were also statistically increased at the end of study compared to the baseline values. Curcumin nanomicelle supplementation also resulted in a statistically significant improvement in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, C‐reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor a in comparison to the placebo. Medical therapy of asthenoteratospermia with curcumin nanomicelle supplement could improve quality of semen parameters. However, further investigation is suggested in this regard.
Retrospective cohort study of the risk factors for secondary infertility following hysteroscopic metroplasty of the uterine septum in women with recurrent pregnancy loss
Authors: Ono Shuichi , Yonezawa Mirei , Watanabe Kenichiro , Abe Takashi , Mine Katsuya , Kuwabara Yoshimitsu , Akira Shigeo , Takeshita Toshiyuki
Published: November 2017

Purpose

A hysteroscopic metroplasty was performed for women with recurrent pregnancy loss owing to a uterine septum, following which some women became infertile. The aim of this study was to elucidate the risk factors of secondary infertility 1 year after hysteroscopic metroplasty for a uterine septum.

Methods

A retrospective, single‐center, cohort study included women with a history of at least two miscarriages that had been attributed to a uterine septum who underwent a hysteroscopic metroplasty. The patients’ background data were compared between the patients who conceived and those who remained infertile at 1 year postoperatively. The data were analyzed by using the Mann–Whitney U‐test and multivariate analyses.

Results

The postoperative live birth rate was 83.9% (n = 26), with persistent infertility in five women at 1 year. When comparing the pregnancy group with the infertile group, the women in the postoperative infertility group were significantly older than those in the postoperative pregnancy group. The multivariate analysis showed that age was an independent risk factor for persistent infertility.

Conclusion

Age was identified as an independent risk factor for postoperative secondary infertility. Therefore, surgery as early as possible is recommended.
Acceleration of finite‐time stable homogeneous systems
Authors: Dvir Y. , Levant A. , Efimov D. , Polyakov A. , Perruquetti W.
Published: November 2017

Stabilization rates of power‐integrator chains are easily regulated. It provides a framework for acceleration of uncertain multiple‐input–multiple‐output dynamic systems of known relative degrees (RDs). The desired rate of the output stabilization (sliding‐mode control) is ensured for an uncertain system if its RD is known, and a rough approximation of the high‐frequency gain matrix is available. The uniformly bounded convergence time (fixed‐time stability) is obtained as a particular case. The control can be kept continuous everywhere except the sliding‐mode set if the partial RDs are equal. Similarly, uncertain smooth systems of complete multiple‐input–multiple‐output RDs (ie, lacking zero dynamics) are stabilized by continuous control at their equilibria in finite time and are accelerated. Output‐feedback controllers are constructed. Computer simulation demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Soundpeaking – Hydropeaking induced changes in river soundscapes
Authors: Lumsdon A.E. , Artamonov I. , Bruno M.C. , Righetti M. , Tockner K. , Tonolla D. , Zarfl C.
Published: November 2017

Underwater soundscapes and their unique acoustic signatures are mainly generated through movement of streambed sediment, subsequent particle collisions, and turbulence created by water flowing over submerged obstructions such as rocks and woody debris. This study characterized river soundscapes in Alpine rivers of Trentino, (North East Italy) with the combined use of hydrophones and a new microelectricalmechanical systems based device (Hydroflown) that is capable of measuring particle velocity components of the sound field. Pool and riffle habitats affected and unaffected by hydropeaking were characterized in terms of their particle velocity and sound pressure levels across 10 octave bands (acoustic signature) to assess temporal variations in overall sound levels, changes in frequency composition, and relationship to hydromorphological habitat parameters. Data revealed that soundscapes affected by hydropeaking are highly homogenized, and sound pressure levels are strongly correlated with turbine discharge, which results in rapid, multiple‐fold spikes in low frequency amplitude levels within the typical hearing range of common teleost fish species. The outcomes of this study provide the basis for further examination of the resulting behavioural and physiological responses of organisms to anthropogenic changes in river soundscapes.
Synergetic use of Sentinel‐1 and Sentinel‐2 for assessments of heathland conservation status
Authors: Schmidt Johannes , Fassnacht Fabian E. , Förster Michael , Schmidtlein Sebastian
Published: November 2017

Habitat quality assessments often demand wall‐to‐wall information about the state of vegetation. Remote sensing can provide this information by capturing optical and structural attributes of plant communities. Although active and passive remote sensing approaches are considered as complementary techniques, they have been rarely combined for conservation mapping. Here, we combined spaceborne multispectral Sentinel‐2 and Sentinel‐1SARdata for a remote sensing‐based habitat quality assessment of dwarf shrub heathland, which was inspired by nature conservation field guidelines. Therefore, three earlier proposed quality layers representing (1) the coverage of the key dwarf shrub species, (2) stand structural diversity and (3) an index reflecting co‐occurring vegetation were mapped via linkingin situdata and remote sensing imagery. These layers were combined in anRGB‐representation depicting varying stand attributes, which afterwards allowed for a rule‐based derivation of pixel‐wise habitat quality classes. The links between field observations and remote sensing data reached correlations between 0.70 and 0.94 for modeling the single quality layers. The spatial patterns shown in the quality layers and the map of discrete quality classes were in line with the field observations. The remote sensing‐based mapping of heathland conservation status showed an overall agreement of 76% with field data. Transferring the approach in time (applying a second set of Sentinel‐1 and ‐2 data) caused a decrease in accuracy to 73%. Our findings suggest that Sentinel‐1SARcontains information about vegetation structure that is complimentary to optical data and therefore relevant for nature conservation. While we think that rule‐based approaches for quality assessments offer the possibility for gaining acceptance in both communities applied conservation and remote sensing, there is still need for developing more robust and transferable methods.
Spectroscopy on photografted polyethylene surfaces using a perfluorophenyl azide: Evidence for covalent attachment
Authors: Siegmann Konstantin , Inauen Jan , Sterchi Robert , Winkler Martin
Published: November 2017

The present study was conducted in order to confirm C―H insertion of a perfluorophenyl nitrene, produced by UV‐irradiation of a perfluorophenyl azide, to polyethylene surfaces.

It was shown previously that water‐repelling, oil‐repelling, and dirt‐repelling polyethylene surfaces can be created by “grafting to” of perfluoroalkanes using a photoreactive surface modifier based on azide/nitrene chemistry. The abrasion resistance of the new surfaces was enhanced compared with a coating using a simple, long‐chain perfluoroalkane. However, covalent binding of the surface modifier was not unequivocally demonstrated.

Here, spectroscopic information is presented suggesting that, indeed, a monomolecular, covalently bound grafted layer is formed from the photodecomposition of a perfluorophenyl azide on polyethylene surfaces.

Infrared spectroscopy showed that the peak from the azide moiety disappeared upon UV‐irradiation, and the light dose for completion of the photo decomposition was determined to be approximately 322 mJ/cm2.

A model compound mimicking the grafted nitrene species was synthesized, having a λmax of 281 nm in hexane. The photografted and washed layer had a λmax of 286 nm, indicating a good conformity with the model compound.

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the nitrogen species from the photografted layer showed a peak at 400.0 eV. The model compound had a N 1s binding energy of 399.7 eV, thus being comparable.
Maximum likelihood estimation of influenza vaccine effectiveness against transmission from the household and from the community
Authors: Ainslie Kylie E. C. , Haber Michael J. , Malosh Ryan E. , Petrie Joshua G. , Monto Arnold S.
Published: November 2017

Influenza vaccination is recommended as the best way to protect against influenza infection and illness. Due to seasonal changes in influenza virus types and subtypes, a new vaccine must be produced, and vaccine effectiveness (VE) must be estimated, annually. Since 2010, influenza vaccination has been recommended universally in the United States, making randomized clinical trials unethical. Recent studies have used a monitored household cohort study design to determine separate VE estimates against influenza transmission from the household and community. We developed a probability model and accompanying maximum likelihood procedure to estimate vaccine‐related protection against transmission of influenza from the household and the community. Using agent‐based stochastic simulations, we validated that we can obtain maximum likelihood estimates of transmission parameters and VE close to their true values. Sensitivity analyses to examine the effect of deviations from our assumptions were conducted. We used our method to estimate transmission parameters and VE from data from a monitored household study in Michigan during the 2012‐2013 influenza season and were able to detect a significant protective effect of influenza vaccination against community‐acquired transmission.
The role of high school racial composition and opportunities to learn in students' STEM college participation
Authors: Bottia Martha Cecilia , Mickelson Roslyn Arlin , Giersch Jason , Stearns Elizabeth , Moller Stephanie
Published: November 2017

We analyze longitudinal data from students who spent their academic careers in North Carolina (NC) public secondary schools and attended NC public universities to investigate the importance of high school racial composition and opportunities to learn in secondary school for choosing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) major. We consider school racial composition and opportunities to learn as contexts that shape students' decisions regarding college majors. Results of cross‐classified hierarchical logistic models indicate that attending schools with predominantly White students is negatively associated with declaring a STEM major and with graduating with a STEM major irrespective of students' own race. The finding suggests that for students in North Carolina, attending racially isolated White high schools is related to a decrease in adolescents' participation in STEM during college.
The influence of instruction, prior knowledge, and values on climate change risk perception among undergraduates
Authors: Aksit Osman , McNeal Karen S. , Gold Anne U. , Libarkin Julie C. , Harris Sara
Published: November 2017

We evaluated influences on the climate change risk perceptions of undergraduate students in an introductory Earth Science course. For this sample, domain‐specific content knowledge about climate change was a significant predictor of students' risk perception of climate change while cultural worldviews (individualism, hierarchy) and political orientation were not. These results contrast with previous studies highlighting worldviews as a dominant influence on risk perception. At the beginning of the semester, students' climate change content knowledge was relatively low, with average scores on a 21‐item test less than 50%. Post instruction results indicated that students learned climate change science during the course, and their perceptions of risks associated with climate change increased. Unlike most prior research evaluating links between climate change knowledge and risk perception, our measure of content knowledge was a validated assessment specific to climate change. Use of this specific climate knowledge test may be one reason that we detected a relationship between climate knowledge and risk perception whereas most of the previous research has not. Another—possibly complementary—explanation may be a generational shift between our study sample and prior samples. Undergraduates today, having grown up with more exposure to climate change in schools and the media than previous generations, may be diverging from average adults in that learning climate science appears to also increase their perceptions of the risks climate change poses. Undergraduate courses with embedded climate‐related activities present an opportunity to both increase climate science knowledge and risk perceptions of future decision makers.
A 2D Supramolecular Network Based on Aromatic π···π Stacking Interactions
Authors: Liu Kuan‐Guan , Shan Qi‐De , Nie Jing , Yan Xiao‐Wei
Published: November 2017

Using ferrocenecarboxylic acid (FcCOOH) as organometallic ligand in the synthesis of heterometallic complexes led to the isolation of the compound [(FcCOO)Cu(bpy)2](BF4)·bpy·CH3OH. It was characterized by IR spectroscopy, EA, powder XRD, UV, and TGA measurements. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis revealed that a unique 2D supramolecular network purely formed by aromatic π···π stacking interactions was observed, namely, {[(FcCOO)Cu(bpy)2](BF4)·bpy·CH3OH}∞ (1). The solid UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum revealed the optical energy gap of 1 to be 3.54 eV, which is dramatically blue shifted compared with the value of ferrocene. Experimental results of thermal analysis and electrochemical analysis show that 1 has good thermal and better electrochemical stability.
Direct determination of Wilson coefficients using B0 → K∗0μ+μ− decays
Authors: Hurth T. , Langenbruch C. , Mahmoudi F.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

A method to directly determine the Wilson coefficients for rare b → s transitions using B
0 → K
∗0
μ
+
μ
− decays in an unbinned maximum likelihood fit is presented. The method has several advantages compared to the conventional determination of the Wilson coefficients from angular observables that are determined in bins of q
2, the square of the mass of the dimuon system. The method uses all experimental information in a more efficient way and automatically accounts for experimental correlations. Performing pseudoexperiments, we show the improved sensitivity of the proposed method for the Wilson coefficients. We also demonstrate that it will be possible to use the method with the combined Run 1 and 2 data sample taken by the LHCb experiment.
Positivity bounds on gluon TMDs for hadrons of spin ≤ 1
Authors: Cotogno Sabrina , van Daal Tom , Mulders Piet J.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We consider the transverse momentum dependent gluon distribution functions (called gluon TMDs) by studying the light-front gluon-gluon correlator, extending the results for unpolarized and vector polarized targets to also include tensor polarized targets — the latter type of polarization is relevant for targets of spin ≥ 1. The light-front correlator includes process-dependent gauge links to guarantee color gauge invariance. As from the experimental side the gluon TMDs are largely unknown, we present positivity bounds for combinations of leading-twist gluon distributions that may be used to estimate their maximal contribution to observables. Since the gluonic content of hadrons is particularly relevant in the small-x kinematic region, we also study these bounds in the small-x limit for the dipole-type gauge link structure using matrix elements of a single Wilson loop.
Basic quantizations of D = 4 Euclidean, Lorentz, Kleinian and quaternionic $$ {\mathfrak{o}}^{\star }(4) $$ symmetries
Authors: Borowiec A. , Lukierski J. , Tolstoy V.N.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We construct firstly the complete list of five quantum deformations of D = 4 complex homogeneous orthogonal Lie algebra

$$ \mathfrak{o}\left(4;\mathbb{C}\right)\cong \mathfrak{o}\left(3;\mathbb{C}\right)\oplus \mathfrak{o}\left(3;\mathbb{C}\right) $$

o

4
ℂ

≅
o

3
ℂ

⊕
o

3
ℂ

, describing quantum rotational symmetries of four-dimensional complex space-time, in particular we provide the corresponding universal quantum R-matrices. Further applying four possible reality conditions we obtain all sixteen Hopf-algebraic quantum deformations for the real forms of

$$ \mathfrak{o}\left(4;\mathbb{C}\right) $$

o

4
ℂ

: Euclidean

$$ \mathfrak{o}(4) $$

o

4

, Lorentz

$$ \mathfrak{o}\left(3,\ 1\right) $$

o

3
,

1

, Kleinian

$$ \mathfrak{o}\left(2,\ 2\right) $$

o

2
,

2

and quaternionic

$$ {\mathfrak{o}}^{\star }(4) $$

o
⋆

4

. For

$$ \mathfrak{o}\left(3,\ 1\right) $$

o

3
,

1

we only recall well-known results obtained previously by the authors, but for other real Lie algebras (Euclidean, Kleinian, quaternionic) as well as for the complex Lie algebra

$$ \mathfrak{o}\left(4;\mathbb{C}\right) $$

o

4
ℂ

we present new results.
On the time dependence of holographic complexity
Authors: Carmi Dean , Chapman Shira , Marrochio Hugo , Myers Robert C. , Sugishita Sotaro
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We evaluate the full time dependence of holographic complexity in various eternal black hole backgrounds using both the complexity=action (CA) and the complexity=volume (CV) conjectures. We conclude using the CV conjecture that the rate of change of complexity is a monotonically increasing function of time, which saturates from below to a positive constant in the late time limit. Using the CA conjecture for uncharged black holes, the holographic complexity remains constant for an initial period, then briefly decreases but quickly begins to increase. As observed previously, at late times, the rate of growth of the complexity approaches a constant, which may be associated with Lloyd’s bound on the rate of computation. However, we find that this late time limit is approached from above, thus violating the bound. For either conjecture, we find that the late time limit for the rate of change of complexity is saturated at times of the order of the inverse temperature. Adding a charge to the eternal black holes washes out the early time behaviour, i.e. complexity immediately begins increasing with sufficient charge, but the late time behaviour is essentially the same as in the neutral case. We also evaluate the complexity of formation for charged black holes and find that it is divergent for extremal black holes, implying that the states at finite chemical potential and zero temperature are infinitely more complex than their finite temperature counterparts.
Analysis of the TeV-scale mirage mediation with heavy superparticles
Authors: Kawamura Junichiro , Omura Yuji
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We discuss effective models derived from a supersymmetric model whose mediation mechanism of supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking is namely mirage mediation. In this model, light higgsino mass, that is required by the natural realization of the electroweak scale, is achieved by the unification of the soft SUSY breaking parameters at the low scale. Besides, we find that extra Higgs fields are also possibly light in some cases. Then, the effective model is a two Higgs doublet model (2HDM) with higgsinos, and it is distinguishable with namely type-II 2HDM which is widely discussed. In this paper, we study the mass spectrum of SUSY particles and the extra Higgs fields, and summarize the phenomenology in the effective model. We survey the current experimental bounds from the LHC and the dark matter experiments as well as the flavor physics. Then, we point out the expected mass scale of the SUSY particles and reveal the future prospects for the direct and indirect searches. We also discuss the difference between our effective model and the 2HDM in the bottom-up approach.
ABJ quadrality
Authors: Honda Masazumi , Pang Yi , Zhu Yaodong
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We study physical consequences of adding orientifolds to the ABJ triality, which is among 3d

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

superconformal Chern-Simons theory known as ABJ theory, type IIA string in AdS
4 × ℂℙ3 and

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

supersymmetric (SUSY) Vasiliev higher spin theory in AdS
4. After adding the orientifolds, it is known that the gauge group of the ABJ theory becomes O(N
1) × USp(2N
2) while the background of the string theory is replaced by AdS
4 × ℂℙ3/Z
2, and the supersymmetries in the both theories reduce to

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

. We propose that adding the orientifolds to the

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

Vasiliev theory leads to

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

SUSY Vasiliev theory. It turns out that the

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

case is more involved because there are two formulations of the

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

Vasiliev theory with either O or USp internal symmetry. We show that the two

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

Vasiliev theories can be understood as certain projections of the

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

Vasiliev theory, which we identify with the orientifold projections in the Vasiliev theory. We conjecture that the O(N
1) × USp(2N
2) ABJ theory has the two vector model like limits: N
2 ≫ N
1 and N
1 ≫ N
2 which correspond to the semi-classical

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

Vasiliev theories with O(N
1) and USp(2N
2) internal symmetries respectively. These correspondences together with the standard AdS/CFT correspondence comprise the ABJ quadrality among the

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

ABJ theory, string/M-theory and two

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

Vasliev theories. We provide a precise holographic dictionary for the correspondences by comparing correlation functions of stress tensor and flavor currents. Our conjecture is supported by various evidence such as agreements of the spectra, one-loop free energies and SUSY enhancement on the both sides. We also predict the leading free energy of the

$$ \mathcal{N}=5 $$

N
=
5

Vasiliev theory from the CFT side. As a byproduct, we give a derivation of the relation between the parity violating phase in the

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

Vasiliev theory and the parameters in the

$$ \mathcal{N}=6 $$

N
=
6

ABJ theory, which was conjectured in [1].
On-shell diagrams and the geometry of planar $$ \mathcal{N}<4 $$ SYM theories
Authors: Benincasa Paolo , Gordo David
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We continue the discussion of the decorated on-shell diagrammatics for planar

$$ \mathcal{N}<4 $$

N
<
4

Supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories started in [1]. In particular, we focus on its relation with the structure of varieties on the Grassmannian. The decoration of the on-shell diagrams, which physically keeps tracks of the helicity of the coherent states propagating along their edges, defines new on-shell functions on the Grassmannian and can introduce novel higher-order singularities, which graphically are reflected into the presence of helicity loops in the diagrams. These new structures turn out to have similar features as in the non-planar case: the related higher-codimension varieties are identified by either the vanishing of one (or more) Plücker coordinates involving at least two non-adjacent columns, or new relations among Plücker coordinates. A distinctive feature is that the functions living on these higher-codimenson varieties can be thought of distributionally as having support on derivative delta-functions. After a general discussion, we explore in some detail the structures of the on-shell functions on Gr(2, 4) and Gr(3, 6) on which the residue theorem allows to obtain a plethora of identities among them.
Crossing symmetry in alpha space
Authors: Hogervorst Matthijs , van Rees Balt C.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We initiate the study of the conformal bootstrap using Sturm-Liouville theory, specializing to four-point functions in one-dimensional CFTs. We do so by decomposing conformal correlators using a basis of eigenfunctions of the Casimir which are labeled by a complex number α. This leads to a systematic method for computing conformal block decompositions. Analyzing bootstrap equations in alpha space turns crossing symmetry into an eigenvalue problem for an integral operator K. The operator K is closely related to the Wilson transform, and some of its eigenfunctions can be found in closed form.
Digging deeper for new physics in the LHC data
Authors: Asadi Pouya , Buckley Matthew R. , DiFranzo Anthony , Monteux Angelo , Shih David
Published: November 2017

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a novel, model-independent technique of “rectangular aggregations” for mining the LHC data for hints of new physics. A typical (CMS) search now has hundreds of signal regions, which can obscure potentially interesting anomalies. Applying our technique to the two CMS jets+MET SUSY searches, we identify a set of previously overlooked ∼ 3σ excesses. Among these, four excesses survive tests of inter-and intra-search compatibility, and two are especially interesting: they are largely overlappingbetween the jets+MET searches and are characterized by low jet multiplicity, zero b-jets, and low MET and H
T
. We find that resonant color-triplet production decaying to a quark plus an invisible particle provides an excellent fit to these two excesses and all other data — including the ATLAS jets+MET search, which actually sees a correlated excess. We discuss the additional constraints coming from dijet resonance searches, monojet searches and pair production. Based on these results, we believe the wide-spread view that the LHC data contains no interesting excesses is greatly exaggerated.
The roles of parenting practices, sociocognitive/emotive traits, and prosocial behaviors in low‐income adolescents
Authors: Davis Alexandra N. , Carlo Gustavo
Published: November 2017

The goal of the current study was to examine the links among parenting practices (i.e., use of social and material rewards), sociocognitive and socioemotive traits (i.e., perspective taking, prosocial moral reasoning, and empathic concern), and prosocial behaviors among adolescents in a low‐income, Midwestern community. Participants were 311 adolescents (M age = 16.10 years; range = 14–19 years; 58.7% girls; 82.7% White; 13.6% Latino). The results demonstrated that social rewards were positively associated with perspective taking, empathic concern, and prosocial moral reasoning, which were each associated with multiple forms of prosocial behaviors. Material rewards were negatively associated with prosocial moral reasoning and empathic concern. There were also direct links between material and social rewards and prosocial behaviors. Discussion will focus on the intervening role of social cognitions and emotions in explaining links between parenting practices and low‐income adolescents' prosocial behaviors.
The relationship of school climate, teacher defending and friends on students' perceptions of bullying in high school
Authors: Mucherah Winnie , Finch Holmes , White Taylor , Thomas Kendra
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of school climate, teacher defending, and friends on bullying and victimization. Participants were 2273 high school students from 3 public schools (an all girls, all boys boarding, and a co‐ed day) in Kenya. A structural equation model was used to examine relationships between school climate, teacher behavior toward bullying, and student demographic characteristics, and bullying. Results revealed that a positive school climate was associated with less bullying behavior and victimization. In addition, when students reported that teachers stop bullying by students, bullying behavior and victimization scores were lower. Contrary to previous research these results showed that residents of a boys only boarding school were less likely to report bullying behavior than residents of an all girls school, or students at a co‐educational institution. Furthermore, there were no differences in bullying behavior or victimization by gender or grade level. Implications of these results are discussed.
Injunctions against Intermediaries in the European Union
Authors: Husovec Martin
Published: November 2017

In the European Union, courts have been expanding the enforcement of intellectual property rights by employing injunctions to compel intermediaries to provide assistance, despite no allegation of wrongdoing against these parties. These prospective injunctions, designed to prevent future harm, thus hold parties accountable where no liability exists. Effectively a new type of regulatory tool, these injunctions are distinct from the conventional secondary liability in tort. At present, they can be observed in orders to compel website blocking, content filtering, or disconnection, but going forward, their use is potentially unlimited. This book outlines the paradigmatic shift this entails for the future of the Internet and analyzes the associated legal and economic opportunities and problems.
Adaptive terminal guidance law with impact-angle constraint
Authors: Gao C. , Li J. , Feng T. , Jing W.
Published: November 2017

This paper proposes an adaptive guidance law for attacking a ground target based on motion camouflage strategy. The coefficients of normal and bi-normal feedback guidance law are given according to the relative motion relationship under Frenet frame. Utilizing the coefficients, the motion camouflage proportional guidance law is derived. In order to improve the initial overload characteristic of the missile, an adaptive feedback coefficient is introduced. Then, the adaptive guidance law is applied to a longitudinal plane interception problem with impact-angle constraint. Finally, the validity of this guidance law for air-to-ground missiles is proved by simulations.
Council of the European Union v. Front Populaire pour la Libération de la Saguia-El-Hamra et Du Rio de Oro (Front Polisario)
Authors: Odermatt Jed
Published: November 2017

On December 21, 2016, the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) dismissed an action brought by the Front Polisario challenging a decision of the Council of the European Union (EU) approving the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom Morocco on the reciprocal liberalization of certain agricultural products. The CJEU held, based on the relevant rules of international law applicable between the EU and Morocco, that the agreement did not apply to the territory of Western Sahara. Apart from its obvious political overtones, the judgment is significant in further developing the CJEU's approach to the law of treaties and the principle of self-determination in international law.
Unintended Positive Complementarity: Why International Criminal Court Investigations May Increase Domestic Human Rights Prosecutions
Authors: Dancy Geoff , Montal Florencia
Published: November 2017

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is controversial, acutely so in Africa. The first thirty-nine people it indicted were all African. It did not open any formal investigations outside Africa until the 2016 decision to investigate conduct related to the 2008 Georgia-Russia war. The first three notifications of withdrawal from the ICC Statute, each made in 2016, were by Burundi, South Africa, and Gambia. While South Africa and Zambia reversed their initial intentions, Burundi in fact became the first state party to withdraw from the ICC in October 2017. These maneuvers are closely connected to country-specific political and legal considerations, but they overlap with concerns expressed by governments in other countries including Kenya and Namibia. Among these concerns is that “the ICC has become the greatest threat to Africa's sovereignty, peace and stability,” and that “the ICC is a colonial institution under the guise of international justice.”
I, Daniel Blake (2016) - Director: Ken Loach Script: Paul Laverty
Authors: Goddard Chris
Published: November 2017

This film is the story of Daniel Blake, a widowed 59-year-old carpenter. Daniel suffered a heart attack at work, on scaffolding, and nearly died. He has been told by his doctors that he is unfit for any strenuous work. The bureaucracy has decided, however, that as he can raise his arms, he should be spending 35 hours a week seeking work.
Riemann solution for a class of morphodynamic shallow water dam-break problems
Authors: Zhu Fangfang , Dodd Nicholas
Published: November 2017

This paper investigates a family of dam-break problems over an erodible bed. The hydrodynamics is described by the shallow water equations, and the bed change by a sediment-conservation equation, coupled to the hydrodynamics by a sediment transport (bed-load) law. When the initial states $\boldsymbol{U}_{l}$ and $\boldsymbol{U}_{r}$ are sufficiently close to each other the resulting solutions are consistent with the theory proposed by Lax (Hyperbolic Systems of Conservation Laws and the Mathematical Theory of Shock Waves, 1973, SIAM), that for a Riemann problem of $n$ equations there are $n$ waves associated with the $n$ characteristic families. However, for wet–dry dam-break problems over a mobile bed, there are three governing equations, but only two waves. One wave vanishes because of the presence of the dry bed. When initial left and right bed levels ($B_{l}$ and $B_{r}$) are far apart, it is shown that a semi-characteristic shock may occur, which happens because, unlike in shallow water flow on a fixed bed, the flux function is non-convex. In these circumstances it is shown that it is necessary to reconsider the usual shock conditions. Instead, we propose an implied internal shock structure the concept of which originates from the fact that the stationary shock over a fixed-bed discontinuity can be regarded as a limiting case of flow over a sloping fixed bed. The Needham & Hey (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 334, 1991, pp. 25–53) approximation for the ambiguous integral term $\int \!h\,\text{d}B$ in the shock condition is improved based on this internal shock structure, such that mathematically valid solutions that incorporate a morphodynamic semi-characteristic shock are arrived at.
Tensor geometry in the turbulent cascade
Authors: Ballouz Joseph G. , Ouellette Nicholas T.
Published: November 2017

The defining characteristic of highly turbulent flows is the net directed transport of energy from the injection scales to the dissipation scales. This cascade is typically described in Fourier space, obscuring its connection to the mechanics of the flow. Here, we recast the energy cascade in mechanical terms, noting that for some scales to transfer energy to others, they must do mechanical work on them. This work can be expressed as the inner product of a turbulent stress and a rate of strain. But, as with all inner products, the relative alignment of these two tensors matters, and determines how strong the energy transfer will be. We show that this tensor alignment behaves very differently in two and three dimensions; in particular, the tensor eigenvalues affect the inner product in very different ways. By comparing the observed energy flux to the maximum possible if the tensors were in perfect alignment, we define an efficiency for the energy cascade. Using data from a direct numerical simulation of isotropic turbulence, we show that this efficiency is perhaps surprisingly low, with an average value of approximately 25 % in the inertial range, although it is spatially heterogeneous. Our results have implications for how the stress and strain-rate magnitudes influence the flux of energy between scales, and may help to explain why the energy cascades in two and three dimensions are different.
Sof’town Sleuths: The Hard-Boiled Genre Goes to Jo’Burg
Authors: Ball Tyler Scott
Published: November 2017

In an attempt to develop new constellations of world literature, this article places the writers of South Africa’sDrumgeneration within the orbit of the American hard-boiled genre. For a brief period in the 1950 s,Drumwas home to a team of gifted writers who cut their literary teeth in the fast-paced, hard-drinking, crime-riddled streets of Sophiatown, Johannesburg’s last remaining black township. Their unique style was a blend of quick-witted Hollywood dialogue, a private detective’s street sense, and the hard-boiled aesthetic of writers like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. Writing in English in the era of the Bantu Education Act (1953),Drumwriters challenged attempts to retribalize the African natives with the counter discourse of an educated, urbanized, modern African. This article (dis)orients conventional treatments of bothDrumwriters and the hard-boiled tradition by tracing alternative lines of flight between seemingly disparate fields of study.
Impact of a non-restrictive satiating diet on anthropometrics, satiety responsiveness and eating behaviour traits in obese men displaying a high or a low satiety phenotype
Authors: Arguin Hélène , Tremblay Angelo , Blundell John E. , Després Jean-Pierre , Richard Denis , Lamarche Benoît , Drapeau Vicky
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a non-restrictive satiating diet in men displaying various degrees of satiety efficiency. In all, sixty-nine obese men aged 41·5 (sd5·7) years were randomly assigned to a control (10–15, 55–60 and 30 % energy as protein, carbohydrate and lipid, respectively;n34) or satiating (20–25, 45–50 and 30–35 % energy as protein, carbohydrate and lipid, respectively;n35) diet for 16 weeks, and were classified as having a low (LSP) or high (HSP) satiety phenotype. Both diets were consumedad libitum. Changes in body weight, BMI, percent fat mass, waist circumference, satiety responsiveness and eating behaviour traits were assessed following the intervention. Dropout rates were higher in the control diet (44·1 %) compared with the satiating diet (8·6 %). Decreases in body weight, BMI and waist circumference were significant in both groups, yet HSP individuals lost more body weight than LSP individuals (P=0·048). Decreases in % fat mass were greater in the satiating diet (LSP: −2·1 (sd2·1) %;P<0·01 and HSP: −3·0 (sd2·5) %;P<0·001) compared with the control diet (LSP: −1·1 (sd2·5) % and HSP: −1·3 (sd2·6) %) (P=0·034). Satiety responsiveness was markedly improved in the satiating diet, whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. Changes in dietary restraint (+3·3 (sd2·9) to +7·2 (sd5·5)), flexible control (+0·9 (sd1·4) to +2·3 (sd2·7)), rigid control (+2·2 (sd1·5) to +2·5 (sd2·8)), disinhibition (−2·8 (sd3·7) to −3·2 (sd2·6)) and susceptibility to hunger (−2·7 (sd4·1) to −4·6 (sd3·9)) were similar between the diets. Compared with the control diet, the satiating diet favoured adherence, decreased % fat mass and improved satiety responsiveness in both HSP and LSP individuals.
The elusive constellations of poverty
Authors: Breugelmans Seger M. , Plantinga Arnoud , Zeelenberg Marcel , Poluektova Olga , Efremova Maria
Published: November 2017

Pepper & Nettle describe possible processes underlying what they call a behavioral constellation of deprivation (BCD). Although we are certain about the application of evolutionary models to our understanding of poverty, we are less certain about the utility of behavioral constellations. The empirical record on poverty-related behaviors is much more divergent and broad than such constellations suggest.
From perceived control to self-control, the importance of cognitive and emotional resources
Authors: Carmel Eyal , Leiser David
Published: November 2017

Pepper & Nettle (P&N) suggest that the poor present a “contextually appropriate response” to a perceived limited control and to a short life expectancy. We argue that differences in health, behavior, or impaired economic decisions are better explained by self-control. We discuss the implications of the differences between these perspectives and present supporting findings from two intervention studies with marginalized populations.
Evolutionary approaches to deprivation transform the ethics of policy making
Authors: Chevallier Coralie
Published: November 2017

When designing public policies, decision makers often rely on their own behavioral preferences. Pepper & Nettle's (P&N's) theory suggests that these preferences are unlikely to be appropriate when applied to a different environment (e.g., a low-income environment with fewer career opportunities). This theory has profound implications for the design and ethics of public policies.
When does deprivation motivate future-oriented thinking? The case of climate change
Authors: Pearson Adam R. , van der Linden Sander
Published: November 2017

Pepper & Nettle overstate cross-domain evidence of present-oriented thinking among lower-socioeconomic-status (SES) groups and overlook key social and contextual drivers of temporal decision making. We consider psychological research on climate change – a quintessential intertemporal problem that implicates inequities and extrinsic mortality risk – documenting more future-oriented thinking among low- compared to high-SES groups.
Loss of control is not necessary to induce behavioral consequences of deprivation: The case of religious fasting during Ramadan
Authors: Rad Mostafa Salari , Ginges Jeremy
Published: November 2017

Pepper & Nettle argue that the more present-oriented behavior associated with a low socioeconomic status is an adaptive response to having relatively little control over the future. However, a study of fasters during Ramadan shows that self-imposed deprivation, which carries no implications regarding the ability to realize deferred rewards, is associated with loss and risk aversion.
Intertemporal impulsivity can also arise from persistent failure of long-term plans
Authors: Srivastava Nisheeth , Srinivasan Narayanan
Published: November 2017

We suggest that steep intertemporal discounting in individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES) may arise as a rational metacognitive adaptation to experiencing planning and control failures in long-term plans. Low SES individuals' plans fail more frequently because they operate close to budgetary boundaries, in turn because they consistently operate with limited budgets of money, status, trust, or other forms of social utility.
Epigenetic-based hormesis and age-dependent altruism: Additions to the behavioural constellation of deprivation
Authors: Brown William Michael , Olding Rose Jyoti
Published: November 2017

We support Pepper and Nettle's (P&N's) hypothesised adaptive responses to deprivation. However, we argue that adaptive responses to stress shift with age. Specifically, present-oriented behaviours are adaptive for young people (e.g., in terms of mating and reproduction) but costly for older people in deprived communities who would benefit from investing in grandchildren. Epigenetic mechanisms may be responsible for age-related tactical shifts.
Orange is the new aesthetic
Authors: Chatterjee Anjan
Published: November 2017

The Distancing-Embracing model proposes that negative emotions are constitutive of aesthetic experiences. This move is welcome and adds depth to empirical aesthetics. However, the model's emphasis on temporality challenges how best to think of static art forms. I suggest that “decisive” and “distilled” moments dilate time in the viewer's mind and might allow the model to accommodate photography and painting.
Distancing, not embracing, the Distancing-Embracing model of art reception
Authors: Davies Stephen
Published: November 2017

Despite denials in the target article, the Distancing-Embracing model appeals to compensatory ideas in explaining the appeal of artworks that elicit negative affect. The model also appeals to the deflationary effects of psychological distancing. Having pointed to the famous rejection in the 1960s of the view that aesthetic experience involves psychological distancing, I suggest that “distance” functions here as a weak metaphor that cannot sustain the explanatory burden the theory demands of it.
Individual differences in embracing negatively valenced art: The roles of openness and sensation seeking
Authors: Fayn Kirill , Kuppens Peter
Published: November 2017

We elaborate on the role of individual differences in the processing mechanisms outlined by the Distancing-Embracing model. The role of openness is apparent in appreciating meaning-making art that elicits interest, feeling moved, and mixed emotions. The influence of sensation seeking is likely to manifest in thrill-chasing art that draws on the arousing interplay of positive and negative emotions.
Fiction as a bridge to action
Authors: Green Melanie C. , Fitzgerald Kaitlin
Published: November 2017

We propose an extension of the Distancing-Embracing model to the use of stories for prosocial ends. Specifically, audiences may find stories of individuals in need too emotionally overwhelming. Audiences may attempt to regulate or reduce negative emotions, which can reduce empathy and willingness to help. Through distancing, fictionalized accounts may counteract this tendency and thus increase prosocial behavior.
Psychological models of art reception must be empirically grounded
Authors: Nadal Marcos , Vartanian Oshin , Skov Martin
Published: November 2017

We commend Menninghaus et al. for tackling the role of negative emotions in art reception. However, their model suffers from shortcomings that reduce its applicability to empirical studies of the arts: poor use of evidence, lack of integration with other models, and limited derivation of testable hypotheses. We argue that theories about art experiences should be based on empirical evidence.
Parental response to baby cry involves brain circuits for negative emotion Distancing-Embracing
Authors: Swain James E. , Ho S. Shaun
Published: November 2017

The “art form” of parent-infant bonding critically involves baby conveying negative emotions – literally compelling parents to respond and provide care. Current research on the brain basis of parenting is combining brain imaging with social, cognitive, and behavioral analyses to understand how parental brain circuits regulate thoughts and behavior in mental health, risk, and resilience. Understanding the parental brain may contribute to solving the long-standing paradox of self-sought hedonic exposure to negative emotions in art reception.