bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wars of Choice or Crime? The National Interest, State Crime and Official Overseas British Military Interventions Since 1945
Authors: Doig Alan
Published: May 2014

Since 1945 British governments, as a matter of official policy, have undertaken a number of military interventions against another sovereign state. Some interventions were justified on the grounds that they delivered United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) whether through another international organization such as the North atlantic Treaty Organisation (NaTO) or as a joint state activity. Others have been justified on humanitarian grounds or in terms of a regional or global responsibility to maintain peace and security. International law and international standards provide a framework for the legitimacy or otherwise of any intervention by one sovereign state in the affairs of another sovereign state; to act in breach of them would be a state crime. as a liberal democratic country the United Kingdom (UK) would not be expected so to act.

On the other hand, successive UK governments have emphasized the role of the national interest as a major official criterion for intervention, in part where authorization has been, or claimed to have been, provided by a UNSCR or, increasingly, where the UK intervenes without such an authorization.

This article asks if the formal reasons for any of the interventions give grounds for questioning their legality under international law and why a liberal democratic state may pursue an approach amounting to state crime. It concludes by suggesting that a liberal democratic state such as the UK has both the capacity and motivation for state crime at international level and, while the opportunities for so acting may be limited, the pursuit of the national interest is an ever-present potential for initiating or engaging in interventions whose justification under international law or other international standards may be tenuous at best or illegal at worst.
Resistance and Pride: The Murals of Orgosolo, Sardinia
Authors: Rolston Bill
Published: May 2014

The small town of Orgosolo in the mountains of Sardinia is known for its murals: hundreds of them in a town of only 5,000 inhabitants. although murals exist throughout Sardinia, those of Orgosolo are noteworthy because of their political content. This article describes the origins of the mural tradition in the events of the late 1960s and early 1970s in the town. The combination of a left-wing council and youth group, as well as the powerful influence of an art teacher, led to the start of a process that continues to this day. The murals are classified into four interrelated themes: war, resistance, ethnic pride and resonance. But most importantly, the relevance of the mural tradition is placed in the context of the rejection by local people of northern Italian stereotypes which display them as backward shepherds and bandits, wedded inexorably to tradition and the rejection of progress.
Back to the Future: Australian Border Policing Under Labor, 2007–2013
Authors: Grewcock Michael
Published: May 2014

This article analyses the border policies of australia's federal Labor governments between 2007 and 2013. It argues that the policies of externalization pursued by Labor inevitably led to the restoration of the Pacific Solution introduced by the previous Liberal-National Party Coalition government and reproduced similar forms of state criminality and resistance.
K. Booth and T. Dunne
, Terror in our Time;R. Blakeley,
State Terrorism and Neoliberalism: The North in the South
Authors: Jackson Richard
Published: May 2014

None
W. Chambliss, R. Michalowski and R. Kramer,
State Crime in the Global Age; D. Rothe and C. Mullins,
State Crime: Current Perspectives
Authors: Pemberton Simon
Published: May 2014

None
Synthesis, Spectroscopy and Crystal Structure of a New Copper Complex Built Up by Cationic (Dimethylphosphoryl)methanaminium Ligands
Authors: Richert Manuela E. , Helmbrecht Cora , Reiss Guido J.
Published: May 2014

A new transition metal complex of the mono-protonated ligand (dimethylphosphoryl)methanamine (dpmaH+) was obtained by equimolar reaction of copper(II) chloride dihydrate and dpma in concentrated hydrochloric acid. The asymmetric unit of the title structure, [CuCl2(C3H11NOP)4][CuCl4]2, consists of one half of a fourfold charged trans-dichloridotetrakis[(dimethylphosphoryl)methanaminium]copper(II) complex with the copper atom located on an inversion centre and one tetrachloridocuprate(II) dianion found in a general position. The copper centre in the cationic complex shows a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment composed of four oxygen atoms in a square plane and two trans-coordinated chlorido ligands. This 4+2-coordination causes elongated Cu-Cl distances because of the Jahn-Teller effect. The geometry of the tetrachloridocuprate(II) dianion is best described as a seriously distorted tetrahedron. Analysis of the hydrogen bonding scheme by graph-set theory shows three patterns of rings in the title compound. The cationic copper complex reveals intramolecular hydrogen bonds between two aminium groups and the two axial chlorido ligands. Further hydrogen bonding among the cations and anions, more precisely between four aminium groups and the chlorido ligands of four adjacent tetrachloridocuprate(II) anions, lead to a chain-type structure. Comparing the coordination chemistry of the title structure with an analogue cobalt(II) compound only disclose differences in hydrogen bonding pattern resulting in an unusual chain propagation. Besides the crystal structure received spectroscopic data are in accordance with appropriate literature.
Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy in Optically Dense Fireballs Using Broadband Second-Harmonic Generation of a Pulsed Modeless Dye Laser
Authors: Soo Michael , Glumac Nick
Published: May 2014

Broadband frequency doubling of a modeless dye laser pulse is used to enable single-shot absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet for optically dense, energetic-materials fireball applications. Band widths of approximately 1–3 nm are generated in the 226 and 268 nm regions using a doubling crystal. Strong focusing of the fundamental beam onto the crystal is found to be sufficient to achieve 1–5% conversion efficiency with a pulse intensity sufficient to saturate the array detector even after 75% attenuation through the fireball. The technique is demonstrated with nitric oxide (NO) absorption in a gas cell and is then used to perform the first detection and temperature fitting of aluminum monofluoride (AlF) and magnesium monofluoride (MgF) in a fireball environment.
Raman Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy Characterizations of Fission Track Method Datable Zircon Grains
Authors: Resende Rosana Silveira , Sáenz Carlos Alberto Tello , Curvo Eduardo Augusto Campos , Constantino Carlos José Leopoldo , Aroca Ricardo F. , Nakasuga Wagner Massayuki
Published: May 2014

Spectroscopic and morphological studies, designed to improve our understanding of the physicochemical phenomena that occur during zircon crystallization, are presented. The zircon fission track method (ZFTM) is used routinely in various laboratories around the world; however, there are some methodological difficulties needing attention. Depending on the surface fission track density observed under an optical microscope, the zircon grain surfaces are classified as homogeneous, heterogeneous, hybrid, or anomalous. In this study, zircon grain surfaces are characterized using complementary techniques such as optical microscopy (OM), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), both before and after chemical etching. Our results suggest that anomalous grains have subfamilies and that etching anisotropy related to heterogeneous grains is due to different crystallographic faces within the same polished surface that cannot be observed under an optical microscope. The improved methodology was used to determine the zircon fission track ages of samples collected from the Bauru Group located in the north of Paraná Basin, Brazil. A total of 514 zircon grains were analyzed, consisting of 10% homogeneous, about 10% heterogeneous, about 20% hybrid, and 60% anomalous grains. These results show that the age distributions obtained for homogeneous, heterogeneous, and hybrid grains are both statistically and geologically compatible.
White Light Spectral Interferometry as a Spectrometer Calibration Tool
Authors: de la Fuente Raúl
Published: May 2014

For this paper, we used a white light interferometer in combination with spectral lamps to perform the wavelength calibration of a dispersive spectrometer. Illuminating the spectrometer with suitable spectral lamps gives the wavelength-pixel number relationship at discrete positions of the spectrometer detector array, and the wavelength-dependent phase difference at the output of the white light interferometer allows for a complete spectral calibration at any point on the detector (i.e., for every wavelength in the spectral range of the spectrometer). The details of this new calibration procedure are discussed, and two practical examples exhibiting the robustness of the method are presented. In addition, certain issues relating to minimizing the number of spectral lines used in the calibration procedure are examined.
A Modified Infrared Spectrometer with High Time Resolution and Its Application for Investigating Fast Conformational Changes of the GTPase Ras
Authors: Lin Jie , Gerwert Klaus , Kötting Carsten
Published: May 2014

Time-resolved infrared spectroscopy is a valuable tool for the investigation of proteins and protein interactions. The investigation of many biological processes is possible by means of caged compounds, which set free biologically active substances upon light activation. Some caged compounds could provide subnanosecond time resolution, e.g., para-hydroxyphenacyl-guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) forms GTP in picoseconds. However, the time resolution in single shot experiments with rapid-scan Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers is limited to about 10 ms. Here we use an infrared diode laser instead of the conventional globar and achieve a time resolution of 100 ns. This allows for the time-resolved measurement of the fast Rasoff to Rason conformational change at room temperature. We quantified the activation parameters for this reaction and found that the free energy of activation for this reaction is mainly enthalpic. Investigation of the same reaction in the presence of the Ras binding domain of the effector Raf (RafRBD) reveals a four orders of magnitude faster reaction, indicating that RasRafRBD complex formation directly induces the conformational change. Recent developments of broadly tunable quantum cascade lasers will further improve time resolution and usability of the setup. The reported 100 ns time resolution is the best achieved for a non-repetitive experiment so far.
Localization of Human Hair Structural Lipids Using Nanoscale Infrared Spectroscopy and Imaging
Authors: Marcott Curtis , Lo Michael , Kjoller Kevin , Fiat Francoise , Baghdadli Nawel , Balooch Guive , Luengo Gustavo S.
Published: May 2014

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy have been combined in a single instrument (AFM-IR) capable of producing IR spectra and absorption images at a sub-micrometer spatial resolution. This new device enables human hair to be spectroscopically characterized at levels not previously possible. In particular, it was possible to determine the location of structural lipids in the cuticle and cortex of hair. Samples of human hair were embedded, cross-sectioned, and mounted on ZnSe prisms. A tunable IR laser generating pulses of the order of 10 ns was used to excite sample films. Short duration thermomechanical waves, due to infrared absorption and resulting thermal expansion, were studied by monitoring the resulting excitation of the contact resonance modes of the AFM cantilever. Differences are observed in the IR absorbance intensity of long-chain methylene-containing functional groups between the outer cuticle, middle cortex, and inner medulla of the hair. An accumulation of structural lipids is clearly observed at the individual cuticle layer boundaries. This method should prove useful in the future for understanding the penetration mechanism of substances into hair as well as elucidating the chemical nature of alteration or possible damage according to depth and hair morphology.
Quantitative Imaging of Preamyloid Oligomers, a Novel Structural Abnormality, in Human Atrial Samples
Authors: Sidorova Tatiana N. , Mace Lisa C. , Wells K. Sam , Yermalitskaya Liudmila V. , Su Pei-Fang , Shyr Yu , Byrne John G. , Petracek Michael R. , Greelish James P. , Hoff Steven J. , Ball Stephen K. , Glabe Charles G. , Brown Nancy J. , Barnett Joey V. , Murray Katherine T.
Published: May 2014

Abnormalities in atrial myocardium increase the likelihood of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF). The deposition of misfolded protein, or amyloidosis, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of many diseases, including human cardiomyopathies. We have shown that genes implicated in amyloidosis are activated in a cellular model of AF, with the development of preamyloid oligomers (PAOs). PAOs are intermediates in the formation of amyloid fibrils, and they are now recognized to be the cytotoxic species during amyloidosis. To investigate the presence of PAOs in human atrium, we developed a microscopic imaging-based protocol to enable robust and reproducible quantitative analysis of PAO burden in atrial samples harvested at the time of elective cardiac surgery. Using PAO- and myocardial-specific antibodies, we found that PAO distribution was typically heterogeneous within a myocardial sample. Rigorous imaging and analysis protocols were developed to quantify the relative area of myocardium containing PAOs, termed the Green/Red ratio (G/R), for a given sample. Using these methods, reproducible G/R values were obtained when different sections of a sample were independently processed, imaged, and analyzed by different investigators. This robust technique will enable studies to investigate the role of this novel structural abnormality in the pathophysiology of and arrhythmia generation in human atrial tissue.
Social Context, Self-perceptions and Student Engagement: A SEM investigation of the self-system model of motivational development (SSMMD)
Authors: Dupont Serge , Galand Benoît , Nils Frédéric , Hospel Virginie Hospel
Published: May 2014

Introduction. The present study aimed to test a theoretically-based model (the self-system model of motivational development) including at the same time the extent to which the social context provides structure, warmth and autonomy support, the students’ perceived autonomy, relatedness and competence, and behavioral, cognitive and emotional student engagement.Method. Three hundred and thirty one participants attending the last year at the university completed a self-reported questionnaire tapping the targeted variables. SEM analyses were used to test our hypotheses.Results. Results revealed that each dimension of the social context was associated with the corresponding self-perception variables which, in turn, predicted greater behavioral, cognitive and emotional engagement. Cognitive engagement was directly predicted by the three self-perception variables, and indirectly by an autonomy supportive social context. Structured social context was indirectly associated, through perceived competence, with behavioral and emotional engagement.Discussion and Conclusion. Two underlying assumptions of the SSMMD (and more broadly of the SDT) were supported by the results of this study - the three dimensions of social context have specific effects on self-perception variables and these perceptions are mediators of the relationship between context and student engagement - one was not - the three self-perception variables do not have a direct impact on the dimensions of student engagement.
Relaciones entre Estilos Educativos Parentales y Agresividad en Adolescentes
Authors: De la Torre-Cruz M. J. , García-Linares M. C. , Casanova-Arias P. F.
Published: May 2014

Introducción. La agresividad física y verbal que niños y adolescentes dirigen hacia sus iguales se relaciona con las pautas de actuación o los estilos educativos que emplean sus progenitores. El objetivo de nuestra investigación residió en examinar la relación existente entre la percepción que un grupo de jóvenes adolescentes tenía del estilo educativo exhibido por sus progenitores (madres y padres) y el nivel de agresividad física, verbal, ira y hostilidad que manifestaban hacia sus iguales.Método. 371 estudiantes con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 16 años emitieron sus respuestas a varias medidas de autoinforme: la Escala de Afecto (EA) y la Escala de Normas y Exigencias (ENE) así como, al Cuestionario de Agresividad. Resultados. El análisis de varianza reveló que los adolescentes que atribuían a madres y padres un estilo de socialización democrático obtenían menores puntuaciones en las dimensiones agresividad física y verbal que sus iguales que etiquetaron a sus madres y padres como autoritarios. Adicionalmente, los chicos informaron ser físicamente más agresivos que las chicas.Discusión y Conclusión. La percepción de un estilo parental autoritario parece asociada al incremento de las manifestaciones de agresividad. La percepción de un bajo nivel de afecto y un elevado grado de control, propia de un estilo autoritario, se vincula con la expresión de conductas agresivas que podrían deteriorar seriamente el ajuste que los adolescentes exhiben en diferentes contextos como el de las interacciones con los iguales.
Significance: U.S. Blind Spots in Judging Research
Authors: Anderson-Levitt Kathryn M.
Published: May 2014

Opening U.S. educational publishing to the rest of the world promises fresh perspectives and new solutions—but not if U.S.-based editors, reviewers and readers fail to recognize the significance of research conducted outside the United States. This essay explores why U.S.-based reviewers easily miss the social importance and the intellectual interest of research conducted elsewhere, and points to several steps they can take to improve their appreciation of the full global range of educational scholarship.
Ranking Regimes and the Production of Knowledge in Academia: (Re)shaping Faculty Work?
Authors: Gonzales Leslie D , Núñez Anne-Marie
Published: May 2014

In this integrated review of literature, we address a powerful movement among interrelated organizations that we call the “ranking regime.” We argue that the ostensive purpose of this regime is to identify “world class” universities, and thus to organize post-secondary education into a competitive transnational market. Although extant research has addressed how rankings are reshaping the field of higher education, there is little work that addresses the influence of rankings on the evaluation of faculty work and the production of knowledge. Thus, we review existing studies that have focused on the intersection of this ranking regime, faculty work, and faculty evaluation in order to assess the implications of the ranking regime for the production of knowledge within academia and for faculty evaluation.  We argue that the ranking regime affects the production and evaluation of knowledge by promoting individualism, standardization, commodification, and homogenization. We offer policy and practice implications as well as directions for future research.
Strategies and tactics in academic knowledge production by multilingual scholars
Authors: Curry Mary Jane , Lillis Theresa M
Published: May 2014

In the past decade, academic evaluation systems worldwide have markedly increased the use of mechanisms that privilege the use of English in journal publishing. In the context of these trends, this article highlights our findings from more than 12 years of research on the experiences and perspectives of 50 multilingual European scholars with writing for publication, particularly in English. We draw on de Certeau’s (1984) notions of strategies and tactics to explore key ways in which scholars manage often-competing demands and interests in writing for publication. Scholars both adopt strategies that align with official publication policies and use tactics that support scholars’ sometimes competing agendas. At different moments scholars embrace, accommodate, or resist the perceived dominance of English in knowledge production regimes and evaluation systems. We conclude by summarizing the value of drawing on the notions of strategy and tactics in an era of increasing debates over evaluation systems.
Strategies for increasing productivity in production systems
Authors: Pacheco Diego , Pergher Isaac , Fernando Jung Carlos , Scwenberg ten Caten Carla
Published: May 2014

The main objective of this article is to point a set of practical strategies that can be adopted to increase the capacity of constraints resources on production systems, when the constraint is inside the factory and not is in the market. To serve this purpose will be presented strategies based on best practices of the Theory of Constraints, Lean Manufacturing and Total Productive Maintenance. This article also presents the mains tools for the deployment of these methodologies. The survey results have provided an objective set of practical strategy that can be used to increase the capacity and productivity of production systems according to the needs of each manufacturing system.
Supply chain strategies in the context of an e-commerce chain (e-chain)
Authors: Reis João Gilberto Mendes do , Costa Neto Pedro Luiz de Oliveira , Fusco José Paulo Alves , Machado Sivanilza Teixeira
Published: May 2014

This paper purpose to explore the relationships between supply chain strategies and product performance in retail e-commerce. In this case, we concern that in current, in order to bear up under competition, organizations have to manage their supply chains so that they meet the needs of their final customers. With this concept in mind, the research presented in this study focuses on establishing the right strategy for supply chains according to their product segment. Thus, after a Literature Review, the paper explain a methodology based in different authors studies. Finally the article focuses on a pratical case in e-commerce retail that describes its application in this field. The research shows that it is possible to use a methodology for classifying supply chains using chain strategies and product features. The use of the right strategy for supply chains will improve the competitive advantage of businesses. One limitation is that the methodology study focuses on only two e-commerce segment; future studies may go further in refining the proposed framework for other segments. The aim of this research is to offer businesses a model for evaluating supply chains, allowing them to improve the performance of their products and services by using the right strategy for supply chains. The classification proposal of this paper presents an original model for classification of supply chains based on different studies on the theme.
Study to evaluate the performance development of brazilian franchise segments
Authors: Neuenfeldt Júnior Alvaro Luiz , Siluk Julio Cezar Mairesse , Soliman Marlon , Marques Kelen Franciane Scheroldt
Published: May 2014

The gradual development of the control systems and management of information about the organizations environment through measurement systems made, in this day and age, the reflection of reality. For the Brazilian franchise system this relationship is not different, evidenced by the variation of more than three times the amount raised in comparison to gross revenues achieved since 2001. Given this scenario of growth, this article has for primary objective to propose a performance measurement system for a segment of existing franchises in Brazil, through the elaboration of indicators related to external factors considered business critical success factors, based on financial and non-financial data made available publicly by the Brazilian Franchising Association (ABF). As a result, five performance indicators were developed for the system in question, in addition to the application of this model in a specific thread within the franchise system for the purpose of analyzing the information obtained and testing the reliability of the parameters used, identifying both that the model is reliable in accordance with the criteria established.
Multi response Characteristics of Process Parameters during End Milling of GFRP using Grey-Based Taguchi Method
Authors: Sreenivasulu Reddy
Published: May 2014

This paper deals with optimization of surface roughness and delamination damage on GFRP  material during end milling using grey - based taguchi method. Three parameters namely spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut were identified and ranges of the parameters for the present investigation were determined from preliminary experiments. Taguchi method based on L9 orthogonal array was selected and experiments were conducted as per experimental layout plan. The experiments were carried out on a CNC vertical machining center to perform 10mm slots on GFRP work piece of 300mmX50mmX25mm size by K10 carbide, four flute end milling cutter. Surface roughness and delamination damage were measured on each slot with the aid of form Talysurf 50 and tool maker’s micro scope. An optimal combination of process parameters were obtained via grey based taguchi method. From the results of ANOVA, it is concluded that cutting speed and depth of cut are the most significant factors affecting the surface roughness and delamination damage factor and their contribution in an order of 26.84% and 40.44% respectively. A confirmatory experiment shows that 5.052µm for surface roughness and 1.682 delamination damage factor to validate the used approach after conducting with optimal setting of process parameters.
Markov chain portfolio liquidity optimization model
Authors: Abensur Eder Oliveira
Published: May 2014

The international financial crisis of September 2008 and May 2010 showed the importance of liquidity as an attribute to be considered in portfolio decisions. This study proposes an optimization model based on available public data, using Markov chain and Genetic Algorithms concepts as it considers the classic duality of risk versus return and incorporating liquidity costs. The work intends to propose a multi-criterion non-linear optimization model using liquidity based on a Markov chain. The non-linear model was tested using Genetic Algorithms with twenty five Brazilian stocks from 2007 to 2009. The results suggest that this is an innovative development methodology and useful for developing an efficient and realistic financial portfolio, as it considers many attributes such as risk, return and liquidity.
Managing Reputation Risk and Situational Crisis in Higher Institutions of Learning
Authors: Effiong Andem Ita
Published: May 2014

Extant literature on crisis and corporate reputation management has presented the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) model as a valid and reliable framework for managing crisis and predicting stakeholders’perceptions of organizations’ reputation in times of crisis. In order to verifythe applicability of the model in higher institutions of learning in adeveloping country context, a study was conducted in September, 2011 in twopublic universities in Nigeria. The findings of the study revealed thatalthough the institutions did not fully implement the core tenets of SCCT, thestrategies adopted in each of the two crisis situations were similar to some ofthe recommendations of the SCCT in different ways. While one institutionfocused on a strategy similar to what the SCCT model describes as “rebuildcrisis response strategy” with informing and adjusting tactics, the secondinstitution utilized a victimization or “Victimage” strategy with strongattribution of blames; and frequent reminder of the stakeholders of the extentof losses that the institution would incur from the crisis. The outcome wasthat the institution with high emphasis on rebuilding and informationadjustment strategy recorded very little damage to its reputation capital, duringand after the crises. Conversely, the second institution which believed invictimization and high attribution recorded significant losses in reputation assets,which included withdrawal of key stakeholders and loss of recognition ofprograms by some professional agencies. The implication for crisis managers in thetwo institutions includes the need to always approach situational crises in aholistic manner. Such holistic approach would involve a refocus, critical analysis,planning and implementation of crisis response strategies based on the relevantsituations, events, and the people concerned. The research was designed as acase study with focus group discussions as the data collection method.Altogether, 16 officers including eight top and senior administrative staff whowere actively involved in the negotiation and communication programs during the crises in the two institutions participated in the focus group discussions.Keywords: situational crisis, reputation risk, stakeholders’perceptions, stakeholders’ value, reputation capital, reputation assets
Garch model indentification using neural network
Authors: Caldeira André Machado , Machado Maria Augusta Soares , Souza Reinaldo Castro , Tanscheit Ricardo
Published: May 2014

GARCH models are being largely used to estimate the volatility offinancial assets, and GARCH(1,1) is the one most used. However, identificationof GARCH models is not fully explored. Some specialist systems technology havebeen used in some applications of time series models such as time seriesclassification problems, ARMA models identification, as well as SARIMA. The aim of this paper is to develop an intelligent system that can accurately identifythe specification of GARCH models providing the right choice of the model to beused, thus avoiding the indiscriminate usage of GARCH(1,1) model.
Empirical Desert, Individual Prevention, and Limiting Retributivism
Authors: Robinson Paul H. , Barton Joshua Samuel , Lister Matthew
Published: May 2014

A number of articles and empirical studies over the past decade suggest a relationship between the criminal law’s reputation for being just—its “moral credibility”—and its ability to gain society’s deference and compliance through a variety of mechanisms that enhance the system’s crime-control effectiveness. This has led to proposals for criminal liability and punishment rules to reflect lay intuitions of justice—“empirical desert”—as a means of enhancing the system’s moral credibility. In a recent article, Christopher Slobogin and Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein (SBR) report seven sets of studies that, in their view, undermine these claims about empirical desert and moral credibility. Instead, say SBR, the studies support their own proposed distributive principle of “individual prevention.” As this article shows, however, SBR have it wrong on both counts: not only do their studies actually confirm the crime-control power of empirical desert, but they provide no support for their own principle of individual prevention. Moreover, that principle, which focuses on an offender’s dangerousness rather than his perceived desert, is erroneously described by SBR as “a sort of limiting retributivism.” In reality, what SBR propose is a system based on dangerousness, where detention decisions are made at the back end by experts. Such an approach promotes the worst of the failed policies of the 1960s, and conflicts with the modern trend of encouraging more community involvement in criminal punishment, not less.
Riscos psicossociais e estresse ocupacional, parceiros numa relação presumida com Burnout: um estudo de estressores que envolvem as atividades dos Peritos Criminais
Authors: Dias Régis Paim , Pereira A. , Langaro F. , Correa R. N. , Souza N. de , Lacerda L. L. V. de
Published: May 2014

O presente artigo teve como objetivo geral a identificação da prevalência de estressores inerentes às atividades dos peritos criminais. Para isto, realizou-se uma pesquisa exploratória com os seguintes objetivos específicos: a) levantar o grau de importância dos estressores abordados; b) identificar os estressores com maior potencial lesivo à saúde mental; c) avaliar se existe uma relação presumida com burnout. A coleta de dados foi procedida através de um questionário fechado e anônimo, aplicado por meio eletrônico. Resultados significativos foram apresentados e levam a uma reflexão acerca dos riscos psicossociais, juntamente com o estresse ocupacional, que podem levar ao sofrimento e ao comprometimento da saúde física e mental. Chama-se a atenção para essa temática visando contribuir para a elaboração de estratégias de gerenciamento de pessoas e de riscos nos ambientes de trabalho.Palavras-Chave: Riscos psicossociais, estresse ocupacional, burnout, peritos criminais.
Improving the Power of GWAS and Avoiding Confounding from Population Stratification with PC-Select
Authors: Tucker George , Price Alkes L , Berger Bonnie
Published: May 2014

Using a reduced subset of SNPs in a linear mixed model can improve power for genome-wide association studies, yet this can result in insufficient correction for population stratification. We propose a hybrid approach using principal components that does not inflate statistics in the presence of population stratification and improves power over standard linear mixed models.
Privatizing war and security in Afghanistan: Future or dead end?
Authors: Giustozzi Antonio
Published: May 2014

An assessment of the employment of mercenaries in Afghanistan gives mixed results. U.S. armed forces appear to have been happy with the Afghan Security Forces and ad hoc militias and only replaced them because of political reasons or because they felt that they were no longer needed. By contrast, the work of private security companies seems to have satisfied few. While in the short term no practical alternative to their use existed, it is not obvious that this option saves any money to the governments involved in the medium and long-term. Moreover, private security contractors are not subject to the control of military authorities, nor to military discipline. Their record of abusive behavior is indisputable and probably played a significant role in alienating the Afghan public. Unless much changes, the potential of private security companies in peacekeeping does not appear to be a bright one.
Terrorist financing beyond 9/11
Authors: Napoleoni Loretta
Published: May 2014

This article analyzes the impact of counter-terrorism policies, e.g., the Patriot Act and the war in Iraq, on the financial structure of European terror networks and argues that such policies, far from defeating Jihadist activities, ended up boosting them. In response to such measures, terror finances have been skillfully restructured, the main changes being the decentralization of funding activity in Europe and in the Middle East and the declining cost of terrorist attacks.
Russian military expenditure: What's behind the curtain?
Authors: Zatsepin Vasily
Published: May 2014

The article views the Russian defense budget as a representation of national strategic interests, priorities, and policies. Although Russia conforms to the United Nations' statistical standard for reporting military expenditure, several budget categories are hidden in other parts of the federal budget. Transparency in defense spending has been decreasing steadily. The budgeting process itself is cumbersome and opaque. Parliamentary control over the budget process and control over the execution of defense appropriations are limited. Importantly, frequent changes in the system of national accounting impede historical comparisons. The study finds that the low quality of defense management, dominated by members of the military-industrial complex, is a major problem locking Russian defense policy in an institutional trap.
Demographic Factors Associated With Bronchiolitis Readmission
Authors: Riese Jeffrey , McCulloh Russell J. , Koehn Kristin L. , Alverson Brian K.
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

The goal of this study was to evaluate patient characteristics and medical management and their association with readmission in children with bronchiolitis.

Methods:

This retrospective chart review included children admitted with bronchiolitis to 2 children’s hospitals. Reviewers selected charts based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnosis and collected information on demographic characteristics, treatment, diagnostic testing, length of stay, and adverse outcomes. Univariate analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with any-cause readmission in 4 weeks.

Results:

A total of 1229 patients met inclusion criteria. Younger children were more likely to be readmitted within 4 weeks of discharge compared with older children (mean age: 4.5 vs 5.7 months; P = .005). Readmissions did not differ based on length of stay, and no medical intervention was associated with risk for readmission. Of patients readmitted from the large service area hospital, 57% lived ≤20 miles away, compared with 26.9% of those who were not readmitted (P = .03). Patients from the lowest income zip codes within the catchment area of the small service area hospital were more likely to be readmitted compared with patients from the highest income zip codes (7.8% vs 0%; P = .025).

Conclusions:

Overall, 6.4% of hospitalized patients with bronchiolitis were readmitted. Our data did not identify any inpatient medical management or modifiable risk factor associated with readmission.
Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Disseminated Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in Neonates
Authors: Kotzbauer David , Frank Gary , Dong Wei , Shore Steve
Published: May 2014

Background And Objectives:

Disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is the most fulminant type of neonatal HSV infection and has the highest mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for patient survival. We describe the clinical presentation, laboratory characteristics, and outcomes of neonates with disseminated HSV infection at our institution.

Methods:

A retrospective review of electronic medical records from 2006 to 2013 was performed. Only neonates with disseminated HSV infection, confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction or viral culture results, were included.

Results:

Twenty-two cases were identified; the age range was 1 to 14 days. The majority of patients did not have a maternal history of HSV or a history of maternal fever at delivery. Eleven of the patients were delivered by cesarean delivery, and 3 of these patients did not have prolonged rupture of membranes. Neonatal fever, the most common historical characteristic, was present in only one-half of the patients. Pneumonia and respiratory distress were present in one-half of the patients. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were elevated in most, but not all, patients. The blood HSV polymerase chain reaction was positive in all patients tested. Of the 22 study patients, 16 survived and 6 died. The majority of the patients who died had respiratory disease and a delay in the initiation of acyclovir therapy.

Conclusions:

Disseminated HSV infection in neonates can be challenging to diagnose and is associated with high mortality. Clinicians must strongly consider this diagnosis, test the blood for HSV polymerase chain reaction, and initiate early treatment in the appropriate clinical scenarios.
Hospital Readmission in Children With Complex Chronic Conditions Discharged From Subacute Care
Authors: Jurgens Valerie , Spaeder Michael C. , Pavuluri Padmaja , Waldman Zev
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

Children with complex chronic conditions (CCC) are responsible for a disproportionate number of hospital readmissions. This study sought to determine 30-day hospital readmission rates in children with CCC discharged from a rehabilitation and transitional care hospital and to identify factors associated with increased risk of readmission.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study identifying children with CCC discharged over an 18-month period from a subacute care facility staffed by hospitalists from a freestanding children’s hospital. The primary outcome measure was readmission to the referring acute care hospital within 30 days of the subacute discharge.

Results:

Of the 272 discharged patients meeting inclusion criteria as children with at least 1 CCC, 19% had at least 1 readmission within 30 days of discharge. On univariate analysis, readmission was associated with the number of home medications (P = .001), underlying chronic respiratory illness (P < .001), home apnea or pulse oximetry monitor use (P = .02), tracheostomy and/or ventilator dependence (P = .003), length of stay (P = .04), and number of follow-up appointments (P = .02). On multivariate analysis, the number of discharge medications was associated with increased odds of readmission (odds ratio: 1.11 [95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.20]; P = .01). Receiver operating curve analysis identified a cutoff of 8 medications as most associated with readmission; in patients discharged with ≥8 medications, the hospital readmission rate was 29%.

Conclusions:

This is the first known study that investigated hospital readmission rates in children with CCC discharged from a subacute facility and specifically identified the number of discharge medications as a significant risk factor for readmission.
Administrative Data Misclassifies and Fails to Identify Nephrotoxin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Children
Authors: Schaffzin Joshua K. , Dodd Caitlin N. , Nguyen Hovi , Schondelmeyer Amanda , Campanella Suzanne , Goldstein Stuart L.
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

Nephrotoxin exposure is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized children. AKI detection relies on regular serum creatinine (SCr) screening among exposed patients. We sought to determine how well administrative data identify hospitalized noncritically ill children with nephrotoxic medication-associated AKI in the contexts of incomplete and complete screening.

Methods:

We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study among noncritically ill hospitalized children. We compared administrative data sensitivity to that among a separate cohort for whom adequate screening was defined as daily SCr measurement. For the original cohort, nephrotoxin exposure was defined as exposure to ≥3 nephrotoxins at once or ≥3 days of aminoglycoside therapy. AKI was defined by the change in SCr (pediatric-modified Risk Injury Failure Loss End-Stage Renal Disease [pRIFLE] criteria) or discharge code. Adequate SCr screening was defined as 2 measurements obtained ≤96 hours apart. Administrative data and laboratory values were merged to compare AKI by discharge code and pRIFLE criteria.

Results:

747 of 1472 (50.7%) nephrotoxin-exposed patients were adequately screened; 82 (11.0%) had AKI by pRIFLE criteria, 52 (7.0%) by discharge code. Sensitivity of nephrotoxin-associated AKI diagnosis by discharge code compared with pRIFLE criteria was 23.2% (95% confidence interval = 14.0–32.3). In the comparison cohort, 70 (26.8%) patients had AKI by pRIFLE criteria and 26 (10.0%) by discharge code; sensitivity was 21.4% (95% confidence interval = 11.8%–31.0%).

Conclusions:

pRIFLE criteria identified more patients than were identified by discharge code. Identifying patients with nephrotoxin-associated AKI by discharge code, even in the presence of complete AKI detection, underrepresents the true incidence of nephrotoxin-associated AKI in hospitalized children.
Neonatal Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Magalhães Claudia Saad , Suppo de Souza Rugolo Ligia Maria , Trindade Cleide Enoir Petean
Published: May 2014

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) during pregnancy may result in pregnancy morbidity and passive transfer of antibodies to the fetus, resulting in an increased risk of prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, thrombocytopenia, and developmental delay. Antiphospholipid antibodies may have an impact on neurodevelopment during fetal life. Although rare, persistence of these antibodies in the neonate may lead to thromboembolism, particularly if there is a concurrent infection and/or inherited thrombophilic disorders. Affected pregnant women need to be identified early during gestation so that they can have close monitoring of the placental circulation, fetal growth and development, and testing of serum antiphospholipid antibody levels. Neonates born to mothers with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome should have close neurodevelopment follow-up.
Fellowship Program Directors Perspectives on Fellowship Training
Authors: Freed Gary L. , Dunham Kelly M. , Moran Lauren M. , Spera Laura , McGuinness Gail A. , Stevenson David K.
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND:

Recently the American Board of Pediatrics has undertaken an effort to examine the components and structure of pediatric fellowship training. To provide the current status of training programs and the perspectives of those in positions of leadership regarding fellowship training, a study of all fellowship program directors in the United States was undertaken.

METHODS:

We conducted a mail survey of all 719 pediatric fellowship program directors in the United States.

RESULTS:

The response rate was 82.2%. Fellowship directors were almost evenly divided regarding whether they believe that there is a need to change the expected amount of clinical training time in their own subspecialty, with 51% stating the amount was appropriate and 48% believing it should be increased. Fewer than half (42%) of program directors believe that the amount of scholarly training time should be the same for all fellows in their subspecialty regardless of career path (ie, primarily clinical versus primarily research). The majority (58%) stated that regardless of career path, the required training for all fellows in their own subspecialty should remain 3 years. Only one-third of program directors strongly believed that quality improvement activities were an important component of fellowship training.

CONCLUSIONS:

Variation exists among fellowship program directors in their perceptions of the goals and structure of fellowship training. Determining the best way to both account for and recognize the specific nuances of each subspecialty, while maintaining a common set of standards for the profession, will be an important and ongoing effort into the future.
Specialty Specific Comparisons Regarding Perspectives on Fellowship Training
Authors: Freed Gary L. , Dunham Kelly M. , Moran Lauren M. , Spera Laura , McGuinness Gail A. , Stevenson David K.
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND:

As part of a recent effort by the American Board of Pediatrics to examine fellowship training, a task force was established to review the components of training and develop recommendations for any modifications deemed necessary. To inform the task force, several studies were undertaken to gain insights and perspectives from current fellows, those who had completed fellowship training, and program directors regarding their experiences and the perceived value of their training. This article provides the findings for each subspecialty in tables that allow comparison with all other subspecialties for each study population.

METHODS:

All data were first analyzed for missing or incomplete response patterns. Frequency distributions of all findings were prepared for each specific subspecialty. Next, χ2 statistics were used to compare each subspecialty with the others. A P value <.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS:

Results for each question for each study population are shown in the tables, provided in the online data supplement. Supplemental Tables 1–29 are for program directors, Supplemental Tables 30–48 are for current fellows, Supplemental Tables 49–76 are for recent fellowship graduates, and Supplemental Tables 77–99 are for midcareer subspecialists.

CONCLUSIONS:

There are significant differences between the subspecialties in their perceptions of a variety of issues involving fellowship training.