bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CoP Embedded in Hierarchical N‐Doped Carbon Nanotube Frameworks as Efficient Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Ganesan Vinoth , Kim Jinkwon , Radhakrishnan S.
Published: April 2018

Highly efficient, nonprecious and stable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are absolutely crucial for renewable energy conversion, yet the design of such catalysts remains to be a long and arduous task. Herein, cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in hierarchical N‐doped carbon nanotube frameworks (CoP‐HNCs) have been synthesized by controlled phosphidation of cobalt NPs embedded in hierarchical N‐doped carbon nanotube frameworks (Co‐HNCs). The Co‐HNCs were prepared by direct carbonization of Co‐based zeolitic imidazolate networks (ZIF‐67). Benefitting from multiple structural and compositional features, such as a multitude of catalytically active sites, a high degree of graphitization, and a thin carbon layer enclosing the NPs, CoP‐HNCs serve as a superior electrocatalyst towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. The synthesized CoP‐HNCs delivered a low overpotential at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 (η10) of 79 mV and 96 mV with small Tafel slope value of 45.6 mV dec−1 and 49.5 mV dec−1 in acidic and alkaline conditions, respectively. In addition, the catalyst showed long‐time durability under both acidic and alkaline electrolyte conditions, further demonstrating their potential to replace Pt‐based precious catalysts.
A Study of the Potential Interaction Between Bazedoxifene and Atorvastatin in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Authors: McKeand William , Baird‐Bellaire Susan , Ermer James , Patat Alain
Published: April 2018

An open‐label, 3‐period study was conducted in 30 healthy postmenopausal women (mean age, 58.4 years) who received a single oral dose of atorvastatin 20 mg on day 1 (period 1), multiple daily dosing of bazedoxifene 40 mg on days 4‐11 (period 2), and coadministration of atorvastatin 20 mg + bazedoxifene 40 mg on day 12 (period 3). Serial blood samples were collected (24 hours after bazedoxifene and 72 hours after atorvastatin) and assayed for bazedoxifene, atorvastatin, and its ortho‐hydroxy and para‐hydroxy metabolites. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods. Bazedoxifene exposure was not altered with coadministration of atorvastatin 20 mg (Cmax and AUCss were within bioequivalence limits). Similarly, atorvastatin and ortho‐hydroxyatorvastatin exposure was equivalent with or without coadministration with bazedoxifene. Para‐hydroxyatorvastatin concentrations were below the limit of quantitation under both conditions. Cmax for atorvastatin and ortho‐hydroxyatorvastatin was 14% and 18% lower, respectively, and Tmax was 20% and 34% longer, respectively, with the combination compared with atorvastatin alone. There were no serious adverse events, and no subjects discontinued the study because of safety. No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction was observed between bazedoxifene and atorvastatin or its active metabolites, indicating they may be safely coadministered without dosage adjustment.
Connect with industry to drive student outcomes
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2018

At Lake Area Technical Institute in South Dakota, student outcomes statistics tell a powerful story. The graduation/transfer rate is 74 percent, compared with 39 percent nationally. The retention rate is 80 percent, compared with 52 percent nationally. After graduation, 99 percent of graduates are employed. And graduates enter the workforce earning 27 percent more than other new hires in the region.
Twelve‐year follow‐up of chronic pain in twins: Changes in environmental and genetic influence over time
Authors: Burri A. , Ogata S. , Rice D. , Williams F. M. K.
Published: April 2018

Background

While genetic influences on chronic pain have been repeatedly demonstrated, we do not know whether these effects are stable or dynamic over time.

Aims

To determine the temporal pattern of genetic and environmental effects to individual differences in chronic pain over 12 years, we use a sample of n = 961 female twins.

Methods

Data on chronic pain were collected in 2004 (T1) and 2016 (T2) using the same comprehensive body map which divides the body into 31 distinct anatomical areas. Multivariate twin analyses for repeated measures were conducted to track changes in genetic and environmental influences.

Results

Heritability for chronic pain was 63% at baseline and 55% at follow‐up. The best‐fitting AE Cholesky model revealed one genetic factor explaining 62% of variance in chronic pain at T1 and 11% at T2. No additional genetic factors explaining the variance in chronic pain at T2 could be detected. Furthermore, a unique environmental factor (E1) explaining 37% of the variance in chronic pain at T1 and 12% at T2 and an additional environmental factor (E2) explaining 77% of the variance at T2 were found.

Conclusion

We demonstrate for the first time that the same genetic influences are operative over time and that novel environmental factors are important in pain maintenance. The findings highlight the value of more in depth exploration of these non‐shared environmental influences that could provide clues to the mechanisms behind remittance and/or maintenance of chronic pain. The identification of important environmental influences could point to novel therapeutic interventions in future.

Significance

The variability in chronic pain is mainly explained by new environmental factors influencing incidence, aggravation and/or chronic pain remission. Integration of these findings may provide a useful conceptual framework for the treatment and prevention of pain and pain chronification.
Uptake of iron by Kluyveromyces marxianus DSM 5422 cultivated in a whey‐based medium
Authors: Löser Christian , Haas Christiane , Liu Wanqiong , Grahl Sebastian , Bley Thomas
Published: April 2018

The ability of Kluyveromyces marxianus for converting lactose into ethyl acetate offers a chance for the economical reuse of whey. Iron plays a significant role in this process as ester synthesis requires a low intracellular iron content, xFe. The iron content in turn is decreased by growth due to cell expansion and increased by iron uptake. Thus, the iron‐uptake rate, ψ, is important for the considered process. Iron uptake by K. marxianus DSM 5422 was studied in aerobic cultivation on a whey‐borne medium with varied initial iron content, in part combined with a feed of iron under intensive growth conditions. A possible precipitation of iron that would pretend iron uptake was verified not to have occurred. Regularly measured dissolved iron concentrations, CFe,L, allowed the xFe and ψ parameters to be obtained by model‐based iron balancing. The achieved data were used for establishing a ψ(CFe,L, xFe) model. Mathematical simulations based on this iron‐uptake model reproduced the performed cultivation processes. The created iron‐uptake model allows for a future predictive system to be developed for the optimization of biotechnological ester production.
Lignocellulose degradation: An overview of fungi and fungal enzymes involved in lignocellulose degradation
Authors: Andlar Martina , Rezić Tonči , Marđetko Nenad , Kracher Daniel , Ludwig Roland , Šantek Božidar
Published: April 2018

This review aims to present current knowledge of the fungi involved in lignocellulose degradation with an overview of the various classes of lignocellulose‐acting enzymes engaged in the pretreatment and saccharification step. Fungi have numerous applications and biotechnological potential for various industries including chemicals, fuel, pulp, and paper. The capability of fungi to degrade lignocellulose containing raw materials is due to their highly effective enzymatic system. Along with the hydrolytic enzymes consisting of cellulases and hemicellulases, responsible for polysaccharide degradation, they have a unique nonenzymatic oxidative system which together with ligninolytic enzymes is responsible for lignin modification and degradation. An overview of the enzymes classification is given by the Carbohydrate‐Active enZymes (CAZy) database as the major database for the identification of the lignocellulolytic enzymes by their amino acid sequence similarity. Finally, the recently discovered novel class of recalcitrant polysaccharide degraders‐lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are presented, because of these enzymes importance in the cellulose degradation process.
Extraneurological sparing in long‐lived typical Lafora disease
Authors: Goldsmith Danielle , Minassian Berge A.
Published: April 2018

Lafora disease (LD) clinically appears in previously healthy teenagers as progressively worsening seizures, myoclonus, dementia, and ultimately a vegetative state leading to death within a decade of its onset. Here we present a typical case of LD in which the patient survived until the age of 40. Although the patient's brain was severely affected, other organs remained functional until her death. The field of LD research is approaching potentially curative therapies (eg, with antisense oligonucleotides or gene replacement) targeting only the central nervous system (CNS). Our case provides anecdotal evidence suggesting that a patient with typical LD can retain full bodily health aside from the effects of neurological damage.
Der Schrank in der Ostwand
Authors: Perlich Barbara , Hurlbeck Julia
Published: April 2018

Vollkommen unerwartet haben Bauforscher und Denkmalpfleger in Erfurt einen privaten jüdischen Betraum aus dem 13. Jahrhundert entdeckt. Das erste nachweisbare Ensemble dieser Art nördlich der Alpen verrät manches über jüdische Alltagsfrömmigkeit im Mittelalter.
Propping in the Pyramidal Business Groups in Turkey
Authors: Gurunlu Meltem
Published: April 2018

This article investigates the existence of propping in Turkish business group firms for the years 2010–2016 (150 firms and 1,050 firm‐year data in total). It is claimed that pyramidal ownership in Turkey is used to prop up intra‐group funds and is a beneficial vehicle providing a less costly way of financing. The empirical results of the research indicate the existence of propping in the Turkish business groups and bring a debt and dividends (debt service hypothesis) related explanation for the propping phenomenon in the pyramidal business groups. Accordingly, the key findings indicate that firms within the business group transfer funds to each other via debt and dividends channels in order to reduce financial distress. Hence, business groups in Turkey use pyramidal ownership as a financing vehicle to increase internal capital market funds and a substitute for incomplete financial markets. Propping provides an implicit insurance against bankruptcy risk. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New Tax Law Takes Effect in 2018
Authors: Strobel Caroline D.
Published: April 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) was signed into law by President Trump before Christmas. The law makes sweeping changes to many parts of the Internal Revenue Code effective in 2018. This column will cover some of the more important changes affecting business. Depreciation changes are covered in another column in this issue. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Intramuscular and Intravenous Ketamine in Children
Authors: Hornik Christoph P. , Gonzalez Daniel , van den Anker John , Atz Andrew M. , Yogev Ram , Poindexter Brenda B. , Ng Kee Chong , Delmore Paula , Harper Barrie L. , Melloni Chiara , Lewandowski Andrew , Gelber Casey , Cohen‐Wolkowiez Michael , Lee Jan Hau ,   Pediatric Trial Network Steering Committee
Published: April 2018

Ketamine is an N‐methyl D‐aspartate receptor antagonist used off‐label to facilitate dissociative anesthesia in children undergoing invasive procedures. Available for both intravenous and intramuscular administration, ketamine is commonly used when vascular access is limited. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data in children are sparse, and the bioavailability of intramuscular ketamine in children is unknown. We performed 2 prospective PK studies of ketamine in children receiving either intramuscular or intravenous ketamine and combined the data to develop a pediatric population PK model using nonlinear mixed‐effects methods. We applied our model by performing dosing simulations targeting plasma concentrations previously associated with analgesia (>100 ng/mL) and anesthesia awakening (750 ng/mL). A total of 113 children (50 intramuscular and 63 intravenous ketamine) with a median age of 3.3 years (range 0.02 to 17.6 years), and median weight of 14 kg (2.4 to 176.1) contributed 275 plasma samples (149 after intramuscular, 126 after intravenous ketamine). A 2‐compartment model with first‐order absorption following intramuscular administration and first‐order elimination described the data best. Allometrically scaled weight was included in the base model for central and peripheral volume of distribution (exponent 1) and for clearance and intercompartmental clearance (exponent 0.75). Model‐estimated bioavailability of intramuscular ketamine was 41%. Dosing simulations suggest that doses of 2 mg/kg intravenously and 8 mg/kg or 6 mg/kg intramuscularly, depending on age, provide adequate sedation (plasma ketamine concentrations >750 ng/mL) for procedures lasting up to 20 minutes.
Impulsive choice and pre‐exposure to delays: iv. effects of delay‐ and immediacy‐exposure training relative to maturational changes in impulsivity
Authors: Renee Renda C. , Rung Jillian M. , Hinnenkamp Jay E. , Lenzini Stephanie N. , Madden Gregory J.
Published: April 2018

Impulsive choice describes preference for smaller, sooner rewards over larger, later rewards. Excessive delay discounting (i.e., rapid devaluation of delayed rewards) underlies some impulsive choices, and is observed in many maladaptive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, gambling). Interventions designed to reduce delay discounting may provide therapeutic gains. One such intervention provides rats with extended training with delayed reinforcers. When compared to a group given extended training with immediate reinforcers, delay‐exposed rats make significantly fewer impulsive choices. To what extent is this difference due to delay‐exposure training shifting preference toward self‐control or immediacy‐exposure training (the putative control group) shifting preference toward impulsivity? The current study compared the effects of delay‐ and immediacy‐exposure training to a no‐training control group and evaluated within‐subject changes in impulsive choice across 51 male Wistar rats. Delay‐exposed rats made significantly fewer impulsive choices than immediacy‐exposed and control rats. Between‐group differences in impulsive choice were not observed in the latter two groups. While delay‐exposed rats showed large, significant pre‐ to posttraining reductions in impulsive choice, immediacy‐exposed and control rats showed small reductions in impulsive choice. These results suggest that extended training with delayed reinforcers reduces impulsive choice, and that extended training with immediate reinforcers does not increase impulsive choice.
Developmental plasticity in reptiles: Insights into thermal and maternal effects on chameleon phenotypes
Authors: Andrews Robin M.
Published: April 2018

Embryonic environments affect a range of phenotypic traits including sex and reproductive success. I determined (1) how the interaction between incubation temperature and egg size affects sex allocation of Chamaeleo calyptratus and (2) how incubation temperature and maternal parent (clutch) affect water uptake by eggs and body size, growth, and climbing speed of hatchlings and juveniles. Eggs from five clutches were exposed to five temperature treatments with clutches replicated within and among treatments. Temperature affected sex, but only when egg size was included as a factor in analyses. At intermediate (28°C) temperatures, daughters were more likely to be produced from large eggs and sons more likely to be produced from small eggs, while at 25 and 30°C, the pattern of sex allocation was reversed. Temperature and clutch affected water uptake and body size. Nonetheless, the direction of temperature and clutch effects on water uptake by eggs and on the size of hatchlings were not the same and the direction of temperature effects on body sizes of hatchlings and juveniles differed as well. Clutch affected hatchling size but not juvenile size and growth rate. Clutch, but not incubation temperature, affected climbing speed, but the fastest hatchlings were not from the same clutches as the fastest juveniles. The independent effects of incubation temperature and clutch indicate that hatchling phenotypes are influenced largely by conditions experienced during incubation, while juvenile phenotypes are influenced largely by conditions experienced in the rearing environment.
The effect of service quality on customer satisfaction, loyalty, and happiness in five Asian countries
Authors: Gong Taeshik , Yi Youjae
Published: April 2018

This research investigates and validates the cross‐national applicability of a service quality model in five Asian countries: China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. The objectives of this research are to establish whether or not a service quality model can be conceptualized in the same way across Asian countries and to explore whether or not scores on the items can be meaningfully compared among the Asian countries. The findings show that overall service quality has a positive influence on customer satisfaction, which in turn leads to customer loyalty and customer happiness and that the general pattern of structural paths is valid in the five countries. Furthermore, the comparisons of paths show that most of them are not significantly different across the five countries. The results of this study reveal four key findings. First, customer well‐being or happiness was driven by service quality. Second, customer loyalty was driven by service quality across the five Asian countries, demonstrating that the economic values of service quality could be applied to Asian countries just as they are in North American and European countries. Third, customer satisfaction was driven by service quality. Fourth, customer income increased the effect of service quality on customer happiness via customer satisfaction in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
Direct and cytokine‐mediated effects of albumin‐fused growth hormone, TV‐1106, on CYP enzyme expression in human hepatocytes in vitro
Authors: Czerwiński Maciej , Amunom Immaculate , Piryatinsky Victor , Hallak Hussein , Sahly Yousif , Bar‐Ilan Oren , Bolliger Paul , Bassan Merav
Published: April 2018

Some biologics can modulate cytokines that may lead to changes in expression of drug‐metabolizing enzymes and cause drug‐drug interactions (DDI). DDI potential of TV‐1106—an albumin‐fused growth hormone (GH)—was investigated. In this study, human blood was exposed to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) or TV‐1106, followed by isolation of the plasma and its application to human hepatocytes. While the treatment of blood with rhGH increased multiple cytokines, treatment of blood with TV‐1106 had no effect on any of the nine cytokines tested. The interleukin (IL)‐6 concentration was higher in the rhGH then in the TV‐1106‐treated plasma (P < .05). While rhGH had little or no effect on CYP1A2 or CYP2C19 mRNA but increased CYP3A4 mRNA twofold, TV‐1106 had little or no effect on cytochrome P450 (CYP) mRNAs in hepatocytes. Although the plasma from rhGH‐treated blood lowered CYP1A2 activity, the TV‐1106 plasma had no effect on CYP activities. The CYP1A2 activity was lower in the rhGH‐ then in the TV‐1106‐plasma treated hepatocytes (P < .05). The results indicated that fusing GH with albumin made TV‐1106 an unlikely participant of CYP1A2, CYP2C19 or CYP3A4‐facilitated, direct or cytokine‐driven DDI.
Treating patients like royalty
Authors: Delvin David
Published: April 2018

Have you ever struggled to examine a distraught infant's sore throat? Here, Dr David Delvin describes a fail‐safe technique with a royal provenance.
Monetary policy rules and the equity risk premium: Evidence from theUSexperience
Authors: Apergis Nicholas , Payne James E.
Published: April 2018

This study explores the role of monetary policy rules and central bank actions originating from such rules that directly affects the equity risk premium. The results indicate that monetary policy rules have a direct impact on the equity risk premium through investors’ appetite for risk and greater uncertainty faced by market participants. The analysis includes the pre‐ and post‐2008 financial crisis periods in finding that monetary policy actions had a much greater impact on the equity risk premium in the post‐2008 crisis period due in part to the funding conditions of banking intermediaries, thus exerting a greater impact on credit conditions during this period.
Optimising physiochemical control of invasive Japanese knotweed
Authors: Jones Daniel , Bruce Gareth , Fowler Mike S. , Law-Cooper Rhyan , Graham Ian , Abel Alan , Street-Perrott F. Alayne , Eastwood Daniel
Published: April 2018

Japanese knotweed,Fallopia japonicavar.japonica, causes significant disruption to natural and managed habitats, and provides a model for the control of invasive rhizome-forming species. The socioeconomic impacts of the management of, or failure to manage, Japanese knotweed are enormous, annually costing hundreds of millions of pounds sterling (GBP£) in the UK alone. Our study describes the most extensive field-based assessment ofF. japonicacontrol treatments undertaken, testing the largest number of physical and/or chemical control treatments (19 in total) in replicated 225 m2plots over 3 years. Treatments focused on phenology, resource allocation and rhizome source–sink relationships to reduce the ecological impacts of controllingF. japonica. While no treatment completely eradicatedF. japonica,a multiple-stage glyphosate-based treatment approach provided greatest control. Increasing herbicide dose did not improve knotweed control, but treatments that maximised glyphosate coverage, e.g., spraying versus stem injection, and exploited phenological changes in rhizome source–sink relationships caused the greatest reduction of basal cover and stem density after 3 years. When designing management strategies, effective control ofF. japonicamay be achieved by biannual (summer and autumn) foliar glyphosate applications at 2.16 kg AE ha−1, or by annual application of glyphosate in autumn using stem injection at 65.00 kg AE ha−1or foliar spray at 3.60 kg AE ha−1. Addition of other herbicides or physical treatment methods does not improve control. This work demonstrates that considering phenology, resource allocation and rhizome source–sink relationships is critical for the control of invasive, rhizome forming species.
Vinorelbine-Cyclophosphamide compared to cyclophosphamide in peripheral blood stem cell mobilization for multiple myeloma
Authors: Mel Sanjay de , Chen Yunxin , Lin Adeline , Soh Teck Guan , Ooi Melissa , Yap Eng Soo , Donato Lara Kristina Sioco , Halim Nurul Aidah Abdul , Mah Joanna , Lim Karen , Poon Li Mei , Tan Belinda , Yelly  , Lim Hui Li , Koh Liang Piu , Tai Bee Choo , Chen Zhaojin , Chng Wee Joo , Gopalakrishnan Satish Kumar , Tan Lip Kun
Published: April 2018

Background:

High dose Cyclophosphamide (Cy) and Vinorelbine Cyclophosphamide (Vino-Cy) are stem cell (SC) mobilisation options for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We present a comparison of mobilisation outcomes using these regimens.

Patients and methods:

Vino-Cy patients received Vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 on day 1, cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m2 on day 2, and pegylated GCSF on day 4 or GCSF 10 mcg/kg/day from day 4 onwards. Cy patients were given cyclophosphamide 4000 mg/m2 on day 1 and GCSF10 mcg/kg/day from day 5 onwards. The target CD34 + SC collection was 5 × 106 per kg/BW.

Results:

149 patients were included. SC collection was lower in the Vino-Cy group (8.20 × 106/Kg BW) compared to the Cy group (11.43 × 106/Kg BW), with adjusted geometric mean ratio of 0.59 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.86, p = 0.006). Time taken to achieve an adequate PB SC count was shorter for Vino-Cy (9 ± 1 day compared to 12 ± 2 days for Cy, adjusted absolute mean difference –3.95, 95% CI –4.85 to –3.06, P < .001). Mobilisation related toxicities (in particular, neu-tropaenic fever) were greater for Cy.

Conclusion:

Vino-Cy is a potential alternative to Cy given the need for effective mobilisation protocols with acceptable toxicity.
Rapid clinical diagnostic variant investigation of genomic patient sequencing data with iobio web tools
Authors: Ward Alistair , Karren Mary A. , Di Sera Tonya , Miller Chase , Velinder Matt , Qiao Yi , Filloux Francis M. , Ostrander Betsy , Butterfield Russell , Bonkowsky Joshua L. , Dere Willard , Marth Gabor T.
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Computational analysis of genome or exome sequences may improve inherited disease diagnosis, but is costly and time-consuming.

Methods

We describe the use of iobio, a web-based tool suite for intuitive, real-time genome diagnostic analyses.

Results

We used iobio to identify the disease-causing variant in a patient with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy with prior nondiagnostic genetic testing.

Conclusions

Iobio tools can be used by clinicians to rapidly identify disease-causing variants from genomic patient sequencing data.
Local Intellectuals: Lacito Okech and the Production of Knowledge in Colonial Acholiland
Authors: Otim Patrick W.
Published: April 2018

In 1953, Lacito Okech, a precolonial royal messenger, Christian convert, and colonial chief, became the first Acholi to write and publish a history of his people. The book was instantly popular, inspiring many other Acholi to write histories of their respective chiefdoms. However, although these works constitute the bulk of vernacular Acholi histories, scholars have not paid attention to them, partly because of language limitations and partly due to limited scholarly interest in the history of the region. This article uses Okech’s life and book to explore important questions about the production of local history in colonial Acholiland. In particular, it explores Okech’s adroit manipulation of his complex circumstances at the intersection of the roles of messenger, convert, and colonial employee, his dilemmas as a local historian, and the influence of his roles as an intermediary between the Acholi on the one hand and the Church Missionary Society and the colonial regime on the other on his writing of history.
Social Constructionism and Relativism: An Aporia?
Authors: KLASSEN ABIGAIL
Published: April 2018

I analyze the extent to which the theoretical cogency and practical efficacy of descriptive and ameliorative social constructionist programs are affected by relativism in the context of competing analyses of some purported social construction X. My task in this paper is successful if it can explain, organize, and clarify how relativism concerning the question ‘What should our concept of X be?’ affects social constructionist programs, and ameliorative versions of social constructionism especially. In this paper, I aim to make clearer to those not well-versed in this field what is at stake in these programs and why these programs should not be easily dismissed.
Against a Sequestered Philosophy
Authors: BRYNJARSDÓTTIR EYJA M.
Published: April 2018

This paper argues that philosophical practice in the Western world, in particular analytic philosophy, suffers from problems that contribute to its lack of diversity in two senses: the exclusion of women and minorities, and a narrow choice of subjects and methods. This is not fruitful for philosophical exchange and the flourishing of philosophical thought. Three contributing factors are covered: a flawed execution when instilling intellectual humility; the gaslighting of women in philosophy; and an overemphasis on a narrow conception of intelligence. The conclusion calls for a more humane and socially aware practice of philosophy.
HUMAN RIGHTS, THE CYPRUS PROBLEM AND THE IMMOVABLE PROPERTY COMMISSION
Authors: Erdem Meliz , Greer Steven
Published: April 2018

This article critically examines the role of the Immovable Property Commission, established in 2005 by the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ under pressure from the European Court of Human Rights, to redress losses sustained by Greek Cypriots who fled south when the island was partitioned in the mid-1970s. While the Commission has been a modest success, proceedings have been lengthy, its decisions lack transparency, there have been difficulties with restitution and exchange, and the payment of compensation has often been delayed. Corporate ownership and encumbrances, such as mortgages, have also proved problematic. But, whether it contributes negatively or positively to full resolution of the Cyprus problem, or makes no contribution at all, remains to be seen.
THE OWNERSHIP OF CONFISCATED PROCEEDS OF CORRUPTION UNDER THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION
Authors: Moiseienko Anton
Published: April 2018

Article 51 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption sets forth the return of assets diverted through corruption as a fundamental principle of the Convention. This raises the question of whether the State where the stolen assets are located is entitled to refuse their repatriation or subject it to certain conditions. This article analyses the Convention and the policy considerations behind it and argues that such a State has a wider discretion over the return of stolen assets than is often thought. Furthermore, the article argues that the rule of law may be better served if States take vigorous action to confiscate the proceeds of corruption regardless of whether they are ultimately repatriated.
The Eclipse of Khurāsān in the twelfth century
Authors: Tor D.G.
Published: April 2018

The province of Khurāsān constituted the centre of political, cultural, and religious life in the Sunni Islamic world from the ninth until the mid-twelfth century, after which Khurāsān was completely eclipsed. The question of how this occurred has remained almost completely unstudied; and the one study that there is does not consult the key primary literary sources for the time. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to re-examine what the primary sources reveal about the catastrophic cultural and political eclipse of Khurāsān in the mid-twelfth century, in order to demonstrate that this catastrophe was not due to “climate, cotton and camels” – in fact, Khurāsān was doing very well until the 1150s – but to concrete human agency and action: namely, the province's destruction by the rampaging Oghuz Turkmens after Sultan Sanjar had been taken captive by them in 1153, thus leading directly to the downfall of the Great Seljuq Sultanate.
How China Promotes Its Military Officers: Interactions between Formal and Informal Institutions
Authors: Wang Peng , Wang Jingyi
Published: April 2018

How does China promote its military officers? We present a qualitative study on the determinants (connections versus performance) of the selection of military officers. Drawing on 48 in-depth interviews with serving and retired military officers, we argue that the inability of the rule-based personnel system to assess candidate performance (professional competence and political integrity) leads to the rise of the informal institution ofguanxi– a Chinese version of personal connections – in promoting military officers.Guanxiboth substitutes for and competes with the formal personnel system. Information received throughguanxinetworks is used by superiors to evaluate subordinates’ professional competence and political integrity.Guanxiis also used by corrupt officers to distort democratic procedures and facilitate the buying and selling of military positions. We conclude that the co-existence of a rule-based personnel system andguanxileads superiors to promote competent candidates within theirguanxinetworks.
Remake cinématographique, remake phonologique ? La (non-)réalisation du schwa dansMarius1931 et 2013
Authors: JANSEN LUISE
Published: April 2018

Cet article vise à examiner la mise en scène de l'accent marseillais dans le film le plus emblématique de Marseille, Marius (1931) et son remake de 2013 par une une analyse du comportement du schwa. La réalisation fréquente desegraphiques fait en effet partie des particularités phonético-phonologiques de l'accent prototypique de Marseille. Pourtant, aujourd'hui, le nombre de réalisations des schwas semble diminuer continuellement. Notre étude a pour but de découvrir à quel degré l'accent mis en scène diffère de l'accent des locuteurs marseillais actuels et si les deux films, qui ont été tournés avec 80 ans d’écart, soulignent le changement linguistique en cours dans le Midi. Les deux films ont été transcrits et codés selon le protocole du programme phonologie du Français contemporain (PFC). Par la suite, les données ont été comparées à celles des enquêtes PFC. Les résultats montrent que l'accent mis en scène se distingue nettement de l'accent authentique d'aujourd'hui. Le schwa ne se comporte cependant pas différemment dans les deux films.
Die Another Day: Zeroing in on Targeted Dumping – Did the AB Hit the Mark in US–Washing Machines?
Authors: MAVROIDIS PETROS C. , PRUSA THOMAS J.
Published: April 2018

In US–Washing Machines, the WTO Appellate Body (AB) extended the prohibition of zeroing to the so-called exceptional (or W-T) methodology, where the dumping margin is established by comparing the weighted average normal value to export price of specific transactions. Given that the exceptional method was the only method under which the AB had not definitively rejected zeroing, this dispute may have hammered the last nail in the coffin of zeroing. Or, maybe not. The AB did not address a key issue, namely: What is the evidentiary standard that an investigating authority must meet in order to have legitimate recourse to W-T? In addition, the AB's suggested approach to aggregating dumping amounts across targeted and non-targeted groups may produce zeroing-like outcomes even if the authority does not resort to zeroing. It seems inevitable that future disputes will be required to address these issues, since history shows that at least some investigating authorities are gearing towards using this methodology ad nauseam. The AB has left zeroing to die another day.
National Tax Regulation, Voluntary International Standards, and the GATS:Argentina–Financial Services
Authors: DELIMATSIS PANAGIOTIS , HOEKMAN BERNARD
Published: April 2018

Can a WTO Member discriminate against foreign suppliers of services located in jurisdictions that refuse to share information with a government to permit it to determine if its nationals engage in tax evasion? Does it matter if the Member uses standards developed by an international body as the criterion for deciding whether to impose measures? InArgentina–Financial Services,the WTO Appellate Body held that services from jurisdictions that share financial tax information may be different from services provided by jurisdictions that do not cooperate in supplying such information. It overruled a Panel finding that measures to increase taxes on financial transactions with non-cooperative jurisdictions were discriminatory. We argue that the AB reached the right conclusion on the basis of the wrong arguments; that it missed an important opportunity to clarify what WTO Members are permitted to do to enforce their domestic regulatory regimes; and increased the scope for confusion and future litigation by considering that the likeness of services and service suppliers may be a function of prevailing domestic regulatory regimes.
Against the Double Erasure: Georgi Markov's Contribution to the Communist Hypothesis
Authors: Karkov Nikolay
Published: April 2018

This paper argues against what can be called a “double ontological erasure” of state socialism in eastern Europe, by both the east European right-wing intelligentsia and the west European militant left. In an effort to challenge said erasure, the paper draws on the journalistic and fictional work of Bulgaria's major dissident writer of the 1970s, Georgi Markov. Against mainstream readings of his work as staunchly anti-communist, the paper suggests that Markov makes at least three major contributions to the “communist hypothesis” from the perspective of eastern Europe. First, by offering a “postcolonial” (rather than a political-economic) critique of the “cult of things” and consumerism in the region. Second, by developing a truly immanent critique of state socialism from the position of the communist ideal. Lastly, by proposing what could be called a “communism of the abject” among individuals and communities on the margins of socialist governmentality. Arguably, this triple contribution not only proffers a more nuanced and complex understanding of life under socialism, but also has important insights for contemporary debates on the left today.
Entwicklungstraumastörung (ETS) bei Kindern und Jugendlichen – Ergebnisse einer Patientenpopulation der kinder- und jugend-psychiatrischen Spezialsprechstunde „Gewalt und Trauma“
Authors: Metzner Franka , Dahm Kristina , Richter-Appelt Hertha , Pawils Silke , Moulaa-Edmondson Miriam Juliane , Stellermann-Strehlow Kerstin
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Kinder und Jugendliche entwickeln nach interpersonellen Typ-2-Traumata häufig Symptome, die über die Posttraumatische Belastungsstörung (PTBS) hinausreichen. Zur Umschreibung der Symptomatik wurde die bisher wenig untersuchte Entwicklungstraumastörung (ETS; van der Kolk et al., 2009) vorgeschlagen. Methodik: Die Arztbriefe von n = 161 1- bis 18-jährigen Patienten (61 % weiblich) einer Spezialsprechstunde für traumatisierte Kinder und Jugendliche einer Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie wurden anhand eines strukturierten Codierungsbogens geratet und über einen adaptierten ETS-Algorithmus analysiert. Ergebnisse: 77 % der PatientInnen erlebten interpersonelle Typ-2-Traumata; 6 % erfüllten die adaptierte ETS-Diagnose. Alle ETS-Kriterien lagen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit interpersonellen Typ-2-Traumata häufiger vor als bei PatientInnen mit akzidentiellem bzw. Typ-1-Trauma, wobei die Unterschiede für die ETS-Kriterien B (Affektive und physiologische Dysregulation) und G (Teilhabebeeinträchtigungen) statistische Signifikanz auf dem angepassten Signifikanzniveau von 0.2 % erreichten. Signifikante Alters- oder Geschlechtsunterschiede wurden nicht gefunden. Die Gruppe der Kinder unter 7 Jahren wurde hinsichtlich ihrer posttraumatischen Symptomatik deskriptiv analysiert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass zwar viele Kinder und Jugendliche über die PTBS hinausreichende Symptome entwickelt haben, aber nur ein geringer Teil die ETS-Diagnose erfüllt hat. Angesichts der teilweise unspezifischen und widersprüchlichen Befunde erscheinen weitere Studien mit größeren Stichproben, den vollständigen ETS-Kriterien und diagnosespezifischen Instrumenten zu der bisher wenig empirisch erforschten ETS als sinnvoll und notwendig.
Comparative Study of Earthquake Clustering in Relation to Hydraulic Activities at Geothermal Fields in California
Authors: Martínez‐Garzón Patricia , Zaliapin Ilya , Ben‐Zion Yehuda , Kwiatek Grzegorz , Bohnhoff Marco
Published: April 2018

Earthquake clustering properties are investigated in relation to fluid balance H(t) (the difference of fluid injection and production rates) using about nine years of data from The Geysers (both the entire field and a local subset), Coso, and Salton Sea geothermal fields in California. Individual earthquake clusters are identified and classified using the nearest‐neighbor approach of Zaliapin and Ben‐Zion (2013a, https://doi.org/10.1785/0120150211, 2013b, https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggw300). These are used to calculate nine complementary cluster statistics as time series with a step of about one month. Three alternative techniques (moving window correlation, analysis of variance, and regression) are employed to assess the relations between (possibly nonstationary) time series of cluster statistics and H(t). A total of 108 pairwise relations between cluster statistics and H(t) are analyzed to clarify effects of fluid activities on seismicity in different places. The seismic clustering response to the fluid balance differs among the examined fields. The Geysers and Salton Sea areas display the highest and lowest clustering responses, respectively. The proportion of clusters consisting of a single event with no offspring (singles) is correlated significantly with H(t) at all examined data sets, with a lower proportion of singles during periods of high fluid balance. This may reflect increased susceptibility to earthquake triggering in time intervals with high injection rates. The background seismicity rates significantly increase with H(t) at the Geysers and Coso, while an opposite relation holds at the Salton Sea. This could be related to the high structural and tectonic complexity at the Salton Sea compared to the other two geothermal fields.
The Impact of the Aerosol Direct Radiative Forcing on Deep Convection and Air Quality in the Pearl River Delta Region
Authors: Liu Z. , Yim Steve H. L. , Wang C. , Lau N. C.
Published: April 2018

Literature has reported the remarkable aerosol impact on low‐level cloud by direct radiative forcing (DRF). Impacts on middle‐upper troposphere cloud are not yet fully understood, even though this knowledge is important for regions with a large spatial heterogeneity of emissions and aerosol concentration. We assess the aerosol DRF and its cloud response in June (with strong convection) in Pearl River Delta region for 2008–2012 at cloud‐resolving scale using an air quality‐climate coupled model. Aerosols suppress deep convection by increasing atmospheric stability leading to less evaporation from the ground. The relative humidity is reduced in middle‐upper troposphere due to induced reduction in both evaporation from the ground and upward motion. The cloud reduction offsets 20% of the aerosol DRF. The weaker vertical mixing further increases surface aerosol concentration by up to 2.90 μg/m3. These findings indicate the aerosol DRF impact on deep convection and in turn regional air quality.
Climate Sensitivity Controls Uncertainty in Future Terrestrial Carbon Sink
Authors: Schurgers Guy , Ahlström Anders , Arneth Almut , Pugh Thomas A. M. , Smith Benjamin
Published: April 2018

For the 21st century, carbon cycle models typically project an increase of terrestrial carbon with increasing atmospheric CO2 and a decrease with the accompanying climate change. However, these estimates are poorly constrained, primarily because they typically rely on a limited number of emission and climate scenarios. Here we explore a wide range of combinations of CO2 rise and climate change and assess their likelihood with the climate change responses obtained from climate models. Our results demonstrate that the terrestrial carbon uptake depends critically on the climate sensitivity of individual climate models, representing a large uncertainty of model estimates. In our simulations, the terrestrial biosphere is unlikely to become a strong source of carbon with any likely combination of CO2 and climate change in the absence of land use change, but the fraction of the emissions taken up by the terrestrial biosphere will decrease drastically with higher emissions.
Epigenetic reprogramming using 5-azacytidine promotes an anti-cancer response in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Gailhouste Luc , Liew Lee Chuen , Hatada Izuho , Nakagama Hitoshi , Ochiya Takahiro
Published: April 2018

Curative management of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is limited because this malignancy remains resistant to most chemotherapeutic drugs. Strategies that reverse epigenetic alterations offer a unique opportunity for cancer cell reprogramming, which is valuable for development of new treatments. The aim of this work was to reprogram pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells toward a less aggressive and drug-responsive phenotype. The process applied is called “epigenetic reprogramming”. To evaluate the efficiency of PDAC epigenetic reprogramming, we assessed tumor growth and drug response in PANC-1 cells after exposure to non-cytotoxic doses of the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine (5-AZA). Here, we showed that an epigenetic regimen using 5-AZA promoted an anti-cancer response by inhibiting PDAC tumor growth in vivo after the engraftment of treated cells. Remarkably, the subsequent addition of gemcitabine (GEM) to the 5-AZA-mediated reprogramming resulted in a marked growth inhibition effect in GEM-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. We observed that various characteristic peptides expressed in the pancreas, which included the antiproliferative hormone somatostatin (SST) and the SST receptor 2 (SSTR2), were significantly upregulated in the epigenetically reprogrammed PDAC cells. The inhibitory effect of octreotide (OCT), an SST analog, was tested on PDAC cells and found to be improved after cell reprogramming. Furthermore, we found that SST gene expression restoration following 5-AZA treatment or following knockdown of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) 1 enzyme was associated with the reversion of SST epigenetic silencing through regional CpG demethylation. Lastly, we confirmed the efficacy of 5-AZA-based epigenetic reprogramming in vivo using a PDAC tumor growth model. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that epigenetic reprogramming using the demethylating compound 5-AZA shows anti-cancer effects in PANC-1 cells and is potentially attractive for the treatment of solid tumors.
DNA methylation, through DNMT1, has an essential role in the development of gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells and disease
Authors: Jorgensen Brian G. , Berent Robyn M. , Ha Se Eun , Horiguchi Kazuhide , Sasse Kent C. , Becker Laren S. , Ro Seungil
Published: April 2018

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification that can regulate gene expression. Genomic DNA hypomethylation is commonly found in many gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. Dysregulated gene expression in GI smooth muscle cells (GI-SMCs) can lead to motility disorders. However, the consequences of genomic DNA hypomethylation within GI-SMCs are still elusive. Utilizing a Cre-lox murine model, we have generated SMC-restricted DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) knockout (KO) mice and analyzed the effects of Dnmt1 deficiency. Dnmt1-KO pups are born smaller than their wild-type littermates, have shortened GI tracts, and lose peristaltic movement due to loss of the tunica muscularis in their intestine, causing massive intestinal dilation, and death around postnatal day 21. Within smooth muscle tissue, significant CpG hypomethylation occurs across the genome at promoters, introns, and exons. Additionally, there is a marked loss of differentiated SMC markers (Srf, Myh11, miR-133, miR-143/145), an increase in pro-apoptotic markers (Nr4a1, Gadd45g), loss of cellular connectivity, and an accumulation of coated vesicles within SMC. Interestingly, we observed consistent abnormal expression patterns of enzymes involved in DNA methylation between both Dnmt1-KO mice and diseased human GI tissue. These data demonstrate that DNA hypomethylation in embryonic SMC, via congenital Dnmt1 deficiency, contributes to massive dysregulation of gene expression and is lethal to GI-SMC. These results suggest that Dnmt1 has a necessary role in the embryonic, primary development process of SMC with consistent patterns being found in human GI diseased tissue.