bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Intervention for Primary Caries Lesions: Are Dentists Implementing This Concept?
Authors: Laske Mark , Opdam Niek J.M. , Bronkhorst Ewald M. , Braspenning Jozé C.C. , van der Sanden Wil J.M. , Huysmans Marie Charlotte D.N.J.M. , Bruers Josef J.
Published: August 2018

Contemporary minimally invasive treatment concepts for restorative treatment of primary caries lesions include both delayed intervention and smaller-sized preparations restricted to removal of carious tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these concepts have resulted in a trend towards a more conservative choice made by dentists regarding treatment thresholds and restorative techniques. The results from previously conducted, precoded questionnaires developed by Espelid and Tveit, as well as from a recent Dutch questionnaire, were collected and analysed. A worldwide trend towards more minimally invasive strategies in the operative treatment of caries lesions could not be observed, neither for the initiation of operative treatment nor for the preparation techniques. However, in some countries, changes over time could be assessed, especially in Norway, where a reduction in the proportion of interventions is visible for both occlusal and approximal lesions, indicating that more dentists are postponing interventions until the lesions have progressed to a deeper level. From the Dutch national survey, it could be concluded that operators that intervene at an earlier stage of approximal lesioning (stage ≤4) also intervene at an earlier stage of occlusal caries (stage ≤3) (p = 0.012; OR = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.22–5.22). Generally, it can be concluded that dentists worldwide still tend to operatively intervene at a too early stage of caries, although variations exist between countries. A worldwide shift could be observed in the restorative material applied, since composite resin has almost completely replaced amalgam for restoring primary caries lesions.
Clinical Impact of Post-Progression Survival on Overall Survival in Elderly Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Harboring Sensitive EGFR Mutations Treated with First-Line EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Imai Hisao , Yamada Yutaka , Sugiyama Tomohide , Minemura Hiroyuki , Kaira Kyoichi , Kanazawa Kenya  , Kasai Takashi  , Kaburagi Takayuki  , Minato Koichi ,   Gunma-Ibaraki-Fukushima-Tochigi (GIFT) group
Published: August 2018

Background/Aims: More than 50% of patients with lung cancer are aged > 65 years, and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all cases of lung cancer among both elderly and adult patients. Subsequent therapies confound the capability to discern the effect of first-line chemotherapy on overall survival (OS). Therefore, using individual-level data, our study aimed to determine the relationships of progression-free survival (PFS) and post-progression survival (PPS) with OS after first-line epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) treatment in elderly patients with NSCLC harboring sensitive EGFR mutations. Methods: Between April 2008 and December 2015, we analyzed 68 elderly patients with NSCLC harboring sensitive EGFR mutations and treated with first-line EGFR-TKI. The relationships of PFS and PPS with OS were analyzed at an individual level. Results: Linear regression analysis showed that PPS was more closely associated with OS (R2 = 0.54) than PFS was (R2 = 0.48). Best response at first-line treatment, performance status at the end of first-line treatment, and administration of EGFR-TKI rechallenge were significantly correlated with PPS. Conclusions: PPS has a stronger impact on OS than PFS does in elderly patients with NSCLC harboring sensitive EGFR mutations and treated with first-line EGFR-TKI. These results indicate that OS in this patient population may be influenced by treatments subsequent to first-line chemotherapy; however, this remains to be verified in prospective studies.
Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis Expression of Competition-Related Genes, Under Sucrose
Authors: Lozano Carla P. , Díaz-Garrido Natalia , Kreth Jens , Giacaman Rodrigo A.
Published: August 2018

Streptococcus mutans synthesizes 3 glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) associated with cariogenic biofilms, while commensal Streptococcus sanguinis produces only one; gtfP and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by SpxB. The aim was to test the hypothesis that under a sucrose-induced cariogenic challenge, the expression of competition-related genes is differentially regulated depending on whether S. sanguinis or S. mutans primarily colonize enamel. Dual-species biofilms of S. sanguinis and S. mutans were formed under different colonization sequences on enamel slabs and exposed to 10% sucrose for 5 min, 3×/day for 5 days. Biofilms were analyzed for the transcriptional response of competition-related genes encoding gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD for S. mutans and gtfP and spxB for S. sanguinis. In addition, acidogenicity (pH) and viable cells in each of the conditions were determined. For all the genes, a downregulation was observed during simultaneous colonization by both bacterial species. In contrast, gtfB was upregulated when S. sanguinis was the first colonizer (p < 0.05). Both gtfC and gtfD were upregulated during sequential inoculation with S. sanguinis as the first colonizer. An eleven-fold upregulation of gtfP was observed in biofilms with S. mutans as initial colonizer (p < 0.05), with a moderate increase in spxB expression. The lowest pH values and viable cells of S. sanguinis were observed when S. mutans first colonized the enamel slabs, compared to the other conditions (p < 0.05). Demanding sucrose-challenged oral environment requires increased expression of virulence traits to effectively compete and thrive in the dental biofilm, especially when the competitor has already colonized the ecological niche.
Renal Failure in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Novel Classifications, Biomarkers, Treatment
Authors: Appenrodt Beate , Lammert Frank
Published: August 2018

Renal failure is a severe complication in patients with liver cirrhosis. It is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Diagnosis is a challenge because it is mainly based on serum creatinine, which does not seem to be an ideal measure of renal function in cirrhosis. The definition of renal failure in these patients has been changed for optimizing treatment and for improving outcome and prognosis. The new criteria are based on the adapted KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) staging system. The diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) is based on an absolute increase of serum creatinine of >0.3 mg/dl from baseline within 48 h or an increase of >50% from baseline. This means smaller changes in serum creatinine in a shorter time frame which may lead to an early identification of renal failure in cirrhotic patients. The former cirrhotic-specific term hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is now part of the new diagnostic criteria and is called HRS-AKI. The diagnostic criteria of HRS have changed due to the new criteria for AKI. Due to these criteria for HRS, the medical treatment will be started earlier. First-line treatment for renal AKI-HRS is the combination of a vasoconstrictor and albumin. Most data exist for terlipressin, a vasopressin analog, as vasoconstrictor. Besides this medical treatment, there are other options like the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, renal replacement, and artificial extracorporeal liver support systems. However, these alternative treatment options have limitations. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for these patients and represents the definitive treatment. Using new biomarkers like urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin or interleukin-18 for renal failure in cirrhosis should help to differentiate the causes of renal failure and provide an indication regarding the prognosis.
Brazilian Administrative Law: influences, Characteristics and recent changes
Authors: Nohara Irene Patrícia
Published: August 2018

The present article aims to expose, using the hypothetical-deductive method, the origins and influences of Brazilian Administrative Law. It is a descriptive article that focuses on the main characteristics of the discipline, belonging to the branch of public law. It also seeks to address recent changes to provide an up-to-date overview of the Brazilian Administrative Law system. It tries to explain how the new institutes and the reforms in the matter contribute to the functioning of the Public Administration.
Regulação ‘Sandbox’ como instrumento regulatório no mercado de capitais
Authors: Coutinho Filho Augusto
Published: August 2018

As inovações tecnológicas no âmbito do mercado de capitais têm causado transformações substanciais nos tipos tradicionais de serviços financeiros prestados por participantes clássicos, como bancos comerciais, bancos de investimento, corretoras e gestoras de recursos. Essas mudanças têm im-pactado também as atividades dos reguladores financeiros, levando alguns deles a adotarem instrumen-tos de regulação inovadores – como a regulação “sandbox” – para dar respostas regulatórias mais eficientes no âmbito dessas rápidas transformações no mercado. Tal conceito ainda não foi aplicado pelos reguladores financeiros no Brasil. O trabalho se propõe a destrinchar os principais conceitos relaciona-dos à regulação sandbox e analisar como ela vem sendo aplicada pelos reguladores financeiros interna-cionais.
A validade da exigência da capacitação técnico-operacional em licitações públicas
Authors: Santanna Gustavo da Silva , Soares Flavio
Published: August 2018

Este artigo trata da figura da capacitação técnico-operacional, prevista na Lei 8.666/93, como mecanismo de habilitação em processos licitatórios conduzidos pela Administração Pública, com enfoque em obras de engenharia. Analisa, em seu curso, à luz da doutrina e da jurisprudência – em especial dos Tribunais de Contas – as possibilidades e restrições de se exigir a experiência pretérita do licitante em serviços cujos escopos fazem parte do objeto da licitação como condição técnica sine qua non para sua participação em determinado certame. O trabalho traz à discussão os critérios e princípios da avaliação qualitativa dos atestados técnicos exigidos, usualmente, para comprovação da experiência anterior referida. Por fim, mostra que a tendência majoritária atual dos Tribunais – e do próprio legislador, com os novos marcos legais sobre o tema – é restringir, ao máximo, as possibilidades de exigência de experiência anterior como fator de habilitação técnica, em prol da competitividade entre os licitantes, na busca de maior eficiência da gestão pública.
Contratos urbanísticos no direito português
Authors: Barboza Olavo Sachetim
Published: August 2018

O presente artigo analisa a aplicação do princípio da concorrência aos contratos urbanísticos, sejam os contratos de execução de planos, sejam os contratos para planejamento. Para isso, leva em consideração pontos como a garantia de participação, a relação entre Administração e suas empresas, a relação entre o Poder Público e os particulares, o valor do contrato, dentre outros.
Alternating Reality: An Interweaving Narrative of Physical and Virtual Cultural Exhibitions
Authors: Hoang Thuong N. , Cox Travis N.
Published: August 2018

Virtual and augmented reality technologies are increasingly utilized by public-facing galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) institutions to convey both heritage and contemporary stories, information, and experiences. However, within these media, the visitors are often overwhelmed by the virtual environment, resulting in the cultural heritage content being pushed to the background. In this article, we present the alternating reality (AltR) narrative that supports the communication of cultural heritage as an interweaving experience that alternates between real and virtual environments. AltR allows both the cultural heritage content and digital technology to play an equal role in augmenting, highlighting, or explicating each other and conveying a shared narrative to the visitors of GLAM institutions. We introduce the AltR experience through an exhibition highlighting the physical replica and contemporary reimagining of one of Walter and Marion Griffin’s buildings. We conducted a study of the AltR experience during the exhibition using a low-cost virtual reality cardboard viewer that lends itself to an intuitive transition between the two environments. The findings showed that the interweaving experiences between the physical replica of cultural heritage and its virtual reimagining allows the visitors to draw the connection between the two sources of information. The narrative is created and controlled by the visitors, leading to an enjoyable experience. Finally, we reflect on the design implications of an AltR narrative for cultural heritage applications derived from the findings of the study.
Crowd Simulation Incorporating Thermal Environments and Responsive Behaviors
Authors: Chen L. , Jung C. R. , Musse S. R. , Moneimne M. , Wang C. , Fruchter R. , Bazjanac V. , Chen G. , Badler N. I.
Published: August 2018

Crowd simulation addresses algorithmic approaches to steering, navigation, perception, and behavioral models. Significant progress has been achieved in modeling interactions between agents and the environment to avoid collisions, exploit empirical local decision data, and plan efficient paths to goals. We address a relatively unexplored dimension of virtual human behavior: thermal perception, comfort, and appropriate behavioral responses. Thermal comfort is associated with the ambient environment, agent density factors, and interpersonal thermal feedback. A key feature of our approach is the temporal integration of both thermal exposure and occupant density to directly influence agent movements and behaviors (e.g., clothing changes) to increase thermal comfort. Empirical thermal comfort models are incorporated as a validation basis. Simple heat transfer models are used to model environment, agent, and interpersonal heat exchange. Our model’s generality makes it applicable to any existing crowd steering algorithm as it adds additional integrative terms to any cost function. Examples illustrate distinctive emergent behaviors such as balancing agent density with thermal comfort, hysteresis in responding to localized or brief thermal events, and discomfort and likely injury produced by extreme packing densities.
What Kind of Perspectivism?
Authors: Kiesewetter Benjamin
Published: August 2018

According to perspectivism about moral obligation, our obligations are affected by our epistemic circumstances. But how exactly should this claim be understood? On Zimmerman’s “Prospective View,” perspectivism is spelled out as the thesis that an option is obligatory if and only if it maximizes what Zimmerman calls “prospective value,” which is in turn determined by the agent’s present evidence. In this article, I raise two objections to this approach. Firstly, I argue that spelling out the difference between perspectivism and anti-perspectivism in terms of value creates a number of problems that can be avoided by an account that proceeds in terms of reasons. Secondly, I argue that Zimmerman focuses on the wrong body of evidence, and that this commits him to an implausible solution to the problem that perspectivists face with regard to advice from better-informed sources.
The Zimmerman-Graham Debate on Objectivism versus Prospectivism
Authors: Smith Holly M.
Published: August 2018

In Living with Uncertainty Michael Zimmerman argues against the Objective view and for the Prospective view of morality. He claims that the conscientious agent would always choose the act that maximizes projected value, and that this is incompatible with Objectivism. Peter Graham defends Objectivism against Zimmerman’s attack. He argues that a conscientious agent must balance fulfilling obligations against avoiding the worst wrong-doings, and that this stance is consistent with Objectivism and with the agent’s choosing an act she believes to be Objectively wrong. In Ignorance and Moral Obligation Zimmerman argues that Graham’s “Objectivism” is only terminologically distinct from his Prospectivism. I argue that Graham faces a dilemma: if his theory delivers different prescriptions from Zimmerman’s, those prescriptions are implausible. On the other hand, if his theory avoids such implausible recommendations, it now generates exactly the same recommendations as Zimmerman’s theory, and so does not constitute a serious challenge to it.
Leafhopper genus Nirvana Kirkaldy (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Evacanthinae) newly recorded from Pakistan with description of a new species
Authors: NAVEED HASSAN , ZHANG YALIN
Published: August 2018

The leafhopper genus Nirvana is reported for the first time from Pakistan based on one new species described here in: Nirvana spinosa sp. nov. Habitus and genital photographic illustrations are provided for the new species.
Two new species of sand-burrowing amphipods of the genus Haustorius Müller, 1775 (Amphipoda: Haustoriidae) from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: HANCOCK ZACHARY B.
Published: August 2018

Undescribed species of the genus Haustorius Müller, 1775 have long been known to exist in the Gulf of Mexico. These sand-burrowing amphipods are abundant intertidal members of fine sand beaches. Two new species are here described, Haustorius galvezi sp. nov. and Haustorius allardi sp. nov. The range of H. jayneae is extended to Carrabelle Beach, FL. A review of the genera Haustorius and Lepidactylus is included, as well as notes on their ecology and biogeography. Additionally, a full key to all known Haustoriidae of the Gulf of Mexico is presented.
Eimeria psittacarae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeiriidae) from white-eyed parakeets Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller, 1776) (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) kept for rehabilitation and reintroduction in the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, Southeastern Brazil
Authors: TUCUNDUVA PRISCILA , RODRIGUES MARIANA BORGES , DE CARVALHO RAQUEL BATISTA JUNGER , BERTO BRUNO PEREIRA
Published: August 2018

A new species of coccidia (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) found parasitizing the white-eyed parakeet Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller, 1776) in Brazil is described. Eimeria psittacarae n. sp. has oocysts that are ellipsoidal, 34.8 × 24.3 μm, with smooth, bilayered wall, ~1.7 μm thick. Micropyle present. Oocyst residuum absent, but one or two polar granules are present. Sporocysts are elongate ellipsoidal, 19.2 × 9.7 μm. Stieda body knob-like and sub-Stieda body rounded. Sporocyst residuum is composed of granules that appear to be membrane-bounded. Sporozoites are vermiform with one refractile body and a nucleus. This is the sixth description of an eimeriid coccidium parasitizing a New World psittacine.
One New Species of the Genus Stenus Latreille (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from Hubei, China
Authors: LV WEI-XIANG , ZHAO CAI-YUN , ZHOU HONG-ZHANG
Published: August 2018

This paper treats the S. cephalotes group and S. indubius group (Coleoptera: Steninae) from China and includes description of one new species: Stenus wujiei Lv, Zhao & Zhou, sp. nov. from Hubei, China. S. detestabilis Puthz and S. hui Tang & Puthz are newly recorded to Hubei Province. Their diagnostic characters are illustrated.
A Dynamical Mechanism for Secondary Eyewall Formation in Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Miyamoto Yoshiaki , Nolan David S. , Sugimoto Norihiko
Published: August 2018

This study proposes that secondary eyewall formation (SEF) of tropical cyclones (TCs) can be attributed to an instability of flow in the free atmosphere coupled with Ekman pumping. Unstable solutions of a 1.5-layer shallow-water system are obtained under fast–wind speed conditions in the free atmosphere. The instability condition derived in the linear model indicates the importance of the ratio of angular velocity to vorticity, and the condition is more likely to be satisfied when the ratio is large and its radial gradient is positive. Thus, fast angular velocity, low absolute vertical vorticity, small negative radial gradient of angular velocity, and large negative gradient of vertical vorticity are favorable. Eigenvalue analyses are performed over a wide range of parameters using a vorticity profile with an infinitesimal secondary maximum. The growth rate increases with vorticity outside the radius of maximum wind (RMW), the radius of the secondary vorticity maximum, its magnitude, and the Rossby number defined by maximum tangential velocity, the RMW, and the Coriolis parameter. Furthermore, the growth rate is positive only between 2 and 7 times the RMW, and it is negative close to or far outside the RMW. These features are consistent with previous studies on SEF. A dimensionless quantity obtained from the unstable condition in the linear theory is applied to SEF events simulated by two different full-physics numerical models; increases several hours before a secondary peak of tangential velocity forms, suggesting that the initial process of SEF can be attributed to the proposed mechanism.
Estimating the Transient Climate Response from Observed Warming
Authors: Schurer Andrew , Hegerl Gabi , Ribes Aurélien , Polson Debbie , Morice Colin , Tett Simon
Published: August 2018

The transient climate response (TCR) quantifies the warming expected during a transient doubling of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Many previous studies quantifying the observed historic response to greenhouse gases, and with it the TCR, use multimodel mean fingerprints and found reasonably constrained values, which contributed to the IPCC estimated (>66%) range from 1° to 2.5°C. Here, it is shown that while the multimodel mean fingerprint is statistically more powerful than any individual model’s fingerprint, it does lead to overconfident results when applied to synthetic data, if model uncertainty is neglected. Here, a Bayesian method is used that estimates TCR, accounting for climate model and observational uncertainty with indices of global temperature that aim at constraining the aerosol contribution to the historical record better. Model uncertainty in the aerosol response was found to be large. Nevertheless, an overall TCR estimate of 0.4°–3.1°C (>90%) was calculated from the historical record, which reduces to 1.0°–2.6°C when using prior information that rules out negative TCR values and model misestimates of more than a factor of 3, and to 1.2°–2.4°C when using the multimodel mean fingerprints with a variance correction. Modeled temperature, like in the observations, is calculated as a blend of sea surface and air temperatures.
Primary Middle Ear Mucosal Melanoma: Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review of 21 Cases of Primary Middle Ear and Eustachian Tube Melanoma
Authors: Maxwell Anne K. , Takeda Hiroki , Gubbels Samuel P.
Published: August 2018

Objective:

To present a case of primary middle ear mucosal melanoma and perform a comprehensive literature review of middle ear and eustachian tube mucosal melanoma.

Patient:

A 61-year-old female presented with no prior history of melanoma and 3 months of aural fullness. A middle ear mass demonstrated primary mucosal melanoma. The mass extended from mesotympanum into hypotympanum, epitympanum, protympanum, eustachian tube, and mastoid antrum. Additionally, a nonenhancing expansile lesion of the petrous apex was noted on magnetic resonance imaging.

Intervention:

Subtotal temporal bone resection with transotic approach to the petrous abnormality was performed. Postoperative adjuvant radiation and immunotherapy were given.

Results:

Five months postoperatively, the patient developed an isolated cutaneous metastatic focus treated with wide local excision and has had no further evidence of recurrence to date. Upon comprehensive literature review, patients with primary middle ear melanomas (n = 10) present with otorrhea (50%), aural fullness (40%), and hearing loss (30%) most commonly, while hearing loss (81.8%) and aural fullness (54.5%) were the most common presenting symptoms for eustachian tube melanomas (n = 11). Patients were treated with combinations of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Middle ear melanoma demonstrated particularly poor outcomes, with 70% mortality, 20% local recurrence, and 50% distant metastasis, whereas eustachian tube origin demonstrated 9.1%, 18.2%, and 36.4%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Middle ear and eustachian tube mucosal melanomas are exceedingly rare, with middle ear melanomas demonstrating a worse prognosis. Multimodality therapy is commonly used; however, outcomes are poor, with high mortality among affected patients.
Intravenous Push Administration of Antibiotics: Literature and Considerations
Authors: Spencer Samantha , Ipema Heather , Hartke Patricia , Krueger Courtney , Rodriguez Ryan , Gross Alan E. , Gabay Michael
Published: August 2018

Intravenous (IV) push administration can provide clinical and practical advantages over longer IV infusions in multiple clinical scenarios, including in the emergency department, in fluid-restricted patients, and when supplies of diluents are limited. In these settings, conversion to IV push administration may provide a solution. This review compiles available data on IV push administration of antibiotics in adults, including preparation, stability, and administration instructions. Prescribing information, multiple tertiary drug resources, and primary literature were consulted to compile relevant data. Several antibiotics are Food and Drug Administration–approved for IV push administration, including many beta-lactams. In addition, cefepime, ceftriaxone, ertapenem, gentamicin, and tobramycin have primary literature data to support IV push administration. While amikacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem/cilastatin, and metronidazole have limited primary literature data on IV push administration, available data do not support that route. In addition, a discussion on practical considerations, such as IV push best practices and pharmacodynamic considerations, is provided.
Decolonizing the reading landscape: A conversation with Kgauhelo Dube
Authors: Sandwith Corinne , Soldati-Kahimbaara Khulukazi , Fasselt Rebecca
Published: August 2018

Reading and literacy projects in South Africa have a long and fascinating history. In this conversation, Kgauhelo Dube talks about a contemporary Pretoria-based initiative which seeks to promote reading and literacy through the showcasing of African authors and texts. The discussion explores some of the social and material dynamics which inform the post-apartheid reading project, including the lack of reading and library facilities in township settings and the ongoing alienation experienced by black students and scholars in white-dominated institutions. It points to the importance of the contemporary revival of the discourse of decoloniality as a means of framing the project, and as a route to understanding the broader contexts in which African literature is produced and consumed. The discussion also engages with the importance of the short story form for the public reading event and considers some of the ways in which the written text is subsequently reshaped as a dynamic and mobile digital product.
Militarized Disputes, Uncertainty, and Leader Tenure
Authors: Smith Bradley C. , Spaniel William
Published: August 2018

How do new leaders impact crisis negotiations? We argue that opposing states know less about such a leader’s resolve over the issues at stake. To fully appreciate the consequences, we develop a multi-period bargaining model of negotiations. In equilibrium, as a proposer becomes close to certain of its opponent’s type, the duration and intensity of war goes to 0. We then test whether increase in leader tenure decrease the duration of militarized interstate disputes. Our estimates indicate that crises involving new leaders are 25.3 percent more likely to last one month than crises involving leaders with four years of tenure. Moreover, such conflicts are more likely to result in higher fatality levels. These results further indicate that leader tenure is a useful proxy for uncertainty.
Preface to the Special Issue
Authors: Gastil John , Wright Erik Olin
Published: August 2018

This special issue explores the theoretical and practical prospects for creating legislative bodies via sortition. This preface summarizes the purpose of the issue and each of the articles therein.
Legislature by Lot: Envisioning Sortition within a Bicameral System
Authors: Gastil John , Wright Erik Olin
Published: August 2018

In this article, we review the intrinsic democratic flaws in electoral representation, lay out a set of principles that should guide the construction of a sortition chamber, and argue for the virtue of a bicameral system that combines sortition and elections. We show how sortition could prove inclusive, give citizens greater control of the political agenda, and make their participation more deliberative and influential. We consider various design challenges, such as the sampling method, legislative training, and deliberative procedures. We explain why pairing sortition with an elected chamber could enhance its virtues while dampening its potential vices. In our conclusion, we identify ideal settings for experimenting with sortition.
Should Democracy Work through Elections or Sortition?
Authors: Malleson Tom
Published: August 2018

Are democratic ideals better served by elections or sortition? Is the ideal national legislature one that is elected, chosen by lot, or some combination thereof? To answer these questions properly, it is necessary to perform a careful, balanced, and systematic comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of each. To do so, this article uses foundational democratic values—political equality, popular control, deliberative nature, and competency—as measuring sticks. On the basis of these values a purely elected legislature is compared with a purely sortition one, on the assumption that each has the full decision-making powers normally possessed by national legislatures. This big picture will provide a clearer view of the strengths and weaknesses of the respective systems and their trade-offs, as well as the open questions that remain.
Professional and social responsibility in Psychology and other mental health disciplines with reference to the Goldwater Rule
Authors: Pillay Anthony L
Published: August 2018

The concerns of mental health professionals about the psychological characteristics and behaviour of political leaders forces a rethinking of their professional and social responsibility, especially in the context of the Goldwater Rule that applies to psychiatrists in the United States. Despite the fact that this ethical guideline does not pertain to Psychology professionals or the African continent, it is worthy of discussion and interrogation, considering the prevalence of poor leadership internationally, and the need for the previously colonised world to ensure independent and critical thinking on such matters. The article questions the traditional, narrow focus of psychologists and other mental health specialists in conceptualising professional and ethical roles, and raises the issue of their professional and social responsibility to help shape society and its democratic processes. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and others have much to contribute in this respect and they have to question the ethical and social responsibility impact of remaining silent in the face of behaviourally and psychologically maladjusted individuals being elected to high offices such as President and other influential positions. These professionals must adopt a public health approach that always has in mind the well-being of the broader society.
#Sciencemustfall and Africanising the curriculum: findings from an online interaction
Authors: Ally Yaseen , August Justin
Published: August 2018

Dialogue on the relevance of psychology in South Africa cannot be established if it excludes cultural belief systems and the implications they pose on the lived experiences of individuals. Dialogue on cultural beliefs, however, brings with it conflict between scientific thinking and cultural beliefs. In this article, 11,124 online comments in response to a #sciencemustfall video during the #feesmustfall 2016 protests in South Africa were analysed using a thematic content analysis. The analysis focused on online comments posted in response to the story of a protesting student recommending that #sciencemustfall and that science must be built on the belief in witchcraft and the supernatural. The findings suggest that Africanising of curricula is associated with the perception that Western scientific thinking is absolute at the expense of cultural belief systems. There was also racist resistance to Africanising the curriculum.
Titles of Contention: Sociocultural Change and Conflict over Legalization of Indigenous Lands in Southeastern Ecuador
Authors: Márquez Porras Raúl , Eguiguren Riofrío María Beatriz , Vera Vera Ana
Published: August 2018

Shuar communities in southeastern Ecuador are receiving collective property titles to their ancestral lands. This is being done as a way to guarantee their material and cultural survival, but the titling triggers sociocultural changes and conflict and its outcomes depend largely on the way it is implemented. The consequences of the titling process in communities in Nangaritza and El Pangui in which Shuar, Saraguro, and mestizos coexist include both tensions and informal arrangements to resolve the historically conflictive issue of access to the land.

Las comunidades Shuar en el sureste de Ecuador están recibiendo títulos de propiedad colectiva de sus tierras ancestrales. Esto se está haciendo como una forma de garantizar su supervivencia material y cultural, pero la titulación desencadena cambios y conflictos socioculturales y sus resultados dependen en gran medida de la forma en que se implemente. Las consecuencias del proceso de titulación en comunidades de Nangaritza y El Pangui en las que cohabitan Shuar, Saraguro y mestizos incluyen tensiones y arreglos informales para resolver el problema histórico del acceso a la tierra.
The Curious Relationship Between Military Service and Entrepreneurial Intentions in Israel
Authors: Polin Brian A. , Ehrman Chaim M.
Published: August 2018

Our research, based on a sample of 500 veterans currently studying at Israeli colleges and universities, suggests that certain aspects of military service are associated with greater entrepreneurial intentions. Specifically, the desire to engage in entrepreneurship is higher among veterans with command experience than veterans without. Similarly, veterans of technological units generally express greater entrepreneurial interest than veterans of combat units. A comparison of commissioned and noncommissioned officers yields curious results and offers a possible direction for further investigation. Although Israel is among the few countries that maintains a mandatory draft, the general applicability of these findings to countries with volunteer forces is discussed.
Desire or Displacement? Working-Class Notions of Urban Belonging in Late-Nineteenth-Century Germany
Authors: Reick Philipp
Published: August 2018

The displacement of working-class residents from center to periphery constitutes a crucial element of late-nineteenth-century urbanization. Yet urban historiography has paid little attention to how this process was perceived by those most directly affected. Analyzing primary source material from late-nineteenth-century Germany, this article argues that working-class urbanites opposed suburbanization not only because of their jobs or to remain close to places of entertainment and leisure. Rather, the nascent working-class movement also criticized suburbanization because they feared it jeopardized opportunities for political participation and collective action. Against this backdrop, I argue that contemporary discussions around the “Right to the City” differ considerably from earlier rhetoric. In particular, I show that working-class communities suffering from displacement in present-day cities are deprived of some of the most influential framings of the past. The paper, thus, illustrates how interdisciplinary perspectives open new avenues for critical research on notions of urban belonging.
New and Improved? 21st Century Cures Act Revisions to Certificates of Confidentiality
Authors: Wolf Leslie E. , Beskow Laura M.
Published: August 2018

Certificates of Confidentiality (“Certificates”) are a federal legal tool designed to protect sensitive, identifiable research data from compelled disclosure. Congress first authorized their use in 1970 to facilitate research on illegal drug use. The scope of their use was later expanded to cover mental health research and then again to apply broadly to identifiable, sensitive research data, regardless of topic. Certificates can be critical to enabling conduct of essential research on sensitive topics, such as effective interventions to curb the opioid epidemic or reduce HIV transmission among minority youth. Nevertheless, there have been criticisms about Certificates and their use on several grounds. For example, researchers and institutional review boards (“IRBs”) may lack sufficient knowledge about them and, therefore, may not consider using them in studies for which they would be appropriate. In contrast to other protections, such as Department of Justice Privacy Certificates, Certificate protections were not automatically extended to these studies, but instead required an application. In addition, the concept of identifiable data had not kept up with technological changes that may allow for reidentification of data previously considered unidentifiable. Although a researcher who obtained a Certificate could use it to resist a legal demand for identifiable data, little was known about the actual effectiveness of the protection provided.

The 21st Century Cures Act substantially revises the Certificates authorizing statute, and many of the changes are directly responsive to the criticisms that have been raised. Significantly, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) must issue Certificate protection to federally funded research involving identifiable, sensitive research data, and the National Institutes of Health (“NIH”) will automatically include such protections to research it funds. Non-federally funded researchers can continue to apply for Certificate protection. The definition of identifiable has been expanded to include data “for which there is at least a very small risk” of identification. Certificates will now not only protect against compelled disclosure, but also render protected data inadmissible in legal proceedings without participant consent. In addition, voluntary disclosure is no longer authorized, but there is now a broad exception for disclosure as required by federal, state, and local laws. In this paper, based on our previous research on Certificates, we critically evaluate the 21st Century Cures Act's Certificates revisions and their positive and negative impact on the dual goals of facilitating important, sensitive research while maximally protecting individual research participants.
Identification of mechanical and damage parameters of composite laminates based on a CPAM method
Authors: Masoumi Farshid , Ghasemi-Ghalebahman Ahmad , Kokabi Mohammad-Javad
Published: August 2018

A new method combining experimental and numerical data is proposed to simultaneously determine the mechanical properties and damage parameters in multilayered composite plates. Studied parameters are mechanical properties of each layer, width and length of delamination zone, location of damage’s center, and interface location of the damage. In this method, the PSO optimization procedure based on a CPAM algorithm uses vibration test data along with their corresponding numerical solution. Vibration data are the plates’ natural frequencies and mode shapes obtained in the modal laboratory. In order to efficiently investigate the studied parameters, the numerical solution is investigated by a commercial finite element package. The error function constitutes two parts, one part is included by the sum of the squared differences between experimental and numerical natural frequencies and the other is based on the mode shapes data. The mode shapes’ curvatures are also utilized to achieve high sensitivity to small faults. Moreover, by applying a Gaussian disorder model to the vibrational data, the sensitivity of the method is evaluated in the presence of unwanted noises. The results confirm the robustness of the proposed study for identifying both mechanical constants and damage parameters in composite plates.
Worldwide distribution and abundance of microplastic: How dire is the situation?
Authors: Shahul Hamid Fauziah , Bhatti Mehran Sanam , Anuar Norkhairiyah , Anuar Norkhairah , Mohan Priya , Periathamby Agamuthu
Published: August 2018

The widespread occurrence of microplastic has invaded the environment to an extent that it appears to be present throughout the globe. This review investigated the global abundance and distribution of microplastics in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, the issues and challenges have been addressed for better findings in microplastics studies. Findings revealed that the accumulation of microplastics varies geographically, with locations, hydrodynamic conditions, environmental pressure, and time. From this review, it is crucial that proper regulations are proposed and implemented in order to reduce the occurrence of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Without appropriate law and regulations, microplastic pollution will eventually threaten human livelihood.
Numerical and experimental investigation of carbon monoxide spread in underground mine fires
Authors: Zhou Lihong , Yuan Liming , Bahrami Davood , Thomas Richard A , Rowland James H
Published: August 2018

The primary danger with underground mine fires is carbon monoxide poisoning. A good knowledge of smoke and carbon monoxide movement in an underground mine during a fire is of importance for the design of ventilation systems, emergency response, and miners’ escape and rescue. Mine fire simulation software packages have been widely used to predict carbon monoxide concentration and its spread in a mine for effective mine fire emergency planning. However, they are not highly recommended to be used to forecast the actual carbon monoxide concentration due to lack of validation studies. In this article, MFIRE, a mine fire simulation software based on ventilation networks, was evaluated for its carbon monoxide spread prediction capabilities using experimental results from large-scale diesel fuel and conveyor belt fire tests conducted in the Safety Research Coal Mine at The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The comparison between the simulation and test results of carbon monoxide concentration shows good agreement and indicates that MFIRE is able to predict the carbon monoxide spread in underground mine fires with confidence.
Civil conflict and voting behavior: Evidence from Colombia
Authors: Gallego Jorge
Published: August 2018

What are the effects of war on political behavior? Colombia is an interesting case in which conflict and elections coexist, and illegal armed groups intentionally affect electoral outcomes. Nonetheless, groups have used different strategies to alter these results. This paper argues that differential effects of violence on electoral outcomes are the result of deliberate strategies followed by illegal groups, which in turn result from military conditions that differ between them. Using panel data from Senate elections from 1994 to 2006 and an instrumental variables approach to address potential endogeneity concerns, this paper shows that guerrilla violence decreases turnout, while paramilitary violence has no effect on participation, but reduces electoral competition and benefits non-traditional third parties. FARC violence is significantly higher during election years, while paramilitary violence is lower. This is consistent with the hypothesis that the guerrillas’ strategy is to sabotage elections, while paramilitaries establish alliances with certain candidates.
Association of BMI Changes Between Adolescence and Young Adulthood With Smoking Cessation
Authors: Walker Jerome F. , Loprinzi Paul D.
Published: August 2018

Purpose:

Weight gain frequently accompanies smoking cessation. This study examined if increasing body mass index (BMI) during the early years of smoking influences quitting by young adulthood.

Design:

Longitudinal, observational study using in-home interview data.

Setting:

National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health (Add Health) 1994 to 2008.

Subjects:

Nine hundred forty-nine adolescent smokers (12-19 years) followed into young adulthood (20-32 years) through 4 waves of in-home interviews.

Measures:

Outcome variable: Young adult smoking status (yes or no) reported at in-home interviews. Factors: Gender and 4 longitudinal adolescent/young adult BMI trajectories—normal/normal, normal/overweight, normal/obese, and overweight/obese. Covariates: Race-ethnicity, education, household income, and recent quit attempt in adolescence.

Analysis:

Binary logistic regression analysis.

Results:

Overall, the rate at which young adults quit smoking was not significantly different based on gender. However, longitudinal changes in BMI trajectory and gender interact to influence young adult smoking status. Women having normal/overweight and normal/obese BMI trajectories were less likely to quit smoking than men. Odds that young adults having some college or post-high school education quit smoking were greater than those with high school education or less.

Conclusion:

At a minimum, providing direct information regarding anticipated weight changes after quitting is indicated in smoking cessation intervention, in addition to strategies to mitigate postcessation weight gain. Faced with weight gain, younger smokers, particularly women, may be more resistant to quitting smoking.
Preparation and characterization of sulfonated poly(arylene thioether sulfone)/imino-containing phosphorylated silica particle composite proton exchange membranes
Authors: Hou Jinghe , Liu Shanshan , Sun Xiang , Xiao Zhenyu , Ding Huili
Published: August 2018

In this article, novel nanocomposite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were prepared by embedding imino-containing phosphorylated silica nanoparticles into a sulfonated poly(arylene thioether sulfone) (SPTES) polymer matrix. SPTES was synthesized via condensation polymerization of 4,4′-thiobisbenzenethiol, 4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone, and disodium 3,3′-disulfonate-4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone. The imino-containing phosphorylated silica particles (Si-imP) were prepared by the Kabachnik–Fields reaction, which is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results showed that the Si-imP were uniformly distributed in the composite membrane. The properties of the composite membranes, including thermal stability, water uptake, swelling ratio, oxidative stability, and proton conductivity, were thoroughly evaluated. Experimental results indicated that Si-imP may be effective reinforcement materials for SPTES membranes. It is noteworthy that an increase in proton conductivity from 0.138 S cm−1 of the SPTES control membrane to 0.173 S cm−1 of the composite membrane was achieved at the Si-imP content of 5 wt% under fully hydrated conditions at 80°C. This finding primarily stems from the fact that the Si-imP could be linked with the sulfonate ion clusters of SPTES to form more continuous ionic networks. These networks act as efficient proton-hopping pathways to enhanced proton conductivity. The nanocomposite membranes are demonstrated to be promising candidates as new polymeric electrolyte materials for PEM fuel cells operated at medium temperatures.