bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legal nature of business risk insurance
Authors: Zolotukhin Aleksei
Published: October 2018

This paper raises the question of the legal nature of business risk insurance. A conclusion is made that the legal understanding of business risk insurance should be built upon the unity of the actual content of this type of insurance and its legal form. The presence of a special subject on the policy holder’s side in business risk insurance determines the features of the object of such type of insurance, which is represented by an entrepreneur’s insurable interests related to one’s business activity. In the legal sense, insurance is a legal relationship and is characterized by a bilateral connection between the insurer and the policyholder that manifests in a unity of their subjective rights and responsibilities. Two aspects of insurance indicate not the existence of two independent notions free from each other: insurance in the economic sense and insurance in the legal sense, but rather demonstrate two aspects of one phenomenon that exist in an inseparable unity. In the course of comparing business risk insurance and liability insurance, the author comes to a conclusion that unlike liability insurance, business risk insurance is connected not with the policyholder’s wrongful behavior but, on the contrary, with the possible dishonesty of their contracting party.
Anti-legal Ideology of Extremism
Authors: Abdullaev Nozim
Published: October 2018

The paper considers the extremist ideology as anti-legal activity and presents the study of scientific views on ideology as an element of extremist activity. The Article 30 of the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan prohibits any campaigning and propaganda provoking social, national, racial, religious hostility and hatred. The problem of criminal law standards on extremist activity includes lack of uniform approaches to extremism ideology in the Republic of Tajikistan and regarding some issues of applying such standards. In practice, this raises questions concerning differentiation of ideology, which makes it difficult to qualify extremist crimes. The analysis of anti-extremism legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan revealed some disadvantages and the authors proposed to introduce certain changes and amendments to close the gaps in the legislation in this respect.
Axiological Worldview of the Tajik Young People: Modern Values
Authors: Iskandarova Diloro , Ladygina Olga
Published: October 2018

The axiological worldview of modern society may be described through a language. It is the language being a ‘tool’ of human consciousness and thinking that provides access to deep structures of consciousness. The axiological category of consciousness is also one of the key components of linguistic personality. Taking into account the relevance of the study devoted to axiological worldview of the Tajik society and values typical for modern young population, the study is based on a free association experiment conducted to reveal axiological dominants in language consciousness of Tajik young population. Students of the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University (RTSU) aged from 16 to 25 participated in the experiment. The choice of this age group to study axiological dominants made it possible to identify and analyze universal and modern values of the younger generation. The paper describes the results of the study covering modern values within the association consciousness of young people in Tajikistan.
Restoration of Murals of the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan
Authors: Karimova Rukhayyo
Published: October 2018

The paper analyses traditional and modern methods and technologies for preservation and restoration of wall paintings found through archaeological excavations in the Republic of Tajikistan. Medieval monuments such as the ancient Panjekent, Bundzhikat, Adzhina-Tepa and others gave a variety of works of pictorial art, including unique monumental paintings, the preservation of which presents a priority task for scientists, restorers and art experts. These artefacts are exposed in the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg), the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan, the Republican Museum of History and Local Lore of Rudaki in Penjikent and the National Museum of Tajikistan. The paintings portray diverse and interrelated household, mythological, religious and epic plots, battle scenes, scenes of feasts and hunting, as well as geometrical, vegetable, and zoomorphic motives. The study of these paintings helps scientists to study in detail the medieval history of Tajik people. Therefore, their preservation is the primary task of the corresponding experts. The paper is based on personal experience of the author in preservation and restoration of monumental paintings within international projects on preservation of cultural heritage of Tajik people.
Family and Its Place in the Structure of Civil Relationships
Authors: Nasirov Khurshed
Published: October 2018

The author studies the place of the family in the structure of family relations. The correlation between civil law and family law in Soviet, Russian and Tajik legal science is considered. According to the author, the family is a social unit of society with the help of which people seek to solve demographic, economic and cultural issues. It is stated that the family is an alliance of persons created on the marriage, kinship, birth and adoption of children, as well as their upbringing. Accordingly, such alliance leads to the development of certain personal non-property and property rights and obligations based not only on mutual interests and concerns, but primarily on the related ties. In this regard, it seems logical that the specific nature of these rights and obligations requires the use of special tools for legal regulation; the content of legal relations arising on their basis is considered to be independent family relations.
The issues of the process of evidence collection during preliminary investigation in the Republic of Tajikistan
Authors: Parfenov Aleksei
Published: October 2018

This paper addresses the topical issues that arise in the process of preliminary investigation and initial operations and investigations related to collecting and obtaining evidence. In particular, the study raises the problematic questions about the nature and goals of technical and criminalistic support of the forensic experts’ research activities during crime scene investigation while specifying relevant statistical data. The author provides an analysis of the state of usage of the forensic equipment employed in obtaining and collecting evidence during crime scene investigation during preliminary investigation in the Republic of Tajikistan and other countries. The paper also covers the issues of knowledge, skills, and abilities of the subjects collecting and obtaining evidence for criminal cases and determines the requirements to to the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the forensic experts who participate in crime scene investigation.
Zum Stand der Multimorbidität im Gesundheitswesen
Authors: Schüle Klaus
Published: October 2018

Chronische Erkrankungen werden zukünftig mehr und mehr unser Gesundheitssystem beherrschen und auch finanziell belasten. Mit der „Überalterung“ der Gesellschaft werden parallel auch mehrere Erkrankungen gleichzeitig bei einer Person auftreten (Multimorbidität). Gehäuft treten damit auch Begleiterkrankungen (Komorbiditäten) der Grunderkrankungen auf. Diese werden noch „gefördert“ durch z. T. wenig oder nicht bekannte Neben- und Wechselwirkungen bei der Einnahme einer Vielzahl von Medikamenten (Polypharmakokinetik).

Bisher gibt es nur vereinzelt Gesamtkonzepte, dafür umso mehr Schnittstellenprobleme zur Therapie, Rehabilitation und Nachsorge von multimorbiden Patienten / Rehabilitanden. Auch sind die meisten Leitlinien lediglich auf Grunderkrankungen und nicht auf die zunehmende Zahl multimorbid Erkrankter ausgerichtet.

Zur Lösung einiger der angesprochenen Probleme sind interdisziplinäre Teams mit „flacher“ Hierarchie und indikationsübergreifende Einrichtungen unabkömmlich. Auf weitere Empfehlungen des ärztlichen Sachverständigenrats der BAR wird eingegangen.

Die bekannten WHO-Empfehlungen zum wöchentlichen Bewegungsumfang gelten bisher auch für multimorbide Patienten. Auf spezielle Gesamtkonzepte wird noch gewartet. MM erfordert auch eine indikationsübergreifende Bewegungstherapie. Hier besteht noch erheblicher Forschungsbedarf. Oberste Ziele sind der Erhalt der Mobilität und Teilhabe an und in der Gesellschaft.
Medical Ethics Education for Neurology Residents: Where Do We Go from Here?
Authors: Traner Christopher , Tolchin Dorothy , Tolchin Benjamin
Published: October 2018

Neurologists regularly confront complex clinical scenarios that require the application of ethical principles to achieve a respectful and fair resolution. In this article, we describe the types of ethically precarious scenarios neurologists encounter, the current status of standards for ethics and communication training for neurology residents, and the present practice of ethics training in neurology residency programs. We make recommendations for optimizing bioethics training for neurology residents and suggest methods for assessing the efficacy of these training initiatives. We emphasize the current need for strengthening the practical bioethics skills of neurologists.
Neuropalliative Care: A Practical Guide for the Neurologist
Authors: Brizzi K. , Creutzfeldt C.
Published: October 2018

Neuropalliative care is a new and growing field within neurology that focuses on improving the quality of life of patients with serious neurologic illnesses. While specialty-level palliative care training is available to interested neurologists, all neurologists can strive to provide primary palliative care for their patients. In this review, we will describe the scope of neuropalliative care, define patient populations who may benefit from palliative care, and explore the communication and symptom management skills essential to palliative care delivery.
Relative cohomology spaces for some osp(n|2)-modules
Authors: Arnal Didier , Ben Ammar Mabrouk , Mtaouaa Wafa , Selmi Zeineb
Published: October 2018

In this work, we describe the H-invariant, so(n)-relative cohomology of a natural class of osp(n|2)-modules M, for n ≠ 2. The Lie superalgebra osp(n|2) can be realized as a superalgebra of vector fields on the superline R1|n. This yields canonical actions on spaces of densities and differential operators on the superline. The above result gives the zero, first, and second cohomology spaces for these modules of densities and differential operators.
Numerical studies on soil-skirt roughness and sand plug impact in bearing capacity prediction of caisson foundations subjected to the uniaxial loads
Authors: Ghaseminejad Vali , Barari Amin , Rowshanzamir Mohammad Ali
Published: October 2018

Skirted foundations denoted as suction caissons are becoming an increasingly prevalent offshore foundation solution for either the oil and gas industry or renewable energy infrastructure. Their response to combined vertical, horizontal, and moment loading must be found to ensure their stability under harsh environmental conditions. As part of this process, knowledge of uniaxial capacities is required. Previous studies have neglected the effect of deformable ground by assuming that the soil within skirts behaves rigid during drained loading, but this assumption needs rigorous studies. A series of 3-D finite element analyses has been conducted to investigate directly how the skirt geometry, soil–skirt interface roughness, and deformable plug within the skirt compartment affect the drained skirted foundation capacity and depth factors under uniaxial loading. The results show that the foundation embedment, interface friction, and soil plug placed within the skirt significantly influence the accompanying mechanisms occurring at failure and therefore the uniaxial capacities. The finite element analyses under uniaxial loads are performed for the rough and smooth interface assumptions, to show how the roughness interface influences the ultimate bearing capacities and depth factors and the corresponding failure mechanisms in different soil profiles.
Schrödinger operators on graphs and geometry. III. General vertex conditions and counterexamples
Authors: Kurasov P. , Suhr R.
Published: October 2018

Schrödinger operators on metric graphs with general vertex conditions are studied. Explicit spectral asymptotics is derived in terms of the spectrum of reference Laplacians. A geometric version of the Ambartsumian theorem is proven under the assumption that the vertex conditions are asymptotically properly connecting and asymptotically standard. By constructing explicit counterexamples, it is shown that the geometric Ambartsumian theorem does not hold in general without additional assumptions on the vertex conditions.
Three-leaf dart-shaped single-crystal BN formation promoted by surface oxygen
Authors: Yang Hui , Yang Jin , Ren Xibiao , Chen Haiyuan , Jagadish Chennupati , Guo Guang-Can , Jin Chuanhong , Niu Xiaobin , Guo Guo-Ping
Published: October 2018

Two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) single crystals with various shapes have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition over the past several years. Here, we report the formation of three-leaf dart (3LD)-shaped single crystals of h-BN on a Cu foil by atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition. The leaves of the 3LD-shaped h-BN are as long as 18 μm, and their edges are smooth armchair on one side and stepped armchair on the other. Careful analysis revealed that surface oxygen plays an important role in the formation of the 3LD shape. Oxygen suppressed h-BN nucleation by passivating Cu surface active sites and lowered the edge attachment energy, which caused the growth kinetics to change to a diffusion-controlled mode.
Double-metal waveguide terahertz difference-frequency generation quantum cascade lasers with surface grating outcouplers
Authors: Kim Jae Hyun , Jung Seungyong , Jiang Yifan , Fujita Kazuue , Hitaka Masahiro , Ito Akio , Edamura Tadataka , Belkin Mikhail A.
Published: October 2018

We report terahertz quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources based on intra-cavity difference-frequency generation processed into double-metal waveguides with surface-grating outcouplers. This configuration enables high confinement of the terahertz mode in the device active region and efficient surface extraction of terahertz radiation along the entire length of the waveguide. The devices operate at room temperature at 1.9 THz and produce over 110 μW of peak power output with the mid-infrared-to-terahertz conversion of 150 μW/W2. The results represent at least a factor of 2 improvement in the performance compared to the best Cherenkov difference-frequency generation QCL devices operating below 2 THz.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of an exchange bias system on the basis of Co70Fe30/Mn83Ir17 interface
Authors: Kozakov A. T. , Kochur A. G. , Nikolskii A. V. , Sukhorukov V. L. , Huckfeldt H. , Holzinger D. , Gaul A. , Ehresmann A.
Published: October 2018

The consequences of 10 keV He+ ion bombardment on exchange biased Cu(50 nm)/Mn83Ir17(10 nm)/Co70Fe30(6.5 nm)/Ta(15 nm) thin film systems are studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The modifications of the exchange bias field, the elemental depth concentration profiles, and the phase composition of the Mn83Ir17/Co70Fe30 interface zone have been investigated for selected doses. Measured atomic depth concentration profiles confirmed a broadening of the interface zone between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic layers upon bombardment; the width of the interface zone correlates with the relative change of the exchange bias field. The profiles of the Mn2p and Mn3s photoelectron peaks revealed the presence of a non-Mn83Ir17 phase containing quasiatomic manganese with mean local spin and magnetic moments greater than those in Mn within the Mn83Ir17 alloy in the interface zone. The magnitude of the exchange bias field correlates with the amount of manganese in this high-spin-Mn phase.
Compact and lightweight 1.5 μm lidar with a multi-mode fiber coupling free-running InGaAs/InP single-photon detector
Authors: Yu Chao , Qiu Jiawei , Xia Haiyun , Dou Xiankang , Zhang Jun , Pan Jian-Wei
Published: October 2018

We present a compact and lightweight 1.5 μm lidar using a free-running single-photon detector (SPD) based on a multi-mode fiber (MMF) coupling InGaAs/InP negative feedback avalanche diode. The ultimate light detection sensitivity of SPD highly reduces the power requirement of the laser, whilst the enhanced collection efficiency due to MMF coupling significantly reduces the volume and weight of telescopes. We develop a specific algorithm for the corrections of errors caused by the SPD and erbium-doped fiber amplifier to extract accurate backscattering signals. We also perform a comparison between single-mode fiber (SMF) coupling and MMF coupling in the lidar receiver, and the results show that the collection efficiency with MMF coupling is five times higher than that with SMF coupling. In order to validate the functionality, we use the lidar system for the application of cloud detection. The lidar system exhibits the ability to detect both the cloud base height and the thickness of multi-layer clouds to an altitude of 12 km with a temporal resolution of 1 s and a spatial resolution of 15 m. Due to the advantages of compactness and lightweight, our lidar system can be installed on unmanned aerial vehicles for wide applications in practice.
Tutorial: Concepts and numerical techniques for modeling individual phonon transmission at interfaces
Authors: Ong Zhun-Yong
Published: October 2018

At the nanoscale, thermal transport across the interface between two lattice insulators can be described by the transmission of bulk phonons and depends on the crystallographic structure of the interface and the bulk crystal lattice. In this tutorial, we give an account of how an extension of the Atomistic Green’s Function (AGF) method based on the concept of the Bloch matrix can be used to model the transmission of individual phonon modes and allows us to determine the wavelength and polarization dependence of the phonon transmission. Within this framework, we can explicitly establish the relationship between the phonon transmission coefficient and dispersion. Details of the numerical methods used in the extended AGF method are provided. To illustrate how the extended AGF method can be applied to yield insights into individual phonon transmission, we study the (16,0)/(8,0) carbon nanotube intramolecular junction. The method presented here sheds light on the modal contribution to interfacial thermal transport between solids.
Microwave oscillator using piezoelectric thin-film resonator aiming for ultraminiaturization of atomic clock
Authors: Hara M. , Yano Y. , Kajita M. , Nishino H. , Ibata Y. , Toda M. , Hara S. , Kasamatsu A. , Ito H. , Ono T. , Ido T.
Published: October 2018

We developed a microwave oscillator and a micro electromechanical systems-based rubidium cell for the miniaturization of atomic clocks. A thin-film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) having a resonant frequency of the fundamental mode in the 3.5 GHz band was employed instead of a crystal resonator. It delivers a clock transition frequency of Rb atoms of 3.417 GHz without the need for a complicated frequency multiplication using a phase-locked loop. This topology considerably reduces the system scale and power consumption. For downsizing the atomic clock system toward the chip level as well as mass production, a microfabricated gas cell containing Rb and N2 gases was also developed. These microcomponents were incorporated into an atomic clock test bench, resulting in a clock operation with a short-term frequency instability of 2.1 × 10−11 at 1 s. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a coherent population trapping clock operation using an FBAR-based microwave oscillator as well as a microfabricated gas cell.
Direct-coupled micro-magnetometer with Y-Ba-Cu-O nano-slit SQUID fabricated with a focused helium ion beam
Authors: Cho Ethan Y. , Li Hao , LeFebvre Jay C. , Zhou Yuchao W. , Dynes R. C. , Cybart Shane A.
Published: October 2018

Direct write patterning of high-transition temperature (high-TC) superconducting oxide thin films with a focused helium ion beam is a formidable approach for the scaling of high-TC circuit feature sizes down to the nanoscale. In this letter, we report using this technique to create a sensitive micro superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer with a sensing area of about 100 × 100 μm2. The device is fabricated from a single 35-nm thick YBa2Cu3O7−δ film. A flux concentrating pick-up loop is directly coupled to a 10 nm × 20 μm nano-slit SQUID. The SQUID is defined entirely by helium ion irradiation from a gas field ion source. The irradiation converts the superconductor to an insulator, and no material is milled away or etched. In this manner, a very narrow non-superconducting nano-slit is created entirely within the plane of the film. The narrow slit dimension allows for maximization of the coupling to the field concentrator. Electrical measurements reveal a large 0.35 mV modulation with a magnetic field. We measure a white noise level of 2 μΦ0/Hz1∕2. The field noise of the magnetometer is 4 pT/Hz1∕2 at 4.2 K.
An optical trapping system for particle probes in plasma diagnostics
Authors: Schneider Viktor , Kersten Holger
Published: October 2018

We present one of the first experiments for optically trapping of single microparticles as probes for low temperature plasma diagnostics. Based on the dual laser beam, counter-propagating technique, SiO2 microparticles are optically trapped at very large distances in low-temperature, low-pressure rf plasma. External forces on the particle are measured by means of the displacement of the probe particle in the trap. Measurements can be performed during plasma operation as well as without plasma. The paper focuses on the optical setup and the verification of the system and its principle. Three examples for the particle behavior in the trapping system are presented: First, we measured the neutral gas damping as a verification of the technique. Second, an experiment without a plasma studies the changing particle charge by UV light radiation, and third, by moving the probe particle in the vertical direction into the sheath or into the plasma bulk, respectively, the acting forces on the probe particle are measured.
Observation of the out-of-plane magnetization in a mesoscopic ferromagnetic structure superjacent to a superconductor
Authors: Suszka Anna K. , Gliga Sebastian , Warnicke Peter , Wintz Sebastian , Saha Susmita , Charipar Kristin M. , Kim Heungsoo , Wohlhüter Phillip , Kirk Eugenie , Finizio Simone , Raabe Jörg , Witt James D. S. , Heyderman Laura J. , Bingham Nicholas S.
Published: October 2018

The geometry of magnetic flux penetration in a high temperature superconductor at a buried interface was imaged using element-specific x-ray excited luminescence. We performed low temperature observation of the flux penetration in YBa2Cu3O7–δ (YBCO) at a buried interface by imaging of the perpendicular magnetization component in square Permalloy (Py) mesostructures patterned superjacent to a YBCO film. Element specific imaging below the critical temperature of YBCO reveals a cross-like geometry of the perpendicular magnetization component which is decorated by regions of alternating out-of-plane magnetization at the edges of the patterned Py structures. The cross structure can be attributed to the geometry of flux penetration originating from the superconductor and is reproduced using micromagnetic simulations. Our experimental method opens up possibilities for the investigation of flux penetration in superconductors at the nanoscale.
Response of extrafloral nectar production to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide
Authors: Fabian Belinda , Atwell Brian J. , Hughes Lesley
Published: October 2018

Extrafloral nectar attracts ants, whose presence provides protection for the plant against herbivores. Extrafloral nectar is thus a critical component of many plant–insect mutualisms worldwide, so environmental perturbations that alter extrafloral nectar production or composition could be disruptive. The carbon–nutrient balance hypothesis predicts that under elevated CO2 the total volume of extrafloral nectar will increase but the proportion of the foliar carbohydrate pool secreted as extrafloral nectar will decrease, without any change in the sugar composition of the extrafloral nectar. We investigated the impact of elevated atmospheric CO2 on extrafloral nectar in an Australian wild cotton species, Gossypium sturtianum J.H.Willis. Under elevated CO2 there was an increase in the proportion of leaves actively producing nectar and a decrease in the nectar volume per active leaf. Elevated CO2 did not affect the total volume or composition of extrafloral nectar, but there was a change in how the nectar was distributed within the leaf canopy, as well as evidence of increased turnover of leaves and earlier onset of flowering. By the end of the study, there was no difference in the total resources allocated to extrafloral nectar under elevated CO2, which contrasts with the predictions of the carbon-nutrient balance hypothesis. Developmental changes, however, could affect the timing of extrafloral nectar production which could, in turn, alter the foraging patterns of ants and their defence of plants.
Controlling redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor (Acari: Penthaleidae), with a spring spray in legume pastures
Authors: Ridsdill-Smith T. J. , Pavri C. C.
Published: October 2018

The use of a TIMERITE® spring spray to control redlegged earth mite (RLEM), Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) (Acari: Penthaleidae), in annual pastures was evaluated on farms across Australia. RLEM populations in autumn in the treatments sprayed in spring 1998 and 1999 were 97% lower in 1999 and 97% in 2000 in the western region (Western Australia), and 93% lower in 1999 and 93% in 2000 in the eastern region (Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia). At sites in the west, control of RLEM resulted in significant increases in subterranean clover seed yield in 1999 and in clover seedling numbers in autumn 1999 and 2000. Penthaleus major (blue oat mite) populations in autumn were 60% lower in sprayed treatments, but Sminthurus viridis (lucerne flea) populations were not affected. Differences in weather between the west (where there is a hot, dry summer) and the east (where temperature and rainfall regimes are more variable in spring and early summer) seem to cause greater RLEM control and greater benefits in subterranean clover seed yield and seedling numbers with a spring spray in the west.
Phytochemical composition of temperate perennial legumes
Authors: Butkutė Bronislava , Padarauskas Audrius , Cesevičienė Jurgita , Taujenis Lukas , Norkevičienė Eglė
Published: October 2018

A deeper understanding of the phytochemical composition of perennial legumes is important for animal nutrition as well as for the development of pharmaceuticals. The present study is an assessment of perennial legumes including clovers (Trifolium pratense L. and T. medium L.), medics (Medicago sativa L. and M. lupulina L.), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) and milkvetches (Astragalus glycyphyllos L. and A. cicer L.) as potential sources of bioactive compounds. Whole aerial parts of plants at stem elongation and full-flowering stages as well as morphological parts of fully flowering plants (leaves, stems and flowers) were analysed for four isoflavones (biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, and genistein), coumestrol, condensed tannins and triterpene saponins. According to total concentration of the four isoflavones in plants, the species were ranked as follows: T. medium (23.2–28.7 mg g–1 DM) > T. pratense > A. glycyphyllos = A. cicer = O. viciifolia = M. sativa = M. lupulina (0.054–0.212 mg g–1 DM). Young plants were 1.2–5.6-fold richer in isoflavones than fully flowering plants. Quantifiable concentrations of coumestrol and saponins were found in the Medicago species and tannins in O. viciifolia. In general, leaves contained the highest concentrations of the phytochemicals. These findings suggest considerable potential to improve legume-based forage quality through appropriate exploitation of species- or cultivar-specific phytochemicals and manipulation of the content of phytochemicals by management of production including growth stage at harvest and selection of plant species.
Spring fire effects on two Aristida/Bothriochloa native pastures in central Queensland, Australia
Authors: Silcock R. G. , Hall T. J. , Jones P. , Filet P. G. , Douglas J.
Published: October 2018

Controlled burns are commonly used to suppress woody plant regrowth and to remove accumulated unpalatable pasture from rangelands and occasionally to alter pasture composition in native pastures in central Queensland, Australia. Outcomes can be somewhat unpredictable and short-term, and reliable evidence is needed to confirm the likely long-term efficacy of such fires. We imposed a regime of repeated spring burns on native Aristida/Bothriochloa pastures growing in two contrasting eucalypt woodlands of central Queensland to determine the effects on pasture composition, ground cover, landscape stability and woody plant recruitment, all in the absence of grazing. The sites selected were a silver-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus melanophloia F.Muell.) woodland and a poplar box (E. populnea F.Muell.) woodland. Weather conditions precluded spring burns in 3 years out of 7 at the silver-leaved ironbark site and in 2 years out of 8 at the poplar box site. The burn intensity was variable, and frequent fires produced a marked change in abundance of only a few pasture species. Depending on the site, fires significantly increased the frequency of Enneapogon spp., Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz.) S.T.Blake and Dichanthium sericeum (R.Br.) A.Camus and reduced the frequency of some minor components such as Cymbopogon spp., Panicum effusum R.Br., Cenchrus ciliaris L. and, ephemerally, that of some forbs. Contrary to expectation, only Aristida calycina R.Br. declined in abundance among the many Aristida species present, and the abundance of Heteropogon contortus (L.) P.Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. barely increased under regular spring fires. The total germinable seeds of herbaceous species in the soil each spring was significantly reduced by burning in the previous spring. Repeated spring fires rarely reinforced any initial change induced by burning, and slightly lowered average ground cover as well as various indices of landscape stability and ecosystem functionality. Changes produced were not always consistent across the two communities. Though prescribed burning is often important for maintaining grazing productivity and landscape values, very regular use is not recommended.
Single-molecule DNA-mapping and whole-genome sequencing of individual cells
Authors: Marie Rodolphe , Pedersen Jonas N. , Bærlocher Loic , Koprowska Kamila , Pødenphant Marie , Sabatel Céline , Zalkovskij Maksim , Mironov Andrej , Bilenberg Brian , Ashley Neil , Flyvbjerg Henrik , Bodmer Walter F. , Kristensen Anders , Mir Kalim U.
Published: October 2018

Significance

We report optical mapping of DNA from a single cell. Notably, we demonstrate isolation of single cells, DNA extraction, and optical mapping, all within a single integrated micro-/nanofluidic device. Single-cell optical mapping is less complex than sequencing, which we performed after whole-genome amplification of DNA extracted from a single cell isolated on-chip. In some cases, optical mapping was more efficient than sequencing at detecting structural variation. As single-cell analysis can address genomic heterogeneity within a tumor, it may prove useful for the selection of cancer therapies. Thus, optical mapping of the long-range features of single-cell genomes and sequencing of the short-range features may become complementary tools for the analysis of tumors.
Alterations of tumor microenvironment by nitric oxide impedes castration-resistant prostate cancer growth
Authors: Arora Himanshu , Panara Kush , Kuchakulla Manish , Kulandavelu Shathiyah , Burnstein Kerry L. , Schally Andrew V. , Hare Joshua M. , Ramasamy Ranjith
Published: October 2018

Significance

This study presents insights into the underexplored areas of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) therapeutics—the role of nitric oxide (NO) in CRPC reduction through its microenvironment. Results of this study provide important information on the tumor reduction capabilities of increased NO levels and its mechanistic aspect and demonstrates the potential long-term efficacy of NO on CRPC. An in-depth understanding of how NO affects the tumor microenvironment will allow development of chemotherapeutics based on NO for a CRPC cure.
Can cultural scripts be used for teaching interactional norms?
Authors: Sadow Lauren
Published: October 2018

Improving the teaching of invisible culture is a recognised need in the TESOL sector. While there are both scholars calling for a more nuanced focus in classrooms, and teachers willing to take this approach, there has yet been no systematic approach developed for its teaching. This paper attempts to bridge the gap between theory and pedagogical need by proposing that the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) is a useful tool in ELT through which resources for teachers and learners can be developed. In particular, it will discuss the results of a pilot study into using cultural scripts to teach cultural norms, demonstrate how they can be applied to classroom teaching situations, and discuss how materials can be developed from the theories.
The “ideograph” and the 漢字hànzì
Authors: McDonald Edward
Published: October 2018

In the Anglophone sphere, according to popular and most academic understandings, the term “ideograph” is regarded as an unproblematic synonym of 漢字hànzì‘Chinese character.’ On graphological grounds, i.e. as applied to writing systems, it can easily be shown that the concept of “ideograph” is both theoretically incoherent and practically unfeasible (McDonald 2016); while historically it is clear that the notion was founded on an imperfect understanding of Chinese characters as a writing system, and grew out of a European obsession with the notion of a “universal character” at a particular historical moment (Mungello 1985;Saussy 2001). Nevertheless the concept has become deeply embedded in European understandings of Chinese language and culture, to the extent that it is, in effect, a valuable conceptual possession of Western modernity (Bush 2010), and promoted alike by those with a detailed knowledge of Chinese writing, such as H. G.Creel (1936), as by those in blissful ignorance of it, like Jacques Derrida (1967/1976). In the Sinophone sphere, while for most practical purposes, as well as in a large proportion of scholarly work, more grounded understandings of Chinese characters as a writing system operate either implicitly or explicitly, the traditional emphasis on characters as a link between civilization and the cosmos (O’Neill 2013), as well as a long tradition of pedagogical “just so stories” about the construction of individual characters (e.g.,Zuo 2005), provide a key point of contact with Western notions of the “ideograph” as symbolizing not a word, but an idea or an object. The situation may thus be described involving a type of inversion of the phenomenon offaux amisor “false friends,” where twodifferentwords are understood as being more or less synonymous; or alternatively as an example of LydiaLiu’s (2004)notion of a cross-lingual “supersign” where two comparable terms exercise an influence on each other across linguistic and cultural boundaries. This article will attempt to trace the genealogy of these complex and overlapping notions, and see what differing understandings of Chinese characters have to tell usabout notions of cultural specificity, cultural production, and cross-cultural (mis-)communication in the contemporary globalized world.
Animal confinement and use
Authors: Streiffer Robert , Killoren David
Published: October 2018

We distinguish two conceptions of confinement – the agential conception and the comparative conception – and show that the former is intimately related to use in a way that the latter is not. Specifically, in certain conditions, agential confinement constitutes use and creates a special relationship that makes neglect or abuse especially egregious. This allows us to develop and defend an account of one important way in which agential confinement can be morally wrong. We then discuss some of the account’s practical implications, including its usefulness for decision-making in real-world contexts in which animals are confined.
Politicisation of the Eurozone crisis in Finland: adaptation toward the radical right?
Authors: Salo Sanna , Rydgren Jens
Published: October 2018

This paper analyses the politicisation of the Eurozone crisis in Finnish public debate, in May-November 2010. We emphasise how the mainstream parties responded to the radical right Finns Party's framing, in addition to two context factors: first, the constraints posed on domestic policymakers by EU and EMU-level decisions, and secondly, the sharp, economic downturn, encouraging a zero-sum interpretation of distributive claims. To trace actor positions, we analyse 1183 actor-issue statements coded from Finland's main newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat. Our findings suggest that radical right-wing parties can benefit from the high salience of socio-economic issues, if distributive conflict can plausibly be portrayed as a in- and out-group conflict, and that the mainstream parties did not only adopt nationalistic rhetoric as a response to the radical right-wing Finns Party's framing, but were responding to a constraints such as the diminished room for maneuver in the EMU, moving them towards the Finns Party's position.
Anatomical Study of the Chinese Nasal Keystone Region
Authors: Han Zeli , Wang Feng , Zhou Chengyong , Chou Adriana
Published: October 2018

Background

The keystone region is an important anatomical structure to consider in rhinoseptoplasty, because there are few published data regarding the keystone region in Chinese noses.

Objectives

The authors sought to describe the anatomy of the Chinese nasal keystone region and provide useful knowledge for rhinoseptoplasty.

Methods

Sixteen cadaveric heads (11 males, 5 females) were dissected, measured, and then compared with previously published data.

Results

Both the nasal bone caudal margin and nasal bone-upper lateral cartilage overlapping area displayed 5 distinct shapes, and the upper lateral cartilage showed 4 distinct shapes. The nasal bone-upper lateral cartilage overlap was 6.47 mm ± 2.50 in the midline, 3.53 mm ± 2.23 on the left, and 3.81 mm ± 2.56 on the right. The length of the whole quadrangular cartilage was 25.63 mm ± 4.27; 25% ± 8% was overlapped by the nasal bone. The height of the caudal quadrangular cartilage was 18.14 mm ± 3.44, and the width of the nasal bone-upper lateral cartilage articulation was 23.56 mm ± 8.30. The upper lateral cartilage-quadrangular cartilage complex stayed in position on the maxillary crest and nasal spine, even after being dissected from the nasal bone, perpendicular plate of the ethmoid bone, and vomer. Bilateral perichondrial-periosteal mucosa detached from the nasal septum.

Conclusions

We report various anatomical and structural features of the Chinese keystone region, which will be valuable for rhinoseptoplasty planning in Chinese patients.
Imprecise Kidney Function Thresholds in Cancer Clinical Trials and the Potential for Harm
Authors: Wang Edwin , Paulus Jessica K , Hackenyos Douglas , Inker Lesley A , Levey Andrew S , Mathew Paul
Published: October 2018

Current guidance for evaluation of kidney function and drug dosing emphasize using measured or estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) rather than measured or estimated creatinine clearance or serum creatinine (Scr) alone. We assessed the definitions of kidney function thresholds for eligibility in cancer clinical trials. A random sample of active Phase I–III trials with cisplatin (n = 465) and studies in cancer with decreased kidney function (n = 74) were identified from clinicaltrials.gov. Among cisplatin trials, kidney function thresholds were defined by Scr alone or a composite of Scr or creatinine clearance in 46% (212/465) of studies. Only 2% (n = 11) used GFR. Among trials in participants with decreased kidney function, the proportion utilizing GFR (14%, 10/74) was modestly higher. Imprecise and logically inconsistent kidney function thresholds are in frequent use in clinical trials in cancer and may cause harm from either toxicity or impaired efficacy. We recommend the adoption and harmonization of recommended standards.
Atorvastatin Treatment of Cavernous Angiomas with Symptomatic Hemorrhage Exploratory Proof of Concept (AT CASH EPOC) Trial
Authors: Polster Sean P , Stadnik Agnieszka , Akers Amy L , Cao Ying , Christoforidis Gregory A , Fam Maged D , Flemming Kelly D , Girard Romuald , Hobson Nicholas , Koenig James I , Koskimäki Janne , Lane Karen , Liao James K , Lee Cornelia , Lyne Seán B , McBee Nichol , Morrison Leslie , Piedad Kristina , Shenkar Robert , Sorrentino Matthew , Thompson Richard E , Whitehead Kevin J , Zeineddine Hussein A , Hanley Daniel F , Awad Issam A
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

More than a million Americans harbor a cerebral cavernous angioma (CA), and those who suffer a prior symptomatic hemorrhage have an exceptionally high rebleeding risk. Preclinical studies show that atorvastatin blunts CA lesion development and hemorrhage through inhibiting RhoA kinase (ROCK), suggesting it may confer a therapeutic benefit.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether atorvastatin produces a difference compared to placebo in lesional iron deposition as assessed by quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) on magnetic resonance imaging in CAs that have demonstrated a symptomatic hemorrhage in the prior year. Secondary aims shall assess effects on vascular permeability, ROCK activity in peripheral leukocytes, signal effects on clinical outcomes, adverse events, and prespecified subgroups.

METHODS

The phase I/IIa placebo-controlled, double-blinded, single-site clinical trial aims to enroll 80 subjects randomized 1-1 to atorvastatin (starting dose 80 mg PO daily) or placebo. Dosing shall continue for 24-mo or until reaching a safety endpoint.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

The trial is powered to detect an absolute difference of 20% in the mean percent change in lesional QSM per year (2-tailed, power 0.9, alpha 0.05). A decrease in QSM change would be a signal of potential benefit, and an increase would signal a safety concern with the drug.

DISCUSSION

With firm mechanistic rationale, rigorous preclinical discoveries, and biomarker validations, the trial shall explore a proof of concept effect of a widely used repurposed drug in stabilizing CAs after a symptomatic hemorrhage. This will be the first clinical trial of a drug aimed at altering rebleeding in CA.
Pecan Bacterial Leaf Scorch, Caused by Xylella fastidiosa, Is Endemic in Georgia Pecan Orchards
Authors: Bock Clive H. , Oliver Jonathan E. , Chen Chunxian , Hotchkiss Michael H. , Stevenson Katherine L. , Wang Xinwang , Grauke L. J. , Hilton Angelyn E. , Jo Young-Ki , Randall Jennifer J.
Published: October 2018

Pecan bacterial leaf scorch (PBLS), caused by Xylella fastidiosa, can cause severe disease in some pecan cultivars, resulting in yield loss. Only recently has some information been obtained regarding the distribution and extent of the disease in pecan in any state in the United States. With emphasis on a susceptible cultivar, Cape Fear, we sampled a total of 91 trees in eight orchards from the southwestern and central production areas in Georgia (GA) and found 60.4% of trees sampled infected, most showing symptoms of PBLS. Further multilocus sequence typing from 16 of these trees confirmed presence X. fastidiosa. The results confirm that X. fastidiosa is widespread geographically in GA, and different cultivars may be infected. This is the first definitive report confirming X. fastidiosa causing PBLS in different pecan producing areas and cultivars in GA.
Analysis of Shoulder Complex Function After Posterior Spinal Fusion in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Rapp van Roden Elizabeth A. , Richardson Robert Tyler , Russo Stephanie A. , Rose William C. , Nicholson Kristen F. , Chafetz Ross S. , Gabos Peter G. , Shah Suken A. , Samdani Amer F. , Richards James G.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Nonsurgically treated patients with AIS demonstrate altered scapular kinematics and decreased patient-reported shoulder function compared with typically developing adolescents. It is unknown whether surgical correction of the spine deformity has beneficial or detrimental effects on scapulothoracic joint function, as previous assessments of shoulder function following surgery have only focused on humerothoracic motion. The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of scapular kinematics before and after PSF and compare postoperative scapular kinematics in AIS to those of a typically developing cohort.

Methods:

Typically developing adolescents (n=33) and patients with AIS (n=20) with a planned PSF surgery were recruited. Motion capture was used to analyze scapular kinematics at rest and in full abduction. AIS subjects were evaluated before surgery and at a 6-month follow-up. Individual changes following surgery were assessed, and postoperative scapular kinematics were compared with the typically developing subjects.

Results:

Patients with AIS patients in this study demonstrated significant losses of scapulothoracic range of motion for the convex side shoulder and gains of scapulothoracic range of motion for the concave side shoulder following PSF. When compared with typically developing adolescents, the resting scapular position of the postoperative AIS group seemed normalized, but the AIS group still exhibited altered scapular motion, particularly along the upward rotation and tilt axes.

Conclusions:

Patients with AIS demonstrated significant changes at the scapulothoracic joint following PSF. Compared with typically developing adolescents, scapular resting position normalized, but the AIS group still demonstrated altered scapular kinematics, including patterns associated with shoulder pathology. The results of this study will inform the course of short-term postoperative rehabilitation by addressing the upper extremity implications of PSF for individuals with AIS.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.