bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate Change and the UN Security Council: Bully Pulpit or Bull in a China Shop?
Authors: Conca Ken , Thwaites Joe , Lee Goueun
Published: April 2017

Although claims about climate/conflict links remain contested, concerns that climate change will affect peace and security have gained traction in academic, activist, and policy circles. One set of pressures for responsive action has centered on the UN Security Council, which has held several often-contentious debates on the topic. Whether the Council should address climate change is a highly politicized question, tied to controversies about the Council’s mandate, membership reform, and the appropriate division of labor in the UN system. Lost in this political debate has been a more fundamental question—what exactly could the Council do? We examine six specific proposals for Council action culled from the academic and policy literature and the public positions of member states. These include incorporating climate risks into peacekeeping operations, developing an early-warning system, managing the threat to small-island states, engaging in preventive diplomacy, addressing climate refugees, and embracing a climate-related analogy to the norm of a responsibility to protect. For each proposal, our analysis—which is based on interviews conducted at the UN, archival research, and case histories of past instances of adapting the Council’s focus to new challenges—examines what it would mean and require for the Council to act. We also identify a series of measures that constitute a “pragmatic transformative” agenda. These steps recognize the poor fit between the climate challenge and the Council as it is currently constituted, but also the potential to use climate as part of a larger transformation toward the better Council the world needs.
Transnational Public-Private Partnerships as Learning Facilitators: Global Governance of Mercury
Authors: Sun Yixian
Published: April 2017

Drawing from theories of regime interplay and social learning, this article investigates linkages between hybrid governance schemes and intergovernmental regimes. My analytic framework suggests that, by enhancing cooperation among stakeholders, transnational public-private partnerships will facilitate policy-makers’ learning, and accordingly advance the formation of intergovernmental regimes. Here I use qualitative methods to examine the influence of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership on negotiations over different components of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Technical and scientific information provided by this partnership helped relevant policy-makers understand the problems to be addressed and some appropriate solutions, thereby accelerating the consensus-making process and shaping the features of certain provisions. I also compare the influences of different partnership areas, revealing that inclusive stakeholder engagement and boundary coordination between different governance schemes are two important conditions for transnational partnerships to promote cooperation in intergovernmental fora.
A Polycentric Approach to Global Climate Governance
Authors: Dorsch Marcel J. , Flachsland Christian
Published: April 2017

As international climate negotiations under the UNFCCC have adopted the goal to limit the increase in global mean temperature to well below 2° C, a highly differentiated—but largely uncoordinated—global climate governance system has emerged. Although coordinated global collective action for mitigating climate change sufficiently to meet the 2°-C goal is still lacking, a multitude of multilateral, minilateral, transnational, national, subnational, and nonstate actors have emerged. This article offers a critical specification of the attempt by Elinor Ostrom and those influenced by her in the literature to conceptualize this climate governance reality as a polycentric approach. We claim that the concept of polycentricity offers high descriptive value for understanding the horizontal and vertical differentiations of current climate governance, and present systematic analysis of a polycentric approach to deliberately enhance the design of the emerging global climate governance architecture. To systematize the Ostromean literature on polycentric climate governance, we identify and specify four key features for climate mitigation governance and their related mechanisms: an emphasis on self-organization, a recognition of site-specific conditions, the facilitation of experimentation and learning, and the building of trust. After discussing objections to a polycentric approach, we conclude by tentatively evaluating its potential to enhance the effectiveness of climate mitigation, and identify central tasks for the efficient design of a polycentric global climate governance regime.
The European Commission’s Shifting Climate Leadership
Authors: Skjærseth Jon Birger
Published: April 2017

The European Commission has played a crucial role in promoting ambitious EU climate targets and policies that boost the credibility of EU leadership-by-example efforts internationally. The approach has gradually shifted from leadership toward more strategic behavior that reflects the preferences of the member states. Reduced uncertainty concerning member-state preferences and solutions accounts for much of the change in leadership. Uncertainty has decreased as climate policies have become more mature and member states have gained experience from implementing them. Asymmetries in member-state preferences, decision-making procedures, and impatience caused by the international context are all important conditions for the European Commission’s leadership. These observations lend support to apparently contradictory theories that have seen EU climate policy as propelled either by autonomous supranational institutions or by increasingly ambitious member states.
Fluid and flexible minds: Intelligence reflects synchrony in the brain’s intrinsic network architecture
Authors: Ferguson Michael A. , Anderson Jeffrey S. , Spreng R. Nathan
Published: April 2017

Human intelligence has been conceptualized as a complex system of dissociable cognitive processes, yet studies investigating the neural basis of intelligence have typically emphasized the contributions of discrete brain regions or, more recently, of specific networks of functionally connected regions. Here we take a broader, systems perspective in order to investigate whether intelligence is an emergent property of synchrony within the brain’s intrinsic network architecture. Using a large sample of resting-state fMRI and cognitive data ( n = 830), we report that the synchrony of functional interactions within and across distributed brain networks reliably predicts fluid and flexible intellectual functioning. By adopting a whole-brain, systems-level approach, we were able to reliably predict individual differences in human intelligence by characterizing features of the brain’s intrinsic network architecture. These findings hold promise for the eventual development of neural markers to predict changes in intellectual function that are associated with neurodevelopment, normal aging, and brain disease.
Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita – a new model to study the genetic evolution of parasitism
Authors: Rae Robbie
Published: April 2017

The evolutionary genetic mechanisms that are responsible for the transition of free-living nematodes to parasites are unknown and current nematode models used to study this have limitations. The gastropod parasitePhasmarhabditis hermaphroditacould be used as a new model to dissect the molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of parasitism.Phasmarhabditis hermaphroditais a facultative parasite of slugs and snails that, likeCaenorhabditis elegansandPristionchus pacificus, can also be maintained easily under laboratory conditions.Phasmarhabditis hermaphroditaandPhasmarhabditisspecies are easy to isolate from the wild and have been found around the world. The phylogenetic position ofPhasmarhabditisis ideal for genomic comparison with other clade 9 species such asC. elegansandP. pacificus, as well as mammalian and insect parasites. These attributes could makeP. hermaphroditaan excellent choice of model to study the evolutionary emergence of parasitism.
Type catalogue of Terebridae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Conoidea) in the Natural History Museum, London, U.K.
Authors: SALVADOR ANDREIA , PICKERING JOAN
Published: April 2017

The type collection of Terebridae in the Natural History Museum consists of 248 lots. In order to clarify the type status of this material, an annotated alphabetic list by species is provided. The format includes the original citation for each species, type locality, collector, label data, registration number, number of specimens, type status and remarks. Due to the actions of previous workers, fixation of lectotype by inference of holotype is given for 168 species. A bibliography of relevant publications is also provided.
Speciation in fractured rock landforms: towards understanding the diversity of subterranean cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Nocticolidae: Nocticola) in Western Australia
Authors: TROTTER ANDREW J. , McRAE JANE M. , MAIN DEAN C. , FINSTON TERRIE L.
Published: April 2017

Three new species of subterranean cockroach of the genus Nocticola from the Pilbara region of Western Australia are described on morphological characters of males. Nocticola quartermainei n. sp., Nocticola cockingi n. sp. and Nocticola currani n. sp. occur in fractured rock landforms and have varying degrees of troglomorphies. Sequence divergence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) clearly demonstrated populations are reproductively isolated over very short distances for the highly troglomorphic Nocticola cockingi n. sp. and Nocticola currani n. sp. and conversely, there is less isolation within the same landforms for the less troglomorphic Nocticola quartermainei n. sp.
A new species of the genus Gracixalus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Mount Jinggang, southeastern China
Authors: ZENG ZHAO-CHI , ZHAO JIAN , CHEN CHUN-QUAN , CHEN GUO-LING , ZHANG ZHONG , WANG YING-YONG
Published: April 2017

A new species, Gracixalus jinggangensis sp. nov., is described based on a series of specimens collected from Mount Jinggang, Jiangxi Province, southeastern China. The new species is distinguished from all other known congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: relatively small body size, SVL 27.9–33.8 mm in nine males and 31.6 mm in a single female; upper eyelid and dorsum lacking spines; skin of dorsal and lateral surface of head, body and limbs rough with sparsely scattered with tubercles; ventral skin granular; tibiotarsal projection absent; finger webbing rudimentary; toes with moderately developed webbing; brown to beige above in life, with an inverse Y-shaped dark brown marking extending from the interorbital region to the middle of dorsum; males with a single, subgular vocal sac, barely visible nuptial pads with minute granules on the dorsal surface of the bases of first and second fingers. The new species is also genetically divergent from all other Gracixalus for which comparable 16S rRNA gene sequences are available. The discovery of Gracixalus jinggangensis sp. nov. represents the twelfth known species in the genus.
A new genus of the tribe Aemodogryllini (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Aemodogryllinae) from China
Authors: QIN YANYAN , LIU XIANWEI , LI KAI
Published: April 2017

In this paper, a new genus Gymnaetoides gen. nov. is described for the new species Gymnaetoides testaceus sp. nov. from Zhejiang. Therefore, two new combinations of this genus result, including Gymnaetoides indivisus (Zhang & Liu, 2009) comb. nov. and Gymnaetoides acutilobatus (Gorochov, 2010) comb. nov.. A key to the species of Gymnaetoides gen. nov. is provided.
Remote Sensing
Authors: Bühl J. , Alexander S. , Crewell S. , Heymsfield A. , Kalesse H. , Khain A. , Maahn M. , Van Tricht K. , Wendisch M.
Published: April 2017

State-of-the-art remote sensing techniques applicable to the investigation of ice formation and evolution are described. Ground-based and spaceborne measurements with lidar, radar, and radiometric techniques are discussed together with a global view on past and ongoing remote sensing measurement campaigns concerned with the study of ice formation and evolution. This chapter has the intention of a literature study and should illustrate the major efforts that are currently taken in the field of remote sensing of atmospheric ice. Since other chapters of this monograph mainly focus on aircraft in situ measurements, special emphasis is put on active remote sensing instruments and synergies between aircraft in situ measurements and passive remote sensing methods. The chapter concentrates on homogeneous and heterogeneous ice formation in the troposphere because this is a major topic of this monograph. Furthermore, methods that deliver direct, process-level information about ice formation are elaborated with a special emphasis on active remote sensing methods. Passive remote sensing methods are also dealt with but only in the context of synergy with aircraft in situ measurements.
Assimilation of Multinational Radar Reflectivity Data in a Mesoscale Model: A Proof of Concept
Authors: Ridal Martin , Dahlbom Mats
Published: April 2017

Radar reflectivity observations have proven to be beneficial for improving the skill of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. A few countries around the world use radar reflectivity observations in their operational runs. The majority of experiments and usage are still only including the local radar observations from the country in which the forecasts are made. The model domains, on the other hand, cover areas far greater than this, and therefore observations from surrounding countries need to be included. As of today there is no central collection and redistribution of volume data in Europe. In recent years, there has been an initiative to collect and harmonize European radar observations, but the redistribution of data for this purpose has only been of centrally constructed composites. This study describes the efforts to collect volume reflectivity data from several data providers and make them available for use in an NWP model. A preprocessing of the reflectivity data has been set up to handle the different incoming data and to make a first data reduction for the NWP models to be able to include the new observations. Assimilation experiments have been performed that prove it is possible to assimilate operational radar reflectivity data from several countries, with a neutral to positive impact.
The Nature of the Arctic Oscillation and Diversity of the Extreme Surface Weather Anomalies It Generates
Authors: Dai Panxi , Tan Benkui
Published: April 2017

Through a cluster analysis of daily NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, this study demonstrates that the Arctic Oscillation (AO), defined as the leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF) of 250-hPa geopotential height anomalies, is not a unique pattern but a continuum that can be well approximated by five discrete, representative AO-like patterns. These AO-like patterns grow simultaneously from disturbances in the North Pacific, the North Atlantic, and the Arctic, and both the feedback from the high-frequency eddies in the North Pacific and North Atlantic and propagation of the low-frequency wave trains from the North Pacific across North America into the North Atlantic play important roles in the pattern formation. Furthermore, it is shown that the structures and frequencies of occurrence of the five AO-like patterns are significantly modulated by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Warm (cold) ENSO enhances the negative (positive) AO phase, compared with ENSO neutral winters. Finally, the surface weather effects of these AO-like patterns and their implications for the AO-related weather prediction and the AO-North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) relationship are discussed.
Respective Roles of the Guinea Current and Local Winds on the Coastal Upwelling in the Northern Gulf of Guinea
Authors: Djakouré S. , Penven P. , Bourlès B. , Koné V. , Veitch J.
Published: April 2017

The northern Gulf of Guinea is a part of the eastern tropical Atlantic where oceanic conditions due to the presence of coastal upwelling may influence the regional climate and fisheries. The dynamics of this coastal upwelling is still poorly understood. A sensitivity experiment based on the Regional Oceanic Modeling System (ROMS) is carried out to assess the role of the detachment of the Guinea Current as a potential mechanism for coastal upwelling. This idealized experiment is performed by canceling the inertia terms responsible for the advection of momentum in the equations and comparing with a realistic experiment. The results exhibit two major differences. First, the Guinea Current is found to be highly sensitive to inertia, as it is no longer detached from the coast in the idealized experiment. The Guinea Current adjusts on an inertial boundary layer, the inertial terms defining its lateral extension. Second, the upwelling east of Cape Palmas disappears in absence of the Guinea Current detachment. This is in contrast with the upwelling east of Cape Three Points, which is still present. The results suggest that two different generation processes of the coastal upwelling need to be considered: the upwelling east of Cape Palmas (which is due to inertia, topographic variations, and advective terms effects resulting in important vertical pumping) and the upwelling east of Cape Three Points (which is principally induced by local winds). In addition to recent work ruling out the role of eddies, this study clarifies the processes responsible for this coastal upwelling.
Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy of Hidden Objects. Part II: Recovery of a Target Spectrum
Authors: Pomerantsev Alexey L. , Rodionova Oxana Ye. , Skvortsov Alexej N.
Published: April 2017

In this study, we consider the reconstruction of a diffuse reflectance near-infrared spectrum of an object (target spectrum) in case the object is covered by an interfering absorbing and scattering layer. Recovery is performed using a new empirical method, which was developed in our previous study. We focus on a system, which consists of several layers of polyethylene (PE) film and underlayer objects with different spectral features. The spectral contribution of the interfering layer is modeled by a three-component two-parameter multivariate curve resolution (MCR) model, which was built and calibrated using spectrally flat objects. We show that this model is applicable to real objects with non-uniform spectra. Ultimately, the target spectrum can be reconstructed from a single spectrum of the covered target. With calculation methods, we are able to recover quite accurately the spectrum of a target even when the object is covered by 0.7 mm of PE.
Home of last resort: Urban land conflict and the Nubians in Kibera, Kenya
Authors: Elfversson Emma , Höglund Kristine
Published: April 2017

Amid expansive and often informal urban growth, conflict over land has become a severe source of instability in many cities. In slum areas, policies intended to alleviate tensions, including upgrading programmes, the legal regulation of informal tenure arrangements, and the reform of local governance structures, have had the unintended consequence of also spurring violence and conflict. This paper analyses the conflict over a proposed ‘ethnic homeland’ for the Nubian community in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, in order to advance knowledge on the strategies communities adopt to promote their interests and how such strategies impact on urban conflict management. Theoretically, we apply the perspective of ‘institutional bricolage’, which captures how actors make use of existing formal and informal structures in pragmatic ways to meet their conflict management needs. While previous research focuses primarily on how bricolage can facilitate cooperation, the case analysis uncovers how, over time, the land issue has become closely intertwined with claims of identity and citizenship and a political discourse drawn along ethnic lines. In turn, such processes may contribute to the intractability of conflict, causing significant challenges for urban planning.
Perceptions of Uncivil Discourse Online: An Examination of Types and Predictors
Authors: Kenski Kate , Coe Kevin , Rains Stephen A.
Published: April 2017

Incivility in public discourse has become a pressing concern of citizens and scholars alike, but most research has focused narrowly on incivility in elite discourse. The present study examines how the lay public perceives incivility, using two surveys to track differences in perceptions of specific types of uncivil speech and identify predictors of those perceptions. The results show that different types of incivility elicit different responses. In particular, name-calling and vulgarity were rated as more uncivil than were other speech acts. In addition, several demographic, personality, and news consumption variables were analyzed as predictors of incivility perceptions.
The Relationship Between Media Content Preferences and Political Participation in 25 European Countries: The Moderating Role of Broadband Penetration and Broadband Access
Authors: Hendriks Vettehen Paul , Troost Joeri , Boerboom Lex , Steijaert Mickey , Scheepers Peer
Published: April 2017

This study examined the idea that the rise of broadband Internet has contributed to an aggravation of the divide between those who are politically active and those who are not. It was hypothesized that both access to broadband Internet (as an individual-level characteristic) and broadband penetration (as a country-level characteristic) would strengthen the positive relation between relative preferences for political media content and political participation. Analyses were based on data that were collected in the 2010 wave of the European Social Survey ( N = 40,582; 25 countries). Political participation was measured both using a voter turnout variable and using a more general political participation scale. Findings from multilevel analyses provide support to the moderating role of both broadband access and broadband penetration, but only when using the general political participation scale.
What should a Russian father be like? Exploring fatherhood norms and identifying norm patterns among inhabitants of Saint Petersburg
Authors: Åberg Pelle , Ekman Joakim , Rodin Johnny
Published: April 2017

Based on data from a survey conducted in Saint Petersburg in 2013, this article sheds new light on attitudes towards fatherhood in contemporary Russia. We explore what norms are held concerning fatherhood, how these attitudes are related to age, sex, education and income as well as to ideal–typical models established in previous research on fatherhood from Western Europe and the US. Thus, the article also discusses what explanatory value established theoretical models have for the Russian context. Norms of the role of the father in the family are related to general norms of masculinity and, hence, are an important part of the study of politics and the political climate in a society. The results show that there are several fatherhood ideals present in contemporary Northwestern Russia: a traditional breadwinner model, an active fatherhood model as well as what we refer to as a marginalized fatherhood model. The latter has not been substantially identified in previous research, and may tentatively be identified as a legacy of the Soviet era.
Panel 6: Vaccines
Authors: Pettigrew Melinda M. , Alderson Mark R. , Bakaletz Lauren O. , Barenkamp Stephen J. , Hakansson Anders P. , Mason Kevin M. , Nokso‐Koivisto Johanna , Patel Janak , Pelton Stephen I. , Murphy Timothy F.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To review the literature on progress regarding (1) effectiveness of vaccines for prevention of otitis media (OM) and (2) development of vaccine antigens for OM bacterial and viral pathogens.

Data Sources

PubMed database of the National Library of Science.

Review Methods

We performed literature searches in PubMed for OM pathogens and candidate vaccine antigens, and we restricted the searches to articles in English that were published between July 2011 and June 2015. Panel members reviewed literature in their area of expertise.

Conclusions

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) are somewhat effective for the prevention of pneumococcal OM, recurrent OM, OM visits, and tympanostomy tube insertions. Widespread use of PCVs has been associated with shifts in pneumococcal serotypes and bacterial pathogens associated with OM, diminishing PCV effectiveness against AOM. The 10‐valent pneumococcal vaccine containing Haemophilus influenzae protein D (PHiD‐CV) is effective for pneumococcal OM, but results from studies describing the potential impact on OM due to H influenzae have been inconsistent. Progress in vaccine development for H influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and OM‐associated respiratory viruses has been limited. Additional research is needed to extend vaccine protection to additional pneumococcal serotypes and other otopathogens. There are likely to be licensure challenges for protein‐based vaccines, and data on correlates of protection for OM vaccine antigens are urgently needed.

Implications for Practice

OM continues to be a significant health care burden globally. Prevention is preferable to treatment, and vaccine development remains an important goal. As a polymicrobial disease, OM poses significant but not insurmountable challenges for vaccine development.
Panel 4: Report of the Microbiology Panel
Authors: Barenkamp Stephen J. , Chonmaitree Tasnee , Hakansson Anders P. , Heikkinen Terho , King Samantha , Nokso‐Koivisto Johanna , Novotny Laura A. , Patel Janak A. , Pettigrew Melinda , Swords W. Edward
Published: April 2017

Objective

To perform a comprehensive review of the literature from July 2011 until June 2015 on the virology and bacteriology of otitis media in children.

Data Sources

PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine.

Review Methods

Two subpanels comprising experts in the virology and bacteriology of otitis media were created. Each panel reviewed the relevant literature in the fields of virology and bacteriology and generated draft reviews. These initial reviews were distributed to all panel members prior to meeting together at the Post‐symposium Research Conference of the 18th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Otitis Media, National Harbor, Maryland, in June 2015. A final draft was created, circulated, and approved by all panel members.

Conclusions

Excellent progress has been made in the past 4 years in advancing our understanding of the microbiology of otitis media. Numerous advances were made in basic laboratory studies, in animal models of otitis media, in better understanding the epidemiology of disease, and in clinical practice.

Implications for Practice

(1) Many viruses cause acute otitis media without bacterial coinfection, and such cases do not require antibiotic treatment. (2) When respiratory syncytial virus, metapneumovirus, and influenza virus peak in the community, practitioners can expect to see an increase in clinical otitis media cases. (3) Biomarkers that predict which children with upper respiratory tract infections will develop otitis media may be available in the future. (4) Compounds that target newly identified bacterial virulence determinants may be available as future treatment options for children with otitis media.
Panel 1: Epidemiology and Diagnosis
Authors: Homøe Preben , Kværner Kari , Casey Janet R. , Damoiseaux Roger A. M. J. , van Dongen Thijs M. A. , Gunasekera Hasantha , Jensen Ramon G. , Kvestad Ellen , Morris Peter S. , Weinreich Heather M.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To create a literature review between 2011 and June 1, 2015, on advances in otitis media (OM) epidemiology and diagnosis (including relevant audiology studies).

Data Sources

Electronic search engines (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) with a predefined search strategy.

Review Methods

Articles with appropriate epidemiologic methodology for OM, including acute mastoiditis and eustachian tube dysfunction. Items included OM worldwide and in high‐risk populations, OM‐related hearing loss, news in OM diagnostics, prenatal risk factors and comorbidities, postnatal risk factors, genetics, microbiological epidemiology, guidelines, and quality of life.

Conclusions

Diagnostic evidence and genetic studies are increasing; guidelines are introduced worldwide; and there is evidence of benefit of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. New risk factors and comordities are identified in the study period, and quality of life is affected in children and their families.

Implications for Practice

Chronic suppurative OM occurs worldwide and contributes to lifelong hearing loss. Uniform definitions are still lacking and should be provided. An association between HIV and chronic suppurative OM has been found. Tympanometry is recommended for diagnosis, with or without pneumatic otoscopy. Video otoscopy, algorithms, and validated questionnaires may assist clinicians. Childhood obesity is associated with OM. Heritability accounts for 20% to 50% of OM diagnoses. OM‐prone children seem to produce weaker immunologic responses to pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Clinicians tend to individualize treatment without adhering to guidelines.
Panel 2: Anatomy (Eustachian Tube, Middle Ear, and Mastoid—Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Pathogenesis)
Authors: Alper Cuneyt M. , Luntz Michal , Takahashi Haruo , Ghadiali Samir N. , Swarts J. Douglas , Teixeira Miriam S. , Csákányi Zsuzsanna , Yehudai Noam , Kania Romain , Poe Dennis S.
Published: April 2017

Objective

In this report, we review the recent literature (ie, past 4 years) to identify advances in our understanding of the middle ear–mastoid–eustachian tube system. We use this review to determine whether the short‐term goals elaborated in the last report were achieved, and we propose updated goals to guide future otitis media research.

Data Sources

PubMed, Web of Science, Medline.

Review Methods

The panel topic was subdivided, and each contributor performed a literature search within the given time frame. The keywords searched includedmiddle ear, eustachian tube, andmastoidfor their intersection withanatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, andpathology. Preliminary reports from each panel member were consolidated and discussed when the panel met on June 11, 2015. At that meeting, the progress was evaluated and new short‐term goals proposed.

Conclusions

Progress was made on 13 of the 20 short‐term goals proposed in 2011. Significant advances were made in the characterization of middle ear gas exchange pathways, modeling eustachian tube function, and preliminary testing of treatments for eustachian tube dysfunction.

Implications for Practice

In the future, imaging technologies should be developed to noninvasively assess middle ear/eustachian tube structure and physiology with respect to their role in otitis media pathogenesis. The new data derived from these structure/function experiments should be integrated into computational models that can then be used to develop specific hypotheses concerning otitis media pathogenesis and persistence. Finally, rigorous studies on medical or surgical treatments for eustachian tube dysfunction should be undertaken.
Panel 8: Report on Recent Advances in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
Authors: Preciado Diego , Granath Anna , Lin Jizhen , Val Stéphanie , Kurabi Arwa , Johnston Nikki , Vijayasekaran Shyan , Valdez Tulio , Depireux Didier , Hermansson Ann
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To update the medical literature on recent cellular and molecular advances in otitis media disease models with a principal focus on developments in the past 5 years. We also aim to explain recent translational advances in cellular and molecular biology that have influenced our understanding and management of otitis media.

Data Sources

PubMed‐indexed peer‐reviewed articles.

Review Methods

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted with the term otitis media and the following search terms: molecular biology, cell biology, innate immunity, oxidative stress, mucins, molecular diagnostics. Included articles were published in the English language from January 1, 2010, to July 31, 2015.

Implications for Practice

The molecular understanding of otitis media disease progression has rapidly advanced over the last 5 years. The roles of inflammation, mucins, and cell signaling mechanisms have been elucidated and defined. Advances in the field provide a plethora of opportunities for innovative molecular targeting in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for otitis media.
Panel 5: Immunology
Authors: Kyd Jennelle M. , Hotomi Muneki , Kono Masamitsu , Kurabi Arwa , Pichichero Michael , Ryan Allen , Swords W. Edward , Thornton Ruth
Published: April 2017

Objective

To perform a state‐of‐the‐art review of the literature from January 2012 through May 2015 on studies that advanced our knowledge of the innate and adaptive immunology related to otitis media. This review also proposes future directions for research in this area.

Data Sources

PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine.

Review Methods

Three subpanels comprising experts in the field focused on sections relevant to cytokines, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity. The review focused on animal, cell line, and human studies and was critical in relation to the recommendations from the previous publication and for determination of the proposed goals and priorities. The panel met at the 18th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Otitis Media in June 2015 to consolidate its prior search results and discuss, plan, and refine the review. The panel approved the final draft.

Conclusion

From 2012 to 2014, tremendous progresses in immunology of otitis media were established—especially in the areas of innate immunity associated with the pathogenesis of otitis media.

Implications for Practice

The advances of the past 4 years formed the basis for a series of short‐ and long‐term research goals in an effort to guide the field. Accomplishing these goals will provide opportunities for the development of novel interventions, including new ways to better treat and prevent otitis media, especially for recurrent otitis media.
Panel 3: Genetics and Precision Medicine of Otitis Media
Authors: Lin Jizhen , Hafrén Hena , Kerschner Joseph , Li Jian‐Dong , Brown Steve , Zheng Qing Y. , Preciado Diego , Nakamura Yoshihisa , Huang Qiuhong , Zhang Yan
Published: April 2017

Objective

The objective is to perform a comprehensive review of the literature up to 2015 on the genetics and precision medicine relevant to otitis media.

Data Sources

PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine.

Review Methods

Two subpanels were formed comprising experts in the genetics and precision medicine of otitis media. Each of the panels reviewed the literature in their respective fields and wrote draft reviews. The reviews were shared with all panel members, and a merged draft was created. The entire panel met at the 18th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Otitis Media in June 2015 and discussed the review and refined the content. A final draft was made, circulated, and approved by the panel members.

Conclusion

Many genes relevant to otitis media have been identified in the last 4 years in advancing our knowledge regarding the predisposition of the middle ear mucosa to commensals and pathogens. Advances include mutant animal models and clinical studies. Many signaling pathways are involved in the predisposition of otitis media.

Implications for Practice

New knowledge on the genetic background relevant to otitis media forms a basis of novel potential interventions, including potential new ways to treat otitis media.
Staged Surgery for Advanced Thyroid Cancers: Safety and Oncologic Outcomes of Neural Monitored Surgery
Authors: Salari Behzad , Hammon Rebecca J. , Kamani Dipti , Randolph Gregory W.
Published: April 2017

Objective

Thyroidectomy with extensive multicompartment bilateral neck dissections for advanced‐stage thyroid cancer may lead to increased risk of complications, including bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis and hypoparathyroidism. A planned staged approach derived from a detailed preoperative radiographic map is associated with a low complication profile. This study evaluates oncologic results and safety of neural monitored, staged thyroid cancer surgery for management of advanced thyroid cancer.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

With institutional review board approval, 35 consecutive patients with advanced thyroid malignancy and extensive nodal disease managed with staged surgery between January 2004 and May 2013 by the senior author (G.W.R.) were identified, and the oncologic and surgical outcomes were reviewed.

Results

In total, 37.2% of patients had stage III or IV disease, with extrathyroidal extension in 71.4%, vascular invasion in 51.4%, and RLN invasion in 17% of patients. A total of 34% patients had positive lymph nodes in more than 5 nodal compartments; the average positive lymph node yield was 17, and extranodal extension was present in 51%. Three patients had RLN sacrifice, and there were no other cases of temporary or permanent RLN paralysis; permanent hypoparathyroidism and chyle leak occurred in one patient each. Locoregional recurrence occurred in 5.7% of patients after a 147‐week mean follow‐up. In patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, median postoperative nonstimulated and stimulated thyroglobulin levels were 0.2 and 0.75 ng/mL, respectively.

Conclusion

A neural monitored, staged surgical approach was conducted without significant adverse events in this small sample and represents and effective alternative strategy option to simultaneous bilateral surgery in the management of thyroid cancer with extensive neck metastases.
Implementation of Image‐Guided Cochlear Implant Programming at a Distant Site
Authors: McRackan Theodore R. , Noble Jack H. , Wilkinson Eric P. , Mills Dawna , Dietrich Mary S. , Dawant Benoit M. , Gifford Rene H. , Labadie Robert F.
Published: April 2017

Our objective was to prospectively evaluate implementation of a new cochlear implant (CI) mapping technique, image‐guided cochlear implant programming (IGCIP), at a site distant to the site of development. IGCIP consists of identifying the geometric relationship between CI electrodes and the modiolus and deactivating electrodes that interfere with neighboring electrodes. IGCIP maps for 17 ears of 15 adult CI patients were developed at a central image‐processing center, Vanderbilt, and implemented at a distant tertiary care center, House Ear Institute. Before IGCIP and again 4 weeks after, qualitative and quantitative measures were made. While there were no statistically significant groupwise differences detected between baseline and IGCIP qualitative or quantitative measures, 11 of the 17 (64.7%) elected to keep the IGCIP map. Computed tomography (CT) image quality appears to be crucial for successful IGCIP, with 100% of those with high‐resolution CT scans keeping their maps compared to 53.8% without.
Moving on, finding shelter: The spatiotemporal camp
Authors: Langegger Sig , Koester Stephen
Published: April 2017

This article orbits two mandated mobilities: moving on and finding shelter – one continual and one oriented toward confinement. Reporting ethnographic fieldwork and archival research in Denver, a city that recently outlawed camping in all open space, this article builds a model of spatial confinement. The article argues that, in concert with other quality of life laws, poverty management sequesters Denver’s poor in what the authors term a spatiotemporal camp, a fluid zone produced by delimiting self-reliance and truncating the ability of individuals to relate to social and physical environments. Incorporating both Agamben’s notion of homo sacer and his conceptualization of the camp with other concepts of the camp derived from theories of abnormality, the authors argue that in effect poverty management measures in Denver simultaneously disperse, concentrate, and conceal its homeless citizens. Because it deprives the undomiciled of the autonomy necessary to conjure home-like spaces, poverty management may exacerbate homelessness.
Dietary modulation of cortical excitation and inhibition
Authors: Smith Anika K , Wade Alex R , Penkman Kirsty EH , Baker Daniel H
Published: April 2017

The balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain affects both neural responses and behaviour in humans and animals. Here we investigated whether dietary intervention aimed at increasing levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can influence neural responses to basic sensory stimuli. Using a steady-state electroencephalography (EEG) paradigm, we found that the neural response to visual patterns was reduced in individuals who consumed a yeast extract product rich in substances associated with the production of GABA (glutamate and B vitamins), but not in a control group who consumed a placebo substance ( n = 14 per group). This demonstrates that the balance of excitation and inhibition in the brain can be influenced by dietary interventions, suggesting possible clinical benefits in conditions (e.g. epilepsy) where inhibition is abnormal.
Adjunctive metformin for antipsychotic-related hyperprolactinemia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zheng Wei , Yang Xin-Hu , Cai Dong-Bin , Ungvari Gabor S , Ng Chee H , Wang Nan , Ning Yu-Ping , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: April 2017

Hyperprolactinemia is a common and severe antipsychotic-induced adverse drug reaction. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials systematically examined the efficacy and safety of adjunctive metformin for antipsychotic-related hyperprolactinemia in schizophrenia patients. Two independent investigators searched, extracted, and synthesized data. Weighted mean differences and risk ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random effect model. Four randomized controlled trials ( n=509) comparing adjunctive metformin ( n=253) with the control groups ( n=256), lasting 22.7 weeks of treatment, were included in the meta-analysis. The metformin group had significantly lower serum prolactin level at endpoint (four randomized controlled trials, n=501; weighted mean difference: −6.87 ug/L (95% confidence interval: −13.24 to −0.51), p=0.03; I2=80%) with “moderate quality” based on the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation system. In patients with menstrual disturbances, the rate of menstruation resumption was 66.7% in the metformin group and 4.8% in the control group. Adverse drug reactions and all-cause discontinuation (three randomized controlled trials, n=339, risk ratio: 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.29, 1.97), p=0.57; I2= 0%) were similar between the two groups. Adjunctive metformin appears to be effective and safe for reducing antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia and prolactin-related symptoms in schizophrenia patients. Higher quality randomized controlled trials with a large sample size are warranted to confirm these findings.
Framing Ferguson: Fox News and the construction of US racism
Authors: Mills Colleen E.
Published: April 2017

In August 2014, police officer Darren Wilson shot unarmed Michael Brown, sparking months of protests in Ferguson, Missouri and other American cities and capturing worldwide media attention. This article presents a critical discourse analysis of Fox News Channel’s segments from August 2014 to March 2015. It systematically uncovers themes and larger discourses within five major areas: blaming black victims in the characterisation of Michael Brown and his shooting death, blaming black leaders, blaming the black community, attacking the black protesters and their movement against police brutality, and discrediting attempts to address issues of racism as the ‘politics of racial division’. Several major emergent discourses include: the criminal black (wo)man, blaming the victim, projection of racism on minorities, denial and counterattack, minimisation of racism, redistributing responsibility, personal responsibility, and deadbeat dads and unwed mothers. The author argues that Fox News in perpetuating these racist discourses helps to obstruct the addressing of racism in the criminal justice system.
Incentive for innovation and the optimal allocation of patents
Authors: Hamada Kojun
Published: April 2017

This article theoretically investigates how different ownership structures of patents affect ex ante and ex post incentives for innovation by applying a property rights approach. We explore a model in which two research laboratories invest in R&D to obtain an innovative patent, and after successfully obtaining the patent they determine an ownership structure for the patent. The two parties consider how the determined patent ownership would affect their noncontractible relation-specific investments for commercialisation. We demonstrate that joint ownership of a patent between two parties is optimal. More concretely, if a selfish (altruistic) relation-specific investment is more important than an altruistic (selfish) investment, a joint ownership with no (bilateral) veto is optimal to maximise the joint value. Moreover, when both parties do not commit themselves to joint ownership in advance, they have greater incentive to invest in R&D than committing, even if they understand that joint ownership is desirable ex post.
The Placenta: Applications in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Authors: McIntyre James Alexander , Jones Ian A. , Danilkovich Alla , Vangsness C. Thomas
Published: April 2017

Background:

Placenta has a long history of use for treating burns and wounds. It is a rich source of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins, tissue reparative growth factors, and stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Recent data show its therapeutic potential for orthopaedic sports medicine indications.

Purpose:

To provide orthopaedic surgeons with an anatomic description of the placenta, to characterize its cellular composition, and to review the literature reporting the use of placenta-derived cells and placental tissue allografts for orthopaedic sports medicine indications in animal models and in humans.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

Using a total of 63 keyword combinations, the PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for published articles describing the use of placental cells and/or tissue for orthopaedic sports medicine indications. Information was collected on placental tissue type, indications, animal model, study design, treatment regimen, safety, and efficacy outcomes. Results were categorized by indication and subcategorized by animal model.

Results:

Outcomes for 29 animal studies and 6 human studies reporting the use of placenta-derived therapeutics were generally positive; however, the placental tissue source, clinical indication, and administration route were highly variable across these studies. Fourteen animal studies described the use of placental tissue for tendon injuries, 13 studies for osteoarthritis or articular cartilage injuries, 3 for ligament injuries, and 1 for synovitis. Both placenta-derived culture-expanded cells (epithelial cells or MSCs) and placental tissue allografts were used in animal studies. In all human studies, commercial placental allografts were used. Five of 6 human studies examined the treatment of foot and ankle pathological conditions, and 1 studied the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Conclusion:

A review of the small number of reported studies revealed a high degree of variability in placental cell types, placental tissue preparation, routes of administration, and treatment regimens, which prohibits making any definitive conclusions. Currently, the clinical use of placenta is limited to only commercial placental tissue allografts, as there are no placenta-derived biological drugs approved for the treatment of orthopaedic sports medicine conditions in the United States. However, this review shows that the application of placental cells or tissue allografts appears to be safe and has potential to improve outcomes for orthopaedic sports medicine indications.